Book 26 - What the RATCHET?!

Nancy & I :)

On June 20th, I had the privilege of meeting Ms. Cavanaugh, a cute little lady who just published her first book with a punch! During her session with fans, she explained that she began writing this story in 1994, and it wasn't until 2012 when she finally found someone who wanted to publish it. If that's not perseverance, I don't know what is. She's now a great inspiration to me, and when I begin my own writing journey (soon, I promise), I will forever remember her stories about fighting to keep her work alive.


"One of the freshest new voices I've heard in a while... This debut novel is a winner."      -Augusta Scattergood

Yay!!

"Miss Noonan" (giggle) Love it!

Nancy created a great presentation! Very unique - she really
welcomed us into her personal life. She's human, like every one
else, and has dreams (that came true!!).

Nancy setting up

Nancy :)

Let me tell you - there is NOTHING cooler
than listening to an author read his or her
story to you! :)

Book 26: This Journal Belongs to Ratchet by Nancy J. Cavanaugh

This Journal Belongs to Ratchet
(click here to purchase)

Description: A debut middle grade novel about a girl named Ratchet and her quest to make a friend, save a park, and find her own definition of normal. Ratchet tells her story through the assignments in her homeschool journal. If only getting a new life were as easy as getting a new notebook. But it's not. It's the first day of school for all the kids in the neighborhood. But not for me. I'm homeschooled. That means nothing new. No new book bag, no new clothes, and no friends – old or new. The best I've got is this notebook. I'm supposed to use it for my writing assignments, but my dad never checks. Here's what I'm really going to use it for:
Ratchet's Top Secret Plan
Project Goal: turn my old, recycled, freakish, friendless, motherless life into something shiny and new.
This year, I'm going make something change. [GoodReads]

If there's an author out there who has thrown all of herself into a novel, it's Nancy. Ratchet is a book that was eighteen years in the making. When Nancy described this journey during her session, she explained that when she was finally published, her husband bought her a ratchet and had the word Perseverance engraved onto it. That's just who Nancy is to me: a hero; a fighter; a woman who stopped at nothing to get her story into the hands of readers.

As a middle grades Language Arts teacher, this is the perfect book! Ratchet (aka Rachel) is homeschooled - therefore she tells her story through her writing assignments in the form of poems, free writing exercises, essays, speeches, etc. Not only does this book tell a very likable story about a young girl trying to discover herself despite not having a mother or any real friends, but it shows young people the value of writing.

What I like most about the story is Ratchet's dedication to fulfill the goals she's made for herself. While she struggles growing up with her father by living in numerous "handy man specials" and knowing more about cars than the average mechanic, Ratchet never gives up her dream to learn about her mother, make friends, and discover who she truly is. Nancy's own spirit really shines through Ratchet's writings.

Oh, and Nancy does have another novel, Always, Abigail, that will hit shelves in the fall of 2014! It's another original story, but unlike Ratchet, this one is written through notes and letters. If it's anything like Ratchet, it's sure to be a hit among young students and adults and everyone in between.

*You may be able to find a signed copy of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois.

Meet the author: Nancy J. Cavanaugh lives in Florida with her husband and her daughter. This Journal Belongs to Ratchet is her first book, but she has been writing for almost twenty years. Like her main character, Nancy is pretty handy with a ratchet and is able to take apart a small engine and put it back together. In addition to her mechanic's hat, Nancy has been an elementary and middle school teacher as well as a library media specialist. One of her favorite parts of writing for children is being able to say "I'm working" when reading middle grade novels. [GoodReads]

To visit Nancy, follow these links:
Nancy J. Cavanaugh SITE
Facebook

Nancy signing my book!

UPCOMING BOOKS: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate & Eve & Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate
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