A PLACE FOR PLUTO is Black Eyed Susan Award Nominee

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Stef Wade

A PLACE FOR PLUTO has made the nominee list for the Maryland Association of School Librarians Black Eyed Susan Award for the 2019-2020 school year! What does this mean? It means that during the upcoming school year, students vote from the nominees on their favorite of the bunch, from picture books through young adult. Awards are given in May 2020.

I’m so excited to be a part of this and blown away at the list of names. It is surreal to see my name on a list of such amazing authors. And I’d like to send a special shout-out to Melanie Demmer, illustrator of A PLACE FOR PLUTO. It would never have made this list without you!

Below is a list of the picture book nominees. To see a full list of the nominees, click here. If you haven’t checked out any or all of the books on this list, please run to the library or book store and do so!

Stef Wade earns children’s literary award for Wisconsin writers

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Stef Wade

I continue to be awed and humbled by the outpouring of love for this first book of mine. And…I’m excited to announce that I am the honorable mention recipient for the Council For Wisconsin Writers Tofte/Wright Children’s Literary Award for the writing of A PLACE FOR PLUTO. This award is given to Wisconsin residents for literary works for children published in 2018. I’m honored to be in great company with author Patricia Sutton for her work on CAPSIZED.

A full list of winners from other categories can be found here.

Below is some information and history on the award from the Council for Wisconsin Writers website:

Arthur Tofte/Betty Ren Wright Children’s Literature Award

The Arthur Tofte/Betty Ren Wright Children’s Literature Award is given to the Best Children’s Book published by a Wisconsin-based writer in the previous year. From 1966 to 1992 this award was known as the Juvenile Book Award, and from 1997-2003 as the Arthur Tofte Juvenile Fiction Book Award. See a list of past winners of this award.

About its namesakes:

Arthur Tofte (1902-1980) enjoyed two distinctly different careers: one as a businessman and the other as an author of science fiction, fantasy, and the occult. He published his first story, “The Meteor Monsters,” for Amazing magazine in 1938 when he was a member of the Milwaukee Fictioneers, a group focused on the memory and style of influential science fiction writer Stanley G. Weinbaum. Tofte then focused on his career as a business executive in Milwaukee. Upon his retirement in 1969, and with the encouragement of editor Roger Elwood, he began publishing again, eventually producing five novels, 18 short stories, and four essays. His most popular works include Crash Landing on Iduna (1975), Walls Within Walls (1975), and The Ghost Hunters. His The Day the Earth Stood Still (1976) is a full-length version of the short story made into the world-famous film.

Betty Ren Wright (1927- 2013) grew up in Milwaukee, graduated from Milwaukee-Downer College (now Lawrence University), and worked as an editor for Western Publishing Co. in Racine from 1949 to 1978 until turning to writing full time. Known for her mastery of mystery and suspense, her popular mysteries for middle-grade readers include A Ghost in the House, The Ghost of Mercy Manor, Too Many Secrets, and A Ghost Comes Calling. Her novel The Dollhouse Murders was a 1983 Edgar Award nominee in the best juvenile category and won the Texas Blue Bonnet Award. She also wrote 35 picture books, and her short stories appeared in Young Miss, Ladies’ Home Journal, Redbook, and many other magazines.

Stef Wade to publish next picture book in 2020

Posted on January 8, 2019 by Stef Wade

I can officially say, my newest picture book comes out next year! I’m so excited to bring you LANCE COTTONWOOD IS AFRAID TO FALL, releasing Fall 2020, published by Capstone.

LANCE COTTONWOOD follows Lance the leaf, who’s the best student in his class, but is afraid of his final exam…falling.

Get ready for another pun-ny and fact-filled adventure!

Stay tuned for more information on illustrator and release dates.

A PLACE FOR PLUTO Book Launch Event

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Stef Wade

I’m excited to announce a special launch party for A PLACE FOR PLUTO! Our awesome friends at Jaunt and Berry Yo in Arlington Heights, IL are teaming up to bring you an exciting day for all things Pluto! Bring family and friends and join me for a fun afternoon!

A PLACE FOR PLUTO BOOK LAUNCH PARTY

Monday, July 2

12:30 – 1:30 p.m
at JAUNT
131 W Wing St, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Purchase your copy of A PLACE FOR PLUTO

1:30 p.m.
at BERRY YO
50 N Vail Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Reading and Q&A session with Stef Wade, followed by book signing, activities, fro yo and fun!

About Pluto

Pluto got the shock of his life when he was kicked out of the famous nine. His planet status was stripped away, leaving him lost and confused. Poor Pluto! On his quest to find a place where he belongs, he talks to comets, asteroids, and meteoroids. He doesn’t fit it anywhere! But when Pluto is about to give up, he runs into a dwarf planet and finally finds his place in the solar system. This feel-good picture book combines a popular science topic with character education themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and friendship. It has bonus material in the back matter to support curriculum.

About Stef

Stef Wade is the author of A PLACE FOR PLUTO. Growing up in Des Plaines, IL, she dreamed of seeing her book on the shelf one day. And now her dream has come true! Stef is an alumnus of St. Paul Lutheran School in Mt. Prospect and Maine West High School in Des Plaines. A PLACE FOR PLUTO is her debut picture book and has been chosen by Barnes & Noble for their national storytime on August 11.

“Make space for this clever blend of science and self-realization.” –Kirkus Reviews

“A delightful and accessible take on the redesignation of the Kuiper Belt’s most controversial orbiter.” – Foreward Reviews

Pre-order A PLACE FOR PLUTO

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Stef Wade

Every step of this process makes my dream feel like a reality. Today, it’s the link…to buy my book…at Barnes & Noble! A PLACE FOR PLUTO comes out August 1, but you can order your copy now! Or two. Just kidding. (Not really kidding, they make great gifts.)

So without further ado, here is the link: A PLACE FOR PLUTO pre-order

A PLACE FOR PLUTO coming Summer 2018

Posted on November 1, 2017 by Stef Wade

Dreams come true.

Writing has been my “thing” since I was able to form words on a paper. Being an author has been my dream since I started reading. Eight years ago, I decided to get serious about it.

I’m proud and excited to announce that my first children’s book is becoming a reality. A PLACE FOR PLUTO will hit shelves Summer 2018.

A PLACE FOR PLUTO follows Pluto as he struggles with a bit of an identity crisis after being told he’s no longer a planet. The book is illustrated by Melanie Demmer and published by Capstone.

For the Publisher’s Weekly announcement, click here.

I’ll share more about my journey along the way, but for now, we’re popping the cork and toasting to Pluto. Here’s to chasing dreams that may seem out of this world.

Cheers!

SaveSave

#cringeworthy

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Stef Wade

Inquiring minds want to know my thought process when my mom decides to expose the inner most workings of my private life for the viewing pleasure of the entire world. It’s a process of emotions.

First, there’s dread.

My stomach drops like an Adele record every time I see an email notification on my phone. Could it be another post from my mom? Will it ruin my social life?

Second, there’s anger.

I’m like a teenager girl version of the Incredible Hulk. Another post? Sadie ANGRY! Sadie SMASH! Or if I’m feeling a bit more self-contained, it comes out like the ultimate Wonder Years/Kevin Arnold stare down.

Third, there’s embarrassment.

If my mom’s posts make YOU uncomfortable, imagine how I feel! If I don’t look at you while I’m walking down the hallway, it’s because I’m too busy hanging my head in shame. My life is one #cringeworthy moment after another.

Now if you excuse me, I’m going to find a dark closet to hide in for the rest of the day.

In truth,

Sadie Peck

#DIYBookClub – June

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Stef Wade

I signed my son up today for the summer reading program at the library and wished they had one for adults! But for now the #DIYBookClub is going to be as good as it gets. So without further ado, the category for the June #DIYBookClub is:

Read a book by an author you’ve read once and liked.

This is a fun one for me. I often shy away from reading a second book by an author (at least for awhile) so I don’t keep too narrow of a scope in my reading. But when you read something you really like, chances are, the author will have more! And why wouldn’t you want more!

So this month, I am reading Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, author of Eleanor & Park. I loved Eleanor & Park – the characters, the setting, the message – and I’m digging the premise for Fangirl. A Potterhead or Twi-hard or pick-your-fancy fan who is having trouble letting go.

Now I probably won’t get a cool pencil or my name up on a bulletin board for reading this, but I’m looking forward to digging in!

What will you be reading?

#DIYBookClub – May

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Stef Wade

It’s May and it’s time to mix it up. This month’s #DIYBookClub selection is a true challenge. Something that may pull at the inner fiber of your very being. The challenge, shall you choose to accept it, is to pick a book from a genre you’ve never read before. Perhaps this will be easy for you. Maybe you’re a strict sci-fi reader (which makes me question why you’re reading my blog, but that’s okay) or maybe you only switch between NYT best sellers and the picture books you read to your kids. If you’re like me, you like to explore new genres, which is precisely what makes this challenge more difficult. What haven’t I read? I had to find a reader’s atlas to figure that out. Book country.com created this awesome interactive genre map that allows you to check out genres in each category, as well as sub-genres when you click on your specific “country.”

In my genre quest, I found I steer clear of one major category, be it YA or Adult fiction…Horror. I don’t like blood and guts, I don’t like to be scared. I rather enjoy sleeping at night.

I don’t believe I’ve ever dabbled in war/military fiction either, which sounds only minutely less daunting to me. And therefore, is going to be the winner for this month’s #DIYBookClub pick. I’ve decided to read Tim O’Brien’s THE THINGS THEY CARRIED.

I’m looking forward to reading this and to marking off one more destination on my virtual reader’s map!

What will you be reading?

2015 #DIYBookClub Challenge

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Stef Wade

Ahhh the new year. A time of fresh starts and new beginnings. A time to set resolutions we will give up in two days, two weeks or if you’re really ambitious two months. Lose weight! Find love! Follow my dreams! I find that breaking new year resolutions down to the nitty gritty helps me to stay on task. This year, for example, I aim to take my nail polish off before it diminishes to small spots in the middle of my finger. Small goals. Baby steps. As they say, set the bar low. It’s not that I don’t have huge lofty goals for myself (hello, look at this website) but I don’t necessarily find the new year resolution to be the best goal setting device.

I do like the idea of starting the year out with some ideas that offer room for growth. I was inspired by a reading challenge list PopSugar put out at the end of the year. I love book clubs. I love being given something to read that I may not have grabbed off the shelf. However, sometimes book clubs end up with the same books or you put off reading books you really want to read because of your book club. Problem and Solution! Enter the 2015 #DIYBookClub Challenge. I’m hosting a virtual do-it-yourself book club. Once a month (and a few bonus challenges too), I will post a challenge topic. However that topic pertains to you and your interests, you pick a book to match. The beauty? We can read the same books, or different books, and share our thoughts during and after reading them – right here on this site.

So who’s with me?

Our January challenge is to read:

A book that became a movie

I am vigilant about reading books before I see their movie counterparts (with a few exceptions), so I love this category! I am starting out by reading THE GIVER by Lois Lowry. I’ve had this book on my to-read list for years and have yet to get around to it. The movie is out to rent now and before I watch, I need to read!

What will you be reading? Please share below! Also, follow me on Facebook or Twitter for extra updates and reviews. If you post on social media, let’s use #DIYBookClub so we can follow it together!

Happy New Year and Happy Reading!