Agents from Heaven
January 22, 2025 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as Agents, agents from heaven, dream agents
AGENTS FROM HEAVEN
BY
VERONICA JORGE
Back on January 22, 2018, I wrote the following post for this blog.
Manuscript…completed.
Filed in pending like a treasure in a hope chest.
Praying I don’t end up an old maid: no agent, no publisher.
Living on standby.
Waiting for transport to book deal heaven or please…no, not the dreaded
Depths of Sheol: REJECTION.
I’m watching the news for what’s flooding, raging or burning. Hopefully not my manuscript.
Nervous like a wind-up toy falling off the edge.
Feel like a balloon losing air: out of control, and all over the place.
Waiting for Spring. Signs of sprigs.
Hoping for agents, not pennies, from heaven.
Want to be a Weather Girl singing, “Hallelujah, it’s Raining Agents!”
Raining men: second choice.
Today, I ask you to rejoice with me because this year, 2025, I found my dream agent!
Hopefully, I’ll have good news to share in the near future.
See you next time on February 22nd.
Veronica Jorge
P.S. (Still waiting for the raining men portion).
Books Reviewed by Veronica Jorge
NISHA’S JUST-RIGHT CHRISTMAS TREE—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
December 22, 2024 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as Jaya Mehta, Nisha's Just Right Christmas Tree, Parvati Pillai, Susan Lynn Meyer
NISHA’S JUST-RIGHT CHRISTMAS TREE
SUSAN LYNN MEYER
AND
JAYA MEHTA
ILLUSTRATED by PARVATI PILLAI
Beaming Books
2024
ISBN 978-1-5064-9646-7
BIG. That’s all Nisha can think about. After all, in her mind, she’s not little anymore. She’s big. So, when it’s time to buy the family Christmas tree, Nisha wants to help her father pick out the right one.
Nisha wants a big tree. “As tall as a camel! As wide as an elephant!” One that can fit all of their ornaments, many of which came all the way from Baba’s home country of India.
But her Baba wants a small tree. One that he can easily carry up the stairs and that will fit in their small Brooklyn apartment.
Nisha and her father shop around, but they cannot seem to agree on a tree.
“Too big,” says Baba.
“Too small,” says Nisha.
Yet somehow they must find a tree that’s just right for each of them and that will make their Christmas special.
Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree celebrates the childhood excitement of growing “big enough” to participate in holiday preparations, and is a heart-warming story of a little girl on a mission to help her father find the perfect Christmas tree.
Parvati Pillai’s illustrations in deep rich green, red, and gold colors draw the reader into the magical season and the warm tender family moments.
Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree is a meaningful story of the ways in which cultures often mix and blend traditions from their home countries with those of their new country in order to create the just-right life for their families.
This is one to add to your holiday collection.
Veronica Jorge
Happy Holidays!
See you next year, January 22, 2025!
0 2 Read moreA SKY FULL OF SONG by SUSAN LYNN MEYER—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
November 22, 2024 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as A Sky Full of Song, book review, Chanukah, Susan Lynn Meyer
Union Square Kids, 2023
ISBN 978-1-4549-4784-4
Sydney Taylor Honor Award-Winning Author.
Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award for Western Fiction: Young Readers.
When you think of Chanukah, the Jewish eight-day festival of lights, which begins on December 25th this year, you probably don’t associate it with starting a new life on the American prairie. It may be that you have no connection with either experience. But we can all relate to something they both share in common: a desire to establish your place in the world, and to preserve your identity. Even when faced with apparently insurmountable obstacles.
Susan Lynn Meyer’s, A Sky Full of Song, unfolds in the early 1900s. The protagonist, eleven-year-old Shoshona and her family, have fled Jewish persecution in the Russian empire and hope to find safety in North Dakota, and start a new life.
The wide open country offers Shoshona many opportunities for discoveries, and a world of exploration. It also presents challenges, like learning English, and understanding different customs. Her traditions are so unlike those of all of her classmates. Especially the upcoming Christmas holiday, which her family doesn’t celebrate, but where she is expected to sing a song. Should she refuse?
Eager to make friends and fit in, she struggles with her Jewish identity. How much can she share about her ways without them rejecting her? Some already bully her. Or is it best to hide who she really is?
When a blizzard hits and darkness engulfs the prairie, the menorah in Shoshona’s window illuminates the night, providing a guiding light for someone in need, and an opportunity for Shoshona to share the story of Chanukah and the meaning of the light.
At the Christmas concert that takes place after the storm has passed, Shoshona makes a decision to sing, not a Christmas carol, but a song from her country in her own language about new beginnings.
Susan Lynn Meyer’s story is beautifully written and filled with poetic lines, evocative imagery, and memorable phrases that will sing in your heart. A story of belonging, acceptance, identity, and of remaining true to yourself, A Sky Full of Song reminds us of the importance of singing your own special song, and of shining your own unique light.
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on December 22nd!
LA NOCHE BEFORE THREE KINGS DAY by SHEILA COLÓN-BAGLEY—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
October 22, 2024 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as Book Reviewed, La Noche Before Three Kings Day, SHEILA COLÓN-BAGLEY, Veronica Jorge
LA NOCHE BEFORE THREE KINGS DAY
SHEILA COLÓN-BAGLEY
Harper Collins
2023
ISBN 978-0-06-323432-1
This year, Hispanic Heritage month was celebrated from September 15th through October 15th.
So, even though we are not in the December holiday season yet, I thought it would be fitting to post this particular book review now in October. Don’t most stores already have their holiday decorations on display? I also figured that if Hallmark can feature Christmas movies in July, I’m a lot closer to the season in October.
Besides, it’s never too early to get a jump start on your Christmas shopping because you’ll want this book.
For those of you not familiar with Three Kings Day, known in Spanish as, el Día de los Reyes Magos, it is celebrated throughout Latin America, Spain, and some other countries in Europe on January 6th in commemoration of the three wise men from the east, known as Balthazar, Melchior, and Gaspar, who brought gifts to honor the birth of the baby Jesus.
Instead of waiting for Santa Claus, children wait for gifts from the Three Kings. No milk and cookies for them. My mother, who grew up in the Dominican Republic, said they would always leave water and some grass or hay for the camels. The place to look for your gifts was not under a tree, but underneath your bed.
Colon-Bagley’s story, in Spanish and English, is told with the rhyming cadence of, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. As two of her lines read:
“We wrapped our shoeboxes with glee and delight, knowing the Three Kings would be here tonight.”
And, “While Papá washed the dishes and walked our perrito, Mamá tucked us in with a good night besito.”
Vibrant colorful illustrations by Alejandro Mesa depict the excitement in the home as the family prepares for the wondrous arrival.
Decorating the house. Wrapping gifts for each other. A buffet table feast with scrumptious food. Singing and dancing. And excited children begging to stay up late. Well, you get the picture.
And I hope you’ll get the book. It is a delightful holiday story that you just might find yourself adding to your Christmas books collection and pulling if off the shelf to read year after year after year.
Oh, and don’t forget to stock up on some hay!
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on November 22nd!
Other Books Reviewed by Veronica
I AM FLAWSOME by SHEILA COLON BAGLEY—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
September 22, 2024 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as book review, Children's Book, Coloring book, new release
I AM FLAWSOME by SHEILA COLON BAGLEY—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
Independently published
2024
ISBN 979-8328775885
September. Summer comes to a close and a new school year begins; with all of the excitement, wonder and angst of growing up, fitting in, and trying to figure out who you are and your place in the world.
Which is why I found Bagley’s, I Am Flawsome, a treasure of a book, and a welcome and much needed September read for girls going back to school.
I Am Flawsome, which means that while one may have flaws, (and who doesn’t), one can still be awesome in spite of them, is geared to girls between the ages of eight and thirteen. A variety of coloring pages, activities, and thoughtful prompts, and spaces for daily journaling, encourages girls to accept themselves as they are, and promotes a healthy and positive self-image.
You won’t find the author’s name anywhere in the book, which I thought was a printing error, but Sheila explained, “I want the book to stand on its own to better accomplish the intent for which it was written: a daily practice for girls to learn how to be their own best friend.”
So, the book is not about her, but about you, the reader.
As the pages in the book affirm:
I am,
F ollowing my heart
L earning new things
A dapting as I go
W elcoming differences
S etting goals
O pening my mind
M aking mistakes
E nough
I Am Flawsome, is a wonderful book that validates the individual, and helps them to discover and see how very special and unique they are.
The perfect gift for girls of all ages, young and old alike!
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on October 22nd!
Other books reviewed by Veronica.
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