As I mentioned in my last post, I’m re-releasing The Weaver’s Daughter with my new publisher, Paper Angel Press. I just had a review from Kirkus. Here’s a quote from them: “Patience tells a story of migration appropriate for young readers without being overly sanitized—for instance, the tension is palpable in Ixchel’s confrontation with her … More Kirkus Review of The Weaver’s Daughter
Paper Angel Press, my new publisher, is working on getting my latest middle-grade novel, The Double Crossing, to press. The story is historical fiction told from the alternating points of view of two thirteen-year-olds, Hannah and David. They meet while trying to escape Nazi Germany in 1939, before the war, aboard the MS St. Louis. … More Updates
La sezione “Fiaba straniera” ha visto trionfare SYLVIE PATIENCE di Santa Cruz che vince con “Jumping Jaden” perché il sapore della magia, indispensabile ingrediente di tante fiabe celebri, si mescola armoniosamente alla storia narrata in cui il protagonista – un bimbo timido – sogna di riuscire finalmente a saltare più in alto dei suoi compagni … More International Fairy Tale Prize
I’m working on a new book project together with my friend Elizabeth. She’s an asylum seeker from El Salvador who’s been in Santa Cruz for a little over a year. Her story is one of tragedy, overcoming horrible difficulties, and amazing resilience. We’ve only just begun the project, but you can hear a little of … More Seeking Asylum
I’ve just signed a contract with Paper Angel Press to publish my upper middle grade historical novel The Double Crossing. I’m excited to be able to introduce young readers to my fictional characters Hannah and David and their adventures, including stopping a Nazi spy mission. At the same time, readers will learn about the true … More The Double Crossing
Here’s news from a couple of my local organizations. Santa Cruz residents can learn about the Santa Cruz Welcoming Network this Thursday, April 28th by tuning in to our community radio station, KSQD 90.7 for Talk of the Bay with Rachel Goodman from five to six p.m. The Welcoming Network is an all-volunteer organization helping … More Upcoming events
Today, Sunday April 24th, is the day to catch Desert Palm Press authors, including me, reading from our books. Also reading are Laury A. Egan, Toni Draper, Lynda Lyons, and Rae D. Magdon. You can tune in at noon, PSA, at this link: https://www.facebook.com/DesertPalmPress. Hope to see you there.
If you haven’t read Toto’s Tale and True Chronicle of Oz, here’s the chance to get the e-book for the special sale price of $2.99. Smashwords is having a one week sale and I’m participating. This is the link to my Smashwords page where you can order the book. It’s a fun read for children … More Smashwords Sale
Yesterday I had the opportunity to read at the Pages and P.J.s event at Santa Cruz Gardens elementary school. It’s an evening event where children and families come in their pajamas to hear authors and others read. I’d read in a couple of these events a few years ago. It was wonderful to be able … More Pages and P.J.s
This was taken at the border wall at Playas de Tijuana. In late October and early November, I joined the Peace Train on a trip through Mexico, visiting the wall and a refugee center housing children and families waiting to cross the border. We traveled with some of the children on the train and participated … More Back Again
SCBWI is the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. It’s our international organization with chapters all over the US and the world. Bookstop is an annual event featuring hundreds of books for children by SCBWI members. So many books, so much to read. #SCBWIBookStop is here with tons of books readers will enjoy. Check … More SCBWI BookStop
Since I wrote The Weaver’s Daughter, the situation at the border in Tijuana has changed dramatically. There are thousands of migrants from Mexico, Central America, Haiti, and many other parts of the world waiting in camps and shelters at this border city for an opportunity to seek asylum in the United States. Climate change resulting … More PEACE TRAIN
On September 22nd, Tonja Drecker posted a review of The Weaver’s Daughter on her blog, Bookworm for Kids. You can read the review and check out her blog at the link. She says, “Bookworm for Kids presents books for toddlers to teens and everything in between: board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade reads, … More Review on Bookworm for Kids
There are only a couple of days left of the virtual book tour for The Weaver’s Daughter. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to read the reviews and see lots of positive feedback. The main criticism has been that the story ended too soon or that the reader hoped there was a sequel. (Sorry, … More Quotes from the Book Tour
I hope you’ll visit some of these book review sites and see what they have to say about The Weaver’s Daughter.
My first book, Toto’s Tale and True Chronicle of Oz is a middle grade retelling of The Wizard of Oz from the point of view of the little dog, Toto. I published it through an independent publishing program at Bookshop Santa Cruz. My most recent book, The Weaver’s Daughter, a middle grade border crossing immigration … More Independent Publishing Pros and Cons
I started writing The Weaver’s Daughter several years ago. At that time, the number of immigrants arriving at the U.S. southern border, while high, was less than it is today. Ixchel, the young Maya heroine of my story, began her journey for some of the same reasons which drive many other migrants. She wanted the … More The Weaver’s Daughter is an Immigration Story
The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards are presented by Jenkins Group and IndependentPublisher.com, who say: “The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading. The Awards recognize and reward the best of these books and bring them to the attention of … More More on the Moonbeam Award
I’ll be reading from my work in progress, The Double Crossing, historical fiction for ages ten to fourteen. The story tells of a Jewish boy and girl escaping HItler’s Germany in 1939. They board the ship St. Louis, headed for Cuba, where they become friends, encounter and foil a spy plot, and ultimately are not … More Upcoming Author Reading
This is a great website for information about literary agents who represent children’s authors. Natalie interviews agents and there are usually agent query critique giveaways offered. I just discovered it and subscribed. Highly recommended for all you aspiring writers of books for kids of all ages.
Sorry for the late notice on this one. My publisher, Desert Palm Press, is helping to sponsor readings by their authors. The first of the series is today. To view the reading, go to: https://www.facebook.com/DesertPalmPress. I will be reading from The Weaver’s Daughter, along with several other authors, on April 24th.
Sylvia Patience, Author 