The Role of M&Ms in Talent

 

 

Talent

My author was asked to take some refreshments to a book signing. She’s stapled these quotes to muffin cups, and she’s going to put M&Ms in them. Her business cards will go under them.

What do you think?

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“I slide my hand into my backpack and pull out two red M&Ms. The chocolate melts on my tongue and soothes my stomach.”

~~Sandee Mason in Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin

 

“I’m so nervous I grabbed a whole handful of M&Ms without even thinking.”

~~Sandee Mason in Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin

 

“I can’t control it [auditions] any more than I can control how many M&Ms go in my mouth when I get nervous.”

~~Sandee Mason in Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin

 

 

“No way I’ll let anybody see the tears in my eyes. It’s not my fault that I don’t sing bass or tenor. I slide my hand into my pocket and sneak three M&Ms.

~~Sandee Mason in Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin

“I grab a handful of M&Ms, but a second later, I drop them back in the bag. Candy can’t solve this problem.”

~~Sandee Mason in Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin

 

“I’ve opened a fresh pack of M&Ms, which are still stashed in the left pocket of my corduroy jacket. I didn’t buy any today, and I hope I won’t tomorrow, but I don’t want to waste the ones I have.”

~~Sandee Mason in Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin

“I reach into my jacket pocket for my M&Ms, but I slide my hand back out without taking any.

~~Sandee Mason in Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin

“I excuse myself, head for the bathroom, and on the way, I stuff a handful of M&Ms into my mouth.

“Do they help?” a girl with a husky voice asks.

~~ Tessa Kwan to Sandee Mason in Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin

 

“She’s challenging me just like she did last night when she saw me consuming the M&Ms. She catches my look and says, “You can’t avoid your feelings, Sandee. You have to face them.”

~~Tessa Kwan to Sandee Mason in Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin

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What happened? There were a bunch more. Three pages. I guess you’ll have to read the book and find them yourself.

https://www.amazon.com/Talent-B-Lynn-Goodwin/dp/1629293350/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450916910&sr=8-1&keywords=9781629293356

If you click on that it should take you right to my page–okay the page for my book. I want you to read my story, now that drama teachers are casting the spring musical. M&Ms are only a small part, but refreshments have to be food, and the food was supposed to be related.

Got it?

Thanks!

One of the Big Ones

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The San Jose Mercury News is one of the big regional newspapers in California. I remember reading it when I was a little girl, before the term Silicon Valley was coined, back in the day when we had one TV with no remote, in a console, in the family room. The Mercury-News has endured, and I hope that TALENT, which was reviewed there last week, will also endure.

This review, by Joanna Kraus, appeared in a column entitled “Summer Reading is Fun for All.” Here is what she said:

“Talent” by B. Lynn Goodwin (Danville) (Eternal Press, $12.50, ages 13-16.) Sandee’s brother has been missing in Afghanistan for seven months. Yet she hears Bri’s voice encouraging her when she auditions for the school musical, advising her when she selects a possible boyfriend, and supporting her when she must disobey the law to rescue a friend. She discovers “real life doesn’t have a script” in this moving novel, set in the East Bay. Sandee shows initiative, responsibility and finally the will to live her own life.

I liked her accuracy, her originality, and her choices of what will appeal to teens. But this is not a book for teens only. Many adults (including my book club) have read and liked the book.

There are 46 other reviews at http://www.amazon.com/Talent-B-Lynn-Goodwin/dp/1629293350/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450916910&sr=8-1&keywords=9781629293356. Sandee Mason and I hope you will add yours soon. 

This summer is a perfect time to read TALENT. If you are a teen, encourage your teacher to have the whole class read it. If you are a parent, share it with your kids. Read it together. Discussion questions in the back will help you get conversations going… in case that has ever been a problem in your life.

Please write back and tell me what you think of the book. I can’t wait to hear from you.