I haven’t done a first line post in a while. This time I’m
taking lines from books I read within the last two months. Some of them are
prize winners. A couple I bought at the SCBWI Summer Conference. Two were urged
on me by friends. See if these first paragraphs, or, in the case of picture
books, first pages, make you want to read on.
Answers in two weeks.
1.
Frannie James often dreamed about her missing
mother. Nothing warm or fuzzy, of course, more like reruns of a half forgotten
TV series. It was happening again. Her hands clenched as she slept. Would Mom
smile? Just one loving smile….Please
2.
“Hurry Zachary, bring me a diaper,” cried Mom.
“In a minute Mom. I’m feeding the bird,” said Zachary.
“In a minute Mom. I’m feeding the bird,” said Zachary.
“I need it right now,” Mom yelled.
3.
You need something?
I can get it for you.
You have a problem?
I can solve it.
That’s why they come to me. By “they” I
mean every kid in the school. First Graders up to eighth graders. Everyone
comes to me for help and most of the time I’m happy to provide it. For a small
fee of course.
4. I
am lucky my sister is my best friend.
We do everything together.
Tengo
suerte de que me Hermana sea mi major amiga.
Hacemos todas las cosas juntas.
J’ai de la chance parce que ma sœur est ma
meilleure amie.
On
fait tout ensemble.
5. The
movement of the train rocked me like a lullaby I closed my eyes to the dusty
countryside and imagined the sign I knew only from stories. The one just
outside of town with the big blue letters: MANIFEST: A TOWN WITH A RICH PAST
AND A BRIGHT FUTURE.
6.
Logan
Logan didn’t
have to open his eyes to know that morning had arrived. The sweet smell of
cotton candy wafting into his room worked better than any alarm clock. He
rolled over so his nose nearly touched the air vent.
7. Natalie Isabelle Cailean Edwards bounded up
the steps of Carver Middle School with a spring in her step and a welcoming
smile on her face. She walked down the hall greeting her fellow eighth grade
students. “Good morning, Cecil. How’s your dog recovering from his surgery?”
8. Jessica
sat at the breakfast table of the grandparents’ beach house. She missed Mommy
and Daddy. A tear dribbled down her cheek and fell into her cereal. “How long
is a week, Grandma?”
9. “Isn’t
it cool living by the beach?” Bella asked her best friend, Britt.
“Yeah,” agreed Britt. “There’s always a
surprise.”
“Britt, look!” exclaimed Bella. “Here is a surprise. A sea turtle. They’re not
usually on the beach in daylight.”
But there she was. A beautiful Loggerhead.
10.
In the bright buzzing room
There was an iPad
And a kid playing Doom
And a screensaver of-
A bird launching over the moon
Number three I've already read and enjoyed it. Number 6 screams read me! I'm sure it has nothing to do with my cotton cany obession
ReplyDeleteI adored number 6
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, what a great post idea! I've read #1, 4, 8, and 9. I can recommend them as great books for their intended audience -- some award winners. And #5, 6, and 7 sound interesting! Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan, I enjoyed reading first lines. I loved #6 also, but #2 brought back memories,LOL.
ReplyDeleteIntriguing idea, Susan. I had no idea what you meant when you told me about "first lines." #6 really drew mein, and #3 I must read.
ReplyDeleteBOOKS for KIDS - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful surprise to find one of my first lines on Pen and Ink Blog!
When I saw Nicole Weaves's first lines at No. 4, I thought I had identified what you meant by "I'm using one of your first lines this week." (I thought the email had been forwarded from Guardian Angel). Then I kept reading and there it was!
Can't than you enough, Sue. I have been saving a lot of your first lines. This is an inspiring blog.
Thanks for your comments. You know we love them.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for including Sea Turtle Summer in your august group of books for this post! I am honored and have sent the post on its way into the social world...
ReplyDeleteAnd No. 4 and 6 are lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks for using my book, "Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep." #2 Zachary becomes a superhero when he puts on his thick black glasses and saves his new baby sister from all kinds of peril.
ReplyDelete#6, #8, #9 are fascinating to me.
Great post!! Thanks
#5 is one of my favorite new children's books. What a treasure.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't know the books, most of those beginnings made me want to read on. A valuable lesson!
ReplyDelete