About
Allow me to answer the two questions I hear most often:
For readers of Swept Up: No, I have never been kidnapped by an angryjanitor while on a school field trip. But I have spent a lot of time wonderingwhat would happen if I had been. In real life, I like school janitors and am not afraid of them at all.
For readers of No Ordinary Lizard: Yes, I have owned a lot of pets - more than any reasonable person ever would. I've had dogs, cats, hamsters, an African gray parrot, a pot-bellied pig, fish, Hermit crabs and, of course, the leopard gecko lizard who inspired this story. At times there have been more animals living in my house than people. But very few of them caused as much trouble as Benson.
When I'm not working on my next book (or taking care of my pets or running away from school janitors), I help kids write their own stories at allwritewithme.com. The site includes tips, techniques, activities and group projects. Drop in to share your own writing, see what other kids are working on, or just say “hi.”
Diane is a graduate of the University of Iowa and the Institute of Children’s Literature. Her short stories and articles have been published in children’s magazines, writers’ newsletters and online.
Learning to Breathe Fire: The Rise of CrossFit and the Primal Future of Fitness
Description
<p><b>The absorbing, definitive account of CrossFit's origins, its explosive grassroots growth, and its emergence as a global phenomenon.</b><br /> <br />One of the most illuminating books ever on a sports subculture, <i>Learning to Breathe Fire </i>combines vivid sports writing with a thoughtful meditation on what it means to be human. In the book, veteran journalist J.C. Herz explains the science of maximum effort, why the modern gym fails an obese society, and the psychic rewards of ending up on the floor feeling as though you're about to die. <br /> <br />The story traces CrossFit’s rise, from a single underground gym in Santa Cruz to its adoption as the workout of choice for elite special forces, firefighters and cops, to its popularity as the go-to fitness routine for regular Joes and Janes. Especially riveting is Herz’s description of The CrossFit Games, which begin as an informal throw-down on a California ranch and evolve into a televised global proving ground for the fittest men and women on Earth, as well as hundreds of thousands of lesser mortals. <br /> <br />In her portrayal of the sport's star athletes, its passionate coaches and its “chief armorer,” Rogue Fitness, Herz powerfully evokes the uniqueness of a fitness culture that cultivates primal fierceness in average people. And in the shared ordeal of an all-consuming workout, she unearths the ritual intensity that's been with us since humans invented sports, showing us how, on a deep level, we're all tribal hunters and first responders, waiting for the signal to go all-out. </p>
Story Behind The Book
To all the young writers at allwritewithme.com - I hope this book inspires you as much as you inspire me.
I invite everyone who discovers this book through other websites to visit allwritewithme.com. You’ll find great stories written by grade school kids.
You’ll also find free discussion guides built around the common core. Guides include the specific standards addressed for 4th, 5th and 6th grades.
I hope you enjoy this sample of Swept Up!
Reviews
<p><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, 'sans-serif';">On a scale of 1 to 10 I would give this book a full 10. I love it. I liked the part about when the papers were flying everywhere. -<em> </em></span><em><em style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:17px;">Kayla James, 5th grade</em></em></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:15px;line-height:17px;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">My class and I loved the book. It grew more suspenseful every day. I loved the lesson it told, too. You are a very gifted writer. The way you wrote the book allowed it to be very easy for students to visualize the story in their minds. Excellent descriptions. You're at the top of our best seller list, for sure. -</span><em><em style="font-size:15px;line-height:17px;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">Judy Smith, 3rd grade teacher</em></em></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">I really enjoyed it. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">I liked all the adventure of it and the only thing I didn’t like about it is that it ended. - <em>Breslin Crose, 5th grade</em></span></p>
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<div>A fascinating read all the way through, with strong characters you get to know and like...or not. I loved the surprise ending and how the mystery and excitement that went through the whole book came to a satisfying conclusion. - <em>Dorothy Ray</em></div>
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<div>This book kept my students' attention all the way through. - <em>Alyce McConaghy, 4th grade teacher</em>
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