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  • Reviews
Diane Owens

Diane Owens

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.”

Teachers and parents can connect with me and other users of the All Write with Me website at facebook.com/allwritewithme. 

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. 

Santa's Birthday Gift

Santa's Birthday Gift

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Description

<p><span style="color:#000000;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;">Santa’s Birthday Gift was written in response to a grandchild’s question, after reading the story of the Nativity.<span>  </span>She asked, “But where’s Santa?”<span>  </span>This story tells the story of the Nativity and then goes on to tell the story about how when Jesus is born, Santa sees the star at the North Pole and travels to see the baby.  Since he is a toymaker, he brings his bag of toys - and offers them to the Christ Child, and then to all the people of the town.  His birthday gift to Jesus is a promise to bring gifts to all good boys and girls each year on the Christ Child's birthday</span></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!

Media Links

E & K Family Book Review

🔗 http://ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com/2011/07/locked-away-in-fake-city-6th-graders.html

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Nancy Barth Tutoring Book Review

🔗 http://nancybarthtutoring.com/?p=3096

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ChitChat Book Review

🔗 http://donnakoppelman.blogspot.com/2011/10/swept-up-by-diane-owens.html

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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> <p> </p> <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> <p> </p> <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> <div> </div> <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> <div> </div> <div>This book kept my students' attention all the way through. - <em>Alyce McConaghy, 4th grade teacher</em> <div> <div> <div> </div> </div> </div> </div>