The Children’s Book Review | July 20, 2018
Amy Dixon’s Selfie with Annie B., Made for T.V.
Here’s Annie B. and me, hanging out in my kitchen. What you can’t see in this picture is my four kids giggling in the background as they watch me trying to steady my phone enough to snap a non-blurry selfie.
There are two things you’ll learn about me from this picture (other than I’m terrible at selfies). First, I’m a rule follower. If the title says “Selfie” then it has to be a selfie. Not a close-up photo taken by someone else, and not a fake selfie where I put my arm up to pretend I’m taking the picture (I may or may not have tried this). No matter how many snaps it takes (37), the picture will be authentic! The second thing is that I am one of those authors that would rather hide behind the cover of my book. If only I loved the spotlight as much as the main character of my middle grade novel, Annie B., Made for TV! She’s a gifted wrinventor (writer-inventor) whose dream is to promote her innovative products on TV. I was inspired to write this character by my own kids’ love of As Seen on TV commercials when they were younger. They would come up to me at four and five years old to ask for something, saying, “But Mommy, it can be ours for just three easy payments of $9.95 each!”
Amy Dixon’s Shelfie
Okay, let’s have some real mom talk here…none of my bookshelves are photo-ready! My bookshelves, of which I, in typical writer fashion, have many, are a total mess. The spines aren’t visible because either a) they are blocked by other books, which have been shoved on top and in front of the original tenants of the bookcase, in an effort to “put things away” or b) they are obscured by cans of playdough, stuffed animals, and other special treasures. (We won’t talk about how the one I’m looking at right now is also accompanied by a glass full of a grayish liquid…gross!)
But, there is hope, because in an effort to fill the long summer days, I had my kids clean one up for you and feature some of our favorite books. You’ll see a few picture books, a ton of middle grade novels, and a few YA, which will clue you in to my kids’ ages. I read them all too, and it’s pretty common for us to fight over who gets to have them first. You’ll also find, front and center, my most favorite book ever, which I read about once a year just to breathe in the wonderful writing. Enjoy!
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Annie B., Made for T.V.
Written by Amy Dixon
Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Running Press Kids (June 5, 2018)
ISBN-13: 978-0762463855
Publisher’s Synopsis: For every kid who’s ever come in second place, this is a middle grade story about chasing your dreams.
Eleven-year-old Annie Brown is used to being on the losing end of comparisons to her almost-always best friend Savannah. Savannah is MVP of the track team, has straight As, and, predictably, wins the most coveted school spirit award on the last day of 5th grade. Fortunately, Annie does have one very specialized skill.
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Running Press Kids | 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-0762463855
Available Here:
Praise:
“When it comes to imagination and creative wordplay, Annie has no match.”—Publishers Weekly
“Annie’s first-person narration is hilariously astute…. Readers graduating from Junie B. to lengthier stories will find a new book-friend in Annie B.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Annie’s narration is so irrepressible, genuine, and laugh-out-loud funny that she’s sure to carve out an audience with young readers…. Hand to fans of the Dork Diaries.“—Booklist
“The incorporation of ‘As Seen on TV’ adds vivid language, creative thinking, and heart felt dilemmas into a short digestible nugget for the intended audience.—School Library Connection
About the Author
Amy Dixon is the author of the picture books Marathon Mouse, Sophie’s Animal Parade, and Maurice the Unbeastly. She writes from her home in Clovis, California, where she lives on a steady diet of popcorn and coffee. This is her debut middle grade novel. For more information, visit: http://www.amydixonbooks.com/
Discover more books like “Annie B., Made for T.V.,” written by Amy Dixon, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with Animals, Books With Toads, Picture Book, and Rhyming Text; and be sure to follow along with our Selfie and a Shelfie series.
