Authors and titles | writeyourstory1

Bibliography and list of authors!

From our origins to today

1. Fall 2012

Oscar Saves the Day, by Samantha Gee, My’Iesha Mason, Ra’Hem Mason, Antionetta Quinn, Melody Shimba, Josiah Shimba, Heath Weaver, and Sierra Weaver, with the help of Alexa Craig and Julia Douthwaite

Back cover blurb: “In this action-packed adventure, you will follow Oscar the ocelot, a good doctor, as he makes his way through the Amazon Jungle in search of ingredients to cure the villagers. You will shudder with fear as he encounters the tuna-eating monsters, the nightmare dragon, and three-headed thing. How does he overcome such odds? Read Oscar Saves the Day and find out!”

Based on Darcy Pattison, The River Dragon, illus. Jean Tseng and Mou-Sien Tseng (1991)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the Joan and Ray Kroc Salvation Army Community Center (September – December 2012)

2. Spring 2013

The Adventures of Jack and Sophia, by Samantha Gee, Braden Huffman, Cameron Kanczuzewski, Madelyn Kanczuzewski, My’Iesha Mason, Ra’Hem Mason, Alan Powell, Antionetta Quinn, Talia Thornton, Rajiya Weaver, and Sierra Weaver, with the help of Alexa Craig, Julia Douthwaite, Hermalena Powell, and Lucien Vandenbroucke

Back cover blurb: “In this book, readers will hold their breath with suspense and laugh out loud as they follow the crazy adventures of Jack and Sophia, two noisy kids who leave home in search of their origami camel. Will they survive the sandstorm? Will they escape the mummy’s maze? Will they ever stop bickering?!? Read The Adventures of Jack and Sophia and find out!”

Based on Arlene Mosel, The Funny Little Woman, illus. Blair Lent (1986)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the downtown branch of the Saint Joseph County Public Library (January—April, 2013)

3. Fall 2013

The Not So Ordinary Family, by Abigail Clear, Maria Clear, Ryan Delchambre, My’Iesha Mason, Morgan McGowan, Stuart McGowan, Antionetta Quinn, Talia Thornton, and Sierra Weaver, with the help of Alexa Craig and Julia Douthwaite

Back cover blurb: “Readers of The Not So Ordinary Family will find a baffling mystery: the disappearance of two grandparents on one stormy night. Will they ever get out of the genie’s lamp and make it home to Kentucky? Will their grandkids ever learn to cook? Suspense awaits… and zany adventures as well.”

Based on Christine Ross, The Whirlys and the West Wind (1993)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the downtown branch of the Saint Joseph County Public Library (September--December, 2013)

4. Spring 2014

The Tell-Tale Toes, by Payton Cripe, Ryan Delchambre, Caleb Garing, Antionetta Quinn, Talia Thornton, and Sierra Weaver, with the help of Alexa Craig and Julia Douthwaite

Back cover blurb: “In this story something unusual happens to a young girl and her sister… or does it? Read The Tell-Tale Toes to find out! Beware: This book may shock your senses. Read it if you dare…”

Based on Edgar Allan Poe, “The Tell-Tale Heart” (1843)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the downtown branch of the Saint Joseph County Public Library (January—April, 2014)

5. Fall 2014

The Empty Easel and Other Strange Coincidences, by Payton Cripe, Ryan Delchambre, Caleb Garing, Linden Gresl-Turner, My’Iesha Mason, Kendall Pittman, Kennadi Pittman, Antionetta Quinn, and Sierra Weaver, with the help of Alexa Craig and Julia Douthwaite

Back cover blurb: “In this tale, a young girl named Zoe plays one too many tricks on her friends. Will she ever get caught? Will she ever come clean? Will she ever realize her dream and become a famous artist? Read The Empty Easel and Other Coincidences and find out!”

Based on Amy McDonald, Please, Malese! A Trickster Tale from Haiti, illus. Emily Lisker (2002)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the downtown branch of the Saint Joseph County Public Library (September—December, 2014)

6. Spring 2015

The Secret to Happiness, by Autum Colley, Danaisa Fitch, Maisie Jenuwine, Chris Orta, Maria Orta, Seannessy Snider, Danielle Towles, Jeremiah Towles, Ruth Wadzinski, Rajiya Weaver, Sierra Weaver, and Amelia Zwart, with the help of Alexa Craig and Julia Douthwaite

Back cover blurb: “Readers of The Secret to Happiness are in for a rollicking ride, as they follow the twin protagonists from the rundown suburb they call home to a beautiful castle, a rockin’ recording studio, and home again. It all starts with a brightly colored bag, a theft, a promise, and a strange discovery… Will they keep their promise? Will you?”

Based on Nicola Davies, The Promise, illus. Laura Carlin (2014)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the downtown branch of the Saint Joseph County Public Library (January—April, 2015)

7. Fall 2015

Nabiki and Ruby: An Outer Space Fairy Tale, by Diego Blount, Autum Colley, Rhylie Cress, Micaela Honaker, Jehlin Houston, Italy Magallon, Samantha Montana, Sandra Saucedo, Seannessy Snider, and Amelia Zwart, with the help of Anna Bourbonnais, Julia Douthwaite, and Kate Ravin

Back cover blurb: “If Nabiki and Ruby seems strangely familiar, that’s because it is based on a story that you already know. It is about a girl who doesn’t inherit much, and who’s worried about the future. It’s also about her clever helper. No matter how ditzy she may at first appear, that fairy godmother is more valuable than people think!”

Based on Charles Perrault, Puss in Boots, illus. Fred Marcellino, trans. Malcolm Arthur (orig. 1697, 1991)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the downtown branch of the Saint Joseph County Public Library (September—December, 2015)

8. Spring 2016

Mystical Waters, by Rocio Alvarez, Diego Blount, Autum Colley, Rhylie Cress, Gerry Jones, Italy Magallon, Eve Martinez, Jariah McKenzie, Kaelynn Smith, Seannessy Snider, Anna Watson, and Sophia Yeargin, with the help of Anna Bourbonnais, Julia Douthwaite, and Kirstyn Ruiz

Back cover blurb: “Readers of this book will enjoy the adventures of Arabelle, a girl from Hawaii, whose faulty drawing skills lead her to have a strange and wonderful encounter. Who is that weird creature swimming around in the family’s bathtub? Why does she speak in that fishy language? Will the tsunami hit Arabelle’s house? Read Mystical Waters and discover the marvelous consequences that can follow a childhood experience.”

Based on Alexandra Day, The Fairy Dogfather (2012)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the downtown branch of the Saint Joseph County Public Library (January—April, 2016)

9. Fall 2016

The Peculiar Ten, by Luz Alvarez, Rocio Alvarez, Rhylie Cress, Caleb Evans, Malachi Evans, Mason Gibbs, Jariah McKenzie, Jessie Quintana, Toby Quintana, Kaelynn Smith, and Anna Watson, with the help of Joyce Block, Anna Bourbonnais, Julia Douthwaite, and Kirstyn Ruiz

Back cover blurb: “The Peculiar Ten takes readers on a crazy ride—from a scary jungle through a magic portal to the Grand Canyon and beyond—as Selena Gomez and Josh Temple seek a safe haven for their family. The good-natured group adopted by Selena and Josh includes two people and a veritable menagerie of pets. They have so much love to share that they adopt not only a cat, a dog, a bird, a horse, and a gorilla called Doctor Bananas, but also a signing rock named Toby! Finding a home for that family of ten is not easy, but it is made easier with the help of friends they make along the way, including a couple of star basketball players. Where will this odd bunch of characters ever find a place to call home? Read The Peculiar Ten and find out!”

Based on Robert McCloskey, Make Way for Ducklings (1941)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the downtown branch of the Saint Joseph County Public Library (September—December, 2016)

10. Spring 2017

How Peacock Got his Colorful Feathers, by Luz Alvarez, Rocio Alvarez, Stella Chrystler, Ofelia Kain, Gavin McAllister, Jariah McKenzie, Maeve Milito, Riley Ort, Erika Ruiz, Mario Ruiz, Kaelynn Smith, and Anna Watson, with the help of Anna Bourbonnais, Julia Douthwaite, and Priscilla Quaye

Back cover blurb: “A parched earth. Thirsty kids. No water in sight. Not to worry, Peacock is here! Readers will be amazed by the magical skills of the warm-hearted bird in this tale and the clever ways he finds to bring water back to the world. May the brightly-colored tails of peacocks everywhere remind us that no kind act goes unnoticed.”

Based on Gerald McDermott, Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest (1993)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the downtown branch of the Saint Joseph County Public Library (January—April, 2017)

11. Fall 2017

Eat, Play, and Die, by Joseph Acosta, Nathaniel Amaya, Sofia Clark, London Jennings, Thor Jurgonski, Ofelia Kain, Riley Ort, Emma Parsons, Mario Ruiz, Erika Ruiz, Ian Strasser, and Anna Watson, with the help of Julia Douthwaite and Priscilla Quaye

Back cover blurb: “This book tells the story of an old dolphin who was never gross and mean, unlike some of her neighbors in Atlantis. Although she was very poor and had barely enough to feed herself, the dolphin took care of a wounded turtle she found one day and nursed it back to health. When the turtle later got better and gave her a magical gift, she thought nothing of sharing with her neighbor, the jellyfish. That neighbor was not so nice, and tried to steal the magic. But she got her just rewards later, when a devilish school of eels, sea urchins, swordfish, and toothfish all teamed up against her. The old jellyfish was tricky, but she was no match for them.”

Based on Patrick Chamoiseau, “A Pumpkin Seed” in Creole Folktales, trans. Linda Coverdale (1994)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the downtown branch of the Saint Joseph County Public Library (September—December, 2017)

12. Spring 2018

Attack of the Mangled Deranged Zebras, by Joseph Acosta, Vincent Boruff, Mateo Casteel, Amara Hunter-Bowman, London Jennings, Ofelia Kain, Erika Ruiz, Mario Ruiz, Ian Strasser, Anna Watson, and Presley Woods, with the help of Travon DeLeon, Jane Lockhart, Priscilla Quaye and Julia Douthwaite Viglione

Back cover blurb: “Does your life feel black and white, dull and boring? Read Attack of the Mangled Deranged Zebras and shake it up! As Charlotte the chameleon says, ‘You need to have spice in your life!’ This zany book is a parable about collective action and protest. Charlotte the chameleon teaches the grumpy forest animals about the power of style, color, and courage. After watching Charlotte bravely confront the evil zebra, even the tiniest beasts ask for some paint. And after you read Attack of the Mangled Deranged Zebras, you will never think of the changing seasons in quite she same way again!”

Based on Gerald McDermott, Papagayo: The Mischief Maker (1980)

Created in South Bend, IN, at the downtown branch of the Saint Joseph County Public Library (January—April, 2018)

13. Fall 2018

The Rockin’ Radiated Rocks! By Aidan Jackson, Emma Kelley, Nadya Peterson, and Caden Renn, with the help of Julia Douthwaite Viglione, Ann Perrins, and Shep Siegel

Back cover blurb: “Readers of The Rockin’ Radiated Rocks! will fall under the spell of a strange substance that seeped out from the ancient pyramids of

Egypt one day, irradiating an ordinary family and making life go haywire for a while. If it were not for their resourceful kids, who knows what the rock family would have become!”

Based on Christine Ross, The Whirlys and the West Wind (1993)

Created in Seattle, WA, at the Admiral branch of the Seattle Public Library (September—December, 2018)

14. Spring 2019

The Spell of Unfair Fortune, by Annabelle Bowman, Makayla Briggs, Naomi Cook, Aidan Jackson, Emma Kelley, Alexis Meagher, Mackenzie Southwood, Brennan Spraggins, and Kyra Spraggins, with the help of Julia Douthwaite Viglione and Shep Siegel

Back cover blurb: “Readers of The Spell of Unfair Fortune will want to hold onto their seats, because they’re in for a scary ride! From a wicked witch under the sea, comes a magical plan that fails. And when she finds out who wrecked the spell, there is no end to her fury. An amazing chase takes us alongside creatures from land, sea, and sky, until a powerfully wise, new heroine escapes the witch’s grip and rises above it all.”

Based on Sharon Blackie, “Ceridwen and the Cauldron of Transformation,” in If Women Rose Rooted: The Journey to Authenticity (2016)

Created in Seattle, WA, at the Curious Kidstuff toy store in the West Seattle Junction (January—April, 2019)

15. Fall 2019

The Perilous Return to Turtle Island, by Tsegu Aurand, Evelyn Bell, Jerome Blossom, Makayla Freund, Aidan Jackson, and Emma Kelley, with the help of Julia Douthwaite Viglione and Greg Estes

Back cover blurb: “Follow the adventures of a talking dog and his friend, a cat-faced dragon, as they fly over the magma river in The Perilous Return to Turtle Island. You’ll be glued to your seat when an angry wolf pack surrounds their boulder, and hold your breath in fear while waiting for Catrina to awaken from her coma. Will our heroes make it home? Will the wolves refrain from eating them alive? And who are those break-dancing big foot people?!”

Based on Gloria Rand, Aloha, Salty! illus. Ted Rand (1996)

Created in Seattle, WA, at the Curious Kidstuff toy store in the West Seattle Junction (September—December, 2019)

[16]. Spring 2020: Untitled because unfinished, alas...

Our Story (unfinished), by Evelyn Bell, Annabelle Bowman, Calli Budiansky, Aidan Jackson, Emma Kelley, Addie Shatto, Brennan Spraggins, and Kyra Spraggins, with the help of Julia Douthwaite Viglione and Shep Siegel. The “Write YOUR Story” spring 2020 session, on the theme of “Unexpected Endings,” took an unexpected turn when the COVID-19 outbreak forced us to stop meeting in mid-March 2020.

16. Fall 2022

The Calling of the Phoenix, by Rex Anderson, Addy Estes, Gavin Fine, Luna Lansingh, Wallace Lansingh, Olivia Mahoney, Lucia Romero, Roma Bloom Willis,
and Victoria Wright, with the help of Kathy Riggs, Shepherd Siegel, and Julia Douthwaite Viglione

Back cover blurb: "Why do those girls keep playing in the fireplace? Who is that very tall man? And what are all the legendary animals looking for? Read

The Calling of the Phoenix and find out!"

Based on Tikki Tikki Tembo, by Arlene Mosel, illustrated by Blair Lent (1968).

Created in Seattle, WA at the Curious Kidstuff toy store in the West Seattle Junction (September--December 2022)

17. Spring 2023

Family Along the Way by Aiden Bell, Isla Bell, Anyssa Dugan, Kylie Dugan, Izzy Kim, Anna Lefkowitz, Asnina Mohamed, and Luca Watling, with the help of Julia Douthwaite Viglione and Shepherd Siegel

Back cover blurb: "Family Along the Way tells the story of a group of lonely animals, stranded in Seattle, who look for shelter and a bit of comfort in the city streets and parks. From West Seattle to Green Lake, they flee scary dogcatchers, noisy lawnmowers, and other terrors. And, although a permanent residence remains out of sight at the end, they do not despair but rather rejoice in their new-found friendships! A family is born, along the way."

Based on Make Way for Ducklings, written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey (1941).

Created in Seattle, WA at the High Point Community Center (February--April 2023)

18. Summer 2023

Nightmare at Green Lake by Ruah DeWeese, Hera Caprica Ho, Sophie Jacolev, Evalina Serrano, and Zakari Smith. With the help of Elaina Harris and Julia Douthwaite Viglione

Back cover blurb: "Readers of Nightmare at Green Lake will need to hold on tight, because it is scary! Through the eyes of a teenage babysitter and the little girl in her care, the story relates the weird things that happened during a heat wave in Seattle, WA. Terrors surround them—from creepy eels and stealthy crabs to dive-bombing sea gulls—yet the girls keep their wits. They escape two catastrophes at Green Lake but when tragedy threatens a third time, it takes a crowd of fast-thinking scientists to save the day. The girls survive… and so do their memories … "

Based on The River Dragon by Darcy Pattison, illustrated by Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng (New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1991).

Created in Seattle, WA at the South Park Community Center (June--September 2023)

19. Fall 2023

The Trickster of Puget Sound by Hadley Dertinger, Ruah DeWeege, Evan Jacolev, Sophie Jacolev, Vivianna Pinkerton, and Eleanor Warren, with the help of Elaina Harris, Shepherd Siegel, and Julia Douthwaite Viglione

Back cover blurb: "If The Trickster of Puget Sound seems strangely familiar, that’s because it is based on a story that you already know.

It is about a seal who doesn’t inherit much, and who’s worried about the future. It’s also about his clever helper. No matter how small he may at first appear, that fish is more valuable than people think!"

Based on Charles Perrault, Puss in Boots, (first published as “Le chat botté”, 1697), illus. Fred Marcellino (New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 1990).

Created in Seattle, WA at Concord International Elementary School (September—December, 2023)

20. Winter / Spring 2024

The Troll of the West Seattle Bridge by Shea Bradbury, Hadley Dertinger, Ruah DeWeese, Zoe Entzminger, Edison Gilmore, Blake Hanson, Sophie Jacolev, Mira Parikh, Vivianna Pinkerton, Andrew Streit, Helene Torres, and Henry Torres, with the help of Elaina Harris, Shepherd Siegel, and Julia Douthwaite Viglione

Back cover blurb: "Have you ever glimpsed a shadowy creature while driving on the West Seattle Bridge, walking through Lincoln Park, or gazing across the waters of Elliott Bay? A very tall silhouette that looks like a giant tree or a huge piece of driftwood? Or a quiet figure crouching down to pick up trash?

Don’t be afraid! It may just be the troll of our neighborhood. (… and he is not as scary as most people think.)"

This story was inspired by “The Brownie of Fern Glen” by Kate Forrester in Celtic Tales: Fairy Tales and Stories of Enchantment from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Wales (San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2016), pp. 105-109.
and
Victor Hugo’s description of Quasimodo in Notre-Dame de Paris (aka The Hunchback of Notre-Dame), trans. Alban Krailsheimer (New York: Oxford World’s Classics, 1993, repr. 2009), p. 58.

Created in Seattle, WA at the Curious Kidstuff toy store (January -- April 2024)