Millie Florence Archives - Anna Rose Johnson https://annarosejohnson.com/tag/millie-florence/ Vintage & Timeless Stories Sun, 05 Jan 2025 15:27:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.5 148757386 Books I Loved in 2024 https://annarosejohnson.com/books-i-loved-in-2024/ https://annarosejohnson.com/books-i-loved-in-2024/#comments Fri, 03 Jan 2025 03:48:55 +0000 https://annarosejohnson.com/?p=211427 I'm recapping some of my favorite books of 2024!

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Books I Loved in 2024

I read some wonderful new (and old!) middle grade books in 2024, and I wanted to share some of my favorites with you, in no particular order. (And there are more I could talk about! I found so many great stories this year.)

  • The Secret Sisters by Avi (2023): A delightful follow-up to The Secret School, one of my longtime favorites! I waited years to see what would happen to Ida at high school, and this is a worthy sequel.
  • Somebody Else’s Summer by Jean Little (2005): I’m so glad I saved this to read in the summer! It’s a Parent Trap-type mix-up where two girls swap places during visits to family members.
  • Mustang: Wild Spirit of the West by Marguerite Henry (1966): An incredible novel based on a true story of a woman who dedicated her life to saving mustangs in Nevada.
  • Lily’s Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff (1997): This book was completely not what I was expecting based on the plot description, but I was actually pleased with that. It’s a quiet, gentle, yet powerful World War II home front story.
  • The Grey Family by Noel Streatfeild (1951): What a joy to read a Streatfeild story I’ve never read before! Written for a slightly younger audience than most of her books, it was episodic, fun, and (of course!) about a young ballet dancer and her family.
  • Ferris by Kate DiCamillo (2024): I almost think I liked this story more than Because of Winn-Dixie–it’s humorous and heartwarming and full of well-crafted characters. There’s been a lot of talk about this book winning a Newbery–could it be??
  • Marjorie’s Vacation by Carolyn Wells (1907): Sweet, funny episodes in the life of a mischievous girl and her friends during a summer at her grandmother’s.
  • Drina Dances Again by Jean Estoril (1959): Another great installment in the Drina series, which I’ve talked about before. I’m sad that the rest of the books in the series are so hard to find!
  • Strawberry Girl and Flood Friday by Lois Lenski (1945 and 1956): I really enjoyed both of these books in Lenski’s series that features different regions of the U.S. throughout history.
  • Summer on the North Star by Elsa Pedersen (1960): Originally titled Alaska Harvest, this story follows a girl who lives with her family a boat as they harvest crabs in order to earn enough money to buy their own house.
  • Maudie in the Middle by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and Lura Schield Reynolds (1988): Based on a true story, this gently comedic book is about Maudie, a middle child living on an Iowa farm in the early 1900s.
  • Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick (2014): For me, binge-reading is reading a long book in three days, so this counts as a binge-read. 🙂 It’s about a girl whose family moves to a small town and she helps run the family bookstore, solving a mystery along the way.

Favorite Rereads:

I reread tons of books every year, so this category is JUST the rereads that I vividly remember having a blast with. 🙂 There’s no rhyme or reason as to what will end up being a brilliant re-read for me, it just depends on finding the perfect book to fit my exact mood.

My 50 State Reading Challenge

This was my big reading goal in 2024! I decided to read a children’s book set in every U.S. state. It was such a joy, even though it was hard to find books for a handful of states! It was such a fun challenge that in 2025, I want to read books set in 20 different countries.

Here is my final list of the books I read for the challenge! I’ve noted which ones were picture books (PBs), chapter books (CBs), middle grade (MG), or young adult (YA).

Alabama (Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai)–MG 
Alaska (Summer on the North Star by Elsa Pedersen)–MG
Arizona (Trixie Belden and the Mystery in Arizona by Julie Campbell)–MG
Arkansas (The Girl with the Mind for Math by Julia Finley Mosca)–PB
California (Sister of the Bride by Beverly Cleary)–YA
Colorado (The Secret Sisters by Avi)–MG
Connecticut (Flood Friday by Lois Lenski)–MG
Delaware (When Washington Crossed the Delaware by Lynne Cheney)–PB
Florida (Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski)–MG
Georgia (Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo)–MG
Hawaii (Growing Up with Aloha by Kirby Larson)–CB/MG
Idaho (Moving the Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion by Dave Eggers)–PB
Illinois (The Light in the Cellar by Sarah Masters Buckey)–MG
Indiana (Rosetown Summer by Cynthia Rylant)–MG
Kansas (May B. by Caroline Starr Rose)–MG
Kentucky (Happy Little Family by Rebecca Caudill)–CB
Iowa (Maudie in the Middle by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor & Lura Schield Reynolds)–MG
Louisiana (Meet Marie-Grace by Sarah Masters Buckey)–CB
Maine (The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall)–MG
Maryland (Chesapeake Duke by Gilbert Byron)–MG
Massachusetts (Little House by Boston Bay by Melissa Wiley)–MG
Michigan (The Star That Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson–yes, my own book!! It was fun)–MG
Minnesota (Carney’s House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace)–YA
Mississippi (Daddy Played the Blues by Michael Garland)–PB
Missouri (Depend on Katie John by Mary Calhoun)–MG
Montana (The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White)–MG
Nebraska (Elsie’s Bird by Jane Yolen)–PB
Nevada (Mustang, Wild Spirit of the West by Marguerite Henry)–MG/YA
New Hampshire (Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick)–MG
New Jersey (The Slipper Point Mystery by Augusta Huiell Seaman)–MG
New Mexico (Secrets in the Hills by Kathleen Ernst)–MG
New York (The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright)–MG
North Carolina (My Great-Aunt Arizona by Gloria Houston)–PB
North Dakota (Fly Away by Patricia MacLachlan)–MG
Ohio (What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge)–MG
Oklahoma (Angels in the Dust by Margot Theis Raven)–PB
Oregon (Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary)–CB/MG
Pennsylvania (Pie by Sarah Weeks)–MG
Rhode Island (The Automobile Girls at Newport by Laura Dent Crane)–MG
South Carolina (Honey Butter by Millie Florence)–MG
South Dakota (Judy Bolton and the Discovery at the Dragon’s Mouth by Margaret Sutton)–MG/YA
Tennessee (Lizzie by May Justus)–CB
Texas (The Boxcar Children and the Mystery at the Alamo by Gertrude Chandler Warner)–CB
Utah (Iron Horses by Verla Kay)–PB
Vermont (Lumber Camp Library by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock)–CB/MG
Virginia (Meg and the Secret of the Witch’s Stairway by Holly Beth Walker)–CB/MG
Washington (For the Love of Autumn by Patricia Polacco)–PB
West Virginia (A Piece of Home by Jeri Hanel Watts)–PB
Wisconsin (Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink)–MG
Wyoming (I Could Do That: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote by Linda Arms White)–PB

A few other books to share …

I had the joy of providing endorsement blurbs for the books of three friends: Writer on the Wall by Joanne Bischof (a sweet contemporary Christian novel), Road Trip Return by Becca Wierwille (a heartfelt contemporary MG story), and Beyond Mulberry Glen by Millie Florence (a beautifully written, character-driven fantasy MG). Definitely check them out!

Three non-kidlit books I enjoyed this year were L.M. Montgomery’s The Blue Castle (my last new Montgomery book! <tears>) and two nonfiction books: Glad and Golden Hours by Lanier Ivester and illustrated by Jennifer Trafton (a lovely book to read during Advent) and Barefoot Summers by Faith Andrews Bedford (a collection of wonderful essays on summertime, family, and memories).

What did you enjoy reading in 2024? What are some books you’re excited about for 2025? I’d love to hear!

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]]> 211427 Chatting with Millie Florence about middle grade novels https://annarosejohnson.com/chatting-with-millie-florence-about-middle-grade-novels/ Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:49:58 +0000 https://annarosejohnson.com/?p=211049 I recently had the lovely opportunity to interview Millie Florence, the author of one of the very best books I read last year: Honey Butter!

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Chatting with Millie Florence about middle grade novels

I recently had the lovely opportunity to interview Millie Florence, the author of one of the very best books I read last year: Honey Butter. It’s a charming middle grade novel that reminds me of L.M. Montgomery and Beverly Cleary and Kate DiCamillo and Jeanne Birdsall all rolled into one, which is very high praise indeed! (If you haven’t yet picked up a copy, you’re missing out!) Millie actually published the book when she was 13 years old, and since then, she has published two more novels: Lydia Green of Mulberry Glen, and her brand-new release, The Balter of Ashton Harper. Read on to hear about her writing process, inspiration, and some favorite books!

 

I loved reading Honey Butter, and I’m curious to know: what books inspired you while you were writing it?

First of all, thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed Honey Butter!

Several of the books I had in mind when I wrote Honey Butter were the Ramona Quimby books by Beverly Cleary, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, and Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.

I wanted to write a story that paid attention to what it feels like to be a child, and those books are some of the best at that.

Which authors have inspired you the most over the years?

I could make this list a mile long, but I’ll try to limit myself.

Johnathan Auxier. He is the author of Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster, which took him years to collect the inspiration to write. I find his story very motivating on days when my writing feels slow, or I’m not making as much progress as I would like in my career.

Trenton Lee Stewart,  the author of The Mysterious Benedict Society. The Mysterious Benedict Society is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s everything I love in a middle-grade novel, and the sort of book I aspire to write someday.

L.M. Montgomery. I grew up with the Anne of Green Gables books, so they had a huge influence on my writing journey. I listened to the free Librivox audiobook on a loop from ages seven to nine.

Abbie Emmons, a homeschool graduate and author YouTuber. I love her videos and how she breaks down the writing process! Watching her videos always inspires me to keep writing!

Can you give us some behind-the-scenes insights into your writing and research process?

The Balter of Ashton Harper is the only story I’ve written so far that required true historical research, which was a very interesting experience! However, I had unintentionally already done a lot of research for it through several essays I wrote on Regency-era culture in my senior year of homeschooled high school. So in many ways, further research came quite easily to me because I had already started.

My writing process has varied over the years and changes a bit depending on what sort of book I’m writing, but it usually looks like this: a rough first draft, a round of beta readers, a second draft, another round of beta readers, a third, fourth, and sometimes fifth draft, until I’m satisfied with the story. Then I begin to pursue either the self-publishing process or begin pitching the book to publishers.

What’s your best advice for writers?

For new and young writers, my main tip would be “quantity over quality”. When you’re just starting out, often you’ll outgrow your current project, skill-wise, before you have time to finish it. Write lots of short stories, poems, free writes, and writing exercises. There’s nothing wrong with attempting that novel you’ve been dreaming of, but I noticed a major improvement in my own writing when I started incorporating more short writing “challenges” into my day-to-day routine, which helped me a lot with those longer projects.

Tell a story in five words, write a page describing your garage using all five senses, or create a poem where every line must begin with the letter C. Just like athletes have warm-up exercises to make their physical muscles stronger, as writers, we should give our creative muscles (our brain) some warm-ups too.

Do you think writers should cultivate a habit of re-reading?

Absolutely!

Beyond re-reading, I believe studying the books you love can be extremely helpful. It’s like taking apart an alarm clock to figure out how it works. The more you read the books you love, the more the individual elements become apparent to, you, and learning how stories you love work is one more step towards writing a book that you love!

I know you’re a proponent of creative exercises for writers. Have you been doing any fun things lately to fuel your creativity?

A habit I’ve developed over the past year is taking a walk first thing in the morning before I do anything else. That absolutely fuels me creatively! The time in nature and allowing my mind to wander is the perfect recipe for coming up with new ideas and refining old ones.

I’ve also been very inspired by writing on my manual typewriter lately. Doing things outside of a digital format is so helpful sometimes. It has fewer distractions and also makes me feel more in tune with my work. There’s not a sheet of glass between me and the words I write. I can touch the paper and smell the ink.

Please tell us about your newest book, The Balter of Ashton Harper! How did you decide to write a magical book set in Regency England?

Originally, I believe, I thought the book would be just fantasy. It started with the three Harper siblings, and I knew from the beginning that dancing would play a large role in the story, and the sort of dancing I had in mind was English country dancing. Over time, the idea evolved from a world inspired by the Regency era to the Regency era world with a sprinkle of magic, and that was when I began to write my first draft.

The heart of the book has always been the Harper siblings. Something I want to see more of in fiction is realistic sibling relationships. Ashton, Zizi, and Drusilla love each other, but like any human relationship, things get complicated. They try and fail, they fight and forgive. Being a family is not easy, but it’s worth it!

I’d also love to hear about your upcoming picture book!

Yes! My picture book, No Snow Yet, is coming out sometime this winter, release date to be announced. It’s illustrated by the marvelous Sarah Baren, who I am so excited to be working with! The manuscript is actually based on a poem I wrote when I was twelve, which is crazy to think about!

No Snow Yet follows a young girl who, while wishing and waiting for snow, discovers that even without it, the winter world is beautiful. It’s a story about finding wonder in the waiting, and a celebration of nature.

This blog is all about vintage middle grade! Do you have a favorite vintage MG title?

One that has always stuck with me is A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, which is about how the power of kindness and imagination can make us better people, and the world around us a better place. The protagonist, Sara Crewe, is one of the most selfless and inspiring characters I’ve ever read, yet utterly realistic and far from perfect.

It’s such a beautiful story!

Are there any particular stories you’d love to see told by current authors? What would be your dream middle grade book to read?

I want to see more MG literary adventure books! Books like The Mysterious Benedict Society that are clever, funny, and action-packed, yet aren’t afraid to use big words and delve deep into timeless topics that force you to sit back and think. It’s a difficult balance, but when it’s done right, those are my absolute favorite books to read! Books that aren’t afraid to take themselves seriously, but that also aren’t afraid to be utterly ridiculous.

In other words, unafraid to be childlike in every way.

 

Many thanks to Millie for participating in this interview!

 

 

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]]> 211049 My Reading Year: A Recap of my 2022 Books https://annarosejohnson.com/my-reading-year-a-recap-of-my-2022-books/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 21:34:26 +0000 https://annarosejohnson.com/?p=210684 I'm recapping some of my favorite books from 2022!

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My Reading Year: A Recap of my 2022 Books

My reading goal this year was to read 120 books, and I ended up reading 126. I always try to read at least eight books a month, and usually my goal is ten or more, which roughly comes out to 120 a year. But my new goal for 2023 is to make it to 100 books, which is still amazing, but will hopefully allow for reading more books of significant length instead of generally shorter books. That will be difficult, though, because I love short books and they seem so easy to add my challenge … 😉 So without further ado, here are my top favorites of the year (mostly vintage middle grade), organized into fun categories! I hope you find a title or two on this list to enjoy. Happy Reading!

Favorite Books of 2022

1. What the Moon Said by Gayle Rosengren (2014)

I had heard of this book several years ago and knew I wanted to read it, but I hadn’t gotten to it yet. This fall I discovered that my library had an ebook copy, so I began to read it and … it was so good! It’s the story of a young girl, her sisters, and their immigrant parents, who decide to pull up stakes in Chicago and move to a farm in Wisconsin during the Great Depression. It had wonderful characters and writing, and I recently described it to a friend as a mash-up of Sweet Home Alaska (which I also enjoyed this year), The Friendship Doll, and All-of-a-Kind Family!

2. Honey Butter by Millie Florence (2017)

This charming middle grade novel featuring an unlikely friendship, a box of paint cards, and an unforgettable summer was one of my very favorite reads of the year. I adored it, and it’s one of those stories that has stayed with me throughout the year, so I know it’s one I will return to in the future. The author’s style reminded me of L.M. Montgomery and Beverly Cleary and Kate DiCamillo and Jeanne Birdsall all rolled into one, which is very high praise indeed!

3. Golden Sovereign by Dorothy Lyons (1946)

This one came highly recommended to me, and I enjoyed it so much! It’s a fascinating story of a girl who sets out on a quest to discover the true identity of a mysterious horse she buys at an auction, while also trying to build up her own champion horse farm.

4. Where the Heart Is by Janet Lambert (1948)

When a post-war housing shortage means that Christy’s family has to move into a barn, the whole family isn’t sure what to think! But Christy is resourceful and determined to make this new life work for them, and her adventures with new friends are delightful to read about.

5. The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith (1990)

I read this book on a whim, not knowing much about it, and it far exceeded my expectations! It’s a whimsical, clever origin story of the Loch Ness Monster that kept me captivated from page one. Bonus points for being set in a wondrous locale.

6. Mystery on Heron Shoals Island by Augusta Huiell Seaman (1940)

Secrets abound in this delicious mystery that follows a girl who lives on an isolated island with her grandmother and their talkative parrot. This one is wonderfully atmospheric and I found it hard to put down! I have really enjoyed other novels by this author, and I’m excited to read more.

7. Moominland Midwinter by Tove Jansson (1957)

Speaking of books that have marvelous atmosphere, this one definitely fits into that department. I loved this humorous story that explores what happens when one of the Moomins awakens from a long winter’s nap a bit too early, and is forced to deal with a foreign, icy world.

8. Follow My Leader by James B. Garfield (1957)

When Jimmy is blinded in an accident, he is thrust into a life of difficult new experiences and challenges–but getting his own guide dog changes his outlook. This one was a very moving story with a beautiful ending.

9. Maida’s Little Shop by Inez Haynes Irwin (1909)

The Maida books have been recommended to me for a long time now, and I’m so glad I finally read the first book in the series! It’s a sweet story about a girl who runs her own shop, and gradually makes friends in a new town as they come to buy all the delights she has on display.

10. One to Grow On by Jean Little (1969)

I have loved Jean Little’s books for a long time now, and this one is about friendship, truth, and family is now added to my top favorites of hers. (It doesn’t hurt that there is a subplot involving the buying of a lovely piece of property that reminds me of Jane of Lantern Hill).

I also greatly enjoyed: a nonfiction title, Unearthing the Secret Garden by Marta McDowell (2021), a fascinating exploration into the life and gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett; Cinderella’s Dress by Shonna Slayton (2014), a (literally!) magical WWII story; and The Vanderbeekers on the Road by Karina Yan Glaser (2022), the latest installment in the awesome Vanderbeekers series. If you’re looking for a devotional, The Little Women Devotional by Rachel Dodge (2021) was also a fabulous read.

Favorite Cast of Characters

1. The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith (1990)
2. Maida’s Little Shop by Inez Haynes Irwin (1909)
3. What the Moon Said by Gayle Rosengren (2014)
4. Wonderland by Barbara O’Connor (2018)
5. The Vanderbeekers on the Road by Karina Yan Glaser (2022)
6. Miss Tippy by Janet Lambert (1948)

Short but Sweet - if you're looking for a very short but fun read!

1. Lumber Camp Library by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock (2002)
2. Rosetown Summer by Cynthia Rylant (2021)
3. Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall (2022)
4. The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle (1964)
5. Summer Pony & Winter Pony by Jean Slaughter-Doty (1973-5)

Best Description/Environment

1. Stormy, Misty’s Foal by Marguerite Henry (1963)
2. Where The Heart Is by Janet Lambert (1948)
3. Mystery on Heron Shoals Island by Augusta Huiell Seaman (1940)
4. Moominland Midwinter by Tove Jansson (1957)
5. Stand in the Wind by Jean Little (1975)
6. Ginnie and the Mystery Doll by Catherine Woolley (1960)

Best Feel-Good Stories

1. The Little Silver House by Jennie D. Lindquist (1959)
2. Different Dragons by Jean Little (1987)
3. Ramshackle Roost by Jane Flory (1972)
4. Jane & Henry: A World War II Adventure by Rebecca Borger (2022)
5. The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle (1964)
6. Honey Butter by Millie Florence (2017)

Most Delightfully Funny Books

1. Moominsummer Madness by Tove Jansson (1954)
2. More Perfect than the Moon by Patricia MacLachlan (2005)
3. Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry (2002)
4. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald (1947)
5. The School Story by Andrew Clements (2001)
6. Five Children & It by E. Nesbit (1902)

Favorite Rereads

1. Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes (2019)
2. The Secret School by Avi (2001)
3. Pat of Silver Bush by L.M. Montgomery (1933)
4. Patty Fairfield by Carolyn Wells (1901)
5. The Luckiest Girl by Beverly Cleary (1958)
6. Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace (1950)
7. What Katy Did at School by Susan Coolidge (1873)
8. Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson (1934)
9. Spring Begins in March by Jean Little (1966)

Favorite Audiobooks

I enjoyed these stories SO much on audio. These are all “re-reads” for me! (Or is it re-listen?)

1. Spiderweb for Two: A Melendy Maze by Elizabeth Enright (1951), narrated by Pamela Dillman
2. Friendly Gables by Hilda van Stockum (1960), narrated by Mary Sarah Agliatta
3. Emily’s Runaway Imagination by Beverly Cleary (1961), narrated by Christina Moore
4. Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (1909), narrated by Susan O’Malley
5. Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary (1977), narrated by Stockard Channing

And one last favorite ...

I really can’t not mention my own book, my debut middle grade novel The Star That Always Stays (Holiday House), which released in July 2022. I DID read it this year 😉 and I hope it’s one that others will enjoy as much as I have. It actually happens to be only $1.99 on Kindle right now!

What were some books you loved in 2022? Feel free to pass along some recommendations! I am always looking for new books, especially middle grade from the 1940s-60s!

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The post My Reading Year: A Recap of my 2022 Books appeared first on Anna Rose Johnson.

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