A Parade of Book Covers by J. Q. Rose #booksforgirls #middleschoolnonfiction #Girlssucceed

The book cover for the new paperback for Girls Succeed!

 A Parade of Book Covers for Girls Succeed!

If you want to be a writer, not only do you have to develop your storytelling skills, you also need to picture the book cover that will attract readers to check out the stories within the pages.

I cannot believe I have been working on creating and updating Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women since 2008. I started in 2008 contacting the ladies, some were friends, but most were strangers to me. Email was not an everyday method of communicating then, so I sent letters requesting an interview. I believed their stories would inspire girls with big dreams to realize they could make their dreams come true, just as these trailblazing, determined women did. 

I was honored and privileged that these women trusted me to tell their stories. Through the years, the number of interviews grew and grew. (I added a new chapter in 2021 about being an attorney, so there are sixteen careers featuring these amazing role models.)

Take a look at all the different book covers throughout the years. Some were just right and attracted middle-grade readers. Some did not. These were all eBook covers starting with the latest eBook cover. 

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This was the original book cover for Girls Succeed. 

So which cover do you like the best? Leave the number of the cover below in the comments. Thank you.

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The eBook is available at all major online booksellers. Click here to find your favorite bookseller.

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The latest in the parade of book covers is one for a paperback book. Yes!! Look below. Do you notice it has the front book cover like the eBooks, but it also has the back of the book? 

I am thrilled to have the book in print. I'm glad my 12-year-old granddaughter encouraged me to create the paperback this summer. It is available in black and white print and in color. (Color is my favorite.)

If you have really good eyes, you can probably read the text on the back of the book, but for mom and grandma, I copied the information below. !!!

"Discover the inspiring stories of sixteen contemporary women who had ambitious dreams when they were girls. Find out how they made those dreams come true!

Readers cheer for these amazing women when they follow their lives to discover how they overcome obstacles and crash through barriers to complete their goals. Learn about their workday and the achievements in their chosen careers.

Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women includes stories about 21st-century women who have discovered cures to stamp out disease, made people laugh, earned Olympic and Paralympic gold medals and crossed the country behind the wheel of an 18-wheel semi-truck. Meet the people who mentored these dreamers and helped them to negotiate the curves and bumps along the way.

With resources related to the occupation, girls can dive deeply into the career and the woman's life. The accompanying quotes inspire girls to work toward making their dream careers come true.

Author  J.Q. Rose uses her experience as a classroom teacher and her storytelling skills as an author to inspire girls to dream big!"

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The print books are available at amazon.com

Girls Succeed! Color edition

Click here for the color edition of Girls Succeed.

Click here for the black and white edition of Girls Succeed.

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If you celebrate American Thanksgiving, 

have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Spotlight on the Traveling Circus Series by Ingar Rudholm

 

Traveling Circus by Ingar Rudholm
#Fantasy

Hello and welcome!

Today, I'm sharing with you a magical story about the circus. I fell in love with it, but then again, I love the circus and stories surrounding a circus.

MY REVIEW: 

The Big Top circus tent
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay 

Magical. I always thought of the circus as a magical place. This story is about a circus that truly is magical. So many interesting characters with magical powers. Well-crafted characters who interact in a fantasy set in modern day--Albert the fortune teller, Cordelia the mermaid, two clowns named Sammy and Buster and Marcel a giant with huge muscles. 

Flynn, the main character, reminded me so much of teens today. So much pressure on them causing them to feel insecure so they can't speak up. Can Flynn overcome his insecurity and at the same time "win the heart of a girl named Rena?" This is a page-turning novel perfect for young readers and young-at-heart readers.

I purchased the print book instead of the Kindle format because I loved the circus drawings by the author. 

Find out more about this imaginative book below.

Traveling Circus by Ingar Rudholm

Fantasy

BACK OF THE BOOK:

Trapped by a mysterious traveling circus! Young Flynn must find his inner courage to battle his way home. A crooked ringmaster, wielding a magic pocket watch that controls time, holds Flynn captive against his will. Escaping requires reaching out to some unusual circus performers. So, he befriends Cordelia who’s cursed to become a mermaid at night and Albert the fortuneteller who has a crystal ball where he can see the future and the past. Using the power of imagination and the fortuneteller's magic, Flynn must escape the circus before the ringmaster erases Flynn's memories forever!

Click here to order your book at amazon in the format you prefer:

Click here to connect on Facebook with author Ingar Rudholm

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GOOD NEWS!

Two books in the Traveling Circus series are now available. Click here to discover them for more fun at the Circus.

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Girls Succeed! New book cover, new content!

If you love clowns, check out Brenda Marshall's story of what inspired her to become a clown in the inspiring book for girls-- Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women. 

Brenda Marshall, professional clown, with children in China

Click here to download your interactive eBook at your favorite digital bookseller.

The First Woman Vice-President of the United States of America Takes Office Today!

The First Woman Vice-President of the United States of America Takes Office Today!

The inauguration of the new President of the United States, Joseph Biden, and Vice-President Kamala Harris is today, January 20. The impressive ceremony incorporates the tradition that has taken place every four years since 1789 when George Washington took the oath of President of the USA.

This is an especially significant day in the history of our country. VP Harris is the first woman vice-president in US history! I watched VP Harris climbing up and down all the stairs to the capitol building in high heels. She is going to be a strong and brave addition to our country's leadership!

Map of the United States of America
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay 

The inauguration is not a party given for the President, but rather it is a celebration of the passing of the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the new incoming administration.

God bless President Biden and Vice-President Harris in their new roles as the leaders of our country and their effort to truly make this the United States of America.

 

Remembering and Honoring Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

 

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

This week we lost a warrior for women, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She was one of the most outspoken advocates for gender equality of our time, including voting rights and equal pay for women. Ginsburg, who served as a Justice of the Supreme Court for 27 years, was the first female Jewish Justice. 

She was a feisty woman, small in stature but big on women's rights. By fighting for justice for everyone she made a difference in today's world that will affect future generations.  Justice is a title for a judge, such as Justice Ginsburg. According to the dictionary, the word justice is used to mean "the quality of being just, impartial, or fair." Qualities that describe a judge.

When asked how she wanted to be remembered, she replied, “Someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability. And to help repair tears in her society, to make things a little better through the use of whatever ability she has.” 

Stop Bullying: A Video Featuring the Talents of Author and Illustrator Jane Stroschin, Art Prize 2017

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed blog!

I am thrilled to update you on  Artist Jane Stroschin.

Artist and Children's Author Jane Stroschin

Jane is one of the amazing role models who shared her childhood story about her dream to be an artist in the interactive ebook, Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women. She has certainly achieved success in many venues.
In 2017 she was involved in a presentation at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, an international art show with hundreds of artists in 175 venues in and around the city. Jane's colorful artwork brings awareness to bullying.

This YouTube video will explain more about her project, Be Kind: Walk a Mile in My Shoes.

Be Kind: Walk a Mile in My Shoes

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To learn more about Jane's beautiful artwork click here to see how she created a huge mural to be installed on the outside of a building. The deer below is just one of the pieces.

One of the paintings included in Children's Author and Artist Jane Stroschin's murals.
Click here to see how she created this artwork.
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Click here to meet all of the 15 inspirational women in Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women

Photos of women in these careers--horticulture, horse trainer, bike racer, business, technology, medical doctor, chef, professional clown, artist, teacher, social worker, 
medical researcher, semi-truck driver, Christian minister.
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Back of the Book:

Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women is an interactive e-book filled with dreams and passion. Fifteen successful career women in a variety of occupations share their stories in these pages. Explore careers involving women who have discovered cures to stamp out disease, made people laugh, earned Olympic gold medals, and seen the USA from coast to coast in the cab of an 18 wheeler semi-truck.

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Click here to download your copy from amazon.  

Click here to order from your favorite online bookseller.

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed Blog!

 Labor Day in the USA!

Monday, September 7, 2020, is Labor Day in the USA. We honor all those who work in our country to make it better for our citizens. People from all over the country honor all kinds of jobs. There are a lot of jobs to do too. What do you dream of doing with your future?

I always wanted to be a writer. But it took me a long time to do it. First I was a waitress, a student, a teacher, a floral designer, a business owner, then finally I started writing for newspapers and magazines and the Internet. Eventually, I authored fiction stories like mysteries and paranormal (ghosts, creatures, robots.) 

Now I am revising, updating the eBook and adding a new chapter to Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women. I am working on a new book cover too! I guess I could add publisher and book cover designer to my list of jobs now. 

I'm so excited to bring you this fresh, new look and up-to-date stories about amazing women who dreamed about the jobs they wanted to do when they grew up. They worked hard and overcame obstacles to make that dream a real job!

The Successful Women in Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women

Here are the careers in the book:

Table of Contents

Chapter 1--Horse Trainer/Competitive Dressage Rider, Pati Pierucci

True Love

Chapter 2--Bike Racer, Mackenzie Woodring

Speeding Around the Track

Chapter 3--Children’s Book Author and Illustrator, Jane Stroschin

Practice, Practice, Practice

Chapter 4--Medical Doctor, Cate Bradley

Role Models Rock

Chapter 5--Chef, Sue Chef

Cooking Up a Career

Chapter 6--Technology Expert, Diana Stoneberg

Keep Your Sense of Humor

Chapter 7--Christian Minister, Laurie Haller

Serving God

Chapter 8--Horticulturalist, Sharon Loving

Thank You Very Mulch

Chapter 9--Medical Scientist, Juanita Merchant

Confidence Counts

Chapter 10-Olympic Gold Medalist in Women’s Ice Hockey, Angela Ruggiero

Showing the Boys

Chapter 11-Semi-Truck Driver, Barbara Totten

Freedom of the Road

Chapter 12-Teacher/Coach/Athletic Director, Barbara “Chili” Chiles

Aim Higher

Chapter 13-Social Worker, Lenair Correll           

Overcoming Obstacles

Chapter 14-Entrepreneur/Product Developer, Veronica Bosgraaf

Find the Path to Success

Chapter 15-Professional Clown, Brenda Marshall

A Big Red Nose

NEW! Chapter 16--Stacy Flanery, Attorney at Law

                      

                     Helping Others

YOU will be the first to see the new book cover when it's all done and find out where to get your copy!

Women Win the Right to Vote

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of American Women Winning the Right to Vote by J.Q. Rose

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed! blog. We celebrate girls and women here, so we definitely have to have a party in August 2020 to commemorate women's right to vote. I know it sounds crazy that women could not vote in the US until 1920. Some states allowed it, but through the ages women did not have a say in government. That really changed after 1920. Read the article below to find out more. 

The struggle to win the right to vote for women 

became active in the mid-19th century in the USA.

The 19th amendment to the US constitution was passed by Congress on June 4 and ratified on August 18, giving American women the right to vote in the USA. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification on August 26, 1918. Although the amendment became law in the land, it did not eliminate state laws in place that kept black Americans from voting due to the requirement to pay taxes and pass literacy tests. It would take another fifty years to gain suffrage for black women.

Women began organizing, petitioning, picketing and parading in what today we would call protesting, to achieve awareness and support for laws to allow women to vote in the mid-1800s. Several Western states had passed laws by 1912 due to men's support of the suffrage movement.

Wyoming hoped to attract females to their state filled with gold miners--a ratio of six men to one female. But just as in contemporary politics, an ulterior motive played into the decision. Wyoming's political party in power allowed the vote, figuring if they gave women the right to vote in Wyoming elections, the ladies would vote for them!

According to ourdocuments.gov, " Achieving this milestone required a lengthy and difficult struggle; victory took decades of agitation and protest. Beginning in the mid-19th century, several generations of woman suffrage supporters lectured, wrote, marched, lobbied, and practiced civil disobedience to achieve what many Americans considered a radical change of the Constitution. Few early supporters lived to see the final victory in 1920."

Voting is the way to let your leaders in government know what you want as a citizen. This is a right that not every person in the world has. We need to protect it.

Now it's time to party!! 

The photo above is courtesy of pixabat.com by artist fotshot

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The Girls Succeed Blog is proud to feature women in history and contemporary women who are role models for girls. Click on "Trailblazer" in the categories section of this blog to take you to their stories. Take a moment to browse through this blog to meet inspiring women.

Please, leave a comment to tell us about a woman who inspired you. 

Follow this blog by adding your email address in the box at the top of the sidebar so you won't miss a new post and updates.

Click here to visit JQ Rose online

Celebrate Women's History in the Month of March: Valiant Women Who Won the Vote

Hello and welcome to the Girls Succeed! Blog. March is a big month for Women.

International Women's Day

Today, March 8, is International Women's Day. 
We celebrate every year to recognize women's achievements throughout history and across nations in politics and economics and to work toward equality.

Celebrate the international community of women.

March is Women's History Month. 

From the Women's History Month website--"Each year there is a special Theme and women whose lives exemplify that theme are selected as National Honorees.

 2020 National Women’s History Alliance Honorees: Valiant Women of the Vote

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"The 2020 National Women’s History theme presents the opportunity to honor women who fought for woman’s right to vote in the United States. In recognition of the centennial of the 19th Amendment, we will honor women from the original suffrage movement as well as 20th and 21st-century women who have continued the struggle (fighting against poll taxes, literacy tests, voter roll purges, and other more contemporary forms of voter suppression) to ensure voting rights for all.."

Click here to read about the National Women's History Project honorees

Celebrate Women's History in March

Girls Succeed! is an interactive e-book featuring 15 successful women who had big dreams when they were girls. We celebrate their achievements and are inspired by their lives.

The amazing women featured in Girls Succeed!
A diverse group with careers in medicine, science, sports, ministry, and more.

Click here to learn more at amazon about each woman in the ebook. 
Click here to download at your favorite online bookseller.

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The Girls Succeed Blog is proud to feature women in history and contemporary women who are role models for girls. Click on "Trailblazer" in the categories section of this blog to take you to their stories. Take a moment to browse through this blog to meet inspiring women.

Please, leave a comment to tell us about a woman who inspired you. 

Follow this blog by adding your email address in the box at the top of the sidebar so you won't miss a new post and updates.

Thank you.

Happy New Year 2020 from J.Q. Rose! Goals?

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!

from J.Q.Rose

Have you figured out one big thing you want to accomplish this coming year? Run a marathon? Write a short story? Get first place in a solo competition in singing or playing your instrument?

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You can do it! Go for it, GRRL!

“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”

--Anonymous

Please leave a comment below 

to let us know what your goal is for the year. 

Thanks.

Gift Idea for the Holidays: Recipe for Puppy Chow

Christmas candle ring
Photo by J.Q. Rose

Hello and Welcome! Today, besides writing my blog for you, I am in the midst of planning a Christmas gift for our neighbors. Not any huge gift like a TV or cookware. No. We just exchange cookies or handmade gifts. I'm having fun putting together some treats. In fact, I had so much fun making up Puppy Chow, I decided to share the recipe with you. 

First of all, Puppy Chow is NOT for puppies. No. It's actually Puppy Chow for People. Er, no wait, that's not quite right either. It's a treat for people, but named Puppy Chow because...Hm, you know I don't really know why they call it puppy chow.

My daughters, granddaughter, and me!

My daughters and I made it when they were kids and now they make it with their kids.

Let me just give you the recipe, so you can make it. When you taste the sweetness and creamy flavor of peanut butter-chocolate, you won't care what the name is either.

Ingredients to make puppy chow for people

Puppy Chow for People

1 12 oz. box Crispix Cereal, Rice Chex, or Corn Chex

2 ½ - 3 cups of powdered sugar

12 oz. chocolate chips

1 cup creamy peanut butter

¼ c. margarine

 Melt peanut butter, margarine, and chocolate chips in a bowl in the microwave on high for one minute. Stir. Heat for 30 seconds more.

Pour mixture over cereal in a large bowl. (This is the most difficult part of the recipe. Covering all the cereal with the thick chocolate is difficult. I gave up stirring it with a spoon. Instead I buttered my fingers and tossed it together. Be careful. It is hot. Later, a friend suggested wearing gloves and spray them with oil. Either way, I think the kids would have fun trying to mix it with their hands. Of course, watch out they don’t lick the sweet chocolate off their hands while stirring!! It is tempting.)

Put powdered sugar in a paper grocery bag and add cereal mix. Shake till well coated.

You may store in a tight container or plastic bag. 

Maybe you can make this treat and give it to your family and friends for Christmas. 

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Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women

Role models who inspire girls to make their dreams come true.

This book is a treat to read. Meet successful women who have inspired girls--bike racer, medical doctor, professional clown, scientist, athletes, chef and more!

Click here to download it now from your favorite online bookseller!

Trivia Game Time: What is Author Sarah J. Hale's Connection to Thanksgiving Day?

Thanksgiving Day in the USA
November 28
Image by Sabrina Ripke from Pixabay 

The USA celebrates Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 28.

Our nation has celebrated this traditional event since 1863 after Abraham Lincoln signed the declaration establishing the day as a national holiday. Before this, only Washington's Birthday and Independence Day were national holidays.

I have a question for your Thanksgiving Day guests and family. Who influenced the President to consider declaring a national Thanksgiving Day? The New England states celebrated Thanksgiving, but it was not a holiday in the rest of the country.

Writer Sarah J. Hale is credited for influencing President Lincoln's decision. She was a persistent woman, writing to five presidents asking for the holiday. She began her campaign in 1846, but it wasn't until 1863 when she finally convinced Honest Abe to support legislation to declare Thanksgiving a national holiday.

The new national holiday was considered a day that could unify the nation after the horrendous Civil War had split the country. Not only achieving recognition for Thanksgiving Day, but also Sarah's legacy is seen in her support of establishing historic sites and in her belief for higher education for women, establishing a college for women, Vassar College.

The idea of educating women was not a popular idea in the mid-1850s. She also was the editor of an influential magazine, Godey's Lady's Book.

 And one more item for your trivia game on Thanksgiving Day. Sarah J. Hale wrote the nursery rhyme, "Mary's Lamb," which is now known as "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

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Can you think of more questions about Thanksgiving to ask in your Trivia game? Please share in a comment below. Thanks. Oh, and don't forget to include the answer!!

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 Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving from J.Q. Rose

Don't miss an update to the Girls Succeed Blog. 

Add your email address to the box on the upper right sidebar. I promise, NO SPAM! Thank you.

Veterans Day: Thank a Vet: U.S. Navy Pilot Captain Rosemary Mariner and U.S.Army Infantry Officer Captain Kristen Griest

Veterans Day Honoring Veterans
of the U.S. Military Services

On Veterans Day, November 11, we honor veterans who served in the U.S. Military. This date also marks the end of World War I when the armistice with Germany was signed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

For articles on women in the military, click on the links below:

U.S. Navy Pilot Captain Rosemary Mariner

First Female US Army Infantry Officer--Captain Kristen Griest

Happy Labor Day! Check out the jobs featured in Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women

Today is Labor Day in the USA! How are you celebrating this day that recognizes all the men and women who contribute their skills, time and effort to our country and make our lives better?

We cooked cheeseburgers on the grill, and had sweet corn on the cob, green beans and potatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, watermelon and BROWNIES. YUM!

What job do you want to do when you grow up? What's your dream job?

The Girls Succeed! Stories of Behind the Careers of Successful Women features amazing women in all kinds of jobs.

Can you figure out what job each woman in the picture has?

Answers below.

These smart, talented women share their stories with you. Find out who helped them along the way and the obstacles they had to overcome to achieve their dream job.

Click the links below to download this interactive eBook packed with inspiration and entertainment for Middle Grade girls. A reader's guide is also included. 

Amazon Link  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NY6ZAS

Available at your favorite digital bookseller https://www.books2read.com/JQRose

Answers to the women and their jobs.
Top row L to R--horticulturalist (she works with plants and flowers). horse trainer, bike racer, chef, technology expert,
Middle row L to R--medical doctor, chef, professional clown, author and artist, teacher,
Bottom row L to R--social worker, scientist, truck driver, professional clown (she spoofed us and got in here twice!!) and minister

50TH Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, Trailblazer: Poppy Northcutt

50 year anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing!
July 20, 1969-July 20, 2019

INCREDIBLE.That's the only word I can use to describe the accomplishment of the NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Mission to the Moon! In the 1960's President Kennedy declared America would land a man on the moon by the end of the decade.The plan to land a man on the moon, let alone by 1970, sounded like such a fairy tale. 

Trying to achieve such a goal sounded foolish given we had nothing to go on about space and rockets and lunar landers and even if a human being could live in the environs of outer space. Everything was just one big fat question mark. Only brilliant, courageous, determined, hard-working men and women could pull it off. AND they did! For all of us! We couldn't take our eyes off our TV's watching NASA's every planned step that would land us on the moon. 

Frances "Poppy" Northcutt was a part of the team on that mission to the moon in the 1960's. As the first woman engineer to work in NASA's Mission Control, her job was to calculate the return-to-Earth trajectories.  In the video below, Poppy talks about how the simulations with the astronauts in the capsule located in the building, not in space, tested everyone with training exercises. She was actually surprised at how well the actual Apollo 11flight went after having worked through so many possibilities of failure.

Image by Pexels from Pixabay 

The moon landing is one of the most significant events in the 20th century and one that brought all Americans together cheering for the amazing outcome of Neil Armstrong actually climbing down the 3.5 foot long ladder to leave his footprint on the moon's surface. Next, astronaut Buzz Aldrin joined him on the ground and planted the American flag.

VIDEO: 

Apollo 11 mission control's Poppy Northcutt on being "part of history," 1969

Congratulations to those who made this what seemed an improbable mission a reality! Congratulations to the NASA Team USA!!