by: S.M. Morgan
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Release Date: March 10, 2021
"Help!! My head is being lowered into the swirling vortex of a toilet!”
My name is Teddy, and I’m in the 6th grade. It’s my first day at a different school, and so far, the only person I know is Zane, the school bully. I was just your everyday kid trying to stay off everyone’s radar, but when I met my new best friend, Bud Wiper, everything changed.
Bud is a 6th grade millionaire from 60 years ago.
Yep, that’s right, Bud Wiper is a treasure hunter from the 1940’s who left behind his journal full of life and adventure, and even though we’ve never met, I think he might be the only thing that gets me through the 6th grade alive.
The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper is a fantastic story of bravery and friendship, perfect for kids, middle school students, and adults.
Bud was simple to write; he had that spunky, sporadic, quick-witted, dry sense of humor that I have. It just came out that way. I noticed it when reading through my first draft and decided it just worked for him.
Even though Bud and I are similar, I learned some new things from him. Allow me to elaborate in my favorite style: list format :).
Breaking the habit:
Trying new things without worrying so much, like my character does, and taking risks. Yeah, that one is huge. I am not a risk-taker at all! I like consistency. But without risks, you get the same rewards.
There is no I in team:
Bud thinks there is an "I" in team. Honestly, doing it solo is my thing, and I like it that way! However, seeing Bud on his adventures shows how much he needs someone, not just because he is a kid but because we can't do life alone.
Now Teddy's turn. I am mainly like Teddy in real life. More or less, Teddy's experiences in The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper are mine, just slightly dramatized.
I started journaling:
Adolescence is essential to a child's life experience. It develops habits and lessons you live with for the rest of your life. Since Teddy's experiences are similar to mine, it was therapeutic just to put some of that on paper. Since the publication of the book, I have taken up daily journaling. It is great to reminisce on the good ole days.
Friendship:
Friendship is one of the most important life lessons we can learn. It teaches us how to be kind, compassionate, and understanding of others. It also teaches us how to be loyal, honest, and supportive of our friends. To me, and what I learned from Teddy as a character, friendship is a two-way street and requires effort from both parties to succeed. We must be patient, forgiving, and open-minded about our friends. We must also learn to respect each other’s boundaries.
Shyness is ok:
For Teddy and myself, shyness is a huge barrier to overcome and can be devastating in relationships and in achieving success in life. It is essential to recognize that shyness is a normal part of life and that it is okay to be shy. It is also important to remember that everyone has different levels of comfort when socializing and interacting with others. I learned to be patient and to take small steps to help build confidence and make it easier to interact with others. Finally, it is important to remember that everyone has their own unique strengths and weaknesses and that it is okay to be shy.
“D. Butt Wiper, the guy living here is named D. Butt Wiper?” I asked.
“Bud Wiper,” Mom corrected me, “and that is Mr. Wiper to you. Please use your manners, Teddy.”
Purchase The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper from:
(Affiliated Links used)
When the real world calls him to be social, he can be found canoeing with his family or trying to convince his wife to watch action movies.
Places to find S.M. Morgan:
You can follow The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper Blog Tour here.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
Delete