New Releases by S F Hochman

If you asked nine year old Dezti Snearts about fourth grade, she would have told you it was the most frustrating, unfair, and stressful time of her life. The reason... Damian Witherspoon Prezby! Prez was the most popular, best dressed, tallest, strongest, funniest, richest, loudest, and absolutely the meanest, rudest, most disruptive kid in school. To say Damian was a bully gives bullies a bad name. The Prezby philosophy was pretty clear: "Always WIN! And, DESTROY anyone who dares to oppose you." The day Deztinee Snearts declared her candidacy to oppose Damian Prezby for school president, she rocketed to the top of Damian''s "To Destroy List." Prez immediately targeted Deztinee with blame and innuendo, rumors and lies. He lured away some of her friends with promises to do them special favors. He scared off others with ominous threats. Cast out, Dezti takes refuge in the library to avoid sitting by herself at lunch or playing alone at recess. Mrs. Frank, a wise and unorthodox substitute librarian, refuses to coddle Deztinee or directly answer her endless questions about the unfairness of life. Instead, Mrs. Frank points Dezti toward a different path. On that path she discovers a mysterious muse and a world of books... with answers to her questions. The library becomes an "all you can eat" buffet for Deztinee''s insatiable curiosity. In resistance to Prez''s unbounded "rule over her classmates," Deztinee transforms herself from a fragile, little girl into a champion for civility, social justice, and TRUTH. If you ask thirty year old Deztinee Snearts about fourth grade, she''d tell you it was the year that shaped her destiny. The reason... Damian Witherspoon Prezby. If not for him knocking her down, she may never have begun her CURIOUS RISE. This is the seventh book S F Hochman has dreamed up for kids with kids. THE CURIOUS RISE started by brainstorming with enthusiastic and imaginative fourth graders to pay tribute to the first librarian at Parkway Elementary School. It didn''t take long for the book to take on a life of its own. It grew from a typical fourth grade level book to a chapter book to a... well, let''s just say a lot happens over the course of nearly 300 pages that span a tumultuous 4th grade year and beyond!

Caezaah Wiggington never had it easy. He is unable to express himself verbally. Labeled as slow or stupid, sometimes both, growing up he made an easy target for those too quick to judge. Now in his early twenties, Caezaah works as a late night dishwasher and shares a one room apartment with a family of mice. Despite past events and current circumstances, Caezaah believes that everyone gets his day. He prepares for his. He envisions that when his day comes, he will rise from the lowly ruins to high respect because of his gift. Caezaah''s gift is dancing. And, his day has arrived. Although his plans and preparations are repeatedly disrupted, he continues to dance toward his destiny. Against overwhelming evidence to the contrary and a series of obstacles, Caezaah is certain that by nightfall he will no longer be known as Wiggy or Babble Boy, but as the Fancy Dancer, Mister Fancy Dancer.Author''s note:After brainstorming with more than 30 eager and enthused fifth graders (and one third grader) at Whittier Family School in Camden, I channeled their dreams and insights into this story, our story. I returned to Whittier for a wonderfully received reading and stimulating discussion.I heard many insightful comments. The wisest of all may have come from a student who had just joined the class and was not part of the session that gave birth to the plot and characters. When I asked for ideas on how to deal with bullies, detractors, and adults who mislabel you and write you off, this young man responded with one word, “SUCCEED.” Ironically, when I started reading the book to the class this young man immediately put his head down on his desk. I found it kind of disturbing that he so quickly chose to tune me out. I instinctively labeled him as disrespectful, indifferent, arrogant or unable to comprehend at this level. Then with one word – “SUCCEED” – he taught me that he who leaps to label others does so at his own peril. I hope when you read Mister Fancy Dancer, you will receive the lesson that not everyone develops according to plan. I also hope, that like Caezaah, you will be inspired to SUCCEED when the odds are stacked up against you.