With a childhood spent traveling the globe, writer Elysabeth Eldering developed a passion for geography. Growing up in a military family, Elysabeth lived in Japan, Germany, New York, Kentucky, and Texas before her family finally settled in a small town in South Carolina. Elysabeth, who lives in Honea Path, put her globetrotting skills to work in the Junior Geography Detective Squad's 50-state mystery trivia series.
Published by 4RV Publishing, the series made its debut in summer 2008 with State of Wilderness. The Junior Geography Detective Squad will continue to put their mystery-solving talents to work in each state, challenging young readers on their knowledge of the nation's geography and interesting facts about each state. State of Quarries is next in the line-up.
The mother of three - an adult son and a teen-aged son and daughter - juggles a schedule that includes volunteering with her children's school activities, such as marching band and band competitions. An avid pet lover, Elysabeth is caretaker for the family's three dogs and a rabbit named Easter. She's active in the Greenville chapters of Sisters in Crime and the SC Writers Workshop and has judged entries for the Derringers Awards competition.
Elysabeth entered her first writing contest on a dare from a friend. Since then, the prize-winning writer has received awards from Armchair Interviews and Echelon Press. Her most recent story, “Bride and Seek,” was published in the SC Writers Workshop anthology The Petigru Review and is available on http://www.amazon.com/. She has an article on editing and self publishing, also with Armchair Interviews.
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What is really neat about Mrs. E (as my class and I have come to call her), is that I have the privilege of having her visit my classroom once a week and mentor my students in their writing, share stories she has written, and above all, have fun. What an awesome thing to have a published author in my classroom EVERY WEEK! How many teachers get to have that experience?
I guess I should clarify, that since I live across the United States from Mrs. E, she can't physically come to my classroom, but we have set up a great connection with a mic, Google Talk, and a little imagination. It is fantastic!
My Review of her book, State of Wilderness, is that it is an AWESOME resource for any teacher that is looking to build a knowledge base of states. U.S. studies teachers will love the series. State History teachers will love the series, heck, everyone will love the series! But don't be fooled into thinking that this wonderful, easy to read, fun-filled book is ONLY for school rooms! Kids of any age will love having it read to them. The illustrations, done by 
Ms. Willowraven, are fantastic, and help kids get even more from the book! Every student in my class has read and thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Elderings book. I have purchased copies so my students could re-read it often. But, wait, that's not all! Mrs. E has even gone to the trouble to create a Teachers Guide. An activity packed resource to help teachers get more bang for their buck. These will be available with each book.
Ms. Willowraven, are fantastic, and help kids get even more from the book! Every student in my class has read and thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Elderings book. I have purchased copies so my students could re-read it often. But, wait, that's not all! Mrs. E has even gone to the trouble to create a Teachers Guide. An activity packed resource to help teachers get more bang for their buck. These will be available with each book. 
Book number 2, State of Quarries, is due for release very, very soon. In fact, I am sure Mrs. E. will be leaving a comment or two about its release date, so check those out! The second book looks to be as promising as the first. I am excited for its release so my students can continue on the journey.
Don't miss out on the chance to win a USA map puzzle and a few state related items.
Don't miss out on the chance to win a USA map puzzle and a few state related items.
Rules for drawing:
1. Each person who leaves a comment and a valid email address in the comment will go into the drawing.
2. Only one entry per stop. If you leave several comments on the same stop, your name will only go in once. A valid email must be left within the comment or the person is ineligible. I need a way to contact the winners so I can get mailing address to send their prizes. Winners will be announced in the comments section the next morning first thing.
