MISS PRISS: ON AND OFF THE COURT is book one in the new tween chapter series by Mom’s Choice Award winning writer-illustrator Team, ‘Brenjudy’. On and Off the Court introduces Priscilla Penelope Paxton (Miss Priss), a ten year old whose interests and curiosity land her in, sometimes, sticky situations. A unique coming-of-age story bound to bring giggles and enjoyment to all its readers as Miss Priss encounters and overcomes a slew of challenges, even the one that will continue to grow—self-awareness. The book features full color illustrations.
The Book
Illustrated by Brenda Nichols
Genre: kid lit
About Miss Priss: On And Off The Court:
Priscilla Penelope Paxton is a witty ten year old whose inter-ests and curiosity land her in, sometimes, sticky situations. Dance classes, Girl Scouts, school assignments, friends and hanging out at her family’s drug store, and the local Piggly Wiggly would leave any other person with no time for any-thing else. Yet, the thrill of basketball and joining the Little Dribblers finds its way into Miss Priss’ heart. Though this interest will prove to be a dream that requires overcoming the greatest of challenges; Mom’s opposition. A task that will require ingenuity, perseverance and a little help from some loved ones.Source: Info in the About Miss Priss: On And Off The Court was from the press kit from the publicity team.
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Excerpt:
I do not want to give up on basketball and I will not give up on basketball, so I don’t even say a word. I turn and run down the hallway to my bedroom, wanting to be alone. Just as I begin to close the door, I hear my mother speak again, except this time it’s not directed at me. “Jerry, come here. I need to talk to you,” anger continuing to spill through her voice as she shouts the words.
Oh, brother, I know what that means. I spilled the beans about Dad and Pappaw helping me, and now my parents will be in a big fight because I want to play basketball. Guilt pulses through my body with the knowledge that I gave Dad and Pappaw up.
I close the door the rest of the way and run to the very back of my closet, squeezing behind the clothes that are all neatly lined up on their hangers. The back wall of the closet, which I share with Pearl, is located on the other side of my parents’ bedroom. I’ve been listening in on my parents’ conversations and arguments for years, but no one knows about that, not even Pearl. I reach under a pile of shoes for the hidden shoebox that holds all the things I may need at a time like this. I put on the eyeglasses with the funny nose and plastic moustache and become Double Agent Doorknob. I reach back into the box and drag out my special drinking glass. If I put the open side of the glass against the wall with my ear on the closed end, I can hear perfectly clear anything said on the other side of the wall. It’s an old spy secret I once saw in a movie.
As I listen through my spyglass, I barely let myself breathe when I hear my mother say, “Jerry, how dare you and Don go behind my back teaching Priscilla basketball and allowing her to try out for the Little Dribblers? You know how I feel about my girls and sports. Priscilla now has this idea in her head that all the girls are playing sports.”
Dad is quiet for a few seconds. “Mary Anne, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about what we were doing, but you have to give our daughters a little leeway in deciding for themselves what they want to do. You were allowed to choose what you wanted to do when you were Miss Priss’ age. Isn’t that when you started playing basketball?”
What!!! My mother played basketball? I’m so shocked, that I uncoil from my position and nearly drop the drinking glass.
“Well, I won’t have Priscilla and Pearl made fun of and bullied the way I was. I just won’t have it,” Mom says, and that’s when I can tell she has started to cry.
My mother is crying. Oh no! I’ve never heard my mother cry like this before.
“Sweetheart, that was a long time ago. I can’t believe it still upsets you so much,” Dad says.
(We chose this excerpt because of the raw emotion shown by Miss Priss’ parents and herself. Judy and Brenda both recall secreting themselves to overhear “grownup” conversations between the adults in their lives, and found it delightful to share this experience through Priscilla.)
Oh, brother, I know what that means. I spilled the beans about Dad and Pappaw helping me, and now my parents will be in a big fight because I want to play basketball. Guilt pulses through my body with the knowledge that I gave Dad and Pappaw up.
I close the door the rest of the way and run to the very back of my closet, squeezing behind the clothes that are all neatly lined up on their hangers. The back wall of the closet, which I share with Pearl, is located on the other side of my parents’ bedroom. I’ve been listening in on my parents’ conversations and arguments for years, but no one knows about that, not even Pearl. I reach under a pile of shoes for the hidden shoebox that holds all the things I may need at a time like this. I put on the eyeglasses with the funny nose and plastic moustache and become Double Agent Doorknob. I reach back into the box and drag out my special drinking glass. If I put the open side of the glass against the wall with my ear on the closed end, I can hear perfectly clear anything said on the other side of the wall. It’s an old spy secret I once saw in a movie.
As I listen through my spyglass, I barely let myself breathe when I hear my mother say, “Jerry, how dare you and Don go behind my back teaching Priscilla basketball and allowing her to try out for the Little Dribblers? You know how I feel about my girls and sports. Priscilla now has this idea in her head that all the girls are playing sports.”
Dad is quiet for a few seconds. “Mary Anne, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about what we were doing, but you have to give our daughters a little leeway in deciding for themselves what they want to do. You were allowed to choose what you wanted to do when you were Miss Priss’ age. Isn’t that when you started playing basketball?”
What!!! My mother played basketball? I’m so shocked, that I uncoil from my position and nearly drop the drinking glass.
“Well, I won’t have Priscilla and Pearl made fun of and bullied the way I was. I just won’t have it,” Mom says, and that’s when I can tell she has started to cry.
My mother is crying. Oh no! I’ve never heard my mother cry like this before.
“Sweetheart, that was a long time ago. I can’t believe it still upsets you so much,” Dad says.
(We chose this excerpt because of the raw emotion shown by Miss Priss’ parents and herself. Judy and Brenda both recall secreting themselves to overhear “grownup” conversations between the adults in their lives, and found it delightful to share this experience through Priscilla.)
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Meet The Author
Judy Phillips is an educator with over twenty years of experience and is currently a counselor at Samuel Houston Elemen-tary School in Huntsville, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas and a Master of Education degree in Coun-seling from Sam Houston State University.
Phillips volunteers locally with university students through local ministries and mentor programs.
beauregardlemoose.com | twitter | facebook author page | facebook series page | google+ | google+ author page | pinterest | goodreads
Meet The Illustrator
Brenda Nichols was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and is an educator at university level, with over twenty years of experience. She is currently the Head Women’s Basketball Coach and Professor of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Nichols holds an Associate of Arts degree from Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas, a Bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, and a Master’s degree from The University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida.
Nichols volunteers locally by mentoring students and through motivational speaking engagements at schools and various civic organizations.
Miss Priss Blog Tour Schedule (2015)
September 15Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Author Interview)
Blooming Brilliant (Book Review)
September 16Girl of a 1000 Wonders (Book Review)
Sher A Hart: Written Art (Book Review)
September 17Don't Judge, Read (Book Review)
Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom (Book Review)
September 18Rockin' Book Reviews (Book Review)
K&A's Children's Book Reviews (Interview)
Icefairy's Treasure Chest (Book Review)
September 19Brit Bear's Book Reviews (Book Review)
September 20The Blended Blog (Book Review)
Bookroom Reviews (Book Review)
September 21Crystal's Chaotic Confessions (Excerpt)
Tea Time and Books (Guest Post & Book Review)
Heart of Philanthropist (Book Review)
Giveaway
* Blog Tour Giveaway *
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choiceGiveaway ends: September 28, 11:59 pm, 2015
Open to: Internationally
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