Rocks in My Pockets - Softcover

Marc Harshman; Bonnie Collins

Softcover

ISBN 10: 189185223X ISBN 13: 9781891852237

Publisher: Quarrier Press, 2002

Synopsis

The rocks around their mountain farm serve all of the Woods family in many ways, both utilitarian and recreational, until the day two ladies from the city come to visit. The Woods family lived on the top of a windswept mountain. Their farm was on old rocky soil, and they made their living the best they could. They raised knee-high corn, walnut-sized potatoes, but you'd hear no complaints from them. Their house was drafty, their animals skinny, their clothes patched. But one thing they had was pockets, and in their pockets they carried rocks. Yes, rocks. They were very important. They carried rocks to keep from being blown away; they played games with them; they'd worry them; and they wrapped them in heavy socks, after heating them by the fire, to keep warm at night. But early one summer day, the rocks proved to be more important than all these things and changed life forever for the Woods family. An amusing tale of resourcefulness and honesty. "A subtle but beguiling message about values, packaged in an offbeat, entertaining tale." - Kirkus Reviews

About this title

About the Author

Marc Harshman was appointed the poet laureate of West Virginia in 2012. His full-length collection, Green-Silver and Silent, was published by Bottom Dog Press later that same year. Three previous chapbooks of poems preceded this volume. Periodical publications include Shenandoah, The Georgia Review, The Progressive, Appalachian Heritage, and Tuesday: An Art Project. Kent State University, the University of Iowa, University of Georgia, and the University of Arizona have anthologized his poems. His short prose works have recently been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. His eleven children s books include The Storm, a Smithsonian Notable Book. Marc s children's titles have also been published in Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Danish, and Swedish. Two new children s titles are forthcoming. Marc holds degrees from Bethany College, Yale Divinity School, and the University of Pittsburgh. He recently received an honorary doctorate from Bethany College in recognition of his life s work. Marc has lived his adult life in northern West Virginia with his wife, Cheryl Ryan, and daughter, Sarah.

Review

REVIEWS STATE AUTHOR'S FIRST BOOKS DOING WELL Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL Published: 11/28/1991 Byline: JIM COCHRAN MOUNDSVILLE - Moundsville author Marc Harshman's first book, Little Excitement, has made for an exciting two years for the author-educator. In fact, his third book,Rocks in My Pocket, is now in bookstores; he has already written two other children's books and is working on his sixth. In addition, this summer he learned the MacMillan Co. is going to use 'A Little Excitement' as part of its classroom reading series for third-graders beginning in the 1992-93 school year. The publishing company asked Harshman this summer to write a supplement to the book to be used as part of the curriculum. "This is quite an honor to have one of your books as part of a school curriculum," Harshman said."I knew when I had the book published that firms such as MacMillan use such material in the classroom, but I never thought it would happen with my first book." Harshman teaches sixth grade at Central School in Moundsville He is happy with the sales of "A Little Excitement.' About 10,000 copies have been sold. Not only has the book been sold in the United States and Canada, but it has been published in Denmark and Sweden during the past few months. He said sales of his second book, 'Snow Country,' which was published last September, are doing well. Harshman has been a poetry writer for several years, in addition to being a storyteller, but decided in the mid-1980s to begin writing children's illustrated books. He does not regret his decision. He attributes his success to many things, one being the publisher, Cobblehill, a division of Dutton Publishing Co., of New York. Harshman said he enjoys writing children's books, and credits his wife, Cheryl, with helping him to be successful in this new career."She is my best critic," Harshman said. Mrs. Harshman is a librarian, with a specialization in children's books. Although she hasn't had any books published, she also wrote supplements for MacMillan Co. this summer. --Charleston Daily Mail

About this edition

• Publisher: Quarrier Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 189185223X
• ISBN 13: 9781891852237
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Toni Goffe