Monica Sherwood is an author & illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York.
get my heartfelt debut novel
With shades of When You Reach Me, The Thing About Jellyfish, and Bridge to Terabithia, and a big, timely climate hook at its core, here is a heartfelt middle grade debut about the inevitability of change that will resonate profoundly during these extraordinary times.
With a deft combination of heartfelt prose and a touch of magic, Monica Sherwood's affecting debut novel is a relatable story of families grappling with—and emerging from—a different kind of quarantine.
How can I weave SEL into ELA with my middle school students?
Grab these freebies to support you and your students!
Free Author Visits to Schools
Bring the magic of storytelling and literacy to your classroom with a free virtual author visit from Monica Sherwood. As a former special educator and acclaimed children's book author, Monica understands the importance of engaging young minds.
By purchasing a copy of her middle-grade book, The Ice House, you not only introduce your students to a thrilling adventure but also unlock the opportunity to have Monica virtually visit your classroom.
This unique experience allows your students to interact with a real-life author, ask questions, and gain valuable insights into the writing process. With Monica's visit, you can ignite a passion for reading and inspire the next generation of storytellers. Don't miss out on this incredible chance to bring the magic of literature directly into your classroom – get your copy of The Ice House today!
What is the Ice House About?
The Freeze changed everything: Winter has lasted for months and might herald a new ice age, and nobody knows how it’s going to end—all sixth grader Louisa wants is answers.
Stuck in her apartment with her firefighter dad, little brother, and mom while grieving the loss of her grandmother, Louisa’s life feels oppressive.
Luke, Louisa’s classmate and estranged former best friend, needs escape too. Despite the tension, they set to work building a house of snow and ice in their backyard but soon discover strange magic inside it that could change the course of both their lives.
A must-read for middle schoolers
While parallels can be drawn with the pandemic, a greater strength lies in accepting the Freeze as a problem to be taken on its own terms. With gentleness and realism, The Ice House exemplifies how happiness, creativity, and humor exist alongside tragedy and upheaval.
Louisa is a pragmatic hero, interested in architecture and problem-solving. Through her family and renewed friendship with effusive, kind Luke, she realizes that even the worst changes can be built around and healed from.
Positive Messages and Insightful Life Lessons
The Ice House is a perfect middle grade novel for kids, as it has not only a touch of magic, but also features relatable and realistic examples of growing up and changing friendships.
One of the best middle grade books for young readers to reflect on their remote learning experience during quarantine, The Ice House is full of dramatic changes and adaptations to an altered world that are completely relatable and will strike a chord for everyone who has ever had pesky siblings, sat through remote schooling, and experienced family changed by stress and grief.
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Elevate your curriculum with an engaging and inspiring middle school author visit
As a former special education teacher in NYC schools I’m passionate and experienced in creating interactive workshops tailored to meet the social and emotional learning needs of your middle school students.
Spark their creativity!
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The Blog
Calling all middle-grade book enthusiasts, creative souls, and aspiring authors!
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With my years of experience as a creative professional, I bring a unique perspective to my writing that will inspire and entertain.
Each post is tailored to meet the needs of my three branches of readers: middle-grade book connoisseurs, those with creative ambitions, and budding writers looking for tips and tricks to elevate their craft.
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