Author Archives: Val

Book review: The Ghost Prison by Joseph Delaney

Posted on June 15, 2026 by Val

I picked this book up at a start-of-summer book giveaway at my school, and I chose it because its creepy illustrations and thin spine width seemed appropriate for my kids (elementary age). My kids sometimes like creepy stories, and this … Continue reading →

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Back by Val Muller

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt is to write about an unexpected visitor. Today’s tale comes from Val Muller, who in her day job is a high school teacher in America. This fictionalized account is based on at … Continue reading →

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Flash fiction: camera notifications by Val Muller

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Val

This week’s prompt is to write a story told through a camera. Today’s tale comes to us from Val Muller, author of the kidlit mystery series Corgi Capers. It’s inspired by the newly-updated camera descriptions on various security camera platforms. … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: Perfect by Val Muller

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers! This month’s prompt is “He (she/they) started the new year with…” Today’s prompt comes to us from Val Muller, author of the kidlit mystery series Corgi Capers. Perfect By Val Muller She started the new … Continue reading →

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Flash fiction (poetry): The Week Before Christmas for Mrs. Smith, a Frazzled Chemistry Teacher

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt is to write something about Christmas. Today’s tale comes to us from a frazzled teacher not of chemistry, who is a day late posting this due to all the holly, jolly merriment … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: monarch butterflies

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Val

We have grown milkweed since we moved into our current house, but the last two years saw few, if any, monarch caterpillars. This year, the caterpillars arrived, but they were late. With a recent cold snap, and with the milkweed … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Val

If you’ve been reading my blog lately, you’ll know that my nine year old has been on a Raina Telgemeier kick, and she likes to discuss books, so I read all the ones she borrowed from the library. When my … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Ghosts by Taina Telgemeier

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Val

My daughter is obsessed with reading all of Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels, which she will read multiple times in one day. I have been in the middle of celebrating “Valoween,” which is just my way of celebrating all things Halloween … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: Mrs. Wilson’s Classroom

Posted on August 28, 2025 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt is “nick of time.” Today’s tale comes to us from Val Muller, author of the kidlit mystery series Corgi Capers.   Mrs. Wilson’s Classroom By Val Muller   Joanne balanced on the … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: Pirate Golf by Val Muller

Posted on July 31, 2025 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s post is to write a story that involves a tomato, a cloaked individual, and a missing shoe. This week’s tale comes to us from Val Muller, author of the kidlit mystery series Corgi … Continue reading →

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