Reviews
What My Readers Have To Say …
Finding Family Treasure –
“Finding Family Treasure is an entertaining and fun book for middle grade readers about the history and culture of America, expertly researched and written by authors K. I. Knight and Jane R. Wood. Told through the perspective of a diverse group of young students, the book brings American history to life for young readers. With additional resources and information about researching family history, this book may encourage readers to conduct their own research and produce a family tree. While the students learn about their own family histories, they also learn about their commonalities and shared history.”
Voices in St. Augustine –
“I read the book Voices in St. Augustine by Jane Wood. It was a fun adventure/mystery book about a boy who needs to do a project about Florida. It is engaging and a book that you won’t be able to put down. It is a good level for all and super fun to read. It teaches you about St. Augustine while you get a little fiction too.”
Voices in St. Augustine –
“This is a book for anyone who wants to know more about the country’s oldest city. The author has written a story that moves quickly and has a very nice ending that should lead to a series of novels about these characters.”
Ghosts on the Coast –
Ghosts on the Coast: A Visit to Savannah and the Low Country is a recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award. The Mom’s Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products, and services. Parents and educators look for the Mom’s Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book/product has been honored by this distinguished award.
Trouble on the St. Johns River –
“Jane Wood’s book is an inspiration to the field of environmental education. Her book provides scientifically accurate information that is presented in a child-friendly manner.“
Trouble on the St. Johns River –
“Trouble on the St. Johns River is the tale of two brothers whose fishing trip is ruined – and they plan on doing something about it – befriending a manatee, touring a center that treats sea turtles, and more – with tips on things kids can do to help their environment Trouble on the St. Johns River is a call to action for young children, and highly recommended for community library children’s fiction collections.”
Trouble on the St. Johns River –
“Trouble on the St. Johns River is an informative and fact-based book for young readers that will inspire them to get involved in protecting wildlife and their habitats. It’s a motivational story about how children CAN and DO make a difference.”
Adventures on Amelia Island –
“English teacher Jane R. Wood presents Adventures on Amelia Island: A Pirate, a Princess, and Buried Treasure, an adventure novel for middle school and junior high young adult readers that continues the saga of the Johnson family and their knack for personally experiencing connections with history. Black and white illustrations intersperse this engaging tale, which draws upon carefully researched history to mesh with the medley of adventure and legend. Also highly recommended is Wood’s previous young adult novel, Voices in St. Augustine.”
Trouble on the St. Johns River –
“We highly recommend Trouble on the St. Johns River to all teachers, parents, students, and young people who care about the St. Johns River and our environment. Wood takes the reader on an exciting investigative journey of discovery and enlightenment.”
Ghosts on the Coast –
“We highly recommend Trouble on the St. Johns River to all teachers, parents, students, and young people who care about the St. Johns River and our environment. Wood takes the reader on an exciting investigative journey of discovery and enlightenment.”
Lost in Boston –
“This is one of my favorite books written by Jane R. Wood. As a teacher and parent, it is important to find a book that has good family values and teaches about historical places and events in a way that holds the reader’s interest. Mrs. Wood again intertwined her characters into a believable story that takes place in the historical city of Boston. She has also incorporated great teacher resources to use during and after reading the book.”
Lost in Boston –
“Lost in Boston by Jane R. Wood was an enjoyable read, deftly disguising educational facts in a fictional format to interest young readers. Book 5 of the Johnson family series takes the likable brothers Joey and Book and their little sister on a tour of Boston. Jane R. Wood has an approachable style that keeps the history light enough for the audience while retaining solid details. Sites visited included the USS Constitution, Paul Reveres’ Home, the Old North Church, a historic graveyard, and of course wonderful Fenway Park. Lost in Boston really did get me lost in the past of this city.”
News & Updates
Podcast Interview with Dr. Judith Briles
November 17, 2022
Author U - Your Guide to Book Publishing Podcast
"Writing for Kids - Working with Schools"
Takeaways include:
- How to partner with an expert of an author's genre/norm.
- Steps you need from beginning to final book.
- How to get kids input from the get-go.
- Why it's a MUST to include diversity and tips on how to do it.
- How to find teachers resources.
- How to get teachers and librarians behind the book before it's ever published.
The Challenges of Self-Publishing
March 29, 2021
Hallard Press Gazette
Because schools are a niche market, it requires some strategies different from how books are promoted to other venues. The most important criteria to consider when marketing books to schools is that a book must reinforce what is being taught in the classroom. Schools don’t have the budgets, and teachers don’t have the time to devote to just another good book.
A book must be compatible with the curriculum.
Marketing Books to Schools
February 4, 2021
NewShelves.com
Because schools are a niche market, it requires some strategies different from how books are promoted to other venues. The most important criteria to consider when marketing books to schools is that a book must reinforce what is being taught in the classroom. Schools don’t have the budgets, and teachers don’t have the time to devote to just another good book.
A book must be compatible with the curriculum.
Local Authors Aim to Inspire Aspiring Writers
July 2020
FloridaNewsLine.com
Juvenile fiction author and Mandarin
resident Jane R. Wood is well known
among school children for her five-book historical fiction series set largely in the southeast. Her first book in the series, “Voices in St. Augustine,” was purchased in bulk by the Duval County School District after teachers requested it, saying that their fourth-graders liked to learn about history through fiction. The third book, “Trouble on the St. Johns River” has an environmental Photo courtesy of Author David Gaslin...
IBPA Member Spotlight: IBPA Affiliate Florida Authors & Publishers Association
Sept. 19, 2019
IBPA Independent
IBPA is proud to be affiliated with 20 regional and specialty independent publishing associations across the United States. IBPA members find that networking within these groups benefits their success in the independent publishing industry, and helps them build connections on a more local level.
Featured Author on SWFL Online News
Feb. 18, 2019
SWFL Online News
In this week’s edition of “Between the Covers,” we feature multiple award-winning author, Jane R. Wood.
Jane Wood is no stranger to speaking in front of audiences. She is a former teacher and has a natural way of connecting with her young readers. In fact, this weekend, Jane was on hand at the Amelia Island Book Festival teaching students again, but this time as a hand-picked featured author for the county’s Literacy Day.
Good news: Jacksonville author’s latest book receives Mom’s Choice Award
April 3, 2015
The Florida Times-Union
One of Jane Wood’s books traveled to Duval County classrooms last year. And the characters in her latest, Lost in Boston, traveled north to the Massachusetts capital. Wood’s fifth book in her juvenile fiction series for grades 3-5 was released this year.
Teacher-turned-author Inspires Middle Schoolers to Take Action for the Environment
April 9, 2012
Entro Magazine
Author Jane Wood has a fascination for history, a deep lover of nature and a mission to inspire children to learn about their communities and want them to make a difference in the world around them. Currently at work on her fifth book in a series targeted to kids nine through fourteen, Jane is buoyed by the response to her previous works. Story on page 16.
Read, Write, Repeat
June 10, 2012
Jacksonville Magazine
Jane Wood’s book featured in Jacksonville Magazine, June 2012 - An article entitled “Read, Write, Repeat” discusses how Jane Wood’s book Trouble on the St. Johns River was used by a group of third graders to learn about ecology. It also profiles Jane’s involvement with a company, Get Book Savvy, that she and fellow author Frances Keiser created to help aspiring authors get their books published. Story on pages 36-37.