Tag Archives: teaching

Pentagon Pirate Gang; The Secret of the Orchard -Review

The Mid-grade YA thrilling adventure series starts with action, twists, turns and ultimate danger

Eleven-year-old Aime Snave and her little brother, eight-year-old Oro, prepare for summer camp at the School of Fruit Learning. Accompanied by Aime’s best friend Gramon and Oro’s friend shy, little Violer, the foursome enters a mysterious world full of mystery and hidden magic. While at the school run by strict headmistress Mrs. Blackfruit, the children meet a new friend: inquisitive Semia, who is certain that all is not as it seems. Navigating the many teachers of the school, all of whom seem to harbor deep secrets, the five soon discover that they are part of something much larger than they ever could have imagined. History soon begins to repeat itself, with five young children caught in the middle of its deadly wake.

Pentagon Pirate Gang: Secrets of the Orchard by J.W. Nelson is an engaging read which focuses on a tightly knit group of five friends (the Pentagon) as they struggle to uncover the truth about the Hogwarts-style school and its mysterious past. The story is well-written, with substantial world-building and deep characters. There are no easy answers for brave Aime, her perceptive brother Oro, athletic Gramon, intrepid Semia, or sweet little Violer, who all find themselves in the midst of a mystery with far-reaching consequences. Instead, the Pentagon Pirates must work together to discover the truth in a world where uncertainty reigns supreme.

There is so much good to say about this book. Even minor characters and villains have depth, especially the malefic Mrs. Blackfruit and her paramour, Mr. Thornby. However, there are so many characters that it can be difficult at times to keep everyone straight. A bit slow getting started, the book truly finds its stride as the school sporting events begin, and the pace gets more intense as the plot thickens. The complex mystery ends on a serious cliffhanger, leaving the reader dying to know what will happen to the Pentagon Pirates next.

A rich world with a myriad of mysteries at our fingertips, Pentagon Pirate Gang: Secret of the Orchard is suitable for readers 12 and up who love a complex setting. The book contains minor language, and children regularly find themselves in harm’s way. A deep setting with memorable characters, an engaging plotline, and unsolved mysteries that challenge the reader to think outside the box, of the Pentagon Pirate Gang.

Thank you,

Karen Almeida

Assistant Editor

Literary Titan

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And then the Anniversary Arrives…

We Welcomed Wedding Wishes (in JA)

You’ve the found the one

To sum up to a two

Time tick tocks tantalisingly

As the ‘last night’ beckons, before we say ‘I do’

Fanciful footwork found me here

Beckoned by beauty and grace

Time tricked thoughts of a what might be

Fuzzy freedom feelings, leaving a smile on my face

Sands surrounded serene tranquility

Holding hands high, the contract was made

Clouds carried, contours of my mind, into the blue

Seventeen sublime seasons, blossom, no hint of a fade

As another anniversary arrives, annually you see,

Awaiting an answer, to follow both of us

Some secrets stay supreme on your extraordinary journey

Brightly, boldly, but steadily, we remain seated, on our bus…

(Happy Anniversary – JWN)

Inter-planetary & Star Struck

You may have noticed in the new this week, that one of those rare occasions occurred in the deep, dark night skies above us.

For about 3 or 4 days this well (Feb 25th -28th) we would have the chance to view all our ‘sister’ planets in an arc in the night sky.

My family drive few minutes from our house (we live near a new Observatory but that was fully booked!) but still managed to see at least 6 of the planets (apparently Neptune was hiding behind the moon..I may have wrong it could be Saturn!)

Anyway it was a rare unique this to see these planets all in alignment with the next viewing of this type not happening until 2040!

This trip inspired this short view response, as it does …

Planets of the Arc

 

The night sky offered the chance,

In February twenty twenty-five,

Reaching out with a quite voice

Come and see us; you will feel alive

 

You can take a peek with your naked eye,

We’re celestial, cosmic and bright,

We’re so lonely, so far without you

Yet we shine and sparkle amid the ‘dark night’

 

What rare and spectacular pleasure

To marvel at the arc of planets and stars

A unique and special occasion

To be linked into our solar system; so far

 

Away into the future distance

A site that will not fall for another 15 years

Take in that special wonder,

And quietly rejoice with a cheer

 

If you missed the opportunity

The repeat show will be on time,

I hope that we all look ‘upward’ with joy

 Where the pleasure will be yours and mine..

 

JW Nelson

Night of Feb 28, 2025

 

The Naughty Elves

It’s Christmas time again and although this might be a time for the children, have never wondered how the presents manage to find their way under your tree?

Well Santa’s secret and often mischievous helpers perform the ‘magic’ of bringing Christmas alive for everyone.

This is just if their poetic stories as you prepare for Christmas again this year (2024).

The Naughty Elves”

On a Saturday night

The expectant darkness arrives

A small army will dim their light

As among the shadows they hide

Amid the needles, among the stitches

They weave their magical ways

Creating clothes that make you itch

So you’ll scratch for days and days

They will chuckle, and they will laugh

As they plan their next scheme;

A pair of socks to pinch your calf?

And toothpaste that is actually whipped cream?

The Naughty Elves work with a wicked grin;

They busy themselves with tricks

Testing the toys they make a din

By banging the handmade drumsticks!

Helping out Santa is their aim

That’s what he would like to think

There’s only one group left to blame

The Elves that make a right stink

Santa looks at them with a long sad face

The Elves withhold their snigger

When Santa begins to laugh, they embrace

Their smiles get bigger and bigger…

So it’s off to the sleigh for a night-time view

The naughty Elves have worked really hard

Coming soon to a house near you

The handmade Elves Christmas card..

This is one of the 25 “Poems for the Festive Season” available as an E-Book on Amazon

J W Nelson

This material may be protected by copyright.

Screenshot Romance (Alpha Love)

Does this mean love is hidden in the Alphabet? Or is it as easy as A to Z?

A Beautiful Country Day
Enjoyed Freely, Gloriously, Hey?

I Jumped Knowing
Love Moved Nearer, Owing

Patient Quintessential Romance
Starlit Trance


Undone,
Victoriously Won

X-ray
Young Zoogeny

Keeping things in MIND…(how do you cope in todays frantic, often brutal & unforgiving world)

For protection many will seek only the people or the process close to home. The ones you can trust. In effect you have to put yourself in a ‘bubble’ to keep out the ‘rays of destruction’ firing at you from all angles.

Well being is touted often and maybe in some people’s eyes far too often. Yet everyone has the propensity to ‘suffer’ from any type of instability. As it’s such a personal journey what affects one person is water if a ducks back to someone else. Still you treat each case as necessary. Maybe little little ditty reminds us all that it could be ‘me’ next or at some point in the future.

The Bubble

 

Something isn’t quite right

I cannot tell you what;

Tormenting me all day and night

Like that buzzing fly, I need to swat

 

I rack my torrid, fragile brain

Hoping to find some respite

No umbrella nearby and here comes the rain

A creeping darkness now envelopes the light

 

How do I get break free?

What help can I seek?

Is the answer; a glass of vodka martini?

Or will someone listen, as my words leak

 

Being in a bubble keeps you sane

Locked inside a delirium of fantasy and awe

The next addiction is sweet like sugar cane

A damaged mind plays tricks and is never a bore

 

As I sit here and ponder the winding route

Of where to plunder next;

Where is the map of support I can salute?

You can send that to me by text

 

I can read it, and will probably weep

My eyes, heart, filled with trepidation

Out of my skin my words begin to seep

Please defibrillate me into resuscitation

 

With a heavy, laden load I submit

Over to you to pick me up

I hope you’ll never ever quit

Lead me to once again, to drink from the ‘happy’ cup

 

 

Black History/B.L.M. Vol 1 – October 2024 – J W NELSON

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‘There’s no mystery to Black History‘ (that’s my little poetic saying). Parents from Jamaica. I have traced my ancestry back to the point when slavery was just abolished (around 1834).

And now nearly 200 years later in the UK my son and daughter are just learning about Black History in school. Wow. Is this ‘Titantic’ ship starting to turn? Who know, hopefully for everyone of colour, wherever we are all are, whatever status we hold, just maybe there are slivers of light appearing amidst the once long and eternally dark tunnel, that we have been treading.

As a would be poet, below is my first take on the many wonderful black inspirational people that have had endure; so people like me, don’t have to as much. More to follow throughout October (and maybe beyond) on other topics.

WHO ARE WE? (starting with the past)

We could be the person on the bus

Your name may be have been Rosa Parkes

Your life made to suffer by the colour of your skin

Yes; they have tried to keep us hidden; into the dark

We were the people without a voice

But Martin Luther made them hear

Look what they did to our dear proud brother

Because he made ‘them’ see what they all feared

We are the ones that move fast

Yes; Jesse Owens showed the dictator this

In the face of complete and utter oppression

It’s something that hasn’t quite fallen over the precipice 

We have own Marvel Man from the past

No wheelchair in sight; but his name has an X

A voice for black empowerment

And contrary to many he wasn’t always vexed

A personal mentor; the first black female poet

If you don’t know; Phillis Wheatley was her name

George Washington recognised the talent

For every poet; she should be in your ‘hall of fame’

We need to be like our once enslaved Frederick Douglass

He fought to support those via the abolition of slavery

Putting pen to paper for all to read

His life, his very own Black History

We are the ones that Marshall the Good

Overturn the wrong for the right

Winning against segregation for the learning to occur

We thank him for providing; ‘out of darkness’ we too now have light

We are among the ‘greatest’ ones that had to rumble

The man with fists and feet of flight

Yes Cassius/Muhammed Ali knew how to move

You couldn’t stop him talking either; any day or night

We are the ones that have had to ACT

Mr. Poitier the consummate pro; won an Oscar

Imagine that in an era for his accolade

Showed that black people could also raise ‘the bar’

We should be Harriet Tubman the saviour

Literally saving over 300 enslaved souls

Nursing her community to a better educated life

She was dedicated, selfless and bold

We are the forerunner’s to make things happen

From a seat of power to make the change

Shirley Chisholm started the political race

And now her stepping stones has put us on the front page

We are the entrepreneur’s with a million in the bank

Madam C J Walker knew how to make ‘hair pay’

Making jobs for over 3,000 people at that time

Means we continue to use her genius every single day 

We are everyone, everything, just like you

We have beautiful, hair, colour, skin and eyes

We are proud, clever, funny with intelligence

We are here, we are all together, let’s all keep aiming for that prize…

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Pentagon Pirate Gang 5 star review (Bruce Miller – Member INDEPENDENT BOOK PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION

Hi J W,

Thank you again for your interest in our book reviews. We read and reviewed your book, “Pentagon Pirate Gang: The Secret of the Orchard” and liked it very much. Here is a copy of our review: 

Five Stars. “I enjoyed reading “Pentagon Pirate Gang: The Secret of the Orchard” by J W Nelson and found it to be an intriguing story written by an author who, in my opinion, has carefully crafted an intricate plot. It seemed to me this author put a great deal of thought and effort into creating this unique story.

Firstly, this author writes short chapters and I like that since it keeps the story moving with many events, happenings, clues being dropped here and there, and as I read it, I thought that this story is one not only for young readers but also for adults who enjoy a well-crafted story. 

I liked the way this creative author writes in a highly descriptive style. I also enjoyed the descriptive and figurative writing style as in my view, the author artfully uses just the right amount of personification, metaphors, similes, and other rhetorical devices that most fiction readers enjoy. For example, here is a brief excerpt,  

“The width of hedges compelled Aime, Gramon, Oro and Violer to approach it in single file. Above the six feet hedges hung branches from larger trees, that dwarfed the hedge on both sides. These larger trees surrounded the hedges and engulfed them, as though protecting them, making the space left inside shadowy darkness, leaving the morning sunlight having to admit defeat this time.” 

“… Not looking behind her, Aime tried Oro’s suggestion. The gap in front of her began to loosen, opening up widthways and height-wise above her curly, brown locks. Branches shifted, as though swept by the breeze. Leaves spun up and about in a circular motion, dancing around Aime’s feet and ankles, dancing it seemed, to a tune only they could hear and enjoy. 

“‘I think the trees like you, Sis,’ Oro offered a humorous comment.” 

The description of this book gives a brief summary of the story of five children who are attending the “School of Fruit Teaching” (S.O.F.T). These five children are up against the aptly named, spiteful, and vicious headmistress, Mrs. Blackfruit, and her right-hand man the “scrawny, bespectacled, and deputy-head, Mr. Thornby.”  

I thought one of the aspects of this highly engaging story is that the author develops a wide variety of fascinating characters, and I particularly enjoyed the way the author crafted the jewel-like personality and intelligent character of Mrs. Peaches.  

I felt this story displays and strengthens a young reader’s mind with a strong set of values showing bravery, skills, planning, courage, caring for others, dealing with others, teamwork, cleverness, loyalty, and many other fine qualities in an excellent, educative, and adventuresome manner. 

I liked how much this author keeps this highly eventful story moving sometimes at a brisk pace and at other times at a more detailed and focused pace. The varied characters move intriguingly and interact through this artful and adventuresome plot containing numerous twists, turns, mysteries, unexpected events, competitive games, and much more.  

All in all, I enjoyed this delightful and engaging story and found it to be highly exciting and written with a rare quality.  Very well done, and highly recommended!  

It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book but that does not in any way affect my opinions in this review of this exceptional book.”

To review this for yourself – go to https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentagon-Pirate-Gang-Secret-Orchard/dp/1800942745 to obtain your copy and let me know what you think. (Any feedback is welcomed as this is the first book in the series)

This is aimed at ages 9+ (middle Grade into Young Adult) – I can reached on Social Media – @jwnelson3 (twitter) – Jack Nelson (on Facebook) – TikTok under ‘the_poet_who_writes’ & j_w_nelson309 on Instagram thanks JW Nelson

December 1st…

In remembrance; for what we had and for what we have lost; my ode to never forget; as you lay in that December frost…

EARTH Mother, LOVETH ;Other

Spiritual holiness does she emit

Patient, comforting forgiveness pours out

Oh how blessed is her radiation that atomises us

Powerful, uncompromising tenacity imbues the mind to turn away from the pit

Righteous discipline, voices quietly, without

Alas, through biblical motherly love we are saved, thus

Stage 4 ‘ready as we go’ (for the season) Day 20

Lie back look to the stars in hope

To the 3 kings  we watch and wait

Gifts aplenty journey towards the gate ajar,

It’s the opportunity to open our hearts

The Bethlehem of now says ‘welcome’

Room is offered to everyone in need

At this Christmas time maybe no one will go without a feed…

J W Nelson 

December 2016