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Reva Camiel, Teller of Tales
Dr. Reva Camiel has long been a "Teller of Tales" writing stories for
children, and instructions on life skills for adults too. With her how-to
books for people seeking to change in their jobs, and in their families,
readers quickly learn the new skills.
Her
latest endeavors include a series of books about a homeless man who faced
problems every day in a junkyard. These stories subtly teach children about
tolerance and understanding from an honest man that looks funny and lives
with integrity. These books help demonstrate there is more to a person than
first impressions might indicate.
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Synopsis for the First of Three books in The Junkman Series
Book
One - The Junkman
This is a story about a homeless man that lives alone in a junkyard. He
spends his days gathering junk and bringing it home. He uses this junk
to make useful new inventions.
Sometimes people call him a "Dumpster Diver" because digging through
dumpsters he sometimes gets very dirty. It makes him sad that he has no
friends to talk to or share his newly made treasures.
One day while exploring his junkyard he finds a very large egg. While
trying to decide what to do with the egg, the egg starts to hatch.
This is a story of the decisions that must be made, the questions that
must be answered, but most of all about the happiness that the newfound
hatchling brings to the Junkman's world
Book
Two - Trouble in the Junkyard
In book two you meet Arnie, his dog Terminator, Arnie's sister, Lulu,
his brother and his parents.
Arnie is an 11-year-old tough kid who doesn't follow the rules
and spends a lot of time in trouble. He is always looking for a new
adventure that usually brings
trouble.
In this adventure he steals a bicycle part from the Junkman's junkyard
and gets caught, in more ways than one. As a result of getting caught
Arnie and the Junkman decided to introduce the Junkman to Arnie's
parents, brother and sister.
The two talked about how Arnie started fights with practically
everyone, told lies, usually didn't do his homework, didn't keep his
promises, and often didn't tell his parents where he was going when he
left the house. High adventure that comes from climbing big fences to
getting tangled up in barb-wire and marching in parades will keep the
readers' interest from start to finish.
Book
Three - The Junkman Strikes Out
In The Junkman Strikes Out , the friendly Junkman , the tough 11 year
old Arnie, his sensitive 8 year old sister Lulu, Terminator the loyal
dog, and the two day old gosling that needs to get the right food and
water in order stay alive. All of them go on a hunt to find out how to
save the little bird.
The Junkman Strikes Out, is a roller coaster ride of suspense and high
emotions, full of life lessons for all of us children and adults.
Books by Reva Camiel;
The Junkman - Book One 48 pages - Color Paperback 8 ½ X
8 ½ - Ages 4 to 8 - Author Reva Camiel -
Illustrator Harry - Lee Chameleon Press - $15.00
Trouble in The Junkyard - Book Two - 100 pages - 5X7 black &
white – Ages 8 to 12 - Chapter Book - Author Reva Camiel –
Illustrator Harry Lee – Chameleon Press - $10.00
The Junkman Strikes Out - Book Three – 79 pages - 5X7
black & white – Chapter Book - Author Reva Camiel –
Illustrator Harry Lee – Chameleon Press - $10.00
Rewinding the Real: Reva's
Roller Coaster Ride
$15.00
The Sweetness of the Struggle: Reframing Our Stories
$15.00
First Time Out: Skills for Living away from Home;
www.amazon.com
You, Your Job and Change;
www.amazon.com
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You can order books and cd's directly from Reva at
revacamiel@comcast.net or call 916-922-5997
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The Junkman
Overview of the Story
A
homeless man called Junkman wants
to have a friend. Most people were afraid to get close to him. They didn’t
like his smell and his dirty body, from living and working in the dusty
junkyard.
One autumn
morning, while the Junkman was checking his “treasures” near his rickety
van, he noticed a big egg with a small crack. Suddenly, he heard a pecking
sound coming from that eggshell. He wondered, “What could be in that
shell?” What he finds changes his life forever.
Who Will Read The Junkman
Children four to seven will probably need a parent, teacher, librarian, grandparent,
and older siblings, to read the story at loud and then discuss the story
with them. Children from all backgrounds will gently learn that people who
speak and look different than them, can become someone that they might like
after they get to talk or play with them.
Who
Will Buy The Junkman
Many schools and libraries are looking for stories that encourage tolerance
and diversity. As well pre-schools, parents, grandparents and birthday gifts
from friends, will buy the Junkman.
Today, many children are homeless and will identify with the Junkman. Middle
and upper class children will get to understand that not all families have
refrigerators full of food, as well has not having enough food.
My Inspiration
Bob Dandeneau, who was homeless
for five years, was my inspiration for this book. I am so glad
we became friends. I am grateful that he was willing to tell me
about his adventures with a gosling that someone gave him one
autumn day. I hope this story inspires those who read it as
much as much as my Junkman, Bob has inspired me.
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Overview
Junkman
is a primer for diversity, sensitivity, tolerance for children 4-7 years
old. The Junkman, on one level, is a story about the relationship of a
lonely homeless man and a gosling. The Junkman has been scorned by society,
and is hungry for a friend.
On another level, the children will take in many ideas about how people who
are unlike themselves can be helpful, kind, smart and funny.
Where You Can Buy Reva's Books:
Borders Bookstore - 2339 Fair Oaks Blvd. Sacramento CA
916-564-0168
East/West Books- 2216 Fair Oaks Blvd. Sacramento CA
916-920-3377
Avid Bookstore - 1600 Broadway Blvd. Sacramento CA
916-441-4400
Avid Bookstore - 1617 2nd Street Davis CA 530-758-4040
Almost Perfect Book Store - 1901 Douglas Blvd. Roseville, CA
916-781-7935
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Trouble!! in the Junkyard
My second children’s book,
Trouble!! In the Junkyard,
is a sequel to
The Junkman.
It now stands next to
The Junkman
on my
bookshelf. These two books teach tolerance and other positive values, in
exciting stories, with beautiful creative illustrations.
Third to sixth grade children have been delighted by the story
Trouble!! in the Junkyard get
excited and intrigued by the escapades of Arnie, the troubled 11 year-old
who tries to steal one of the Junkman’s treasures. I was very surprised one
day when four teeny weeny first graders came running up to me at their
school and asked, “What are you doing here, Miss Junkman?” I had been in
their first grade class reading them
The Junkman
to them just a few weeks before.
I told them, "While I'm waiting for
my grandkids to get out of school, I’m editing my new manuscript,
Trouble!! In the Junkyard.” They
immediately asked, “Can we read it?” I told them that the book might be too
hard for them, but they quickly answered, “Pleeese, let us read it!”
I opened the
manuscript and they read it together aloud, not missing one word. I must
have looked shocked because they explained to me, “We’re in the high reading
group!.” To my delight, they added, “We like the new book!!!”
The new book,
Trouble!! In the Junkyard,
also have
three appendixes that offer
further opportunities to learn and share.
Appendix A –
Open-ended questions
about the story and the issues it raises for children to answer.
Appendix
B -
Questions answered by the real Junkman, Bob Dandeneau, when he and Reva read
to groups of children (kindergarten – 6th grade) about his
experiences and feelings when he was homeless.
Appendix C -
Seven heart
feeling poems written by children 8-11 years olds, living throughout the
U.S. and in Britain.
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