Girl Scouts Studio features 20-year-old author Natalie Yoder

WASHINGTON - July 11, 2013 - PRLog -- This month, Girl Scouts Studio (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1373480450-bed613003714cbf69d0282c9d763e712-677d2f6?pa=481117431696589557) goes behind the scenes to delve into the writing process with Natalie Yoder, award-winning author
of the One Minute Mysteries (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1373480450-c682fb69ea3332f60bc21e0b74d756da-677d2f6?pa=481117431696589557) book series for middle-school kids.  
She gives insight into the magic behind her books and inspires girls
to pursue their passions.

The Studio (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1373480450-bed613003714cbf69d0282c9d763e712-677d2f6?pa=481117431696589557) provides a platform for "inspiring storytellers of all kinds."  It creates a community of girls who can share their creative work with others and learn from professionals working in a variety of creative careers.

Since her first book was released in 2008, Natalie, currently a rising college junior, has been invited to book events, met with other authors, given press interviews, and been featured on National Public Radio (three times!). Now, with the Girl Scouts Studio, Natalie shares how she and her father teamed up to create these intriguing math and science brainteasers that entertain middle school kids while helping them develop critical thinking skills.

Natalie picked up a love of mystery and crime novels from her dad, Eric Yoder, who used to make up short mysteries for her. Determined to see if she could stump him, she began writing mysteries, too. By the time she was in 6^th grade, they had assembled a stack of stories and had no interest in putting an end to all the fun. These stories were just the beginning of what has already proven to be an impressive writing career.

When she was in middle school, Natalie and her dad decided to turn their pile of brainteasers into a book. Working with local publisher Science, Naturally, they created One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Once in high school, Natalie and her dad decided to switch gears, which they did with the release of 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! She graduated and started her college career, but her fans wanted more. The duo went back to science and crafted the sequel to the first book, 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science!

Natalie, now a rising junior at Penn State, remembers, “It was tough squeezing in writing and research between schoolwork, sports, and time with friends and family, but I love a good challenge. Besides, I never could have imagined how adding a little mystery to my life could
be so incredible!

“Girls often ask me for advice. I think the most powerful thing I can tell them is this: If someone tells you that you can’t do something, don’t be discouraged! Just prove them wrong.”

Her latest book, 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science!,
was just announced as the Award-Winning Finalist in the Children’s Educational category of the 2013 International Book Awards.  

The  One Minute Mysteries series has been hailed by educators, parents, librarians and even kids as a fabulous way to connect math and science to real life. The books have won several awards, including the coveted “NSTA Recommends,” and were International Book Awards Finalists. They correlate directly with the math and science standards laid out by the Center for Education at the National Academies and align with both the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.  Natalie’s math book has been endorsed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. All three books are available in paperback and as eBooks and have been translated into Braille, Chinese and Korean.

She loves to hear from the kids who enjoy her books and from teachers who use them in their classrooms. You can reach Natalie atNatalie@ScienceNaturally.com.

The One Minute Mysteries books are publishedby Science, Naturally, an independent press located in Washington, DC committed to increasing science and math literacy. Their books, booklets and apps are designed to help readers gain a better understanding of how science and math affect everyday life. All of their titles have earned the much-esteemed “NSTA Recommends” designation by the National Science Teachers’ Association, and their math books have all been endorsed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

The Children's Book Council and its member publishers provide the content for the Girl Scouts Studio. The Children’s Book Council is the national nonprofit trade association for children’s trade book publishers. The CBC offers children’s publishers the opportunity to work together on issues of importance to the industry at large, including educational programming, literacy advocacy, and collaborations with other national organizations.

Review copies of Natalie’s books are available upon request. Sample mysteries, cover scans and an articulation of academic standards are available at www.ScienceNaturally.com.