What do you get when you mix together a week at Edisto Island with your best friend, connecting to guys for the first time in your life, meeting a young autistic boy who falls in love with your service dog, and the thrill of protecting a loggerhead turtle’s nest? You get the ingredients for Sheri Levy‘s debut novel, Seven Days to Goodbye.
Faithful blog readers will remember that I blogged about Sheri’s path to publication last spring. Today I’m pleased to review this book for middle school girls and offer it as a giveaway.
Trina, the 13-year-old protagonist has been training her service dog, Sydney, for a year. Her beach vacation doubles as a fun time introducing her Australian Shepherd to the ocean but it is bittersweet; Trina knows it will end by returning him to his kennel for his final training. This heart-tug theme is woven through out the book as Trina wrestles with knowing that her job is over and wondering if she could ever take on training another puppy.
In this sweet coming of age story readers will sympathize with Trina as she tries to figure out how to gain more independence from her parents; how to relate to a best friend who is quickly smitten by Peyton, a guy they meet in the beach; and how to talk to Chase, Peyton’s brother–who just might be interested in her.
For me, one of the most touching parts of this book is Trina’s interaction with Logan, Chase and Peyton’s autistic seven-year-old brother. Together Trina and Sydney are able to relate to Logan in such a way that helps him begin to communicate better. Here is an excerpt from their first meeting on the beach:
I called to Logan.
He did a one-sided skip toward me.
“Do you want to practice calling Sydney?”
He nodded and his eyes rose for a moment.
“Say, ‘Sydney…Come.'”
Logan clapped and bounced.
I patted his shoulder and said, “Stand. Don’t move. Then Sydney can listen.”
After a couple more hops, his hands grabbed his shorts and squeezed. He gulped short breaths of air and then shouted, “Syd-ney.” He started to clap and then put his hands back on his shorts and said, “Come.”
Sydney raced to Logan.
I said, “Good boy, Sydney.”
Logan’s eyes caught mine before he bowed his head.
I finished saying, “Logan, you did great.”
Logan held a treat in front of Syd’s face. “Good doggie. Good Syd-ney.”
I tingled inside. This was a perfect example of Sydney’s talent. I stretched taller, seeing the happiness in Logan’s face. “Can I hug you, Logan?” (p.69)
Sheri’s background in teaching children with special needs as well as her own experience with rescue dogs is infused into this book. If you are interested in receiving a gently read autographed copy, including an opportunity to download a free e-book version, please leave me a comment by 8 PM on October 16th. If I don’t have your contact information, make sure you leave that too. U.S. addresses only.
Carol, what a nice surprise! I loved your synopsis of the story and the part you chose to share. I'm at Edisto now and am reliving parts of the story. Thank you for sharing Seven Days to Goodbye and I'll be happy to send you another copy of the book!Hugs…
Sounds like a great read.Glenda
thanks Glenda– your name is first on the list!
Great review, and I want this book! Congratulations, Sheri!
Thanks, Glenda and Linda. Order it from Barking Rain Press and get a discount!!
Carol and Sheri,Well done, ladies. I've won several books lately. Please don't include my name in the drawing, but know the book sounds fantastic.
I have been hearing about this book from Sheri for such a long time and regretted not getting a copy from her last month! I know the heart of the story and it is beautiful. Thanks for sharing this great review and giving us all a chance to win a copy!
thanks Ann and Linda for your comments. I know Sheri appreciates your support!
I love the little piece you shared with us. This sounds like a lovely book and I would love to read it. Thanks for telling me about it.
Thanks, Rosi. You're in!
We must link this in the newsletter. Perhaps you have already.
Carol, What a wonderful book to highlight! I am so happy for Sheri! It was so cool to see her at her first Author's round table at the SCBWI Carolinas conference last month! I am a lucky winner from the last drawing so you do not have to include me in this current one, but I will be buying it soon.
I plan to link to this in the newsletter, Joyce. You're in–and thanks for commenting, Kathleen. Your book went in the mail today!
Thanks, Carol for reviewing Seven Days to Goodbye. You made it sound fabulous!! And to everyone sending comments, thank you for your enthusiasm. It means a lot! I am at Edisto working on my next draft, in between playing with my Aussies. Family is coming down Wed. so free time will be limited. I'm sorry to be so slow at responding. I really appreciate your warm support!
Carol…Having a special needs sister and a great nephew with autism, I would love to read the book: Seven Days to Goodbye. Maybe, I will be the winner this time. Thanks for your blog review.Gail Hurlburt
Sheri–I'm glad you're enjoying these comments. And Gail, thanks for your heartfelt comment. I'm hoping you win too–but if you don't, you'll find directions on how to buy a copy off Sheri's website!
Wow! There is a lot going on in Sheri's book. Congrats on publishing your debut novel, Sheri! Have fun promoting it!
Sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks for sharing the synopsis.
Thanks, Sandra. Added your name to the giveaway list!
Thanks, Kim, for leaving a comment. I'll add your name to the list!
For those of you who'd like to purchase a book, it is sold on Amazon, B&N, and Barking Rain Press with a discount! My website is http://www.sherslevy.com. If the bookstore in your city doesn't have it in store, they can order it and maybe add a copy to their shelves!!! Thanks everyone for your support! And to Carol, hugs…You can contact me at eightpawswriting@yahoo.com
Way to go Carol! This is a nice promotion for Sheri and congratulations Sheri on writing such a spectacular book. I'll be happy to buy a copy. I love the name of Sheri's publisher. Sarah
thanks, Sarah. I was struck by the name of the publisher too! Hope you enjoy her book.
Carol, what a nice surprise! I loved your synopsis of the story and the part you chose to share. I'm at Edisto now and am reliving parts of the story. Thank you for sharing Seven Days to Goodbye and I'll be happy to send you another copy of the book!Hugs…
Sounds like a great read.Glenda
thanks Glenda– your name is first on the list!
Great review, and I want this book! Congratulations, Sheri!
Thanks, Glenda and Linda. Order it from Barking Rain Press and get a discount!!
Carol and Sheri,Well done, ladies. I've won several books lately. Please don't include my name in the drawing, but know the book sounds fantastic.
I have been hearing about this book from Sheri for such a long time and regretted not getting a copy from her last month! I know the heart of the story and it is beautiful. Thanks for sharing this great review and giving us all a chance to win a copy!
thanks Ann and Linda for your comments. I know Sheri appreciates your support!
I love the little piece you shared with us. This sounds like a lovely book and I would love to read it. Thanks for telling me about it.
Thanks, Rosi. You're in!
We must link this in the newsletter. Perhaps you have already.
Carol, What a wonderful book to highlight! I am so happy for Sheri! It was so cool to see her at her first Author's round table at the SCBWI Carolinas conference last month! I am a lucky winner from the last drawing so you do not have to include me in this current one, but I will be buying it soon.
I plan to link to this in the newsletter, Joyce. You're in–and thanks for commenting, Kathleen. Your book went in the mail today!
Thanks, Carol for reviewing Seven Days to Goodbye. You made it sound fabulous!! And to everyone sending comments, thank you for your enthusiasm. It means a lot! I am at Edisto working on my next draft, in between playing with my Aussies. Family is coming down Wed. so free time will be limited. I'm sorry to be so slow at responding. I really appreciate your warm support!
Carol…Having a special needs sister and a great nephew with autism, I would love to read the book: Seven Days to Goodbye. Maybe, I will be the winner this time. Thanks for your blog review.Gail Hurlburt
Sheri–I'm glad you're enjoying these comments. And Gail, thanks for your heartfelt comment. I'm hoping you win too–but if you don't, you'll find directions on how to buy a copy off Sheri's website!
Wow! There is a lot going on in Sheri's book. Congrats on publishing your debut novel, Sheri! Have fun promoting it!
Sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks for sharing the synopsis.
Thanks, Sandra. Added your name to the giveaway list!
Thanks, Kim, for leaving a comment. I'll add your name to the list!
For those of you who'd like to purchase a book, it is sold on Amazon, B&N, and Barking Rain Press with a discount! My website is http://www.sherslevy.com. If the bookstore in your city doesn't have it in store, they can order it and maybe add a copy to their shelves!!! Thanks everyone for your support! And to Carol, hugs…You can contact me at eightpawswriting@yahoo.com
Way to go Carol! This is a nice promotion for Sheri and congratulations Sheri on writing such a spectacular book. I'll be happy to buy a copy. I love the name of Sheri's publisher. Sarah
thanks, Sarah. I was struck by the name of the publisher too! Hope you enjoy her book.