REVIEW Tallulah the Mermaid and the Great Lakes Pledge (Sleeping Bear Press, 2025) is a sweet story about Tallulah, a mermaid who takes a pledge to serve the Great Lakes. Throughout the story, Tallulah faces challenges but faces them with bravery and even joy at the responsibility of preserving the lakes. One of the best parts is… Continue reading Tallulah the Mermaid: A Great Lakes Adventure
Introduction Donna Galanti takes her middle school audience on a coming-of-age adventure in her new book Loon Cove Summer (Wild Trail Press, 2025). This book also has the neat distinction of taking place on a loon lake and chapter headings contain cool facts about this special bird. Review Thirteen-year-old Sarah Richardson runs a lakeside campground with… Continue reading Loon Cove: A Touching Middle Grade Book Reviewed by Kate Lundeen
INTRODUCTION I'm thrilled that Stephanie Cotta chose my blog to host her cover reveal of her next book in the Iron Kingdom series. The much-loved young adult series began with The Conjurer's Curse and was followed by The Wraiths of Arjun. The third book, The Ghosts of Gambit, is a gripping, pulse-pounding tale of rebellion,… Continue reading CHECK OUT A CAPTIVATING YA COVER REVEAL–PLUS a GIVEAWAY!
INTRODUCTION Carolyn Fraiser is not new to my blog; her last book I featured was Moon Tree. Carolyn has an exceptional talent of making what might appear to be ordinary, something quite spectacular! Her newest picture book is not just any ol' alphabet book. And it's not just a nod to farmers and to a… Continue reading M is for Mason Jar: A Picture Book Review and Giveaway
How do you tackle something as complicated as gravity in a picture book? Author Henry Herz (author of I am Smoke) and Illustrator Mercè López did just that in another impressive picture book published by Sleeping Bear Press. Because it tackles an advanced scientific concept, I recommend this book for middle-grade classrooms as well as… Continue reading I AM GRAVITY- How’s That For An Intriguing Picture Book Title? A STEM Review and Giveaway
As some of you know, I love teaching and mentoring teens and tweens. One way I do that is by inviting them to review books on my blog. I provide feedback on their book reviews, they learn during the revision process, and I get wonderful content! Today I am happy to introduce two young fantasy… Continue reading Introducing Two New Young Authors
Introduction Dorothy H. Price and I go way back. She was one of the first members of a SCBWI-Carolinas critique group I organized in Charlotte. Nine years ago I posted about her first picture book, Nana's Favorite Things and more recently about her chapter book series, Jalen's Big City Life which now includes eight books.… Continue reading Daddy Daughter Day: Win an Inspiring Picture Book by Dorothy Price
Get ready for more epic adventures with Eli and Tirza Nesbit, also known as the Children of the Ancient Heroes. They’re the heroes of Book 2 of Russell Fellows' Lighted Lands series, entitled Hope and Despair. I gave rave reviews to the first novel in Fellow’s series, Children of the Ancient Heroes: Dreams and Nightmares, and this… Continue reading Children of The Ancient Heroes- HOPE AND DESPAIR: An Enthusiastic Book Review by Kate Lundeen
Congratulations to Gauri Dalvi Pandya (author) who won the Grand Prize Award from Sleeping Bear Press's "Own Voices, Own Stories Award" for this debut picturebook. Illustrator Avani Dweivedi vivid illustrations bring the story to life. Review A little girl has a problem. How can she leave her beloved Aaji and Ajoba--her grandmother and grandfather? Her… Continue reading Gauri Dalvi Pandya’s Picture Book: A Journey of Connection
"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24 My BFF writing partner emailed me this verse today. I AM rejoicing in all that the Lord did to help me get to my publication day. One of the ways I am celebrating is by sharing… Continue reading Launch Event for Half-Truths: Join the Celebration!