I have a stack of picture books to review and give away. Today I'm going to start with an autographed copy of Dark on Light written by Dianne White and illustrated by Felicita Sala (Beech Lane Books, 2022). REVIEW This is a quiet story about three siblings who follow their dog out into the evening… Continue reading Enter to Win A Lyrical Nature Picture Book
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
INTRODUCING A NEW GUEST BLOGGER and INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS I "met" Isabelle when I saw her interview with Irish children's fantasy author, Valinora Troy and read her review on Greg Pattridge's MMGM blog. I was so impressed with her maturity and love for books, that I asked if she would be interested in sharing her reviews… Continue reading Why ‘The Potion Experiment’ Is a Must-Read for Kids
Bowers and Shady by Margaret Dardess is an entertaining and thought-provoking historical adventure. In the aftermath of the Civil War, times are hard for everyone. Thirteen-year-old Bowers Jamison embarks on a trip from Iowa to Colorado to track down his uncle, who stole his father’s magical pocket watch. The watch is believed to bring good luck… Continue reading Bowers and Shady: A Middle-Grade Book Review by Kathryn Dover
Introduction It's a delight for me to share the cover for Stacey Bartlett's forthcoming middle-grade novel, MONSTER MOUNTAIN (Monarch Press: 2025). For those of you who can't wait, you can scroll down to see it and read about the giveaway. For the rest of you who know how to bide your time and wait a… Continue reading You Can See It Here First: A Cover Reveal and Giveaway for Stacey Bartlett’s New Middle-Grade Novel
REVIEW Monarch Publishing welcomes a new middle grade novel to the reading repertoire called Angels in the Sand by Lori Keating. This novel is a touching story about a contemporary family choosing joy amid hard circumstances. Jess and her mother Darlene make the annual East Coast trek to Grandma’s house during the Christmas holidays. Jess and Grandma… Continue reading Angels in The Sand: A Great MG Review by Kate Lundeen
Share Faire Famous by Stephanie Henson is the perfect balance between a lighthearted, entertaining story and addressing deeper themes such as bullying. With the start of sixth grade quickly approaching, Marshall Hope has a lot to be anxious about. He’s been internet famous since his mother posted baby pictures of him on an app called Share… Continue reading Share Faire Famous: A Fine Book Review by Kathryn Dover
Audience: 6th – 9th graders In Three Words: poetic, empathetic, clear-eyed One Sentence Synopsis: Cayenne’s family begins to fracture after they abandon their nomadic lifestyle and settle in a small town. Final Verdict: 4.5/5 stars REVIEW Unsinkable Cayenne is a new take on a classic coming-of-age story perfect for middle schoolers who are ready to take on a… Continue reading UNSINKABLE CAYENNE: An Outstanding MG Book Review by Elliott Kurta
New from Monarch Publishing! A middle grade fantasy novel entitled Children of The Ancient Heroes: Dreams and Nightmares by Russell Fellows. I grew up wishing that literary worlds like Narnia or Middle Earth were real places to explore. Fellows addresses this type of wanderlust. What if fantasy characters were social outcasts and had important roles to fulfill… Continue reading CHILDREN OF THE ANCIENT HEROES: A Remarkable Review by Kate Lundeen
By the time you read this, I hope to be well on the road to recovery from pneumonia. Getting sick got my attention. I had to rest! I put aside my pile of revisions for Half-Truths courtesy of my mentor, Joyce Moyer Hostetter, but I didn't put aside the "thinking about" process that all writers experience. I'm re-reading Blue Willow by Doris… Continue reading Blue Willow -PART III: Comments on a Surprisingly Influential Book