If you have a middle school reader who enjoys history and art, then this novel which fictionalizes the early life of Leonardo da Vinci will be just the book for him or her. This is the first in "The Life and Travels of da Vinci" series and it is obvious that the author, Catherine McGrew… Continue reading Leonardo the Florentine- A Review and a Giveaway
Congratulations to Caroline McAlister for winning TANGLED LINES on last week's blog. ******** Two soldiers, two boys. One American, one German. Prolific author Dean Hughes brings their lives, hopes, and dreams together in Soldier Boys (Simon and Schuster, 2001. Audio CD, 2016) Spencer Morgan has just turned 15 in 1941. He longs to show that he… Continue reading Soldier Boys: A Review and a Giveaway
With the publication of TANGLED LINES (Seek, 2016), Bonnie Doerr completes her eco-mystery series that began with ISLAND STING (2010) and STAKEOUT (2012). All three middle grade books star "detectives" Kenzie Ryan and Angelo Sanchez figuring out an ecological crime that threatens their beloved Florida Keys. Since many of you tell me you appreciate it when I interweave book reviews… Continue reading Tangled Lines: A Review and an Autographed Giveaway!
Congratulations to Connie Saunders who won my Mr. Puffball Stunt Cat Across America ARC and Linda Phillips who won the hardcover book. Thanks to all of you for entering. Lots more giveaways coming up, starting right here. ****** Radioactive! is one of those books that makes you wish you had listened better during high school chemistry… Continue reading Radioactive!: How Irène Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World– A Review and a Giveaway
Congratulations to Deb Allmand who won SCAR on last week's blog. Introduction I first introduced my husband's uncle, Robert Toupal, to middle grade historical fiction by giving him Joyce Hostetter's book, BLUE. Since then he's often my first reader when I receive an ARC. A man of definite opinions, I wondered what he would think… Continue reading EMPTY PLACES: A Review and ARC Giveaway
Congratulations to Linda Phillips who won THE HIRED GIRL audio CD. For those of you who know that Linda and I are best writing buddies, I can assure you that this was not rigged and the winner was chosen through random.org! ******** Sixteen-year-old Noah Daniels is a patriot with a problem. Lame since childhood, Noah… Continue reading SCAR: A Review and an ARC Giveaway
Congratulations to Sheri Levy who won an autographed copy of "Mr. Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars." The year is 1942 and for 12-year-old Tomi Itano, a second-generation Japanese-American, life is about to change. Tomi loves everything about her home: the strawberries her father grows on their farm, her Girl Scout troop, her Japanese doll,… Continue reading Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky by Sandra Dallas: A Review and Giveaway