tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63374693416978950802024-03-18T16:17:33.891-06:00Log Cabin LibraryBrendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.comBlogger809125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-56225244163162043522024-03-18T06:00:00.004-06:002024-03-18T11:42:20.392-06:00It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b><span></span></b></i></span></span></p><p style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: georgia;"><b></b></i></span></span></span></b></i></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: georgia;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTk3pd1UM7nmxW6Wl1CrmFBiiv0GmFyc-j8TcVistMy8F6K6SYhM_4KD65EHSy2Rhysx1tnV_H9PxiT9EqAnRVDAOrJsRfJW2I6WrjjI9ptYPAycpVEqaXBO9vaqyJ4eALaKNuSQ94Nf4LaU3fhHSAj44cTqsqImykK0noeXbuss77vcUi1EufCjwpCQ/s200/mmgm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTk3pd1UM7nmxW6Wl1CrmFBiiv0GmFyc-j8TcVistMy8F6K6SYhM_4KD65EHSy2Rhysx1tnV_H9PxiT9EqAnRVDAOrJsRfJW2I6WrjjI9ptYPAycpVEqaXBO9vaqyJ4eALaKNuSQ94Nf4LaU3fhHSAj44cTqsqImykK0noeXbuss77vcUi1EufCjwpCQ/s1600/mmgm2.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></i></span></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUFbcU1fsaYSvIg56c3cLTowbhTVjwfNjtl6nl-PcB7yXHgaWLLh95HB8THSkJosVklpwetzRqhN2i_MvBzfk11fA_pS4jDb8p5e7MZ2y9xK9lJABB6jlFoq1yzjVHCorjDDcSD1zSfkY_s7gqNU84As5Qp8vh2ppc7Odx8ZBzAnlMXN3Wbydb48FkD8/s383/The.Mystery.of.Locked.Rooms.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUFbcU1fsaYSvIg56c3cLTowbhTVjwfNjtl6nl-PcB7yXHgaWLLh95HB8THSkJosVklpwetzRqhN2i_MvBzfk11fA_pS4jDb8p5e7MZ2y9xK9lJABB6jlFoq1yzjVHCorjDDcSD1zSfkY_s7gqNU84As5Qp8vh2ppc7Odx8ZBzAnlMXN3Wbydb48FkD8/s320/The.Mystery.of.Locked.Rooms.png" width="213" /></a></b></i></span></span><p></p><span style="color: #20124d;">The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie<br /></span></span></b></i></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Sourcebooks<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;">E-ARC via NetGalley<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> 256 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Publishing:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> April 2nd, 2024<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Source: </b>Publisher</i></span></span><p></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b>Opening Line: </b>"Angle it the other way! West screeches, holding his mirror up in the air."<br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Team Delta consists of best friends Sarah, West and Hannah and they have just beat the second hardest escape room in Escape City history. Their victory places them among the topmost elite teams that have ever completed this level. Together Team Delta feels invincible. That is until the team experiences a major setback when Sarah finds a foreclosure notice in her mailbox. Sarah's mom has been working two jobs, as her dad was recently diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and hasn't been able to work. Sarah's older brother Sean is supposed to head off to college soon, but her parents are worried about where the money is going to come from. Now with the foreclosure notice, they need to get some money fast, otherwise Sarah and her family might have to move in with her grandparents in Michigan, which would end up breaking up the team. </span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Then Hannah remembers a story about an old, abandoned funhouse from the 1950's. As the story goes, the funhouse was constructed by triplet brothers, Karl, Stefan and Hans Stein. The brothers were orphaned at the age of eight and ended up separated, only reuniting later as adults. They had always dreamed of building a funhouse together to share with the public. Unfortunately, they all died before the funhouse opened. According to the legend, hidden somewhere in the house there is thought to be the Triplet's Treasure, a reward for whoever can survive the house's secret passages and riddles. Many have tried, but none have been successful in making it past the mirror mazes and optical illusions. Since then, the funhouse's treasure has gone unclaimed. Hannah, Sarah and West believe that finding the treasure is the answer to all of their worries and so they make plans to enter the funhouse to solve its mysteries, as losing each other is too great of a risk.</span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Once inside the funhouse, Sarah, West and Hannah begin to feel some success but also make a couple of wrong guesses, for which they suffer a penalty and have to change their plans and redo a few steps. The trio also begins to worry that trying to solve the funhouse's mystery was a bad idea as they didn't tell anyone where they were going and now, they can't even get a phone signal to call for help if something goes wrong. But going back is also not an option so the team continues on. As the trio ventures further into the various rooms they face even more difficult tasks and begin to wonder if the triplets were really diabolical and whether the trio have what it takes to solve this puzzling house, as this place is unlike any escape room that they've ever attempted before.</span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">I just adore Lindsay Currie's books and The Mystery of Locked Rooms was a fantastic read, part suspense, filled with puzzles</span></span></span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">, riddles and precarious hidden passages that pose potential dangers around every corner.</span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"> Highly recommend it for fans of Goonies, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and even Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library. And oh, my what a task this trio faced navigating through these sixteen rooms with only a hope that there was going to be a treasure waiting at the end. I quite enjoyed Sarah, Hannah and West, and the friendship that they share. The way that they start confiding some of the secrets that they've been hiding. How Hannah feels like she's failed as a dancer, and how West feels burdened by his exceptional memory. I really liked how Currie highlights each character's worries, and skills while giving them an opportunity to show their strengths, be it Hannah's agility and balance, to West's ability to solve riddles and his memory skills, to Sarah's decision-making skills, ability to keep track of the time and determine the probabilities of risks. There was such a nice balance in seeing each of them have a moment of success. I also really enjoyed learning about the history of the Stein triplets. It added a layer of mystery to the story which was fun. It was also exciting to see what strategy the trio used to solve each riddle and how important attention to detail played in some of the clues and how at other times they had to just make a choice, come what may. Taking a leap of faith. Overall, this was creative, exciting with just the right length and perfect pacing to entertain a sleuth who enjoys escape rooms, riddles and solving puzzles.</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">**A huge thank you to Sourcebooks for the E-ARC via NetGalley** </span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><i style="font-family: georgia;">I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog<b> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a></b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;"> </span></i><i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span><i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Edited 3/18/24 to add <a href="https://mrschureads.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-mystery-of-locked-rooms-by-lindsay.html">Book Trailer Premiere: The Mystery of Locked Rooms @MrSchuReads.blog</a> </span></span></span></span></i></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-83769900665310420472024-03-14T06:00:00.001-06:002024-03-14T06:00:00.252-06:00THE DEADLY DAYLIGHT by Ash Harrier Blog Tour + Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIgeEejc2CBlHJhwf6_-IxvLFEQpC48sPZ1bkVnIckDG9lMwQXb4_oF0J1mp8jQJCx-DdbANJR0jhB-TMudub9jvDk51DYVkABT-CNH7bjs6gRd20RipJgilheStpHMxHeb8OVsufLH1EmE_TesOiaqKyhUhyYNVIYf9A5CbWxfYIOldILCmBN1HsDZd0/w400-h156/THE%20DEADLY%20DAYLIGHT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I am thrilled to be hosting a spot
on the THE DEADLY DAYLIGHT by Ash Harrier Blog Tour hosted by </span><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Rockstar Book Tours</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. Check out
my post and make sure to enter the giveaway! <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span> </span>About The Book:<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a name="_Hlk160801488"></a><a name="_Hlk132199525"></a><a name="_Hlk132202540"></a><a name="_Hlk157937025"></a><a name="_Hlk157939802"></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://books2read.com/THE-DEADLY-DAYLIGHT" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMpFIYc4iSHGWGe7Tde2r7lBquw-5Xh7ZgYwN9qXtuvi7n0raHXV3AFabuKQ_v8eIgcG5ye0c-7L6wn1lQP0SM_sPpoDXPKuALiPC3QizLAsr9kVHXcnGVF-Xm_Fxj86WKBguqQmt_s-hb64LTLcybbmTHVICUZqBZZucGizHVuELfsyXE4rWtY7zjwXH/w266-h400/THE%20DEADLY%20DAYLIGHT.jpg" width="266" /></i></a></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Title:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> THE
DEADLY DAYLIGHT (Alice England Mysteries #1)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Author: </span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ash Harrier<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Pub. Date:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> March
5, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Publisher: </span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Holiday
House<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Formats:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Hardcover,
eBook<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Pages:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> 272<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Find it: <a href="Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-DEADLY-DAYLIGHT">Goodreads</a></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></p>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160799612;"></span>
</i></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>12-year-old Alice has a hard time
making friends. Maybe it's because she works in a funeral home and receives
messages from the dead.</i></span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br />
<br />
While the kids at school taunt her and call her “Alice in Zombieland,"
Alice England finds refuge at her father’s funeral home, where the dead tell
her stories. As she arranges the deceased’s personal mementos, an item will hum
with meaning–resonance–and Alice will see the story of their life.<br />
<br />
When she "meets" George Devenish, a man who died of a rare sunlight
allergy, Alice knows George was murdered. Her only leads are George’s niece,
“Violet the Vampire,” who shares her uncle’s allergy and a friendly, but
secretive boy named Cal.<br />
<br />
As a determined Alice investigates, she is surprised to find Violet and Cal
become more than just suspects, but allies—maybe even friends. However, Alice
soon finds navigating her first real friendships might be harder than solving a
murder.<br />
<br />
Clever humor and twisty clues abound in this cozy middle grade mystery about a
group of misfits finding courage in the truth and friendship in each other.
Delightful, dark, and quirky, The Deadly Daylight is perfect
for fans of Nancy Drew and </i></span><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Winterhouse.</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160801488;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1a0bc823-7fff-933f-15ad-1438c6b8eb71"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Deadly Deadlight</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By Ash Harrier</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Excerpt for Rockstar Book Tours</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Excerpt from </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Deadly Deadlight </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">/ Text copyright © 2022 by </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ash Harrier</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Reproduced with permission from Holiday House Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">one</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Resonance of Trinkets</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ALICE smoothed down the dead woman’s collar. Her dad often missed that detail. He prepared and dressed the bodies but didn’t always notice things like misbuttoned blouses or crooked spectacles.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There were two items for Alice to arrange. They were inside an envelope with the name Edna Macintosh handwritten on the front. Alice slipped out a pair of square-cut diamond earrings set in silver, and a photograph of a man dressed in clothing from the 1970s—flared trousers and a shirt with a wide collar—held in a black frame.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">She removed a gold stud from Edna’s left ear and replaced it with one of the ugly diamonds. But when she came to the right earlobe, there was no earring to replace. Managing the pen awkwardly in her latex gloves, she made a note about it on the envelope. Her dad would need to mention it to Edna’s next of kin, as grieving families sometimes made wild accusations when jewelry was misplaced.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Alice tried to insert the diamond earring, but it wouldn’t go in. Edna’s earring must have been missing for a while, and the pierced skin had grown over before she died. Alice considered her options. She could cut off the earring’s stem and use costume glue to stick the diamond to Edna’s ear. But that was risky. Occasionally the glue failed. All it would take was a grieving guest to stroke Edna’s hair and the earring might fall off. A mishap like that could ruin the</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">funeral.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And what if the relatives changed their minds and asked for the earrings to be returned? Alice didn’t want to be responsible for any damage if someone noticed dear Granny’s earrings were real diamonds and wanted them back.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Her only option was to re‐pierce Edna’s earlobe. Piercing an ear was new to Alice but she didn’t want to fetch her dad to do it. He had already spent long hours embalming Edna, then bending her arm into a suitable position to hold the photo frame. It would be silly to</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">call him for such a simple task.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“This shouldn’t hurt at all,” Alice assured Edna, because you couldn’t be too careful.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The earring stem went easily through Edna’s earlobe, like pushing a toothpick into an olive. Alice surveyed her work. Not bad. It was slightly off-center compared with the left one, but no one would notice.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now for the photo. Sometimes dead people’s possessions shared stories with Alice. Not always, but every so often an object put a little story into her head. Alice called these items resonant—an excellent word she had discovered when she was about nine, meaning anything that gave an ongoing hum. That was what it felt like to Alice—like the item was humming and vibrating with meaning and significance. Sometimes it was just a little sliver of a story; and sometimes it was a full history of the person’s life.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This photograph was resonant.</span></p><br /><br /></span></blockquote><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">About Ash Harrier</span>:</i></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://ashharrierbooks.wixsite.com/my-site" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3qhh9YQX11XlYczGH2y2CNJXnwFRQJlN5Lbn_16rCh_OP73bFFTYHWUprNgFApcnfPIdCh9e8ojftRpSQm4e1TYjGqRmPXr_Xv3GnAcAe-R2etVwKMtqsNZQZn_sLcnB6I3b3s70VYLmpQ0I3wEH29AKykPx4KALfjmBPWq5qhdhDasJSriX2wCcVydJ/s320/Ash%20Harrier%20high%20res%20headshot.jpg" width="207" /></i></span></a></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Ash Harrier</span></b><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> lives in Perth, Western Australia. She is an
Ambassador for the Books in Homes Australia charity, which helps children in
disadvantaged circumstances build their home libraries. Ash has a great
fondness for puzzles, scientific facts, birds and the smell of dried tea. Some
of her favorite pastimes are reading, daydreaming and spending time in the
garden with her small flock of hens.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i><a href="https://ashharrierbooks.wixsite.com/my-site">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashharrierbooks/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22524727.Ash_Harrier">Goodreads</a>
| <a href="https://amzn.to/49JE7wG">Amazon</a> <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Giveaway Details: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE DEADLY DAYLIGHT,
US Only.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Ends March 26th, midnight EST.</span></p><p></p>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba21804" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21804/" id="rcwidget_w7nbfmfr" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
<div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tour
Schedule:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Week
One:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Excerpt/IG
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/11/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
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</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Excerpt/IG
Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/12/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://darkfantasyreviews.wordpress.com/">@darkfantasyreviews</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Excerpt/IG
Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/12/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://instagram.com/jlreadstoperpetuity?igshid=OTk0YzhjMDVlZA==">jlreadstoperpetuity
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">IG
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/13/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thepagelady/">@thepagelady </a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">IG
Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/13/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://countrymamaswithkids.com/">Country Mamas With Kids</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Excerpt/IG
Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/14/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/enthuse_reader">@enthuse_reader</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">IG
Review/TikTok Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/14/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://logcabinlibrary.blogspot.com/">Log Cabin Library</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Excerpt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/15/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://kimberlybartosch.wixsite.com/blog">Kim's Book Reviews and
Writing Aha's </a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Review/IG
Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/15/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://fictionlux.wordpress.com/">Fiction Lux</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Review
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Week
Two:</span></u></b></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/18/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.nerdophiles.com/">nerdophiles</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Review
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/18/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/">Deal sharing aunt </a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Review/IG
Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/19/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/stargirls.magical.tale/">@stargirls.magical.tale
</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">IG
Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/19/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gryffindorbookishnerd">GryffindorBookishnerd</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">IG
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</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/20/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/onemused">onemused </a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">IG
Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/20/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ablueboxfullofbooks/">A Blue Box Full of
Books </a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">IG
Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/21/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/pagesforpaige">@pagesforpaige</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">IG
Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/21/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://am2cents.blogspot.com/">Two Points of Interest</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/22/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.onemoreexclamation.com/">One More Exclamation </a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Review/IG
Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3/22/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://michellethebookcritic.blogspot.com/">The Book Critic</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Review/IG
Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><br /></div>
Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-60178132507466547982024-03-11T06:00:00.006-06:002024-03-11T12:24:14.418-06:00It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Haru: Book 1: Spring (Volume 1) by Joe Latham<p><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></i></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMm6FiEykmJcp-aFLxcH_7qrMSuupkRZBwgu1O_apeexBT4F7KYTjaW-86lsTBnuzdhZHnM8pyjfC8rps0o72nC7ltB8A-HKJtbvxNF-bP5cV8tlKSOIBT5y5beSXsqycVkJgpNg-ydS919FxTJgMj5iAodMykNFRbfhXp_tnfq-INdt8vDfJt_r7RsE/s200/mmgm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMm6FiEykmJcp-aFLxcH_7qrMSuupkRZBwgu1O_apeexBT4F7KYTjaW-86lsTBnuzdhZHnM8pyjfC8rps0o72nC7ltB8A-HKJtbvxNF-bP5cV8tlKSOIBT5y5beSXsqycVkJgpNg-ydS919FxTJgMj5iAodMykNFRbfhXp_tnfq-INdt8vDfJt_r7RsE/s1600/mmgm2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWqbTgSEvIJAtC9PBEUZgDeSma5OutpXfj06zajNhE93B3IaZngLOcDZkT0T74lB0PFOc69YPfueuJm5WtxIZXnzv0OeS-LUwmv8vcwOLuXVhkY8EaC-c_7XMQLPaIVkuvHxRLbpm_AuuyXuiK051oTqjaEtKaK8DX2BDntv5FYib6k5JxWXmqPUua8c/s2100/Haru.Spring.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWqbTgSEvIJAtC9PBEUZgDeSma5OutpXfj06zajNhE93B3IaZngLOcDZkT0T74lB0PFOc69YPfueuJm5WtxIZXnzv0OeS-LUwmv8vcwOLuXVhkY8EaC-c_7XMQLPaIVkuvHxRLbpm_AuuyXuiK051oTqjaEtKaK8DX2BDntv5FYib6k5JxWXmqPUua8c/s320/Haru.Spring.jpg" width="213" /></a></b></i></span></div><div><i><b>Haru: Book 1: Spring by Joe </b></i></div></b></i></span><div><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Latham</span></b></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Andrews McMeel Publishing<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">E-ARC<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> 272 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Publishing:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> March 12th, 2024<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Source: </b>NetGalley</i></span><p></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Opening Line: </b>"At the dusk of man there was a darkness that spread far and wide across the land."</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">Chapter one begins with black and white illustrations and alludes to a darkness traveling across the land until it was snagged on a thorn of pure light. Unable to free itself, the darkness encapsulated its heart within the brambles of the thorns. The story then jumps to present day to Haru, a small blue bird who despite being unable to fly still has big dreams of one day taking flight, and their best friend Yama, a boar who finds a strange, cursed artifact. The artifact attaches itself to Yama and the two friends then find themselves on a journey to The Beacon in search of the answers to removing it. </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Haru is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel, a coming-of-age story that also highlights the four seasons with Spring being the first volume. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The colors of each page range from a muted turquoise background reminding me of the early dusk sky, to lighter shades of green indicative of daytime. With further pages having shades of yellows and pink. This volume is broken down into six chapters and chronicles Haru and Yama's journey to remove a cursed artifact. The atmosphere is very mysterious and shifts between darkness and periods of light to some downright creepy moments. I felt a sense of apprehension as I flipped pages and wondered what peril was in store for these two. And boy do they get into some sticky, dangerous situations. Everything moves along at a fairly quick pace and yet it still feels like some details were being left out, with some confusing points when Haru and Yama entered the mall. I wanted to know more, which I suspect will be revealed in one of the other seasons. Overall, I really loved the illustrations and would love to read more but might hold off until the full series is released, as the completed series will fill in all those missing pieces and questions that I had. </span></span></span></i></div><div><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: #073763;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><i style="font-family: georgia;">I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog<b> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" style="color: #191919; text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a></b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;"> </span></i><i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span><i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span></span></span></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-20457539038956816342024-03-07T06:00:00.001-07:002024-03-07T06:00:00.137-07:00THE THIEF OF TIME Cover Reveal + Gift Card Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtSqtEkoYoTGwvnSh3gz1_NCr9sJYBK_3Rc_ESXSs_uru1PUUMlpEdK_vCmTFoSxqmAabzSJy82zIOkFvJE08tfrn07SBmGD7X1M6RSLm2sPLLB8LWWCjEsv8FEUgWU93LPw023IN_i46E8L9fAbu7peMTyJLZXSb5xG8UyWuGWH8Ome-zA5kCfGImQ7F/w400-h156/COVER%20REVEAL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Today Vivi Barnes, Christina
Farley, and Amy Christine Parker and </span><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Rockstar Book Tours</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> are
revealing the cover for THE THIEF OF TIME, their new middle grade contemporary fantasy
book which releases May 7, 2024! Check out the awesome cover and enter the
giveaway!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>On to the reveal!</i></span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3V7doFY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="3825" data-original-width="2475" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9xJIdKTa5APIuHT5GLpfnK0Bhc1sDgD-ckFpYNcBb0e7Gnjo-HX_vcUTZ6cKEeu5Iesg0m5e96dmUbFZwkXNhCCrwqI_NheW6IcIOySgzaRUD7VauJf9Pwpv-nIsrUoky-mChU4idlg7S63PcTIl7IyQtwuT4kV-pd2rF4Nw5JWfbT818UVXw5jNTvZL/w414-h640/Thief%20of%20Time%20fullcolor%20P2_%20Cool%20Cropped_title%20copy%20(1).jpg" width="414" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>About The Book:<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><i><a name="_Hlk160614854"></a><a name="_Hlk101517841"></a><a name="_Hlk109641341"></a><a name="_Hlk118108087"></a><a name="_Hlk119244074"></a><a name="_Hlk123038795"></a><a name="_Hlk125450106"></a><a name="_Hlk133405784"></a><a name="_Hlk134099367"></a><a name="_Hlk143522103"></a><a name="_Hlk149132729"></a><a name="_Hlk158897712"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Title:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> THE
THIEF OF TIME (The Library of Alexandria Series #1)<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><i style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Author: </span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Vivi
Barnes, Christina Farley, and Amy Christine Parker<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Pub. Date:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> May
7, 2024<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Publisher: </span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Infinity
House Creative<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Formats:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Hardcover, Paperback,
eBook<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Pages:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> 312</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Find it:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209412307-the-thief-of-time"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Goodreads</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://amzn.to/3V7doFY"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Amazon</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span> </span></i></span></p>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101517841;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk109641341;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk118108087;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk119244074;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk123038795;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125450106;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133405784;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134099367;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk143522103;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk149132729;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158897712;"></span>
</i></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">“The Thief of Time is a
thrilling contemporary fantasy that will steal your breath away. Chock full of
complex world building and magic that springs from the power of story, this
book will definitely keep young readers turning pages.”—Polly Holyoke,
Award-winning author </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
<br />
<b>Unleash the Magic…</b><br />
<br />
THE THIEF OF TIME is an exciting middle-grade contemporary fantasy adventure
that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the realms of magic,
friendship, and self-discovery.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>On a visit to their local library,
Ben, Bridgette, and Maya unwittingly unleash a dragon from an ancient book and
find themselves fighting for their lives against a swarm of evil birds. They
battle to escape with the help of the dragon and are whisked through a portal
into the magical Great Library of Alexandria.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>Once they pass the Trials and prove
themselves worthy, they are invited to become students at Helicon Academy.
There they train to become librarians for the Library of Alexandria, protecting
books and the magical artifacts within.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>Ben, Bridgette, and Maya fall in love
with the story-themed dinners, fantastical animals, and fictional characters
roaming the halls. But when they discover a dark and sinister mystery within
the academy’s halls, the three must embark on a quest to protect the library
and preserve the fabric of time itself.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614854;"></span>
</i></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>REVIEWS:<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>"Every so often, you read a book with a fictional place
that is so full of magic and so full of wonder that you want to live there
forever -- the library in The Thief of Time is such a place. You're in
for a treat!" —Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of Spark<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>What a ride! The Thief of Time whisks readers from the
immortal Library of Alexandria to adventures across the globe. Maya, Ben, and
Bridgette kept me reading to the very end! —Sarah McGuire, author of Flight
of Swans and Valiant<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>We all know books are magic, but in The Thief of Time,
they are beyond our expectations! This adventure jumps right in with our
protagonists facing an adventure, both physically and mentally, unlike any
other I've read. Fans of Land of Stories and magical school books are going to
devour this new twist on what it means to truly get into a book. —Kellee Moye,
librarian<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Polly Definitely Doesn’t Want a Cracker<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The first weird thing Ben noticed was the birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Clustered in bushes around the front of the library, they
watched with unblinking beady red eyes as he made his way up the steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“To be, or not to be…gone!” he said loudly, clapping his
hands at a pair that was preening on the steps in front of the door. They
hopped only a few inches away and fixed Ben with a baleful stare. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben shook his head. Here he was, quoting <i>Hamlet</i> at
creepy birds and returning an almost-overdue book on a Friday night when there
were probably ten end-of-summer parties going on—or at least two that he was
invited to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">He yanked the door open and stepped inside. Mr. Lozano, who’d
been the town librarian ever since Ben could remember, was scanning barcodes
from a tall stack of books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Hey, Mr. Lozano.” Ben slid his book across the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Mr. Lozano caught the book and added it to the stack. “Just
under the wire, Benjamin. Your dad wouldn’t be happy to come pay another late
fee.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“I know.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Mr. Lozano picked up a magnifying glass to peer at the book.
With the plaid bow tie and pencil mustache, Ben thought he looked more like a
Scotland Yard detective than a librarian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Mr. Lozano peeled off the outside cover that was titled
“Practical Science.” Ben inwardly groaned. He meant to remove that before
returning it. Underneath the cover was a copy of Shakespeare’s <i>Hamlet</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Mr. Lozano sighed. “Your father still giving you a hard
time?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben shrugged. His father was a surgeon and thought Ben should
be studying math and science, not “farting around with theater and poetry,” as
he liked to say. It was just easier for Ben to pretend he was more scientific
than he was. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">His mom would’ve understood him better. Not a day went by
where he didn’t think about her and wish she was with him again, reading
Shakespeare’s sonnets like she did when he was little. The gentle lilt of her
voice always lulled him to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“I know what you’re going to say,” Ben said. “I’ll talk to
him again, and—” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Mr. Lozano, that astronomy book isn’t here,” a girl
announced as she walked up and set a stack of books on the counter. She looked
familiar, maybe from school. She wore an old Texas Rangers baseball T-shirt and
had a short mop of auburn curls, pale skin, and thick round glasses that made
her green eyes seem extra-large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">She shrugged her oversized military-looking green backpack
off her shoulders and plopped it on the counter next to the books. “It was due
five days ago. I’ve been on the waiting list forever.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“I’m sorry, Bridgette. I’m sure the person will bring it back
soon.” Mr. Lozano glanced at the clock over the desk. “Unfortunately, the
library’s closing so I can’t help you find something else right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Can’t you call them? Fill out a police report or something?”
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Excuse me.” Someone with two long dark braids squeezed
between Ben and Bridgette, her hands cupped around a small ball of fur. A
volunteer badge was clipped to the sleeve of her light blue shirt. “Mr. Lozano,
I think Griffin’s sick. I’m really worried about him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">This girl Ben knew. Everyone knew Maya Friedman, who moved
here last summer from Israel and within a month of their sixth-grade year
became one of the most popular kids at Harrison Middle. Her braids had kind of
become her trademark. Ben hated to admit he was jealous, but no matter how many
times he’d styled his sandy blond hair or even dyed it, he’d failed to get a
trademark “look.” This girl showed up with two long braids and perfectly tanned
olive skin and everyone was like <i>whoooooaaaa</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Who’s Griffin?” Ben asked. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“One of the library’s animals.” She held up a small ball of
brown fluff. “Does he look a little lethargic to you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Bridgette shrank away. “Keep it away!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Maya pulled it to her chest protectively. “He’s just a little
guinea pig. He won’t hurt you.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“I know.” Bridgette pushed her glasses up the bridge of her
nose. “Its scientific name is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cavia
porcellus</i>.” Her face flushed as Ben stared at her. “I read a lot.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Poor Griffin,” Maya cooed to the ball of fluff. “That girl
didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Bridgette frowned. “I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings. I’ve
just never been near one before.” She reached out and awkwardly patted its tiny
head with one finger. “Good boy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Maya smiled at her, then glanced at Ben. “I think I know you
from English class. Ben, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben nodded. “You’re Maya.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“And I’m Bridgette,” Bridgette said from the other side of
Maya. “I mean, if anyone wanted to know,” she added softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“No one wants to know,” another voice piped in. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben cringed as the awful Davey Singleton swaggered over with
a group of his friends. Davey had been Ben’s nemesis ever since Ben was cast as
the lead in the third-grade rendition of <i>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</i> and
ended up with a terrible case of stage fright, puking all over a kid in a tree
costume. Davey took over the role for the rest of the show and still delighted
in tormenting Ben about it. Worse, he seemed to beat out Ben for every lead
role since then.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Awww look, it’s Shakes<i>fear</i>,” Davey said. “Library’s
closing, Shakes<i>fear</i>. Go barf somewhere else.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben rolled his eyes. “Hang in there, Davey. One day, maybe
you’ll actually come up with something original.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Hey, Maya, you going to Drew’s party?” one of the girls in
the group asked. “Davey’s ditching but you should come.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Maya brightened. “Sure, after I close up here.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“And, um, change shoes?” the girl said as she stared at
Maya’s scuffed black combat boots. “Where’d you get those?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Maya’s face reddened. “My aunt gave them to me when we left
Israel.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben got the feeling she never wore those boots in front of
her friends. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Sorry, you’re not invited,” the girl said to Bridgette as
she and her friends walked out the door, laughing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Like I was interested anyway,” Bridgette mumbled, looking
away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Lozano, we have to leave,” Davey said. “When are you going
to kick these nobodies out of here?” He pushed through the half-door of the
counter and came back with a brown leather suitcase.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Where are you going?” Ben asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“None of your business.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“We’re fine, we’re fine.” Mr. Lozano glanced again at the
clock. “We have ten minutes.” He nodded at Ben, Bridgette, and Maya. “You kids
head home now. <a name="_Int_PEsLsyli">Library</a> is closed. Maya, thank you
for taking such great care of the animals. And Bridgette, tomorrow maybe I can
help—" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">A loud crack sounded outside of the library. Everyone jumped.
Bridgette squealed and pushed closer to Ben, who was rubbing his ringing ears. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“What was that?” Maya said, cradling the chirping Griffin
close. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Lightning?” Ben suggested. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“It’s not even raining,” Bridgette pointed out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Quiet.” Lozano held up a hand, frowning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Something dark moved against the frosted glass of the front
door. Ben heard tiny scratching and tapping noises, which got louder and louder
until it sounded like hundreds of birds were trying to claw their way through
the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben covered his ears, his heart leaping into his throat as
the birds shrieked and screamed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Mr. Lozano yanked open the door to the circulation desk.
“Everyone, get behind the counter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Don’t have to tell me twice!” Davey pushed through the
opening, almost knocking Bridgette over with his suitcase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Another crash sounded at the door and more dark figures shot
past the frosted windowpane, bird silhouettes with feathers and crooked bills
that almost looked like creepy noses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The door wobbled and shook as if someone was trying to get
inside but didn’t know how to use the handle. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Mr. Lozano yelled into his phone, “They’re here! I don’t know
how. We need an R.E.R. team now!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">He gestured to Ben and the others. “Gather round and take
hands. Now.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">More banging at the door. Davey kept his hands on his
suitcase. Bridgette grabbed Ben’s hand, her eyes wide with fear. He squeezed
hers with a reassurance he didn’t really feel and felt Maya take his other one.
He really hoped his palms weren’t sweaty. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Lozano glanced at the clock. “Hold on. And…now!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Everyone watched as Mr. Lozano stepped one foot into the
empty wastebasket next to the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">And waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Mr. Lozano pulled his foot out of the basket, then stepped in
again. And again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben cleared his voice. “Um, Mr. Lozano, you okay?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The librarian grabbed the phone, beads of sweat breaking out
across his forehead. “It isn’t working. We need a car!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">With a loud smash, the glass in the door shattered, and large
black birds with creepy red eyes started clawing their way through the window
with long, almost fingerlike talons. Ben yelped and Bridgette screamed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Into my office!” Lozano yelled as a flurry of black feathers
cascaded over them. “I’ll handle this.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The kids scrambled into Mr. Lozano’s office and slammed the
door behind them as birds thumped against its frosted glass. A single black
feather floated in. Ben grabbed it and shoved it in his pocket. “That’s one
less feather you’ll have to fight with,” he yelled at the door, not caring how
weird he sounded. This whole thing was terrifyingly weird. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben turned around, realizing he’d never been in Lozano’s
office before. It was like something from another century—old bookshelves,
weird telescope-looking things, and ancient leather-bound books piled on a
table. A low humming sound seemed to be coming from them. Ben rubbed his
ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Screeching from right outside the office made Ben forget all
about the humming. The birds hurled against the window. <i>Thump! Thump! Thump!
</i>The glass started to crack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“We need to hide.” Bridgette yanked her backpack onto her
shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Behind there!” Ben ran to the heavy oak desk on the far
wall. Bridgette and Maya followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Davey crouched behind a plush chair near the door, clutching
his suitcase. “Make them go away,” he whimpered. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">A crash sounded on the other side of the door. Ben clamped
his eyes shut, hoping Mr. Lozano was okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Griffin!” Maya cried out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben opened his eyes to see the guinea pig running at top
speed toward a crack in the wall. Maya started after him, but Ben grabbed her
arm. “He’ll be fine. We need to stay together.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The square glass window in the door shattered. Davey threw
his hands over his head as the birds flew directly at him. His screams pierced
the air. Ben gritted his teeth together. No matter how awful Davey was, Ben
couldn’t just hide like a coward while birds were trying to kill him. This
wasn’t a third-grade play. This was real.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“We have to help him. Distract the birds,” Ben told Maya and
Bridgette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“How?” cried Bridgette. “It’s not like we have bird seed.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Hey!” Maya called out, standing up and waving her arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“What are you doing?” Bridgette yelled at her as birds flew
toward them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Ben crawled across the floor to Davey, where a bird was
flapping over his head, poking him with its beak. He grabbed Davey’s suitcase
and threw it at the bird. The bird dodged it, shrieking. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“Hey, that’s expensive,” Davey cried out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">“So’s our lives!” Ben yelled as more birds converged around
them. He grasped for the nearest book, an ancient one with a dragon etched into
the leather and the imprint of a harp-looking instrument stamped on it. Ben
flung it at the birds. The book landed with a thud on the ground, open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Everything went completely still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">A gust of wind whooshed through the broken window and caught
the pages, turning them fast and then faster. The humming he heard earlier grew
louder in his ears. Ben gasped as sparks flew out of the pages like sparklers
on the Fourth of July. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">A column of fire-red flame shot up from the book. Something
huge, red, and terrifying burst from the center of it.</span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOYQp0a9IW2iqy7Hf78WSmd-HwcLQyLXCj2EZw4GWWnDpnNWJXTWzxXUwNXRQsVlVH4tUAlOw71Lra-rVMukCMmJvJppPtpYOZjd_hYrRJfK4eerqMeqVFw-26luSWwny0RA13J0rr3EDyWgOiRG5jvDBGZLMdlJkqEkDQoZk7xC47Q4laGvL4GDlOuUo/s404/Authors%20Photo.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="404" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOYQp0a9IW2iqy7Hf78WSmd-HwcLQyLXCj2EZw4GWWnDpnNWJXTWzxXUwNXRQsVlVH4tUAlOw71Lra-rVMukCMmJvJppPtpYOZjd_hYrRJfK4eerqMeqVFw-26luSWwny0RA13J0rr3EDyWgOiRG5jvDBGZLMdlJkqEkDQoZk7xC47Q4laGvL4GDlOuUo/w400-h268/Authors%20Photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>About <a name="_Hlk160613989">Vivi Barnes, Christina Farley,
and Amy Christine Parker</a>:<br /><o:p></o:p></i></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a name="_Hlk160613138"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Vivi Barnes, Christina Farley, and
Amy Christine Parker </span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;">are
best friends who bonded over their love of telling stories and going on
adventures. They live in sunny Central Florida with their families, where
inspiration is just a beach day away. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>SOCIAL MEDIA<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>Instagram<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a name="_Hlk160614874"></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/amychristinepar/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">@amychristinepar</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/christinalfarley/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">@christinaLFarley</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/vivibarnes/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">@vivibarnes</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160614874;"></span>
</i></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>TikTok<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@amychristineparker">@AmyChristineParker</a><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@christinafarleyauthor">@ChristinaFarleyAuthor</a><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@vivibarnes82">@ViviBarnes82</a><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>Giveaway Details: <o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>1 winner will
receive a $25 gift card to the book vendor of their choice, International.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><i>Ends March 14th,
midnight EST.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><br /><p></p>
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Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-84611427839105096922024-03-04T06:00:00.015-07:002024-03-04T06:00:00.146-07:00For Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Ferris by Kate DiCamillo<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3M1wvFMa0ZDAWEeGDeeLXoLsU-cyngmWZLOVG42sIMEcbXt3nHQYb4SPgQXArO2j2zXIFnZVSJqeAvaevGXa_4D8zebXrHz7UziGVaNc8DLSW6rPPD8Soa1HYnyHqefHDfyiK8J1W_2V7KOraCSfvpniTy8k5aazLOnwSIDI9uWeDNnRS3Gv5dKBetPo/s200/mmgm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3M1wvFMa0ZDAWEeGDeeLXoLsU-cyngmWZLOVG42sIMEcbXt3nHQYb4SPgQXArO2j2zXIFnZVSJqeAvaevGXa_4D8zebXrHz7UziGVaNc8DLSW6rPPD8Soa1HYnyHqefHDfyiK8J1W_2V7KOraCSfvpniTy8k5aazLOnwSIDI9uWeDNnRS3Gv5dKBetPo/s1600/mmgm2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /><br /></b></i></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></i></span></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q8QRaaIEjC5_oNNWSJro9i4fGiOvY2ze3mFuIsBaqbMv0lJUkvEtCdwNgSCkTbYbR3_iqyDomzrmU3tdX68xa4mNPAPaR01slm7mLIdf_PoM1_vVVkuP240veWOx6tqW8dZnC2qpGZ-OOcEUSGY6xfd3OL3FG2ODqiCy0Hf99c0o8142Y2_sLDricZI/s370/Ferris.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q8QRaaIEjC5_oNNWSJro9i4fGiOvY2ze3mFuIsBaqbMv0lJUkvEtCdwNgSCkTbYbR3_iqyDomzrmU3tdX68xa4mNPAPaR01slm7mLIdf_PoM1_vVVkuP240veWOx6tqW8dZnC2qpGZ-OOcEUSGY6xfd3OL3FG2ODqiCy0Hf99c0o8142Y2_sLDricZI/s320/Ferris.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Ferris by Kate DiCamillo<br /></b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Candlewick Press<br /></i></span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;">E-ARC<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;">240 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><b>Publishing:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"> March 5th, 2024<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source: </b>Edelweiss+</i></i></span></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Opening Line:</b> "It was the summer before Emma Phineas Wilkey (who everyone called Ferris) went into the fifth grade."</span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This was going to be no ordinary summer for Ferris. Her little sister, Pinky to everyone's chagrin had vowed to become an outlaw. Uncle Ted left Aunt Shirley and moved into the Wilkey basement to complete his masterpiece, a painting of the history of the world. Although, he really spends most of his time in his robe, which infuriates Ferris's mom to no end. And Ferris's beloved grandmother, Charisse has started to see a ghost standing on the threshold of her bedroom with an unhappy expression. Ferris is very concerned that the ghost has appeared to take her grandmother to the Great Beyond, and she'll stop at nothing to prevent this from happening. Yet it appears that the ghost has a very different plan for her sudden appearance which entails the chandelier hanging in the dining room. </span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There truly hasn't been a story that Kate DiCamillo has written that I haven't liked. The Tale of Despereaux will always hold a special place in my heart and is my favorite book of hers. I'm always excited when she has a new book being released and Ferris went to the top of my TBR pile. </span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ferris is a lovely main character; I especially enjoyed the story of how she got her nickname. The most important person to Ferris is her grandmother. They play cards together, and because she hasn't been feeling well lately Ferris even reads aloud to her. They have beautiful conversations, that help Ferris to process her feelings. Ferris has a big vocabulary, using words like gilded, and ludicrous, and really likes her teacher, Mrs. Mielk. Her best friend is Billy Jackson, who she met on the very first day of kindergarten when he told her that he hears piano music in his head all the time and then asked if he could hold her hand. They're a cute duo and it reminded me of my childhood friend, Craig. The Wilkey's are quite amusing and quirky. Uncle Ted gave up his job and wife to paint in the basement but sends Ferris to spy on her to see if her aunt is mad at him. Even Ferris's dad is occupied by trying to catch the racoons that have invaded the family's attic. Then there's Pinky, Ferris's little sister who is up to such antics. Not only does she get arrested, for trying to rob a bank, she bites a nurse and steals to get herself on a wanted poster. Quite silly. </span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Overall, the story has a small town feel to it, is warm hearted but also sad. There's a deep expression of love and community. While the plot involves some supernatural aspects, I think the reader can sympathize with Ferris's big feelings. With its quirky characters and strong emphasis on family and friendships it made for a very enjoyable read. </span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></i></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><i style="font-family: georgia;">I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog<b> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a></b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;"> </span></i><i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span><i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span></span>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-67762359528598467922024-02-20T06:00:00.055-07:002024-02-20T06:00:00.134-07:00Closet of Dreams by Mark Ukra and Tara Mesalik MacMahon Illustrations by Donna Dyer<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB_KclK6vmYosMsnhyjWLm_hPuIU98uMPZNG7f1E9aszZQDddbEQvLxp_SN2Njw0sFHTuFYue4UqXmVgV0HVqLwpy96Qj90GTXTWRAvpr2F1WlCaMlejFDurThczUOqrpS0fYNiR706V9PfZxG45HDYV0d1o1XVrIP_0LWdC0cMMHbxc_vlJgxwPaC4Y/s300/Closet_of_Dreams-.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="199" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB_KclK6vmYosMsnhyjWLm_hPuIU98uMPZNG7f1E9aszZQDddbEQvLxp_SN2Njw0sFHTuFYue4UqXmVgV0HVqLwpy96Qj90GTXTWRAvpr2F1WlCaMlejFDurThczUOqrpS0fYNiR706V9PfZxG45HDYV0d1o1XVrIP_0LWdC0cMMHbxc_vlJgxwPaC4Y/w229-h345/Closet_of_Dreams-.png" width="229" /></a><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Closet of Dreams by Mark Ukra and Tara Mesalik MacMahon, and illustrations by Donna Dyer</b></i></span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>BookLogix<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="font-family: georgia;">E-ARC<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> 203 pages<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Publishing:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> March 26th, 2024<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Source: </b>NetGalley following recommendation from Books Forward</i></span></span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;">Opening Line:</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> "Child! Child! Child! Yup, I'm reading it, you're reading it, -we're all reading it right." </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nine -year-old Child has always dreamed of playing baseball for his local little league team. He's determined to not let anything get in his way, despite Eddie and his gang of bullies taking his application and the team not having enough baseball players, so they might have to disband or postpone the entire season. After consulting with his Gamma, Child develops a plan to have the animals from the Pet Adoption Center and Hilda (his newly adopted dog) join his team so that he can make his dream come true.</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was first intrigued by the Closet of Dreams based on the title and cover. It alluded to the idea of a boy wanting to play baseball and the fears that were getting in his way. As well as a bully who tries to intimidate him from being able to play. Closet of Dreams is a short chapter book that does read on the younger end of middle grade, and I thought it was both entertaining and somewhat silly in an endearing way. Child adds a dog, and circus animals to include an elephant, bear and hippo (who can speak) to the roster of his baseball team. The illustrations added appeal and I especially liked the full page one of the baseball field and thought it could interest kids who enjoy the sport.</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I guess the main thing that bothered me about the story is that the two main characters didn't have names besides "Child" and "Gamma." Although, I get that this was intentional as they were characters from the world that the authors created as kids, it just made it difficult for me to connect with Child somehow. Purely a me thing. Overall, I thought the highlight of the book was the messaging of overcoming one's fears so that one's dreams can come true. Child ultimately developed the courage he needed to succeed. I also really liked that Child showed empathy toward Eddie when he witnessed Eddie's mother yelling at him and felt this was a special moment that helped him develop a better understanding for why Eddie behaved the way he did and the amount of pressure that he was under at home. </span></span></i><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Overall, a nice story that shows a little kindness toward others can go a long way. </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></i><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">About the Authors</span></i></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;"></span></i></span></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-11645 alignleft" decoding="async" height="262" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://booksforward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mark_Tara-300x262.jpeg" srcset="https://booksforward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mark_Tara-300x262.jpeg 300w, https://booksforward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mark_Tara.jpeg 550w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin-right: 1.5em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Co-authors Mark Ukra (Child) and Tara Mesalik MacMahon (Gamma) are brother and sister and lifelong best friends. Mark is the author of </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Ultimate Tea Diet</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> (HarperCollins), and Tara is a Pushcart Prize–nominated poet and award-winning author of </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Barefoot Up the Mountain</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> (Open Country Press). Her poems appear widely in literary journals and anthologies, including those from Red Hen Press, Nimrod International Journal, Poet Lore, Jabberwock Review, among many others. </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mark and Tara based Closet of Dreams upon their own childhood Closet of Dreams, where the make-believe world of Child and Gamma came to life. Mark was “Child”; Tara was “Gamma.” Book II is already in the works, where Child and his friends race to rescue Starr, a magical baby elephant in Botswana. Learn more at: </span><a href="http://www.childandgamma.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 1px solid; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">www.childandgamma.com</span></a><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">**A huge thank you to Books Forward for the recommendation**</span></i></span></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><br /></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-61649142102163334552024-02-13T06:00:00.002-07:002024-02-13T06:00:00.250-07:00The Princess Protection Program by Alex London<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipToO3vOpwAD0jtIyj3cBg5HAyQxrJHa_iLtdeolnIPgmZyWAg-bmEn7zy5Gwcbz9JCbf2WfAP4x5f0eEqrtMOLBegX10IaoQgH0gIsep3Iu4CL3qPwBdTFxPRRQQmS98iCbOh53yP4Q-T81oNTw4_jh8pBuFuMfmhKbcPAuf0txy3YeXxGReQsDXGdFM/s1000/Princess.protection.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="662" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipToO3vOpwAD0jtIyj3cBg5HAyQxrJHa_iLtdeolnIPgmZyWAg-bmEn7zy5Gwcbz9JCbf2WfAP4x5f0eEqrtMOLBegX10IaoQgH0gIsep3Iu4CL3qPwBdTFxPRRQQmS98iCbOh53yP4Q-T81oNTw4_jh8pBuFuMfmhKbcPAuf0txy3YeXxGReQsDXGdFM/s320/Princess.protection.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">The Princess Protection Program by Alex London<br /></span></b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Greenwillow Books<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Hardcover<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> 224 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Published:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> February 13th, 2024<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Source: </b>Blue Slip Media</i></span></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Opening Line: </b>"Once upon a time, there was a young princess, as kind and curious as she was clever, who a witch cursed into a deep and endless sleep."</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">Cursed by an evil witch, Princess Rosamund lies sleeping within the castle when suddenly she is awakened by a prince leaning in for a kiss. Startled by his brazen actions, not to mention his powerful stench and chapped lips, she quickly dashes away and hides in the water closet. Then suddenly, Rosamund finds herself standing outside the Orphan's Home Educational Academy (HEA), with no idea how she got there. </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">Soon she is approached by two girls wearing blazers with a crest on it and a plaid skirt. They introduce themselves as Sirena and Rana and accompany her to meet Verna the headmistress of HEA. Verna explains that Rosamund has joined a long line of princesses, with one prince, Charlie, </span></span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">at HEA </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">with the goal of the academy to keep them safe and help them adjust to their new "reality," via classes in taking selfies, learning the latest viral dances and teaching them how to use social media. Lurking outside the walls of their academy are Uponatimes, hideous monsters whose only purpose is to consume their princess, thus returning them to their story.</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">While Rosamund is relieved that she won't be kissing any prince soon, she's also mildly disoriented and full of questions about her new world. Like why were they brought to this school, and what happens when they graduate? Yet, no one seems to know the answer. Just as Rosamund begins to settle in, she observes Sirena and Rana sneaking out, curious she follows them, and they have their first encounter with the Uponatimes when Sirena is attacked and disappears. Upon Rana and Rosamund's return to the academy they're given the punishment of cleaning the school, which is when Rosamund begins to notice something peculiar, she can't figure out what she did that got her in trouble and as the effects of her perpetual cleaning wear off she even recalls that Serena is gone. Faced with this new realization, Rosamund and Rana vow to find the answers they need to bring their friend back. </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">The Princess Protection Program takes all the timeless fairy tales that you thought you knew and possess the question what if the princesses in these fairytales weren't happy with their story and what if they instead wanted to change it? It's a super fun twist that shows the importance of choosing your own path. The princesses learned that they didn't need the protection of the school, what they needed instead was the opportunity to make a choice, to figure out who they wanted to be and not be constrained by their stories. It's a really humorous story, filled with moments like waking up to a sweaty prince who's trying to kiss you or having to kiss a frog. Quite fun. I enjoyed all the nods to fellow middle grade authors and especially loved the idea of the Doors of Opportunity. It was also interesting to think about what happened to the characters that were left behind when the princesses left their story. Like what the prince did after Rosamund disappeared from the water closet. Yes, quite an entertaining read. </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"> </span></span></i></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-25485163927115282142024-02-12T06:00:00.008-07:002024-02-12T06:00:00.485-07:00For Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, A review of I Am, I Can, I Will: A Guided Journal of Self-Discovery for Black Girls by Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter & Ruth Chamblee Illustrations by Steffi Walthall<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b><i></i></b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kdTDmy1UkRzzFESmM8B9Z2AWx2ToYuJ_bRqkwYiCIVteik1r1rO95G5-4Qmwcd7YR4cilwggA5ffOq-bctQeRIiN0Dk9VIgSrgKpzcK0PPWS32tkqLUfYKwzW12OcE-uaoddp49f1U9ARUYAFE6dVM9TCEsgupdFfHxDiFb_bxs0gLds7lqAV6lgzx8/s200/mmgm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kdTDmy1UkRzzFESmM8B9Z2AWx2ToYuJ_bRqkwYiCIVteik1r1rO95G5-4Qmwcd7YR4cilwggA5ffOq-bctQeRIiN0Dk9VIgSrgKpzcK0PPWS32tkqLUfYKwzW12OcE-uaoddp49f1U9ARUYAFE6dVM9TCEsgupdFfHxDiFb_bxs0gLds7lqAV6lgzx8/s1600/mmgm2.jpg" width="200" /></a></i></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b><i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI7hOt-Rj2NfYqGWHNPaEeohpSfSO_vLVD8RdpKIid2C7_EsurevduNywjK2H2yn_9E2rP0dBb1JK_nbw5KdXSbjDfRMhzqgovxCpcqybxTZHa2-mLTeC3SKDbkb_bTwWWs9kA990Jfwm4uvylWcpNX_b_E8U7eBb5Z2kC9BHJhQB5p64YQigBG0QUp4/s466/iam.ican.iwill.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="322" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI7hOt-Rj2NfYqGWHNPaEeohpSfSO_vLVD8RdpKIid2C7_EsurevduNywjK2H2yn_9E2rP0dBb1JK_nbw5KdXSbjDfRMhzqgovxCpcqybxTZHa2-mLTeC3SKDbkb_bTwWWs9kA990Jfwm4uvylWcpNX_b_E8U7eBb5Z2kC9BHJhQB5p64YQigBG0QUp4/s320/iam.ican.iwill.jpg" width="221" /></a></i></b></span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-style: normal;"><b><i>I Am, I Can, I Will: A Guided Journal of Self-Discovery for Black Girls by Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter & Ruth Chamblee<br /></i></b></span><i><b>Publisher:</b></i><i><b> </b>Workman Publishing Company<br /></i></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Hardcover<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> 176 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Published:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> January 16th, 2024<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Source: </b>Publisher via Media Matters Publicity</i></span><p></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Opening Line: </b>"You're about to go on a serious trip."</span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;">I Am, I Can, I will: A Guided Journal of Self-Discovery for Black Girls was co-written by Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Ruth Chamblee from the National Geographic Kids Books. The full color illustrations are by Steffi Walthall. The journal was designed to "inspire and introduce black heroines from the past and present to young girls of African descent, in the hopes that they will embrace and celebrate their rich heritage and use it as a springboard to realize their own dreams." </span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><i><span>The journal is divided into three signposts or sections, I Am, I Can and I Will. The first </span>section or I AM; provides a positive affirmation and quote from a historical or contemporary Black women. For example, the first entry in the book is about </i></span><i style="color: #073763; letter-spacing: -0.05em; text-align: center;">Loïs </i><span style="color: #073763;"><i>Mailou Jones and comes with the affirmation, I Am What I Create. The quote includes "The wonderful thing about being an artist is that there is no end to creative expression. Painting is my life; my life is painting." Next there is a brief synopsis of </i></span><i style="color: #073763; letter-spacing: -0.05em; text-align: center;">Loïs </i><span style="color: #073763;"><i>Mailou Jones</i></span><span style="color: #073763;"><i> life as a painter and highlights her significant contributions to the Harlem Renaissance art movement. Emphasis is made on her determination and perseverance in having her art shown in American museums. Following each important historical figure are a few blank pages in which the reader is encouraged to discuss a subject or activity they love, to draw a picture of a person or place that inspires them or even to write their own poetry. Thus, </i></span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">encouraging the reader to reflect and make comparisons to the historical person's unique qualities, beliefs or experiences and how these traits make an individual who they are. </span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The next section is titled, I Can and includes such historical figures as Wilma Rudolph, an Olympic gold medalist in sprinting, Bessie Coleman a daredevil stunt pilot and many more famous women. This section reflects the challenges that these Black women overcame in order to be successful, be it illness as a youth, finding opportunities when prevented from realizing their dreams, or exceeding everyone's expectations through hard work and perseverance. The flow of the story pages follows the one above with an aspiration, quote and background information about the person referenced. Again, there are prompts with blank pages so that the reader can explore any obstacles that might be standing in their way, or what challenges they've faced or had to overcome themselves. There is also lots of space to discuss their opinion about the various topics presented in this section.</span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The last section is titled, I Will and is designed for the reader to think about what their dreams, goals and aspirations are. Some of the women discussed include an author, marine aviator, a published author, poet, and even a noble prize winner. The written prompts encourage the exploration of the readers personality traits, what others think of them, their uniqueness, and accomplishments. The very end of the book closes with a prompt to write about what the reader learned from reading these thirty-five women's incredible stories, to create a list of declarations of things that they will do, space to discuss an important or special woman in their life that inspired them and to finally write out an empowering I AM, I Can and I Will statement.</span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I know this is a very brief synopsis of the book, but I hope it gives you an idea of its content. I really liked</span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> that the reader could skip around completing whichever writing prompts that they wanted and could come back later to add more information or to complete those that were skipped. The emphasis is entirely on how they would like to use the journal and not that each page has to be filled in.</span></i><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> There are so many wonderful and inspiring women in this book covering many different professions, ages and time periods. From Ancient pharaohs to women from all walks of life. Be it athletes or activists, significant historical figures like Michelle Obama or Harriet Tubman. I think a young Black girl could draw courage, strength or inspiration from these women, and that they could feel a connection to these women's stories and a sense of a shared history. I can see this as a wonderful book celebrating Black History Month and especially as a mother and daughter read, that could open up discussions and provide a place to share their thoughts and reflect on the writing prompts together. Defiantly provides for a bonding experience and an opportunity for self-discovery. I personally learned about so many incredible women who I've never heard about before. Women like "Stagecoach" Mary Fields, who </span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">was a sharpshooter and protected her wagon to deliver </span></i><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">mail in Cascade, Montana (my home state). Overall, an inspiring an empowering book. </span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"> </span></span></i><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent;"><i style="font-family: georgia;">I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog<b> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a></b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;"> </span></i><i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span><i style="background-color: transparent;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">** A huge thank you to </span></i><i style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Media Matters Publicity for the hardcover copy which will be donated to my local little free library.**</i><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></span></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-9710308673771332422024-02-05T06:00:00.013-07:002024-02-05T06:00:00.369-07:00NOT THE WORST FRIEND IN THE WORLD by Anne Rellihan Blog Tour with Excerpt and Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSo54vClIs69gZXCqkgRm2PuWoZMRLBlFfCxM8gZL67EIgFRvjUf4T5if5gKJZp0eFIqZlCJL_AaKAg2-Rb9ZOwsu64VDkv6UksyVR2ahtZCBi1DUppdpb-mPSYnZHoIa_1u9mexKNOb0GUuIkhuQZemBifVqGTCFTPLwel_Hl-0-5DlgRhZni7f7UjgOb/w400-h156/NOT%20THE%20WORST%20FRIEND%20IN%20THE%20WORLD.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Today, I am thrilled to be hosting a spot
on the NOT THE WORST FRIEND IN THE WORLD by Anne Rellihan Blog Tour hosted
by </span><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Rockstar
Book Tours</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway! <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>About The Book:</i></span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk157939802"></a><a name="_Hlk132199525"></a><a name="_Hlk132202540"></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://books2read.com/NOT-THE-WORST-FRIEND-IN-THE-WORLD" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5M2VM1AbeaojzGDwUzFUgVfEJz8OtoynOlNRurwU_GFWw4pmviX6jNswxh9m9a-cDS3fdG6mCF8vM3GgNLDdqmthW1H1l47EtiXUGOCIqQdXkjQ_Sba2qMqzMQ1NcaCZJ_-9FDz_KGkQ3vJz1G5vGJB1YZ0dOqECL1JR_jQ7AkW6yO8Fp312J1Vu2a5U/w266-h400/81B331oE04L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></b></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Title:</span></b></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> NOT THE WORST FRIEND IN THE WORLD<br /></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><i style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Author: </span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Anne
Rellihan<br /></span></span></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Pub. Date:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> February 6, 2024<br /></span></span></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Publisher: </span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Holiday
House<br /></span></span></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Formats:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Hardcover, eBook<br /></span></span></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Pages:</span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> 272</span></span></span></span></span></i><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Find it: </span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://books2read.com/NOT-THE-WORST-FRIEND-IN-THE-WORLD"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Goodreads</span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">https://books2read.com/NOT-THE-WORST-FRIEND-IN-THE-WORLD</span></span></span></span></span></a></i></span></p>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132199525;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk132202540;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157937025;"></span>
</i></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Can Lou Bennett keep a secret? She’ll
do just about anything to prove herself to her new friend—and the best friend
she betrayed—in this debut novel that is a modern-day Harriet the Spy with
high emotional stakes.</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
<br />
It’s the thirty-fourth day of sixth grade at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Catholic School in Missouri, and eleven-year-old Lou wishes she could rewind
time.<br />
<br />
Lou wants to go back to the ninth day of sixth grade—the day before she
fought with her best friend Francie and said the terrible, horrible things she
can’t unsay. Or better yet, she would go back to fifth grade when Francie was
still the Old Francie.<br />
<br />
Then the new girl, Cece Clark-Duncan, passes Lou a mysterious note. It says she
was kidnapped. (!) If Lou can help Cece, maybe she can prove she’s not the
world’s worst friend.<br />
<br />
But as observant Lou uncovers the complicated truth about Cece’s family, she
starts to panic. Can she help Cece without hurting her? Or will Lou end up
losing another friend instead?<br />
<br />
Anchored by an outstanding voice and a page-turning mystery, this remarkable
debut novel honors the powerful middle school friendships that can both break
and heal a tender eleven-year-old heart. Perfect for fans of Fish in a
Tree and My Jasper June.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk157939802;"></span>
</i></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></i></o:p></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="text-align: center;"><i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Not the Worst Friend in the World</span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></i></b><b style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>By <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Anne Rellihan</span></span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Excerpt for
Rockstar Book Tours</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Excerpt
from </span><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Not the Worst Friend in the World</span>
</i></b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">/ Text copyright © 2024 by </span><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Anne Rellihan</span></b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">.
Reproduced with permission fromHoliday House Publishing Inc. All rights
reserved.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Cece Clark-
Duncan passed me a note on the thirty- fourth day of sixth grade.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">If she had passed it twenty-five days earlier, I might have ignored
it. Or worse, showed it to Francie.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">At first, I didn’t believe the note was meant for me. Yet there was my
name, plain as day, carefully written across the front in bubbly print— <i>Louise</i>. She’d even put a heart above the<i> i.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">My name is Louise Bennett, but the fact that she’d written “Louise”
revealed her newness. Only teachers and my grandmother call me Louise. Everyone
else calls me Lou. Francie shortened it the day I met her in kindergarten. She
said Louise sounded like a grandma name, so she made it better. I liked Lou
more, too. Louise held on to her mom’s leg at the playground because she was
scared of the slides and the big kids. Lou was brave and smart and funny. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">She </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">had to be.
Francie Fitzpatrick was her best friend.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Emphasis on was. Past tense. Because then sixth grade happened. And
Tommy Maguire happened. And the dumb fight happened. And just like that, I
became invisible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">So there I was, trying to pretend I didn’t care about any of it, when
I got a note from the only sixth grader who was a bigger outsider than me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">It happened during our first geography quiz of the year. The end of
September and it was still blazing hot in Mayfield, Missouri. I sat at my desk
sweating through my white uniform shirt. Sweat pooled under my arms and my legs
stuck together underneath my plaid skirt. My dark<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">hair hung in
clumps on my neck and frizzed around my freckled face. But being invisible made
it easier to forget the frizz and focus on my plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">My plan had one step.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Step 1: Get Francie to
talk to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">It was written on a clean page of my leather- bound notebook. I had
underlined Step 1 about a million times, drew doodles all around it, but was no
closer to accomplishing it. A plan isn’t much of a plan with only one step. I
was stuck remembering those text messages and hearing myself say the terrible,
horrible things I couldn’t unsay over and over again. It had been more than
three weeks, and that day kept replaying in my mind like a movie. I about threw
up<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">every time I
watched it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">I didn’t blame anyone for hating me. If I’m being honest, I hated me,
too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>About Anne Rellihan</span>:</i></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://annerellihan.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2716" data-original-width="1850" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sJzET055hpg4QsSUDVfAL1OXuH2GFc64Fu-FQrMh1f9nko5b8Q0w3XN-7zQeBV6hCFGSba2a01uVQXDEM3oMC6Bov8WGZJdlr5RSMWQ2rdFV4OKrEYnNQM-xeqIsqLxYEjT0A4_uRNdnneMTcIXjkgX1RiM5MNU_j_kI7BVvkyazjvwxBsRsH6sqBJwr/s320/Anne.jpeg" width="218" /></i></span></a></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Anne Rellihan</span></b><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> is a former elementary school teacher and an alumna
of Teach for America with a master’s degree in education from Columbia
University. She lives in Kansas with her husband and four children. When she’s
not writing, Anne volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. This is her
debut novel. Find her online @AnneRellihan and annerellihan.com.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://annerellihan.com/"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Website</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"> | </span><a href="https://twitter.com/annerellihan"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Twitter</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anne.rellihan/">Instagram</a> | </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/35434557.Anne_Rellihan"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Goodreads</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> | </span></span><a href="https://amzn.to/3waknTM"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Amazon</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> | </span></span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/anne-rellihan"><span style="line-height: 107%;">BookBub</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;">Giveaway Details: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of NOT THE WORST FRIEND
IN THE WORLD, US Only.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;">Ends February 20th, midnight EST.</span></p><p></p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba21789" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21789/" id="rcwidget_ly6h4l5a" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b><u><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 19.26px;">Tour Schedule: </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 19.26px;">Week One:</span></u></b></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/5/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">A Dream Within A Dream </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/5/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://logcabinlibrary.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Log Cabin Library</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Excerpt <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/6/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.yabookscentral.com/ya-books-blog/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">YA Books Central</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/6/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://fireandicereads.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Fire
And Ice Reads</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/7/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://darkfantasyreviews.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">@darkfantasyreviews</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/7/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://bookreviewvirginialee.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Review/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/8/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://kountrygirlbookaholic.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Kountry Girl Bookaholic</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/8/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://kimberlybartosch.wixsite.com/blog"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Review/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/9/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.pawsreadrepeat.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">@paws.read.repeat</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Review/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/9/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/evergirl200/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">@evergirl200</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">IG Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/10/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/callistoscalling"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Callisto’s calling </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">IG Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/10/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/avainbookland/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Avainbookland</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">IG Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b><u><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 19.26px;">Week Two:</span></u></b></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/11/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/dana.loves.books?igsh=MXg1dzVhc2MxOGQ1cw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr"><span style="color: #1155cc;">@dana.loves.books</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">IG Review/TikTok Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/11/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.reviewthickandthin.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Review Thick And Thin</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Review/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
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<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2/12/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-59854948580185541562024-01-31T06:00:00.006-07:002024-01-31T06:00:00.465-07:00The Great Weather Diviner: The Untold Origin of Punxsutawney Phil by Rob Long & Andrew Dolberg<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC0YLxiwoHaLQa5dPR4eQ205qY1QbuwFq6sWX028Zr_Q9q6EIXHlSwGxcLXmmLWYMzgh1RQsEVOLxoPp2V51o99kSIT-qvOBQd1m4hZ5UdU75MQ49OIhwBcGx9nRuPYKpwBXVPZsqbJWUhKDAL6CaRCgKkhodgs9yRtpKWFPYyvJ-QINBckobASDFOXs/s400/TheGreatWeatherDiviner.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC0YLxiwoHaLQa5dPR4eQ205qY1QbuwFq6sWX028Zr_Q9q6EIXHlSwGxcLXmmLWYMzgh1RQsEVOLxoPp2V51o99kSIT-qvOBQd1m4hZ5UdU75MQ49OIhwBcGx9nRuPYKpwBXVPZsqbJWUhKDAL6CaRCgKkhodgs9yRtpKWFPYyvJ-QINBckobASDFOXs/s320/TheGreatWeatherDiviner.jpg" width="207" /></a> <span style="font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">The Great Weather Diviner: The Untold Origin of Punxsutawney Phil by Rob Long & Andrew Dolberg<br /></span></b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Morgan James Kids<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;">Paperback<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> 270 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Published:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"> November 7th, 2022<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><b>Source: </b>Books Forward</i></span></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Opening Line: </b>"Chaos surrounded them."</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">With Groundhog's Day quickly approaching, what better way to celebrate than reading a retelling or reinterpretation of the famous weather prognosticator, Punxsutawney Phil.</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The opening chapter of The Great Weather Diviner provides the historical context of the Halwe War (</span></span></i><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">a legendary war in which seven animal guardians came to the aid of Erda saving the realm from the White Demon and his Revenants) in the way of a bedtime story told by </span></span></i><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lord Phillip Rodington to his young groundhog son Junior. Junior has always loved this story because his grandfather was the hero responsible for the ultimate demise of the White Demon by using the Sacred Gnomon, the families divining staff to pulverize him into ash. Ever since that time, the Rodington's have held a place of prestige in Erda, with each elder becoming the mayor, responsible for the mine, and control over the weather. One day Junior is to inherit it all. </span></span></i></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then one day Erda experiences a torrential rainfall that causes serious flooding, chaos and destruction within the town. Many villagers are displaced from their homes, with the mine being hit the worst, as many of the workers are trapped below. Junior's father ventures out to comfort the town and miners, leading to Junior overhearing him telling two very different stories to the townies and delvers, attempting to placate them both. Unhappy with the whole situation, Junior argues with his father, even calling him a liar. Confused by why his father's skills as a diviner couldn't predict the oncoming storm, Junior becomes even more upset. Later his mom explains that his father could've been safe at home but that he chose to go out and make sure people had food and shelter. She emphasizes that all his father is doing is to protect the town. Feeling remorseful and that maybe he jumped to conclusions, Junior begins to ponder what his grandfather would have done, and whether or not this is a time for the guardians to reappear and save their town again. Hoping for answers, Junior ultimately decides to embark on a journey in search of the legendary guardians. Along the way, Junior learns some hard truths about his family's weather divining abilities, his ancestors and that many of the legends he's been told are not as they seem. </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Great Weather Diviner was pitched as a Redwall-inspired conservation fantasy. Come on who could pass up on that description? I do see twinges of Redwall and found it to be a really interesting fantasy that draws from nature, the art of storytelling, questioning what we've been told and the premise of whether someone can be a hero and a villain? The perils of climate change, over resilience on coal mining and fossil fuels are emphasized, and the need for nature conservation and mechanisms for its protection are highlighted in the story. There is even a list of animals that are extinct or near extinction, and the reasons why included at the back of the book, which really drives in the point that saving these animals is important. It's a fast read and an interesting spin on the legendary tale of Groundhog Day. It's thought provoking and would make an excellent read-aloud leading to discussions about living in harmony with nature. The authors are even donating a portion of the proceeds toward Habitat for Humanity in the Greater Palm Beach area. </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">**A huge thank you to Books Forward for the paperback book in exchange for an honest review.** </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></i></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-37530874143926924382024-01-29T06:00:00.002-07:002024-01-29T06:00:00.155-07:00It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of Mansa Musa: The Richest Man In History from Our Story Media (Non-Fiction, Biography)<div><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVTG5rOEQGC-Y9lkh6zpDBK7ZB4yycOAPraHz_2V9Y-MOTb5djYsSx1jLw4UerP38VKjeuYlqIHeXA7hDvyTHWgmzxHXxL1JF_Sxk6bqzcNepyrUKkeRiFK4kChJXZRDqbfZn6npuFiQFM1mdhnHlvQKJr4B-brjJnpknD_z-rPKrdxEwwndOH2SQGI0/s200/mmgm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVTG5rOEQGC-Y9lkh6zpDBK7ZB4yycOAPraHz_2V9Y-MOTb5djYsSx1jLw4UerP38VKjeuYlqIHeXA7hDvyTHWgmzxHXxL1JF_Sxk6bqzcNepyrUKkeRiFK4kChJXZRDqbfZn6npuFiQFM1mdhnHlvQKJr4B-brjJnpknD_z-rPKrdxEwwndOH2SQGI0/s1600/mmgm2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div><div><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-28705" data-attachment-id="28705" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="mansa musa" data-large-file="https://momreadit.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/mansa-musa.jpg?w=326" data-medium-file="https://momreadit.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/mansa-musa.jpg?w=210" data-orig-file="https://momreadit.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/mansa-musa.jpg" data-orig-size="326,466" data-permalink="https://momreadit.com/2024/01/16/our-story-media-group-introduces-overlooked-historical-figures/mansa-musa/" height="300" sizes="(max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px" src="https://momreadit.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/mansa-musa.jpg?w=210&h=300" srcset="https://momreadit.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/mansa-musa.jpg?w=210 210w, https://momreadit.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/mansa-musa.jpg?w=105 105w, https://momreadit.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/mansa-musa.jpg 326w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin-right: 1.5em; max-width: 100%;" width="210" /><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Mansa Musa: The Richest Man in History, illustrated by Emanuel Colban</span><br /></b></i><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Our Story Media<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="font-family: georgia;">Softcover<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> 26 pages<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Published:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> June 2023<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Source: </b>Books Forward<br /><br /></i></span></span><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ourstory.media/&source=gmail&ust=1706031728589000&usg=AOvVaw2s9p-tzU_-Owoe_r0UvYm0" href="https://www.ourstory.media/" target="_blank">Our Story</a> is a new book series that is working in partnership with </i></span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-family: georgia;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://camfed.org/us/&source=gmail&ust=1706031728589000&usg=AOvVaw1g0kiNL9MuKetdT1AQKGyM" href="https://camfed.org/us/" target="_blank">CAMFED</a> </i><i style="font-family: georgia;">(The Campaign for Female Education) to </i><i style="font-family: georgia;">introduce young readers to "influential historical figures, many of whom are overlooked in Western curriculums." Each story is written for children ages 8-12, focusing on historical role models such as <span class="il">Mansa</span> <span class="il">Musa</span>, Fatima Al-Fihri, and Shen Kuo. The stories are designed to "inspire kids to reach their full potential" while learning about these significant role models. Each book comes with a </i><i style="font-family: georgia;">pronunciation guide, glossary, engaging activities like how to make an African fabric collage, and supplementary resources for further exploration. For each physical copy purchased the publisher, Our Story will fund a full day's education for a girl in need through CAMFED.</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Review:</b></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the first book in the series, the reader is introduced to Mansa Musa, who was the emperor of the Mali Empire from 1312 to 1337. He acquired his title as the richest man after having embarked on a pilgrimage to Makkah, the holy city of the Islamic faith. The story covers how his wealth was acquired and provides details of his journey, or Hajj pilgrimage, to include a diplomatic stop in Egypt to meet with the Sultan. Mana Musa was responsible for bringing many architects back to Mali and commissioning the construction of the world famous Djinguereber Mosque and the University of Timbuktu. He used his wealth to further his people's lives by providing many schools and libraries. </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Each page of Mansa Musa includes a few paragraphs of text, with one to two vocabulary words presented in bold font. Some of the words included caravan, dinars, Hajj, plummeted, etc. With a quick flip to the back of the book to the glossary there you'll find the definition. </span></span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I really like how the story part of each page is a different color, moving from orange, to blue to pink, etc. And that the other side of the page, with the illustrations, has this vibrant, textured looking illustration that matches the </span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">colorful palate of colors from the text. There's just a wonderful balance in how the page color matches the hues of color in the illustrations and I can see reader's really engaging with the story. I also really enjoyed the style of the illustrations, I'm no expert but there are a few that look like watercolors and they so beautifully reflect the scene in the accompanying text. I get the feel of looking at a tapestry in a museum with a few of the illustrations. Written with short paragraphs and delightful illustrations, I can see this piquing a child's interest to learn more about these historical figures.</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A recent BBC interview with the Our Story co-founder Fahad Siddiqui, in which he discusses the need for more global education resources. </i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jwM5OSS3MfY" width="320" youtube-src-id="jwM5OSS3MfY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-3427bd2c-7fff-8ad3-4e1f-4cad9875c78f"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Proxima Nova", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Our Story Media Group can be found at:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Proxima Nova", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-Story/pfbid0opCKLrnAZkFX6r2Ti3EEFXfaxf1nvRQfami6myShBg3VJrN2tteJ5iDHieNJXmXql/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Proxima Nova", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">@OurStory</span></a><span face=""Proxima Nova", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; 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margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face=""Proxima Nova", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Web: </span><a href="https://www.ourstory.media/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""Proxima Nova", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">www.ourstory.media</span></a><span face=""Proxima Nova", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><div><span face=""Proxima Nova", sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span></div><br /> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent;"><i style="font-family: georgia;">I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog<b> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a></b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;"> </span></i><i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> **And a huge thank you to Books Forward for the review copy, which I will be donating to my local Little Free Library**</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div></span></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-72895756034263975512024-01-24T06:00:00.032-07:002024-01-24T06:00:00.141-07:00Blog tour for City Spies: Mission Manhattan by James Ponti with Excerpt and Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1FWBf8ZjZCVBG0qnlg2dcOloIE3FTwxuC_NHAqrC9Rz46vGFydYNFHoNVFpkaP9UJoJMoBMTHX-zFa4UcQS-n45wIqKNfMnIFCoRdb8RZmizprC0dGC3dT0eienS6sn1tsvi1BB6Lm6bbtqjhSXDu41Bhor9nYCT7xYjU19Ac2cATjLZ7VzevtAFDwXc/w400-h156/MISSION%20MANHATTAN.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Today I am very excited to be hosting a spot on the CITY SPIES: MISSION MANHATTAN by James
Ponti Blog Tour hosted by </span><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Rockstar
Book Tours</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">. Check out my post and make sure to
enter the giveaway!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> <i> <b><span style="line-height: 17.12px; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #20124d;">About The Book:</span></span></b></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a name="_Hlk156648458"></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></b></span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://books2read.com/CITY-SPIES-MISSION-MANHATTAN" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1688" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAHOq9JCe2H9ULBQSDWRmjxKF07i_KhHk5PibfeP7WV4KBPaVDkvnITulEmsf3S3iehvdxCfqRuiV58vE6rMjDc68n4DFNcpQW1QeJ_1QBQN4OmO3iqO9RXNA8atJwjljMM9gcEWkeAyaT747RSIHKOUxoG4mnJEmnMvzNZANjhm7IVy_BUencIFJwPgD/w265-h400/City%20Spies%205%20-%20Cover.jpg" width="265" /></i></a></span></b></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Title:</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> CITY SPIES: MISSION MANHATTAN<br /></span></span></span></i></span><i style="color: #20124d;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Author: </span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">James Ponti<br /></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #20124d;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Pub. Date:</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> February 6, 2024<br /></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #20124d;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Publisher: </span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Aladdin<br /></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #20124d;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Formats:</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook<br /></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #20124d;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Pages:</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> 430</span></span></span></i></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Find it:</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <a href="Goodreads, https://books2read.com/CITY-SPIES-MISSION-MANHATTAN ">Goodreads</a></span></span></span></i></span></p>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125035717;"></span>
</i></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In this fifth installment in the New
York Times bestselling series from Edgar Award winner James Ponti, the
young group of spies take on New York City in another international adventure
perfect for fans of Spy School and Mrs. Smith’s Spy
School for Girls.</span></b></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><i>The City Spies head to the Big Apple when a credible threat is made to a young climate activist </i></span><i style="color: #20124d;">who is scheduled to speak in front of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. With Rio </i><i style="color: #20124d;">acting as alpha and a new member in their ranks, the team’s mission to protect a fellow teen </i><i style="color: #20124d;">takes them on an exciting adventure in, around, and even under the greatest city in the world </i><i style="color: #20124d;">as they follow leads to the outer boroughs, the UN Headquarters, and even the usually off-</i><i style="color: #20124d;">limits stacks that extend deep under the main branch of the New York Public Library.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i style="color: #20124d;"><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i style="color: #20124d;"><b><u>Excerpt from City Spies: Mission Manhattan by James Ponti:</u></b></i></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">1.</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">The Swarm</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Spy missions were nothing like spy movies. All Cairo had to
do was look in a mirror to see that. He was about to go undercover for the
first time, and rather than a tuxedo or finely tailored suit, he was wearing a
bumblebee costume. It was a padded onesie over a pair of black tights and was
very much <i>not </i>tailored.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“This thing’s giving me a
wedgie,” he complained, tugging at the seat of his costume.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“It was the best we could do
on such short notice,” replied Paris, who wore a matching outfit and was
smearing black and yellow greasepaint on his face. “When it comes to spycraft,
the bottom line is that comfort takes a backseat to blending in.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Maybe so,” Cairo replied.
“But right now, my backseat and bottom line are blending in with my underwear.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Paris laughed. It was a good
sign that Cairo was able to joke right before his first official mission. Most
people would’ve been too nervous. “Welcome to MI6,” he said. “It’s oh so
glamorous.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">They were in Venice, Italy,
because the Secret Intelligence Service had gotten word of a potential threat
at a global warming demonstration scheduled for St. Mark’s Square. The event
was organized by a group of teenage environmental activists known as the Swarm, whose members dressed accordingly at
protest rallies.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“You ready?” Paris asked
once he’d finished putting on his makeup.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Cairo nodded, gave his costume
one final tug, and said, “Let’s get buzzing.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">This was their first time in
Venice, and it would’ve been easy for them to get lost because the city was
spread across more than one hundred small islands, but they had help navigating
its baffling blend of bridges and alleyways. As they stepped out of their safe
house, they heard a loud buzzing that sounded as though a massive swarm of bees
was overtaking the city.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“What’s that noise?” Cairo
asked.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Vuvuzelas,”
answered Paris.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“You mean those plastic
horns fans play at soccer matches?”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“The Swarm uses them
whenever they march to a rally,” Paris explained. “All we have to do is listen
and follow.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Helpful,” Cairo said. “<i>Annoying</i>, but
helpful.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">As they tried to catch up
with the Swarm, the rest of the team was getting ready in St. Mark’s Square,
which the Italians called <i>Piazza San Marco</i>. Sydney and Brooklyn were stationed near the
security gates through which all the protesters had to pass, while Rio and
Monty were backstage keeping an eye on the speakers scheduled to talk at the
rally.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Kat was the alpha, which
meant she’d call the shots once the mission got underway. She was positioned on
the observation deck atop the bell tower overlooking the square. Four hundred
years earlier, this was where Galileo looked to the heavens with his newly
invented telescope and discovered order in the universe. Now it was where a
fourteen-year-old spy looked across a sea of demonstrators, hoping to figure
out which ones were a threat to the others.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Testing comms, one, two,
three,” she said into the microphone hidden in her jacket collar. “Can everyone
hear me?”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Roger that,” replied
Sydney.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Loud and clear,” Brooklyn
added.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“All good,” said Monty.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Good for me, too,” answered
Rio.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Kat waited a moment before
prodding, “Paris, Cairo, are you in range?”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“You’ll have to speak up,”
Cairo said, trying to be heard over the noise around them. “It’s pretty loud
over here.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">He and Paris had just joined
up with dozens of protesters dressed as bees and making a ruckus as they
paraded through the city. In addition to blaring vuvuzelas, some of them
pounded drums, while others chanted, “Be-a-triz! Be-a-triz!” in honor of their
leader.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“We’re on the Rialto Bridge
crossing the Grand Canal,” Paris said, raising his voice. “We should reach St.
Mark’s in about ten minutes.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“What about you, Mother?”
Kat said. “I know you can’t answer directly, but if you can hear us, let us
know by asking someone a question.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Mother was one of the two
adult agents who oversaw the team. MI6 had managed to place him inside Venice’s
state-of-the-art Control Room. This was the highly secretive—and somewhat
controversial—location where local authorities used a web of sensors, CCTV
cameras, and mobile-phone trackers to monitor every person visiting the city.
It would’ve caused an uproar if the Italians found out a British agent was
running a mission from here, so Mother couldn’t be overheard communicating
directly with the others. Instead, he turned to a nearby police officer and
asked, <i>“Dov’é il bagno?”</i></span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Seriously?” Sydney said
with a laugh. “That’s the best you could come up with?”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“You know what that means,
don’t you?” Kat asked.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Yes,” answered Sydney. “It
means ‘Where’s the bathroom?’”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“True, but it also means
that the comms are set and everyone’s in position,” Kat said. “And <i>that </i>means ‘This operation is hot. We are a
go!’”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">This was the phrase the
alpha said to launch every mission for the City Spies, an experimental team of
six covert agents, aged twelve to sixteen, who British Secret Intelligence sent
on assignments in which adults would stand out.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Chills,” Brooklyn replied.
“Every. Single. Time.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Shy and awkward by nature,
Kat had come into her own as the alpha on some recent high-value missions.
She’d been surprised by how much she’d enjoyed the role. “We are underway, and
the rally is set to start in twenty-three minutes,” she said, taking charge.
“That means open eyes and open minds. This is not a typical assignment.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“And by that, are you
referring to the part where we’ve been told to look for zombies?” Rio replied.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">There were snickers on the
comms.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Not just zombies,” Kat
replied. “I’ll settle for vampires, flesh-eaters, or any undead creatures you
may come across. We’re casting a wide net here.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">And that was the problem
with the mission. They didn’t really know what they were looking for.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Five days earlier, MI6
intercepted a partial message sent between criminal syndicates in Kazakhstan
and Turkey that discussed an attack in St. Mark’s to be carried out on this
date by . . . <i>the walking dead</i>.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">That was literally what it
had said.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">British analysts probably
wouldn’t have paid much attention to it if it weren’t for the fact that the
protest was happening at the same time world leaders would be in Venice for the
United Nations Climate Change Conference, which was being held across the
Giudecca Canal on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">The threat sounded like a joke
but couldn’t be ignored.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><i>“The
walking dead?”</i> Mother had asked when the team was given the
assignment by his superior. “Are you being serious? What does that even mean?”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“There are several
possibilities,” responded Tru, one of only a handful of high-ranking officials
at the Secret Intelligence Service who even knew that the City Spies existed.
“It’s either a code, a message that’s been garbled in translation from Kazakh to
Turkish to English, or the first sign of the zombie apocalypse. Whichever one,
we’re going to need someone there to keep an eye on things.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">The City Spies were chosen
to be that “someone” for two main reasons. First, because the rally was
sponsored for and by young people, it was easy for them to blend in. Second,
the team’s official cover was that they were all on student fellowships with the
Foundation for Atmospheric Research and Monitoring, a weather research center
in Scotland that was actually the headquarters for a covert MI6 operation. The
FARM, as it was known, was active in promoting climate change awareness, which
is how Monty and Rio were able to get backstage with the speakers.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><i>“Você
está nervosa?”</i> Rio asked Beatriz Santos, the sixteen-year-old
activist who was scheduled to give the main address at the rally.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">She smiled, pleasantly
surprised to hear someone speak in her native language.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><i>“Um
pouco,”</i> she replied, admitting that she was a bit nervous. <i>“Você é brasileiro?”</i></span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><i>“Eu
sou carioca,” </i>he replied, which meant that he was from Rio de
Janeiro.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Her eyes lit up and she
beamed. <i>“Eu também sou!”</i> she said. <i>So am I.</i></span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Although Kat was the alpha,
Rio had the most important assignment. He was supposed to get close to Beatriz
and watch over her since she was the most likely target of any attack. For him,
this was huge, not only because it was rare for him to get such an important
responsibility, but also because he was a massive fan of hers. He had to fight
feeling starstruck as they talked.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Rafael,” he said
introducing himself with his cover name. “But you can call me Rafa.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“I’m Beatriz,” she replied.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">He laughed. “Yeah, I think I
heard that somewhere.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">The chants of “Be-a-triz!
Be-a-triz!” were ringing through the crowd, and she gave an embarrassed cringe.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“That must feel incredible,”
he said. “People just cheering your name.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“It’s good for the cause,”
she replied. “But I don’t like the attention.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Really?” he asked,
surprised. “That’s too bad, because you sure get a lot of it.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">In just over two years,
Beatriz had gone from unknown concerned teenager to
world-famous environmental activist. What
started as a one-person protest outside the Brazilian National Congress had
grown into a global organization with members in ninety-seven countries.
Officially, she was the director of the International
Student Coalition to Protect Rainforests, but among her ardent
supporters, she was simply known as Queen Bea, which
is why they called themselves the Swarm.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Still,” Rio continued, “you
shouldn’t feel nervous about talking to a crowd that loves you so much.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“I’m not too worried about
the speech in the piazza,” she said. “But there are people across the water who
do not love me so much. It’s important that I don’t make any mistakes that give
them an excuse to ignore what I have to say.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">After her speech Beatriz was
scheduled to take the five-minute boat ride across the lagoon to San Giorgio
Maggiore so she could address the world leaders at the UN conference. It would
be an intimidating audience that included the US president and British prime
minister.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“How do you keep calm when
you have to speak to a group like that?”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“I think of the bees,”
Beatriz said.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“The ones who dress up and
chant your name?”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“No,” she replied. “The bees
who pollinate a third of the food we eat. They are essential to feeding the
world. Thinking about them reminds me that even if you are very small, you can
still be very important.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Rio flashed a charmer’s
smile and said, <i>“Você vai fazer fántastico.”
You’ll do fantastic.</i></span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">She held up both hands with
her fingers crossed.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Meanwhile, the crowd
continued to fill into the piazza.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“In case the incredibly loud
buzzing didn’t give it away, the Swarm just arrived at security gate number
one,” Sydney informed the others.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">Fences had been erected so
that anyone entering the square had to pass through a series of metal detectors
and magnetometers as well as get patted down by officers in black jackets that
read <span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">polizia</span> on the
back.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“I can even see our busy
little bees,” Sydney added once she spotted Paris and Cairo enter the pat-down
area. “Bumble One and Bumble Two.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Make sure to get photos of them
both,” Kat said.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“To document the mission?”
Brooklyn asked.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“No, for future blackmail
opportunities.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Gotta love Kat,” Sydney
said as she snapped some pictures. “Always thinking ahead.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“You’re all hilarious,”
Paris responded. “Besides, compared to the others, I think we look pretty
good.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Keep telling yourself
that,” Sydney said. “But you may be mistaking this for our mission in Egypt.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Why do you say that?” he
asked, confused.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Because you’re swimming in
‘da Nile,’” she joked, eliciting more laughter on the comms.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“You walked right into that
one,” Rio said.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“All right, that’s enough,”
Monty said, laughing with them. “Loose is good, but this mission is important.
We need to focus.” Monty was the other adult with the team. She was the
director of FARM and was backstage gathered with the parents and advisors who’d
accompanied the speakers.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“All kidding aside, I’m
wondering if more of us should’ve worn costumes,” Brooklyn said. “We would’ve
blended in better.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Why’s that?” asked Monty.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“So many people are wearing
them,” she responded. “In addition to all the bumblebees, there are people
dressed as endangered animals, environmental superheroes, and even some with
giant papier-mâché heads of the world leaders. It looks like Halloween at security
gate two. Right now, the police are trying to figure out how to deal with two
creepy bird-people pushing a giant globe.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“What’s the problem with
it?” Sydney asked.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“It’s too big to fit through
the metal detectors,” she replied.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“What do <i>creepy bird-people </i>even look like?” Cairo asked.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“They’re wearing black
cloaks, black hats, motorcycle boots, and white masks with big round eyes and
long beaks.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“Those aren’t bird-people,”
Paris said. “They’re plague doctors.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“What?” asked Brooklyn.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“In the Middle Ages, doctors
wore outfits like that when they treated patients who had the plague,” Paris
said. “They packed the beak with herbs and flowers to counteract the smell,
which is what they thought carried the disease.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“They may not be birds, but
the masks are still creepy as all get-out,” Brooklyn responded.</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">“That’s what people thought
in the Middle Ages too,” Paris answered. “They freaked out when they saw one of
the doctors arrive in their neighborhood because it meant someone nearby had
the plague and was sure to die. It was like a real-life grim reaper.”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</p><p class="paragraph" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun">There was a beat, and then
Kat said, “The walking dead!”</span><span class="eop"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3GX0KjU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="970" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdg2lijXfNnJAwF80kxZtI-_VP6FR5TpaJ4ztX-2SFB55o9wLCRY6YDfvTCGfhG0md1zipZrqDnCvZgPAKwqKE7ENUND3d7Z9DveJ8Qm42pTlQ8tybsNSYHuHEEfvXd9U8JMXAzXQRZmq2SbEGHXHbgUzkCD8RkvN5qhFYRAsZNgV4qB0_BgP-ZgTFq0t/w400-h248/5%20Books.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156648458;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><i><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Book
Trailer:</i></span></b></p><p></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eJGI-3xdFL0?si=dJBgWT6FFrPz9n-e" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><i>About
James:</i></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AULN9ETZvFhQegaYfgREBbc8vCKDIQMSV3Sj6B75i-j0kiFiFrUj6UnNIMhpWW4PjQJlvWooImuOUoeFReqz1yJsyxaBAqiEe6MLSslSkIce6D8jUaLh8jd5c4y9NcbZKu3Xxq2MylxOFFWAnVkWQxqNiwJxmaVjo1Cq4i1IvwGMuwnk7d7gIMFKTH9P/s250/James.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="167" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AULN9ETZvFhQegaYfgREBbc8vCKDIQMSV3Sj6B75i-j0kiFiFrUj6UnNIMhpWW4PjQJlvWooImuOUoeFReqz1yJsyxaBAqiEe6MLSslSkIce6D8jUaLh8jd5c4y9NcbZKu3Xxq2MylxOFFWAnVkWQxqNiwJxmaVjo1Cq4i1IvwGMuwnk7d7gIMFKTH9P/s1600/James.jpg" width="167" /></i></a></span></b></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">JAMES
PONTI </span></b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">(he/him/his)
is the New York Times bestselling author of three middle grade book
series: City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the
world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award–winning Framed! series,
about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead
City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath
Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award
lists and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle
Grade. James is also an Emmy– nominated television writer and producer who has
worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History,
and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando,
Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti.com.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.jamesponti.com/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Website</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> | </span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/JamesPonti"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Twitter</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamespontibooks/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Instagram</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamesPontiBooks/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Facebook</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/428662.James_Ponti"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Goodreads</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> | </span></span><a href="https://amzn.to/3cdOJqO"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Amazon</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><i><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Giveaway Details:</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><i>1 lucky winner will receive a finished
copy of CITY SPIES: MISSION MANHATTAN, US Only.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><i>Ends February 6<sup>th</sup>, midnight
EST.</i></span></p></div>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba21780" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21780/" id="rcwidget_ubz8jsn6" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
</i></span><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="color: #20124d;"> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b><u>Rockstar Book </u></b></i></span></span><b><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><u>Tour Schedule:</u></i></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Week One:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1/22/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/enthuse_reader">@enthuse_reader</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">IG Review/TikTok Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1/22/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://kountrygirlbookaholic.blogspot.com/">Kountry Girl Bookaholic</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1/23/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.yabookscentral.com/ya-books-blog/">YA Books Central</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1/23/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://darkfantasyreviews.wordpress.com/">@darkfantasyreviews</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1/24/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://littleredreads.com/">Little Red Reads</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1/24/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://logcabinlibrary.blogspot.com/">Log Cabin Library</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Excerpt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1/25/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.twochicksonbooks.com/">Two Chicks on Books</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1/25/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.ladyhawkeye.com/">Lady Hawkeye</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1/26/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com/">Satisfaction for Insatiable
Readers</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Review/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1/26/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/avainbookland/">Avainbookland</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">IG Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><u><br /></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b><u><br /></u></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><i><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">James Ponti’s In-Person Tour for the book:</span></u><span style="font-size: medium;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><u></u> </b></span><span style="color: #222222;"><u></u></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Tuesday, February 6 at 6:00pm ET<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.politics-prose.com/event/book/james-ponti-hena-khan-city-spies-mission-manhattan-drawing-deena-wharf&source=gmail&ust=1706030951339000&usg=AOvVaw2YQIrgrQsxzpJ2KFKpxXQt" href="https://www.politics-prose.com/event/book/james-ponti-hena-khan-city-spies-mission-manhattan-drawing-deena-wharf" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Politics and Prose at The Wharf</a> (Washington, D.C.)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In conversation with <b>Hena Khan<u></u><u></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Wednesday, February 7 at 6:00pm ET<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://booksofwonder.com/blogs/upcoming/nyc-launch-city-spies-mission-manhattan-by-james-ponti&source=gmail&ust=1706030951339000&usg=AOvVaw1TzHy2opgqOVLGuzCAPrCL" href="https://booksofwonder.com/blogs/upcoming/nyc-launch-city-spies-mission-manhattan-by-james-ponti" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Books of Wonder</a> (New York, NY)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In conversation with <b>Gordon Korman </b>and <b>Adam Gidwitz</b><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Thursday, February 8 at 6:00pm ET<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.rjjulia.com/event/james-ponti-mission-manhattan&source=gmail&ust=1706030951339000&usg=AOvVaw3resgzIi3SyBU8ZunhAGfD" href="https://www.rjjulia.com/event/james-ponti-mission-manhattan" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">RJ Julia Booksellers</a> (Madison, CT)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In conversation with <b>Jake Burt</b><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Friday, February 9 at 6:30pm ET<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.anunlikelystory.com/ponti&source=gmail&ust=1706030951339000&usg=AOvVaw0QJHh40TpJ7WkWyehjygK6" href="https://www.anunlikelystory.com/ponti" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">An Unlikely Story</a> (Plainville, MA)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Saturday, February 10 at 2:00pm ET<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-person-event-with-james-ponti-in-conversation-with-stuart-gibbs-tickets-741708228277&source=gmail&ust=1706030951339000&usg=AOvVaw18Sz2e9INVXOO5zbXGnT9h" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-person-event-with-james-ponti-in-conversation-with-stuart-gibbs-tickets-741708228277" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Bush Auditorium at Rollins College</a> (Winter Park, FL)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In conversation with<b> Stuart Gibbs</b></span></p></div>
Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-6382851628802672322024-01-23T06:00:00.036-07:002024-01-23T06:00:00.130-07:00Blog Tour for Drawing Deena by Hena Khan with Excerpt and Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6jZGA60s-3GTUGmChR8yirml-Lwh9xprmQ2k2nye7uRe724Uz29ZSDaA6lg2BV-0YuCAIFyO3qum_ljex_OTK0LpGzs_sp5B8D5ZuJl1le4dYUm3rPg5gi373B8UpD9zzNt8T6lsIIo6DlNgDDwOPdWLi0BYkORfCMvXOAJqUo1nz0uzk0vqowFSQn9I/w400-h156/DRAWING%20DEENA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I am super thrilled to be hosting a spot
on the DRAWING DEENA by Hena Khan Blog Tour hosted by </span><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Rockstar Book Tours</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">. Check out
my post and make sure to enter the giveaway! </span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>A</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">bout The Book:</span></i></span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk156644146"></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://books2read.com/DRAWING-DEENA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1687" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBsyqaOic9oRZB0cmNDqu5ug9-OiaPxLQxPF13AHlJpGOmMwfyimE6Sn8nZ48-NKFwCN5wGxDxJNlCGUSWFYcruP9NtTpi81MP9eSTQe2Ff2C4CuwPXVMfIO6PbYB_YWJY6i3vIZc2AZu09LdE8UAqNJj6XbW-bQTnG28FPL5RZO7Ac2QkTp4EDcVRqkT/w265-h400/Drawing%20Deena%20-%20Cover.jpg" width="265" /></a></span></b></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Title:</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> DRAWING
DEENA<br /></span></span></span></i></span><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Author: </span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hena Khan<br /></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Pub. Date:</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> February 6, 2024<br /></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Publisher: </span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Salaam Reads / Simon Schuster Books for
Young Readers<br /></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Formats:</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook<br /></span></span></span></i><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Pages:</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> 240</span></span></span></i></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Find it:</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <a href="Goodreads, https://books2read.com/DRAWING-DEENA">Goodreads</a></span></span></span></i></span></p>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk101957556;"></span>
</i></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">From the award-winning author
of Amina’s Voice and Amina’s Song comes a
tenderhearted middle grade novel about a young Pakistani American artist
determined to manage her anxiety and forge her own creative path.</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
<br />
Deena’s never given a name to the familiar knot in her stomach that appears
when her parents argue about money, when it’s time to go to school, or when she
struggles to find the right words. She manages to make it through each day with
the help of her friends and the art she loves to make.<br />
<br />
While her parents’ money troubles cause more and more stress, Deena wonders if
she can use her artistic talents to ease their burden. She creates a logo and
social media account to promote her mom’s home-based business selling clothes
from Pakistan to the local community. With her cousin and friends modeling the
outfits and lending their social media know-how, business picks up.<br />
<br />
But the success and attention make Deena’s cousin and best friend, Parisa,
start to act funny. Suddenly Deena’s latest creative outlet becomes another
thing that makes her feel nauseated and unsure of herself. After Deena reaches
a breaking point, both she and her mother learn the importance of asking for
help and that, with the right support, Deena can create something truly
beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156644146;"></span>
</i></span><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <u> </u></span><u>Excerpt from Drawing Deena by Hena Khan:</u></span></i></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ada8e9b1-7fff-b1a1-fa41-a617e2743f44"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">I open the door and Parisa bounds inside. My cousin is always in a hurry, whether she’s running
for the bus, walking to a store at the mall, or racing down the halls at school. I struggle to keep
up with her wherever we go together. It doesn’t help that she’s at least two inches taller than
me and has super long legs.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Be careful, this is still hot,” Saima Khala says, handing me a pot with two worn oven
mitts. “Put it on the stove.”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“What is it?” I ask.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Chicken pulao. Your mother said she didn’t have time to cook, and I was already
making this.”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Yum.” My aunt’s pulao is the best, but I’d never admit that to Mama.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>I take the pot, heavy with rice, and carry it to the kitchen, and Parisa sets a bag filled
with containers on the counter. Some are full, and others are empty and will probably go back
full. This is how it works between our families, there’s a constant exchange of food.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Leave the daal out and put the rest in the fridge. Where’s your mother?” Khala asks as
she opens a drawer and takes out a big spoon.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“I think she’s upstairs. Rubina Auntie just left,” I say.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Khala smiles and pats my cheek. She looks like a younger and more stylish version of my
mom although she’s a couple of years older than her. That’s something else I’d never tell
Mama.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“How are you?” she asks, her eyes piercing in a way that makes me feel like she cares,
and that she remembers what it’s like to be my age.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Good,” I say, smiling back. “But I haven’t started my homework or studying for my test.
We went to the dentist after school.”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“What kind of test?”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Science.”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Go study. Parisa can help you. She remembers what she studied last year, right?”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Oh yeah, of course,” Parisa says. “I remember every single thing I’ve ever learned in
school.” She grins at me.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Okay, smarty-pants, well don’t distract her then!” Khala smacks Parisa playfully on the
shoulder. “I’ll take care of this and help your mom.”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Come on,” I say to Parisa.
Parisa beats me up the stairs and heads to my room. It’s the smallest one in the house,
but I have a bigger closet than Musa. My cousin plops down on my bed and sticks out her
hand. Her nails are purple with a gold streak running through them.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“What do you think?”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Did you do them yourself?” I ask, taking her hand and looking at it closely.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Of course.”
“It totally looks professional.” I’m seriously impressed with Parisa’s nail art skills. She’s
been doing her nails since I was ten and she was eleven, and she’s gotten better and better
over time. It looks like she got them done at a salon, which she basically did.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Parisa’s mom started offering eyebrow threading to ladies in the community from home
a few years ago. She gradually added waxing, facials, and other skin care services. Now, my
Khala’s got a legit home-based salon and is always busy. Parisa knows a lot about it and helps
her mom out with booking appointments and other stuff. My cousin is the reason I’ve been
taking more of an interest in Mama’s boutique lately. Maybe I can help her business take off
the same way.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“You should let me do yours,” Parisa says, glancing at my nails, jagged in places from
where I chew on them. I try not to, but it’s a bad habit when I’m nervous.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“I’m good.” I clench my fists and hide my nails.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Come on, it’ll be fun. I’ve got a bunch of new colors,” Parisa says.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“It’ll get messed up when I do my art projects.” I shake my head. I don’t add that I’m
more interested in painting a canvas than either my nails or my face.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Fine.” Parisa fake pouts. “But you have to let me do your hair then. Honestly, Deena,
you would look so pretty if you curled your hair and put some anti-frizz in it.”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>I try not to react, even as her words grate on my nerves. My cousin’s always pointing
out how much better I’d look if I only did something to change myself.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“My hair’s fine,” I mumble, noticing how Parisa’s hair is shiny and smooth with loose
curls on the ends. I picture my own head, filled with tighter curls, topped with a layer of frizz.
But it takes too long to fight my hair into submission. And the few times I ever had it blow-dried
straight, I hated the way it made me look like a different person. I’m not interested in doing
that again, so Parisa can make me her project. No, thanks.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“You’re in seventh grade now, Deena. You should pay a little more attention to the way
you look. I didn’t care when I was younger either, but now I realize my mom’s right. It’s good to
take pride in your appearance.”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Is it though? I want to say. How much pride?
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>But instead, I swallow my irritation and try to think of a way to change the subject.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Want to help me choose which photo of you to use for my art assignment?” I ask.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Sure, Deenie Beenie.” Parisa is instantly interested, and she uses the nickname she’s
had for me since we were little. I pull up the photos of Parisa on my phone and swipe
through them. There’s one of her seated on my bed, another in a big chair, her gazing directly
into the camera, and my favorite, her reading a book.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“That one,” Parisa says, pointing. It’s the one of her looking directly into the camera.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>She’s got a teasing smile, like she’s hiding a secret.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Not the one with the book?”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“I look like a dork in that one. Plus, I like the way my hair is falling over my eyes here.”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Parisa made this decision easy. I pull out my pencils and my drawing pad. I’ve already
made a big grid with rulers on the page like my teacher Mr. Carey instructed. He said that
for portraiture it helps to make sure that you get proportions right. I prefer to freehand, but
he’s going to be checking our progress, so I have to do it this way.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>I start to sketch out a basic outline of the photo while Parisa watches.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Can you make my eyes a little bigger?” she asks. “And my nose a little smaller? Right
there.”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>She points at the photo.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“I’m getting graded on how much it looks like the photo,”
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>I laugh.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Yeah, but can’t you, like, put a filter on it?” Parisa grins.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Every time Parisa takes a picture of us, she messes around with it for a while using a
glam app. It makes your skin glow and does other things. By the time she’s done with it, we
almost look like different people, and then she posts it on her socials.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>I’m not allowed to have any accounts until I’m in high school but I wonder if her
followers would recognize me if they ever met me in real life.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Well, just make me look good,” Parisa says after I stare at her and don’t respond.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“You always look good,” I finally say. And I mean it. Parisa is a pretty girl, and she knows
it. At least I think she does. Because she also acts like she needs other people to remind
her.
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>I’m going to make sure her portrait is beautiful. But I’m not changing the way she looks.</span></span></p><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></b></i></span><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">About Hena Khan</span>:</i></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://henakhan.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="3530" data-original-width="2853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91aG7GYqwnjC64s2UzQbgnAaZjIcjcclUukk2IAhc1klXcrf-GvOekz_qka4017E7f0Ew92w2T5xreXXVmw0jkOUpGXgOxSPL8OPJYZjsTydqkNLHWnHcNLmCHjbvc59zlxhWuTlCPFiEsTwD73YLSlQie_yCRQ5kX92Rw-lCoLKAWvO64s4yHvSrh53z/s320/Hena.jpg" width="259" /></i></span></a></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a name="_Hlk115265372"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Hena Khan </span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;">is a Pakistani American writer. She is the author of the
middle grade novels Amina’s Voice, Amina’s Song, More
to the Story, and the Zara’s Rules series and picture books Golden
Domes and Silver Lanterns, Under My Hijab,
and It’s Ramadan, Curious George, among others. Hena lives in her
hometown of Rockville, Maryland, with her family. You can learn more about Hena
and her books by visiting her website at HenaKhan.com or connecting with her
@HenaKhanBooks.</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://henakhan.com/"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Website</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"> | </span><a href="https://twitter.com/henakhanbooks"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Twitter</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"> | </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hena.khan.books/"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Facebook</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"> | </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/henakhanbooks/"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Instagram</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"> | </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/170644.Hena_Khan"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Goodreads</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> | </span></span><a href="https://amzn.to/3fgLofU"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Amazon</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> | </span></span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/hena-khan"><span style="line-height: 107%;">BookBub</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><i>Giveaway Details: <o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><i>1 winner
will receive a finished copy of DRAWING DEENA, US Only.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%;"><i>Ends February
6th, midnight EST.</i></span></p><p></p>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba21779" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21779/" id="rcwidget_k1g1ag1c" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
</i></span><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic;"> </span><span><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Rockstar Book </u></span><u><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 17.12px;">Tour Schedule:</span></u></b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Week One:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1/22/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com/">Satisfaction
for Insatiable Readers</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Review/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1/22/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.yabookscentral.com/ya-books-blog/">YA
Books Central</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1/23/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://littleredreads.com/">Little Red Reads</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1/23/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://logcabinlibrary.blogspot.com/">Log Cabin
Library</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Excerpt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1/24/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://kountrygirlbookaholic.blogspot.com/">Kountry
Girl Bookaholic</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Excerpt/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1/24/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://darkfantasyreviews.wordpress.com/">@darkfantasyreviews</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1/25/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com/">A Dream
Within A Dream </a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Excerpt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1/25/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/callistoscalling">Callisto’s
calling </a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">IG Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1/26/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://jaelsjustreading.wordpress.com/blog/">@jael_and_jenessa_reads</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Review/IG Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1/26/2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/evergirl200/">AJ Johnson
</a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">IG Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"><br /></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"><br /></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"><br /></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Hena Khan’s In-Person Tour for the book:</i></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 2:00pm ET</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In-store event at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/hena-khan/&source=gmail&ust=1706030586151000&usg=AOvVaw2aDJa2D9Sny5JCVYX-AUqT" href="https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/hena-khan/" target="_blank">People’s Book</a> (Takoma Park, MD)<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In conversation with<span class="m_-3843909752957528109apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Sabaa Tahir</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i> <u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Monday, February 5, 2024 at 7:00pm ET</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In-store event at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.scrawlbooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1706030586151000&usg=AOvVaw1SyJ4_lzWn0AEm-jZrTraI" href="https://www.scrawlbooks.com/" target="_blank">Scrawl Books</a> (Reston, VA)<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In conversation with<span class="m_-3843909752957528109apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Saira Mir</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i> <u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Tuesday, February 6 at 6:00pm ET</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In-store event at<span class="m_-3843909752957528109apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.politics-prose.com/event/book/james-ponti-hena-khan-city-spies-mission-manhattan-drawing-deena-wharf&source=gmail&ust=1706030586151000&usg=AOvVaw0uyudnBlBnQMdEBJaMO_Ly" href="https://www.politics-prose.com/event/book/james-ponti-hena-khan-city-spies-mission-manhattan-drawing-deena-wharf" target="_blank" title="https://www.politics-prose.com/event/book/james-ponti-hena-khan-city-spies-mission-manhattan-drawing-deena-wharf">Politics and Prose at The Wharf</a><span class="m_-3843909752957528109apple-converted-space"> </span>(Washington, D.C.)<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In conversation with<span class="m_-3843909752957528109apple-converted-space"> </span><b>James Ponti</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b> </b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Thursday, February 8 at 6:00pm ET</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In-store event at<span class="m_-3843909752957528109apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://booksofwonder.com/blogs/upcoming/february-middle-grade-launches&source=gmail&ust=1706030586151000&usg=AOvVaw00mFTLtObpU6yBlty750E8" href="https://booksofwonder.com/blogs/upcoming/february-middle-grade-launches" target="_blank" title="https://booksofwonder.com/blogs/upcoming/february-middle-grade-launches">Books of Wonder</a><span class="m_-3843909752957528109apple-converted-space"> </span>(New York, NY)<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In conversation with<span class="m_-3843909752957528109apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Alyson Gerber</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b> </b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Saturday, February 10 at 2:30pm ET</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Off-site event at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hena-khan-launches-her-new-book-drawing-deena-tickets-772339206357?aff%3Debdssbdestsearch&source=gmail&ust=1706030586151000&usg=AOvVaw24_zg1BTE4kX1ZXqCNY-bl" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hena-khan-launches-her-new-book-drawing-deena-tickets-772339206357?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" target="_blank">Islamic Center of North Fulton</a> (Alpharetta, GA)<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In partnership with Little Shop of Stories<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In conversation with<span class="m_-3843909752957528109apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Aisha Saeed</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b> </b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Sunday, February 18 at 1:00pm ET</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062160666-0&source=gmail&ust=1706030586151000&usg=AOvVaw05khCdKgQKGRyIAEk8Q7xS" href="https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062160666-0" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> (Rockville, MD)<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>In conversation with<span class="m_-3843909752957528109apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Leah Henderson</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b> </b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Saturday, May 18, 2024</b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org/&source=gmail&ust=1706030586151000&usg=AOvVaw24ifJ33hU5roET0J-bNHn1" href="https://www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org/" target="_blank" title="https://www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org/">Gaithersburg Book Festival</a><span class="m_-3843909752957528109apple-converted-space"> </span>(Gaithersburg, MD)</i></span></p></div>
Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-37574746176465229392024-01-10T07:00:00.001-07:002024-01-10T07:00:00.139-07:00Where There's Smoke by E.B. Vickers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gCU19bwuUfyKTe7F-1hSrPnLWR12cjtNk2qa8IYaFq-1AUtKQmrq5n7Q9iy1WWqeEQSYVrW7thOepxi0KjfbJCufpQvdZCEOA8TJ4PKirop_Kd7vpyT6EBt8X5zn6neMQ0E3PAuq7K2O202Y12iSXr2aKHcFMLYNZTfml-3SfIYJG_V0JDbFD4uFjTE/s400/where.there's.smoke.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gCU19bwuUfyKTe7F-1hSrPnLWR12cjtNk2qa8IYaFq-1AUtKQmrq5n7Q9iy1WWqeEQSYVrW7thOepxi0KjfbJCufpQvdZCEOA8TJ4PKirop_Kd7vpyT6EBt8X5zn6neMQ0E3PAuq7K2O202Y12iSXr2aKHcFMLYNZTfml-3SfIYJG_V0JDbFD4uFjTE/s320/where.there's.smoke.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b>Where There's Smoke by E.B. Vickers</b></i></span><br /><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Knopf Books for Young Readers<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="font-family: georgia;">Hardcover<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> 336 pages<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Published:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"> December 12th, 2023<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Source: </b>Publisher</i></span></span><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Opening Lin</span><span style="font-size: medium;">e:</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">"The day we bury my dad, I am almost a ghost myself."</span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The story begins with</i></span></span><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Calli returning home following her father's funeral. He recently died in a mysterious barn fire, while her mother died a few years before from Cancer. Calli lives in a small town, where neighbors know neighbors, and everyone looks out for one another. Her support system includes the three nurses/friends her mom worked with and her uncle, the Bishop of the Church. It's o</span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">n the eve of her dad's funeral that Callie finds a young girl hiding under a blanket on her property. The girl is clearly frightened, bruised, "dirty and wild." At first the girl refuses to speak, but slowly Calli begins to coax bits and pieces of information out of her, and they agree to refer to her Ash.</span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just as Calli starts tending to Ash's wounds, Maggie, one of her mom's friends shows up at the house. Calli feels very protective of Ash, and she and Maggie begin to argue. After a few minutes, Maggie agrees to give Calli 48 hours to convince Ash to let them take her to social services and the hospital as there are clear signs that Ash has been abused and neglected.</span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Calli continues to keep Ash hidden while many friends and neighbors stop by to check on her and offer their condolences. Soon news reaches the town that a girl from Ash Creek, a religious fundamentalist community about an hour away from town was reported missing. Could this girl be Ash? And what exactly has happened to her?</span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where There's Smoke is a YA mystery/thriller. It includes the topics of religious fundamentalism, grief, and the harm of family secrets. There is a strong emphasis on who is a good versus bad person, ultimately leading to the question of who can you really trust? Each chapter of the book begins with a short poem that gives you the thoughts the other characters in the story are mulling over. The story alludes to a monster, and it is reflected in these poems. The story left me with a kind of disconcerting feeling that we never really know what people's intentions really are and that sometimes we might not really know someone as well as we thought that we did. </span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ash gives Calli a purpose after a very trying day. She pours her energy into trying to keep her safe and to hear her story. Throughout the book, Calli "hears" her father's voice, as she reflects on biblical verses from his teachings. She has this inner dialogue that is trying to help her reason out the situation. Mistrust is thrown at you from many different directions, is it the people who she knows best that harmed Ash, her ex-boyfriend, the police or is it someone from Ash Creek? The tension is done very well, and you can feel it escalating toward an ending that will keep some guessing. While the story doesn't end entirely on a happy note, it's satisfying and ties everything up by revealing all of the dark secrets. </span></span></span></i></div><p></p>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-4474255846224058152024-01-08T15:52:00.001-07:002024-01-08T15:52:46.350-07:00The Christmas Wager by Holly Cassidy<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTQ-jlQcAmBivA4QP58PdUcIN_c-t9F-Pbt-V6cr79wRqC7yc44KYtTVaU9YqN9qA_Ja6UNavF6QOpvvUKVRlxgFFpHNF6W-k_YSQza93Y1XKfNxKNXkVYRcD0EsZZ4TZyVA_v5JTxqZWlvObTi8i3BmO_bkZBG3RlAw9jmNFFktdVvglh6C7cwjXfac/s400/The.Christmas.Wager.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTQ-jlQcAmBivA4QP58PdUcIN_c-t9F-Pbt-V6cr79wRqC7yc44KYtTVaU9YqN9qA_Ja6UNavF6QOpvvUKVRlxgFFpHNF6W-k_YSQza93Y1XKfNxKNXkVYRcD0EsZZ4TZyVA_v5JTxqZWlvObTi8i3BmO_bkZBG3RlAw9jmNFFktdVvglh6C7cwjXfac/s320/The.Christmas.Wager.jpg" width="207" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>The Christmas Wager by Holly Cassidy<br /></i></b></span></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>G.P. Putnam's Sons<br /></i></span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;">Softcover<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"> 352 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"><b>Published:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"> September 26th, 2023<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;">Source: </b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;">Giveaway sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl. </span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>Opening Line:</b> "Bella, what did you do?"</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Sorry the blog has been a little quiet lately, I was away enjoying time with my family, reading and now catching up on my reviews. I hope everyone had a very nice beginning to their New Year! </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Christmas Wager was a pleasant surprise to my vacation. I don't usually read too many contemporary romances, heck I don't watch many Hallmark Christmas movies either (choosing to watch Elf, Home Alone and this year The Holdovers). But there was just something about that cover that stuck with me, spoke small town with lots of Christmas themed atmosphere. So, I was even more excited to have won a copy.</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Bella Ross is a real estate developer from LA whose been offered a cushy promotion if she can close a deal on the Always Noelle, a Christmas themed store in Maple Falls, Colorado. Bella's boss has stipulated that she has to purchase the store for less than the asking price in order to get the promotion. Bella generally loves her career and living in LA, she has aspirations about moving up the corporate ladder. Convinced that the deal is in the bag, she heads to Colorado, but just as she's about to sign the papers with the owner, his grandson, Jesse steps in putting a wrench in the deal. </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jesse see's Bella as this pushy woman from LA who's trying to undercut his grandfather. He feels the store is worth way more than she's offering. Besides, </span></span></i><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">it's "a place of legacy," not only being a landmark in the community, but it's also a place near and dear to Jesse. It's his family's store, he grew up here. Even though t</span></span></i><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">he store holds some sad memories for Jesse, he doesn't want him to sell it. Jesse's grandfather begins to waver about selling, and instead he purposes a wager. He want's both Bella and Jesse to enter the towns Holiday Games (a five-day series of tasks in strength, ingenuity and creativity) on separate teams. If Bella's team wins, he will sell the store for the initial price that she offered. If Jesse's team wins, Bella will have to up the price by $150,000. The two shake hands and the games begin. However, their little wager becomes increasingly complicated as the two begin to develop feelings for one another. Will this end Bella's chances at her promotion and potentially cause her to lose her job for agreeing to the wager without consulting with her boss first? Or will the real estate company potentially seal the deal and change the look of the store for good? Will they be able to get past the competition and have a relationship? </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Christmas Wager was such a delight to read and came at the most perfect time. I loved the dual point of view of Bella and Jesse and the light bantering. There's romantic moments and they really are a sweet couple. I adored the Holiday Games and every single task that the teams competed in sounded like so much fun. Especially the baking a scene from a movie. Why isn't this a real thing? It brings a new meaning to making a gingerbread house. The story just exudes winter and the spirit of the holidays, with all the feels of Christmas. Absolutely loved it. I think it's because I love small little towns and reading about one all decked out was quite fun, festive and cozy. As a sidenote Holly Cassidy has some holiday themed party game ideas on <a href="https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/2023/12/holly-cassidys-easy-holiday-party-games-author-guest-post/" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a> that are well worth taking a look at for next year.</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">**A huge thank you to Jana for the review copy, I'm defiantly going to be re-reading this again next December** </span></span></i></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-80361766190368272012023-12-18T06:00:00.023-07:002023-12-18T10:29:14.108-07:00It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of Looking Up by Stephan Pastis<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b></b></i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"></i></span></span></b></i></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8V6s73hgik0MfCUSpqoNw7EY3ozJBkdQq0CqOGczDDyIKDzVniXfCgmOLNXO1SN_sNAw8CPJnElJlj15YU57z_DKrUnXPUvlckIQzWfdyC68RvVy_yVc3oGTrwxaxfSYx5-bRqKAo_15EXwx__Y0FVC2B0Je0rhAVef0Xv8G7rfWvPgIDcKwq4vrlmg/s200/mmgm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8V6s73hgik0MfCUSpqoNw7EY3ozJBkdQq0CqOGczDDyIKDzVniXfCgmOLNXO1SN_sNAw8CPJnElJlj15YU57z_DKrUnXPUvlckIQzWfdyC68RvVy_yVc3oGTrwxaxfSYx5-bRqKAo_15EXwx__Y0FVC2B0Je0rhAVef0Xv8G7rfWvPgIDcKwq4vrlmg/s1600/mmgm2.jpg" width="200" /></a></i></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EdeRxuV7PVk16w8BBfrRqhVAuahk0TB4XvHlTIJoucweszjALgfexJgYso3ZbY6_BZ6LNZQMURcs7EO5YFY7z-NrKRkpbkfSJbrYMerFBiuL1fN7KXaRT3HqQxFitHUsllATxtUj_NMEuD0LBJF9I_FoCcLdr_1JyTiyrR2Y2sgo6A3wXBZTX5T42R4/s2045/Looking.up.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EdeRxuV7PVk16w8BBfrRqhVAuahk0TB4XvHlTIJoucweszjALgfexJgYso3ZbY6_BZ6LNZQMURcs7EO5YFY7z-NrKRkpbkfSJbrYMerFBiuL1fN7KXaRT3HqQxFitHUsllATxtUj_NMEuD0LBJF9I_FoCcLdr_1JyTiyrR2Y2sgo6A3wXBZTX5T42R4/s320/Looking.up.jpg" width="219" /></a></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Looking Up by Stephan Pastis<br /></b></i></span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Aladdin<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;">Hardcover<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"> 240 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><b>Published:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"> October 10th, 2023<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><b>Source: </b>Publisher</i></span><p></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Opening Line:</b> "You know you're a square peg in a round world when you find you're the only person at the birthday party defending the </span></span></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;">piñata</i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">." </span></span></i></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Saint and her mother live in the poorer part of town. Saint spends her time taking care of Dr. Rutherford B. Hayes, her pet turtle, collecting kneeling medieval knights and protecting anything that has a face, which includes birthday </span></span></i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><i>piñatas, gnomes and tailless donkeys</i></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">. Lately, Saint has been upset by all of the changes happening in her neighborhood. Places that she's loved to visit are slowly closing or are being torn down and replaced by condos and coffee shops. When her favorite toy store, Punch's Toy Farm is demolished, Saint knows it's time to act. So, she enlists the help of Daniel Mc Gibbons. The quiet round-faced boy from across the street and together they plan to save what's left of their little town.</span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stephan Pastis is the author of the Pearls Before Swine comic strip and the Timmy Failure series which has been adapted into the Disney+ movie Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made. Looking Up is a very sweet story about a very lonely little girl. Saint has complex feelings, and I quite enjoyed her use of big words. She is very bright and cares very deeply about her neighborhood. She's experienced a lot of changes over the last few years, and you get the sense that she's trying to work through everything going on around her. It's really interesting seeing her perspective on the changes. Saint also feels deeply hurt by her mother constantly breaking her promises. For example, when she promises to take Saint to her favorite toy store and then backs out of it. There's a part of this situation that Saint hasn't quite grasped yet, but I bet there are quite a few kids who would feel the same way as Saint does. Overall, the story really surprised me, </span></span></span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">the plot built slowly but wow that climax packed a punch, e</span></span></span></i><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">specially with the twist at the end that I never saw coming. What a bittersweet moment. Have a tissue handy. Saint is such a gem; she is so sweet to Daniel, and I just loved that she wanted to be his protector/knight. The black and white illustrations were adorable and added so much to the story. Yep, this is a keeper that I want to revisit again. </span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></i><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog<b> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a></b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;"> </span></i><i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span></span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></i></i></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>**A huge thank you to </span></span></span></i><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;">Aladdin and Simon and Schuster for the review copy**</i></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><br /></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-2880265027806018012023-12-15T12:52:00.001-07:002023-12-15T12:55:28.887-07:00Graysen Foxx and the Curse of the Illuminerdy by J. Scott Savage, illustrations by Brandon Dorman <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZgrpNbJRNbKpAGnE0tt4CvY8YBwhYn98oO56vc4aKNRx_bHpunC5Ps4t1dZrdpkWwZL7WGEM5Uv0EzZhz-6Kyy25h4dzwhzlne6OM0q9w8QszqSv7F5ZuiTk6Irk1SlGs5e3E4ze_5yp4dZuf04G1BHRr93m3M9M5fhQN_PxKbXGpVOtEwLI3edVbfE/s2551/Graysen.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2551" data-original-width="1688" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZgrpNbJRNbKpAGnE0tt4CvY8YBwhYn98oO56vc4aKNRx_bHpunC5Ps4t1dZrdpkWwZL7WGEM5Uv0EzZhz-6Kyy25h4dzwhzlne6OM0q9w8QszqSv7F5ZuiTk6Irk1SlGs5e3E4ze_5yp4dZuf04G1BHRr93m3M9M5fhQN_PxKbXGpVOtEwLI3edVbfE/s320/Graysen.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>G</b></i></span><b style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;">raysen Foxx and the Curse of the Illuminerdy: Volume 2 (Graysen Foxx School Treasure Hunter) by J. Scott Savage, illustrations by Brandon Dorman<br /></b></span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Shadow Mountain <br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;">E-ARC<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> 256 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Publishing:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> January 2nd, 2024<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Source: </b>Edelweiss +</i></span></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><p></p></div><p><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b>Opening Line:</b></i><i><b> </b>"Disguises come in all shapes and sizes."</i></span></p><p><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The Curse of the Illuminerdy is the second book in the Graysen Foxx School Treasure Hunter series. In the current book, Graysen attends Ordinary Elementary, which on the outside is just well ordinary. Inside the school, however, is a very different story. There are secret passages, hidden chambers and treasures, which Graysen the resident fifth grade archaeologist/ explorer hopes to find. Assisting him are his two third grade treasure hunters in training and best friends, the twins Maya and Jack Delgado. Currently they are in search of a creepy old painting that they hope to use to win the school's Halloween room decorating contest. Along the way they come across an old spelling bee medal with mysterious writing on the back, but just as they are going to search further into the message an acrobatic clown steals their prize. Just who is behind the theft? Is it the Doodler and his sixth-grade gang? Graysen's archnemesis, Raven Ransom? Or is it the second-grade spy network? While following the clues, Graysen and his friend's cross paths with a secret society of super smart nerds called the Illuminerdy who put them to the ultimate test. Will they be able to meet the challenge, or will they suffer The Curse of the Illuminerdy? </i></span></p><p><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've had the pleasure of reading J. Scott Savage's The Lost Wonderland Diaries and Mysterious of Cove series and was instantly intrigued by his latest series about a school filled with treasure hunters. It has a sort of Indiana Jones vibe that instantly appealed to me. The Curse of the Illuminerdy was a really fun book, full of excitement and action. Having this set inside a school lends itself to some interesting and fun adventures. Who knew that they'd be riding on projector carts while using an abacus to navigate the turns?</span></i></p><p><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were many clues for Graysen and his friends to follow and puzzles to solve that took them all around the school, from the girl's bathroom to the bell tower and even face to face with alligators in a swimming pool. I really enjoyed the math word problems and learning about Napier's Bones, an ancient way of multiplying numbers. The story has a strong emphasis on teamwork, cooperation, and the valuable lesson that we all make mistakes from time to time, but the key is what we can learn from our mistake. I also enjoyed how the story highlighted each kids' unique ability be it music, math, science, engineering, chemistry, computer programming or history. And that by working together they were able to complete the puzzles. I would recommend this to any adventure seeker who is interested in treasure hunting or for someone who just wants a good laugh. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the illustrations by Brandon Dorman, which were fabulous in capturing the action and main characters. </span></i></p><p><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">**A huge thank you to Shadow Mountain for approving my request on Edelweiss+** </span></i></p><p><br /></p>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-40027485509336190692023-12-14T06:00:00.001-07:002023-12-14T06:00:00.252-07:00Spotlight on Easy Reader series Tow on the Go! <p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><i>Typically,</i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><i> I don't review </i></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><i>easy readers, so instead of a review I'm choosing to spotlight this new series. The main character, Mo sounds adorable, and I like how each book features "the long O" sound. </i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><b style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u></u><u></u></span><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="m_-8851186229303452934m-479069052064498747m2028056809173577851a-text-bold"><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="m_-8851186229303452934m-479069052064498747m2028056809173577851a-text-bold"><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="m_-8851186229303452934m-479069052064498747m2028056809173577851a-text-bold"><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span>About the Books:</span></b></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></b><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><span style="clear: right; color: #0f1111; float: right; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" data-image-whitelisted="" height="292" id="m_-4015702485872451941m_9189180925742675411Picture_x0020_2" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1?ui=2&ik=a3222c086b&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1785187091778171056&th=18c642339f0cf0b0&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ_XqTaJ-JJNkqxcEpkdV1Tak_G_hFKm6DVPX_JfmizYWGEB13_ddNoUXfVyBAgnjSaqQkIxByogGMw4UErRIvQfnqTDMTJH1mbPE2sQ5ETZFCzdcFnVNiriQoI&disp=emb" style="height: 3.0416in; width: 2.0312in;" width="195" /></span><b></b><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b><u>The Mambo Rescue!: Ready-to-Read Level 1 (Tow on the Go!) </u></b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b><u><br /></u></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span class="m_-4015702485872451941m9189180925742675411a-text-bold"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">A helpful tow truck rescues cars from a snowstorm in this adorable Level 1 Ready-to-</span></b></span></i></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Read.</i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span class="m_-4015702485872451941m9189180925742675411a-text-bold"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></b></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Mo the lovable tow truck likes to mambo while he works. When ten cars get stuck in a snowstorm, Mo has to mambo faster than ever before to get them out!</span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Publisher: Simon and Schuster</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Format: Paperback, hardcover and Kindle</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Published August 29th, 2023</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Find It:</span></i></span><i style="background-color: transparent; color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/161043725-the-mambo-rescue?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16">Goodreads</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mambo-Rescue-Ready-Read-Level/dp/1665920068/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RNMABYLZ8SM8&keywords=the+mambo+rescue&qid=1702503517&s=books&sprefix=the+mambo+rescue%2Cstripbooks%2C126&sr=1-1">Amazon</a></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>ISBN-13 : 978-1665920063<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Reading age : 4 - 6 years<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Grade level : Preschool – 1</i></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 12pt;"><img class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" data-image-whitelisted="" height="289" id="m_-4015702485872451941m_9189180925742675411Picture_x0020_1" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1?ui=2&ik=a3222c086b&attid=0.2&permmsgid=msg-f:1785187091778171056&th=18c642339f0cf0b0&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ9gU4aiuw4o84963y2jCofvZaHXpu3alNu6PF6XiH2kW-gUv6jyh2vLGbR43h-VkKlmGgdzHIVHTW5dtWxPZRtBtG1LTFhspQAzE4VbkWYrp3M6HnCklFwACkk&disp=emb" style="height: 3.0104in; width: 2.0104in;" width="193" /></span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b><u>The Splish-Splash Puddle Dance!: Ready to Read Level 1 (Tow on the Go!) </u></b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span class="m_-4015702485872451941m9189180925742675411a-text-bold"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Tow Truck Mo comes to the rescue when a fancy sports car gets stuck in a muddy puddle in this second book in the adorable Level 1 Ready-to-Read series</span></b></span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Mo the lovable tow truck always mambos while he works, but to rescue a sports car from a squelchy mud puddle, Mo’s solo routine may have to become a duet!</span><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Publisher: Simon and Schuster</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Format: Paperback, hardcover and Kindle</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Published: December 12th, 2023</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Find It:</i></span><i style="background-color: transparent; color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442819-the-splish-splash-puddle-dance?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MymzHuFtX5&rank=2">Goodreads</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Splish-Splash-Puddle-Dance-Ready-Level/dp/1665920106/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Y7ZSCN0NHT4M&keywords=splish+splash+puddle+dance&qid=1702503965&s=books&sprefix=splish+splash+puddle+dance%2Cstripbooks%2C126&sr=1-1">Amazon</a></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>ISBN-13 : <u></u></i></span><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">978-1665920094</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Reading age : 4 - 6 years<u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Grade level : Preschool – 1</i></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.5in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b>About the Author: </b></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b><u>Patricia Lakin:</u></b><u></u><u></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Patricia Lakin, a former elementary school teacher and an award-winning author, has written more than fifty published works. Her books, both fiction and nonfiction, span multiple age groups—from toddlers to middle graders. Patricia lives in New York City with her husband, Lee Koenigsberg. They have two grown sons, Aaron and Benjahmin. When not reading, writing, or researching, she can be found traveling with Lee to far-off places in the world.</i></span></span><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="m_-8851186229303452934m-479069052064498747m2028056809173577851a-text-bold"><b><span style="color: #073763;"> </span></b></span></i></span></p><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.patricialakin.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Website</span></a><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"> | </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/86211.Patricia_Lakin" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Goodreads</span></a><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"> | </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Patricia-Lakin/author/B001KMNCGQ?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Amazon</span></a><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"> | </span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: large; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></p></span><p></p><div style="background-color: white;"></div><div class="DescListItem" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: table-row;"><dd style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; margin: 0px; padding: 0.4rem 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></dd></div><div class="DescListItem" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4f4f4d; display: table-row; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><dt style="box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text-subdued); display: table-cell; padding: 0.4rem 1.6rem 0.4rem 0px; width: 12.5rem;"></dt><dd style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; margin: 0px; padding: 0.4rem 0px;"><br /></dd></div><div class="DescListItem" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4f4f4d; display: table-row; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><dt style="box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-text-subdued); display: table-cell; padding: 0.4rem 1.6rem 0.4rem 0px; width: 12.5rem;"></dt><dd style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; margin: 0px; padding: 0.4rem 0px;"><br /><br /></dd></div><div class="DescListItem" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4f4f4d; display: table-row; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-78666991928792280842023-12-06T09:13:00.000-07:002023-12-06T09:13:06.814-07:00YA review of How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7asUbbD63_4b4eTJV7w-WvVzIw2i_5x9Rds2iU8GlBJq8QYQbhdZ8NFIYNRAtzPvAeca4rkKr89XTC5O7u7Ah4ozzRhLbGli8OkIvjBlTcJIj8fte_t9QcJ1T1l4OPKNk3LvPsR8JpLy2iDCXXrE0vaawDxgnlEKjd_ddcol1LmzXuDX1YvV6vv3NyM/s2560/How%20to%20find%20a%20missing%20girl.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1695" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7asUbbD63_4b4eTJV7w-WvVzIw2i_5x9Rds2iU8GlBJq8QYQbhdZ8NFIYNRAtzPvAeca4rkKr89XTC5O7u7Ah4ozzRhLbGli8OkIvjBlTcJIj8fte_t9QcJ1T1l4OPKNk3LvPsR8JpLy2iDCXXrE0vaawDxgnlEKjd_ddcol1LmzXuDX1YvV6vv3NyM/s320/How%20to%20find%20a%20missing%20girl.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok</i></span></b><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Little Brown Books for Young Readers<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;">Hardcover<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> 400 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Published:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"> September 19th, 2023<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><b>Source: </b>Giveaway hosted by Literary Rambles</i></span></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>Opening Line:</b> "Everyone knows you wear black to a stakeout."</span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">A year ago, Iris's older sister, Stella vanished without a trace. The police have deemed that she's a runaway and closed the case, but Iris can't believe that her sister would ever just leave her without a word. Since then, Iris has been running a detective agency, under the radar to continue to gather information about Stella's case. While also picking up odd jobs staking out cheaters and locating catfish with her best friends Sammy and Imani. When Iris's ex-girlfriend Heather also goes missing, Iris begins to intensify her investigation as Heather was recording a true crime podcast about Stella's disappearance and might even have uncovered some clues that the police missed. Can Iris find the culprit responsible for all of these disappearances and piece together where Stella and Heather are? </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">How to Find a Missing Girl is a YA mystery thriller which I quite enjoyed reading, although it took me a little bit to get into. Although, I also think that the slow build is a way to get all the backstory about Iris and Stella and why she began the detective agency. Iris is very determined and resilient. She strives to find answers and I appreciate that about her. She's not willing to accept what the police are telling her, even if her amateur sleuthing might get her into trouble. I believe Iris has felt like she's living in her sister's shadow and the detective agency is her way of carving out a place for herself. </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The inclusion of Heather's podcast transcripts, the text messages between friends and newspaper articles, brought some interesting elements to the story. With the podcast sort of feeling like the tapes in Thirteen Reason's Why. I've seen reviews on Goodreads comparing this to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, but I haven't read that, so it was a fresh new read for me. The story includes a diverse cast of characters with lots of LGBTIQ+ representation with characters that identify as pansexual, queer and nonbinary. There's a strong bond between Iris, Imani and Sammy, and although they have a major difference in opinion in how the case should be approached, somehow, they make amends and overcome their obstacles to work together and solve the case. I found the mystery of who was behind the disappearances to be intriguing and although I saw some of the twists coming, I'd say that the major reveal at the end was a surprise. Just enough tension and risky behavior to make for an entertaining and satisfying read. </span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">**A huge thank you to Literary Rambles for the copy for my review and hosting so many giveaways on your blog** </span></span></i></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-21047677962159728382023-12-04T06:00:00.017-07:002023-12-04T06:00:00.143-07:00It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of Just Harriet by Elana K. Arnold<div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW0j9bXvbECRc6VPRs3B_8TjdOS-iO_NiUsbFz_Gd4Hik2I6Yz1e7GJ84Rlngdocagzu7NJWxD76t2cjhVPKxBNKN0O0gsHuEGfbvtJkaKUHbDtI5MDJfNkhsFyLZuGNLKK108wB86x0B17YJQ1fIGEuERIp7ue_WEidvtpMUV4-T9bc67FLYo1Nehys/s200/mmgm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW0j9bXvbECRc6VPRs3B_8TjdOS-iO_NiUsbFz_Gd4Hik2I6Yz1e7GJ84Rlngdocagzu7NJWxD76t2cjhVPKxBNKN0O0gsHuEGfbvtJkaKUHbDtI5MDJfNkhsFyLZuGNLKK108wB86x0B17YJQ1fIGEuERIp7ue_WEidvtpMUV4-T9bc67FLYo1Nehys/s1600/mmgm2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT7jGkIGqhDWFf9mqyOIIS90c_C9TQDafcjK6H3N_0LKDJ0DXO1TfaMRpKLWDDVP6RXBwdk6SzIV51GHAm5SHLhmUGwmIJZ2HvzHSiWhgypuUsYqRNBw7ApjHpYOYDnToERNKSxx8x1xqZX-lA7rNpRRtpFloHofPps691WbO4gDAfOc6clmluuAYGJ4/s400/Just.Harriett.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="281" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT7jGkIGqhDWFf9mqyOIIS90c_C9TQDafcjK6H3N_0LKDJ0DXO1TfaMRpKLWDDVP6RXBwdk6SzIV51GHAm5SHLhmUGwmIJZ2HvzHSiWhgypuUsYqRNBw7ApjHpYOYDnToERNKSxx8x1xqZX-lA7rNpRRtpFloHofPps691WbO4gDAfOc6clmluuAYGJ4/w261-h372/Just.Harriett.jpg" width="261" /></a></p><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span><i><b>Just Harriet by Elana K. Arnold<br />Publisher:</b></i><i><b> </b>Walden Pond Press<br /></i></span><i><b>Format:</b></i><i> </i><i>Hardcover<br /></i><i><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i> </i><i> 208 pages<br /></i><i><b>Published:</b></i><i> February 1st, 2022<br /></i><i><b>Source: </b>Purchased</i></span><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Opening Line:</b> "My name is Harriet Wermer."</span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span>It's the last day of third grade and Harriet is a little frustrated. Her dad made them rush to her mom's doctor's appointment and she almost missed out on her annual tradition of a final day of school smoothie. Dad promised that nothing would change with her mom now expecting Harriet's baby </span>brother, but everywhere she turns everything seems to be different. To further complicate things, her mom needs two months of bedrest and Harriet will be staying with her Nanu on Marble Island, a small island off the coast of California. Nanu runs Bric-a-Brac, a cozy bed and breakfast, and despite truly loving her Nanu and the island, Harriet is upset because she had big summer plans. She wanted to go to the city pool, read lots of books from the library and maybe even learn how to ride a unicycle. Dad tries to get her interested in going to the island by telling her about their</span><span><span style="color: #274e13;"> pool and library and even mentions that the island has a Gingerbread House for her to find. But nothing seems to work, she's miserable and sad. Well at least Harriet was able to bring her cat, Matzo Ball along, even if her and Moneypenny (Nanu's basset hound) don't seem to be hitting it off. Marble Island appears to hold many surprises and soon Harriet gets wrapped up in a mystery when she finds an old key. But what does it unlock? Could it be treasure? And how does this key relate to her dad growing up on the island? </span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></span></span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;">Just Harriet is from the same author that wrote A Boy Called Bat, which is a really sweet story about a boy and his special pet skunk. When I saw the cover for Just Harriet, I instantly fell in love with it. All the elements of Harriet are right there. Her special old suitcase with all the travel stickers, Matzo Ball, Moneypenny and even the charming B&B in the background. Flipping through the pages, I saw all the lovely illustrations and wanted a copy for my own library. </span></i></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;">Harriet reminds me a lot of Ramona Quimby she's got sass, she's moody, spunky, craves adventure and isn't afraid to tell you what she thinks. Even if sometimes it's a lie. </span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;">Harriet will be the first to admit that she lies, even though sometimes she's uncertain as to why she lies. The adults in the story seem to pass over her lies. Maybe it's because she's so young, and she has so little control over everything going on, but it would've been nice if at least once she was called on one of her little white lies. Instead, there was a lot of ignoring what she said. And quite a few "later Harriet." Even when she gave her dad a little sass by slamming the door on him and saying it was caused by the wind, she's never corrected. Maybe it's that they know she has all of these </span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;">big feelings and can't really contain them all. Or perhaps it's because they know that she's stressed about the baby coming and how she was promised that nothing was going to change. There's still a little part of me that can't help wishing that she would've apologized at least once for her lies or behavior. Or maybe if someone had taken the time to help her to put words together with what she was feeling. At the same time, </span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;">I think many kids could total relate to Harriet and especially her feelings of not wanting to give up her summer plans to stay with her Nanu. These feelings of helplessness and changes that you have no control over I'm sure kids will also find relatable. How she's conflicted about lying and wants to do better. </span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"> </span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> I quite enjoyed the setting of the island, and the B&B really draws you in to the story and the small community feel where her Nanu rides around in her golfcart, what fun. It feels exactly like the place that you'd find some adventure and mystery. Most of all I enjoyed the mystery itself and how it connected to Harriet's father. How the summer was a few months of exploring his past and gathering a better understanding of what kind of person he is. What his hobbies were growing up and how they're similar in more ways than she knew before. I'm interested in exploring the sequel, Harriet Spies, where she makes a new friend, Clarence. I'd love to see how Harriet reacts to the new baby and time with her friend. </span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: georgia;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog<b> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a></b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;"> </span></i><i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"> </span></span></i></i></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-58289154440092295282023-11-27T06:00:00.028-07:002023-11-27T06:00:00.153-07:00It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of Festergrimm (Legends of Eerie-On-Sea #4) by Thomas Taylor Illustrations by Tom Booth<div><p><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b></b></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFRKH7RLigkT3ywwrJFuGezKal6Dgl4HMi6-4yCfkF7psm7khJ7TSh8C8PcOudiaOKrlCqc-LoAtpwb2vbDn_omTV7eEcdzsKSr9rtb_3rHEhNv5uM-nk-y5SLJtJ8Kh3Fmd1Ur2Rb5jlnQyQfSYPhrSN52d_TBj0BPedR1LIX_2dSglamONziUClD9o/s200/mmgm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFRKH7RLigkT3ywwrJFuGezKal6Dgl4HMi6-4yCfkF7psm7khJ7TSh8C8PcOudiaOKrlCqc-LoAtpwb2vbDn_omTV7eEcdzsKSr9rtb_3rHEhNv5uM-nk-y5SLJtJ8Kh3Fmd1Ur2Rb5jlnQyQfSYPhrSN52d_TBj0BPedR1LIX_2dSglamONziUClD9o/s1600/mmgm2.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></i></span></div><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWxF4WQ4jE-JQQInuybH65t07_oXl4Dp8thl6YSerr5Jxk12yNle_-3Ba4XRI790TZO5guSBnz7xejp9LIVFxG4Hh5Z9oqvVR2UuMEtXWIHAkVE1Fsy4nQEIJFjp07CMEe-isSKOjrMeGT5kY1BfChMS3AtOrsuouMvLpNPnm3_YIWMo3fEJVydynElc/s400/Festergrim.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWxF4WQ4jE-JQQInuybH65t07_oXl4Dp8thl6YSerr5Jxk12yNle_-3Ba4XRI790TZO5guSBnz7xejp9LIVFxG4Hh5Z9oqvVR2UuMEtXWIHAkVE1Fsy4nQEIJFjp07CMEe-isSKOjrMeGT5kY1BfChMS3AtOrsuouMvLpNPnm3_YIWMo3fEJVydynElc/s320/Festergrim.jpg" width="230" /></a></b></i><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b>Festergrimm (Legends of Eerie-On-Sea #4) by Thomas Taylor Illustrations by Tom Booth</b></i><b><br />Publisher:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b> </b>Walker Books US<br /></i></span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hardcover<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">336 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Published:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> April 25th, 2023<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b>Source: </b>Publisher</i></i><p></p></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Opening Line:</b> "It was a cold and blustery day at the wrong end of November when trouble returned to Eeerie-on-Sea."</span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As the story opens, Herbie Lemon (Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel) and his friend Violet (Vi) are accompanying Mr. M0llusc (the manager of the hotel) to the train station. A special guest is due to arrive at any moment, and Lady Kranken (the owner of the hotel) demanded a grand welcome. When the train finally pulls into the station, they're surprised to find none other than Sebastian Eels waiting for them on the platform. As you may or may not recall, Sebastian Eels has caused Herbie and Vi many a problem in previous books, to the point that he's even tried to kill them a time or two. Herbie and Vi feel that he's still up to no good, despite Sebastian Eels stating that he's changed his ways and the only thing he wants to do now is to reopen the towns long-shuttered waxworks museum. Convinced that he has nefarious plans, Herbie and Violet begin to investigate. Soon the duo uncovers clues to the town's past and find links to the famous toymaker and inventor Ludovic Festergrimm. What ensues is a wild chase to prevent Eeels from controlling the one thing he desires. </span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Taylor's books are always slightly creepy (the elevator that reminded me of the haunted mansion), are exciting and filled with moments of danger (the</span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> Netherways)</span></i><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">. With a few twists thrown in. I quite enjoyed the story within the story in Festergrimm, that explained the tragic past of Pandora, Mr. Festergrimm's daughter. There's lots of fast paced action, adventure and a mystery. Sebastian Eels is the perfect villain, a sort of vaudeville style villain in a top hat, long cloak, with a wicked smile. One moment sniveling about being innocent and then the next striking out at you with his cane. Always hinting that Herbie has property of his that he wants back, and that Herbie is a crucial part in the key to Eerie's deepest secret. Not to mention that the story includes these clockwork robots that sound equally delightful and terrifying. And a waxwork museum, that's creepy in itself. So yeah, lots of fun. It's best if these books are read in order so I'd start with Malmander. The illustrations by Tom Booth were absolutely wonderful. I just love seeing Herbie in his Lost-and-Founder cap and Bagfoot the seagull rapping on the window was quite comical. Poor Violet. It's utterly delightful reading each of the books in the series. Sad to see that the final book, Mermedusa has been released, but I am eager to read it now. </span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">**A huge thank you to Walker Books US for the hardcover copy in exchange for an honest review. ** </span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><p><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog<b> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a></b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;"> </span></i><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></span></i></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></i></p></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-85587962666700135642023-11-20T06:00:00.002-07:002023-11-20T06:00:00.136-07:00It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of The Impossible Girl by Ashley White<p><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></b></i></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFv6rsVvNzlMEKzjBq84Bn6_DSmPYOh1MlnoyQ6EOhXmyz6-gnLQv8eqfZrINFdVpw63rvCzWzsjXVWejlKvYuh0ILmijqqUJljw-D5Ql5Rh9FK5wGPno7-1kTJ8W9GeLKpMIUnY0bDURX4oGoCC9jil48EUbraLQme8u2NuepIgho-b4G1EVQTVx3hPE/s200/mmgm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFv6rsVvNzlMEKzjBq84Bn6_DSmPYOh1MlnoyQ6EOhXmyz6-gnLQv8eqfZrINFdVpw63rvCzWzsjXVWejlKvYuh0ILmijqqUJljw-D5Ql5Rh9FK5wGPno7-1kTJ8W9GeLKpMIUnY0bDURX4oGoCC9jil48EUbraLQme8u2NuepIgho-b4G1EVQTVx3hPE/s1600/mmgm2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></b></i></span></b></div><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP0DNx73-TjrqYHR4mu5aOBFmrq18sYHQ9EByCCxFec6dU4nSpk2yAviLzaySVcZIpVuvX3Vp2KPTGNWKs7h0fQjzYyz_vs2ZxuXpAuHWLIE-dTIoiOU3KNpgdcKf3ZSLY0KW7xgD2WVJldGAD9ZryxVatfQSFOTeopLZeEbaYGZaJtRpQAWfjsTgAzw/s2550/the.impossible.girl.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP0DNx73-TjrqYHR4mu5aOBFmrq18sYHQ9EByCCxFec6dU4nSpk2yAviLzaySVcZIpVuvX3Vp2KPTGNWKs7h0fQjzYyz_vs2ZxuXpAuHWLIE-dTIoiOU3KNpgdcKf3ZSLY0KW7xgD2WVJldGAD9ZryxVatfQSFOTeopLZeEbaYGZaJtRpQAWfjsTgAzw/s320/the.impossible.girl.jpg" width="207" /></a></span></b><p></p>The Impossible Girl by Ashley White<br /></i></span></b><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Publisher:</b></i><i><b> </b>Monarch Educational Services<br /></i><i><b>Format:</b></i><i> </i><i>Ebook<br /></i><i><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i> </i><i>324 pages<br /></i><i><b>Published:</b></i><i> August 9th, 2022</i><i><br /></i><i><i><b>Source: </b>Publisher</i></i></span></span><p></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: medium;"><b>Opening Line: </b>"Anabelle shoved the bassinet into Jullian's oversized but awkward hands." </span></i></i></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"><i>13-year-old Ava Marie Jones can't endure another moment on the pageant stage, despite her stepmom Ulga's insistence. Mustering her courage, she's finally decided to say, "no more!" Jumping off the stage, Ava makes a run for her favorite spot, the Cathedral tree, a three-hundred-year-old Sitka Spruce. It's a refuge of warmth and shelter, a place to escape. They're kindred spirits after all, both being orphaned. But this time when Ava enters her beloved tree, the ground gives out sending her spiraling downward, and ultimately being caught in the waiting arms of a boy, Duncan,</i></span><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;"> from this mysterious and massive underground city</i><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia;">. It seems Ava is now in the city of Xarcadia, a place filled with all of these curious shops, tall stone buildings and city walls made from the roots of her Cathedral tree. The people are even different than anything she's ever seen before, some glow, are blue, or have bow shaped eyebrows. </i></span></p><p><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Once Ava recovers from the initial shock of her fall, Duncan begins to explain where she's crashed landed. At one time the people of Xarcadia lived above ground, amongst the mortals, but following a strife their leader, Ambrose brought them underground and formed the city for the Magites. Some Magites sent their children to experience the mortal world, but on their thirteenth birthday, the children return to Xarcadia, and are referred to as "The Lost One's." There is a huge celebration that they've been found and now returned to their true home. There is even a ball where their parents reveal themselves. </i></span></p><p><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ava has always felt different, out of place somehow, but this is more than she expected. Xarcadia is home to hundreds of different magical species, fairy, merfolk, vampire's, even witches. Each one having been registered or tagged at birth. However, when a scan is attempted on Ava's wrist, she doesn't show up in the registry. She's an anomaly, something that has never existed in their city before and is seen as a threat to the Magites. Not only can they not determine who she is, there is no way to know if her parents know of her return. The city is left with no way to determine who she belongs to and what species she is.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To keep an eye on Ava until a solution can be found, Ambrose decrees she should enroll in Linhollow Academy for the Supernaturally Gifted. He also assigns two rather large guards to track her every move. Ava hopes that while at this Academy she can learn more about her unexplained existence, what she is and just who her parents are. Along the way she makes some new friends who help her navigate the Academy and help her uncover her craft, Duncan (a vampire), Tara (a witch who writes for the Arat Asoraled, a secretive newspaper) and Colin Arion (a fairy and fellow Lost One). But trouble seems to be following Ava when some of the students are attacked and one is killed that appears to be linked to a Resistance group within the city that has ties back to Ava. Can the students uncover the truth? </span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I quite enjoyed reading The Impossible Girl. It has the feeling of reading something gloriously familiar. A little Alice in Wonderland, when Ava falls down through the hole ending up in a new place. Some Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger and Nevermoor Series by Jessica Townsend vibes, being a place filled with magical creatures, wonderous shops and a girl with hidden talents, above what would be typical. And maybe even a little Harry Potter for the exciting school. There are some familiar tropes, a girl who never knew her parents, has special magical abilities, and comes to the school for magical training. There's a clash between Magites and the Resistance. And even a prison that feels like Azkaban. Yet there is also a uniqueness in the story. The Academy is underwater, Ava is one of hundreds of different species and even the Assembly Games that they play are very different. I found myself rapidly turning pages to find out who or what was behind the killings. It's an exciting world to explore. Very atmospheric, detailed and wonderous. Ava makes for a lovely main character; she's flawed and longing for a place to be accepted. She goes on this journey to discover who she is and we're following right along. The friendships that develop are fun, and they experience many an adventure, it's the kind of book that I want to revisit, just to read it all again. And I'm hopeful that there will be more books in the future. </span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">**A huge thank you to </span></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Monarch Educational Services</i><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.** </span></i></p><p><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;">I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog<b> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a></b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;"> </span></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></span></i></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></i></p>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-37664406508557637842023-11-06T06:00:00.006-07:002023-11-06T10:33:03.812-07:00It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of The Song of the Swan by Karah Sutton, illustrated by Pauliina Hannuniemi<p></p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b><div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6pa5EiBPIZp4-8kP20KotXcx5q49BPw5j1aQ3vDD-xvhbutsmVeVk2bLtB4UbNgHhq7yAKZXlj-Pd160YFR8WV2ltfbkBVGg2QIBwj28mpNxPhba8vU4yLClWsr1Lb0iRBRotsBej3Ox-rOyo9tfPp-LfhTsk93yQeksSa0GRTsxZ-PLBsmlZpQGeAY/s200/mmgm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6pa5EiBPIZp4-8kP20KotXcx5q49BPw5j1aQ3vDD-xvhbutsmVeVk2bLtB4UbNgHhq7yAKZXlj-Pd160YFR8WV2ltfbkBVGg2QIBwj28mpNxPhba8vU4yLClWsr1Lb0iRBRotsBej3Ox-rOyo9tfPp-LfhTsk93yQeksSa0GRTsxZ-PLBsmlZpQGeAY/s1600/mmgm2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhFRodfCzavWDDPsv1fnXhWAe366v0MRSUscpP5n7vM-NDTV7vVTDc2hOYcxC_I-HE5xWY59G6OMHxfpMb2h78BqKck3G0FjW4UaG7JcOcrp-SnUAhBj4aJbqYZzHFEoZbupDdMIv-Qiwc0hCjXZp81nVDE3spsprYz4zfNDXy4-ipcn2bnbS616-UvQ/s400/The%20Songof%20the%20Swan.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhFRodfCzavWDDPsv1fnXhWAe366v0MRSUscpP5n7vM-NDTV7vVTDc2hOYcxC_I-HE5xWY59G6OMHxfpMb2h78BqKck3G0FjW4UaG7JcOcrp-SnUAhBj4aJbqYZzHFEoZbupDdMIv-Qiwc0hCjXZp81nVDE3spsprYz4zfNDXy4-ipcn2bnbS616-UvQ/s320/The%20Songof%20the%20Swan.jpg" width="212" /></a></div></i></span></div><div><i><b>The Song of the Swan by Karah Sutton, illustrated by Pauliina Hannuniemi</b></i></div></b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b> </b>Knopf Books for Young Readers<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;">Hardcover<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;">288 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b>Published:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"> October 24th, 2023</i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><b>Source: </b>Banholzer Public Relations</i></i></span><div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><br /></i></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><b>Opening Line:</b> "You may have heard, little ones, a story or two about the secrets of the human heart." </i></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><br /></i></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i>Olga has been traveling from town to town with Pavel, the protector and Mr. Bulgakov, who took Olga in when she had no place else to go. In exchange, she performs magical illusions, steals and uses sleight of hand to swindle people for the goods they need. Olga possesses a unique form of magic that allows her to draw from her heartstring to enchant jewelry that Mr. Bulgakov then sells. Sometimes, when the town finds out about their tricks and crimes, they have to make </i></i></span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><i>a hasty exit from the city. Which is</i></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"> just what is happening at the beginning of the book. After having hurriedly escaped into the woods, the trio cross the path leading towards Sokolov Palace. Mr. Bulgakov, is very leery of the Palace, stating that it is a dangerous place, he cautions them from ever going there and rushes them off to the next town. But Olga can't help but be drawn toward the palace, she knows that it is rumored to house The Scarlet Heart, a rare stone desired by the tsar himself. Seeing this an opportunity for a quick heist and great wealth, Olga convinces Paval that it is a risk they must take, it's a chance for them to change their lives for good. If they can only recover the stone, they'll never have to steal for Mr. Bulgakov again. </span></i></i></span></div><div><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></i></div><div><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Just as Pavel and Olga get closer to the palace, she plummets down a cliff, only to awaken in the palace, with the Baron attending to her wounds. While she was unconscious, Pavel began participating in the festivities of the ball and to Olga's dismay he seems to be enjoying himself. Even having made friends with a young woman, Anna. Once Olga recuperates, she desperately tries to get Pavel back on track with locating the stone. But Pavel seems to be enamored by the opulent food, twirling of the dancers, soft music playing and Anna, so he isn't sure that they need the stone anymore. Even Olga seems to have difficulty holding on to her thoughts and the reason why she is there. </span></i></i></div><div><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></i></div><div><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sokolov Palace is a dangerous place that holds many secrets and Olga hopes to uncover them all. What she doesn't know at first is that the castle is ruled by an enchanter, Baron Sokolov, who hosts elaborate balls each night, only for the guests to disappear the very next morning. Housed within the palace there is also an aviary filled with swans, which Olga feels are connected to the enchanter. Determined to find the stone, Olga begins to search the palace, and while in the crypt, she comes across a spider who agrees to help her in exchange for uncovering the magic that has a grip on the palace and surrounding valley. The more time that Olga spends at the palace the more deals she begins to make. She promises to help the Baron repair the magical spell that is over the palace, and also promises to help the spider queen. Where Olga was once consumed by the idea of wealth and what the stone could provide to her, she slowly begins to be torn between her desire to ensure that her friend Pavel doesn't become trapped at the palace and a need to understand what causes the guests to disappear each day only to be replaced by swans. </span></i></i></div><div><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></i></div><div><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Song of the Swan as explained in the author's note was inspired by the origins of the Swan Lake story and includes various themes from the ballet. Sutton also included spiders from Slavic mythology and the ballet Giselle seems to have influenced the lure of the dancers and inclusion of swans. I must admit I'm not as familiar with the ballet, but it slightly reminded me of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, although Olga never spent very long at the ball. She spent her time exploring the palace. I did really enjoy the fairy tale like introduction and the description of how the heartstring magic was formed. I also liked that each chapter began with the spider spinning his tales. It was a nice way of blending Olga's quest with past events surrounding the heartstring magic. It basically helps to fill in some of the gaps, like why the Baron quests to have such power over the palace and what he hopes to accomplish. Finally, I enjoyed Olga, her prickliness and lack of trust. But also, the way that she transforms in the story. While Olga detests deceiving people, she's also become accustomed to its necessity for survival. She's also used to seeing inside people to determine their desires. She utilizes many of the skills that Mr. </span></i><i><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Bulgakov taught her on the Baron in order unearth what he's hiding and to trap him into revealing his secrets. She's quite a clever girl. I'd be remiss if I didn't include the lovely illustrations by Paulina Hannuniemi that really add to the story and highlight certain important events. </span></i></i></i></div><div><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></i></i></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;">I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog<b> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" style="color: #191919; text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a></b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;"> </span></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></i></span></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-55361971047233258372023-10-31T06:00:00.010-06:002023-10-31T06:00:00.135-06:00Blog Tour for The Night Raven by Johan Rundberg , translation by A.A. Prime <p></p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b><div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Today I'm super excited to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for The Night Raven by Johan Rundberg, translated by A.A. Prime. This would make for a perfect Halloween read!!</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3f_UHnCGGb4xfleABhnu-WR4zqhxGLaFve1lY5RiGjwwGoXp0IxhnneY19Yov9g_Tg0t21z_d9LHYSuO_ETxgQhBfmCRz3ZVfEK3RabB530GYK_tbA0v04sIKqj7xkeq7ndugZEqkcoJzGDgRqIwI_2Y5qXYT9-7SqoI3EadP8l1__1L1DaoygBBt6Q/s2562/night.raven.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2562" data-original-width="1662" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3f_UHnCGGb4xfleABhnu-WR4zqhxGLaFve1lY5RiGjwwGoXp0IxhnneY19Yov9g_Tg0t21z_d9LHYSuO_ETxgQhBfmCRz3ZVfEK3RabB530GYK_tbA0v04sIKqj7xkeq7ndugZEqkcoJzGDgRqIwI_2Y5qXYT9-7SqoI3EadP8l1__1L1DaoygBBt6Q/s320/night.raven.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><i><b>The Night Raven: The Moonwind Mysteries by Johan Rundberg , translation by A.A. Prime</b></i></div></b></i><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b> </b>Amazon Crossing Kids<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"> </i><i style="font-family: georgia;">E-book<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"> </i><i style="font-family: georgia;">192 pages</i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><b>Publishing:</b></i><i style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"> </i><i style="font-family: georgia;">November 1st</i><i style="font-family: georgia;">, 2023<br /></i><i style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source: </b>Blue Slip Media via<b> </b>Edelweiss<b> + </b></i></i></span></span><div><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 19.26px;">Find it: </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75697602-the-night-raven?ref=nav_sb_ss_3_15" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;">Goodreads</span></a></span></i></div><div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Opening Line: </b>"No More!" "The cry comes from one of the beds in the back rows." </i></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><i>Mika is twelve-years old and lives at the Public Childrens Home in Stockholm and works at a local bar. The story takes place during the frigid winter of 1880 where times at the orphanage have been exceedingly tough. Food has been scarce and without an adequate supply of firewood it has even been difficult to keep the rooms warm at night. It's on one of these blistering cold nights that a scared boy shows up at the orphanage doors and hands Mika a small bundle containing a baby. While rushing off the boy exclaims "The Dark Angel knows I'm the one who took her." Things become further complicated when Valdemar Hoff a detective from the department of police shows up and begins to question Mika and then suddenly decides that she must come with him to Kungsholm Church's graveyard to investigate. Soon Mika becomes embroiled in a mystery surrounding the notorious serial killer the Night Raven, someone who drains all the blood from his victims but was thought to have been caught and beheaded by the executioner over four years ago. Can it be that he somehow has returned? With Mika's keen eye for details and Detective Valdemar's encouragement can they come to a pack to catch the Night Raven before he can strike again? </i></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><i><br /></i></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><i><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Reviews:</i></span></b></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><i><br /></i></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span id="m_-3600106094831030647x_x_docs-internal-guid-21b35793-7fff-16cd-a254-469260e9524a"><i><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">★“This gripping, fast-paced mystery comes together well, with Mika’s deductions based firmly in logic and connections based in her own clear observations…A thrilling and thoughtful period murder mystery.” —</span><span style="margin: 0px;">Kirkus Reviews</span><span style="margin: 0px;"> (starred review)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">★“This English translation of Rundberg’s lively historical mystery…is something to celebrate…Joyous, funny, suspenseful, and serious—an unusual and winning combination for middle-grade readers. Let’s hope its three sequels appear in [A. A.] Prime’s English translation, too.” —</span><span style="margin: 0px;">The Horn Book</span><span style="margin: 0px;"> (starred review)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;">“It’s</i> a testament to the authors that none of the solutions comes easily — in any good mystery story, truth is a messy and painful business.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"> —</span><span style="margin: 0px;">The New York Times Book Review</span></p></i></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><i><br /></i></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><i><br /></i></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><i>The Night Raven is an interesting historical fiction giving glimpses of Stockholm during the 1880's. It's a time of dock workers, brick layers, tanneries, tobacco factories and cops on the hunt for a notorious criminal. Mika has been raised at the orphanage for some time, being the eldest, she is often put in charge of the other kid's needs. She has a very dry sense of humor and will resort to scaring the orphans by telling them that the police like to eat up children in order to get them to do what she wants. She's also one of the few orphans who holds down a job at a local bar, although she is mistreated by the customers quite often. Mika is also a very smart girl and picks up on very small details that others miss. She appears to be a valuable partner to Detective Valdemar. </i></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><i><br /></i></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><i>Overall, I really enjoyed The Night Raven. It's an exciting story, filled with mystery and moves along at a fast pace. </i></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><i>It sort of reminded me of Enola Holmes with all the action and Sherlock Holmes vibes, meets Oliver Twist. </i></i><i><i> Being set in Stockholm and the orphanage really highlighted how challenging this time period was to survive, and then add in the increasing struggles of dealing with the harshest months of winter, yeah it felt very bleak. But I must say that I really liked Mika, she is quite the force. She's never down about her circumstance, she just strives to move forward. I'd probably place this somewhere around upper middle grade as there are references to corpses, murder, beheading, pubs and some references to cruelty to children but at the same time, it really speaks to the social conditions of the 1880's. The Night Raven is the first book in this four-part series that was originally published in 2021 in Sweden and won the August Prize, Sweden's most prestigious literary honor. I hope that the rest of the series will be translated as I would enjoy reading more about Mika. </i></i></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p dir="ltr" style="clear: right; float: right; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p></div><br /><br /><i><br /></i></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkDBW2iQcP68m_CJ1ztAOeji7A38gFfolVS1KCXUPbNIpfE5Y3dghotpitJSRUTTvVzBMQdPLcgHldrE5zrzmDJI6f_eKm8g5VLUxqMEms_eNywwK5F63LtkcgBNaZc8djrFUrFs3p8jo5tAKbLoVgupsuDw9f4p-N0Yxjm0E2H1UyqPb8zavrbcOufw/s1024/Johan%20Rundberg_foto%20Ylva%20Sundgren.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkDBW2iQcP68m_CJ1ztAOeji7A38gFfolVS1KCXUPbNIpfE5Y3dghotpitJSRUTTvVzBMQdPLcgHldrE5zrzmDJI6f_eKm8g5VLUxqMEms_eNywwK5F63LtkcgBNaZc8djrFUrFs3p8jo5tAKbLoVgupsuDw9f4p-N0Yxjm0E2H1UyqPb8zavrbcOufw/s320/Johan%20Rundberg_foto%20Ylva%20Sundgren.png" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-style: italic;">Johan Rundberg</span><span style="font-style: italic; margin: 0px;"> is an award-winning author of children's books who lives in Stockholm. He has written picture books, early readers, and middle grade, including Kärlekspizzan, Knockad Romeo, and the series Häxknuten. In 2021, he was awarded Sweden's most prestigious literary prize, the August Prize, in the children's and YA category for Nattkorpen, the original edition of The Night Raven, which was first written in Swedish. Nattkorpen was also the winner of a Swedish Crimetime Award in the children's and YA category. There are now four books in this series published in Sweden. </span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-style: italic; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-style: italic; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-style: italic; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-style: italic; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLPHsLpIoX9NKUYKuKvrjvOy9s9MfO5HOcSC1t3WWXK9CpMRNgrq8FTwaBlbXuDFdvZw_9q8o0WxTc2W_wUFiLWEJVh77qzDXjAq5zVRKzC2Vytm6QHJcvZD-A-SJKRF7NMXdbqT_qGu2IVCV1_GpC7kzA2XcVAIER0_JuTT2btPfbvqSZIHkAB6LU-A/s1600/AA%20Prime_NoCredit.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLPHsLpIoX9NKUYKuKvrjvOy9s9MfO5HOcSC1t3WWXK9CpMRNgrq8FTwaBlbXuDFdvZw_9q8o0WxTc2W_wUFiLWEJVh77qzDXjAq5zVRKzC2Vytm6QHJcvZD-A-SJKRF7NMXdbqT_qGu2IVCV1_GpC7kzA2XcVAIER0_JuTT2btPfbvqSZIHkAB6LU-A/s320/AA%20Prime_NoCredit.jpeg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; margin: 0px;"><br style="text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">A. A. Prime (Annie Prime)</span><span style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"> is an award-winning translator of Swedish literature. She was born in London and traveled the world studying a number of languages before settling in the English coastal town of Hastings. She now works full-time as a translator, specializing in the weird, witty, and wonderful world of children's and young adult fiction. She holds an MA in translation from University College London and has published more than twenty books in the UK and US. In her free time, she can be found belly dancing, folk singing, horse riding, and sea swimming.</span><p style="text-align: center;"></p></span></div><div><span style="font-style: italic; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></div></span><p></p></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337469341697895080.post-18876290768450970742023-10-30T06:00:00.013-06:002023-10-30T06:00:00.143-06:00It's MMGM with a review of New Girl (Ella at Eden #1) by Laura Sieveking, illustrations by Danielle McDonald<p></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjzkFg9o6DDWJY38UxEIYKB7e436nldegsWd5oCkXnZfS8htCi6BJxcoXqNPR9yFFkpEmZ91JeA1FQO9DRLYQQ8shsgQ3Bq9ZSh9eyoDu3izvpWSZUW493KwwW6j5jTZvf03IDe8Vpo1scTeeSrNH7bLl-e4d7D_eybCsDLnbov7u_0o7q7lbZdBr1no/s200/mmgm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjzkFg9o6DDWJY38UxEIYKB7e436nldegsWd5oCkXnZfS8htCi6BJxcoXqNPR9yFFkpEmZ91JeA1FQO9DRLYQQ8shsgQ3Bq9ZSh9eyoDu3izvpWSZUW493KwwW6j5jTZvf03IDe8Vpo1scTeeSrNH7bLl-e4d7D_eybCsDLnbov7u_0o7q7lbZdBr1no/s1600/mmgm2.jpg" width="200" /></a></i></span></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /><b><br /></b></i></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauyemtnXAKBKza6F8fMlPpaNMfl8VZ8G2Rt1-udaHETZw0INozDOvZudp6SbxFRcIRSEAK84KneL1ETNVY6mtxThkL2sM9B3A7mptucSR8wmE1BBAclBqdoCEAEvuNnNYo_RKHIxNu2x5V1A8oiB1VTF8j8a98JfK_bXRVyIUdftIaFQXGHyYSoIo5Tw/s310/Newgirl.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="199" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauyemtnXAKBKza6F8fMlPpaNMfl8VZ8G2Rt1-udaHETZw0INozDOvZudp6SbxFRcIRSEAK84KneL1ETNVY6mtxThkL2sM9B3A7mptucSR8wmE1BBAclBqdoCEAEvuNnNYo_RKHIxNu2x5V1A8oiB1VTF8j8a98JfK_bXRVyIUdftIaFQXGHyYSoIo5Tw/s1600/Newgirl.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>New Girl (Ella at Eden #1) by Laura Sieveking, illustrations by Danielle McDonald<br /></b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b>Publisher:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b> </b>Kane Miller Publishing<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b>Format:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;">E-ARC<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b>Number of pages:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;">192 pages<br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b>Published:</b></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"> First published February 1st, 2020 by Scholastic Australia</i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><br /></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><i><b>Source: </b>Kane Miller Publishing</i></i></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>12-year-old Ella is following in her best friend Zoe's footsteps by attending the prestigious boarding school, Eden College. This is her first time being away from home, but having Zoe as a roommate makes her feel like she can finally settle in. Yet, things don't quite go as she had initially anticipated. Not only does she make a comment and laugh at a painting of fellow Year 7 student, Saskia's great-grandmother, but she also gets on the bad side of Year 7's housemistress and Vice Headmistress, Ms. Montgomery. How will she ever make amends? When items begin to go missing, and noises are heard in the hallway late at night, Ella puts her sleuthing skills to the test to catch the thief red-handed and hopefully show that she belongs at the school. </i></span></p><p><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The main character in New Girl, Ella appears to be the same character across a few early readers/chapter books, namely the Meet Ella series, which continues with Ella and Olivia, the Ella Diaries series and now the Ella at Eden series. The first three early readers were written by different authors, with the Ella at Eden being written by Laura Sieveking. Danielle McDonald is the illustrator for all of book series. In all there are over 30 books. The reader can begin with the shorter easy readers and progress to the more advanced chapter books, following Ella as she grows up and begins her next chapter at boarding school.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">New Girl makes for a fun boarding school story. </span></i><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ella is confident and determined. She really misses her younger sister, Olivia and Ella often sends her an email, which the reader can read. Ella has a wide vocabulary and Sieveking ensures that the reader understands the more sophisticated words that Ella uses by providing the definition. For example, a word like antithesis, Ella would say "that's a fancy word for opposite." Ella really wants to get the best marks at school to maintain her scholarship and puts in the hard work to accomplish her goals. </span></i><i><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There's the day-to-day challenges of fitting in, attending classes, mixed in with the mystery of who's stealing items from the Year 7 students. There's even some late-night sneaking around the dormitory and sleuthing to find the culprit. The story reinforces the idea of not judging people too quickly and not making rash accusations until you understand the full picture. Overall, a fun adventure and I can see it appealing to fans who've read the earlier chapter books or who enjoy boarding book stories. The next book in the series is called The Secret Journal. </span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #20124d;">**A huge thank you to </span></i></i><i style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: georgia;">Kane Miller Publishing for the paperback in exchange for an honest review. **</span></i></span></p><p style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #20124d;"> </i><i style="color: #20124d;"><i> </i></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #20124d;">I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog<b> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" style="color: #191919; text-decoration-line: none;">HERE</a></b></i><i style="color: #20124d;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px;"> </span></i></span></span></p>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13260139292374478327noreply@blogger.com2