Virtual Author Visit - Continued Engagement by Award-winning Children's Author, Donna McDine

As my virtual author visit with the Good Elementary School located in Irving, TX on September 27, 2019 concluded their teachers, Sylvia Huber and Laura Cardenas, and I chatted further about staying connected throughout the school year. 

My offer to “adopt” the class for the school year has come to fruition! 

Woo hoo…Snoopy Dance is definitely in order… 

I recently received the first round of questions from the students via individual videos through Flipgrid. I had the pleasure of viewing the 37 videos and responding individually to their questions via a video. 

My heart soared with each video and their thoughtful questions as well as sharing a bit about how their writing assignments are going. As a children’s author to have this type of engagement with students is exhilarating. I am looking forward to continued engagement throughout the school year. 

Thank you with deep gratitude to the students at 

Good Elementary School and their teachers Ms. Huber and Ms. Cardenas. 

Our motto… “never give up and always ask questions.” 

#Flipgrid
#virtualauthorvisit
#DonnaMcDine
#schoolvisits
#authorschoolvisit

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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Virtual Tour: Just Breeze by Beverly Stowe McClure

I'm delighted to host today, multi-published author, Beverly Stowe McClure. Sit down for a spell and enjoy this delightful interview with Beverly and my book review of Just Breeze.

DMc: The emotions of 13-year-old Breeze jump from the pages in Just Breeze. How do you stay so well taped into the life of middle school students?

BSMc: Even though it’s been many years since I was in middle school, I still recall the ups and downs, highs and lows of entering the teen years. Also, teaching fifth-grade students who are fast approaching those in-between years of not being a kid, but not being a grown up either, kept me in touch with how crucial every event is to them.

DMc: When creating your characters do you interview them with a complete outline? Or do you go with the flow?


BSMc: A little of both. I like to interview each character because they sometimes tell me unexpected things. I also make profile sheets for each major character, with physical characteristics, likes, dislikes, fears, hopes, family, etc. With both interviews and profiles I add to them as my characters reveal more about themselves and do the unexpected, which I love. For my YA wip I’m letting the main characters keep journals. Not sure how this will work, but thought I’d try it.

DMc: You have several novels under your belt. All of which are not published by the same publisher. How do you go about determining what publisher to submit to?


BSMc: It mostly depends on what a publisher wants. Are they looking for contemporary or fantasy or historical? What age are most of their books written for? It’s a waste of my time and an editor’s time to send a YA story to a publisher that does PB or early readers.

DMc: What tips would you offer to an author to make their relationship with their publisher a success?


BSMc: As in any business you have to have mutual respect for each other. You have to listen to advice and suggestions. You and the publisher don’t always have to agree on every little detail, but there must be give and take, and understanding. You both want the same thing: the best book you can produce. The only way to accomplish that is to cooperate so the end result is a book you and everyone involved—writer, editor(s), illustrator, and publisher—are proud to show the world.

DMc: No pressure here...LOL. But what can we expect from you in the future?


BMSc: What? You expect something from me in the future? I thought I’d retire. LOL. Just kidding. I do have some stories that will be out in the future. My Civil War novel for YA readers, Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, has been delayed and will be out, I think, in spring 2010. A chapter book, Kate, Little Angel Sometimes, two MG books, I Live in a Doghouse and Scattered to the Winds, are forthcoming, as well as my first PB, Frankie’s Perfect Home.

Now to my book review of Just Breeze...

Title: Just Breeze

Written by: Beverly Stowe McClure

Soft back: 196 pages

Ages: 9-12

Publisher: 4RV Publishing

ISBN: 978-0-9840708-2-4

Published: November 2009

Price: $12.99

Breeze Brannigan has high hopes for her last year at Whispering Springs Middle School. It becomes quite clear on the first day nothing has changed, except for her grade level. Unable to tame her wild curly red hair she feels her awkwardness of her height and large feet as she navigates the school hallways and social scene.

Several new students arrive and life changes quickly. For better or worse is the question. The new girl, Allison, becomes the nemesis of Breeze’s best friend, Amy and the new boy, Cam, befriends Breeze. Compared to the other boys at school, Cam stands out with his polite behavior. Breeze is swept away by this unusual boy. Can boys actually behave like humans? He must be from a different country, more like another planet.

Current circumstances and history collide and what Breeze believes to be true is the farthest thing from the truth. Will Breeze be able to keep Cam’s deepest concerns a secret for his protection or will outside forces uncover what should not be revealed?

Step into Breeze’s shoes and delve into her inner most thoughts, her family and friends, and why she is truly blessed. Beverly Stowe McClure provides the reader with such detail and conversation throughout Just Breeze the reader will feel has if they are walking the halls with Breeze and feeling the essence of her life pouring through their veins.

To learn more about Beverly Stowe McClure’s accomplished and fascinating career visit: http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com/

Children's Author, Dan Gutman

Technology has certainly made the world a smaller place. Children's author, Dan Gutman has developed a wonderful DVD version of school visits he conducts in New Jersey and the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

Come along and explore Dan's creative world through his Virtual Author Visit at his website:
http://www.dangutman.com/pages/virtual_author_visit.html