Monday, November 4, 2013

Book Review: Down Under Calling by Margot Finke - is a beautifully crafted story of bridging the generation gap



Title:              Down Under Calling: Grandma Rose Spins a Web
Written by:    Margot Finke
Publisher:      Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Published:     October 2013
Pages:           102

The Aussie from Down Under, Margot Finke, has done it again! Down Under Calling is a beautifully crafted story of bridging the generation gap and ocean separation through good old-fashioned letter writing and sharing stories of one’s youth.

At the request of his mother, Andy Frazer is reluctant in having to write a letter to his Australian Grandma Rose. It was bad enough his family was forced to move from their spacious home to a cramped apartment. Something about downsizing at his father’s job led to this. Along with not being allowed to purchase any more video games he now had to write a letter to some old lady he doesn’t even remember. What could he possibly write about?

What starts out as a burden quickly turns into a true labor of love. The letter writing becomes a glorious distraction that serves as the propeller of an exploding imagination and curiosity. What Andy learns along the way is invaluable. Journey along with Andy, Grandma Rose, and Andy’s closest friend Kelly as their lives become intertwined despite the separation of an ocean.

The humorous letter exchanges will have the reader turning the pages as quick as lightening. Author, Margot Finke includes a glossary of Australian words for easy reference. Visit Finke at www.margotfinke.com to learn about her ever-evolving writing career. Be prepared to spend quite a bit of time visiting, for Margot’s expertise and humor spill from the pages.  

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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
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Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

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













11 comments:

  1. Sounds like a delightful book. Margot writes so well, hooking readers and holding their attention and also has a great sense of humor. Thanks for the wonderful review, Donna!

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    1. Connie,

      Thanks for visiting and commenting on my review of Margot's latest book. It's a true gem.

      Best,
      Donna

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    2. Connie, many thanks for taking the time to say all those nice things. I really appreciate your support and encouragement.

      Books for Kids - Skype Author Visits
      http://www.margotfinke.com

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  2. Hi, Donna. Thanks for sharing about Margot's book. Nice cover.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Susanne,

      Thanks for visiting and commenting. I appreciate your support.

      Best,
      Donna

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    2. Susanne, many thanks for your comment. The cover for Down Under Calling was done by awesome Agy Wilson. Terrific cover artist and great to work with - nothing is too much trouble for Agy. She also did the cover for another young teen book of mine, The Revenge of Thelma Hill - a ghost mystery set in Oregon.

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  3. Donna,so many thanks for your wonderful review on Down Under Calling. It was a book that I needed to write. It is a kind of tribute to my mum, because the stories Grandma Rose tells Grandson Andy were either told to me by Mum, or we experiences them together. The characters and plot are fictional, but writing it really took me back to my Aussie roots. I have even been dreaming about "home" since I began this book.

    Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
    http://www.margotfinke.com

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  4. I love the idea of writing letters. It's so sad that few people do it today. When I was teaching, my third grade students had pen pals in California and they had so much fun learning about other kids and schools. Nice review, Donna. Congrats on another great book, Margot.

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  5. Great review - sounds like a very special book!

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  6. Beverly and Melissa, thanks a million for your support.
    I agree, Beverly, letter writing IS dying out. However, because Grandma Rose has no computer or smart phone, her grandson Andy is forced to write actual letters! At first Andy thinks, what a drag, but Grandma Rose soon changes that. Many of my older friends and relatives Down Under are the same way - they might have a computer, but they have not connected to the Internet. Can you believe it??

    Books for Kids - Skype Author Visits
    http;//www.margotfinke.com

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  7. Great review, Donna, and wonderful book, Margot. I'm going to have to add it to my current Margot Finke library!

    I love letter writing as well and am sad it seems to be a lost art these days.

    Karin

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Thank for you taking the time out to visit with me and to learn about my writing career.

Please be sure to leave your blog address so I can reciprocate.

I look forward to visiting you too.