Marketing and Inspiration: The Story Behind Hockey Agony

As author's our writing inspiration comes from many places. 

Today, I'm pleased to share the inspiration behind my children's early reader picture book, Hockey Agony...

"My book Hockey Agony was created from my lifelong interest in sports and watching my children, nieces and nephews compete in one sport or another. I chose hockey because two of my nephews and a niece are passionate hockey players."

Synopsis:

Peer Pressure and Honesty many times go hand-in-hand. What is Larry to do when his teammate asks him to cheat when he is given the responsibility to run the clock during the big hockey game? Outwardly, it may seem he will follow suit, but his conscience tells him otherwise at the moment of truth.

Suggest age range for readers: 8-12

I'd enjoy hearing about where your writing inspiration comes from. 

I look forward to hearing from you.

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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

Peer Pressure Children’s Book, Hockey Agony Earns Story Monster Approval

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Linda F. Radke, Five Star Publications, Inc.

Phone: 480-940-8182

      E-mail: info@FiveStarPublications.com

 

Peer Pressure Children’s Book, Hockey Agony Earns Story Monster Approval

CHANDLER, AZ (August, 2014) – The judges of the Story Monster Approved program, which recognizes accomplished authors in the field of children's literature have spoken, and Hockey Agony by Donna M. McDine and illustrated by Julie Hammond has earned approval.      

Author: Donna McDine http://www.donnamcdine.com


Artist: Julie Hammond http://www.juliehammondart.com


Paperback ISBN: 9781616333607; 161633360X


eBook ISBN: 9781616333614; 1616333618



About Hockey Agony: Peer Pressure and Honesty many times go hand-in-hand. What is Larry to do when his teammate asks him to cheat when he is given the responsibility to run the clock during the big hockey game? Outwardly, it may seem he will follow suit, but his conscious tells him otherwise at the moment of truth.

About the Author: Donna McDine is a multiple award-winning children's author. She writes and moms from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI and Family Reading Partnership. Learn more about McDine’s writing career at www.donnamcdine.com and www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com.

The colorful, kid-friendly Story Monster Approved seal attracts the attention of young readers much more than a sticker intended for adult scrutiny. Kids know when they see the Story Monster Approved patch it means children their own age enjoyed the book and are recommending they read it, too. How do they know that? Because after books pass the first round of rigorous judging – which is done by industry experts, the books are then judged by a panel of youth judges who must also endorse the books before they can receive the official seal of approval.

"Who better to judge children’s books than the children who read them?” explains Linda F. Radke, president of Five Star Publications, Inc., the same company that launched the Dragonfly Book Awards program, now in its fourth year. "Judging these books gives children a wonderful sense of importance and responsibility. Some of our judging coordinators have told us that students who usually don’t enjoy reading or have difficulty reading have gotten a much-needed boost due to their judging responsibilities and have requested to serve as judges again."

Authors interested in having their books considered for Story Monster Approved designation should visit www.StoryMonsters.com and download an entry form. Books are divided into the following categories with distinctions made between fiction and nonfiction: Preschool to Kindergarten, Grades 1-3, and Grades 4-6.

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Full Media Kit, Headshot, Book Cover Art and more are available upon request.

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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author



Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

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, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved Reader's Farvorite 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

Hockey Agony and Powder Monkey by Donna McDine - Book Review Endorsements

Book reviews are essential in promoting your book, but before your book is published don't forget to reach out to fellow author's to obtain an endorsement to include on your back cover. Several of my colleagues bestowed me the honor of endorsing my two latest children's books, Hockey Agony and Powder Monkey.

“Hockey Agony is a great lessoned learned for kids, really of all ages. I love the illustrations and love the message.”

~ Debra Beck, Empowered Teens and Parents ~ www.empoweredteensandparents.com

“Hockey. What can be more exciting than that? And the agony starts right away. Larry’s leg is broken and he can’t play. Will he get a chance to join in the game? Not if Peter shows off his fast skate moves when he takes over Larry’s position. And what about Coach Brennan? Is he on Larry’s side…or against him? The action is fast-paced. The drama is real. Every reader will relate. Author Donna M. McDine’s new chapbook for tweens, Hockey Agony, is sure to deliver. Just in time to provide a great read for boys and hockey fans everywhere!”

~ Nancy I. Sanders, bestselling and award-winning children’s author of Challenge on the Hill of Fire and Frederick Douglass for Kids ~ www.nancyisanders.com

“Danger. Hardship. Cannon blasts. And whips. Stolen violently into service as a boy who delivers powder to the cannons during a battle, young Tommy never sees his parents again. What adventures await him? Donna M. McDine’s book, Powder Monkey, moves quickly through tense action scenes to portray realistic life during this dangerous era on the high seas.”

~ Nancy I. Sanders, bestselling and award-winning children’s author of Challenge on the Hill of Fire and Frederick Douglass for Kids ~ www.nancyisanders.com

“The saga of an age gone by, Donna McDine’s Powder Monkey, ably captures the essence of what some young boys endured as impressed sailors. With pathos and honesty, this historically accurate account of Tommy Kitt’s struggle to stay alive at sea, is a testimony to the author’s prowess as a storyteller.”

~ Nancy Stewart, Award-winning and Amazon best-selling children’s author ~ www.nancystewartbooks.com

Debra Beck, Nancy Sanders, and Nancy Stewart... thank you...I am eternally grateful for your time and endorsements!

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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

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