Write What Inspires You! ~ Donna M. McDine: middle grade book

Showing posts with label middle grade book. Show all posts

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Book Review: Caves, Cannons and Crinolines by Beverly Stowe McClure

Title: Caves, Cannons and Crinolines

Written by: Beverly Stowe McClure

Ages: 12 and up

Publisher: Twilight Times Books

ISBN: 1-60619-112-8

Published: September 2009

Soft cover: 153 pages

Price: $16.95

The year 1863 finds outspoken, 14-year-old, Lizzie Stamford at a crossroads of what her parents believe to be acceptable behavior for a young lady, and secret desire to join the Confederate Army disguised as a boy. Her two brothers, Willie and Joseph willingly joined the Confederacy to defend Vicksburg from the Yankees and Lizzie longs to be part of the glory. Her blind courage brings her into the midst of a battleground at nighttime. Much to her dismay war is not what she believed it to be. The horrific acts of violence overwhelm her and she runs away as quickly as she arrived.

Her emotions and beliefs that all Yankees are evil is put to the test when an unexpected encounter with a Yankee soldier has her doubting her belief system. Will Lizzie come to terms of the ever changing world and circumstances which surround her? And what is to become of her beloved brothers and the city of Vicksburg?

McClure balances the emotions of the Confederate and Yankee characters with such in-depth feeling the reader will find themselves switching sides throughout the perilous journey of Lizzie Stamford and her family, and their quest to reclaim Vicksburg.

To learn more about Beverly Stowe McClure visit: http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com/

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

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

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Book Review: Taconi and Claude by M.E. Finke

Title: Taconi & Claude: Double Trouble

Author: M. E. Finke

Soft cover: 104 pages

Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. / January 2011

Print ISBN: 978-1-61633-130-6

e-Book ISBN: 978-1-61633-131-3

Price: $8.95

The fear of the unknown sends Taconi’s mind into the darkest corners of his imagination. Will his ever changing life continue to spiral out of control? Finding his one true place while saddling the life as an aboriginal in the Australian outback and then as a Jackaroo in the white man’s world is a constant struggle. With the anticipation of his man ceremony, Taconi fights his inner thoughts to be worthy of his aboriginal customs; all the while, striving to understand his father’s need to become the head cook on the Coorparoo Cattle Station.

The fight for balance becomes quite confusing for young Taconi in his determination not to forget his heritage and accepting the need to live in the white man’s world. Along the way he finds comfort and direction in an unlikely companion, the outspoken Claude the cockatoo. This unlikely and heartwarming friendship is wise beyond their years and will have the reader cheering for Taconi’s one true quest, acceptance. Will Taconi be able to weave customs from both worlds into a comfortable fit?

Author, M.E. Finke expertly brings forth her expertise of the Australian outback in this fast paced fictional story transporting the reader with the perfect blend of description and dialogue. For a deeper understanding of the Australian, author M.E. Finke provides a glossary of Australian terms, which will surely bring out the love of reading to the most reluctant reader.

Taconi & Claude: Double Trouble available at:

http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/double-trouble.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Taconi-Claude-Trouble-M-Finke/dp/1616331305

Visit M.E. Finke at: http://www.margotfinke.com and http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Book Review: Boarding School Mysteries ~ Pick Your Poison

Title: Boarding School Mysteries ~ Pick Your Poison

Written by: Kristi Holl

Soft cover: 134 pages

Ages: 9-12

Publisher: Zonderkidz

ISBN: 978-03105-67998

Published: June 2009

Price: $6.99

Pick Your Poison is not only the title of this edition of the Board School Mysteries it is a long time saying when not knowing what to choose in a difficult situation. Unfortunately, the girls at the private Landmark School for Girls don’t have a choice. While enjoying the delicious meal prepared by Abby for her home-ec project, several girls become severely ill. At first it is believed the meal was prepared with spoiled food until more girls become ill eating different food. Setting the wheels in motion of suspicions and accusations.

Determined to take the attention off Abby and herself, 12-year-old Jeri McKane begins her own investigation to reveal the truth. What she uncovers is unthinkable for many. Throw in the threat of competition and several individuals look guilty. Will Jeri be able to discover the truth before the food poisoning goes too far and someone dies?

Immerse yourself into the setting at the private Landmark School for girls and learn for yourself the true meaning of friendship. And beyond outward appearances all may not be what it seems with determined ambitions bubbling below the surface.

Children’s author, Kristi Holl has done it again. The twists and turns arise at every corner, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat and quickly turning each page with suspense to the end.

To learn more about Kristi Holl’s accomplished writing career visit her at:

Kristi's web site at www.KristiHoll.com
Writer's First Aid blog at http://institutechildrenslit.net/Writers-First-Aid-blog
New mystery series at www.BoardingSchoolMysteries.com
Girls Connecting with God web site at www.devotions4girls.com
What's a Girl To Do? blog at www.devotions4girls.blogspot.com

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Book Review: Dream Seekers Book Two Dream Team by Lisa Ard

Title: Dream Seekers Book One: Dream Team

Written by: Lisa Ard

Soft cover: 82 pages

Ages: 7-10

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Print ISBN 13: 978-1479185870

Published: August 2012

Print Price: $6.99

Dreams come natural to everyone and a rare group has the ability to travel in their dreams and be active participants. Past down genetically through a dominant gene, 12-year old Patrick, his mother and siblings have this ability. Training and control are instilled from a very young age and as a dream seeker matures and demonstrates the ability to DREAM their abilities are developed further.

Patrick appears to be like any other ordinary baseball loving 12-year old boy entering puberty and dealing with the embarrassing changes of a squeaking voice. Determined not to recite his book report on Jackie Robinson in class Patrick fakes a cold. Learning of Patrick lie, 17-year old sister Grace encourages him to overcome and understand their mother’s often stated saying, “always learn how to exit a dream.” Grace surprises Patrick with the offer to travel with him in his dream to show the importance of knowing you can’t always control every situation, but you can control how you react to it.

Does Patrick heed his mother and sister’s advice and overcome his fears in reality and in his dreams, especially the later as he appears in his first major league baseball game? Will his stormy feelings ruin his big debut, or does Patrick’s new found maturity help him to realize the responsibility of dream seeking before it implodes in his face?

Find out in this wonderfully mastered fantasy middle grade novel written by Lisa Ard.

Visit with the author and learn what other adventures she has in store for her readers

http://www.dreamseekeradventures.com/blog/?author=1.