I am happy to announce that my middle-grade historical fiction novel (pictured here) is now available for sale at an independent bookstore in St. Louis, Left Bank Books! I am absolutely thrilled that they have agreed to buy a couple copies to sell this winter. Even if you are not buying my book, I encourage [...]

Today, I welcome author Maggie Lyons who will talk about her new novel, Vin and the Dorky Duet. Here’s a brief summary of the plot from Maggie’s website before we get on to the questions and her insightful answers! The moment he walks through the door and sees the sharky grin on his older sister’s [...]

I am excited to be giving away Stranger Moon and doing it with Rafflecopter for the first time! I would love it if you tried out Rafflecopter with me by doing as many of the tasks as you can below and then getting all the possible points to win this AWESOME book. The contest goes [...]

Today, I am very excited to welcome middle-grade novelist, Melissa Goodwin, who is on a WOW! blog tour with her book, The Christmas Village. AND EVEN MORE EXCITING–I HAVE A PAPERBACK COPY TO GIVEAWAY. One lucky reader who leaves a comment or question for Melissa OR who shares their favorite holiday decoration/tradition in a comment [...]

*Middle-grade novel, contemporary fiction *Eleven-year-old girl as main character Rating: I fell in love with Eleven by Lauren Myracle when I listened to the audio book. All 11-year-old girls (or anyone who was ever 11) will be able to relate! Short, short summary: Winnie is 11. The book starts with her birthday party and how [...]

Florida Swamp photo by Peter Long www.flickr.com *Middle-grade to tween (there’s some language in here–FYI ) contemporary fiction novel *Middle-grade students Nick and Marta as main characters *Rating: A good eco-mystery for kids with a quirky cast of characters, similar to Hoot and Flush by Carl Hiaasen. Short, short summary: Scat has a main plot [...]

I am sharing my pets with you today (Chester the boxer and Hush Puppy the basset hound) because I am an animal lover. And because I am an animal lover, I also want us to take a trip back and remember the book The Incredible Journey by Shelia Burnford. Many of you have probably seen [...]

photo by Paul Mannix www.flickr.com *Middle-grade contemporary novel *Fourth-grade boy as main character *Rating: Two hysterical authors, Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, write a truly funny novel that boys (and girls, too) will love! Short, short summary: The first book in the Hank Zipzer series, Niagara Falls or Does It? introduces us to underachiever Hank [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Middle grade novel, fantasy Momma mouse and her rat friends as main characters Rating: Robert C. O’Brien’s book is captivating, and a true classic that children will love for years! Short, short summary: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is a Newberry Medal winner, and once you start [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, margodll@aol.com, www.margodill.com Middle grade novel, realistic fiction 13-year-old boy as main character Rating: Gary Paulsen tells a captivating story of Brian and his plight in Hatchet, a Newberry Honor Book. Short, short summary: In Hatchet, Gary Paulsen tells the story of Brian Robeson, who is taking a single engine plane to [...]