THE MISCHIEF SERIES

 

Mischief in the Mushroom Patch

 

A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch

 

Spider Web Scramble

 

Stranger in the Mushroom Patch

 

by

 

AMANDA M. THRASHER

 

 

Chapter Books / Fantasy / Action & Adventure / 2ND-4TH Grade

Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press

 

Scroll down for the Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Mischief in the Mushroom Patch, 2/20/2013, 146 pages

 

Where do fairies get their magical fairy dust? After leaving the mushroom patch without permission, two mischievous fairies find themselves in more trouble than they can handle. Boris, with a broken ankle and a bent wing, is unable to walk or fly, and Lilly must devise a plan to escort him safely back to the mushroom patch. As with all actions, there are consequences! Lilly and Boris have broken colony rules and wasted precious fairy dust. Sentenced to work in the dust factory, the two learn a valuable lesson about the production of fairy dust, but can they survive the foreman?

 

 

Amazon│Progressive Rising Phoenix Press | Barnes and Noble | Author’s Website

 

 

A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch, 2/20/13, 162 pages

 

​Lilly, Boris, and Jack are back! The three friends are together again in this newest addition to the Mischief Series. A natural disaster has taken the elders by surprise, and the scientists are unprepared. Damage to the colony is inevitable! Can the Master Engineers devise a plan to save the colony before they lose their home? The fairies’ Kick-a-Berry Match has been postponed as well, and the fairies must find new ways to entertain themselves until the pitch dries up. Along the way, they make a new friend named Pearle, and though she cannot walk, she can fly with ease. Valuable lessons about friendship, teamwork, and perseverance will be learned as the fairies embark on their newest adventure.

 

 

Amazon│Progressive Rising Phoenix Press | Barnes and Noble | Author’s Website

 

 

Spider Web Scramble, 2/14/16, 170 pages

 

Every third year, on the fifth full moon, the Mushroom Patch holds a magical Spider Web Scramble. Excitement buzzes through the forest as the fairies prepare to scramble the magical webs in order to complete the course. As a special treat, the elders disclose that the stars will be coming down to join in and play. A wish will be granted for the fairies who are pure of heart and manage to beat the clock, locating the star that has their name etched on it. With the no-fly rule in place, teamwork is the only way Pearle can complete the course. But little do they know that possible danger is in their midst. Will the magical spider web scramble be postponed? Will the stars grant Lilly, Boris, and Jack their wishes? Find out in this delightful magical adventure.

 

 

 Amazon│Progressive Rising Phoenix Press | Barnes and Noble | Author’s Website

 

 

 

Stranger in the Mushroom Patch, 2/15/22; 212 pages

Gold Recipient of The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA)

 

Lilly, Boris, and Jack Are Back! Get Ready for a Human Attack!

Who knew a slimy moss bomb war between friends would lead to an adventure of a lifetime! From strategizing with the elders for their playful battle to, of all things, escaping the clutches of a human! It doesn’t take long to learn the fairies shockingly have more in common with the child than they ever could have imagined. Broderick, everyone’s favorite spider, provides the goodies, and Lilly supplies the fairy songs and games. Filled with twists and turns, adventure, and fun, find out if the fairies and the elders can help the stranger reunite with her family. Or will there be a human attack?!

 

 

Amazon│Progressive Rising Phoenix Press | Barnes and Noble | Author’s Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check Out The Mischief Series On YouTube!

 

 

 

 

 

What a delightful story for readers of all ages, especially middle-grade-aged children. This book/series would be perfect for my great-niece, 7, who loves to read.

I read the fourth book in the series, Stranger in the Mushroom Patch, but I feel that it can be read on its own without having read the first three. There are a few things that might be easier to understand sooner, but the author does a wonderful job of sharing bits and pieces from previous books so that we understand the different fairies better like Boris and a never-ending supply of moss bombs.

The story centers around a small group of fairies in training: Lilly, Boris, Jack, Rosie, Ivy, and Pearle. This group of fairies is lively and mischievous which would be expected from someone so young. But that doesn’t stop them from having fun and learning all at the same time. From a previous book, Boris won the right to have a continuous supply of moss bombs that are slimy and smelly and just what you would expect a boy fairy to enjoy. But he isn’t the only one that likes them, all of the fairies young and old enjoy a good moss bomb fight and a battle is declared which expands the young fairies’ knowledge and experience when they meet a human child. With the help of their elders, this group of fairies helps the human child back to her parents without revealing themselves to the parents or ending up clutched in the toddler’s hands.

This lighthearted story has a few lessons within the pages for young readers to grasp from compassion for those less fortunate to friendship with each other. The story is well written and would be easy for a younger reader to understand the words within. I can only imagine the adventures that this gang of fairies experienced in the first three books and will continue to explore in future books, including perhaps a fairy ball? It is how this book ends with discussions about it and let’s just say that Boris and Jack are not looking forward to wearing formalwear or learning how to dance.

I really liked Pearle. She doesn’t fly but has a chariot and I believe that this represents someone with challenges, but she meets them head-on. There is a game they play with her that has her spinning her chariot like a merry-go-round until they all fly off and green to the gills. I chuckled at this game because it is something I would have done when I was much younger.

This series will be perfect for any young reader and we give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amanda M. Thrasher was born in England, moved to Texas, and resides there still. She’s an award-winning author of Young Adult, General Fiction, Middle Grade, Early Reader Chapter, and Picture Books. Amanda is a multiple Gold Recipient of The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA), earning the award in multiple categories, including Young Adult, General Fiction, and Early Reader Chapter Books. She is also a multiple Gold Medal winner of the Readers’ Favorite International Book awards, a New Apple Literary Award, and has earned a first-place North Texas Book Festival award.

Amanda founded and is the CEO of Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, an independent publishing company. She shares her writing and publishing experience with others through school visits, book signings, trade conferences, and workshops for aspiring writers of all ages.

In addition, Amanda was contracted to write a graphic novel for the Driving on the Right Side of the Road Program. The publication is part of the Driving on the Right Side of the Road (DRSR) program, developed by the Law-Related Education Department of the State Bar of Texas Law Focused Education, Inc., and the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center with funding from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Department of Transportation. The program’s purpose is to offer a preventive educational program to encourage responsible decision-making when it comes to obeying traffic laws and following safe practices. The graphic novel titled What If … A Story of Shattered Lives was adapted into a reader’s theater for as few as five speakers or as many as twenty-six.

 

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter  * Pinterest

 

Instagram  * Goodreads

 

Amazon Author Page   BookBub

 

 

—————————————–

 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

 ONE WINNER!

 

$50 Starbucks gift card

 

+ signed copies of the Mischief books

 

+ a copy of Captain Fin.

 

(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 7/1/2022)

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily, 

or visit the blogs directly:

 

 

 

6/21/22	Excerpts 1 & 2	Hall Ways Blog
6/21/22	Review Book 1	The Clueless Gent
6/22/22	Author Interview	All the Ups and Downs
6/22/22	Review Book 2	The Adventures of a Travelers Wife
6/22/22	BONUS Promo	LSBBT Blog
6/23/22	Excerpts 3	Shelf Life Blog
6/23/22	Review Book 3	Forgotten Winds
6/24/22	Excerpt 4	The Page Unbound
6/24/22	Review Book 4	Jennie Reads
6/25/22	Review Book 4	StoreyBook Reviews
6/26/22	Scrapbook Page	Sybrina’s Book Blog
6/27/22	Review Book 1	Rox Burkey Blog
6/28/22	Review Book 2	Reading by Moonlight
6/29/22	Review Book 3	Chapter Break Book Blog
6/30/22	Review Book 4	Writing and Music
6/30/22	Review Book 4	Jennifer Silverwood

 

 

 

 

blog tour services provided by

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

‘It’s Titanic – aren’t you curious? No one alive today has seen it like that.’ Emmie & Jack are on a school trip with a difference.

Visiting Belfast to see where Titanic was built, they step back to 1912 and discover the great ship itself. All too soon, they find out that the way home is blocked, and Jack gets dragged off to work by one of the crew. Who is the mysterious stranger lurking in the shadows, and can they solve his time riddle to escape from the doomed ship before it is too late…?

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

This is the second book by this author that features a team of youth that end up time traveling and experiencing some moments of history. The first book was about the Blitz during the war, and this time it was about seeing the Titanic before it sank.

Jack and Emmie are a little mischievous when they sneak off from their class and enter a tunnel that lands them on the Titanic. They see it as a big adventure and the chance to let their teacher know some facts that may not be known. However, how will they get back to their time? Thankfully, there is a guide there that gives them hints and tells them what they must do to return to their time. It isn’t an easy task considering how people were evacuated on the ship, but they are successful in their mission.

While this book is written for middle-grade readers, anyone could enjoy this story. There are many facts peppered throughout about the Titanic, the passengers, and what it was like on the ship during the maiden voyage. I felt like the author did a good job researching the details to present an accurate representation of what might have happened in 1912. There is a lot of excitement for the characters and the author brings the reader into the story, and I felt like I was there on the ship with Jack and Emmie.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Glen Blackwell lives in Suffolk, England. He has a career in finance and The Titanic Tunnel is his third book. Inspired by bedtime reading with his 3 daughters, Glen loves to bring stories to life for young readers.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

‘It’s Titanic – aren’t you curious? No one alive today has seen it like that.’ Emmie & Jack are on a school trip with a difference.

Visiting Belfast to see where Titanic was built, they step back to 1912 and discover the great ship itself. All too soon, they find out that the way home is blocked, and Jack gets dragged off to work by one of the crew. Who is the mysterious stranger lurking in the shadows, and can they solve his time riddle to escape from the doomed ship before it is too late…?

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

Excerpt

 

Finally making up her mind, Emmie stepped towards the tunnel entrance, pausing to look up at the elaborate stone arch she had noticed above it. It seemed out of place compared to the run-down buildings on either side – there was a bit of faded glamour in the architecture, and she was intrigued to find out what lay beyond. With Jack following her, she walked down the steps slowly – her hand stroking the rough texture of the brickwork.

‘It smells quite bad, doesn’t it?’ said Emmie, as her eyes adjusted to the gloom. There was a damp, musty aroma in the air and she didn’t imagine that anyone else had been through here in a long time. As they rounded a curve in the tunnel, and the daylight coming from behind them faded further, Emmie glanced at Jack. He was chewing his lip – a sure sign that he was anxious. She reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. ‘Not scared, are you?’ she teased, smiling as he as he screwed up his face at her in response. ‘Anyway, it’s getting lighter up ahead – we must be nearly there.’

They passed through an open doorway, then Emmie suddenly stumbled and reached out for the wall to steady herself. Jack stopped, then he too felt his legs almost give way and grabbed onto Emmie. ‘What’s happening?’ he stammered, ‘I don’t like this…’

‘It’s like the floor just moved,’ answered Emmie. They looked at each other in the semi-darkness – there was a definite swaying sensation as they stood together in the damp space. ‘It must just be because it’s so gloomy down here – tricking our balance maybe,’ Emmie wondered aloud. She felt a sudden wave of nausea in her stomach, taking her mind back to the ferry crossing earlier. ‘Just give me a moment?’ she said, still leaning against the wall for support.

The sick feeling eased, and they carried on – curiosity getting the better of them. As they reached the source of the light, the pair noticed that it was shining around a heavy looking wooden door which stood ajar. Jack reached for the handle, intending to pull it open.

‘Wait a minute,’ whispered Emmie, placing a finger to her lips and stepping forward. She peered around the door, then stepped back in surprise, her mouth wide open.

‘What is it?’ Jack whispered back, craning his head for a look. Emmie was still staring through the gap as Jack leaned around her and studied the scene beyond. ‘What is that…?’ he managed, almost as speechless as his friend.

As she tried to recover herself, Emmie stepped forward again and stared. What lay past the door was a large, elaborate space, with a grand wooden staircase in the centre. Sweeping balustrades and ornately carved decoration curved upwards, and there was a constant stream of smartly dressed people ascending and descending. A perfumed aroma wafted through the door, contrasting with the damp smell in the tunnel.

Emmie recoiled in horror as a lady in a purple dress and matching hat passed closely by and seemed to make eye contact with her, bumping into Jack in the process.

‘Careful!’ he said, almost forgetting that they were trying to be quiet.

‘Sorry,’ she replied, ‘I’m sure that woman saw us peeking though.’

There was a general burble of conversation from the other side of the door, as people made their way past. Some of the voices were more constant though, as if their owners were right outside.

‘Did you see Queenstown this morning?’ enquired one voice, close enough that they almost felt the speaker must be next to them. ‘That’s the last piece of land this side of the Atlantic.’ There was a muffled answer which sounded negative, and then the first voice spoke again – ‘I heard we took on another hundred or so passengers – steerage mostly, so they won’t be bothering us.’

The second person replied more clearly this time – ‘Going to America in the hope of a better life, I suppose. I noticed us drop anchor for a few hours and wondered why – it looked like we were still at sea though.’

‘The berth is a couple of miles offshore – I heard one of the crew mention it. You could see the passengers coming aboard bobbing about in little boats on the way over.’

‘Rather them than me – I’m much happier in a liner than a little boat.’

Jack looked at Emmie – ‘Queenstown?’ he said, ‘where’s that?’ They had both studied Titanic extensively over the past few weeks, but Jack hadn’t recalled that detail.

‘Southern Ireland, I think,’ Emmie replied, ‘I’m pretty sure I read it was the last passenger stop.’ She thought again for a moment – ‘It was renamed in the 1920’s, so isn’t on any of today’s maps – that’s probably why you didn’t recognise it.’

‘Who are they, and what are they doing down here?’ Jack asked after a pause. The size of the space beyond the door seemed much bigger than they imagined a cellar could be – it didn’t really make any sense. Another second or two passed, and then an uncomfortable thought hit him – ‘Is that…? No, it can’t be…’

‘Surely it hasn’t happened again…’ Emmie said slowly in reply. She peered around the door for another look – this time braving a gentle tug to widen the gap slightly. The door silently obliged, opening up a further sliver of the view beyond. Standing to the left of the staircase were groups of tables and chairs, set out in a café style, and halfway up the stairs was a large wooden carving which housed an elaborate clock. Emmie stared at it and could just make out the immortal words – RMS Titanic – stencilled on the clock face. She stepped back again and nodded slowly at Jack.

‘Let’s get out of here,’ he tugged her arm desperately; his enthusiasm having evaporated. Jack had been the more despondent of the friends when they had found themselves stranded in the Blitz, and he wasn’t about to risk not getting home again. It still seemed unbelievable that people could travel back in time, but there wasn’t a better explanation for what was happening to them.

Emmie found herself walking quickly back along the tunnel behind Jack – her mind in turmoil. ‘Hold on a minute,’ she hissed as they rounded the corner and could see the entrance once more. ‘It’s Titanic – aren’t you curious? No one alive today has seen it like that.’

‘No.’ The reply was immediate. Jack’s head was down, but he had stopped and then slowly turned back to face her. His lip was quivering, and Emmie could see that he was really scared at the prospect of the unknown – yet something was drawing her back along the tunnel just as strongly as the busker’s music had prompted her to investigate in the first place.

‘Just another quick peek?’ begged Emmie, looking Jack right in the eye. ‘We’ll never get this chance again – you know that. We’ll just have a quick look and then come straight back.’

Jack looked away – ‘What if we get stuck again?’

‘It’s just an open door,’ came the reply. ‘Once we’ve explored, we can turn around and come back through it.’

Screwing his eyes up, Jack nodded, and Emmie gave him a big grin. ‘Come on,’ she said, linking arms with him and starting back towards the door, ‘it’s going to be amazing!’

SLAM! The sudden noise behind them made the pair jump, echoing in the enclosed space. ‘What was that?!’ cried Jack, turning in the direction of the sound.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Glen Blackwell lives in Suffolk, England. He has a career in finance and The Titanic Tunnel is his third book. Inspired by bedtime reading with his 3 daughters, Glen loves to bring stories to life for young readers.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

Book Title: Keeping Christmas Magic by Anna and Gunnar Counselman

Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 38 pages

Genre: Children’s Book

Publisher: Mascot

Release Date: August 2021

 

 

Synopsis

​
​Shhhh, don’t tell! Keeping Christmas Magic reveals the true story of Santa Claus, asking you to become a Christmas Magic-Keeper.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Mascot

 

 

Review

 

This unassuming cover is for a reason, or at least that is what I believe. Because this book imparts the truth about Christmas and Santa to a child that is growing out of that phase, the secrets to be shared must be done in secret and with the child in full agreement. I liked how the story draws in the young child and has them sign an agreement to not reveal the truth to those that still believe.

I enjoyed how the story was spun that the parents were doing this to help St Nick because there were so many children in the world and he was tired and needed help. It still keeps some of the magic alive for the older children.

It is a great book for older siblings and brings them into the mystery of Santa and encourages them to be good stewards of the Christmas Magic and be a Magic Keeper.

I would suggest not reading this book to the younger children that do still believe until they are ready to become Christmas Magic Keepers too. The page for signatures has many lines and it would be a great tradition and they could see that their older siblings had done this too.

We give the book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Anna and Gunnar are the husband-and-wife team behind Keeping Christmas Magic. Anna immigrated from Russia at age 12 and began her American journey in Swampscott, MA, attending Boston University before moving out to California to pursue her entrepreneurial career which has culminated in her co-founding Upstart, an AI lending platform. A third-generation Marine, Gunnar grew up pretty much everywhere there’s a Marine base before going to Cornell for undergrad, deploying as a Human Intelligence Officer to Iraq, the Horn of Africa, and Bosnia before attending Harvard for business school. Gunnar’s entrepreneurial career has focused on education software and services where he’s founded and invested in a handful of companies including his most recent company, Array. When their then-six-year-old son Tristan started asking hard questions about Santa, they didn’t have a good answer. Wanting to keep Christmas as magical as possible for as long as possible they looked for a children’s book to help and when they couldn’t find one, they wrote it. Originally, the poem was just for Tristan and his baby sister Sasha, but some close friends convinced them to submit it for publishing, and the more they worked on the story, the more they felt like it needed to be told. They hope that the book does for parents around the world, what’s it’s done for them, help make an otherwise difficult conversation a beautiful experience instead.

 

Website * Goodreads

 

 

Giveaway

 

Enter to win a signed copy of KEEPING CHRISTMAS MAGIC (one winner/USA only) (ends Dec 13)

 

KEEPING CHRISTMAS MAGIC Book Tour Giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: A CHRISTMAS KINDNESS

Author: Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Publisher: 4RV Publishing

Pages: 52

Genre: First Chapter Reader

 

 

Synopsis

 

Eight-year-old Robert is eager to share his wish list with Santa at the mall on Christmas Eve. When he meets Glenn, who only has one request for Santa, Robert is confused about what he should do. Can he cast aside what he wants and ask Santa to bring his new friend a special gift?

 

 

Amazon * 4RV Publishing * B&N * IndieBound

 

 

Praise

 

It is not often that a simple children’s book can nearly bring me to tears, but this one succeeded. There is nothing better than reading a story at Christmastime that reminds you that there are still good people and good kids in the world. This is one heartwarming Christmas story that you and your kids can read and enjoy. It will remind you of the true meaning of Christmas, and I believe that the author’s purpose is accomplished. – Ruth, Amazon Reviewer

 

Robert can’t wait to see Santa. He’s got a pile of stuff he wants to ask for. Then he meets Glenn in line, and Robert himself gets to play Santa. I was touched by the main character’s transformation after he came in contact with someone in real need. The glow he walks away with can’t be bought, and he’ll never find it under the Christmas tree, but it’s the heart of the season that he’s found. Nicely illustrated, enjoyable story for readers of all ages. – Jude, Amazon Reviewer

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

“Oh, when will we get there?” whispered Robert from the backseat of his mother’s car. He fiddled with the pull on his coat. The wipers brushed aside the snow falling on the windshield.

As they arrived, lines of cars streamed in and out of the mall parking lot. Robert peered over his mother’s shoulder and saw her white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel. She huffed as she scanned the parking lot for an empty space. He wiggled around, but his seat belt kept him secure.

Inside the mall, Christmas music and the tinkling of jingle bells tickled Robert’s ears. With his mother, Robert weaved through the crowd of shoppers. He smelled fried food from Burger Mart. The sweet scent of warm chocolate chip cookies from the bakery made his mouth water.

Robert’s shoulders drooped when he saw how many kids waited to see Santa. There were babies, some crying and struggling to get out of their mother’s arms. Little kids, many younger than eight-year-old Robert, clung to their father’s pants or jumped up and down as they waited their turn.

“This is going to take forever!”

 

 

Review

 

This book is the perfect way to teach kindness to young children in a way they can understand.

Robert is like most kids and has big dreams for Christmas gifts. That is until he meets another kid in line that doesn’t want anything except a photo with his brother. That gave me pause to think about how many things I have wanted over the years and it humbles me to think about those that have less than most of us do in life.

Outside of the story, the book is chock full of ideas for projects, crafts, discussion questions, and even history about Christmas in other parts of the world.

The illustrations depict the story well and depending on the age of the reader/listener, could have used a few more.

This book makes a great interactive tool for parents to use with their children to teach them how to be kind and giving, especially during the holidays. Although, we should be kind and give year-round because those in need have the need for assistance throughout the year.

I would recommend this book for readers age 7 and up and for parents to read it to younger children.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of four children’s books including, A Christmas Kindness, released by 4RV Publishing. A member of SCBWI, she is blogger and book reviewer. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters. She also has a son who is married.

 

Website * Children’s Book Blog * Twitter * Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Emmie let out a huge sob – “It’s not a film set”, she cried. She held onto Jack for a moment, then took a step back, closed her eyes and shouted – “WHERE AM I?”

When Jack and Emmie suddenly find themselves transported back to London in 1940, they find a world both familiar, yet very different. As they dodge falling bombs and over-zealous policemen, they befriend Jan – a lonely Polish refugee. Together, they must work out if the shadowy figure they keep seeing is a spy and unlock the secret of getting home again…

 

 

Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

 

Free to read via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

Sometimes I enjoy reading middle-grade books because if nothing else, it might teach me a thing or two. In this case, it was an almost teen’s perspective of what the blitz was like for the children of the 1940s. This book also combines a little bit of fantasy and sci-fi into the mix with the time travel aspect of the story.

It starts off with Jack being asked to write a page about what children might have thought or felt during WWII especially during the blitz. He is like any other 12 year old and has no idea what to think or write. Emmie is in another class and they are acting out the same type of scenario but neither really have any idea what those children went through 80 years ago. That is until the bus they are riding on zaps them back to the past and they are dumped into the reality of the 1940s.

This is truly a learning experience for Jack and Emmie. They have to figure out how to fend for themselves when it comes to food and shelter, avoid the police, and they also have to figure out how they were taken back to the past and how do they get back to their time? Luckily, they meet a couple of other young children that they befriend and it is an adventure for all of them. Jan (pronounced Yan) and Stan (short for Stanislaw) are from Poland and were part of the program that took young children from their countries and housed them in England where they would hopefully survive the war. These four form a fast friendship despite some misunderstandings at first.

This was a somewhat fast read for me, but one that was enjoyable because I too couldn’t wait to find out how they were going to get back to the present. Thankfully, there are people that took care of them at times with food, shelter, and friendship. I think this experience definitely taught these two a little something about history and what they shouldn’t take for granted in their own time.

I think this would be a great read for anyone and we give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Glen Blackwell lives in Suffolk, England. He has a career in finance and We’re Moving Where?! is his first book. Inspired by bedtime reading with his 3 daughters, Glen loves to bring stories to life for young readers.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

 

 

 

ONCE UPON A CAMEL

 

By Kathi Appelt

 

 

Categories: Middle Grade Fiction / Historical / Friendship / Ages 8-12

Publisher: Atheneum / Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Pub Date: September 7, 2021

Pages: 336 pages

 

Scroll for the Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Zada is a camel with a treasure trove of stories to tell. She’s won camel races for the royal Pasha of Smyrna, crossed treacherous oceans to new land, led army missions with her best camel friend by her side, and outsmarted a far too pompous mountain lion.

But those stories were from before. Now, Zada wanders the desert as the last camel in Texas. But she’s not alone. Two tiny kestrel chicks are nestled in the fluff of fur between her ears—kee-killy-keeing for their missing parents—and a dust storm the size of a mountain is taking Zada on one more grand adventure. And it could lead to this achy old camel’s most brilliant story yet

 

 

 

Simon and Schuster~ Bookshop.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What an enticing tale to encourage young readers. I think this is a book my great-niece would enjoy with the characters, history, and the stories within the story.

This adventure follows Zada, a camel that has made her way to Texas from the middle east. We learn about Zada’s life growing up in Smyrna and what happened to her once she arrived in Texas and how she came to be in Texas. This is all told through stories to two Kestrel chicks that have been separated from their parents during a haboob or windstorm. Haboobs aren’t common to Texas so we would call it something else but that brings in a new word for the reader. As Zada and the chicks take shelter in a cave, she has to worry if the mountain lion will be there and decide to attack or if they will be able to ride out the storm in peace. Thankfully, it is the former, but this is when the stories really begin and there is even a story that involves the lion that Zada wisely saves for when it is needed to protect them.

The two Kestrel chicks are a hoot and are constantly bugging each other and it reminds me of any family with children that complain about someone touching them, or crossing a line, or just basically bugging their sibling. However, Zada is able to bring calm and peace to the situation with her stories and keep the chicks safe while entertaining them so they don’t get into trouble.

Each story is magical and I loved the illustrations that accompany the book. I appreciated the dates at the beginning of each chapter so I knew if this was Zada’s past or more of her present.

This is not only an entertaining book but one that is educational as well. I learned things about camels, weather, birds (especially Kestrels), history, and so much more. I really enjoy it when a story incorporates history in a fun way that you don’t realize you are learning something new.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathi Appelt is the author of the Newbery Honoree, National Book Award finalist, and bestselling The Underneath as well as the National Book Award Finalist The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp, Maybe a Fox (with Alison McGhee), Keeper, and many picture books including Counting Crows and Mogie, the Heart of the House. She lives in College Station, Texas, with her husband and five gifted and talented cats.

 

 

 

 

Website ║ Facebook ║ Instagram

 

Pinterest ║ Amazon ║ Goodreads

 

BookBub ║ Twitter

 

 

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

 

Three signed copies of the book

 

(US only. Ends midnight, CDT, 10/9/21)

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily.

Or, visit the blogs directly:

 

9/29/21	Book Trailer	The Clueless Gent
9/29/21	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
9/30/21	Excerpt	That’s What She’s Reading
9/30/21	Review	The Plain-Spoken Pen
9/30/21	BONUS Promo	LSBBT Blog
10/1/21	Review	Forgotten Winds
10/1/21	BONUS Review	Hall Ways Blog
10/2/21	Review	Missus Gonzo
10/3/21	Video Guest Post	All the Ups and Downs
10/4/21	Review	The Page Unbound
10/5/21	Guest Post	Chapter Break Book Blog
10/5/21	Review	Stories Under Starlight
10/6/21	Review	Julia Picks 1
10/7/21	Scrapbook Page	The Adventures of a Travelers Wife
10/7/21	Review	Reading by Moonlight
10/8/21	Review	It’s Not All Gravy
10/8/21	Review	Book Bustle

 

 

 

 

 

blog tour services provided by

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

When compared to her nearly perfect little sister, Phoebe Paz Petersen feels she doesn’t measure up in her parents’ eyes. Okalee is smart and beloved for her sunny disposition, but if Phoebe can get picked for the coveted solo in the school choir, she’ll stop being a middle-school nobody and finally get her chance to shine.

The sisters have one very special, secret tradition: River Day—when they hold hands and make their way across the cold, rushing Grayling River to celebrate the first hint of spring. This year’s River Day crossing, however, goes horribly wrong, and Phoebe’s world is suddenly turned upside down.

Heartbroken and facing life without Okalee, Phoebe is more determined than ever to sing the solo in the school concert as a way of speaking to her sister one last time. But Phoebe’s so traumatized by what happened, she’s lost her beautiful singing voice.

Kat Waters wants the solo for herself and is spreading a terrible rumor about what really happened to Okalee on River Day. If Phoebe tells the truth, she fears her family will never forgive her and she may never get to sing her goodbye to Okalee

Missing Okalee is an empathy-building novel about the unbreakable bond between sisters and finding the courage to do what’s right amid heartbreak and tragedy.

 

 

IndieBound * Amazon * B&N * BAM

 

Desert Books * Bookshop * Walmart

 

 

Review

 

This book is aimed at middle-grade readers but as a warning, the book deals with death, guilt, grief, bullying, and other heavy topics.

Phoebe and Okalee are close sisters and while they might fight or argue on occasion, they are a strong support system for each other. That is until River Day and Okalee dies in the river. What follows is Phoebe’s attempt to deal with what happened that day and the guilt she feels about the situation.

The story is heavy and my heart breaks for Phoebe and everything she has to deal with including a bully that spreads rumors and has Phoebe questioning what really happened that day. Did the events occur as she remembered? Did someone see what happened? We also see how the death of her sister impacts her parents, especially her mother who spirals down into depression.

I like how Phoebe does realize that she needs to talk to someone about the situation and talks to the school counselor. It reminds us that we cannot bottle all of our emotions up and sometimes talking to someone else helps us through a tragedy or to sort things out in our head. The guilt has also impacted Phoebe’s ability to sing which only delights the bully since she wants to sing the solo in the school pageant that Phoebe rightfully earned. I was disappointed that the school didn’t intervene more regarding the bullying but I am not sure how much they really knew since Phoebe doesn’t report the acts.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and it brings to mind that life can be hard and that it is ok to ask for help and to grieve a loss. This may not be for everyone but would be a great book to discuss with younger children and how they might handle certain situations. We give this 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

LAURA OJEDA MELCHOR is from Montana and grew up in a Spanish-speaking home that celebrated her family’s Cuban culture. She is a self-described bookworm who graduated with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in Alaska with her husband and son.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Twitter * TikTok

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: THE MYSTERY AT TURKELTON MANOR

Author: Kraig Dafoe

Publisher: Independent

Pages: 188

Genre: Middle-Grade Mystery 10 years and up

 

Synopsis

 

Twelve-year-old Nathaniel Jones wants to be a detective. Though his imagination tends to run wild, Nate knows something strange is going on and he is determined to figure it out. Hearing noises at night, the young detective sees a strange figure lurking about. The Turkeltons are rich and Nate’s grandfather is their groundskeeper. As a result, Nate gets to spend the summer on the manor grounds. With priceless art and expensive jewelry in the mix, and someone creeping around at night, Nate becomes determined to catch a thief. There’s just one problem; nothing seems to be missing.

 

 

 

Review

 

This middle-grade mystery will interest mystery loving kids. I have to admit, even I didn’t figure out all of the pieces until it was revealed to us in the book.

Nate has had a strong influence on him via his father and paternal grandfather since they are both in the mystery solving world as private investigators. However, this summer, Nate is visiting his maternal grandparents and they have a different outlook on life. That doesn’t prevent his detective skills from emerging when he thinks something is afoot next door at the Turkelton Manor. He isn’t wrong, but it takes some investigation and the help of some new friends to uncover the mystery but not without putting himself in a little bit of a sticky situation.

Nate seems to be an odd kid and doesn’t seem to have a lot of friends. That is hard on him when it comes to befriending the Turkelton children, but it shows how hard it can be to meet new people at a young age when you are more of an introvert than an extrovert. Nate also has good deduction and reasoning skills despite not sharing that information with people that might be able to help him out.

I enjoyed the mystery, and as I said before, even I didn’t figure out all of the pieces of the puzzle. There is a lot of misdirection but that is what made the book fun.

I’m not 100% sure if I read an ARC, but there were some oddities in the book. When Nate was thinking about what he had seen or trying to figure out the mystery, it referred to him as the detective. It was like he had an alter ego or something. I did notice a fair amount of typos/spelling errors that may or may not have been caught before publishing.

Overall a good book and we give it 3 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

Chapter One

 

Picasso, Dali, and Monet were just a few of the artists whose works graced the walls of Turkelton Manor. The museum-like display was worth a small fortune, but no ropes or security guards kept visitors from getting too close.

Around mid-day on Friday, Nate was riding his bicycle along the long paved driveway of the manor when he noticed a small white delivery van enter through the open gates of the estate.

Usually closed and controlled by remote, the twelve-foot double gate was currently broken, along with many other things at the estate, which its new owners were in the process of fixing.

The day could never be boring if Nate’s imagination had anything to do with it, but it seemed he rarely had to depend on his imagination to keep him busy for long, and this sunny summer day was no exception.

The vehicle had no windows except for the ones up front and, at first, Nate thought it might be Fed Ex, but a sharp glint of sunlight bouncing off the hood of the van kept him from seeing it had no Fed Ex markings, until it got closer and the glare went away.
Nate was always paying attention to the little things, and his observation skills often amused his family, but it never surprised them as Nate’s father was a police detective and his grandfather on his father’s side of the family was a famous private investigator. Family members commented that it ran in his blood.

The delivery van stopped just before it reached the detective and the driver got out and buttoned his suit jacket. The idea that he wore a dark suit struck Nate a little odd, as he was driving a delivery van. The man was small, around five feet, eight inches tall, and very lean. He looked to be in his late forties or early fifties as his hair was beginning to gray above the ears and recede at the top, but it was possible that premature graying made him look older than he was.

“Hello,” the stranger said politely as Nate stopped his bicycle and stood with it balanced between his legs. “I have a delivery of art for the Turkeltons. Do you know if they are at home?”

There was something in the man’s tone that made Nate think he sounded like a bit of a snob, but he wasn’t able to put his finger on it. The man spoke as though he had an accent, though only with certain words.

“I’m not sure,” Nate replied. “I know some people are working at the house though. Just follow the drive straight down,” Nate said, as he looked the direction of the house and pointed.

The man smiled at him. “Of course,” he said, looking down the drive. The man gave him a little bow and then he unbuttoned his suit jacket before hopping back into the van. As he slowly pulled away, he waved and smiled again.

The boy turned his bike and followed the vehicle down to the huge house looming in the distance. Pink Dogwood trees lined both sides of the driveway which ran pretty much straight down to the manor. The trees offered, aside from their visual beauty, an aroma that varied from day to day. This day they smelled as pretty as they looked, while other days the odor was downright unpleasant. Nate was familiar with these trees, but didn’t dwell too much on why their smell changed.

Through the trees, Nate could see much of the grounds. To his right, as he rode toward the manor, was a thick batch of woods. The many oaks and maples intertwined with various other trees struggling for sunlight through the thick canopy. Where the woods ended, a lush green paddock for the horses began. On the opposite side of the driveway was a large pond, or a small lake depending on who was referring to it.
The boy’s curiosity started getting the best of him and he wanted to see some of the art that was in the van. When the vehicle approached the circular round about in front of the house, the driver was careful not to hit the various other work trucks parked there or drive on the grass in the center. The house was under renovation and the construction crew was still hard at work.

Nate rode around the circle a couple of times after the man found a place to park. An empty water fountain sat in the center of the grass circle and Nate couldn’t help but think it was big enough to swim in, if it were full. He watched as the man made his way up the curvy brick walk that had low flowering shrubs on either side of it, and then climbed the steep wide stairs leading to the large front door of the manor.

 

About the Author

 

Kraig Dafoe was born in New York.  Kraig went back to college at the age of 42 earning his BA in English writing, and graduating cum laude from Washburn University in 2017. Deciding to continue his education, Kraig received his Master of Liberal Studies degree in 2019. Kraig is a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society, and The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

 

Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Kite to Freedom: The Story of a Kite-Flying Contest, the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge, and the Underground Railroad is an action-packed, fictionalized account of actual events that occurred during the construction of the Niagara Falls International Suspension Bridge, which still connects the United States and Canada at Niagara Falls.

When engineers were faced with the challenge of bridging the vast Niagara Gorge, the solution was a kite-flying contest. After Katie and Homan’s kite crosses the gorge and wins the contest, construction begins on the first suspension bridge to connect the United States and Canada. The two friends are there as it becomes an important link on the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape to freedom. Even as her parents try to shield her from the ugly existence of slavery and the dangers of the Underground Railroad, Katie discovers that the scary truth is closer to home than she could have imagined, even meeting a woman she later learns was Harriet Tubman along the way.

 

 

 

City of Light Publishing * Amazon * B&N * Bookshop

 

 

Excerpt

 

Get a peek into the book with this excerpt from chapter 4.

 

Katie’s Question

 

On their walk home, Katie and her papa talked about the contest. Papa told Katie that she and Homan should hope that the snow held off for the contest. Katie breathed into the icy air just to see it. It wasn’t long before the father and daughter reached home and Katie ran inside to hug her mother.

“Something smells delicious,” exclaimed Papa. “I made stew and some bread this afternoon,” said Katie’s mama.

Katie was at the stove, peering into the pot and smelling the simmering dinner. Mama came over to the stove and began scooping heaps of the stew into bowls, handing them to Katie to bring to the table. They sat down and Katie began slurping her stew as her parents talked about the day. Her ears perked up when she heard her name.

“I’ve got an early delivery tomorrow, and Katie hoped to come with me in the morning to Homan’s place. They’re building a kite for the contest,” said Papa.

“Oh, is that right?” Mama asked. “What color kite are you going to build?”

Katie stopped gulping down her dinner to join the conversation.

“Homan says it’s called a barn door kite, but I don’t know what color it will be yet. We don’t have any fabric.”

“Well, I imagine it will have to be light enough to catch the wind, but sturdy enough to withstand the snow,” Mama said.

“Yeah, Homan said it needed to be real light.”

“Well, after you help me clean up dinner, maybe we can go through my fabric scraps to see if there is anything you like.”

“Really?” asked Katie, already visibly excited. Mama nodded, a small grin creeping across her face.

“Now where is this delivery that you’ve got to leave the house so early for?” Mama asked, looking Papa squarely in the face. “I don’t think it’s right of that Walsh fella to be sending you out before the sun even rises.”

“He’s not making me go. I just want to get the delivery out to the Cataract House,” Papa replied. “I’ve got some business to handle with the headwaiter. We have to straighten out some things.”

Mama seemed to understand exactly what this meant. Katie remembered the last time that she saw the Cataract House. She remembered Homan telling her about slaves. She remembered that woman as she ran away from all those angry men. She wondered if the woman was a slave.

“What’s a slave?” Katie asked. The question seemed to shock both of her parents. A silence that felt like an eternity ensued. Katie began to worry.

“Why you askin’ about slaves?” said Mama. “Where’d you hear that word?”

Papa seemed alarmed, as if something he had said led to this question.

“Well, the last time me and Homan went down to the islands, we saw the Cataract House and he told me Southerners come up here with their slaves.”

Papa finally spoke. “Homan is right. Lots of Southern people come to see Niagara Falls. The ones who can afford to stay at the Cataract House are rich, and many rich Southern families own slaves.”

“But a slave is a person, right?” asked Katie. “Homan said a slave is a black person who works for a white person and doesn’t get paid. How can you own a person?”

“Things are very different in the South, Katie,” said Papa. “People buy and sell other people and make them work in their fields. People who look like us are considered property—objects— in the South.”

“But how come we’re not?” asked Katie.

“Before you were born, your grandparents were purchased from a Southerner by a Northern man. That man made a habit of buying people—people just like you and me—and bringing them to the North to set them free,” said Mama.

“Those people at the Cataract House who come to see the Falls—do they set their slaves free when they come to the North?” Katie asked.

“Unfortunately, not all people share the same values,” said Papa.

“They bring slaves here to be slaves, and bring them home just the same,” added Mama.

Katie thought about bringing up the woman she had seen running away and the boat that ferried her off. She thought about telling them about all the angry men who chased her. But then she thought it best to not tell her parents what she had seen. Her parents might not let her go back to the Cataract House or go exploring, even during the summer. Maybe they wouldn’t even let her go to the kite-flying contest. She decided to remain silent.

That night, after all the dishes were washed and Katie had picked out pretty fabric for the kite from her mother’s bin of scraps, she changed into her nightgown and crawled into bed. She contemplated the dinner conversation. Now she understood what a slave was, but she still didn’t understand why she was any different.

 

 

Review

 

This is a great middle-grade book that teaches children about how a suspension bridge was built over the Niagra Falls gorge and also teaches them about how different parts of the country viewed slavery in the mid-1800s along with some facts about the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman.

The story is well told and I appreciated Katie’s innocence in what she knew as a young lady. While she recognized that she and Homan had different skin colors, they treated each other as equals and didn’t think twice about their differences. I think they both learned a lesson about slavery and human rights as they observed a young black woman escaping to freedom in Canada. They are even able to meet her and spend time with her during a snowstorm that left them stranded in Canada for a few days.

I especially enjoyed the part of the story that educated me on how suspension bridges are built and the ingenuity that one person came up with to get the wire over the gorge to the other side. This was no easy task but it was a nice peek into STEM and might influence another young mind in this field.

I enjoyed the illustrations and felt like they capture the scene and the moment and add dimension to the book.

I think this is a must read for middle-grade students. They can learn quite a bit and perhaps whet their appetite for more. We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Kathleen A. Dinan was inspired to write this book by her father. She was born in Buffalo, New York, and lived most of her adult life in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, where she raised her three children. A graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law, she worked in New York City for many years.

About the Illustrator

 

Iris M. Kirkwood, a self-taught visual artist, was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, just a few miles from Niagara Falls. She used elements of the story, the setting, the young characters, and her unique point of view, combined with digital and traditional tools, to create the visual narrative for this story. Her work is in private collections as well as exhibited in galleries and museums.