BETTER TO WISH for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

Ann M. Martin’s BETTER TO WISH begins with a brief prologue to introduce the main character. The year is 2022 and Better+to+WishAbby Nichols is 100-years-old. The first chapter then takes you back to when she was 8 and the rest of the book chronicles the ups and downs of her life until she’s in her early twenties. The story is sad and sweet and will touch you deeply in many ways.

Each time I picked up the book, the author’s name – Ann M. Martin – stared at me and I kept asking myself Where have I come across her books before? The answer was in her bio located in the inside book jacket. Twenty years ago in my then sixth grade classroom, she was the most popular author on my  shelves for most girls (and a few boys). She started the widely popular BABYSITTER”S CLUB series in addition to other popular novels and series.

BETTER TO WISH is a far different story and one I didn’t expect to enjoy. I’m glad I was proven wrong.  It’s also the first in the Family Tree series that take you deeper into other generations of Abby’s family. The second book, THE LONG WAY HOME, came out in late 2013 and is about Abby’s daughter, DANA. The third, BEST KEPT SECRET,  just released this year, details the beginning years of Abby’s granddaughter, Francie. Finally, next year the series will conclude with Abby’s great granddaughter taking center stage with HOME IS THE PLACE.

 

PUBLICATION DATE:2013   READING LEVEL: 4.7    WORD COUNT: 44,343

FULL PLOT (From Amazon): In 1930, Abby Nichols is eight, and can’t imagine what her future holds. The best things today would be having a dime for the fair, keeping her Pops from being angry, and saving up eighty-seven cents to surprise her little sister with a tea set for Christmas.

But Abby’s world is changing fast. Soon there will be new siblings to take care of, a new house to move into, and new friends to meet. But there will also be good-byes to say and hard choices to make. As Abby grows older, how will she decide what sort of life will fit her best?

In this incredible new series, bestselling author Ann M. Martin brings the past and the present together one girlhood at a time and shows readers the way a family grows.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT BETTER TO WISH

  1. The jolt you get with the realities of limited choices for young women graduating from high school 75 years ago. Marriage and a family was the expectation and a career in any prominent field was discouraged.
  2. The snapshot of life in the 1930’s. No computers, Facebook, or Twitter. Cell phones? You’d have to wait another 50 years for those to surface. Life may not have been easy during those years, but it seemed a lot simpler.
  3. The relationship of Abby with her father. I’m certainly considering him for my 2nd annual award for the jerkiest parent in books, but I also need to remind myself of the time period. Many were like Luther, bigoted and career driven and not wanting to talk about life’s problems.
  4. It’s a coming of age story in a time period unknown by today”s youth. They would be enriched by taking a texting break  and reading this book.
  5. Any good series has you wanting to read more. This one did just that. Unfortunately the next three will have to take their place on the bottom of a overly large TBR list… but I will get to them eventually!

FAVORITE LINES:

“She turned over carefully and thought about Marie and about Orrin and the UmHays, and about what it must feel like to be foreign or dark-skinned or out of work when all around you, people like Pop were watching with smug eyes.”

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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THE 9 LIVES OF ALEXANDER BADDENFIELD for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

Yes, this is a weird book. You’ll either love it for its quirkiness or shake your head at death being the main course on its 17572879pages. Of course it’s hard to get attached to our MC when he keeps getting killed. The dark humor throughout should appeal to mostly boys. The deaths are not graphically detailed and several happen in the course of a few pages, all in the same way. As I was reading it to myself, I thought this would be a great read-a-loud, especially for someone who could do voices well. It’s a quick read that does include some challenging vocabulary words.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2013   WORD COUNT: 22,088  LEVEL: 5.6

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  Alexander Baddenfield is a horrible boy—a really horrible boy—who is the last in a long line of lying, thieving scoundrels.  One day, Alexander has an astonishing idea.  Why not transplant the nine lives from his cat into himself?  Suddenly, Alexander has lives to spare, and goes about using them up, attempting the most outrageous feats he can imagine.  Only when his lives start running out, and he is left with only one just like everyone else, does he realize how reckless he has been.

With its wickedly funny story and equally clever illustrations, this is dark humor at its most delicious.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE 9 LIVES OF ALEXANDER BADDENFIELD

  1. The whimsical, okay… creepy drawings are perfect. They’re done by long time illustrator, Sophie Blackall, who also did the Ivy and Bean Series and two dozen other children’s books.
  2. The humor is not for everyone, but I did chuckle a few times .
  3. Nothing to hide here if you happen to accidentally open this book. I’d keep the little ones away. Definitely one for older MG. You know there are going to be deaths and they’re not going to be pretty as you imagine them. But some kids and adults can’t get enough of the macabre.
  4. I didn’t expect there to be a moral to this odd tale, but there it was on the last page.
  5. If you have read every Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl book, this will be a story you’ll enjoy.

FAVORITE LINES: (From p. 55, not even half way through the book)

…I suggest that you turn back now. You have hopefully enjoyed the story so far. Why not quit while you are ahead?

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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ANDI UNEXPECTED for an Unexpected Midweek Review

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

Yes, I’ve been reading books like crazy. Traditionally I’m a before bedtime reader, catching a few chapters before lights out. This has changed in the past year thanks in part to an unmanageable growing list of books on my taller than me TBR list. Normally I only post reviews on Mondays as a part of  Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday celebration. Thanks to my increase in reading time, and no I’m not sick, jobless, or with nothing to do, I’m four weeks ahead in my posts for MMGM – good all the way through this month.

How did I do it? I bring a book with me everywhere. It’s amazing how much time there is during the day. I might sneak away at lunch for 10 minutes, there’s a 15 minute wait at the dentist, another 12 or so waiting for a haircut. It adds up and if a few extra minutes at night presents itself, out comes the book. I’m also not someone who hides a book in their lap, huddled over each word. I proudly hold each title about a foot from my eyes and read away. I did get a few stares in the haircut salon. One guy was reading ESPN magazine and the other furiously texting. They kept glancing my way, I’m sure wondering what I was doing reading ANDI UNEXPECTED by Amanda Flower.  9780310737018_imageThey never asked but they should have. It’s a great start to a fun series (ANDI UNDER PRESSURE, the second Andi Boggs novel, will be released this October.)

PUBLICATION DATE:2013 READING LEVEL: 4.8 WORD COUNT: 44,130

FULL PLOT (From Amazon): After the sudden death of their parents in the jungles of Central America, twelve-year-old science geek Andora ‘Andi’ Boggs and her diva teenaged sister, Bethany, move to rural Killdeer, Ohio to live with their eccentric twenty-something aunt. And while the timeworn house has been home to the Boggs family for generations, Andi feels far from at home. Exploring the attic in her grief, she discovers proof of another Andora Boggs in the family tree hidden in a Depression-era trunk. Despite the meddling of the citizens of Killdeer, Andi and her new friend, Colin Carter, are determined to find out who this first Andora was, how she vanished, and why no one in town wants to talk about her. As more and more unanswered questions pile up, Andi and Colin must decide who they can trust with their secrets and who is interested in Andora’s story for the wrong reasons.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT ANDI UNEXPECTED by Amanda Flower

  1. A strong female protagonist. Andi has questions and is not afraid to find the answers. Her voice shined on every page.
  2. Her friend, Colin. He’s a smart boy other kids can’t relate to. He also has asthma and has to constantly monitor his own health. It’s an honest look into what children with asthma go through.
  3. The friendship that grows between Andi and Colin. It will be interesting to read how this relationship moves forward in future novels.
  4. The mystery is fun to follow as you try guessing what happened to Andi’s ancestor.You’ll also be wondering which adults are helpful and which are not. The results are surprising.
  5. The honest and real snapshot of Andi and her older sister as they cope differently with their parent’s death. The sisters don’t really like each other or the way each acts. It’s a sub mystery within the bigger one that both girls will need to solve.

FAVORITE LINES:

“Andi’s not a fit name for a girl. Parents today think they have the license to name their children whatever they wish. Ridiculous, You hardly hear any good solid names anymore. I miss names like Ruth or Mary or Rebecca. It’s all Apple, Mango, and Pear these days. What, do people think they are making a fruit salad instead of naming a child?”

 

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CHASING THE MILKY WAY for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

I got the jump on this new release thanks to Deb Marshall and her recent contest giveaway. Take a look at Deb’s blog called Read Write Tell. It will be a worth your time.

CHASING THE MILKY WAY is a middle grade book that should fall into the upper ranges of that category. With doses 9780399164491of profanity and the topic at hand, mental illness, ages 11-14 may be a better fit than the advertised 8-12. With that said, the story was one of my favorite reads so far this year.

The writing oozes with hope one minute and despair the next. It’s a roller coaster ride of emotions. Despite the plot having one or two hard to believe occurrences, this will be a book to treasure for now and the future. It gives meaning to the issue of mental illness that is rarely explored in MG books, and does it so well. Thanks go to the author, Erin E. Moulton, for having the courage to write about such a difficult topic. In her Author’s Notes she says “Did you know 1 in 4 Americans will suffer from mental illness in their lifetime?” And then she provides several resources for learning more.

CHASING THE MILKY WAY packs a powerful punch and you’ll be enriched by the experience.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   PAGE COUNT: 277

FULL PLOT (From Amazon): Lucy Peevy has a dream–to get out of the trailer park she lives in and become a famous scientist. And she’s already figured out how to do that: Build a robot that will win a cash prize at the BotBlock competition and save it for college. But when you’ve got a mama who doesn’t always take her meds, it’s not easy to achieve those goals. Especially when Lucy’s mama takes her, her baby sister Izzy, and their neighbor Cam away in her convertible, bound for parts unknown. But Lucy, Izzy and Cam are good at sticking together, and even better at solving problems. But not all problems have the best solutions, and Lucy and Izzy must face the one thing they’re scared of even more than Mama’s moods: living without her at all.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT CHASING THE MILKY WAY

  1. Lucy is a budding scientist and a very good one. A great role model for girls.
  2. The relationship of Lucy, her little sister Izzie, and best friend Cam is touching and heartfelt. They stick together through good and bad. You so want them to succeed, if not now then in the future.
  3. Brief flashbacks scattered across the pages, tell the back story of Lucy, her mom, and grandma. Centered around each of Lucy’s past birthdays, it’s a look at how their relationship changed and gives meaning for the decisions each face.
  4. For the most part, the story is a page turning adventure. It’s the perfect way to not allow the difficult topic of mental illness to override the true meaning of the book. It’s really about family and friendship.
  5. Lucy’s  first person narrative is the perfect voice to tell the story. She’s tough, smart, and willing to speak her mind.

FAVORITE LINE:

I hear Izzy sniffle next to me and I open up my arm like a wing, and wonder what we’re going to do now.

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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THE GREAT GREENE HEIST for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

The cover really draws you into reading this new novel by Varian Johnson. I did so a few weeks ago at the end of my greeneparticipation in the 48 Hour Book Challenge. It was my final title to read. As the final minutes ticked away there was only time to read the first two chapters. Not to be defeated, I started over a few days later.  My initial two-point reaction remained the same:

  • Was this a sequel? No, it’s not but it was like I missed the first course or two of an important dinner. I needed a scorecard with all the characters and back story thrown in. Just in the first ten pages you have Jackson Greene, Mrs. Kau, Coach Rainey, Mr. James, A.P Nelson, Gaby de la Cruz, Charlie de la Cruz, Naomi Sinclair, Keith Sinclair, Dr. Kelsey, Mr. Pritchard, Blitz at the Fitz, Mid-Day PDA, Lynne Thurber, Fiona, Omar Turner, Katie, and Heather Ames. Whew, I was exhausted. I checked out the  prequel on Mr. Jonson’s web site and dove back into the story.
  • I couldn’t get over that this cast of characters were mostly just turned 13-year-olds. What’s going on in Columbus, Ohio? I kept expecting a dream sequence to end. They all acted and appeared more like a high school crowd than middle school.

Moving beyond those concerns, I tossed aside the implausible plot and just enjoyed the story. It became an enjoyable ride. The diversity angle was great and the back story eventually explained. Fans of heist movies will get a kick out of the various roles each of the characters take. Real middle school age kids will be wondering why their school isn’t anything like Maplewood Middle.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   PAGE COUNT: 226

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  Jackson Greene swears he’s given up scheming. Then school bully Keith Sinclair announces he’s running for Student Council president, against Jackson’s former friend Gaby de la Cruz. Gaby wants Jackson to stay out of it — but he knows Keith has “connections” to the principal, which could win him the presidency no matter the vote count.

So Jackson assembles a crack team:  Hashemi Larijani, tech genius. Victor Cho, bankroll. Megan Feldman, science goddess. Charlie de la Cruz, reporter. Together they devise a plan that will take down Keith, win Gaby’s respect, and make sure the election is done right. If they can pull it off, it will be remembered as the school’s greatest con ever — one worthy of the name THE GREAT GREENE HEIST.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE GREAT GREENE HEIST

  1. You are kept guessing how our young protagonist is going to pull off his plan. The reader gets many of the details, but there are still enough unanswered questions to keep those pages turning.
  2. A very rare African-American protagonist in a contemporary middle school book. No stereotypes, just another boy in a diverse group of characters.
  3. The brief though powerful scene that demonstrates racism is still out there.
  4. This cast of teen characters are smart and it’s something not to hide. Young readers take note.
  5. Many references are made to the movie, Oceans 11, but I think this would actually make a blockbuster movie in and of itself.

FAVORITE LINES:

Jackson shook his head. The idea if Mrs. Goldman being a Sk8tr Boiz fan weirded him out. He figured someone like her – someone in her thirties – would like boring music, like smooth jazz.

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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Ten Favorite Summertime Middle Grade Reads

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

Yes, the time has come to say goodbye to spring, at least on the calendar. This Saturday the sun will be at its farthest point north of the equatorphoto (Exactly 6:51 A.M. EDT if you want to celebrate). It’s also a good time to take note of books you or your middle grade child want to explore. Nothing heavy for the summer. Just some light, humorous stories to read during this active season. All of them are linked to Amazon if you want to take a peek at the first few pages. Enjoy! I’m off to the pool.

ALVIN HO: ALLERGIC TO BABIES, BURGLARS, AND OTHER BUMPS IN THE NIGHTby Lenore Look

BILLIONAIRE BOY by David Walliams

CHARLIE JOE JACKSON”S GUIDE TO NOT READING by Tommy Greenwald (My review)

FAKE MUSTACHE by Tom Angleberger

FINALLY by Wendy Mass

JACK STRONG TAKES A STAND by Tommy Greenwald (My Review)

MISSION UNSTOPPABLE (The Genius Files #1) by Dan Gutman

THE FOURTH STALL by Chris Rylander

THE GREAT WALL OF LUCY WU by Wendy Wan-Long Shang

THE PET WAR by Allan Woodrow (My Review)

Coming Monday: A review of THE GREAT GREENE HEIST.

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Middle School How I Survived Bullies, Broccoli, and Snake Hill for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

It’s been 2 years since I picked up the first book in James Patterson’s series, MIDDLE SCHOOL THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE. It never made it here for a review because… well, I didn’t like it. The main character was a forgettable kid named Rafe that I could not attach myself to. His whole demeanor just didn’t sit with me well. Yeah, there were parts like him missing his twin brother that revealed some of his inner character, but for the most part I was disappointed and decided to avoid any future stories about Rafe.

So now MIDDLE SCHOOL – HOW I SURVIVED BULLIES, BROCCOLI, AND SNAKE HILL (the fourth book) had somehow found a home middle school on my bookshelf urging me to read. It had been there close to a year. With the official day of summer this coming Saturday, I finally opened and read the first ten pages and was laughing out loud. Rafe had become the kid I expected to read about in the first book. His internal dialog is hilarious and the summer camp setting is a fast paced read for any reader, reluctant or not. How was the rest of the book? The story did not disappoint.

With book #6  set to release next week, MIDDLE SCHOOL – SAVE RAFE!, (thanks for the shorter title) this series has many happy fans. Not sure if the new one has a co-writer but this one does, Chris Tebbetts.  Makes me feel pretty good that one of the most successful adult authors needs help from a second author to write a middle grade book. Yes, books at this level are hard to write! Kidding aside, great job on the collaboration.

PUBLICATION DATE:2013    LEVEL: 4.0  WORD COUNT: 34,646

FULL PLOT (From Amazon): Rafe Khatchadorian, the hero of the bestselling Middle School series, is ready for a fun summer at camp–until he finds out it’s a summer school camp! Luckily, Rafe easily makes friends with his troublemaking cabin mates and bunkmate, a boy nicknamed Booger-Eater, who puts up with endless teasing from the other kids. Rafe soon realizes there’s more to a person than a nickname, though, and Booger-Eater might be the kind of friend you want on your side when the boys from the Cool Cabin attack.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL – HOW I SURVIVED BULLIES, BROCCOLI, AND SNAKE HILL

  1. The various classic books thrown in along the way. When a non-reader like Rafe starts to think maybe these titles aren’t so bad, it’s a good thing for reluctant readers everywhere.
  2. Rafe isn’t the most perfect kid in the world, but this story gave meaning behind his misdeeds. It’s nice to know Rafe has a heart for those being bullied and seeks to do something about it.
  3. The plot is a writer’s guide in how to write one. There’s the beginning with the problem laid out and characters come to life. The middle that keeps pushing the reader to not put down the book. Finally the end where the problem is solved in a rather messy way, but it does get solved.
  4. Rafe’s friends in his cabin each have their own unique personality. It’s the secret Norman the bookworm is carrying around that had me cheering for Rafe and what he did to protect his new buddy.
  5. The pictures are funny and you can get lost just looking at all of the little jokes planted in each drawing. I’ve also been to camp as a kid, as a counselor, and as a teacher. Nothing like this ever happened but it felt good to bring back those memories. Whoops, I think I threw in a #6 there. Regardless, Rafe and this episode of the Middle School series is highly recommended for a summertime read.

FAVORITE LINES (There are so many, it was hard to choose just one. I let a 13-year-old pick the best from Rafe’s rambling thoughts):

  1. Maybe you already know this, but when you’re feeling like you’re about to blow chunks, it doesn’t exactly help to hear someone else doing the deed in front of you. It just kind of speeds things up.
  2. I’m not going to lie. All I thought when I saw him was, I hope this kid brought sunblock.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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Do Dads Get a Fair Look in MG Books?

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

Father’s Day is fast approaching and this Sunday it will be time to celebrate our dads. Happy Father’s Day!

I’ve read a lot of middle grade books the past year where the dad is not portrayed in the best light. In fact, it felt like a large number of dads in MG books were not doing their job of being a father. My curiosity took control as I wondered whether the books I’ve read really did predominantly have a poor role model father. Or could it be I was remembering the bad and forgetting the fathers who were there for their kids.

I went back to every book I read since the last Father’s Day (60 total). It wasn’t difficult as I reviewed many of them here and the rest remain on my bookshelf. I placed each dad in one of four categories. The final percentages are different than expected.

DAD IS DIVORCED OR WALKED OUT AND HASN’T BEEN SEEN SINCE (39%)

DAD HOME AND A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL IN CHILD’S LIFE (31%)

DAD IS DEAD (15%)

DAD HOME BUT NOT A PART OF CHILD”S LIFE (15%)

The largest category could probably be split as many divorced dads in books do a fine job of staying connected with their kids.

Do the results stand up to all recent MG books. Yes, I’d say this is a pretty good sample size.

Do the results parallel real life? I’d hope not, but I’m probably wrong.

What do you think? Are dad’s getting a fair shake in MG books?

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A Special MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY: Blog tour for It’s NOT Just A Dog

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

Just Dog Blog BannerI am thrilled to be the seventh stop on the Blog Tour for It’s NOT Just A Dog, a new novel by Pam Torres. Thanks for inviting me, Pam! The full schedule is below in case you missed the start and the tour roams the Internet for a whole month. I’ll do my regular MMGM look at It”s NOT Just A Dog, but then keep scrolling for more links, author background, and a fun contest.

Yes, I admit, I’m a dog person. If you aren’t, this story will still touch your heart with its underlying themes. The tale (tail) has connections to some big issues involving our canine friends along with growing up problems facing our protagonist, Madison. The novel is adventurous and would make a great read a loud. This is the second book in the Madison Project series but don’t worry, it stands on its own.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: School’s out for the summer and straight-talking Madison and her friend Cooper have big plans Final Cover Imagefor the summer: working at the kennel, training service dogs and creating a dog-walking business—besides writing her dog-blog. Her stepdad has agreed to make Lilly, Madison’s foster puppy, a permanent member of the Morgan family, and Madison wants to make the adoption special.

When an injured dog is abandoned, Madison’s determined to discover the truth about the orphaned dog. To crack this crime she’ll have to sneak around some shady characters. It’ll be tricky since her dad isn’t happy about her animal detective activities. Her promise not to get into trouble won’t be easy. Madison convinces Cooper to strike out on their own, but Lilly is dognapped and Madison finds herself locked in a shed with no way out. She regrets her crime-fighting obsession and realizes her snooping has endangered everyone she cares about. Cooper rallies an unlikely group of rescuers to bust her out.

In the end Madison learns she can depend on her friends and her stepfather. And when it comes to people and dogs, relationships are never simple, and a dog is never—JUST a dog!

FIVE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT IT”S NOT JUST A DOG

  1. The chapter headings each begin with an arched title and a picture inside a case. It makes a nice introduction to what you are about to read.
  2. Madison is a deep thinker. Her thoughts bounce around from concern about her step dad to her beloved dogs to new and old friends colliding for her attention. She is a winning MC and one that makes you smile with her compassion for both humans and our furry friends.
  3. The adventure part of the story is handled in a page turning way. Your concern is with Madison, her friends, and the dog she is rescuing from harm. The unfortunate true to life incidents left me sad, but also happy that there are people trying to put a stop to this abuse of animals.
  4. There’s a Native American connection that is very believable. It helps Madison get a better understanding of her unique ability with dogs.
  5. The author’s love of dogs comes through on every page. I think even my dog would enjoy the story, though a treat has to come first.tatumtongue I can never resist her look or telling the world about a great new MG novel in It’s NOT Just a Dog.

 

FAVORITE LINE

Pretty soon all these questions were chasing each other by the tail in my mind. I was lost in a whirlwind of what ifs.

GOODIES, BIOS, LINKS, & GIVEAWAYS

Social Media Links
Facebook
Project Madison
Twitter
Goodreads
Pinterest

You can find It’s NOT Just A Dog! at the online stores below:
Amazon
Barnes And Noble
IndieBound

About The Author: Pam Torres

Pam Torres was born in Logan, Utah and did most of her growing up in Prairie Village, Kansas. Besides playing Dorothy during Author pictornado weather and digging Peter Pan-like underground forts she also played piano and ran cross-country. She started her family early, and had five energetic and creative children, and returned to school when the last one was four. She has fond memories of reading and playing with her children in between hefty amounts of volunteering at church and their schools. Several of her favorite memories are doing writers’ workshop, updating the art docent program, recruiting volunteers, working as the parent liaison for the curriculum team, publishing articles in the newsletter and directing a very popular after-school art club.

Writing was the one constant in her life through all the struggles of single parenthood, stepparent issues and bringing a large family together. She continued to write her brains out in hopes of writing full-time one day. After five years in sales, she quit her well-paying job to write. Her supportive husband is her biggest cheerleader and she frequently acknowledges that she couldn’t have done it without him.

The Project Madison Series is her debut middle-grade series. She organized Project Madison around its release and is donating 10% of her proceeds to the ASPCA®, animal shelters and other programs to benefit homeless or abused animals.

LINK to a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize Packages

Grand Prize- Set of illustrations signed by the illustrators, set of bookmarks, official Netta recipe card with biscuit mold, full set of magnets, set of stickers, signed hard copies of both books in the series, and a dream catcher.

First Prize- 3 illustrations signed by the illustrators, bookmarks, official Netta recipe card with biscuit mold, full set of magnets, set of stickers, hard copies of both books in the series.

Second Prize- 2 illustrations signed by the illustrators, bookmarks, official Netta recipe card with biscuit mold, full set of magnets, set of stickers, signed hard copies of both books in the series.

Third Prize- 2 illustrations signed by the illustrators, official Netta recipe card with biscuit mold, bookmarks, magnets, stickers, signed hard copies of both books in the series.

Swag Packages- One 5×7 signed illustration, bookmarks, magnets, stickers, an ebook in the format of your choice.

More chances to win…

Facebook Page Contests- During the month of June the Project Madison Facebook Fan Page will be conducting contests and giveaways, so be sure to check there frequently for a chance to win some great prizes.

Attention Teachers and Parents:

Anyone who emails (torres dot pam3 at gmail dot com) a JPG of a tween holding my book, a student or relative will receive a personalized letter from Madison and signed by Lilly dog.

In addition, they will also be entered into a special drawing for an entire classroom to receive copies of the book and a visit from the author. (Sorry, this is for Washington State Teachers only.) One entry per child, per picture. Be sure to include your school name, teachers name and contact information.

June Blog Tour Schedule and Links

Week One
2-  Randomly Reading
3-  R-Cubed’s Reads and Reviews
4-  Book Dreaming
5-  Ordinary Girlz Book Reviews
6-  The Write Game
7-  Indigo Quill

Week Two
9-  Always In The Middle 
10-I Am A Reader
11-Beach Bound Books
12- Mommies Point Of View
13- Susan Kaye Quinn

Week Three
16- Rockin’ Book Reviews
The Write Path
17- The Owl’s Skull
18- Literary Rambles
19- Social Cafe Magazine
20- This Kid Reviews Books

Week Four
23- That’s Another Story
24- Pretty Opinionated
25- The Reader’s Perch
26- That’s Another Story
27- Reads 4 Tweens
Week Five
30- Tales Between The Pages
July 1st- Buried In Books

 

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48 Hour Book Challenge: The Finish Line!

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

I haven’t read so much in a 48 hour period since, well, never. I stumbled to the end with a few longer titles and only got halfway through THE GREAT GREEN HEIST. I’ll post a review some time this month. For now the lawn is waiting to be mowed, the dog needs a walk, and I have a dozen phone messages to take care of. Hello, Greg. What happened to you? Are you still alive?

Here’s my summary:

  • 8 1/2 books read
  • More than 250,000 words
  • 24 hours and 15 minutes plus 1 bonus hour for five hours of networking, reading others blogs, etc. = 25 hours, 15 minutes.

What I learned:

  • Empathy for others and how they see the world.
  • Turn off the cell phone. It helped being disconnected while reading.
  • I accomplished more reading away from home.
  • Goals are what provides growth. This time in learning more about diversity, different writing styles, and the power of the written word.

Thanks Mother Reader for hosting this event. I’m exhausted but it feels good. Click on the icon for all the results.

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