Giveaways

One Hundred Years Later

By on April 8, 2014   /   For Librarians, For Teachers, Giveaways, Nonfiction  

This year is the centenary anniversary of the start of World War I, an event that for  most of today’s middle graders ranks as ancient history. World War I for Kids  aims to help young readers understand not only the conflict’s causes but also the enormous, lasting impact it had on the modern world.

WWI For Kids Cover_high_res

From Indiebound: An educational and interactive children’s guide to the Great War In time for the 2014 centennial of the start of the Great War, this activity book provides an intriguing and comprehensive look at World War I, which involved all of the world’s superpowers during a time of great technological and societal change. Emphasizing connections among events as well as the war’s influence on later historical developments, it leads young readers to fully understand the most important aspects of the war, including how the war came about, how changing military technology caused the western front to bog down into a long stalemate, how the war fostered an era of rapid technological advances, and how the entry of the United States helped end the war. The book explores topics of particular interest to kids, such as turn-of-the-20th-century weaponry, air and naval warfare, and the important roles animals played in the war. Relevant crosscurricular activities expand on concepts introduced and illuminate the era of the early 1900s, including making a periscope, teaching a dog to carry messages, making a parachute, learning a popular World War I song, and more.

To enter a drawing for a free copy of this important new book, please leave a comment below.

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Don’t Be Foolish!

By on April 1, 2014   /   Giveaways  

It may be April Fool’s Day, but Lisa Doan’s not fooling: her new book pubs today, and she’s giving away three copies.  Jack the Castaway is the first book in a fun new adventure series.

jack castawayFrom Amazon: Jack’s parents have been chased out of Tokyo, gone broke in Greece, and hosted Nairobi’s least successful safari. Next they’re taking Jack to the Caribbean, whether Jack wants to go or not. The Berensons have devised their latest get-rich-quick scheme – a new sport called ‘drift-snorkeling.’ With these experienced world travelers at the helm, what could go wrong?
Jack’s used to staying indoors and not taking chances. When his parents take him out on the water, he ends up shipwrecked. Now Jack has to survive on a tropical island…and avoid a whale shark that’s cruising along his beach.

Lisa stopped by the Mixed Up Files to tell us a little about herself and her own adventurous life:

Lisa Doan received a master’s degree in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her travels in Africa and Asia and the eight years she spent living in the Caribbean inspired the international settings of The Berenson Schemes. In the first of the series, Jack the Castaway, Jack is embroiled in his parent’s latest get-rich-quick scheme and promptly stranded alone on a deserted island. Lisa has hatched her own share of harebrained schemes, including backpacking alone from Morocco to Kenya; hitchhiking across the Sahara with Nigeran car dealers; sauntering off on an ill-advised, one-person walking safari; and opening a restaurant with no actual knowledge of restaurants beyond eating in them. Lisa’s occupations have included master scuba diving instructor, international vagabond, New York City headhunter, television show set medic, restaurant owner and deputy prothonotary of a county court. Thankfully, she does not have children. (Or if she does, cannot remember where she put them.) Visit her at lisadoan.org.

Lisa is giving away three copies of Jack! Please leave a comment below to enter the drawing.

 

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The Ruby Pendant – Interview and Giveaway!

By on March 11, 2014   /   Author Interviews, Giveaways  
RubyBookCoverImage

 Book Two: The Ruby Pendant 

 
 Welcome to New Orleans- home of Mardi Gras, jazz music and voodoo. Eighth grader Melanie Belaforte is home for Spring break and itching for excitement. Late one night she discovers a hidden chamber and a secret journal in her deceased Aunt Florence’s bedroom.
            The diary contains the writings of a mad woman, along with vague clues to the whereabouts of a ruby necklace that once belonged to Cleopatra. The ruby bestows upon the wearer the power to hear other people’s thoughts- even the thoughts of the dead!
    And so the hunt begins. Melanie, her best friend Sybil, and a haunting specter unravel clues that take them from crumbling graveyards, to the busy streets of the French Quarter, and then into murky swamps, all to find the prize. But they need to watch out, because a murderous cult is matching them step for step, and they won’t give up, ever.
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Me: Welcome once again, Dorine! Tell us, what was easier about writing the second book in the series? 
Dorine:  Well, the foundation was already laid and I knew where I wanted the story to go, so that was clear. Plus, I was invested deeply now. I needed this second book to succeed so that I could pull off a full series.
Me: What was harder? 
Dorine: The Ruby Pendant is written almost like a stand alone, so I had to write it with a fresh eye and develop new characters. However, when I started writing I was so excited about the location, New Orleans, that things just flowed, almost like it was a character.  In that way the first book was harder to write. The Emerald Ring takes place in a small town in Ohio. There was nothing fancy about it and it kinda hides in the background. I learned my lesson. The next books in the series take place in wonderful locations.
Me: Did you keep notes, a chart, anything to keep all the plot points and character traits organized? 
Dorine: I have a spiral notebook that I write down my thoughts in. I don’t outline, but I do write down sentences about significant plot points. It is really in the rewrites that I make sure all the characters are in sync and the plot has no holes.
Me: Tea and crumpets or snails and coffee? 
Dorine: Mint tea and strawberry crumpets with strawberry jelly.

dorine

My name is Dorine White. I am a children’s author and a book reviewer. I grew up back East in Maryland and attended BYU in Utah. I have a BA in Humanities with an interest in Art History and French. Currently I live in the beautiful, yet rainy Northwest with my husband and 6 children.
 
 My first book in The Cleopatra’s Legacy series, The Emerald Ring, was published on May 14, 2013. It is a middle grade fantasy novel that involves Ancient Egypt, Cleopatra, and a magic emerald ring. The Ruby Pendant (Cleopatra’s Legacy 2) is due out March 2014 and takes place in the vibrant New Orleans.
 
Twitter @Dorinewhite- https://twitter.com/DorineWhite
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I read book one, The Emerald Ring, last year and I look forward to reading The Ruby Pendant this year! How would you like to win a copy?  Well then, just enter the rafflecopter form below!

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Amie Borst writes twisted fairy tales with her 13 year old daughter, Bethanie. Cinderskella released in 2013 and Little Dead Riding Hood releases October 2014! Find Amie on her blog and see what they’re both up to on facebook!
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