Picture Book Blast: Mysteries of the Grand Canyon

 

About the Book

Title: Mysteries of the Grand Canyon | Author: Marie von Minden | Publication Date: March 21, 2013 | Publisher: | Adventures of Discovery: Independent | Pages: 110 | Recommended Ages: 5 to 12 (read-aloud for younger children) Summary: The author of the first interactive Grand Canyon ebook for children takes her readers on an exciting journey as a lively little dog befriends a California condor and an Abert’s squirrel, and together they explore the canyon. What child wouldn’t want to go on the adventure of a lifetime with a great pup like Kristi Kay and follow her on a multimedia journey that is both fun and educational? Amazing stories told by her new friends keep you wondering what surprising new secrets they will reveal next. What happened to the people that lived in the canyon? Will the condors in the rescue program survive? This adventure story for elementary grade children offers an engaging way to experience the Grand Canyon. For those who would like to learn more about the issues touched upon in the story, additional information is provided in the Kristi Kay Talks with a Ranger section at the end of the book via interactive media, photo galleries, maps, charts, and links to external websites. This interactive ebook is especially appropriate for children 7-11 years old, and as a read aloud for younger children, and it would also be well-suited for an educational setting. Divided into 12 chapters, the book lends itself to be read in several sessions at the age appropriate pace. “Mysteries of the Grand Canyon” is the first book in the A Cairn Terrier Travels to National Parks series, a series of educational adventure stories created to inspire appreciation and stewardship of our precious parks.
  

Book Trailer

 

 

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The Buzz

"Mysteries of the Grand Canyon is educational, exciting, and entertaining all rolled into one. Marie Von Minden gives readers a fascinating glimpse into the canyon's past as well as the creatures that still call the Grand Canyon home. The interactive function allows for further learning and the brilliant photos visually stimulate children and help instill the knowledge found within the story." I highly recommend picking up a copy of Mysteries of the Grand Canyon." ~ BeachBoundBooks

 

"A must have experience for young people. With its cute, intelligent looking dog, and a bird that looks like it was conceived by Dr. Seuss, it puts us into an animal society - so beautifully conceived in its civility, generosity, and interest and care for the world - that it is reminescent of books like Winnie the Pooh. These elements, set in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, beautifully brought out by magnificent photographs and videos, make it a compelling book from both parents' and teachers' points of view. ~ Mr. Naturally, iBookstore Review

"Overall, this iBook provides a great introduction to the Grand Canyon to children who are about to visit it or who just want to learn more about this important National Park. It includes lots of beautiful photographs, the story is engaging and there is a huge wealth of information included. I found it a great opportunity to talk about the Grand Canyon with my son, and tell him about my own experiences visiting the park and hiking into the crater. I also really enjoyed learning about the California Condor and all the effort that has gone into the Recovery Program; it provided a great opportunity to talk about Endangered Species and our responsibility to help preserve them." ~ iMum

"More than just a story, the book has incredible imagery that appears to lift off the page – a true photographic journey." ~ Mom's Lifesavers

 

"Readers of all ages will enjoy this engaging story to discover one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World at the Grand Canyon National Park. This photographically rich and entertaining ebook is especially appropriate for 7-11 year olds and as a read aloud for younger children, and it would also be well suited for an educational setting." ~ The Appy Ladies

"As a teacher, I am grateful to use this amazing book with my class! My students loved learning about the Grand Canyon from precious Kristi Kay's point of view, and they were excited to participate in the interactive aspects of the book; they didn't want to put it down!" ~ A. Gillette, iBookstore Review

 

 

About the Author: Marie von Minden

Would you like to live each day surrounded by unsurpassed beauty and deeply connected to nature? Marie finds it hard to believe, but this is now her lifestyle and she wants to share it through her photography and stories. Marie von Minden was born and raised in Poland. She immigrated to Canada in 1982 and in 1999 she and her husband relocated to the United States. Like many Europeans, she was overwhelmed by the vastness and the beauty of North America and she developed a passion for landscape photography. They began camping in the wilderness and connecting with nature on weekends and holidays, first in a tent and later in a cap-over camper. It was during those camping trips that a dream of full-time traveling and living in an RV evolved. In 2002 that dream became reality and they have been traveling in a 34 foot Airstream trailer ever since. America’s National Parks continue to be one of their favorite places to visit. When Kristi Kay, a Cairn Terrier, joined them, the idea of a children’s book series about America’s National Parks as seen through Kristi Kay’s eyes grew as a natural extension of their lifestyle and love of nature. Through interactive adventure stories enhanced by photography selected from her vast photographic library, animation, sounds, videos, and unique graphics Marie hopes to express her gratitude for what has become her home, and to help cultivate appreciation and stewardship of these precious resources.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

 

* $100 Book Blast Giveaway *

       
Prize: 2 x $50 Amazon Gift Cards or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: July 25, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Marie von Minden and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Meet Colorado MG Author Margi Evans

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes fellow Colorado author Margi Evans and her newest story for MG readers North Mystic. Margi and I are both members of the Colorado Authors' League.

First, a bit about Margi:

I was born in Oregon and graduated from Oregon State University. I married my high school sweetheart and, together, we have raised five wonderful children. I am a life-long equestrian and, once I had time, combined my love for horses with my love for writing. I have published three equestrian trail guide books titled: Riding Colorado, Riding Colorado II, and Riding Colorado III. I also love fantasy and write for middle-grade readers under the pen name M.J. Evans.

Why did you pick to write books for Middle Grade?

After teaching young teenagers and pre-teens in the public schools for five years and raising five children of my own, I realized how very important developing a love of reading is, not only for educational success but also to experience the joy of a life-long hobby. I realized that my love of horse stories and fantasy could be combined in such a way to make reading fun for this age group. I also wanted to write wholesome, values-laden books that enrich lives. After completing The Mist Trilogy, which could be subtitled “The Horse-Lover’s Fantasy,” I decided to write a parody of the Revolutionary War with trolls and leprechauns. The result was North Mystic. While there is not a horse in it, I still had a lot of fun writing this new book.

What types of books do you like to read?

I read a huge variety of books from fantasy to political commentary, from historical fiction to spiritual/scriptural analysis.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

When I am not writing, you will find me on the back of one of my horses or teaching riding lessons.

Tell us about North Mystic and how the story came to be.

As I mentioned, it is a parody of the Revolutionary war. In this fun story, three children who are being raised in a condition of opulent neglect, follow a magical pathway to the leprechaun village of North Mystic. To their surprise, the leprechauns had been awaiting their arrival for hundreds of years. The tiny species had been promised that one day, three children would come to help them fight for their freedom from the trolls that come every fall to tax them of all their gold that they grow in the roots of their shamrock gardens. And so, the adventure begins!

Here's a peek at North Mystic:

Leprechauns in running shoes, trolls who are afraid of the sunlight and three children unwittingly prepared to lead a revolution…

A small assemblage of Leprechauns makes their home in a land they name North Mystic. The tiny species are the descendants of immigrants who escaped from Ireland during the siege of Viking pirates in the 900’s by stealing away in one of the Vikings’ own longships.

For several years, they live in peace and prosperity, harvesting their gold from the roots of their shamrock fields. But, alas, all does not remain so idyllic. A band of Vikings crosses the treacherous North Sea and arrives at their shores. The big brutes kidnap their children and demand a tax of all their gold, promising to return the next year with their children if the ransom of the next year’s crop of gold is paid to them.

Meanwhile, living in a condition of opulent neglect, the three Callahan children are, unsuspectingly, preparing to perform a great work. While their parents carry on their busy lives without them, the children are raised under the careful supervision of cameras, microphones and computer screens. On an otherwise ordinary day, the eldest child, Evelynd, discovers a trap door in the floor of the linen closet. Curiosity leads the adolescent and her two younger siblings, Avery and Drew, on an amazing adventure to North Mystic where their arrival had been foretold for hundreds of years.

Will the three children be able to help the Leprechauns secure their freedom?

Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

As I mentioned earlier, I began my professional writing career writing equestrian trail guide books for Colorado. What fun doing all the research was! By “research” I mean that I had to ride all of those trails myself! I have also written the three books of The Mist Trilogy: Behind the Mist, Mists of Darkness and The Rising Mist (to be released soon.) These books tell the story of the noble and great horses that are chosen to become members of the Legion of the Unicorn when they die. In the first book, the reader meets the boy who eventually becomes the first unicorn rider when his horse is chosen to receive the training necessary to earn a unicorn horn. Meanwhile, one of the unicorns has become power hungry and desires to conquer and rule the world.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?
Riding Colorado III-Over-Night Trips With Your Horse was just published this past spring. Now I'm working hard on a young adult novel titled In the Heart of a Mustang. I am excited about this new book which targets an older age group than my other fiction titles. You will notice that I returned to my love of horses for the subject matter of this book!

What advice do you have for other authors?

I have learned several tricks during my ten year career of writing professionally.

First: It takes a lot of work to get a book written and published. While the publishing process is arduous, you can’t even begin that process until your manuscript is finished. Most people don’t discipline themselves enough to get the book done in the first place. So, if you want to write a book, you will have to set aside the time, daily, to write. Write the whole book and don’t look back! Once the book is done, set it aside for a while. Give it a rest! Then, go back and reread it. Do you like it? Hate it? Are you willing to make changes and revisions? Now is the time to make edits and revisions, not as you are writing initially.

Second: If you are interrupted during your writing time, or your allotted time is up, NEVER stop at the end of a chapter. Stop in the middle of a paragraph or even in the middle of a sentence. That way, when you come back, you already have a start!

Anything else you want readers to know?

I love to talk to aspiring authors about what they are working on. I am willing to try to help in the process!

Where can readers find you and your books?

My fantasies and Riding Colorado III can be found on my website The Writings of M.J. Evans.

I also write a blog for horse lovers: Behind The Mist. You can sign up to follow it.

I love to hear from readers and friends on Facebook under Behind the Mist  - book  and North Mystic. Go to the sites and “Like” them.

My books are available in stores such as Tattered Cover and Barnes & Noble as well as on all the online sources and ebook format. My trail guide books are available in Tack and Feed stores in the Denver/Colorado Springs area.

Kid Lit Blog Hop #41

Welcome to the 41st Kid Lit Blog Hop where twice per month (the 1st and 3rd Wednesday) we continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists.

On this Hop, Carpinello's Writing Pages brings you interviews with Tween author Ben Woodard and Colorado's own MG author Margi Evans.

So, you are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors! We'd like to welcome our co-hosts for this week: a daughter and Mom team, Julie and Elizabeth, who are behind the blog, Emma's Owl as well as The Owl Books. Welcome Julie and Elizabeth!

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

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Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules *Please Read*

1. We ask that you kindly follow your hosts. You can follow us any way you choose (Email, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, G+, Pinterest, etc.), but we've added our preferences below. If you could just give us a quick "follow" or "like" that would be much appreciated! Make sure to leave us a message if you are following us (i.e., on Twitter or Facebook or on our websites) and we will be sure to follow you back. Thanks! :-)

Hostesses:

Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews Facebook * Twitter

Jaymie @ Snacks for Max Twitter * Facebook

Katie @ Youth Literature Reviews Twitter * Facebook

Julie Grasso, Author/ Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Cheryl Carpinello, Author / Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Reshama @ Stacking Books Twitter * Facebook

Stacie @ BeachBoundBooks Twitter * Facebook

Destiny @ Reading and Sharing Twitter * Facebook

Mia @ Pragmatic Mom Twitter * Facebook

Lina @ Best 4 Future: Bringing Up Baby Bilingual Twitter * Facebook

Co-Host:

Julie & Elizabeth @ Emma's Owl Pinterest * Facebook

2. Link up any Kid Lit related post. This can be a link to a children’s book review, a discussion about children’s literature/literacy, or a post on a recently-read children’s book or one that you love from your childhood.

* Don't link directly to your blog, it must be a specific post.*

* For Authors, we prefer you to link to your blog if you have one. Please link unique posts each time ~ no repeats please. *

* Make sure you include an image relevant to the POST (e.g., book cover), not your blog button or photo of yourself.*

* Feel free to link more than one post.*

3. Please visit AT LEAST the TWO LINKS directly ahead of your own and leave them some love in the form of a comment. We are trying to build a community of bloggers, readers, parents, authors, and others who are as passionate about children’s literature as we are so please CONNECT and follow any or all of the blogs that interest you! 4. If you like, grab the button above and put it somewhere on your blog, preferably the post you're linking up. If you'd prefer, you can just add a text link back to this Hop so that others can find it and check out all these great book links! 5. It would really help us get the word out about the Kid Lit Blog Hop if you would be so kind as to tweet, share, and spread the word about the Hop!

Interested in co-hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop? If you've joined us before, you are welcome to join us again! Please email renee @ motherdaughterbookreviews (dot) com and put Co-Hosting Blog Hop in the subject line.

Happy Hopping!  

Meet MG/Tween Author Ben Woodard

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes MG/Tween author Ben Woodard and his adventure book A Stairway to Danger.

First, a bit about Ben:

Ben grew up practically living in the local library. Reading was his escape, and the library was his portal. He loved boys' adventure stories, and he’s been amazed at the reports that say boys don't read. So he decided to write the kind of stories he remembered. Tales of lost gold and river caves, and fun. And stories of friendship that endure through adversity and danger. Adventures that inspire and educate and, most of all, entertain.

Why did you pick to write books for MG/Tween readers?

I love all children's genres, but I felt that early teens, 12 to 15, and especially boys, didn't have a lot of realistic, adventure books to read. Those are the ones I grew up on, from the classics like Tom Sawyer, to the Hardy Boys and the Rick Brant Series– my favorite. Some of them were racist and sexist, which mine aren't, but I liked the adventure and camaraderie of boys in realistic fiction. And  that's what I've tried to write.

What types of books do you like to read?

My tastes haven't changed much. I still like kids' books and that's what I most often read. When I first started writing I tried to read all of the Newbery and Printz award winners for the last 10 years and many of the honor books.  Those stories moved me as much as any books I’ve read.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I like to read, to hike in the woods, to play with the grandkids, and snuggle with my wife on the couch. Oh, and not necessarily in that order.

Tell us about A Stairway To Danger and how the story came to be.

A Stairway To Danger is the first of three in the Shaketown Adventure Series set in small-town Kentucky in 1923. The idea for the book came from stories my dad told me about growing up in a rural village in Kentucky in the twenties. The stories fascinated me because he got to do things he would have never allowed me to do. I also had a nagging desire to write for reluctant readers, especially boys. So I wrote a NaNoWriMo book several years ago imagining my dad and his cousin in this town. It was terrible, but the idea stuck and two years ago I started writing the story again, but from a different prospective. I made the boys a bit larger than life and gave one a horrific past.

Here's a peek at A Stairway to Danger:

A rusty barge, a dead body, and a perplexing mystery entangle two Kentucky cousins in a life or death struggle against a shadowy gang.

It’s the summer of 1923 and two cousins hunting for hidden gold stumble on a decayed body. Was the death an accident? Fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace is convinced it was murder and drags his older cousin, Will, into a harrowing struggle against a shadowy group. Not even repeated attempts on their lives can stop the boys from relentlessly pursuing the mystery. But when their curiosity leads them to investigate a derelict barge, what they find is bigger and more dangerous than anything they could have imagined.




Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

I have. I mentioned the Shakertown Adventure Series above and the second book, Steps Into Darkness is finished and available. I also wrote two short stories, The Hunt and The Trestle, about the two cousins, and The Trestle is free.

Also published is The Boy Who Flew With Eagles, a short, middle grade story with illustrations. Again, written primarily for reluctant readers. While the book hasn't sold a huge number of copies, it's gotten wonderful reviews and is being used as a teaching aid for adults learning English in Germany and Bulgaria.

Here's a brief peek at this book:

By the light of leaping flames an old man weaves a story. A tale of a time of great hunger when every living thing might die. Only one boy can save his people and all creatures from starvation. But he must risk everything in the effort.

What's next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

Always. I'm constantly thinking about new stories, and I have several in the works. The final book in the Shakertown Adventure Series is my next novel. It will be titled The Staircase Of Fire. All of the books in the series have something about steps in the title, and this book will make the reason known.
I have another novelette about the same size as The Boy Who Flew With Eagles that is in the final edits. It will be another unusual book in that a local photographer will be supplying pictures of trees for the story which is about a young boy's adventure in an ancient forest in Ireland. Another project is a middle grade paranormal trilogy that one agent has shown some interest in acquiring. Writing is my new career and I’m loving it.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Write. That’s it. That’s the number one activity all of us must do. No excuses, no doubts, and no quitting. Because to get better, there is only one way, and that is to keep putting words on paper until we’re good at it. For some of us this might take years, but we really have no choice.

Most writers’ lives are a mess. Going in a dozen directions, overwhelmed by family and work, and trying to snatch a few minutes to write. This doesn’t work. You have to claim writing time. Make it a priority even if it’s only fifteen minutes a day. And find a method that works for you. I get away during the day to a coffee shop that doesn’t mind me lingering. Maybe once a month, I’ll go to a nearby state park, get a cheap room, and stay for a couple of nights. Whatever works.

Anything else you want readers to know?

I believe that reading is the basis for all success. People who read are more interested and curious about the world, and have a range of knowledge far beyond a non-reader. The most important skill a child can learn is the love of reading. Encourage your children to read. Get them to turn off the electronic games for a while and enter a world of imagination. And please have them try one of mine.


Where can readers find you and your books?

Amazon Author's Page
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

A Stairway to Danger
    AmazonUS
    All other countries http://smarturl.it/stairway

The Boy Who Flew With Eagles
     AmazonUS

Meet MG Author Meg Dendler

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes Meg Dendler and her MG story Why Kimba Saved the World.

First, a bit about Meg:

Meg is an award-winning author and a former preschool, elementary, and middle school LA teacher who holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Michigan University. She has worked as a freelance writer for over a decade and has published over 100 articles in magazines, newspapers, and on websites. As a movie commentary writer, Meg had the chance to interview Sylvester Stallone, Dwayne Johnson, Kirk Douglas, and many other amazing people. Meg currently lives in Eureka Springs, AR, with her husband, two daughters, a loyal dog, and four crazy cats.

Why did you pick to write books for MG?

I loved teaching elementary school and the books that the kids and I shared in class every day. I still enjoy reading middle grade books. My writing is not limited to that age group, but when the story is about alien cats and outer space it is fun to write that for kids. I've had adults love it too, so it's certainly not limited to a middle grade audience, but communicating the story to kids that age was my main goal. They are such voracious readers and need lots of great stories.

What types of books do you like to read?

I'm a huge Anne McCaffrey fan and love those dragon stories (as well as some of her others). I definitely read other popular middle grade books to keep up with what is going on in that market. I just finished the Mother-Daughter Book Club series and loved them. As I run across other authors at conferences and events, I love to pick up their books. I found Lisa Yee that way, as well as Jan Morrill and Pamela Foster.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I love watching movies, especially offbeat independent films. Several years ago I wrote movie commentaries and still enjoy watching a movie to just about anything else.

Tell us about Why Kimba Saved The World and how the story came to be.

Why Kimba Saved The World and Vacation Hiro have been in the works for several years. The idea of cats being aliens and communicating with a Mother Ship through mirrors in their houses is something I played with for years. It really started becoming a genuine story when we found Kimba and Hiro and adopted them. Kimba is just such a nut that I could see the plot develop in things she really did and how I could imagine those events as part of an alien cat conspiracy. Once the first book was in rough form, we took a vacation and saw cats watching us below our balcony. We decided those were agent cats sent to monitor us on our trip and the next book was born. Why Kimba Saved The World was my first published book. It won a Bronze Moonbeam Children's Book Award as "Best First Book" in the chapter book category, and both books have been honored with Silver Mom’s Choice Awards for outstanding products for children in the juvenile series category, so that is all very encouraging!

Here's a peek at Why Kimba Saved The World:

How can a young cat pick between everything she has ever wanted and everyone she has ever loved? Kimba lives the care-free life of a much loved house cat, but what she really wants is freedom and the wild life for which she was born. Then she learns a secret that changes everything, including her destiny. Will she join this mysterious cat conspiracy? Kimba must choose between the freedom she craves and the human family she loves.





Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

The Cats in the Mirror books are my first published ones, but I also have a few in the drawer that may get redeveloped over time.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

Book 3 in The Cats in the Mirror series Miss Fatty Cat’s Revenge will be out this September. I’ve juat ordered the proof copy! I can’t wait to share that story. And I am also putting the finishing touches on an adult paranormal-type book about ghosts living in my town of Eureka Springs. It's not the "boo" type of ghosts, just people who are stuck here on Earth and not sure how to get on with their lives. I have an agent who wants to read it and hope to go the more traditional route in publishing that one.

What advice do you have for other authors?

It would be the same as what they hear from everyone: write, write, write! Keep sending out query letters. If you want to self-publish, just be sure to do it absolutely professionally. Hire an editor. Pay a designer to make your cover. It's not about just putting something you love on Amazon and hoping it sells. Self-publishing is a serious business, and you become the publisher and have to take on all of those jobs.

Anything else you want readers to know?

I hope you enjoy my stories. And if you do, share them with someone you love!

Where can readers find you and your books?

Whatever I publish will be up at Amazon.com. Why Kimba Saved The World and my other cat books are also available at Barnes andNoble.com in paperback form and through some local book stores. I also sell autographed copies through my website.

Kid Lit Blog Hop #40

Welcome to the 40th Kid Lit Blog Hop where twice per month (the 1st and 3rd Wednesday) we continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists.

On this Hop, Carpinello's Writing Pages brings you interviews with MG/YA author Jacci Turner and MG author Meg Dendler.

You are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors!

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

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Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules *Please Read*

1. We ask that you kindly follow your hosts. You can follow us any way you choose (Email, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, G+, Pinterest, etc.), but we've added our preferences below. If you could just give us a quick "follow" or "like" that would be much appreciated! Make sure to leave us a message if you are following us (i.e., on Twitter or Facebook or on our websites) and we will be sure to follow you back. Thanks! :-)

Hostesses:

Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews Facebook * Twitter

Jaymie @ Snacks for Max Twitter * Facebook

Katie @ Youth Literature Reviews Twitter * Facebook

Julie Grasso, Author/ Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Cheryl Carpinello, Author / Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Reshama @ Stacking Books Twitter * Facebook

Stacie @ BeachBoundBooks Twitter * Facebook

Destiny @ Reading and Sharing Twitter * Facebook

Mia @ Pragmatic Mom Twitter * Facebook

Lina @ Best 4 Future: Bringing Up Baby Bilingual Twitter * Facebook

  2. Link up any Kid Lit related post. This can be a link to a children’s book review, a discussion about children’s literature/literacy, or a post on a recently-read children’s book or one that you love from your childhood.

* Don't link directly to your blog, it must be a specific post.*

* For Authors, we prefer you to link to your blog if you have one. Please link unique posts each time ~ no repeats please. *

* Make sure you include an image relevant to the POST (e.g., book cover), not your blog button or photo of yourself.*

* Feel free to link more than one post.*

3. Please visit AT LEAST the TWO LINKS directly ahead of your own and leave them some love in the form of a comment. We are trying to build a community of bloggers, readers, parents, authors, and others who are as passionate about children’s literature as we are so please CONNECT and follow any or all of the blogs that interest you! 4. If you like, grab the button above and put it somewhere on your blog, preferably the post you're linking up. If you'd prefer, you can just add a text link back to this Hop so that others can find it and check out all these great book links! 5. It would really help us get the word out about the Kid Lit Blog Hop if you would be so kind as to tweet, share, and spread the word about the Hop!

Interested in co-hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop? If you've joined us before, you are welcome to join us again! Please email renee @ motherdaughterbookreviews (dot) com and put Co-Hosting Blog Hop in the subject line.

Happy Hopping!

Meet Nevada MG/YA Author Jacci Turner

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes Nevada MG/YA author Jacci Turner and her debut MG story Bending Willow.

First, a short bit about Jacci:

Jacci lives in Reno, Nevada with her husband David and their dog Rocky.

Why did you pick to write books for MG/YA?


I write both Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction because I enjoy those age groups. The mind is so open and creative at that point, and I love the energy and hope of young ones.

What types of books do you like to read?

I love to read fantasy and historical fiction, but I'll read almost anything!

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I have a full-time job working with college students, and I love that. I also enjoy any time I can get with my family.

Tell us about Bending Willow and how the story came to be.

Bending Willow, first book of The Finding Home Series, has been a break-out book for me. It was chosen to represent Nevada at the National Book Festival in Washington D.C. This means that librarians liked it which is a good thing! A friend, who had middle grade kids, asked how come someone didn't write books with strong female characters for her girl's ages and that got me thinking. Riley and Mia came to life from that challenge.

Here's a peek at Bending Willow:

When Riley finds her grandmother dead, she knows her world is about to collapse. Determined to find the father she knows only by an address, Riley and Mia take off on a journey with so many twists and turns Riley begins to doubt they'll ever find a real home. She ignores the question that keeps popping into her mind-if they do find her father, will he even want them? Or will he send them away?






Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

My young adult series is called The Birthright Series in which teens use inherent gifts to solve a mystery. I had fun writing it.
  
What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

I'm finishing up The Finding Home Series and writing a new book, unrelated to my previous series. I can't tell you what it is about yet, but it's YA and I'm very excited about it. It will be my first dip into fantasy.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Find a writer's group and a critique group. If they don't have one in your town, join an on-line group. They are so important for feedback and encouragement.

Anything else you want readers to know?

I write about the difficult issues we face today, but I do it from a hopeful perspective. My stories are not dark, or full of language, or sex. They are, like me, full of hope and resiliency. 

Where can readers find you and your books?

Jacci's website

My books are on all on-line outlets: Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Smashwords etc.