Saturday, November 30, 2013

Karmack, by J.C. Whyte, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval



Sully is the "Big Cheese" of the 5th grade and the greatest bully of his trio of elementary school thugs.  But he and his hoodlum buddies have finally tipped the karmic scale and Sully comes face to face with karma incarnate when Karmack, a whimsical and lovable little character, appears on the scene to set things straight.  Now whenever Sully or his cohorts bully it comes back to them in full karmic force.  When Karmack reveals that doom awaits Sully and his friends if they do not stop bullying, things begin to take an interesting turn at Higgins Elementary School. 

Karmack is a captivating pre-teen fantasy and author J.C. Whyte has created a strong cast of characters that are well developed and quite likable.  As the story progresses, the suspense builds to a delightful outcome that is sure to keep readers anticipating Whyte's next round of literary treasures.  We look forward to seeing more from this author.

Karmack comes highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Book Review - The Adventures of Bella & Harry Book Series


The Adventures of Bella & Harry book series is the embodiment of classic children's literature.  Expressive and whimsical illustrutions are coupled with imaginative text which is both entertaining and educational.  The Bella & Harry series incites an interest in the vastness of a world which is rich in diversity and culture.  Join sibling Chihuahuas, Bella & Harry as they travel around the globe experiencing the sights and wonders of this incredible planet.  The educational value of these books is cleverly disguised amidst dozens of illustrated pages which are sure to win the hearts of young readers.

The Adventures of Bella & Harry Book Series is the recipient of the 2013 Literary Classics International Book Awards for Best Children's Book Series.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Book Review - Evelyn and the Two Evas, by Evelyn Rothstein



Evelyn and the Two Evas, by Evelyn Rothstein is a true story based on the author's childhood.  When two young refugees from Austria come to her school in America just before WWII Evelyn, who attended school in the Bronx, was intrigued by her two new classmates.  Both girls were Jewish, both from Austria, and both named Eva.  Despite having so much in common, the two Evas were both quite different from each other and both had very different needs.  Evelyn made it her goal to befriend the girls, one who spoke a little English, and the other who did not speak any English at all.  By excercising compassion and coming to understand the loss each girl was experiencing, Evelyn helped ease their transition into a new and foreign environment. 

Evelyn and the Two Evas, is a book that will connect with young readers on a very personal level.  This book is enlightening from the historic perspective as well as on an emotional level as it relates to human nature in dealing with sadness, loss and insecurity.  Evelyn Rothstein, once again, exhibits true literary talent in her ability to portray a story with many layers of depth intertwined within a captivating story.

Evelyn Rothstein's Evelyn and the Two Evas, is a Literary Classics Seal of Approval Recipient, and a 2013 Literary Classics International Silver Book Award Winner.



LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Monday, November 25, 2013

Book Review - Bink & Slinky's Ark Adventure


Bink & Slinky's Ark Adventure is a fun twist on the Noah's Ark story we all know and love.  This book is told from the perspective of two little snails, Bink and Slinky.  Told in ryhme, the main premise of the story is to have faith and know that God will provide.  Enchanting illustrations with charming details and whimsical expressions complete this book which will most assuredly become a favorite on many children's bookshelves. 

Bink & Slinky's Ark Adventure is a Literary Classics Seal of Approval Recipient, 2013 Literary Classics International Book Award's Best First Picture Book Award Recipient, and Faith Based Gold Award Recipient.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Book Review - Greet the Dawn: The Lakota Way



S.D. Nelson's Greet the Dawn the Lakota Way is a beautifully written and illustrated children's picture book.  From beginning to end, with each turn of the page, S.D. Nelson creates a visual and literary experience that is a pure delight to behold.  Nelson's calming depiction of the peaceful coexistence of man and nature in harmony stirs the heart and the imagination.  This is a wonderful book to teach children about Lakota ways as well as a love and respect for mother nature.

S.D. Nelson's Greet the Dawn the Lakota Way is a Literary Classics Seal of Approval Recipient  as well as a 2013 Literary Classics International Silver Book Award Recipient.

 
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Book Review - Dear Frank: Babe Ruth, The Red Sox, and the Great War



Dear Frank: Babe Ruth, The Red Sox, and the Great War is a work of fiction chronicled through a series of letters penned by a young boy to his big brother, Frank, during World War I.  This book relays the many hopes and dreams of Bostonians as seen through the eyes of a young boy.  The politics of war and baseball play a key role in this story, as does the touching sentiment of a brother and family who all greatly miss the presence of Frank  in their lives.  Gems of historical fact are interspersed throughout the book, making this a fascinating and enjoyable read.

W. Nikola-Lisa exhibits rare talent in this genuinely touching book about the bond between brothers, the hardships of war. . . and the joy of baseball. 

Dear Frank: Babe Ruth, The Red Sox, and the Great War is a Seal of Approval Recipient and earned two Gold Awards in the 2013 Literary Classics International Book Awards.



LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Book Review - Finding My Place, by Margo Dill



Finding My Place, by Margo Dill is a book that is sure to resonate with a youth audience.  The story of Anne Green, a girl living in Vicksburg during the Civil War, is the poignant tale of a thirteen year old who is teetering between youth and womanhood.  When tragedy strikes, she must find a way to cast aside her insecurities and fears in order to keep her family together in the midst of the devastation of war.

Dill has created a stirring work of historically based fiction that is as educational as it is alluring. Anne Green is a character readers will connect with from the onset as she struggles with casting aside her youthful ways while striving to become the responsible young woman her mother has always encouraged her to be. 

Finding My Place, by Margo Dill is a Literary Classics Seal of Approval recipient and is also the recipient of the 2013 Literary Classics Eloquent Quill Book Award.


LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Book Review - About a Farm by Marc Kuhn


 
Award Winning Book - About a Farm

Marc Kuhn employs the use of allegory in a series of short stories all taking place on a farm.  From messages great and small, his use of simple passages speaks volumes to readers of all ages.  Children will love the stories and will most definitely benefit from the deeper meanings tucked neatly within each story.   About a Farm is a book that kids will want to read again and again, and adults will enjoy knowing that the messages within will be providing children with a solid foundation for critical thinking from youth into their adult lives.

About a Farm comes highly recommend as an effective tool for teaching valuable life lessons

About a Farm is a Literary Classics Seal of Approval Recipient as well as a 2013 Literary Classics Book Award's Gold Recipient

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Book Review - Living with Your Past Selves

Taliesin Weaver is no ordinary young man.  In fact, you could hardly call him a young man at all given the many former lives he has lived.  As memories of his past lives suddenly begin revealing themselves in snippets of memories, he struggles to keep his reincarnations a secret.  But his best friend can't help but notice some very peculiar changes in Tal's demeanor. 
Living with Your Past Selves, a debut novel by Bill Hiatt, is one of those books that stays with you long after you've turned the last page.  The characters are honest and genuine and the events that unfold within this riveting novel incorporate a rare combination of sci-fi with time travel and a little Arthurian legend thrown in for good measure.  Hiatt weaves loads of action and adventure with just the right blend of humor to make this captivating read a grand success.

Living with Your Past Selves is a Literary Classics Seal of Approval Recipient and is also a 2013 Literary Classcs Silver Award recipient.


 

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Author, Michele Elliott, on her award winning book, Bullies, Cyberbullies and Frenemies



AUTHOR’S NAME: Michele Elliott
 


TITLE OF AWARD WINNING BOOK: Bullies, Cyberbullies and Frenemies

 
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING? Since 1984
 

 
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BEGIN WRITING? I was working with children who had been bullied and/or abused. It made me angry because children did not deserve to be bullied and often hurt themselves because of it. I wanted to stop that happening so I started writing books for children, teens, parents and teachers.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE? I wanted readers to know immediately and clearly what it (bullying) was about.

WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED? My most recent books are for teachers:

The Essential Guide to Tackling Bullying published by Longman and Stop Bullying Pocketbook published by Teachers’ Pocketbooks. The complete list would be too long to put here - I have had 27 books published, some of which have been translated into 16 languages. Readers can find them either on Amazon or kidscape.org.uk

 
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS? I have been writing a true story of 4 sisters for adults... I am not sure when it will be finished. I have written the first 25,000 words three times so I have 75,000 words and the beginnings of three books! --I hope to get it right some day.
 

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF: I am a mother, teacher, psychologist and dog lover. My husband and I met in High School and have been married a long time. I founded a children’s charity called Kidscape to help prevent bullying.

TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING THAT OUR READERS MIGHT FIND FASCINATING ABOUT YOU: Before I came back to Florida, I had lived in London for over 30 years. About 4 years ago I got a letter from the Prime Minister telling me that Queen Elizabeth was going to award me by appointing me to the Order of the British Empire (OBE). So, you can imagine how exciting that was. My family went with me to Buckingham Palace and I got to meet the Queen, who gave me a great big medal. I had to learn to curtsey and was quite worried I might trip. But I didn’t. The Queen is a tiny lady and very gracious.

WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I like to swim every morning, cycle and play the piano. I also love to swing dance, but am not very good at it.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? Casablanca is the best movie ever made. I also love most musicals, especially Show Boat and Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Chicago. I guess it would be easier to list musicals I don’t like - I seem to like them all.
 

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AS AN AUTHOR? When I write I find it hard to engage with normal everyday things like making dinner or going out with friends. I dread starting a book and will get the room completely set up and then keep everyone at bay. I write quite quickly for a subject I know, but find it really hard to write a novel type book - I find that it looks easier than it is.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS? Write about what you know. Keep a sense of humour and give yourself breaks. Walk around the block or go for a bike ride to clear your head. I got some of my best ideas while walking or riding.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY TIPS ON GETTING PUBLISHED? I was lucky and was approached by publishers, but I understand you can publish online and that has been quite a success for many authors

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS? I love it when kids write to me and tell me that one of my books has helped them. What better praise can you have?
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Glimpse, by Steven Whibley, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval



Glimpse, by Steven Whibley is a rare gem of a book.  From the first page, the reader is drawn into the world of Dean Curse, a young man who, inexplicably, begins to have horrific visions.  Whibley has created a cast of characters that are both genuine and likable, and he has woven a tale that keeps the reader engaged right up to the cliff-hanger of an ending which taunts the reader with what will surely be a riveting continuation to the Dean Curse Chronicles.

Steven Whibley has made quite a first impression with this, his debut novel.  We look forward to reading more of his work and following the progression of this budding author's writing career.

Glimpse comes highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com