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Title: Griffin’s Castle
Written by: Jenny Nimmo
Hardback: 278 pages
Ages: 12 and up
Publisher: Orchard Books
ISBN: 978-0-439-02554-6
Publication: November 2007

Twelve-year old Dinah is desperate to find a place to call her own home. Even though her mother Rosalie loves her, taking care of a child is beyond Rosalie’s capabilities. Dinah, wise beyond her years, attempts to make their latest dwelling, a run down mansion, much more than a dump.

While longing to belong and to be taken care of, Dinah finds herself magically thrown into the midst of stone animals that come to life to protect her. Before it’s too late Dinah must realize the stone animals want to entrap her.

“Dinah knew then that she was their prisoner and would never reach the gate where the vulture waited. There was only one way out. ‘I shall fly,’ she announced. ‘You’ll see.’”

Award-winning author, Jenny Nimmo combines the here and now with a fantasy aspect that will surely draw the reader in from the onset. Visit Jenny Nimmo at www.jennynimmo.com to learn more about her and her acclaimed Charlie Bone Series.

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Reviewed by Donna M. McDine, middle grade novel reviewer for the National Writing for Children Center

Enter the Promotion Quiz Contest at Jessica Kennedy’s website.

This month Features Children’s Author Donna McDine.

Answer the seven question quiz about the “In the Spotlight ” site, blog, writer, and/or illustrator and be included in the drawing to be the next featured.

Questions will come from the featured’s bio, website(s)and/or blog(s).

The contestants will read the biographical description, visit other’s sites/blogs and/or learn about their art, business and/or writing. In order to be able to answer the questions on the quiz, contestants will visit other’s sites and dig into them to find answers to the quiz. This will create a promotion conduit.

The contestant will visit my site to join the contest. Each question will be accompanied by the location of the answer to the question. Ideally the contest quiz will cause a participant to learn about the featured’s work, website(s) and blog(s).

The newly featured entity will help create the focus of their bio/feature page. What do you want people to know. Help create a quiz that teaches people about you, your family, your business and/or website(s)/blog(s).
Good luck!

Warm Regards,

Donna M. McDine
Children’s Author
Member SCBWI

Website:
http://www.donnamcdine.com

Blog:
http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com ~ Write What Inspires You!

Title: The Rock of Realm
Written by: Lea Schizas
Hardback: 242 pages
Ages: 12 and up
Publisher: Star Publish
ISBN: 1-932993-08-8 (Print Book)
ISBN: 1-932993-09-6 (E-Book)
Publication: March 31, 2005

Alexandra Stone, better known as Alex to her friends and family, is like any fourteen year-old with concerns from what to do on a Friday night to babysitting responsibilities. The life Alex knows so well changes the day she is knocked on the heady by a small pink rock and she recites a chant with her best friend, Sarah. The chant is from Mr. Ritchie’s (Alex’s English teacher) book, and before Alex realizes it, she and Sarah are transported to a mystical world with Alex’s dog, Butch and his squirrel buddy, Pops.

“Glitter I toss, safely I will cross, into your realm it will lead, the rock I possess, evil digress, the Queen I am to thee.”

Life in Greendale Park has vanished and the girls are shined upon by two moons in the starless night. With talking trees and animals, they find themselves thrust into a mystical adventure where Alex is considered the “enchanted one” of royal lineage and must concur “Dread.” The decisions made along the way will test the girls’ friendship. They must trust their instincts that ‘things are not always what they appear’ and believe in the endurance of family.

Lea Schizas intertwines two parallel worlds with believable ease. The powerfulness of “The Rock of Realm,” will leave you wanting more. You will root for Alex and Sarah and their counterparts from the onset. Cheers to Lea Schizas for a well crafted flight through the fantasy world. To learn more about Ms. Schizas visit her website.

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Reviewed by Donna M. McDine for the National Writing for Children Center