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Lizzie & McKenzie’s Fabulous Adventures: Mayhem in Madrid

ByMichael Thal

About the Book Title: Lizzie & McKenzie’s Fabulous Adventures: Mayhem in Madrid Author: Dina C. Tate Genre: Children’s Books, Fantasy Imagine if all the little girls of the world looked alike. If the Same Glam Goddess gets her way, it can surely happen. McKenzie Rivers, the pint-sized daredevil, and Lizzie Sanders, who loves all things…

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New Year’s Resolution: Read More…And Here’s Why

ByMichael Thal

What are you reading? It’s a simple question that could elicit a complex response and an exchange of ideas. It’s a question that can cut through all the tedious niceties and get right to the issue—the depth of your mind and that of your friend. This is our time of year for resolutions. “I’ll lose…

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Enchanting YA Historical Novel

ByMichael Thal

Echo is a beautifully orchestrated novel by award winning author Pam Munoz Ryan involving the lives of four different children. The book begins with Otto’s story, a young boy lost in a forbidden forest. There, three mysterious sisters—Eins, Zwei, and Drei—who give him a melodious harmonica, rescue him. It is this harmonica that becomes the…

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Middle Grade Fiction Has Two New Award-Winning Novels

ByMichael Thal

Earlier this month the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards announced its winners in its Middle Grade Fiction category. Taking First Place was Star Sapphire and the Land of Gems: The Crystal Cavern (Book3) by Anthony Pardoe. The Second Place winner was Koolura and the Mayans (Koolura Series Book 3) by Michael Thal. The Royal Dragonfly Book…

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Childhood Diabetes Uncovered

ByMichael Thal

Nine-year-old Portia Maddox needs to use the restroom every time she drinks water. She’s always thirsty and hungry and still bone thin. School Nurse Bryant recommends a doctor appointment, and Dr. Thomas confirms her suspicions—Portia has childhood diabetes. She now needs to test her blood regularly and inject herself with insulin; which turns out to…

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The Time Hunter Series Begins

ByMichael Thal

Becky Mellor, age 13, is prepared for her worst summer vacation. She has to spend it with her little brother, Joe, at Uncle Percy’s stately mansion, Bowen Hall. To make matters worse, Internet access at the mansion is questionable. Little does Becky realize that her entire life is about to change when she and Joe…

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Spotlight on the Cedar Creek Mystery Series

ByMichael Thal

The Cedar Creek Mystery Series by Anne Louder McGee consists of three books—The Mystery at Marlatt Manor, The Mystery of the Missing Ming, and The Mystery Beneath Midville Museum. McGee’s Cedar Creek Mysteries are an episodic series where each story is self-contained, but her books feature the same primary characters and independent storylines. Mystery at…

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Book Blast: 2016 Books by SCBWI Authors

ByMichael Thal

The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCWBI) is holding its annual six-week Book Blast promotion that started October 10 and will continue until November 18, 2016. Book Blast highlights traditionally and independently published books on individual author pages. Picture books for young children, chapter books for older readers, middle grade novels and young…

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The Sailweaver’s Son- a YA Fantasy

ByMichael Thal

Book Trailer About the Book Title: The Sailweaver’s Son Author: Jeff Minerd Genre: MG/YA Fantasy The Sailweaver’s Son combines traditional fantasy with a dash of steampunk and takes young readers to a unique world—Etherium. A world where mountains rise like islands above a sea of clouds and adventurers travel the sky in sail-driven airships. When…

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Orange County Children’s Book Festival

ByMichael Thal

Remember the good old days when you could walk into Crown Books, Borders, or Barnes & Noble and browse the tombs for your favorite author or curl up in a corner to check out a fun read? With most bookstores closed, where can a mom purchase books for children and teens besides logging onto Amazon?…