My friends, the time has come and the time is now, as Dr. Seuss would say. I am temporarily putting my blog on hiatus, and stepping back from MMGM posts. I’m not gonna lie, I got a little teary in making this decision because I love these marvelous Monday celebrations of middle grade! But, I find myself more involved in other parts of social media–including #MGlitchat, so stop by and say hi on a Thursdays at 9pm EST whenever I’m hosting!–and I’m actually toying with turning my youtube channel into a real thing. And then in addition to those more fun developments I’m finding myself in the position of helping an elderly friend separate from her husband and start life fresh…at nearly eighty. She’s the dearest soul and super awesome, but she needs good friends right now and I won’t leave her to navigate this without my help.
Aaand then of course there’s my third Willowdale book that really needs to crank along if I’m going to get it back to my publisher, and then edits on my MG project to my agent, and you see how it goes? When it feels like I’m putting on a juggling performance I remind myself I am–literally! Learning to juggle is part of my research for Willowdale book three, which features a pov heroine who is a fire dancer. So far all I’ve done is drop things and get really sore in muscles I never knew I had, but don’t worry–if I progress to the point of lighting up, I will post pics and/or a video! 😀

Before I go, I want to give one last shout out! This one is for my dear friend Stephen’s book, The Library of Ever! You’ll find it listed under Zeno Alexander–who helped Stephen enough in the writing that apparently he decided to take all the credit–and it’s gotten all kinds of fabulous reviews and recognition, including recently being named one of A Mighty Girl’s best books of 2019!

You’ll love Lenora, the main character, who is spunky and smart and willing to learn. Moreover, when she’s stuck with an inattentive nanny and told (pretty much) to be brainless and useless, instead she takes off into the shelves of the library and goes on a grand adventure! Better yet, she discovers a fantastic magical kingdom and takes a solemn vow to join with the forces of light and learning, by becoming the Fourth Assistant Apprentice Librarian.

This book is something of a mad caper and I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just say that I loved the robot, as well as the penguins and the whales, who were all so helpful to Lenora. Also, I think you should never leap out of your conveyance onto a rather large model of a world without planning how you intend to get off. And, apparently, calendars and their history are way more interesting than any of us knew–a fact that feels especially pertinent given that we’ll be celebrating our once-every-four-years bonus day this very month.

I must confess that I didn’t love the cliff-hanger ending, but since the second book is already available for pre-order that’s more forgivable than if it weren’t. I’m looking forward to reading more of Lenora’s adventures, and finding out the scoop on Zeno himself, as well! This is the kind of book that will delight adults and kids alike, and make for an instant family hit, I think.

But enough from me. Let’s see what Apricot-kitty’s final words are!

If you still can’t discuss a book without forgetting to mention the all-important cat who played a crucial part, perhaps it’s just as well you’re stepping away. What good does it do to blather on about these other things, and leave that out?

Ah yes, I seem to have failed to mention that there’s a cat in the library, toward the end of the book. And I suppose you could say that Lenora’s aid of this cat–who is really a kitten–does play a pretty significant part. And there was the beautiful description of–but, you see? That’s why I didn’t mention it. That particular adventure of Lenora’s was really lovely to experience, but it was also loaded with spoilers. You will have to take our word for it, and cheer for the cat–on Apricot-kitty’s behalf–when you get there.

And with that it’s time to close my very last-at-least-for-now Marvelous Middle Grade Monday spotlight! But this is most certainly not goodbye. Despite my new direction, I promise to pop around all of your blogs on Mondays, and may even manage it more often. I can’t wait to hear what you’re reading, and wish you the very best in your dreams and goals! May each day be as wonderful as the stories we love to read.

For the full round up of Marvelous Middle Grade Monday reviews, spotlights, interviews and giveaways, stop by our host Greg Pattridge’s blog, and as always, happy reading, my friends!

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