The Creepening of Dogwood House - Review and Blog Tour

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The book flowed beautifully. I have been obsessed with anything written by Eden Royce since Root Magic came out a few years back. There is something so beautiful about weaving in folklore, folklore that are painful historical stories, and doing it good enough that students don't get freaked out or turned off by the description. Students were always asking me for spooky, creepy, eerie, you name it - and The Creepening of Dogwood House was SPOOKY for sure. As someone who has experienced painful grief as an adult, the way Roddie's grief is portrayed so realistically, I found myself feeling his feelings so deeply. I found myself going back to my childhood so much with being so curious about houses that were old or abandoned and how they always had a story. Sometimes that story was paranormal and completely made up, similar to Dogwood House. 

Overall - I would highly recommend to those upper middle grade classrooms, for students who love history, heritage, spooky, or just a well written plot with growing characters. 

"Gotta keep pushing through the dark, baby. Keep going no matter what."

The Walter Award Honor–winning author of Root Magic returns with a terrifying story in the Southern Gothic tradition, inspired by the hoodoo practice of hair burning.

At night, Roddie still dreams of sitting at his mother’s feet while she braids his Afro down. But that’s a memory from before. Before his mom died in a tragic accident. Before he was taken in by an aunt he barely knows. Before his aunt brought him to Dogwood House, the creepiest place Roddie has ever seen. It was his family’s home for over a hundred years. Now the house—abandoned and rotting, draped in Spanish moss that reminds him too much of hair—is his home too.

Aunt Angie has returned to South Carolina to take care of Roddie and reconnect with their family’s hoodoo roots. Roddie, however, can’t help but feel lost. His mom had never told him anything about hoodoo, Dogwood House, or their family. And as they set about fixing the house up, Roddie discovers that there is even more his mother never said. Like why she left home when she was seventeen, never to return. Or why she insisted Aunt Angie always wear her hair in locs. Or what she knew of the strange secrets hidden deep within Dogwood House—secrets that have awoken again, and are reaching out to Roddie…

"Eden Royce's thriller has all the earmarks of a classic haunted house tale paired with deeply-woven family traditions centered on hoodoo and Black hair. While the horror plot will keep you turning the pages, it's the emotional story of grief and family healing that will have you cheering at the end." — Tracey Baptiste, New York Times-bestselling author of The Jumbies

"Royce’s latest offers readers a strong, character-centered, hoodoo-infused narrative that’s a tribute to the beauty of Black hair. Richly detailed settings and themes of family, heritage, and grief provide anchors for the creepy mystery. A thrilling, hair-raising story with strong cultural roots and a well-developed sense of place." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Royce employs marvelously eerie ambiance to craft a tale that is at once a moving narrative about grief and remembrance and a frightening, slow-burning haunted house adventure." — Publishers Weekly

"Royce offers up an excellent middle-grade horror story full of eerie atmosphere that nicely folds in the importance of connections to cultural history, meaningful examinations of grief, the literal power of Black hair, and how to find light in darkness." — Booklist

 

About the Author

Eden Royce is a writer from Charleston, SC, now living in the Garden of England. Her debut novel, Root Magic, was a Walter Dean Myers Award Honoree, an ALA Notable Children’s Book, a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winner, and a Nebula Award Finalist for outstanding children’s literature. Her latest book, The Creepening of Dogwood House is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Find her online at edenroyce.com. 

THE CREEPENING OF DOGWOOD HOUSE BLOG TOUR

July 30 Nerdy Book Club @nerdybookclub

August 1 A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust @bethshaum

August 1 B. Sharise Moore @b.sharise

August 7 Cassie Thomas @teachers_read

August 10 Jason DeHart, Words Images Worlds @wordsimagesworlds

August 14 LitCoach Lou @LitcoachLou

August 14 Katy Kramp @alibrarymama

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Keep It Like a Secret - Book Blog Tour!

 

As someone who did NOT grow up with siblings, but has two kiddos, this was very eye opening in how important those relationships truly are. I have always assumed just because my husband has a sister and I see how strong their bond is. With kids though, giving them that time to build that relationship is so important, and we saw that with Morgan and Claire. 

This story is definite Ms. Bixby's Last Day vibes if you know what I'm saying.. the emotion was heavy and relatable. The hardest part would be justifying Claire's behavior, but those of us who have been teenagers, most of us know what it is to rebel. Claire's character arc is a great study in the classroom to truly analyze the depth of her emotions, but also how Morgan, being 12, reacts. 

Overall, it would be a great addition to any middle grade classroom, even a book study to dive in to Morgan and Claire and even their mother's behavior, how the setting affects their behaviors, and the overall plot development. 

Bring some tissues. Anderson always knows how to get in your feelings and write for kids. 

About Keep It Like a Secret by John David Anderson

 

From the first moment Morgan can remember, Claire has always been there. Big sister and little brother. Cat and Mouse. They’ve always understood each other, saved each other, seen each other. And they stuck to their own personal code, unwritten but understood, that siblings were inseparable, that they had each other’s backs, no matter what.

 

At least, they used to.

 

Somewhere along the line, things between them shifted. Claire started fighting more with Mom, storming out of the house, spending more and more time away, and Morgan felt his sister and best friend slipping away. Now he spends nearly every night sitting awake in his room, waiting for the sound of her key in the lock.

 

It’s a sound he hasn’t heard in nearly a week, ever since her and Mom’s worst fight ever. So when Claire finally calls and tells Morgan she wants to spend the day together, just the two of them, he knows this might be his only chance—not just to convince her to come home, but to remind her how good things used to be, and could be again.

 

But Claire has her own plan for the day. One that will mean that, no matter what happens, things between them are going to change forever.

About the Author

 

John David Anderson is the author of more than a dozen beloved and bestselling books for kids, including the New York Times Notable Book Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, Posted, One Last Shot, Stowaway, Riley’s Ghost, and many more. A dedicated root beer connoisseur and chocolate fiend, he lives with his ever-patient wife and two ornery cats, MJ and Parker, in Indianapolis, IN. You can visit him online at johndavidanderson.org.

14-May	Nerdy Book Club	@nerdybookclub
16-May	Teachers Who Read	@teachers_read
17-May	Lit Coach Lou	@litcoachlou
20-May	Maria's Mélange	@mariaselke
21-May	A Library Mama	@alibrarymama
22-May	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	@grgenius
26-May	Bluestocking Thinking	@bluesockgirl

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Harriet Tells the Truth Blog Tour!

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HARRIET TELLS THE TRUTH marks the third and final title in the funny and heartwarming middle grade series by Elana K. Arnold that began with JUST HARRIET, and continued with HARRIET SPIES. With this title, readers will return once more to world of Marble Island and its quirky cast of characters. 

 

Here is a description of HARRIET TELLS THE TRUTH.

 

There are some things you should know about Harriet Wermer:

• She used to lie a lot, but not anymore.
• Seriously, she only tells the truth now.
• Even though she hadn’t wanted to come to Marble Island in the first place, now she

doesn’t want to leave.

 

It’s the truth. With her mom and new baby brother home from the hospital, it’s almost

time for Harriet to pack up and head home from Marble Island and all the friends she’s made.

But Harriet doesn’t have time to think about that—not when she discovers that Moneypenny,

her Nanu’s adorable basset hound, has been poisoned!

 

Harriet suspects the culprit is one of the guests staying at Nanu’s bed-and-breakfast, and she

and her best friend, Clarence, are once again on the case. But when someone else falls ill,

Harriet’s going to have to sleuth harder, spy sneakier, and be willing to see that sometimes

the truth is more complicated than it seems.

 

 

Elana K. Arnold is the award-winning author of many books for children and teens including Just Harriet, Harriet Spies, The House that Wasn’t There, Sydney Taylor Book Award winner The Blood Years, Printz Honor winner Damsel, the National Book Award finalist What Girls are Made Of, and the Global Read Aloud selection A Boy Called Bat and its sequels. She is a member of the faculty at Hamline University’s MFA in writing for children and young adults program, and lives in Long Beach, CA, with her husband, two children, and a menagerie of animals. You can find her online at www.elanakarnold.com

 

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

 

Dung (pronounced Dzung) Ho was born and raised in Hue citadel, Vietnam, where she studied graphic design at the Arts University. She is the New York Times-bestselling illustrator of many

books for children, including Joanna Ho’s Eyes That Kiss in the Corners and Laura Ruby’s Me and Ms. Too. She finds inspiration in nature: the beauty of plants, flowers, and leaves. She also

loves to draw interesting characters with unique personalities. She now lives in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. When she’s not drawing, she loves spending time cooking (eating), watching movies,

and tending her plants. Visit her at www.behance.net/hanhdungor follow her on Instagram @dunghanhho.

 

BLOG TOUR STOPS

 

January 31 Nerdy Book Club @nerdybookclub

February 2 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers @grgenius

February 5 Bluestocking Thinking @bluesockgirl

February 6 Teachers Who Read @teachers_read

February 7 Maria's Melange@mariaselke

"I am a sucker for shorter middle grade chapter books. There's something about that transition period for kids that is so beautiful to watch. What I have specifically loved about Harriet is that it's a series and kids can continue the journey and fall in love with the idea of being immersed into another place, which Elana makes so easy with Harriet. When I was younger, I grew up playing "detective" in our little neighborhood. It was one of those neighborhoods where everyone knew everyone (including all of their business) and because I was always playing outside, I could explore the whole neighborhood and eyes were watching me all the time to keep me safe. I made up stories' day in and day out with random trash I would find, new people at a house, new cars, new landscaping - all of the things I turned into a crime I needed to solve. When I read Harriet I am immediately transported back to being 8/9 years old and being Harriet. It's funny because I also remember exaggerating my stories, and lying. Much like Harriet has been in trouble of before. Harriet allows students to use their imagination. To read someone else using their imagination. It's so lost on so many kids anymore, and I love that there are stories out there showcasing how important it is to use your brain and be imaginative. Harriet is a character that will stay with students long after they leave her world. We all could use a little Harriet within us." 

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Not Quite a Ghost - Anne Ursu Book Tour

 

BULLET BOOK REVIEW

• paranormal
• spooky
• medical misdiagnosis
• family dynamics
• friendship
• relatable 

IN THE CLASSROOM: 

 As a read aloud you could deep dive into the evolution of Violet from start to finish. Analyze the plot development. Make deep inferences of theme and deeper meaning. Connections for students either personal, life, or another story they might be able to reference. Highly recommend for middle grade AND middle school. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

The house seemed to sit apart from the others on Katydid Street, silent and alone, like it didn’t fit among them. For Violet Hart — whose family is about to move into the house on Katydid Street — very little felt like it fit anymore. Like their old home, suddenly too small since her mother remarried and the new baby arrived. Or Violet’s group of friends, which, since they started middle school, isn’t enough for Violet’s best friend, Paige. Everything seemed to be changing at once. But sometimes, Violet tells herself, change is okay. 

 

That is, until Violet sees her new room. The attic bedroom in their new house is shadowy, creaky, and wrapped in old yellow wallpaper covered with a faded tangle of twisting vines and sickly flowers. And then, after moving in, Violet falls ill — and does not get better. As days turn into weeks without any improvement, her family growing more confused and her friends wondering if she’s really sick at all, she finds herself spending more time alone in the room with the yellow wallpaper, the shadows moving in the corners, wrapping themselves around her at night.

 

And soon, Violet starts to suspect that she might not be alone in the room at all.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anne Ursu is the author of acclaimed novels The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy, The Lost Girl, Breadcrumbs, and The Real Boy, among others. Her work has been selected as a National Book Award nominee, a Kirkus Prize finalist, and as a best book of the year by Parents Magazine, Publishers Weekly, Amazon.com, and School Library Journal. She lives in Minneapolis with her family and an unruly herd of cats. Find Anne online at anneursu.com.

 

BLOG TOUR STOPS

 

January 16 Nerdy Book Club @nerdybookclub

January 17 A Library Mama (@librarymama)

January 18 Charlotte's Library (@charlotteslibrary)

January 21 Teachers Who Read (@teachers_read)

January 22 Bluestocking Thinking (@bluesockgirl)

    ReadWonder (@patrickontwit)

January 23 A Foodie Bibliophile In Wanderlust (@bethshaum)

January 25 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers (@grgenius)

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Rock, Scissors, Paperbag blog tour!!

$9.99 on Amazon! Click to purchase! 

Rock, Scissors, Paperbag by Elizabeth Godley 

Rock, Scissors, and Paperbag are the bestest of friends! Paperbag is afraid of everything, Rock is a talented musician, and Scissors is an excellent Orange Ball player. After the school bullies, The Bucket Kids, steal Scissors’ fake orange-ball, the kids decide to get back at the bullies. What if they could get a real orange-ball from The Great Orange Tree? That would show The Bucket Kids!

Recalling the local legend, they embark on a fantastic adventure to find The Great Orange Tree. However, while solving the riddle within the ancient map, they encounter a cave monster, a tornado of rapping cooties, and the horrid Land of Smells. How will they face each challenge? Will they end up back home with a real orange-ball? And if they do, will they share it?

Throughout their adventure, Rock gains confidence, Paperbag conquers his fears, and Scissors makes peace with being imperfect. Best Buds!

Winner of the 2023 International Firebird Book Award, Rock, Scissors, Paperbag is a spellbinding tale of friendship, fantasy, and adventure. A perfect book to be shared and treasured.

Y'all this is seriously the cutest story! I love how creative Elizabeth was in her storytelling. The character growth is something that kids everywhere will be able to relate to and honestly probably feel more comfortable discussing as a group considering it is inanimate objects having these feelings/experiences. The perfect chapter book to cross off from early readers into middle grade! You won't want to miss this. 

   Elizabeth Godley is an award-winning children’s writer, originally from Louisiana. She writes to bring joy to children's lives, ensuring they feel connected and supported. She has traveled all over the world and loves learning about other cultures. Her favorite places are Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Florence, Italy. She has toured Italy as a clown, portraying her self-created character Nimrod, who is a lot like Charlie Chaplin's The Tramp. Previously, she worked as Starbelle, a face-painting fairy-friend to children. Currently, she resides in Los Angeles, CA, where she teaches elementary math, works as a voice over artist, and writes. She dreams of touring internationally, reading to children all over the world. Find out more about her books at www.nobodysbananapublishing.com

 

 

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No One Leaves the Castle - Review and Recommendation

 

*Click to Purchase - AFF LINK

ABOUT THE BOOK

Agatha Christie meets the Brothers Grimm in an unexpected, hilarious, and wholly original new fantasy-mystery from the beloved author of The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom.

The Lilac. The bard songs say that she’s the world’s most fearsome bounty hunter. That there’s no criminal she can’t catch, no mystery she can’t solve.

None of that is true. Yet.

In reality, the Lilac is just a kid, and the bard who wrote all that is her best friend, Dulcinetta. But when a priceless artifact goes missing from the home of famed monster hunter Baron Angbar, the Lilac and Netta see their chance to apprehend the thief and make a name for themselves.

When they get to Castle Angbar, however, and meet the Angbar family and their servants and guests—an unsavory group of nobles, mages, and assorted creatures, each more shady than the last—the Lilac begins to wonder if the reward is worth the trouble.

And that’s before the dead body is discovered.

Now everyone is magically sealed inside the castle—and there is a murderer among then. If the Lilac wants to make it out with her reputation intact, it’s going to be up to her to figure out who the killer is. But everyone in the castle—even the Lilac herself—has secrets to hide, and as the walls literally start to close in around them, the Lilac worries that her first job as a bounty hunter may be her last….

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christopher Healy is the author of the New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom and its sequels, as well as the Perilous Journey of Danger and Mayhem series. Before becoming a writer, Chris worked as an actor, an ad copywriter, a toy-store display designer, a fact-checker, a dishwasher, a journalist, a costume shop clothing stitcher, a children’s entertainment reviewer, and a haunted house zombie. He lives with his family in New Jersey. You can visit him online at christopherhealy.com

Publication date: August 15, 2023

BLOG TOUR:

NO ONE LEAVES THE CASTLE Blog Tour Schedule

 

August 2-18, 2023

 

August 2 Nerdy Book Club (@nerdybookclub)

August 7 Bluestocking Thinking (@bluesockgirl)

August 8 Teachers Who Read (@teachers_read)

August 12 Maria’s Mélange (@mariaselke)

August 15 A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust (@bethshaum)

August 18 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers (@grgenius)

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