Showing posts with label Audrey Vernick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Audrey Vernick. Show all posts

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Book Review - After the Worst Thing Happens by Audrey Vernick + Giveaway


Photo Credit - Amazon
Army Morand feels like her world has changed overnight when after an unfortunate accident, her beloved dog passed away. Army feels terrible because it was her fault that her beloved dog, Maybe got sick. She is having a hard time coming to terms with his death and she is hiding from her best friend, JennaLouise.


One day, Army sees the new girl that moved in across the street, Madison wandering around the street by herself. Army sees that Madison is also climbing a tree and goes out on the roof by herself. Army finds herself wanting to help Madison's family and making sure nothing happens to them. However, when a big storm is headed their way, will Army be able to find Madison when she goes missing?


The novel was an interesting read about a young girl dealing with sorrow and coming to terms with dealing with death and loss. She decides to use her energy to help a young family in need as a way to help her grieve her beloved dog. I thought the novel was an okay read. I didn't bond with any of the characters. I thought it was odd that the mother relied on Army without consulting Army's mother first. I feel like that she was stressed out and wanted Army to feel useful but, she should have talked to Army's mother first. I felt that some of the dialogue felt forced. I did like that there was some humor sprinkled throughout the story and that the author showcased one of the different spectrums of Autism.

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

About the Book:

Title: AFTER THE WORST THING HAPPENS
Author: Audrey Vernick
Pub. Date: July 7, 2020
Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books
Formats:  Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 224

Left reeling after her thoughtless mistake causes a terrible accident, 12-year-old Army Morand channels her grief to help someone in need.

Army Morand feels like her life has been blown to bits when the worst thing imaginable happens--her beloved dog dies. It was an accident, but it was also Army's fault. She can't seem to stop hiding from everything and everybody including her best friend JennaLouise.

But then Army sees Madison, the little girl who moved in across the way, climbing a tree and walking down the street unsupervised. Her family is not neglectful, just overwhelmed. Army finds herself overcome with the need to help Madison's family to make sure another worst thing doesn't happen--which becomes even more challenging when a big storm threatens her town.

"The subjects are heavy, but Army’s young voice infuses them with humor and warmth, even when her path forward seems uncertain. 'Just go with it and make things happen before you totally understand how to do all of it,' Army suggests, a hard-won lesson that young readers will take to heart." —Booklist

"this is fundamentally the story of small moments of growth and insight. Army’s first-person narration feels particularly authentic as she navigates her intense feelings"—The Horn Book

"In short chapters told from Army’s earnest first-person perspective, she finds new ways to negotiate with her caring but emotionally reserved parents and steps out of her own comfort zone; this exploration of family dynamics is where the novel shines."Kirkus Reviews

"With moments of humor, Vernick (Two Naomis) weaves together a well-paced story that explores grief in all its raw pain, as well as the power of friends, family, and community to help heal." —Publishers Weekly


About Audrey:
Audrey grew up in Whitestone, New York, where she lived with her parents and two sisters and a not very bright small white dog. She has a freaky memory about the names of the kids in her class at P.S. 184Q, and even remembers where most of them stood in size order. 

She always loved to read and still rereads Harriet the Spy on a regular basis.  She was not one of those children who always knew she wanted to be a writer; she didn't love to write until college. She's been writing ever since. 

In addition to writing for children, Audrey has published more than a dozen short stories for adults in magazines and literary journals. She received an mfa from Sarah Lawrence College.

Audrey divides her time between writing (which is mostly spent revising) and visiting elementary schools to talk about writing and publishing. (For school visit info, click here.) She also speaks at conferences around the country. 

She lives near the ocean in New Jersey with her family, and one fairly intelligent medium-sized black dog.

Audrey Vernick received a 2019 Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.


Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of AFTER THE WORST THING HAPPENS, US Only.



Rafflecopter link:


Tour Schedule:
Week One:
8/3/2020
Review
8/3/2020
Instagram Stop
8/4/2020
Interview
8/4/2020
Review
8/4/2020
Excerpt
8/5/2020
Review
8/5/2020
Instagram Stop
8/5/2020
Excerpt
8/6/2020
Review/Instagram Stop
8/6/2020
Review
8/6/2020
Interview
8/7/2020
Excerpt
8/7/2020
Instagram Stop
8/7/2020
Review
8/7/2020
Instagram Stop
8/7/2020
Instagram Stop

Week Two:
8/10/2020
Review
8/10/2020
Instagram Stop
8/11/2020
Excerpt
8/11/2020
Excerpt
8/11/2020
Instagram Stop
8/12/2020
Excerpt
8/12/2020
Instagram Stop
8/13/2020
Review
8/13/2020
Review
8/14/2020
Review/Instagram Stop
8/14/2020
Review
8/14/2020
Instagram Stop

 

Friday, June 29, 2018

Book Review - Dear Substitute by by Audrey Vernick and Liz Garton Scanlon + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

When their teacher Mrs. Giordano is sick and a new substitute teacher, Miss Pelly takes over, things are bound to go wrong.  A student writes in an epistolary poems format, explaining why Miss Pelly is doing things wrong and how she misses her teacher. 

I read this cute picture book to the tots I volunteered with. They thought the book was funny. However, I am not sure they grasped the entire message of the book until we discussed the book. The book had an interesting way to encourage children to try new experiences because they might enjoy it. A good book especially for children who are nervous in trying new things.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**



Title: DEAR SUBSTITUTE
Author: Audrey Vernick, Liz Garton Scanlon, &Chris Raschka (Illustrations)
Pub. Date: June 19, 2018
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 40
Find it: GoodreadsAmazonB&NiBooksTBD

When a substitute teacher named Miss Pelly comes to class, one student bristles at the change in routine-Miss Pelly doesn't follow the rules like Mrs. Giordano. But in time, our student learns that even though the substitute may do things a little differently, and she may be a bit silly, mixing things up might not be so bad.

Told in a series of epistolary poems, this funny, relatable picturebook is a great fit for classrooms and for any child nervous about new experiences.

About Audrey:
Audrey grew up in Whitestone, New York, where she lived with her parents and two sisters and a not very bright small white dog. She has a freaky memory about the names of the kids in her class at P.S. 184Q, and even remembers where most of them stood in size order. 

She always loved to read and still rereads Harriet the Spy on a regular basis.  She was not one of those children who always knew she wanted to be a writer; she didn't love to write until college. She's been writing ever since. 

In addition to writing for children, Audrey has published more than a dozen short stories for adults in magazines and literary journals. She received an mfa from Sarah Lawrence College and has been honored with two fiction fellowships from the New Jersey State Council of the Arts. 

Audrey divides her time between writing (which is mostly spent revising) and visiting elementary schools to talk about writing and publishing. (For school visit info, click here.) She also speaks at conferences around the country. 

She lives near the ocean in New Jersey with her family and a semi-smart medium-sized dog.



About Liz:
Liz Garton Scanlon is the author of numerous beloved books for young people, including the highly-acclaimed, Caldecott-honored picture book All the World, illustrated by Marla Frazee, and her debut novel for middle grade readers, The Great Good Summer, as well as The Good-Pie Party; Happy Birthday, Bunny!; Noodle & Lou, and several others. Ms. Scanlon is also a poet, a teacher and a frequent & popular presenter at schools, libraries and conferences. She grew up in Colorado and Wisconsin, and now lives with her husband and two daughters in Austin, Texas.


Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of DEAR SUBSTITUTE, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter Link:

Tour Schedule:
Week Two:
6/25/2018- BookHounds YAExcerpt
6/26/2018- RhythmicBooktrovertReview
6/27/2018- Book Dragon LairReview
6/28/2018- Beagles & BooksReview
6/29/2018- Two Points of InterestReview