One of the best things about this blogging-and-other-social-media lark is all the GREAT people one meets! Heck, sometimes I feel I interact more with my blog "friends" than I do with my F2F (face-to-face) pals--and in that I'm including the great Don Vito who's just returned from his annual holiday in Sicily!
One of the writers I've recently met is Margo Sorenson. She's the author of 27 books for children, plus (to the Don's great delight) she speaks Italian, having lived in Italy as a child. She's also lived in Hawai'i, so we're all totally envious!
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| Aloha, Margo! |
And Hawai'i is where her latest novel, ISLAND DANGER, (recently released by MuseItUp Publishing) is set. The main character, Todd Halliday, is being sent against his will to spend the summer with his uncle, aunt, and cousins on Oahu. He's visited before, and he chafes at his uncle's military bearing and at his cousin Chris' rule-following.
What Margo Sorenson does really well is get us into Todd's head. At the start of the novel, he's not a particularly likable 14-year-old, and he's dismissive of a number of things (especially his cousin.) But we come to understand that what he really wants and needs is attention. Initially, he goes about it all the wrong way, hoping to find an arms cache and get some media glory. However, during the course of the novel, he comes to realize that Chris is not the "dweeb" and tattletale he first thinks. Todd also stands up to one of his uncle's anti-Hawai'ian tirades, and comes to have empathy for a family of Hawai'ians camping in the forest. By the end of the novel, we've come to appreciate Todd and his growth as a person--which is something all good novels accomplish.
I really enjoyed ISLAND DANGER. It's a fast-paced and thrilling adventure, and would be particularly appealing to that hard-to-reach middle grade demographic that likes sports, surfing, and danger.
(By the way, another of the bloggers I admire, Deb Marshall, had a fantastic review of Island Danger last week, plus a great interview with Margo. And I think today is the last day to earn a chance to win a free copy of ISLAND DANGER--which is exclusively an e-book--from Deb. Head there now, and tell her the Don sent you. Or go straight to Muse It Up and buy it HERE.)
I know what you mean about interacting with internet friends more than friends you can see. This sounds good. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi, Natalie! Thanks for your kind words, and it's great to hear from you. Thanks for reading the review and stopping by -- did you greet the Don? Aloha!
ReplyDeleteI have heard such great things about this book. I am curious about it and it sounds like the main character grows and changes- which I like. I am jealous of the places the author has lived! I also can relate to meeting so many wonderful people in the blogging world and having more interactions with them! Great review.
ReplyDelete~Jess
Thanks for the visit and your post about the main character growing and changing; that's what Todd tried to do. :) You may be envious of some of the places I've lived, but, what about those ten years in Minnesnowta with the ice-scraper for the windshield and the de-icer for the door locks and the roof rake for the snow? ;) Aloha, Jess!
ReplyDeleteThis book just keeps on coming up so I think it's time I found out what all the buzz is about. The more I hear about the characters, especially Todd, the more I believe I'm going to like it. My good friend Annie, a great writer, lived in Mexico and has been to Italy and speaks Spanish and Italian. It is easy for me, who's never been out of U.S. except perhaps Canada, to wonder what I have to offer my readers. Like Margo points out, every place has it's negatives. I think we have a tendency to romanticize far away places. Doesn't mean I wouldn't jump at the chance to go.
ReplyDeleteHi, Pam, and thanks for your comments! You have plenty to offer your readers; your blog (So I'm Fifty!)and writing prove it. :) Every place has its draw and its drawbacks, but in writing, it's all about characterization and plot, as you well know. Some of the best books ever (TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, for example) are set in down-home good ol' USA. So, keep dreaming and writing, and who knows where you'll end up! Aloha!
ReplyDeleteI have several books by Sorenson in my library, but sadly am not equipped to provide e books to students. I'm thinking in... fifteen years we might get that far. I'm still cleaning out slide projectors, although all of the laser disk players have left the building!
ReplyDeleteOh my on the laser disk! So remember those.
DeleteI am so honored, Ms. Yingling, to learn that you have some of my books on the shelves -- thank you! Please let young readers know that I'm always happy to answer questions from them via email or regular post. Slide projectors -- you are ambitious! Thanks for visiting Michael's blog and for all you do for young readers. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...this book has been featured two weeks in a row. I definitely need to check it out!
ReplyDeleteMahalo, Michelle -- I hope you enjoy -- and can feel the trade winds blow and hear the surf crashing....Aloha!
ReplyDeleteLove fast-paced adventure. What an accomplished author! Wow.
ReplyDeleteMahalo for your kind words, Melanie. :) I've just been very lucky, as most published authors will say, seriously. This is a tough biz! I hope you find ISLAND DANGER fast-paced, as well. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout-out at Deb's today. Can't wait to read the book!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jennifer! Happy reading -- and writing. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteYes yes on the demographics this book will appeal to. Great review, Michael and thanks for the linky shout out.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Don.
Deb, thank you so much for your comment on the demographics -- and mahalo nui loa for the great review and interview on your site last Monday. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteWow! I was still on vacation when you posted this, Michael. Margo, I love Hawai'i. I was lucky enough to go there once many years ago, and I've always wanted to return. Your book sounds very exciting!
ReplyDeleteAnd Don Vito, welcome back.
Thank you for stopping by, Joanne! I'm sure the Don was quite pleased by your comment! I hope you'll enjoy the book as much as you do Hawaii. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was this age, I loved books with "danger" in the title. (Such as Lois Duncan's Game of Danger.) This sounds good.
ReplyDeleteTitles are important, Marcia! I'm tickled to have my book mentioned in the same paragraph as Lois Duncan's, even though it's just the title that's being compared. :) It used to be titled Threat in the Ravine, but I thought that was too clunky. Thanks for stopping by!
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