Monday, February 21, 2022

Read an exclusive excerpt from Kidventure: Twelve Weeks to Midnight Blue by Steve Searfoss

On Tour with Prism Book Tours


Welcome to the book tour for Twelve Weeks to Midnight Blue by Steve Searfoss! Today I have an exclusive excerpt for you for this tour. Download your own copy and be sure to check out the rest of the tour! Best of luck entering the giveaway!


KidVenture: Twelve Weeks to Midnight Blue
(KidVenture #1)
By Steve Searfoss
Middle Grade Fiction, Contemporary
Paperback & ebook, 125 Pages
January 26, 2020 by Steve Searfoss

Chance Sterling launches a pool cleaning business over the summer. Join Chance as he looks for new customers, discovers how much to charge them, takes on a business partner, recruits an employee, deals with difficult clients, and figures out how to make a profit. He has twelve weeks to reach his goal. Will he make it? Only if he takes some chances.

KidVenture stories are business adventures where kids figure out how to market their company, understand risk, and negotiate. Each chapter ends with a challenge, including business decisions, ethical dilemmas and interpersonal conflict for young readers to wrestle with. As the story progresses, the characters track revenue, costs, profit margin, and other key metrics which are explained in simple, fun ways that tie into the story.

Read an excerpt:
When I was done, I emptied the bucket of debris into our large trashcan and I put up the nets. I headed to the kitchen for some of my mom’s iced tea. Addie was at the table drawing. She was always doing art. Ponies and puppies, bears and bunnies, that sort of thing. Lots of pinks and purples, sparkles and glitter. Girly stuff. Rainbows and sunsets. Boring stuff, if you ask me.

I reached into the fridge, poured myself a glass and took a big gulp. Ah, that felt good. I downed the full glass and then poured myself another one. As I sipped it I flipped through the newspaper my dad had left on the counter. Nothing caught my eye. Then I glanced over at what Addie was drawing. I bet she’s drawing a unicorn or something just as silly—

“Wait a minute! Addie! What are you drawing?” I said, shocked. 
She quickly scooped up her papers and stuffed them into her sketchbook and closed the cover. Mighty suspicious. 
“Nothing.” She grinned.

“That didn’t look like nothing.”

“Just drawing.“

“What were you doing?” 
“Why do you care?” she said defensively. 
“I want to know.” 
“It’s none of your business.” 
“Oh, it is my business.” I glared at her. “It’s very much my business. In fact, I think you were actually drawing my business. Was that a swimming pool you were drawing?”

“No.” She cracked a smile. “I was just drawing water.”
I scowled.

“Water inside four walls!” I said, accusatorily. She started giggling. “In a backyard! With a diving board!” By now she was laughing uncontrollably.

“Let me see that!” I reached for her sketchbook. She pulled it away from me, but as she did that, a bunch of papers went flying into the air. And there it was. One of her drawings floated slowly down to the ground and when it landed I could see it, clear as day. Not just a swimming pool, but in bright orange big letters it said Pool Cleaning Service.

“Addison!” I shouted. “What are you doing?!”

“It’s called marketing,” she said in the voice of a grown-up, tired of explaining the same thing over and over again to a child.

“You don’t even know what that is!”

“Yes I do,” she huffed. “Dad told me what it means.”

“Oh yeah, well what is it?”

“I am making flyers to promote my pool cleaning business.”

“You don’t have a pool cleaning business!” I stomped my foot. “I do.”

“Not yet, I don’t, but I expect that soon I will.”

I looked down again at the flyer she had drawn. There was a phone number on it. I pointed to it.

“Mom said I could use her number,” she said.

I was about to tell her this whole thing was crazy, it would never work. But I was stopped short in my tracks. I do believe my jaw was open. I might have even been drooling, if you want to know the truth.

“Addie!” I gave her a big hug. “This is a great idea! That’s exactly what I need to find new customers.”

“But you don’t know how to draw.”

“Yes I do,” I said defensively.

“No, you don’t,” she smirked. “Even your stick figures don’t look like sticks, they look like nervous spaghetti.”

“You have a point. Maybe you can draw them for me.”

“No thanks,” she said and quickly picked up her papers and started to head out of the kitchen.

“Wait! Addie wait!”

“I’ll pay you.”

“How much?”

“I don’t know. A dollar.”

“No way,”

“Two dollars?” I said hopefully.

She shook her head

“Three?”

“Half.”

“A half dollar?” I giggled. “Ok, sure.”

“No, I want half of everything you make cleaning pools.”

“What?!” I shrieked.

“That’s right, 50-50.”

“No way, not a chance! Get lost.”

“Ok,” she said in that you’re-going-to-regret-this tone of voice and started to walk away.

I swallowed. There was something stuck in my throat. Ok, you might even say it was pride. I swallowed my pride and called out, “Addie! Come back.”

“Yes, brother?” she teased.

“I’ll give you a third.”

She pretended to think about it, and then said, “No.”

“Forty percent.”

“No.”

“Forty! Addie, that’s a lot.”

“I don’t want forty, I want to be your partner. An equal partner.”

“My partner?” I said sarcastically.

“That’s right. Your partner.” 
“But you don’t know anything about cleaning pools. And you’re too little to carry heavy buckets of wet leaves.” 
“And you don’t know how to draw. And it sure doesn’t seem like you know much about marketing either.” 
“You want me to give you half of my business just because you can draw flyers? That hardly seems fair. I can get anyone to draw pictures of a pool for me.”

“It’s not just drawing, Chance. It told you, it’s called marketing. I have Mom’s phone ready to go, so we can take calls. I made a map of the neighborhood so we can write down which houses we visited and left flyers with, and what they said. I’ll find us new customers, if you make me your partner.” 
I scratched my head. There was something appealing about what she was proposing. It was no fun knocking on doors all day in the hot sun, hoping someone needed their pool cleaned. “Ok, ok. Maybe we can do half of any new customer you bring.”

“No,” she said. “I want to be a full partner in the whole business, or I’m not interested.” 
Excerpted from Kidventure: Twelve Weeks to Midnight Blue by Steve Searfoss, Copyright © 2022 by Steve Searfoss. Published by Steve Searfoss.

(Affiliate links included.)




About the Author


Steve Searfoss: I wrote my first KidVenture book after years of making up stories to teach my kids about business and economics. Whenever they'd ask how something works or why things were a certain way, I would say, "Let's pretend you have a business that sells..." and off we'd go. What would start as a simple hypothetical to explain a concept would become an adventure spanning several days as my kids would come back with new questions which would spawn more plot twists. Rather than give them quick answers, I tried to create cliffhangers to get them to really think through an idea and make the experience as interactive as possible.

I try to bring that same spirit of fun, curiosity and challenge to each KidVenture book. That’s why every chapter ends with a dilemma and a set of questions. KidVenture books are fun for kids to read alone, and even more fun to read together and discuss. There are plenty of books where kids learn about being doctors and astronauts and firefighters. There are hardly any where they learn what it’s like to run small business. KidVenture is different. The companies the kids start are modest and simple, but the themes are serious and important.

I’m an entrepreneur who has started a half dozen or so businesses and have had my share of failures. My dad was an entrepreneur and as a kid I used to love asking him about his business and learning the ins and outs of what to do and not do. Mistakes make the best stories — and the best lessons. I wanted to write a business book that was realistic, where you get to see the characters stumble and wander and reset, the way entrepreneurs do in real life. Unlike most books and movies where business is portrayed as easy, where all you need is one good idea and the desire to be successful, the characters in KidVenture find that every day brings new problems to solve.
 

Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a print copy of KidVenture: Twelve Weeks to Midnight Blue and a $15 Amazon gift card (US, UK, Canada only)

Ends March 2, 2022

 
Grab Our Button!




Sunday, February 13, 2022

Thoughts on Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

 


Far off the coast of California looms a harsh rock known as the island of San Nicholas. Dolphins flash in the blue waters around it, sea otter play in the vast kep beds, and sea elephants loll on the stony beaches.

Here, in the early 1800s, according to history, an Indian girl spent eighteen years alone, and this beautifully written novel is her story. It is a romantic adventure filled with drama and heartache, for not only was mere subsistence on so desolate a spot a near miracle, but Karana had to contend with the ferocious pack of wild dogs that had killed her younger brother, constantly guard against the Aleutian sea otter hunters, and maintain a precarious food supply.

More than this, it is an adventure of the spirit that will haunt the reader long after the book has been put down. Karana's quiet courage, her Indian self-reliance and acceptance of fate, transform what to many would have been a devastating ordeal into an uplifting experience. From loneliness and terror come strength and serenity in this Newbery Medal-winning classic.

In celebration of the book's 50th anniversary, this edition has an introduction by Lois Lowry, Newbery Medal-winning author of The Giver and Number the Stars.


Book Links
(affiliate link included)



**My thoughts**
I've been revisiting a lot of my childhood favorites lately. Island of the Blue Dolphins start popping up in various places, so I curled up with it one recent evening to reread for the umpteenth time since I was 9 (though probably not for at least a decade).

For me, the magic is still there. Karana has a strength and determination in her spirit that I still admire. I found myself questioning now, as I did back then, whether I would make it all alone on an island for 18 years. Probably not. But we know that at least one woman did.

The book was inspired by a woman who lived alone on an island for 18 years. But especially as an adult, I understand that this book is pure fiction. No one really knows the truth about how the woman came to be alone on the island, nor how she actually survived all of those years, though the author did extensive research into the people of the area and the time. I especially appreciated the extra insights given in the 50th anniversary edition of the book, including the introduction written by beloved author Lois Lowry.

As an adult, I appreciate the story of survival and how Karana develops a strong love for nature and the world around her. I think a focus on these themes - and that women are capable of doing the same things men can - is what is most important and outweighs trying to teach this as a nonfiction historical text, which it is not. But it is such a good story.

I understand that Scott O'Dell later wrote a sequel. I have no idea what that could possibly be, but it is in my TBR pile.  

Review of A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee

 


From debut author Lisa Moore Ramée comes this funny and big-hearted debut middle grade novel about friendship, family, and standing up for what’s right, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give and the novels of Renée Watson and Jason Reynolds.

Twelve-year-old Shayla is allergic to trouble. All she wants to do is to follow the rules. (Oh, and she’d also like to make it through seventh grade with her best friendships intact, learn to run track, and have a cute boy see past her giant forehead.)

But in junior high, it’s like all the rules have changed. Now she’s suddenly questioning who her best friends are and some people at school are saying she’s not black enough. Wait, what?

Shay’s sister, Hana, is involved in Black Lives Matter, but Shay doesn't think that's for her. After experiencing a powerful protest, though, Shay decides some rules are worth breaking. She starts wearing an armband to school in support of the Black Lives movement. Soon everyone is taking sides. And she is given an ultimatum.

Shay is scared to do the wrong thing (and even more scared to do the right thing), but if she doesn't face her fear, she'll be forever tripping over the next hurdle. Now that’s trouble, for real.


Book Links


**My thoughts**
I remember prior to this book's release, there was a lot of hype surrounding it, especially among the various book tour companies I blog for. But there was never a review option, and I knew I wanted to read it. So I put it on my TBR.

I finally read it for the first time about a year ago and was blown away. There's so much going on here that I think a lot of readers could relate to it.

The story tackles the embarrassment of puberty, bullying, first real crushes, parental rules, and the complicated dynamics of middle school friendships. I totally flashed back to my middle school days.

And then the book goes a little deeper into things like racial identity. Shayla is Black, Isabella is Puerto Rican, and Julia is Asian. They have always called themselves the United Nations, but are now more aware of some of their cultural differences. Naturally, some of the kids are starting to gravitate toward those with the same backgrounds at this age as they are developing more of a cultural identity. (Example: It's nice to be around people who understand that Chinese, Japanese, and Korean are not all the same.) But then there is also that desire to stay with your friends whom you love for being who they are. I appreciated them getting into the stereotypes and trying to dispel them while also embracing themselves for who they are and eventually seeking unification again. (Example: Not all Latinx people are from Mexico.)

Shayla also describes a lot of the problems that we are still facing in schools with some teachers being tone deaf to diversity and being so quick to stereotype or assume the worst of a student. [I keep thinking of Bernard. I love Bernard. I've taught many students like Bernard.] And she does highlight those teachers who are setting a good example. Plus there's some commentary of how teachers need to diversify what they're teaching and exposing kids to, because there's more out there than the dead white man's books. (I totally agree.)

And then there is the trial of an officer who shot and killed an unarmed Black man who was walking away from her. This is something we've been seeing quite often in the news, making this situation quite relevant. The book masterfully explains what Black Lives Matter actually means and how you can actively support the cause, even if you are not at a protest blocking traffic, for example. 

The important lessons Shayla learns are how to find her inner strengths, to be a good friend, a good leader, and how to find the good kind of trouble to really make a difference.

I think a lot of kids will find recognition in this story. I think reading it can lead to a lot of reflection and great conversation, whether at home or at school. And I think teachers could learn a lot about themselves by seeing that middle school world through a student's eyes.

I would love to catch up with Shayla again. But at the very least, I am adding author Lisa Moore Ramee to my perpetual reading list. Great debut book. 

Friday, February 11, 2022

Review of Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero by Kelly J. Baptist

 


A coming-of-age tale about a boy who discovers a love of poetry after finding his late father's journal. Adapted from a story that first appeared in Flying Lessons & Other Stories and perfect for fans of The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson.

Isaiah is now the big man of the house. But it's a lot harder than his dad made it look. His little sister, Charlie, asks too many questions, and Mama's gone totally silent.

Good thing Isaiah can count on his best friend, Sneaky, who always has a scheme for getting around the rules. Plus, his classmate Angel has a few good ideas of her own--once she stops hassling Isaiah.

And when things get really tough, there's Daddy's journal, filled with stories about the amazing Isaiah Dunn, a superhero who gets his powers from beans and rice. Isaiah wishes his dad's tales were real. He could use those powers right about now!

Kelly J. Baptist's debut novel explores the indomitable spirit of a ten-year-old boy and the superhero strength it takes to grow up.


Book Links
(affiliate link included)


**My thoughts**
Isaiah Dunn is 10, almost 11. He has a magical way with words, inherited from his father. But he has lost his words since his father unexpectedly passed away at Thanksgiving. (This is something I strongly relate to, even as an adult.)

As he is struggling with all of this, his mother is struggling to cope, losing her job, drinking a lot, and rendering them essentially homeless. (And this is a wake-up call to how easily it could happen to anyone.)

Then he's trying to deal with kids at school, in the neighborhoods, while also wanting to take care of his family. It's a lot for anyone to deal with, let alone someone his young age.

Through trial and error, unexpected support, and his father's short stories about Isaiah Dunn, Superhero, Isaiah manages to find strength and ingenuity that he didn't know he had and rises above to forge a new and better path. He's so inspirational, even to this fully grown adult. How many of us have been facing difficult trials in our own lives? And think about how many other children are going through one or more of these situations, or something similar, in their own lives? It really gives you something to think about in addition to pulling at your emotions.

Isaiah is a great kid and this is a great book. I look forward to his continued adventures.

I received a requested review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


Click on a title to read my review of the  Isaiah Dunn series by Kelly J. Baptist:

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

The Dark Beast by Dave Maruszewski



This one is for all of the kids and kids-at-heart who love epic fantasy. Read an excerpt from Dave Maruszewski's The Dark Beast as well as a guest post about how he crafts his fictional world. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for even more fun. Best of luck entering the giveaway!



Recently knighted squires Raven, Romda, and Ravai are tasked to help a nearby priest. However, this simple errand turns into much more. They cross paths with the Dark Beast. After that brief encounter, they soon realize the Beast’s plans to destroy an entire town. They journey to this town, meeting residents who tell large tales about the Beast. How much of stories are true? The three will find out. The Dark Beast is coming.


Read an excerpt:

The Dark Beast lunged toward Agnew and grabbed him, but his hand smashed into something. The wizard had put up as a barrier, invisible to the Beast.

“A nice spell,” the Beast said, “but there are ways around it, as well.”

“It will be too late,” the wizard said. He then shot out a large burst of blue energy. The Beast jumped out of the way, grabbed onto one of the rafters, and did not come back down.

“Do you know what your problem is?” the Dark Beast asked.

“Right now?” Agnew replied. “You.”

“No,” the Dark Beast continued, “even in my form, you are more than my superior. You have great power.” Agnew almost seemed pleased to hear this.

The Beast continued explaining. “However, you are too vain and unwilling to get your hands dirty. No one turned me into the beast that you see before you. I chose to do it. It made me stronger. You would never do it.”

The wizard released another blast, almost missing, but indeed striking the Dark Beast. He fell to the ground.

“It would appear that you have overestimated yourself,” Agnew proclaimed. “I stand above you, and you are defeated.”

The Beast looked up and said, “But you won’t touch me, will you, even if I am dead?”

“Of course not,” Agnew replied. “That is why I have guards.” He raised his hand to give the final blow.

The Dark Beast rolled and smashed another vial on the ground. The mist penetrated Agnew’s shield. When he smelled it, he immediately got sick and tried not to vomit.

The Beast slowly rose with a glare aimed directly at Agnew. The Beast was unaffected. His form was resistant to the sickly fumes.


Buy on Amazon 

(affiliate link included)

Just $0.99 during the tour!



Once, a very good artist and teacher said to me, “Don’t put every detail into your painting. If you do, the people will have no way of let themselves into it.” Even though I used quotes, this is a bit of a paraphrase. Nonetheless, what he meant was that if I put in too much detail in my painting, viewers won’t be able to use their imagination to “fill in the blanks” so to speak.

The above concept is a method I have kept in a lot of my creative endeavors. It is also what I employ in my Raven, Romda and Ravai series. In these books, you’ll see scant description of the three characters appearance. Furthermore, I practice this pretty much for every personality in the books. I want you, the reader, to make a picture of each person that is specific to you.

When I talk about a sunset, I don’t want to describe it perfectly to you with wonderful style. Instead, I want to take you back to a sunset you remember and put it into my book. This is part of my goal to create a little bit of interaction with the reader.

Another reason that I do this is to engage readers who are less apt to love reading. These type of readers see fiction as a static, impersonal way of presenting material and not a beautiful, expressive way that book-lovers have discovered since written stories were invented.

This style can be scary. My writing may turn off the traditional reader. Even more intimidating, this may gain me low scores with the professional critic, who evaluates books based on traditional methods. After all, I’d like to sell books and make a small living from it. However, what if I don’t choose this way? Who will reach these youth?

We are seeing a decline in reading, and I don’t see it coming back up to levels it was at before. Maybe, it isn’t important to start all children on the classical methods of writing. They are living different times than when reading was more prevalent. They may need different approaches to writing as much as they need different genres. And why not? So, they aren’t ready for Shakespeare or Milton as quickly. If they learn to read, they will learn to read more. Then, let’s see where it takes us.


Dave Maruszewski is blessed with a great family. He was originally inspired to write stories by his wife and son, when they encouraged him to put his bedtime stories on paper.

His stories are created from an accumulation of experiences from careers/backgrounds as a physicist, engineer, teacher, artist, video game designer and software developer. He strives to develop stories with sound moral values that will be enlightening as well as entertaining to youths and adults.

In between writing stories and running his own company, Digital Tumult (DigitalTumult.com), Dave enjoys video games, watching internet videos and hanging out with his family.


Book: www.ravenromdaandravai.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dave-Maruszewski-Books-100693982454237/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21946064.Dave_Maruszewski




Dave Maruszewski will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, February 4, 2022

The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: The Robinsons by Terance L. Shipman and Prudence Williams

 


The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm

Mahalia and Malcolm know that they do not belong to the typical African American family, but that doesn't stop them from loving their family and just being kids. After their home is invaded by a masked stranger, the siblings set off on a brave and daring adventure to rescue their family. Plunged into an incredible battle to save the family, the kids struggle with the normal fears and anxieties, but they soon discover the enormous range of their superpowers! They also discover incredible secrets about their family: like Douglass: the family's robot and RedTail1, the family's aircraft. The most important discovery they uncover is the courage that it takes to keep a superhero family together. Filled with excitement and riveting escapades, The Adventures of Mahalia and Malcolm: the Robinsons, is the perfect book to show young readers that superheroes come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages!


on Amazon
(affiliate links included)





About Dr. Terance L. Shipman

Dr. Terance Shipman is a 28-year veteran teacher. He spent much of his teaching career working with elementary aged students. In fact, he spent his first 11 years teaching kindergarten! He is proud to say that he built strong relationships over those years and has an incredible network of his students and their parents and co-workers that he has remained in contact with over these years. Dr. Shipman calls this ever-developing network “Team Shipman”. Through Team Shipman, Dr. Shipman offers continual encouragement, leadership, and mentorship to his students, their families, and his professional peers. Dr. Shipman currently teaches middle school and extends membership to Team Shipman to his current students and their families, as well.

Mr. Shipman’s Kindergarten Chronicles are the stories of teaching kindergarten that make Dr. Shipman smile the most when he thinks about his years teaching kindergarten. Each book in the series celebrates the male teacher, in particular the black male teacher. Acknowledging the under-representation of black men in education, Mr. Shipman presents a positive and strong black male image that children need. Through his first series of books, Dr. Shipman’s Kindergarten Chronicles, Dr. Shipman hopes to make kindergarten an exciting and anticipated adventure for students, parents, and teachers, while casting an even wider net for Team Shipman.

Dr. Shipman received his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the Tuskegee University in 1992. After obtain this degree, he attended Hampton University in Virginia and obtain a Master’s degree in Elementary Education in 1994. For the next 13 years, Dr. Shipman was an elementary teacher in Atlanta Public School System. Most of his time at APS was spent as a kindergarten teacher, and in 2009 he earned his Educational Specialist degree from University of West Georgia in Administration Supervision and soon after he complete his doctoral degree at Clark Atlanta University in 2013. Since completing his final degree, Dr. Shipman has worked with middle school and high school aged students. And through it all Team Shipman is still growing!



More of our features of Terance Shipman's books:











I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.