Review of 'Eclair Meets a Gypsy' by M. Weidenbenner

Éclair Meets a Gypsy

M. Weidenbenner, Author
Melody Duval, Illustrator

AWARD-WINNING and BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

Kay Kline, retired first-grade teacher, “A fun chapter book with just enough magic and reality. Adults will enjoy it too!”

Vie Herlocker, author and editor, “Funny...entertaining... Éclair resembles a modern-day Junie B. Jones.”

“Kid-friendly… page-turning fun… adventure with real-life challenges,” said Crystal Bowman, best-selling children’s book author and speaker.

Early Reader for girls first – third grade. (6-8 years old)

Eccentric Grandma Stella is taking in boarders. Not the kind that talk, but the kind that neigh. Horses. When seven-year-old Éclair meets the first boarder and its owner, a girl Éclair’s age who’s dressed like a gypsy, the girl says her horse can read minds and will cast a spell on Éclair. Does the horse really have magic? If so, maybe the horse could make Éclair’s secret wish come true.

**My thoughts**

Eclair is starting to slowly adjust to living with her eccentric grandmother, but still doesn't understand a lot of the world around her. You can tell that she didn't spend a lot of time out in the country with her grandmother, prior to having to move in with her. 

I love that she is young enough that she still has complete faith in the possibility of magic and making wishes. With everything going on in her little world, she needs that innocent trust and magic. She also needs some friends, and not just of the horse kind. Lina seems to need the same in her life. I feel like these two little girls are going to become the best of friends and have all kinds of adventures. I would love to see how Eclair later handles the balance between her best friend back home and her newfound best friend in Indiana.

These stories are very sweet. They go by quickly, throwing in little life lessons while also bringing a smile to your face as you read about Eclair's world. I agree that she will be as appealing to little girls as Junie B. Jones, but definitely prefer this child over Junie. (I have never been a fan of Junie B. Jones.)

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Put Eclair Meets A Gypsy on your TBR list

Eclair Goes to Stella's

Chapter Book for first-third grade girls. Early Reader.

"Humor...action...and emotion. A great read!" Crystal Bowman, bestselling children's author. 

"Funny, sad, heart-warming and genuine--all at once." Renee Gray-Wilburn, Co-author of "Grandparenting Through Obstacles."

When Eclair's mother leaves home, Eclair and her little sister must go live on a farm with Stella, their eccentric grandma.

"More and more, grandparents today are assuming the role of part-time or even full-time caregivers for their grandkids. In Eclair Goes to Stella's, we see how one grandmother bravely and creatively steps into this role to help her family through a difficult situation. I'm certain that children everywhere will be able to relate to the range of emotions that little Éclair faces as she struggles to adjust to her new living arrangements then begins to welcome the love and care her grandmother offers." ~ Renee Gray-Wilburn, co-author of Grandparenting Through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Challenges to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ (Pix-N-Pens, 2012).

There is a growing trend in America--grandparents raising grandchildren. According to the AARP's Grandfacts, "Across the United States, almost 7.8 million children are living in homes where grandparents or other relatives are the householders, with more than 5.8 million children living in grandparents' homes and nearly 2 million children living in other relatives' homes. These families are often called grandfamilies."

**My thoughts**

Unfortunately, Eclair's situation is starting to become more and more prevalent. Parents are suffering from mental illness or other disorders and must go get themselves some help. All that Eclair knows is that Mommy has gone somewhere so that she won't be sad anymore. Her father needs to find a different job, so that he can support the family. So, Grandma, who prefers to simply be called Stella, is going to take care of the kids while their parents try to rebuild their family.

As an adult, my heart was aching for Eclair and her sister. I have fond memories of hanging out in Indiana and on family farms in the summers, but that was for fun, not necessity like in this book. The girls have been completely uprooted, are living with someone who is essentially a stranger, and are trying to make sense of this crazy new world.

I was almost reminded of Ramona Quimby when reading this first book. Eclair has some silly notions about her little world, which are completely believable and understandable at her age and in her situation. Ramona is one of my all-time favorite characters in chapter books for kids. I feel like Eclair will quickly join her ranks.

 

About the author:

Michelle grew up in the burbs of Detroit with five brothers. No sisters. Each time her mom brought the boy bundle home from the hospital she cried, certain her mom liked boys better than girls. But when her brothers pitched in with the cooking, cleaning, and babysitting, without drama, she discovered having brothers wasn’t so bad. They even taught her how to take direct criticism without flinching, which comes in handy with book reviews.

When she’s not writing she’s winning ugly on the tennis court. She’s known as “Queen of the Rim Shots.” No joke. It’s ugly.

Where to find Michelle:

Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Literary Addicts | Goodreads | Website | Pinterest | LinkedIn

Blog link: http://www.randomwritingrants.com Random Writing Rants Teaching adults and teens how to get published

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Meet Powers Molinar, author of 'Spartanica (The Survivors of Sapertys)'

What was the inspiration for this book?

Kids inspire me to write because becoming a strong reader is such an important skill to have throughout life. I see a direct relationship with my kids’ friends between enthusiasm for reading and success in school. My hope is that young readers will find Spartanica engaging enough to make them want to read more and, in the process, develop skills needed to accomplish their goals later in life.

What is one of your favorite things about it?

I really like how the characters interact. They act and sound like real kids. Readers have told me they especially enjoy the dialogue because it makes the story feel more real.

Will we see these characters again?

Definitely. Spartanica is book 1 of The Survivors of Sapertys Series. There will be a book 2 and book 3. Many (but not all!) of the Spartanica characters will live on.

How did your family assist in the creation process?

They were a huge help. My wife and middle school son were beta readers and read groups of chapters as I completed them. My grade school daughter read the finished product and pointed out my text justification was wrong just before I published. That was a huge save!

On what other projects are you currently working?

Spartanica fans are clamoring for book two of the series. I get asked about it every day so that's what I'm working on.

What do you find fulfilling about writing science fiction?

Science fiction is about driving the reader's imagination. I find it most fulfilling when a reader comes up to me and enthusiastically talks about a scene from my book like he/she actually witnessed it happening. That is ultimate. That's when, as an author, you know you've hit the target and truly entertained your reader.

You say that you think that "being a solid reader is a foundational piece of leading an exceptional life." I agree. Would you care to expand on this thought?

There's so much potential in every kid. It genuinely pains me to see kids underachieve. Being a strong reader is a cornerstone for creating a wide array of options for oneself later in life. I'd love to see every kid have the head start that being a strong reader offers.

What can we do to help children become better readers?

Beyond just encouraging and rewarding kids for reading and, in general, doing well in school, it's crucial we provide them with books that are 1) interesting and 2) push their reading skills. Spartanica, for instance, occasionally has words beyond the typical middle or even high school vernacular. That's done on purpose in the hope the reader will ask or look it up.

What are some of your recommended reads for the middle grades?

Other than Spartanica? Hmmmm.... let me see. The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan is terrific. The Beyonders series by Brandon Mull is fantastic, as well.

What is something that readers may be surprised to learn about you?

I'm a huge Taylor Swift fan! The way this little blonde girl from small town Pennsylvania learned guitar and wrote songs to create an exceptional life for herself is inspiring. She came from nowhere to be a huge star. Whether you like her music or not, you have to be amazed by her story.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I'd like to thank my readers. They really are the best. I've had so many tell me that they are my "biggest fan", and I totally believe every one of them. Thank you!

Thank you so much for your time!

Book Tour

Ty and Marcus Mitchell are average middle school brothers growing up north of Chicago until one night when they’re hurtled through an inter-dimensional gateway to a parallel world defined by its multiple moons and planet-wide apocalypse. As they struggle to figure out where they are and how to get home, the boys encounter refugees of “the last day” from the distant city of Atlantis and a mysterious girl called Bellana, the sole survivor and resident of the devastated city of Spartanica. Ty and Marcus soon learn they only have seven days to get home. But before they can leave, they must battle through long-extinct predators, track down the elusive Professor Otherblood, and rescue a new friend from certain death. Is all of this insanity just Ty’s overactive imagination or are the brothers truly on the brink of being stranded on the brutal wasteland known as Spartanica?

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Author Bio:

Powers Molinar grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago and earned engineering and business degrees at the University of Iowa. While he works as a process engineer and project manager during the day, his passion is writing science fiction. His first novel, Spartanica, is the culmination of several year's of part-time effort mostly late at night and on weekends when he wasn't enjoying time with his wife and kids, all of whom were big helpers getting Spartanica written.

Powers believes every kid has the potential to become exceptional. In addition to being a blast to read, he truly hopes his books spark kids' imaginations and inspire them to read more and maybe even become writers. Being a solid reader is a foundational piece of leading an exceptional life. Powers hopes his books can be part of that foundation for as many kids as possible.

Follow Powers: Twitter | Facebook

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'Spartanica (The Survivors of Sapertys)' by Powers Molinar Book Tour Blast!

Book Tour

Ty and Marcus Mitchell are average middle school brothers growing up north of Chicago until one night when they’re hurtled through an inter-dimensional gateway to a parallel world defined by its multiple moons and planet-wide apocalypse. As they struggle to figure out where they are and how to get home, the boys encounter refugees of “the last day” from the distant city of Atlantis and a mysterious girl called Bellana, the sole survivor and resident of the devastated city of Spartanica. Ty and Marcus soon learn they only have seven days to get home. But before they can leave, they must battle through long-extinct predators, track down the elusive Professor Otherblood, and rescue a new friend from certain death. Is all of this insanity just Ty’s overactive imagination or are the brothers truly on the brink of being stranded on the brutal wasteland known as Spartanica?

Buy:

Amazon | B&N | Smashwords | Kobo | Sony Books | CreateSpace

Author Bio:

Powers Molinar grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago and earned engineering and business degrees at the University of Iowa. While he works as a process engineer and project manager during the day, his passion is writing science fiction. His first novel, Spartanica, is the culmination of several year's of part-time effort mostly late at night and on weekends when he wasn't enjoying time with his wife and kids, all of whom were big helpers getting Spartanica written.

Powers believes every kid has the potential to become exceptional. In addition to being a blast to read, he truly hopes his books spark kids' imaginations and inspire them to read more and maybe even become writers. Being a solid reader is a foundational piece of leading an exceptional life. Powers hopes his books can be part of that foundation for as many kids as possible.

Follow Powers: Twitter | Facebook

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Review of 'Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas' by Karen Pokras Toz

From the Award Winning Author of Millicent Marie is Not My Name

Ballet and baking pies – these are two of twelve year old Georgie Harris’ favorite things. When her parents decide to move closer to her grandmother’s nursing home, Georgie quickly learns the bad news: dance lessons are too expensive in this new town.

Instead, Georgie spends most of her time baking pies to bring to her grandmother at the Willow Lakes Nursing Home. There she meets Eve, who inspires Georgie with stories of having danced with a world famous Russian ballerina many years ago.

As Georgie and Eve’s friendship evolves, their tales intertwine in this feel good story showing dreams really can come true.

**My thoughts**

I love Karen Pokras Toz's books. Her characters are full of life and all kinds of brilliant (and maybe not-so-brilliant) ideas. In each one, the child learns an important lesson, but in a fun way. You will also find yourself laughing out loud at some of each child's antics.

Georgie is a great addition to the Toz library. Georgie has just been uprooted and moved to a new town, as her parents want to be closer to her grandmother's nursing home. The family has had to cut back on a lot of expenses, meaning Georgie's beloved dance lessons are no more. When her grandmother suggests that she find a way to earn the money herself, Georgie and her best friend Amber start to come up with different schemes to find the money.

Meanwhile, Georgie is receiving a different kind of dance lesson. Her grandmother's roommate is a Russian woman who used to dance with Georgie's favorite ballerina of all-time. During each visit, Eve shares a bit more with the young girl. Georgie is inspired to keep coming up with ways to earn money to get back into her dancing. She learns about the value of friendship. She learns about reaching for your dreams, as well as how dreams aren't always about glitter and glory. Sometimes the important ones are a little more down-to-earth.

This is the kind of book I would have eaten up when I was a girl. Okay, who am I kidding? I love it now!

Buy on Amazon

About the author:

Karen Pokras Toz writes middle grade and adult contemporary fiction. Her books have won several awards including two Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, First Place in the Children’s Chapter Books category and the Grand Prize overall in the 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as winning first for two Global E-Book Awards for Pre-Teen Literature, and placing Finalist in the USA Best Book Awards. Her books for children include the Nate Rocks series, Millicent Marie Is Not My Name, and Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas. For adults, she recently published Chasing Invisible. A native of Connecticut, Karen now lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. For more information, please visit www.karentoz.com.

Follow Karen:

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The author is giving away the audiobook of Millicent Marie is Not My Name and a gorgeous ballet charm bracelet to one lucky reader.

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'Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas' by Karen Pokras Toz Book Tour Blast!

From the Award Winning Author of Millicent Marie is Not My Name

Ballet and baking pies – these are two of twelve year old Georgie Harris’ favorite things. When her parents decide to move closer to her grandmother’s nursing home, Georgie quickly learns the bad news: dance lessons are too expensive in this new town.

Instead, Georgie spends most of her time baking pies to bring to her grandmother at the Willow Lakes Nursing Home. There she meets Eve, who inspires Georgie with stories of having danced with a world famous Russian ballerina many years ago.

As Georgie and Eve’s friendship evolves, their tales intertwine in this feel good story showing dreams really can come true.

Buy on Amazon

About the author:

Karen Pokras Toz writes middle grade and adult contemporary fiction. Her books have won several awards including two Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, First Place in the Children’s Chapter Books category and the Grand Prize overall in the 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as winning first for two Global E-Book Awards for Pre-Teen Literature, and placing Finalist in the USA Best Book Awards. Her books for children include the Nate Rocks series, Millicent Marie Is Not My Name, and Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas. For adults, she recently published Chasing Invisible. A native of Connecticut, Karen now lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. For more information, please visit www.karentoz.com.

Follow Karen:

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Literary Addicts / Goodreads

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The author is giving away the audiobook of Millicent Marie is Not My Name and a gorgeous ballet charm bracelet to one lucky reader.

Open to US residents. Fill out the form below to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

'Adela Arthur and the Creators Clock (The Chronicles of A Book 1)' by Judyann McCole

Adela Arthur and the Creator's Clock

by Judyann McCole

This is book 1 of 5 for The Chronicle of A

Genre: Fantasy

To Who Ever This May Concern;

I wish I could tell you the contents of this book were purely fictional. That I, Adela Arthur, was just a normal sixteen year old from Portland and that dragons, giants, elves and mermaids were just myths. I wish these were legends shared from crazy old grandparents to crazy old grandparents around campfires. After all, that is what I used to believe.I never would have thought they lived on the other side of our mirrors in a world called Cielieu. But they do…I never would have thought there were humans, better known as Volsin that lived among them with the ability to create light from a single thought. But there are…I never would have thought I was one of them… But I am… I am the last Arthur and I was brought to the human world after a Volsin, filled with greed, began to strip the light from our kind.The human world was supposed to be a safe haven… but he’s found us and the only way to stop him is to go back to Cielieu and begin training as a student in the Elpida Castle of Light.Like I said I wish the contents of this book were purely fictional and not my life…

Adela Arthur is now on amazon on Paperback | Kindle

About the Author:

JUDYANN MCCOLE was a senior in high school when she started working on Adela Arthur and the Creator’s Clock during her history class. It started off as short story for a group of young kids she babysat for and grew into an adventure she herself wanted to go on. She is currently attending college in Virginia. Where she hopes to finish the next adventure in Adela Arthur’s life. She begin writing when she was in middle school most of it was just simple poetry but she was inspired by Maya Angelou and even a little of Dr. Seuss.

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'Ragesong: Awakening' by J.P. Simmons Book Blast

When the peaceful kingdom of Fermicia is enslaved by a power-hungry renegade, its only hope lies in a band of unlikely heroes: two children whose musical abilities allow them to harness the power of Ragesong, and their shape-changing guides.

Jake starts his first day of junior high completely oblivious to the fact that he has been chosen for something incredible. That same afternoon, he learns that he has been marked as one with the power to save an entire kingdom. Through the course of his journey, Jake discovers that his advanced musical abilities are peculiarly connected to a mysterious power known as Ragesong. Joined by a shy, young girl with similar musical talents and two Changelings that hold a fierce loyalty to their homeland and king, Jake must learn to harness this ability in order to survive the dangers of a hostile new world.

 

About the author:

JR Simmons lives in Northern Utah with his wife and 4 boys. He loves spending time with his family and coaching his kids in all of their different sports. He is an avid gamer and is very excited that his boys are picking up on his hobby. JR was recently introduced to triathlons and has since found that he loves the sport. Most nights he can be found either sitting down with a good game or hunched over his iPad writing.

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Blast starts August 21st and the author is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card

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Author Paige W. Pendleton talks about writing and 'The Keeper and the Rune Stone'

What was the inspiration behind The Black Ledge series?

Short answer: Ancient secrets on the coast of New England. Dark secrets.

Long answer:  The Red Paint People, a tribe of indigenous people who lived on the coasts of New England and Atlantic Canada regions of North America thousands of years ago. 

The name The Red Paint People arose from their use of Red Ochre to decorate their belongings, and themselves. They decorated tools, clothing, and the bodies of their dead in burial preparation.

They were bold seafarers. Swordfish bones discovered in archaeological sites tell us they were navigating deep and treacherous waters in the Atlantic. Thousands of years ago, in canoes.

And here's where the plot thickens. Archaeological excavations in Norway have unearthed tools and belongings with similar red marks/patterns to those discovered on the coast of Maine. Eerily similar red markings. Other clues point to trans-Atlantic travel. Rune Stones in North America that date long before the defined Viking Age.  A breed of domestic cat (the Maine Coon) shares DNA with the Norwegian Forest Cat. Strong similarities between some Native American and Ancient Norse myths suggest they gathered around the same campfire more than once. 

Did Elves and Dwarves stow away on one of the return trips to Maine?  It appears they did. 

Our story then takes a darker turn, as things tend to do on the coast of Maine, but our Once upon a time began in a land far, far away.

Which character spoke to you the most during the writing process?

Gunnr. At the end of the book he stepped on stage and wouldn’t behave. He wanted to take over. I really had to cool his jets. I promised to let him have his way in Book II, The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the scene with Ralph, the cellar-dweller. Ralph is a Hafling who lives at Black Ledge, and he isn’t inclined to be cooperative.

'The Keeper of the Rune Stone' and 'The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice' are currently available. How many more books do you anticipate in this series?

I have 4 more books planned for The Black Ledge Series.

When can we expect the next installment?

I am hoping to release Book III, The Keeper and the Scimitar of Salaman in January 2014.

Please tell us about your other published works.

The Black Ledge series is my first project. I have the first book of a juvenile Mystery series due out this fall. Unattended. No magic, just murder.

Do you have any other projects currently in the works?

Besides the juvenile murder mystery series, I am plotting two adult fiction projects.

What is it about the fantasy genre that is so appealing to children and adults?

I think it’s believing in magic! Being Aware of the magic around us is a very big aspect of The Black Ledge Series.

How do you make yourself stand out in this competitive genre?

I’m not sure I have, yet. So far the reviews are good, but the pond is very big. I think it will just take time, but I have that. Word of mouth from fans never hurts!

You are a part of an authors group in Maine and like to support them. What other authors should we be reading?

Oh, gosh! So many fabulous books out there. When I read for pleasure, Tim Dorsey and Carl Hiaasen always hit the silly spot.

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

When I was Eleanor’s age I moved into the house in The Black Ledge Series, and it really is magic. Sidney Sheldon even stayed there and was inspired to write a scene for Master of the Game.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes, a reminder for people to check out The Magnificent Map Thomas Block created for The Keeper and the Rune Stone, and the five illustrations for The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice! Each piece of art is amazing! I catch myself writing scenes considering what Thomas will do with them.

And thank you for having me today! I’m really enjoying this tour, and I hope everyone enjoys reading The Black Ledge Series as much as I enjoy writing them.

Thank you so much for your time!

The Keeper of the Rune Stone by Paige W. Pendleton

The Black Ledge Series

The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. From the vast fjords of Norway to the shores of New England, ancient standing stones mark a trail of betrayal, greed, and murder... 

The Keeper and the Rune Stone, Book One

An unholy ritual, a ticking clock. Four children discover there are things that go bump in the night ...

Centuries ago a group of Elves committed an unholy ritual. But the ritual was a spectacular failure. It transformed the Elves into the Noctivagi - the beings we know as vampires.

Striving to maintain a fragile peace, the ancient Elves and Dwarves negotiated an Accord, which they've renewed every year on the Summer Solstice. The ceremony depends on the magical Rune Stone, but it's missing. If it is not found—and quickly—the consequences could be dire, and not just for Elves and Dwarves.

Four children, Rob, Jack, Eleanor, and Flora, stumble into a world of magic and mayhem when they move into Black Ledge, the old estate on the Maine coast, and discover they aren’t the only ones who live there.

Buy The Keeper and the Rune Stone on Kindle

By The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice, Book 2 on Kindle

About the Author

The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. Paige W. Pendleton is busy writing those tales.

Follow Paige: Blog | FaceBook | Twitter Goodreads | Pinterest | Literary Addicts

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Enter the Contest

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'The Keeper and the Rune Stone' by Paige M. Pendleton Book Tour Blast!

The Keeper of the Rune Stone by Paige W. Pendleton

The Black Ledge Series

The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. From the vast fjords of Norway to the shores of New England, ancient standing stones mark a trail of betrayal, greed, and murder... 

The Keeper and the Rune Stone, Book One

An unholy ritual, a ticking clock. Four children discover there are things that go bump in the night ...

Centuries ago a group of Elves committed an unholy ritual. But the ritual was a spectacular failure. It transformed the Elves into the Noctivagi - the beings we know as vampires.

Striving to maintain a fragile peace, the ancient Elves and Dwarves negotiated an Accord, which they've renewed every year on the Summer Solstice. The ceremony depends on the magical Rune Stone, but it's missing. If it is not found—and quickly—the consequences could be dire, and not just for Elves and Dwarves.

Four children, Rob, Jack, Eleanor, and Flora, stumble into a world of magic and mayhem when they move into Black Ledge, the old estate on the Maine coast, and discover they aren’t the only ones who live there.

Buy The Keeper and the Rune Stone on Kindle

By The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice, Book 2 on Kindle

About the Author

The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. Paige W. Pendleton is busy writing those tales.

Follow Paige: Blog | FaceBook | Twitter Goodreads | Pinterest | Literary Addicts

Follow the Book Tour

Enter the Contest

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