Historical Fiction to Devour AND TWO GIVEAWAYS!!!

April 16, 2012     April Book Buzz - Historical Fiction to Devour! AND TWO BOOK GIVEAWAYS!!!  April is Historical Fiction Month here at SPELLBINDERS. If you missed the MOST EXCELLENT Feature Article two weeks ago, please go to this link: Sassy Historical Fiction!! (and Why Historical Fiction is just as exciting as Fantasy - maybe even more so because it really happened!     One of the most unforgettable memories I have of a book I read when I was about eleven years old was a story about a young woman who was a Confederate Spy during the Civil War. One day as she was coming home with a note hidden in her pocket containing secret information, she discovered that her home was surrounded by Union Soldiers. She knew that if they found the note on her, she'd be arrested. Quickly, she memorized the note, stuck it in her mouth, chewed it up and swallowed it! I thought that was the most thrilling and daring thing I'd read!       YOUNG READERS TITLES (and a Giveaway!):     FAIRIES! A True Story by Shirley Raye Redmond    This chapter book is a Random House Step Into Reading, Level 3, about the myths and legends surrounding Fairies--as well as a historical based on the true story of two sisters in 1917 who saw fairies and took pictures of them--and became a world-wide sensation!      Shirley Raye, the author of FAIRIES! has donated a copy of this brand new book for us to Give away here on SPELLBINDERS! Thank you!!!    If you'd like to enter to win FAIRIES! please email Kimberley at kglittle@msn.com OR leave a comment at our SPELLBINDERS BLOG here at this link: Spellbinders!       I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic! By Lauren Tarshis       I Survived Pearl Harbor! by Lauren Tarshis Look for other "I Survived" Easy Reader Titles at your local bookstore, library or at Amazon.           MIDDLE GRADE TITLES    Sarah Miller writes beautiful and gripping historical fiction:       Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller The remarkable story of Annie Sullivan told in first person.           The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller  This is a gripping, well researched story of Anastasia, the Russian Czar's daughter in 1914 Revolutionary Russia. (Pictures of the royal family included in the Author Notes).        YOUNG ADULT TITLES (and a Giveaway!):  For a bit older readers, you simply must thrust Lisa Klein's books as well as Julie Hearn's books into their hands.     Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein  Two Girls of Gettysburg by Lisa Klein  Ophelia by Lisa Klein  Lady Macbeth's Daughter  by Lisa Klein (I have a copy of this book to give away to one of our readers! Please email Kimberley at kglittle@ msn.com or leave a comment at Spellbinders!             The Minister's Daughter by Julie Hearn A gripping Salem Witch Trials Story!   My Favorite Historical Fiction Title of 2011: Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys    This is simply breathtaking and heart-wrenching, based on an unknown, but true story during WWII about the Lithuanian people invaded by Russia. The book has received numerous starred reviews and awards, and will be enjoyed by teens and adults alike.          Enjoy a great read today!   Book Buzz by Kimberley Griffiths Little Kimberley's website at this link: Teacher's Guides and Book Trailers         Join Our Mailing List! Meet the Spellbinders Kimberley Griffiths Little is the recipient of the Southwest Book Award, The Whitney Award for Best Youth Novel of 2010, and the author of the highly acclaimed, The Healing Spell and Circle of Secrets, published by Scholastic Press. Look for her books at the Scholastic Book Fairs, as well as two more forthcoming novels in 2012 and 2013. She lives on a dirt road in a small town by the Rio Grande with her husband, a robotics engineer and their three sons. Kimberley is a favorite speaker at schools around the country, presenting "The Creative Diary", a highly successful writing workshop and has been a speaker at many conferences. Please visit her website  to download free Teacher's Guides and Book Club Guides.      Carolee Dean has made numerous appearances as a guest poet/author at schools, libraries, poetry events, and teacher/library conferences. She holds a bachelor's degree in music therapy and a master's degree in communicative disorders, and she has spent over a decade working in the public schools as a speech-language pathologist. Her first novel, Comfort,was nominated as a Best Book for Young Adults, was named the Best YA Novel of 2002 by the Texas Institute of Letters, and was on the TAYSHAS (Texas Library Association) reading list. She conducts teacher trainings on inspiring reluctant writers including "The Secret Language of Stories" and "Random Acts of Haiku." To find teacher's guides, writing activities, and information about author visits, go to www.caroleedean.com.       Caroline Starr Rose spent her childhood in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and New Mexico, camping at the Red Sea in one and eating red chile in the other. She's taught English and social studies to upper elementary and middle-school students in New Mexico, Florida, Virginia, and Louisiana. Back in New  Mexico, Caroline now writes middle-grade novels and picture books full time. Website  Blog       UPCOMING AUTHOR EVENTS           Sunday, April 29th, 2012 9-5 Pre-conference Session Author's Panel at the International Reading Association Conference Chicago, Illinois "Rekindling the Reading and Writing Fire" Join us for this all day session featuring 9 authors including all 3 Spellbinders: Carolee Dean Kimberley Griffiths Little Caroline Starr Rose    *Kimberley will be signing at the Scholastic Booth in the IRA Exhibit Hall Monday, April 30 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.* Tuesday, May 1 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. International Reading Association Conference Chicago, Illinois "The Secret Language of Stories: Beyond Story Grammar" Carolee Dean