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Archive for the ‘Book Reviews by others’ Category

My Review of Dogbone Soup


“Stevens’ skill with dialect also makes this book unique. She doesn’t overdo it, but lets it flow like spring water, or rain in the forest…” Thanks so much for reading and reviewing DOG BONE SOUP, Mary Clark! READ ALL ABOUT IT… ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author http://www.4writersandreaders.com

literaryeyes's avatarMary Clark, Writer

dogbone-soupThis is a wonderfully engaging and thought-provoking story. Bette Stevens’ young boy growing up in poverty in 1960s America, reminds me of another child, adrift on a raft on a mighty river, and the issues illuminated by that author of social stigma, individual resilience, and integrity. Huckleberry Finn is also poor and an outsider, and yet becomes a symbol for the equality of all humanity, and the finer spirit in all of us, in Mark Twain’s hands. I felt a similar quality in Stevens’ distinctive book.

Stevens’ skill with dialect also makes this book unique. She doesn’t overdo it, but lets it flow like spring water, or rain in the forest. Her descriptions take you into the scene and the characters’ minds. I felt I was in the family’s cabin, fishing by the river, riding a bike into town, being bullied and ostracized, and ashamed of a parent’s bad behavior…

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THE WHISPERER by Pamela Zagarenski


Inspiring children’s book review. A must-have for the bookshelf of this reader. Inspiring kids, one story at a time… ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator http://www.4writersandreaders.com

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10 reasons why YOU should join RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB (even if you’re NOT a writer!)


Writers & Readers: COME JOIN US
Find out why membership is a no-brainer… #RaveReviewsBookClub ROCKS! ~ Bette A. Stevens [Explore Bette’s Blog]

Jan Hawke's avatarJan Hawke INKorporated

1 ~ The Book Club Selections for Review Catalog

There are over 400 members of RRBC and most of them are independent writers and/or publishers. The book catalog has far more than 400 titles in it, from all fiction genres (including Erotica, subject to Club Policy) YA (new Adult), and non-fiction. What I can’t give you is the link to our main catalog page – only members have access rights to this, so it’s literally an exclusive library for us RRBC people to discover, fresh, exciting new authors and titles. Prospective members can however view our genre pages for a taster! 😀
CLICK HERE for RRBC to join now!

2 ~ Your Fellow Members are AWESOME!

Because the RRBC site is a blog, there’s plenty of little nooks around for you to interact with your fellow members, such as – Book Chat; Peer Support; Social Media…

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Amazing Matilda


Latest review for AMAZING MATILDA, our inspiring monarch butterfly. THREE CHEERS for MATILDA! ~ Bette A. Stevens

macjam47's avatarBOOK CHAT

By Bette A. Stevens

Amazing MatildaMatilda has just emerged from her egg, and already she wants to fly.  The sparrow tells her she has to have patience and follow her instincts. The speckled toad says she needs wings. But Matilda doesn’t know what patience and follow her instincts means. Moreover, where can she get wings? Matilda eats leaves and starts growing, and the sparrow says she is using her instincts. Rabbit told her he practiced and practiced until he could hop onto the rock ledge, but Matilda did not want to hop, she wanted to fly.

This delightful story tells the life cycle of a monarch butterfly in an engaging way that will catch the attention of children.  The award winning AMAZING MATILDA is a lighthearted story that will encourage children to follow their dreams and to have patience. The book is illustrated by author Bette Stevens with charming drawings that…

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DOG BONE SOUP – A BOOMER’S JOURNEY, BY BETTE STEVENS


THE REST OF THE STORY…
An insightful review by Marilyn Armstrong.

Marilyn Armstrong's avatarSerendipity - Seeking Intelligent Life on Earth

DOG BONE SOUP Launch Banner

DOG BONE SOUP is the long-awaited “rest of the story”of Shawn Daniels from the original short story, “Pure Trash.” It’s particularly long-awaited for me because as soon as I read the short story, I wanted to read this book. The only problem was, Bette hadn’t yet written it.

But she did it. Dog Bone Soup is available for your reading pleasure. And what a pleasure it is.

Bette has the purest, freshest writing style I’ve read in many a long year. Reading her prose is like peering into an exceptionally clear, deep pool. It looks like the bottom is close enough to touch, but those waters run deep.

Bette Stevens is a class act, an author who knows how to tell a story. Her characters are real, so true to life, they practically leap off the page. In Dog Bone Soup, style and the story are blended to perfection.

DOG BONE SOUPI’ve read a…

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Amazing Matilda by Bette A. Stevens


Latest 5* Review for AMAZING MATILDA!

writerbeelove's avatarWriterbee's Book Reviews

Amazing MatildaA story about the patience required to reach our dreams, told through the life of a monarch butterfly. From hatching through metamorphosis, Stevens captures the frustration of waiting for the perfect moment and the strength of continuing to try to achieve. Amazing Matilda encourages little ones to strive to do anything they want to do.

The sweet illustrations and the encouraging words definitely stirred interest in my daughter while we read the book together on my iPhone. She curled up to listen and begged to see the next picture.

Young Children will adore this book.

5 Stars!

Available on Amazon.com

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SPOTLIGHT: Hearts for Sale! A Buyer’s Guide to Winning in Afghanistan


Farzana is the President of Civil Vision International, a non-profit charitable organization focused on positively influencing international relationships through connecting, informing, educating and inspiring citizens.

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Mungai and the Goa Constrictor's avatarCarte Blanche by Amelia Curzon

I think the best introduction I can give to this immensely readable and inspiring book is to quote one of the many 5 star reviews it has received.

“Farzana Marie has done a HUGE service to us all, first by having been there in Afghanistan, serving the Afghan peoples and building the kind of rapport and respect that she talks about in the book. Second, she has told her story beautifully and tactfully, letting us experience a bit of the wonder of connecting two very distinct cultures and peoples using some very simple and thoughtful approaches. Third, she has provided a clear map of how to move forward towards a truly helpful, respectful and supportive relationship between our two countries that could actually make a difference! I’m sharing this opportunity with others. Everyone should read this book.” ~ John Hervey 

Hearts for Sale: A Buyer’s Guide to Winning in Afghanistan by Farzana Marie - Featured post on Carte Blanche by Amelia Curzon
Hearts for Sale: A Buyer’s Guide to Winning in…

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review – On a Beam of Light by Jennifer Berne and Vladimir Radunsky


GREAT REVIEW! Sounds like everyone should read this Albert Einstein bio book for kids… Bette A. Stevens

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SMorris/KidLitReviews's avatarKids Lit Review

On a Beam of LightOn a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein

by Jennifer Berne

Vladimir Radunsky, illustratorlogo_123377_web (1)

Chronicle Books for Kids

6 Stars

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Inside Jacket:  A boy rides a bicycle down a dusty road.  But in his mind, he imagines himself traveling at a speed beyond imagining, on a beam of light.

In that brilliant mind will one day be born some of the most revolutionary ideas ever conceived.  From a boy endlessly distracted by the wonder of the world,

Albert Einstein grew into a man who would embody genius, and would shine profound light on our understanding of our universe. Over 100 years ago, as the stars swirled in the sky, as the Earth circled the sun, as the March winds blew through a little town by a river, a baby was born.

On a Beam of Light_Int 3

Synopsis

On a Beam of Light tells the story of Albert Einstein’s life, written for children so…

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review – Bully.com by Joe Lawlor


A timely book for middle-graders. ~ Bette A. Stevens

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SMorris/KidLitReviews's avatarKids Lit Review

bully dot com//

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Bully.com

by Joe Lawlor

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

4 Stars

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Back Cover:  Seventh grader Jun Li is a brilliant student, more comfortable around computers than people.  But his world turns upside down when the principal accuses him of a cyberbullying incident.  To prove his innocence, Jun has seven days to track down the true culprit.  Jun’s investigation will bring him face-to-face with computer hackers, a jealous boyfriend, and more than one student who has been a victim of bullying.  But he discovers along the way that everyone’s story is more complicated than it seems—and that the people he meets might have more in common than they think.

First Sentence:  Jun approached the teacher’s desk with short, hesitant steps.

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Synopsis

Jun Li has spent most of his school days away from other students.  He is a smart kid, great with computers, but hesitant around people—except…

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Sixty-six (66) 5-Star Reviews for Award-winning Picture Book AMAZING MATILDA!


MATILDA expertly as a cirus acrobat... 2016

About the book

This “Gem of a Tale” about a Monarch Butterfly teaches kids lessons in friendship, patience and persistence as AMAZING MATILDA transforms from egg to caterpillar to butterfly. (Children’s Picture Book/Ages 5-11).

Order your copies today:

AM Celebrate Season MATCHBOOK bas 2016

Related Sites:

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