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Books | |
| If you would like to know more
about me, my books, and my writing
process, read my
interview at Cynsations,
the blog of Cynthia
Leitich Smith. |
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Police
Officers on Patrol Viking Coming April 16, 2009! What do Police Officers do? Where can they be found? What should you do if you need help? This rollicking picture book answers these questions and more with a reassuring, rhyming text and silly, cheerful illustrations. And by the time it's finished, everyone will know that the situation is under control. Buy from Amazon |
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Red
Truck Viking Starred Review, Booklist: “With a well-crafted text spiced with sound effects, this appealing picture book is highly recommended for reading aloud to the truck loving crowd. Pair it with perennial favorite, The Little Engine That Could.” Kirkus Reviews: “Crisp, rhyming and straightforward text liberally splashed with onomatopoeia describes the truck's valiant efforts, and vibrant, colorful illustrations will draw young listeners in and make them right at home.” Buy from Amazon |
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Caleb,
Son of None Standard Home. Caleb shivered with happiness at the sound of the word. He had been at Miss Pratt’s orphan asylum his whole life. Now he was going home with rich Mr.Groeger! But Caleb discovers that he has made a terrible mistake. The only thing bigger than Mr. Groeger's billfold is his mean streak. Caleb knows no one in Cottonwood will help him. He has no hope of ever getting away—until the circus train rolls into town. J.M. DenOuden, blog review: “Kids (and adults) who enjoyed the dynamic characters of The Series of Unfortunate Events will also enjoy the motley crew that Kersten Hamilton has assembled in Caleb, Son of None. With Caleb Pascal & the Peculiar People, Hamilton has created a series that young and old will love to read.... ....I was most impressed by Hamilton's ability to incorporate complex ideas in simple language within the driving plot of the story. Not once did I feel as if the story dragged because of dialogue, nor did I ever feel as if the ideas were treated only superficially. There is great depth and drama …. This is quite a feat for any author, but especially for one in the book market that Hamilton finds herself in. Very rarely in the Christian children's market does one find such a daring and talented author (at least in my experience). Often, we find books that are heavy on "Christian Themes"- whether that comes in the form of dense apologetic or heavy-handed allusion. In many cases, even the theology is watered-down in order for the books to be either understandable, or palatable to a wider audience, and in doing so these books sometimes border on bad theology. Kersten Hamilton's Caleb Pascal books are none of these. I could say much more, but I won't. Instead, I'll allow you to discover the world of Caleb for yourself.” Buy from Amazon Download the first chapter here. |
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A
Freaky Kind of Courage Standard Caleb has always had to take care of himself. He can hardly believe that Guillaume Pascal, the old circus clown, has actually adopted him! It’s almost enough to make Caleb believe that there is a Heavenly Papa who loves him. A Papa with a plan. But Twin Nightshade has plans, too — evil plans. And he’s not working alone. There are things moving in Twin's eyes, and voices that whisper to him in the dark. Buy from Amazon Download the first chapter here. |
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The
Battle of Trickum County Standard Caleb is traveling by train from town to town as part of the circus family. What an adventure! He performs both as the Wild Boy from Borneo and as the Sheik of Araby. And what a family! He couldn't haver asked for a better Papa than Guillaume Pascal—or for better friends than Thad and Tanni. And Katie Bartlbee is just … well, she's just the prettiest girl who ever existed. But something else exists in the circus—the demons of darkness. Caleb has seen their powers. He can only shudder when he hears their mesage: "Something's coming. Something … terrible." Buy from Amazon Download the first chapter here. |
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A
Gathering of Brothers Standard Caleb has encountered danger in the circus. He's heard the scream of demons, the shriek of tortured metal in a train wreck, and the roar of lions on the loose! Now he's learning from his earthly papa, Guillaume, that the family business—bringing spiritual orphans home—can also be dangerous. Especially when the orphans don't want to come! Thaddeus Stone is Caleb's best friend. But Thad is about to set in action a plan that could destroy Caleb's world. Can Caleb reach Thad with the heavenly Papa's love before hate consumes him? Buy from Amazon Download the first chapter here. |
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The
Butterfly Book: A Kids Guide
to Attracting, Raising, and Keeping Butterflies
John Muir Publications From Booklist: "Hamilton's wide-format paperback surveys the life stages, body structures, and habits of butterflies. Readers interested in raising butterflies from egg, caterpillar, or chrysalis will find useful information on the safe handling and temporary keeping of butterflies before returning them to the wild....Hamilton warns not to keep butterflies in glass jars, where they can injure their wings. She also shows how to mend a broken wing.... Full of intriguing facts presented in a readable way, this guide will appeal to children studying butterflies in the classroom or the backyard." This book is full of classroom friendly activities, such as building a Caterpillar Corral to protect your garden caterpillars from birds and wasps, constructing a Butterfly Tent Trap to allow students to get close enought to examine butterflies, and how how to catch a butterfly without harming it! Buy from Amazon |
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Firefighters
to the Rescue! Viking From Kirkus Reviews: "This exciting look at firefighting is steeped in 1950's style and engaging rhyme... The men race through the purple-hued streets of an American small town toward the billowing smoke... Our cities and lives have changed over the decades, but this story makes it clear that firefighting has not. With just the right amount of tension and a large amount of admiration, Hamilton and Davis have created a sure fire hit." Teachers Resources Buy from Amazon |
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This
is the Ocean Boyds Mills Press From Booklist: The (water cycle) is beautifully presented in this rhyming book for young audiences.... Siomades' gorgeous, three-dimensional textured-paper collages enhance the easy poetic handling of the subject. A great crowd pleaser for read-alouds. Teacher's Guide Buy from Amazon |
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Laylie's
Daring Quest Mission City Press Alicia Child, Amazon Review: “I loved this book. It is fresh, original, by turns heartbreaking, and then funny…..These charactors are tangible. I feel as though I have, in actuality, met them. What I expected when I purchased this book was a run of the mill run away slave book. What I discovered was a story that gripped my heart, and would not let it go.” Buy from Amazon |
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The
Teddy
Bear Buccaneers A web book The story of two bold Buccaneers who hear an urgent whisper in the night. They sail past ghostly briganteens, gold, jewels and sea serpents on their way to high adventure! Raymona Holten's brilliant illustrations add the perfect element of friendliness and fun. Read Teddy Bear Buccaneers Right Now! |
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The
Millie Keith Series Mission City Press Janice G. Devereux, Amazon Review: “My 9-yr old daughter and I fell in love with Millie and her family from the first chapter..... I rank this with our other favorites: Anne of Green Gables, The Little Princess, Heidi, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and Pollyanna. I only wish there were more series like it....definitely a book for children who either know, or want to know, that they are children of God.” Buy from Amazon or from Mission City Press Writing the Millie Series In 1999 Mission City Press gave me a marvelous opportunity — they asked me to write a series of novels based on characters created by Martha Finley, a Christian writer of the late 1800’s. I was delighted by the challenge, but I had some research to do before I started writing. What were Christian women like in the mid 1800’s? I turned to diaries and historical documents to find out. I was happy to find that they were not all prim and proper Victorian Ladies who sat in parlors sipping tea. Some wrote books and challenged injustice. Some went alone to secret, solitary places to talk to God. And some lived lives of world travel and high adventure! Three of the women I learned about became the real–life models for the new adventures of Millie Keith. In the 1830’s Sarah and Angelina Grimke, daughters of a Southern judge and plantation owner, laid down their wealthy lifestyle, their social standing and the respect of ‘proper’ society to fight a terrible evil — slavery. Victorian ladies were not supposed to notice ‘indelicate’ things, such as the way slaves were treated. They were certainly not supposed to speak about them in public! When Sarah and Angelina not only noticed but stood up and spoke against slavery, their lives were threatened. They were warned not return to the South. They were even thrown out of two Christian denominations for being so bold! Society dictated that ladies should not behave in such a way. The Grimke sisters disagreed. They disagreed so strongly, in fact, that they became suffragettes as well as abolitionists, fighting for the rights of women to have an education, to speak about social injustice, and to vote. They were not alone. Thousands of women attended their lectures; tens of thousands read their pamphlets and articles. Isabella Bird’s travels began in the 1840’s, when she was hardly more than a teenager. Her father, an English pastor, sent his brilliant daughter to the Americas to report on the state of Christianity there. Isabella, a young lady of culture and refinement, traveled alone and loved it. She eventually became a world traveler, who wrote wonderful books. I hope the new adventures of Millie Keith will encourage girls to stand up for what they believe, and to have the courage to follow wherever God may lead them! Click on a book cover to find out more about Millie Keith's adventures! What readers say about the Millie books: (from the MCP Millie Keith page) "I thought the book would be boring at first. After I read just a few pages I saw that it was a great book. I learned that everyone can be closer to Jesus". Stephanie A., age 12 "Thank you so very much. I'm learning to see Jesus in a whole new way. These are the best books!" Katelin D., age 13 "I think they are really great! They help me a whole lot because I am the oldest child in a family of 8 children. Their names are, Ruth Ann, Sarah Elisabeth, Susanna Grace, Richard Daniel, [these are 1 year old twins] Abigail Faith, and Aaron Thomas. To big sisters of big families, good luck in trying to keep the peace!" Mary R., age 10 "I think the Millie stories are great. Most of it is sad, funny, and loving all in one. " Sondra H., age 11 "I love them! Although they are set back in time, they relate to real life. It has helped me by showing me what struggles a Christian girl growing up has, and ways I can make my own relationship with Christ better. Thanks for giving me these great books!" Beethany H., age 13 "I had many struggles in life and I found Millie had the same struggles in life also. The books were so gripping that I just couldn't put it down." Megan R., age 13 - Ireland "They are great! I think they have helped me to know that I am not the only one who struggles with my faith in the Lord." Joy S., age 15 "I'm addicted to the Millie books! I stay up late each night reading two to three chapters at a time. I take them everywhere with me and even have my mother and grandmother reading them. I can't wait until my little sister is old enough to also enjoy them." Shelbey L., age 9 "These stories are awesome! In the other Christian books I've read, it's about a group of people. This is about one girl, whom I can focus on, and have as a role model. I absolutely adore the Millie books, and I am addicted to them. You can ask my parents! I've dragged them into Christian bookstores to buy your books. My parents have been gracious enough to split the price with me, so I only have to pay half, but I think I would pay a million dollars for these books. Keep writing, and I'll keep reading!" Tania S. age 13 "They make me feel like God is with me more. I find the books make me want to keep reading and not stop. One night I read over 50 pages and started at like 11 o-clock at night!" Carrie D., age 12 "I think they are totally awesome. Millie is kind of like a model of Christianity. I think that she's a really great Christian. Reading the Millie Keith books I've realized that God can FORGIVE my sins and still loves me." Jenna H., age 10 - Australia "When I read the Millie books they helped me understand about what being a Christian really is. They gave me the courage to spread my faith with my friends and family. The books are so awesome! I can't wait for the next 2 books to be out in stores." Adamina A., age 13 "The first Millie book helped me see God in a different light. I was changed because my relationship with Jesus Christ became firmer. These books are so inspirational! I could name so many ways they have affected me! Another way they have is that I treasure the times I am with my family more! I adore them!" Abby S., age 13 "They are excellent! I could not put them down. I read them each in about 3 to 4 hours. I have books one through four. I can't wait for the next books to come out. They are exciting and adventurous, with a twist of romance. Millie is a strong Christian and that is the best part of all." Haley M., age 12 "I love the Millie stories! I think they are really cool! They helped me in ways you could never imagine. They help me to have a more confidence in myself. Sincerely, Beth Long, age 10 "I absolutely LOVE your books! Even though I haven't even finished them yet I still love them! When I read your books it makes me want to know more about God!!" Kaylen H., age 11 "Because of Millie I became a Christian." Melanie E., age 12 |
