Happy Publication Day to A PATRON SAINT FOR JUNIOR BRIDESMAIDS & THE INFINITY YEAR OF AVALON JAMES!
Happy publication day to these wonderful middle grade novels!
A PATRON SAINT FOR JUNIOR BRIDESMAIDS is Shelley Tougas's third novel, following THE GRAHAM CRACKER PLOT and last fall's FINDERS, KEEPERS, which is now available in paperback.
A PATRON SAINT FOR JUNIOR BRIDESMAIDS is Shelley Tougas's third novel, following THE GRAHAM CRACKER PLOT and last fall's FINDERS, KEEPERS, which is now available in paperback.
A bully, a wedding, and a larger-than-life family add up
to a hilarious and heartfelt middle-grade novel.
Mary Margaret Miller is going to be a junior
bridesmaid--that is, if she isn't grounded for the rest of her life. She's
feuding with school bully Brent Helzinski, and her cousin Eden, aka The Bride,
is clashing with her grandmother about wedding plans. Mary knows it's her job
as a junior bridesmaid to make the day run smoothly, but she sure could use a
little help from above.
“Tougas keeps the narrative just light enough for her target
audience of middle graders even as Mary struggles with some pretty deep
religious questions. She may have been the Minnesota Church Youth Group Member
of the Year, but that doesn't mean she is without flaws—a hard thing to admit.
Wedding-prep comedy balances serious questions of morality in this sweetly perceptive
book.” – Kirkus Reviews
"With a boisterous, multigenerational family and touching
themes of tolerance, there’s a lot to like here, and fans of feel-good stories
will be delighted." – Booklist
"[Mary's] voice is funny without being hyperbolic; instead, she
is ordinary, observant, and realistically plagued by an overburdened sense of
responsibility to keep everyone happy, which makes her relatable to many
tweens. Readers looking for a lighthearted summer read about faith, family, and
figuring out who you are in the midst of a lot of noise will enjoy this." – Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Mary Margaret Miller is one of those narrators who leaps off
the page. She’s funny, smart and bold;
tender, compassionate and courageous. As
a story teller, a truth seeker and a Junior Bridesmaid, Mary is absolutely
radiant. Well done, Shelley Tougas!” – Sheila
Turnage, author of the Newbery Honor book, Three
Times Lucky
"Is there a Patron Saint for reading? I hope so because this book is sweet,
funny, and chock full of goodness!" – Lisa Greenwald, author of My Life in Pink and Green
To buy a copy of this delightful book, please visit:
Next up is THE INFINITY YEAR OF AVALON JAMES by debut author, Dana Middleton.
Avalon James and Atticus Brightwell have a secret--one
that they aren't allowed to discuss with anyone. This secret is shared between
two best friends. When you and your best friend turn ten years old magical
things are said to happen. You both will receive some kind of magical power. It
can be a power you can call on time and time again. Or it can be a power that
comes once when you need it most. It's your Infinity Year and the possibilities
are endless.
The past year hasn't been great with her family being
torn apart and bullying at school, so Avalon is depending on her magical
ability to appear soon and help. With the clock ticking and her eleventh
birthday approaching, which would be the end of her powers, Avalon's hopes are
running high. Will she and Atticus get the powers they so desperately want and
need?
Dana Middleton's debut novel is a wonderfully enchanting
story of the possibility of magic and the even more magical bond between two
best friends.
We've received two starred reviews for this lovely novel!
★ “Life lessons are related in Avalon's genial, evocative
voice, convincingly illuminating many of the issues of a year that can offer
infinite possibilities, even if the magic is imagined. A fine, tenderly nuanced
tale of the remarkable power of friendship.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “This offers a number of realistically drawn
characters, both kids and adults, portrayed as complex people who interact and
cope with their troubles in individual ways. A well-knit first novel with an
involving, affecting story." – Booklist
“Blending realism with just a touch of magic, Middleton’s
debut novel demonstrates a keen awareness of the infinite possibilities of
childhood.” – Publishers Weekly
“This will appeal to readers looking for an overall
upbeat story with realistic drama. Featuring a positive depiction of boy-girl
friendship and appealing characters, this is recommended.” – School Library
Journal
For copies of AVALON, please visit:
and give author Dana Middleton a shout on twitter!
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