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Monday, March 16, 2020

Middle Grade Monday: The Line Tender (Audiobook)



Title: The Line Tender
Author: Kate Allen. Read by Jenna Lamia
Publication Info: Hardback by Dutton, 2019. 384 pages. Audiobook by Listening Library, 2019.
Source: Library digital resources

Publisher’s Blurb:
The Line Tender is the story of Lucy, the daughter of a marine biologist and a rescue diver, and the summer that changes her life. If she ever wants to lift the cloud of grief over her family and community, she must complete the research her late mother began. She must follow the sharks.

Wherever the sharks led, Lucy Everhart’s marine-biologist mother was sure to follow. In fact, she was on a boat far off the coast of Massachusetts, preparing to swim with a Great White, when she died suddenly. Lucy was eight. Since then Lucy and her father have done OK—thanks in large part to her best friend, Fred, and a few close friends and neighbors. But June of her twelfth summer brings more than the end of school and a heat wave to sleepy Rockport. On one steamy day, the tide brings a Great White—and then another tragedy, cutting short a friendship everyone insists was “meaningful” but no one can tell Lucy what it all meant. To survive the fresh wave of grief, Lucy must grab the line that connects her depressed father, a stubborn fisherman, and a curious old widower to her mother’s unfinished research. If Lucy can find a way to help this unlikely quartet follow the sharks her mother loved, she’ll finally be able to look beyond what she’s lost and toward what’s left to be discovered.
 


My Review:
I listened to this book a bit piecemeal—until I reached the tipping point and had to listen through a two-hour hike to finish the story, though I don’t normally like to listen while hiking in beautiful places (which was why it had taken me a while to get to that point). I engaged with the characters, which made the “other tragedy” referred to in the blurb a real gut-punch, even though I guessed it was coming. 

In some ways, this is one you could add to a fairly long list of middle-grade books about kids dealing with loss, usually that of a parent. But I can’t say this felt at all formulaic. I particularly appreciated the science aspect of the story, and that part of how Lucy the artist turns to her mother’s scientific work to help her cope with the double loss—and learns to appreciate science in a way she didn’t think possible.

The story is hard to handle in some ways, because of the death and loss that permeates it, but it is extremely well-written, and the narration was likewise excellent. I was slightly bothered by an inability to peg the period of the story—it felt a little historical, if only because no one seemed to have cell phones, and a few other minor points. But as far as I could tell there were no direct indicators, though in an audio book it is always possible to miss things.

My Recommendation:
A really engaging read, for kids old enough to cope with the realities of death. Also for anyone interested in marine biology.

Full Disclosure: I checked The Line Tender out of my library, and received nothing from the writer or publisher in exchange for my honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own and those of no one else.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Writer’s Wednesday: Follow the link!

I’m doing a guest post this week at the IWSG Anthology blog, talking about the inspiration behind my story, “A World of Trouble,” which is appearing in Voyagers: The Third Ghost. Our collection of fantastic historical/fantasy middle grade stories with a theme of voyaging is available for pre-orders now!


I do apologize that I will not be able to respond to comments until March 20, as I shall be at sea.

The release date for VOYAGERS: The Third Ghost 
is May 5, 2020,
but purchase links are available,
and you can preorder a copy now.

Print 9781939844729 $13.95
EBook 9781939844736 $4.99
Juvenile Fiction - Historical / Action & Adventure / Fantasy & Magic
Dancing Lemur Press/Freedom Fox Press


Amazon - Print https://www.amazon.com/dp/193984472XKindle https://www.amazon.com/Voyagers-Third-Ghost-Yvonne-Ventresca-ebook/dp/B083C4WPR5/

Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/voyagers-yvonne-ventresca/1135912991?ean=2940163430857

ITunes - https://books.apple.com/ca/book/voyagers-the-third-ghost/id1493413956

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/voyagers-the-third-ghost

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Gone to sea


The Ninja Librarian is truly out of reach, having set sail for Antarctica. Assuming I don’t die of sea-sickness, I’ll be back on land and back to the internet around March 20 or 21. Feel free to leave comments, and I’ll respond when I return!

I’ll leave you with an ice berg or two for your enjoyment. These were on Lago Argentina, not in Antarctica, but they are still beautiful.




And deep into the heart of the blue, blue ice.


All text and photos ©️Rebecca M. Douglass, unless otherwise indicated. Please ask for permission before using or sharing any content of this blog. Linkbacks are always appreciated!



Wednesday, March 4, 2020

IWSG: Gone hiking




 The Insecure Writer's Support Group is where writers can express their doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It's a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Check it out here and join if you want support with your writing. We post on the first Wednesday of every month. 

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! 

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG




Since I’m in Patagonia and am in fact completely out of contact just now (on a 7-day backpacking trip in Torres del Paine National Park), this isn’t really an IWSG post. Just my hearty wish that you are all having a good month and getting lots of writing done, and a couple of teaser photos of some of the beautiful mountains we’ve been hiking. (Note: hiking, most definitely NOT “climbing”!)

Mt. Fitz Roy at dawn.

Fitz Roy from Laguna de los Tres, a classic spot for a photo. We were lucky to have a b it of calm for reflections.

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