Monday, April 18, 2016

A Buss From Lafayette

A Buss From Lafayette
Blog Tour with a
$25 Giveaway!

A Buss From Lafayette by Dorothea Jensen
~ a middle grade/young adult novel ~

About the Book:


Title: A Buss From Lafayette
Author: Dorothea Jensen
Genre: Middle Grade/Young Adult Historical Fiction
Recommended Ages: 10-17
Number of Pages: 266
Publisher: BQB Publishing
Publication Date: April 22, 2016
Synopsis: Fourteen-year-old Clara Hargraves lives on a farm in Hopkinton, a small New Hampshire town, during the early 19th century. She has a couple of big problems. First of all, she has a stepmother, Priscilla, who used to be her spinster schoolteacher aunt. Clara resents that her late mother’s older sister has not only married her father but is about to have a baby. To make matters worse, “Prissy Priscilla” keeps trying to make the rambunctious, clever, and witty Clara act like a proper young lady. Secondly, Clara has red hair, making her a target for teasing by a handsome older boy, Dickon Weeks, and by her pretty seventeen-year-old Dread Cousin Hetty. Clara, however, has a secret plan she hopes will change this. During the last week of June, 1825, Clara’s town is abuzz because the famous General Lafayette is about to visit their state during his farewell tour of America. In those eventful seven days, Clara learns a lot about her family, Hetty, Dickon, herself, and about Lafayette. She comes to understand the huge and vital role the young French aristocrat played in America’s Revolutionary War and to see that her problems might not be quite so terrible after all.

Purchase on:


My Review:

Dorothea Jensen brings history to life in this vibrant coming-of-age story about a young girl, Clara Hargraves, who is living in the time of the 50th anniversary of the American Revolution and General Lafayette's farewell tour. What is history for us was current events for the people of that time and Jensen skillfully tells it like that. She describes hammering chips off a pound-sized block of sugar and making strawberry jam with ready-made syrup from the West Indies. Much of the history is learned through conversations that flow naturally. The characters are engaging and I enjoyed the sibling rivalry between clever Clara and her competent brother, Joss. There's also a bit of young love by a certain admirer amidst all of the shenanigans.

I highly recommend this historical novel for all middle grade and young adult readers.


About the Author:
Dorothea Jensen


Dorothea Jensen, born in Boston, Massachusetts, grew up in Chillicothe, Illinois. She majored in English literature at Carleton College. After teaching high-school English and serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Brazil, she earned a master s degree in education at the University of New Mexico. In 1989, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich published Dorothea s novel for young readers about the American Revolution, The Riddle of Penncroft Farm. In addition to other honors, it was named an International Reading Association Teacher s Choices Selection and is read in classrooms throughout the U.S. A Buss from Lafayette is set in the small New Hampshire town where Dorothea lives. Two things inspired her to write this story. First, was learning that Lafayette passed right by her house during his 1824-5 Triumphal Tour. Another was meeting a woman whose ancestor received a kiss from Lafayette. That buss, passed down through generations, eventually came to Dorothea. This sparked her interest in Lafayette s contributions to our struggle for independence. Dorothea also enjoys writing rhyming verse. She has written a series of award-winning illustrated modern Christmas stories in verse featuring Santa's Izzy Elves.

For more information about Dorothea and her books, please visit her WEBSITE.


Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: May 2, 11:59 pm, 2016 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Dorothea Jensen and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.




Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book for my honest review.


12 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for your lovely review of my story! It is extremely gratifying when someone obviously "gets" exactly what I was trying to do. Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was my pleasure! You did all the hard work, weaving history with real-life characters. ;)

      Delete
  2. This sounds like an interesting book. I like that you pointed out details like the process of making jam and syrup. Those types of situations can really enrich a story. Sarah from TenBooksamonth.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the review and for telling us about another book review site.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting, Michelle! Have a great week!

      Delete
  4. Such a wonderful review! I too enjoyed how Dorothea is able to transport readers back in time so they experience everything as if they are right there with Clara. Happy to have you on the tour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Stacie! It was my pleasure. Wishing you a lovely week.

      Delete
  5. Historical fiction has always been my favorite - even as a young girl! This sounds like one to add to my list - when my 2-yr-old gets old enough!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You don't have to wait that long, because you will enjoy it too! ;)

      Delete
  6. This one has intrigued me since I first saw it on Stacie's site! I'm so glad you shared this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week!
    Tina

    ReplyDelete
  7. This looks like a book that might be just right for my youngest! Thanks for the review :)

    Sherry http://bygloryalone.blogspot.com/2016/05/5-after-5-great-books-read-in-2016.html

    ReplyDelete

© 2011 Amanda's Books and More, AllRightsReserved.

Designed by ScreenWritersArena