JEREMIAH LUCKY FINDS PUPPY LOVE

Newly released JEREMIAH LUCKY FINDS PUPPY LOVE, the sequel to JEREMIAH LUCKY AND THE GUARDIAN ANGEL, is now available from www.guardianangelpublishing.com. Also available at Barnes and Noble, Books a Million, Amazon, and other on-line book stores.

What a worry! Eight-year-old Jeremiah Lucky plays the frog prince in their third grade play and the princess wants to kiss him! Can he leap away in time? After summer begins, Jeremiah has a bigger worry--the cutest puppy ever is lost. Prompted by his special guardian angel, Jeremiah thinks deeply and comes up with a plan to find Polly, the missing puppy. Will his plan work?

   Suggested age range for readers 7-10.

Revving My Creative Engine

Big breath! After Pitch Wars, I'm more focused that ever on finding an agent. Not any agent, one who jumps into my YA story CROSS OVER with both feet and doesn't surface until the end. The contest was a learning experience, probably just as much in risk-taking as in writing a short, dynamite query and perfecting my synopsis. The Pitch Wars contest had over 1500 entries. Only 45 YA mentees were chosen. Not me. But two of the mentors I had selected wrote me personal emails praising my story and writing. One gave a suggestion to add to the first pages to heighten suspense. Very kind of Jaye Robin Brown (NO PLACE TO FALL, a realistic contemporary story about a teen with great potential who makes some seriously bad choices.) I'm rooting for Jaye and her mentee, Allie Schellong, as well as several other yet-to-debut authors and their mentors. More than anything else, Pitch Wars fosters writers helping writers.

For now, I am researching agents and submitting queries to the best. My enthusiasm is far from waning. CROSS OVER has all the elements and will find its place. I know this book will benefit from an agent's and later, an editor's careful editing. It will change, tighten. CROSS OVER has already been enhanced by the expert eye of writing coach and author Joyce Sweeney. The Pitch Wars contest was a valuable Pit Stop. We're ready to get back on the track!

2015 Pitch Wars Contest

Remember the feeling--the deep sigh of relief when you finished the last final exam of the semester in college, or finally got that major paper printed and in the professor's box? That relief marching hand in hand with a slight sense of loss? What now?

This morning I am that girl again having just submitted my young adult story CROSS OVER to a contest called Pitch Wars. This competition was a learning experience all the way. Sponsored by author Brenda Drake {TOUCHING FATE, Oct. 2015 and THIEF OF LIES, Jan. 2016} #PitchWars is a Twitter driven roller coaster ride where hopefuls read bios and submit to up to five mentors one of whom (if the mentee is chosen) will guide the author in both the query process and in preparing the manuscript to attract agent attention in round two. So now I wait. Sept. 2 the match-ups will be announced. Then for two months the mentee and mentor, who is usually a published and agented author, work together to get ready for the agent round.

I've been at this writing business for a while. I know how to wait. After straightening up my writing desk, I'll jump back into my current work in progress and let CROSS OVER fly on its own. It's a great story and I've worked hard. CROSS OVER has already been acknowledged as a winner in a previous competition--FWA's Royal Palm Literary Awards. But even if we're not chosen for Pitch Wars this time, I've learned a great deal about my tribe--those other YA authors who cheer us on, publish valuable advice on their blogs, and most importantly, write fantastic books to inspire.

Barnes and Noble Book Store JEREMIAH LUCKY AND THE GUARDIAN ANGEL Book Signing

I'm excited to announce my first solo book signing of JEREMIAH LUCKY AND THE GUARDIAN ANGEL, my chapter book for ages seven to ten, at Barnes & Noble Book Store, 2814 University Town Center, Morgantown, WV.  I will read a brief selection from the story at 11:15 A.M., May 30, and autograph books following the reading. 

Since I've been back in Morgantown for several weeks, I've been able to see friends both in the Stewartstown area near Cheat Lake and at the Dominion Post newspaper where I worked in the advertising department for five years after I retired from teaching. What an outpouring of love and support! Thank you, everyone for your encouragement. See you May 30!

Children's Literary Classics reviews JEREMIAH LUCKY AND THE GUARDIAN ANGEL

Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian Angel earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

The only thing lucky about Jeremiah Lucky is his name.  But on his way to school one day, he finds a lucky penny; and that's when things start to change for him. After realizing he'd forgotten his library books and his field-trip permission slip, a peculiar little man appears and announces that he's Jeremiah's guardian angel.  Angus McDermit, as the angel is called, helps Jeremiah make good choices while coming to understand and accept that things in life don't always have to be perfect, even himself.

Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian Angel is suggested for youth ages 7-10 and skillfully addresses such issues as latchkey children, dealing with death and loss, and kids being raised by a single parent.  This book is a quick and easy read and is recommended for classroom reading and for home and school libraries.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Two Excellent Picture Books

 I had to read this book aloud, I could not help it, could not, I say. This book called out "Read me today." Okay, my attempt cannot match the legendary Green Eggs and Ham or the gifts of storyteller Joni-Klein Higger in her book Rainbow of Friendship, suggested for ages 2-8. With the catchy rhythms reminiscent of Dr. Seuss and the stunning illustrations by Eileen Goldenberg, Rainbow of Friendship promises to become a staple in pre-school and early childhood programs across the country. That this charming, important story sings a message of tolerance is icing on a very sweet cake! I loved it!

 

Erin Liles has written a tender and loving story of a dog with three legs. Freckles has been in an animal shelter for a long time, hoping for a home of his own. The cartoon-style illustrations by Alexander Morris add a whimsical touch to this sweet story suggested for ages 4-8. A Friend for Freckles works well as a read-aloud story by a parent or teacher. Early readers will also enjoy this charming, easy-to-read story. Early childhood teachers may especially value A Friend for Freckles which could lead into important learning discussions about differences and friendship. I loved it!

Daughter of Providence by Julie Drew--A Review

   A newly formed book discussion club in my neighborhood here in Florida happily chose Daughter of Providence by Julie Drew as their March reading selection. Due to my being out of town all of February and part of March, I didn't become involved until four days before the group's monthly meeting. Not a problem. Reading this historical fiction story set in Rhode Island in 1934 was a joy. I finished reading in two days and went to the lunch meeting with clear thoughts as to why I like this book so much.
   First was the strong female character at an age where important life choices are looming. Marriage? Expected for a young woman from an important family, and then, of course, the raising of children. But Anne Dodge dreams of other things besides domestic bliss. She's learning how to build a boat, has her own boat nearly finished. Her dreams are in her design, her careful planing of the wood, her caulking of the seams, her plans for its maiden voyage.
   Anne has lived alone with her father since she was six years old. Told that her Portuguese mother left them to be with another man, the only contact Anne had about her mother Inez was a terse letter from her mother's father telling of Inez's death. The story begins with Anne preparing  to pick up her half-sister from the train station. Maria Christina is coming to live with Anne and her father. Inez's parents have died and Anne is the only family the child has in the world. How can Anne love a sister who is a constant reminder of the mother Anne so missed, so longed for? Despite the dredged up pain, Anne does love Maria Christina and tries to pave the way for her father to open his heart as well. The personal angst and relationships make for a wonderful story, but in Daughter of Providence there is so much more.
   Themes evolve surrounding class struggles, prejudice, capitalism interests versus labor rights, privilege and related expectations--all interwoven with lies and cover-ups. Daughter of Providence provides a rich, historical background as America began its slow rise out of the depression.Our book club discussion closed with what we thought might have happened to Anne after the story ended. It was rewarding to brainstorm: would Anne decide after all to marry Will, her constant suitor from childhood? Or would she somehow find the means to build more boats, form a company, be truly independent? I think the best stories end this way, with the reader continuing to think about the character almost like a friend, hoping for a life continuing with possibilities and renewed choices for happiness.

Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian Angel Reviews

Although this little book has only been out a month, it has already garnered some pretty stunning reviews.

Reviewed By Michelle Stanley for Readers’ Favorite

Jane Ellen Freeman has written a lovely story for preteens called Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian Angel. After Jeremiah’s father died, he tries to be more responsible by helping his mother with the chores. His mother, a nurse, often leaves before Jeremiah wakes and returns after he gets home from school. The eight-year-old misses his father so much, and worries about his mother that he begins to forget minor things. While at school, a very tiny man with a red mustache and a shiny bald spot on his head appears out of nowhere and tells Jeremiah that he is his guardian angel. Angus McDermit’s duty is to watch over him, and Jeremiah soon begins to tell this odd-looking man his problems. He knows his mother misses his dad too, and wonders why he had to die and leave them.

Kids display their emotions in many ways after losing a parent. Jane Ellen Freeman creates a thought provoking portrayal of this in Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian Angel. She shows how Jeremiah matured by his thoughtful actions at home, and how forgetful he was with certain school activities. He worried a lot, but did not think the adults around him noticed. The story is also educational as the author included a very informative tour of a fort, which I enjoyed as much as Jeremiah. Her characters are nice, and Angus was definitely a comfort and gentle guiding light in Jeremiah’s life. I recommend this book to preteens, knowing they will enjoy it.

“Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian Angel,” by Jane Ellen Freeman, is about eight-year-old Jeremiah, who is dealing with the loss of his firefighter father. Jeremiah’s mother works as a nurse so she’s not always there when he gets home from school. He has his own key and waits for his mother to get home (a neighbor watches out for him from next door.)

In this story, Jeremiah has a special helper in the form of Angus McDermit, his guardian angel. Angus guides Jeremiah to make the right decisions—and to do as his mother taught him. Still, Jeremiah is sorely tested. He wants to practice lighting a fire with a flint he got on a field trip. He’s supposed to wait until his mother comes home. That’s his trial. Will he make the right decision? Or will he put himself in danger.

Ms. Freeman’s book will give parents and teachers important things to discuss with their children, such as: What if you’re home alone, do all the rules still apply? What can you do when adults aren’t there? What should you do? When you make a promise, you give your word—how good is your word? We want our kids to be able to make good decisions when we’re not around. We’re teaching them to be independent, but when are they old enough to make the right or best decisions, especially dangerous ones?

Ms. Freeman’s book is well-written, and very readable. Kids will enjoy the school scenes and Jeremiah interacting with Angus McDermit. He and his mother have a special relationship that comes through well. Eric Hammond’s illustrations add humor and lightness. This book is intended for ages seven to 10.

“Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian Angel” is published by www.guardianangelpublishing.com and is available from www.amazon.com.

More information on Jane Ellen Freeman is at

http://www.janefreemanbooks.blogspot.com

Reviewed by:

Penelope Anne Cole, Award Winning Author of

Magical Matthew, Mágico Mateo (Spanish), Magical Matthew, and Ten Little Tricksters

Coming soon: Magica Mea (Spanish)

Raising a son without a father

Real life often colors what authors write. In my case, my memories of raising my young son without a father provided the kernel of true experience in my story JEREMIAH LUCKY AND THE GUARDIAN ANGEL. (www.guardianangelpublishing.com) As far as I know, my son did not ever have a face-to-face meeting with a guardian angel. But it would have helped us both if he had.

In those early years I struggled to provide a decent life on a low paying salary and my son often longed for a father. We tried for communication when he was nine. We initiated a summer phone call with his father who lived over a hundred miles away. D.'s father, who had chosen not to marry when we created our son, did speak with him and promised another call and visit in September. It never happened. My son stopped mentioning his lack of a dad.

We coped. I was the only woman attending a cub scout overnight camping trip with my son. We shot b-bee guns at targets, learned how to shoot with a bow and arrow, fished and sat around a campfire with the other boys and their dads. D. loved our domed tent which we used again on a long car trip to Texas, camping each day at a KOA early enough so D. could swim and I could sit by the pool, drink wine coolers, and read. It was a wonderful, close and bonding time together.

Eventually I married a man with a young daughter and we had a family at last. Two incomes and lots of father/son activities made a huge difference in D.'s growth. My husband adopted D. and when the boy scouts organized a winter camping trip, he and D. sheltered in that domed tent, toasty in quality sleeping bags.

As I think about Jeremiah's story in JEREMIAH LUCKY AND THE GUARDIAN ANGEL, I realize I hoped to give my eight-year-old character comfort from his angel guardian. Jeremiah has a strong, loving mother and a friend, Tommy, with whom he shares boy play that is not only active but creative. Will Jeremiah get a father? The second book has already been written and will be released near the end of 2015.