Authors Archives - Donna Galanti - Where heart and hope meet adventure!

Celebrating the 3rd book in the Unicorn Island series, Beyond the Portal!

It was so fun to do a book event to celebrate the third and final book in the Unicorn Island series, Beyond the Portal, at my favorite bookstore, The Doylestown Bookshop on June 10th! You can order a signed copy from them here! We even had a special visitor as you can see!

We had a fun time with a scavenger hunt, unicorn light giveaway, goodies, a reading–and young readers (and older, too!) got their photo with my extra special friend, Tiffany the Unicorn!

Also, it was a wonderful surprise to finally meet my editor, Andrea with Epic for Kids, in person! She helped me make Beyond the Portal shine . Thank you all who came out and purchased books as well.

I was also super grateful to spend a week in Cape Cod this spring re-plotting one of my middle grade books into a new spookier version. Because spooky is fun! Cape Cod also has an eerie, haunted kind of feel to it with its wintry landscape still in April. Here is a favorite spot with a desolate sweeping vista by the sea. I even saw a coyote swimming toward me in a marsh channel. He got close then lumbered out, shook off his fur, and dashed away.

May was an up and down month. I was happy to celebrate our son, Joshua, moving home after nearly two years of living in Hawaii and spend time with him this summer before he travels around Europe but also distressed as my 88-year-old dad suffered more multiple strokes in North Carolina. Hospice let me know his passing was imminent and so I flew down, only to see him miraculously recover! Josh came home and had to check up on his Grampy so we then drove down to visit. While my dad’s a bit weaker and confused, he still insists Josh cuts that hair .

And now on to book recommendations! I was sad to finish this book, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Published in 1936 it is still so timely today–and one of the first self-help books. While, some parts have been updated for today’s generation, I loved the cultural snapshots in time from stories used to demonstrate principles (especially from people I greatly admire–like Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln). Dale has a breezy and friendly voice that is compelling. Definitely a book to re-read. Highly recommend! Star recommends, too.

I celebrated my birthday this month and found this birthday blast from my past. A photo from my 10th birthday! Maybe you can see why I’ve always ventured to the thrilling side of adventure in my story telling. Heh heh heh. I do love tormenting my characters. Whether writing thrillers for grownups or kids. Guess I started young!

I love living in the countryside and I’ll leave you with some idyllic, peaceful morning photos among the woods and fields today. No one out but the butterflies, birds, and a lone horse and buggy.

Happy reading—and happy summertime!

P.S. You can order Beyond the Portal HERE from your favorite bookseller–and all the Unicorn Island books.

P.S.S. Here is an excerpt from Beyond the Portal:

Sam let go of the handle with an exasperated sigh and sat back on her
heels. “We’re doing something wrong. What are we missing?”
Tuck scanned the poem again, then tapped the paper. “We forgot about the magical talisman.”
“But doesn’t Barloc count?” Sam asked. “He’s magical.”
“He is, but that’s not the same,” Tuck said. “A talisman is an object you wear that provides protection. I think it’s supposed to tie us to this world.”
Sam raked a hand through her tangled curls. “Well, where are we supposed to find something like that?”
“I have no idea,” Tuck said. “Maybe there’s something in the cave that we could use?”
“We don’t have time to look for some mystery magical object,” Sam said. “This is ridiculous. We should have been more—”
Samantha.
She’d almost forgotten that Barloc was there. His purple eyes sliced through the darkness of the cave.
Your necklace, Samantha. Where is it?
Sam’s hand went to her throat, where the unicorn tail necklace usually hung, but there was nothing there.
“Oh—I do have it!” she cried, remembering. She pulled her backpack off her shoulders and rummaged in a side pocket before holding the necklace up triumphantly.
“Will this work?” she asked, turning to Barloc.
The unicorn nodded.
Sam looped the chain around her neck and tucked it beneath her shirt. It might have been her imagination, but she was sure her skin felt warmer the instant the unicorn tail touched it. She knelt on the
ground and reached for the handle. She took a steadying breath and turned the handle three times.
The cave was suddenly filled with a swirling wind. Sam’s hair blew against her face, tendrils whipping across her cheeks. She looked at Tuck, who met her gaze and pointed to the cave wall.
A small ring of white light was expanding in a blaze that was every color of the rainbow. It grew until it was large enough for all three of them to walk through, side by side, and then it seemed to swell and shrink, almost as if it were breathing.
Sam didn’t know whether she felt amazed or terrified.
They’d done it—but now they had to go through to whatever was beyond.
Sam looked at Tuck. He stared, mesmerized, at the swirling vortex in
front of them. He raised one hand toward the vibrant colors, as if he wanted to touch them.
It’s time.
Sam grabbed Tuck’s outstretched hand. He gripped her fingers tightly, and, together with Barloc, they stepped into the light.

From Hawaii to Cape Cod, New Book Written, New Release + 3-Book Giveaway!

By Donna Galanti

Happy Labor Day if you celebrate here in the U.S.! I hope you have special plans to celebrate all your labors this year.

I haven’t posted here since March! Life has been pretty busy—in all good ways—but I miss sharing with you all. So, let’s get right to the fun stuff! I’m giving away a fantastic mix of three middle grade hardcover books today—spooky, heartfelt, and adventurous. Be sure to scroll down to enter to win at the bottom of this post. Contest ends September 12th. U.S. readers only please.

We’ve got:

Daybreak on Raven Island by Fleur Bradley
From the critically acclaimed author of Midnight at the Barclay Hotel comes a thrilling new middle grade mystery novel inspired by Alcatraz Prison. If you love ominous, atmospheric stories, then you’ll love this book.

Read my 7 Reasons Why to Like Daybreak on Raven Island and my full review here!

Sunshine by Marion Dane Bauer

Set in the northern Minnesota wilderness, a timeless novel about a boy and his imaginary dog explores the legacy of guilt and blame—and what really constitutes a family.

A must-read for dog lovers, children of divorce, and the imaginative and outdoorsy, Sunshine is a poignant, ultimately hopeful story about self-discovery, facing big realities, and finally, forgiving the things—and people—you can’t forget.

The Dare Sisters by Jess Rinker

Savannah Dare has always wanted to be a pirate. She grew up on legends of Blackbeard from her grandfather―her best friend and fellow treasure hunter.

But now he’s gone. Savannah and her sisters, Frances and Jolene are left to find Blackbeard’s lost loot on their own. It was their grandfather’s dream, and they can’t let him down.

Check out book 2 as well, The Dare Sisters: Shipwrecked!

And now for some bookish news of my own …

The final and third volume of Unicorn Island: Beyond the Portal has released digitally in a 5-part serial on the Epic! Unlimited platform for young readers. Get access here to the entire Unicorn Island series in a 15-part serial at the award-winning, leading digital library for kids: https://www.getepic.com/! However, to read the entire serial of Unicorn Island’s three volumes you’ll need the unlimited subscription for $9.99 a month. Plus, all the audiobooks are included as well! Not online here? No worries—the 3rd volume also releases in hardcover April 4th, 2023. Check out my Unicorn Island books and get all the Unicorn Island updates here.

Pre-Order Volume 3 in hardcover Beyond the Portal here! Out 4/4/23

And on to travel news! In May I visited my son, Joshua, on Oahu for three weeks. He picked me up at the airport after a very long travel day with a fresh lei! We had so much fun touring around the island from where he lives in Waikiki to botanical gardens to pretty Kailua Beach to farmer’s markets to my fave spot, Haleiwa at the North Shore.

The best part of our trip? Spending five days on the Big Island … because volcanoes! I immediately fell in love with this big island (literally like four times the size of densely populated Oahu). It’s wild, ruggedness was breathtaking. Plus, waterfalls galore and so empty and black at night, you see nothing for miles driving under the stars. The climate is wild as well. It can go from 50 degrees at night to 82 driving north then to 75 and 65 and back to 82 all in the span of an hour’s drive. We traveled down the 19-mile long Chain of Craters road all alone at night to walk an ancient petroglyph field with flashlights.

We stayed in this little Hawaiian paradise house on a private tropical acre where we heard and saw no one except dozens of tree frogs. Back in 2018, a volcano exploded in this neighborhood taking out 700 homes as lava made a swath to the sea. Miraculously, no one was even hurt but it’s eerie to drive around to come upon a road to nowhere as jagged black lava has taken over. And oh, there was more lava! Volcanoes National Park was AMAZING. To see bubbling craters and lava rivers at night was something I’ll never forget. We even hiked across an old lava crater lake. Our favorite town was Hilo—the largest on the island with 4,000 residents. Best farmer’s market, too! Local crafts and exotic food like ice cream fruit and sour sop fruit.

After Hawaii, there was more travel twice to Cape Cod for lovely writing retreats. I did lots of hiking along the bay and ocean and even kayaked among a pod of 50 seals!

We celebrated the release of my friend’s second novel, The Edge of Summer. If you’re looking for a heartfelt read check out The Edge of Summer by talented author, Erica George.

You’ll be swept away by this big-hearted novel about one girl navigating first loss and first love during her summer on Cape Cod.

Our son came home to visit in July, and we had a blast getting away for a week in the Finger Lakes of New York and touring Jim Thorpe, PA.

We had a peaceful cabin on ten acres to explore. There was hiking at Letchworth State Park and kayaking ….

On the way home we visited the Corning Museum of Glass. Highly recommend! You need an entire day to take in the glass blowing demonstrations, glass art, and historical glass collections going back 3500 years. Plus, the town of Corning is adorable and the perfect spot for lunch. Then Josh and I zoomed down to North Carolina as he wanted to see his grandpa.

I got to see my Little Sister again, too. My first Unicorn Island book is dedicated to her.

It’s been so wonderful to see her grow up over the years. While I’ve now moved too far away to officially be her Big Sister anymore, I’m still grateful to have her in my life. She is such a joy. I see the world through a different, amazing lens with her. This is so much why I love to write for kids. If you’re considering joining Big Brothers Big Sisters, I highly recommend this organization.

AND I’m so giddy as I decided to treat myself and rent writing office space away from my home office.

It’s the perfect space on an adorable little historic street and I’ve already met so many people in the neighborhood strolling by “the author’s office” who will be characters in future books. LOL!

And this office space was just what I needed to finish writing THE END on a new book! There’s nothing quite like this feeling of exaltation for a writer. I created the idea on a walk last December and didn’t start it until this spring. I struggled with it for many reasons … family needs, vacation, health issues. Also, the fact it’s a different kind of story for me. Writing middle grade in alternating points of view for the first time and in a school setting (I skipped much of school in my time, off daydreaming, reading, and writing in secret nooks!). It also includes characters with autoimmune issues like me.

Writing THE END again got me thinking of my book writing journey over the past years and I looked to what I’ve accomplished.

My first finished book sits printed in a shoebox (literally), others are unfinished or unrevised (or need major re-plotting!) or didn’t sell (yet!).

Here’s what I discovered I’ve achieved. It gives me heart, and to remember this when I’m feeling despaired over writing.

14 books written
6 books published
3 book ideas plotted to start
3 books to be revised
2 book ideas
2 books in-draft
1 book coming out 2023
1 book on submission through my agent

Others have done so much more than me, and others less. But this is my journey, no one else’s. Remember that for you, too. If you have dreams to achieve, I hope you write a list of all you’ve accomplished and take heart in what you’ve done–and all you can still do with the time you have ahead.

And finally, I’ve been working on a big project I’m super passionate about! As you all know I love being in nature and creating—so I decided to bring my two favorite combos together with my very own Etsy shop. My shop “Go Wild Design: Nature Inspired Gear, Gifts, and Apparel” offers my unique designs.

I have 150 products created but will debut this fall with about 35 and release more monthly. Here are some I’m working on. So much fun! Looking forward to sharing soon!

Happy reading everyone!

ENTER THE 3-BOOK GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winter Projects, Pastimes & Recommendations

By Donna Galanti

Happy Winter!

First, I’m thrilled to share the BRAND NEW book trailer of Secret Beneath the Sand! This hardcover of the second book in my Unicorn Island series releases March 8 th.

Hope you enjoyed that as much as me! So, we just celebrated Valentine’s Day here in the U.S. I’ve always thought of it as a Hallmark Holiday, but it got me thinking about all the forms of love and how they envelop our lives. Shape us. Push us into action. Whether love for a partner, parent, child, or friend. Family and friendship love is a key element to my Unicorn Island books, and all my books, so it’s something I look for in other stories.

Here are a few of my favorite movies that reveal the power of love, some I re-watched this month:

Shawshank Redemption (love of friendship)
Under the Tuscan Sun (love for self)
Seabiscuit (second chance love)
The Age of Innocence (unfulfilled love)
Second Hand Lions (love of family)
Shakespeare in Love (love beyond boundaries)
Brokeback Mountain (tragic love)
50 First Dates, Moonstruck, Harry Met Sally, The Wedding Date (happy ending love—so many of those!)

There’s something learned about love in each of these—and how many kinds of love can fill our lives, along with mistakes to avoid when it comes to matters of the heart.

Talking about love! If you’re looking for a heartfelt summer read check out The Edge of Summer by my friend and talented author, Erica George. You’ll be swept away by this big-hearted novel about one girl navigating first loss and first love during her summer on Cape Cod. Out June 14th. Pre-order here!

Here are some other winter pastimes I’ve been diving into … perhaps some will speak to you. First is walking in the woods, of course! Here are winter adventure photos from the 20 acres we’re lucky to roam on our property as well as local nature preserves. I came upon an empty lake and was inspired to leave messages in the snow.

Here are other ways I’m passing my time you might be interested in.

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
I’ve been on a non-fiction kick lately eager to soak up knowledge and inspiration.

Echoes: Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong by John O’Donohue
This is a book to indulge in slowly with its rich words and thoughts—and one to re-read, which I am. O’Donohue speaks to the divine restlessness in our human heart. This is an exquisitely crafted and inspirational book that explores the most basic of human desires – the desire to belong, a desire that constantly draws us toward new possibilities of self-discovery, friendship, and creativity.
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
This book is so good for the person seeking focus to produce that I just read it a third time. This includes, handwriting thirty-five pages of notes from it to create my own guide as a Cliff’s Notes version. Newport shows how cultivating a deep work ethic will produce massive benefits and also offers a training regimen for transforming your mind and habits to support this skill. He truly inspires you to grasp how deep work will make you better at what you do and provide the sense of true fulfillment that comes from artisanship.
John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir
This book is like being vividly shot to a walk in the woods, a stance upon a mountain, or a peaceful spot by the creek. John Muir is known as America’s pioneer conservationist and father of the national park system, and I delightfully discovered recently that he was also a talented literary man. As he explored the wild western part of the United States for decades, he narrated his wanderings in notebooks. This is an unrestrained poetic account that will enrich your senses with the wonder of the natural world.

MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS
I listen to a lot of instrumental. It’s peaceful and non-jarring. I create soundtracks for writing. It’s lovely at times having no voices in your head, just melody. Spotify is my go-to for creating music collections.

Spencer Lewis:
Met him in person one summer in Manchester, Vermont, at the Hildene Fall Arts Festival. I love his folk music original pieces.
Acoustic covers:
A way to enjoy old favorites in a new way with other performers.
Celtic:
Love a good Celtic session while in the kitchen cooking. Never fails to lift my spirits.

Speaking of music … I went to see Howard Jones in concert this week. He JAMMED! Great acoustic set. His band was the first concert I ever went to waaaaaay back in 1984 when I was 15 years old! Check him out below.

And speaking of throwbacks from 1984, here’s one. Me at 15 with my good friend, Elaine, who I am still friends with after 40 years!

T.V. SHOWS AND MOVIES RECOMMENDATIONS
Longmire:
Am binge-watching this 6-season suspenseful crime mystery with a western feel set in a small town. I fell in love with Walt Longmire, the resolute and unflappable sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. Recently widowed, he is a tormented man who buries his pain behind a stoic face with an unassuming grin and dry wit.

Mrs. Maisel:
Re-watched season 1-3 to prepare for season 4 out soon! It’s the 1950s and one housewife’s life changes when her husband leaves her – and she decides to become a stand-up comic. This witty, hilarious, and gorgeous show is unlike anything else out there. Midge, wife turned comic, is smart and funny with all the right looks and clothes. She’s perfectly pitted up against her rough and tumble, foul-mouthed manager, Susie.

Ozark:
Re-watched season 1-3 to jump right into season 4. When one married couple relocates their family to the Lake of the Ozarks for money laundering, they have no idea of the life and death challenges they’ll face from small-town corrupt locals to the Mexican cartel. The show is shocking, disturbing, and so darkly intense I can only take this in small doses, but the writing and acting is superb. You never know what twists will happen next!

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before:
And now for something young and sweet! I don’t often watch teen movies, but this is too cute to pass up. In this romantic comedy-drama, Lara Jean writes letters to five of her past crushes meant for her eyes only until one day they get sent out. Her life is soon sent on a crazy path of fake-dating, first-love, and heartache. You’ll champion her as she stumbles but also can’t stop watching Peter, her adorable fake boyfriend. Or is he? 😊

Emma a PBS mini-series:
Another adorable show but set in the Regency period, originally penned a comic novel by Jane Austen. You’ll fall in love with our heroine. Emma Woodhouse seems to be content with a wonderful father, adoring friends, and a beautiful home. But Emma is consumed by matchmaking. She can’t help meddling to find ideal suitors for her friends, putting her own longings on the back burner.

Sanditon on PBS Masterpiece:
This is a well-done take on Jane Austen’s unfinished novel (she died while writing it). I re-watched Season 1 for the fourth time recently to gear up for season 2! Yes, that’s how much I love it and our two appealing main leads: kind-hearted and smart, Charlotte, and the dashing yet tormented, Sidney. This is another show set in the Regency period with a lovely seaside setting. Full of complex intrigue, societal trappings, quirky characters, and misunderstandings, this show entertains while pulling at your heartstrings.

MY CREATIVE PROJECTS
I’m creating my own Etsy Shop! If you don’t know Etsy, it’s a wonderful shopping platform for unique and handmade products and gifts. This project has been consuming a lot of my time. I’m having so much fun doing research, design, product development, and creation of my shop called Go Wild Design. It will feature nature-inspired gifts, gear, and apparel. This is a big project I am very passionate about and hope to launch before summer.

I’m also excited to be plotting a new middle grade book I can’t wait to jump into writing. This new idea has a fun and colorful cast of characters and is a contemporary story of friendship, secrets, and transformation. That’s all I can say for now. 😊

AND this is the week I have a middle grade book going out on submission to editors through my agent, Liza Fleissig. It’s always a nervous time to know your story is “out there” and hope a publisher picks it up. So, wish me luck!

Lastly, let’s talk juggling! Of course, I had to give you an update on my juggling expertise. I have limited time to practice but I am happy to say that I have graduated from one-ball juggling to two! Juggled low here to try and get it in the video. Star the cat approves.

I’m also revising A Healing Element, the third and final book in my Element Trilogy for adults. The first book released in 2012 and I finished the third book five years ago. Yes. FIVE. But I put that aside to write for young readers. However, the 10 year anniversary inspired me to publish it now. This was my first adventure into writing novels that started with thrillers for adults and soon turned into writing thrillers for kids.

Here’s a photo of me at A Human Element launch party 10 years ago with dear friends! This even has the original cover, changed long ago with a new publisher. Check out the newer book covers below it.

Just a reminder that if you pre-order Secret Beneath the Sand, I’d love to send you a bookmark and autographed book plate label for you—or another special reader. Just email me your address and who you’d like the book personalized for at donna(at)donnagalanti.com

Plus, my publisher sent me a gorgeous box of bookmarks and bookplate labels. Check them out!

Stay cozy out there!

XXOO -Donna

Inspirational Life Tools for 2022 + 3-Book Giveaway!

By Donna Galanti

Happy New Year!

I hope your holidays were special and comforting.

My son was home for two weeks from Hawaii and it was so wonderful to be with him again.

We picked him up at the Philadelphia airport and the line of cars to get in to the pick-up line was bumper to bumper. A total standstill. Yet, I could see him there, just up ahead! I couldn’t bear one more moment of waiting and dashed out of the car toward him. He turned. Saw me and smiled then ran for me. We collided in one giant hug of laughter and tears. We hugged and hugged and couldn’t let go.

Yes, it was just like a Hallmark card commercial you cry over (because we writers always see ourselves in a story 😊).

We had a fun vacation. Went hiking, to the theater, to Longwood Gardens, the movies on Christmas Day, and just hung out.

While it was wonderful to have to him here it was also hard. It struck me with his being here for a short while, trying to pack in every moment with us and his friends, that this is not his home anymore. It never would be again. He belonged somewhere else. He’d created another home. And our lives as a family of three would never be immersed together once more every day. I am not a mom anymore on a daily basis. Fully understanding that was rough—as well as saying goodbye. And having to grief his leaving all over again.

But I am hopeful that in 2022 I can let go of my grief and loss and get to know him, and myself, in knew ways. Different ways—but good ways.

December was also the month I moved my dad into assisted living in North Carolina. A large adjustment for him, and me. I’m taking on many tasks he can no longer do with vision and hearing problems. Handling finances, investments, healthcare, daily monitoring. And all while he’s a ten-hour drive away.

As you can see, 2021 was a year of upheaval for me. I moved to a new area and home. I moved my son 5,000 miles away. I moved my dad into a new living situation. All of this, during the added stress of the Pandemic. And in doing all this, I left a parenting role behind with my son and yet took on a new kind of parenting role with my dad. It’s been freeing and burdening all at once with complicated emotions tangled up in both. With all this, there has not been much writing going on. At. All. LOL.

But with the start of 2022, I feel a sense of peace. This is a winter of necessary hibernation. I cant wait to see what wonderful things come of it! And I’ve embraced three inspirational words for this year: Belonging—Exploration—Transformation.

Belonging through discovering where it is I want to relocate to on a permanent basis—and who I want to belong with through a community—as I sit in this transitional waiting place.
Exploration with learning new skills and ideas.
Transformation with seeing the world—and myself—in a new perspective.

Here’s my wish list of things to explore this year—and feel free to add mine to your own list:

How to juggle (and let me tell you, it’s hard! Still mastering the one-ball 😊)
Play the harmonica
Balloon twisting
Sword fighting
Cheese making (signing up for a local creamery class this spring!)
Cook one new meal a week
Astronomy
Origami
Classical music form and history

Here I am trying to master the one-ball juggling technique first. Star is my captive audience!

Are you looking to belong, explore, and transform in 2022?

Here are tools I bring from past years into this New Year that have helped me find peace, release anxiety, and become more self-aware on a daily basis.

Transcendental Meditation (TM):
This is a technique for promoting a state of relaxed awareness, derived from an ancient tradition in India. TM has so many benefits like enhanced focus, heart health, anxiety relief, and stress management. It’s taught through a one-time fee TM program that you can find in your area. TM offers scholarships, too, and I received one in 2019. TM provides me with a great sense of peace and calm.

Journaling:
When I feel lost, in need of answers, or just trying to grasp understanding, I look to write down my thoughts and feelings about specific topics. Writing my jumbled thoughts down brings clarity and a welcome break from confusion. It helps guide me in the right direction of where I seek to go.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT):
This has the root of ancient forms of relief through tapping of pressure points. And tapping these points, led through a guided mind-body integrated process, sends calming signals to the brain to release overwhelm and anxiety. I began with the free app Tapping Solution, and have since upgraded to an annual subscription.

Denise Austin Workouts:
This can be any free or subscription-based exercise program to do at home, but I love love love Denise! She’s been around for decades and is still peppy and fun. I find myself smiling along with her. She also has such a variety of workouts, many of them low-impact with hand held weights which I love. It’s a real release on a cold, winter day when going out for a hike is not appealing in 25 degree weather!

Master Class Subscription:
I purchased this online subscription this year to soak up knowledge and inspiration from influential people. My goal: less television, more growing 😊. And I’m loving it… from leaders to musicians to writers to conservationists. It’s a window into people who’ve made a difference.

With all this discovery, mental and physical, sometimes we just need to escape! And that can mean escaping into books. Yay! So, this month I’m giving away three hardcover middle grade books to indulge in this winter.

A PLACE TO HANG THE MOON by Kate Albus

It is 1940 and William, 12, Edmund, 11, and Anna, 9, aren’t terribly upset by the death of the not-so-grandmotherly grandmother who has taken care of them since their parents died.

But the children do need a guardian, and in the dark days of World War II London, those are in short supply, especially if they hope to stay together. Could the mass wartime evacuation of children from London to the countryside be the answer?

It’s a preposterous plan, but off they go– keeping their predicament a secret, and hoping to be placed in a temporary home that ends up lasting forever. Moving from one billet to another, the children suffer the cruel trickery of foster brothers, the cold realities of outdoor toilets and the hollowness of empty stomachs.

They find comfort in the village lending library, whose kind librarian, Nora Müller, seems an excellent choice of billet, except that her German husband’s whereabouts are currently unknown, and some of the villagers consider her unsuitable.

THE NEWSPAPER CLUB by Beth Vrabel

Nellie Murrow — the daughter of two (former) newspaper reporters — was named after one of the fiercest journalists who ever lived. When she moves to sleepy Bear Creek, Maine, rumors of vandalism and attacks at the only park in town are keeping her saddled to the house.

Some townspeople say the attacks are gang recruitments. Others blame a vagrant spotted on the hiking trails around town. But when Nellie thinks like a reporter, none of those explanations make sense. Something is happening at the park, but what? All of the fake online news and rumors are clouding the truth.

Nellie wants to break the story — and break free from the front yard — but she can’t do it alone. She needs a whole club if she’s going to start the Cub Report, the town’s first independent newspaper. Creating a newspaper from scratch is going to be tough; but for Nellie, making friends is even harder.

JOURNEY BEYOND THE BURROW by Rina Heisel

There are rules every mouse must follow if they’re to survive in the forest.

Tobin knows these guidelines by heart. After all, with one younger sibling, another on the way, and a best friend with a penchant for trouble-making, he needs to be prepared for anything.

But one stormy night, Tobin’s safe burrow is invaded by monstrous arachnids, and his baby brother stolen away. To save him, Tobin will have to do something he’s never done before: break the rules.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A reminder that SECRET BENEATH THE SAND is almost here!

Yes! Volume 2 of Unicorn Island, Secret Beneath the Sand, releases March 8th in hardcover! AND you can pre-order Secret Beneath the Sand now. If you do, I’d love to send you a bookmark and autographed book plate label for you—or another special reader. Just email me your address and who you’d like the book personalized for at donna@donnagalanti.com.

Enter 3-Book Middle Grade Giveaway + Watch Me Answer Reader Questions!

By Donna Galanti

Happy spring everyone! Here’s my first walk in the woods in 3 weeks since surgery–and on the first day of spring! Took it slow but love my new pop up chair to doze in the sun when I get tired. Daffodils are springing up. Where flowers bloom, so does hope. My buddy, Star, also helped me get through a long recovery.

And it’s been a fun month since the illustrated hardcover of Unicorn Island released in February. Book 2, Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath the Sand, releases in 5 parts on Epic!, the leading digital library for kids 12 and under, starting May 10^th. Sign up here to read it.

First, here’s some updated news!

I’ve had so many wonderful virtual author school visits this month and got such great questions from young readers, I thought I’d answer some of them here. Take a look!

Read a review by Author Lee McKenzie. “A delightful story that young readers will fall in love with.

What a fun review of Unicorn Island by a young reader at Reader Views. “Things were so exciting I couldn’t wait to keep reading to find out what would happen next!”

Do you love to read middle grade, no matter your age—like me? Then enter to win my 3-book giveaway below! I’m giving away 3 hardcovers of new books I fell in love with. Check out my reviews and enter. U.S. and Canada only please. 😊 Read more about these books.

365 DAYS TO ALASKA by Cathy Carr

One of my favorite books in a long time! I loved this book all the way through! I was hooked from the very start with Rigel fully embracing her Alaskan wilderness life and then to follow her challenges within suburban life. Carr does a wonderful job of showing us Rigel’s new suburban world through her eyes with a wild Alaska perspective. This is a poignant story about loss, friendship, and about being true to yourself–especially when it’s all you’ve got to hold onto, or at least you think you do! I felt deeply for Rigel especially when we see her so alone in this strange new world and her only friend a crow. This immediately shot me back to middle school where I was placed in a new school and also didn’t fit in and I’d sneak outdoors to be in nature. You can always count on nature to be there for you, and the friendship between Rigel and crow is written with emotional depth. I admit I teared up several times throughout this book! A story full of heart and hope. A bittersweet tale about coming of age–with all it encompasses: self-awareness, transformation, disappointment, sadness, and new beginnings.

Cathy’s books

MARY UNDERWATER by Shannon Doleski

There are so many things to love about this book. We follow Mary, the courageous main character, in her struggle to find her voice and break free of what is holding her back. She is an appealing character and her friend, Kip, is a fun contrast to her. The heart of the book is the unique and challenging adventure Mary pursues and how it transforms her to find the courage she’s always sought. This is a heartfelt story with light moments but also dark undertones.

Shannon’s books

THE BRAVE by James Bird

This was a beautiful and poetic story. We are deeply immersed in Collin’s point of view, a young boy with an OCD issue that isolates him. Yet, we see him come into his own once he finds where he truly belongs–with lost family. Collin is indeed brave and his newfound friend, encourages him. She helps him find his way and also the strength inside him to love and to let go when necessary. The mystical, Native American elements to this story enrich it with lyrical imagery and beauty. A story full of hope and a sense of home.

James’ books

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And in case you missed it, if you’re a fiction writer wondering how to create a world in your story you can sign up for my virtual class, Foundations of Worldbuilding for Any Genre.

INFO:

Pearl S. Buck Writing Center
April 17th from 1:30pm – 3pm (EST)
Fee: $25

All stories happen somewhere. Whether you write fantasy, dystopian, science fiction, or even about the “real world,” world building is key to creating a meaningful story.

I’ll share methods of world building that any writer can apply. From the smallest details to the rules of its universe, discover the way a considered approach to world building can govern the hearts of your characters and help drive your story.

Topics include: elements of world building, using world building to support conflict and tension, world building questions and resources, seven main areas that serve as the foundation for your world, and what to avoid in building your world. I’ll also share real-book examples to supplement my topics.

REGISTER: https://psbwritingcenter.org/…/foundations-of-world…/

Hope to see you there!