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The House in Windward Leaves
The House in Windward Leaves
A comic fantasy for young readers
A comic fantasy for young readers
Re-published in November 2012 with a new cover by Bradley Wind and interior illustration.
FINALIST in Juvenile Fiction, 2013 National Indie Excellence Book Awards
FINALIST in E-book Fiction, 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Costumes make the child in this fantasy about identity.
Wayward Sadie leads her friends to the murals of the painter Mistral. There, they are transported to a star where their Halloween costumes become real. As Fortuneteller, Sadie only has to look in her crystal ball to help the others with their dream identities. Her friend Candy has become the Homecoming Queen. Her brother is a zebra and the neighbor boy is a musician in the star band. Other children in Sadie’s grade school make up a bizarre community of star people who have also become enchanted. The hunt for a star-of-sapphire necklace takes up the latter chapters of this madcap fantasy.
Available in paperback and ebook at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Also available in hardcover.
Top Ten Books of 2013 at Kid Lit Reviews
Finalist for Best Children's Book in eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards
'"The House in Windward Leaves" is a thrilling tale...highly recommended.' - The Midwest Book Review
"One cannot help but laugh at the adventures and antics of Sadie and her friends along with the great cast of characters at the party. The book is well written with a great plot to it for being a children's book. It's ideal for any child's home library." - Lynn F, Readers Favorite
"Parents will appreciate the special lessons hidden in the story to encourage individuality and imagination....Overall, this is a great holiday read..." - Shannon Yarbrough, LL Book Review
"Ms. Holmes uses humor very effectively ... Each character has an engagingly distinct voice." - Kid Lit Reviews
"The House in Windward Leaves is a great read for girls with the ability to also capture the interest of boys. The ease in reading is perfect for the struggling young reader" - MG Villesca, teacher and author of The Bully in ME.
Visit The House in Windward Leaves Facebook page
Sadie with her crystal ball.
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The Wide Awake Loons
The Wide Awake Loons
The Wide Awake Loons was released in April, 2013, by Silver Knight Publishing, LLC. It is re-published by Couchgrass Books in 2014 and with illustration. It is available as a paperback and ebook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores. As of 2023, it is also available in hardcover. For middle grade or older, the book combines chapters from the summer lake life of its young protagonists with an anthropomorphic fantasy about a loon family.
The Wide Awake Loons is also an audio book, narrated by Aven Shore, and available at Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
FINALIST in the Children's/Juvenile Fiction category of the 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Ten-year-old Ginny and her mother are opening up the cabin where her family stays during the summer. On an otherwise quiet day, Ginny hears a male loon, Yudel, sparring with a younger bird over territory. Canoeing with her friend, Wes, Ginny discovers a loon nest on an island. They quickly find themselves protecting the defenseless eggs against predators. On a later visit, Ginny finds Yudel drifting in the water, a fishing line trailing from his beak. Ginny's attachment to the loons brings her to find inner strength. During the summer, the loons raise three loonlings. Now faced with many dangers, Yudel and his mate, Owala, will put their courage to the test. Follow the journey of Ginny and the loons as their stories unite . . .
"...Incredible authentic details about life and survival habits and skills of the loons are woven into this engrossing nature story. .. Prize winning author Holmes paints a Northern setting with vast skill and delicacy for the reading and educational pleasure and appreciation of middle grade and older readers." - Children's Bookwatch
"Holmes, who lives in Duluth, tells a story that will resonate with every youngster who has been startled by a loon's 'song.' And she does it in the kind of lovely prose kids should be exposed to from the day they are born." - Mary Ann Grossman, St. Paul Pioneer Press
"Ms. Holmes writes beautifully; her prose was both stunning and clever, and she shared the loons’ story very convincingly." - Bobbie Grob, Readers' Favorite
"Kids will not have any trouble keeping up with the weaving of two stories into one, though I suspect they will enjoy the loon side much more. If you enjoy great writing and a light but interesting plot, you will love The Wide Awake Loons. " - Kid Lit Reviews
"I think this story would be fun for kids and nostalgic for adults to read." - Nikki Bennet, Nik's Picks Book Reviews
Josiah's Apple Orchard
Josiah's Apple Orchard
Published in August, 2014, Josiah's Apple Orchard is available in paperback from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, Ingram's, and other book outlets. It is also in Kindle and hardcover.
Here is the back cover copy:
Besides music, Vivvy loves green apples. She and her brother Matt go on morning apple raids until, one fall, their father drives them to a pick-your-own orchard. The cross old Josiah inhabits another time where pixies might appear like uprooted saplings.
In the early, eventful 1960s, Vivvy takes the flute from Mr. Fortray, a band teacher who plays jazz. Detours confuse another apple picking trip and Josiah is angry about progress. Yet if Vivvy wants to do what she loves, she must think beyond a fear that her father and Josiah share.
Josiah's Apple Orchard is intended for eight to twelve-year-old's. There is interior illustration.
"The story takes young readers on a journey...The surreal feel of the book is captivating and enthralling. A very original and refreshing plot that will make readers think." - a five-star review from Readers' Favorite
Vivvy's brother Matt
Claude: A Dog of the Sixties
Claude: A Dog of the Sixties
Published in July, 2015, Claude: A Dog of the Sixties is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Ingram's in paperback. It is also a Kindle book. Now the hardcover is also available.
Perry has his own misadventures when the standard poodle Claude comes to his house. Because of a defect, Claude can’t be a show dog. But he fetches beyond his training, opens doors, and attempts to roam the neighborhood. The spring before the moonwalk, Perry plans a group project about UFO’s, space travel, and the Dog Star. During this, Claude makes escapes like a canine Houdini. Perry’s father has enough to worry about with the anti-war protesters in his history classes. Can Perry turn Claude’s exploring into training?
"...a delightful story for all dog lovers...The story is not only about Claude, but also about Perry, and the author weaves these threads seamlessly, making the plot engaging and exciting as it progresses." - Readers' Favorite
"As with all of Holmes' books, the writing is excellent. Claude is a lighter read with a good deal of comic relief, thanks to the poodle. Kids looking for a fun dog story will like Claude..." - Sue Morris, Kid Lit Reviews
"Kids and young adults will love it. So, too, will adults – especially those confirmed dog-lovers out there who will relate to much of this yarn." - Sterling Gate Books
"This is a charming children's novel with a sure-fire lovable hero, the poodle, Claude." - Rosalind Minett, psychologist and author of Me-Time Tales.
Visit Claude: A Dog of the Sixties Facebook page
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