Monday, August 31, 2015

Camping in My Sweet Lil Fifties Rig! (Part 1)

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Hello, everyone!

We took my sweet lil rig on her maiden voyage (for us at least)...  Ian and Lil Dude and Wilma and I went to the gorgeous Beaver Meadows in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado for the weekend-- about an hour from home.  We loved it!  Here are some glimpses of our trip:



























 





And on a different note, here's a piece of nice news I recently received-- The Lightning Queen got a beautiful, starred review from School Library Journal this month.  (This is its 2nd starred review!):




★ Gr 3–6—If books were written in black and white, The Lightning Queen would be written in color. Esma, a young Romani girl, meets Teo, a young Mixteco living on the Hill of Dust in the mountains of Mexico, when her traveling caravan makes a stop in Teo's small village. The Romani bring with them the magic of cinema films, and after the loss of Teo's father and sister, Esma gives him a reason to feel alive again. When Esma's grandmother, the Mistress of Destiny, reveals Teo's true fortune—that he and Esma will be lifelong friends and will save each other—Esma and Teo work hard to make sure their fortune comes true. Esma gives Teo the courage to save others and ultimately helps him to save himself. In return, Teo lifts Esma up just when she believes that her own dream is an impossibility. Esma and Teo go their separate ways; she becomes a shining star admired by the world, while he becomes a healer like his grandfather—and it is not until they are both in old age that they meet again. With the help of Teo's grandson Mateo and Esma's granddaughter Ruby, Teo and Esma rekindle their lifelong friendship. Like surviving a lightning strike, this book is rare and incredible.  
 
VERDICT The diverse characters, heartbreaking events, and historical and present-day backdrops are excellently executed. Highly recommended.—Selenia Paz, Helen Hall Library, League City, TX

So grateful for this heartfelt and poetic review!  The book comes out on Oct. 27, and I'll be posting my tour schedule soon.... I'll be doing events in Colorado, D.C, Maryland, and Minneapolis. :-)


Thanks for swinging by, my friends!

xo,
Laura

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful! Is that the same trailer you use for writing? I love the photos of Wilma but as you know, I'm a dog person.

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    1. Yup-- for years it served as my writing studio, then as my tech-free creative space, and now we're taking it out and about... Wilma's a very sweet, cuddly dog... I had a heap of Wilma-in-a-cute-ball photos to choose from! :-)

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  2. Lovely maiden voyage for the trailer and a beautiful place to set her down. Congrats on the starred review. Awesomeness!

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  3. OMG. Awesome photos, and that review could not do a better job of capturing what is magnificent about your book. Brava, Laura!

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    1. Thanks, dear Tara! So good to see you the other night!

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  4. Love. this. post. What an adorable, joy-filled tin can you have! The photos tell such a great story and completely get me in the mood for a camping weekend. :-) And heartiest congrats on your book. The reviews you shared are such lovely tributes. Can't wait to read for myself. A long-distance, five-star toast to you!

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    1. Thanks, Richele! Your own travels inspire me enormously! XOXO

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