Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the middle grade book, "Between the Lines" by Claudia Whitsitt from May 18 to 31, 2015.
About the Book
Title: Between the Lines | Author: Claudia Whitsitt | Publication Date: March, 2015 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 318 | Recommended Ages: 9+
Summary: Between the Lines tells the story of three girls who become friends during the racially-charged aftermath of the 1967 Detroit Riots. Hattie Percha is crushed when the riots start on her tenth birthday, and when she must move away from her treasured childhood home and friends, attending public school for the first time, she’s afraid her life is over. Then, she meets Beverly Jo Nichols, her first black friend, and Crackers, a fearless tomboy. Despite opposition from Hattie’s mother and a racist teacher, the unlikely friends join forces. As the self-proclaimed Dream Girls, they challenge bigotry and intolerance, willing to do whatever it takes to hold onto what’s most precious to them all, their friendship.
Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (CA)
B&N * iTunes * Kobo * Smashwords * Goodreads
Excerpt From
Chapter 20 ~ Between the Lines by Claudia Whitsitt
I’m lying on
Grandma’s flowered carpet after breakfast on Saturday morning. She’s gone
downstairs to have coffee with her landlady and pay the rent. I didn’t plan to
write, but a tale comes fizzing out of me as I stare at the claw foot on her
rose-colored sofa. I decide I’ll name my story “Grandmother’s Hope.”
Hope loved closets, and Grandmother’s closet won the
prize for the best hideaway in the entire world. Running the length of an
entire wall with two entrances—one from the living room, the other from the
bedroom, she deemed the space a secret refuge. When she played in Grandmother’s
closet, she pretended to be a grown-up, living on her own, in her own hidden
tunnel. Huddled between the heavy coats, blankets, and crisply creased linens,
she felt safe. Best of all, the entire wardrobe smelled of cedar. A hideaway,
an escape, a haven.
Hope felt safest at Grandmother’s house. First of all,
Grandmother paid close attention. In the morning after waking from a sleepover
where Hope was the only visitor, she would lie in Grandmother’s bed and listen.
Bacon crackled on the stove, and the aroma filled the air above the sizzling
meat. Grandmother’s feet padded back and forth in the kitchen, clanking pots
and pans. The percolator bubbled gently as the coffee brewed inside. Hope
anticipated the perfect breakfast: sunny side up eggs, crunchy toast, crisp
bacon, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and coffee. She wouldn’t drink the coffee,
but the smell was comforting. It meant Grandmother was close by.
The Buzz
"Between the Lines is a powerful piece of historical fiction that must be added to the reading list of every middle grade student."~ 5 Stars, Lori L., Goodreads
"Teachers and parents need to purchase this novel... Parents could use this novel to engage their kids in discussions to help develop a sense of social responsibility, friendship, and morality... Ultimately, this story is inspirational." ~ 5 Stars, Amazon Customer
"This book is a must read for everyone, no matter what age ... I would recommend it highly to be in the curriculum of every 5th and 6th grade classroom. " ~ 5 Stars, Sandra W., Amazon
"My daughter and I read this book together and loved it. It is a story that will stay with both of us for many years to come!" ~ 5 Stars, aleblanc, Amazon
"Between the Lines tells a really heartbreaking but uplifting story, about race and loyalty and friends, in a way that any kid will relate to. A perfect gift book for that hard-to-please youngster!" ~ 5 Stars, Jimmy, Amazon
About the Author: Claudia Whitsitt
Claudia Whitsitt spent a lifetime teaching special education and writing before becoming a full-time author. She believes in the power of friendship, small acts of kindness, and paying it forward. Nothing makes her happier than spending time with her children, which includes not only the five she raised but the countless students who touched her life over the years.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
"Between the Lines" Blog Tour Schedule (2015)
May 18May 19
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
* Blog Tour Giveaway *
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Contest closes: June 7, 11:59 pm, 2015 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 Claudia Whitsitt and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway
1 comment:
Thank you so much for hosting a stop in the "Between the Lines" Blog Tour. I remember reading this passage and it brought back so many fond memories of time I spent with my grandmother. I was very close to her and this passage was so well-written that I was flooded with emotions. The grandmother in this story ROCKS!!
Post a Comment