Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Golden Pathway Educator's Guide Now Available - Gift with Purchase


I am pleased to announce that The Golden Pathway Educator's Guide is NOW available as gift with purchase. The educator's guide is a comprehensive across the curriculum based teaching tool for English, Social Studies, Math, Science, and Art teachers, as well as Homeschooling families. The guide is 25 pages and includes the following topics:
  • Book Summary/About the Author
  • Interview with Author, Donna McDine
  • About the Illustrator
  • Interview with Illustrator, K.C. Snider
  • Underground Railroad Background, Discussion Questions
ACTIVITIES: 
  • Language Arts: Writing/Vocabulary
  • Integrated Language Arts/Social Studies: Topical Study/Presentation Boards
  • Social Studies: Timeline, Mapping and Geography
  • Math: Map Work Mathematics, Calculations, Time, Recipe Math, Quilt Math
  • Science: Astronomy, Skin, Plants and Crops, Alcoholism, Five Senses
  • Role Playing, Disguises and Escape/Safe Houses
  • Toys and Games of the 19th Century: Make a Rag Doll, Make a Nettie Doll, Information on Games/Toys
  • Songs of Slavery and the Underground Railroad: Background Information and Lyrics
  • More Fun Art Projects, Activities, and Resources: Coloring Sheets, Printables, Juneteenth, Make A Tin Can Lantern
  • Books For Further Reading
  • Websites and Resources
If interested, order directly from me at - http://www.donnamcdine.com/ - autographed and personalized copies available
Once you receive your email order confirmation forward to me at donna@donnamcdine.com and I will email you The Golden Pathway Educator's Guide in PDF to you.

Thank you for your time and interest.
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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Monday, July 18, 2011

Linda Kinsman, WAHM reviews The Golden Pathway



I am pleased to share with you a recent review of The Golden Pathway by Linda Kinsman:

I was interested in reading a children’s book that dealt with slavery and was happy when Mrs. McDine was able to send me a copy for review.



I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was drawn into the story within the first few paragraphs. Mrs. McDine has so vividly portrayed the characters, (both good and bad); at first I was reluctant to read this story with my 8 year old daughter....
 
To read more, please visit:
Thank you for your time and interest.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Monday, July 11, 2011

Book Reviews of The Golden Pathway


I'm delighted to share with you recent book reviews of The Golden Pathway by Homeschoolers and Mommy Bloggers. Be sure to visit each of their websites, these ladies write wonderful blogs and offer up giveaways and insights into the world of Homeschooling and parenting.

July 11, 2011
As a homeschool mom – especially given our heavy use of unit studies and “living books” – I am always on the lookout for good historical fiction for children. (Historical fiction is easy to find. Historical fiction for children isn’t always.) As a result, I was happy to be given the opportunity to read and review The Golden Pathway , by Donna M. McDine.
The Golden Pathway addresses a tough subject – slavery and the Underground Railroad. The suggested audience is readers aged 8-12, but I will probably include my 4-year-old when we read it as part of our study of that time period.
I would probably not use this as my children’s only exposure to the time, as I’m concerned it might give them a unrealistically one-dimensional view of the place and the people. To put it plainly, I wouldn’t want them to draw the conclusion that every white southerner was cruel, based on one story of one (fictional) family. In context, though, I found it to be an excellent introduction to a difficult period of history.
The only thing I dislike about the book is that the story centers around a young man who defies his father in order to care for and free the family’s slave. I would have preferred to read my children a story about a family working together to end injustice rather than one about a son going behind his father’s back. The reality, however, is that, that sort of thing happened. (When it really comes down it, I would rather not have to read my children books about racial slavery in the first place! But it happened, and those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. So we read about the ugly truth.)
All in all, I think this is a good introduction to the topic, with a story centered around a young person so that young people can readily identify with it. I will probably be reading it with/to my children, rather than handing it over – but maybe that’s a better idea, anyway, given the nature of the subject.
After reading the book and the author’s note about code words, you might want to sing “Get On Board” and/or “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”

Disclosure: I was provided with this book, free of charge, by the author to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Reviewed by Rachel Ramey ~ http://www.titus2homemaker.com/2011/07/the-golden-pathway-review/

July 3, 2011

I had the privilege of reading and reviewing Donna M. McDine's children's book The Golden Pathway. This picture book is about southern slaves and the underground rail road.

More specifically, it is about a young boy who's father owns a plantation. While on the plantation he befriends a slave who is the target of his father's drunken rages.
I did enjoy the story and the knowledge that the story brought. The pictures are beautiful and Jenkins (the slave) make the story seem more real than the actual main character, David. I could honestly see myself using this book in my middle school classroom. I would not recommend it for younger children due to the presentation of the subject matter. However, for struggling readers in upper elementary and middle school this is a great resource that I can't recommend enough.
I look forward to having my 8th grade students read this during the upcoming school year.
Reviewed by Sara Cart ~ http://carts3bears.blogspot.com/2011/07/book-review-golden-pathway.html

June 24, 2011

The Golden Pathway by Donna M. McDine is set in the times of slavery in America. It tells a poignant story of a boy that sees how his father treats his slaves. He tries to help one of the slaves. His father is a difficult task master for his slaves and his family. After hearing his father beat one of the slaves he shows courage and compassion by slipping out to take care of the beaten slave. The young man figures out a way to help this slave boy escape to freedom. He has heard of the freedom trail and helps to send his friend to freedom and a new life.
Even though this story is set in another time in history, it still speaks to children of our generation. It teaches love, compassion and courage. Many children of today see difficult things growing up. They go through painful things. I feel this story speaks to them in a special way. It gives hope and shows the almost forgotten art of kindness.
I believe our children need to learn about history. This book teaches a lesson in history and also teaches good character traits at the same time. It is written for children ages 8 to 12. It is beautifully illustrated by K. C. Snider.
I was given this book to read and review and give my honest opinion. I have not been paid to do this. I have written an honest review of this book.
Reviewed by Karen Dobson ~ http://grannysperspective.blogspot.com/2011/06/golden-pathway-by-donna-m-mcdine-book.html  

June 4, 2011

The Golden Pathway by award winning author Donna McDine is a book written for children ages 8-12 , but I think this is a must read for all ages. The book is about a young boy, David the son of a slave owner, his father, and a young slave boy named Jenkins. The book shows the battle between wrong and right even within families. David witnesses the brutal beating of Jenkins everyday and wants to help him out. Despite enormous risk to himself David searching for a way to get Jenkins out. The use of period language really helps immerse the reader into the book. The illustrations are beautifully done, showing you the struggle David and Jenkins go through together. It helps to remind you what an important part in history that the Underground Railroad played!
Reviewed by Rebecca Fry ~ http://momof-3boys.blogspot.com/2011/06/golden-pathway-by-donna-mcdine.html 

May 13, 2011

Raised in a hostile environment where abuse occurs daily, David attempts to break the mold and befriends the slave, Jenkins, owned by his Pa. Fighting against extraordinary times and beliefs, David leads Jenkins to freedom with no regard for his own safety and possible consequences dealt out by his Pa.

My Review: What a powerful story of good will by Award winning children’s author, Donna McDine. She takes you back in time showing us that slavery did exist and how the Underground Railroad helped slaves escape to the north where they gained their freedom.

The message we should take from this story is that there are good and faithful people willing to make a wrong right by satisfying anything to help others. What a wonderful illustration by K.C. Snider bringing the story to life. I highly recommend The Golden Pathway to History teachers, parents, and children.

Reviewed by Ella Johnson ~ http://mymcbooks.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/book-review-the-golden-pathway-by-donna-m-mcdine

Thank you for your time and interest!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Award-winning Children’s Author, Donna McDine visits with Stephen Tremp – July 7th and 8th


M E D I A  R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Donna M. McDine, Children’s Author
Email: donna@donnamcdine.com
Phone: 845-721-7802

For Immediate Release

Award-winning Children’s Author, Donna McDine visits with Stephen Tremp – July 7th and 8th

Creating the perfect media release, distribution and designing a media kit long before your first published book is available is essential in creating your platform from the ground up. Where does one begin? Find out through two insightful visits by award-winning children’s author, Donna McDine.

Visit with McDine through her charismatic interview of her media release service, Dynamic Media Release Services and guest post “Where Does One Begin in Creating a Media Kit?” respectfully on Thursday, July 7 and Friday, July 8 at: http://www.stephentremp.blogspot.com/
About children’s author, Donna McDine:

Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions and Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2010 – Top Ten - Children’s Books category – The Golden Pathway.

Her stories, articles, and book reviews have been published in over 100 print and online publications. Her interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing The Golden Pathway. Donna has two more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, The Hockey Agony and Powder Monkey. She writes, moms and is the Editor-in-Chief for Guardian Angel Kids, Publicist for the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club and owner of Dynamic Media Release Services from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI and Musing Our Children.

About the host and author, Stephen Tremp:

Stephen Tremp, author of the BREAKTHROUGH series, is a suspense thriller writer.
His novels are enhanced by current events at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and other scientific research facilities around the world. Theoretical physicists are searching for evidence of a wide spectrum of potential discoveries that were once considered fodder for science fiction, including: parallel universes and higher dimensions of space, dark energy, dark matter, anti-matter, and the Higgs Boson particle—The God Particle—among other exciting concepts. These potential advances have the ability to change the way we perceive our universe and our place in it.

Stephen is also developing an animated children’s series featuring a brother and sister who have a unique way of exploring their world in order to finish school projects for science, history, and social studies.
Stop by for a spell at http://www.stephentremp.blogspot.com/ and enjoy the chance to get to know this award-winning children’s author and media specialist. Donna will be on hand throughout the day to field your questions and to respond to your comments.
Thank you for your interest.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Happy 4th of July








God Bless America




"While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. "



God Bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her

Thru the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America, My home sweet home.


Words and music by Irving Berlin
© Copyright 1938, 1939 by Irving Berlin
© Copyright Renewed 1965, 1966 by Irving Berlin
© Copyright Assigned to the Trustees of the God Bless America Fund
International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.
Used by Permission




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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm