Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Internet Book Fair BlogFest!


In celebration of M.A. Leslie's Internet Book Fair BlogFest http://maleslie1.blogspot.com/2011/10/internet-book-fair-blogfest.html I'm honored to share book review excerpts of my children's historical fiction story book The Golden Pathway.

"The Golden Pathway is a heart-gripping children’s story written by Donna M. McDine with illustrations by K.C. Snider. It is easy to comprehend and the plot flows smoothly. The illustrations are beautifully depicted and complement the wording immensely. I found this story to be powerful, inspiring and something that will provide children with a valuable lesson about slavery and freedom as part of American History." Rita V, Readers Favorite

“This story by author Donna M. McDine, with full-page, full-color illustrations by K. C. Snider, is an attention-grabbing way to introduce students to the fact that slavery once existed in this country and also illustrate how the “Underground Railroad” helped slaves to escape north so that they might gain their freedom. It is a great book.” –Wayne S. Walker, Home School Book Review

“Author Donna McDine pulls you in from the first sentence, and doesn’t let you go. Her writing is filled with sensory detail that puts you into the story and the era. She has created living, breathing characters, so much so, that I strongly felt their lives before and after the tale.” –A.R. Silverberry, author of Wyndano’s Cloak
“Once children have read about David and the part he played in the Underground Railroad, they’ll be eager to find other stories to enhance what they’ve learned in The Golden Pathway.” –Beverly Stowe McClure, author of Rebel in Blue Jeans, Just Breeze, and Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines

“The Golden Pathway will teach children how people can come together and overcome seemingly impossible odds and learn a bit about American history and how to deal with a situation of bullying and abuse.” –Lauren S. Smith, She Writes http://www.shewrites.com/

“Award winning children’s author, Donna McDine, has produced a powerful story of good and evil, a must read for every child. She defines, in a beautifully written and poignant way, one man’s inhumanity to man and the redeeming qualities of his son.” -Nancy Stewart, children’s author and university professor of education, specializing in Children’s and Young Adult Literature

“A tale sure to inspire anyone who doubts their own courage.” –Lori Calabrese, award-winning author of The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade
“The Golden Pathway is a story about courage and friendship.” –Renee Hand, author of The Crypto-Capers series and the award-winning, The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill: Case #1: The Great Pie Catastrophe
“In Donna McDine's debut book witness a poignant depiction of the best and worst of humanity. The portrayal of the brutality dealt a slave and a white boy's sense of right and wrong are expertly exposed. K.C. Snider is a fine artist and each illustration is a masterpiece. The historical fiction picture book's succinct and imaginative story coupled with the illustrations are a buffet for readers of all ages. I highly recommend this book.” –J. Aday Kennedy, award-winning multi-published author of inspirational/Christian pieces and of children’s literature

“The best thing about this book is that it raised other questions… Any book that can cause a child to crave more knowledge on a subject is a good one.” –Lynn’s Reading Corner
“I thought this was a very well written story for children to understand.” –Chrissy’s World of Books


The Golden Pathway purchasing information:


Guardian Angel Publishing www.guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm or for autographed copies visit award-winning children’s author Donna McDine http://www.donnamcdine.com/. As an added bonus, orders placed through Guardian Angel Publishing or the author will include The Golden Pathway teacher’s guide eBook.




There are many wonderfully talented authors participating in the Internet Book Fair BlogFest, be sure to visit http://maleslie1.blogspot.com/2011/10/internet-book-fair-blogfest.html for all the links to other profiled books.

Thank you!

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

Thursday, October 20, 2011

New York State Reading Association - Hudson Valley Authors Fair - The Golden Pathway by Donna McDine




Presents the
Hudson Valley Authors Fair
featuring local childrens authors

A FREE EVENT FOR
COMMUNITY EDUCATORS AND FAMILIES

Special presentations by award-winning story tellers
"Storycrafters" and author Jason Edwards

Please join us for a fun day of storytelling and meet the authors of some of your favorite
children's books. Authors will sign and sell their books, discuss their ideas, and provide
information about school visits.

Laurie Calkhoven - Boys of Wartime
Kathy Ceceri - The Silk Road
Sarah Darer Littman - Purge
Katie Davis - Kindergarten Rocks
Angelo DeCesare - Flip's Fantastic Journal
Alison Ashley Formento - This Tree Counts
Betsy Franco Feeney  - Amoeba Hop
Gail Gompper - Every Day by the Bay
Robert Kurkela - Lilies on the Moon
Shari Maurer - Change of Heart
Cindy Mauro Reisenauer - Emerita
Donna McDine - The Golden Pathway
Helen Pashley - Triops
Laurence Pringle - Bats!
Anita Sanchez - Mr. Lincoln's Chair
Darren Sardelli - Galaxy Pizza
Tim Tocher - Long Shot
Stephen M. Tomecek - Stars
Iza Trapani - The Itsy Bitsy Spider

When:
October 23, 2011 - 2:00-5:00 pm
Storycrafters to present from 3:00-4:00 pm
Jason Edwards to present from 4:15-5:00 pm

Where:
Hilton Rye Town
699 Westchester Avenue
Rye Brook, NY
in the Grand Ballroom (North and South)

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

Friday, October 14, 2011

Underground Railroad children’s story book The Golden Pathway announced as Literary Classics 2011 Silver Award Recipient



October 14, 2011 - Tappan, New York – Donna McDine’s children’s book, The Golden Pathway has been announced as Literary Classics 2011 Silver Award Recipient – Early Reader category.

Literary Classics announced its 2011 selection of top books for children and young adults today. Award recipients were selected from entries received throughout the world. The Literary Classics selection committee is proud to recognize the following titles in children's and young adult literature which exemplify the criteria set forth by the Literary Classics Awards committee.

A list of the 2011 award recipients can be viewed at: http://www.clcawards.org/.

PICTURE BOOK - EARLY READER

Gold Award Recipient - Wacky Jacky: The True Story of An Unlikely Beauty Queen, written by Jaclyn Stapp, illustrated by Kristine Lucco
Silver Award Recipient - The Golden Pathway, written by Donna M. McDine, illustrated by K.C. Snider
Literary Classics, an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in literature, takes great pride in its role to help promote classic children's literature which appeals to youth, while educating and encouraging positive values in the impressionable young minds of future generations. Judging is based upon the criteria set forth by Literary Classics' highly selective awards committee which honors books promoting character, vision, creativity and learning, through content which possesses the key elements found in well-crafted literature.

The Literary Classics judging committee consists of experts with backgrounds in publishing, writing, editing, design, illustration, and book reviewing. To learn more about Literary Classics, visit their website at http://www.literaryclassicsawards.com/
The Golden Pathway synopsis:

Be transported through time to the Underground Railroad, where high-pitched screams echo each night. David’s cruel Pa always chooses the same victim. Despite the circumstances during slavery, David uncovers the courage to defy his Pa.
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 attempts to lead Jenkins to freedom with no regard for his own safety and possible consequences dealt out by his Pa.
The Golden Pathway purchasing information:

Guardian Angel Publishing www.guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm or for autographed copies visit award-winning children’s author Donna McDine www.donnamcdine.com. As an added bonus, orders placed through Guardian Angel Publishing or the author will include The Golden Pathway teacher’s guide eBook.
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, October 12, 2011

Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Library - Local Author Book Fair - October 16, 2011

I am excited to share with you that I will be appearing at the


25 Flywheel Park West
Piermont, NY


If you live locally and you have the time to stop by I'd be delighted to see you there.

Thank you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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, October 10, 2011

The Golden Pathway Awarded Readers Favorite Five Stars Review

As many of my readers and friends know my first children's book, The Golden Pathway was published August 2010 and it has been bestowed the honor of a Readers Favorite Five Stars Review.

Reviewed by Rita V for Readers Favorite




The Golden Pathway is a heart-gripping children’s story written by Donna M. McDine with illustrations by K.C. Snider. This story takes place during the dreadful days when people were allowed to own slaves and abuse them. A boy named David lives on a farm with his ma and pa. His pa is a mean soul and owns a slave named Jenkins who is just sixteen years old and works in the cotton fields for him. One night, David hears the terrible screams of agony coming from the barn where Jenkins is being whipped by Pa. David feels a great amount of compassion for Jenkins and knows that slavery is wrong. David is compelled to do everything in his power to help Jenkins because he knows he will soon die from the continual beatings. David will have to find incredible strength and courage to help Jenkins escape slavery and to stop the horrible beatings and torture inflicted upon him unjustly.
The Golden Pathway is written specifically for children 8-12 years old and is written perfectly to their level of understanding. It is easy to comprehend and the plot flows smoothly. The illustrations are beautifully depicted and complement the wording immensely. I found this story to be powerful, inspiring and something that will provide children with a valuable lesson about slavery and freedom as part of American History. I can see this book also providing a valuable tool for children to ask questions and bring about important conversation. I feel strongly that this book is a must read for all children ages 8 and up.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you to Rita V., for her heartwarming review.

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, October 5, 2011

The Golden Pathway book review by Cindy Oldham

I am pleased to share with you the latest book review of The Golden Pathway.

Journey back in time to the pre-civil war era when slavery was the accepted norm in America. Meet a courageous young boy named David – a young teen slave named Jenkins – David’s abusive, alcoholic father. These three are the main characters in Donna M. McDine’s book, The Golden Pathway. David is a compassionate boy who befriends the slave boy Jenkins. After watching and hearing his father beat Jenkins repeatedly almost daily, David administers whatever comfort and help he can to Jenkins. This young boy, whom his father thinks is weak, finds the courage to help Jenkins escape his bonds of slavery for a life of freedom by using the Underground Railroad.


The dialogue sparkles and brings the characters to life. Richly detailed writing and beautiful illustrations allow you to experience the sense of immediacy within story as if you were living it with David and Jenkins.
Ms. McDine has taken a very complex time from America’s history and brought it to life at an introductory for children between the ages of 8-12. She has expertly dealt with abuse, alcoholism, bullying and slavery. The Golden Pathway is a story full of friendship, love, and compassion. I would recommend it to anyone who has children in the listed age group. It is a great way to introduce these issues to young people.

Reviewed by:

Cindy Oldham, Author

Kaleidoscope Memories: Childhood Stories That Celebrate Family Life

http://kaleidoscopememoriesbook.blogspot.com/




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