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SPARK — Review & Giveaway

rosihollinbeck

Thought for the Day:

“I have rewritten–often several times–every word I have ever published. My pencils outlast their erasers.”

~ Vladimir Nabokov ~

Gifts for My Writer Friends:

Janice Hardy has a great Narrative Nugget HERE that will help you make your characters more well-rounded. Her articles are always worth your time.

Do you have a novel started but don’t know how to finish? HERE is a good article by Traci Hunter Abramson from Writer’s Digest called One Word at a Time: How to Finish Writing a Novel.

Just when I need it most, as I’m desperately trying to cut my novel down to size, Nathan Bransford has the post HERE called “Find and delete these phrases from your novel.” It’s a good one.

I don’t often discuss the adult books I read here, but I do read them. Most of the time, they are mysteries, and I really like finding good series. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned here before that when I was young, I really wanted to be an archaeologist. Now that I’m older and wiser, I prefer reading books about archeology. Imagine how excited I was to find a whole series of murder mysteries starring an archaeologist! The books I’m talking about are the Ruth Galloway mysteries written by Elly Griffiths, a British writer. Since I’m not very patient about waiting for sequels to come out, it’s really nice to find a series that has been out there for a while. This one has sixteen books already in print. I don’t know if there are more coming, but I’ve only finished four, so I have quite a way to go before I have to worry about that. As Oscar Wilde said in The Canterville Ghost, the British have “really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language.” It’s always a bit of a surprise how much of a difference there is. It does make me pay attention. Anyway, I’m really enjoying the series. It’s a lot of fun. So, if you are looking for an adult mystery series, I recommend it.

When we were last here, I offered an ARC of SCHOOLED by Jamie Sumner to one of you. The winner this time is Rebecca Douglass. Congratulations, Rebecca! I will get your book out to you soon. Thanks for reading and playing. Rebecca is a writer and blogger. Somehow, I was not subscribed to her blog, but I am now. Interesting stuff. She writes mysteries and other things. I have to check that out. You can find out more about her at her site HERE.

Back in August, I reviewed a book called THE BURNING SEASON by Caroline Starr Rose. You can see that review HERE. A couple of people commented that it would pair nicely with SPARK by Chris Baron. I stored that info in the back of my brain, and lo and behold, a couple weeks later, I found SPARK on the review list for the Portland Book Review. Needless to say, I requested it right away. I can see why people think it’s a good companion for THE BURNING SEASON. Here is my review for PBR.

Finn and his best friend, Rabbit, love the forest and worry about the area, as there have been many wildfires nearby. There is even a small fire in the local park, but the firefighters put it out before much damage is done. Finn’s dad, out of work for a while, gets a job on a nearby construction site. The kids have a trail camera, and they capture images that make them think the construction machines may have started a fire. A huge wildfire burns through the town, and everyone needs to evacuate. When people come back, it is the kids who make people in the town really examine how the construction project impacts their town.

Chris Baron

Author Chris Baron has written a timely novel in verse for middle graders that will engage young readers and keep them turning pages all the way through. The story is most compelling, and the writing is excellent. Although written in free verse, it is not particularly lyrical, but all that white space will make reluctant readers feel the story is very accessible. The characters are completely believable and will connect with young readers. This is an important book that kids are sure to love.

I have a gently-read hardback to give to one of you. All you need to do is be a follower (it’s free and easy — see the top, right corner of the post) with a US Address, and leave a comment. If you share the link to this post on social media, please let me know in your comment, and you will get an extra chance. And please don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE.

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Published by rosihollinbeck

23 thoughts on “SPARK — Review & Giveaway”

  2. Pingback: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday for 11/24/2025 | Always in the Middle…

  3. I read a lot of adult fiction these days. I’m glad you found another series you enjoy. This sounds like an interesting story, but I’ll pass on the giveaway.

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  4. I’ve read this author’s books and enjoyed them. Spark is high on my list–I loved Burning Season. I’m a subscriber and shared this post on tumblr, X, and Facebook.

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  6. I need to check out those archaeology mysteries… have read lots of Kathy Reichs. Sparks sounds like a great story – but I’ll pass on the giveaway. Thanks for your review and, of course, the weekly comic! Have a good Thanksgiving

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  8. I really liked the link to Nathan Bradsford’s site. I’m nearing the end of my revisions on my WIP, so it will be helpful to search out those words.

    I’m very intrigued by the archaeological series you mentioned too. I love archaeology, but like you would rather read about it than do it. Bonus points that it’s British as I tend to love mysteries from Britain.

    And Spark sounds intriguing. I’ve heard a lot of stories of the fires from my husband, who was a wildlife firefighter when he was younger, so I’m very intrigued!

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    1. I’m working my way to Nathan’s good list. It’s helping. The Ruth Galloway series is fun. SPARK is great. Your husband might well enjoy it, too. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in the drawing.

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  9. I really enjoyed SPARK when I read it last summer and agree with all the points you made. I’ll pass on the GIVEAWAY and let someone else have the chance to dive into this story. The links look great and will get to them later in the week with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday already keeping me busy. Have a Happy MMGM and a great Turkey Day with your family.

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  11. I enjoyed SPARK, too. And I think that there is a wide spectrum of lyricism in verse novels, ranging from the only reason it’s called a verse novel is because of its use of line breaks and white space, to deeply lyrical poetic novels that use many poetic devices, to those that use type creatively. Some combine all of those elements. Some just use one. It’s really what serves the story best, I think. No need to enter me in the giveaway as I already have a copy. Thanks!

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    1. Spark is well worth your time. I’m sure you will enjoy it when you get to it. Thanks for the comment. I see you aren’t subscribed to my blog. If you would like to be in the drawings, please subscribe.

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