From School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up—Fifteen-year-old Sandee Mason's older brother, Bri, disappeared seven months ago while serving in Afghanistan. She misses him terribly but also feels like she lives in his shadow, so she decides to join her high school's drama department. Perhaps she'll finally discover her talent and start to fit in. After an unsuccessful audition for a part in her school's upcoming production of Oklahoma, she lands a crew role instead, Assistant Stage Manager. Sandee is determined to do her best and gain recognition and respect from everyone in the play. At a support group meeting for people with family in the armed forces, Sandee befriends Tessa, whose sister also went missing in Afghanistan. Sandee is able to connect with Tessa in a way she hasn't been able to with anyone else. One day after school, Sandee learns that Bri is dead; now Sandee and her family must process and struggle with the painful reality of his death. This story is important especially because it centers around a family coping with loss, grief, and acceptance. However, one drawback of the novel is that the dialogue between characters often feels excessive and unrealistic. Most of the characters present as white, except for Sandee's ex-boyfriend, Diego Rivera.
VERDICT: A helpful and relevant addition to YA contemporary fiction collections, especially for teens interested in learning about the military, or who have an enlisted family member.—Jess Gafkowitz, Brooklyn P.L. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
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Contact: support@indieexcellence.com
Danville, CA resident B. Lynn Goodwin was a finalist in the 15th Annual National Indie Excellence® Awards (NIEA) in this year's robust competition.
A leader and veteran of publishing award contests, The National Indie Excellence® Awards are open to recent English language books in print from self and independent publishers. Judging is now completed for the 15th year of this competition and the results commend a wide range of truly exceptional titles.
Winners and Finalists are determined on the basis of superior written matter coupled with excellent presentation in every facet of the final published product from cover to cover. Our range of Sponsorship Awards and the cash prizes awarded by the Juror’s Choice are selected from the overall group of Winners and Finalists.
LOS ANGELES – American Book Fest announced the winners and finalists of THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS (IBA)on June 18, 2021. Over 400 winners and finalists were announced in over 90 categories. Awards were presented for titles published in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Fiction: Young Adult
Finalist
Boy at the Crossroads: From Teenage Runaway to Class President by Mary Ford
Mary Ford
Finalist
Saltwater Secrets by Cindy Callaghan
Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing - Aladdin
Finalist
Shadow in the Dark: The Harwood Mysteries, Book 1 by Antony Barone Kolenc
Loyola Press
Finalist
Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin
Koehler Books
Finalist
The Scarlet Queen by Mitch Reinhardt
Mitch Reinhardt
Finalist
Valiance by Vanessa Caraveo
Vanessa Caraveo
