Thursday, July 16, 2015

Coffee with a canine: Cynthia Lord & Milo

Featured at Coffee with a Canine: Cynthia Lord & Milo.

The author, on Milo's contribution to her writing:
He's a big help. I have a writing shed in my backyard, and he gets so excited when I say, "Let's go to work!" He brings so much enthusiasm with him that...[read on]
About Cynthia Lord's new novel, A Handful of Stars:
This powerful middle-grade novel from the Newbery Honor author of RULES explores a friendship between a small-town girl and the daughter of migrant workers.

When Lily's blind dog, Lucky, slips his collar and runs away across the wide-open blueberry barrens of eastern Maine, it's Salma Santiago who manages to catch him. Salma, the daughter of migrant workers, is in the small town with her family for the blueberry-picking season.

After their initial chance meeting, Salma and Lily bond over painting bee boxes for Lily's grandfather, and Salma's friendship transforms Lily's summer. But when Salma decides to run in the upcoming Blueberry Queen pageant, they'll have to face some tough truths about friendship and belonging. Should an outsider like Salma really participate in the pageant-and possibly win?

Set amongst the blueberry barrens and by the sea, this is a gorgeous new novel by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord that tackles themes of prejudice and friendship, loss and love.
Visit Cynthia Lord's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

Coffee with a Canine: Cynthia Lord & Milo.

--Marshal Zeringue