From now through Labor Day (Sept. 3), I'm offering a FREE ebook copy of either of my award-winning novels to any teachers or homeschooling parents interested in previewing the books for possible classroom use. Plus, I will schedule a FREE 20-minute virtual visit (via Skype or Google Hangouts) with any class that reads either book as a result of this offer. PLEASE NOTE: Free virtual visits will be limited to the first 20 teachers who request them and must be scheduled for the 2018-2019 school year.
Playing by Heart is appropriate for grades 6 and up. The novel won Third Place in the Books for Teens and Young Adults Category of the Catholic Press Association Book Awards and it received a Silver Medal in the Books for Teenagers Category of The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, voted on by teen readers in the UK. The novel is also one of three finalist in the Young Adult Category of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Carol Awards. UPDATE as of 7/5/18: Playing by Heart has been named a finalist for the Catholic Arts and Letters Award (CALA) in the Children's/YA Fiction category! The winner will be announced at the Catholic Writers Guild conference August 1.
See this page to read excerpts from the award reviews. I'll be putting together classroom discussion questions for Playing by Heart this summer.
Rosa, Sola is for grades 4-8. The novel was named a Booklist Top Ten First Novel for Youth and, like Playing by Heart, is a Catholic Press Association Book Award winner. The ebook of Rosa, Sola includes a "Discussion Questions" section specifically for classroom use and there is also an Accelerated Reader Test available for the book. See this page to learn more about the novel and for links to information about Italian-American culture.
To receive your free ebook, email me via the link in the left sidebar or use the form on the Contact/Press Kit page. And please help spread the word by sharing this offer with any teachers you know!