MMGM-CIRCLE OF SECRETS by Kimberly Griffiths Little (Giveaway too!)

The last Marvelous Middle Grade Monday of August is here! Hope you've all enjoyed your summer and found many a book to add to your to read lists and or piles. Before I get to the post at hand I have a couple of other things to share.

1. The WINNER, thanks to RandomOrg, of Mira's Diary: Lost in Paris (ARC) by Marrissa  Moss is Barbara Watson. Congrats Barbara, you are on a winning roll!
2. There's another giveaway on this post about support along our writing journey's. Comment and join in the conversation to win a writing resource book of your choice for you and a friend.

NOW! On the reason you all came here. 

Here is the book:

Here is the description from the publisher:

Critically acclaimed author Kimberley Griffiths Little weaves a haunting story of friendship and family and the power of faith, once again set against the lush backdrop of the Louisiana bayou.

After her mother walked out on Shelby Jayne and her dad, Shelby thought she'd never speak to her mamma again. But with her dad leaving the country for work, it turns out she doesn't have a choice: Shelby has to move back into her mamma's house, deep in the heart of the Louisiana bayou.

Her new classmates tease and torment her, so Shelby's relieved to finally find a friend in Gwen, a mysterious girl who lives alone on the bayou. But Shelby can't help wondering if Gwen has something to do with the puzzling messages she finds hidden in the blue bottle tree behind her house. The only person who might be able to explain is her mamma — but Shelby's not ready to ask. Not yet. It may take a brush with something from the beyond to help Shelby see that the power to put her own ghosts to rest is within her reach.

Here is the book trailer:

Here are my thoughts as a writer and a reader:

Just as in THE HEALING SPELL, the author is a master of capturing an authentic voice in THE CIRCLE OF SECRETS. A voice that is certainly middle grade and yet unique to the character. It is how Shelby views the world, the words she choses to tell us what she sees, hears and feels. How she puts those words into sentences, elegant and ladylike at the same time as sassy and funny. It's all Shelby. It is something well worth taking a good close look at if you are a writer working on bringing what seems like that elusive voice to your work. Studying the work of others to see how it is done is well worth your time. In fact I would suggest reading both of these books. Read them out loud and you will hear the difference.

As a reader I was pulled in immediately by that same voice-felt like I could hear Shelby right away. I like that. It makes me know this will also make a great read-a-loud. Take that and this:

"The summer I turned eleven, I found out ghosts are real."

I am so there. The author carries on with throwing the mc right up a tree. She has to go and stay with a mother who walked out on her and her father over a year ago. And a mother she has not seen in three months. You are, and kids will be, immediately sympathetic to her and will want to see what happens next, including learning more about Mirage (aka, the mother, but Shelby does not want to call her that). As for where Shelby has to go? To the swamp. Deep in the swamp and she doesn't like it so much...it's filled with snakes, spiders...frogs with creepy red eyes and who knows what else. Her view of  the swamp (Bayou) is the polar opposite of Livie in THE HEALING SPELL and yet just as well done and just as compelling. You can imagine what it would be like to be there and not like it one bit.

It doesn't end there for Shelby. School comes complete with bullies who tease her about where she lives and her mother, "The Swamp Witch". So, when a friend named Gwen comes along you breath a sigh of relief for Shelby because you are so invested in her story. Next thing you know, you are continuing to turn those pages because you know there is something "off" about Gwen...something deep and mysterious like the swamp. In other words, suspense, tension and mystery combined with amazing setting and strong voice make this one a must read. So, if it's in your to read pile move it to the top!

Here is more information about the author:

Website - you can send in a request for a teacher's and/or mother daughter book club guide 

Blogs-Kimberly's Wanderings / From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade  Authors / Spellbinders 

Here are the giveaway details:

• Open to US/Canada
• Leave a comment to enter, include contact info
• You have until next Sunday, Midnight MST
• RandomOrg.Com will be used to pick winner
• The author (thanks Kimberly!) will send the person picked one SIGNED hardcover copy of THE CIRCLE OF SECRETS. 

Good luck everyone.

And for more MMGM Marvelousness head on over to Shannon Messenger, the one who started it all!