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  • Courtney Donovan Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 11/20/2024
  • Shannon Hassan Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 12/9/2024
  • Vicky Weber Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 12/11/2024

Agent Spotlight & Agent Spotlight Updates

  • Agent Spotlights & Interviews have been updated through the letter "K" as of 3/28/2024 and many have been reviewed by the agents. Look for more information as I find the time to update more agent spotlights.

Lines of Courage Review and Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m super excited to share Jennifer Nielson’s new MG historical Lines of Courage. It made the New York Times Bestseller list. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know she is one of my favorite authors. She writes MG fantasy and historical and YA fantasy.

Here’s a blurb of Lines of Courage from Goodreads:

The stories of five kids living through World War I, each of whom holds the key to the others' futures... if they are lucky - and brave - enough to find each other.

World War I stretches its cruel fingers across Europe, where five young people, each from different backgrounds and nations, face the terror of battle, the deprivations of hunger, and all the awful challenges of war.

Felix, from Austria-Hungary, longs for the bravery to resist Jewish deportations before his own family can be taken.

Kara, from Britain, dreams of someday earning her Red Cross pin and working as a nurse - or even a doctor.

Juliette, of France, hopes her family can remain knitted together, despite her father's imprisonment, as the war's longest battle stretches on and on.

Elsa, from Germany, hopes her homing pigeon might one day bring her a friend from out of the chaos.

And Dimitri, of Russia, wants only to survive the front, where he's been sent with no weapon.

None of them will find exactly what they want. But the winds of fate may cross their paths to give each of them just what they need.
 

 My Review

Thanks to Scholastic for providing me with an ARC of Lines of Courage. This is a fantastic story. Here are four things I really enjoyed about it:

1.     The story is set during WWI. While I’ve read a lot of books set in WWII, I have not read many about WWI. I enjoyed learning about this time in history and the trains used by the Red Cross to treat wounded soldiers.

2.     As the blurb states, this story is about the lives of five young people who come from different backgrounds and countries. Jennifer Nielsen does a fantastic job showing us how the war affects their lives and creatively has their lives intersect throughout the story.

3.     I love Jennifer Nielsen’s writing style. It is so clean, and every word matters. Whenever I struggle with some aspect of my writing, I pick up one of Jennifer’s books to see how she handled it. It really helps me to move forward and figure out a solution to my problem.

4.     This fast-paced story kept me wanting to turn the pages. I read it in two sittings, which is unusual for me.

Giveaway Details

I’m offering my ARC of Lines of Courage for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by July 2nd. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog and/or follow me on Twitter, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This giveaway is U.S.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews and Giveaways

Friday, July 1st, I’m participating in the Sparkle Time Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, July 6th, I have a guest post by debut author Elisa Bonnin with a giveaway of her YA fantasy Dauntless and my IWSG post 

Monday, July 11th, I have an agent/debut author guest post by Jennifer Unter and Melissa Dassori with a giveaway of Melissa’s contemporary/magical realism JR Silver Writes Her World and a query critique by Jennifer

Wednesday, July 13th, I have an agent spotlight interview with Jazmia Young and a query critique giveaway

Saturday, July 16th, I’m participating in the Hip Hip Hooray Giveaway Hop

Monday, July 18th, I have an interview with debut author M.T. Khan Maaeda and a giveaway of his MG contemporary fantasy Nura and the Immortal Palace

Wednesday, July 20th, I have an agent spotlight interview with Alex Slater and a query critique giveaway

Monday, July 25th, I have an interview with debut author Derrick Chow and a giveaway of his MG retelling Ravenous Things

Hope to see you on Friday!

28 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I haven't read much about WWI either. Great idea to set an MG book during that time period.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

Sounds like a great MG book, Natalie.

Danielle H. said...

I love reading historical middle grade fiction. Thank you for sharing your ARC with one of us! I follow you on Twitter and shared: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/yesreaderwriterpoetmusician/687590216727396352?source=share
https://twitter.com/dhammelef/status/1538899543927947264
https://www.facebook.com/danielle.hammelef/posts/pfbid0Dreq6dfyiAwohRgFNrw9AEkcHQh2qXefdaNXhzYaUXMgSepeHZBPUiXp1Ck3bYNZl

Greg Pattridge said...

I'm a big fan of WWI and WWII books. LINES OF COURAGE is high on my list of books to read this year and your review helped put it there. Thanks for featuring your post on MMGM today.

Valinora Troy said...

Sounds a fascinating story, both the historical period and the fate of 5 lives across separate countries. I am very intrigued to see how she manages to get them to intersect. I must check out this author! Thanks for the review!

Kate Larkindale said...

Sounds like a good read!

Maria Antonia said...

Looking forward to reading this one!

Ann Finkelstein said...

Thanks for the contest, Natalie! I've reserved this book at my library, but the wait is long.

Patricia T. said...

I'm with you! I devour historical fiction about WWII, but have never read anything about WWI. Your review is intriguing and I will add Lines of Courage to my list. My grandfather served in WWI and I know so little.

traveler said...

Lines of Courage sounds captivating and memorable. I have read many novels about WW1 and WW2 . The stories are meaningful, unforgettable and important. Thanks for your fascinating feature.

Liz A. said...

Sounds like a great book. Scary times, though.

Rosi said...

There simply aren't many books for MG about WWI, and I really don't know as much about it as I should. This sounds like a terrific book. I'll look for it. Thanks for the post.

H.R. Bennett said...

I didn't really think about it til you said it, but, yea, WWI books are pretty uncommon in my experience. That said, reading about each of the issues is a bit heart-wrenching because, at the end of the day, these are experiences REAL people dealt with. It's horrific to think about.

ptclayton said...

This sounds just so good and what a better time to read than with July 4th approaching. Thank you for sharing and posting as I received in my email and look forward to reading and reviewing and several sites. peggy clayton

Diane Burton said...

Sounds fascinating. Like you, Natalie, I haven't read very many books set during WWI.

Anita Yancey said...

It sounds like a great story, and I love the history.

Elisa Marks said...

Jennifer Nielsen is one of my kids favorite authors. They love both her historical fiction and fantasy books. This new one looks phenomenal!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great read. Glad you enjoyed it.
Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com

tetewa said...

I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I am fascinated by historical fiction. I read Nielsen's A Night Divided and The Scourge back in 2017, and have several of her newer books on my Scholastic and Amazon wish lists. I teach 6th grade ELA, which her work is perfect for! I now follow you and retweet on Twitter, Natalie.

Anonymous said...

@Mrs_Cs_lessons or cannonslifelessons@gmail.com

Carol Baldwin said...

This sounds like a great book. thanks for entering me.

Nancy P said...

Great cover. Follow on gadget, Twitter.. positive.ideas.4youATgmail.com

Donna K. Weaver said...

Jennifer writes such great stories!

Anonymous said...

Wishing the both of you a creative week.
Sandra.sandracox.blogspot.com

Joyce Ray said...

Natalie, Lines of Courage sounds fantastic. I will check it out. I'm a Twitter follower and I re-tweeted. Good luck to everyone in the arc contest! joyceray at gsinet dot net.

Shannon Lawrence said...

That's a great recommendation! Especially how clean her writing is and how you're able to use it with your own writing. Good luck to her on her release and to you on your writing!

Diane Estrella said...

This is a favorite author of mine. So good. Thanks for the giveaway. I follow on GFC.