Book Review, Interview and Giveaway for The Fourth Wish by Elizabeth Varaden

The Fourth Wish by Elizabeth Varaden

CreateSpace

Ages 9-12

210 Pages

ISBN# 978-1440413063

Children’s Chapter Book

Elizabeth Varadan is a retired teacher who lives in Sacramento with her husband and their loveable mutt, Cezar. Her story, "Golden Eggs and a Silvery Voice" appeared in the April, 2008 issue of Ladybug. Her adult stories have appeared in The Rockford Review, Word Riot, Art Times, Long Story Short, Flash Me Magazine, Epiphany, Melic Review, Whim's Place, Laughter Loaf, C-Oasis, and Banyon Review. She is currently working on a historical juvenile that involves a ghost and a time fantasy that involves the Olympic Games.

The Fourth Wish is a tale woven with a combination of magic, family and fun.

Melanie, along with her brother Cory, sister Erin and their neighbor Arthur, decide to go to a magic show where The Great Mondo was going to perform his latest tricks. On the way to the show, the children run into someone unexpected, a Mrs. Seraphina. She was a little old lady who was crossing the street when her grocery bag broke. The children help her and that’s where their problems begin.

For helping her, Mrs. Seraphina gives each child a wish in a box, but they must each agree on the wish. The first wish was given to Cory who wished that The Great Mondo could do real tricks. After the wish was made, Mrs. Seraphina abruptly disappears and the children are left to wonder. When they arrive at the magic show, all seems normal, until The Great Mondo can actually read minds, especially Cory’s. Then rabbits run all over the place out of Mondo’s hat, the owner of the establishment levitates above the crowd, many other weird things happen. The children realize that their wish had come true. Who was this Mrs. Seraphina? They didn’t know, but what they did know was that she had some unspeakable power.

As the story continues realizations about her begin to unfold, yet she is also left more into mystery. Melanie makes her wish, to return everything back to the way it was. In her heart she means that more than just one way. Melanie’s parents were divorced and her father rarely talked to them anymore. Her own life needed fixing, there was no doubt, but she decided to fix Mondo’s life instead. However, her wish changed Mondo’s life back to what it was before his big magic show break—he was a taxi driver in a job he didn’t like. That made for more new problems and feelings. Erin’s wish was next, but being the youngest in the group, she enjoyed food, so she wished for a Ka-Billion Crullers (which are like donuts), down at Daisy Donuts. Though her wish caused these crullers to just about fill up the restaurant, it also gave them some much needed publicity.

Now it was Arthur’s turn to make a wish, but what will that wish be? Mondo’s life needing fixing, but so did the groups in different ways. Was this going to be the ending that Mrs. Seraphina was secretly going for? And what lessons will the children learn?

Children from the ages of 9-12 are going to enjoy this 210 page chapter book. It is entertaining and hard to put down. The reader will be consumed in finding out what each child’s wish is going to be and why they make it. Children are sometimes so consumed in their own lives that they don’t see the bigger scheme of things. Children will be lured in by the mysteriousness of Mrs. Seraphina and her intentions, and wonder if they will ever see her again. The story has a moral, of course, and the children realize that things are meant to work out the way they are supposed to, and sometimes it’s for the better, even though at the time, it may not seem that way. Many problems will be solved and it all started with just one wish.

Check out Elizabth on todays radio show at http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 6:30pm EST. She will also be anwering questions here and offering a giveaway for her book. In order to participate readers must belong to my blog through GFC as well as through Elizabeth's blog at
http://elizabethvaradansfourthwish.blogspot.com

Thank you everyone for your participation.

Some Upcoming Guests For My Children's Radio Show

Look for these wonderful author's on Stories From Unknown Author's Radio Show in the next few weeks.Today at 6:30pm EST, I will be talking about these authors and to explain more about what my children's radio show is about. I hope you'll join in. 

Thursday September 8^th at 6:30pm EST

Nicole Weaver author of My Birthday is on September 11^th and Other Short Stories this is a story for teens and tweens.

Bio:

Nicole weaver was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti. She came to the United States when she was ten years old. She is fluent in Creole, French, Spanish and English. She is a veteran teacher of French and Spanish. Her second children's trilingual book titled: My Sister is My Best Friend will be published by Guardian Angel Publishing. She is also the author of a children's trilingual picture book titled : Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle. The story is about a Haitian little girl who resided by the beach in Haiti.

Summary

Growing up is filled with new experiences and they partner emotions. Our trials in life teach us compassion and help us to empathize with others. Our difficulties make us who we are, helping each of us to find our place in the world.

In this collection of short stories, simple acts of kindness make a world of difference in the lives of individuals. The theme of compassion weaves through all five stories, inspiring readers to discover this important lesson in life; we were created to help others.

My Birthday is September Eleven- A story about a boy who was born on 9/11. When the reader steps into the world of Matthew he or she will recognize the undercurrent of mourning that will help all to never forget 9/11.

Zebra Boy – A biracial boy is spared further teasing when his best friend comes to his rescue.

The Good Samaritan – A group of fifth-graders raise funds to help a fellow classmate who needs money for a life-saving surgery.

No More Hunger – Ronald, a Haitian boy whose village was virtually wiped out by a devastating hurricane, becomes a victim of abject poverty. He is later rescued when the well-respected Madame Wilson takes it upon herself to nourish him back to health.

A New Life – A biracial boy experiences many hardships before being adopted by a caring couple.

 These are some great stories to look forward to. Her blog is http://mybirthdayiseptembereleven.blogspot.com for anyone who is interested in learning more about Nicole and her new book.

 Tuesday September 13^th at 6:30pm

Elizabeth Varadan author of The Fourth Wish-this is a middle grade novel

Bio:

Elizabeth Varadan is a retired teacher who lives in Sacramento with her husband and their loveable mutt, Cezar. Her story, "Golden Eggs and a Silvery Voice" appeared in the April, 2008 issue of Ladybug. Her adult stories have appeared in The Rockford Review, Word Riot, Art Times, Long Story Short, Flash Me Magazine, Epiphany, Melic Review, Whim's Place, Laughter Loaf, C-Oasis, and Banyon Review. She is currently working on a historical juvenile that involves a ghost and a time fantasy that involves the Olympic Games.

Eleven-year-old Melanie persuades her brother, Cory, and their little sister, Erin to go to a magic show. Arthur, their pesky neighbor, joins them, a recipe for disaster. They encounter Mrs. Seraphina, who claims she can grant wishes. Erin mentions all the magic The Great Mondo will do at the show. Cory says, "I wish he could...." The four children are soon running from Mondo, after he is fired for creating a stampede of rabbits and making the theater manager really float. At Daisy's Do-nuts, they worry how to undo the wish. When Mrs. Seraphina shows up, one wish leads to another. Mondo ends up driving a cab. Daisy's Do-nuts is on the evening news. Melanie is sick of wishes. She has other worries--the new boy in sixth grade; her parents' divorce; the fact that Mondo is giving her mother rides home from work. Ultimately Melanie learns the difference between "cool" and reality, tricks and magic, and what makes a real family.

 Visit her blog at: http://elizabethvaradansfourthwish.blogspot.com

September 19^th at 6:30pm EST

Britt Menzies StinkyKids Series ---StinkyKids and the runaway scissors. This is a colorful picture book for children.

Britt Menzies is a mother, a wife, and an artist with a flair for fashion and originality. Britt is the founder, creator and the spirit behind StinkyKids™. Inspired by her own two beautiful StinkyKids, Britt is constantly evolving the concept to make it the quintessential wearable art.

Along with the full-time duties of being a stay-at-home mom, Britt is an active volunteer with Books, Bears and Bonnets, Inc. a non-profit organization founded by her mother in memory of Britt’s aunt who died of uterine cancer. Books, Bears, and Bonnets, Inc. provides whimsical gift boxes to courageous children and adults fighting cancer and other serious illnesses. A portion of the proceeds from StinkyKids is donated directly to this worthwhile charity. See www.booksbearsbonnets.org for more information.

Summary:

Meet the StinkyKids®, a diverse group of 10 “little stinKers,” each with their own unique qualities. The StinkyKids series helps children learn to make right choices and reminds them to “Always Be A Leader Of Good.” Their heartwarming, funny and real–life adventures capture the true innocence of childhood and the lessons we learned through our mistakes—when we were just StinkyKids® ourselves.

Saturday was Britt’s favorite day. It was the day Britt had a playdate with her friends Hannah, Max and Julie. But this Saturday Britt had a secret. A secret she didn’t want to tell her mommy and daddy. A secret that could stop her favorite playdate from happening!


The “little stinKers” try their best to help Britt with her secret. Along the way, they learn that sometimes secrets need a parent’s help to solve.


Her website is www.stinkykids.com




September 27^th at 7pm EST


Larry Peterson author of Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes" is also a picture book for children.


Bio


Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. "Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes" is his first children's book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years.

Summary:

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Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the "stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world." Discover how sometimes we worry about things about ourselves when actually there is nothing to worry about in the first place. Larry's website is http://www.slipperywillie.com We have many books that send out great messages to children as well as to parents. We have more authors being added to the show daily, here is just a few that are coming up. In October we have several more authors on the show so make sure you listen for that and check out my site for the show at  http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors and become a follower. For more information about my interactive mysteries please check out my website at www.reneeahand.com and if you want to be on the show and like what you hear, you can e-mail me at thecryptocapersseries@gmail.com to schedule an interview. Thanks everyone.

Book Review for The Fourth Wish by Elizabeth Varaden

The Fourth Wish by Elizabeth Varaden

CreateSpace

Ages 9-12  

210 Pages

ISBN# 978-1440413063

Children’s Chapter Book    

Elizabeth Varadan is a retired teacher who lives in Sacramento with her husband and their loveable mutt, Cezar. Her story, "Golden Eggs and a Silvery Voice" appeared in the April, 2008 issue of Ladybug. Her adult stories have appeared in The Rockford Review, Word Riot, Art Times, Long Story Short, Flash Me Magazine, Epiphany, Melic Review, Whim's Place, Laughter Loaf, C-Oasis, and Banyon Review. She is currently working on a historical juvenile that involves a ghost and a time fantasy that involves the Olympic Games. 

The Fourth Wish is a tale woven with a combination of magic, family and fun. 

Melanie, along with her brother Cory, sister Erin and their neighbor Arthur, decide to go to a magic show where The Great Mondo was going to perform his latest tricks. On the way to the show, the children run into someone unexpected, a Mrs. Seraphina. She was a little old lady who was crossing the street when her grocery bag broke. The children help her and that’s where their problems begin.

For helping her, Mrs. Seraphina gives each child a wish in a box, but they must each agree on the wish. The first wish was given to Cory who wished that The Great Mondo could do real tricks. After the wish was made, Mrs. Seraphina abruptly disappears and the children are left to wonder. When they arrive at the magic show, all seems normal, until The Great Mondo can actually read minds, especially Cory’s. Then rabbits run all over the place out of Mondo’s hat, the owner of the establishment levitates above the crowd, many other weird things happen. The children realize that their wish had come true. Who was this Mrs. Seraphina? They didn’t know, but what they did know was that she had some unspeakable power.  

 As the story continues realizations about her begin to unfold, yet she is also left more into mystery. Melanie makes her wish, to return everything back to the way it was. In her heart she means that more than just one way. Melanie’s parents were divorced and her father rarely talked to them anymore. Her own life needed fixing, there was no doubt, but she decided to fix Mondo’s life instead. However, her wish changed Mondo’s life back to what it was before his big magic show break—he was a taxi driver in a job he didn’t like. That made for more new problems and feelings. Erin’s wish was next, but being the youngest in the group, she enjoyed food, so she wished for a Ka-Billion Crullers (which are like donuts), down at Daisy Donuts. Though her wish caused these crullers to just about fill up the restaurant, it also gave them some much needed publicity. 

Now it was Arthur’s turn to make a wish, but what will that wish be? Mondo’s life needing fixing, but so did the groups in different ways. Was this going to be the ending that Mrs. Seraphina was secretly going for? And what lessons will the children learn?  

Children from the ages of 9-12 are going to enjoy this 210 page chapter book. It is entertaining and hard to put down. The reader will be consumed in finding out what each child’s wish is going to be and why they make it. Children are sometimes so consumed in their own lives that they don’t see the bigger scheme of things. Children will be lured in by the mysteriousness of Mrs. Seraphina and her intentions, and wonder if they will ever see her again. The story has a moral, of course, and the children realize that things are meant to work out the way they are supposed to, and sometimes it’s for the better, even though at the time, it may not seem that way. Many problems will be solved and it all started with just one wish.