Author Marlane Kennedy's The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes

The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes by Marlane Kennedy is an excellent book. I love this book because its so unpredictable. About halfway through I was sure I had the ending totally figured out and I almost stopped reading it. What a mistake that would have been!!! :-) But, something about the way Marlane puts the story together kept me going. Thank Goodness!! This book is about a girl named Charlotte and a dog named Beauguard. Now, Charlotte , unfortunately, doesn't exactly love dogs. But this one needs her help. When her dad tries to sell the dog she wants to make sure it gets a great home after its lack of loving with her family so she tells her dad that she will buy him. But where will she get the money?? You'll have to read to find out!!

Readin' Like Crazy,

~Bookgirl~

My Interview with Marlane Kennedy

This is my Interview with Marlane Kennedy about her book The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes. Below in the bold, blue type are the seven questions I asked Marlane her answers follow in green!

What was your inspiration for writing a book about St. Bernard’s / Dog adoption? About 4 years ago I was looking out the passenger side widow as my husband drove. I happened to see a St. Bernard in someone's yard. He was chained up and had his head on his paws and wore the saddest expression. I have always had a soft spot for St. Bernards. I had one growing up and she was the sweetest dog, so the image of this dog's sad face stuck with me long after we passed by. I tried to convince myself that he was a well cared for dog--that maybe being chained up was a temporary thing and he would be lavished with attention soon. But unfortunately, I know sometimes dogs on chains end up with little in the way of companionship or attention from their owners. My worry and wondering about the dog soon was channeled into a story that became The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes.

Do you have a dog now?

Yes, I have a chocolate lab named Carl. He is huge--a little over a hundred pounds--but not quite as big as a St. Bernard!

Is everyone in the story made up or are some characters real? Everyone is made up. I seem to have more fun with my characters that way. Though perhaps little bits and pieces of people I've come across end up tossed into the mix.

What would you say the age level for this book is?

8-12 years olds--though I'm hoping parents and adults will enjoy the story, too, if they have the chance to read it.

Where can kids like me buy this book? If your local bookstore doesn't have it on the shelf, they should easily be able to order in a copy for you. It is also available online through Amazon.com, Barners and Noble, and many other online retailers that sell books.

Do you do school visits?

Yes, I love doing school visits. It is wonderful having the chance to interact with my readers! I have been able to travel to all sorts of neat places this past year and it is great to meet teachers and librarians, too.

Signature Question:
What is your favorite book that you remember reading when you were little? Oh, I can't pick just one. Impossible for me to do. I will tell you when I first started reading independently I loved the Nancy Drew andTrixie Belden mysteriers. In upper elementary I devoured and was fascinated by A Wrinkle in Time. A favorite from my junior high years was The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. And in my late teens, I was absolutely swept away by Jacob Have I Loved.

These question were answer by Marlane Kennedy, Author and great friend!

Don't forget to pick up her books The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes and Me And The Pumpkin Queen.

Readin' like crazy,

~Bookgirl~

Author Interview

In a few days I will be posting my Interview with Author Marlane Kennedy live on my blog. I have been contacting her via email and she has very kindly agreed to appear on B.A. Reader! She wrote The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes and Me and the Pumpkin Queen. Since I'm going to interview her I'm going to be doing a special review on The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes. Her website is http://www.marlanekennedy.com/ and she has a linkto where you can email her! I am very excited and I would like to thank Marlane once again for doing this!

Readin' like crazy,

~Bookgirl~

P.S. Marlane lives in Centerville. Which is where the Giant pumpkin show is. This is a picture of Marlane and a HUGE pumpkin!

Book(s) of February

Since the Harry Potter books are so long the book(s) of February are going to be Harry Potter books (1-3).

In the first book (Sorcerer's Stone) An eleven year old learns that he is a wizard and has been accepted Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a school for young witches and wizards. He also learns of his horrific past with a powerful Dark wizard named Voldemort.

In book two the myth of The Chamber of Secrets comes true when many students are petrified and young Ginny Weasly is taken in to the chamber. Hermione helps to figure out what kind of creature lives in the chamber and how it petrifies people.

In book three Harry learns about an Askaban escapee named Sirius Black. Harry is warned that Sirius wants to kill Harry but in the end learns that Sirius is Harry's godfather.

I am in the middle of book four!

~Bookgirl~

Book of January

Sometime in the month of January I started Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery by John Feinstein so it is going to be my Book of January. I liked this book because John Feinstein gave it many themes to keep both girls and boys interested. It takes place at the Final Four and is centered around men's Basketball. Two kids win a writing contest and as their prize they get to follow around two sports reporters the whole time. But when they over hear a player being Blackmailed their whole world gets turned upside down. Who is going to believe two twelve year olds? If your like this book I also Highly recommend the other two books in the series. Vanishing Act: Mystery at the U.S. Open and Cover Up : Mystery at the Superbowl.

~Bookgirl~

Winter Reads Book #2

Although a smaller book ,If You're Missing Baby Jesus, Is a wholesome story that is great for telling on those cold nights in the Christmas season! This book is about a family who buys a manger scene That includes two Baby Jesus figurines. The mother is convinced that this means one of the other sets down at the store is Missing Baby Jesus. So, she sent her boys back to the store with a sign that says "If you're missing Baby Jesus call this number" I'm going to leave they end a secret because it is so good.

~Bookgirl~

Time Flies!!

Oh where , Oh where has the precious time gone! Its nearly Spring! I have been BUSY! On December 27th my mom , her two sisters, my four younger girl cousins , our six American Girl Dolls, and I embarked on a journey to The Windy City. Me, coming from a small , rural town in Ohio was absolutely amazed by what Chicago had to offer. I was also quite alarmed at the huge amount of traffic , considering I had never seen a parking meter in my life! We all came home with many enjoyable experiences including eating at Pizzeria Due and The American Girl Cafe.

Since then I have been busy with school and TONS of reading! Three days ago my mom passed her sinus infection to me. So what does one do when they are sick? READS! I have many books to blog about

Reading until I blog again,

~Bookgirl~