Untreed Reads discussion

On day one of the tour Marilyn talks about the ghosts who've kept her company through life:

Though I’ve never met a ghost, I’ve read enough about ghost sightings and hauntings to believe they exist. Experts in the field say some spirits remain earthbound because they’ve experienced a brutal or sudden death and don’t realize they’re dead. Others remain here because they have unfinished business or issues they need to resolve before passing on. Ghosts, whether you believe in them or not, have a permanent place in our literary lore. We find their unnerving if limited manifestations thrilling. Enticing. Among my favorite literary spirits are George and Marion Kirby in TOPPER and the sea captain in THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR.

The guest post and a giveaway are at Queen of All She Reads and you can learn more about Marilyn's work at Untreed Reads.

Getting Back to Normal by Marilyn Levinson:

Sixth-grader Vannie Taylor’s mom has just died. Her father, completely lost without his wife, brings Vannie and her younger brother to live in a dismal cottage on the estate where he manages craft fairs, dinners, and other events. When strange events start happening around the estate, Vannie decides to investigate, and soon discovers a ghost who wants her to help him make amends for something in his past. Vannie’s life is starting to get back to normal, but in a way she’s never imagined.

Recommended for grades 6-8.

Day two of the tour finds Marilyn discussing her reasons for appealing to a younger audience:

Writing about kids keeps me young in spirit and offers me the promise of hope for the human race.

Her guest post is live at Storeybook Reviews.

Today brings an excellent review:

Levinson has the incredible talent of combining life’s lessons with a bit of fun too, as she incorporates boys, ghosts, a runaway little brother, and an old mystery into this well-written story.

Read on at Mommasez.

Marilyn is talking writing and more:

YA books aren’t only for the young. Proof of this are the thousands of adults who have read the Harry Potter series and THE HUNGER GAMES, to name a few. YA protagonists are young, but the themes vary—from adventure to romance, fantasy to realism.

More can be found at Thoughts in Progress.

Things take a spiritual turn today:

I’ve never encountered a ghost, though I’ve read about several ghost appearances, which lead me to believe that ghosts exist. I do believe in reincarnation and I can well imagine entities remaining here on Earth because of unresolved issues.

...and continue at readalot.

Now for a think about engaging younger readers:

In this, the Age of Electronics, kids wants books that grab their attention at the get go and don’t let up till the end. They want an intriguing story written in a smooth, reader-friendly style, populated with easy-to-love and easy-to-hate characters. No sermonizing, no moralizing, no mind-numbing descriptions or explanations. But hidden, like a well-tuned motor, the book’s theme drives the plot, leaving memories for years to come. A good book for young readers lives on indefinitely, regardless of the year in which it was written.

More Marilyn and a review at A Chick Who Reads.

In case you had any doubts whether this is a good read or not:

This is an entertaining story that reads quickly. I kept wanting to read ‘just a little more’ before putting it down.

The review continues at Brooke Blogs.

And finally one last review and giveaway:

I wish I had young children to share this book with. I would love for them to meet these characters and interrupt me when I’m busy to exclaim about something that happened in the book.

Catch the caboose at fuonlyknew.