IMAGINATION AND PAS DE DEUX LEAP IN MUSIC BOXES, A MIDDLE GRADE FANTASY BY TONJA DRECKER

Imagination and pas de deux leap in Music Boxes, a middle grade fantasy by Tonja Drecker

2/22/2019

How about an adventure to set your young reader's heart dancing in a positive way? I am excited to tell you about a new middle-grade page-turning fantasy. Music Boxes, by Tonja Drecker.

Read on to preview Drecker's book, catch a brilliant video trailer, meet the author, and read my review. Plus, you can enter for your chance to win books, swag, and a $10US Amazon gift card in a Rafflecopter giveaway that runs from midnight (EST), 21 February 2019 until midnight (EST) 15 March 2019 (open in US only). Good luck and happy tales!

ABOUT THE BOOK

I only desire your talent...

Twelve-year-old Lindsey McKay's biggest dream is to be a famous ballerina. But after moving to New York, she ends up at the Community Center with a teacher who is a burly bear in tights.
When she meets Madame Destinee, the teacher of a top dance school who offers her classes for free, Lindsey can't believe her luck. In exchange, she must perform in exclusive midnight shows, ones sure to make her a star. But something is not right

One by one, the other dancers disappear. Each time they do, a music box with a figurine just like the missing ballerina joins Madame's growing collection. If Lindsey does not discover the truth about the dance school, she might end up a tiny figurine herself.

Title: Music Boxes | Author: Tonja Drecker | Publication Date: March 2019 | Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press, LLC | Pages: 155 | Recommended Ages: 9-12

Amazon US * Barnes & Noble * Kobo
ISBN-10: 1939844568
ISBN-13: 978-1939844569

MY REVIEW
Suspense kicks in from the start with the cast of characters as Lyndsey bumps into Madame Destinee. You know something's up right away as the teacher promises a successful dance career, BUT only if Lyndsey attends midnight lessons at Madameâ€™s ballet school. The school is populated with other tween dancers to serve up juicy rounds of adolescent insecurities and friendships.

The author sprinkles humor and perfect tween-sized romantic tension between Lindsey and her attractive dance partner, Robert. I chuckled over one cute scene as Robert recalls his flubbed pas de deux with Lindsey:

Pas de huh!

Madame's dog, Broussard, adds his doggy humor and canine wisdom by providing clues to the mystery behind Destinee's music box collection.

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â€‹Remember fights you had growing up with your siblings? (Come on ... you know you had a few!)

Alternating dynamics of love and jealousy between sisters Lindsey and Bridget give an authentic, age-appropriate feel to sibling conflicts while also portraying positivity.

No spoilers here about the clever connections between young dancers, Madame Destinee, and the music boxes. To be honest, I re-read the fanciful resolution a few times because I didn't catch on to its creative details right away.

However, the author reveals all in the end and delivers a satisfying conclusion

MY RECOMMENDATION
This imaginative tale for upper-elementary graders delivers fantasy and mystery while underscoring the importance of career dreams, friendship and kindness. I highly recommend Music Boxes for children in grades 3-6. A must-read for kids who love ballet!

MEET THE AUTHOR

Tonja Drecker is a writer, blogger, childrenâ€™s book reviewer and freelance translator.

After spending years in Germany exploring forgotten castles, she current resides in the Ozarks (the US Midwest) with her family of six.

When not tending her chickens and cows, sheâ€™s discovering new adventures, nibbling chocolate and sipping a cup of tea.

Disclosure: I was given an advance review copy of this book and wish to share an honest, unbiased opinion of my reading experience.

Giveaway

The giveaway will run from midnight (EST) on the night of February 21^st, 2019 until midnight (EST) on the night of March 15^th, 2019. Entries will be made through the Rafflecopter. One winner will receive a music box (the one found in the book video: https://youtu.be/ww_RY4IVg3w) with the authorâ€™s golden signature on the bottom as well as swag (US addresses only). The second winner will receive an Amazon GC of $10 (US). The second winner must be in possession of a qualifying US Amazon account.

The contest is open to U.S. residents only, ages eighteen and over. No purchase is required for entry. All winners must claim their prize 48 hours after notification. Winners will be announced on www.tonjadrecker.blogspot.com on Saturday, March 16t^h 2019 by 10:00am (EST). All addresses and personal information will be used only for prize allocation. Sponsor, Tonja Drecker, assumes no responsibility or liability of any kind. Please email all questions to [email protected].

a Rafflecopter giveaway