Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Speed of Life by Carol WestonSpeed of Life by Carol Weston

Thanks to Katie Schnack of Smith Publicity, Inc, I am giving away one print copy of Speed of Life by Carol Weston.

Description of Speed of Life by Carol Weston

What happens when the keeper of your most embarrassing secrets starts dating your dad?

Sofia wonders if 14 might be the worst possible age to lose your mom. Talking with her dad about puberty and s-e-x is super-awkward (even though he is a gynecologist). And when she wants to talk about her mom, her friends don’t know what to say and her dad gets sad.

When Sofia discovers Dear Kate, an advice columnist from Fifteen magazine, she’s grateful to have someone to confide in about everything from crushes to mourning—someone who is completely, wonderfully anonymous. It feels ideal—until Sofia’s dad introduces her to his new girlfriend, Katherine Baird, a.k.a., Dear Kate…

Praise for Speed of Life by Carol Weston

“The multicultural cast is led by the completely likable Sofia, whose mother was Spanish and whose abuelo’s comforting presence remains across the ocean. Her story has no fast, easy answers, but there is a clear message that while time does not necessarily heal, it helps. The advice of not to fall too hard, too fast, or too far is real, not preachy. Complex characters and a strong voice make this one stand out.” – Kirkus, starred review

“Sofia’s growth-amid unexpected interest from boys, her first relationship, new additions to her family, and grief-is both relatable and moving.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This slice-of-life story echoes the author’s own experience as a teen magazine advice columnist and addresses all sorts of issues: death, grieving, moving, parental dating, parental sexuality, stepsibling conflict, new schools, self-esteem, and relationships. This refreshing work tackles a lot of themes, but eventually Sofia does get to a better place…Weston isn’t afraid to tackle the squirm-inducing questions common to high school freshmen too embarrassed to seek sound information from reliable sources.” – School Library Journal, starred review

“Carol Weston’s novel takes place over the course of a year, allowing readers to see how much Sofia changes as time goes by.” – Bookish 

About Carol WestonSpeed of Life by Carol Weston

Carol has been “Dear Carol” at Girls’ Life since 1994. Her first book, GIRLTALK (HarperCollins) was translated into 12 languages. A Yale grad with an M.A. from Middlebury, Carol has been a guest on Today and The View and loves visiting schools. The author of The Diary of Melanie Martin series (Knopf), her fan page is: www.facebook.com/writercarolweston. She posts helpful videos at www.youtube.com/girltalkwithcarol. She and her husband live in NYC, and have two daughters and a cat.

Giveaway of Speed of Life by Carol Weston

This giveaway is open to Canada and the U.S. only and ends on April 28, 2017 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

girlwhocamebacktolife_cover_highresBook Description:

Publisher: Create Space  (April 16, 2014)
ISBN: 978-1497532731
Category: Fantasy, Magic, Fairytale
Tour Date: October, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 180 Pages

“When you die, your spirit wakes in the north, in the City of the Dead. There, you wander the cold until one of your living loved ones finds you, says “Goodbye,” and Sends you to the next world.

After her parents die, 12-year-old Sophie refuses to release their spirits. Instead, she resolves to travel to the City of the Dead to bring her mother and father’s spirits back home with her.

Taking the long pilgrimage north with her gruff & distant grandmother—by train, by foot, by boat; over ruined mountains and plains and oceans—Sophie struggles to return what death stole from her. Yet the journey offers her many hard, unexpected lessons—what to hold on to, when to let go, and who she must truly bring back to life.”

My Thoughts:

I haven’t read many fairytales in my adult life however, when I read the description of this book, something told me I should give it a try.  I am so glad I did!

Sophie is a 12 year old girl whose parents died and is now living with her grandmother.   Her grandmother is quite cold towards her and does little for her.  She knows that she needs to somehow make her way to the “City of the Dead”.  However, instead of  saying “Goodbye” to send her parents to the next world, she plans to bring them back to life.

Sophie’s grandmother also need to make her trip to the “City of the Dead” to say goodbye to her husband.  However, she told Sophie that she could come with only if she could pay her own way.  So Sophie finds a job at the same bakery her Grandmother works at.

Sophie and her grandmother finally start on the long, dangerous journey and face many challenges along the way.  Do they make it to the ‘City of the Dead” and does Sophie bring her parents back to life?  You will have to read the book to find out.

‘The Girl That Came Back to Life’ has an early 1900’s feel to me, though the time is not know.  However, there were motor vehicles in it, buses and trucks.  I loved how Staufenberg describes the vast landscape from the small village to the City of the Dead. 

At times the story takes a dark tone but I loved following Sophie through her journey and seeing her grow as a human being.   You could also call this book a come of age story.

I found the plot to be unique and the characters fresh and well fleshed out.  This is a book aimed at middle grade to young adult but I think it is great for adults as well.  I highly recommend ‘The Girl Who Comes Back to Life’!

5/5

I received the ebook for my honest review.

About Craig Staufenberg:

Craig Staufenberg is a writer and filmmaker living in NYC.

Website: http://craigstaufenberg.com/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/YouMakeArtDumb
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com
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Buy ‘The Girl Who Came Back to Life’:

Amazon
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Book Depository

Would you like to try to win a print or ebook copy of the book?  I still have a giveaway open here: https://theteddyrosebookreviewsplusmore.com/2014/09/giveaway-the-girl-who-came-back-to-life-by-craig-staufenberg.html

Hurry, this giveaway ends at 12 midnight on November 22, 2014.