I'm Sally Apokedak, and I
live with my son and my
daughter and my old, old
mother, in the lovely city of
Atlanta.
Born to missionary
parents, I spent my early
years in Taiwan. By the time
I was six, I'd been around
the world. The wanderlust
I acquired early followed me
into adult life, taking me to
work in places as far-flung as
Barrow, Alaska, and Santa
Cruz, Bolivia.
My most fulfilling job,
though, was staying home,
taking care of my family. My
husband was a quadriplegic
and we adopted two children.
You can read more about
me on my bio page.
54000 / 80000 words.
68% done on my WIP!
I'm talking about life and
children's books, because
the two seem to get all
tangled up together for me.
I've loved both--the life
and the books--ever since
I was...well...a child.
I review books that I
have bought or borrowed
or begged. Sometimes I
beg them from authors
and publishers.
No matter where I get
books, I always give my
honest opinion when I
write reviews. I am not
qualified to review books,
really. I'm just a reader
with strong opinions. I love
talking about what I read
and want to get others
excited about children's
books, too.
Many links on this blog
lead to Amazon.com. If you
like my reviews and you
click on a book title or
cover picture and then buy
the book (or anything else)
from Amazon, I will get a
small percentage of the
sale price. Feel free to do
that. It helps support my
book-buying habit. I made
about thirty bucks this way
last year.
You’ve already read it! I can’t decide if I should read your review or the book first. Don’t you LOVE how they packaged this one? These illustrators are incredible.
Hey, we are cutting edge here at All About Children’s Books. =0) Of course I’ve alredy read it.
Read the book first and my review later. It’s a very good book. And, yes, it’s beautiful. I love the covers o these books. Can’t wait to see what they come up for the next in the series.
Another OUTSTANDING review. Something about how you write these makes me want to grab my keys, sprint to my car, and head for the nearest bookstore to get a copy and start reading. The ones you’ve recommeded that I’ve read so far have been right on the money, so I know I’ll enjoy this one too.
BTW, are you familiar with Jennie Bishop’s “popular children’s book,” The Squire and the Scroll? She also wrote and is marketing the new book as a companion for boys. It’s supposedly for young readers but is addressing … well, I didn’t listen to enough of Family Life Today to say just what exactly it is addressing. Something along the line of helping boys handle our sex-crazed society.
Anyway, I thought that might be an author you were familiar with, a series you had checked out, and I’m curious what your opinion is.
Becky
OK, leaving this comment because I now have link to add to my sig line! ; D
Never heard of Jennie Bishop but I will check her out.
Very cool sig line, Miller. =0)
Thanks for the review, Sally. You are very astute. Could you send me an email with the location of the typo you found? It can be corrected for future editions (if the book goes back for another printing — here’s hoping!). Those things drive me nuts. A copy editor, myself, and a proofer (at least one) missed it, apparently. Ach.
As far as the sleeping bit. Well, I just got up from a nap. Now I’m excited. Now I’m going back to bed.
Just kidding.
Yeah, keep joking RK. It cost you half a star on All About Children’s Books and a negative review here could really hurt your career, Bubba.
=0)
PS of course it’s going to go back for more printings. It’s a wonderful book–even better than the first.
And I see the cover of book three is getting close to being unveiled. A small picture at the Barbour site but no landon head in the circle at the top yet. Exciting stuff, though. I can’t wait to see it full-blown.
For the millions of others visiting this blog and reading these comments, here’s an update and explanation on the “typo” Sally alluded to.
It wasn’t my fault.
After I had proofed the galleys, someone changed a pronoun to a Proper noun. Problem is, they changed it to the wrong character. Yes, this will lead to confusion.
Regarding Sally’s other complaints, I take full responsibility. I’m working hard to avoid simliar mistakes in my future books in hope of attaining the much-coveted, oft-elusive full fifth star.
I’d like to edit my previous comment to read “similar”, not “simliar”. (Would a simliar be a virtual person who doesn’t tell the truth?)
Thank you and have a nice day.
For the millions of others visiting this blog
Hmm. Do I detect a note of sarcasm in your little note, RK? Have a care, man. I am sure my many loyal readers will not appreciate your making fun of their favorite blogger.
It wasnt my fault.
Mmm hmmm. OK. We believe you, RK.
Im working hard to avoid simliar [sic] mistakes in my future books in hope of attaining the much-coveted, oft-elusive full fifth star.
We are not amused. We predict your third book will get three stars at best. This is NOT because we are vindictive but merely because we are finding you are not as funny as we once thought you were.
heh heh, I, being no proofreader myself, would never have caught the similar typo, but since you were kind enough to point it out I figured I should use the sic deal-y. I often want to use it (I love being obnoxious) but I’m never smart enough to know when someone else is misspelling things or misusing a word or phrase.
Sally, that is sic (sic). Just plain sic (sic).
Great. Now I’ve gone and given myself the hiccoughs (sic).
(Hic)
Hiccups (sic).