This post is sponsored by Rebecca Laxton. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry
Written by Rebecca Laxton
Illustrated by Gracie Laxton
Ages 10+ | 252 Pages
Publisher: Warren Publishing, Inc | ISBN-13: 9781960146236
Publisher’s Book Summary: Thirteen-year-old Emma Murry has three goals for summer vacation: finish her art terms project, land an ollie, and help the environmental club save the monarchs.
But then her Instagram crush Jeb Scott and his celebrity dad Chester make a surprise visit to Black Mountain. At first, Emma is thrilled, but then she overhears their plans to destroy the monarch butterfly garden to build a ski resort. She and her best friend Sophie add a new summer goal: STOP. THE. SCOTTS.
Emma ignores Sophie’s warnings and makes friends with Jeb, convinced she can change his mind. Then when Chester receives a mysterious death threat, Emma teams up with Jeb to investigate. She slowly discovers people are not what they seem as she attempts to untangle friendships, organize a protest, and uncover supernatural secrets hiding on the mountain.
Emma will have to go through her own metamorphosis by overcoming her fears and facing what she dreads. If she fails, she could jeopardize everything—butterflies, friendships, and her family.
PURCHASE LINKS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rebecca Laxton has served school communities as an afterschool program director, reading specialist, and school psychologist. While working for Boone County Schools, she was named the Kentucky School Psychologist of the Year for collaborating with teachers and administrators to write and evaluate an emotional intelligence curriculum.
Rebecca is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Charlotte Literary Arts, and the North Carolina Writers Association. Her short memoir, “Throw Like a Girl,” about playing on a mostly boys Little League team can be found in The Love of Baseball (McFarland 2017). Currently, she is a dyslexia practitioner and enjoys reading, writing and spending time in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband, four kids, and three dogs.
Rebecca invites you to visit her online at www.rebeccalaxton.com.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Gracie Laxton is a freelance graphic designer and dance choreographer from North Carolina but is currently based in New York City. A 2021 graduate of Central Academy of Technology and Arts in Monroe, NC, she studied art as part of The Savannah College of Art and Design’s high school joint enrollment program. Currently, she attends Marymount Manhattan College, pursuing degrees in dance and art.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry
Written by Rebecca Laxton
Illustrations by Gracie Laxton
Thirteen-year-old Emma Laxton plans three goals for her summer. Emma needs to complete an art project, perfect her skateboarding skills, and plant a garden for the migrating monarch butterflies. She is spending the summer at Black Mountain with her family and best friend, Sophie.
Things rapidly get complicated when the Scotts come into town with a plan to develop a ski resort that will endanger the eco system. To make matters worse, young Jeb Scott develops a romantic interest in Emma. She is determined to get closer to Jeb to derail their family’s plans.
The dialogue in this novel fits perfectly with the characters who represent coming of age teens struggling to find their own identity and express their interests within their communities. Laxton manages to teach art lessons through her chapter introductions. That is an unexpected bonus to reading this novel. This book covers topics that may be of particular interest to middle grade and young adult audiences. I learned about the ollie in the art of skateboarding and the world of the monarch butterflies. The elements of a budding romance and hints of the supernatural keep the plot unpredictable and appealing to a struggling, coming of age audience.
The book kept a baby-boomer engaged; I predict that it will be a page-turner for the targeted pre-teen and young adult audience.
GIVEAWAY
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
A SWAG bag that includes:
– A signed hardcover copy of The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry
– A tote, puzzle, word search, small skateboard sticker, small butterfly sticker, and large vinyl butterfly sticker made with the illustrator’s graphics.
Five (4) winners receive:
– A signed paperback copy of The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
https://gleam.io/SL3tu/the-metamorphosis-of-emma-murry-book-giveaway
TOUR SCHEDULE
| Monday, April 17, 2023The Children’s Book ReviewA book review of The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry |
| Tuesday, April 18, 2023The Momma SpotA book review of The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry |
| Wednesday, April 19, 2023Life Is What It’s CalledAuthor interview with Rebecca Laxton |
| Thursday, April 20, 2023My Reading GetawayA book review of The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry |
| Friday, April 21, 2023Heart to HeartAuthor interview with Rebecca Laxton |
| Monday, April 23, 2023Barbara Ann MojicaA book review of The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry |
| Tuesday, April 24, 2023Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersAn article by Rebecca Laxton |
| Wednesday, April 25, 2023icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review of The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry |
| Thursday, April 26, 2023Cover Lover Book ReviewAuthor interview with Rebecca Laxton |
| Friday, April 27, 2023The Fairview ReviewA book review of The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry |
| Monday, April 30, 2023The Children’s Book ReviewAuthor interview with Rebecca Laxton |
| Wednesday, May 10, 2023Confessions of a Book AddictA book giveaway of The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry |
April 23, 2023
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