Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Stranded on Castaway Island by Amy C. Laundrie. This book tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book as well as a great guest post from the author. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the tour for more content. Enjoy!
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Author: Amy C. Laundrie
Publisher: Three Towers Press
Publication Date: April 2nd 2022
Print Length: 199 pages
Genre: Middle Grade / Young Adult Contemporary Fiction
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On a remote island with only a herd of wild horses for company, two ex-best friends struggle to survive but soon realize they’re not alone.
After a sudden storm turned what should have been a quick boat ride into a nightmare, Annie is shipwrecked on a remote island near Nova Scotia with her ex-best friend Mirra. Learning to survive together would have been easier if they could get along--not possible after the hurtful words neither can forget. Annie and Mirra's only company is a herd of wild horses--or that's what the 14-year-old girls think at first. But when they discover still warm embers from a campfire and man-sized footprints, they know they're not alone.
**The eBook is on sale for $0.99.**
Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble *
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EXCERPT:
When my arm slashed towards the shark’s eye, it was unbelievably strong and dead-on. I pierced that eye, hearing a popping sound a millisecond before I realized my mistake. The angry shark thrashed its tail so hard it launched the flimsy raft out of the water. Airborne, we spun, landing hard, half the raft dipping into the water, ocean slurping in.
“Bail!” I called to Mirra.
She cupped her hands and frantically flung water. Still clutching the knife, I searched for the shark. A swirl and . . . Whoosh! The shark’s tail slapped at the raft sending us spinning again. One more slap, seeming like a desperate last attempt. I held my breath and, Yes! The dorsal fin darted away.
Mirra’s gasping breaths and her eyes, wide and swimming with terror, made me realize this wasn’t a scene from a movie. This had really happened. My whole body shook. I tried to keep watching in case the shark returned, but I knew I was too shaky to do anything if it did.
As the raft rocked like a baby’s cradle, I longed to have my father’s strong arms around me. But I didn’t have his arms. I only had mine.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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Amy C. Laundrie writes about nature and animals and spends way too much time imagining what it would be like to survive on a remote island. STRANDED ON CASTAWAY ISLAND, for middle grade and young adults, is her 11th books. She also has picture books, middle-grade chapter books, and an adult memoir. She’s a columnist and her memoir, LAUGH, CRY, REFLECT: STORIES FROM A JOYFUL HEART is a compilation of her favorite pieces.
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GUEST POST:
I was a fourth-grade teacher for over 30 years and love the energy young people bring to the world. Because I spent so much time with middle-grade students, I find it easy to get in their heads and craft authenticate sounding dialogue. I also empathize with what they go through--whether it's bullying, loss of friendships, or trying to figure out life.
This knowledge helped me write STRANDED ON CASTAWAY ISLAND, the story of two ex-best friends who wash up on an uninhabited, remote island and are forced to rely on each other for survival. Learning to survive together would have been easier if they could get along--not possible after the hurtful words neither can forget. Annie and Mirra's only company is a herd of wild horses--or that's what the 14-year-old girls think at first. But when they discover still warm embers from a campfire and man-sized footprints, they know they're not alone. Someone is watching them. Why is he hiding? Why doesn't he help them? When he does reveal himself, their hearts break for him, leaving them feeling more stranded than before.
Midwest Book Review has this to say: “A skillfully crafted novel by an author with a genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative driven storytelling that holds the reader's engaged attention from beginning to end, "Stranded On Castaway Island" by Amy Laundrie is an extraordinarily entertaining read, and one that is especially appropriate and recommended for middle school, high school, and community library contemporary YA Fiction collections.”
I recently had a super fun time at an event for STRANDED ON CASTAWAY ISLAND. Nearly 50 kids attended. Here is one of the comments I received from middle-grade author, Gayle Rosengren. “Laundrie's presentations captivate even the most restless youngsters. Her enthusiasm and excitement are irresistible. A sentence or two from her and the audience is hushed and focused on every word and gesture. And this is just the beginning, because Laundrie's presentation is followed by a variety of hands-on activities that reinforce the concepts she just shared. Make a fishing pole from scraps found on the beach? You bet! Build a shelter from next to nothing? Or a fire without a match? Absolutely! Laundrie's passion ignites the excitement and creativity of her listeners in the best possible way. Highly recommended.”
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GIVEAWAY:
Amy Laundrie will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!
(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility over this giveaway.)
Thank you, All the Ups and Downs, for featuring STRANDED ON CASTAWAY ISLAND, the book of my heart. It's taken 30 years to bring this one to life, but the wait has been worth it. Castaway Island is based on Sable Island which is 90 miles from Halifax, Nova Scotia. This fall I get to visit the area. I'll be watching for any signs of Annie, Mirra, the "watcher," or Sea Stallion.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, and thank you for sharing your story! Thirty years is a long time! I'm glad you were finally able to get it out there. =)
DeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a terrific read for the younger audience. I'm intrigued and as an adult I would also like to read this. Want to know who or what is on the island with them.
ReplyDeleteI have been told that the end of part one, when the girls discover who has been watching them, is a favorite scene. Thank you for your interest.
ReplyDeletethis sounds like a great book for my niece to read
ReplyDeleteReally nice cover and excerpt, my nephews would love to read this!
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on the cover. It was recently changed and I believe this one is more appealing. If your nephews liked books like Gary Paulsen's "Hatchet," they'll like Stranded on Castaway Island too. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteMy daughter would love this book. Thank you
ReplyDeleteHi Paige, Thanks for your interest.
DeleteCongratulations on your recent release of Stranded on Castaway Island, Amy, I enjoyed the guest post and the excerpt, your book sounds like a great book to share with my grandkids! Good luck with your book and the tour! Thanks for sharing it with me and have a marvelous week!
ReplyDeleteHi Stomy, I'm glad you found the post and excerpt enjoyable. You enjoy your week, tool
DeleteIn this post, I especially enjoyed reading about the author's life.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Thank you, Nancy.
DeleteAn intriguing cover, synopsis and excerpt, Stranded on Castaway Island sounds like a thrilling read for my teen-aged grandchildren and I. Thank you for sharing your guest post and book details, I have enjoyed reading about you and your work and I am looking forward to reading your story
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted you enjoyed the readings. Thanks for letting me know.
DeleteThis book sounds quite awesome.
ReplyDeleteIt has gotten great reviews. I especially like it when readers call it a "page-turner."
DeleteI liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for reading.
DeleteYou're very welcome! Enjoy.
ReplyDeletethis sounds like an interesting book
ReplyDeleteThanks for your interest, Marisela. I appreciate your taking a look.
DeleteThis sounds super good and one I would love to read.
ReplyDeleteheather
Thank you for the comment, Heather. (That's my daughter's name.) Readers are calling it a page-turner.
Deletenice cover
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like the cover. I recently changed it and the comments have been favorable.
ReplyDeleteI really like the excerpt and the cover.
ReplyDeleteThank you, sherry. That means a great deal to me.
DeleteHappy Monday!
ReplyDeleteSo, David, you might be odd like me. Is Monday your favorite day of the week?
DeleteMiddle Grade / Young Adult Contemporary Fiction - I like this genre the best as I have grand kids who would love this!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.
Grandparents can be such wonderful encouragers, and I suspect your grandchildren are lucky to have your influence.
DeleteCongrats on your tour!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Thomas. It's been fun to stir up enthusiasm for Annie and Mirra's story.
DeleteMy niece would like this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
I loved spending lazy summer days reading and I hope your niece can do the same.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading the guest post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your taking the time, Debbi. Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteReally nice cover and excerpt, looking forward to reading this!
ReplyDelete
DeleteWonderful!
I like the cover and excerpt. Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan, I hope you check it out;.
Deletethanks this sounds like a great book
ReplyDeleteI hope you check it out.
DeleteThe excerpt is interesting. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome. Thanks for checking it out.
DeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I hope you check it out.
DeleteLooks like a great book!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Abbie. It's the book of my heart.
ReplyDeleteI like the sound and plot of this book.
ReplyDeleteThank you, David. Readers have said it appeals to both men and women and all ages.
DeleteThe book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deb. I hope you take a look.
DeleteWhat’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
ReplyDeleteChristy by Catherine Marshall comes immediately to mind. It's an older book, but it's one that still resonates with me. At the impressionable and idealistic age of twenty, reading it made me want to change the world. It reinforces my desire to become a teacher which was a good career choice. Now, of course, I get to write, which can also change the world.
Deletehope your book tour is going well
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words.
DeleteEnjoy the day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, and the same to you.
ReplyDeleteI liked hearing about the general details of Stranded on Castaway Island
ReplyDeleteby author Amy C. Laundrie. Being stranded on an island populated with wild horses sounds really interesting!
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Thank you, Nancy. I'm a huge horse lover myself; maybe you are too.
DeleteWhere is the farthest place you've traveled?
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday!
ReplyDeleteIt will be a great Thursday. I meet with a group of children at my local library for a fun nature event tied to my books.
DeleteWhat is a significant way your book has changed since the first draft?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the question. The story used to be told through third person, but now that I'm telling it through Annie's head, the reader gets a more intimate look at what she's feeling and thinking. It was also once set in the 1800s, but I feel readers can relate more to the contemporary setting. Thanks for asking.
ReplyDeletethis sounds like a wonderful story
ReplyDeletelike the excerpt
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed books about best girlfriends
ReplyDeleteI liked hearing about the relationship dynamic with the ex best friends.
ReplyDeleteI loved the book details
ReplyDeleteMy daughter would enjoy this book
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI like how the author was a teacher.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Thomas.
DeleteLAST DAY
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
You're very welcome.
DeleteThanks again for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great Friday and weekend!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
ReplyDeleteabfantom at yahoo dot com
I'm glad you found the premise interesting and like the cover.
Deletethanks for the giveaway have a great weekend
ReplyDeleteAnd same to you. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteSounds like a good book. I like the cover.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
ReplyDeleteYou had me with on a remote island with only wild horses as company! Sounds like a book I'd definitely be interested in!
ReplyDeleteHa! Loved your comment. Thanks for the reply.
DeleteHave a fantastic weekend!
ReplyDeleteAnd you as well.
DeleteSounds great! What’s your favorite genre to read?
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading memoir and personal essays. I just finished Ann Patchett's THIS IS THE STORY OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE and loved it. She compiled her favorite short stories or essays. I'm a columnist and did something similar in my book LAUGH, CRY, REFLECT: STORIES FROM A JOYFUL HEART. Thanks for asking.
Delete