Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning by Danette Haworth is my favorite kind of juvenile fiction — a new novel that has a timeless feel, which allows the youngsters to have fun everyday adventures (the kind of adventures that today’s non Free-Range Kids don’t even dream about having).
Eleven-year-old Violet Raines is a girl whose life as she knows it in small-town Florida is about to change. There’s a new girl in town, Melissa Gold, who just moved from the big city of Detroit. Violet’s best friend Lottie is charmed by her big house and big-city obsessions with make-up and TV stars, and Violet feels left out. What’s more, Melissa thinks that the friendship between Eddie and Violet must mean something romantic, and that complicates things between the two of them.
Violet is the kind of protagonist that kids enjoy following. She’s larger-than-life, unafraid, and quirky (doing things such as slowly tracking dragonflies and collecting big words in her word box). My one complaint is that the dialect (including improper grammar) got a bit tiresome after a while.
However, the timeless feel and accurate look at friendship and growing up makes Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning a book that Amanda (10) and I both enjoyed.
The author has donated a copy for us to give to one of you as well. If you’d like to win a copy, please leave a comment here (one entry per person, please). This giveaway is for U.S. residents only. We’ll announce the winner in next Wednesday’s giveaway post.
The winner of Pajama School is #14 – Amy @ Hope is in the Word
Feel free to enter our other current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter. (These do not earn you extra entries, but we don’t want you to miss anything!)
Jennifer Donovan loves keeping one toe in childhood by indulging in children’s literature when she can. She blogs at Snapshot.
Rita says
Do you think it would appeal to 11 & 12 yr. old BOYS? If so, I would welcome a copy for my grandsons.
MJ says
This sounds good. I’d read it then pass it to my niece!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Mariah says
This sounds like a good read.
Mariah
penguinqueen(at)hotmail(dot)com
Adele says
This sounds like the perfect gift for my niece whose birthday is coming up in August.
Martha C says
I’d love to read it and share it too! Put me in to win!
Christy H. says
I know a 7 year old (going on 10) who would probably enjoy reading this book.
hawkes(at)citlink.net
edj says
I think my own larger-than-life girl would love this!
Ann Fantom says
I would like to win this for my daughter. Please enter me in the giveaway.
Joanne Schultz says
This book sounds great. I bet my niece would enjoy it!
Thanks for the giveaway!
susan varney says
i would try it [email protected]
DeeAnn S says
This is a book that could easily be passed around from friend to friend. Thanks.
joan ferris says
The kids would like this.
barbara wright says
Forget the kids – I would really like this!
Karen B says
I’d like to read and then pass on to the grandkids!
angie says
This looks like a great book.
MRS.MOMMYY says
sounds great
Carol Lawrence says
Grandaughter Kayla would love this book. [email protected]
Mozi Esmes Mommy says
Looks like a sweet read! I’m building up my daughter’s library…
Carolyn Ireland says
It’s my birthday – I would love to win!
Carol M says
My granddaughter would really enjoy this book. Thank you for the giveaway!
mittens0831 AT aol.com
Nicole C. says
My daughter would love this book!!
Karen Gonyea says
My daughter really wants this 🙂
Michele Anne says
I think my niece would like this….would love to win so I could give it to her.
gwendolyn b. says
I would love to read this book with my nieces! Thanks for the chance!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
Kathy D says
Sounds Great…..
Miranda Allen says
I would love this
Mary Casper says
would love to win
Nancye Davis says
I would like to win this book!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Priscilla Pursell says
I would like to read this and share it with my Granddaughter.
amy says
THis sounds like a good read, great for young girls.
Marianna says
I’d love to read this – thanks for the chance to win!
Gabriel J. says
Great read, great contest!
bridget3420 says
Count me in
Jayne says
I’d love to have a copy!
Jennifer Hedden says
enter me
Maureen says
My niece would love this book… she cracks me up.. because everything with her is “Almost”.
She almost fell out of bed.. She Almost lost her retainer, She almost talked her dad into getting a puppy(not going to happen he is major allergic)..
Almost, Almost
Thanks for the chance
itsjustmerene2003 at yahoo dot com
Andria says
I would love a chance to win. Thank you.
Gloria says
Would like to win this and read outside under my shade tree!
Amanda D. says
I have a niece that would LOVE this book! macd82 at gmail dot com
Janelle says
Neat title!
Erma says
I would love to win this for my daughter to read.
susan smoaks says
My daughter would love to read this book. I would love to win and give it to her!
djgroz says
Love to read. Thanks for the chance to win this prize!
Pamela S says
Sounds like a really fun and thought provoking book for children. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Sharon Amore says
This sounds like a fantastic book! My cousin would sure love to read it (Of course I would probably read it first! lol)
Leilani says
This book sounds wonderful. How I miss the days that children could run free until dinnertime.
THanks!
emily L says
I would love to read this. 🙂
Heather Goldsmith says
My daughter would like this. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
Danielle says
Sounds like a great read for me and my daughter.