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I'm delighted you have visited today to learn about the Story Behind my historical fiction early reader children's book based on the Underground Railroad, The Golden Pathway. I hope you enjoy the adventure...

I initially visited my local library and researched both children’s and adult books on the Underground Railroad. The wealth of information was endless, but once I focused on the central character being the son of a slave owner the story flowed. From start to finish after research it took about a year to edit and fine tune the manuscript to feel confident enough to submit to the Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. After placing 12^th in the Children’s/Young Adult category I then met Lynda Burch of Guardian Angel Publishing and submitted. After several more edits and expansion of the story, Ms. Burch offered me my first children’s book contract, adding about another two years to the process. It may seem like a long time, but it’s all worth it. 
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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author

Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!

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A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

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Frederick Douglass For Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities (Chicago Review Press)
Written by Nancy I. Sanders

I’m so happy to have this book on my blog today! Frederick Douglass For Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities is a beautiful, comprehensive book for kids about this amazing historical figure. The photos alone are worth the time spent reading the book, along with the time line (from birth to death) in the beginning of the book. The best part is I was provided with two copies from the publisher, so I can give a copy away! So, if you are interested in reading or using this book about Frederick Douglass in your classroom, library, or at home, please leave a comment (Pick me! will do) with an email address by Sunday 7/22 7:00 p.m. CST. United States mailing addresses only please (it’s a nice size, softcover book!).

**Chapter book for middle-grade/tweens, nonfiction, historical figure
**Frederick Douglass as the main topic
**Rating: A very well done book about an important and impressive historical figure. The activities are creative, and kids will love bringing history alive.

Short, short summary:

Frederick Douglass for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities is organized into seven chapters with a resource section in the back. It reminds me of a glossy magazine about history! The chapters start with Douglass’s childhood as a slave, his freedom, his new life as a free man, what he achieved in his adult life, being a famous orator during the Civil War, his life after the Civil War, and finally, his successful life right before his death. Each section has three activities to go with it. But these aren’t just paper/pencil activities or crafts! They are very creative–some can be done with individuals; others work better in groups. (See below in the “So, what do I do with this book?” section for specific activities.) Besides these activities and text about Frederick Douglass, there are wonderful photos–some taken by the author of historical places in the present day and some old photos. She also includes several sidebars full of more information about people and places she mentions in Frederick Douglass’s story, such as a Civil War time line, information about Sojourner Truth, and a write-up on famous escapes. If you teach American history, this book will be a wonderful resource.

So, what do I do with this book?

Here are a few of the activities listed in the book:

1. Make a Paste to Keep Flies Away (Chapter 2)
2. Clothespin Dolls (Chapter 3)
3. New England Boiled Dinner (Chapter 4)–perfect home school activity!
4. “John Brown Song” (Chapter 5)
5. Create a Memory (Chapter 5)
6. Make a Cane (Chapter 6)
7. Banana Leaf Card (Chapter 7)

So, there are the titles of 1/3 of the activities–as you can see just by the titles, they are creative and kids will love them. Children can learn about history while also enjoying themselves–that’s the best part!

Don’t forget about the giveaway! Leave a comment by Sunday night.

Interested in taking online writing or marketing classes? Starting in August and this fall, I am teaching social networking for writers/authors (beginning and advanced), middle-grade novel writing (beginning and advanced), blogging, and children’s writing careers. Check out all the listings and sign up on WOW! Women on Writing’s website.

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