ENTER THE BIG GIVEAWAY!

We're celebrating OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN'S paperback release this week by GIVING!

Today, we're giving away not one, not two, but THREE prize packages!

There will be signed bookmarks

There will be autographed books

There will be cash to buy books!!!

But first . . .

A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our last blog post and voted for which children's literacy organization should receive a $200 donation.

Your kind comments and generosity inspired me!

Kimmy T is sending boxes of new, award-winning books to my childhood library -- The Northeast Regional Library.

Thank you, Kimmy T!

Imagine my purple banana seat bicycle with the basket for books parked in front.

S.R., a teacher at a Title I school, matched my donation!  Thank you, S.R.!!!

Paul Grecian, photographer and friend, added $25 to the total.  Thanks, Paul!

That means the organization with the most votes will receive $425.00!!!

* Drum-roll, please. *

After totaling votes from blog comments, we had a tie.  Fortunately, one person wasn't able to post a comment and sent her vote via e-mail, which broke the tie.

So, the recipient of the $425 donation will be . . .

FIRST BOOK!!!

Their programs provide access to new books for children in need.

Now, onto the BIG GIVEAWAY . . .

THREE prize packages will be given away!

Each prize package consists of:

• 3 signed copies of OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN
• 30 signed bookmarks
• $30 to spend at the bookstore of your choice 

To enter this random drawing, tell 3 friends about the giveaway and leave a comment below.

That's it!

Winners will be announced on the blog Tuesday, March 26th, after I get back from a week of school visits in Fort Worth, Texas.

What are you waiting for?

• Share this opportunity with 3 friends!
• Leave a comment.
• Check back March 26th to see if you've won. 

OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN BIG BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!

Join the celebration as OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN comes out in paperback!

Available at your local bookseller and online.

We're celebrating all week by GIVING!!!

Growing up, my favorite book was . . .

I never owned a copy until I was an adult, because we couldn't afford to buy books when I was a kid.  I'd borrow it from the Northeast Regional Library of Philadelphia again and again.

That's why I'm so excited that OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN is now available in paperback!  It means this fun story of a determined girl to accept her family and reach her dream against all odds will get into more young hands.

If you're thinking of buying a copy, won't you consider donating it to a young reader, a local elementary or middle school, a public library, a children's hospital or a children's literacy organization?

If you want to make a bigger impact, how about providing a copy for every 4th, 5th or 6th grade student at a Title I school?  (Bonus good karma if you support your local indie bookseller with your purchase.)

Image from:  childrens-books.lovetoknow.com

Thank you in advance for your support!

Now, it's my turn to GIVE!

Because I'm passionate about opportunities to get kids reading, I will donate $200.00 to a children's literacy-based organization.   

YOU will choose which one gets the cash . . .

1.  RIF -- Reading is Fundamental.  RIF's highest priority is reaching under-served children from birth to age 8.

2.  FIRST BOOK -- Their programs provide access to new books for children in need.

3.  REACH OUT AND READ --  Promotes early literacy through books given out by thousands of pediatricians in all 50 states.

4.  IF I CAN READ, I CAN DO ANYTHING --  A national reading club for Native American children.

5.  THE READING CONNECTION -- Dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children and families by helping them create literacy-rich environments and motivation for reading. 

6.  KIDS NEED TO READ -- Provides inspiring books to underfunded schools, libraries, and literacy programs across the United States, especially those serving disadvantaged children.

PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE for one of these six organizations in the comments section.  (The organization with the most votes will get the $200.00.)

And drop by Friday, when a BIG GIVEAWAY will be announced!!!

Amazing Addendum:  Within an hour of this blog post, an educator from a Title I school in Orlando, who understands firsthand how important it is to get books into kids' hands, decided to match the $200 donation to one of these six organizations.  So vote, people.  Vote!  (Thank you S.R. for your generosity.  You inspire me . . . and made me cry a little.)