Lone Star Book Blog Tour: FINDING ESME by Suzanne Crowley ***REVIEW & GIVEAWAY***

FINDING ESME

by

SUZANNE CROWLEY

   Genre: Middle Grade (3-7) / Magical Realism / Family & Loss
Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Date of Publication: August 14, 2018

Number of Pages: 288

***Scroll down for the giveaway!***

After her grandfather died from a heart attack while driving his tractor on Solace Hill, twelve-year-old Esme's been inextricably drawn to that spot, although her grandmother warns her to stay away. But when she follows her little brother, Bo, and her dog, Old Jack, up the hill while chasing fireflies, she makes an incredible discovery—dinosaur bones peeking out from underneath the abandoned tractor. The bones must be a message from her grandfather, a connection from beyond the grave. But when word gets out that the farm is hiding something valuable, reporters, researchers, and neighbors arrive in droves. Esme struggles to understand who has her best interests at heart, especially as the memory of her grandfather begins to slip away. Full of friendship and adventure, and featuring a palpable Texas setting, Finding Esme is a moving and heartfelt story about family, friendship, and learning to deal with loss.

PRAISE & HONORS FOR FINDING ESME:

“Esme is a brave, appealing heroine with the odds stacked against her… Bad blood and layered family secrets drive this story to its ultimately optimistic and satisfying conclusion.” -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) “Esme McCauley is a lonely but spirited 12-year-old who feels nothing ever happens to her the way it’s supposed to...A poignant tale for readers who enjoy character-driven realism.” -- School Library Journal “Readers muddling through preteen changes or unstable family lives will identify with Esme’s struggles, but the thrill of discovery will appeal to most.” -- Booklist

Texas Library Association 2019 Spirit of Texas (SPOT) reading program selection

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Finding Esme by Suzanne Crowley is a heartfelt story about a 12-year old girl who struggles to find the balance in her life amidst the loss of her grandfather, her heartbroken mother, and her absentee father.  Keeping her grounded is her grandmother Bee, whose no-nonsense love is just what Esme needs to keep her going, even if she doesn't realize it.  

Esme's life is not easy as she navigates pre-teen emotions, the drama of friendships, and the hope that one day her father will come home. But, the story becomes even more complex and intriguing as Esme discovers she has the same extraordinary gift of intuition for finding things just like her grandmother.  And that gift is what helps her to find dinosaur bones up on Solace Hill.  The place where her grandfather died suddenly, and where her grandmother doesn't want her to go.  There is a mystery surrounding that hill, and it's more than just bones.  

I love the way this story is written through the eyes of Esme and the growth of her character throughout the story.  Crowley does an excellent job giving us the perspective of a pre-teen girl as she faces complicated friendships and the transition towards becoming a young woman.  All the characters had a lot of depth that was distinctly their own, and you could certainly feel a connection to them as a reader.  The sadness in Esme's mother's eyes, the grit of Bee, and the innocence of little Bo was truly palpable throughout the story.  

The author does a wonderful job bringing us into the life of a small-town Texas girl whose struggles with the pain of losing a loved one, living with the heartbreak of a broken family, and dealing with the stress of possibly losing your home due to financial difficulties.  Readers dealing with similar emotions or situations will relate to Esme and her broken family.

Finding Esme is a beautiful coming-of-age story that will keep you hooked until the last satisfying page.  A perfect book for your middle-grade child or library!  

5 Hearts!

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Suzanne Crowley is the author of two acclaimed novels for young readers, The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous and The Stolen One. The author, who is also a miniaturist and dollhouse collector whose work has graced the covers of magazines worldwide, was born in a small town in Texas and lives in Southlake, Texas. When not hugging her dog or imbibing in chocolate, she can often be found taking a nap.

Website ⬥ Facebook ⬥ Twitter ⬥ BookBub

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***GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!***

TWO READERS EACH WIN A SIGNED COPY OF FINDING ESME, TWO CANDLES, BOOKMARKS, FUN FACT CARDS, AND A PEN!

February 11-21, 2020

(U.S. Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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2/11/20	Review	The Page Unbound
2/12/20	Audio Review	Hall Ways Blog
2/12/20	Review	Librariel Book Adventures
2/13/20	Review	Jennifer Silverwood
2/14/20	Review	Missus Gonzo
2/14/20	Review	#Bookish
2/15/20	Review	Reading by Moonlight
2/16/20	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
2/17/20	Review	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
2/17/20	Review	Rebecca R. Cahill, Author
2/18/20	Review	All the Ups and Downs
2/19/20	Review	That's What She's Reading
2/20/20	Review	Books and Broomsticks
2/20/20	Audio Review	Forgotten Winds

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