Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY starring... August or Forever by Ona Gritz

Random question...do you have siblings? I always wondered what it would be like, and had many offers from other kids as a child to gladly take their brother/sister off their hands, but I can't help but wonder...that connection as children of annoyance and teasing, seems for many to blossom as young adults, or at least adults, into a lifelong connection that can be counted on...and that, to me, truly sounds wonderful! Today's blog tour guest via The Children's Book Review features a pair of sisters separated by distance, but when they try to change their stars, things don't seem to be aligning as expected, leading to unforeseen challenges, and untimely growth. Take a closer look at the title, then READ ON for a special Guest Post from the author all about, what else, siblings!

August or Forever

Ona Gritz

Ages 9 + | 108 Pages

9781646033072

Fitzroy Books

About the book...

Ten-year-old Molly has always loved having a sister, but sisters are supposed to live together, right? Molly certainly thinks so. Unfortunately, her older half-sister Alison lives on a whole other continent. Their video chats are great, and Molly is thrilled when Alison’s hand-written letters arrive in the mail like surprise gifts.

Still, it’s not enough, not compared to what other siblings have. That’s why when Molly finds out that Alison is finally coming to visit over the summer, she devises a plan to get her sister to stay. But then Alison arrives with plans of her own, a fragile heart gets broken, and Molly stumbles upon a painful piece of her sister’s past. Molly has always loved having a sister, but this is the August when she’ll learn what it really means to be one.

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~~~ GUEST POST ~~~

The Top Five Reasons Having a Sister Is—or Would Be—Amazing

by Ona Gritz

In my new middle grade novel, August Or Forever, Molly, whose beloved half-sister Alison lives in another country, believes she has it worse than an actual only child because “Only children don’t have someone in particular to miss.” August Or Forever is a work of fiction—Molly is not me—but that one line comes straight out of my life.

My own beloved sister left home young. In fact, I was Molly’s age, ten, the last time I remember seeing her in our house. Having had her in my daily life so briefly, having her in particular to miss, gives me a unique perspective on the question put forth to me here— the top five reasons having a sister is, or would be, amazing.

Please note: This list is skewed toward the wonders of having a big sister since that’s the only kind of sister I’ve had:

1) When you do something like catch a firefly by clapping it between your hands, then look surprised that you’ve accidently killed it, your sister will laugh, letting you that, in addition to being embarrassing and also a little bit sad, it’s actually quite funny.

2) You can ask a really dumb question like “Why does Fred Flintstone wear a dress?” and your sister may look at you funny and wonder aloud why you’ve never questioned the fact that his kitchen faucet is an elephant head poking through a hole in the wall, or their family pet is a dinosaur. But then she’ll calmly explain that they lived in caveman times, pass you the bowl of Jiffy Pop, and never bring it up again.

3) When your sister comes up with really good ideas—like making mermaids out of clay so she doesn’t have to learn to form legs and feet, or wearing pajama bottoms on her head to pretend she has long swingy hair— you can borrow them later when you play with your friends and they’ll think you’re as creative as she is.

4) If your mom does something inexplicable like ask the two of you a question, immediately leave the room, then come back a few minutes later to scold you for not answering her, your sister will be there to agree with you about what just happened.

5) You will be teased. Often. For the noisy way you chew, or the smell you left in the bathroom, or how lopsided your ponytail turned out. And though you may complain about it while it’s happening, you’ll also recognize it for what it is: being seen and loved for exactly who you are.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ona Gritz is the author of two previous children’s books, including Tangerines and Tea, My Grandparents and Me, a Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Alphabet Book of the Year and Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine Teacher’s Pick. Her essays and poems have been published widely. Recent honors include two Notable mentions in The Best American Essays, a winning entry in The Poetry Archive Now: Wordview 2020 project, two 2021 Pushcart nominations, and a 2022 Best of the Net nomination.

Learn more about her work at onagritz.com.

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*** GIVEAWAY ***

Enter for a chance to win a paperback copy of August or Forever, autographed by Ona Gritz, and a glass heart necklace (like one that figures prominently in the story)!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

A signed, paperback copy of August or Forever

A glass heart necklace

Nine (9) winners receive:

A signed, paperback copy of August or Forever

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for the guest post. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

The Children’s Book Review

A book review of August or Forever

Thursday, February 2, 2023

The Fairview Review

A book review of August or Forever

Friday, February 3, 2023

Writer with Wanderlust

A book review of August or Forever

Monday, February 6, 2023

The Momma Spot