Coming AUGUST 20!
My new Middle Grade novel!! Twelve-year-old Tasha and six year old Irina have nothing in common –except for the fact they shared a hospital room in Russia. Yet, somehow their differences –including a language barrier –isn’t what Tasha recalls when she returns home to Ohio. She remembers the kind and compassionate orphan girl, recovering from her cleft palate surgery, who helped her through her pain of not just healing from her appendectomy but also her grieving. Now home, Tasha must find a way to help Irina get adopted before she is forever sent to a place where finding a home would no longer be an option. But how can she possibly help her new friend from another country when she couldn’t even save her own brother?
INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY. Just some of the kind reactions so far: “Real. Raw. And relatable. Bundy’s authentic writing voice and characterization that we fell in love with in Walking With Miss Millie, shine again in this heart-tugging story, inspired by actual events.” -Laura Smith, best-selling author “A poignant, heart wrenching story of friendship, compassion, determination, and perseverance, calling readers to take a stand and be the voice for those whose voice cannot be heard.” -Amy Mongenas, ELA Teacher Thank you, SSYRA!! I am so honored to have PIXIE PUSHES ON named to the Sunshine State Young Readers Award Books 2022-2023 List for Grades 6-8! Here is a little something I put together for the students. Take a peek. |
My debut picture book,
LULLABY PRAYER published by Tommy Nelson/HarperCollins Christian books is now available! I love the gorgeous illustrations that Jill Howarth created |
I am thrilled to tell you that I got to work with the legendary Nancy Paulsen again for my second middle grade novel. That novel, Pixie Pushes On, tells the story of a young girl in the 1940’s and the bittersweet lessons she learns from farm life as well as life without her sister who is hospitalized with polio.
But don’t think for a minute it’s all doom and gloom. I’ll leave that explanation up to these phenomenal authors who were kind enough to read my novel and give me a blurb:
"Pixie is full of heart! A laugh-out-loud book that also wades into poignant life lessons. A must read!"--Lynda Mullaly Hunt, author of Fish in a Tree.
"Pixie has bad luck--and is bad luck if you ask her. But she also has grit and gumption, so when her bad luck doesn't let go, she opens her eyes and her heart wider. Her world changes when she changes how she looks at her world. I loved Pixie and her story--a story filled with humor, hope, and everyday heroes."--Lynn Plourde, author of Maxi's Secrets.
My head is still spinning at being on the receiving end of those amazing comments from two writers I respect and adore.
Writing Pixie Pushes On was so special to me. You see, my mom and dad both grew up on farms and would tell me stories about their childhoods. From my perspective as a city-kid, I was amazed at these tales. But it wasn’t until I was writing this story that I sat down and asked them detailed questions I never thought to ask before about the logistics and particulars of their lives during that time. This coincided with my dad being in the hospital and I swear I could see both him and my mom grow visibly younger while recounting the long-lost days of their childhoods. It was such a gift to us all. And now that my dad has since passed away, those days, those memories are more precious than ever.
I can’t wait for everyone to meet Pixie. I hope she means as much to you as she means to me. In the meanwhile, I’ll tell you what I always tell my students during a school visit --- if you are lucky enough to have a grandparent, great-grand parent –or any older person in your life –ask them about their childhood –and listen –really listen, before it’s too late. I promise you won’t regret it.
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Would you like to read Pixie Pushes On with me?
My publisher, Nancy Paulsen has graciously allowed me to offer videos of me reading and having a book talk of my latest middle grade novel. I can't post all of them here, but here is the first one. If you would like the other video links, email me and I am happy to send them as I record them. ( I don't know why THIS is the thumbnail. I promise, I'm happy about it all!) email: [email protected] |
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Walking with Miss Millie has been receiving a lot of love!
Did you know that
WALKING WITH MISS MILLIE won the 2018
Ohioana Award for Middle Grade/Young Adult Literature!
AND
it also won their
Reader's Choice Award!
But wait --there's more!
Walking with Miss Millie
was selected:
Friends of American Writers Award
AND
It is nominated for the Rhode Island Children's Book Award
and the Mark Twain Reader's Award.
WOW!!!
Thank you, everyone! None of this would be possible without your support.What are others saying?
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/reviews/single/978-0-399-54456-9
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tamara-bundy/walking-with-miss-millie/
Did you know that
WALKING WITH MISS MILLIE won the 2018
Ohioana Award for Middle Grade/Young Adult Literature!
AND
it also won their
Reader's Choice Award!
But wait --there's more!
Walking with Miss Millie
was selected:
- Young People's Literature Award for 2018 (Friends of American Writers)
- a BEST BOOK OF 2017
- a top girl empowering book for children and teens
- a 2018 Notable book for a Global Society
- a Notable Social Studies book
Friends of American Writers Award
AND
It is nominated for the Rhode Island Children's Book Award
and the Mark Twain Reader's Award.
WOW!!!
Thank you, everyone! None of this would be possible without your support.What are others saying?
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/reviews/single/978-0-399-54456-9
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tamara-bundy/walking-with-miss-millie/