World of Ink Presents Hockey Agony by Donna McDine

Today we are visiting with Donna McDine on her most recent stop from her World of Ink virtual book tour.


Welcome, Donna. It is always lovely to have you visit. I recently played host to Tommy from your book Powder Monkey, but today you are here to talk about your other new release, Hockey Agony. Congrats on two new books! For what age range is Hockey Agony intended?

Donna: Hockey Agony is for 8-12 years of age.

Kai: Can you share a memory of yours or a story of you from when you were within the age range of your target readers?

Donna: Vacationing in Booth Bay Harbor, Maine with my family. It was low tide and we were digging for craps and before I knew it my feet were sinking. When my brothers pulled me up from underneath my armpits my sneakers slipped off my feet and got sucked into the sand. We tried digging for my sneakers, but the tide started to come in and we had to go to shore.

Kai: How scary and thrilling! I’m sure you tap into those feelings when you are writing! Donna, how do you feel life has changed for children today from when you were that age?

Donna: Stories now are not always tied up with a pretty ribbon at the end with everything being resolved for the character.

Kai: How is life still the same?

Donna: Children still want a book that engages them from the onset without preaching to them.

Kai: What was your favorite toy or activity when you were that age?

Donna: Riding bicycles to the town pool

Kai: I rode my bicycle everywhere when I was young! Tell us, what inspired this book and how did you decide on this age range for it?

Donna: My lifelong interest in sports and watching my children, nieces and nephews compete in one sport or another inspired me to write Hockey Agony.

The publisher helped determine what was the best age range.

Kai: Finally, I have four kids. Over the years, they’ve attended a lot of birthday parties. I love the idea of building a theme gift around a book. If you were to give a gift basket to a child based on your book, what else would be in the basket besides a copy of Hockey Agony?

Donna: Hockey Agony bookmark, hockey key chain, hockey tape for hockey stick repairs, a zamboni book, and mouth guard.

Kai: Great gift basket! Sounds like fun. Thanks for visiting with us, Donna. Have fun on the rest of your book(s) tour!

Hockey Agony:
Peer Pressure and Honesty many times go hand-in-hand.  What is Larry to do when his teammate asks him to cheat when he is given the responsibility to run the clock during the big hockey game?  Outwardly, it may seem he will follow suit, but his conscious tells him otherwise at the moment of truth.

Title: Hockey Agony
Category: Chapbooks for Tweens
Author: Donna McDine http://www.donnamcdine.com 
Artist: Julie Hammond http://www.juliehammondart.com 
Paperback ISBN: 9781616333607; 161633360X
eBook ISBN: 9781616333614; 1616333618
Price: $9.95 paperback / $5.00 e-book
Publishers: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.  

Multiple award-winning children’s author, Donna McDine writes, moms and is a personal assistant from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI, Children’s Literature Network, and Family Reading Partnership.

Website: www.donnamcdine.com
Write What Inspires You! blog: www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonnaMcDine
Google+: https://plus.google.com/109412819770020852874/posts
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=50626214&trk=tab_pro
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnamcdine/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmcdine

You can find out more about Donna McDine, her books and World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/3tv4jgf




Comments

  1. Donna McDineOctober 21, 2013 at 8:47 AM

    Hi Kai,

    Thank you for hosting me today. I can hardly believe how quickly the virtual book tour is going. I truly appreciate your never ending support.

    Warmly,
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kai Strand, AuthorOctober 21, 2013 at 8:55 AM

      My pleasure, Donna. I love having you and your books on my blog and World of Ink is always a pleasure to work with!

      Delete
  2. Janet Ann CollinsOctober 21, 2013 at 8:52 AM

    Sounds like a book lots of kids will appreciate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kai Strand, AuthorOctober 21, 2013 at 8:56 AM

      I agree. I always love to see books that seem to have extra boy appeal, too. Girls will read anything, but boys are much more difficult to lure! Thanks for visiting, Jan.

      Delete
  3. Beverly Stowe McClureOctober 21, 2013 at 9:04 AM

    Interesting interview, ladies. Many kids are into sports these days, and this book sounds like one that would interest them, not only for the sport but because of the choices players sometimes have to make. Congratulations, Donna. Best of luck to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kai Strand, AuthorOctober 21, 2013 at 1:16 PM

      I love that sports stands the test of time as an activity for kids. Too bad so many kids have to pay to play at their schools now.

      Delete
  4. Sharon StanleyOctober 21, 2013 at 10:05 AM

    very nice interview to you both...and the idea of a gift basket is great...kids love a theme gift. good luck with the rest of your tour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kai Strand, AuthorOctober 21, 2013 at 1:17 PM

      Themed presents are just as much fun to put together as they are to receive! Thanks for visiting, Sharon.

      Delete
  5. penelope anne coleOctober 21, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    Nice interview, Kai. Wishing Donna much success with both her books.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sharon LedwithOctober 21, 2013 at 1:29 PM

    Best of luck with your book tour, Donna! Wish I could have played hockey when I was young, but alas there was no hockey leagues for girls! Yes...I just dated myself! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kai Strand, AuthorOctober 21, 2013 at 1:33 PM

      Lol, Sharon. I don't feel like I'm that old and I'm pretty sure there weren't any girl leagues yet when I was young either. Thanks for visiting.

      Delete
  7. UnknownOctober 21, 2013 at 1:50 PM

    Wonderful interview, Ladies. Loved your memories, Donna.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kai Strand, AuthorOctober 22, 2013 at 7:29 PM

      Isn't that a great memory? My goodness. I was drawn right into that sand along with her.

      Delete
  8. Susan HornbachOctober 22, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    Great book Donna, good life lessons for kids. Thanks for a lovely interview Kai.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Margo DillOctober 22, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    Donna:
    Congrats on your new book. I didn't realize you had two out. It's a nice interview, Kai!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kai Strand, AuthorOctober 22, 2013 at 7:30 PM

      She's been busy, huh? Thanks for stopping in, Margo.

      Delete

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