What do you think?
Gracie series #1
Come Along With Me
Come Along With Me will transport eight-to twelve-year old children, their parents, and their grandparents to another world when they read Come Along With Me, an adventure about friendship and caring, the unfortunate consequences of jealousy, and the power of hope. Meet Gracie, a ditzy dwarf kangaroo from the thirty-sixth universe--a creature who lives in a perfect realm. Because she is bored, Gracie longs for an adventure to St. Petersburg, Russia, a place she imagines is filled with beauty and enchantment. Much to the tiny 'roo's surprise, her ability to transport herself to the land of the czars has failed. She ends up at a dairy farm in St. Clair, Pennsylvania, where she saves the life of Gibson, an abandoned Maine coon cat. The unlikely pair become fast friends. While Gracie tries to find her way back home, Gibson carves a life for himself on a farm with his newly adopted mistress, the farmer's young daughter. There's one hitch: The overworked farmer demands that Gibson earn his keep. Gibson's task is thwarted somewhat when he experiences strange visions. But are these visions the result of a thrashing he received from the farmer's two dogs? Or, maybe Gibson sees parallel universes? As outsiders the little kangaroo and the cat from the city negotiate the perils of farm life. They meet two malicious rats who hate anyone who is happy. The two devoted friends must contend with stampeding cows and a barnyard of critters that have little use for newcomers. Will Gibson keep his sanity and become the little girl's pet? Will Gracie ever see the splendor of the Russian Versailles? Will the farmer survive the evil machinations of the rats, Bratwold and Eastman? Drift back to the days of Barbie dolls, hula hoops, and Sputnik to find out.
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2013
About the author
Linda Lee Schell
4 books3 followersLinda's favorite genre is fantasy/adventure, and her goal is to expand the imaginations of children while simultaneously exposing them to a variety of cultures and histories.
Combining childhood innocence with historical verisimilitude and a dash of magical fantasy--that was Linda's impulse behind writing her first book, Come Along With Me.
Linda was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and married in 1968. She and and her husband moved to St. Clairsville, Ohio in l978, and to Venice, FL in 1990. She and her husband have one son.
Linda is the daughter of an Ohio dairy farmer and an elementary school teacher. Her working years were in a competitive sales and business environment.
Once active in the Chamber of Commerce, she is a Paul Harris Fellow. Among her many interests, she has a special affinity to the plight of the mentally ill in America.
Entering the work force at age sixteen Linda is now retired, and is focusing her entire attention to writing children's books.
Combining childhood innocence with historical verisimilitude and a dash of magical fantasy--that was Linda's impulse behind writing her first book, Come Along With Me.
Linda was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and married in 1968. She and and her husband moved to St. Clairsville, Ohio in l978, and to Venice, FL in 1990. She and her husband have one son.
Linda is the daughter of an Ohio dairy farmer and an elementary school teacher. Her working years were in a competitive sales and business environment.
Once active in the Chamber of Commerce, she is a Paul Harris Fellow. Among her many interests, she has a special affinity to the plight of the mentally ill in America.
Entering the work force at age sixteen Linda is now retired, and is focusing her entire attention to writing children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 18, 2015
Meet Gracie, a tiny kangaroo for another universe as she travels to Earth to enjoy a vacation, but mistakenly lands in rural PA. Enter Gibson, a beautiful black cat with a few problems and in a world of hurt. Together these two undertake an adventure that will come alive, especially for younger readers.
Come Along with Me by Linda Lee Schell is a cute and clever tale that will be easily understood by and enjoyed by 8 – 12 year olds. (To test that theory, I passed this on to one of my 9 year-old grandchildren. Try as I might, I read things differently than she would.)
What I was told by said young reviewer was that she didn’t like some parts, and it would scare younger children. She didn’t, however, have any problems with the words, either in pronouncing them or understanding them.
From my perspective, I have to agree, there was some violence that a child would find unsettling. While the story took a while to build up steam, the settings were well described and as a family read with a discussion time after, this is an excellent book to choose! There is a friendship and loyalty to each other that is developing between Gibson and Gracie that is cute, sweet and kind of fun! A great conversation point for family!
I received this copy from Linda Lee Schell in exchange for my honest review. As a reading tool, with lessons to learn, Ms. Schell has done a marvelous job.
Series: A Gracie Book - Book 1
Publication Date: October 18, 2013
Publisher: A Kinder World Publishers
Genre: Children's Fiction 8-12
Print Length: 82 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Come Along with Me by Linda Lee Schell is a cute and clever tale that will be easily understood by and enjoyed by 8 – 12 year olds. (To test that theory, I passed this on to one of my 9 year-old grandchildren. Try as I might, I read things differently than she would.)
What I was told by said young reviewer was that she didn’t like some parts, and it would scare younger children. She didn’t, however, have any problems with the words, either in pronouncing them or understanding them.
From my perspective, I have to agree, there was some violence that a child would find unsettling. While the story took a while to build up steam, the settings were well described and as a family read with a discussion time after, this is an excellent book to choose! There is a friendship and loyalty to each other that is developing between Gibson and Gracie that is cute, sweet and kind of fun! A great conversation point for family!
I received this copy from Linda Lee Schell in exchange for my honest review. As a reading tool, with lessons to learn, Ms. Schell has done a marvelous job.
Series: A Gracie Book - Book 1
Publication Date: October 18, 2013
Publisher: A Kinder World Publishers
Genre: Children's Fiction 8-12
Print Length: 82 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
November 25, 2014
I was sent this book for review...or I thought I was. Turns out I was sent the first chapter. Based on that I'd give this a two stars. The problem I see is that it doesn't seem to know what age range it wants to aim for. It says it's or 8-12 year olds, but I have an 8yo and she would struggle with some of the language of the book and be disturbed by some of the events. But anyone older would likely be put off by how fluffy it is.
October 6, 2014
This book was quite strange and used way too many adjectives and adverbs. It didn't really have much of a plot either. However, it definitely was entertaining to read. Read the full review at http://patchworkshelves.wordpress.com...
December 29, 2014
Come Along With Me by Linda Schell is a cute, quick read for children that opens the door for many discussions between parents and their kids.
The story centers around Gracie, a kangaroo from another universe who mistakenly ends up in St. Clair, Pennsylvania when she meant to travel to St. Petersburg, Russia. She was looking forward to a vacation in the city and visits to museums, but instead arrives on a farm in the middle of a cat being attacked by dogs. Gracie helps the cat (Gibson) to get well with her "get well, stay well" medicine and the two become fast friends. As the story continues, Gracie and Gibson encounter other farm animals as wells as interesting people on the farm.
A bit further into the story, Gracie wants to go home and Gibson, who was dropped off at the farm when his owner no longer wanted him, wants to make the farm his new home. Will Gracie and Gibson get what they want? No spoilers here, you will just have to read the book to find out.
As I started reading this book for children ages eight to twelve, I thought back on when I was that age and if the book would interest me and came to the determination that it definitely would. The only caveat I have for today's children who might read this book is that there are a couple of places where a child might have an issue reading the narrative - i.e. when Gibson is beaten by the dogs near the beginning of the book and also when a chicken is "processed" - both may be too graphic for children. Since I live on a hobby farm and am very in tune with what can occur on one, I was not offended by the descriptions, but wanted to let other readers know that there are a couple of passages that may not be suitable for very young kids.
The first half of the book built up the drama for Gracie and Gibson and the second half tied up the story quite nicely. The author did a good job in character development and had this reader caring for Gracie and Gibson. There were moments where I found myself cheering Gracie and Gibson on and times when I felt their pain.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and was left wanting to know a bit more - which is good when the book is part of a series as this one is. I would recommend this to children closer to age ten or twelve and up for the reasons mentioned above.
The story centers around Gracie, a kangaroo from another universe who mistakenly ends up in St. Clair, Pennsylvania when she meant to travel to St. Petersburg, Russia. She was looking forward to a vacation in the city and visits to museums, but instead arrives on a farm in the middle of a cat being attacked by dogs. Gracie helps the cat (Gibson) to get well with her "get well, stay well" medicine and the two become fast friends. As the story continues, Gracie and Gibson encounter other farm animals as wells as interesting people on the farm.
A bit further into the story, Gracie wants to go home and Gibson, who was dropped off at the farm when his owner no longer wanted him, wants to make the farm his new home. Will Gracie and Gibson get what they want? No spoilers here, you will just have to read the book to find out.
As I started reading this book for children ages eight to twelve, I thought back on when I was that age and if the book would interest me and came to the determination that it definitely would. The only caveat I have for today's children who might read this book is that there are a couple of places where a child might have an issue reading the narrative - i.e. when Gibson is beaten by the dogs near the beginning of the book and also when a chicken is "processed" - both may be too graphic for children. Since I live on a hobby farm and am very in tune with what can occur on one, I was not offended by the descriptions, but wanted to let other readers know that there are a couple of passages that may not be suitable for very young kids.
The first half of the book built up the drama for Gracie and Gibson and the second half tied up the story quite nicely. The author did a good job in character development and had this reader caring for Gracie and Gibson. There were moments where I found myself cheering Gracie and Gibson on and times when I felt their pain.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and was left wanting to know a bit more - which is good when the book is part of a series as this one is. I would recommend this to children closer to age ten or twelve and up for the reasons mentioned above.
October 25, 2014
Gracie is a wee kangaroo from the thirty-sixth universe. And she’s so excited. She’s finally going to visit St. Petersburg, Russia.
When something goes wrong, she winds up on a farm in St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Not quite what she planned.
Once you meet Gracie, you’ll see why her travel plans went haywire. She’s a precocious little roo, plus she’s clumsy and absent minded.
She’s also very brave and arrives in time to save a rather bedraggled city cat from the ferocious farm dogs.
From then on, Gracie and the cat, Gibson, are in cahoots. Each trying to help the other. Gracie wants to go home. Gibson is trying to make the best of it and make the farm his new home.
This was very wordy in the beginning. The prose felt strange yet familiar. Then I got it. It felt like in Willa Wonka or Alice in Wonderland. Otherworldly and zany. I began to suspect much of this was coming from Gracie, the kangaroo from somewhere else. She is a bit rattle-brained and silly.
The last third of the book flowed more easily. And the plot came forward. There’s several other animals that help or hinder the two pals, and one little girl who teaches Gibson how to earn his keep.
I’d say because of the sometimes peculiar use of words, this would be better suited to the upper range of young children. But, I may be wrong. Kids now a days learn to read before starting school, so they may follow the context better than I give them credit for. But there is a rather dark scene on the farm, something that even shocked me. This book is suggested for kids 8 to 12 and I’d recommend it to those closer to 12.
As I read this adventure I was sure it would be a 3 star rating. But that last third of the book sucked me in and by the time I reached the end, I wanted more. I felt that connection to the characters and wanted to know what kind of pickle they would land in next. I don’t give half star ratings and that’s why it went up to 4 stars.
I received this book for my honest review.
When something goes wrong, she winds up on a farm in St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Not quite what she planned.
Once you meet Gracie, you’ll see why her travel plans went haywire. She’s a precocious little roo, plus she’s clumsy and absent minded.
She’s also very brave and arrives in time to save a rather bedraggled city cat from the ferocious farm dogs.
From then on, Gracie and the cat, Gibson, are in cahoots. Each trying to help the other. Gracie wants to go home. Gibson is trying to make the best of it and make the farm his new home.
This was very wordy in the beginning. The prose felt strange yet familiar. Then I got it. It felt like in Willa Wonka or Alice in Wonderland. Otherworldly and zany. I began to suspect much of this was coming from Gracie, the kangaroo from somewhere else. She is a bit rattle-brained and silly.
The last third of the book flowed more easily. And the plot came forward. There’s several other animals that help or hinder the two pals, and one little girl who teaches Gibson how to earn his keep.
I’d say because of the sometimes peculiar use of words, this would be better suited to the upper range of young children. But, I may be wrong. Kids now a days learn to read before starting school, so they may follow the context better than I give them credit for. But there is a rather dark scene on the farm, something that even shocked me. This book is suggested for kids 8 to 12 and I’d recommend it to those closer to 12.
As I read this adventure I was sure it would be a 3 star rating. But that last third of the book sucked me in and by the time I reached the end, I wanted more. I felt that connection to the characters and wanted to know what kind of pickle they would land in next. I don’t give half star ratings and that’s why it went up to 4 stars.
I received this book for my honest review.
July 5, 2015
Written for a middle grade audience of children ages eight through twelve, this tale is a mixture of fantasy, culture, and history. Main characters are Gracie, a dwarf kangaroo from the thirty-sixth universe, Gibson, a Maine coon cat, and the farmer’s young daughter. One day Gracie is bored and decides to take an adventure to St. Petersburg on Earth to experience the culture of that Russian city renowned for its museums, ballet, architecture, and music. But Gracie makes a mistake and finds the portal opening into a small farm in Pennsylvania instead. Gracie appears to be trapped when she loses her direction card. As Gracie becomes better acquainted with Gibson, who has also been stranded on the farm, they become good friends.
Lots of adventures ensue and the two friends are “skunked,” schemed upon by the jealous farm rats, and become the two darling pets of the farmer’s daughter. Gibson begins to have strange visions. Could he be experiencing life in a parallel universe? How will these two new found friends assist their farm family? Will Gracie ever find her way to St. Petersburg and back to her distant universe? In any case, all the inhabitants of the farm both human and animal will have their lives changed forever.
This first book in the series will entertain tweens with lots of their favorite themes and reward them with lots of real life issues to ponder as well. Nice read aloud for the classroom or entertaining individual read. It reminds me of Charlotte’s Web.
Lots of adventures ensue and the two friends are “skunked,” schemed upon by the jealous farm rats, and become the two darling pets of the farmer’s daughter. Gibson begins to have strange visions. Could he be experiencing life in a parallel universe? How will these two new found friends assist their farm family? Will Gracie ever find her way to St. Petersburg and back to her distant universe? In any case, all the inhabitants of the farm both human and animal will have their lives changed forever.
This first book in the series will entertain tweens with lots of their favorite themes and reward them with lots of real life issues to ponder as well. Nice read aloud for the classroom or entertaining individual read. It reminds me of Charlotte’s Web.
January 5, 2015
This book is described as a children's fantasy adventure, but I felt like the language was overly challenging for children and the story was confusing at times, and lacked any real character development. The fantasy elements were simplistic and uninteresting, and the adventure of the book was tedious and unexciting. Set in a farm, a little kangaroo like creature from another world develops a friendship with an abandoned cat and they must first figure out how to survive and then they have to protect a very unlikeable farmer from two rats bent on everyone's destruction. The author mixes overly simple kid language (Gracie has a pouch of 'get well stay well' magical stuff) with elaborate descriptions of Russia, where Gracie wants to visit, making the book feel disorganized. For me this story was very bland and the characters were dull. I had a hard time even finishing the story and I would not recommend this book for children or adults.
March 20, 2016
Good read
Read to my daughter at night. She liked Gracie and Gibson.
It was a good story. Will buy the second book.
Read to my daughter at night. She liked Gracie and Gibson.
It was a good story. Will buy the second book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews