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In Larger-Than-Life Lara, Dandi Daley Mackall approaches a difficult subject, one that is a life lesson every child should be taught at a young age, with grace, care and a pinch of humor. A book that should be required reading in every school class

room, Lara handles herself well in every situation—well, almost every one.

What’s even cooler about this book is it not only deals with the topic of bullying but it also teaches readers the different parts of telling a story as each chapter deals with one of these elements (Dialogue, Setting, Rising Action, Details, Cliff-Hangers, and Climax are all addressed).

Ten-year-old Laney Grafton is a tad relieved when the new girl enters her classroom because everyone’s mean words and teasing shifts away from her and onto Lara Phelps. But here’s the thing about Lara: she doesn’t react like she should. Nope. Instead, Lara accepts the bullying and returns each action with a kindness. And while the storyteller (Laney) doesn’t intervene, she does begin to change. As will every reader of this book.

As a reader, I felt Laney’s hardships as well as Lara’s as I was taken along for the ride through the eyes of a fourth-grade girl shares a story through her eyes. The author portrays this excellently through the writing of the story. I was there in that class room with Laney and as she shares this impactful time in her life all the while commenting on what’s she’s learned about telling a story. And the results are sometimes humorous, sometimes heart-breaking, but always memorable.

If you have young children who are being bullied or if you know young children you want to encourage to help a friend who is being bullied or if you want to share how one person can make a difference, then Large-Than-Life Lara is a way in which to do it impactfully.

****I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Step into Heather Kaufman’s debut novel, The Story People and experience the power of a good book. Friendships are formed, imaginations are stretched and grown, troubles disappear.

Ben Palermo is discontent with his life. His original plan of taking care of his late uncle’s bookstore for a year before selling it has now become three years. While the people of the town are a draw, he has no direction for his future.

When Rosemary enters his store, Ben’s more engaged than he’s been in a long time. There’s something different about this woman, something familiar. But when three well-meaning busybodies decide they want to keep Ben in town, hilarity ensues. As do the misunderstanding between Rosemary and Ben.

Kaufman doesn’t shy away from real-life issues that are painful. Instead, she approaches them with care and compassion while giving the readers a chance to recover with a pump of humor. It took me a few chapters to get completely engaged in the book but after five or six chapters, I came to care about each of the characters and wanted to continue on this journey with them. Some of my favorite scenes were chapter beginnings with the boy and girl as they created the story people in their secret place.

And this would definitely be one of those books the story people spent a lot of time with.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

family dynamics

Life Lessons from Lara (by Dandi Daley Mackall)

The Story People by Heather Kaufman