About the Book
Title: Between the Lines | Author: Claudia Whitsitt | Publication Date: March, 2015 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 318 | Recommended Ages: 9+
Summary: Between the Lines tells the story of three girls who become friends during the racially-charged aftermath of the 1967 Detroit Riots.
Hattie Percha is crushed when the riots start on her tenth birthday, and when she must move away from her treasured childhood home and friends, attending public school for the first time, she’s afraid her life is over. Then, she meets Beverly Jo Nichols, her first black friend, and Crackers, a fearless tomboy. Despite opposition from Hattie’s mother and a racist teacher, the unlikely friends join forces. As the self-proclaimed Dream Girls, they challenge bigotry and intolerance, willing to do whatever it takes to hold onto what’s most precious to them all, their friendship.
Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (CA)
B&N * iTunes * Kobo * Smashwords * Goodreads
GUEST POST
Between
the Lines came to fruition as the result of a
promise I made to my fifth grade students. Writing a book of historical fiction
for middle grades was a new venture for me, but as a lover of historical
fiction, it proved a welcome task.
I grew up in Detroit in the fifties and
sixties, a thriving metropolis then, but also during a tumultuous time in U.S.
history. The Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement, the Cultural Revolution
about clothing, music, drugs, dress, social responsibility, and schooling, all
meant the world was about to change.
When the Detroit Riots started, I was
fifteen years old, a prime age for questioning the mores of the world, amidst
sorting out who I was and where I fit in the world. The riots sparked new and
troubling questions, which I easily recalled. But as I began research and
interviews for the book, I realized that I wasn’t the only one with a story to
tell. One of my best friends, Beverly Johnson, had grown up as a black girl in
Detroit, and her experience was much different from mine.
This led to my decision to include her
story in Between the Lines, as well
as her personality in the character of Beverly Jo. Fiction characters met
reality, and the story took a shape in a far more compelling manner than I had
ever imagined. Beverly was the victim of cruelty, prejudice, and racism and the
book took on a life of its own.
I included her story in Between the Lines, and as an added plus,
decided to use another friend for the basis of the character, Crackers (voted
reader’s favorite). Both Beverly and Ann McCracken were college friends and the
opportunity to rekindle their friendship through this story made sense. They
both attended the book’s launch and signed books as their characters. This made
history come to life for both my young and older readers. Through the fictional
creation of real-life friends, I captured the importance of friendship at any
cost.
Eventually, there will be a sequel, Beyond the Lines, which will further
discuss friendship in the face of hardship, crossing boundaries, and societal
expectations.
The Buzz
"Between the Lines is a powerful piece of historical fiction that must be added to the reading list of every middle grade student."~ 5 Stars, Lori L., Goodreads"Teachers and parents need to purchase this novel... Parents could use this novel to engage their kids in discussions to help develop a sense of social responsibility, friendship, and morality... Ultimately, this story is inspirational." ~ 5 Stars, Amazon Customer
"This book is a must read for everyone, no matter what age ... I would recommend it highly to be in the curriculum of every 5th and 6th grade classroom. " ~ 5 Stars, Sandra W., Amazon
"My daughter and I read this book together and loved it. It is a story that will stay with both of us for many years to come!" ~ 5 Stars, aleblanc, Amazon
"Between the Lines tells a really heartbreaking but uplifting story, about race and loyalty and friends, in a way that any kid will relate to. A perfect gift book for that hard-to-please youngster!" ~ 5 Stars, Jimmy, Amazon
About the Author: Claudia Whitsitt
Claudia Whitsitt spent a lifetime teaching special education and writing before becoming a full-time author. She believes in the power of friendship, small acts of kindness, and paying it forward. Nothing makes her happier than spending time with her children, which includes not only the five she raised but the countless students who touched her life over the years.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
"Between the Lines" Blog Tour Schedule (2015)
May 18May 19
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
* Blog Tour Giveaway *
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice
Contest closes: June 7, 11:59 pm, 2015
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Claudia Whitsitt and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you so much for hosting Claudia as part of the "Between the Lines" blog tour. I love how the story was inspired by a real friendship among the main characters and how cool that the real Beverly and Ann were at the book launch! They must have loved reading about their fictional selves. :)
RispondiElimina