Read The Reviews!

I've been privileged to be featured on some great book blogs in the last two months, (still more to come).  It's not just having these great folks read my book, what I most appreciate is building relationships with them.  Over a lifetime we stand behind thousands of people in the grocery store line and only exchange a, "hello", or "what cute children you have", but seldom build friendships that last with these people. Conversely, my fellow book bloggers live thousands of miles away, and I'm fairly certain I'll never stand behind any of them in a grocery store line, yet I feel akin to them.  Relationships are intentional and the best of them  are nurtured, please know dear blogger friends that I will continue to follow your blogs and leave comments as often as I can.  You are great people who commit yourselves to helping others, and as Sue Morris of,  Kids Lit Reviews, points out, practices random acts of kindness.  Please know you are deeply appreciated and greatly valued.  As Oli and Geepa would say in the midst of their Fourth of July Feeling, "Blessings To You"!!

Here are some excerpts from the, Oli's Uncommon Cents, reviews:


Home Maid Simple
I truly enjoyed this book. It is written for middle grade readers with a simple writing style, and a great lesson to be learned. I love the thought provoking questions this book raised.  Just what kind of value do we put on things. Although money all has a specific value what kind of worth should we place on money? Is it more important than our relationships?  Do we give more worth and value to our money, and forget about those people in our lives who should be cared for and loved more than money?  I think this book should be one to find it's way into every middle school!

One Desert Rose
At first I was more fascinated by the fantasy aspect of the novel. But it is so much deeper than first realized.  There are so many virtues that children can learn and practice by reading this novel.  Some of which include trust, honesty, obedience, the value of money, not judging others by appearance, helping the homeless, choosing wisely, self-worth, and personal value.  What a treasure trove!

Living Better One Day at a Time
I read this book during a few of my feeding times with Benjamin (my newborn). This book caught my interest in that the story line sort of reminded me of the book Indian in the Cupboard, which was one of my favorite stories as a child. I must say that I was very impressed with Allen's style of writing and the content of this book. I felt that the story line was believable and that I really felt for the cents and how they were living. I love that the message of the book was about the value and worth of ALL things in life and in all LIFE in life! I will be adding this book to our home library to share with my daughter and sons as they grow up.

Kids Lit Reviews
Oli’s Uncommon Cents is enjoyable cover to cover.  It is short enough to read in one or two readings, yet long enough to tell a most engrossing story.  I would not pass this one up.  Middle grade teachers can find many wonderful lessons inside of Oli’s Uncommon Cents.  Some of those lessons could cover self-esteem, respect, generational differences, family relationships, divorce, and loyalty to name a few.  I think the kids would simply enjoy the story, the humor, and the, sometimes, crazy characters.