YA Western Novel Catches on Fire with More Five Star Reviews.

Book Review- Reader's Favorite: 

Five star review for Hank of Twin Rivers, Book one; A journey of Change. 

http://readersfavorite.com/book-review/25694Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite
Brenda Casto writes

Hank of Twin Rivers was such a delightful read that I hated to see it end. It's the story of young Hank Heaton, and takes place in 1855. Hank and his family live in a soddy along Buck Creek in a small Iowa settlement. It was the spring of that year when Hank was on the verge of turning twelve that his whole world changed. Young Hank lost his beloved mother and young sister Amanda to cholera. While Hank recovered from the dreaded ailment, he was troubled with a weakened leg, but the worst thing was the fact that his pa changed; he would no longer call Hank by his name, instead he called him 'boy.' There is one person Hank can rely on, his uncle Mac, who often softens the harshness that his father doles out. He does have a pet cow and is often plagued by a mean goose that loves to attack him. When his father decides to leave their home and head to Nebraska to homestead, Hank doesn't want to go but has no choice. Will they make it west, and what adventures await young Hank? One thing is for certain, Hank's life is about to change forever.

This young adult read is a wonderfully written adventure that allows readers to step back in time and travel along with Hank and his family as they move west. M.C. Arvanitis expertly creates a very endearing character in Hank, who fights his emotions because his pa says that Heaton men don't show their emotions in public, but young Hank certainly grieved the loss of his ma and sister. The descriptions of the characters and setting grabbed my imagination and wouldn't let go. The sights and sounds that are woven into the book, from a brush with Indians to the teasing that Nora inflicted upon Hank as they traveled together, flow so well that once I started reading the book I couldn't put it down. I found myself laughing out loud when the goose refused to stay behind, but also felt sadness when he had to give up his pet. I figured this story might be similar to Little House on the Prairie, but honestly it was richer, more detailed and realistic. There is struggle and hurt, but there is also joy and hope within the pages of this coming of age story. Perfect reading for young adults, but honestly I think it will appeal to adults as well. Hank of Twin Rivers is a story that left this reader anxious for the next book in the series!

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TWO THUMBS UP!!!

A TWO THUMBS UP review for Hank of Twin Rivers, Book One, Journey of Change. From Book worms for Kids Blog. Book Reviewer, T Drecker. http://bookwormforkids.blogspot.com/2014/01/hank-of-twin-rivers-by-mc-arvanitis.html …

My Tidbits

Historical fiction for children, especially when it isn’t about a well-known figure, isn’t easy to do, but M.C. Arvanitis has done a terrific job.

After losing his little sister and mother, Hank helps his father and uncle pack-up the wagon and head West in hopes of settling down in the Platte River Valley. On the way, they not only face many adventures, but Hank learns more about himself and the world around him.

When I started this, I was skeptical simply because wagon trail stories for this age group tend to either get a little boring or incorporate too much adventure and become unrealistic. Here, this was not the case. Hank is a very realistic boy: not the strongest but willing, not heroic but ready, and usually obedient but not always. He has to overcome the problems and adventures which historically occurred on such a journey—exciting and still, not blown out of proportion—as well as deal with the difficult relationship with his father, who has troubles coming to terms with the mother’s death.

The writing is great for this age group, adding just enough description and tidbits to keep the reader informed without getting wordy. The journey is exciting and historically sound. The characters are sympathetic and realistic, having good qualities as well as faults. And, one of my favorite things for this age group, the book isn’t too long. At 108 pages, even reluctant boys won’t moan and groan at the length—and yes, I believe this is a story they will really enjoy. In other words, I give this a big, fat, hearty. . .Two Thumbs up. 

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DON'T MISS THIS FIRST BOOK OF THE HANK SERIES

In e-book and print

Places to purchase it:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/336710

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E7NKYSY

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7NKYSY

MORE OF HANK 

After you read Hank's Journey of Change you will want to 

watch Hank growth into manhood in this coming of age series. 

(to be published in 2014)  

                                                                                     

(Covers designed by Artist, Dori Murnieks)

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Hank's Adventure at Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock

Famous landmark on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails

In 'Hank of Twin Rivers Book Two, Eagle's Nest', Hank joins the Wranglers who are seeking the wild horse herds in the Sandhills of western Nebraska. On the way they pass Chimney Rock, a geological rock formation.

 The covered wagon migration of 1841-1866 followed the Platte River through Nebraska on their way West. When they arrived in Western Nebraska, the sight of Chimney Rock towering to the sky added to their adventure.  Rising nearly 300 feet above the surrounding North Platte River valley, the peak of Chimney Rock is 4,226 feet above sea level. It can be seen miles away. During the middle 19th century it served as a landmark along the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and the Mormon Trail, which ran along the north side of the rock. It was visible for many miles before reached. The sight of Chimney Rock protruding in the air, in the middle of nowhere, signaled the end of the long, laborious, journey through those sand filled, treeless plains. Those passing by stopped to carve their names in the rocky formation, still to be seen this day.

(follow the dotted lines to where, with the wranglers, found his horse, Lady.)

Read about Hank's adventure with the horse wranglers in the second of the Hank of Twin Rivers Series.  Soon to be launched as an E-book. 

GET ACQUAINTED WITH HANK HEATON

Join him in his wild west adventures in book one, Journey of Change 

Find Hank of Twin Rivers Book One: Journey of Change here.

For twelve and older.

E- book:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/336710

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E7NKYSY

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7NKYSY

Paper: http://amzn.com/1494427001

For twelve and older

^^^^^^^^^^

 Danger waiting in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Hank and his family left their home in Buck Creek, Iowa. They followed the Missouri River to Council Bluffs where they would cross by ferry over the Missouri River into Nebraska.  

Why did Hank's Pa decide on homesteading in Nebraska? 

In the winter of 1853 General A. C. Dodge, one of the Iowa senators was traveling through Fremont County on horseback on a tour of investigation of the condition of western Iowa, its settlement, and the character of the country west of the Missouri. He became impressed with the importance of organizing all the country now included in Kansas and Nebraska as Nebraska Territory, and on his return to Washington he introduced such a bill. When it came back from the committee on territories, of which Senator Douglas was chairman, it was so amended as to provide for the organizing of two territories, one to be called Kansas and the other Nebraska." This movement was to be called the The Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 and created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. Since Kansas was the scene of many bloody battles between those who wanted slavery and those who did not, and since this treaty protected the settlers from dealing in the slave traffic, it seemed to be the safest place.  

(Excerpt from Chapter 10, The Butler Brothers, where Hank decides to explore the riverfront.

A commotion from a near by saloon caught Hank's attention. He walked to the open door and looked in. The two men who had almost run him down earlier were arguing with a young Union soldier. The scar-faced man shouted, “What’d ya say, Yankee?" 

“I said,” replied the soldier shaking his fist at the Butler brothers, “That the northern states will never allow slavery." 

Scarface turned to his brother. “Did ya hear that, Hector?” Hector sneered his answer, “the only good Yank is a dead Yank!” At this the two men shoved the soldier out of the door. He stumbled and fell against Hank’s legs. Hank fell on top of the soldier. In an instant the scar-faced man pulled a pistol from his belt and aimed it at the soldier. 

Hank froze! The gun barrel pointed directly at him- - - -.

 Read more of Hank's adventures in this saga of pioneers of the Wild West.

(In e-reader form or print book)

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/336710

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E7NKYSY

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7NKYSY

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More of 'Hank of Twin Rivers' Adventures to come soon

                                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

J.B.Heaton and family leaving Buck Creek for land in Nebraska Territory

Buck Creek's well know resident, John Bernard Heaton, and family, is leaving our town to find land in the Platte Valley region of Nebraska Territory. John and his wife helped to start our town, when they homesteaded here twelve years ago. He, his brother-in-law, and son will be missed.

(News story in the Buck Creek News, April, 1855)   

Read the rest of the story in the first book of the 'Hank Of Twin Rivers Series.' The 'son' is Hank, who is forced to go with his family on an long and often dangerous journey to find a new home. This coming of age series takes a shy, smaller than most boys his age, from a twelve year old boy to his eighteenth year when he becomes a man.  

 

When Hank’s mother dies his father decides to go west to find new land. Hank rebels at leaving his home. Pa’s discipline is quick and painful and Hank has to obey. He feels Pa's disappointment in him when he doesn't call him by his name, only Boy this and Boy that. His comforts are Clementine, his pet cow, and his Irish, fiddle playing Uncle Mac. Hank faces unpredictable mid-western weather, rattlesnakes, and sandburs while walking behind the covered wagon. He withstands stampeding buffalo, murdering claim jumpers, unfriendly Indian Tribes. He finds friends along the trail; among them are Rusty, a rich Southern boy from Missouri; Nora, a teasing eight-year-old girl from Wisconsin, and a feisty, red haired preacher's daughter, Becca. 

For twelve and older.
E- book:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/336710
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E7NKYSY
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7NKYSY
Paper: http://amzn.com/1494427001

Announcing

COMING IN 2014

Hank of Twin Rivers

 Book Two: The Eagle's Nest 

We find Hank three years later. Hank finds a perch at the top of a tall cottonwood tree where he watches as Twin Rivers grows into a trading post. Wagon trains on both the Oregon and the Mormon Trails stop for supplies. Among his many adventures are helping a family of slaves escape from bounty hunters, making friends with a Pawnee boy, tangling with a wild woman, and falling for the preacher's daughter. His conflict with his pa renews when his new stepmother insists that they send him away to an eastern school to further his education. He joins the horse wranglers passing through and learns the hard way how to break a horse. When he comes back to Twin Rivers, he fined Becca gone. 

Start reading the first book now! 

Hank of Twin Rivers, Book One: Journey of Change 
by M. C. Arvanitis 
Links: http://amzn.com/1494427001
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/336710

Book One, 'Journey of Change' takes readers into the dangerous adventures of a pioneer boy on the first step of his journey to adulthood. Hank lives with his over-protective mother and a overly strict  father. who believes that harsh discipline will make his son into a man. When cholera takes his mother, Hank's only comforts are his wisecracking, fiddle-playing Irish uncle; and his pet cow, Clementine. He feels Pa's disappointment in him and  hides in daydreams and book reading. What else can he do? He can't make himself grow taller, and now that the cholera has weakened his leg and he finds himself limping, he feels even more inadequate. 

When Hank’s father decides to find a new home, Hank rebels. Pa’s discipline is quick and painful and Hank has to obey. Crossing sandbur-infested prairies, fording raging rivers, and eating dust while walking behind the slow wagon fill Hank's days. He withstands the unpredictable mid-western weather of hailstorms, dust storms, an early blizzard and flash floods. Stampeding buffalo, murdering claim jumpers, rattlesnakes, and a belligerent goose provide plenty of challenges.

His troubles are lightened when he finds friends along the trail: Rusty, a southern boy from Missouri, Nora, a teasing eight-year-old girl from Wisconsin, and Moses, an escaped slave who makes his living as a trapper. When an itinerant preacher and his large family join them, Hank meets the most important challenge of his life when the preacher’s daughter, Becca comes into his life

• Note from author, M. C. Arvanitis 

So many boys quit reading for pleasure at the age of 10, the phenomenon has a name — the Fourth-Grade Slump. It has been said that forty per cent of boys are “reluctant readers” in school, but the problem isn’t intelligence. Boys are simply less motivated to read. Give them a look into the exciting and dangerous world of Hank Heaton's Journey on the Oregon Trail. They'll put themselves in Hank's shoes and want to read the series. 

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Cardinal is lost in a blizzard. Who will save her?

Winter Friends

M. C. Arvanitis

Once there was a Cardinal

Flying on a dark and stormy night,

She flew here and there, lost in flight,

She was looking for a sheltered spot

Where she could safely light.

The wind was blowing wildly,

And she needed to find a tree,

Or some other place to be,

But snow fell all around her,

And it was hard for her to see.

At last she came upon a house

With lights shining bright as day.

She heard a pleasant voice say,

"Cardinal, my friend, come down

Before the wind blows you away."

A snowman stood on the ground.

Two sticks stuck from his side,

Like arms that opened wide.

"Perch yourself upon my arm.

Rest on me," the snowman replied.

Cardinal landed with a sigh,

“You just saved my life," she said.

Without you here I'd be dead."

"Well now, Glad I could be of help.

Hello. You can call me Fred.

You are welcome to join me, friend.

Feel free to rest upon my arm.

I will keep you safe from harm.

At least for a month or two,

Until the sun becomes too warm."

Cardinal stayed with Snowman Fred.

The bird and Fred was quite a pair

And together they would share

A song, a joke, or a dream or two.

She knew she was safe right there.

But when spring came to the yard,

And sun beat down hot and clear.

Poor Fred began to disappear.

It was time for the friends to part.

Cardinal tried not to shed a tear.

She built a nest on a tree near by,

And sang songs of good cheer

For all the folks around to hear,

While she waited for the winter snows

When Fred would once again appear.

~~~~

Free to copy and use.  

If you pass this along please add the author's name.  

M. C. Arvanitis

Free to copy -- Red Bird's Gift

The Red Birds’ Gift

by

M. C. Arvanitis

Reggie Cardinal watched the old man walk up the path from his house in the forest to the mailbox. The old man carried a bag in one hand and his cane in the other. With a happy smile, he stopped at the mailbox, pulled out a letter and shoved it into his pocket

Reggie knew that the old man lived alone and waited all year for the letter that told him when his family would arrive for their Christmas visit. Reggie also knew that even on the coldest days of winter the old man brought food to the birds of the forest.

When Reggie heard the old man whistle for the birds to come for their treat, he joined the other birds on the ground. Bluejays grabbed the larger seeds and flew to the near by branches to enjoy their tidbit. Tiny brown juncos and yellow finches bravely flew among the bigger birds to get their share.

The old man smiled as he watched the birds eat. He sat on the rock and read his letter.  This time however, instead of smiling at the news, tears came to his eyes. He folded it and placed it back in his pocket. He spoke to the birds as he often did. “My family can’t come to spend Christmas with me this year,” he said sadly. “They have made other plans.”

Reggie watched him walk back toward the cabin leaning heavily on his cane. The old man did not come to the mailbox bringing food for the birds after that. No colored ornaments decorated the little fir tree by his cabin. There were no wreath on the door or candles in the windows. Reggie called the other birds together. The old man is sad,” he told them. “His family is not going to visit him for Christmas. We should try to cheer him.”

  

     “We cannot. We must be on our way before it gets to cold for us here,” said the yellow finches. They flew away.

     "We cannot,” said the juncos. "We are too small to help a human person.” They flew away.

     "We cannot,” said the jays. "We are cold. We must find a cedar tree with thick branches to protect us from the winter wind.” They flew away.

     “We cannot,” said the woodpeckers. “If the old man isn’t going to feed us, we must spend our time looking for insects under the bark of the evergreen trees.” They too flew away.

     Only the cardinals stayed. “How can we help?” they asked.

     We can not bring the old man’s family to him.” answered Reggie, “But maybe we can cheer him up with our songs.” The red birds perched themselves upon the little fir tree by the cabin door. More cardinals appeared. Soon red birds covered the tree from top to bottom singing their sweet song.

     When the old man heard them, he came out of his house. He smiled for the first time since he received the letter. “Well now, I have been feeling so sorry for myself that I neglected my forest friends. But even when I don’t feed you, you cheer me up with your songs. We’ll have Christmas after all."He hung a wreath on the door and placed the candles in the windows. Next he brought out his fiddle and played all the Christmas songs he knew.

     A loud horn blast sounded above the music. The station wagon drove down the lane with waving children hanging out the window. When the car stopped his grandchildren tumbled out. The oldest child shouted as she rushed to hug him. “We couldn’t spend our Christmas without our Gramps.”

       A woman, helping the other children from the car, called to him. “We changed our plans, Dad,” We decided that it is not Christmas unless we can be together with you.” 

   Tears of joy came to the old man’s eyes. Reggie watched as the old man led his family into the cabin. He knew there would be no feast at the mailbox until they left, but he didn’t care. He was glad to see the old man happy again.

Illustrations by Mary Lou Beaulieu

As seen on Ms Marge preschool web site. 

www.ms-marge.com

This story is free to copy and use to read. It is under copywrite to M.C. Arvanitis and should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any electronic form or print form.  Please give the author credit  if you do borrow it.  

Pixies, Mountains, Imps, and Moles .. what do these have in common?

ANOTHER OF M. C. ARVANITIS'S FABLES 

I am adding to my list of Mid-grade FABLES, 'PIXIES OF THE FERNS; FERNELLA'S  MAGIC.' The tale takes place near Mount Hood, Oregon, and tells of the adventure of a young Pixie, Fernella, and her friend, Freddie, an inventor. Fernella is the seventh daughter and seventh children are born with special magics. She must find her magic before her father will give his blessings to her marriage to Freddie. When the humans threaten to develop the Pixie's home near Sandy Waters, Fernella and Freddy take off in his flyer to find a new place to build. The flyer crashes leaving Freddie badly hurt. When Fernella goes to find help for him she meets up with a Puk-Wud-Jie, who is no help at all, she thinks. She is attacked by the vicious flying Imps and captured by moles. Who will help her escape? How can she find help for Freddy? And above all how will she find her magic? 'PIXIES OF THE FERNS; Fernella's Magic' will be launched in late 2013.

Fernella's Path

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Check out my other fables now available as e-books or print books. They are written for mid-grade readers but children from 4 to 94 will enjoy them too.  Pick them up at links below.

For Amazon.com  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JEWTR2 

For Smashwords, Nooks, and other devices: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/120937

For Amazon.com-- http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Wings-Mermaids-Story-ebook/dp/B009UO7HAI/

For Smashwords, Nooks, and other devices: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/247283

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I take much care in writing these fables, adding adventure and excitement without using undo violence.

Parents can feel free to give these to their children. 

I take much joy when I know they are being read. That is the pay a writer wants most

and it makes me HAPPY.

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