September Brings a "Blessing"

Although it’s hard to see summer come to an end, I always look forward to the pleasures of fall. For me this year’s pleasures are especially welcome, as they include the arrival of the third book in the Anna Mei series: Blessing in Disguise.    

In this follow up to Cartoon Girl and Escape Artist, Anna Mei Anderson has started 7^th grade. Although that means another new school for her, she’s no longer the “new kid.” In fact, she’s pretty sure she has everything figured out this time, with a group of good friends and a to-do list that includes joining the Science Club. She’s even prepared to be friendly and helpful to Kai Chen, whose family has just moved to town and whose father works with Anna Mei’s father at the research lab.

But she hasn’t counted on how annoying Kai turns out to be. Or how the more she gets to know him, the less sure she is about anything—including her feelings about her family, her friends, even her own identity. Some things, it turns out, are a little more complicated than they seemed.

This chapter in Anna Mei’s journey toward self-awareness was especially challenging. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my editor at Pauline Kids, Jaymie Stuart Wolfe.  An adoptive mother herself, Jaymie provided invaluable insight into the hearts and minds of families like the Andersons and the Chens. Her enthusiasm and guidance gave me the confidence to take Anna Mei’s story in this direction.

Once again the cover art was created by the talented  Wayne Alfano. Mary Joseph Peterson, FSP, designed a great collage for the back cover, featuring maps, a compass, and a portrait of Anna Mei with her friends. It's fun to see all of them together for the first time!

I hope you'll enjoy Blessing in Disguise and appreciate the  depth it adds to the series. It's available online now at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and Pauline Books & Media. It’s on the shelf at Pauline bookstores across the U.S. and in Canada, as well as at Schuler Books in Lansing, Michigan. Other bookstores will be stocking it soon.

If you’d like to order a signed copy, simply email me at contact@carolagrund.com, and I’ll reply with payment and shipping information.

I decided to end this post with a quote from Lucy Larcom, a 19^th century poet famous for her detailed account of early American childhood. It's appropriate because the book features a botany project as well as a life lesson that can only come from experience— sometimes, our biggest challenges turn out to be our greatest blessings.

"Like a plant that starts up in showers and sunshine, and does not know which has best helped it to grow, it is difficult to say whether the hard things or the pleasant things did me the most good."