MrsK Books: Kat McGee Saves America

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Kat McGee Saves America

Kat McGee Saves America by Kristin Riddick

ISBN: 9781497492073

Net Galley Description:

The Fourth of July. Parades, fireworks, apple pie--and an amazing history of American freedom and revolution. Kat McGee doesn't know what she'd do without her favorite summery celebration of all things patriotic... but if she doesn't travel back in time to work her holiday-saving magic, she's going to find out--and fast. It's 1776. Thomas Jefferson has been kidnapped. The Declaration of Independence is gone. And the country's brilliant past rests on a young woman from the future, aided only by (the Statue of) Liberty, a young John Quincy Adams, and a whole lot of summer holiday spirit.

MrsK's Review:
While browsing for my next reviewing journey, I was immediately attracted to the bold "American" colors and the delightful illustration of Kat McGee. What a cutie, I wonder who is this delightful character? Why have I not heard of her before? Whether its a title or the book's cover... if it calls to you, you have to follow by opening its cover. Once opened, the next greeting I received was the title "Summer Bummer." How could this sweet little charmer have a bummed summer. As an educator, I am always right on the tales of our students.

As our students are rolling out of the parking lot, I too am filled with joy at the prospects for an amazing adventure. Kat's summer offered, "Aqua Thrillway, Flag Day in June, three weeks at Camp, family vacations...even all the way to Seattle to see Gram! She also loved lazy days spent reading by Lake Micmac....most of all, Kat loved the 4th of July." Until Kat was 5 minutes late for the POFF's student ambassador meeting.

Prior to those fatal 5 minutes, Kat was sure she would be voted in, which of course meant that she would be allowed to "...design the floats, help order the fireworks and decide on the parade lineup..." After all, the one teacher on the committee was Miss Libby. Hadn't Miss Libby been the one teacher who helped turn her social studies grades around when she encouraged Kat, "I promise, one day it will CLICK!" Miss Libby claims, "...history is so exciting that if Kat learned the dates and events that changed America, Kat would feel as if she was magically traveling back to that time."

With that backdrop, Kat arrives home with such despair that those 5 minutes cost her all of her hopes and dreams for the 4th of July. And yet, Gram was there! During dinner, Gram asked, "...what do you think of when you think of the 4th of July?" "...who was the father of the Declaration of Independence?" Once Gram realizes that they are missing its full meaning, Gram decides that a road trip was needed. A museum trip?

Kat couldn't imagined that things could get any worse. As they entered the museum, Gram informed Kat that she trusted her to help when needed. She gave Kat a sparkling ticket and reminded her, "...magic is not on demand. It's thoughtfully crafted for a necessary reason, a willing giver, and a deserving recipient." Just then a commotion begins and Kat discovers a door with a sparkling, star-shaped doorknob. Looking closer Kat realizes "...that there is a slit in the center that looked like a ticket slot." Suddenly Kat is yanked off the ground and finds herself looking into deep hazel eyes of a lady who is green and stating, "Kat! Finally! What took you so long? I was beginning to think Gram had forgotten about us..." Bewildered, Kat begins her journey in Libertyland and helping to locate Mr. Jefferson and the most important document of time, the Declaration of Independence. How will Kat comprehend a living museum, time travel back to 1776, and righting the injustice of forgetting what the 4th July truly means for all? Will the chalkboard of change allow her access to 1776? Join Kat as she meets a young John Q Adams. Time travel will require new clothing, and Mrs. Ross is the best seamstress for the job. If you are looking for a quick ride to save the Constitution, who else but Paul Revere would you trust.

Don't wait, take this adventure before the 4th passes you by,
MrsK

Kristin Riddick doesn't look good in hats, but she seems to wear a lot of them. Her voice has been heard on shows such as One Tree Hill, The OC, Everybody Hates Chris, and Chuck, and on-camera she recently played opposite Megan Mullally on Fox's Breaking In. She's written a screenplay, a pilot, a middle-grade book, and a lot of memorable thank you notes... so she's told. She teaches Pilates and spinning to stay sane, may have a super power or two, and takes a lot of chances riding her bike all over Los Angeles because she gets road rage when driving. A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Kristin graduated from The University of Virginia and currently divides her time between LA and Austin with her multi-talented producer husband David Kirkwood

Enjoyable reading for everyone... Will be adding to our Library shelves!

"I received this ebook for free from Net Galley for this review."

FEED YOUR READERS


Publicist: Saira Rao saira@inthistogethermedia.com

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)