Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Brigitta of the White Forest (and a giveaway!)

Today's MMGM features author (and fellow MMGMer!!), Danika Dinsmore! Her novel, Brigitta of the White Forest, is an entrancing journey into a land of faeries, forests, friends, and foes and is the first in a series of Faerie Tales in the White Forest. In this book, readers are reminded that magic lives in our ordinary selves because sometimes we are called upon to do extraordinary things.

The premise: Brigitta is a faerie on the verge of receiving her wing markings which will determine her Life Task. It is also the season celebrating the resetting of the Hourglass of Protection. Brigitta is waiting, waiting for everything new to begin for her. At times during her waiting, she has ordinary things to do, like watching over her little sister Himalette. On a day Brigitta is doing just that, Himalette follows a sprite inside a log, and Brigitta goes in after her. Outside the log a bright light flashes, causing all living creatures in the White Forest to turn to stone. Brigitta must travel to the only faerie left, the exiled Hrathgar, for help. But will an exiled faerie even help--if Brigitta can get to her?

What keeps readers reading: The adventure! Brigitta and Himalette travel outside the protection of their beloved White Forest in order to save it and those they love. Brigitta must be brave, decide who (and what) to trust, and reach deep within herself for magic she didn't even know she had in order to make sure the Hourglass of Protection is reset. Brigitta of the White Forest encounters floating eyes, talking plants, a creature who hugs with his ears, evil, good, and Hrathgar--all because Brigitta is the only one who can do what must be done.

I was privileged to receive Danika Dinsmore's novel from her publisher and am giving it away (!!) as my second gift in Akoss's Winter Giveaway Hop. Comment on this post by Friday, December 2, 2011 at 10pm CST to enter. U.S. mailing addresses only, please. And stop in at Danika's blog to learn more about her and her writing.

Other MMGMers and their recommendations:

Find their links in my right sidebar ~~~~~~~>

Happy middle grade reading!