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Today's Book Note is a guest article from my friend and fellow Catholic author Lori Diez, who kindly gives us an update on the wonderful Angel or Not? series for children. I'm a huge fan of Lori's work and hope you enjoy learning about her terrific fiction! LMH

Picture5The Angel or Not? Book Series now has two books available in the projected 3 book series.  The books were written by, Lori Diez, a Catholic mom of three who after 18 years in Catholic School realized the need for fun, real-life books that incorporated good morals, values while reinforcing the Catholic faith.

The Angel or Not? series are engaging books for preteen children that focus on real life ups and downs of being a girl in Catholic school. Students will follow along with Angel as she travels through fourth grade and learns to handle her own conflicts while attempting to stay in 'angel-mode' even though, sometimes her thoughts and actions aren't so angelic. Readers will associate with Angel as she realizes that every action has a consequence.

The books are not meant to teach our Catholic faith, but rather to integrate our faith with a story-line that children/students want to read because they feel a strong connection with the main character - Angel, her family and friends.  In addition, teachers like the books for class readers because they include bolded vocabulary words throughout the story and include word banks in the back. There is also a workbook PDF available for additional class participation. They are the perfect book series for 3-5th graders for summer reading. Children want to find out what happens in Book one and are eager to get their hands on its sequel!

The first book in the series focuses on Bullying and how to handle the bully, while the second book focus is that of cheating on a test and the consequences associated with cheating and lying. Both books can be ordered AND autographed by the author, directly off the website:

SPECIAL SUMMER PRICING: Buy both books for: $11.95  www.AngelsCatholicBooks.com                              TEACHERS: SPECIAL SCHOOL PRICING AVAILABLE ON TEACHER PAGE

Angel or Not? Angel for Sure! Book One:  In the first book of the series, Angel, the main character is being bullied and must figure out how to handle and befriend the bully. You’ll meet Sister Rita, Angel’s family, friends and her first crush—Dreamboat Tony!

It’s easy to be drawn into Angel’s world while she tries to solve the Sonya Mystery. You’ll understand why she feels stuck in the Twilight Zone during Sonya’s and brother Anthony’s accidents. The first 5 chapters are available on the website to review.  208pgs ~ RL 4.6

NOTE: Book one which came out in 2010 BUT has recently been revised to follow national bullying guidelines AND  the author felt the main character needed a slight attitude adjustment. Visit www.AngelsCatholicBooks.com  to read the REVISED first 5 chapters.

Angel or Not? Ohhh So Not!!!  Book Two: Your favorite characters are back and the drama continues!  As Angel, a fourth grader in Catholic school discovers why Sonya was a bully and must say “Goodbye” to the “Sonya Mystery.” Dreamboat Tony is still a dreamboat and Sister Rita is full of her usual surprises.  You’ll meet the new neighbors and get an “ear-full” from Angel’s Grammy. From a fender-bender with Dad, to playing on the Jesuit football field, brother Anthony is back in action!

In this captivating sequel, Angel’s world spirals out of control when she makes the worst mistake of her life!  Find out exactly what Angel did to earn the book its title: Angel or Not? Ohhh So Not!!!  - The first 5 chapters are available on the website to review visit: www.AngelsCatholicBooks.com   226 pgs ~  RL 4.9     

Students in 4th and 5th grades around the Tampa Bay and Orlando areas loved the first book and couldn’t wait for the second to find out how the Sonya Mystery turned out and to read more about Brother Anthony—the soon to be star Jesuit football player;

BOOKS RECOMMENDED BY:  The following are quotes taken from letters the students in fifth grade at St. Lawrence Catholic School in Tampa Florida, wrote after they read,  Angel or Not? Ohhh so Not!!! and participated as Jr. Editors in the final editing of the book. Also included are book reviews from teachers and principals for Angel or Not? Angel for Sure! And Angel or Not? Ohhh so Not!!!

Mrs. Hernandez, Principal: “Finally…a book for our Catholic children that is packed full of Catholic values amid real life situations. Bravo!”

Mrs. Cruikshank and Mrs. Williams: “The characters are real and down-to-earth.  Family life is portrayed with positive parental role models and with realistic relationships between siblings and friends.  A definite for our school library…can’t wait for the next book!”

Mrs. Healea, teacher:  “A fabulous book for young Catholic children, a book filled with Catholic values.  In this book, children have the opportunity to read how their Catholic values are very influential with helping them make wise choices.  A must-read book for young Catholic children.”

STUDENTS:

Kevin: “The Angel or Not, Ohhh so Not” book is one of my favorites books!”

Alexis: “The book was full of funny things and ‘suspense.’ Like when Angel cheated and when Grammy’s hearing aid broke.”

Vincent:  “I have to say I really liked the book, but poor Sonya.  My class and I can’t wait to read the sequel. There will be a sequel, right?”

Olivia: “I loved your book. I loved it because it was about our Catholic faith. It was very good.”

Dillon: “I love your books they are quite exciting.  I also enjoy all the details in your books.  You are doing a Fantastic job as an author!

JP: “The book was a great book to read. I liked the part when Big Bud scores a bunch of touch-downs. The football game was a really cool part!”

Rosalice: “I can relate to that book because my family is just like that.”

Sara: “I enjoyed your book and it was a good lesson to not cheat and to tell the truth.”

Breanna:   “The book was great. My favorite thing about the book is that at least once on every page Angel asks herself (if she is being) an Angel or Not?”

Sophia: “Me and my dad read your book together and there were some very funny parts like with grandma’s hearing aid.”

Caroline:  “My favorite part of the book was the volleyball part.  You made the characters seem real!”

Christopher:  “I loved the Angel book because I love sports!”

About The Author

cropped author photoLori Diez — as a young child at Sacred Heart Catholic School — had a dream, and today she embarks on making that dream a reality. Her aspirations started during Lent when she, a fourth grader, was collecting money to put in her rice bowl for children in need. Lori told her parents, “If I get a dime from everyone I meet I could buy a lot of rice to feed the children.” It was this vision and the desire to make her dream come true that started her writing.

As a truly blessed mother of three healthy, amazing children, she noticed that after their eighteen years (and counting) in parochial schools there were few books if any that were geared toward the children attending Catholic or Christian schools. Thanks to Randy, her loving husband of twenty-seven years whose own personal dreams made it possible for her to be a stay at home mother giving her the opportunity to be active in the daily lives of their children and the time to put her words on paper, she began Angel or Not? Angel for Sure!

To see her dream of caring for children in need to fruition and to show appreciation for the gift of life that was given to her by her maternal and adoptive parents, the author will donate 75% of the net profits from the sales of her book to The Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay. The Heart Gallery is a national organization that is instrumental in helping children find permanent homes with loving adoptive families. She hopes to make a dramatic difference by taking an active role in seeing that the monies generated by her book sales go directly to improving the quality of life for children waiting for adoption.

Copyright 2013 Lori Diez