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EXCERPT FROM VISIT WITH A VIKING








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VISIT WITH A VIKING





Johnny and his classmates are on a field trip to the museum. Unfortunately, Johnny is stuck with a girl as his partner. Yuck! When the class comes to the Viking exhibit Johnny decides to get a better look, but he's blocked by "Killer Bruno's" huge frame. As the class moves to the next exhibit, a doll collection, Johnny and Bruno stay behind. They meet a woman demonstrating how to make brooms, and she lets them hold one. Suddenly, there's a flash of light and the broom starts spinning in circles. It pulls the boys into the whirlwind with it. When the boys open their eyes they are no longer in the museum, but outside in the cold and in danger! There's a wolf on one side of them and a Viking on the other! What will they do and how will they get back home?


Deborah Gafford has created a delightful story that is both exciting and educational for children. The story is easy to read and children will enjoy the art activity she's included in the back. This is a good book for introducing your child to the new worlds and cultures they can discover through reading.


Reviewed by Natalie Brunelle of Scribes World Reviews 4 Stars ****







Deborah Gafford's self-published paperback is a delightful tale for early elementary readers. Children, ages eight through ten, will be captivated by events that begin with a school field trip, but evolve into a time travel adventure.


As the second grade class explores the museum, Johnny and his oversized classmate, Bruno, discover a magic broom that transports them into the historical past. Since Bruno was born in a foreign country, his cultural exchange with Johnny bonds them together, as they confront danger, conquer roadblocks, and meet the strange Vikings.


Gafford, a published, retired elementary school teacher, magically portrays her fictional students with very real language, curiosity, and human foibles. She accomplishes her goal...to share her personal relationship with children in an imaginary world, which she enters quite easily. Johnny, Bruno, and Jenny Elizabeth form a secret club after the boys' safe return, creating reader interest in following their future time travels to different countries.


Parents will applaud Gafford's special attention to manners and "proper" behavior. Children will delight in her tactically reinforced covers and surprise activity hidden on the inside back pages. As Bruno would have commented, "Ja, that's a gute idea."


Reviewed by Elizabeth Malm Clemens of Just Views






In Deborah Gafford's Swept Away Series, A Visit With A Viking will keep your child sitting on the edge of their seat waiting for the next thrilling event. If action and adventure is your child's cup of tea, then they'll love Visit With A Viking. To quote my son, "That story is "tight". Tight is the new word for cool, if you don't know already.


To order an autographed copy, contact Deborah Gafford.


Reviewed by Kim Gaona of Kim's Reviews





MORE REVIEWS...



"VISIT WITH A VIKING is such a fun, educational, cool way to teach kids. The story itself featured some wonderful, realistic characters full of adventure and humor. The interactive features could keep the reader busy for hours tracking the 'net and learning exciting things all the way around their journey. I can't wait to read about Johnny and Bruno's next adventure, this time with Jenny Elizabeth along for a wild ride."


Reviewed by Karen Wiesner for Inkspot





SECRET IN SCOTLAND REVIEW


SECRET IN SCOTLAND is a very well written adventure story. Three school children, Johnny, Jenny Elizabeth and Bruno happen upon a magical broom that takes them on an adventure to Scotland. Actually, the broom is from the first story in the SWEPT AWAY series, VISIT WITH A VIKING, which doesn't need to be read to keep up with this one. They meet a young girl named Heather who lives in the castle where they arrived in some mystical fashion, which they can't begin to understand. As they contemplate the reality of all this, they learn a lot of things about Scotland and its traditions.


Interactive links let children explore and learn more about the culture and the land. Could there possibly be a treasure hidden in the old castle? Will the three children ever get back to Jenny Elizabeth's house? You'll have to read this enjoyable story to find out! The characters are realistic and humorous. They are not perfect and act like you would expect school age children to act! Ms. Gafford has found the right mix of fun, curiosity, and idiosyncrasies for her characters to make you want to follow these children on all their adventures! Children are not the only ones who will be able to relate to Johnny and his antics.


Reviewed by Fern Goodman for The Running River Reader TM