Okay, I never get fan mail, so I just have to post this note I just got from a reader:

Hello,
I am K–– and i am 14 years old, im in 8th grade and I really enjoyed Little Blog on The Prairie , its the best book i have ever read! it like really pulled me in! I think I am going to read this book again. And i am not a book reader! I want to read slipping to. I asked my mom to buy both books for me! well keep writing i think your doing awesome!!!

How nice is that.

On Saturday afternoon, I visited a mother-daughter book club up in northern Westchester. It was a lovely afternoon–hot, but okay on Stacey, Sarah and Laura’s deck in the shade, sipping lemonade spritzers and eating fresh-baked caramel brownies. I brought along my friend Elizabeth who was a lot of fun, talking to me across the circle about all the things she loves in the book. I had attended this book club about a year ago and although I remembered nobody’s name, everyone’s faces had been indelibly etched in my brain. I think this was a special group––all thoughtful girls and moms, and each one so different.

Some were opinionated and interested in pushing up against the story, seeing if I could defend it. Others pointed out what they thought were disloyalty on the part of characters that I (a Hobbesian!) hadn’t thought about at all. Others were looking for themes, wanting to go deeper. Others still were interested in discussing threads that delved away from the story––imagining themselves experimenting in life on the frontier. One mom, Judith, analyzed the book in terms of its themes of connection and authenticity in a way that made my heart stop beating for a second. I have been obsessed with connection and authenticity in every phase of my life, but I hadn’t seen this book as yet another example of this until she spoke. I felt like she was a palm reader. All in all, a kind of magical afternoon.

One of the fun things about having a book come out is finding out what people think of it. Little Blog was reviewed on its release in three trade publications, Bookist, Publishers’ Weekly and School Library Journal. It’s also been reviewed in several blogs kept by librarians and readers. Here are some excerpts of what’s being said.

“This fast read is humorous and insightful, with realistic characters that are refreshingly well rounded. Bell has captured a 13-year-old’s voice, making Gen’s unlikely situation feel very real.”
––School Library Journal

“A fun premise that leaves Bell ample room for physical comedy, while touching on themes of family and the (dis)advantages of modern life”
––Publisher’s Weekly

“This book is hilarious and heart warming at the same time. “
––DLC Teen Reviews

“In addition to lacing the book with plenty of humor, Bell also demonstrates in her book some of the real rigors of frontier life.”
––The Fourth Musketeer.blogspot.com

“Little Blog on the Prairie is as funny of a read as the title implies. Guaranteed to be a hit with readers, whether they are Little House on the Prairie fans or readers who enjoy making fun of the series.”
––BestBookIHaveNotRead.wordpress.com

“Bell has created a book with a sharp wit and yet a homely warmth. Gen is a great protagonist whose texts are fun to read. Bell also has a feel for humor with the killer chickens and the cow milking scene. Both are worth reading the novel for.”
––KidsLit (kidslit.menahsalibrary.org)

“Fans of Little House on the Prairie or anyone interested in how everyday life was lived in America’s past will definitely want to read Little Blog on the Prairie .”
––Curled Up With a Good Kids’ Book (curledupkids.com)

“I can’t imagine voluntarily going to such a place for the summer – but I certainly enjoyed reading about this group!”
––KisstheBook.blogspot.com

“This blog is a great read for girls in their early teens, and would recommend to anyone who enjoyed the Clique series. ”
––FromMyHeadReviews.blogspot.com

“As I was reading this book I kept thinking about the rebellion I would have on my hands if I came to my own three kids and told them we were going on a “Little House on the Prairie” type family vacation… Seriously, I think that my husband and kids would burst into flames….”
––LibraryLoungeLizard.com