Michaela MacColl

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“A Charming Historical Mystery” SLJ Loves Secrets in the Snow

I am in love with this review of Secrets in the Snow — so rarely does a reviewer get exactly what you were trying to do:

Secrets in the Snow

School Library Journal

October 1, 2016 

“A charming historical mystery.”—School Library Journal                     

Nineteen-year-old Jane Austen—yes, that Jane Austen—finds herself entwined in some serious intrigue when the War Office suggests that her cousin, whose French aristocrat husband lost his head to the guillotine, might be engaged in traitorous activity against England. Jane is determined to get to the bottom of the situation, even if it means veering into unladylike territory. Adding to the drama, a gentleman studying the law has entered Jane’s social circle—and all of her family members are eager to encourage a marriage match regardless of his condescending first impression. MacColl’s fidelity to Austen’s biography and family, with a bit of creative license woven in, results in a charming historical mystery. Her playfulness with Austen’s voice is a delight, and she peppers the story with hints at characters and plot points from the author’s oeuvre—nothing that distracts from the narrative, but tidbits that serve as inside jokes to readers who have already dived into her works. These elements more than make up for a somewhat rushed conclusion. Readers whose interest in Austen is piqued will enjoy the biographical back matter. VERDICT A solid addition for fans of cozy mysteries and literary reimaginings.

I’m Grateful to the Grateful American Prize

Freedom’s Price has been awarded the Honorable Mention by the Grateful American Prize.

Freedoms Price Covergrateful-american-hon-men-2016

Here’s the criteria:

The GRATEFUL AMERICAN™ BOOK PRIZE is the only award for excellence in writing, storytelling and illustration for children’s historical non-fiction and fiction focused on the events and personalities that have shaped the United States since the country’s founding.

I’m so flattered to say that this is the second time one of my books has been so honored. Last year, The Revelation of Louisa May was the recipient.

Freedom’s Price Reviews

“History comes alive in this imagining of the life of Eliza Scott, one of the daughters of Dred Scott, the slave at the center of a landmark case in American history…. Not much is known about the real-life Eliza, but these authors’ depict her as brave, headstrong, and intelligent…. this book is a compelling and exciting narrative as well as a window into a possible history…. A great choice to support school curriculum.” —School Library Journal 

“MacColl and Nichols paint a vivid picture of slavery’s brutal yoke… (e)xpect a savvy, energetic fighter in Eliza, and suspenseful plotting in this fine piece of historical fiction from the Hidden Histories series.” –Booklist

 

Coming Soon! The Lost Ones

I just received my author copies of the Lost Ones — what a beautiful book!

LOST ONES_FC hires

 

Haverhill High School Students Rock!

School visits… I love them.  Yesterday, I spent the morning at Haverhill High School with fabulous teacher Andrea Laws. Usually I speak to younger kids (middle school) – but these kids were juniors. When they asked questions about writing, they were thinking in terms of college and careers. It was a nice change — and I realized how much I’ve learned the past few years!

 

Booklist thinks Eliza is Savvy!

I am a sucker for the word “savvy” — and I was before Pirates of the Carribbean!  Booklist just gave Freedom’s Price a lovely review.  Here it is:

It’s 1849 and Eliza and her family live in a St. Louis jail while the court ponders their status as free or slave. Her father is Dred Scott, whose bid for freedom will culminate in the famous Supreme Court decision years later. Eliza fumes, secretly learns to read, and longs for a future in a more just world. MacColl and Nichols paint a vivid picture of slavery’s brutal yoke. Nowhere is this more sharply etched than in the tension between daughter and parents as Eliza tries to live in the world and spread her wings. Mother Harriet knows her teen daughter, even with free status, could be kidnapped by unscrupulous slave traders. As if the slavery crisis were not burdensome enough, a cholera outbreak and then a large fire steeps the city and its people in more misery. Expect a savvy, energetic fighter in Eliza, and suspenseful plotting in this fine piece of historical fiction from the Hidden Histories series.— Anne O’Malley