Set in the seaside town of Port Townsend, Washington, Saltwater Taffy is an award-winning children’s adventure novel following the lives of five “tweenage” friends as they uncover a treasure map that once belonged to the ruthless New Orleans pirate, Jean Lafitte.  The discovery thrusts them from one treasure hunting adventure to the next as they try to out-wit, out-think and out-maneuver everyone from a one-legged junk yard man and an overbearing town bully, to the creepy old man living at the top of the hill.  Saltwater Taffy is a race to the finish adventure that will capture your heart, again and again!


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Saltwater Taffy Review – Reader’s Favorite

This latest review for Saltwater Taffy by Dr. Karen P, a reviewer from Readers Favorite who has spent a lifetime working with children and families, dissects the purpose of Saltwater Taffy down to a SAWEET “T” –

I am always thrilled when a reviewer really “gets” the purpose of this Middle Grade Adventure Novel.  Any author wants to entertain their readers, but imagine inspiring a young mind to KNOW THEY CAN GO AFTER anything in life as long as they believe in themselves!

Glad you enjoyed the adventure Karen!  You can read her review of Saltwater Taffy on the Readers Favorite website and hey, if you love books, you can become a reviewer or follow them on Facebook!

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Saltwater Taffy WINS Silver Nautilus Book Award

The Nautilus Awards recognizes books that promote spiritual growth, conscious living & positive social change, while at the same time they stimulate the “imagination” and offer the reader “new possibilities” for a better life and a better world.  Past winning authors include Deepak Chopra, Lynn Twist, Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, Eckhart Tolle, and Thich Nhat Hanh.

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CHANGE: A Roadblock or Path To Greatness?

Why are we so afraid of change? Is it because we are worried about what other people might think of us if we change and let go of our ‘old self?’  Change, which can also be referred to as GROWING UP, can be a road block or a path to greatness.  What happens next is up to each and every one of us. Continue reading

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BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BOOK AWARD FINALIST

We are proud to announce that Saltwater Taffy has been named a Benjamin Franklin Book Award Finalist for our amazing cover by R.C. Nason.  Rob Nason is a veteran of Hollywood animation having worked on films like All Dogs Go To Heaven, Anastasia and Thumbelina.  The Benjamin Franklin Award is presented by the Independent Book Publisher’s Association.  The Awards Gala will be held on June 4, 2012 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York and kick off Book Expo America 2012.

Posted in Author Visits, Children's Books, Middle Grade Reading, Middle School Speakers, PTA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

7 DIET SECRETS FOR TWEENS

7 Diet Secrets for Tweens was created when I learned one in three American kids suffer from obesity.  That is NOT a good number you guys, so let’s talk quickly about nutrition and losing weight at your age.  Fact is, America is fat and only getting fatter.

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7 SIMPLE STEPS – HOW TO HANDLE PEER PRESSURE

Before we get to the 7 Simple Steps – How to Handle Peer Pressure, let’s talk about the super-secret ideal for anyone dealing with Peer Pressure: Stop worrying about being cool.

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SCHOOL VISIT – Port Hadlock, Washington

If your School, PTA, Book Club, or School Library is looking for an exciting author visit, here is a glimpse into the style of presentations author Eric DelaBarre delivers. Hear what Chimacum Middle School Principal said about Eric’s recent visit:

“I loved watching my students shower Eric with their love. The excitement and engagement levels were through the roof — I have no doubt that every child in that auditorium will remember the day Eric DelaBarre came to Chimacum. And that is what school should be about: creating powerful, memorable, emotional learning experiences that our children carry with them for a lifetime.”

Whitney E. Meissner, Ed.D.
– Principal
Chimacum High School
Chimacum Middle School
Chimacum Pi Program

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SCHOOL VISIT – Mercer Island, WA

After the Mercer Island BOYS READ BOOK CLUB fell in love with Saltwater Taffy, the PTA got together and flew us up for an author visit to Mercer Island.  First up was the famous Lakeridge Elementary School, which is the top book buyer for all schools participating in the Scholastic Book Fairs.

Then it was across the island to West Mercer Elementary School.  It was a fun-filled day of 2, yes…count them 2 school assemblies!!!  Needless to say I was a tired after this amazing day, but the kids were AWESOME, or….as we say here at the Saltwater Taffy Network, “Those kids were SAWEET!”  More videos to come, so stay tuned!

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HOW TO STOP A BULLY: CHANGE THEIR FOCUS

Could it be that easy?  Could we stop bullying before it starts by teaching our children to focus on something they love?  Could we ignite the hearts and minds of our children so much so that they can’t even recognize the impulse to bully another?

What started out as a book tour in support of Saltwater Taffy, where I have had the privilege of speaking to over 10,000 kids nationwide, the Saltwater Taffy Tour is not just another author trying to sell a book, but a movement of literacy and education, a movement of creativity and desire, and quite simply, Continue reading

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LOTTERY DREAMS & LOVE

As a new father, and a professional writer, I have to write whenever I can.  It’s 9:12 pm on a Saturday night and the world record lottery jackpot was won in Maryland.  While I intended to sit down at Starbucks to work on the adaptation of Saltwater Taffy, I find myself in the grips of a very important question:

“Did all the dreams of having that much money, how we would spend it, how we would take care of friends and family or even buy that really nice house we’ve always wanted actually… Continue reading

Posted in Becoming Famous, Children's Books, Creativity, Getting boys to read, Happiness, Tweens, Writing for Children, creative children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment