Searching for a Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery

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Searching for a Starry Night,
A Miniature Art Mystery

             * Top 10 in Kindle books for Miniatures! *
                        * Eppie eBook Award Finalist *

* A fun mystery for ages 9 & up!

Samantha Ann Carlton would rather spend her summer vacation anywhere but a spooky old house in Wisconsin…like Lake Geneva! Somehow Sam knows it's going to take more than a few days to find a missing painting no bigger than her hand.
   Maybe things won't be so bad, she thinks, since she gets to take a friend's lovable but mischievous Dachshund, Petey, and her best friend Lita. If they're lucky, the three of them can find the miniature replica of Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and help Sam's mother get it to the museum where it belongs. It's not going to be easy, Sam realizes, when she discovers her own family has some spooky secrets. Then Petey digs up an ancient curse, and Sam fears her friendship with Lita is doomed...
   Will they find the miniature masterpiece in time? Will Sam and Lita go home friends -- or enemies?

              ** Chapter One: Read/download PDF below.

searchingforastarrynight_chapterone-11.pdf
File Size:	317 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

                    * Teacher/Parent Reading Themes:
Dollhouses: Some of the described pieces and houses owned by housekeeper Mrs. Drake are based on the author's own collection. Miniatures collecting is a great hobby and creative outlet for kids of all ages.
Miniature Art: Miniatures are a specialized art category, usually 6-inches in size and smaller done by noted artists in oil and acrylic. Some artists recreate works by the masters in miniature for dollhouse collectors.
Family & Community: Students can make connections and discuss their family and community in comparison to Sam's relationships with her mother, friend and neighbors.
History: Students can discuss modern conveniences and their history by comparing what isn't used or available at the late aunt's Victorian house.
Dogs and Kids: Animal Adoption: The Dachshund, Petey, plays an important role in the book, and demonstrates the relationship between kids and a pet. The dog brings attention to animal shelters as Petey was adopted from a shelter.

** REVIEWS:
Chris Speakman, ChrisChat Reviews, gives Searching For A Starry Night 3 roses and says "...I grew up reading Trixie, Nancy, Hardy Boys, and the Famous Five and I look forward to my daughter reading 'Searching for a Starry Night.' Ms. Verstraete maintains the same level of interest and mystery that my childhood favourites contained. A fun way to spend time reading with any child and also introduce them to new hobbies."
   "...A delightful young adult story that children as well as adults will enjoy. ...Very entertaining, especially with the lovable Petey stealing the show! A good read for anyone who wants a laugh. -- Rating: 4 Lips - TwoLipsReviews
"...Well written, very exciting, and hard to put down...Interesting and educational..."-- Wayne S. Walker, HomeSchool Blogger, Stories for Children Magazine

                       * Watch the Video!

Searching for a Starry Night Awards:

* Finalist, children's/YA category, 2009 Eppie Awards, Epic Ebook Foundation.
* Top 10, 2008 Preditor's Editor's Reader's Poll, Best Mystery and Best Book Art categories