Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning by Danette Haworth Book Review

“Have you almost been struck by lightning? Eleven-year-old Violet Raines has, in more ways than one. And when she’s not dodging lightning or outrunning alligators, she’s trying to keep the prissy new girl from stealing her best friends.”

The book Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning made its way onto my nightstand a few weeks ago. I liked the book. Actually I liked it a lot. I especially liked to sassy yet compassionate character of Violet Raines and the way that the author really showed her like she is. ‘

‘Violet' Author Danette Haworth published her own comic book series starring Peter Pan at the age of six and continued writing from there. Haworth tells a great story and paints a picture of the angst that these tweens go through as this book is written for middle-school age children. Violet Raines and her friends really gave me a better understanding of what I can expect from my own children coming up in the next several years.

I had the chance to interview the fabulous author,  Danette Haworth-

DMM: I wanted more Violet after reading the book. Tell us what is next for Violet Raines? Is there a sequel in the works? What about your readers who want to play Violet in the movie?

Danette Haworth: As far as a sequel goes, I don’t know! I love Violet and all her friends, and I feel good about where I left her, right near that bridge with Eddie. And as far as readers playing Violet in the movie—I would love it, because that would mean a movie was being made! If that ever happens, I myself will lobby for a nonspeaking cameo, ala Hitchcock.

DMM: What is next for you as an author? Tell me what you are working on.

Danette Haworth: Next for me are revisions, revisions, revisions: I’m finishing up work on The Hotel of Blueberry Goodness (2010), which is about a girl who lives in a hotel and meets an eclectic group of friends, including a teenage runaway. Next, my editor and I will approach revisions on Me and Jack (2011), in which a boy who moves to a new town struggles to overcome the narrowmindedness of the town’s residents.

I cannot wait to check out the new book! Danette also blogs, please visit her blog here.

Read the Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning Chapter 1 excerpt here.

Buy Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning here!

What others are saying about Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning by Danette Haworth:

“Haworth's rich sense of place and telling detail embrace the reader like a hammock on a shaded porch, inviting them to while away the day. Danette Haworth creates characters so real they stand out on the page. They tell a story of friendship on the cusp of adolescence so full of spunk and humor I read more slowly as I approached the last page. This is a lovely debut.”

Audrey Couloumbis, Newbery Honor Winner, Getting Near to Baby

“Danette Haworth has written a wonderful story that is as warm and bright as the Florida sun, and eleven-year-old Violet Raines—loyal, hilarious, and true—is the best friend any girl could have.”

Lauren Tarshis, Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree

“I loved everything about it! Violet's voice grabbed me from the very first page and I felt myself hearing the buzz of the cave, tasting the peanut butter frosting, smelling the fish fry chop bucket, and feeling the electricity of a bit-too-close lightning strike. The writing is gentle and true and reminiscent of Kimberly Willis Holt and Kate DiCamillo.”

Emily D. Pardo, Books & Books, Coral Gables, FL