Although Saint Valentine's Day is not a public holiday in any country, it is a significant cultural and commercial celebration of romance and love. Observed on February 14, it generates millions of dollars in chocolate, flower, and card sales.
Originally, Saint Valentine’s Day recognized the martyrdom of a third century Roman priest who was executed in 269. One legend says that he was killed for performing weddings for Christian soldiers who were forbidden to marry. Another is that, while being jailed for his faith, he restored the sight of the jailer’s blind daughter, to whom he wrote a letter which he signed "Your Valentine" before he was executed.
Regardless of why and how it started, Valentine’s is a day that causes a lot of stress. This is especially true for middle grade students, who feel they are too old for the silliness of elementary school Valentines Parties, yet aren’t confident in matters of the heart.
Hector “Hec” Anderson is a good example of a middle grader blundering his way through first love. An awkward, geeky sixth grade boy, Hec finds himself speechless when a new girl, Sandy Richardson, enrolls in his school. Sandy is beautiful and kind and Hec is instantly smitten with her. Unfortunately, so is the tall, handsome and popular captain of the basketball team, who sics his goons on Hec in an attempt to intimidate him.
The Valentine’s Day Dance is coming up. Hec tries to get Sandy’s with flowers and candy, but everything he does turns into a disaster. Does he dare ask her to dance with him – and earn a chance to win her heart?
Tweet Sarts, the Valentines-themed middle grade novel in the Anderson Chronicles series, is for middle grade readers and older readers who remember the difficulties of young love.
Originally, Saint Valentine’s Day recognized the martyrdom of a third century Roman priest who was executed in 269. One legend says that he was killed for performing weddings for Christian soldiers who were forbidden to marry. Another is that, while being jailed for his faith, he restored the sight of the jailer’s blind daughter, to whom he wrote a letter which he signed "Your Valentine" before he was executed.
Regardless of why and how it started, Valentine’s is a day that causes a lot of stress. This is especially true for middle grade students, who feel they are too old for the silliness of elementary school Valentines Parties, yet aren’t confident in matters of the heart.
Hector “Hec” Anderson is a good example of a middle grader blundering his way through first love. An awkward, geeky sixth grade boy, Hec finds himself speechless when a new girl, Sandy Richardson, enrolls in his school. Sandy is beautiful and kind and Hec is instantly smitten with her. Unfortunately, so is the tall, handsome and popular captain of the basketball team, who sics his goons on Hec in an attempt to intimidate him.
The Valentine’s Day Dance is coming up. Hec tries to get Sandy’s with flowers and candy, but everything he does turns into a disaster. Does he dare ask her to dance with him – and earn a chance to win her heart?
Tweet Sarts, the Valentines-themed middle grade novel in the Anderson Chronicles series, is for middle grade readers and older readers who remember the difficulties of young love.
Jennifer Bohnhoff taught middle school for years. She is now a full time writer of books for middle grade through adult readers.
Tweet Sarts is onsale to download onto an ereader from Amazon from February 2-9 for only .99. Rather have a signed copy sent direct from the author? You can do that here.
Tweet Sarts is onsale to download onto an ereader from Amazon from February 2-9 for only .99. Rather have a signed copy sent direct from the author? You can do that here.
