REBECCA LAXTON
An Award Winning Children's Novel
The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry received a gold award from the Mom’s Choice Awards,® placing among the best in family-friendly media.
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The book received second place in the mystery category in the Purple Dragonfly Children's Book Awards,® and an honorable mention in the middle grade and environmental books categories.
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It was a finalist in the mystery category in the Readers’Favorite International Book Award Contest ,® where it received six five star reviews.
The book was a finalist in the pre-teen fiction category in the American Fiction Awards. ®
It also won a Literary Titan Gold Book Award,® for excellence in writing that is "both innovative and impactful."
In the news:
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5 Mysteries with an Environmental Twist That Will Engage and Educate Young Readers
The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry by Rebecca Laxton
At 13, Emma Murry seems like a typical girl her age — enjoying her summer vacation, crushing on a cute guy from Instagram, and perfecting her skateboarding skills. She also harbors a love for nature and partakes in the environmental club where they have one mission: to save the monarchs. So when her celebrity crush appears in front of her at Black Mountain with a plan to destroy the monarch butterfly garden, Emma is faced with a dilemma.
Can she and her best friend stop these plans for destruction? Or can Emma befriend the young man and convince him — and his father — to change? A death threat leads to a suspenseful investigation as the young crew must figure out who they can trust and what darker secrets have yet to be revealed, while they grow as friends, family members, and environmental protectors. Readers will love the dip into supernatural elements while they learn the importance of caring for every creature, whether big or small.
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Click here to read the entire article in BookTrib.
Justin McGuire writes in Asheville's Mountain XPress , "The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry, a new environmentally themed young adult novel by author Rebecca Laxton, is set in Black Mountain — kind of.
Laxton describes the Black Mountain in the book as a fictional reimagining of the town she has grown to love.
“I wrote many of the scenes while sitting at the top of Kitsuma Peak, overlooking the valley, using real landmarks and creating others from my imagination,” explains Laxton, who lives in Charlotte. “Other scenes were written after eating at Trailhead Restaurant, walking down the aisles of the general store, strolling in and out of the town shops and sitting on benches in town.”
Click here to read the article the rest of the article online: Mountain Xpress
The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry
Reviewed by Paperbound Magazine
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This book is a wonderful take on the importance of staying true to who you are and fighting for what you believe in, while balancing pressure from outsiders’ influence, friendships and first crushes in a small town North Carolina setting.
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When thirteen-year-old environmental club member, Emma Murry, discovers plans to build a ski resort in her hometown, she determines to battle the developers at every turn, with best friend Sophie at her side. But when it turns out her Instagram crush, Jeb Scott, and his dad are the ones behind building the resort, she decides to make friends with Jeb in hopes of changing their minds. However, if she fails, the endangered butterfly garden she’s worked hard to protect will be destroyed, not to mention the mission to protect a possible red wolf on the loose.
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But is everything really as it seems on Black Mountain? With hints of the supernatural paired with a style like Sarah Dessen, this book is a brilliant read, and a great example of one which bridges the gap between middle grade and YA. Including lovely illustrations from Gracie Laxton.
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Click here to read the issue: PaperBound Magazine
New Children's and YA books by Charlotte Authors
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In Storied Charlotte, Dr. Mark West reports, "In the world of children’s and YA literature, Charlotte is gaining a reputation as a happening place. Charlotte is home to many successful children’s and YA authors, and they are always bringing out new books." Read his post about three Charlotte authors, including Rebecca here: Storied Charlotte
The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry
Virtual Book Tour!!
Join children's author Rebecca Laxton on a virtual book tour hosted by The Children's Book Review. Click daily links below for book reviews, interviews, and guest posts. Click on the banner to learn more about the tour and The Children's Book Review! Have any questions or comments? Message Rebecca in the contact section of this website.
Virtual Tour Stops
Day 1: A book review by The Children's Book Review
Day 2: A book review by The Mama Spot
Day 3: Author interview by Life is What it's Called
Day 4: A book review by My Reading Getaway
Day 5: An author interview by: Heart to Heart
Day 6: A book review by: Barbara Ann Moijca
Day 7: A guest post by Rebecca at: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Day 8: A book review by Ice Fairy's Treasure Chest
Day 9: An author interview by Cover Lover Book Review
Day 10: A book review by Fairview Review
Day 11: A book review by A Blue Box Full of Books
Day 12: An author interview by Dr. Jen Harrison at The Children's Book Review
©2023 by rebeccalaxton