This is normally the place where I’d say “welcome back friend!” but today I’m the one returning to blogging and social media in general. A month ago I had my baby girl and entered a world of sleepless nights which bled into endless days. I had honestly somehow forgotten how much work a newborn is! Luckily, baby girl has a fantastic big brother and daddy who have been helping out. It truly takes a village! And while I’ve been adjusting to juggling new baby and real life again, I’ve been devouring books. All those late night feedings? Spent reading on my phone for the most part. Which is how I was able to dive into Amanda M. Thrasher’s Stranger in the Mushroom Patch.
Normally, I’d prefer to read something like this with my boy, but it just wasn’t possible with my time so limited. We even had to take a break from reading the illustrated Prisoner of Azkaban together lately 😦 So I’m vetting this one by myself this time. And on that note, I hope y’all enjoy discovering more about The Mischief Series! Stay tuned for fantastical things to come!
THE MISCHIEF SERIES
Mischief in the Mushroom Patch
A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch
Spider Web Scramble
Stranger in the Mushroom Patch
by AMANDA M. THRASHER
Chapter Books / Fantasy / Action & Adventure / 2ND-4TH Grade
Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press
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Mischief in the Mushroom Patch, 2/20/2013, 146 pages
Where do fairies get their magical fairy dust? After leaving the mushroom patch without permission, two mischievous fairies find themselves in more trouble than they can handle. Boris, with a broken ankle and a bent wing, is unable to walk or fly, and Lilly must devise a plan to escort him safely back to the mushroom patch. As with all actions, there are consequences! Lilly and Boris have broken colony rules and wasted precious fairy dust. Sentenced to work in the dust factory, the two learn a valuable lesson about the production of fairy dust, but can they survive the foreman?
Goodreads│Amazon│Progressive Rising Phoenix Press | Barnes and Noble | Author’s Website
A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch, 2/20/13, 162 pages
Lilly, Boris, and Jack are back! The three friends are together again in this newest addition to the Mischief Series. A natural disaster has taken the elders by surprise, and the scientists are unprepared. Damage to the colony is inevitable! Can the Master Engineers devise a plan to save the colony before they lose their home? The fairies’ Kick-a-Berry Match has been postponed as well, and the fairies must find new ways to entertain themselves until the pitch dries up. Along the way, they make a new friend named Pearle, and though she cannot walk, she can fly with ease. Valuable lessons about friendship, teamwork, and perseverance will be learned as the fairies embark on their newest adventure.
Goodreads│Amazon│Progressive Rising Phoenix Press | Barnes and Noble | Author’s Website
Spider Web Scramble, 2/14/16, 170 pages
Every third year, on the fifth full moon, the Mushroom Patch holds a magical Spider Web Scramble. Excitement buzzes through the forest as the fairies prepare to scramble the magical webs in order to complete the course. As a special treat, the elders disclose that the stars will be coming down to join in and play. A wish will be granted for the fairies who are pure of heart and manage to beat the clock, locating the star that has their name etched on it. With the no-fly rule in place, teamwork is the only way Pearle can complete the course. But little do they know that possible danger is in their midst. Will the magical spider web scramble be postponed? Will the stars grant Lilly, Boris, and Jack their wishes? Find out in this delightful magical adventure.
Goodreads│Amazon│Progressive Rising Phoenix Press | Barnes and Noble | Author’s Website
Stranger in the Mushroom Patch, 2/15/22; 212 pages
Gold Recipient of The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA)
Lilly, Boris, and Jack Are Back! Get Ready for a Human Attack!
Who knew a slimy moss bomb war between friends would lead to an adventure of a lifetime! From strategizing with the elders for their playful battle to, of all things, escaping the clutches of a human! It doesn’t take long to learn the fairies shockingly have more in common with the child than they ever could have imagined. Broderick, everyone’s favorite spider, provides the goodies, and Lilly supplies the fairy songs and games. Filled with twists and turns, adventure, and fun, find out if the fairies and the elders can help the stranger reunite with her family. Or will there be a human attack?!
Goodreads│Amazon│Progressive Rising Phoenix Press | Barnes and Noble | Author’s Website
for STRANGER IN THE MUSHROOM PATCH
4 of 5 Stars
As a mom, I’m constantly on the search for books that I think my kids will enjoy. I also might be somewhat biased any time I find the opportunity to read and share my love for all things fantasy. The Mischief Series by Amanda M. Thrasher checks all the boxes. A story for young readers with fantastic world-building and fairies? Sign me up!
Although I haven’t read the other books in this series, Thrasher gave enough context clues so I could easily follow the fairlings’ latest adventure. Lilly, Jack, and Boris all attend school for fairies or “fairlings.” They can’t fly above the recommended two inches, they must be sparing with pixie dust, and they must absolutely stay away from humans. Lilly has “the sight,” which means she can see the secret police of the fairy realm, including her guardian Chester. Jack and Boris are trouble makers and determined to win the moss bomb war. What begins as a fun prank war turns into a battle between girls and boys. Even the teachers join in! It all might be innocent fun until the humans encroach on fairy territory.
Things I feel would have enhanced the reader experience? Illustrations! With there being so many characters, places, and perspectives happening at once, it would be a richer read with even ten interior illustrations. My six-year-old for example would have a difficult time staying focused with only the occasional repeated chapter header and ender. Also, the beginning of the novel was somewhat confusing, and part of the dialogue in the novel was described rather than “shown.” Once I made it through the first couple of chapters, however, I was invested in the characters and intrigued by the worldbuilding.
Filled with fun and fabulous fairy magic, The Mischief Series by Amanda M. Thrasher promises the perfect escape for anyone willing to believe in magic. All you need is a little pinch of pixie dust!
**I was provided with a copy of Stranger in the Mushroom Patch by the author and this is my voluntary and honest review.**
MEET AMANDA M. THRASHER
Amanda M. Thrasher was born in England, moved to Texas, and resides there still. She’s an award-winning author of Young Adult, General Fiction, Middle Grade, Early Reader Chapter, and Picture Books. Amanda is a multiple Gold Recipient of The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA), earning the award in multiple categories, including Young Adult, General Fiction, and Early Reader Chapter Books. She is also a multiple Gold Medal winner of the Readers’ Favorite International Book awards, a New Apple Literary Award, and has earned a first-place North Texas Book Festival award.
Amanda founded and is the CEO of Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, an independent publishing company. She shares her writing and publishing experience with others through school visits, book signings, trade conferences, and workshops for aspiring writers of all ages.
In addition, Amanda was contracted to write a graphic novel for the Driving on the Right Side of the Road Program. The publication is part of the Driving on the Right Side of the Road (DRSR) program, developed by the Law-Related Education Department of the State Bar of Texas Law Focused Education, Inc., and the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center with funding from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Department of Transportation. The program’s purpose is to offer a preventive educational program to encourage responsible decision-making when it comes to obeying traffic laws and following safe practices. The graphic novel titled What If … A Story of Shattered Lives was adapted into a reader’s theater for as few as five speakers or as many as twenty-six.
◆ WEBSITE ◆ FACEBOOK ◆ TWITTER ◆ AMAZON ◆
GOODREADS ◆ BOOKBUB ◆ INSTAGRAM
GRAND GIVEAWAY
ONE WINNER!
$50 Starbucks gift card
+ signed copies of the Mischief books
+ a copy of Captain Fin.
(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 7/1/2022)
A RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,
or visit the blogs directly:
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6/21/22 |
Excerpts 1 & 2 |
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6/21/22 |
Review Book 1 |
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6/22/22 |
Author Interview |
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6/22/22 |
Review Book 2 |
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6/22/22 |
BONUS Promo |
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6/23/22 |
Excerpts 3 |
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6/23/22 |
Review Book 3 |
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6/24/22 |
Excerpt 4 |
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6/24/22 |
Review Book 4 |
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6/25/22 |
Review Book 4 |
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6/26/22 |
Scrapbook Page |
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6/27/22 |
Review Book 1 |
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6/28/22 |
Review Book 2 |
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6/29/22 |
Review Book 3 |
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6/30/22 |
Review Book 4 |
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6/30/22 |
Review Book 4 |
blog tour services provided by
Jennifer Silverwood 
Sounds like such a cute book & whole series. Can’t go wrong with fairy stories for kids. Thanks for the review!
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Thanks Kristine! It really was precious and I loved the chance to spotlight it today 😀
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What a gorgeous post you put together, Jennifer! The added fairy gifs to your review made it really stand out. This is such a fun series!
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Thanks so much, Jan! This book and series was too much fun, I had to give it a little extra sparkle 😉
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