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• Shipwrecked Aladdin (New York, NY), 2024

1. Shipwrecked LCCN 2023044974 Type of material Book Personal name Monroe, Mary Alice, author. Main title Shipwrecked / Mary Alice Monroe with Angela May. Edition First Aladdin hardcover edition. Published/Produced New York : Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, 2024. ©2024 Projected pub date 2406 Description 1 online resource ISBN 9781665933025 (ebook) (hardcover) (trade paperback)

• Fantastic Fiction -

  Mary Alice Monroe
  USA flag

  Mary Alice Monroe has written stories for as long as she can remember. Mary Alice claims much of her creative spark came from her large and very close family. Growing up, she and her nine brothers and sisters wrote and performed in their own plays and musicals.

  Genres: Romance, General Fiction, Children's Fiction

  New and upcoming books
  June 2024

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  Shipwrecked
  (Islanders , book 3)May 2025

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  Where the Rivers Merge

  Series
  Beach House
  1. The Beach House (2002)
  2. Beach House Memories (2012)
  3. Swimming Lessons (2007)
  4. Beach House for Rent (2017)
  5. Beach House Reunion (2018)
  6. On Ocean Boulevard (2020)
  7. The Summer of Lost and Found (2021)
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  Low Country Summer
  1. The Summer Girls (2013)
  2. The Summer Wind (2014)
  3. The Summer's End (2015)
  4. A Lowcountry Wedding (2016)
  5. A Lowcountry Christmas (2016)
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  Islanders (with Angela May)
  1. The Islanders (2021)
  2. Search for Treasure (2022)
  3. Shipwrecked (2024)
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  Novels
  The Long Road Home (1995)
  Girl in the Mirror (1998)
  The Book Club (1999)
  The Four Seasons (2001)
  Skyward (2003)
  Sweetgrass (2005)
  The Secrets We Keep (2006)
  Time Is a River (2008)
  Last Light over Carolina (2009)
  The Butterfly's Daughter (2011)
  Second Star to the Right (2013)
  The Summer Guests (2019)
  Where the Rivers Merge (2025)
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  Collections
  Reunion Beach (2021) (with others)
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  Picture Books hide
  A Butterfly Called Hope (2013)
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  Non fiction hide
  Turtle Summer (2007)
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  Omnibus editions hide
  Book Club Favorites (2018) (with others)
  Family and Friendship Box Set (2019)

• Wikipedia -

  Mary Alice Monroe

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  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  Mary Alice Monroe is a best-selling author known for fiction that explore the compelling parallels between nature and human nature. Many of her novels deal with environmental issues. For example, The Beach House and Swimming Lessons refer to the plight of injured sea turtles.[1][2]

  Monroe currently resides in South Carolina, and many of her novels are set in the southern United States and feature "strong Southern women".[3]

  Her novel Time Is a River is about breast cancer survivors in a fly-fishing group in North Carolina, and Last Light Over Carolina describes the life and times of the shrimping industry.[4]

  Monroe has received numerous awards, including the 2008 Award for Writing from the South Carolina Center for the Book, 2014 South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence, 2015 SW Florida Author of Distinction Award, the RT Lifetime Achievement Award, the International Book Award for Green Fiction. Mary Alice Monroe is a 2018 inductee to the South Carolina Academy of Authors.

  Bibliography
  This is a full list of novels from the author's website.[5]

  Title Year Series
  The Long Road Home 1995
  Girl in the Mirror 1998
  The Book Club 1999
  Second Star to the Right 1999 Children's (as Mary Alice Kruesi)
  One Summer's Night 2000 Children's (as Mary Alice Kruesi)
  The Four Seasons 2001
  The Beach House 2002 Beach House #1
  Skyward 2003
  Sweetgrass 2005
  Turtle Summer 2007 Children's
  Swimming Lessons 2007 Beach House #2
  Time Is a River 2008
  Last Light Over Carolina 2009
  The Butterfly's Daughter 2011
  Beach House Memories 2012 Beach House #3
  The Summer Girls 2013 Lowcountry Summer #1
  A Butterfly Called Hope 2013 Children's
  The Summer Wind 2014 Lowcountry Summer #2
  The Summer's End 2015 Lowcountry Summer #3
  A Lowcountry Wedding 2016 Lowcountry Summer #4
  A Lowcountry Christmas 2016 Lowcountry Summer #5
  Beach House for Rent 2017 Beach House #4
  Beach House Reunion 2018 Beach House #5
  The Summer Guests 2019
  On Ocean Boulevard 2020 Beach House #6
  The Summer of Lost and Found 2021 Beach House #7
  The Islanders 2021 Children's
  Search for Treasure 2022 Children's
  Shipwrecked 2024 Children's
  Adaptations
  The Beach House (2002) was adapted as the TV movie The Beach House (2018) by the Hallmark Channel.

• Amazon -

  New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe found her true calling in environmental fiction when she moved to coastal South Carolina. Already a successful author, she was captivated by the beauty and fragility of her new home. Her experiences living in the midst of a habitat that was quickly changing gave her a strong and important focus for her novels.

  Monroe is the New York Times bestselling author of 22 novels, published worldwide, and the author of two children’s picture books. She writes richly textured stories that delve into the complexities of interpersonal relationships and the parallels between the land and life.

  Monroe has achieved many lists, including the New York Times, USA Today and SIBA and starred reviews. She has received numerous awards, including several Readers’ Choice Awards, RT Lifetime Achievement Award, the Girls Scouts of America Woman of Distinction Award, the 2008 South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing and was featured at the National Festival of the Book, the 2008 International Book Award for Green Fiction for The Butterfly’s Daughter, the 2015 Florida Book Festival Distinguished Author Award, and the ASPCA Henry Bergh award for Children’s Fiction. Monroe’s A Lowcountry Christmas won the 2017 Southern Prize for Fiction. Her novel, The Beach House, was adapted into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie starring three-time Golden Globe nominee Andie MacDowell, Minka Kelly, and Chad Michael Murray. In 2018 Mary Alice Monroe was inducted into the South Carolina Literary Hall of Fame.

  Mary Alice is an active conservationist and serves on the Board of the South Carolina Aquarium and The Leatherback Trust. She is a frequent speaker at book festivals, conferences, and private events. Monroe is also a frequent contributor to magazines and online blogs.

  Mary Alice Monroe is published by Gallery Books and Aladdin Books, Simon & Schuster. Her agent is Faye Bender of The Book Group.

  Monroe lives with her family on Isle of Palms, a barrier island off Charleston, South Carolina. For additional information, go to www.maryalicemonroe.com.

• Mary Alice Monroe website - https://maryalicemonroe.com/

  Mary Alice Monroe is the New York Times bestselling author of 27 books, including her latest instant bestseller, The Summer of Lost and Found.

  Nearly 8 million copies of her books have been published worldwide, and she’s earned numerous accolades and awards, including induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame.

  more about
  MAM
  Mary Alice Monroe is the New York Times bestselling author of 27 books, including The Summer of Lost and Found, the 2021 installment in her beloved Beach House series. Monroe has also published children’s books which complement the environmental themes she is known for in her adult novels. Monroe’s middle grade series, written with Angela May, The Islanders, debuted #2 on the New York Times in 2021. The second book in the series, Search for Treasure, will be released in summer 2022. Nearly eight million copies of her books have been published worldwide.

  Mary Alice has earned numerous accolades and awards including induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame; the Southwest Florida Author of Distinction Award; South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence; RT Lifetime Achievement Award; the International Book Award for Green Fiction, and the prestigious Southern Book Prize for Fiction. Her bestselling novel The Beach House is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. Monroe is the co-creator of the weekly web show and podcast Friends and Fiction.

  Mary Alice Monroe has championed the fragility of the earth’s wild habitat. The coastal southern landscape in particular has become a strong and important focus of many of her novels. For her novels Monroe immerses herself in academic research, works with wildlife experts, and does hands-on volunteering with animals. She then uses the knowledge and experiences to craft captivating stories that identify important parallels between nature and human nature. Sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, monarch butterflies, shorebirds are among the species she has worked with and woven into her novels.

  Monroe is an active conservationist and serves on the South Carolina Aquarium Board Emeritus, The Leatherback Trust, The Pat Conroy Literary Center Honorary Board, and Casting Carolinas Advisory Board. She is especially proud to be a twenty year plus state-certified volunteer with the Island Turtle Team.

  Mary Alice has a home in South Carolina and North Carolina. When not writing a novel, she is with her family or busy working with wildlife somewhere in the world.

  COndensed BIO
  Based in Charleston, South Carolina, is the New York Times best-selling author of thirty books–and counting. Richly layered and rooted to place her Lowcountry-set novels defy literary labels. More than feel-good escapism or traditional beach reads, her engrossing stories deftly explore the intersections and parallels between Mother Nature and human nature, hooking readers emotionally and introducing them to characters and causes that live in their hearts and minds. Her robust library of work–from the popular Beach House series to her compelling fiction, to her newer middle grade series, The Islanders–engages readers across generational lines, inspiring them to take a harder look at the environment–and our impact on it. To ask the important questions. To seek answers. To create connections–both with nature and in our personal lives.

  COMPLETE BIO
  Mary Alice Monroe is the New York Times bestselling author of 30 books, including the beloved Beach House series. Monroe has also published children’s books which complement the environmental themes she is known for in her adult novels.

  Monroe’s Middle Grade series, written with Angela May, The Islanders, debuted #2 on the New York Times in 2021, the second book in the series, Search for Treasure, was released in summer 2022 and debuted #3 on the New York Times Best Sellers list. In summer 2024, the third and final book, Shipwrecked, will be released, completing The Islanders trilogy.

  Mary Alice has earned numerous accolades and awards including induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame; the Southwest Florida Author of Distinction Award; South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence; RT Lifetime Achievement Award; the International Book Award for Green Fiction, and the prestigious Southern Book Prize for Fiction. Her bestselling novel The Beach House is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. Monroe is the co-creator of the weekly web show and podcast Friends and Fiction. Nearly 10 million copies of her books have been published worldwide.

  Mary Alice Monroe has championed the fragility of the earth’s wild habitat. The coastal southern landscape in particular has become a strong and important focus of many of her novels. For her novels Monroe immerses herself in academic research, works with wildlife experts, and does hands-on volunteering with animals. She then uses the knowledge and experiences to craft captivating stories that identify important parallels between nature and human nature. Sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, monarch butterflies, shorebirds are among the species she has worked with and woven into her novels.

  Monroe is an active conservationist and serves on the South Carolina Aquarium Board Emeritus, The Leatherback Trust, The Pat Conroy Literary Center Honorary Board, and Casting Carolinas Advisory Board. She is especially proud to be a twenty year plus state-certified volunteer with the Island Turtle Team.

  Mary Alice has a home in South Carolina and North Carolina. When not writing a novel, she is with her family or busy working with wildlife somewhere in the world.

• Writer's Digest - https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/mary-alice-monroe-on-writing-the-family-saga

  Mary Alice Monroe: On Writing the Family Saga
  Award-winning author Mary Alice Monroe discusses what it's like to draft a series that spans generations and storylines.
  Robert Lee BrewerMay 9, 2021
  More than 7.5 million copies of her books have been published worldwide, and she’s earned numerous accolades and awards, including Induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame; the Southwest Florida Author of Distinction Award; South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence; RT Lifetime Achievement Award; the International Book Award for Green Fiction, and the prestigious Southern Book Prize for Fiction. Her bestselling novel The Beach House is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie.

  Monroe is captivated by the beauty and fragility of the wild habitat around her. In particular, the coastal southern landscape became a strong and important focus of many of her novels. Monroe immerses herself in both academic research and hands-on/volunteering to learn about a species or conservation issue. Then, she uses the knowledge and experiences working with animals and wildlife experts to craft captivating stories that identify important parallels between nature and human nature. Bottlenose dolphins, monarch butterflies, shorebirds, and loggerhead sea turtles are among the wild species she has worked with and woven into her novels.

  Monroe is an active conservationist and serves on the South Carolina Aquarium Board Emeritis, The Leatherback Trust, The Pat Conroy Literary Center Honorary Board, Friends of Coastal Carolina, and Casting Carolinas Advisory Board. She is especially proud to be a 20-year plus state-certified volunteer with the Island Turtle Team, the group that first sparked her love for loggerhead sea turtles, and is the inspiration of her Beach House series.

  Mary Alice Monroe
  Mary Alice Monroe

  Photo credit Mic Smith

  Monroe has also published two children’s books, which complement the environmental themes she’s known for in her novels. Monroe’s first middle-grade book, The Islanders, will be released June 15, 2021.

  Her latest novel, The Summer of Lost and Found, will be released nationwide May 11, 2021.

  She is also a contributor to Reunion Beach, an upcoming anthology by several bestselling authors and writers as a tribute to the life and legacy of their friend New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank.

  Monroe is the co-creator and co-host of the weekly web show and podcast Friends and Fiction featuring the five bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kristin Harmel, and Patti Callahan Henry with endless stories, special guests, and a way to connect readers and writers.

  In this post, Monroe discusses what it's like to draft a series that spans generations and storylines and much more!

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  Name: Mary Alice Monroe
  Literary agent: Faye Bender, The Book Group
  Book title: The Summer of Lost and Found
  Publisher: Gallery Books
  Release date: May 11, 2021
  Genre: Literary fiction
  Elevator pitch for the book: The Beach House series continues with The Summer of Lost and Found as Mary Alice Monroe creates a family saga about relationships, courage, nature, and life lessons as the legacy passes from one generation to the next.
  Previous titles by the author:

  The Beach House series

  The Beach House
  Swimming Lessons
  Beach House Memories
  Beach House for Rent
  Beach House Reunion
  On Ocean Boulevard
  The Summer of Lost and Found
  Stand Alone

  The Summer Guests
  A Lowcountry Christmas
  Last Light Over Carolina
  The Butterfly’s Daughter
  Time is a River
  Sweetgrass
  Skyward
  The Book Club
  The Four Seasons
  Girl in the Mirror
  The Long Road Home
  One Summer’s Night
  Second Star to the Right

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  The Lowcountry Series

  The Summer Girls
  The Summer Wind
  The Summer’s End
  A Lowcountry Wedding
  Children’s Books
  The Islanders (middle grade)
  A Butterfly Called Hope
  Turtle Summer
  The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe
  The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe

  IndieBound | Bookshop | Amazon
  [WD uses affiliate links.]

  What prompted you to write this book?
  My novels center around a woman’s life—family sagas. What could be more interesting to write about than the changes and challenges families faced with the phenomenon of forced isolation, friend and family pods, and the emotional and economic strains of the year 2020? I wanted to write about this phenomenon we were living in—not about the Covid-19 illness, but family dynamics. And how better than with a family I knew so well—the Rutledge family of The Beach House series.

  (10 Tips For Writing a Family Drama Novel)

  How long did it take to go from idea to publication?
  I wrote this novel in real-time—and yes, the idea changed continually during the process. It was a roller coaster journey! I write from structure, and I did begin with an outline. The problem came when living through the weeks and months of the pandemic year, my perspective kept changing. I threw out my outline. What I wanted to say in April was different in July and changed again in November. Rewrite followed rewrite. I pulled my hair out, cursed the characters, the story, swore I would never do this again. It was a long, arduous process. By the year’s end, however, I read my novel for the last time, tweaked the final words, and smiled with satisfaction. My story was told.

  Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
  I had a new editor for this book, and I was naturally concerned about our new working relationship. As it turned out, we worked beautifully together with patience and positivity. But as I said, writing a book in real-time rather than having a story structure was agonizing for me as a writer. Her challenge was to edit all my rewrites as the year progressed. In the end, we both felt the book spoke about the heart of the book—what was lost in 2020, but also what joys and lessons were learned.

  (On Writing Dysfunctional Families)

  Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
  There were many! 2020 was a year like no other. We have never been in a pandemic before. Necessarily, my perspective changed as I lived through the months of relative isolation and observed what was happening in my own home and in homes around the nation. After the original shock and fear of a global shutdown, we went through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Our defense strategies shifted to coping strategies. As my experiences changed, so did what I wanted to say in the novel.

  Perhaps that was the biggest surprise. At the ending, I realized that despite the frustrations and limitations, there were unexpected joys, new patterns and habits developed, bursts of creativity, and memories forged that might not have otherwise happened. Learning this myself, I could create scenes in the novel that were illuminating and hopefully inspirational.

  The character focus also changed. Initially, I was introducing a new, young generation of a well-loved family in The Beach House series. As the year and the story progressed, I recognized that the problems of 2020 were different for the older generation than the younger. Two sides of the same coin. The young lost jobs, didn’t date, their lives were put on hold. The older generation feared for their health and survival. Yet with an eye to loved ones, they helped with wisdom, love, and a place to live!

  What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
  I hope they appreciate that for all the hardships of 2020, there were some hard-won lessons of joy, too. Life is to be lived in the moment. Plans cannot be made without knowing one just might have to pivot. I hope after reading the novel, readers hug their loved ones and go outdoors and appreciate the beauty that surrounds them, even—or perhaps especially—if it’s is in their own backyard.

  Mary Alice Monroe: On Writing the Family Saga
  If you could share one piece of advice with other authors, what would it be?
  Allow yourself the rough first draft. Chisel the hard marble. Get the story out, its shape and form. Release your emotions and find out what it is you want to say in the novel. In your subsequent drafts, you can pull out your tool belt, listen to select critiques, and use your craft to hone the novel into a finished piece of art.

• School Library Journal - https://www.slj.com/story/how-to-help-change-the-world-fictional-stories-mary-alice-monroe

  QUOTED: "Whether I’m writing for adults or for children, I hope my books will be a launching pad of inspiration and a call to action. My mantra for environmental fiction writing is: "Once you know, you care, and then you take care." Combining my passion for conservation with my ability to write compelling stories is the best way I know to create positive change in our world. To make a difference. As writers, we have the power to inspire positive change through the power of story."

  MG Author Mary Alice Monroe On How to Help Change the World with Fictional Stories
  by Mary Alice Monroe
  Jul 06, 2021 | Filed in News & Features
  0

  Photo by Anne Rhett Photography
  I am a storyteller. I dive into the lives of my characters, spin a tale, send them on a journey and by the end, hopefully inspire. Yet, the why of my writing, the backdrop for all my novels, is to help readers become aware of issues facing endangered species through the craft of creating "story worlds" that identify important parallels between nature and human nature. That seems straightforward if you’re writing nonfiction, but how do you pull that off as a fiction writer?

  A writer's goal is to create an authentic story world. To do that successfully, the writer must remember that the bedrock of your story world is setting. It is the guidepost for me when I’m developing a story. Setting plays a pivotal role because when done correctly, it will enhance the storyline, characters, themes, and even mood of a novel.

  Twenty years ago, I made a conscious decision to use my books as a force for good. I was, and still am, a sea turtle volunteer and I wanted to help my readers become aware of serious threats for the loggerhead sea turtles while simultaneously creating a story world that would connect them emotionally to the animals. To do this, I began a new process wherein rather than depend on an existing idea, I used what I learned about the species from research and personal experience to create a story that would bring the issues to life through vivid setting, compelling dialogue, strong themes, and fully realized characterization all designed to enrich and deepen my message. Most importantly, emotional resonance is the hook that captures readers. This is what separates fiction from nonfiction.

  Since that first book, The Beach House, I continued writing novels set against the protection of other endangered species. Academic and hands-on research are the bedrock of my craft. I spend hours doing interviews and working with animals to better understand the species and the people who work with them. No job is too dirty. I’ve cleaned many different kinds of animal dung—did you know butterfly poop is called frass? I’ve rescued and rehabilitated sea turtles, water and shore birds, and the elusive birds of prey. I’ve trained dolphins, raised monarch butterflies, and worked to preserve sweetgrass in the south. As I work, I’m not only learning about a species, I’m creating hands-on experiences that allow my readers see the animals through the eyes of my characters. They feel my passion. This makes it personal, and authentic. The Islanders book cover

  When I have completed my research, I take my volumes of notes and at last sit down to plot the novel. I never want to overwhelm the reader with facts, or to proselytize. My intent is to create a fully developed story world guided by the flora or fauna of a setting that fascinates me. Ultimately, when the reader finishes the novel, they will feel that sense of satisfaction we all love after finishing a good book. And, if I’ve done my job, there is also the surprise that they learned something, too.

  One of the greatest joys of my career is hearing from my readers how my stories have inspired them, or how they’ve learned so much about an animal. In my “Beach House” series, the backdrop of the nesting cycle of sea turtles is the grounding element for the seven books. Readers tell me they learned so much about sea turtles. Some are inspired to do beach sweeps; others make donations to rescue facilities, aquariums, and zoos to help to protect their favorite species. I have readers who have joined their local turtle teams, and volunteer in local organizations. This is the power of story—opening eyes and inspiring action.

  Years ago, I published my first children’s picture books with the same mindset to inspire readers—this time the youngest ones. While speaking at schools, I was impressed by the enthusiasm and faith in children ages eight to 12 that they can make a difference. Since then it has been my dream to write for this group of young readers. After all, these are the stewards of tomorrow. I wanted to pass on a story to them that would help them discover the wonder and magic of what is living in the real world.

  On June 15th, my dream will come true with the debut of The Islanders, the first of an adventure series written with my colleague Angela May. The story is told through the voice of 11-year-old Jake who must spend his summer living with his grandmother on a remote barrier island. This army brat from New Jersey meets Macon, an African American boy from a wealthy suburb of Atlanta, and Lovie, a girl from the local islands. Turtles again take center stage as these three unlikely friends find themselves unplugged. Together they explore the exciting and beautiful wilderness of a remote island.

  Whether I’m writing for adults or for children, I hope my books will be a launching pad of inspiration and a call to action. My mantra for environmental fiction writing is: "Once you know, you care, and then you take care." Combining my passion for conservation with my ability to write compelling stories is the best way I know to create positive change in our world. To make a difference. As writers, we have the power to inspire positive change through the power of story.

  Mary Alice Monroe is a New York Times bestselling author of 27 books, including her new middle grade book series, The Islanders, and her new adult fiction novel, The Summer of Lost and Found. Learn more at www.maryalicemonroe.com

• Book Club Chat - https://bookclubchat.com/chat/qa-with-mary-alice-monroe-author-of-on-ocean-boulevard/

  Q&A with Mary Alice Monroe, Author of On Ocean Boulevard

  By AuthorHeather Caliendo
  Posted onPublished: May 18, 2020
  Q&A with Mary Alice Monroe, Author of On Ocean Boulevard
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  This post contains links to products that I may receive compensation from at no additional cost to you. View my Affiliate Disclosure page here.

  Mary Alice Monroe is the New York Times bestselling author of 23 novels, including On Ocean Boulevard, which is the sixth installment of the Beach House series.

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  Mary Alice Monroe is a 2018 Inductee into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame, and her books have received numerous awards, including the 2008 South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing, the 2014 South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence, the 2015 SW Florida Author of Distinction Award, the RT Lifetime Achievement Award, the International Book Award for Green Fiction, and the 2017 Southern Book Prize for Fiction. Her bestselling novel The Beach House is also a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie.

  On Ocean Boulevard will be the first book I’ve read by Mary Alice Monroe and really looking forward to it! The coastal southern landscape is a strong and important focus of many of her novels.

  Here’s the synopsis:
  It’s been sixteen years since Caretta “Cara” Rutledge has returned home to the beautiful shores of Charleston, South Carolina. Over those years, she has weathered the tides of deaths and births, struggles and joys. And now, as Cara prepares for her second wedding, her life is about to change yet again.

  Meanwhile, the rest of the storied Rutledge family is also in flux. Cara’s niece Linnea returns to Sullivan’s Island to begin a new career and an unexpected relationship. Linnea’s parents, having survived bankruptcy, pin their hopes and futures on the construction of a new home on Ocean Boulevard. But as excitement over the house and wedding builds, a devastating illness strikes the family and brings plans to a screeching halt. It is under these trying circumstances that the Rutledge family must come together yet again to discover the enduring strength in love, tradition, and legacy from mother to daughter to granddaughter.

  Get to know Mary Alice as she talks favorite novels, story influences, favorite part to write and much more!

  What are some of your favorite novels?

  The Life of Pi, Pride and Prejudice, The Shell Seekers, Shogun, Of Mice and Men.

  When did you know you wanted to become an author?

  I’ve always wanted to tell stories. I wrote my first book when I was 8 years old.

  Can you talk about how your conservation experiences influence your novels?

  My conservation experiences inspire my novels. I always begin with a species or environmental issue, say turtles or habitat. I begin my academic research, talk to experts, then I begin volunteering hands-on with the animals. My story is organic to my experiences. I like to say the animals tell me what the story is.

  How do you decide on which species to focus on for each book?

  There is no one way I come to the decision. I keep my antennas up at all times. Sometimes I hear something or read something and I feel my blood bubble, like I’ve caught scent. Other times a person might say something. My neighbor was involved with the local shrimper’s association and one day he came to me and said, “Mary Alice, if you’re going to write about the shrimpers you’d better hurry up!” That was because so many shrimping families have been driven out of business. I felt the tingling that told me it was time to write about that particular species and industry, NOW. I wrote Last Light Over Carolina, and it is still to this day the only family sage written about this facing Southern industry.

  What was your favorite chapter or part to write when you were working on On Ocean Boulevard?

  My favorite part to write was the end. This is always an emotional part for me; intuition plays a roll. In this particular novel, the end brought the conclusion of the first five books of the series, from Cara’s point of view.

  What do you hope are some of the key takeaways?

  I hope the theme of the continuity of life is a key takeaway. Like the yearly cycle of the sea turtles nesting on our shores, the family must face and manage the vicissitudes of life through perseverance, loyalty, faith and love.

  What is the best way for book clubs to reach out to you for a live video visit?

  I welcome book clubs! Please ask all to go to my website, maryalicemonroe.com, where they will find a form to fill out.

  What are you currently reading and what’s on your TBR (to be read) list?

  It is summer and there are lots of summer books I can’t wait to read! Hello Summer, Mary Kay Andrews; The Book of Lost Friends, Lisa Wingate; Feels Like Falling, Kristy Woodson Harvey; The Book of Lost Names, Kristen Harmel; 28 Summers, Elin Hildebrand.

• Publishers Weekly - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/86550-q-a-with-mary-alice-monroe.html

  QUOTED: "My goal in this book was to help children not be afraid of wild. I want them to be able to identify and name what is around them. I want them to trust their instincts and get off the beaten path a little. These children in the book think they’re going to have the worst summer ever without technology. But once you unplug them the best thing that happens is that they begin to explore."

  Q & A with Mary Alice Monroe
  By Ingrid Roper | Jun 03, 2021
  Comments Click Here

  Bestselling adult author Mary Alice Monroe is launching a new middle grade series, The Islanders, co-written with journalist Angela May. The series is set on the idyllic nature preserve of Dewees Island, S.C., near where the authors themselves live. In the first book, the protagonist Jake goes to spend the summer on the island with his eccentric conservationist grandmother Honey after his military officer father is injured in Afghanistan. Though Jake fears it will be excruciating without friends and technology, he soon forms an unlikely triumvirate with another visiting kid, a fact-loving kid from Atlanta, and a local girl with expert knowledge of boats and the inner workings of the community. PW spoke with Monroe via Zoom about writing for children, working with a co-author, her passion for the land, and her turtle preservation work that informs a major thread in the novel.

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  You are a successful adult author and previously published two children’s books. What made you decide to write a middle grade series?

  The first person to suggest it was Kwame Alexander. I’m such a fan of his work and talent, and I was honored to be asked. I see this audience as the young environmental stewards of tomorrow that I want to reach, so it was a sudden yes. And writing for children wasn’t new for me —I’d written two picture books, Turtle Summer and A Butterfly Called Hope. When I brought those picture books into the schools and worked with children, it was that middle grade age group that wowed me. That’s the age when kids believe they can do anything and be anything. You ask a 10-year-old what they want to be when they grow up, and they answer both a ballerina and a judge. And I also work on the beach with kids with the turtle preservation team, and they absolutely believe they can change the world.

  I also wrote a book called A Low Country Christmas which has a 10-year-old boy, and that voice just bubbled out so I knew I could write it. I’m with Simon & Schuster and I talked to Aladdin and we decided to do the series. My editor, Alyson Heller, is so supportive. But it was Kwame who really got things off the ground.

  I knew exactly what I wanted to say and the story came together easily. I always tell people [about the characters in The Islanders] that these are three unlikely friends, and on the other side of the ferry ride they probably wouldn’t have come together at all. But it’s Lord of the Flies without the violence. They’re thrown together on this island and they have no choice but to at least get to know each other.

  Given your ample experience writing fiction, why did you choose to work with a co-author? How did you go about selecting that partner, and what was your collaborative process like?

  © Docent Prodigy
  Angela May.

  When I knew I wanted to write the series, I talked to Angela May who worked as my publicist and assistant for 10 years. I knew she was a great writer with a great voice.

  The best part is we went to [the setting of] Dewees Island to write it. We both dream of living there. There is no place like it. You’re bumping along in your little golf cart and you turn around and there are six alligators lying on the water just sunning and then you look up and there’s an eagle’s nest. There’s just so much to see all the time. And there are no cars and no stores; it’s a real nature preserve. That’s why I created a page on my website where we link to nature walks and offer other information. We’re going to continue to find ways to bring the island to life for readers.

  I’ve always resisted [working with a collaborator] in the past. I have my own strong voice and opinions. But I wanted to balance it with the pressures of writing an adult novel a year. Angela was someone I particularly trusted. And we shared what was really the heart of this book—the love of land and the love of what’s wild.

  My goal in this book was to help children not be afraid of wild. I want them to be able to identify and name what is around them. I want them to trust their instincts and get off the beaten path a little. These children in the book think they’re going to have the worst summer ever without technology. But once you unplug them the best thing that happens is that they begin to explore.

  Your main character in The Islanders, Jake, comes to live with his grandmother, Honey. What inspired that relationship?

  I am a grandmother now and that’s a beautiful experience. And I wanted that relationship to be mutually supportive. In the first iterations, she was this cheery grandmother welcoming her grandson to her island. But then that’s boring. What’s more realistic is she had lost her husband. Her son was injured. She was the nature lady on the island who just started to have the dwindles. The house was messy and I love how she has spoiled food in her refrigerator. That actually is from a personal experience of mine with someone I know. No author writes in a vacuum; you use everything you live. So there Jake is thinking, “Don’t eat that sandwich! Sniff it first.” And those qualities gave Honey depth. But I love that she gave Jake the journal [of his father’s] which is so important in the book. She created a connection to his father as a boy when Jake really missed him. And then Honey advised him to start his own nature journal. She made it game-like. And that’s the secret. It’s not having to learn, but wanting to learn. You know that Jake is going to be looking at birds and trees for the rest of his life. That’s why both Angela and I felt very strongly about the idea of a journal in the book as a tool that would offer a quiet lesson for the characters to start to write down their ideas, or even to draw them. And it brought Honey out. It reminded her of her strengths. I think all people, young and old, need purpose in life. And the children gave Honey purpose.

  You serve as a member of the island turtle team and dedicate a lot of time to saving loggerhead sea turtles. How did you get involved as a volunteer with this cause? And how did your own experience inform this aspect The Islanders?

  My sister is an artist who lives in Florida and there are a lot of turtles in Florida. That’s the turtle mecca. And she described to me in beautiful terms how she was having a dinner party and a turtle came to shore and someone noticed it, and being Floridians they were mindful and quiet and they watched the turtle laying her eggs. I was in Washington, D.C., at the time, so not a lot of turtles for me in D.C. But she described to me the how the female wept tears. And when I heard that it was like my energy started to ramp up, like my blood started to boil, and I knew I was on to something. It was instinctive.

  Twenty-two years ago, the first thing I did when I moved here to South Carolina was to join the island turtle team. I got my permit from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to monitor the nests. Now I’m on the board in Costa Rica with the big leatherback turtles. I’ve worked with turtles around the world. It’s a lifelong passion. I’ve moved on to other species, too, but the turtles are the one species I never let go of. And it seems to be an iconic animal for children. Turtles are synonymous with so many qualities, including resilience. In The Islanders I knew there were going to be turtles and that the species would be paramount for these kids.

  You are the co-creator and co-producer of a weekly web show called Friends and Fiction that profiles books and authors. Though you usually focus on adult titles, have you considered featuring The Islanders?

  I’m so excited. We are going to launch The Islanders on June 16 and Sy Montgomery is joining us. And then Kwame Alexander is coming in as a guest sometime in September. And we hope he may pop in during our launch. Our show airs every Wednesday night and the launch of The Islanders will be the beginning of bringing middle grade and young adult authors on our show. Our primary audience is adults, but parents are the gatekeepers for many books for kids, and we want them to know more about good new titles.

  How do you balance writing your new middle grade series with writing adult fiction?

  The first one [in the series] was difficult because of time constraints. The last book I wrote for adults, The Summer of Lost and Found, was particularly difficult because I was writing in real time and the setting of that book was the pandemic. In finding the time to write both books, I depended on Angela’s strong support. We outlined very fast. We both knew what we wanted to say. And we’ve already got the second book all sketched out so it will be done much more efficiently.

  Can you give any hints about what’s coming next in the series?

  The three friends return to the island, and it’s about connection, and revisiting the past to discover the future. The father and son relationship takes precedence because now we have a father who is coming to grips with having lost his leg and his career. But there’s also the hunt for treasure, because South Carolina on Dewees Island is reported to have the real Blackbeard’s treasure. And the kids are after it. It will be an adventure.

  The Islanders by Mary Alice Monroe with Angela May. Aladdin, $17.99 June 15 ISBN 978-1-5344-2727-3

• ELYSIAN - https://readelysian.com/mary-alice-monroe/

  QUOTED: "To bring awareness of not just endangered species but our connection to them and to nature as a whole. And once we connect to nature, we are connecting with the most fundamental part of our souls. And it is in that quiet that we hear God. We react viscerally. If we can hold power inside of us each day, we have better relationships, we remain more centered because we’ve gone beyond the petty into something so much bigger. If we can get people outdoors to connect to nature, I believe their lives will be enhanced."

  Mary Alice Monroe lives by the guiding principle, “If they care, they take care.” For her, this exemplifies her mission as an author: to help readers become aware of the issues facing endangered species. Mary Alice has felt an inherent bond with animals and a passion for nature since childhood, which she uses to craft captivating stories that identify important parallels between nature and human nature. Under a rigorous writing schedule, she has published over two dozen novels and has had more than 7.5 million copies published worldwide. All the while, the prolific author is an active conservationist and has volunteered with the Island Turtle Team for over twenty years. Her most recent novel, On Ocean Boulevard, released on May 19, 2020.

  You are the third born of 10 children, five girls, and five boys. Is this the origin of your love of the outdoors?

  My five brothers played sports, baseball, and football, but honestly, it wasn’t my calling. I only played just to play games. I was outside to sing to the trees, look for fairies and elves. I loved flowers, trees, birds. I was always interested in nature, even as a little girl.

  There is a consistent element of nature in all your work. Why?

  There is. A few years ago, I went to go see the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy. I have always loved St. Francis. I remember when I was young, I used to pray to Saint Francis all the time because the statue always had a bird in his hand. I loved the stories of how the animals loved him. Yes, from very early on, my love of animals and my wanting to make a connection with them was always there.

  Your father was an interesting man. He was a physician?

  Yes. A pediatrician and there have been jokes about his 10 children . . . populating his own practice. My father was born and raised in Germany and came in the 30s, before the war. His talents were always in music, which was his true passion. He was a concert-level pianist. When he was young, he had short pants and a strong German name, Werner, which didn’t go well in the ‘40s in America; I think he was beaten up regularly at school. He told me that “one of his big days” was to own long pants. He played the organ in the church and participated in many activities that would probably label him a “nerd” today. He was always involved with music and science and philosophy. I think of my daddy as a Joseph Campbell kind of a man; he made a living being a physician, but he was much more of a philosopher.

  You attended a girls’ boarding school, outside of Notre Dame, for three and a half years?

  Yes, it was the motherhouse for the Franciscan nuns.

  Was there an epiphany of sorts that you had?

  Indeed. We started each day with mass. And we went with the nuns to the grotto at 5 o’clock, where we said our afternoon prayers. It was outdoors, and beautiful. There was a clarity of spirit at that time, and I remember a feeling of serenity that I wanted to hold onto. I still seek the quiet moments where you feel that you hear the wind, hear the water and can smell the blossoms. That is my definition of a state of grace.

  And you’re married to an atheist?

  Well, not quite an atheist. He says he’s a Taoist, but he’s not declared himself. Let’s put it that way. He believes in a higher power, but I don’t know if he’ll admit to a faith. But he has been very supportive of my faith, which is important.

  Because your faith is central to who and what you are?

  It is.

  How much “alone” time do you need each day?

  I spend most of the day alone. I have a very rigorous writing schedule in order to make the deadlines for a book a year. But I always have my animals with me. I have a coterie of dogs and canaries; I need their presence. I would feel alone if it weren’t for animals. My husband takes care of me now that he’s retired, and he’s my best friend. But he stays away while I’m under deadline because an interruption of thought when you’re writing can set you back for hours.

  Can you describe the day-to-day discipline of writing?

  There is a lot of pressure when I’m under deadline. There are two stages of the writing schedule. When I’m under deadline, like I am now, a writer is either working on the story or thinking about the story. Days can go by before I will leave the office. I’ll roll out of bed in the morning, feed the canaries and the dogs. In turtle season, I often get called out to the nests. By 9 o’clock, I’m in the office. And if I’m under deadline, I will not—and this is hard—go online for emails and check all the social media because that’s a time-suck.

  How long do you sustain that deep focus?

  Three, four hours at a time. If I hit the “zone,” I call it “plugging in,” I just let it go on. I work 24/7. But I can’t sustain that for long. At the beginning of a story, it’s like chiseling rock. I get up and walk around. I will work from morning to dinner with breaks to get up every hour or so to just walk or to take the dogs, to water the flowers, just to get my blood moving. But later on, in the story, I will work till midnight. It’s that intense.

  mary alice monroeMary Alice holding a stack of her novels and sitting with two of her dogs, Vega and Cosmo.
  How long can you sustain that regimen?

  I work every day for a varied number of hours. But that intense period is usually two months.

  You have written and published over two dozen books, which is effectively a book a year, so it’s two months of just sheer focus.

  When people say, “It took me 10 years to write a book,” I am envious of that. You get to pull it out and dust it off and think about it. But they’re not writing with the schedule I am. I am in the zone for two months where I don’t even go to the grocery store. I am just in the book’s story. Once the first draft is done, I begin revision. That too, is intense. The editor usually wants it back in short order. At this point, I pull out the tool belt and use my craft. I revise the manuscript four or five times before it goes out to the public.

  Do you ever take serious breaks from writing?

  I need to and I’m trying. I have a house in North Carolina now. I bought it to escape from the yearly hurricane evacuation. It’s become a place of solace and recharging batteries. You have experienced loss with the death of two authors and friends: Dorothea Benton Frank, and Anne Rivers Siddons. Dottie’s death hit very hard because it was so unexpected, and she was so alive. No one saw it coming. We knew Anne was ailing, but still, her death hit hard. There are two kinds of reflections that go through one’s mind on the loss of a friend. First, of course, is that I’ll miss her. The second is to remind me to pay attention to the quality of my own life. I wish Dottie was given time to spend with her children and grandchildren, who she adored. And they adored her in return.

  What is your goal for your career?

  There are two. Number one was defined 20 years ago. I made the decision when I was on the turtle team – I still am by the way. I was mentored by the great Sally Murphy, so I was aware of what was happening on the beaches with sea turtles. I was a successful author and decided to use my books as a force for good. To help readers become aware of the issues facing endangered species, and more, to care. Because if they care, they take care.

  How did that manifest?

  Beyond my dreams. The first book I wrote was The Beach House. That little book caught on like wildfire. Old school. There was no internet, just word of mouth. It was my first New York Times bestseller and more, it greenlit my ability to continue in the genre I’d created. And it showed that I was right; people do care.

  What is the “why” of your writing?

  To bring awareness of not just endangered species but our connection to them and to nature as a whole. And once we connect to nature, we are connecting with the most fundamental part of our souls. And it is in that quiet that we hear God. We react viscerally. If we can hold power inside of us each day, we have better relationships, we remain more centered because we’ve gone beyond the petty into something so much bigger. If we can get people outdoors to connect to nature, I believe their lives will be enhanced.

  What is your preference . . . the beach or the mountains?

  I could have easily answered the beach before, but I’m really in love with mountains too. We had a family farm up in Vermont. I spent summers there with the children. If you ask them what their best childhood memories are, they’ll always go back to Vermont. I taught them the names of the plants and the flowers, the wildlife and the birds. To be back in the mountains now is being back at that place. Trees have power.

  Trees have great power.

  Yes. And so, does the ocean. But it’s different. I don’t get inspired as much in the ocean.

  It’s calm.

  Exactly. More relaxing. Staring at an ocean vista is like pushing a delete button on my worries.

  And the forest is fierce?

  More creative. Like compost. It’s organic. You can almost smell it.

  Of the books you read, what is your favorite?

  Always a tough question. My all-time favorite novel has to be To Kill a Mockingbird. But there are others. Pat Conroy’s Beach Music is one of my favorites. Shogun is another because it connects to my background in Japanese-Asian history.

  What book did you write that you consider your favorite?

  The Beach House. It was a book of my heart. I wrote it for no other reason than I thought I could make a difference. I put everything I had into it. I even changed the manner in which I wrote a book. I had never read a book like it, nor had I written one like it. When I finished and submitted it to my publisher, it was a little mass market. Nobody, not even my editor, knew what to do with this book set on a beach with nature. I just wanted it out there. The rest is history. I knew I’d created my own genre, and because of the book’s success, that book was the basis for everything I’ve written since. Is it the best book I’ve ever written? I don’t know. But it is very dear to my heart for that reason.

  Did you spend more time on that book than other books?

  No, I think it does not take a long, tedious amount of time to write a novel if you truly feel it. I knew the story in my bones. It had been simmering for a long while. It’s always this way. I choose a species first. Then I do an academic study, I talk to the experts, then I roll up my sleeves and work with animals. The story is organic to my experiences.

  mary alice monroeNew York Times bestselling author; Published over two dozen novels and 7.5 million copies worldwide; Inducted into the S.C. Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame; Awarded the S.C. Award for Literary Excellence, RT Lifetime Achievement Award and the Southern Book Prize for Fiction; active conservationist and volunteer; serves on multiple conservation boards.
  How did The Summer Guests begin?

  The Summer Guests began with the horses. I started working with rescue horses near Tryon and Campobello. I thought there was a story there. It was intellectually there, but emotionally, I never made the connection to the rescue horses. That is, until I fled from hurricane Irma to the farm of a friend in Campobello. I stayed with a group of evacuees, mostly from Florida. It was one of those unique times in your life that you know you’re meant to be in that place at that time. I had to evacuate with 3 dogs and 5 canaries. Where do you go? The hotels don’t want you, so I called my friend. Cindy B. said, “Sure, come on up. It’s going to be crowded.” When I arrived at her horse farm, there was a couple from Miami with their horse and a huge giant Schnauzer who was old and cantankerous. He didn’t like us much. There was a couple from Venezuela who came up from Wellington, FL with their beautiful Grand Prix horses. Cindy’s daughter Mary came up with her newborn baby and a Boykin Spaniel. The Boykin was intact. The reason I mentioned that is because one of my dogs, my little Cavalier Gigi, was in heat that weekend! It just added to the mayhem. Because the hurricane was bouncing back and forth on both sides of the Florida coast, it was the largest evacuation in Florida history. Two hundred and fifty-plus horses were coming up from Florida and then Georgia and South Carolina. They landed in Tryon, North Carolina. The Tryon International Equestrian Center, with Katherine Bellissimo, opened up their stalls as a refuge. It was enormously generous for the horses and for the people who stayed at the hotels. We were all helping with the horses; Grand Prix horses, school horses, and rescue horses. It was one of those moments when you really feel good because you’re helping others in a tough time. Isn’t that when the human spirit shines brightest? I came back one night from the barn to Cindy’s house, and the women were all in the kitchen. Of course. What a scene. We were in our jeans and smelling mucky. Laura Rombauer gave us some great wine, and we were listening to music and talking and laughing and bumping hips to the music. The baby was crying, and from the windows, you could hear the dogs outside were howling. Why? Because my little Gigi was sitting at the window. In heat, if you recall! Leslie Munsell, the owner of Beauty For Real Make-up, was doing makeovers. “You look good in this color.” I looked around at the generations mothers and daughters and friends, all of us in our dirty clothes, feeling closer, working hard, laughing hard. I thought, “This is what I will write about. Women helping women. Women supporting each other. Being together in good times and bad.”

  The horses and the comradery among the women were the inspiration?

  Yes. It all began with Cindy. One family was given the cottage, another the lake house. I was put in the barn upstairs. I thought, “Okay, no room in the inn because I brought my canaries and my three dogs.” It was actually a charming apartment with a loft sleeping area, which was really pretty. The barn is gorgeous, better than most houses! There were two wooden doors that opened up to the stalls below. There were several horses there. I could smell the clean hay, the leather, the feed—it was so comforting. When I went to bed that night, the TV was on blaring the weather reports about the hurricane coming. I lay there and wondered if I would lose my house, my personal things. I was shaking. It was then I heard the horses communicate to one another. They whinnied and snorted and kicked the stalls. I was listening to a lullaby of conversation, and my blood pressure went down. I slept like a baby. The next morning, I got up and went down to the stalls with a steaming cup of coffee. When I entered the horses were circumspect. Horses don’t just come right up to you. Slowly, I got to know them. Over the next couple of days, I fed them and brushed them. By the time I left, when I looked into their eyes, I knew they recognized me. Horses have the most beautiful eyes, don’t they? Those big, watery, brown eyes.

  Like all animals?

  Not all. Dogs, for sure. And dolphins. I always say to people, “Don’t feel you have to touch them. They look at you, and they know, believe me, they know who you are. Once I made that connection with the horse, I thought, “Now I can write about horses. Now I feel it.” Do you feel that people have the urge to touch all animals? I think most people who have a pet do. What I try to show in my novels is the best way to be with wild animals is to remain quiet and respectful of their space. The human instinct is to touch; we want to touch that dolphin or that horse. Instead, we should trust our ability to connect with our eyes. Learn the body movements of the species you’re with because communication can take many different forms. Communicating with the wild is different than with your dog or your cat. First of all, you won’t scare them off. And you will be safer. Secondly, you’ll come to know that there’s a world of communication available to you if you are mindful and respectful of the other species and trust your inner spirit.

  When you’re not with animals, do you feel something is missing?

  Yes. Especially when I’m confined, like when I am on a book tour or under deadline. I’m inside for weeks at a time.

  I find the dichotomy between the isolation required to focus on writing and then the immersion with people needed in your profession interesting. How does this work?

  I need both.

  You do?

  I love being with people.

  Really?

  I really do, especially with people I know. I’m not fond of cocktail parties. I love being with friends. Over dinner, a glass of wine, hiking. I love making connections. I love laughing. I need that outward expression because it feeds the inner. If I’m alone too long, I get a little squirrely. I especially love the one-on-one with a best friend.

  environmental fictionELYSIAN Publisher Karen Floyd and Mary Alice share a laugh together during the interview.
  When you are in the most focused portion of your writing, going 10-plus hours, and you’re in the “zone,” do you need people to recalibrate?

  Not during the process. I don’t see anybody. Actually, I don’t even want to talk on the phone. I don’t want to interfere with what’s going on in the world in my head.

  Do you “need” the book tour to fill the part of you that is an extrovert and to create?

  That’s a really good question. Do I need that? Professionally it is important. Speaking requires a great deal of energy. I’m not a fearful speaker; I don’t fear crowds. It doesn’t matter if I speak to a group of 10 or 500 people. I prefer extemporaneous. The give and take with an audience. I feel their energy, and I need it. Best of all, however, are the private moments when a reader tells me her story afterward, I don’t rush them. I want to hear what they have to say. I truly am interested.

  As a child, you were connected to nature . . . inventing and creating stories, in your mind, about elves and fairies and the like?

  Yes, and writing stories and composing songs. I still look for fairies!

  You have a complete attachment to nature, but you also have an innovative creative mind. Do you remember when you merged the two?

  Well, I wrote my first story when I was eight years old. “Willy the Wishful Whale.” I really loved the story and was proud of it. My daddy called me into his office. “Mary Alice,” he said in that voice that told me I was in trouble. He thought I had copied it, and he was telling me never to copy anyone else’s work. I was horrified. I don’t know if he believed me. I didn’t show anyone my writing for a long time. My third-grade teacher Mrs. Crawford came up to me and said, “Mary Alice, did you ever think you might want to be a writer when you grow up?” And I remember being stunned. I didn’t know that was a job! My teacher named what it was I wanted to do.

  Did your father, who is no longer alive, ever tell you well done? Did he ever appreciate your God-given talent?

  Sadly, he never lived to see my first book published. Yet, he came to admire my determination. He was old-fashioned when it came to a woman’s role in life. He didn’t worry whether the girls went to college. Even though I was an academic. He was surprised when I was awarded scholarships and fellowships. In his mind, I needed to make a good marriage. My mother was more dynamic, and lived to see my first book published.

  You did attend college.

  I started at Northwestern University in the Medill School of Journalism. But I left after one year.

  You had some interesting jobs in between college.

  I learned more from the lessons at my job than any course I ever took. I left college and took a position at the Encyclopedia Britannica. That was a big deal in Chicago at the time. They were creating a new edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Back in our day, Encyclopedia Britannica was our Google. They were hiring the best minds for editors and writers. I was hired as a general assistant secretary, but I worked my way up very quickly to the assistant to the general editor, Warren E. Preece. Through him, I was in touch with experts in multiple fields all over the world.

  You learned the art of writing and editing?

  From the best of the best.

  How many people were working on the project?

  There must have been 50 or 60 editors and hundreds of writers. We wrote letters to the contributors who were experts all over the world.

  Which is our modern-day Wikipedia.

  My other boss was Mortimer Adler, who was a great mind in the field of education. I saw less of him, but Warren took an interest in my learning. He actually asked me occasionally, “What did you think about this?” He mentored me. I’ve been fortunate in my life with mentors. I hope at this point in my life, I can be a mentor to others.

  What was your detour? I know that you were married.

  I was married young. We sold everything we owned and went on a six-week honeymoon to Japan. I knew little about the country. This was the 1970s, and the big splash Japan made on business in the United States hadn’t yet happened. During that trip we went from one Japanese Inn (ryokan) after another. I clearly remember sitting in one of the great gardens of Kyoto when I experienced the sensation that I’d come home. They call this “the whisperings of the past” when you are sure you’ve been there before.

  Do you believe in reincarnation?

  I believe it is a possibility. I don’t know how else to explain its effect. And why not? I felt at peace, sure I had been there before.

  Then you . . .

  I came home, changed majors to Japanese. There were very few places where on could study Japanese at that time. My husband was in medical school in New Jersey, so I received a scholarship and went to Seton Hall. I graduated, became bilingual then did my graduate studies in Asian studies. I went from writing English to Japanese and Asian history and culture.

  I don’t see any of the Asian studies in your genre of writing.

  Not yet! I have a novel in my heart. When it comes out, you won’t be surprised. I’ll write that someday, God willing.

  Are these love affairs with your books?

  Yes. Especially with the animals, I connect with. I share that passion with my readers.

  Mary Alice Monroe, share with our readers something personal. Tell your younger self something that you wish you would have known, perhaps a lesson that you have learned.

  Take your time, and enjoy the day. I was very driven and maybe still am, to accomplish tasks and to get work done. I used to focus on whatever I needed to get done. That kind of thinking leads to living in the future. I would tell my younger self to live in the moment! To journal all the details that you think you will never forget. You will. We all do. Especially to all the young mothers out there, write a journal about everything that gives you pause or surprise about your children. Write it down, because it goes so fast.

  This was first published on October 13, 2020

Monroe, Mary Alice. The Book Club. Mira: Harlequin. Sept. 1999. c.408p. ISBN 1-55166-530-1. pap. $5.99. ROMANCE

Outwardly linked by their monthly book club meetings, five diverse women in suburban Chicago come to realize that they share more than just the books they read as they struggle with a number of life-changing issues and discover the true meaning and power of friendship. Death, infidelity, infertility, and changing mother-daughter roles are only some of the problems addressed in this well-designed book, which skillfully weaves the individual story threads into a warm, unified whole that will appeal to readers who enjoy multifaceted relationship novels with strong women protagonists. While it is more women's fiction than pure romance, this still has a strong enough love interest to satisfy even the most demanding romance reader. Monroe (Girl in the Mirror) lives in River Forest, IL.

Kristin Ramsdell is Reference Librarian, California State University, Hayward. She is author of the romance section of What Do I Read Next? (Gale, annual) and Romance Fiction: A Guide to the Genre (Libraries Unlimited), published this year.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 1999 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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RAMSDELL, KRISTIN. "The Book Club." Library Journal, vol. 124, no. 13, Aug. 1999, p. 72. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A55671050/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=231e8b1d. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

MARY ALICE MONROE. Mira, $6.50 (416p) ISBN 1-55166-789-4

A familiar formula receives skillful handling in this heartfelt family drama involving three sisters--feisty European model Jilly, authoritative pediatrician Birdie and reclusive Rose Season. Following a lengthy separation, the three gather at their family home in Milwaukee for the funeral of their youngest sister, Merry, who was brain-damaged years earlier in an accident that continues to haunt the sisters. Merry's last request, that they find the baby daughter Jilly was forced to surrender as a teenager, sets the three remaining Seasons on a cross-country journey that will ultimately offer them a chance at personal redemption and self-discovery. Smoothly integrated flashbacks help illuminate long-held family secrets and allow the women to reclaim their childhood affection for each other. Although some of the old mysteries won't be much of a surprise to readers, Monroe (The Book Club) writes with a crisp precision and narrative energy that will keep them turning the pages. Her talent for infusing her charac ters with warmth and vitality and her ability to spin a tale with emotional depth will earn her a broad spectrum of readers, particularly fans of Barbara Delinsky and Nora Roberts. (Feb.)

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"THE FOUR SEASONS." Publishers Weekly, vol. 248, no. 5, 29 Jan. 2001, p. 71. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A72864236/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e12059ef. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

MARY ALICE MONROE. Mira, $6.50 (416p) ISBN 1-55166-899-8

* After losing her high-powered advertising job in Chicago, Caretta Rutledge grudgingly returns to her low-country roots at her mother's behest. Cara has long resented her mother, who focused her maternal efforts more on looking after the annual loggerhead turtle spawn than on protecting herself and her children from their abusive father. But when Cara learns that her mother is ill, she must lay her bitterness aside and try to make amends. Cara starts by restoring her mother's small beach house and joining the same turtle brigade she resented while growing up. In the process, she reconnects with an old friend and finds love in the arms of a local boat owner and naturalist. This poignant read won't disappoint fans of so-called "Southern Fiction"; the South, which represents both poison and tonic, is eloquently portrayed here, and its healing properties inevitably come to the fore. Just enough information about the loggerhead turtles and their spawning cycle opens each chapter, swiftly engaging the reader from the outset, and all of the integral characters are richly developed. With its evocative, often beautiful prose and keen insights into family relationships, Monroe's latest (following The Four Seasons) is an exceptional and heartwarming work of fiction that is bound to please fans of women's fiction and romances alike. (May)

A tinted review in adult Forecasts indicates a book that's of exceptional importance to our readers, but hasn't received a starred or boxed review.

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"The Beach House. (Mass Market)." Publishers Weekly, vol. 249, no. 14, 8 Apr. 2002, p. 211. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A85010659/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ca650bd0. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

MARYALICE MONROE. Mira, $6.99 (416p) ISBN 1-55166-700-2

A devoted naturalist and native of South Carolina's Low Country, Monroe is in her element when describing the wonders of nature and the ways people relate to it. In her previous book, The Beach House, she sprinkled information about loggerhead turtles throughout her romance. This time around, she caters to bird-watchers. Harris Henderson handles injured birds with ease at his birds of prey rehab center, but he has no idea how to manage his diabetic five-year-old Marion. Enter Ella Majors, a pediatric nurse-turnednanny. As Ella cares for the girl, she becomes an integral part of the Hendersons' lives and, before long, Harris begins to see her as more than a plain caretaker. Hauntingly beautiful relationships between birds and people add texture to the story. Most notable are the connections among an elderly black man named Lijah and his eagle, Santee, and a rooster that appears to guard both the center and Brady, a troubled teen working off a community service sentence. Monroe (aka Mary Alice Kruesi) successfu lly combines elements of women's fiction and romance in this lyrical tale. While it follows a more romantic arc than her previous book, it has enough depth and sophistication to appeal to a broad base of readers. (July)

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"Skyward. (Mass Market)." Publishers Weekly, vol. 250, no. 24, 16 June 2003, p. 56. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A104436658/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=93bab6c1. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

July 2003. 416p. MIRA, paper, $6.99 (1-55166-700-2).

Harris Henderson is a man with a mission. Almost single-handedly, he's built a sanctuary for injured birds of prey in the wilds of the South Carolina coast. But the birds aren't the only wounded creatures in this book. Harris is so involved with the birds, he has lost much of his ability to connect with humans. And Ella Majors, a nurse Harris has employed to care for his daughter, who has juvenile diabetes, is consumed with overwhelming guilt. There's a strong sense of place in this lyrical tale of two damaged souls who find healing with each other, and although it's not often that education and entertainment are so closely intertwined, this tale is one of those rare exceptions, filled as it is with myriad facts about eagles, owls, ospreys, and many other birds of prey. Another unique feature of this remarkable work is Elijah, a character who hails from the African American Gullah tradition. Monroe's novel is a fascinating, emotion-filled narrative that's not to be missed.

YA/M: A delight for teen nature-lovers. SM.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2003 American Library Association
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Mosley, Shelley. "* Monroe, Mary Alice. Skyward." Booklist, vol. 99, no. 21, July 2003, p. 1875. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A106227096/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=524abb74. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

Monroe, Mary Alice. Sweetgrass. July 2005. 368p. MIRA, $19.95 (0-7783-2187-8).

When his domineering father, Preston, suffers a stroke, environmentalist Morgan reluctantly returns to help run Sweeetgrass, the aging family plantation, even though he said he'd never go back to South Carolina after guilt over his older brother's death made him flee to Montana. Mary June, Morgan's mother, has grown estranged from her husband, but his stroke causes her to take a hard look at their past. Amid all this emotional chaos, Morgan's Aunt Adele is trying to force them to sell Sweetgrass to developers. Once again, Monroe, author of Skyward (2003), makes expert use of metaphors as she weaves the story of the region's Sweetgrass baskets into the story, and subtly addresses the urgent need to protect the environment. Monroe makes her characters so believable, the reader can almost hear them breathing. The lush details in this prodigal-son tale bring the low-country setting to life, and flashbacks tell the story of a young love rediscovered. Readers who enjoy such fine southern voices as Pat Conroy will add the talented Monroe to their list of favorites.--Shelley Mosley

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2005 American Library Association
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Mosely, Shelley. "Monroe, Mary Alice. Sweetgrass." Booklist, vol. 101, no. 19-20, 1 June 2005, p. 1754. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A136770572/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3fa58e27. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

Swimming Lessons MARY ALICE MONROE. Mira, $21.95 (432p) ISBN 978-0-7783-2462-1

Sick sea turtles and a sharply drawn cast mark Monroe's hardcover debut, an inspirational tale of redemption and, naturally, the power of love. Single morn Toy Sooner has two loves: her daughter, Lovie, and sea turtles, so when sick sea turtles wash up near Charleston, S.C., one summer and overwhelm the area's resources for turtle aid, Toy is tapped by the president of the aquarium where she works to land a grant for setting up a turtle hospital. This means long nights of work alongside fetching aquarium director Ethan Legare. Their evenings at Toy's home (where Ethan gets on splendidly with Lovie) stir Toy's dormant emotions. Meanwhile, Toy's friends wrestle with their own issues--aging, infertility, money problems, post-divorce blues. After Toy's grant is approved, she is put in charge of the turtle hospital and things are pretty swell--until Lovie's father, Darryl, suddenly reappears, intent on playing a role in Lovie's life. Toy is torn, and trouble is in the offing. A crisis hits very late in the book, giving the narrative a lopsided feel. Though billed as the sequel to Beach House (2002), the novel stands on its own and will likely widen Monroe's readership. (Apr.)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2007 PWxyz, LLC
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"Swimming Lessons." Publishers Weekly, vol. 254, no. 8, 19 Feb. 2007, p. 148. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A159789824/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4258c07d. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

MONROE, Mary Alice. Turtle Summer: A Journal for My Daughter. photos, by Barbara J. Bergwerf. illus, by Lisa Downey. unpaged. CIP. Sylvan Dell. 2007. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-9777423-5-6; pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-0-9777423-7-0. LC 2006938664.

Gr 2-3--This introduction to the hatching of sea turtles is organized as a kind of scrapbook for the author's young daughter, seen in occasional photographs as she walks on the beach with her mother or watches for the hatching. "You are my helper on the Island Turtle Team. You are eager to learn about the sea turtles, the flowers, the shells, the birds, and all things great and small." The album layout, with several small photographs sprinkled with labeled pictures of plants and shells, is potentially attractive and informative, but views of the featured animals are tiny and indistinct. Monroe explains how the mother turtles come ashore, lay eggs, and leave; how the Turtle Team moves eggs in danger of washing away; and how the hatchlings immediately head for the sea. She urges readers to look for evidence of sea turtles on the beach and to be prudent about this environment. Little is said about the life cycle and travels of the adult species, and readers aren't told the likely location of beaches where sea turtles might nest. Closing pages include a review of sea turtle facts, short activities, and suggestions for constructing one's own nature scrapbook. Since sea turtles are described in numerous attractive and informative books, this one will probably work best as an introduction for young readers who actually live near nesting beaches.--Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2007 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Bush, Margaret. "Monroe, Mary Alice. Turtle Summer: A Journal for My Daughter." School Library Journal, vol. 53, no. 6, June 2007, p. 136. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A165430518/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c3e44544. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

QUOTED: "For young readers, the book is a resource for studying and identifying life on the coast, while teachers will find the book an excellent resource for writing lessons and other activities."

Turtle Summer: A Journal for my Daughter. By Mary Alice Monroe with Photographs by Barbara J. Bergwerf. 2007. Sylvan Dell Publishing. (ISBN 0977742377). 32 pp. Hardcover. $15.95. Ages 6 through 10.

Turtle Summer: A Journal for my Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe with photographs by Barbara J. Bergwerf is a companion book to Swimming Lessons, the sequel to the best-selling novel, The Beach House. It is a colorful, picturesque journal that vividly describes the nesting cycle of loggerhead sea turtles and other life on the beach from May until August.

Throughout the book, the author engages young readers in ways that they can readily understand, such as: introducing the journal with a note from Mama, referring to her daughter as a "helper" on the Sea Turtle Team, digging with a shell, and carrying a red bucket. As a result, the book comes alive for the reader.

The author's description of the return of the female loggerhead sea turtle after approximately 30 years and the preparation of the nest, and the accompanying framed photographs, enable the reader to visualize the activity. Further, the author describes the procedure for moving eggs to a safe place if the nest is located below the high tide line, as well as how nests are protected by federal law. As the story unfolds, from nesting to hatching, the photographs help readers to visualize scenes from morning until night with the stars and moon as hatchlings return to the sea.

The phrases "now we wait," "while we wait," and "we watch, wait and wonder," are repeated numerous times by the author. These phrases may encourage young readers to patiently observe flowers, shells, and shore birds on the coast. Also, the author emphasizes what nature-lovers and beach-goers should or should not do during the nesting season in order to ensure the survival of the species. A visit to the Sea Turtle Hospital is a highlight of the book showing how volunteers care for injured turtles.

The section "Creative Minds" offers several activities for children and teachers, including: Loggerhead Nesting Fun Facts, Shell Identification, and Making Your Own Nature Scrapbook. For young readers, the book is a resource for studying and identifying life on the coast, while teachers will find the book an excellent resource for writing lessons and other activities.

Jean B. Worsley

Retired Biology Teacher

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Charlotte, NC

wrsley@bellsouth.net

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2007 University of California Press
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Worsley, Jean B. "Turtle Summer: A Journal for my Daughter." The American Biology Teacher, vol. 69, no. 9, Nov. 2007, p. 571. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A172091197/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=cd22a667. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

Monroe, Mary Alice. Time Is a River. Pocket: S. & S. Jul. 2008. c.369p. ISBN 978-1-4165-4436-4. $25. F

After losing her job and her self-confidence, Mia Landan, a thirtysomething breast cancer survivor from Charleston, SC, finds her way to Casting for Recovery, a North Carolina--based organization run by fishing guide Belle Carson. Mia also loses her husband when she finds him casting about with another woman, and she seeks refuge in Belle's old family cabin. Along with the rigors of breast cancer treatment, readers learn about the ancient art of fly-fishing and how its principles can help replenish the soul and bring nature and a person's place in it into relief. Mia's time in the cabin makes her look at her damaged body as a symbol of her self-worth, not merely as a sign of weakness and failure. She even manages to flirt and eventually find love with a fellow fly-fisher. But this latest title from Monroe (Swimming Lessons) is also a mystery, as Mia tries to piece together the life of Kate Watkins, Belle's late grandmother and a well-known fly-fisher, who lived in the cabin many years before. The truth is unearthed by Mia and a group of strong local women who decide that men need not have the last word, even when the conversation is about fishing. This fascinating, nicely wrought novel will be popular in public libraries even where readers don't know a brook trout from a can of sardines. Highly recommended.--Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal

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Fox, Bette-Lee. "Monroe, Mary Alice. Time Is a River." Library Journal, vol. 133, no. 8, 1 May 2008, pp. 57+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A178758052/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7b095dec. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

Time Is a River.

By Mary Alice Monroe.

July 2008. 384p. Pocket, $25 (9781416544364).

Breast cancer survivor Mia Landan returns home to find her husband in bed with another woman. Still weak from the cancer treatments, and not ready to make decisions about her failed marriage, Mia asks Belle Carson, a fly-fishing guide and the head of Casting for Recovery, if she can stay in Belle's isolated mountain cabin. At first, the solitude isn't easy, and Mia has to overcome some major fears. Her real healing begins after she discovers the long-forgotten diary of Kate Watkins, a controversial woman ahead of her time, who used to live in the cabin. Kate loved fly-fishing, too, and, guided by her journal, Mia begins to get in touch with the mountains, the wildlife, the river, and herself. A broken woman rediscovers her sense of self-worth in this moving work by a writer known for her lyrical writing style and love of the environment (The Four Seasons, 2004). Monroe once again treats her readers to lush descriptions of nature in this exquisite, many-layered novel of an unsolved mystery, an obsession, a reconciliation, and a little romance. --Shelley Mosley

YA/M: Breast cancer touches all ages, and this beautifully written novel offers hope. SM.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2008 American Library Association
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Mosley, Shelley. "Time Is a River." Booklist, vol. 104, no. 21, 1 July 2008, p. 39. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A181757377/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b458da85. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

Last Light over Carolina

Mary Alice Monroe. Pocket, $25 (384p)ISBN 978-1-4165-4970-3

From the bestselling author of Time Is a River and Swimming Lessons comes a serviceable novel set in present-day coastal South Carolina. The tale follows shrimp boat captain Bud Morrison, and his wife, Carolina, through one eventful day. De spite their ardent love for one another, and how wildly passionate their love affair began, after 33 years of marriage, imprudence, distrust, financial strain and poor communication have clouded their relationship. When Bud's deckhand is a no-show for work, Bud decides to take his boat out alone, despite a fast approaching storm. After he's injured in a boating accident, he begins to reflect on his life and love. Meanwhile, Carolina has had a premonition and spends her day reminiscing about her marriage and analyzing the missteps. Although the story is a frank and easy to relate to look at a long-term marriage, some maudlin passages and uninspired thematic work can make it feel borrowed from a Lifetime movie. (July)

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"Last Light over Carolina." Publishers Weekly, vol. 256, no. 21, 25 May 2009, p. 37. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A200909609/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5da01c49. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

The Butterfly's Daughter

Mary Alice Monroe. S&S/Gallery, $25 (400p) ISBN 978-1-4391-7061-8

Luz Avila's mother abandoned her when she was a very young child to be raised by her grandmother, who she calls Abuela. When Luz is a grown woman, Abuela insists on making a trip to her home village, Angangueo, in Mexico, where the monarch butterflies migrate each year, but Luz is reluctant to interrupt her life. Abuela dies before they can make the trip, and Luz, tormented by regrets, decides to make the journey with Abuela's ashes, driving from Milwaukee to Mexico, following the path of the butterflies. Along the way, Luz meets extraordinary women who transform her: a tough but gentle young girl scarred by life; a free-spirited wanderer; a prim and proper woman who has lost opportunities. Arriving in San Antonio, Tex., to find her aunt, Luz meets her mother, who she had always believed dead. Now Luz must face her mother's reappearance in her life and get her grandmother's ashes to Mexico for the Day of the Dead. Monroe (Time Is a River) has succeeded, in her third novel, in taking a straightforward coming-of-age story and adding a Mexican twist to it, but the characters are stock and the outcome predictable, though readers who take comfort in knowing what comes next will not be disappointed. (May)

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"The Butterfly's Daughter." Publishers Weekly, vol. 258, no. 5, 31 Jan. 2011, p. 26. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A248578087/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=aa735fdd. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

Monroe, Mary Alice. The Butterfly's Daughter. Gallery: S. & S. May 2011. c.400p. ISBN 9781439170618. $25. F

Esperanza Avila worries about her 21-year-old granddaughter. Luz doesn't know her family traditions, doesn't speak her native Spanish, and is trapped in a foundry job in Milwaukee. After Luz's mother disappeared, the abuela raised the girl on Aztec myths along with stories of the monarch butterflies in the mountains of Mexico. One phone call changes everything. Esperanza buys a VW and tells Luz they must drive to her home village by November 1, the Day of the Dead, to be there when the migrating monarchs return. But her death leaves Luz to make the pilgrimage alone. Following the path of the butterflies, she finds herself on a journey of discovery, seeking her inner courage and the secrets of a vanished mother. VERDICT Monroe, known for her environmental fiction (The Beach House; Sweetgrass), skillfully incorporates lore about the monarch butterflies into a rich novel about generations and tradition. This book, filled with unusual female characters, is highly recommended for book clubs and readers of women's fiction. [Author tour; feature tide at ALA.]--Lesa Holstine, Glendale P.L., AZ

Holstine, Lesa

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Holstine, Lesa. "Monroe, Mary Alice. The Butterfly's Daughter." Library Journal, vol. 136, no. 3, 15 Feb. 2011, p. 100. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A248828263/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=242a3dd6. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

Monroe, Mary Alice THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster (Adult Fiction) $25.00 5, 3 ISBN: 978-1-4391-7061-8

A young woman follows the path of the monarch butterflies in their autumnal migration to Mexico.

Luz Avila, a factory worker in Milwaukee, lives with her Abuela (grandmother) Esperanza. Abuela raised her when her mother Mariposa, named after the monarch butterflies Abuela loves, disappeared. Both Abuela and Luz believe Mariposa died long ago. But when Abuela receives an unsettling phone call from her other daughter in Texas, she plans a trip to Mexico with Luz, to visit the mountain sanctuary where monarch butterflies are already beginning to trickle in from their northern feeding and mating grounds. It is an Avila family tradition for mothers and daughters to visit a precipice overlooking the canyon groves where the monarchs gather en masse, and to recall the Aztec goddess who sacrificed herself so that creation could begin. After Abuela's sudden death from a heart attack, Luz vows to make the trip on her own. Ignoring warnings from her mechanic boyfriend Sully, Luz drives away in her grandmother's rusted Volkswagen with a cardboard box containing Abuela's ashes in the backseat. After her car dies in Chicago, Luz works at a taqueria to pay for repairs, then continues her journey, this time with a very pregnant new friend, Ofelia, who's fleeing her abusive lover, and Ofelia's chihuahua Serena. There's a stop in Kansas where Ofelia is taken in by her former employers at a nursery, and Luz meets a field entomologist, Billy, who teaches her how to tag monarchs. Luz continues on her journey, now accompanied by Margaret, a buttoned-down botanist who wants to escape her stultifying life. The POV shifts abruptly to Mariposa, alive after all and slowly recovering from multiple addictions and a vaguely unsavory past with the help of a Native American equestrian healer. She is agonizing over why a message left for her mother in Milwaukee has gone unanswered. Slowed by a plethora of preachy maxims, the story creeps to a predictable close.

The butterflies are the most colorful characters here.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2011 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Monroe, Mary Alice: THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2011. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A256559163/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=acbbbb36. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

QUOTED: "Monroe does an excellent job using appropriate scientific vocabulary along with dialogue to keep readers interested."

MONROE, Mary Alice with Linda Love. A Butterfly Called Hope. photos by Barbara J. Bergwerf. 32p. diag. maps. Sylvan Dell. 2013. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781607188544; pap. $9.95. ISBN 9781607188568; ebk. $9.95. ISBN 9781607188575. LC 2013013641.

PreS-Gr 2--A little girl is in her mother's garden when she spies an unusual caterpillar. Her mother takes her and the insect to a butterfly center where they discover that their caterpillar will turn into a monarch butterfly. Taking the creature home, the girl is able to observe what happens during its life cycle. Monroe does an excellent job using appropriate scientific vocabulary along with dialogue to keep readers interested. The text is large and bold, making it accessible to emerging readers. There is also limited text on each page, which keeps the book from being too long for a read-aloud. The photographs are clear and help delineate the action, making it equally useful in elementary classrooms or with families exploring the subject. There is a "For Creative Minds" section that also helps extend the text; it includes a diagram of the butterfly's life cycle, vocabulary matching, and additional facts about monarchs.--Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ

Murray, Susan E.

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Murray, Susan E. "Monroe, Mary Alice with Linda Love. A Butterfly Called Hope." School Library Journal, vol. 60, no. 1, Jan. 2014, p. 74. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A355150905/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2b42fd20. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

A Butterfly Called Hope. By Mary Alice Monroe. Illus. by Barbara J. Bergwerf. 2013. 32p. Sylvan Dell, $17.95 (9781607188544); paper, $9.95 (9781607188568). 595.78. K-Gr. 2.

A girl finds a "bright yellow and black bug;" or, as her mother explains, a caterpillar. Determined to raise it herself, the girl makes a home for it in a terrarium, lining the floor with paper towels and adding fresh milkweed daily. She watches it change from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. After the mother explains why they must set it free, the girl gives it her own name, Hope, and releases it. The back matter includes a word-and-picture matching game, tips on raising monarchs, and a full-page presentation explaining the generations and migrations of monarchs within a 12-month period. While the fictional story is a bit stiff, the large-print text is accessible to young readers. Clear, colorful photos offer good views of the caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly. While there are many books available on monarch butterfly development, this one targets a younger audience than most. For larger collections.--Carolyn Phelan

Phelan, Carolyn

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2013 American Library Association
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Phelan, Carolyn. "A Butterfly Called Hope." Booklist, vol. 110, no. 7, 1 Dec. 2013, p. 58. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A353751877/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7749cf60. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

A Lowcountry Wedding. By Mary Alice Monroe. May 2016. 384p. Gallery, paper, $16 (9781501125430).

Half-sisters Dora, Harper, and Carson may have had wildly different upbringings and lead vastly different lives, but they've always felt at home together at Sea Breeze, a sprawling plantation on a barrier island off the South Carolina coast. Sea Breeze has hosted its fair share of Muir family parties, and now that Harper and Carson's weddings are only two months away, the sisters are thrilled to be spending more time together there in preparation for their big days. But big events tend to bring out big problems in families, and the stress of guest lists and table decorations is nothing compared to the shock Dora, Harper, and Carson are about to face. Author Monroe continues her Lowcountry Summer series with characters loyal readers will know and love, blending southern charm and sass with familial intrigue and empathy. The picturesque landscape is lush and welcoming, and the novel is peppered with down-home details. A slow burn of a story mixed with genuine emotion, this will delight fans of Dorothea Benton Frank, Wendy Wax, and Elin Hilderbrand.--Stephanie Turza

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Turza, Stephanie. "A Lowcountry Wedding." Booklist, vol. 112, no. 17, 1 May 2016, p. 69. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A453293836/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7d2ba478. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

Beach House for Rent. By Mary Alice Monroe. June 2017.416p. Gallery, $26 (9781501125461).

Cara Rutledge's beach house in the low country of South Carolina has always been a peaceful refuge. The old house is a labor of love, fixed up to be in prime shape for the summer rental season. This year's inhabitant is Heather Wyatt, a shy artist hoping to regain a sense of independence while she paints the coastal shorebirds. Calm, confident Cara and skittish Heather couldn't be more different, until a sudden tragedy shakes Cara to her core. Heather offers to let Cara move back into the beach house for the rest of the summer, and the new roommates lean on each other while accessing strengths they never knew they had. Monroe's newest installation in her Beach House series also serves as a stand-alone novel, but faithful readers will recognize her ability to blend uniquely human stories with pressing environmental issues. Fans of Mary Kay Andrews and Mary Simses will adore this novel of simple pleasures, shifting priorities, and the power of self-discovery. Tender and inspiring with a touch of romance, it's just the thing to fill an empty beach bag.--Stephanie Turza

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association
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Turza, Stephanie. "Beach House for Rent." Booklist, vol. 113, no. 19-20, June 2017, p. 48. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A498582675/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4b1704b1. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

The Summer Guests. By Mary Alice Monroe. June 2019.368p. Gallery, $26.99 (9781501193620).

As a hurricane threatens the Atlantic Coast, evacuation is at the top of everyone's mind. Freehold Farm, owned by accomplished horsewoman Grace, becomes a place of refuge for a diverse crew of men, women, children, and their beloved horses and rescued dogs. In the mountains of North Carolina, the group finds common ground in their love of good food, good wine, and equestrian culture. As old friends reconnect and sparks of unexpected romance ignite, Freehold Farm becomes much more than a site to wait out the coming storm. Guests learn more about each other and themselves, and surprising connections take shape. Monroe (Beach House Reunion, 2018) follows several of her beloved characters into new adventures and introduces a larger ensemble. Following the dramatic arc of the hurricane's progress, from buildup to landfall to dispersal, The Summer Guests escalates to a satisfying resolution. Loyal readers will recognize Monroe's signature love of animals, while fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Wendy Wax will enjoy the picturesque setting and heartwarmingly intertwined character arcs.--Stephanie Turza

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Turza, Stephanie. "The Summer Guests." Booklist, vol. 115, no. 18, 15 May 2019, p. 31. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A589800194/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ee3002e1. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

Monroe, Mary Alice. On Ocean Boulevard. Gallery. (Beach House, Bk. 6) May 2020. 384p. ISBN 9781982146948. $26.99. F

It's been a couple of years since the last entry (Beach House Reunion) in the author's "Beach House" series, but Monroe includes enough information to bring new readers up to speed without alienating fans of the series. The story involves the Rutledge family, as usual, but this time centers on Linnea as she returns home to the South Carolina barrier islands without her boyfriend or a job. Her parents are starting over on Sullivan's Island in their small beach house, struggling to get out from under a bankruptcy and hoping her father remains sober. Her Aunt Cara is having trouble juggling her full-time job, a young child, and her upcoming wedding, so she's happy to offer Linnea an internship at the aquarium. Linnea also gets involved with the turtle ladies and a good-looking visiting professor from England. A worsening case of dementia, microplastics in the ocean, and, of course, the turtles add a serious note to this charming Lowcountry novel. VERDICT This is an excellent addition to a popular series by a best-selling author. Readers of Mary Kay Andrews and Dorothea Benton Frank should feel at home here as well. [See Prepub Alert, 11/11/19.]--Stacy Alesi, Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Lib., Lynn Univ., Boca Raton, FL

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Alesi, Stacy. "Monroe, Mary Alice. On Ocean Boulevard." Library Journal, vol. 145, no. 4, Apr. 2020, pp. 90+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A619849107/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=fc2b8023. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

On Ocean Boulevard. By Mary Alice Monroe. May 2020. 384p. Gallery, $26.99 (9781982146948).

When it seems like image is everything and gossip travels at the speed of light, there's power in spinning your story the right way. Monroe (The Summer Guests, 2019) brings her beloved Beach House characters back to the idyllic Isle of Palms as two of die Rutledge women take charge of their narratives. Linnea, recently returned to South Carolina after an unexpected layoff and a tumultuous breakup, jumps at the chance to combine her passion for environmentalism with a new career. Cara, on the verge of her second marriage, finds strength and comfort in familiar surroundings. This is a heartwarming story of Low Country love, loyalty, and longstanding friendships. Proving that life's unexpected curve balls can end up launching its greatest successes, the resilience of the Rutledge family is stronger than ever. Infusing her story with respect for the local flora and fauna, Monroe continues her focus on environmental conservation in her latest multigenerational story of the Rutledge women. Followers of the series and fans of Mary Kay Andrews will adore this next chapter.--Stephanie Turza

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Turza, Stephanie. "On Ocean Boulevard." Booklist, vol. 116, no. 17, 1 May 2020, p. 23. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A623790566/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=41ad87f1. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

The Summer of Lost and Found.

By Mary Alice Monroe.

May 2021. 368p. Gallery, $28 (9781982148348).

The seventh book in Monroe's best-selling Beach House series set on the South Carolina Isle of Palms (following On Ocean Boulevard, 2020) brings four generations together to weather the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Linnea's on-track life, with an aquarium job she loves, a cozy seaside cottage, a love interest equally invested in the protection of aquatic creatures, and a close-knit community, is completely upended by the shutdown. When she is furloughed, she adds a six-year-old cousin to her household as other family members stay in quarantine. Linnea's ex shows up next-door, then her beau and her brother both make it back before all flights are canceled, and all must stay isolated from each other. Just as in real life, the flow of time seems out of whack as Monroe presents an accurate and discomfiting depiction of relationships during this trying time. As she has throughout the series, Monroe addresses themes of environmental preservation. Fans will enjoy seeing how the characters cope with this difficult predicament, and all readers will relate to Monroe's sensitive take on a global experience.

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Herald, Diana Tixier. "The Summer of Lost and Found." Booklist, vol. 117, no. 16, 15 Apr. 2021, p. 33. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A662574664/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a90a9ed2. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

QUOTED: "The narrative handles weighty issues considerately."

The Islanders (The Islanders #1)

Mary Alice Monroe with Angela May. Aladdin, $17.99 (304p) ISBN 978-1-5344-2727-3 In collaboration with journalist May, adult author Monroe makes her middle grade debut with this comforting beach read about the healing power of friendship and nature. When Jake's military officer father is wounded in Afghanistan, necessitating a visit from Jake's Air Force lieutenant colonel mother, the 11-year-old must visit his enterprising grandmother Honey on Dewees Island, S.C., the lush natute preserve where she lives. He dreads a summer without .technology and his New Jersey friends, but meeting a fellow summer kid, fact lover Macon, and local island expert Lovie, a skilled boater, helps Jake engage with the island's "Huck Finn life." Discovering his father's naturalist journals, Jake nurtures an ecological interest of his own that escalates when the three friends must serve community service on dawn turtle patrol after appropriating a boat they thought abandoned. The narrative handles weighty issues considerately, including Lovie's feelings about her biological father and how the boat incident affects Macon, who is Black, more than his cuedwhite friends. If the fact that each friend harbors a secret feels a bit tidy, the smalltown community instills a strong sense of place, and the ttio's chemistry holds promise for future insrallments. Includes resources about the island and its wildlife. Ages 8-12. (June)

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"The Islanders (The Islanders #1)." Publishers Weekly, vol. 268, no. 18, 3 May 2021, pp. 57+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A661830077/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=052a60ba. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

QUOTED: "Young animal lovers will be delighted."

MONROE, Mary Alice with Angela May. The Islanders. 304p. Aladdin. Aug. 2021. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781534427273.

Gr 3-6-Jake Potter, a military kid, finds himself stuck for the summer on a remote South Carolina island with his grandmother. His dad has been injured in the field, and his mom needs to go and care for him. With the injury to worry about and no phone, internet, or video games, Jake slowly begins to explore the island and make friends with two other 11-year-olds. At first depressed, his grandmother begins to perk up as Jake makes discoveries. Jake, who is white, and his friends Lovie, who is also white, and Macon, who is Black, find a loggerhead turtle nest on the beach and work to protect it. Monroe and May's middle grade debut is a thoroughly wholesome adventure, but younger readers may enjoy this story more than middle schoolers. The descriptions of the island's wildlife are vibrant, and young animal lovers will be delighted at the information about turtles and other animals. Otherwise, the plot unfolds quite slowly, without many points of conflict or the character development that would give the book emotional resonance. VERDICT A good purchase for elementary collections where there are budding naturalists. A secondary purchase otherwise.--Kate Fleming, Hosford M.S., Portland, OR

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Fleming, Kate. "MONROE, Mary Alice with Angela May. The Islanders." School Library Journal, vol. 67, no. 6, June 2021, p. 58. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A663599642/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=20bac715. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

QUOTED: "a tender, warmhearted tale in a memorable setting."

Monroe, Mary Alice THE ISLANDERS Aladdin (Children's None) $17.99 6, 15 ISBN: 978-1-5344-2727-3

Eleven-year-old New Jersey boy Jake spends the summer with his grandmother on Dewees Island, South Carolina.

Jake’s Air Force mom must remain with his dad, who was severely injured while serving in Afghanistan, leaving Jake with no other options. He narrates his own tale, admitting his all-consuming fears for his dad. Grandmother Honey appears somewhat unkempt. She is easily tired and lives in a messy house with a refrigerator containing spoiled food, a result of a long depression after being widowed. Despite the lack of internet, Jake grows to love his loft bedroom surrounded by his dad’s childhood books and nature journals. Honey gives him chores and insists that he spend his time outdoors exploring the island and recording his observations in his own journal. Saving his writing for descriptive letters to his dad, Jake prefers to draw what he sees, and his pencil sketches enhance the sense of place. Jake’s new friends, Lovie and Macon, share his adventures, and the friends encourage each other, providing comfort and understanding when needed. With guidance from a newly energized Honey, they even become absorbed in protecting loggerhead turtle nests. Monroe and May seamlessly incorporate fascinating nature facts into a tale of Jake’s adventures and near disasters. Readers will admire Jake’s compassion, perseverance, and strength and find themselves moved to laughter and tears as his summer unfolds. Most major characters are assumed White; Macon is Black.

A tender, warmhearted tale in a memorable setting. (sources) (Fiction. 8-12)

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"Monroe, Mary Alice: THE ISLANDERS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2021, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A661545774/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ce076227. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

QUOTED: "exciting, tender, and absolutely wonderful."

Monroe, Mary Alice SEARCH FOR TREASURE Aladdin (Children's None) $17.99 6, 14 ISBN: 978-1-5344-2730-3

Twelve-year-old Jake has great expectations for another wonderful summer on Dewees Island, a private island and nature sanctuary in South Carolina, in this follow-up to The Islanders (2021).

Jake wants to reunite with his friends Lovie and Macon and have a new adventure. Most of all he hopes his ex-Army father will be able to heal from his injuries; Dad has become emotionally withdrawn and refuses help. Jake's friends, grandmother Honey, and Fire Chief Rand, his father's childhood friend, are all waiting to greet them with hugs. During a quick visit to Honey's newly modernized nature center, the kids spot a newspaper article that supplies their next adventure: hunting for Blackbeard's treasure. A metal detector, research help from Honey, and memories from Rand and Dad set them on their way. There are adventures galore, encounters with a mysterious local treasure hunter, and lots of laughter (and some tears) in the changing relationship dynamics between Jake, his dad, and his friends. Two boys, cousins from the city with bad attitudes whose actions cause danger to protected animals, are an ongoing menace. The authors keep the action moving at a rapid pace, filling the pages with vivid sensory descriptions while masterfully interweaving historical facts, wildlife information, and gentle lessons. Jake's first-person narration allows for self-knowledge and self-doubt while demonstrating capability for insight and compassion. Scattered black-and-white sketches illuminate the activities. Most characters present White; Macon is Black.

Exciting, tender, and absolutely wonderful. (Fiction. 8-12)

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"Monroe, Mary Alice: SEARCH FOR TREASURE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2022, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A700219782/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=245752de. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

QUOTED: "Readers will feel every emotion along with these characters."

Monroe, Mary Alice SHIPWRECKED Aladdin (Children's None) $17.99 6, 18 ISBN: 9781665933001

In this third series entry, Jake looks forward to another wonderful summer adventure on Dewees Island, South Carolina, with best friends Macon and Lovie, but a chilling prologue signals that something dire is afoot.

After the friends joyfully reunite, Jake announces his determination to purchase a boat. His parents grant him permission, but he must earn the money and make all the necessary repairs. His pals help, and they soon schedule their inaugural voyage. But Jake's father, who's often cancelled activities due to work pressures, postpones this longed-for adventure several times. An angry Jake decides to take Lovie and Macon out by himself (their own parental issues may help them overcome their initial reluctance). Jake writes a note explaining their plans but deliberately leaves his phone behind. After a fine start, the friends encounter sudden storms and lose their supplies. Worst of all, the boat stalls and then capsizes, leaving them washed up on an uninhabited island, where they make surprising discoveries. They're dehydrated, hungry, disheartened, and frightened and must rely on their knowledge, skills, and ingenuity (plus a bit of luck) to survive. Jake narrates the tale in his illustrated journal, employing wonderfully descriptive language that captures not only the exciting events but also the beauty and magnitude of the Lowcountry, while emphasizing the friends' deep commitment to each other. Readers will feel every emotion along with these characters. Jake and Lovie are coded white; Macon reads Black.

A powerful coming-of-age tale. (map, authors' note) (Fiction. 8-12)

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"Monroe, Mary Alice: SHIPWRECKED." Kirkus Reviews, 1 May 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A791876877/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5ec5510c. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

RAMSDELL, KRISTIN. "The Book Club." Library Journal, vol. 124, no. 13, Aug. 1999, p. 72. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A55671050/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=231e8b1d. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. "THE FOUR SEASONS." Publishers Weekly, vol. 248, no. 5, 29 Jan. 2001, p. 71. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A72864236/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e12059ef. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. "The Beach House. (Mass Market)." Publishers Weekly, vol. 249, no. 14, 8 Apr. 2002, p. 211. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A85010659/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ca650bd0. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. "Skyward. (Mass Market)." Publishers Weekly, vol. 250, no. 24, 16 June 2003, p. 56. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A104436658/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=93bab6c1. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Mosley, Shelley. "* Monroe, Mary Alice. Skyward." Booklist, vol. 99, no. 21, July 2003, p. 1875. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A106227096/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=524abb74. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Mosely, Shelley. "Monroe, Mary Alice. Sweetgrass." Booklist, vol. 101, no. 19-20, 1 June 2005, p. 1754. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A136770572/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3fa58e27. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. "Swimming Lessons." Publishers Weekly, vol. 254, no. 8, 19 Feb. 2007, p. 148. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A159789824/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4258c07d. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Bush, Margaret. "Monroe, Mary Alice. Turtle Summer: A Journal for My Daughter." School Library Journal, vol. 53, no. 6, June 2007, p. 136. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A165430518/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c3e44544. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Worsley, Jean B. "Turtle Summer: A Journal for my Daughter." The American Biology Teacher, vol. 69, no. 9, Nov. 2007, p. 571. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A172091197/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=cd22a667. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Fox, Bette-Lee. "Monroe, Mary Alice. Time Is a River." Library Journal, vol. 133, no. 8, 1 May 2008, pp. 57+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A178758052/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7b095dec. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Mosley, Shelley. "Time Is a River." Booklist, vol. 104, no. 21, 1 July 2008, p. 39. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A181757377/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b458da85. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. "Last Light over Carolina." Publishers Weekly, vol. 256, no. 21, 25 May 2009, p. 37. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A200909609/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5da01c49. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. "The Butterfly's Daughter." Publishers Weekly, vol. 258, no. 5, 31 Jan. 2011, p. 26. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A248578087/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=aa735fdd. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Holstine, Lesa. "Monroe, Mary Alice. The Butterfly's Daughter." Library Journal, vol. 136, no. 3, 15 Feb. 2011, p. 100. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A248828263/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=242a3dd6. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. "Monroe, Mary Alice: THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2011. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A256559163/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=acbbbb36. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Murray, Susan E. "Monroe, Mary Alice with Linda Love. A Butterfly Called Hope." School Library Journal, vol. 60, no. 1, Jan. 2014, p. 74. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A355150905/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2b42fd20. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Phelan, Carolyn. "A Butterfly Called Hope." Booklist, vol. 110, no. 7, 1 Dec. 2013, p. 58. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A353751877/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7749cf60. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Turza, Stephanie. "A Lowcountry Wedding." Booklist, vol. 112, no. 17, 1 May 2016, p. 69. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A453293836/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7d2ba478. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Turza, Stephanie. "Beach House for Rent." Booklist, vol. 113, no. 19-20, June 2017, p. 48. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A498582675/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4b1704b1. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Turza, Stephanie. "The Summer Guests." Booklist, vol. 115, no. 18, 15 May 2019, p. 31. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A589800194/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ee3002e1. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Alesi, Stacy. "Monroe, Mary Alice. On Ocean Boulevard." Library Journal, vol. 145, no. 4, Apr. 2020, pp. 90+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A619849107/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=fc2b8023. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Turza, Stephanie. "On Ocean Boulevard." Booklist, vol. 116, no. 17, 1 May 2020, p. 23. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A623790566/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=41ad87f1. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Herald, Diana Tixier. "The Summer of Lost and Found." Booklist, vol. 117, no. 16, 15 Apr. 2021, p. 33. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A662574664/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a90a9ed2. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. "The Islanders (The Islanders #1)." Publishers Weekly, vol. 268, no. 18, 3 May 2021, pp. 57+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A661830077/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=052a60ba. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. Fleming, Kate. "MONROE, Mary Alice with Angela May. The Islanders." School Library Journal, vol. 67, no. 6, June 2021, p. 58. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A663599642/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=20bac715. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. "Monroe, Mary Alice: THE ISLANDERS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2021, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A661545774/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ce076227. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. "Monroe, Mary Alice: SEARCH FOR TREASURE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2022, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A700219782/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=245752de. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. "Monroe, Mary Alice: SHIPWRECKED." Kirkus Reviews, 1 May 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A791876877/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5ec5510c. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.

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