What Do People Say?

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Each book in the Cape Cod Witch Series is the recipient of the prestigious 

Mom's Choice Award! 

Approved by Moms!!!

Book III also received a coveted 

Moonbeam Award!

"Suffice it to say that ElsBeth and the Call of the Castle Ghosties is about as fine a middle school fantasy as you could get: vivid, packed with ghosts and mystery, and yet tempered with an attention to interpersonal depth that is rare and inviting." D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Terry Colon, the Bourne, MA Children’s Librarian, emailed me this: “Your book has not been on the shelf at all this summer, it’s always out and being enjoyed!!!  We appreciate your spending time with us, the kids had a great time.”  

"The students in fifth grade love the book.  They especially love that ElsBeth is a witch.  I am surprised that the 5th grade boys like it as much as the girls.  They want to know if there is another book.  Some said they want to be like ElsBeth and be a witch too. They also liked that there are many pictures in the book.  They said it helps them picture in their head what is going on in the book."

Liz - Teacher

"Thanks so much for the wonderful book!  I had to read it right away and I just loved it!  Annie, you are such a good writer.  Are going to write another? The book is on our HELP bookshelf and being enjoyed by many of our students!

Thank you!"

Ann Hazen - Hollywood Literacy Project

"Dear Mrs. Palmer, 

Do you have any more books after The Cape Cod Witch and the Pirates Treasure? 

"If so, can you email me.  Or, if you have any more books by yourself that are appropriate for a 10 year old, you can tell me about them.  If you don't have any answers for any of the questions, thats fine too.  

"Thanks for your help!"

Sincerely,

Jane Handa, Age ten, Westport ,CT

"DO YOU HAVE A NEW BOOK OUT? I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE. MY GRANDCHILDREN LOVED THE ONE I BROUGHT BACK WITH ME."

CAROLYN WALLACE

"My seven yr old daughter just finished the Cape Cod Witch and the Pirate's Treasure.  Please compliment Palmer J. Bean on the fabulous book!  She couldn't put it down."  Liz

"Much Success with the book. It's one of the best I've seen in a long time!"
Fran - Bookstore manager, Onset, Massachusetts

“There’s something for everyone in this charming chapter book – witches, fairies and other enchantments, plus ferocious pirate ghosts . . .  Graced with colorful watercolors evoking an olde New England, this children’s romp is a sure bet for young readers who might occasionally prefer to imbibe their Harry Potter-style adventures closer to home.”
–Vineyard Gazette, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

"The book is a well-written, fast-paced, and entertaining tale of mystery and adventure, with well-developed and likable characters. It blends everyday situations at school and home with magic, witches, fairies, Halloween, legends, mystery, and pirate treasure, which lures the second-grade boys off to look for it, and the girls bravely off to rescue the boys. 

"Cape Cod  Witch will be of special interest to Cape Cod children and their parents, of course, because of the setting, and it is perfect reading for this time of year. The colorful, childlike illustrations add much to the appeal of the book and may encourage even reluctant readers to pick it up. Ms. Therrien’s medium is acrylic painting, and the details of canvas and brushstroke can be seen on some of the close-ups. 

"The story of how the book came to be written and illustrated is a tale in itself. According to Ms. Palmer, a retired environmental scientist who appreciates the natural beauty of the Cape , she wrote the book for her granddaughter’s first birthday, basing the main character on her spunky niece, now an adult. She illustrated it with pictures cut from Cape Cod Life and National Geographic magazines. The book was a big hit with her family and friends, and they encouraged her to 'illustrate it properly.' She found an artist on Craig’s list. Ms. Therrien 'happens to live one mile from [my] son and granddaughter in Maine . Her art was a perfect match, [we] got along great, and 20, original, full-color illustrations resulted.' "
Marilyn Rowland - Sandwich Enterprise

"I don't usually do this, but The Cape Cod Witch and the Pirate's Treasure got such rave reviews from my two nephews and my sister that I felt like I had to pass it on. What makes my nephews' recommendations so remarkable is that they're sort of reluctant readers. One in particular devours comics but mostly "reads" the illustrations. "Star Wars" books are their favorites. 

“And hey, anytime two boys jump up and down (literally) and implore me to read something, I listen. 

“The other thing that made me pay special attention to their glowing reviews is that to the naked eye, this book would seem to be more attractive to girls. But really, a strong female protagonist and an exciting but not too scary story involving pirates and buried treasure, what's not to love? My nephew said all of the kids in his third grade class love this book, bar none. 

“Apparently the first of a series, my sister said they read it aloud together as a family and she thought it was fabulous, too. Really fabulous, and they all can't wait for the next one.  Of course, I ran out and got a copy, and although it was published by a seemingly small local company, I found it. 

“It's a very fast and fun read. ElsBeth is a sweet character and I think she and her classmates are the reason my nephews and his friends liked it so much. It's like "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" crossed with Sarah Plain and Tall -- sort of. Earthy and homemade feeling, the writing and story read like local folklore but with contemporary characters. I can see why it's a hit with younger readers and I, too, liked it a lot. The action occurs a little late, but it's so short it still works. 

“Reading The Cape Cod Witch and the Pirate's Treasure made me wonder -- what exactly made this work for both the girls and boys in my nephew's posse? Is it the fact that ElsBeth's class share the spotlight and together are the main characters? At what age do boys and girls truly part ways in the book department? At what age do they stop sharing interest in the same titles? I wish there were more titles that crossed gender lines. We talk a lot about finding books that boys will like because they are traditionally harder readers to please, but what about books that boys and girls can enjoy together? Maybe books that simply allow girls and boys to share the stage is the answer.” 

-Ypulse Book Editor

"The Cape Cod Witch and The Legend of the Pirate is the next book in the Cape Cod series featuring ElsBeth. What a fun, quick read. J Bean Palmer brings excitement, lovable characters, a good story line and even incorporates math into the picture with this book. For anyone who has kids that want something to read then you have to pick up all of the books in the Cape Cod series. Don't feel embarrassment if you end up falling in love with ElsBeth like I did. I am going to recommend these books to all of my reader friends."
Cheryl-Reviewer http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/

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