Savings Mount Rushmore by Andrea Jo Rodgers: Review & Giveaway!

 

About the Book

Book: Saving Mount Rushmore

Author: Andrea Jo Rodgers

Genre: Christian Nonfiction

When John Jenkins’ parents ship him off to stay with his aunt, he’s certain it will be the worst summer ever—until he learns he’s been accepted into a top-secret school. St. Michael’s Academy is home to gifted students with extraordinary talents. Although John has no idea why he’s there, he’s assigned to Team Liberty, who assist authorities with solving low-level crimes. Their first mission: stop a trio of mischief-making teens from vandalizing Mount Rushmore. John battles feelings of inferiority as he and Team Liberty compete against Devlin Black and his cronies to track down clues and solve puzzles at Mount Rushmore. Along the way, John makes several key contributions, and his self-confidence grows. When he discovers he was admitted to the school due to a clerical error, he’s mortified. Now, he’s strictly an “observer” until the mission’s end. But when his teammates run into trouble, John must summon up the courage to save Mount Rushmore, and he learns an invaluable lesson: every person has special God-given gifts—including him.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Andrea Jo Rodgers is the author of award-winning Christian middle grade fiction as well as inspirational adult nonfiction novels. She holds a clinical doctorate in physical therapy and specializes in women’s health, orthopedics, and lymphedema. She has served her community as a volunteer emergency medical technician for over thirty years, responding to more than 8,200 first aid and fire calls. She lives on the east coast with her husband, two children, and their two rescue dogs, a Shih Tzu and a Dachshund.

More from Andrea

Can John embrace his God-given gifts in time to save Mount Rushmore?

Have you ever admired the extraordinary talent of another person? Perhaps you enjoyed listening to someone belt out a spellbinding rendition of your favorite song at church or a concert. Or, maybe you have dreamed that you’d gain the same athletic prowess of a professional sports player.

The amazing gifts of others can take many forms. These gifts may be linked with intelligence, such as an aptitude for math and engineering. They may reflect the beauty of the arts through singing, dancing, or painting. Certain individuals may dazzle the people around them with incredible athletic talents, from gold-medal Olympians to professional baseball, football, and basketball players.

Most people consider extraordinary talents to be God-given gifts. They allow people to stand out and shine among others. However, do each of us need a breathtaking talent to be considered special?

In Saving Mount Rushmore, John Jenkins, an awkward thirteen-year-old teenager, is unexpectedly chosen to attend Saint Michael the Archangel Academy. The top-secret school’s mission is to protect our nation by assisting authorities in solving crimes. Since the academy is for students with extraordinary abilities, John is puzzled as to why he’s been accepted. After all, he’s an average teen without any notable gifts.

While working with Team Liberty to save Mount Rushmore from Devlin Black and Team Mischief, John struggles to discover his special gifts. He’s mortified when he discovers that he’s been accepted to the academy due to a clerical error. He becomes strictly an “observer” until the mission’s end. But when his teammates run into trouble, John must summon up the courage to try to save Mount Rushmore. He learns that every person has special God-given gifts—including him.

I came up with the idea for Saving Mount Rushmore while in the airport, just before our plane departed for the famous landmark. I wrote feverishly the entire flight, and the first chapters were born. Saving Mount Rushmore is a middle grade novel which combines information about Mount Rushmore, adventure, and Christian values. My goal was to write an exciting, fun, educational book for middle grade readers that incorporates Christian values into the fabric of the story. John and his friends have an opportunity to save another national monument in the sequel, Saving the Statue of Liberty. I hope you celebrate our country’s heritage by joining John and Team Liberty in their adventures.

My Thoughts

Saving Mount Rushmore by Andrea Jo Rodgers has John Jenkins heading to South Dakota for the summer to stay with his Great Aunt Martha at Winding River Ranch.  John was disappointed to not spend his vacation at home with his friends until he learns that he has been recruited by St. Michael the Archangel Academy.  It is a top-secret school for kids with special gifts that they use to help authorities fight crime.  John is assigned to Team Liberty and their first mission is to stop three troublemakers from creating mischief at Mount Rushmore.  They must rush to find the clues ahead of the evildoers, solve them, and prevent them from doing harm.  John is having a wonderful time until he learns that he is not meant to be at the academy and must leave when the mission is complete.  In the meantime, John works diligently with his team to save a national monument.  Saving Mount Rushmore is the debut of the Saint Michael the Archangel Academy series.  This is a cute story.  I know it is meant for a younger audience, but I enjoyed learning about Mount Rushmore and joining Team Liberty as they set out to save Mount Rushmore.  There was some great historical information about Mount Rushmore included (I learned some interesting facts).  The mystery is not one that can be solved.  We get to go along for the journey with the teens as they solve ciphers.  There were some interesting ciphers along with good explanations on how each one worked.  The story moves along swiftly as Team Liberty attempts to outwit the evil threesome.  I was disappointed with how parts of the mission turned out.  But it does have me curious as to what happens next time in Saving the Statue of Liberty.  Saving Mount Rushmore is a great book for middle school children, but it will also appeal to other age groups.  Saving Mount Rushmore is a fun spy novel with good characters, perplexing puzzles, action, life lessons, and one mischievous monkey.  

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Andrea is giving away the grand prize package of a signed copy of Saving Mount Rushmore: Saint Michael the Archangel Academy, Mission 1 as well as a $25 Amazon gift card.  Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter.  Good Luck!  Saving Mount Rushmore is available from Amazon*.  It is available through Kindle Unlimited.  Saving the Statue of Liberty is the second book in Saint Michael the Archangel Academy series.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Eggnog, Extortion, and Evergreens by Tonya Kappes.  It is the 14th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  I hope that you have a fantastic day.  Do not forget to enter the giveaway.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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