Cool Kids by Arlene Freeman | Review, Author Interview, Giveaway
A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.
Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me with the information for this tour. 
Book Details
Cool Kids by Arlene Freeman Published by Mascot Books on 10/05/2021
Genres: Children's Picture Book, Fiction, Children's
Pages: 38
Source: iRead Book Tours, Kindle Unlimited, Received from the author or publisher for review.Winner of the 2021 Family Choice Award
Like most kids, Michael and his friends are so excited for their first day at a new school. They have a lot of questions about what to expect, but most of all, they wonder if they'll get to join the football team. That would be the perfect way to start the year!
However, Michael soon finds out that it's not as easy as he thinks. The team is filled with bullies, and to join, he has to become one of them. In order to be cool enough to get a spot on the football team, Michael has to start changing his behavior for the worse!
Suddenly, terrible things start happening to him. Finally, he begins to wonder: Was it all worth it?`
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Purchase Links for Cool Kids
Mascot B&N
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My thoughts on Cool Kids
Author Arlene Freeman draws on her experience as a teacher in penning this book about acceptance, bullying, friendship, and forgiveness.
Michael is at a difficult age where he’s moving up to a new school. It seems the only way he’ll make the football team is to become a bully like the cool kids that lead the team.
As his behavior deteriorates, he begins to see strange physical changes to his body in the mirror. Do others see him as the monster he believes himself to be?
For me, the best children’s books entertain while presenting underlying values to improve the reader. This book does a wonderful job with the topic of trying to fit in and discover who you are as you grow. The lessons of self-acceptance and forgiveness are strong and presented well throughout the story.
The illustrations add a great deal to the story as we are able to see the manifestation of the monster coming out as Michael changes into a bully to fit in.
Naturally, by the end of the book young Michael begins to figure out that his friends are the real cool kids. Their forgiveness adds another valuable lesson to the story.
If you are looking for an entertaining story with important moral lessons, this is the perfect book for you.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love to read books through my Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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About Arlene Freeman
Arlene Freeman’s first career was as a third-grade schoolteacher in the Passaic School System. Teaching children is her true passion, and she incorporated this passion into her community involvement.
Her second career as a real estate broker and appraiser enabled her to open her own real estate company, Prime Realty, with a partner. After thirty-five years, they sold to Coldwell Banker.
She loves dogs, playing piano, telling stories, singing, dancing, and sharing wonderful examples of life’s lessons with her grandchildren. Arlene lives in Woodland Park, New Jersey. She has two sons, Dr. Ted Freeman of Long Branch, New Jersey, and Dr. Eric Freeman of Westfield, New Jersey, as well as three grandchildren: Michael, Max, and Quinn.
This is her first book and maybe her third career.
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Author Interview
What is your agenda, now that your book is finished?
I still want to promote my book, as it sends a valuable message. I am also still working as a realtor in the community where I live and still do some property management. However, I am looking forward to traveling more, playing the piano, and maybe playing some golf or writing a sequel, as ideas still keep popping up
How did you come up with the idea of writing this book?
During my teaching years, I loved telling stories. I never forgot the character my dad created: Ruffy Butchbang. He was a bully who always got into trouble and learned a valuable lesson in the end. In today’s society, bullying is such an important topic to address. I just brought Ruffy back in my story.
What process did you use to write this book?
I felt secure writing the old-fashioned way —paper and pencil. I was able to crumple, throw away, and scribble along the sides of the paper as ideas popped up. It was easier for me and took less time. I needed to capture my thoughts before I forgot them. When I finished, I did copy them onto a computer.
When do you do your best thinking?
There is no special time. It could be anytime —while driving, cooking, or just plain writing when ideas pop into my head. Many times, I write things down on scraps of paper and hope I find them later. Once I put my thoughts down, I rethink, cross out, and start again. I am always thinking about something —especially when I can’t sleep. That’s when I get the best ideas.
Was this book the only writing you’ve done?
No, but none professionally. As a volunteer in a hospital, I wrote a play called “The Poncipator” for a fundraising show. It was about a machine that made you look young again. It was just like Ponce de Leon, who founded the “Fountain of Youth.” It was hilarious! The idea was perfect for the medical profession to discover. On a more serious side, there were outreach programs for school children and I wrote on careers and becoming a hospital patient.
Will you write a sequel?
Yes. Ruffy Butchbang will rise again, as he has more lessons to learn in order to become a really cool kid.
I am also thinking of writing one about bullying and young girls too, using Axi and Nicole, and introducing a new person, Nastia Bratley. I need to do a little more research about girls, as I only have boys.
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Giveaway!
Enter to win a signed copy of COOL KIDS by Arlene Freeman! (one winner/USA only) (ends Dec 17)
Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!
Nov 22 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review/giveaway
Nov 22 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review/author interview/giveaway
Nov 23 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review/guest post/giveaway
Nov 23 – Splashes of Joy – book review/guest post/giveaway
Nov 23 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review/giveaway
Nov 23 – Bound 4 Escape – book review/giveaway
Nov 24 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review/giveaway
Nov 26 – Older & Smarter? – book review/giveaway
Nov 29 –Locks, Hooks and Books – book review/giveaway
Nov 30 – Pick a Good Book – book review/author interview/giveaway
Dec 1 – icefairy’s Treasure Chest – book review/giveaway
Dec 2 – She Just Loves Books – book review/giveaway
Dec 2 – Kam’s Place – book review
Dec 3 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – book spotlight
Dec 6 – I’m Into Books – book review/giveaway
Dec 6 – Reading is My Passion – book review/giveaway
Dec 6 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review/guest post/giveaway
Dec 7 – Lisa’s Reading – book review/giveaway
Dec 8 – @twilight_reader – book review
Dec 9 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review
Dec 10 – The Page Ladies – book review
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Purchase Cool Kids online from a local book store.
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Easy Amazon Links
Cool KidsShop on AmazonKindle 
Cool KidsShop on Amazon Hardcover
For International buyers, the US link should open to your home country’s Amazon page. Please let me know if it doesn’t.
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Book Title: Cool Kids by Arlene Freeman
Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 38 pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Mascot Publishing
Release date: October 2021
Tour dates: November 22 to December 10
Content Rating: G. Suitable for all ages.
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