Pen Pal Gals: Friends Forever by Julie Thiessen | Giveaway (ends Feb 28, 2022) – Review – Guest Post
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
Pen Pal Gals: Friends Forever by Julie Thiessen
Published by Mascot Kids on 02/01/2022
Genres: Fiction, Children's, Friendship
Format: Paperback
Pages: 64
Meet Reese and Addie―two girls, one great friendship.
It’s summer break! Reese is on her way to vacation at Camp Lake Shore with her family.
When Reese meets a new friend, Addie, the two immediately connect and form a lasting friendship. Swimming, boating, laughing, and soaking up the sun are just a few highlights of their summer vacation. The girls become best friends.
When their vacation comes to an end, Reese realizes she may never see Addie again. Determined to stay in touch forever, can Reese and Addie find a way to continue their friendship and share their adventures?
Source: iRead Book Tours, Received from the author or publisher for review.
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Purchase Links for Friends Forever
Walmart BAM The Book Depository
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My thoughts on Pen Pal Gals: Friends Forever
Writing letters has become a thing of the past. Author Julie Thiessen plans to bring it back starting with a new generation.
Reese and Addie meet at Camp Lake Shore. While they have fun and adventures, they are a little sad to part at the end of the summer.
They come up with a plan to write letters to each other. They name themselves the “Pen Pal Gals.”
“Friends Forever,” tells the tale of their friendship and determination. In a world increasingly dominated by electronic communications, I loved the throw-back to my own generation with writing letters and having pen pals. There is something magical about receiving a letter in the mail, responding to it, and then waiting for a reply.
Thiessen stresses the art of friendship, even friends separated by long distances. There is always a way, just don’t give up.
The book also includes a few pages of special stationery. You may purchase more separately.
I hope all children are encouraged to write letters to their friends and family, no matter how far away they live.
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 Julie Thiessen
Julie Thiessen always had a passion for creativity, design, and adventure, but above all, she values her lifelong friendships.
With her bachelor's degree in graphic design and the inspiration of her daughter Reese, she created and branded Pen Pal Gals for all to share the gift of an everlasting friendship.
Thiessen lives along the beautiful Central Coast of California with her husband, two daughters, and son.
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Author Guest Post
What inspired you to write this book?
My daughter Reese inspired me to write my book. It’s really a story about a time in her life and a friendship she created. Reese began sending letters back and forth to her cousin Addie when she was eight years old; they became close and wanted to share more of their lives together. Unfortunately, distance separated them. Every summer at our annual campout at the lake they would meet, but a whole year would pass; they had grown and changed immensely. Reese was determined to find a way to keep in touch with Addie.
Reese and Addie, the two main characters in my book, not only looked as though they could be sisters, but they also shared the love for the outdoors- swimming, boating, and skiing. Their friendship gave them a sense of closeness, something they both wanted to continue throughout the whole year. Reese wanted to find a way to stay in touch once their annual visit came to an end. As they parted ways at the end of the campout, the two girls began to write letters, send books and gifts, and they formed a special friendship bond.
I was inspired by Reese’s creative freedoms of childhood, her outdoor adventurous spirit, and the impact she had as a true friend. Seeing the significance of the friendship between Reese and Addie made me reflect on my own childhood friendships. I wanted to share our story and how important valued friendships are for all children as well as the creative outlet of writing and staying in touch with one another.
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Purchase the book online from a local book store.
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Easy Amazon Links
Pen Pal Gals: Friends Forev...Shop on Amazon
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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Giveaway!
Enter to win a signed copy of PEN PAL GALS: FRIENDS FOREVER (one winner/USA only) (ends Feb 28)
PEN PAL GALS FRIENDS FOREVER by Julie Thiessen Book Tour Giveaway
Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!
Full Tour Schedule:
Feb 1 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review/giveaway
Feb 1 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review/guest post/giveaway
Feb 3 – Splashes of Joy – book review/giveaway
Feb 4 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight/guest post/giveaway
Feb 7 – @twilight_reader – book review/giveaway
Feb 8 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review/giveaway
Feb 8 – My Journey Back – book review/giveaway
Feb 9 – The Momma Spot – book review/giveaway
Feb 9 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review/giveaway
Feb 10 – Pick A Good Book – book review/author interview/giveaway
Feb 10 – She Just Loves Books – book review/giveaway
Feb 11 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review/guest post/giveaway
Feb 14 – Kam’s Place – book review
Feb 15 – fundinmental – book review/giveaway
Feb 15 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review/giveaway
Feb 16 – Literary Flits – book spotlight/giveaway
Feb 16 – icefairy’s Treasure Chest – book review/giveaway
Feb 17 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review/guest post/giveaway
Feb 17 – Older & Smarter? – book review/guest post/giveaway
Feb 18 – Pause for Tales – book review/giveaway
Feb 21 – Reading is My Passion – book review
Feb 21 – Lisa’s Reading – book review/giveaway
Book Title: Pen Pal Gals: Friends Forever by Julie Thiessen
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 64 pages
Genre: Juvenile Fiction/Early Chapter Book
Publisher: Mascot
Release date: February 1, 2022
Tour dates: February 1 to February 21, 2022
Content Rating: Rated G. Suitable for everyone
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Sound like a fun read !
This sounds wonderful. I love the idea of encouraging kids to write letters. Getting something in the post makes me smile.
Me too, Carla. Kind of expected from a retired mail carrier, but I’ve always loved writing letters.