Sara Lewis Holmes


What other readers are saying...

(click on a link to read the full review)


"if you remain confined, you cannot grow up. Holmes's heroine...manages to rescue herself by taking responsibility for her own future."

"...the story is full and its protagonist three-dimensional. She acts her age and responds to her situation with equal parts optimism, realism, and cynicism....Each of us has the potential to be a hero, even as we're looking for someone else to save us"

"A bright, capable character leaves readers with the wisdom that one must rescue oneself before rescuing others."

"I thoroughly enjoyed this heartfelt, touching novel. Cadence's voice rings through, clear and believable, and I have a feeling the characters will be staying with me for a very long time."

"There are a lot of threads running through this novel, and Holmes weaves them together skillfully... Letters from Rapunzel is a clever and thought-provoking treat."

"...a wonderful read for fourth through eighth graders, with an unusual storytelling method, and a unique and engaging voice. Although difficult subjects are covered, Rapunzel's breezy tone keeps the book feeling safe for the reader. Recommended for upper elementary and middle school kids, girls and boys."

"...one of the best books I’ve read this year....Being gifted is awesome in some very real ways, but it also majorly sucks in some very real ways. Holmes really, truly got it. She absolutely nailed it."

"Original, funny and a little sad, Letters From Rapunzel gives readers new perspectives on coming to terms with the truth about things we can't control, and learning to rescue ourselves."

"The story is ultimately uplifting, and the narrator's voice is engaging, whip-smart, and funny. And, above all, it's a story that needs to be told..."

"Rapunzel's a great character, creative, smart, and bright, but still sounding like a kid. I really wish I had this book to read when I was in late elementary school."

"will especially draw young pre-teen girls who feel a bit left of center or a bit out of place"

"Holmes manages her copious fairy-tale metaphors with a delicately layered grace..."

"Grimm's Fairy Tales meet The Breakfast Club..."

"(Rapunzel) is someone any kid...would love to have as a pen pal."

"(a) moving debut novel...pain and hope in equal measure...will keep thoughtful readers involved."

"...wildly funny..."

"A serious, but highly relatable book; young teens will enjoy Rapunzel's wry sense of humor"

"...a poignant and powerful tale ..."

"Sara writes with such clarity about the burdens of giftedness and sensitivity that Rapunzel and her father's fate really mattered to me..."

"Through Rapunzel’s letters, Holmes offers masterful writing for children in the middle grades."

"Rapunzel's fresh story is one that will linger in the minds of readers for a very long time."


Talk to me!
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New! Now you can hear me read the first letter from Letters From Rapunzel out loud. And you can leave a comment, if you want. Click on the I want to read it! link to get started.



Click and type in a question or comment

Hi, My name is Keely.And Iam 7 years old. and I think you are so inspirational. please make another book. your fan, keely

--Hi, Keely! Thanks for your kind words. I DO have another book written. It will be available in the Fall of 2009, I hope. (Sorry for the long wait, but making a book takes longer than you think!) When I know more, I'll be sure to update my readers here.

what is your faerie tale word? i loved your book - robin

--Hi Robin. The word is WISH. Do you see it there, between my middle and last names?


did you have any old jobs before becoming an author or do you just help others when you aren't writing. Stephine

---I used to work for a couple of universities overseas: The University of Maryland and the University of Southern California. I also had a job during my own college days working for Colonial Williamsburg and I got to wear a costume.

When do you come back to sign books and sign stuff, i want to see you! Ericka

---Thanks, Ericka!

When is your birthday and do you celebrate it? Angel

---It's in April. Everybody in my whole family has a birthday in April, including my dog. I like to celebrate by eating as much chocolate cake as possible.

What inspired you to write your books? melsissa

---Try clicking on the link at the top right of this page that says: "How did I write it?" That will lead you to a lot of good information!

Hi again! have you gotten any awards lately since you written your book? Victoria

---Letters From Rapunzel has been nominated for a Cybil, which is an award given to books that are both well-written and have "kid-appeal." You can read about it on my "What's New?" page. (See the link at the very top of the page.)

Hi! i have another question, do u have any pets? ido its a dog! Victoria

---I have a dog, too. She's a miniature Australian shepherd.


oh so you are a outgoing person? like me i love the outdoors! :)Victoria

what r your hobbies? Victoria

---Hi, Victoria. I like to play golf, read, hike, travel to big cities and wild places, see plays, and do yoga.

I think i know the word in your name, is it wish?

--- ;)

When where you born?

---In the Dark Ages. Seriously, I like to be careful with the personal info I share online.

While applying for colleges, I ran upon William and Mary and noticed that your attended that school. Would your recommend the school to me, a hard studying student who also wants a good party? (p.s. your book is amazing)

---William and Mary is an excellent school for a hard-studying student. Most everyone takes learning seriously, and the classes are small enough that you can really get to know your professors. Plus, the campus is gorgeous, and Williamsburg is filled with great restaurants and fun stuff to do. As to the good parties, I've always found that good parties depend upon good friends, and I made plenty of those, too. Thanks for reading my book---I'm glad you still have a few spare minutes to read, because I know how much time the college search process takes. Good luck on your applications!

What is the fairy tale word in your name? I saw that in another part of the website and was stumped. Help me out!
---Can I give you a hint? It starts with "w."

i need help with writing a poem im in the 5th grade and i need help

do you know any poems for 5th grade from a reading book.like a royal vogage book from 5th grade. thank you

---For help in writing poems, I recommend the book Seeing the Blue Between: Advice and Inspiration for Young Poets by Paul Janeczko. And surprise! I also recommend that same book if you need a poem to read, because it's filled with great poetry as well as great advice. Ask your librarian or teacher to help you find this book or one like it. If you're in the library by yourself, try poking around in the 808 section...that's where all the good poetry collections hide.

hi sara! love your new blog. you definitely have the knack. do you do anything else upside down besides reading :)? definitely need to read your book. - jama rattigan (also in virginia)

Read*Write*Believe--Yes! Do it!

---Yes! I did! See here: READ * WRITE * BELIEVE

I'd read your blog every dang day if you created one. And I'm glad to read (in your meme from Robin) that you'll be writing more gorgeous poetry. -- Jules at 7-Imp

---Thanks, jules! And everyone else, go read her blog...click the link to the left (Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast) Tell her I sent you!

Have you read Letters from Rapunzel?

Click and type in a question or comment

I have a question? How does this relate to science?

--Do you mean the part where the main character does her science homework, "How to Rescue Rapunzel with Simple and Complex Machines," in a funny way? (She suggests building a trampoline and telling Rapunzel to jump.) Or there's the part where she calculates how fast hair grows...

I just finish your book Letters From Rapunzel, and i love so much i am going to read it again!when is your next book coming out i am so excited! Victoria

--Thanks, Victoria. There's nothing better for an author to hear than that a reader is going to read her book again. I hope you like it the second time around, too! I'm not sure about my next book. I've finished writing most of it, but I'm working on making it even better.

i reading your book right now and not finish but i really like it so far. your book is so funny and amazing! Victoria

I love your book letters from Rapuzel. I finished it in 2 days. Are you going to make anymore new books like that?

--Yes, I am. I'm almost done with my second book. But it's not a sequel to Letters From Rapunzel. It's something completely different. I'll post a few preview pages here when I have them finished. Thanks for reading!


Sara,
Thanks for checking out amendenhall.livejournal.com , which archives my columns from the Parkersburg News. You may want to link the review for Rapunzel off of there instead of the Parkersburg News and Sentinel website, as they only keep the columns on for a week. Enjoyed Rapunzel a lot! Amy Mendenhall, book editor, Parkersburg News and Sentinel

---Thanks, Amy. The link is fixed now.

Sara, Thanks for reading my blog, "Check It Out". I have to order this book. I am a Rapunzel fan. Jone aka MsMac

----Thanks! I made your blog "clickable" so people can indeed "check it out".

hello i just bought your book i look forward to reading it it looks good you are the best author ever bye

---Happy reading!

Sara, I hope your book is everything you imagined it would be. I immediately went to Amazon.com, read the excerpt, and ordered my copy. I cannot wait to read it in full. I cannot wait to share it with my daughter, Maggie Grace. I cannot wait to hear from my students too! All of the best to you, Meg Teel

---Thanks, Meg. I hope your students love it. And I hope Maggie Grace does too, when she's old enough!

Congratulations Sara! We have your postcards announcing your book on our front desk so that EVERYONE will know about Letters from Rapunzel. Hopefully you'll find a way to make it back to SJAFB for a booksigning! We all miss you and Wish you the best!! From Sharon and all the women At BELLAMORPHOSIS!

----Thanks! I miss all of you! And I hear you won a Services award? That's wonderful!

Is Letters From Rapunzel an AR book?

--------Not yet. It was just published, and it takes time for a book to be part of the Accelerated Reader program.

OOPS! I forgot to sign the comment below. I'm Julia Denton, also living in Virginia.

Hi Sara, Congratulations! I read the sample on your website and really liked it; I can't wait to read the whole book. Since you like fairy tales, have you read Gregory MacGuire's books? (Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, Wicked, etc.) I hope I am spelling his name right. Anyway, thanks for letting us (SCBWI) know about your book.

-----Yes, Julia, I loved Wicked! I'd like to see it on Broadway one day.


Hi Sara, Just wanted to say that it was great to meet you at SCBWI! Letters from Rapunzel sounds fabulous. I'm really looking forward to it. - Sarah Beth Durst www.sarahbethdurst.com






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MY BOOK:
Letters From Rapunzel

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What's New

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How Did I Write It?
Letters From Rapunzel first appeared as a scribbled book title idea in...
I want to read it!
Read Rapunzel's first letter...



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