When a homeless woman gives Maxzyne a painting of a French poodle just like the one in a storefront display, it turns out to be more than just a coincidence for the impulsive 10-year-old. Maxzyne finds herself at the center of a rescue mission when a wayward freight elevator, a family of enchanted vintage mannequins in distress, and a secret tunnel propel her straight into the mysterious depths of a Chicago department store. Can she convince the ghastly Gigi not to use the mannequins' heads in her art exhibit before store closing? It's a race against the clock for Maxzyne and her new mannequin sidekick Elise.Despite her overactive imagination and tendency to get distracted, she learns some important lessons about loyalty, bravery, generosity, and accepting responsibility for her actions. A wonderfully spirited and fun adventure story, Maxzyne Meets the Mannequins is a delightful read for children of all ages.
Fed up with polygraphs, security clearances and a daily commute, Caroline Lee fled a career writing classified reports for the Dept. of Defense to become a full-time storyteller and daydreamer-in-chief. Often inspired by her surroundings, Caroline's first book, "Maxzyne Meets the Mannequins," features America's most impulsive heroine, 10-year-old Maxzyne Merriweather, whose madcap adventures take place in the magical and historic city of Chicago. Caroline currently resides in Delray Beach, Florida where the weather is much warmer than Chicago. She is a member of the Society of Childrens Bookwriters & Illustrators (SCBWI) and is thrilled that her first book "Maxzyne Meets the Mannequins" won the 2020 Independent Press Award for Children's Fiction. The second adventure in the series, "Maxzyne and the Old Horse Theatre" is now also available on Amazon and recently won two Story Monsters Dragonfly awards! And just released: MAXZYNE GOES AQUAMARINE in ebook and soft cover. Learn more at www.maxzyne.com
Ten-year-old Maxzyne has a flair for the dramatic. Her forbidden departure from home will have consequences once discovered, but her guilty conscience is fleeting. As a kid, I'm sure I gave my mother a few headaches. Mostly small stuff, though, and I didn't really push the envelope until my teen years. If caught, my punishment was swift and always the same: restriction. And my sarcastic reply was never welcome as I fled to my room. "Just what exactly am I restricted from when I never get to do anything anyway, Mom? How can you do this? Everyone else is allowed to fill-in-the-blank?" That universal kid complaint is certain to make any mother roll her eyes. My grown-up guilty conscience now says, "Sorry, Mom."
Book Excerpt
Maxzyne Meets the Mannequins
Maxzyne slows, looking worried. “I guess my mother’s radar is going full speed right now, wondering where I am.” She looks back at the escalators. The lights have dimmed for closing. They are casting long shadows everywhere. “It’s getting late. I was supposed to set the table and pack my suitcase while she took a nap.” She swallows hard. “Because I gave her a headache. She’s going to kill me when she finds out I sneaked out of the condo.” For emphasis, she draws a line across her throat. Then, for good measure, she rolls her eyes and sticks out her tongue, making a gagging sound.
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