Praise & Press for Hello There… Book Three

“A marvelously magical story by an enchantingly funny author. In this (sad to say!) final book of her trilogy, Laurie B. Arnold once again casts an entertaining spell on readers. I don’t know Laurie’s middle name, but I say the B stands for Bravo!”– Alan Katz, award-winning author of The Day the Mustache Took Over

“In Laurie Arnold’s third book in her captivating “Hello There” trilogy, young readers will love the final, compelling story of how Madison fully realizes her own magical powers and learns important lessons of what it means to truly come home. Adults and kids alike can celebrate this final book as the culmination of Madison’s amazing journey that is as entertaining as it is meaningful in lessons of friendship and forgiveness, of growing up and of learning what matters most.” – Trish King, Head of School, The Island School, Bainbridge Island, WA

“The ‘Hello There’ books fly off the shelf in my library because students can’t resist a friendship story that’s full of magic, adventure, action, danger, humor, and triumph. Hello There, I’m Coming Home! delivers the same page-turning fun, along with the happy ending that Madison McGee deserves.” – Josephine Darling, Elementary School Librarian, Corrales, NM

“In this third and final book in the series, plucky Madison McGee, along with her magic fanny pack and the MegaPix6000, a TV she uses to teleport into whatever is playing on the screen, is on a fateful trip back to the Island, where she grew up, to spend the summer with her best friends, Noah and Violet. (But) I think I’ll send a note to the author asking her (nicely) to have Madison return for yet another adventure!” – The Entertainment Report | full review!

“I really like the premise of using the MegaPix 6000 to portal into a T.V. show, it makes the magic system relatable and entertaining. The characters are easy to relate to and their emotions and actions seemed natural… Plus, I’m a sucker for a happy ending and especially love how the series felt complete.” – Log Cabin Library | full review!

Bainbridge Island Review Publicity | read here!

Publishers Weekly Noteworthy Novel Sequel | read here!

Radio Interviews

WEOL Bulls Eye in the Afternoon – Listen Here!

Cover to Cover Book Beat – Listen Here!

WBEV The Idea Exchange – Listen Here!

Blog Posts

NW Book Lovers – Saying Goodbye to Madison McGee – Read Here!

Praise & Press for Hello There… Book Two

“There are two things that can be difficult for readers: One, finding a title that is so magical and fun that you can’t put it down (AKA: Harry Potter); and, two, coming across a sequel that is as good or even better than the first in the series. Well…look no more. For those who missed out on Hello There, We’ve Been Waiting for You, author Laurie B. Arnold has not only “followed up” with that title in a big way, but also created a sequel where the characters are even more fun; the location is even cooler; and the magical TV (that’s right, I said TV) is even more awesome than before.” – Feathered Quill Book Reviews | full review!

“A riptide of a magical adventure! Hello There, Do You Still Know Me? pulled me in and took me on a delightfully engaging ride with some well-crafted characters. Kids’ll adore this book!” – Alan Katz, award-winning author of Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs, Where Did They Hide My Presents?, and The Day the Mustache Took Over

“Madison McGee and her friends are off on another adventure. This imaginative middle-grade fantasy hits the spot on so many levels, including friendship, loss, and kindness. A great cast of likeable characters, lots of humor, and some fun time-travel surprises, all add up to pure magic!” – Marcia Strykowski, author of Call Me Amy (Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year, SCBWI Crystal Kite Award shortlist) and its sequel, Amy’s Choice

“Laurie B. Arnold takes us on an exotic heart warming journey, with magical twists and turns contained on every page. You will instantly feel like you’re one of Madison’s best friends so buckle up for the trip! Filled with lessons we should all take to heart, everyone that Madison touches is better for it. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.” – Kathryn Fitzmaurice, author of The Year the Swallows Came Early (Booklist starred review); A Diamond in the Desert; and Destiny, Rewritten

“A magical book that has so many wonderful elements. I really thought the book was well written, well plotted and so original.There are so many important lessons in this book that are great for younger readers to learn. Plus, there is magic around us all the time, we just need to take time to notice it.” – Mrs. Mommy Booknerd’s Book Reviews

“The time travel was my favorite part of Hello There, Do You Still Know Me? Time travel for me has to have certain rules, kind of like in Back to the Future, you aren’t supposed to change any of the events because there could be consequences in the future. Which is even more challenging for Madison, because she really misses her mom. I really liked the way in which Arnold gives Madison the opportunity to spend time with her mother as a teenager and share some fun heartfelt moments together.”
– Log Cabin Library Review

“The writing style is really smooth and fast-paced. There are great settings in this book… and the author does a wonderful job transporting the reader there. The plot is fast-paced, and each chapter ends in a way that makes you want to keep reading.”
– Critical Blast

Radio Interviews

Gorge News Center Cover-to-Cover – Listen Here!

WEOL Bulls Eye in the Afternoon – Listen Here!

Blog Posts & Interviews

Middle Grade Ninja Blog Post: How to Hook a Reluctant Reader – Read Here!

Curling Up With A Good Book Author Chat wth Laurie B. Arnold – Read Here!

Praise & Press for Hello There… Book One

“Author Arnold’s debut novel, the first in a trilogy about Madison’s adventures with the MegaPix, is fun and fantastical, with wacky characters that burst off the page and into readers’ hearts…. A worthy romp that manages to teach powerful lessons as it entertains.” – Kirkus Reviews | full review!

“Readers will easily get drawn into the story and want to turn the pages in order to find out what happens next. Incredibly fun, quirky characters who aren’t overly familiar, yet come across as real people.” – K.L. Going, author of Fat Kid Rules the World

“Hello There, We’ve Been Waiting for You! is filled with delightful characters and wild adventure, and bound to be a classic. And what is certain, middle grade readers have a strong protagonist they can admire in one Madison McGee, who, after all, can teach adults a thing or two about telling the truth and finding love and compassion in the most surprising of ways.” – Dad of “Divas book blog” | full review!

“I think middle grade kids and adults would love reading Hello There, We’ve Been Waiting for You. There is lots of humor and heart, a bit of silliness, and the final television teleporting trip is filled with exciting action. I love that the author wastes no time getting to the plot and moving it forward. Girls may seem a better fit for Hello There, We’ve Been Waiting for You but boys should not discount this story. There is much in this story of new relationships, love, and acceptance that boys will also like Hello There, We’ve Been Waiting for You.” – Kid Lit Reviews | full review!

“I have two daughters: an 11 year old, and a 9 year old. Hello There, We’ve Been Waiting for You, was our bed time read aloud…. and we LOVED it! Every night the girls were anxious to hear more about Madison’s adventures! And what fun adventures they were. The characters are so well written. Madison is a strong young girl, her grandmother Florida is wonderfully colorful, and Rosalie Claire is loving yet mysterious. By the end of the novel, we were sad to say good-bye to the gang of Truth or Consequences.” – Michelle, Goodreads | full review!

“This delightful book is so much fun to read and would be a terrific book for kids and parents to enjoy reading and discussing together. It has wonderful characters about whom you come to care and a very current storyline that keeps a reader continually engaged. I also appreciated the inclusion of so many good messages about how to be a good person, do the right thing, judge people by their character, etc. presented in ways that will appeal to kids. As an adult, I read this book from cover-to-cover in one evening and thoroughly enjoyed it! I will be sending this book as a holiday gift to children I love this year.” – Trish King, Head of School & Educator

“Every kid, boy or girl, who has ever thought they’d like more magic and adventure in their life will instantly connect with Madison McGee, the sometimes sad (with good cause!), often funny and always spirited 11 year old at the heart of ‘Hello There! We’ve Been Waiting for You.’ I was rooting for Madison from page one and I absolutely loved how she used her heart and mind to create the connections she needed. Rock on, Madison! Rock on, Laurie B Arnold. Can’t wait to read the next installment of the series.” – Annie Fox, author of “Teaching Kids to Be Good People: Progressive Parenting for the 21st Century”

“A story sure to delight young readers. Hello There! We’ve Been Waiting For You! has elements to attract even the most jaded preteen. An out-of -touch grandma, reality TV shows, mean girls,  a crazy neighbor lady and a not-so-lovable mutt mix in a magical way. Madison Mc Gee feels trapped in a world where adults make all the decisions, and she dreams of a day when she can graduate from school and decide her own destiny. With a pep talk from an unexpected friend, Madison takes charge of her life and finds the sweetness in telling the truth and taking the high road. Inspiring and warm story set firmly in the times we live in.” – Joanie, Barnes & Noble reviewer