Jones, Kimberly K. 1957-

PERSONAL:

Born 1957.

ADDRESSES:

Home—VT. E-mail—kim@kimberlykjones.com.

CAREER:

Writer.

WRITINGS:

Sand Dollar Summer (juvenile novel), Margaret K. McElderry Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Contributor to periodicals.

SIDELIGHTS:

Kimberly K. Jones wrote her debut novel, Sand Dollar Summer, for junior-high-age readers. In reviewing the book for the CelebrityCafe.com Web site, Lesley Williams wrote: "Reminiscent of Judy Blume's works where female characters face tough situations, Kimberly K. Jones has written a promising debut novel."

Sand Dollar Summer is the story of twelve-year-old Annalise, who with her mute, five-year-old brother, Free, and single mother, moves to her mother's childhood home on Fiddle Island, Maine, so that she can recover from an automobile accident. Lise resents the move and is lonely and fearful of the powerful ocean, and she doesn't approve when her mother renews an old friendship with Michael. When Lise is befriended by Ben, an elderly Native American man who lives in the last house on the beach, she finds someone to whom she can reveal her concerns and fears. "Like the ocean's dual beauty and danger, Lise realizes certain life situations are beyond control," noted a Kirkus Reviews contributor. Lise is nearly killed in trying to save Ben's life when Hurricane Fern hits the island, an event that also moves Free to speak.

"Jones gets right to the heart of the matter in this captivating and touching first novel," concluded Terrie Dorio in School Library Journal.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, May 15, 2006, Hazel Rochman, review of Sand Dollar Summer, p. 46.

Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2006, review of Sand Dollar Summer, p. 518.

School Library Journal, June, 2006, Terrie Dorio, review of Sand Dollar Summer, p. 160.

ONLINE

CelebrityCafe.com,http://www.thecelebritycafe.com/ (February 14, 2007), Lesley Williams, review of Sand Dollar Summer.

Kimberly K. Jones Home Page,http://www.kimberlykjones.com (February 14, 2007).