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    Finding Lisa, by Kathy Halliday Johnston | Book Spotlight

    Bianca SchulzeBy 3 Mins Read General


    The Children’s Book Review

    A book with a clear message, Finding Lisa encourages tweens to be proud of who they are and to be nothing but themselves.

    In a direct and heartfelt manner, author Kathy Halliday Johnston imparts the critical life lessons of self-belief, staying true to oneself, and always being honest. Finding Lisa is a book that helps open the door for discussions on self-esteem and inclusivity.

    Finding Lisa Prize Pack

    Book Cover: Finding LisaFinding Lisa

    Written by Kathy Halliday Johnston

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Learning life lessons is never easy, especially for Lisa, an 11-year-old girl who’s moved from the country to a strange, new city. Why can’t she make any friends? Why do the girls at school laugh at her? She tries to fit in with the smart girls, the prim and proper girls, and the sporty girls, but none of them accept her, it seems. She decides the only way to get friends is to pretend she is something she is not; that she is “one of them.” She makes up stories to impress them, only to be found out in a most humiliating way. Then Lisa has a strange dream, where she is a beautiful fairy but even in her dream, she has no friends. Again, she tries to fit in this time with the fireflies, the ladybugs, and the caterpillars. Will she finally make some friends and realize that you never have to pretend with your genuine friend? Will Lisa learn the true meaning of Friendship? Will she finally believe in the one person who will change her life forever? Will Lisa find her way? Will Lisa find Lisa?

    “If you’d like your kids to know that they don’t need to conform and fit in and that they only ever need to be themselves, Finding Lisa certainly delivers.” —The Children’s Book Review

    Ages 7 and Up | Publisher: Independently Published | ISBN: 979-8672097992

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    About the Author

    Kathy Halliday Johnston Headshot

    Kathy Halliday Johnston

    Kathy is an identical twin who believes everyone learns the same lessons in life just at different times in their life. She lives in Kitchener, Ontario, where she assists people struggling with brain damage and its long turn effect. She has a beautiful son and two awesome nephews. They are her inspiration when writing.

    Finding Lisa is her first book. She started writing because when she was younger, the old saying it takes a village to raise a child was the case. She misses having younger children around and would like to contribute to the villages of as many children as possible.

    Kathy reads and loves to spend time with friends and family. She would like to take this opportunity to thank anyone who buys her book. She hopes you enjoy reading it as much as she enjoyed writing it. Right now, Kathy is working on the completion of her second book, BEAR NAKED. To learn more, visit facebook.com/childrenbookswithlove.

    Read our exclusive interview: Kathy Halliday Johnston Discusses Finding Lisa

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    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    51 Comments

      • Kathy Johnston on

        Eleven years old and feeling smaller than an ant. This city was covering her in self-doubt, the kind of doubt that makes you want to hide in the corner, turning your energy off, so you keep hiding. Loneliness finally drove her out of her hole.
        She reinvented herself into what the girls wanted her to be—or is it what she told herself they wanted her to be? Whatever it would be, it would not turn out well. It rarely does.
        I hope you will be interested in purchasing finding Lisa for your book collection. It is a book for all. Ages
        .

        Reply
    4. Lisa on

      The reason why I would love to win this is because the story sounds like it has a nice message. Normally I don’t care for books with heavy messaging, but this one sounds like a good one, especially for younger girls. The jewelry added as the top prize looks lovely.

      Reply
      • Kathy Johnston on

        Lisa could not understand why everyone seemed so scared; they were all yelling her name. “Right here!” Lisa called, waving her hands. And just then is when she realized her batteries were dead in her flashlight. I am leaving you an insert from Finding Lisa in hopes to peek your interest in the story and therefore entice you to purchase it for yourself or a family member or friend.
        https://www.amazon.ca/Finding-Lisa-Kathy-Johnston/dp/B08FP9Z1ZX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=finding+lisa&qid=1607358495&sr=8-1

        Reply
      • Kathy Johnston on

        Lisa could not understand why everyone seemed so scared; they were all yelling her name. “Right here!” Lisa called, waving her hands. And then is when she realized her batteries were dead in her flashlight. I am leaving you an insert from Finding Lisa in hopes to pique your interest in the story and therefore entice you to purchase it for yourself or a family member or friend.
        https://www.amazon.ca/Finding-Lisa-Kathy-Johnston/dp/B08FP9Z1ZX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=finding+lisa&qid=1607358495&sr=8-1

        Reply
    7. gloria patterson on

      Life lessons this a beautiful way for the girl to learn that she might not be the only one that has tis problem. I think it is a book that most girls need

      Reply
      • Kathy Johnston on

        I am leaving you an insert from Finding Lisa in hopes to pique your interest in the story and therefore entice you to purchase it for yourself or a family member or friend.
        https://www.amazon.ca/Finding-Lisa-Kathy-Johnston/dp/B08FP9Z1ZX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=finding+lisa&qid=1607358495&sr=8-1
        How could she no longer be invited to the dance? These were cruel ladybugs, Lisa thought. Alone again, with no friends, she felt abandoned and sad . . . How could she forget her disguise? She had been looking forward to the dance and was extremely disappointed in the ladybugs. She just could not believe their friendship could have fallen apart so quickly.

        Reply
      • Kathy Johnston on

        I am leaving you an insert from Finding Lisa in hopes to pique your interest in the story and therefore entice you to purchase it for yourself or a family member or friend.
        https://www.amazon.ca/Finding-Lisa-Kathy-Johnston/dp/B08FP9Z1ZX/ref=sr_1_1?

        Lisa never wanted this day to come. She realized this potentially could be the last opportunity she would have to not be alone until the end of her days.

        Reply
    11. Amy D on

      I would love to give this book to my daughter. She loves to read, and I love what this book is about–honesty and self-esteem. I love books like this for her that teach her valuable life lessons. The beautiful bracelet and earrings would be a really nice bonus for my daughter as well.

      Reply
    14. Vickie L Couturier on

      my grandaughter would love these she has 8 boy cousins and brothers so she likes to be a little girl when she can

      Reply
      • Kathy Johnston on

        I am leaving you an insert from Finding Lisa in hopes to pique your interest in the story and therefore entice you to purchase it for yourself or a family member or friend.
        https://www.amazon.ca/Finding-Lisa-Kathy-Johnston/dp/B08FP9Z1ZX/ref=sr_1_1?

        The fairy learned a great lesson. She came to realize that the person you have to be the proudest of is yourself because it is how you feel about yourself that determines how you treat others. Kindness and honesty can affect every species on this earth.

        Reply
    18. samantha on

      I love to read books that are about something. I love books that move me and are sweet. I think this will be my next favorite one!

      Reply
      • Kathy Johnston on

        I am leaving you an insert from Finding Lisa in hopes to pique your interest in the story and therefore entice you to purchase it for yourself or a family member or friend.
        https://www.amazon.ca/Finding-Lisa-Kathy-Johnston/dp/B08FP9Z1ZX/ref=sr_1_1?

        We are all embarking on a journey. This journey will help us determine what we would like to do for the rest of our lives.
        I am incredibly thrilled to have learned so much from all of you, so now I would like to continue learning. I plan on doing whatever I can to spread as much happiness to as many people, plants, and animals as I can.

        Reply
    26. Peggy Welte-Clayton on

      I would love to win this for my pen pal. She has written me so many letters and she is young and would love to read this book and the beautiful jewlery. We have been pen pals for over a year she lives in the same city as I do but I am batttling a disease RSD and she has helped me more than she will ever know as being 6 she doesn’t understand how much she keeps me positive and she is so loving. Thank you for letting us tell our story.

      Reply
      • Kathy Johnston on

        I am very sorry you are battling an illness and so very happy that you have found a friend in your pen pal. I Don’t know who has won the giveaway yet. So good luck. Here is an insert from my book. This book is for all ages. To read if you are an amazon prime member. Please give it a look over. I am sure it will help you in some way,
        You told me to hold my head up high, to keep my back straight, and stand as tall as I can stand because I am Lisa, and I can be anything I want to be.

        I am afraid I am not familiar with your disease, but I will look it up following the completion of my reply. I wish you good luck and good. health

        Reply
    27. Anne Marie Carter on

      I would love to win this because my teenaged students are always looking for new books to read, and I think that this book has a good message.

      Reply
      • Kathy Johnston on

        That is a lovely idea. I wrote this book to help people of all ages feel good about who they are. I would love more than anything to realize that everyone could love themselves just by doing one thing. Always telling the truth. My book is free to read on Amazon prime kindle version, and please have a look; I am sure you will love it

        Reply
    32. Michelle Catallo on

      The message this book gives has me immediately think of my tweens and teens. This would be a wonderful gift to support their growth (mind growth and self growth).

      Reply
      • Kathy Johnston on

        This is a journey we all must take on our own. It is a journey of finding out if we have what it takes to be kind and truthful, a walk in which we will all struggle and slip up, but I genuinely hope that none of us give up.

        I hope you get finding Lisa for your tween or teens as I wrote it to help them get through these hard ages. I wrote it to help people of all ages get through hard times

        Reply
    39. Kathy Johnston on

      I am very sorry you are battling an illness and so very happy that you have found a friend in your pen pal. I Don’t know who has won the giveaway yet. So good luck. Here is an insert from my book. This book is for all ages. To read if you are an amazon prime member. Please give it a look over. I am sure it will help you in some way,
      You told me to hold my head up high, to keep my back straight, and stand as tall as I can stand because I am Lisa, and I can be anything I want to be.

      I am afraid I am not familiar with your disease, but I will look it up following the completion of my reply. I wish you good luck and good. health

      Reply
    40. Kathy Jjohnston on

      Thank you to everyone for your interest in finding Lisa. I hope some of you got the opportunity to read it. Merry Christmas and good health to all. please look for my next book, bear naked, coming soon

      Reply
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