Introducing Madison Hart and the Desert Jewel
An exciting adventure fantasy for middle grade/YA, ages 11-14.
About the Author
Dawn L. Kolakoski
Dawn Kolakoski has been in the field of education her whole life. She started as a K-5 Music teacher, then opened a music studio, then became a Professor teaching students how to become teachers. She has a BS and MS in Music Education, a MSEd in Early Childhood and a Doctorate in Child and Youth Studies. She is the author of the textbook, Write It Down: A Guided Journal of Ideas, Reflections and Strategies for Beginning Teachers, published by Cengage Learning. This is her first novel.
Writing the Novel
Dawn has always been an avid reader and loves teaching courses in Children's Literature. As she traveled to the southwest, she started to get ideas for a story--what would it be like to live on a houseboat all year, exploring the canyons with your geologist Dad and Archeologist Mom? How would you get to school? Will a school bus come into a National Park? What's it like going to a school that is 50% Navajo? Will everyone get along? These questions started the journey to writing the book.
The Goal
As a Professor visiting many schools to observe her student teachers, Dawn was dismayed at seeing the American Indian culture being misrepresented with children playing in tee-pees and wearing headdresses which is offensive to many tribes. She wanted readers to learn about a culture in a more respectful way through the characters of Jack Yazee and Chance Nez along with other Navajo characters such as Medicine Man Hosteen Sam Begay. Through this fantastic adventure, readers will become familiar with customs and traditions along with Navajo mythology and legends as the characters travel to a new world!
Contact Me
Questions or Comments?
I would love to hear your thoughts on the book. I love seeing drawings readers make of the characters and creatures. I will post some of your drawings on this site!
I will do my best to get back to you soon!
All by best,
Dawn Kolakoski
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Copyright © 2024 Dawn Kolakoski - All Rights Reserved.
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