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Marie C. Collins lives in Lambertville, New Jersey (USA), with her two dogs, George Eliot and Henry James, who — in spite of their snoring and a tendency to sniff horrifying things — are very good company (and in return, willingly endure Marie’s insistence that they LOVE being kissed on their snouts).
Marie holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from Douglas College at Rutgers University and a master’s degree in English Literature from Temple University. She has held sundry jobs throughout her life, like caregiver, cook, waitress, newspaper reporter, and even a brief, misguided stint as a ballroom dance teacher. However, for most of her adult life she has written for hire, usually on topics related to education, as writing is the thing she likes to do best.
Marie has a daughter she adores, Laurel Pellegrino, who is now a doctor in Seattle.
Throughout Marie’s life, she has at times felt like an alien — mostly because she was extremely shy and didn’t react to things the way other people did. When she decided it was time to try to write a novel, she found herself wondering what it would be like to actually BE an alien — then it struck her that that might be a good place to start. But since she’s also intrigued by the way cultures blend to make each of us feel a bit “different,” she decided her aliens should be half Earth human as well.
Marie is currently writing the second book in her <i>Secrets of Farbookonia</i> series: <i>The Quest for Normal</i>. Her goal is to publish it at the end of 2015.
Reviewed by Janelle Fila for Readers' Favorite
A Brief Stay at Earth Human Camp: Book 1 of the Secrets of Farbookonia Series by Marie C. Collins is the story of sister and brother, Anne and Atticus, whose lives are turned upside down when they discover that their mother is an alien. They are whisked away to a safe camp where they try to fit in and gain control of their new found alien powers. Just when Anne and Atticus and all of their new, quirky friends are getting the hang of Earth Human Camp, they learn they might not be as safe as their parents thought. Now they are thrust into an even more dangerous situation and must use what they have learned to protect themselves...and each other.
This is a really cute, fun book that kids will love. The idea of a summer camp one that kids will relate to, especially because it is a camp for kids with special powers and less than ordinary family members. Each reader will want a protective “Globot” that Anne and Atticus have on each shoulder. The friendships made at camp seemed genuine and relatable, as did the scared and confused feelings the kids had when they found out their mom was an alien. Readers will enjoy the adventure in this story, as well as the danger aspect. They will root for the characters to use the skills they have learned to survive, and will wish it was really them at this camp, learning and making friends and having special powers.
