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From the first generation inspired by the heroes in the movie Star Wars, D. L. Luke, also known as Diana Denner was born in New York City, in 1965. A published short-story writer, painter, and former printer, Denner earned a free education and graduated in 1993 from The New School in New York City with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Fiction Writing and American Literature. She received the Margarita G. Smith award for a short story in 1993 and in 1994 she won the Pen & Brush award for a first draft children’s book. At the time she attended school, Denner had lived in Hoboken New Jersey (from 1987 until 1994) when B, the main character of the book, a stray black cat, appeared in her backyard. She adopted and loved Bernard for the rest of his life.
A recipient of the New York Press Association third place award for a feature article in 2005, Denner pursued a career in journalism, writing for newspapers in the capitol district and Finger Lakes region and is editor for empirepage.com website New York State Watch. When Denner is not hiking, reading, writing, enjoying the great outdoors, she takes care of her dog, Jesse, and her cat, Johnny, in their home in Troy.
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
B: The Tale of the Halloween Cat by D.L. Luke is an exciting story of Bernard (with the moniker B), who is invited by the Willow Witch on the day before Halloween to participate in the Black Cat Contest. There are eight other contestants and each one of them must find three ingredients for the witch's brew. The winner will gain a home. Now B is homeless and living with a crow in a desolate and abandoned coffee factory. Will B find the three ingredients for the contest and emerge a winner, something that will finally see him gaining a home for himself?
The pace and movement of the plot are good and the story unfolds well. There is an element of eeriness and spookiness as the plot revolves around Halloween. The narration is detailed and descriptive, making the entire story very visual and alive. Bernard the cat will remain in the minds of young readers for a long time after the book is read because of his need to gain a home and his striving to make that happen. B's determination and hard work to succeed is noteworthy.
The illustrations are good and add color to the story. The Willow Witch and Witchcraft heighten the spooky atmosphere of the plot with the Halloween moon and Jack-O'-Lantern grin. All the other characters in the story are also interesting; their personalities are well sketched and they add to the excitement of the plot. But B stands out with his fights and his desperation to win the contest. An exciting story with the right element of thrill, adventure and eeriness.
