'The Pack, The Dare, and The Draugar' Wins Mom's Choice Award Golden Seal

February 13, 2023

The Mom’s Choice Awards has named "The Pack, The Dare and The Draugar" among the best in family-friendly books and media.

The middle-grade contemporary fantasy book by California author T.J. Hendrix is aimed at readers 9 to 13, or anyone who enjoys stories with magic, mystery and monsters. 'The Pack' earned praise from Kirkus Reviews and the Publishers Weekly BookLife prize when it came out in summer, 2021.

"The Pack, The Dare, and The Draugar" earned the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award (MCA) February 13, 2023. The organization gave the book its Golden Seal, the top honor of its review program. The organization also added the book to its online MCA shop of award-winning books, media, and other products.

"The Pack, The Dare and The Draugar" was evaluated by a panel of five MCA judges. Judges rate submitted books and media on elements including entertainment value, originality, appeal, educational value, production quality, design, and cost. The five independent evaluations are then submitted to the MCA Executive Committee for final review and approval.

“The MCA evaluation program is designed to incorporate the expertise of scientists, physicians and other specialists. But we also engage parents, children, educators, and caregivers because they are experts in knowing what is best for their families,” explained Dawn Matheson, Executive Director of the Mom’s Choice Awards.

"Our aim to introduce families and educators to best-in-class products and services,” Matheson said. "Parents and educators know that products and services bearing our seal of approval are high-quality and also a great value."

About "The Pack, The Dare, and The Draugar"

Moms, grandmas and readers can find the book at independent bookstores across Northern California, as well as on Amazon. The book is also available in Great Britain, the European Union, and Canada. It's found plenty of fans in Canada and the British Isles - to the delight of author Hendrix.

The story features a co-ed cast of sixth-grade characters, and has proven popular with both boys and girls.

"It's a bit of a surprise to me, because the main character is a girl, and so is the first friend she makes," Hendrix said. "But they wind up becoming friends with three boys at summer camp. I have two daughters, but plenty of nephews -- they were my role models for the boys in the story."

Fnd out more about the book, including the first chapter, on the author's website: tjhendrix.com

The book jacket teaser:

Harmony O’Rourke's mom has moved them to a new town. Again. Worse, Harmony has been shipped off to an "academic" summer camp in the redwoods.

But it turns out Camp Coho is a screening tool for a secret magical order looking for the next generation of forest guardians. A late-night adventure lands Harmony and four other campers in training sessions for promising apprentices.

Soon they're studying ancient languages and learning spells for flying, floating and self-defense. Then Harmony’s mother goes missing back home, and it turns out she may not be what she seems.

Harmony and her friends decide to use their new skills to do their own detective work.

Can five soon-to-be-seventh graders untangle the mystery of Harmony's parentage and rescue her missing mother before it's too late?

Adventure, terror, family secrets and ancient powers: it's all waiting for them in the forest.

About the Mom’s Choice Awards:

The Mom’s Choice Awards (MCA) evaluates products and services created for children, families and educators. The program is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. The organization is based in the United States and has reviewed thousands of entries from more than 55 countries. Around the world, parents, educators, retailers and members of the media look for the MCA mother-and-child Honoring Excellence seal of approval when selecting quality products and services for children and families.

Learn more about the Mom's Choice Award