Not Just Your Ordinary Novel...

I met Kristina in our 6th grade class, when she had just moved to the area in the middle of the school year. I can't recall what it was, but from the minute I met her, I wanted to be friends with this girl. I was just drawn to her immediately. Maybe it was merely because she was just super cool. Maybe I wasn't cool and I thought she was so I just really wanted her to be my friend. Who really knows at 6th grade, we all thought we were way older than we really were. It doesn't really matter how it happened, but we became instant friends. And somehow that has turned to lifelong friends. Even with Kristina moving all over the country, we still have managed to stay connected, and if you know me at all, you know that is a big deal for me. I can be a little scatter brained at times, and I can be pretty bad about getting back to people sometimes.
It doesn't really matter how we became friends, all that matters is that early on, I learned what I loved about this girl. She wasn't just a really great friend to everyone she met, she was extremely talented. I admired her so much. I grew to respect her immensely. Between acting, writing songs, singing, directing, and going to school, she always managed to stay extremely grounded and humble. And passionate. This girl is so motivated and so incredibly passionate about everything she does, she truly inspires me. So how did she come to write a novel? Like I said, this girl is TALENTED. Plain and simple. And just like everything else I have seen her do, she pours her heart and her soul into it and makes it happen.
All it took for her was the Disney movie "Newsies." We grew up watching this movie, and we were obsessed! Her obsession turned to inspiration, and years later, she is writing a book inspired by her love for the movie and the history of the Newsboys strike of 1899. She has made her ideas and inspiration come to life in this novel written with older children and young adults in mind, but really it can be enjoyed by anyone, any age. Are you interested yet? Read this information:

Young girl fends for herself in old New York in new young adult novel
Kristina Romero revisits the 1899 New York City newsboy strike through the eyes of spunky 13-year-old Elsie Lutz in “Calling Extra”
WASHINGTON– In “Calling Extra” (ISBN: 978-0-9851916-0-3), author Kristina Romero creates a riveting young adult novel that transports readers to the streets of New York City in 1899. It follows 13-year-old Elsie Lutz whose life is changed forever when her father is jailed for a crime he did not commit. Now, Elsie finds herself alone in turn-of-the-century New York. On these mean streets, she befriends Grin, a teenage newsboy with a kind heart and a mysterious past.

Elsie soon finds herself wrapped up in the newsboy strike of 1899, a sweeping act of social activism led by children. Finding themselves exploited by newspaper barons Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, the crafty youngsters stop delivering papers for two weeks, forcing some of the wealthiest men in the world to reduce the cost of their papers.

Through the brotherhood of the newsboys, Elsie discovers her own courage, bravery, worth and self-determination. But will what she learns be enough to conquer the overwhelming odds, find her own voice and ultimately free her father?

“Calling Extra” is a stunning novel that revisits this tumultuous time in American history. It’s both a book about recognizing the power in one’s own voice to make a difference and a novel that explores the child labor movement, immigration and the impoverished slums of New York at the dawn of the twentieth century. As Grin and Elsie try to survive the city, they encounter many iconic figures of their place and time. This work of historical fiction does justice to its momentous era, while telling a compelling story about how friendship, brotherhood and sisterhood influence our lives in ways we may never fully realize.

“Calling Extra” is available for sale online at Amazon.com and other channels.
About the Author:
Kristina Romero is a writer, actor, director, web entrepreneur and Emmy-nominated actress. At the age of 17, she began her career starring on the CBS soap opera “As The World Turns,” where she earned Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Younger Actress in 2001 and 2002. She also appeared in the feature film “The Flock,” where she starred alongside Richard Gere and Claire Danes. She earned a master’s in professional writing from the University of Southern California, where she began working on “Calling Extra,” her debut novel. Her early inspiration to write the book was prompted by her enchantment with Disney’s musical “Newsies,” also based on the historic newsboy strike of 1899. She lives in Washington D.C. with her husband and son.


SO...are you ready to get a book yet!? And don't just think about yourself! This book would be great for any of your friends or family, home school groups, book clubs, anything! On the website, you can even download a PARENT/TEACHER handbook to go along with the book for FREE. Check out the "Calling Extra" WEBSITE for all the information you need on this amazing book.

Oh wait, one more thing. Anyone want a FREE SIGNED COPY?? It's pretty simple. Kristina will choose 1 person to receive a FREE SIGNED COPY of "Calling Extra" if you just answer one simple question. WE want to know, what was YOUR favorite book of your childhood?? I have so many..I'd definitely say that "Little Women", and "Anne of Green Gables" are my top picks. But then I also have a very soft spot for "Bridge to Teribithia." Kristina and I read that book at school together in 6th grade and used to play "Bridge to Teribithia" outside her house. So let us know what your favorites are, leave a comment below! Hopefully this book will end up on your favorites list, and your kiddo's as well. :)