Gabbie Flowers and the Key to the Universe


Children - General
156 Pages
Reviewed on 02/11/2015
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

​​​​​What began for Dianne Caplin as short stories for her nieces, blossomed into an award winning novel. Her first book, "Gabbie Flowers and the Key to the Universe," won - FINALIST in the preteen category of the 2015 National Indie Excellence Awards, - HONORABLE MENTION in the 2015 Readers'Favorite International Book Awards along with a FIVE STAR rating. In addition to the Gabbie Flowers series, Ms. Caplin is working on a YA novel, which she hopes to release early next year.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Gabbie Flowers and the Key to the Universe is a children and preteens' book written by Dianne Caplin. Gabbie seems like a normal, everyday eleven-year-old kid by day. She lives with her grandmother, Nana Alice, and her older sister, Victoria, in a brownstone in New York City. By night, however, she astral projects in the company of her spirit guide, Samuel, and they visit with Gabbie's mother, Katherine, at the Hall of Reconnection. Katherine died when Gabbie was only 4, but the two still get to spend their night times together. Gabbie is excited about the art competition at school. The winner gets to paint a mural on a large wall in the hallway, but Gabbie still can't visualize her master work. Samuel takes Gabbie to the Temple of Artistic Endeavors to learn from great artists from the past for inspiration.

Dianne Caplin's children and preteens' book, Gabbie Flowers and the Key to the Universe, is marvelous on so many levels. My favorite part has to be where Gabbie visits with Van Gogh and the other artists in the Temple of Artistic Endeavors, and works with their guidance on her idea for a mural. Caplin also addresses the very serious issue of bullying and the profound impact it can have on children and adults' lives. Caplin's characters are well-defined and personable, except for the mean and somewhat awful bully, Melissa. The illustrations that appear throughout the text are fabulous, especially the very spooky one of Gabbie at the gate of St. Anne's reform school with her very scary escorts. I had a lot of fun reading Gabbie Flowers and the Key to the Universe and am looking forward to reading about her further adventures. Gabbie Flowers and the Key to the Universe is most highly recommended.

Joan Sloane

Just loved this book. Gabbie is a very believable character.
I was rooting for her all the way.

Joan Sloane

Yeeay! Gabby!

Susan Marie Murdoch

Congratulations on your win! See you in Miami!

Rachel Caplin-Feiss

Gabby Flowers is a great read and my kids loved it! They each have their own copy! They're ready for what's next for Gabby!

Camille Sacco

A must-read for children and adults alike. I fell in love with Gabbie and so will you!

Marilyn Caplin

This is a wonderful positive story that is full of reassurances of strength and the ability to go up against life's problems and prevail. Gabbie goes through the lows that all of us experience as children, the sense of not being able to direct our lives and comes out on the other side with a very real sense of empowerment.....all told so subtly that there is no preaching - just hope! I loved this story and so has everyone I know that has read it.

meg nickerson

Awesome book with great message. My grand daughter loved it

Carol Watral Gallagher

What a wonderfully uplifting children's book that both young and all will thoroughly enjoy. It will be a keepsake in my home to share with my children and future grandchildren!

R. Jackson

A fantastic book. Looking forward to more.

J Wallace

Wonderful book recommended for everyone but especially for anyone w/school age children. You will fall in love w/Gabby.

Angela Mangialetto

I want to fly through the night sky with Gabbie! This is a beautifully and imaginatively written and illustrated book, with the added bonus of an anti-bullying lesson; so important in today's world. It also offers young readers poignant examples of coping with loss, empowerment as victims, and hope that goodness, love and perseverance conquers all. A lovely story for readers of all ages!

Amy Ballas

My son, ten years old, and I enjoyed reading this delightful story featuring a young girl that must cope with loss of a parent and also find courage in dealing with a bully at school. What I like most about the book is the message it sends to readers young & old is that LOVE is the key to the Universe. I love the spirit guides and Angels as they send a positive message of hope, courage & self-empowerment. An uplifting story with a beautiful message.

Lauren Mayer

I know this is classified as a" children's" book but its a wonderful story with lessons for all ages. Loved it!! Can't wait for the next one!