Welcome to the home of The Heart of Applebutter Hill, an adventure-mystery for general audiences by journalist and recording artist Donna W. Hill. It features a working dog, a stray kitty and excursions into fantasy. ”
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Book Reviews: The Heart of Applebutter Hill
Word Gathering Magazine
“Book Review: The Heart of Applebutter Hill (Donna Hill)” – Kristen Witucki
With a suspenseful adventure, multi-faceted human and animal protagonists, and compelling secondary characters, the novel holds a lot of promise for either solitary enjoyment or lively student group discussions. And best of all, disability is there, but it’s not necessarily a preoccupation.
http://www.wordgathering.com/issue38/reviews/hill.html
Future Reflections
“The Heart of Applebutter Hill by Donna W. Hill Reviewed by Jacqueline Williams”
Donna Hill’s depiction of blindness is beautiful and true. She conveys the reality that gradual vision loss is a fluid, ever-changing condition, running a gauntlet that few can imagine until it happens to them. … I highly recommend this book to middle-school students, teachers, media center directors, and teachers in special reading programs.
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr35/1/fr350116.htm
WNEP TV
“Blind Author Inspires Others with Her Vision” – Julie Sidoni
“It’s really unique to have a character that’s diverse, and that’s something I look forward to in a book, and that’s what this book has.” Lackawanna Trail High senior Austin Pringle.
http://wnep.com/2016/02/26/blind-author-inspires-others-with-her-vision/
Wyoming County Press Examiner
“Meshoppen author pens mystery novel” – Michael Wintermute.
In a way, the tale acts as an all-encompassing guide to childhood, as it details the struggles of bullying, consumerism and being cast from society.
http://archives.wcexaminer.com/index.php/2014/01/01/meshoppen-author-pens-mystery-novel/
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader
“The biggest project of my life” – MARY THERESE BIEBEL.
In the book, Abigail fights discrimination from sighted people, from the school newspaper adviser who rejects her application to the man who pulls up alongside her in a car and yells because her dog just answered the call of nature.
http://timesleader.com/news/features/1050744/The-biggest-project-of-my-life
Purchase The Heart of Applebutter Hill & Help Blind Students
Did you know that people with vision loss and other print disabilities can access only 5% of books and magazines? Imagine trying to compete in school, college or the job market with only 5% of the resources your peers have. That’s why proceeds from the sale of The Heart of Applebutter Hill go into a fund to produce a hard copy Braille version for blind and deaf-blind students.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1483948226
CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/4000964
eBook versions can be purchased at these and other outlets
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CNG6DDM
eBook Universe: http://www.philipsmith.eu/indie-author/donna-w-hill
Nook Book: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-heart-of-applebutter-hill-donna-w-hill/1115426305?ean=2940016415000&itm=1&usri=2940016415000
Apple iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-heart-of-applebutter-hill/id651693834?mt=11
Smashwords (7 eBook formats, including .epub, .mobi, .pdf and .rtf): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/313071?ref=DonnaWHill
Outside the US
Amazon Canada (print & Kindle): http://www.amazon.ca/The-Heart-Applebutter-Hill-ebook/dp/B00CNG6DDM
Amazon UK (print& Kindle) http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Heart-Applebutter-Hill-Donna-ebook/dp/B00CNG6DDM/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1
Meet the Author
Invite Donna W. Hill to be a guest speaker for workshops, seminars and classes. Topics include guide dogs, writing, self-publishing, songwriting, anti-bullying, accessibility and mainstreaming students with visual impairments. Use the “Contact the Author” link on this page.
Resources for Educators
Download Reference Letters About Donna’s Presentations
This 48-page PDF contains a sampling of the reference letters written about Donna’s programs over her thirty-year career. File size: 21 mb.
Reference Letters for Donna W. Hills Presentations (21mb, PDF)
Recommendations from Professionals
The Heart of Applebutter Hill has received recommendations from professionals in education, rehabilitation and the arts, as a valuable tool for middle through college-level diversity, anti-bullying and inclusion initiatives. Their comments are at: https://donnawhill.com/recommenders-of-the-heart-of-applebutter-hill-from-professionals-in-education-rehabilitation-the-arts/
Intro for Educators
Read the “Introduction to The Heart of Applebutter Hill for Educators” by Dr. Karen Squier, O.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Southern College of Optometry (Memphis, Tennessee ) at:https://donnawhill.com/intro-to-the-heart-of-applebutter-hill-for-educators/
WonderBaby.org (Perkins School for the Blind)
“New Book for Young Adults Features a Main Character who is Blind” – Amber Bobnar.
Donna W. Hill’s young adult novel, The Heart of Applebutter Hill, is a story of adventure and mystery… and a little bit of magic. The book follows Abigail and her best friends Curly Connor and Baggy Brichaz. Abigail is a smart, talented girl in a mainstream school… who just happens to be visually impaired. And Curly Conner? That’s her guide dog!
Abigail’s visual impairment is presented as just one more part of her multifaceted personality. It isn’t ignored, but it isn’t the focus of her life either.
http://www.wonderbaby.org/news/heart-of-applebutter-hill
Accessible Versions for Readers with Print Disabilities
Learning Ally: the world’s largest provider of volunteer-narrated audio textbooks and literature for people Who Read & Learn Differently
JPeg of the article “Meshoppen Author’s Novel Goes Audio” published by the WyoPress Examiner (Tunkhannock, PA, 9/23/15), announces Learning Ally’s publication of a human-narrated version for readers with print disabilities.
Learning Ally now carries The Heart of Applebutter Hill. In the VOICEtext format, highlighted synchronized text accompanies the human narration. Listen and follow the printed word at the same time! http://www.learningally.org/BookDetails.aspx?BookID=KV589
Bookshare: an Accessible Online Library for Readers with Print Disabilities
Digital DAISY text, audio & refreshable Braille versions of The Heart of Applebutter Hill are available at: http://www.bookshare.org/browse/book/639304
The Heart of Applebutter Hill: the Story
Imagine you’re 14 and in a strange country with your camera, your best friend, her guitar and her guide dog. You uncover a secret and are instantly in danger. Join Baggy, Abigail and Curly Connor as they explore Elfin Pond, sneak around Bar Gundoom Castle and row across an underground lake. The powerful Heartstone of Arden-Goth is hidden nearby, and corporate giants unleash a spy to seize it. Compelled to unmask the spy and protect the Heartstone, they can’t trust anyone.
As summer heats up, their troubled friend Christopher is viciously bullied and an armed stranger terrorizes Abigail and Baggy. The friends disagree about the spy’s identity, but are convinced it’s a teacher. When a desperate Christopher shows up one night with the school cat, the truth is revealed.
Comments from Readers
Amazon Customer Reviews
“This very real depiction of a blind heroine in a can’t-put-down young adult fiction style is a must-read. I found myself reflecting on what it would be like to travel in the “Cloud Scooper” for days afterwards. Along with fun travel ideas, this book raises very real issues surrounding a blind student frequenting a mainstream school classroom. I’d love this to be compulsory reading for young people at school.” – Jordina Howell (Melbourne, Victoria Australia)
“The proof is in the pudding, but in this case, the Applebutter. I saw this book occupy a 12 year old for an entire weekend with no electronic media involved. That is saying something good!
Then I read it myself. Good characters…good take on bullying and blindness. Hope there will be a sequel!” – Patricia Girven
“The Heart of Applebutter Hill” has a rare quality seldom found in YA books: it masterfully balances the wondrous and whimsical with the very real social challenges that young people face today. Though set in a mythical locale, the characters, descriptions and conflicts, never stray too far from our own world. This allows just enough familiarity that readers will easily find sympathetic, as well as empathetic feelings in their Applebutter Hill experience. Tackling everything from environmental consciousness and social etiquette to bullying and blindness, Donna W. Hill skillfully maneuvers between tough topics, adding liberal amounts of humor and light-heartedness, and keeps the story as buoyant as the book’s magical air ship; the Cloud Scooper.
Entertaining and educational, witty and full of wisdom, “The Heart of Applebutter Hill” is sure to delight while it delivers its many important messages. I recommend this book to parents and educators who are searching for material that will provide a bridge to open communication with young people about some of today’s most sensitive social subjects. Adults will find as much pleasure in the pages as children will, and a book like this is a beautiful gift to share.” Amy Krout-Horn
Read these and other reviews of The Heart of Applebutter Hill at: http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1483948226
Reader Comments on DonnaWHill.com
“I was lucky enough to receive an email out of the blue about this book. It was a great adventure story with likable, well-rounded characters with lots of different abilities and struggles — many of which kids rarely get to read about! My favorite was Curly Connor, not many writers write dogs this well!
I’m excited to share this vision of what school can be also. What great classes. As a math teacher I wanted to learn more about the math in Survival 101. I am going to recommend this book to librarians and teachers I encounter.
Please, please write a sequel! I know it’s okay to be left wondering but I really want to read more about the characters and their adventures and there’s a lot left to keep writing about!” – Max Ray, 10/22/13
Accessibility Issues on WordPress
Screen reader users, If you have trouble with Word Press’s comment form (labeled on this site “So, What Do You Think?”) Here’s an alternative. Every page and post has a link labeled “Accessible Comment Form for Screen Reader Users.” It will be sent to me, and I will post it on your behalf. Check it out at: https://donnawhill.com/accessible-comment-form-for-screen-reader-users-3
The Heart of Applebutter Hill 
Hey, Donna, this is Hugh and Cindy. Let us know when the novel is for sale!
We got to spend a few days with Craig before Sandy hit (he didnt have any damage)
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Hi Donna, I read your post on Write with Warnimont and felt compelled to check out your site. I have to say, I can’t wait to read your book when it’s published.
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Hi Lyn, thanks, I hope you will enjoy it!
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Donna,
Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us all. This is a terrific story, and you are a valued advocate for blind children.
Thank you again!
Carlton Walker
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Carlton, this means a lot to me, especially coming from someone who has worked so tirelessly for so long to get blind kids the tools and support they need. Kudos to you, girl!
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Donna, I have read your articles and I have come to the conclusion you are one terrific author! I can’t wait to read your novel, The Heart of Applebutter Hill. Come on spring!
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Karla, thanks! Glad to hear you enjoy the articles! Little by little I’ll be collecting them and reposting them here.
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Hello Donna,
I am looking forward to reading this novel. It would have been a welcome addition to the school library when I was growing up as a legally blind kid in a mainstream school.
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Hi Cindy, Thanks. Part of the plan is to get copies in secondary & college libraries. I’m hoping it will benefit kids who are either losing their vision, disabled or just plain different to see themselves in literature.
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Donna,
I am looking forward to reading your book.
Best wishes,
Carrie Delecourt
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Hi Carrie, thanks for stopping by.
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Hi Donna! What a beautiful picture! Where was it taken? Your story sounds like a best seller, best of luck with it!
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Hi Marie, the picture of the building with the pin cherries in bloom? It was here by our pond. My hubby built it as a pond shelter, where we can feed the fish and avoid the afternoon sun. The back of it is open with a nice ballastraid, and it’s on a little hill with the pond to the east. He also took the picture.
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Wishing you all the best with the new book. I’m sure it will be a thundering success!
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Hi Barry, thanks! I hope you’re right!
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Gorgeous photos, great new website. Congratulations on the book, Donna!
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Thanks, I’ve got to tell Rich you like his photos!
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I had the pleasure of getting an early read on Donna’s book; I
still think about the characters, and especially the cloud ship! I believe
it was the first story in which the main person was a Braille reader!
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Donna,
I’m so looking forward to reading your book. Based on all of your previous work, I’m sure it will be a page turner. And thanks so much for establishing this accessible page for us who use screen readers. Do you know why Word Press doesn’t simply make their sites fully accessible?
chris
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Chris, Thanks so much for your support and encouragement. As for Word Press’s stance on accessibility … I wrote up details about this and other accessibility issues on Word Press. The Support guy wrote back, “I reported the issues you described, and they may get addressed in a future revision of comments on WordPress.com.” I received a similar reply 2 years ago when I wrote about the inaccessible audio player, and I am still waiting on that one.
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How did you approach Word Press? In my experience nobody will pay attention to changing their status quo unless you give them information that will lead to a large financial bonus for them or their product. Or an additional 2 billion users, maybe.
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Alice, I provided them with a detailed explanation of some of the accessibility issues. Blind people can’t offer major benefits; we are a “low-incidence” disability. We are also second-class citizens; instead of legal rights, we must depend on the good will of companies. A 2011 study in the First Monday Journal (U of IL, Chicago) stated that 80% of the internet is inaccessible. This is not because the tools aren’t there; they’re not being used or not being used properly and consistently.
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Hi Donna, it might be possible then to get these tools implemented if you can find someone in your corner, an advocate, to offer specific ways a company can benefit (possibly good will in the form of publicity if nothing else), or not have to spend extra money to provide the tools. If the tools are not being used properly that might indicate a retraining is needed ($) or extra workers ($). A for-profit company that would have to spend $ without being able to make it back in revenues would go out of business. See if you can get some students wanting internship credit for life experience or something similar to go in to the company and do the training and set up the system, or ask a tech company that specializes in those things to donate their services to the other company. I don’t really know, just saying whatever pops up into my head. Hope something helps.
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Alice, What you are describing is the kind of initiative that you need a major organization behind. The NFB is such an organization, and they have gotten some sites to implement accessibility standards, but they have their hands full trying to get accessible classroom materials for blind and visually impaired students, which is the right priority. For instance, Amazon is trying to get the national PTA to adopt a program using Kindle & Kindle eBooks. Not only are they the worst company with regard to accessible book players, but their actions, if the PTA agrees, threaten to place schools across the country in violation of federal law — organizations receiving federal funding can’t institute new technologies unless they are accessible. In short, the NFB doesn’t have the time or resources to help blind writers.
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Hi Donna, thanks for dropping by and reading and liking, The Curse I really appreciate it 🙂
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Hi Donna. I am trying to decide on the Kindle version or the printed version of The Heart of Applebutter Hill. Must make up my mind soon, I am excited to read it!
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Just bought the kindle book! Going to try and start it this weekend.
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Can’t wait to read the book thank you for the donations to federation of the blind.
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Hi Lisa, thanks, I hope you enjoy it. My apologies for not getting your comment posted earlier. My hubby has been in & out of the hospital twice in the past 5 weeks with more to come.
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I was lucky enough to receive an email out of the blue about this book. It was a great adventure story with likable, well-rounded characters with lots of different abilities and struggles — many of which kids rarely get to read about! My favorite was Curly Connor, not many writers write dogs this well!
I’m excited to share this vision of what school can be also. What great classes. As a math teacher I wanted to learn more about the math in Survival 101. I am going to recommend this book to librarians and teachers I encounter.
Please, please write a sequel! I know it’s okay to be left wondering but I really want to read more about the characters and their adventures and there’s a lot left to keep writing about!
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Max, thanks so much for reading my novel, and I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it that much. I appreciate your sharing it with librarians and others, and yes, I hope to write a sequel or two. Right now, I’m just trying to get this one launched. BTW, Survival 101 is the subject I had the most material for that I couldn’t fit in this first book. I’m an advocate for teaching kids financial literacy and an understanding of how and why things do and don’t work in our physical world. Curly Connor was based on my second guide dog, and many of the incidents, including his relationship with the kitten, were based on our real-life experiences. Again, thanks for the encouragement and support!
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Is the book available in braille?
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Hi Anne, thanks for stopping by. The Heart of Applebutter Hill is available in refreshable Braille on Bookshare at:
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Hi Anne, my apologies; my first attempt to reply got sent accidentally, & I couldn’t delete it. The Heart of Applebutter Hill is not available in hard-copy Braille yet. We are investigating how to get it done & saving the proceeds to do it ourselves. It is available in refreshable Braille for Bookshare subscribers at: http://www.bookshare.org/browse/book/639304
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It took me a while to complete the book The Heart of Apple Butter Hill. It is an excellent story with many twists and turns.
Because I have never read such fantasy works such as Narnia, it came as a surprise, not that Rutherford came to be or of the Cloud Scooper or the Sunflowers and Mums but that Abby and Baggy were not so astounded as was I by these things.
The book was brilliantly written and I can but imagine how it will trigger the imaginations of children of all ages. I hope you further the saga to learn if Rutherford becomes the mighty oak he is destined to be or that the heart brings about things miraculous in Applebutter Hill.
Magnificently done.
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Thanks so much!
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Hi! I would love to give a braille copy of this book to my daughter. We do not have a refreshable braille device so can’t download it. Is there a hard copy available in braille yet?
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Kris, thank you so much for your interest in giving my book to your daughter in a hard copy Braille format. As of this time, I don’t have the resources to have it Brailled. I approached several companies a few years ago prior to publication and was told I was looking at between $5-10,000 just for set-up. I’m trying to interest NLS in doing it so that it will at least be available to borrow, but so far I don’t have enough sales or reader demand for them to agree to do an independently published book which isn’t a bestseller. I am very sorry about this, because I am a Braille advocate, and I thought it would mean a lot to blind kids to hold in their hands a book that a fellow blind person had written.
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It is great.
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Thank you! Glad you stopped by.
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Bless you for the work you are doing to make books more possible for those without sight or limited sight.
I too have been helping all sorts of physically, developmentally, and emotionally challenged children and adults since my brother came home from Vietnam 100% disabled. He is not blind, but he has enough things wrong with him that he has never been the same. He was a very young man when he left for that war. I also work with tutoring of such people and illiterate adults whenever I can, teaching them not only to read, but the things they need to learn to be successful in their endeavors.
So thank you for everything you are doing and have done. The world definitely needs more people like you. Thank you kindly. Anne always
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Hi Anne, thank you for your comments. Sounds like you’re doing more than I could ever hope to do. During the Vietnam era, I was in college trying to just get by without the nonvisual skills I should have learned in elementary school. The world needs more people like you. Blessings, Donna 🙂
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