Welcome to the Pippa Park Crush at First Sight Blog Tour!
Follow along all week for exclusive guest posts from author Erin Yun, plus 5 chances to win a special, limited edition Pippa Park Scavenger Hunt Gift Box!
A Letter to My Twelve-Year-Old Self
by Erin Yun
Hi Erin,
It’s me, Erin . . . I mean, you, Erin. Us? Sorry. I don’t really know the proper term for a situation like this. Speaking of which, I’m sure you have lots of questions, like: “Is this for real?” and “Wait, so time travel actually works?!” and “Okay, but does our hair eventually get less frizzy?” I’m not here to talk about that, though. I’m here to talk to you. Middle school was a tough time for us, and looking back, there are three things I need you to know.
First: Life isn’t like track and field—there’s no need to rush! Want to know a secret? In the future, we write a book called Pippa Park Crush at First Sight. In the book, Pippa’s best friend at her new school, Helen, is dating Pippa’s best friend from her old school, Buddy, and she starts to worry that she’s missing out on new milestones, like holding hands with a crush or going on dates. Sound familiar? Honestly, you didn’t really care who you went out with—you just wanted to go out with someone. You were scared that if you didn’t have those experiences now, you wouldn’t know what to do in the future. But then you got to college, and guess what? You realized that you were exactly where you were meant to be.
Next: Who cares what other people think about you? Okay, okay . . . we definitely care! And I still get insecure sometimes. That’s natural, but please know this—when people judge you, it’s a reflection of them as a person, and not you. Even the prettiest, most popular, coolest women in the world still have to deal with random people saying mean things about them to make themselves feel better. At your age, I know those comments sting like barbed wire and linger in your thoughts for weeks. I can’t fix that, but please know it doesn’t last forever! Which brings me to my last point . . .
It’s all uphill from here, friend. I know you feel scared a lot. I know you agonize over where to sit in the cafeteria, and whether people talk about you behind your back, and how to make friends when you always seem to blurt out the wrong thing. But all of those things are temporary. It’s not a particular moment when everything gets better, not a single event—but somehow, somewhere in the next fourteen years, things change. You meet smart, funny, interesting people in college who you are lucky to have in your life, and you reconnect with old friends who become better friends than they were before. You get into your dream school, you hold your crush’s hand, and yes—we do learn how to style our hair so that it’s not so frizzy. But you know what? You also don’t care so much about things like that anymore. And take it from me—that’s a wonderful, wonderful feeling.
Sending you all my love and care,
Erin
(P.S. I can’t wait for you to read our future books! I think Pippa will remind you a lot of a particular someone . . . )
Out September 13th!
“Pippa explores the highs and lows of friendships and first crushes in this well-crafted sequel to Pippa Park Raises Her Game. ..VERDICT This warm-hearted, feel-good series continues to realistically explore one Korean American girl’s middle school experience in a relatable way.”
—School Library Journal
“This is solid, classic middle-school drama fare that benefits from the interesting ways Pippa’s family background is developed. An engaging variation on a familiar theme.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Join Pippa Park as she juggles friendships, bullying, crushes, and family in the sequel to the compelling drama-filled middle school book Pippa Park Raises Her Game.
Korean American Pippa Park picks up right where she left off . . . trying to balance basketball, school, friends, working at the struggling family laundromat, and fitting in. Eliot, her math tutor—and the cutest boy at school—is finally paying attention to her. And Marvel—her childhood friend—is making her required volunteering much more interesting. But things with the Royals, her new friends and teammates who rule the school, still feel a bit rocky. Especially because Caroline, a head Royal, would like nothing more than to see Pippa fail.
So when Pippa is faced with hosting the annual Christmas Eve party that could make or break her social life, how can she say no? Will Pippa make enough money to cover the costs while juggling crushes and everything else? With courage and determination, Pippa sets out to host the party, find the perfect dress, pick the right boy, and stay true to her real self.
About the Author
Erin Yun grew up in Frisco, Texas, and used to play basketball as a middle grader. She received her BA in English from New York University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Creative Writing at Cambridge. She developed the Pippa Park Author Program, an interactive writing workshop, which she has conducted in person and virtually at schools, libraries, and bookstores.
About the Publisher
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Fabled Films Press LLC is creating original content for young readers and middle-grade audiences that combines strong literary properties with high-quality production values to connect books with generations of parents and their children. Each property is supported by websites, educator guides, and activities for bookstores, educators, and librarians, as well as videos, social media content, and supplemental entertainment for additional platforms.
GIVEAWAY
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Five Winners will receive an Exclusive Pippa Park Scavenger Hunt Box!
Uncover the hidden meaning behind the clues in the box which include:
A Tarot Card, Holiday Snow Globe, Kimchi-jjigae Family Recipe from the Author with a jar of Gochugaru, Mini Basketball Stress Ball,
Golden Scrunchie, Signed Editions of Pippa Park Raises Her Game in paperback and Pippa Park Crush at First Sight in hardcover and a Pippa Park Bookmark. - US only
- Ends 9/25 at 11:59pm ET
- Enter via the Rafflecopter below
- Visit the other stops on the tour for more chances to win!
Blog Tour Schedule:
September 12th — Mama Likes This
September 13th — Bookhounds
September 14th — A Dream Within A Dream
September 15th — Good Choice Reading
September 16th —YA Books Central
Wow this looks amazing I would love to read this!