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YA Review: Beasts of War (Ayana Gray)

March 18th, 2024 by

About This Book:

In this epic conclusion to her New York Times bestselling series, Ayana Gray delivers a heart-pounding fantasy adventure filled with mythos, monsters, and mortal heroes who are astoundingly human.

Once a prisoner to Fedu, the vengeful god of death, Koffi has regained her freedom, but she is far from safe. Fedu will stop at nothing to hunt her down and use her power to decimate the mortal world. Koffi knows when Fedu will strike: during the next Bonding, a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event. To survive, Koffi will have to find powerful new allies quickly, and convince them to help her in the terrible battle to come.

Once a warrior-turned-runaway, Ekon has carved out a new life for himself outside Lkossa, but the shadows of his past still haunt him. Now, alongside unexpected friends, Ekon tries to focus on getting Koffi to the Kusonga Plains before the next Bonding. If he fails, Koffi will be consumed, either by her own dangerous power, or the terrible fate Ekon is doing everything he can to prevent. Ekon devotes himself to protecting Koffi, but the lingering threats from his own past are more urgent than he knows.

As Koffi and Ekon race to the Kusonga Plains—and try to garner the help of Eshōza’s ancient gods along the way—they must face a slew of dangerous beasts old and new. In the end, destiny may unite Koffi and Ekon for the last time—or tear them apart for good.

 

*Review Contributed by Connie Reid, Site Manager*

The third book, Beasts of War, delved deeply into African Mythology to flesh out the world that Ekon and Koffi traversed. This made the story have a rich tapestry for events to unfold in their quest to stop the war god, Fedu, and return the splendor trapped in Koffi’s body.
Once again, we had a third perspective, Akande, to keep the reader wondering who he was and how he was going to fit into the story. This was the most mysterious tie-in yet because I truly had no suspicion of how he was going to end up being important like I did in the other books.
I enjoyed Koffi and Ekon’s developing relationship in book one. However, Koffi’s use of the splendor is changing her in subtle ways to being a harsher version of herself. Coupled with the audiobook narrator’s interpretation of Ekon’s speaking voice which came off as whiny and squeaky I did not connect with the characters as well in this book. The epilogue suddenly had the relationship banter and support that I missed throughout the book.
Overall, this book gave us a quest where mythology could come to life and be explored in a new way. I enjoyed the lush world created and the depth of the characters. There were many surprises along the way. I liked the full-circle way the trilogy was resolved. It felt appropriate for our characters to get back to their beginnings and face how they have changed and move on from there.

*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*

Interview With Alina Tysoe (The Great Puptective)

March 18th, 2024 by

Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Alina Tysoe (The Great Puptective)!

 

 

 

Meet the Author: Alina Tysoe

From the moment she was able to hold a pencil, Alina Tysoe was scribbling away and filling notebooks with doodles of dogs and comics about her family. Today, Alina is an illustrator, 2D animator, and author of What’s Up Beanie: Acutely Relatable Comics, a collection based on her popular webcomic by the same name, the picture book Emi Isn’t Scared of Monsters, and the graphic novel chapter book The Great Puptective. She lives in New Zealand with her husband, Mike, who makes regular appearances in her webcomic, and, infuriatingly, no dogs.

WebsiteInstagram * X * Facebook

 

 

 

About the Book: The Great Puptective

A set-in-his-ways housecat has his routine upended by an enthusiastic new puppy with a nose for solving mysteries in this first adorable book in a graphic novel chapter book series perfect for fans of InvestiGators and Narwhal and Jelly.

Truffles the cat is the only pet in the house and reigns in peace and quiet, only exerting himself to find the best place to take a nice, long nap—preferably in a spot of warm sunshine. Then Poppy the puppy bursts onto the scene.

Poppy is loud, enthusiastic, excitable, and—worst of all—a puptective! She’s got an eye for crime and a nose to solve all mysteries that come her way…even though she’s not completely sure what a mystery is.

Truffles cannot let this intrusion stand. Poppy won’t be able to continue disrupting his precious me-time if she’s shipped to the North Pole! But could this irrepressible new companion be just what this grumpy cat needs?

Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

 

 

 

~Author Chat~

 

YABC:  What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

It started with a brainstorming session where I wrote down the word “Puptective” and was immediately obsessed with the idea of a puppy detective. I love dogs and their earnest goofy personalities, and especially puppies that tend to run into situations head first – this became Poppy the Great Puptective. Poppy’s dynamic with her nemesis turned unwilling BFF Truffles is inspired by my own childhood dog and cat who after a brief period of rivalry got along swimmingly.

 

YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?

This is cheating a little bit but I love BOTH Poppy and Truffles a whole lot. I feel like they reflect the different parts of my personality – Poppy is the one that’s excited about everything and especially new projects and Truffles is the grouchy introvert that is very particular about the way things have to be done. They are both very fun to draw with their range of facial expressions and personalities, making for a fun duo to put into different mystery situations.

 

YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

I have two! One is a very simple one, where Poppy is running circles around a table following a set of mysterious footprints. It’s a very simple visual gag but when I gave it to my niece and nephews to read to see what they think, it got a LOT of laughs, they kept rereading those pages and I’m very pleased with that. The other scene is where (without spoiling too much) Truffles has a change of heart and some realizations. I think his poses and expressions in that scene turned out funny and he’s learnt some good lessons.

 

YABC:  Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
I’ve learnt to be more confident and trust the process of multiple drafts. It’s very easy to panic when you’re writing/drawing your first draft and it’s not looking great yet, but that’s the whole point of it being a draft. You can look back on it with fresh eyes and revise now that you have something to build on. I still struggle with it but it gets a bit easier when you’ve done it a few times. Also learning more about what works and what doesn’t work for your own personal writing process has been very important. I’ve learnt that being very visual – my first draft for a graphic novel has to take the form of a very rough sketch storyboard rather than written words, and there’s nothing wrong with that! If it works, it works!

 

YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2024?
In the kids graphic novels space,  I’m currently really looking forward to Cloud Puppy by Kelly Leigh Miller which looks SO cute and colorful and is also about a puppy main character, so of course I’m sold! For older readers, I’m really excited for the graphic novel  A Witch’s Guide to Burning by Aminder Dhaliwal – a phenomenal storyteller.

YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?
I just recently read the graphic novel The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz which was adorable, fun and cheesy in the best way.

 

YABC:   What’s up next for you?
Two more books in The Great Puptective graphic novel series which I’m very excited about! Then another unannounced middle grade graphic novel project and of course my ongoing  webcomic What’s Up, Beanie?. Busy year ahead!

 

YABC:    What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?

To be kind and curious! To be open to new ideas and ways of thinking about things!

 

YABC:   What advice do you have for new writers? 

Keep a notebook and write ideas down as soon as you get them even if you think they’re easy to remember!

 

 

 

Title: The Great Puptective

Author: Alina Tysoe 

Illustrator: Alina Tysoe

Release Date: 3/19/24

Publisher: S&S Books for Young Children

Genre: Chapter Book Graphic Novel

Age Range: 6-9

YABC Staff’s Current Reads ~ March 18, 2024

March 18th, 2024 by

Hello YABC’ers!

Welcome to the weekly post by the Staff at YA Books Central for Current Reads Monday!

We love everything bookish and just wanted to share with our readers what books we are currently reading and obsessing about! So check out what books the YABC Staff are currently reading below and comment to let us know what book or books you’re reading as well!!

Share, Tweet, and post with the hashtag #YABCCurrentReads!

Happy Reading!!

 

*Kim’s Current Read*

(Staff Reviewer)

Under the Surface
Author: Diana Urban
Publication Date: August 18, 2024
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

An epic survival-thriller about four teens who get lost in the Paris catacombs for days—a gripping and propulsive story of love, danger, betrayal, and hope… even when all seems lost.

“Tense and fast-moving, with a unique setting and compelling characters, Under the Surface is Diana Urban’s best yet.”—Karen M. McManus, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying

Ruby is terrified to cave to her feelings for Sean and risk him crushing her heart.

Sean is pumped to spend a week with Ruby in Paris on their senior class trip, and he’ll wait however long until she’s ready to take things further.

But when Ruby’s best friend sneaks out the first night to meet a mysterious French boy, Ruby goes after her with two classmates, but caves to another temptation: attending mystery boy’s exclusive party in the Paris catacombs, the intricate web of tunnels beneath the city, home to six million long-dead Parisians. Only they never reach the party.

Underground, as something sinister chases them, they get lost in the endless maze of bones, uncovering dark secrets about the catacombs…..and each other. And if they can’t find a way out, they’ll die in the dark beneath the City of Light.

Aboveground, Sean races to find the girl he loves as a media frenzy over the four missing teens begins.

From award-winning author and rising YA star Diana Urban comes a twisty tale of four teens lost in the dark beneath the City of Light and the race to find them.

*Olivia’s Current Read*

(Staff Reviewer)

Otherworldly

Author: F. T. Lukens
Publication Date: April 2, 2024
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

A skeptic and a supernatural being make a crossroads deal to achieve their own ends only to get more than they bargained for in this lively young adult romantic adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of Spell Bound and So This Is Ever After.

Seventeen-year-old Ellery is a non-believer in a region where people swear the supernatural is real. Sure, they’ve been stuck in a five-year winter, but there’s got to be a scientific explanation. If goddesses were real, they wouldn’t abandon their charges like this, leaving farmers like Ellery’s family to scrape by.

Knox is a familiar from the Other World, a magical assistant sent to help humans who have made crossroads bargains. But it’s been years since he heard from his queen, and Knox is getting nervous about what he might find once he returns home. When the crossroads demons come to collect Knox, he panics and runs. A chance encounter down an alley finds Ellery coming to Knox’s rescue, successfully fending off his would-be abductors.

Ellery can’t quite believe what they’ve seen. And they definitely don’t believe the nonsense this unnervingly attractive guy spews about his paranormal origins. But Knox needs to make a deal with a human who can tether him to this realm, and Ellery needs to figure out how to stop this winter to help their family. Once their bargain is struck, there’s no backing out, and the growing connection between the two might just change everything.

 

*Connie’s Current Read*

( Site Manager & Staff Reviewer)

The Prisoner’s Throne: A Novel of Elfhame (Volume 2) (The Stolen Heir)

Author: Holly Black

Publication Date: March 5, 2024

Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

An imprisoned prince. A vengeful queen. And a battle that will determine the future of Elfhame. 

Prince Oak is paying for his betrayal. Imprisoned in the icy north and bound to the will of a monstrous new queen, he must rely on charm and calculation to survive. With High King Cardan and High Queen Jude willing to use any means necessary to retrieve their stolen heir, Oak will have to decide whether to attempt regaining the trust of the girl he’s always loved or to remain loyal to Elfhame and hand over the means to end her reign—even if it means ending Wren, too.

With a new war looming on the horizon and treachery lurking in every corner, neither Oak’s guile nor his wit will be enough to keep everyone he loves alive. It’s just a question of whom he will doom.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black comes the stunning blood-soaked conclusion to the Stolen Heir duology.

*Mark’s Current Read*

(Staff Reviewer)

The Observologist
Author: Giselle Clarkson
Publishing Date: February 6, 2024

A highly illustrated, playful field guide for budding natural scientists and curious observers of the world right under our noses.

Observology is the study of looking. An observologist makes scientific expeditions, albeit very small ones, every day. They notice interesting details in the world around them. They are expert at finding tiny creatures, plants, and fungi. They know that water snails glide upside down on the undersurface of the water; not all flies have wings; earthworms have bristles; butterflies taste with their feet. An observologist knows that there are extraordinary things to be found in even the most ordinary places.

The Observologist puts more than 100 small creatures and features of the natural world under the microscope, piquing our curiosity with only the most interesting facts. Subjects range from slugs, ants, and seeds to fungi, flies, bees, and bird poop.

But this is no everyday catalog of creatures. It is an antidote to boredom, an invitation out of the digital world and screentime, an encouragement to observe our environment, with care and curiosity, wherever we are.

Facts combine with comics, detailed illustrations, science, and funny stories in this unique, warm, and fascinating account of the small things all around us. Graphic and comic illustrations with funny talking insects make this a playful and informative book one to be treasured in the classroom.

Giselle Clarkson has a comics and conservation background. Through her unique sensibility, you’ll find that once you start thinking small, there’s no limit to what you can notice―right under your nose.

Praise for The Observologist:
“A charming work sure to spark a lifelong habit of looking closely at the natural world.”―starred, Kirkus Reviews

“With lots of useful pieces of information, you can dip in and out and learn something new each time.”―National Library of New Zealand, Best Children’s Books of 2023

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YA Review: The Encanto’s Daughter ( Melissa de la Cruz)

March 16th, 2024 by

About This Book:

A young woman claims the throne of a realm inspired by Filipino mythology in this YA romantic fantasy, the first in an enchanting new duet by #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.

MJ Rodriguez has spent her life hiding in the human world, keeping a heavy secret: She’s half-encanto. As the only child of King Vivencio of the Sirena Court, she’s also next in line for the throne. And now, upon her estranged father’s sudden death, MJ must claim her place as rightful heir.

In wondrous Biringan, the road to the throne is paved with thorns. Without a reigning monarch, the realm has spiraled into disarray. MJ has to win over a backstabbing council that objects to a half-human ruler. And when it looks like her father’s passing wasn’t natural but possibly inflicted by a curse, she must hunt down the sorceress behind this merciless magic.

In a bind, MJ forges an unlikely alliance with the striking Sir Lucas of the feared Sigbin Court, and soon, she loses her heart to the mysterious knight. But with peril looming over Biringan, the princess must decide if she can both open herself to love and carry the weight of the crown.

*Review Contributed by Olivia Farr, Staff Reviewer*

THE ENCANTO’S DAUGHTER is an engaging and fast-paced YA fantasy read. MJ has been on the run for as long as she can remember, but her time is running out as her father’s world of magic encantos, Biringan, has caught up to her. Her father is dead, which means it is time for her to ascend to the throne, and there are insurgent factions who want anything but that to happen. As she travels into this magical world, she will need to complete classes to learn some of the things she has missed about the kingdom she is to rule, work towards her coronation, and deal with the politics of her classmates and other rulers.

MJ soon learns that as a hapcanto, meaning that she is half-human and half-encanto, she faces a lot of prejudice and some bullying. On top of that and adjusting to a new world, she also needs to figure out what her magical ability is stat – she will need to demonstrate it to ascend to the throne in a very short time. As she navigates those challenges, she soon begins to suspect that her father’s death had suspicious causes, and her best ally in the investigation is Lucas, who is very attractive but attached to her rival. MJ will need to keep her wits about her as she works toward making it to the coronation alive.

What I loved: This was such an engaging and charming YA fantasy that will work well for younger YA readers as well as older ones. MJ is a compelling character who is trying to do her best, while still a teen and learning. Having been on the run with her mother in the human world, she has learned how to adapt – but she doesn’t have the background to fully grasp the politics and prejudices of Biringan. Quick on her feet, she definitely needs to keep her wits about her, as she has enemies popping up at every turn, who don’t want her to take the throne – with some unknown factions who are more deadly about it.

The plot moves quickly, and the reader learns about this world as MJ does. With the mystery of her father’s death (and another one that comes up during the story), the challenges of school, and new friendships and romance, there is a lot to keep the reader hooked into the story. The pages turn quickly and will keep readers on their toes as they try to figure out how MJ will make it – from normal teenage problems to those only royalty could face.

Themes around prejudice, betrayal/trust, trafficking, and family make this a thought-provoking read. There is also some light romance with a touch of enemies-to-lovers, close proximity, and a fake kiss to hide (that turns real). The romance felt sudden, but it was a sweet one that will hopefully continue to be developed in the next book. MJ and other characters definitely felt like teens and will resonate with YA readers.

The end does have a small cliffhanger, although some major plot points were resolved, so readers will be eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Final verdict: THE ENCANTO’S DAUGHTER is a thrilling and consuming YA fantasy that pulls the reader into a world of magic.

*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*

 

YA Review: Ruthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment 2) (Rebecca Ross)

March 15th, 2024 by

About This Book:

Two weeks have passed since Iris Winnow returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over. Roman is missing, and the city of Oath continues to dwell in a state of disbelief and ignorance. When Iris and Attie are given another chance to report on Dacre’s movements, they both take the opportunity and head westward once more despite the danger, knowing it’s only a matter of time before the conflict reaches a city that’s unprepared and fracturing beneath the chancellor’s reign.

Since waking below in Dacre’s realm, Roman cannot remember his past. But given the reassurance that his memories will return in time, Roman begins to write articles for Dacre, uncertain of his place in the greater scheme of the war. When a strange letter arrives by wardrobe door, Roman is first suspicious, then intrigued. As he strikes up a correspondence with his mysterious pen pal, Roman will soon have to make a decision: to stand with Dacre or betray the god who healed him. And as the days grow darker, inevitably drawing Roman and Iris closer together…the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.

*Review Contributed by Jan Farnworth, Staff Reviewer*

“There are two sides to every story. You may be familiar with one, told through the lens of the goddess who has drawn many of your innocent children into a bloody war. But perhaps you would like to hear the other?”
Ruthless Vows is the much-anticipated sequel to Divine Rivals, a romance fantasy based on a war between two gods. Two reporters are bound to report what they see, drawn by Gods to fight for and be loyal to them. Roman and Iris can communicate with each other through these magical typewriters. Once the letter is slipped under any wardrobe, it is delivered to the other. These two are not without danger, though, as they are tangled up between two Gods, one who wants to rule them all and one who does not. I was drawn into the plot and wholly invested in the outcome of the mortal and the gods.
My heart is at pieces with that ending; the last 100 pages had me way past my bedtime as I had to know how it would all play out. They were intense, action-packed, romantic, full of pain, hugs, and things I can’t find words to explain. I wish some character’s arcs had a different outcome, but it is what it is.

 

*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*

YA Review: Freshman Year (Sarah Mai)

March 14th, 2024 by

About This Book:

A stylish graphic novel about the unique angst, humor, and self-doubt that comes with going away to college—perfect for fans of Heartstopper.

Everyone gets a fresh start. Who do you want to be?  Sarah is leaving suburban Wisconsin for college in Minnesota. She has high hopes for the future: impress her professors, meet interesting new people, stay close to her best friends and boyfriend back home, flourish as an artist, and shed her lingering high school anxieties. What seems manageable at first quickly unravels into a tailspin and she is overwhelmed by the freedom, the isolation, and all the possibilities that await in this new environment. Based on the author’s personal college journal and comics, Freshman Year navigates the inner workings of an 18-year-old girl in witty and heartfelt detail.

 

*Review Contributed by Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer*

Realistic Look at Starting College

In this fictionalized graphic novel memoir, Sarah Mai looks back at the summer of her senior year, when she is preparing to go to college, and captures all of the bittersweet excitement and angst of this liminal time. Her friends all have different plans, ranging from working at a new coffee shop to heading off to other colleges. She plans on breaking up with her boyfriend, Ben, but the two decide to try to have a long distance relationship. Her parents are full of a thousand tips for her success at school, and overly involved, as most parents seem to be. Her roommate is understanding and helpful (she picks up a mini fridge and gives Sarah time alone to settle in), and there are plenty of things to do. Classes are sometimes a challenge, and the college bureaucracy can be daunting (who hasn’t missed a deadline to register for classes?). Going back home for Thanksgiving and winter breaks is strange, and reconnecting with old friends is sometimes rocky. Winter is an especial challenge, and Sarah struggles with her mental health, something which sometimes manifests itself in poor hair styling choices. At the end of the year, she’s glad to have made it through, and feels a little more settled in her life choices.

Good Points
There is SO MUCH information about college in this book, and I’m sure that high school students will be riveted. Much of it is very specific to Mai’s experience; choosing a major, particular friends, distinct classes. Still, much of it is a window into what many older teens will go through. Decorating a dorm room, navigating time without parental supervision, and feeling homesick are all part of just about every college experience. Mai covers everything in detail; the pages are crammed with pictures and text, and there’s everything from her dog being diagnosed with a tumor to care packages to almost unintelligble French tests.

The black and white color pallette is a departure from Mai’s colorful illustrations in Langeland’s middle grade The Cool Code and The Cool Code 2.0 The Switch Glitch, although I wouldn’t have minded the pastels on the cover throughout, though, as they seem very on trend. The darker colors seem appropriate for the turbulent, angsty feel of freshman year. Having recently read my own college journals, I can attest that even though college seems like an exciting adventure, there are a lot of complicated, negative emotions when living through those changing times.

While this would be fairly appropriate for middle school audiences, with just passing references to drinking or relationships, and circumspect drawings. Still, twelve year olds might not be interested in the amount of text, or in the more mature emotional workings. There were several situations that could have benefitted from more explanation; Sarah’s mother seems to have some health situation that is unexplained, and readers unfamiliar with college classes could perhaps have used some more description of what Sarah was taking, when the classes met, etc.

I have not read many books about going off to college, except for Pratt’s Giant Days and my favorite, Stanton’s Waking in Time. It’s a topic that I would love to see explored more, and Mai’s experiences will be a revelation to high school students looking forward to their own college career.

I showed this to several middle school students who all deemed that this was “too many words”, so I will definitely be sending this off to the high school.

*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*

Giveaway: ChupaCarter and the Screaming Sombrero (George Lopez and Ryan Calejo) ~ US Only!

March 14th, 2024 by

We’re excited to host the giveaway for ChupaCarter and the Screaming Sombrero (George Lopez and Ryan Calejo)! 

Read on to find out more about the authors, the book and a giveaway!

 

 

 

About the Author: George Lopez

George Lopez’s multifaceted career encompasses television, film, stand-up comedy, and late-night programs. He currently stars in and executive produces the NBC sitcom Lopez vs. Lopez, and he can also be seen in his Netflix original comedy special, We’ll Do It for Half. His autobiography Why You Crying? was a New York Times bestseller. He has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was named one of the 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America by TIME magazine and one of the Top Ten Favorite Television Personalities by Harris Poll. ChupaCarter is his first series for children.

Visit him online at George Lopez.com.

Website * Instagram * Twitter * Facebook

 

 

 

About the Author: Ryan Calejo

Ryan Calejo is an award-winning author born and raised in South Florida. His critically acclaimed Charlie Hernández series has been featured on half a dozen state reading lists and is a two-time gold medal winner of the Florida Book Awards.

Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @RyanCalejo.

Instagram * Twitter

 

 

 

About the Book: ChupaCarter and the Screaming Sombrero

George Lopez does it again in his next laugh-out-loud ChupaCarter adventure! Jorge and his chupacabra chum Carter are hot on the trail of the legendary El Dorado gold . . . but so are some wicked treasure hunters who will stop at nothing to find it!

A cursed Aztec dagger. A five-hundred-year-old witch’s riddle. And a . . . screaming sombrero?

These are the ancient artifacts that mysteriously hold the answer to the location of the priceless El Dorado treasure hidden in New Mexico—not far from where Jorge and Carter live. When their friend Ernie’s dad is accused of stealing the artifacts, it’s a race against time to clear his name. They find help from the unlikeliest—and loudest—source they’ve ever met: a sombrero that SCREAMS!

 Together with brainy Liza, the oddball heroes discover the real culprits are a devilish ring of thieves who are after El Dorado’s treasure. The pals lay a cunning trap to make the thieves confess, but they realize too late that they’re the ones being trapped . . . and there’s no one left to save them!

Purchase * Goodreads

 

 

 

Title: ChupaCarter and the Screaming Sombrero

Author: George Lopez with Ryan Calejo

Illustrator: Santy Gutiérrez

Release Date: March 12th 2024

Publisher: Viking

ISBN-10: 9780593466032

Genre: Middle-grade, Legends, Myths, Fables, Caribbean & Latin American, Hispanic & Latino, Animals – Dragons, Unicorns & Mythical, Friendship, Mystery

Age Range: 8-12

 

 

 

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS* 

Five (5) winners will receive a copy of each book in the ChupaCarter series  (George Lopez and Ryan Calejo) ~US Only!

 

*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*

 

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Giveaway: Miss MacDonald Has a Farm (Kalee Gwarjanski) ~ US Only!

March 14th, 2024 by

We’re excited to host the giveaway for Miss MacDonald Has A Farm (Kalee Gwarjanski)! 

Read on to find out more about the author, the book and a giveaway!

 

 

 

About the Author: Kalee Gwarjanski

KALEE GWARJANSKI is a homeschooling mom to four book-loving children living in the woods of Maine. She holds a BS in mechanical engineering and an MS in teaching from the University of Maine. Between degrees, she followed her passion of food by attending Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Ottawa, Ontario and worked as a personal chef before turning to picture book writing full time. Miss MacDonald Has a Farm is her debut picture book.

Website * X

 

 

 

About the Book: Miss MacDonald Has a Farm

“Miss MacDonald has a farm,
She loves things that grow!”

E-I-E-I-GROW! With a “weed-weed” here and a “pick-pick” there, young readers can follow Miss MacDonald as she tends to her vegetable farm. It’s a rollicking, rhyming read-aloud that ends in a community feast and celebrates themes of healthy eating, plant-based meals, local produce, gardening, seasons, and female farmers.

Purchase

 

 

 

Title: Miss MacDonald Has a Farm

Author: Kalee Gwarjanski

Illustrator: Elizabet Vukovic

Release Date: 3/12/24

Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers

ISBN-10: 0593568168

ISBN-13: 9780593568163

Genre: Fiction picture book

Age Range: Ages 3-7

 

 

 

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS* 

Five (5) winners will receive a copy of Miss MacDonald Has A Farm (Kalee Gwarjanski) ~US Only!

 

*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*

 

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Author Chat with Dan Armitage (Let’s Learn to Fish! Everything You Need to Know to Start Freshwater Fishing), Plus Giveaway! ~ US ONLY!

March 13th, 2024 by

Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Dan Armitage!

Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!

 

 

 

Meet the Author: Dan Armitage

Dan Armitage leads a popular Kids’ Fishing Fun program at sport shows and retail outlets across the United States that teaches children the basics of fishing. He’s a freelance writer for Cabin Life and more than a dozen other fishing, boating, and outdoor publications; a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America; a USCG-licensed Captain; and former host of the Buckeye Sportsman radio show. He lives with his wife in Ohio, where he serves on his community’s parks and recreation commission.

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About the Book: Let’s Learn to Fish!

Grab a fishing rod and head out to a nearby stream or lake for a fishing adventure! In this skills-based book, kids ages 6 and up go on a fishing trip, led by author and fishing guide Dan Armitage of the Kids’ Fishing Fun Program, and learn essential techniques, facts, and tips to learn how to fish and catch a big one! Step-by-step color photography shows everything kids need, the best beginner bait and tackle, key fishing skills such as rigging, casting, and reeling in fish, and tips on where to fish for crappies, bass, catfish, perch, trout, and more. Kids record fishing adventures in the log at the back of the book. The skills teach fun fishing know-how, connect kids to nature, and foster independence and self-reliance.

Purchase * Goodreads

 

 

 

~Author Chat~

 

YABC: What research did you do to write this book? 

Other than verifying the latest data on the popularity of fishing, none. I enjoy writing magazine articles and columns that I can produce using my own first-hand experience and knowledge of a particular subject. I approached writing Let’s Learn to Fish! in the same manner, albeit 30 times longer than my average 1,000-word assignment.

YABC: What is your favorite fish? 

Bluegill sunfish. As with many freshwater anglers, a bluegill was my first fish and I’ve probably caught more of them than all other fish species combined. Bluegills are found just about everywhere, can be caught year-round – including through the ice — are easy to catch with simple tackle and techniques, fight like a fish twice their size when hooked, have beautiful coloring, and taste great.

YABC: What other resources would you recommend for people that are interested in learning more? 

Contact your state or local wildlife agency to learn about resources and programs they make available for beginning anglers of all ages. Often, they can even direct you to local fishing areas and piers that are set aside for kids. You can also visit your local library to get books about fishing and what fish may be available locally that you want to try to catch.

YABC: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? 

In sixth grade when I read my first fishing article in Outdoor Life magazine and noted that it was written by a guy who lived in my midwestern hometown – not in popular fishing states such as Florida, Montana, or Michigan, where I assumed all outdoor writers got to live and work.

YABC: How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within?

 I have a degree in Education, and I lead fishing programs for kids at sport shows and outdoor retailers, so I am used to talking with kids. That and some advice I received from my first newspaper editor, who was always reminding those of us in the newsroom that we were writing to reach readers who had the average of a seventh grade reading level.

YABC: What is your favorite writing space?

 It must be my home office, home computer, home land line. I still use a 30-year-old combo phone/thermal fax machine, a hard-wired mouse and well-worn keyboard that has outlived three computers. I cannot write on a laptop.

YABC: What do you do when you procrastinate? 

Walk around in my back yard pretending to tend to my small vegetable garden.

YABC: Do you read fiction or nonfiction more during your leisure time? 

Non-fiction. I like to learn when I read, which I do primarily on my Kindle while exercising on a Lifecycle in the gym at the local community center. As an aside, I am vice-chair of the local parks and recreation department board, which operates the community center.

YABC:   What’s up next for you? 

Depending on how this first book experience goes, and so far it’s been great, I’m hoping to write a book for kids on how to get started in paddle sports, including stand-up paddleboards, canoes, rowboats, and kayaks. All such activities are in uber growth mode right now and I haven’t been able to identify any books directed at kids to introduce them to paddle sports.

 

 

 

Title: Let’s Learn to Fish! Everything You Need to Know to Start Freshwater Fishing

Author: Dan Armitage

Release Date: March 12, 2024

Publisher: Storey Publishing

ISBN-10: 1635865824

ISBN-13: 978-1635865820

Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction

Age Range: 6+

 

 

 

*Giveaway Details*

Three (3) winners will receive a copy of Let’s Learn to Fish! Everything You Need to Know to Start Freshwater Fishing (Dan Armitage) ~ US Only!

 

*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway!*

 

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Author Chat with Sarah Van Name (These Bodies Between Us), Plus Giveaway! ~ US ONLY!

March 13th, 2024 by

Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Sarah Van Name!

Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!

 

 

 

Meet the Author: Sarah Van Name

Sarah Van Name grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and now lives and works in Durham with her family and dog. She is the author of two young adult novels, The Goodbye Summer (2019, a Junior Library Guild pick) and Any Place But Here (2021). You can find her online at sarahvanname.com and on Instagram @sarahvanname.

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About the Book: These Bodies Between Us

A wistful coming-of-age story with a haunting twist about four friends who spend their summer learning to become invisible—but disappearing comes at a cost.

 

Four girls. Four girls skating home, both sides of the road, fearless. Four girls at the mouth of an infinite ocean, sugared and salted with sand and seawater, the tide licking their sunburned feet.

This summer, they’re going to disappear.

For seventeen-year-old Callie and her best friends Talia and Cleo, every summer in their small North Carolina beach town is as steady as the tides. But this year, Cleo has invited enigmatic new girl Polly to join them, creating waves in their familiar friendship. And Cleo has an idea, gleaned from private YouTube videos and hidden message boards: they’re going to learn how to make themselves invisible.

Callie thinks it’s a ridiculous, impossible plan. But the other girls are intoxicated by the thought of disappearing, even temporarily—from bad boyfriends, from overbearing families, from the confusing, uncomfortable reality of having a body altogether. And, miraculously, it works.

Yet as the girls revel in their reckless new freedom, they realize it’s getting harder to come back to themselves… and do they even want to?

Purchase * Goodreads

 

 

 

~Author Chat~

 

YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
In 2019, I attended a two-week writing residency in Italy. It was on top of a mountain an hour’s walk from the nearest coffee shop, with stunning views, minimal internet access, and literally nothing to do but write (and read). I had never had that much time dedicated exclusively to writing, and I dramatically overestimated the amount of time it would take for me to do the editing pass I had planned for the residency. So on day three I found myself staring at an empty document. Over the next few days, I spent a lot of time looking out the window and jotting down different things I found inspiring, hoping they’d coalesce into something interesting. By the end of the residency, I had the first twelve thousand words or so of These Bodies Between Us.

I still have that document. Some excerpts:
“Teen beach skater witches with a background of 2007 music?” (the timeframe later changed to present-day, but it started in 2007, and they kind of are teen beach skater witches)
“(it’s NOT about grief)” (turned out to only be sort of true, lol)
“They make a pact with blood or something and they have to” (I never finished this sentence and still don’t know what I was thinking)
“Four girls make a plan” (this panned out)
“If we want to go with Greek muses: Callie, Talia, Cleo, Polly (for Calliope, Clio, Thalia, Polyhymnia” (this panned out too, though there is barely any connection between the muses themselves and the eventual characters)

YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
Definitely Callie, my narrator. I had a hard time plotting many parts of this book, but Callie’s voice came easy to me. I tried to write her as clear-eyed, smart, and ferociously loving and protective of her friends, and I took so much pleasure in spending time with her.

YABC: What research did you do to write this book?
Truly, almost none. I have done plenty of writing that requires research professionally and academically, but in my creative life, I shy away from nonfiction writing because I want to be able to invent my world with total freedom. Given that, the only “research” I did for this book was timeline-related—school schedules, moon cycles, and the like. And even then my copyeditor had to remind me at several points that the days of the week I was referencing were wrong. (Thanks, Colleen!)

YABC: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I have memories of writing stories and poems as early as four or five, but I think the desire to write seriously didn’t really solidify until I went to a creative writing summer camp, DYWC, at age thirteen. DYWC instantly felt like home. I had never felt so inspired and excited about any kind of art. I was lucky to be able to return there for a session every year until I graduated high school.

Also, my dad is an author (go read Mark Van Name’s books, they’re great!) and he and the rest of my family encouraged me and supported me completely in my efforts to write. He had total faith that I would write great books, and that they would someday be published. He also helped me come in really clear-eyed about two things: that it might take a long time, and that it was unlikely that I’d be successful enough to make writing my full-time job. This might sound discouraging, but it never felt like it. Instead, to me, it helped set a realistic challenge. “How do you do the thing you love while also doing something else you enjoy to make money?” is much more within your control than “How do you write books that become bestsellers?”

YABC: How do you keep your “voice” true to the age category you are writing within?
I find it easy. Natural. There is this intense yearning at the heart of so many people’s experiences as teenagers, and even as an adult, I still feel close to that fierce emotion and draw on when I write. In terms of the more mechanical aspects of voice, I’m generally writing for older teenagers, and an older teenager in many ways speaks similarly to an adult, so I don’t have to worry about vocabulary and curse words and such. I think I would struggle a lot with writing for middle grade or younger. I really admire writers of great middle grade who can craft such evocative scenes that are still accessible to kids.

 

YABC: What other age group would you consider writing for?
I’d love to write a book for adults. I think it’d let me explore some different subject matter without wildly changing the way I write.

YABC: What word do you have trouble overusing?
Probably “so.” When used sparingly, I think it can be…so…effective. But I know I tend to use it too much. (Honestly this question makes me think of Kevin Wilson’s Now Is Not the Time to Panic, a brilliant book where his excessive use of the word “so” somehow only enhances its power. Alas, I am no Kevin Wilson.)

YABC: How do you know when a book is finished?
Partway through writing a book, sometimes as early as about a third of the way through, I have a spark of an idea for a final scene. I let that spark burn lightly in the back of my head as I write the rest of the book. By the time I have fifty or sixty thousand words, the scene exists in its entirety in my head, and the promise of the satisfaction of finally actually writing it carries me through the rest of the draft. Sometimes it takes a little while to figure out how to get there, but once I’ve figured out that ending scene, I know it will be possible to finish.

Of course that’s just the first draft. I typically do one full editing pass (which often includes a decent amount of rewriting) before I show it to my first reader, my husband Ben. After he reads it, I do another, lighter editing pass. Then I send it to my agent, who has excellent notes, and she and I do a few passes before it’s ready to go on submission. If we’re lucky and someone wants to publish it…it’s done when the editor says it’s done!

YABC: What type of scene do you love to write the most?
A lot of teenagers, when they’re starting to explore creative writing, start with poetry and want their poem to be all drama and impact from the very beginning. They want the whole poem to feel the way you feel when you read the last line of a great poem. That’s what I wanted when I was a teenager writing poetry. But eventually I learned the obvious thing: that you can’t start with the last line of the poem. The last line is powerful because it’s earned, because you have to build the little house of your poem before you open its door or burn it down. Once I figured that out, writing became so much more of an interesting and exciting challenge. Not trying for maximum melodrama in every sentence or chapter, but laying the bricks for a knockout moment, because it makes that moment so much more satisfying for both the reader and the writer.
I am basically still just a teenager writing poems, because it takes a while to get there, but that’s my favorite kind of scene to write—the kind that’s the last line of the poem.

 

 

 

Title: These Bodies Between Us

Author: Sarah Van Name

Release Date: March 12, 2024

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Press

ISBN-13: 9780593646175

Genre: YA Contemporary, Coming of Age

Age Range: 12+

 

 

 

*Giveaway Details*

Three (3) winners will receive a hardcover copy of These Bodies Between Us (Sarah Van Name) ~ US Only!

 

*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway!*

 

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