Happy Book Birthday to BLOOD/WATER/PAINT and WIZARDMATCH!

 Two of my most anticipated 2018 books are out today!

A very happy book birthday to Joy McCullough's BLOOD/WATER/PAINT and Lauren Magaziner's WIZARDMATCH!

I preordered BLOOD/WATER/PAINT and I'm doing a panel with Lauren on March 17th (at the Neshaminy Mall Barnes & Noble in Bensalem, PA), so I'll get a signed copy of WIZARDMATCH soon.

The beautiful covers and book summaries are below~ get thee to a bookstore/library and enjoy!

BLOOD/WATER/PAINT-A debut novel based on the true story of the iconic painter, Artemisia Gentileschi.

Her mother died when she was twelve, and suddenly Artemisia Gentileschi had a stark choice: a life as a nun in a convent or a life grinding pigment for her father's paint.

She chose paint.

By the time she was seventeen, Artemisia did more than grind pigment. She was one of Rome's most talented painters, even if no one knew her name. But Rome in 1610 was a city where men took what they wanted from women, and in the aftermath of rape Artemisia faced another terrible choice: a life of silence or a life of truth, no matter the cost.

He will not consume
my every thought.
I am a painter.
I will paint.

I will show you

what a woman can do. 

WIZARDMATCH-

Twelve-year-old Lennie Mercado loves magic. She practices her invisibility powers all the time (she can now stay invisible for fifteen seconds!), and she dreams of the day that she can visit her grandfather, the Prime Wizard de Pomporromp, at his magical estate.

Now Lennie has her chance. Poppop has decided to retire, and his grandchildren are coming from all over to compete in Wizardmatch. The winner inherits his title, his castle, and every single one of his unlimited magical powers. The losers get nothing. Lennie is desperate to win, but when Poppop creates a new rule to quelch any sibling rivalry, her thoughts turn from winning Wizardmatch to sabotaging it...even if it means betraying her family. 

Latest Book Recommendations- Rebecca Petruck, Nikki Grimes, Anne Nesbet and more!

Hi All!

2018 is already going by fast, and this little blog has been sadly neglected. I wanted to pop in and share some book recommendations, because I've been on a READING HOT STREAK.

The last 6 books I've read all get 5 stars from me, all for different reasons. I'm so impressed with all of these authors, who've crafted stories and characters that set me firmly in new settings and new shoes. If you haven't read these (two of them aren't out yet), then please consider adding them to your to-read lists:


BOY BITES BUG- Rebecca Petruck is SO talented with boy/boy friendship stories that are universal in spirit. The voice here feels so very authentic (much like it does in another book of hers, STEERING TOWARD NORMAL). This one comes out May 8, 2018. Add it to your Goodreads HERE.

GARVEY'S CHOICE- I can't believe I haven't read this Nikki Grimes book before now. While my girls played in the puzzle section of the local library last week, I browsed nearby shelves and picked this up. I read the whole thing right there, then checked it out so that I could do a read-aloud at home with the kids. If you haven't read this wonderful novel-in-verse, please, please remedy that. Add it to your Goodreads HERE.

THE ORPHAN BAND OF SPRINGDALE- Anne Nesbet continues to blow me away. This is such a heartfelt exploration of childhood, belonging, things lost and found, and learning that our moral compass blended with a bit of courage can create unexpected change. The main character is based on Ms. Nesbet's mother and the author's note made me cry. This one comes out April 10, 2018. Add it to your Goodreads HERE.

AMERICAN PANDA- Oh LORD, I laughed out loud while reading this too many times to count. The themes of respecting past generations, but being true to yourself are gracefully handled, and Mei's story will charm your socks off. Add it to your Goodreads HERE.

SHADOW WEAVER- MarcyKate Connolly's first book in a trilogy is chilling and atmospheric from the very first page. This is the kind of book that is deliciously creepy and has you turning pages as quickly as possible to see what's going to happen to Emmeline...and her "best friend" Dar, a character that will have you checking for rogue shadows on your bedroom floor. Add it to your Goodreads HERE.

THE NIGHT GARDEN- I just finished this last night, and am now a Polly Horvath fan for life. I haven't read any of her other books, but rest assured, they're all going on my to-read list now. The voice is this one is right up my alley, as are the characters. I was so impressed with the writing and with the small moments of philosophical musings about writing and our place in the world. Add it to your Goodreads HERE.

RIDE ON, WILL CODY! An Interview with Caroline Starr Rose

What a treat to have Caroline Starr Rose on the blog today!

I first fell in love with Caroline's writing with the beautiful novel-in-verse, May B. I immediately bought it, knowing that it would be a book I wanted to share with my daughters (I've since read it with my oldest, and she loves it!).

Since then, I've eagerly awaited all of her releases, from the gorgeous and poignant Over in the Wetlands to her most recent middle grade novel, Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine, a thrilling adventure set deep in the Yukon wilderness.

Read on for a summary of her latest picture book, RIDE ON, WILL CODY! and an interview about this exciting addition to Caroline's  award-winning literature for children. A teacher's guide is available HERE.

Racing, flying,
ever riding,
hurry, hurry on ahead!

As legend has it, before he was America’s most beloved Wild West showman, young Will “Buffalo Bill” Cody rode for the Pony Express. This lively, lyrical, and action-packed story tells of Will’s famous twenty-one hour journey through Wyoming, where he rode close to 300 miles on twenty-one horses! The trip was said to be the third-longest ride in Pony Express history. Whether truth or myth, Will Cody’s account helped ensure that the story of the Pony Express lived on.

Hi Caroline! This sounds like such a fun story and a great read-aloud! There are so many vibrant characters from the Frontier West. How did you decide to write a picture book about the young man who grew up to be Buffalo Bill?

In 2012, my family was on vacation in Colorado. I happened to notice a sign in Golden for a Buffalo Bill Museum and convinced my family we needed to stop in. As I walked through the exhibits, a story idea began to stir. I didn’t know the specifics, but I knew it would be about Buffalo Bill. The following January, I checked out a number of research books. I was pretty convinced my story would focus on Cody’s Wild West show, but his Pony Express work (if it happened at all — most historians now believe his Pony Express years were fabrication) was what really caught my attention.

Tell us one fun item that you came upon during research that did not make it into the book?

I love this quote from Buffalo Bill about writing. It sums up his no nonsense personality pretty well (and humors me as an author):

“Life is too short to make big letters when small ones will do; and as for punctuation, if my readers don’t know enough to take their breath without those little marks, they’ll have to lose it, that’s all.”

Writing about historical figures can be daunting. What advice would you give writers who are looking to represent a person from history with limited text and just 32 pages to work with?

Go deep rather than wide. A historical picture book isn’t meant to cover everything in a character’s life. Pick a moment and shine a light on the character’s response to the event. Show us her bravery or his curiosity, her commitment or his determination. Let us live the moment right alongside the character. Leave us feeling as if we’ve been there!

You’ve written prose and verse novels, nonfiction, and picture books. How do you ease from one storytelling voice to another? Do some types of writing come more easily than others for you?

I’m not sure I move from one storytelling voice to the next with ease, but I do think it’s important for the story to be in charge of its form and not the author. Each piece has one best way it can be communicated. I sometimes know if a book will be verse or prose going in, but sometimes not. 

What’s really important, though, is not to force a form on a piece of writing because it’s what I’m most comfortable with or is what I want to try. I need to listen to the work — sometimes through trial and error — to find the best way to “show” it to the world.

Verse is absolutely easier* for me than prose. It somehow feels more natural (even though I wrote three prose novel manuscripts before writing my first book, the verse novel, May B.). I don’t want to rest on what feels most familiar, though.

*It’s important to point out no writing is every easy, at least for me!

I love your cover! Did you get to offer input during the illustration process?

I love it, too! The action and the colors are just perfect.

I had much more input with WILL CODY than I did with OVER IN THE WETLANDS. Perhaps it’s because I was with a different publishing house or because the story was historical fiction or maybe a combination of the two. I got to see early sketches and comments meant for illustration Joe Lillington from both the art director and my editor. I was also invited to leave comments about the depiction of the setting, historical elements — anything, really. It was so interesting to watch those sketches become the final art.

Caroline, thank you so much for visiting Falling Leaflets, and congratulations on another wonderful book! Readers, click on the links below to purchase RIDE ON, WILL CODY! for yourself, your friends, and your family:

ALBERT WHITMAN AND CO. 

AMAZON 

B & N 

INDIEBOUND

THE GREAT HIBERNATION by Tara Dairman- Release Day Giveaway!

Today is the day!

Tara Dairman's fourth book, THE GREAT HIBERNATION, is out in the world, and you don't want to miss it. Leave a comment to be entered to win an eBook~ winner will be chosen on 9/19. UPDATE: THE WINNER IS VERONICA BARTLES. Congratulations, Veronica! I'll get in touch via your social media.

I could go on and on about the cleverness and heart of this book~ about the characters and the setting~ about Jean Huddy's courage~ about a town where the PARENTS ALL FALL ASLEEP! When I told my 8-year-old the premise, she said, "OMG, Mom. That is so cool."

She was excited to hear that she'll be seeing Tara and getting a signed book at One More Page Books in Arlington, VA on Saturday, September 23, at 3:00 pm (psst, you can come too!). Read on for a book summary and much praise from reviewers.

The most important tradition in tiny St. Polonius is the annual Tasting of the Sacred Bear Liver. Each citizen over twelve must eat one bite of liver to prevent the recurrence of the Great Hibernation, when the town founders fell asleep for months.

This year is Jean Huddy’s first time to taste the liver. It doesn’t go well.

A few hours later, all the adults fall into a sleep from which they cannot be woken, and the kids are left to run things. At first, they have a blast. But then the town bullies take over the mayor’s office and the police force, and pretty soon Jean begins to suspect that this “hibernation” was actually engineered by someone in town.

Courage, teamwork, and scientific smarts unlock an unusual mystery in this delightful and funny story about one girl who inspires the kids around her to join together to save their home.

Praise for The Great Hibernation

“Definitely will not induce drowsiness. Utterly original.”—ADAM REX
author of The True Meaning of Smekday and the Cold Cereal Saga

“Imagine Lord of the Flies as a comedy set in snowy terrain and you have The Great Hibernation: a hilarious, whip-smart page-turner you don’t want to miss.”
—JENNIFER CHAMBLISS BERTMAN
New York Times bestselling author of Book Scavenger and The Unbreakable Code

“Memorably humorous…Lighthearted enough to entice readers with the silly premise and whimsical illustrations sprinkled throughout, this middle grade book nonetheless explores some rather important political ideas about individuality and the need for a balance of powers in governance. A strong selection for most middle grade shelves.”
–SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

“Quirky without being over-the-top, Dairman’s novel is a funny, wintry romp that explores just what might happen if kids were in charge.”-BOOKLIST

“[A] whimsical mystery…The fast-paced plot belies the sleepy small-town setting, and it’s refreshing to see a cast of characters who genuinely love their village and their families, whatever their quirks, instead of yearning to escape them.”-BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS (BCCB) 

Under the Bottle Bridge~ Release Day, Reviews, & Events

Today is release day for Under the Bottle Bridge! Leave a comment on this post to enter to win a hardcover~ I'll pick a winner on Saturday, September 16.

If you read Under the Bottle Bridge, you'll meet:
Minna Treat, Crash Hardly, a mysterious newcomer, mischievous twins named after tea, an uncle with 82 parenting books (and counting), and an Irish Wolfhound named Beast.

You'll encounter:
Bottle messages, historic disasters, lots of sneaking around, and a stinky incident involving pumpkin-flavored pickles & pickled pumpkin slices.

And you just might:
Want to take up woodcraft/glassblowing/candlemaking, buy tick spray, get the urge to go foraging for wild edibles, think twice next time geese honk overhead, and wonder where your personal bridge is taking you in life.

Here are a few review excerpts:

"Beautifully written, with vivid characters, this exploration of family and friendship shines from the first page...Give to fans of Holly Goldberg Sloan's Counting By 7s." -School Library Journal

Minna's coming-of-age story is as solid and well-crafted as the furniture made by her uncle, and the bottle mystery is engrossing...truly poignant. Hand this to fans of Turnage's Three Times Lucky." -Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books

"Lawson creates an engaging cast of characters." -Kirkus Reviews

Here's where I'll be online and in-person in the coming weeks. I'd love to see you in the comments of a post or in-person!

ONLINE
Wednesday, September 6: I'll be at one of my favorite blogs, Literary Rambles. I'm giving away a hardcover and my AMAZING agent Tina Wexler is offering a free query critique!

Thursday, September 7: I'll be at Tara Dairman's blog with a recipe for hearth milk and a hardcover giveaway.

IN-PERSON EVENTS

Books of Wonder – New York, NY 
Sunday, September 17, 4 pm
Middle-grade panel and launch party! (with Tara Dairman, Tracey Baptiste, & Alison Cherry)

One More Page Books – Arlington, VA 
Saturday, September 23, 3pm
Kidlit panel! (with Tracey Baptiste, Caroline Carlson, & Tara Dairman, moderated by Madelyn Rosenberg)

Here are some links, for anyone looking to get a copy:

IndieBound (find your nearest independent bookstore)
Barnes & Noble
Amazon

Under the Bottle Bridge is also available as an audiobook, via Dreamscape.

PUBLISHER SUMMARY
In the tradition of Rooftoppers and Three Times Lucky, critically acclaimed author Jessica Lawson returns with her fourth whimsical, lyrical, and heartfelt middle grade novel about a girl who’s desperately trying to keep her life together, when everything seems to be falling apart.

In the weeks leading up to Gilbreth, New York’s annual AutumnFest, twelve-year-old woodcraft legacy Minna Treat is struggling with looming deadlines, an uncle trying to hide Very Bad News, and a secret personal quest. When she discovers mysterious bottle messages under one of the village’s 300-year-old bridges, she can’t help but wonder who’s leaving them, what they mean, and, most importantly…could the messages be for her?

Along with best friend Crash and a mystery-loving newcomer full of suspicious theories, Minna is determined to discover whether the bottles are miraculously leading her toward long-lost answers she’s been looking for, or drawing her into a disaster of historic proportions.

Let the Countdown Begin! ARC Giveaway~ UNDER THE BOTTLE BRIDGE

Less than a month from now, my 4th book will be released!

This is a story full of legacy, traditional arts, mysterious messages, changing friendships, and hearth milk.

It's a story about an uncle trying hard to be a parent and a child trying hard to parent herself.

It's a story about impossible searches.

Most of all, it's the story of Minna Treat, a young girl with a big heart, a somewhat smart mouth, and a secret quest.

And there's a dog in it, too.

To enter the giveaway, tell me which type of traditional artisan you would be, given the chance (or tell me one that's not on the list!): 

Blacksmith
Silversmith
Glassblower
Chandler (candlemaker)
Woodworker/Woodcarver
Weaver
Potter
Tailor/Seamstress
Cobbler
Cheesemaker
Baker

A winner will be chosen on 8/11. UPDATE: Via Random.org, the winner of the ARC is Faith Hough! Congrats, Faith! DM me on Twitter and let me know your preferred shipping address. The next giveaway will be on 8/16 over at From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors.

In the weeks leading up to Gilbreth, New York’s annual AutumnFest, twelve-year-old woodcraft legacy Minna Treat is struggling with looming deadlines, an uncle trying to hide Very Bad News, and a secret personal quest. When she discovers mysterious bottle messages under one of the village’s 300-year-old bridges, she can’t help but wonder who’s leaving them, what they mean, and, most importantly…could the messages be for her?

Along with best friend Crash and a mystery-loving newcomer full of suspicious theories, Minna is determined to discover whether the bottles are miraculously leading her toward long-lost answers she’s been looking for, or drawing her into a disaster of historic proportions.

Paperback Birthday! Giveaway of WAITING FOR AUGUSTA

Hi All,

So the winds are changing, the Lawsons are moving into an old stone house next week (I'll keep you updated on the status of pet chickens, but for now, just know that we'll have one available for naming via suggestion~ all name suggestions must be from a book), and ...

the paperbacks of Waiting for Augusta are out today! Leave a comment for a chance to win one! I'll choose a winner on May 17th. UPDATE: The winner is Books4Learning! Please let me know a good mailing address and I'll send the paperback your way!

Waiting for Augusta is the story of Ben Putter, a boy who believes he has a golf ball stuck in his throat. He steals his dad's cremation urn and sets off on a journey to scatter the ashes, fulfill his dad's final wishes, and hopefully make that darn ball go away. A mysterious runaway joins up with him, with an agenda of her own. Here are some nice things some reviewers have said:

• "A whimsical, heartwarming, multilayered story about finding grace enough to accept the flaws in those we love and courage enough to act from our most deeply held beliefs."– Kirkus Reviews

• "This moving and emotional coming-of-age story tackles themes of racism, friendship, and growing up. . . . An absorbing work of historical fiction."
  – School Library Journal
• "Best for readers who like a wealth of plot and southern setting, as in Sheila Turnage’s Three Times Lucky (2012)."
  – Booklist Online
• "This is a beautifully written book that will tug at the heart strings of readers. The writing is lyrical and rich with imagery...This is a worthwhile addition to library shelves."
  – School Library Connection

“Colorful, quirky, and full of heart, with an ending readers won’t forget.”

– Ingrid Law, Newbery Honor-winning author of Savvy, Scumble, and Switch (PS, I LOVE Ingrid Law books and was so excited about this blurb!)

AND the paperbacks happen to have a sneak peek of my upcoming book (September 2017) Under the Bottle Bridge


Just leave a comment to enter!

Review & Giveaway: K.M. Walton's ULTIMATUM

Hi All~

Life's been very busy lately, so my apologies about not getting around the blogosphere as much as I used to.  I'm buying my very first home (!!!), which is a process full of excitement and phone calls and insurance stuff and budgeting and more phone calls and that sort of thing.

After moving from Colorado to Pennsylvania last Fall, I was lucky enough to connect with a group of writers in the area (including Dianne Salerni, author of lots of awesome books including The Eighth Day series, and the fabulous Joanne Fritz, who writes middle grade fiction and blogs over at My Brain on Books). It was at a recent get-together that I met K.M. Walton, an author of young adult books who had an upcoming book launch. I planned to attend the launch, but unexpected travel plans got in the way.

I called the store ahead of time and bought two signed copies and today, lucky readers, I'm giving one away! JUST LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE ENTERED~ a winner will be chosen on Monday, April 3. UPDATE: The winner of the signed copy of ULTIMATUM is... Julia Tomiak! Congratulations, Julia, please email me with a good shipping address and I'll get it sent to you!

Here's the publisher's summary:

From the author of Cracked and Empty comes a gripping, emotional story of two brothers who must make the ultimate decision about what's more important: family or their differences.

It's not Oscar's fault he's misunderstood. Ever since his mother died, he's been disrespected by his father and bullied by his self-absorbed older brother, so he withdraws from his fractured family, seeking refuge in his art.

Vance wishes his younger brother would just loosen up and be cool. It was hard enough to deal with their mother's death without Oscar getting all emotional. At least when Vance pushes himself in lacrosse and parties, he feels alive.

But when their father's alcoholism sends him into liver failure, the two brothers must come face-to-face with their demons--and each other--if they are going to survive a very uncertain future.

My reading diet is largely made up of chapter books and middle grade books these days, and I found myself reading ULTIMATUM slowly at first, trying to reacquaint myself with language/style aimed at older readers. By the end, these characters were so real to me that I desperately wanted a sequel in my hands. My review is below~ click HERE to read the STARRED Publisher's Weekly review.

I started K.M. Walton's ULTIMATUM slowly~I eased in, getting used to the distinct voices of brothers Oscar and Vance. By the last hundred pages I was racing through to see what would be resolved and what wouldn't. This story--of grieving, of individual pain, of the complexity of brotherhood, and of what we do when offered second chances of connection--touched me deeply. It felt authentic~ though the father figure is about as bad as you can imagine, there are tiny glimmers of heart, even in him. Technically, I was so impressed with the execution of Walton's approach~ dual narratives and a timeline both in the past and present. Great ending, many tears throughout. Highly recommended.

Okay, that's all from me~ just leave a comment to enter! If you'd like, you can mention that last great YA book that you've read (or any book).

COVER REVEAL of my next book! Introducing... Under the Bottle Bridge

Hi All! My next book, Under the Bottle Bridge, will be released by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on September 5th, 2017! You can add it to your Goodreads account HERE, but for now you can see it up on Amazon here.

The setting is the fictional town of Gilbreth, New York, a place that puts great stock in traditional arts~weavers, blacksmiths, silversmiths, glassblowers, bakers, herbalists, and the like. My protagonist, young Minna Treat, comes from a long line of woodworkers that can be traced back to the founding of Gilbreth. She and her uncle (who's also her legal guardian) are the very last of the Treats... and if Minna can't find a solution, they may be the first to leave the place that's been their family home for generations.

It's a story of bridges, secrets, legacy, message bottles, seasons of change, family, hearth milk, and things lost and found. I'll do an ARC giveaway in the coming months, but for now, I'm so pleased to share the cover with you.

The artist, the incredible Sonia Kretschmar, did such an amazing job of capturing the heart of the novel (the official summary is below). I hope you love it as much as I do!

...

...

...

In the weeks leading up to Gilbreth, New York's annual AutumnFest, 12-year-old woodcraft legacy Minna Treat is struggling with looming deadlines, an uncle trying to hide Very Bad News, and a secret personal quest. When she discovers mysterious bottle messages under one of the village's 300-year-old bridges, she can't help but wonder who's leaving them, what they mean, and, most importantly... could the messages be for her?

Along with best friend Crash and a mystery-loving newcomer full of suspicious theories, Minna is determined to discover whether the bottles are miraculously leading her toward long-lost answers she's been looking for, or drawing her into a disaster of historic proportions.

Midnight Without A Moon- Pre-Release Giveaway!

This holiday season, I've bought a lot of books to give as gifts. When I stopped at my local indie bookstore last week, I pre-ordered copies of Linda Williams Jackson's upcoming Midnight Without A Moon. Linda and I know each other from my early days in the blogging community, and I was thrilled when I first heard about the book. After reading an advanced copy, I knew it was something special that I wanted to share with people.

It comes out on January 3rd, just three weeks from now! Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a copy~ I'll choose a winner on 12/19 (if your email address is not attached to your profile, please include it in your comment). UPDATE: The winner is.... Caryn Caldwell! Congratulations, Caryn, it's a special book. Thank you to all who entered~ I hope you all get the chance to read this once it comes out in January!

Here's a summary (my review is below that):

It’s Mississippi in the summer of 1955, and Rose Lee Carter can’t wait to move north. But for now, she’s living with her sharecropper grandparents on a white man’s cotton plantation. 

     

Then, one town over, an African American boy, Emmett Till, is killed for allegedly whistling at a white woman. When Till’s murderers are unjustly acquitted, Rose realizes that the South needs a change . . . and that she should be part of the movement.  

     

Linda Jackson’s moving debut seamlessly blends a fictional portrait of an African American family and factual events from a famous trial that provoked change in race relations in the United States.

My review:

This is the powerful story of Rose Lee Carter and her journey to find strength and purpose in a Jim Crow South on the verge of changes, set against fourteen-year-old Emmett Till's murder and trial (among other tragic, bigoted crimes). Vividly drawn characters and scene-setting will put readers right there with Rose, bursting with anger and sadness about the injustices she witnesses and endures, and struggling to make a decision about whether to seek a destiny outside of Mississippi, or to stay and be part of an important movement.

This book has it all from the first page~ setting, voice, character, heart, senses. Linda Williams Jackson's debut is just what Sharon G. Flake said in the blurb on the back of the ARC I read: "... an unflinching bird's eye view of 1955 Mississippi. A magnificent piece of writing!"

Bio courtesy of Linda's website: http://lindajacksonwrites.blogspot.com/
Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta in the teeny-tiny town of Rosedale , Linda Williams Jackson likes to spin stories about everyday people in small-town settings. Though she has lived in a few other states (Alabama, Missouri, and Kansas), Linda currently makes her home in a not-so-small city in Mississippi with her husband and three children.

While a degree in Math and Computer Science from the University of Alabama allowed her to enjoy careers in Information Technology, Linda now prefers manipulating words rather than numbers and symbols. Besides her debut middle-grade novel Midnight Without a Moon from HMH Books for Young Readers (January 3, 2017), Linda is published in multiple Chicken Soup for the Soul titles and has written reading assessment passages for various educational publishers.

Book Spotlight & Giveaway~THE STORY WEAVER: PENELOPE'S PERILS

A photograph from The Story Weaver

Hello Everyone!

I've been busy lately with a big move from Colorado to Pennsylvania and haven't been blogging at all~ I'm so pleased to return to posting by featuring a new book by a dear friend, Adriana Carlson.

"Co-authored" by a mischievous sprite named Harrier Bogbean, The Story Weaver: Penelope's Perils is the first in a trilogy. The plot and characters are wonderful, the novel's voice is engaging, and the inclusion of original photographs (taken by the author herself!) makes this a great choice for lovers of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

Adriana was kind enough to let me ask her a few questions (the interview is below)~ just leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a copy of the book. I'll choose a winner on December 11th. UPDATE: The winner is Amy! Congratulations, Amy~ please email me your address and I'll get the book mailed to you.

Here's a summary (my apologies for any formatting issues):

1926- Edinburgh, Scotland:
Penelope Collins and her father are the only ones who remember the folk and fairy tales of the world. Penelope's never met her mother, but she's always felt her presence. Lonely Penelope’s life changes for adventure after a vindictive teacher expels her for telling her schoolmates the tales she knows. Fleeing from her soulless school, she returns home. An enchanted fox appears that night to tell her a wondrous truth: her mother is alive, and creates the tales forgotten by the world on a hidden isle just across the sea, but her mother's in danger and won't Penelope come to help?

Like Prometheus bringing fire to earth, Penelope must travel to the isle and bring the tales she loves back to the Realm of Men. Terrors lurk at each encounter with the fairy and folk tale inhabitants of the isle, none of whom are left the way Penelope remembers their stories ending. A rogue sprite follows her journey and photographs her quest to find the Hob King, the cursed leader of the hobs, who kidnapped her mother. The Hob King will do anything to change his story – even if it means resurrecting the ancient god of chaos to stop Penelope.

Now it’s up to quiet, lonely Penelope to save her mother, save the stories, and save the world from looming destruction. The Story Weaver: Penelope’s Perils combines the ancient myths of Mesopotamia and the fairy tales of Northern Europe. It is illustrated with over 40 photos to create a photographic trilogy.

~AUTHOR INTERVIEW~

What were your favorite books as a child?

I always loved anything fantasy with historical elements: Five Children and It, The Castle in the Attic, Mary Poppins, and of course The Chronicles of Narnia.

What was your inspiration for this story?

I've always loved both mythology and fairytales. I was inspired by the lesser known folktales from the Northern European countries. I liked creating a world where ancient mythology was the history behind fairytales and folktales.

Queen Aschenputtel from The Story Weaver

You're a photographer as well as a writer and the book features photographs you took yourself~ what were both the benefits and challenges of integrating your visual creativity into this book? 

The benefit is creating something that hasn't been done much. When I tell people that the book is a photographic novel then they are instantly intrigued. The down side of photographically illustrating the book is how long it takes! My photo shoots depend on so much that I don't have control of: people's schedules, weather, time of day, finding a babysitter... It can be a lot to juggle! But I'm so glad I did it this way, and I'm having even more fun finishing up the second and third book!

~~

I agree with Adriana~ the photographs add so much. Again, just leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway!

About the Author: Adriana Carlson lives in the shadow of a mountain with her husband, three magical creatures, and a dog and cat. She knows the world is full of wonder, there are elves in the woods, and magic is everywhere.

Links
Adriana Carlson- Author Website

The Story Weaver on Amazon

GIVEAWAY #2 of Tara Dairman's STARS SO SWEET!

Folks, it's JULY~ that means Tara Dairman's STARS SO SWEET, 3rd book in the delicious MG foodie series starring Gladys Gatsby, will be hitting shelves in just 18 more days, on July 19th!

I recently gushed about the book in this post and I'm doing one more ARC giveaway to drum up excitement for the release. So if you'd like to get your hands, eyes, and heart on this glorious book before the rest of the world, just leave a comment.

I'll choose a winner from the comments on July 6th and mail it out right away! UPDATE: THE WINNER IS ... ANDREA MACK! Congratulations, Andrea~ please email me your address (jessicaselawson(at)gmailcom) and I'll get it mailed!

Best of luck in the giveaway~ here's a summary:

As the summer winds down and Gladys Gatsby prepares to start middle school, she is nervous about juggling schoolwork and looming deadlines from her secret job as the New York Standard’s youngest restaurant critic. When her editor pushes for a face-to-face meeting to discuss more opportunities with the paper, Gladys knows she must finally come clean to her parents. But her perfectly planned reveal is put on hold when her parents arrive home with a surprise:  her Aunt Lydia, one of the only adults who knows her secret, fresh off the plane from Paris. Gladys and Aunt Lydia try one last ruse to fool her editor at the Standard, but even with her aunt’s help, Gladys just can’t manage the drama of middle school and a secret life. It’s time for Gladys to be true to herself and honest with her friends and family, regardless of what those around her think.

Release Day~ Waiting for Augusta

It's Pub Day!

WAITING FOR AUGUSTA is officially in the world. This quirky book has been a part of my life for several years now.

It's part journey of a young boy to find out how to stand up for his own beliefs, part tribute to father-son relationships, part tribute to my golfer hubby, and part adventures in chicken-battling/train-hopping/truck-stealing/barbecue-eating/breaking-and-entering. All kinds of fun and tough stuff.

I hope you like it.

If you feel like entering to win a copy, I'll be at the following blogs over the next couple of weeks~ you can leave a comment on the posts to enter:

May 14: Leandra Wallace's blog

May 16: Literary Rambles (this post will include an interview with my agent and a query critique giveaway!)

TBD: Becky Wallace's blog

Best of luck if you enter any of the giveaways! Here's a summary of the book:

Eleven-year-old Benjamin Putter has a lump in his throat, and he’s certain it’s a golf ball. He knows it sounds crazy, but everything’s been topsy-turvy since his father died last month. And he doesn’t know how to fix it.

Then, one day, something starts tugging at Ben, telling him to hurry to Augusta, Georgia—home of the Sistine Chapel of golf courses.

Ben might be going a little crazy, but escaping Hilltop, Alabama, sounds like a darn good idea. (And just maybe it will make that lump go away.) As he makes his way to Augusta, Ben partners up with a mysterious runaway named Noni, and they embark on a journey full of surprises—and possibly magic—at every turn.

And here are a few review snippets:

Colorful, quirky, and full of heart, with an ending readers won’t forget.”

– Ingrid Law, Newbery Honor-winning author of Savvy, Scumble, and Switch

"A whimsical, heartwarming, multilayered story about finding grace enough to accept the flaws in those we love and courage enough to act from our most deeply held beliefs."

– Kirkus Reviews

"This moving and emotional coming-of-age story tackles themes of racism, friendship, and growing up. . . . An absorbing work of historical fiction."

– School Library Journal

STARS SO SWEET~ Review and ARC Giveaway!

Friends, I've got a delicious treat for you today. The third book in Tara Dairman's middle grade Gladys Gatsby series will be out this July, and I managed to get my hands on TWO advanced copies! I'll give one away this week and one in early June. Just leave a comment to enter and I'll choose a winner next Friday, April 29. UPDATE: The winner is.... Mrs. Kirchner! Congrats, Mrs. Kirchner, please email me a good mailing address at: jessicaselawson{at]gmail[dot]com


I cannot say enough about the delightful Gladys or her growth over the three books that started with the Crystal Kite Award winner All Four Stars and continued with the equally hilarious and yummy The Stars of Summer. I fell so in love with this young foodie and her adventures that I'm holding out for another book after this one.

Tara Dairman is extremely well-traveled (check out her 2 year, 74-country honeymoon HERE) and has sampled local cuisine all over the world~ who better to write the chronicles of a middle grade foodie than an author who loves food and knows first-hand the way it connects people. Her blog even features recipes from the first book.

I'm lucky enough to be able to claim her as a critique partner and cannot wait to get my hardcover of STARS SO SWEET. Tara recently shared some exciting news~ all three books will be available on Audiobook! Release dates for those are May 10 (All Four Stars), June 10 (The Stars of Summer), and July 19 (Stars so Sweet).

Once again, I'll do a seven-word highlight review of the things this book does incredibly well.

Highlights of STARS SO SWEET: Characters, Humor, Heart, Mouthwatering Food Descriptions, Friendships, School Setting, and.... Chapter Titles (seriously, these are so fantastic)!

Here's a summary of STARS SO SWEET:

As the summer winds down and Gladys Gatsby prepares to start middle school, she is nervous about juggling schoolwork and looming deadlines from her secret job as the New York Standard’s youngest restaurant critic. When her editor pushes for a face-to-face meeting to discuss more opportunities with the paper, Gladys knows she must finally come clean to her parents. But her perfectly planned reveal is put on hold when her parents arrive home with a surprise:  her Aunt Lydia, one of the only adults who knows her secret, fresh off the plane from Paris. Gladys and Aunt Lydia try one last ruse to fool her editor at the Standard, but even with her aunt’s help, Gladys just can’t manage the drama of middle school and a secret life. It’s time for Gladys to be true to herself and honest with her friends and family, regardless of what those around her think.

Before I end this post, I thought I'd give you an idea of how long I've been a fan of this series. Here's a picture of my youngest with ALL FOUR STARS at a a local bookstore...

And here she is proudly holding Book #3!













Best of luck in the giveaway!

Tara Dairman's Website
Tara Dairman on Twitter
Tara Dairman on Facebook

Tara Dairman on Instagram