tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84679062967985759732024-03-05T18:54:50.687-06:00YA SleuthNews from middle-grade mystery author Fleur Bradley. Also, book reviews and cat pictures...YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.comBlogger705125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-58974818700514186682022-04-19T09:10:00.000-05:002022-04-20T08:27:39.146-05:00April 2022 News (or: on reading slumps and lots of editing...)<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; color: black; max-width: 600px !important; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td id="templateHeader" style="background: none center center / cover no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">April snuck up on me like a thief in the night! I’ve been so busy writing, editing, and coming up with ideas for <em>Daybreak on Raven Island</em>’s book launch (in August!) that I didn’t even realize March was over. Phew! I’m not much of a winter person, as pretty as the snow is. And April means we’re getting closer to outside activities, so I’m excited about that.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td id="templateBody" style="background: none center center / cover no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(234, 234, 234); border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"></td></tr><tr><td id="templateFooter" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/5f05610b15ecda9c6e48c67f4/images/42dbaaf1-198b-1cea-5ca4-ad9e7dbd5379.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 1080px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><span style="font-size: 14px;">My lovely Rocky Mountain SCBWI calendar.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><div><br /><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;"><strong>On Reaching Reluctant Readers</strong></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Recently, I found myself in a bit of a reading slump. Books by my favorite authors just weren’t doing it either, which made me realize it was me, not the book. I just needed a change of scenery.<br /><br />Reluctant readers can be like this too. And as I’ve talked about here (and there, and everywhere) before, <strong>I’m a reluctant reader</strong>. It’s not as bad as it once was, but I still find myself hesitant to pick up a book with a fat spine, tiny print, or lots of dense paragraphs (usually of interior monologue that I believe would be better if it were action and/or dialogue).<br /><br />So what does a reader do when in a slump? I found myself drawn to non-fiction. To novels in verse, poetry. Biographies. Or just a little less reading altogether. That’s okay, I must remind myself. There’s a season for everything, and April in Colorado is still winter. Even on the reading front, it’s okay to have a lesser month of sorts.<br /><br />As for your reluctant reader, it’s important to remember that <strong>ANY READING COUNTS</strong>. It keeps the brain moving, which helps with lots of other subjects (in school or life) too. So if you have a reluctant reader at home or in your classroom (my amazing teacher and home schooling friends!), don’t worry if they’re not reading fiction. Non-fiction can be just as beneficial (and great to learn new things!). Or poetry. Maybe even encourage your reader to write their own…<br /><br /><strong>That’s my reluctant reader tip for the month: any reading counts!</strong><br /><br />This last bit of winter here in Colorado, I take my own advice.</span></span></span><br /> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/5f05610b15ecda9c6e48c67f4/images/d5f4066d-2fd5-aac0-2c5d-59b0e6e766fe.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 1080px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><div><br /><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><strong>What I'm Up To </strong></span></span></span><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">April is all about revision for me—I’m a bear in hibernation, kind of. It’s hard work, but also great to see the story get better with each draft.<br /><br />I’m still tinkering on my top-secret middle-grade mystery, plus next up this month: last revisions on my YA mystery before it can go back to my agent, and hopefully out into publishing submission land. Exciting and a little terrifying, because this idea has been bouncing around my head for at least a dozen years... It’ll be nice to say I finished the manuscript for sure, whatever happens to it once it leaves my writing studio.<br /><br />In the meantime, I’ve also been enjoying restoring a few old typewriters I had mostly been using as décor; I’m proud to say I can type a real life letter, on paper, now. But first, I’ll need to get my finger strength back—typing on a typewriter is no joke.<br /><br />I’m also looking forward to getting more time outside. I’ve been enjoying putting plants all over the house, but we’re running the risk of jungle status now… Time to get my green thumb on in the yard, where possible here on the western plains.</span></span></span><br /> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/5f05610b15ecda9c6e48c67f4/images/7c99cdd7-93a2-8c72-846c-5ca21ca897ad.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 1080px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"> <div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><strong>Where to Find Me</strong></span></span></span><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black;">I’m going out into the world again, to see people! In person, and also virtual. It’s so exciting… Here’s where to find me in the next few weeks:<br /> <br /><strong>April 23<sup>rd</sup>, 2022:</strong> </span><a href="https://www.twjbookshop.com/events/educator-appreciation-night" style="color: #656565; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: black;">Wandering Jellyfish Bookstore Educator Night</span></a><span style="color: black;">, in Niwot, CO<br /><strong>April 24<sup>th</sup>, 2022:</strong> Moderator for Best YA Edgars Panel (virtual), </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mwanational" style="color: #656565; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: black;">MWA Facebook page</span></a><br /><span style="color: black;"><strong>May 13<sup>th</sup>, 2022: </strong>StokerCon </span><a href="https://www.stokercon.com/librarian-s-day" style="color: #656565; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: black;">Librarian Day</span></a><span style="color: black;">, Denver, CO<br /><strong>May 14<sup>th</sup>, 2022:</strong> StokerCon Horror University: </span><a href="https://horror-university.teachable.com/p/kidlit-101-understanding-the-children-s-fiction-market" style="color: #656565; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: black;">Kidlit 101</span></a><span style="color: black;"> (where I talk all about the children’s fiction writing market), Denver, CO</span></span><br /><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br /> </div><div><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 20px;">Daybreak on Raven Island</span></em></strong></span></span><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I’m starting to work on dates for appearances for the <strong>launch of <em>Daybreak on Raven Island</em></strong>! I’ll be going places in-person like so many writer friends, which I’m sure we’re all excited about.<br /><br />I am also working on pre-order promotion, and maybe even a street team of sorts… Stay tuned this summer for updates.<br /><br />I’m so proud of and excited for this ghostly, Alcatraz-inspired mystery, I can’t wait for everyone to read it.</span></span></span><br /> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/5f05610b15ecda9c6e48c67f4/images/4851444f-cfbf-98cb-c397-bb7de74c375e.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 1080px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><div> </div><div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Your Monthly Cat Picture</strong></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Floof is supervising my edits. That stare means business...</span></span></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/5f05610b15ecda9c6e48c67f4/images/75c45b1b-4402-88b8-034c-9fe4291e195e.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; height: auto; max-width: 1178px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Want to get your hands on <em>Daybreak on Raven Island</em> the minute it comes out…? </strong></span><a href="https://bit.ly/NjzwPI" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">You can preorder your copy now</span></a><span style="color: black;">; I will be eternally grateful because preorders help an author <em>soooo</em> much…<br /> <br />Haven’t read <em>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel</em> yet…? <a href="https://bit.ly/2cudTI0" target="_blank">It’s out in paperback </a>and has a sample chapter of <em>Daybreak on Raven Island</em> in the back…</span></span></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/5f05610b15ecda9c6e48c67f4/images/24b4f911-1aac-7218-5bf7-53f2af6799e4.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; height: auto; max-width: 1080px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-66895526403428362332022-04-19T09:04:00.002-05:002022-04-19T09:04:27.926-05:00March 2022 News (Or: on choice for reluctant readers, and good news for the Barclay Hotel)<p> <strong style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #656565; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">On Reaching Reluctant Readers</strong></p><div style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><br /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBW3wuHsfH77pB641_x1UEh6BfPEha5ls_-JnIr3a_aZzgwjNy9FlpmO4K_FGbKZ2d6l7YjmXmtbgqyBhTye811MrcyZFFu6wk-Yl9ZhwyAKHXo98LXq4GISkw5nN-vJV0krZp-qFer6C0CHrECYJsl0iSshItkRWB1EiwCaYfMuQ23jTd0Dlq1c1D" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBW3wuHsfH77pB641_x1UEh6BfPEha5ls_-JnIr3a_aZzgwjNy9FlpmO4K_FGbKZ2d6l7YjmXmtbgqyBhTye811MrcyZFFu6wk-Yl9ZhwyAKHXo98LXq4GISkw5nN-vJV0krZp-qFer6C0CHrECYJsl0iSshItkRWB1EiwCaYfMuQ23jTd0Dlq1c1D" width="235" /></a></div><br />Last month was all about talking to educators and librarians for me—and it’s my favorite thing to do. I talk about reaching reluctant readers, which is a topic close to my heart.<br /><br /><strong>Because I’m a reluctant reader</strong>. If you show me a book with a chunky spine, I’m thinking that I probably won’t read it, or I may just skip over some parts. Maybe I’m impatient, or maybe I’m just like so many other readers like me.<br /><br />Whatever the reason, it’s so very important to reach reluctant readers and keep them reading. I can throw a whole bunch of statistics your way (as a former accountant, I like numbers), but just one big one is this:<br /><br />53% of 4th graders read recreationally “almost every day,” while only 20% of 8th graders. (source: dosomething.org)<br /><br />So <strong>we’re losing more than half of those kids who read for fun in 4th grade by the time they reach high school</strong>. That’s bad, because reading is vital to success in just about everything, from math, to college, to plain graduating high school so you can get a job.<br /><br />It’s why I love doing my talk for educators and librarians on reaching reluctant readers. Librarians and teachers are at the front line of making sure kids don’t end up on the wrong side of the statistics.<br /><br /><strong>Here’s the best place to start: choice</strong>. As adults, we don’t always realize how little control kids have over what they do, wear, eat, see and read every day. And during these Covid-19 impacted years, choice has become even more scarce for kids and teens.<br /><br />So here’s a simple thing you can do: take your reluctant reader to the bookstore or library (it’s free!). Then tell them: <em>you can pick anything you want to read.</em><br /><br />Because here’s the big secret: <strong>all reading counts</strong>. It doesn’t matter if it’s the back of a cereal box, a book with hideous pictures of the Guinness Book of World Records or <em>Ripley’s Believe It or Not</em> (my daughter’s favorite when she was young), or a magazine or whatever… All reading gets this magic stuff to happen in a kid’s brain that makes them better at EVERYTHING. Including math.<br /><br />I know, it’s amazing. So start with choice. It’s fun too, to see wat your reluctant reader chooses. Maybe you can even read a book together.<br /> </span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Off my soapbox now, and on to <strong>what I’m doing in March</strong>…</span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><strong>Good News</strong></span></span><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-N0DaPzZ7y8JRNxCcDUzVVtluyKZvwglwAANwyyDB77f-5EMoO3B8PHnAF8yJustsDSNaBlZ7MuDbtgDBtuRtyx6GqMme6Uc_jNiuS9e1uZHtPEQb48VWX8h4huz5bM829LKyQNgoQzWWmqF2DihIW3gY3Amr5Nn_A0HQggFOkq4vlVKhpr1nVj87" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="141" data-original-width="147" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-N0DaPzZ7y8JRNxCcDUzVVtluyKZvwglwAANwyyDB77f-5EMoO3B8PHnAF8yJustsDSNaBlZ7MuDbtgDBtuRtyx6GqMme6Uc_jNiuS9e1uZHtPEQb48VWX8h4huz5bM829LKyQNgoQzWWmqF2DihIW3gY3Amr5Nn_A0HQggFOkq4vlVKhpr1nVj87" width="250" /></a></div><br />There was more good news for <em>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel</em> this past week: the sales numbers are (much, much) better than expected—so thank you! Never in my wildest dream did I think my love for mystery wrapped in a fictional hotel would be such a success. I owe it to all of you who have been spreading the word and putting the book in classrooms and kids’ hands. <strong>Thank you.</strong><br /><br /><em>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel</em> also made the shortlist for the (Texas) Horned Toad Tale Award, which means lots more kids will be reading the book. I feel so fortunate for the support from teachers and librarians.<br /><br /><strong>In short story news</strong>: my story set in the Stanley Hotel called <em>Tag, You’re It</em> was accepted for the Haunted States of America SCBWI anthology. More news on publication dates, etc. soon…</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>What I’m Writing</strong></span></span><br /> </div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">It’s editing time here in Fleur’s writing studio. Editing is hard work, so I’m setting up a nice corner (with snack bowl and seat for Luna the Floof) and playing some snappy music. I hope to finish edits on a YA mystery I’ve been working on, as well as a middle-grade spooky mystery. Wish me luck…</span></span><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Daybreak on Raven Island</strong></span></span></em></div><div><br /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWfrRqclQfKrAWUAJ32erefZGdnSJbsew7N5Gy3Ww7PX90gGGrm9nTLUQgz5Vq7RJvRlkv1ZjPL9Ub3Rl27HHl1XeXNlL_3-b7PMxiNV9cEZovQsRYokP8qBpUFwHsQhbkcLlUJNtzWOD6ZzEqyKmBqAmH4Q0X8mPrbujjMacc8pAaeAXPkpL3EOt/s1780/small-DaybreakRavenIsland%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1780" data-original-width="1178" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWfrRqclQfKrAWUAJ32erefZGdnSJbsew7N5Gy3Ww7PX90gGGrm9nTLUQgz5Vq7RJvRlkv1ZjPL9Ub3Rl27HHl1XeXNlL_3-b7PMxiNV9cEZovQsRYokP8qBpUFwHsQhbkcLlUJNtzWOD6ZzEqyKmBqAmH4Q0X8mPrbujjMacc8pAaeAXPkpL3EOt/s320/small-DaybreakRavenIsland%20cover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />I’m also looking forward to the launch of <em>Daybreak on Raven Island</em>. I hope to do some in person signings; if you have a favorite bookstore you think I should visit, shoot me an email! And if you’re a reviewer on Edelweiss or NetGalley, I should have info on review copies in the next month or so.<br /><br />In the meantime, I hope you’ll consider <a href="https://t.co/b2jZAXwrYp" style="color: #656565; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">preordering <em>Daybreak on Raven Island</em> here</a>, so you can get it hot off the press on August 23<sup>rd</sup>…</span></span></div></div></div>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-11109959145520231522022-02-01T09:50:00.003-06:002022-02-09T14:04:35.743-06:00February Newsletter: Doing Something Nice Every Day<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #757575; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bit.ly/2cgnTEF">This blog post is available as a newsletter: SIGN UP HERE...! </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It’s February! Today kind of snuck up on me, if I’m honest…<br />I had a productive and inspiring January month, and we even had some snow in Colorado. Snow means moisture here, which we need to ward off those scary fires. Plus, it’s an excuse to have a cup of tea or cocoa by the fireplace—with a good book, of course.<br /> <br />January always has me looking ahead at the year, thinking of what I might want to accomplish. And this time, I want my year to be more than just a list of checked-off tasks, words written, jobs completed. I decided that I’m going to do something nice for someone else every day. During a recent webinar I listened to, presenter Dan Blank called it <em>reaching out with a giving hand. </em>I really like that sentiment. So that’s what I set out to do, all of 2022.<br /> <br />It’s surprisingly easy to do something nice for someone else. You can send a kind message on Twitter or Facebook. You can post a review of someone’s book. You can reach out to a friend you haven’t seen in a while. You can write a letter (so much fun to drop that envelope in the mail!). You can let someone with three items behind you in line (versus your thirty things and all that chocolate<em>, ahem</em>, Fleur) go ahead of you.<br /> <br />The fulfillment of consciously doing one nice thing for someone else, every single day, is unexpectedly great. I’m finding myself being more grateful for what I have. I’m making new friends, and am reconnecting with ones who’ve drifted away in Covid isolation times.<br /> <br />I highly recommend it, this one-nice-thing-for-someone-else daily goal. And what’s nice: all these things are free, or just cost a postage stamp.<br /> <br />It’s especially good to counter the coming months, where I’ll be asking others for help. With my next book coming out, I am encouraging readers and educators to preorder <em>Daybreak on Raven Island</em>, or directing them to <em>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel</em>. But what if you can’t afford to buy books right now, or just not all of them?</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/5f05610b15ecda9c6e48c67f4/images/e39b389d-3975-a003-e69b-2ffc132c60f6.png" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 800px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #757575; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><br />I made a handy dandy graphic to show free ways you can help an author—and it doesn’t have to be to help me! But I’ve been so very fortunate to have lots of support for my books, and I want other authors to feel just as lucky. So I’m paying it forward.<br /> <br />And on that note: I should review some books I’ve enjoyed…<br /> </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/5f05610b15ecda9c6e48c67f4/images/fddc568d-cd3f-5acb-8897-36c9e5142963.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 1536px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #757575; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564">A quick addition to brighten your day (it certainly made mine!): with her mom’s permission, here is Grace, dressed up as Penny from Midnight at the Barclay Hotel for Literacy Week at her school.<br />Doesn’t she look amazing?<br /><br /><strong>Where to Find Fleur</strong><br />Here in Colorado, we’re carefully dipping our toes into having in-person events again. It’s exciting, although I should probably check to see if I still have pants that fit…<br /><br /><strong>This is where you can find me in February:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Feb. 2, 2022:</strong><br /><strong><a href="https://www.litworld.org/worldreadaloudday" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">World Read Aloud Day</a></strong> <br />(virtual)<br /> <br /><strong></strong><strong>Feb. 3, 2022, 6 </strong><strong>PM MST</strong><br /><strong><a href="https://www.tatteredcover.com/event/heather-mateus-sappenfield-fleur-bradley-live-aspen-grove" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Tattered Cover Aspen Grove, CO</a></strong><br />in conversation with MG author Heather Sappenfield; signing <em>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel (</em>in person)<br /> <br /><strong>Feb. 10-11, 2022</strong><br /><a href="https://www.ccira.org/" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank"><strong>CCIRA</strong></a>, Littleton, CO<br />SCBWI panel - Feb 10 at 11 AM<br />SCBWI table in conference hall - Feb 11 at 12 PM (in person)<br /> </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/5f05610b15ecda9c6e48c67f4/images/b7906617-c0df-e8da-6a58-d46554129720.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 406px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="406" /></td></tr><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #757575; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><br /><strong>What I’m Writing</strong><br /><br />I finished what is (hopefully) a good first draft of a YA mystery at the end of 2021. This story had been bouncing around my brain, so it felt good to complete it. Now, I’ll probably be editing this YA mystery next month.<br /><br /><em>Daybreak on Raven Island</em> is moving toward the final stages, which means I get to plan the book launch! It’s a bit like planning a birthday party or a wedding, so I’m hard at work on scheduling fun events, online and in person. Stay tuned…<br /><br />I’m also writing the first draft of a brand new (top secret!) spooky middle-grade mystery and having a blast. This part of the writing is always a lot of fun, especially during winter. I will keep you posted on that!<br /> </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/5f05610b15ecda9c6e48c67f4/_compresseds/371e9edb-068e-f848-4de5-9f9c46510847.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 2704px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #757575; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><br /><strong>Your Monthly Cat Picture</strong><br /><br />If you know me a little, you probably know that I’m a bit of a nutty cat lady. So I’ll end this newsletter with a picture of Luna, A.K.A. the Floof. She keeps me working.<br /><br /><a href="https://bit.ly/2cgnTEF" style="text-align: center;">This blog post is available as a newsletter: SIGN UP HERE...! </a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-26245010925908082342021-08-03T10:00:00.000-05:002021-08-03T10:00:00.207-05:00August news: Reading, Writing, and Getting Back to Social Life. Sort Of...<p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xLE0Vp5mFCxwA5PA5Ug1xPwbzUek1aeNy0YBsqVZeLJbW7HLjyBC8G6HNGdYsY9vrzo0WeIpCXH-Hph4aT7rrxijEt4bTaDrS41Z1x_NsSWBHc74SKSNzh4ZTGHCIJ0fcU_VDBJtWqQ/s1640/banner.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xLE0Vp5mFCxwA5PA5Ug1xPwbzUek1aeNy0YBsqVZeLJbW7HLjyBC8G6HNGdYsY9vrzo0WeIpCXH-Hph4aT7rrxijEt4bTaDrS41Z1x_NsSWBHc74SKSNzh4ZTGHCIJ0fcU_VDBJtWqQ/w400-h225/banner.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />It's August! That means I'm at that point in summer where I complain a lot about the heat and air quality, and about not being able to cook in the house without sweating. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But August also means back to school, which I think we're all a bit weary of. I actually jumped and felt my heartrate rise as I passed the back-to-school section last month... </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's face it: this whole online schooling, Zooming, and hybrid-or-something learning has been hard on kids and teachers. And although I no longer have kids at this stage, I empathize with all of you who are carrying the weight of Covid... I hope this upcoming school year is a bit calmer for everyone. I look forward to doing lots of school visits again; I did over a hundred this past school year (!!). If you're an educator and want to invite me for a (virtual or in-person) author visit, <a href="http://www.ftbradley.com/author-visits.html" target="_blank">you can find more info here.</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAXm7F3LI6LuHN0sLCcQc77qcjy70ZDg_kQVnOtY4Afy0WzJ-a_cb6vOwXVfmVQc76hW8RDHpso-9bMeXhoF6R1NtKJTfHU5OE4SYEhxFmrfEFtbFgV-YTS2f0jgRvxkpq_-ELgAma_I/s818/Gold+Winner+Sticker.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="818" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAXm7F3LI6LuHN0sLCcQc77qcjy70ZDg_kQVnOtY4Afy0WzJ-a_cb6vOwXVfmVQc76hW8RDHpso-9bMeXhoF6R1NtKJTfHU5OE4SYEhxFmrfEFtbFgV-YTS2f0jgRvxkpq_-ELgAma_I/w200-h188/Gold+Winner+Sticker.png" width="200" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br />For some good news:</b> <i>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel</i> won the <a href="https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/colorado-book-awards/" target="_blank">Colorado Book Award</a>! I'm so humbled and proud, and most of all thankful to Colorado Humanities for the honor. <i>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel</i> is going strong (huzzah!) in sales and recognition even a year after publication, and it's out in paperback this month. So if you haven't gotten a copy yet, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/19343/9780593202913" target="_blank">now is your chance to snag one at a bargain price.</a></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">To promote the book, I'll be roaming around Colorado in August, mostly at virtual events but some in person:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Aug. 7-9</b>: <a href="https://www.middlegroundbookfest.com/" target="_blank">Middleground Bookfest</a>, panel on MG mysteries on Aug. 8th. (virtual and free)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Aug. 18</b>: <a href="https://sistersincrimecolorado.org/" target="_blank">Sisters in Crime Colorado Book club</a> (virtual) </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Aug. 25-29</b>: <a href="https://www.bouchercon2021.com/" target="_blank">Bouchercon</a>, New Orleans, LA</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Aug 27</b>: <a href="https://rmc.scbwi.org/events/colorado-springs-connect-speaker-event/" target="_blank">SCBWI Colorado Springs</a> meet (in-person, members only) </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">More events to come in September and October!</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgD7XLQnzB4fyl2M2GCm4lh_bbyK73su5xauP_l6Fb4u1MZOxqEDDjNCeARmuFWF7OujFjrtFGhGjKPrNB-PlJFO-rk8vs5THCz6IXE6k1Az923_vPIpi2Wn0JMDlR4xgapVbjK4gd9QI/s293/King+%2526Kayla.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgD7XLQnzB4fyl2M2GCm4lh_bbyK73su5xauP_l6Fb4u1MZOxqEDDjNCeARmuFWF7OujFjrtFGhGjKPrNB-PlJFO-rk8vs5THCz6IXE6k1Az923_vPIpi2Wn0JMDlR4xgapVbjK4gd9QI/w137-h200/King+%2526Kayla.webp" width="137" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />What I'm reading in Young Readers:</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I've loved Dori Butler's mysteries for kids for a very long time now. Her Haunted Library books are just the perfect chapter book series; King and Kayla is a great series to check out if you're looking for early chapter books in mystery (which are hard to find). Book #7, <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/19343/9781682632079" target="_blank">King and Kayla and the Case of the Gold Ring</a></i> is out now.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What I'm reading in MG: </span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoifG4WLgFTnNECYbNpw9kiUVQDLKnxZmp0sY3QRcHeA2CaCxWRNEeV8lHjNTCoirHgNN_09LV-Z7dXcoVqu_2jY5MncIEl82caH_3qRYnn3EKeVn7Es3Ai_HelRfXA-m6WFHVFzU8aI/s648/Myrtle.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="431" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoifG4WLgFTnNECYbNpw9kiUVQDLKnxZmp0sY3QRcHeA2CaCxWRNEeV8lHjNTCoirHgNN_09LV-Z7dXcoVqu_2jY5MncIEl82caH_3qRYnn3EKeVn7Es3Ai_HelRfXA-m6WFHVFzU8aI/w133-h200/Myrtle.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />After we were on a panel together for the Agatha Award nominees for best YA/Juvenile, I finally discovered Elizabeth C. Bunce's <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/19343/9781616209186" target="_blank"><i>Premeditated Myrtle</i>.</a> It won the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile, and I can certainly see why, now that I'm deep into this series...</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a smart MG mystery; I'm moving on to <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/19343/9781616209193" target="_blank">How to Get Away with Myrtle </a></i>and having a blast reading. Elizabeth and I will be talking about her third book, <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/19343/9781616209209" target="_blank">Cold-Blooded Myrtle</a></i> virtually at <a href="https://www.murderbooks.com/Bunce-Bradley" target="_blank">Murder by the Book on October 5th, if you want to join</a> the MG mystery fun. she's a very entertaining speaker, so you don't want to miss this event!</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIXzDo6mKATK3OwedRSvjRFZTveCSAIkKAN7DhOkrBzxHlqokCsNvpiVn0KI5oLdBv-d9IfbcnwXUKlM8y1l_ZamunuYrb9nhvwtWpFV2C20GiIlCHpM7r6HXMcju7fjHmpiUnuvdLAI/s499/Ryan+Douglas.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIXzDo6mKATK3OwedRSvjRFZTveCSAIkKAN7DhOkrBzxHlqokCsNvpiVn0KI5oLdBv-d9IfbcnwXUKlM8y1l_ZamunuYrb9nhvwtWpFV2C20GiIlCHpM7r6HXMcju7fjHmpiUnuvdLAI/w133-h200/Ryan+Douglas.jpg" width="133" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />What I'm reading in YA:</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">My TBR pile in YA mysteries is resembling the Tower of Pisa right now, but I couldn't resist <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/19343/9781984812537" target="_blank">The Taking of Jake Livingston</a></i>. The cover had me take notice--nothing like a good spooky mystery to get me longing for those cooler October days leading up to Halloween.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What I'm writing:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm hard at work on my next middle-grade mystery, DAYBREAK ON RAVEN ISLAND. It's a little older reading-wise than <i>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel</i>, and a little spookier... Here's the quick summary:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC_sjFslsKb-N6UmGbE3No9znuqpAC0KceB544LFMuZQQQVUDhn1f9NH5tQ8DrhaVrUScZcQUFs47j9RcjrE0lW4ANMiWTn8xQZB8549VXJ7wVr2tAdpjuyYPhCNsJmUnk0KP5NpWv_c/s941/hitchcock.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC_sjFslsKb-N6UmGbE3No9znuqpAC0KceB544LFMuZQQQVUDhn1f9NH5tQ8DrhaVrUScZcQUFs47j9RcjrE0lW4ANMiWTn8xQZB8549VXJ7wVr2tAdpjuyYPhCNsJmUnk0KP5NpWv_c/w156-h200/hitchcock.jpg" width="156" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />When three kids miss the last ferry to get off Raven Island during a school field trip and are stuck on the island overnight, they must outrun a killer, a weird ghost hunting crew, and a creepy flock of birds--and solve a generations-old mystery--if they want to survive until daybreak. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It was a blast to write and now edit, and I can't wait to tell you more as we get closer to Summer 2022, when DAYBREAK ON RAVEN ISLAND is out in the world. I had to do lots of research into prisons (think Alcatraz), Alfred Hitchcock suspense, ghost hunting, and ravens. Get ready for me to talk your ear off about all that in 2022...</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuuMBTH1KNQv7o1-Hmra1uo0ZmFvWd-QIIGEDirUmiI9FOMmdbvdy_2QkqM-D8E-itqpj9M53mG9imsWllm800q-sfPG2p3jMF0e6FLjwWgx17Cm7Bx-3y1MfvfM91niLVmZMBKswiZM/s568/MG-Cookbook-Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="437" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuuMBTH1KNQv7o1-Hmra1uo0ZmFvWd-QIIGEDirUmiI9FOMmdbvdy_2QkqM-D8E-itqpj9M53mG9imsWllm800q-sfPG2p3jMF0e6FLjwWgx17Cm7Bx-3y1MfvfM91niLVmZMBKswiZM/w154-h200/MG-Cookbook-Cover.png" width="154" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />What I'm doing:</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In the meantime, I'm enjoying summer while glamping in our new camper. It's fun, and I'm even getting some writing in here and there. It's a new adventure for sure.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Also, I have a recipe in this fun middle-grade cookbook, which you can download for free! Mary Lanni and Julie DenOuden deserve all the kudos for putting this together. <a href="https://www.girlonthemoveblog.com/gotm-reads/middle-grade-cookbook/" target="_blank">You can download the book here...</a></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdx2K9sJ4_46v5y9ftWmCaFRrlclUXrORoqI6eu12rII_hiur2A9QdlxXCd8p6Gv6o-oBf7yX3BIHeLltewUgrt8D-HHGcbVLNFo7XJ_UJzSOnH06zziLpnRi_j3bR-Qus6EWj_lFH5A/s2048/Fleur+%2526+Chloe.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1603" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdx2K9sJ4_46v5y9ftWmCaFRrlclUXrORoqI6eu12rII_hiur2A9QdlxXCd8p6Gv6o-oBf7yX3BIHeLltewUgrt8D-HHGcbVLNFo7XJ_UJzSOnH06zziLpnRi_j3bR-Qus6EWj_lFH5A/w156-h200/Fleur+%2526+Chloe.jpg" width="156" /></a><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Next up:</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">More editing, and a bit of writing on a brand-new MG mystery, and a (top-secret!) YA mystery project. More on all that when I actually finish writing it... As you can see from this picture, my cat Chloe is on the case.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">And finally:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This blog post is actually a newsletter I'm sending to subscribers. If you<a href="https://mailchi.mp/f575306feac5/ya-sleuth" target="_blank"> sign up HERE</a>, you'll be entered to win a signed copy of <i>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel</i>..!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Everyone likes to be a winner, right? Mr. Barclay certainly thinks so...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-44273463025829150742021-07-23T18:06:00.004-05:002021-07-23T18:19:31.675-05:00Don't call it a comeback<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm still alive, I promise... I've just been spending more time on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and...</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMKO0fyrZujN3LRzf0PVzHxbgNoelp7G1OXOeKDUo6p-X6O7CKYtBKAuog5zrFktAK8qhpcXT-8UIrJGEszvpSSYbCk6_z7fUcbjSdeTcVv8B2hJr9-PSjM20d8fWqhIet7FZ6P2OVNQ/s500/Logo+pic+YA+Sleuth.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMKO0fyrZujN3LRzf0PVzHxbgNoelp7G1OXOeKDUo6p-X6O7CKYtBKAuog5zrFktAK8qhpcXT-8UIrJGEszvpSSYbCk6_z7fUcbjSdeTcVv8B2hJr9-PSjM20d8fWqhIet7FZ6P2OVNQ/w220-h220/Logo+pic+YA+Sleuth.png" width="220" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, I've been writing, which is a good thing. But I do miss hanging out here on the blog. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I'm back, slowly dipping my toes into the blog waters again. And I'll be checking out everyone else's blog.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned for more from me! </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And if you want to sign up for <a href="https://mailchi.mp/f575306feac5/ya-sleuth" target="_blank">updates from this blog, go here</a>...</span></p>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-2128494296755830642020-08-03T05:00:00.004-05:002020-08-25T08:21:50.796-05:00Follow along with the MIDNIGHT AT THE BARCLAY HOTEL blog tour!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm so excited for the Aug. 25th release if MIDNIGHT AT THE BARCLAY HOTEL...! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you want to join the fun, follow along with the blog tour (and giveaways) here:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aug. 3<sup>rd</sup>:
Book review at<font color="#2b00fe"> <a href="https://gpattridge.com/"><font color="#2b00fe">Always in the Middle</font></a></font><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aug. 11<sup>th</sup>:
An interview at <a href="https://mgbookvillage.org/blog/"><font color="#2b00fe">MG Bookvillage</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kwadzviJnTt2_7eGdkEDN8gt-tGEA9eXTBK0ZliComTIFYDQ_X9MI_E31HhC5oeQHaHxVEn71f_M_mpN_SoS309Ue3vv8Aps8bSaTTUrZolaD34gaouZ4WERTFolncdYK7KzypheYHE/s1600/High+res-Barclay+Hotel.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1059" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kwadzviJnTt2_7eGdkEDN8gt-tGEA9eXTBK0ZliComTIFYDQ_X9MI_E31HhC5oeQHaHxVEn71f_M_mpN_SoS309Ue3vv8Aps8bSaTTUrZolaD34gaouZ4WERTFolncdYK7KzypheYHE/s320/High+res-Barclay+Hotel.jpg" width="211" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aug 14<sup>th</sup>:
Book review at<font color="#2b00fe"> <a href="http://charlotteslibrary.blogspot.com/"><font color="#2b00fe">Charlotte’s
Library</font></a></font><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aug. 16<sup>th</sup>:
Guest post: Fleur talks about reaching reluctant readers at <a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/"><font color="#2b00fe">Unleashing Readers</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aug. 17<sup>th</sup>:
Review at <a href="https://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/"><font color="#2b00fe">Secret
Files of Fairday Morrow blog</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aug. 18<sup>th</sup>:
Review at <a href="https://middlegrademojo.com/"><font color="#2b00fe">MG Mojo</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aug. 19th.:
Interview and giveaway at <a href="https://fromthemixedupfiles.com/"><font color="#2b00fe">From the
Mixed-Up Files</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aug. 21<sup>st</sup>:
Book review at <a href="https://our-thoughts-precisely.blogspot.com/"><font color="#2b00fe">Our Thoughts
Precisely</font></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aug. 23<sup>rd</sup>:
Interview and giveaway at <a href="https://spookymiddlegrade.com/blog/"><font color="#2b00fe">Spooky
MG</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aug. 24<sup>th</sup>:
Interview at <a href="https://yabooknerd.blogspot.com/"><font color="#2b00fe">YA Booknerd</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/218325489597949/" target="_blank">Facebook Live Book Launch</a> on Aug. 25th!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Aug. 25<sup>th</sup>:
<a href="https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/fleur-bradley-finding-joy-in-the-writing-process"><font color="#2b00fe">Writer's Digest Author Spotlight</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sept. 4<sup>th</sup>
: Fleur talks about getting out of your comfort zone on <a href="http://www.kirbylarson.com/blog/"><font color="#2b00fe">Kirby Larson’s blog</font></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sept. 8<sup>th</sup>:
Fleur outlines how to develop a compelling MG concept at <a href="https://www.writersdigest.com/"><font color="#2b00fe">Writer's Diges</font>t</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-37005417954199774752020-07-21T10:05:00.000-05:002020-07-21T10:05:01.693-05:00Pre-order Midnight at the Barclay Hotel and get swag!<span style="font-size: large;">I'm tearing myself away from summer reading to share a pre-order promotion:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pre-order <i>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel</i> and get signed bookmarks, a signed bookplate, and a sticker...! Here's what you have to do:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG_Pn2hnt5i7p3c7OJKthhMKC6FRrLZYxYareMsTlR95-Qzb7NVE6-TNJTBmlwgI2ReblzblSAPJdjWsYOQJWquqb7SPrkGSxooW7rP7gahnp8H2dfjra8h22jz15YT3lreSH8Th_cgk/s1600/Pre-order+campaign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG_Pn2hnt5i7p3c7OJKthhMKC6FRrLZYxYareMsTlR95-Qzb7NVE6-TNJTBmlwgI2ReblzblSAPJdjWsYOQJWquqb7SPrkGSxooW7rP7gahnp8H2dfjra8h22jz15YT3lreSH8Th_cgk/s320/Pre-order+campaign.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Pre-order <i>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel</i> </b>from any retailer--that can be your local independent bookstore, or anywhere online. <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/625446/midnight-at-the-barclay-hotel-by-fleur-bradley-illustrated-by-xavier-bonet/9780593202906" target="_blank">Here's the link from my publisher Penguin/Random House, where there are buy buttons to pretty much everywhere; </a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Send a picture of your proof of purchase to Fleur@ftbradley.com, <b>along with your mailing address</b>;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">3. I'll send you this swag! Even to you international friends (check your preferred online retailer, or Book Depository if you're outside the U.S.)!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">**Ends Sept. 1, 2020, or when I run out of supplies...**</span><br />
<br />
<br />YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-34289807041473478652020-05-28T07:00:00.000-05:002020-05-28T07:00:05.505-05:00Middle-Grade Summer Reading Challenge<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf-gUm7t_LdgWv5nxAo3z6reOQu4DNGC99rncX_5PmvImybXVlgogDdHjejSKfkCDMSc32PF875ByM1Lmpk3WFquhquwcHkJrfw7QZpee7NdZSuXnBJ6fTJ4GUMnl__KolrbMsuy7tLc/s1600/Barclay+Hotel_jkt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1056" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf-gUm7t_LdgWv5nxAo3z6reOQu4DNGC99rncX_5PmvImybXVlgogDdHjejSKfkCDMSc32PF875ByM1Lmpk3WFquhquwcHkJrfw7QZpee7NdZSuXnBJ6fTJ4GUMnl__KolrbMsuy7tLc/s200/Barclay+Hotel_jkt.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">It’s
summer! Well, almost anyway. Here in Colorado, the weather is nice enough to
make me think I can plant a tree, so that counts as summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I had better things in mind for this
time of year (for those of you who know me, you’ll know I had heart surgery in
January), fun stuff that involved travel and even some early promotion of my upcoming
middle-grade novel <i>Midnight at the Barclay Hotel </i>(August 25<sup>th</sup>! <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/625446/midnight-at-the-barclay-hotel-by-fleur-bradley-illustrated-by-xavier-bonet/9780593202906" target="_blank">Mark your calendar! Pre-order!</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Alas, this is the year we all have to do
without something, and I am certainly not going to complain. Compared to the (high)
school grads, littles who miss their teachers, and all the other tragedy that
COVID-19 is bringing us this year, I have it pretty good. I’m still writing,
and have a beautiful Colorado to escape in when I feel too cooped up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPq06mkGyIP7PTK-FqaUhM4AfU0WUQcj4YfNCvPwE5-BCWqBdZcHw_ZhvLrEVAIEI5nS0p16AnclbBIN1oFMI37rST9_k_u7aJ1I4mZY_5LldIL-m7Yh0gyJaCYuCbfXK7HkoDbygwHg/s1600/Cryptid+Catcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPq06mkGyIP7PTK-FqaUhM4AfU0WUQcj4YfNCvPwE5-BCWqBdZcHw_ZhvLrEVAIEI5nS0p16AnclbBIN1oFMI37rST9_k_u7aJ1I4mZY_5LldIL-m7Yh0gyJaCYuCbfXK7HkoDbygwHg/s200/Cryptid+Catcher.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Still. I feel like if I don’t turn this
thing on its head and set out to make summer special, I might get a little
grumpy. So I decided to give myself a reading challenge, first of all, so I'd have some books for June and July. I went on
the Twitterz and asked for middle-grade book recommendation, and boy did I get
them! Thank you for those, internet friends. I added a few titles that were already
on my radar, and…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Presto! I have a MG summer reading list.
I ordered these books from my various indie bookstores in Colorado, so I’m also
supporting my favorite hangouts. It’s a win all around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">You can join me, create your own list,
or just follow along. I’ll be giving away these books by the end of summer, in
August sometime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Oh, and <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/625446/midnight-at-the-barclay-hotel-by-fleur-bradley-illustrated-by-xavier-bonet/9780593202906" target="_blank">pre-order Midnight at the Barclay Hotel…!</a> Please..?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sAdcrz8L7KvGmwWZh_A6_X7T8OSnLDnFnoFXz2OBktT5UaKsNgz1_sMU2II3rWkgQlEgauDy4uo7WlKeVAN5TchtbKTeHNVvQ8DYD-B3Dz7HsaS7SdiPaLaTIZnLkGvU_11X0rv0NBw/s1600/Paneer+Pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sAdcrz8L7KvGmwWZh_A6_X7T8OSnLDnFnoFXz2OBktT5UaKsNgz1_sMU2II3rWkgQlEgauDy4uo7WlKeVAN5TchtbKTeHNVvQ8DYD-B3Dz7HsaS7SdiPaLaTIZnLkGvU_11X0rv0NBw/s200/Paneer+Pie.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Here’s my book list:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The
One and Only Bob</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> by
Katherine Applegate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Ben
Braver and the Vortex of Doom </span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">by
Marcus Emerson <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The
Witches of Willow Cove</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">
by Josh Roberts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Pax</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> by Sara Pennypacker, Illustr. by Jon
Klassen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Ernestine,
Catastrophe Queen</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> by
Merrill Wyatt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The
Parker Inheritance</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> by
Varian Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">A
Home for Goddesses and Dogs</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">
by Leslie Connor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Keep
it Together, Keiko Carter</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">
by Debbi Michiko Florence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">American
As Paneer Pie</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> by Supriya
Kelkar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The
Girl Who Drank the Moon</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">
by Kelli Barnhill<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Stick
Dog</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> by Tom Watson,
Illustr. Ethan Long<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The Cryptid
Catcher</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> by Lija
Fisher<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Read
on, y’all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-61636149042221367942020-05-11T05:00:00.000-05:002020-05-11T05:00:10.443-05:00New Author Visit Information<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24TzrWWfX13WJ4Hlt6jy148yzVmR154brDAhRg8qme9ey8ex6sMfYICb_fZF89yi4Pt4jPprYGQmZG9_mk_9Bu_7mw-2dFxeEeHwbPB1MLOA6kMGwroAh9RXwHXwhK-dVoAW3l3iDA5U/s1600/Barclay+Hotel_jkt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1056" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24TzrWWfX13WJ4Hlt6jy148yzVmR154brDAhRg8qme9ey8ex6sMfYICb_fZF89yi4Pt4jPprYGQmZG9_mk_9Bu_7mw-2dFxeEeHwbPB1MLOA6kMGwroAh9RXwHXwhK-dVoAW3l3iDA5U/s200/Barclay+Hotel_jkt.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In case you landed here looking for author visit
information: I have <a href="http://www.ftbradley.com/author-visits.html" target="_blank">updated my website</a> due to COVID-19 restrictions. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">With the
release of <i><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/625446/midnight-at-the-barclay-hotel-by-fleur-bradley-illustrated-by-xavier-bonet/9780593202906" target="_blank">Midnight at the Barclay Hotel</a></i> in August, I'm getting
requests for the new school year already (very fun and exciting...) I miss doing author visits in person, but I've adapted my presentations to go virtual in the meantime.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can find <a href="http://www.ftbradley.com/author-visits.html" target="_blank">more information at this link;</a> I look forward to lots of Skype and Zoom visits for the 2020-2021 school year!</span></span></span></div>
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YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-62906670731630029522019-11-17T14:16:00.002-06:002019-11-17T14:16:17.697-06:00Breaking book news: Look for MIDNIGHT AT THE BARCLAY HOTEL in 2020..!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'm so excited that I can (finally) share this big news...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have a new middle-grade book coming out! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's called <i>Midnight at the Barclay Hote</i>l, and it'll be published by Viking (Penguin/Random House imprint); here's the official deal announcement:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPTD5AivdqKq7b87oRPRJT8qq_rK6Vwe1a92MGvD7xQkFnHm-Gf9C8iMguMbBg_yIvpA2WPoqoN0DXQj46RjB2fOyVGxBB2grySr3V7nUvEYTKKg6ZsbtMu5NjSSkMCVVnf874KCqRpM/s1600/Deal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="640" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPTD5AivdqKq7b87oRPRJT8qq_rK6Vwe1a92MGvD7xQkFnHm-Gf9C8iMguMbBg_yIvpA2WPoqoN0DXQj46RjB2fOyVGxBB2grySr3V7nUvEYTKKg6ZsbtMu5NjSSkMCVVnf874KCqRpM/s640/Deal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Pass the cake, guys!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-62221761444654247762019-11-04T03:00:00.000-06:002019-11-04T03:00:07.511-06:00#MMGM Review: SHINE! by JJ Grabenstein & Chris Grabenstein<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeD3XGhsalvuxa5mLwIKa5Jo1frLHMyN46LEo1ItuXcsmSzOeN2ab-igQ_pfsn37nwpESkFTq7OvvL8XtrFUDm5lCOjF1QPN1pEwXYU2KMhEgccdzd5kh8BeS7tzwwbfKNZ3K6L5xM2o/s1600/SHINE%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeD3XGhsalvuxa5mLwIKa5Jo1frLHMyN46LEo1ItuXcsmSzOeN2ab-igQ_pfsn37nwpESkFTq7OvvL8XtrFUDm5lCOjF1QPN1pEwXYU2KMhEgccdzd5kh8BeS7tzwwbfKNZ3K6L5xM2o/s400/SHINE%2521.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>From the Publisher:</b> </span><br />
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></b></b>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Everyone deserves to shine in this sparkling new book from the </b><b style="font-weight: bold;"><i style="font-style: italic;">New York Times</i></b><b style="font-weight: bold;"> bestselling author of </b><b style="font-weight: bold;"><i style="font-style: italic;">Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library</i></b><b style="font-weight: bold;">, Chris Grabenstein, and coauthor J.J. Grabenstein--just right for fans of </b><b style="font-weight: bold;"><i style="font-style: italic;">Word of Mouse </i></b><b style="font-weight: bold;">and </b><b style="font-weight: bold;"><i style="font-style: italic;">The Fourteenth Goldfish.</i></b><b style="font-weight: bold;"> </b></b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"</span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Who do you want to be?" asks Mr. Van Deusen. "And not when you grow up. Right here, right now." </i><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Shine on!</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> might be the catchphrase of twelve-year-old Piper's hero--astronaut, astronomer, and television host Nellie Dumont Frisse--but Piper knows the truth: some people are born to shine, and she's just not one of them. That fact has never been clearer than now, since her dad's new job has landed them both at Chumley Prep, a posh private school where </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">everyone</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> seems to be the best at something and where Piper</span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> definitely </i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">doesn't fit in. </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Bursting with humor, heart, science, possibilities, and big questions,</span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Shine!</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> is a story about finding your place in the universe--a story about figuring out who you are and who you want to be.</span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My thoughts: </span></b></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span id="freeTextreview2929272565" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; display: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I was really looking forward to reading SHINE!, and it did not disappoint. I loved Piper, the sweet message (while still providing plenty of depth in plot and character).<br /><br />I've been a big fan of Chris Grabenstein's work; I think SHINE! shows a new side to his writing. JJ Grabenstein clearly should have started writing long ago! Such a great book, one that gets it right on all levels: plot, character, setting, and theme.<br /><br />I could see SHINE! being a great classroom read, at-home read for a family, and perfect for all ages. Highly recommend.<br /><br />**NetGalley provided e-copy for review**</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span id="freeTextreview2929272565" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; display: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I was really looking forward to reading SHINE!, and it did not disappoint. I loved Piper, the sweet message (while still providing plenty of depth in plot and character).<br /><br />I've been a big fan of Chris Grabenstein's work; I think SHINE! shows a new side to his writing. JJ Grabenstein clearly should have started writing long ago! Such a great book, one that gets it right on all levels: plot, character, setting, and theme.<br /><br />I could see SHINE! being a great classroom read, at-home read for a family, and perfect for all ages. Highly recommend.<br /><br />**NetGalley provided e-copy for review**</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span id="freeTextreview2929272565" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; display: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I was really looking forward to reading SHINE!, and it did not disappoint. I loved Piper, the sweet message (while still providing plenty of depth in plot and character).<br /><br />I've been a big fan of Chris Grabenstein's work; I think SHINE! shows a new side to his writing. JJ Grabenstein clearly should have started writing long ago! Such a great book, one that gets it right on all levels: plot, character, setting, and theme.<br /><br />I could see SHINE! being a great classroom read, at-home read for a family, and perfect for all ages. Highly recommend.<br /><br />**NetGalley provided e-copy for review**</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I was really looking forward to reading SHINE!, and it did not disappoint. I loved Piper, the sweet message (while still providing plenty of depth in plot and character).</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I've been a big fan of Chris Grabenstein's work; I think SHINE! shows a new side to his writing I really love. JJ Grabenstein clearly should have started writing long ago! Such a great book, one that gets it right on all levels: plot, character, setting, and theme.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I could see SHINE! being a great classroom read, at-home read for a family, and perfect for all ages. Highly recommend.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**NetGalley provided e-copy for review**</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Find more <a href="https://gpattridge.com/" target="_blank">Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday #MMGM reviews at Always in the Middle...</a></span></div>
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YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-70101564533874499232019-10-08T13:01:00.000-05:002019-10-08T13:01:07.573-05:002019 National Book Awards Finalists -- Young People's Literature<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In case you want to elevate your reading, here are the finalists for the 2019 NBA in Young People's Literature. Not sure if any of these are mysteries; I'll have to read them and report back...</span><br />
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<span class="document-body-sub-section-heading" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Young People’s Literature</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780525647072" style="color: #551a8b; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><em>Pet</em></strong></a> by Akwaeke Emezi (Random House/Make Me a World)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781481438285" style="color: #551a8b; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><em>Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks</em></strong></a> by Jason Reynolds, illus. by Alexander Nabaum (Atheneum/Dlouhy)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780525554912" style="color: #551a8b; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><em>Patron Saints of Nothing </em></strong></a>by Randy Ribay (Penguin/Kokila)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780062317643" style="color: #551a8b; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><em>Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All</em></strong> </a>by Laura Ruby (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781681198019" style="color: #551a8b; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><em>1919: The Year That Changed America </em></strong></a>by Martin W. Sandler (Bloomsbury)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Get the <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/81396-2019-nba-shortlists-announced.html" target="_blank">full list of nominees for all categories here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-5147163486818555532019-10-03T07:00:00.000-05:002019-10-03T07:00:01.287-05:00October News <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JySioRkeVwClTCFDzB_FCHQBJfsc3wmdSI9o-yNfuPf9OzaB9C4pVIzDt-9jVLuvgx5KKNPecC4P-Adq1HCLK_jhYlqpnmZ28csSzclL-wmCk1m6nhONPQ2U1olkJF4gCufRPOhjY9I/s1600/pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JySioRkeVwClTCFDzB_FCHQBJfsc3wmdSI9o-yNfuPf9OzaB9C4pVIzDt-9jVLuvgx5KKNPecC4P-Adq1HCLK_jhYlqpnmZ28csSzclL-wmCk1m6nhONPQ2U1olkJF4gCufRPOhjY9I/s200/pumpkins.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's October! If you're like me, you've probably already busted out all your fluffy sweaters and random orange décor, like these little pumpkins. I love fall, October especially because it's the it's-still-nice-out kind of weather.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I've Been Up To</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although the blog has been kind of quiet, that doesn't mean that all I've been doing is lounge by the pool this summer. I've actually been hard at work, editing my top-secret middle-grade mystery. I've been dying to tell everyone about it, but for now I still need to zip it. More soon, I promise.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Otherwise, I'm enjoying reading all the Kidlit, including chapter books and picture books, with hopes of writing my own. It's harder than it looks, people...</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I'm Reading</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-NxZbuT4CUt0XX4FQ8b1f91wj1EvtjzxFaODdpILkSBf09ELGP79Ti9x9RuJMejuPoZRAgE4T8Cyy7ScW_cNwrZkwMF3wK0Wa79AaWodtNXbdP5QmuOVQZWZ7JMlYzKoHJ0IivlQ7o0/s1600/Hotel+Colorado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-NxZbuT4CUt0XX4FQ8b1f91wj1EvtjzxFaODdpILkSBf09ELGP79Ti9x9RuJMejuPoZRAgE4T8Cyy7ScW_cNwrZkwMF3wK0Wa79AaWodtNXbdP5QmuOVQZWZ7JMlYzKoHJ0IivlQ7o0/s320/Hotel+Colorado.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've never been a huge fan of spooky things (I don't like being scared), but I'm kind of coming around from that point of view. I'm enjoying horror movies and TV--much to the entertainment of my husband and kids, who laugh when I jump at the scary things), and am checking out spooky MG. I even found <a href="https://spookymiddlegrade.com/" target="_blank">this website dedicated to spooky middle-grade</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We spent the night at the Colorado Hotel last month, which was old and very spooky. Check out these twin doors--made me think of <i>The Shining</i>...</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And of course I had to read <i>The Institute</i> by horror master Stephen King. Not spooky all that much, but scary and good.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where To Find Me</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other than school visits and Skype visits, I'm happy to say I'm spending my time by the fireplace. Starting Oct. 21st, I'm also teaching an <a href="https://savvyauthors.com/community/classes/yalit-101-writing-for-teens-with-f-t-bradley.1281/" target="_blank">online class on writing YA</a>--it's short and fun, perfectly timed for NaNoWriMo...</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy October, all!. Here's a picture of Luna, who is always ready for sweater weather (check out all that fluff)</span><br />
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<br />YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-15990008600270167002019-07-10T09:57:00.000-05:002019-10-02T11:12:38.583-05:00KidLit 101 WriteBrain for Colorado Friends<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm tearing myself away from summer for just a second, to let my Colorado friends know about a free WriteBrain (this is where you get smart, clearly) workshop I'm hosting for Pikes Peak Writers. Here are the details:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3yRj_3N7ngwH801mvQQK9zrAKDGAAauesD27JIKxi9r87jWn5rUgYW3DWDaLLOghiavouZqxRT34xy3rpLX6yBErxVTzns_r18LXb6pimkz-klaAcO2YUTcy9znTotUmLEqjsaPt2Oo/s1600/21C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3yRj_3N7ngwH801mvQQK9zrAKDGAAauesD27JIKxi9r87jWn5rUgYW3DWDaLLOghiavouZqxRT34xy3rpLX6yBErxVTzns_r18LXb6pimkz-klaAcO2YUTcy9znTotUmLEqjsaPt2Oo/s1600/21C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3yRj_3N7ngwH801mvQQK9zrAKDGAAauesD27JIKxi9r87jWn5rUgYW3DWDaLLOghiavouZqxRT34xy3rpLX6yBErxVTzns_r18LXb6pimkz-klaAcO2YUTcy9znTotUmLEqjsaPt2Oo/s320/21C.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kidlit 101</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Date</b>: July 16th, 2019</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Time</b>: 6:15-8:15 PM</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Place</b>: Library 21C, Colorado Springs, CO</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So you have this great book idea for kids… But is it a picture book, middle-grade, or YA—and what do all those terms even mean?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whether you’re a new writer or an experienced author interested dipping your toe in the growing kidlit market, author Fleur (F.T.) Bradley will explain the ins and outs, how to write for kids (like how to format a picture book, word count and content for each segment), and what to understand about marketing to the young set, from practical experience.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is an in-depth A-to-Z look at the kidlit market, from writing to publishing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://pikespeakwriters.com/ppw-events/kidlit-101-july-writebrain/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here's the event link at the Pikes Peak Writers website. </span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope you'll join me! Now, back to some summer fun...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-42396831193799535792019-05-30T04:00:00.000-05:002019-10-02T11:13:15.170-05:00Thursday Teen Book Review: That Night by Cyn Balog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RA4emtKmptuizAr9K7oyLTsrtdjbyIKykT1GsKvAfzT-6QuskjWsIeUYiuu95IiknIqoTS230IkdCYlgKu3yzYFWZo2FKK9fP0nvnph4fpVbyY2HpjyGSChsfEQ-WwQBVnN9LuBNo8M/s1600/That+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RA4emtKmptuizAr9K7oyLTsrtdjbyIKykT1GsKvAfzT-6QuskjWsIeUYiuu95IiknIqoTS230IkdCYlgKu3yzYFWZo2FKK9fP0nvnph4fpVbyY2HpjyGSChsfEQ-WwQBVnN9LuBNo8M/s320/That+Night.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Publication Date: June 4th, 2019</b><b><span style="display: none; font-size: 10.5pt;">Hailey wants to know the truth, but there are some secrets
that are best left buried…</span></b><span style="display: none; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
Hailey is determined to find out all she can about her boyfriend's suicide. She
knows Declan wouldn't kill himself, even if she can't remember a lot of what
lead up to that fateful night.<br />
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Kane, Declan's stepbrother and Hailey's best friend, wants to move past what
happened—not dig up bad memories. But the more Hailey searches for information,
the more she remembers.<br />
<br />
As the truth begins to unravel, Hailey finds herself unveiling secrets she
never could have imagined—secrets that have the possibility of ruining
everything...</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From the Publisher: </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some
secrets are best left buried... </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s been a
year since Hailey’s boyfriend Declan died, and Hailey is still far from okay.
She’s lost almost all her friends, her grades are falling, and she pretty much
lives wrapped up in bed. Everyone says Declan’s death was a suicide—after all,
his father’s gun was found near his body—but Hailey knows that the happy,
confident Declan she knew would never do that. She’s positive. The problem is,
she can’t remember anything from the day he died. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kane,
Declan’s stepbrother and Hailey’s best friend, thinks that everyone should move
on—why relive the pain? But when Hailey sees a strange picture with a
threatening message amongst Declan’s belongings, she’s convinced she has proof
that there’s more to the story. Hailey starts searching for answers and throws
herself into memories her subconscious tried to make her forget…and the deeper
she looks, the more she remembers. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But the truth
she uncovers will be more dangerous and more devastating than she could have
ever imagined. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My thoughts: </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Such a good
thriller and brilliant character study. I loved how the relationships were so
complex in this book. There is a bit of unreliable narrator plot stuff going on—I
kind of saw it coming as I’ve read Cyn Balog’s previous work, but still… A
great mystery with a solid twist.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Recommended. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Caution: you
might be up late reading this one…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">**Publisher provided e-copy for review**</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-84267614957968950692019-05-27T04:00:00.000-05:002019-10-02T11:10:18.270-05:00#MMGM Review: Can You Crack The Code? by Ella Schwartz, illustrated by Lily Williams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yHhlSaiehNmOfdEtZ34OPWleIwViYwxBRmSxAsRvMilL-eK0keProDGtMlgJw-PdPP6-Z8RjnW_r0yS-zAofi_Zni7EwdQ4qx8_Tvp5vWgB07eZoWpkBVWF_5msVQqRCdvLKbGRVKqI/s1600/Code.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yHhlSaiehNmOfdEtZ34OPWleIwViYwxBRmSxAsRvMilL-eK0keProDGtMlgJw-PdPP6-Z8RjnW_r0yS-zAofi_Zni7EwdQ4qx8_Tvp5vWgB07eZoWpkBVWF_5msVQqRCdvLKbGRVKqI/s320/Code.png" width="257" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the Publisher: </span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Codes can carry big secrets! Throughout history, lots of
good guys and lots of bad guys have used codes to keep their messages under
wraps. This fun and flippable nonfiction features stories of hidden treasures,
war-time maneuverings, and contemporary hacking as well as explaining the
mechanics behind the codes in accessible and kid friendly forms. Sidebars call
out activities that invite the reader to try their own hand at cracking and
crafting their own secret messages. This is the launch of an exciting new
series that invites readers into a STEM topic through compelling historical
anecdotes, scientific backup, and DIY projects.</span><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;">Codes can carry big secrets! Throughout history, lots of good
guys and lots of bad guys have used codes to keep their messages under wraps.
This fun and flippable nonfiction features stories of hidden treasures,
war-time maneuverings, and contemporary hacking as well as explaining the
mechanics behind the codes in accessible and kid friendly forms. Sidebars call
out activities that invite the reader to try their own hand at cracking and
crafting their own secret messages. This is the launch of an exciting new
series that invites readers into a STEM topic through compelling historical
anecdotes, scientific backup, and DIY projects.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My thoughts: </span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Such a great
addition to my collection of books on codes and ciphers. I'll be taking this one along on my school visits. The history text is the
perfect length, with accessible text and narrative.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The illustrations
are just perfect. And I loved the DIY projects—I could see these being a great
project for the classroom.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Highly
recommended for your middle-grade mystery and spy buff.</span></div>
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YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-11489248924072537772019-04-29T04:00:00.000-05:002019-10-02T11:13:49.947-05:00#MMGM book review and ARC giveaway: Choose Your Own Adventure Spies: James Armistead Lafayette<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">It's Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday! That means you can find a giant list of the latest MG reviews here at<a href="https://gpattridge.com/" target="_blank"> Greg Pattridge's blog Always in the Middle</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><br /></b>
<b>Publication date</b>: May 1, 2019</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-YSyENKdefy6ILZsohXRam5gNV7tBTIx835xuoz0JdPzD8cjR2vc9MaWoQ4Hu10U6Fzs4z2xdXxQZdqwouZvrhBgpRjnPmWHFwDp9QrtvybuAAWzpbVLP-BJuFZjxAtHzCSiIUd_AAo/s1600/Spies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-YSyENKdefy6ILZsohXRam5gNV7tBTIx835xuoz0JdPzD8cjR2vc9MaWoQ4Hu10U6Fzs4z2xdXxQZdqwouZvrhBgpRjnPmWHFwDp9QrtvybuAAWzpbVLP-BJuFZjxAtHzCSiIUd_AAo/s320/Spies.jpg" width="197" /></span></a></div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the publisher:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Choose Your Own Adventure SPIES: James Armistead Lafayette by Kyandreia Jones takes YOU to the heart of the American Revolutionary War. 9-12 year old readers will enact the life of an actual historic spy, James Armistead Lafayette, whose top secret espionage efforts were instrumental in helping the revolutionary forces defeat the British. And yet his story has been almost entirely left out of history books.
Choose Your Own Adventure SPIES: James Armistead Lafayette is an interactive adventure book in which YOU decide what happens next.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The year is 1781 and George Washington is commanding thousands of troops in Yorktown, Virginia, on the brink of the most important battle of the war. You are James Armistead, a brave and literate enslaved person in Virginia. Marquis de Lafayette, one of Washington's key officers, approaches you with the most critical choice of your life: do you join the Revolutionary army as a top secret spy or find freedom on your own terms? As a spy for the revolution, you might change the course of history, but whose liberty will you really be fighting for?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My thoughts: </span></b><br />
<b></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I loved choose your own adventure books as a kid, and I'm glad to see these more again now. This book is brilliant in that it has that active element of choosing your own adventure, while teaching you a lot of history along the way. Perfect for reluctant readers, and excellent timing for summer reading.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The back of the book gives you the story of James Armistead Lafayette and his work as a spy, despite his status as a slave. It also talks about his journey to freedom--fascinating and inspiring. I loved how the author really brings history (and James Armistead Lafayette as a person) to life in this book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The book also gives you a short, by-year summary of the history of slavery and emancipation in the U.S.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could see this making a great read-aloud for teachers--how fun to choose your own adventure as a class. Highly recommend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**Publisher provided ARC for review**</span><br />
<b></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>GIVEAWAY</b> <b>UPDATE:</b> winner has been chosen, thanks for stopping by!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<br />YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-53003035953082136152019-04-26T07:55:00.001-05:002019-10-02T11:11:02.643-05:00Congrats to the 2019 Edgar Award winners!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sn7eXFnamtC25i_jIYHOHG4ktBHUx4fHR7n-NB32BLdS780WmSIUY45LML5xvOhUxL4WJEU3rBN2xG9tDP5eU3cEo_BNBg3pNcgMw-gYv6tvFHvuZpcRJbA_tasma2Cq7HA4eGFXjP4/s1600/Otherwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sn7eXFnamtC25i_jIYHOHG4ktBHUx4fHR7n-NB32BLdS780WmSIUY45LML5xvOhUxL4WJEU3rBN2xG9tDP5eU3cEo_BNBg3pNcgMw-gYv6tvFHvuZpcRJbA_tasma2Cq7HA4eGFXjP4/s200/Otherwood.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best Juvenile: <i>Otherwood</i> by Peter Hautman</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best YA: <i>Sadie </i>by Courtney Summers</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can find <a href="http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html" target="_blank">the full list of nominees and winners her</a>e.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Congrats to everyone, nominees and winners alike! The bar for this award is high, y'all...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-83543234707090553512019-04-11T10:01:00.000-05:002019-10-02T11:14:24.836-05:00Winter, Winter (March/April News)<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy April, all! Hope your month has been a good one so far, with lots
of reading. That’s pretty much all I’ve been doing, and it’s been awesome. I’m
not such a fan of winter (too cold, and I don’t ski), so I make the best of the
winter months by cocooning. Aside from the occasional school visit, of course.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r71tio4LCZmqRz3TqRpaDeG-9VGxCLA02GfninVuwHDCSDf82PFrvmeUS1bGihot4WGJjF1A7H0ZgnZgRUpIRORNUTLDPGj82M284Jf4nTjn18aZxY4P7uxcQKwyBewwV5SwW6v-1nc/s1600/vacation+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r71tio4LCZmqRz3TqRpaDeG-9VGxCLA02GfninVuwHDCSDf82PFrvmeUS1bGihot4WGJjF1A7H0ZgnZgRUpIRORNUTLDPGj82M284Jf4nTjn18aZxY4P7uxcQKwyBewwV5SwW6v-1nc/s200/vacation+1.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I’ve been up to</span></b><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a great school visit at a nearby school—how inspiring
are those kids… I was reminded how smart upper-elementary kids can be. Of
course, I forgot to take pictures (again), and I promptly caught a cold.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No
matter, because Mother Nature decided to drop a pile of snow, keeping me
hibernating like a brown bear anyway. I will say, I’ve also been complaining
about the snow, unlike a brown bear. This bear would rather be on a sunny
beach. Maybe there’s a picture book in there somewhere… Bear on the Beach?</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I’ve Been Writing</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></b>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve been tinkering with a chapter book series, which has
been a lot of fun. I try to imagine what kind of book I would’ve liked during
those early elementary school years, and that’s what I wrote. It’s a mystery of
course (no surprise there), with a cat in it. Super fun, and a good break
between larger novel length projects.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Otherwise I’m brainstorming a YA and a MG, deciding what’s
next. It’s a tougher decision than I thought…</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>For my fellow writer friends: </b>how
do you decide what to write next?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3lZ89K_chAUv1SyZoL_KvSrYs2QzCtuQgCy0gZrOU7AfMkHse6OkVSHtIxsWnNaq6OBpQm374KvwJRYaJsEDrXtVigNCY_T2PQ5Z-NUbPczbwSNmL0Qh6AfQELHsZIk8BUdOJ11Jc5A/s1600/Swanson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3lZ89K_chAUv1SyZoL_KvSrYs2QzCtuQgCy0gZrOU7AfMkHse6OkVSHtIxsWnNaq6OBpQm374KvwJRYaJsEDrXtVigNCY_T2PQ5Z-NUbPczbwSNmL0Qh6AfQELHsZIk8BUdOJ11Jc5A/s200/Swanson.jpg" width="131" /></span></a></div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What’s on The Nightstand</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></b>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I’m pretending to be a hibernating bear, I’m getting
lots of reading done. My nightstand is overflowing with books; recently I read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before She Knew Him</i>, a great thriller by
Peter Swanson. Lately, I’ve started a few novels by male authors who didn’t
quite get the female POV right—but Swanson did a great job in this book. Nice
twists and turns; I saw some of it coming, but it was still a great read.
Recommended, if you’re looking for a new book to read during the winter.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because I
was working on a chapter book, I read quite a few too… They’re so fun, and
remind me why I love writing for kids. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good News</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For some good news: my short story <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Perfect Alibi</i> was selected for the next Mystery Writers of </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvx1t-QpufGLAXvN2xOhiw5krAuo08mDcyCUUXXB4VtIJQZ9OQyz9Kt6Xq-_2kUq1llQfqCxXQyVZPU7GPktRHz6VuBwtsvQ3iZiuBBGiQPKyE9JuZFbf0vi4AgCXf7gC4klS9A1h97w/s1600/mwa.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="900" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvx1t-QpufGLAXvN2xOhiw5krAuo08mDcyCUUXXB4VtIJQZ9OQyz9Kt6Xq-_2kUq1llQfqCxXQyVZPU7GPktRHz6VuBwtsvQ3iZiuBBGiQPKyE9JuZFbf0vi4AgCXf7gC4klS9A1h97w/s320/mwa.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">America
anthology, a collection of solve-it-yourself mysteries for kids. It’s not due
out until the fall of 2020, which seems like a long time from now until I
realize we’re already well into 2019…</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tempus fugit, y’all.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where to find me</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></b>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aside from a bundle of end-of-year school visits, I’ll be at
<a href="https://pikespeakwriters.com/ppwc/" target="_blank">Pikes Peak Writers Conference May 3-5</a>. If you’re a writer, I hope to see you
there!</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, you may find me in my car, driving to the nearest warm
location to escape winter…</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>How about you? </b>Do you like winter, hate it, or do you ski your
way through the snow?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-34588380736934474212019-03-14T13:52:00.000-05:002019-03-14T13:52:17.765-05:00Thursday Thriller Review: Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4_O3MdNu-yEQ2qZXfZ8W_O8qzyZrpYVDD_cxAgWvx-0aXnEhfDoP95IrJlWjDdf_xf6V-2h8iw_rmmnUIuodm0hTnlne-OkS2dGBI3ejFEXvOnQT0ClI52OLizR-pjk9NtGk8WyJt38/s1600/Swanson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4_O3MdNu-yEQ2qZXfZ8W_O8qzyZrpYVDD_cxAgWvx-0aXnEhfDoP95IrJlWjDdf_xf6V-2h8iw_rmmnUIuodm0hTnlne-OkS2dGBI3ejFEXvOnQT0ClI52OLizR-pjk9NtGk8WyJt38/s400/Swanson.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>From the
publisher:</b> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Catching a
killer is dangerous—especially if he lives next door</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From the hugely
talented author of The Kind Worth Killing comes an exquisitely chilling tale of
a young suburban wife with a history of psychological instability whose fears
about her new neighbor could lead them both to murder . . .</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hen and her
husband Lloyd have settled into a quiet life in a new house outside of Boston,
Massachusetts. Hen (short for Henrietta) is an illustrator and works out of a
studio nearby, and has found the right meds to control her bipolar disorder.
Finally, she’s found some stability and peace.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But when they
meet the neighbors next door, that calm begins to erode as she spots a familiar
object displayed on the husband’s office shelf. The sports trophy looks exactly
like one that went missing from the home of a young man who was killed two
years ago. Hen knows because she’s long had a fascination with this unsolved
murder—an obsession she doesn’t talk about anymore, but can’t fully shake
either.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Could her
neighbor, Matthew, be a killer? Or is this the beginning of another psychotic
episode like the one she suffered back in college, when she became so consumed
with proving a fellow student guilty that she ended up hurting a classmate?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The more Hen
observes Matthew, the more she suspects he’s planning something truly
terrifying. Yet no one will believe her. Then one night, when she comes face to
face with Matthew in a dark parking lot, she realizes that he knows she’s been
watching him, that she’s really on to him. And that this is the beginning of a
horrifying nightmare she may not live to escape. . . </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>My thoughts: </b> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Excellent
stand-alone thriller. The perfect example of great use of perspective changes,
and using suspense to create this slow burn that made me stay up well past my
bedtime to read. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I kind of saw
the twist coming, but still, it was well done. Also, the mental health angle
was well-executed--not always the case when it comes to the portrayal of
bipolar disorder. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Great book, I
recommend it to anyone who wants a smart stand-alone thriller.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">**ARC provided
by publisher for review**</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></span>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-73827714654014186222019-03-01T10:53:00.000-06:002019-03-01T10:53:04.132-06:00Talking Page-Turners, (or: How To Add Suspense To Your Writing)<span style="font-size: large;">Popping in from my winter (and writing) hibernation for a moment to tell you about a class I'm teaching over at Savvy Authors on how to add suspense to your writing. <a href="https://savvyauthors.com/community/classes/edge-of-your-seat-how-to-add-suspense-to-your-writing-with-f-t-bradley.1171/" target="_blank">Find out more here.</a> This is one of my favorite classes to teach, since it always makes me think of the great page-turners I've read recently.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ew4ZUc-ehAnuHuxN1R96hh66R89v8IUBTUURejAJ8VXw9R6U0LnAuZk5VMuVppllaWvcP7DLsiN1wlApn6U520bRESEXagNYXN42oz-_alS_jtj4cky1Xpp-nAQL8x9Mc74ksM2VkMw/s1600/Two+can+keep+a+secret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ew4ZUc-ehAnuHuxN1R96hh66R89v8IUBTUURejAJ8VXw9R6U0LnAuZk5VMuVppllaWvcP7DLsiN1wlApn6U520bRESEXagNYXN42oz-_alS_jtj4cky1Xpp-nAQL8x9Mc74ksM2VkMw/s200/Two+can+keep+a+secret.jpg" width="131" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Two Can Keep a Secret</i> by Karen M. McManus is great (I'm reading it now, it's a YA). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Perspective shifts seem to be trendy now; not a favorite device for me, but this one is a real page turner that I can picture making a great movie. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Check it out if you get a chance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgit_eDbLpAjsrt111Ep9_khnh9zdNGyTW-HLxJMUph7uPqn8e8snsiw4bckTzbZOAIC1xAVYd0JcIxQtaBzcmi_kWYVyDEj-FzMzM30ssAqUJUIeCfWVsh4S1xoGEgjYJOJyD79Ep8eSM/s1600/mason+buttle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgit_eDbLpAjsrt111Ep9_khnh9zdNGyTW-HLxJMUph7uPqn8e8snsiw4bckTzbZOAIC1xAVYd0JcIxQtaBzcmi_kWYVyDEj-FzMzM30ssAqUJUIeCfWVsh4S1xoGEgjYJOJyD79Ep8eSM/s200/mason+buttle.jpg" width="131" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In middle-grade, I just read <i>The Truth As Told By Mason Buttl</i>e by Leslie Connor. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This one is suspenseful mostly because you're waiting for Mason to figure out what happened to his best friend (whom he found dead). This book won some awards--more a literary middle-grade than a suspense, but a page-turner all the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How about you? Read any page-turners lately?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-78993891437570857172019-02-04T03:00:00.000-06:002019-02-25T09:37:35.000-06:00Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday (#MMGM) Book Review: Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vF2-GVuwmLNdisNZl49i0SavZj3l1Y2m5112237H4BjwIGJCPAeZIoC_X2v2cywdUn3rns8pLP1yXKEQx0H1mN78x1hfLYTATX6R0RSa8lx_Oe9f6jg_BxqlvFjHJM3uHons67rN4lc/s1600/Song+for+a+Whale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vF2-GVuwmLNdisNZl49i0SavZj3l1Y2m5112237H4BjwIGJCPAeZIoC_X2v2cywdUn3rns8pLP1yXKEQx0H1mN78x1hfLYTATX6R0RSa8lx_Oe9f6jg_BxqlvFjHJM3uHons67rN4lc/s320/Song+for+a+Whale.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Publication Date: </b>Feb. 5th, 2019</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>From the Publisher: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<br />
Twelve-year-old Iris has never let her deafness slow her
down. A whiz at fixing electronics, she's always felt at home in the world of
wires and vacuum tubes. <br />
School, on the other hand, isn't quite as simple. Between her frustrating
teacher Ms. Conn and her overly helpful classmate Nina, Iris can't seem to
catch a break. <br />
But during science class, Iris learns about Blue 55—the loneliest whale in the
world. Saddened by the animal's inability to speak to other whales, Iris uses
her tech skills to come up with a plan communicate with Blue 55.<br />
<br />
One small problem: the whale is swimming off the coast of Alaska, nearly 3,000
miles from her Texas home. But, nothing stops Iris, and with her Deaf
grandmother by her side, she sets out on a road trip to meet the whale and make
sure he's finally heard. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts: </b><br />
<br />
Such a great look into what it means to be Deaf--I learned
so much. This book was truly food for thought, and stuck with me long after
reading.<br />
<br />
The science angle gave the book extra depth, and the whale story gave it heart.
I really loved Iris, the main character, and her family. There were a few
moments (the horrible teacher in the beginning) that were a slight hiccup for
me, but overall this is one of the best middle-grade books I've read in a
while.<br />
<br />
A must read this year I would say--be ready for this story to stick with you
long after you finish the book. A great classroom read, too.<br />
<br />
<br />
Plus, extra points for this awesome cover...<br />
<br />
<br />
**ARC provided by publisher**<br />
<br />
<a href="https://gpattridge.com/">Find more links to #MMGM book reviews here</a>.<br />
<br />
Extra note: **Greg is the winner--contest ended**for U.S. readers (postage
overseas is just too high...) comment here and I'll draw one name to mail my
advanced copy of Song for a Whale..!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-20681318227084724982019-01-22T14:54:00.000-06:002019-01-22T14:54:03.235-06:00All about comfort (Jan/Feb News)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-xonv7ES2nfCz-NYv8ikiYQNy84rpJA__jm04jM6gRE13jnrSVvoZqhBTzCCZRBNkfS1hC4ZYyirdnyWvOMYxdRyj1cqQsYiuWFugWHRuVcSNc40bjuU-_atMbzPIBbQyWrVyGUMKIg/s1600/snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-xonv7ES2nfCz-NYv8ikiYQNy84rpJA__jm04jM6gRE13jnrSVvoZqhBTzCCZRBNkfS1hC4ZYyirdnyWvOMYxdRyj1cqQsYiuWFugWHRuVcSNc40bjuU-_atMbzPIBbQyWrVyGUMKIg/s320/snow.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's cold here in Colorado--in fact as I'm writing this, there's a blizzard going on outside. I'm trying to be a good sport about the winter weather (it's so pretty, that snow, people say), but the truth is that I'd rather be kicking back on the beach....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The one upside to winter is that it's all about comfort, which is something I can get behind. Warm sweaters, blankets, soup, tea and a cat on the lap is the perfect excuse to read a lot. And I'm writing a lot too, so winter's not all bad.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEhXWU1021kylgxKmg7NUorwSWfhvr0035mSfHwrLkT0wbd_behz534GrJDTWZLLAzhXRESMwQL9QJVyRkipdWpKCn7o0SMY8tNLUxlrZIoaFrUcrjduKObZFSVJ330ck1AD1HwCoegg/s1600/poe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="271" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEhXWU1021kylgxKmg7NUorwSWfhvr0035mSfHwrLkT0wbd_behz534GrJDTWZLLAzhXRESMwQL9QJVyRkipdWpKCn7o0SMY8tNLUxlrZIoaFrUcrjduKObZFSVJ330ck1AD1HwCoegg/s200/poe.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mystery Book News</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://mysterywriters.org/mwa-announces-the-2019-edgar-nominations/" target="_blank">MWA just announced the Edgar nominees</a>--great news if you needed to add to your TBR pile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Congrats to the nominees, good stuff there.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFWoWyoN7bCAspiEFFApPspBkeyh1PCJhLhyphenhyphenkpDvRgcHzjw7zFYj8b0HRTw2IjYr8CnbCtgMgUPQ9iabw6BKdFpsaeM6CSTgdCz-bCLCEslxF_gvR1ssQEC8bZvCDjkuz9TiMRtewb8I/s1600/The+Good+Cop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFWoWyoN7bCAspiEFFApPspBkeyh1PCJhLhyphenhyphenkpDvRgcHzjw7zFYj8b0HRTw2IjYr8CnbCtgMgUPQ9iabw6BKdFpsaeM6CSTgdCz-bCLCEslxF_gvR1ssQEC8bZvCDjkuz9TiMRtewb8I/s320/The+Good+Cop.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mystery TV</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the mystery TV department, we've been watching The Good Cop on Netflix. Good comfort TV, kind of Murder She Wrote-ish: humor with an easy-to-solve (cozy) mystery. I recommend it if you just want something nice. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I just read that Netflix is not renewing this series, a bummer. Do you have any good mystery TV shows to recommend? I'm coming up short lately...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwY2UY_wLwWeUDedJIFFbXk4CX6-iUdDUu8N6EljYPFfEhG42AjY_SuTOAU77J6lwiQAWwBBK97zF3HUzJSAeS2Jqa_KcZRR_HybgTQXli1bYFWN4d27ryj2ZgVWshC3ANCUFXGUwVW0/s1600/The+Crossing+Places.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwY2UY_wLwWeUDedJIFFbXk4CX6-iUdDUu8N6EljYPFfEhG42AjY_SuTOAU77J6lwiQAWwBBK97zF3HUzJSAeS2Jqa_KcZRR_HybgTQXli1bYFWN4d27ryj2ZgVWshC3ANCUFXGUwVW0/s320/The+Crossing+Places.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Books</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In that same comfort vein, I've been reading Elly Griffith's Ruth Galloway series. It's set in Norfolk, England, which just so happens to be where I lived a few decades ago. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The mystery revolves around (highly likable) archeologist Ruth Galloway, who helps the local police solve mostly cold case mysteries. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A good series if you like a British cozy.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Where to find me</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mostly, you'll find me by the fireplace the next few months, or talking to kids at the many school visits I have lined up (my favorite part of the job). This must be the year of the author visit--good news!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpWeGfYamVPIDGaALkAakQUvtmjMXbRxFXr-wZrEvAYiiuMqTFk1kcqzduUcwsowWFm-5St36C28nFae62Iwzx-pRfk0JsC-0jxyW1-qlZ5PWh2IALtZQatCc-KtYrow101B4dmB2QhM/s1600/PPW.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="600" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpWeGfYamVPIDGaALkAakQUvtmjMXbRxFXr-wZrEvAYiiuMqTFk1kcqzduUcwsowWFm-5St36C28nFae62Iwzx-pRfk0JsC-0jxyW1-qlZ5PWh2IALtZQatCc-KtYrow101B4dmB2QhM/s320/PPW.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you're a writer, I'll also be speaking at <a href="https://pikespeakwriters.com/ppw-events/write-your-heart-out-2019/" target="_blank">Pikes Peak Writers' Write Your Heart Out </a>here in Colorado Springs. It's a (free) conference warmup with speakers (like me) who will hopefully convince you to attend <a href="https://pikespeakwriters.com/ppwc/" target="_blank">Pikes Peak Writers Conference </a>in May. I'll be speaking there too, so come say howdy and complain about the snow with me, if you live in Colorado.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, I'll be at <a href="https://www.ccira.org/2019-conference-information/" target="_blank">CCIRA in Denver</a>, if you're at this educator conference in February. I'll be at the SCBWI booth being friendly and talking books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How 'bout you? Anything to recommend this cold winter?</b></span><br />
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<br />YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-43711136669703256262018-12-03T12:17:00.001-06:002018-12-03T12:17:28.258-06:00Online Class: YALit 101: Writing For Teens<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7Q7nKqUxjAgRyEhYxY8bVsPF-nyYyn8QWjIx4dQqepecoXpcmc2zZdhbmD7KondJJaY2VaDeX75e3fKe9OfrOIkmyWQRNtfX7OIKYwYqN7xgHYjTl_PYIxzj-x0ITUoIaSgsKqy-IRU/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7Q7nKqUxjAgRyEhYxY8bVsPF-nyYyn8QWjIx4dQqepecoXpcmc2zZdhbmD7KondJJaY2VaDeX75e3fKe9OfrOIkmyWQRNtfX7OIKYwYqN7xgHYjTl_PYIxzj-x0ITUoIaSgsKqy-IRU/s1600/book.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Just in case you're considering writing YA in 2019 (new year, new goals and all that), I thought I'd share info on a class I'm teaching on YA over at Savvy Authors:</span><br />
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<a href="https://savvyauthors.com/community/classes/yalit-101-writing-for-teens-with-f-t-bradley.1126/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">YALit 101: Writing for Teens </span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you'll join me! It's fun over at the YA side...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467906296798575973.post-10039154904292069632018-11-30T10:29:00.000-06:002018-11-30T10:29:17.308-06:00Friday Cozy Mystery Review: Steamed Open by Barbara Ross (Maine Clambake Mystery)
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xDg-KSKXpKzlJrYNzNzAeZJ5S75x9g0DpUIBoe0QA-sdoe-b013Gqn8slHNkCr2bXof1v8-KTfnAUCZ9LZiM1qdYTg3D065Ie0zs7LWv06X_KL1cElSd0k1eUwshBwt5Dh4kPuiyxls/s1600/Steamed+Open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="291" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xDg-KSKXpKzlJrYNzNzAeZJ5S75x9g0DpUIBoe0QA-sdoe-b013Gqn8slHNkCr2bXof1v8-KTfnAUCZ9LZiM1qdYTg3D065Ie0zs7LWv06X_KL1cElSd0k1eUwshBwt5Dh4kPuiyxls/s320/Steamed+Open.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Publishing date: Dec. 18, 2018</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>From the publisher:</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s summertime in Busman’s
Harbor, Maine, and the clamming is easy—or it was until a mysterious new
neighbor blocks access to the beach, cutting off the Snowden Family Clambake’s
supply. Julia Snowden is just one of many townspeople angered by Bartholomew
Frick’s decision. But which one of them was angry enough to kill?<br />
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Beachcombers, lighthouse buffs, and clammers are outraged after Frick puts up a
gate in front of his newly inherited mansion. When Julia urges him to
reconsider, she’s the last to see him alive—except the person who stabs him in
the neck with a clam rake. As she pores through a long list of suspects, Julia
meets disgruntled employees, rival heirs, and a pair of tourists determined to
visit every lighthouse in America. They all have secrets, and Julia will have
to work fast to expose the guilty party—or see this season’s clam harvest dry
up for good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>My thoughts:</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is one of my favorite cozy
mystery series--and just yesterday, I was trying to determine why. I read my
share of cozies, especially in winter (I like the comfort factor, the small
town settings). But many lose my interest after a few chapters, often because
they feel predictable, or don't challenge my intellect enough (a pitfall to the
cozy, alas).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Barbara Ross somehow manages to
combine the small town setting with a smart mystery, plus a recurring cast with
real problems and depth. That's the closest I can get to defining why this cozy
series is one of my favorites.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Steamed Open</i> takes us back to
familiar Busman's Harbor, this time because one of the (somewhat reclusive and
mysterious) local residents passed away (no murder), and has left her estate to
a nephew who has just moved in. He restricts local access to the beach, much to
the chagrin of the local clammers who rely on the location for their income. The nephew is killed at the estate just after amateur sleuth Julia Snowden has visited him, kicking the whodunit into gear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The mystery becomes bigger and
bigger, as Julia tries to uncover family history going
back generations, with secrets many of Busman Harbor's residents don't want uncovered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While some cozy series start to
become repetitive after a while, I think the Maine Clambake Mystery series
actually gets better. Author Barbara Ross clearly dug deep for this one (clam
pun not intended), with thematic depth and more serious family history at the
center of the mystery--without losing the small town charm of the cozy. Great
recipes (with meaning and history) in the back, if you're so inclined.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Highly recommended. This is a
cozy that elevates the genre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">If you're not familiar with the series, I highly recommend starting with the first book, </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Clammed Up</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">.</span></span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">**Goodreads Galley**</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span>YA Sleuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12371132883359264412noreply@blogger.com2