Kai Strand's Blog, page 29

New Release and Excerpt! The Lumpy Duckling #mglit #friendship #fairytales #magic

I'm very excited to share with you my newest book release, The Lumpy Duckling - Another Weaver Tale.
Lumpy is the third standalone title in my Weaver Tale series. It's about friendship and expectation, transformation and doubt. Wheezy over thinks things to the point of making them happen. Lumpy is humble, sweet and (thank goodness) persistent. If you have a middle grade reader in your life, I think you'll be happy you shared this book with them.
Lumpy may be hefty with a misshapen mouth, but he...

Three Times A Charm with Conda V. Douglas

Today on Three Times A Charm we welcome author, Conda V. Douglas. I love introducing my readers to the people who work in children’s publishing.
Great of you to join us, Conda. Can you tell us a little about yourself, please?
Growing up in the ski resort of Sun Valley, Idaho, my childhood was filled with authors, artists and other creative types. I grew up with goats living in the kitchen, buffalo bones in the living room and rocks in the bathtub (long story). I've traveled the world from Singa...

Star of the Team by Beverly Stowe McClure

STAR OF THE TEAMMG contemporary
I'm posting a rare review today for a spirited middle grade book by Beverly Stowe McClure. Beverly is a valued critique partner of mine, but this book made it into the world without me seeing it first. I've been SO excited to read it. Beverly is such an inspiration to me and I love her quiet and kind writing style. She says so much through her characters while you (the reader) grin like a loon—not even aware of the fact that you've learned an impo...

Building Character with Meg Flannigan from Perfect for You

It’s Friday! Time for Building Character in which you get to meet characters from a book. Talking to a character outside of their book is fun! Huge. Amounts. Of fun. 
This week Strands of Thought plays host to Meg Flannigan from Perfect For You. Glad you could join us, Meg. Can you tell our readers a little about yourself?
I’m Meg Flannigan, a senior at Treemont High. I’m the second best player on the tennis team, and I’m dating Asher Davidson, the quarterback of the football team.
Nice to...

Three Times A Charm with Jax Spenser

Today on Three Times A Charm we welcome author, Jax Spenser. I love introducing my readers to the people who work in children’s publishing.
Great of you to join us, Jax. Can you tell us a little about yourself, please?
Greetings, Earthlings! Prepare to be conquered! Okay, I’m kidding… mostly. I’m author Jax Spenser and I’ve been working in the story biz for quite a while. First as a creator of excuses back when I was a youngin’ and then most recently as creative exec (an awful term, it’s very c...

Building Character with Rosa from Sons of the Sphinx

It’s Friday! Time for Building Character in which you get to meet characters from a book. Talking to a character outside of their book is fun! Huge. Amounts. Of fun. 
This week Strands of Thought plays host to Rosa from Sons of the Sphinx. Glad you could make it today, Rosa. Can you tell our readers a little about yourself, please?
Hi! I’m Rosa. I’m 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. I’m your typical teenager—well, almost. I don’t have many friends anymore, but it’s hard to blam...

Trailer Reveal for Escape Through The Wilderness by Gary Rodriguez

Today, thanks to Pump Up Your Book tours, we get a sneak peek at ESCAPE THROUGH THE WILDERNESS by Gary Rodrigiuez. 

Title: Escape Through the Wilderness
Author: Gary Rodriguez
Genre: Tween/Young Adult Christian Adventure
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing (June 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-1-63268-201-7
  Purchase at: https://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781632682017 and at http://www.amazon.com/Escape-Through-Wilderness-Gary-Rodriguez/dp/163268201X/ 

About the book...

Three Times A Charm with Michael Thal

Today on Three Times A Charm we welcome author, Michael Thal. I love introducing my readers to the people who work in children’s publishing.
So nice to have you join us, Michael. Can you tell us a little about yourself, please?
I’m the author of four published novels—Goodbye Tchaikovsky, The Abduction of Joshua Bloom, and The Koolura Series—The Legend of Koolura and Koolura and the Mystery at Camp Saddleback. Since 2009 I have been a columnist for the Los Angeles Examiner writing articles about...

Building Character with Cara & Logan from Into the Fire

It’s Friday! Time for Building Character in which you get to meet characters from a book. Talking to a character outside of their book is fun! Huge. Amounts. Of fun. 
This week Strands of Thought plays host to Cara and Logan from Into the Fire. Hey guys! Glad you could join us. Tell our readers a little about yourselves.
Hi, I’m Cara Tillman. I’m not supposed to talk to anyone about being a phoenix but Ashelyn says you guys are cool so I guess it’s okay. Anyway, I’m about to be reborn for...

Three Times A Charm with David Fraser & Heather Brainerd

Today on Three Times A Charm we meet the brother/sister writing team, David Fraser & Heather Brainerd. I love introducing my readers to the people who work in children’s publishing.
Glad you could join us, guys. Can you tell us a little about yourselves, please?
Heather's Bio: I live in New York with my photographer husband, our three sons, and a crazy pug-terrier. When I’m not writing, I like to read, go for walks with my dog, and work out while watching the show Bones. I also run a Disney...