Shannon Messenger's Blog, page 50
March 12, 2012
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Silverwing--and a Giveaway!
Still too slammed trying to crank through 1st pass pages on KEEPER and the rough draft of book 2 to get any reading done. But the always amazing Deb Marshall (THANK YOU DEB!!!) has once again volunteered to cover my MMGM this week, with a feature on one of her favorites: SILVERWING, by Kenneth Oppel.
(Hee--I'm guessing my Batman loving editor would so love this cover!)
Here's how the publisher describes it:
Shade is a young silverwing bat, the runt of his colony. But he's determined to prove himself on the long, dangerous winter migration to Hibernaculum, millions of wingbeats to the south. During a fierce storm, he loses the others and soon faces the most incredible journey of his young life. Desperately searching for a way to rejoin his flock, Shade meets a remarkable cast of characters: Marina, a Brightwing bat with a strange metal band on her leg; Zephyr, a mystical albino bat with an unusual gift; and Goth, a gigantic carnivorous vampire bat. But which ones are friends and which ones are enemies? In this epic story of adventure and suspense, Shade is going to need all the help he can find -- if he hopes to ever see his family again.
When a newborn bat named Shade but sometimes called "Runt" becomes separated from his colony during migration, he grows in ways that prepare him for even greater journeys.
And just like in previous times, here's Deb explain for herself why all of us need to read this one. Take it away Deb!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I loved this book because I loved Shade, the main character.
He's a small bat (okay, the runt) with a whole lot of questions and he's not afraid to ask them (although sometimes it's dangerous). He's not afraid to fly out and get the answers if no one will tell him (even if it is really dangerous). Shade is determined to find out more about himself, the world he lives in and the rules that bind it. That leaves him in some mighty dangerous situations, but when he finds himself lost and trying to survive while separated from his entire colony his determination to prove himself is just what he needs to survive.
I know many a middle grade reader, teen and adult who has also fallen in love with Shade because he's a tiny hero filled with a whole lotta brave. And the best part? This is book one in a series of four.
Kenneth Oppel is one of my favorite Canadian authors and Silverwing is no small part of that.
You can find out more about Silverwing and the entire series on Kenneth Oppel's website. While there I'd recommend checking out his other books, too!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ooo, this one sounds REALLY cool. I will definitely have to pick up a copy for when I have time to read again.
And I want one of you to have the chance to discover it too. So I'm giving away a copy of WINTERLING to one lucky winner. To enter, make sure you leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday, March 17th. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, March18th. International entries welcome.
And for more amazing middle grade recommendations, check out there other awesome MMGMs floating around the blogosphere:
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
**NOTE**I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. I'll TRY, but it might not happen. I know that makes it less convenient for everyone, but the constant updating of the post is a big time suck and I just can't keep up with it right now. SORRY!
**Note: Thanks to a boatload of spam--and my missing a bunch of important emails because of it--I'm now using a new email address. So make sure you update your records because I'm slowly phasing the other address out. New email is: SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. Hopefully now I won't miss some of your MMGMs, like I have been.**
Happy Monday!
(Hee--I'm guessing my Batman loving editor would so love this cover!)
Here's how the publisher describes it:
Shade is a young silverwing bat, the runt of his colony. But he's determined to prove himself on the long, dangerous winter migration to Hibernaculum, millions of wingbeats to the south. During a fierce storm, he loses the others and soon faces the most incredible journey of his young life. Desperately searching for a way to rejoin his flock, Shade meets a remarkable cast of characters: Marina, a Brightwing bat with a strange metal band on her leg; Zephyr, a mystical albino bat with an unusual gift; and Goth, a gigantic carnivorous vampire bat. But which ones are friends and which ones are enemies? In this epic story of adventure and suspense, Shade is going to need all the help he can find -- if he hopes to ever see his family again.
When a newborn bat named Shade but sometimes called "Runt" becomes separated from his colony during migration, he grows in ways that prepare him for even greater journeys.
And just like in previous times, here's Deb explain for herself why all of us need to read this one. Take it away Deb!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I loved this book because I loved Shade, the main character.
He's a small bat (okay, the runt) with a whole lot of questions and he's not afraid to ask them (although sometimes it's dangerous). He's not afraid to fly out and get the answers if no one will tell him (even if it is really dangerous). Shade is determined to find out more about himself, the world he lives in and the rules that bind it. That leaves him in some mighty dangerous situations, but when he finds himself lost and trying to survive while separated from his entire colony his determination to prove himself is just what he needs to survive.
I know many a middle grade reader, teen and adult who has also fallen in love with Shade because he's a tiny hero filled with a whole lotta brave. And the best part? This is book one in a series of four.
Kenneth Oppel is one of my favorite Canadian authors and Silverwing is no small part of that.
You can find out more about Silverwing and the entire series on Kenneth Oppel's website. While there I'd recommend checking out his other books, too!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ooo, this one sounds REALLY cool. I will definitely have to pick up a copy for when I have time to read again.
And I want one of you to have the chance to discover it too. So I'm giving away a copy of WINTERLING to one lucky winner. To enter, make sure you leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday, March 17th. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, March18th. International entries welcome.
And for more amazing middle grade recommendations, check out there other awesome MMGMs floating around the blogosphere:
- The Mundie Moms are now part of the MMGM fun (eee!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, better get over THERE and check out all the awesome!
- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Brennan and Meyrick Murphy--two actual middle grade bloggers (so awesome, right???) discuss their love for the HARRY POTTER series. Click HERE for Meyrick's review.
- Karen Yingling is cheering for MUDSHARK and MUD RUN. Click HERE to learn more about them.
- Gina Carey is spotlighting LIESL AND PO. Click HERE to see why she loves it.
- Barbara Watson is championing one of my favorites, SELLING HOPE. Click HERE to learn more about it.
- Andrea Mack is showcasing GHOSTS OF THE TITANIC. Click HERE to see why
- Michelle Isenhoff is howling for HOWLIDAY INN. Click HERE to see why she thinks you should be too.
- Gabrielle Prendergast is celebrating LUCY UNSTRUNG. Click HERE to see why.
- Charlotte Taylor joins the MMGM fun with a round-up of awesome middle grade related links she's found. Click HERE to check them all out.
- Deb Marshall is sharing her love of THE RANGER'S APPRENTICE: THE RUINS OF GORLAN. Click HERE to read why she thinks this series is a must read.
- Kim Aippersbach is back with another MMGM. This time on THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS. Click HERE to see what she thinks.
- Michael Gettel Gilmarten is interviewing author Roseanne Parry--with giveaways of her book SECOND FIDDLE. Click HERE to enter
- C.S. Einfeld also joins the MMGM fun with a feature on WONDER. Click HERE to see why she was wowed by it.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)**NOTE**I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. I'll TRY, but it might not happen. I know that makes it less convenient for everyone, but the constant updating of the post is a big time suck and I just can't keep up with it right now. SORRY!
**Note: Thanks to a boatload of spam--and my missing a bunch of important emails because of it--I'm now using a new email address. So make sure you update your records because I'm slowly phasing the other address out. New email is: SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. Hopefully now I won't miss some of your MMGMs, like I have been.**
Happy Monday!
March 11, 2012
Okay, this *might* be a record number of Winners!
Holy cow! I have a lot of winners to announce today--so I'm just going to get right to it...
The winner of 3 awesome Lisa McMann books (THE UNWANTEDS, CRYER'S CROSS--which is SIGNED--and DEAD TO YOU) is...
Lena Anne
The winner of THE HUMMING ROOM, by Ellen Potter, is...
Victoria D Morris
The winner of the trio of Janette Rallison books (IT'S A MALL WORLD AFTER ALL, MY FAIR GODMOTHER, and HOW TO TAKE THE EX OUT OF EX-BOYFRIEND) is...
Sheila
AND, last but definitely not least, the winners of a pair of shiny KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES bookmarks. I'd promised 10 winners, but since I got so many entries I've doubled it to 20. (yes, 20!!!) And they are:
SA LareenMarsha SigmandanyaCherie ReichSara ThompsonMarta SzemikKatieEricaCrystal PoseyEmilyLeah (aka Mary_not_Martha)J. Anderson CoatsMartha RamirezLia KeysHolly Dodsonheidi2524vic caswell (aspiring x)Natalie AguirreAlyGatrAngela Ackerman
Woo Hoo!
*tosses all the confetti and sparkles in entire the world*
Okay, if any of those names are yours, please email me at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com with your mailing address--and PLEASE put which prize you won both in the subject line and in the body of the email so I don't have to keep cross referencing this post. My brain's a bit weary from drafting, so the less thinking I have to do, the better! (oh, and bookmark winners, PLEASE let me know if you want yours signed or unsigned--totally fine with me, either way!)
To everyone else, thanks for playing. And don't worry, I have lots more giveaways to come so there will be plenty more chances to win.
Hope everyone's having a good weekend!
The winner of 3 awesome Lisa McMann books (THE UNWANTEDS, CRYER'S CROSS--which is SIGNED--and DEAD TO YOU) is...
Lena Anne
The winner of THE HUMMING ROOM, by Ellen Potter, is...
Victoria D Morris
The winner of the trio of Janette Rallison books (IT'S A MALL WORLD AFTER ALL, MY FAIR GODMOTHER, and HOW TO TAKE THE EX OUT OF EX-BOYFRIEND) is...
Sheila
AND, last but definitely not least, the winners of a pair of shiny KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES bookmarks. I'd promised 10 winners, but since I got so many entries I've doubled it to 20. (yes, 20!!!) And they are:
SA LareenMarsha SigmandanyaCherie ReichSara ThompsonMarta SzemikKatieEricaCrystal PoseyEmilyLeah (aka Mary_not_Martha)J. Anderson CoatsMartha RamirezLia KeysHolly Dodsonheidi2524vic caswell (aspiring x)Natalie AguirreAlyGatrAngela Ackerman
Woo Hoo!
*tosses all the confetti and sparkles in entire the world*
Okay, if any of those names are yours, please email me at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com with your mailing address--and PLEASE put which prize you won both in the subject line and in the body of the email so I don't have to keep cross referencing this post. My brain's a bit weary from drafting, so the less thinking I have to do, the better! (oh, and bookmark winners, PLEASE let me know if you want yours signed or unsigned--totally fine with me, either way!)
To everyone else, thanks for playing. And don't worry, I have lots more giveaways to come so there will be plenty more chances to win.
Hope everyone's having a good weekend!
March 9, 2012
Shiny, epic things--you know you want them!
You guys! You guys!
LOOK WHAT CAME YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(a whole week earlier than I expected them!)
Shiny bookmarks for KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES!
Aren't they pretty????????
And really, the picture doesn't do them justice. (The flash + gloss = something Shannon didn't have time--or brain capacity--to figure out how to fix.) But these proofs give you a better idea of what they really look like:
(all credit for the prettiness goes to Keary, my incredibly talented designer)
So, in case you're wondering, there are two different bookmarks. They all have the same "front" (the design in the middle). But half of them have Sophie on the back, and half have Dex. That way my readers can pick which character they want.
OR, on very special occasions, I *might* be willing to give people one of each. LIKE TODAY!
Yes--that's right. Not only will the winners be the FIRST people to get their hands on my exclusive, limited edition, rare, collector's item bookmarks (that's what *I'm* calling them, at least)--but they will also be some of the only ones to have the complete pair! (I'm also happy to sign them if you want...)
So, if you want to be one of the cool people--and you KNOW you do--just leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday, March 10th (psst--that's tomorrow. It's a quick contest this time!) I'll draw TEN lucky winners and post their name on Sunday, March 11th. International entries welcome.
(FYI: If this contest turns out to be popular I CAN be swayed into adding extra winners... #justsayin')
And in OTHER epic news...
according to my google alert last night... um...
KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O.O
Which means ...
- Holy Crap--it's getting REAL!!!!
- I *may* have had to stop myself from buying a copy, just because I could!
- We've now entered that lovely, awkward time where I have to try and figure out how to talk about things like KEEPER becoming available for pre-order without sounding like a Used Car Salesman
(Pre-Order now and it can be YOURS for the BARGAIN price of... nope... I can't do it...)
So I'm just going to quietly post a list of the current places KEEPER's available:
Amazon Barnes and Noble Books-A-Million iTunes The Book Depository
And remind you that every time a copy of KEEPER gets pre-ordered a butterfly tickles a puppy and makes them sneeze RAINBOWS and SUNSHINE and SPARKLY PUPPY SNOT
(okay, I can't guarantee the rainbows and sunshine thing--but I could *probably* make the sparkly puppy snot thing happen if that were appealing to you...)
And... I have no idea how to end a post with this much epicness so I'm just going to say...
Happy Friday!
LOOK WHAT CAME YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(a whole week earlier than I expected them!)
Shiny bookmarks for KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES!
Aren't they pretty????????
And really, the picture doesn't do them justice. (The flash + gloss = something Shannon didn't have time--or brain capacity--to figure out how to fix.) But these proofs give you a better idea of what they really look like:
(all credit for the prettiness goes to Keary, my incredibly talented designer)So, in case you're wondering, there are two different bookmarks. They all have the same "front" (the design in the middle). But half of them have Sophie on the back, and half have Dex. That way my readers can pick which character they want.
OR, on very special occasions, I *might* be willing to give people one of each. LIKE TODAY!
Yes--that's right. Not only will the winners be the FIRST people to get their hands on my exclusive, limited edition, rare, collector's item bookmarks (that's what *I'm* calling them, at least)--but they will also be some of the only ones to have the complete pair! (I'm also happy to sign them if you want...)
So, if you want to be one of the cool people--and you KNOW you do--just leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday, March 10th (psst--that's tomorrow. It's a quick contest this time!) I'll draw TEN lucky winners and post their name on Sunday, March 11th. International entries welcome.
(FYI: If this contest turns out to be popular I CAN be swayed into adding extra winners... #justsayin')
And in OTHER epic news...
according to my google alert last night... um...
KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O.O
Which means ...
- Holy Crap--it's getting REAL!!!!
- I *may* have had to stop myself from buying a copy, just because I could!
- We've now entered that lovely, awkward time where I have to try and figure out how to talk about things like KEEPER becoming available for pre-order without sounding like a Used Car Salesman
(Pre-Order now and it can be YOURS for the BARGAIN price of... nope... I can't do it...)
So I'm just going to quietly post a list of the current places KEEPER's available:
Amazon Barnes and Noble Books-A-Million iTunes The Book Depository
And remind you that every time a copy of KEEPER gets pre-ordered a butterfly tickles a puppy and makes them sneeze RAINBOWS and SUNSHINE and SPARKLY PUPPY SNOT
(okay, I can't guarantee the rainbows and sunshine thing--but I could *probably* make the sparkly puppy snot thing happen if that were appealing to you...)
And... I have no idea how to end a post with this much epicness so I'm just going to say...
Happy Friday!
March 7, 2012
The Book Babe Spotlight: Author Janette Rallison--With a giveaway!
Those of you who've been following my blog for a bit already know how much I adore my fabulously amazing friend Faith, a.k.a. the Book Babe.
And in addition to her being the most amazing mentor and cheerleader EVER--and offering incredible editing services--she is also an AWESOME source for book recommendations. In fact, I discovered several of my favorite authors because of Faith--and nothing makes me happier than one of her gushy emails telling me about a book I HAVE to read. (She seriously has impeccable taste).
So Faith has agreed to occasionally put together spotlights on some of her favorite authors for me to post for you guys, so she can tell you herself why you need to discover these incredible authors.
And so, without further ado, I give you The Book Babe:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Presenting: The One and Only, the Amazing Janette Rallison!
Ok, so I realize that this title might be a bit ostentatious. But, Janette deserves all that praise and more!
I often get a chance to talk to writers, both published and unpublished, about the career of being an author. And every time I do, I mention Janette. She is an example of the BEST type of author. One who is still writing and getting published after 17 years. She has 19 published with 2 more due out this year! Pretty amazing.
I realize that she is not the only author who has been writing that long, she is merely one of my favorites!
All her books are fun, quick reads, perfect for anyone who likes to read romantic comedies.
Except for SLAYERS, which is written under the pseudonym C.J.Hill. SLAYERS is a straight up fantasy about dragon hunting. It is FANTASTIC, and my second favorite Janette Rallison book. MY DOUBLE LIFE is my all-time favorite of hers, and not just because I make the briefest of cameos as a teacher... :)
Every single one of her books will fit perfectly in any school library. Or any personal library. They are entertaining enough for high school and clean enough for elementary school.
If you like to read fun, well written books you can't go wrong with any of her novels. And you can find a list of all of her amazing titles HERE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And because Faith is amazing, and wants to make it as easy as possible for you guys to discover Janette's books, she's donated some copies for me to give away--AND THEY'RE SIGNED! One lucky winner will receive three--yes THREE awesome Janette Rallison books: IT'S A MALL WORLD AFTER ALL, MY FAIR GODMOTHER, and HOW TO TAKE THE EX OUT OF EX-BOYFRIEND.
To enter, simply leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday, March 10th. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, March 11th. International entries welcome. I also *recommend* you follow my blog/feed in some way/shape/form--not because I'm trying to make you my minion, but because I don't have time to email winners, so if you miss when I post your name and never contact me, I give your prize to someone else. Up to you!
And in addition to her being the most amazing mentor and cheerleader EVER--and offering incredible editing services--she is also an AWESOME source for book recommendations. In fact, I discovered several of my favorite authors because of Faith--and nothing makes me happier than one of her gushy emails telling me about a book I HAVE to read. (She seriously has impeccable taste).
So Faith has agreed to occasionally put together spotlights on some of her favorite authors for me to post for you guys, so she can tell you herself why you need to discover these incredible authors.
And so, without further ado, I give you The Book Babe:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Presenting: The One and Only, the Amazing Janette Rallison!
Ok, so I realize that this title might be a bit ostentatious. But, Janette deserves all that praise and more!
I often get a chance to talk to writers, both published and unpublished, about the career of being an author. And every time I do, I mention Janette. She is an example of the BEST type of author. One who is still writing and getting published after 17 years. She has 19 published with 2 more due out this year! Pretty amazing.
I realize that she is not the only author who has been writing that long, she is merely one of my favorites!
All her books are fun, quick reads, perfect for anyone who likes to read romantic comedies.
Except for SLAYERS, which is written under the pseudonym C.J.Hill. SLAYERS is a straight up fantasy about dragon hunting. It is FANTASTIC, and my second favorite Janette Rallison book. MY DOUBLE LIFE is my all-time favorite of hers, and not just because I make the briefest of cameos as a teacher... :)
Every single one of her books will fit perfectly in any school library. Or any personal library. They are entertaining enough for high school and clean enough for elementary school.
If you like to read fun, well written books you can't go wrong with any of her novels. And you can find a list of all of her amazing titles HERE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And because Faith is amazing, and wants to make it as easy as possible for you guys to discover Janette's books, she's donated some copies for me to give away--AND THEY'RE SIGNED! One lucky winner will receive three--yes THREE awesome Janette Rallison books: IT'S A MALL WORLD AFTER ALL, MY FAIR GODMOTHER, and HOW TO TAKE THE EX OUT OF EX-BOYFRIEND.
To enter, simply leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday, March 10th. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, March 11th. International entries welcome. I also *recommend* you follow my blog/feed in some way/shape/form--not because I'm trying to make you my minion, but because I don't have time to email winners, so if you miss when I post your name and never contact me, I give your prize to someone else. Up to you!
March 5, 2012
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: The Humming Room--and a Giveaway!
I'm still deep in The Deadline Zone, but despite that, I MADE time to put together this week's MMGM, because I loved the book so incredibly much, and it's FINALLY out in stores for everyone to buy. THE HUMMING ROOM, by Ellen Potter.
Check out the AWESOME cover (another Jason Chan masterpiece!):
And here's how the publisher describes it:
Hiding is Roo Fanshaw's special skill. Living in a frighteningly unstable family, she often needs to disappear at a moment's notice. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life.
As it turns out, Roo, much to her surprise, has a wealthy if eccentric uncle, who has agreed to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a tuberculosis sanitarium for children of the rich, the strange house is teeming with ghost stories and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in ghosts or fairy stories, but what are those eerie noises she keeps hearing? And who is that strange wild boy who lives on the river? People are lying to her, and Roo becomes determined to find the truth.
Despite the best efforts of her uncle's assistants, Roo discovers the house's hidden room—a garden with a tragic secret.
Inspired by The Secret Garden, this tale full of unusual characters and mysterious secrets is a story that only Ellen Potter could write.
Not sure if you guys know this, but I am a big Ellen Potter fan (if you haven't read THE KNEEBONE BOY, you need to!). THE SECRET GARDEN also happens to be one of my all time favorite books. So when I heard those two forces were combining in THE HUMMING ROOM I couldn't WAIT to get my hands on a copy. And it was everything I wanted to be and SO MUCH MORE.
It's hard to update something as special as THE SECRET GARDEN and not ruin it--but Potter manages to take everything I loved about the book and add only things I never knew it needed to have. And Roo... What an amazing little girl. I loved her from the first sentence--which also made my heart completely ache for her. She's a smart, quiet, broken character who is impossible not to love.
I really could go on and on and on about all the things that make this book so special, but I don't want to ruin it for any of you. So instead I'm going to just say: do yourself a favor and READ IT. And to make that easier for one of you, I'm giving away a copy to one lucky winner.
To enter, make sure you follow my blog (so you'll see when I post the winner) and leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday, March 10th. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, March 11th. International entries welcome.
And for more amazing middle grade recommendations, check out there other awesome MMGMs floating around the blogosphere:
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
**NOTE**I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. I'll TRY, but it might not happen. I know that makes it less convenient for everyone, but the constant updating of the post is a big time suck and I just can't keep up with it right now. SORRY!
**Note: Thanks to a boatload of spam--and my missing a bunch of important emails because of it--I'm now using a new email address. So make sure you update your records because I'm slowly phasing the other address out. New email is: SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. Hopefully now I won't miss some of your MMGMs, like I have been.**
Happy Monday!
Check out the AWESOME cover (another Jason Chan masterpiece!):
And here's how the publisher describes it:
Hiding is Roo Fanshaw's special skill. Living in a frighteningly unstable family, she often needs to disappear at a moment's notice. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life.
As it turns out, Roo, much to her surprise, has a wealthy if eccentric uncle, who has agreed to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a tuberculosis sanitarium for children of the rich, the strange house is teeming with ghost stories and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in ghosts or fairy stories, but what are those eerie noises she keeps hearing? And who is that strange wild boy who lives on the river? People are lying to her, and Roo becomes determined to find the truth.
Despite the best efforts of her uncle's assistants, Roo discovers the house's hidden room—a garden with a tragic secret.
Inspired by The Secret Garden, this tale full of unusual characters and mysterious secrets is a story that only Ellen Potter could write.
Not sure if you guys know this, but I am a big Ellen Potter fan (if you haven't read THE KNEEBONE BOY, you need to!). THE SECRET GARDEN also happens to be one of my all time favorite books. So when I heard those two forces were combining in THE HUMMING ROOM I couldn't WAIT to get my hands on a copy. And it was everything I wanted to be and SO MUCH MORE.
It's hard to update something as special as THE SECRET GARDEN and not ruin it--but Potter manages to take everything I loved about the book and add only things I never knew it needed to have. And Roo... What an amazing little girl. I loved her from the first sentence--which also made my heart completely ache for her. She's a smart, quiet, broken character who is impossible not to love.
I really could go on and on and on about all the things that make this book so special, but I don't want to ruin it for any of you. So instead I'm going to just say: do yourself a favor and READ IT. And to make that easier for one of you, I'm giving away a copy to one lucky winner.
To enter, make sure you follow my blog (so you'll see when I post the winner) and leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday, March 10th. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, March 11th. International entries welcome.
And for more amazing middle grade recommendations, check out there other awesome MMGMs floating around the blogosphere:
- The Mundie Moms are now part of the MMGM fun (eee!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, better get over THERE and check out all the awesome!
- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Barbara Watson is spotlighting THE UNDERNEATH. Click HERE to read her review.
- Karen Yingling is championing THE FANTASTIC SECRET OF OWEN JESTER. Click HERE to learn more about it.
- Deb Marshall is sharing her love of DANGEROUS WATERS: AN ADVENTURE ON THE TITANIC. Click HERE to read why you should love it too.
- Kim Aippersbach joins the MMGM fun with a feature on THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY. Click HERE to welcome her to the group.
- Andrea Mack is falling hard for NEIL FLAMBE AND THE AZTEC ABDUCTION. Click HERE to see why
-Jemi Fraser is back with a feature on ZACH'S LIE. Click HERE to see what it's all about.
- Brennan and Meyrick Murphy--two actual middle grade bloggers (so awesome, right???) discuss their love for THE RED PYRAMID. Click HERE for Brennan's review.
- Susan Olson is gushing about FROZEN IN TIME and ARCHER'S QUEST. Click HERE to see why she loves them.
- Gabrielle Prendergast has compiled some reader-interviews about PERCY JACKSON and MAGIC TREEHOUSE. Click HERE to see what everyone thought.
- Jennifer Rumberger is sharing her joy for Judy Blume's amazing FUDGE books. Click HERE to see why these classics stand the test of time.
- Michelle Isenhoff is crazy for BUNNICLA. Click HERE to see why she thinks you should be too.
-Coreena McBurnie makes her MMGM debut with a spotlight on THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET. Click HERE to welcome her to the group.
- Gina Carey is championing WHEN YOU REACH ME. Click HERE to see her review.
- Michael Gettel Gilmarten is showcasing THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN--with a SIGNED ARC GIVEAWAY! Click HERE to enter.
- Laurisa Reyes--another MMGM newcomer! (so AWESOME watching the meme spread)--joins us with her first feature on THE BOY PROJECT, with an author interview AND A GIVEAWAY! Click HERE for all the details.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)**NOTE**I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. I'll TRY, but it might not happen. I know that makes it less convenient for everyone, but the constant updating of the post is a big time suck and I just can't keep up with it right now. SORRY!
**Note: Thanks to a boatload of spam--and my missing a bunch of important emails because of it--I'm now using a new email address. So make sure you update your records because I'm slowly phasing the other address out. New email is: SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. Hopefully now I won't miss some of your MMGMs, like I have been.**
Happy Monday!
March 2, 2012
KEEPER'S FIRST BLURB!!!!!!! (and a contest to celebrate!)
A few of you might have seen me tweet this picture from the SCIBA event I went to last weekend:
This is me with Amber Benson (yes, Tara!) and Lisa McMann (otherwise known as: two super-cool S&S Aladdin authors--with a Shannon standing nervously in the middle!)
And you might notice that I do not have my arm around Lisa McMann in the photo--and there IS a reason for that. See, poor Lisa had already had to endure a couple of awkward Shannon-hugs that evening, so I decided it wasn't right to make her endure any more.
Which may make you wonder why I was hug-molesting poor Lisa McMann.
Well... there are many reasons:
- I'm ... kinda a HUGE Lisa McMann fangirl - She's arguably one of the nicest authors out there- But mostly, it had to do with this:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"A delightful and dangerous adventure with complex characters and relationships you'll root for to the end of time."
In case you can't tell--that is the first official blurb for KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES!!!
Nope--that's not enough exclamation marks:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Though, mostly... I get a bit teary every time I read it.
I mean, having someone say something nice about my book will always be an AMAZING thing. But to have it be from an author I've been admiring and fangirl-ing for YEARS--an author who writes both middle grade and YA with the kind of ease and skill that I aspire to, is just...
There. Are. No. Words.
(That does not mean I didn't ramble--mostly incoherently--to poor Lisa at the event, thanking her for taking the time to read KEEPER and giving such an amazing blurb. But I will spare you that because it's bad enough poor Lisa had to suffer through it. I'm just happy I didn't cry!)
And just so you guys can fully understand why this blurb means so much to me, I've decided to give away some of Lisa's amazing books to one lucky commenter, so you can see for yourself why having her like my book is such an incredible compliment.
One winner will receive:- A SIGNED Hardcover of CRYER'S CROSS- A Hardcover of THE UNWANTEDS- A Hardcover of DEAD TO YOU
To enter, make sure you leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday, March 10th. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, March 11th. International entries welcome.
And whether you win or lose, I highly recommend you all check out Lisa's incredible list of titles. Here are links to all the ones currently available on Goodreads:WAKEFADEGONECRYER'S CROSSTHE UNWANTEDSDEAD TO YOU
She also has two amazing new books coming out in the near(ish) future:THE UNWANTEDS 2: ISLAND OF SILENCECRASH
And since I am SO excited about the new books--and I want you to be too--I will give one extra entry in the contest if you mark either of them as "To Read" on Goodreads. (just to be clear, that would be one extra entry for marking UNWANTEDS 2 : ISLAND OF SILENCE as "To Read" and one extra entry for marking CRASH as "To Read") And hey, while you're there, if you feel like marking KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES or LET THE SKY FALL as "To Read" I'll give one extra entry for either of those too. (I'm allowed to be a *little* shameless sometimes, right?) (The names are links--or I have a handy widget in my sidebar)
So that means if you mark them all, you could have FOUR additional entries, along with the one for commenting, for a grand total of FIVE entries. Pretty sweet. Or, you could just leave a comment and take your one entry and roll with it. TOTALLY your call. Marking "to read" is completely optional. Just let me know what you do in your comment so I can tally accordingly.
Um... I think that pretty much covers everything, but if you have any questions, ask away in the comments.
(And Lisa, if you're reading this--and I doubt you are because you have probably had QUITE enough of my gushing already--once again just... thank you. I am truly humbled and honored.)
Ready?
Go!
This is me with Amber Benson (yes, Tara!) and Lisa McMann (otherwise known as: two super-cool S&S Aladdin authors--with a Shannon standing nervously in the middle!)
And you might notice that I do not have my arm around Lisa McMann in the photo--and there IS a reason for that. See, poor Lisa had already had to endure a couple of awkward Shannon-hugs that evening, so I decided it wasn't right to make her endure any more.
Which may make you wonder why I was hug-molesting poor Lisa McMann.
Well... there are many reasons:
- I'm ... kinda a HUGE Lisa McMann fangirl - She's arguably one of the nicest authors out there- But mostly, it had to do with this:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"A delightful and dangerous adventure with complex characters and relationships you'll root for to the end of time."
-Lisa McMann~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In case you can't tell--that is the first official blurb for KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES!!!
Nope--that's not enough exclamation marks:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Though, mostly... I get a bit teary every time I read it.
I mean, having someone say something nice about my book will always be an AMAZING thing. But to have it be from an author I've been admiring and fangirl-ing for YEARS--an author who writes both middle grade and YA with the kind of ease and skill that I aspire to, is just...
There. Are. No. Words.
(That does not mean I didn't ramble--mostly incoherently--to poor Lisa at the event, thanking her for taking the time to read KEEPER and giving such an amazing blurb. But I will spare you that because it's bad enough poor Lisa had to suffer through it. I'm just happy I didn't cry!)
And just so you guys can fully understand why this blurb means so much to me, I've decided to give away some of Lisa's amazing books to one lucky commenter, so you can see for yourself why having her like my book is such an incredible compliment.
One winner will receive:- A SIGNED Hardcover of CRYER'S CROSS- A Hardcover of THE UNWANTEDS- A Hardcover of DEAD TO YOU
To enter, make sure you leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday, March 10th. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, March 11th. International entries welcome.
And whether you win or lose, I highly recommend you all check out Lisa's incredible list of titles. Here are links to all the ones currently available on Goodreads:WAKEFADEGONECRYER'S CROSSTHE UNWANTEDSDEAD TO YOU
She also has two amazing new books coming out in the near(ish) future:THE UNWANTEDS 2: ISLAND OF SILENCECRASH
And since I am SO excited about the new books--and I want you to be too--I will give one extra entry in the contest if you mark either of them as "To Read" on Goodreads. (just to be clear, that would be one extra entry for marking UNWANTEDS 2 : ISLAND OF SILENCE as "To Read" and one extra entry for marking CRASH as "To Read") And hey, while you're there, if you feel like marking KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES or LET THE SKY FALL as "To Read" I'll give one extra entry for either of those too. (I'm allowed to be a *little* shameless sometimes, right?) (The names are links--or I have a handy widget in my sidebar)
So that means if you mark them all, you could have FOUR additional entries, along with the one for commenting, for a grand total of FIVE entries. Pretty sweet. Or, you could just leave a comment and take your one entry and roll with it. TOTALLY your call. Marking "to read" is completely optional. Just let me know what you do in your comment so I can tally accordingly.
Um... I think that pretty much covers everything, but if you have any questions, ask away in the comments.
(And Lisa, if you're reading this--and I doubt you are because you have probably had QUITE enough of my gushing already--once again just... thank you. I am truly humbled and honored.)
Ready?
Go!
February 29, 2012
Best job in the world
I know I've seemed a tad stressed in my posts lately (and my emails and tweets and phone calls and IMs and half loopy mumblings in the middle of the night...). And I AM stressed. I definitely have a lot on my plate at the moment, and a big part of me is afraid I'm not going to have time to get everything done.
But I was talking to another author over the weekend--one with an even crazier schedule than me--and she reminded me that yes, it's stressful, and it's hard, and sometimes you have to force your butt into that chair and make yourself get things done, even when you're tired and overwhelmed and desperate for a break. BUT, it's also truly amazing that we get to have this job.
And she's absolutely right.
I hadn't forgotten that, but I also don't know that I really think about it enough, either.
Yes, it's stressful. Yes, it's intense. But it's also the dream. A dream I spent YEARS working toward.
And the funny thing is, the more I remind myself of how grateful I am to be where I'm at, the more I feel like this:
I'm still tired. I'm still buried. I'm still not going to be able to be online as much as I'd like. But I'm hanging in.
In fact, I've crossed one thing of my endless To Do List. Copyedits for LET THE SKY FALL are officially done and shipped off to S&S!
One deadline down--two more to go!
Onward!
But I was talking to another author over the weekend--one with an even crazier schedule than me--and she reminded me that yes, it's stressful, and it's hard, and sometimes you have to force your butt into that chair and make yourself get things done, even when you're tired and overwhelmed and desperate for a break. BUT, it's also truly amazing that we get to have this job.
And she's absolutely right.
I hadn't forgotten that, but I also don't know that I really think about it enough, either.
Yes, it's stressful. Yes, it's intense. But it's also the dream. A dream I spent YEARS working toward.
And the funny thing is, the more I remind myself of how grateful I am to be where I'm at, the more I feel like this:
I'm still tired. I'm still buried. I'm still not going to be able to be online as much as I'd like. But I'm hanging in.
In fact, I've crossed one thing of my endless To Do List. Copyedits for LET THE SKY FALL are officially done and shipped off to S&S!
One deadline down--two more to go!
Onward!
February 27, 2012
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Shiny Links of Awesome!!!
Sorry guys--once again I have no MMGM for you this week. #Shannonfail
I know, I know. I didn't even get a guest post organized to cover it because I THOUGHT I'd have time. But alas--the LET THE SKY FALL copyedits are taking longer than I thought--especially since I am still juggling Book 2 and 1st Pass AND I had an author event this weekend (seriously, can some one slow down life?).
So I'm moving my feature to next week and this week I'm letting the rest of you awesome MMGMers carry the torch for me. Luckily, you all do an awesome job. Look at these amazing features going on:
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
**NOTE**I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. I'll TRY, but it might not happen. I know that makes it less convenient for everyone, but the constant updating of the post is a big time suck and I just can't keep up with it right now. SORRY!
**Also: Thanks to a boatload of spam--and my missing a bunch of important emails because of it--I'm now using a new email address. So make sure you update your records because I'm slowly phasing the other address out. New email is: SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. Hopefully now I won't miss some of your MMGMs, like I have been.**
I know, I know. I didn't even get a guest post organized to cover it because I THOUGHT I'd have time. But alas--the LET THE SKY FALL copyedits are taking longer than I thought--especially since I am still juggling Book 2 and 1st Pass AND I had an author event this weekend (seriously, can some one slow down life?).
So I'm moving my feature to next week and this week I'm letting the rest of you awesome MMGMers carry the torch for me. Luckily, you all do an awesome job. Look at these amazing features going on:
- The Mundie Moms are now part of the MMGM fun (eee!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!
- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Natalie Aguirre is hooked onTHE PRINCESS CURSE, with an author interview AND A GIVEAWAY! Click HERE for all the details.
- Andrea Mack is crushing on THAT BOY RED. Click HERE to see why
- Gabrielle Prendergast reminds us about SILVERWING. Click HERE to see why she loves it.
- Pam Torres is spreading the love for BREADCRUMBS. Click HERE to see what she thinks.
- Karen Yingling has a feature on THE TRAITOR AND THE TUNNEL. Click HERE to learn more about it.
- Barbara Watson is gushing about MAY B. Click HERE to read her review.
- Myrna Foster is recommending THREE TIMES LUCKY--with an ARC GIVEAWAY. Click HERE to enter.
- Akossiwa Ketoglo is also giving a shout out to MAY B. Click HERE to see why she loved it.
- Tricia Conway is back for some serious gushing and raving about CORALINE. Click HERE to read her review.
- Andrea Mack is featuring THAT BOY RED. Click HERE to learn why she thinks you need to read it.
- Gina Carey is cheering for ALVIN HO. Click HERE to see why she thinks you should be too.
- Michael Gettel Gilmarten has an interview, a feature, AND A GIVEAWAY of MAY B. Click HERE for details.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
**NOTE**I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. I'll TRY, but it might not happen. I know that makes it less convenient for everyone, but the constant updating of the post is a big time suck and I just can't keep up with it right now. SORRY!
**Also: Thanks to a boatload of spam--and my missing a bunch of important emails because of it--I'm now using a new email address. So make sure you update your records because I'm slowly phasing the other address out. New email is: SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. Hopefully now I won't miss some of your MMGMs, like I have been.**
February 26, 2012
WINTERLING winner
Ugh--once again I'm posting this later than I meant to (can someone please slow down time????). But, at least I didn't completely forget, right?
Anyway, the random winner of WINTERLING, by Sarah Prineas is...
...
Riv Re
Yay!
*tosses confetti*
If that's you, please email me at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com and I will send off your prize.
For everyone else--keep checking back. I tend to have new contests pop up around here. You never know what I'll give away next. ;)
Anyway, the random winner of WINTERLING, by Sarah Prineas is...
...
Riv Re
Yay!
*tosses confetti*
If that's you, please email me at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com and I will send off your prize.
For everyone else--keep checking back. I tend to have new contests pop up around here. You never know what I'll give away next. ;)
February 24, 2012
This is my life right now...
I could write a post trying to explain the insanity of what I'm currently juggling--but I think this picture pretty much sums it up. This is my desk at the moment ...
And yes--the cat is typically there. It's why I'm not often able to WORK at my desk, and instead use it simply as The Place To Keep All The Important Things!
So basically, what you're seeing (in addition to my P&P desktop--hee) is three things with three very tight deadlines.
That pile on the left? Yeah, that's KEEPER 1st pass, which is due VERY soon.
That pile in the middle? Copyedits for LET THE SKY FALL. Due EVEN SOONER.
Oh, and that chaos to the right? That's all my brainstorming notes for KEEPER book 2, which is ALSO due very SCARILY SOOON.
(There's also some other *fun* stuff on there you might be noticing...)
So... yeah. That is my life right now. Deadline upon deadline upon deadline. Now I know why my agent had a very serious conversation with me about "can I really handle this?" when we sold the second series. It is INTENSE.
But I am not complaining--AT ALL. I could not be happier or prouder to get to work on my books every day. It is truly an honor and I would not change it for a second. BUT, if I'm not blogging or tweeting or commenting on FB or replying to your emails (FYI guys, I'm about 2 months behind on email. My inbox has 464 unread messages. So if you are waiting to hear from me--that is why, and it's probably gonna be a while. SORRY!)
One of these days I WILL catch up. One stack of papers at a time. One day at a time. Until it's all finally done. In the meantime--you know where to find me!
Hope everyone has a great weekend! I... will be working. (Well, mostly. I have an AWESOME author event on Sat night I will try to post pics from. But yeah... my deadlines demand the rest of my time)
And yes--the cat is typically there. It's why I'm not often able to WORK at my desk, and instead use it simply as The Place To Keep All The Important Things!
So basically, what you're seeing (in addition to my P&P desktop--hee) is three things with three very tight deadlines.
That pile on the left? Yeah, that's KEEPER 1st pass, which is due VERY soon.
That pile in the middle? Copyedits for LET THE SKY FALL. Due EVEN SOONER.
Oh, and that chaos to the right? That's all my brainstorming notes for KEEPER book 2, which is ALSO due very SCARILY SOOON.
(There's also some other *fun* stuff on there you might be noticing...)
So... yeah. That is my life right now. Deadline upon deadline upon deadline. Now I know why my agent had a very serious conversation with me about "can I really handle this?" when we sold the second series. It is INTENSE.
But I am not complaining--AT ALL. I could not be happier or prouder to get to work on my books every day. It is truly an honor and I would not change it for a second. BUT, if I'm not blogging or tweeting or commenting on FB or replying to your emails (FYI guys, I'm about 2 months behind on email. My inbox has 464 unread messages. So if you are waiting to hear from me--that is why, and it's probably gonna be a while. SORRY!)
One of these days I WILL catch up. One stack of papers at a time. One day at a time. Until it's all finally done. In the meantime--you know where to find me!
Hope everyone has a great weekend! I... will be working. (Well, mostly. I have an AWESOME author event on Sat night I will try to post pics from. But yeah... my deadlines demand the rest of my time)
