C.J. Milbrandt's Blog, page 53
December 1, 2017
Meadowsweet
There are only twelve of these mountains the whole world over, sprat. You’ve lived in the shadow of a legend your whole young life.”
—MEADOWSWEET by C. J. Milbrandt
November 27, 2017
BYWAYS: Creatures
Firebirds. While many of the creatures found in the Wilds will be familiar to readers (unicorns, griffins, etc.), many more are unique to the Byways Books. Like firebirds…
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Zane walked into the middle of a bird powwow. Long necks. Knobby knees. Pointed beaks. Firebirds stood as tall as a grown man. From their high crests to their trailing tail feathers, the firebirds burned with an eerie blue light. Jovan noticed that the great blue birds dipped their heads to Zane, as if bowing to a prince.
...November 24, 2017
Through the Notches
Jovan liked straightforward people. Three of his favorite things were honesty, loyalty, and books that ended well.
—THROUGH THE NOTCHES: A ZANE JOHNS ADVENTURE
November 20, 2017
BYWAYS: In Print
For your Bookshelf. Nothing encourages kids to read and reread a series like having copies on your home bookshelves. The award-winning Byways Books are available as both paperbacks and hardcover library editions. (Contact CJ via email if you’re interested in ordering author-signed copies.)
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November 17, 2017
Meadowsweet
No matter how many times he witnessed the miracle, he felt that when a sculptor combined stone, shape, and seal, something was born.
—MEADOWSWEET by C. J. Milbrandt
November 13, 2017
BYWAYS: Illustrations
Every one of the Byways Books includes beautiful full-color art by my illustrator, Hannah Christenson. Here’s a sampling from Book #9, Through the Notches: A Zane Johns Adventure.
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November 10, 2017
Back on Track
Dress well, stand tall, smile often,” Virginia advised. “If you act free, people will assume you are free.”
—BACK ON TRACK: A GANIX JOHNS ADVENTURE
November 6, 2017
BYWAYS: Behind the Header
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Every so often, I offer readers a look behind the Byways headers. On a related note, do you recognize the four creatures it features? From top left, circling clockwise, they are a unicorn, a griffin, a dragon, and a phoenix. The topmost animal changes out from book to book. On Book #1, we have an eagle, representative of Ian Johns, who can Change into a golden eagle.
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Today, I’m offering a peek at purple mountain majesty from Hannah Christenson’s cover illustration for Byways Book #2, Aboard...
November 3, 2017
BYWAYS: Trendy Cover
Caught a blog post this morning over on The Booklist Reader about a trend in kids’ book covers—Ride a Golden Beast. Gathering up these titles would make for a fun library or bookshop display. And Zane’s on trend with the cover for Byways #12, In the Middle: A Zane Johns Adventure.
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Byways. Three half-brothers take sibling rivalry to new lengths as they race each other across their homeland. A coming-of-age story times three … with an educational twist.
Meadowsweet
The master sculptor knew his place. Morven had called him. Morven had claimed him. Morven would keep him.”
—MEADOWSWEET by C. J. Milbrandt
