C.J. Milbrandt's Blog, page 63

May 22, 2017

#amreading: Gail Carson Levine

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I’m currently reading Fairest by Gail Carson Levine. She’s long been one of my favorite middlegrade authors. Her spins of classic fairy tales are fun and funny. Back when my daughters were younger, we gobbled up the books in her Princess Tales set. Now I’m filling in the gaps by reading some of her newer(ish) and new-new titles.

To see what I’m reading + reviews, follow me on GoodReads >>


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Published on May 22, 2017 18:41

May 19, 2017

Harrow

The alabaster statue was no longer in his elevated niche. Phineas stood gazing up at the beautiful mermaid perched at the fountain’s pinnacle, one of her hands upraised in a graceful stretch. She looked as if she was trying to pluck a star from the sky. If his sister’s stories were true, it was probably so she could give it to her prince.

—HARROW by C. J. Milbrandt


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Published on May 19, 2017 07:10

May 18, 2017

ART: A Moment’s Repose

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Published on May 18, 2017 07:15

May 17, 2017

GAME: Name that Book Cover

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Published on May 17, 2017 06:00

May 16, 2017

MAILBAG: Seattle, Washington

I’m always excited to get mail from readers who take me up on the Hometown Challenge. Two postcards arrived last week from Seattle!

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Two stamped & sealed “Banners Boys” postcards are off in this morning’s mail—one stamped with Ewan’s seal, and one with Zane’s seal! Which brother are you cheering on? Write to tell me, and you can receive a postcard as well!

Hometown Challenge >>


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Published on May 16, 2017 06:20

May 15, 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 #10, Back on Track: A Ganix Johns Adventure.

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Published on May 15, 2017 07:30

May 12, 2017

Rakefang

Torio stood silently at the window, gazing out past the garden wall. Beyond the hollyhocks and runner beans, there was a dusty road leading to another world—pink and ocher plains, the striped tents of spice traders, and basking stones where golden guardians lazed.

—RAKEFANG by C. J. Milbrandt


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Published on May 12, 2017 07:25

May 11, 2017

#amreading: Kate Saunders

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After borrowing The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop from the library, I promptly bought my own copy … and its sequel. (I do crazy stuff like that.) Her middlegrade adventures suit my tastes—wildly whimsical, never too scary, and riddled with wit. Saunders wins my heart because she makes me laugh. The Curse of the Chocolate Phoenix sends us back into a London where magic lurks for a second adventure with Oz, Lily, and Caydon. Thus far, I’m delighted!

Stay tuned for more #BookADayInMay posts!


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Published on May 11, 2017 10:15

BYWAYS: Ganix Johns

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Published on May 11, 2017 07:35

May 10, 2017

GAME: Name that Book Cover

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Published on May 10, 2017 06:00