Jordan Sonnenblick is on tour from his very own kitchen!
As part of his 5th-Grade World Tour to promote his Dodger and Me series, Jordan is conducting a virtual tour with elementary school classrooms from all over the country. Check out this write-up of one school's event in Wyoming, Ohio.
And don't forget to check out all the books about Willie, and his imaginary blue chimp friend, Dodger: Dodger and Me, Dodger for President, and coming this month, Dodger for Sale.
What better day than a birthday to remind your child that he or she is the "one and only ever you"? A fan of Nancy Tillman's did just that, and sent this wonderful photo of a birthday cake inspired by Nancy's books, along with the message, "You are loved."
NANCY TILLMAN is the author and illustrator of On the Night You Were Born (now available in board book format!), The Wonder of You, The Spirit of Christmas, and the upcoming Fall 2010 title, Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You, as well as the illustrator of It's Time to Sleep, My Love, written by Eric Metaxas.
For Babies and Pre-schoolers
From the New York Times-bestselling author of On the Night You Were Born, comes a Christmas classic you will want to read again every year. School Library Journal has called it, “A beautiful and timeless book.”
Written by Alison McGhee
Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
We are so proud of Only a Witch Can Fly, which is a New York Times Best Illustrated book of 2009. The New York Times Book Review said, “The effortless quiet of McGhee’s words is beautifully matched by Yoo’s pictures. …There’s more than enough magic in these pages…for young readers and for their parents, who might otherwise give up on finding anything truly enchanting about Halloween.”
Kids know that gum is fun, but for the two little pigs in this book, gum can be trouble. Trouble Gum was a Best Book of 2009 at the BookPage blog, "The Book Case." Kirkus Reviews said it, “Packs plenty of pop," and the San Francisco Chronicle called it, “Irresistible…graphically dynamic.” Here's a glimpse at the irresistible art:
From beloved author Ann M. Martin comes a novel perfect for anyone who has ever longed for a dog, or loved one. Everything for a Dog was a Best Book of 2009 at the BookPage blog, "The Book Case," and a Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2009. Praise for Everything for a Dog:
“Animal lovers of all ages will cherish this moving tale of man’s—or in
this case, boy’s—best friend.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
This creepy tale about a newly orphaned boy on a quest to avenge his father's death, set in Dickensian-esque England, fits right in at Christmastime. Kirkus Reviews said, “Readers with a taste for lurid prose, macabre twists, riddles, exotic
poisons, high-society caricatures, murderous schemes and scenes of
stomach-churning degeneracy will find some or all of these in every chapter, and
though the author trots in multiple characters and references from previous
episodes, this one stands sturdily on its own.”
Here is a charming novel about Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, who lives in an enchanted theater that houses every character of every play ever written. It is a Kirkus Reviews Best YA Book of 2009, and has been praised as:
“Lisa Mantchev’s theatrical fantasy ‘Eyes Like Stars’ pits a plucky orphan, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, and her fairy attendants against the wiles of Ariel and a stuffy stage manager.”—New York Times Book Review
“Electric…delicious…fascinating…vivid…smart and sassy…bawdy and hilarious…Brava! Encore!”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
The Sweetheart of Prosper County
Austin Gray is tired of standing at the curb and watching the parade pass her by. She decides that this is the year to be be the Sweetheart of Prosper County. To do it, she needs to join the FFA and raise a prize-winning rooster, Charles Dickens. In a Starred Review, School Library Journal called the book, “A refreshing picture of teen angst, with realistic dialogue and memorable characters.”
Nonfiction
Illustrated by Christopher Bing
Conceived as a one-year anniversary edition of a newspaper written after President Lincoln's death, this book tells the story of his life. It is great for your junior history buff, but it might also be the perfect gift for a grown-up on your list, too.
Praise for Lincoln Shot:
"This book would serve as a good ‘first’ book on Lincoln, and I can imagine many young readers sprawled around it on the floor.”—The Chicago Tribune
"Wonderfully readable"—The New York Times Book Review
“…a gripping read for middle-graders ahead of the February bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, a big event in publishing for grown-ups but a slice of history in need of some wow for young people…. The faux-weathered pages have real advertisements from the time, rich pen-and-ink scenes from Lincoln's life and some gutsy archival photos that include dead bodies on the battlefield at Gettysburg and the hanging of John Wilkes Booth's assassination conspirators.”—The Associated Press
"This unique biography of Abraham Lincoln employs a richly-illustrated newspaper format and a vigorous, readable writing style to present the story of the Civil War president's remarkable life and tragic death. Written for young adults, it will appeal to readers of all ages. In this bicentennial season of Lincoln books, this one stands out with its attractive format and fast-paced prose."--James M. McPherson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom
Stocking Stuffers
Illustrated by Chuck Gonzales
These activity books will provide hours of fun for your budding fashionista or young rock fan.
Halloween is the perfect time to curl up with a copy of F. E. Higgins's, The Eyeball Collector. The polyquel to The Black Book of Secrets and The Bone Magician. If you're wondering what a polyquel is, it's a world that describes Higgins's series, meaning that it contains elements from all three stories, as well as mysteries all of its own.
The Eyeball Collector seems a perfect title for this time of year, what with Hallowe’en just around the corner. And the eponymous character, Baron Bovrik de Vandolin, would make a perfect Hallowee’n dress-up character. This treacherous one-eyed Baron is a self-serving master of deception with some very odd habits. As a writer, I keep lists of character traits and mannerisms in my office, and Baron Bovrik has been given more than his fair share of the peculiar ones.
For some unknown reason, I get a great deal of pleasure from creating and writing about my villains; no book is complete without one. Jeremiah Ratchet, the evil landlord in The Black Book of Secrets, was particularly repulsive with his sweaty, bulbous face and bad breath, but then along came Deodonatus Snoad, the malformed unfortunate in The Bone Magician. But in The Eyeball Collector, I think I have managed to assemble the weirdest, most villainous cast yet!
The setting of The Eyeball Collector would also be the perfect place to hold a Hallowe’en party. Although the story starts on the mean streets of Urbs Umida, the vilest city in existence, the action soon moves to Withypitts Hall, a gloomy, sinister Gothic mansion far away from civilisation. When Hector (the main boy character in the book) first sees Withypitts Hall in the middle of a violent storm, he describes it as “a vast jagged silhouette stretching across a broad mountainous outcrop like a gathering of crouching devils.”
Within Withypitts’ walls live Lord and Lady Mandible (Lady Mandible could certainly give Bovrik a run for his money in the villain stakes), a rather dysfunctional pair of peers if ever there was one! Lady Mandible has filled the hall with all sorts of revolting oddities and has at her beck and call a loyal manservant called Gerulphus. Lady Mandible charges Hector with the task of breeding hundreds of butterflies for her Mid-Winter Feast. But no one could possibly guess why she wants them . . . .
I’d better stop there before I give too much away. Speaking of the servant Gerulphus, I have just finished writing my fourth book, tentatively titled The Lunatics’ Curse, and I am pleased to say that Gerulphus plays a big part in the story. I found him an intriguing character and I wanted to know more, so in The Lunatic’s Curse, I delved into the past and uncovered a few more secrets about him and the eerie world in which he lived.
Happy haunting to you all!
F. E. Higgins
If you'd like to purchase The Eyeball Collector, it's available at your local bookstore or here:
Cynthia Chapman Willis has put together an excellent trailer for her new book, Buck Fever, which will be in stores October 27. Cynthia is also the author of Dog Gone, now available in hardcover and paperback.
Are you ready to pre-order? Follow the following links:
It might not be officially autumn yet (even though it is pleasantly crisp in NYC), but today is the day the first of the F&F Fall 2009 books hit stores. We are thrilled with the great reviews these titles have already received. So head to your local bookstore today and check them out.
Trouble Gum by Matthew Cordell
“Move over, Olivia, there's a new pig in town.”—The San Francisco Chronicle
“Packs plenty of pop.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Working with a stripped-down palette of black, white, red and bubblegum pink, Cordell's (Mighty Casey) first solo effort evokes irrepressible boyhood with laughs throughout.”—Publishers Weekly
IT'S RAINING.
There's nothing to do.
Ruben is bored.
But things start looking up when his grandmother gives him and his little brother some gum.
Gum is fun. There's just one problem with gum--it tends to make a mess!
UH-OH . . .
MATTHEW CORDELL is the illustrator of several picture books, including Mighty Casey, written by James Preller. This is his first book as author and illustrator. He lives in suburban Chicago with his wife, Julie Halpern, and their daughter. Both James and Julie have books on the Feiwel and Friends' Fall list, which will be available on September 29. From James, a middle-grade title, Bystander, and from Julie, a teen title, Into the Wild Nerd Yonder.
The Eyeball Collector by F. E. Higgins
From the author of The Black Book of Secrets and The Bone Magician comes a novel that might just be her creepiest, most suspenseful yet!
Although Hector Fitzbaudly has always lived on the posh side of the River Foedus, he's yearned to see the seedy side of Urbs Umida. Unfortunately, he gets his chance when a blackmail artist confronts his father with a terrible secret from his past, and Hector finds himself penniless. He sets out to find the man responsible, who has been a gentleman, a swindler, and an Eyeball Collector--stealing jewels from the wealthy to make false eyes to replace his missing one. Hector trails the Eyeball Collector and places himself in the perfect position to take revenge. But will he be able to go through with his plan?
F. E. HIGGINS's debut novel, The Black Book of Secrets, was praised by Booklist as "a smart, particularly thrilling book" in a starred review, and her second novel, The Bone Magician, was called "tantalizing" by School Library Journal. She lives in Kent, England.
The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander
“A refreshing picture of teen angst, with realistic dialogue and memorable characters.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review
“First-time novelist Alexander offers a delightful, funny story about teenagers living in a West Texas farming community…Austin’s year of added responsibility and independence make for a substantive, enjoyable coming-of-age novel that will speak to rural and urban readers alike.”—Booklist
Almost-15-year-old Austin Gray is tired of standing at the curb watching the parade pass her by. Literally. She decides this is the year she'll ride on the hood of a shiny pick-up truck in the annual parade and show the town bully that she's got what it takes to be the Sweetheart of Prosper County.
But far from simply being a beauty contest, becoming Sweetheart involves participation in the FFA, raising an animal, and hunting or fishing. Austin has the support of her oldest friend, Maribel, her new FFA friends (including a quiet, cute cowboy), and a rooster named Charles Dickens. If only her momma would stop overprotecting her. But Austin can't move on until her momma moves on, too--and lets the grief of losing Austin's daddy several years before out into the open.
Here is a bighearted story that will leave readers agreeing with Austin that sometimes, it's not what you ride, it's how you roll.
JILL S. ALEXANDER grew up in rural East Texas, where she went to work at the age of twelve bussing tables at the local truck stop. There, she met folks from all walks of life whose eccentricities color her work today. Jill taught high school English and Spanish before deciding to take a chance on writing full-time. She lives in Tyler, Texas with her husband and son. This is her first novel.
You can also join the Prosper County group on Facebook.
And last, but certainly not least...
Everything for a Dog by Ann M. Martin
Bone and his sister, Squirrel, are stray dogs born in a shed. Left motherless as puppies, the two dogs survive together for a while, but are soon wrenched apart and Bone must now go on, alone.
Charlie is a boy who has suffered a terrible loss. And, as he's healing with the help of his dog, another tragedy occurs.
All Henry has wanted is a dog of his own. Now his best friend has moved away, and his parents still won't let him.
Bone, Charlie, and Henry live very different lives, but their stories connect in surprising ways. Here is a powerful, heartfelt novel that's perfect for anyone who has ever longed for a dog, or loved one.
ANN M. MARTIN is the author of acclaimed novels, including Belle Teal, A Corner of the Universe (winner of the Newbery Honor), Here Today, and A Dog's Life, as well as the Doll People novels (written with Laura Godwin and illustrated by Brian Selznick). Ann lives in Upstate New York with her beloved dog, Sadie, whose mother was a stray, and several rescued cats.
You can also become a fan of Ann on Facebook.
The folks on the F&F Team, like many others in the book industry—and people who just like to read—are big fans of Stephenie Meyer, the author of Twilight’s, blog. This is why we were so excited to see that Stephenie likes two books, Dreamhunter and Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox, published by our partner imprint at Macmillan, Square Fish.
Stephenie says:
“I love to share good stuff. First books. I didn't have a ton of time to read this summer, but I did discover one really wonderful two-book series. Dreamhunter and Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox. It is like nothing else I've ever read. The characters are so real, you'll feel like you know exactly what they look like and how their voices sound and what they would say or do in any given situation. More than that, you'll want to hang out with them. Then the world is so amazing and unique. You will want to go there. You will want to walk into "the Place." And you will want to sleep in a dream opera.”
Thank you, Stephenie, for the wonderful mention!
Greg Taylor, author of the wicked awesome summer read Killer Pizza, has cooked up a killer trailer for his book.
And for more online fun, check out the book page here, and get some recipes to create your own Killer Pizza.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monster Combat Officer? Become a fan of Killer Pizza on Facebook!
All this talk of Killer Pizza making you hungry to read the book? It's available now:
Do you have a pretty chicken at home, who you know is just dying for her close-up? Or what about a handsome rooster, ready for the camera? Head over to Jill S. Alexander's Prosper County group on Facebook, and scan down to the discussion topics. There, you'll find the instructions to enter her Got Chicken? contest.
No real chickens required.
P.S. The real star of this competition is Charles Dickens (pictured right). He's in The Sweetheart of Prosper County, available September 1. Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
IndieBound
And while you're on Facebook, become of fan of Feiwel and Friends.
