Cover Reveal: The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly by Rebecca Ansari

I'm incredibly excited to share the cover reveal for Rebecca Ansari's debut novel, a story for middle grade readers about a boy named Charlie, the little brother only he remembers, and his friend, Ana, who trust Charlie over memory. If you're at all like me, you'll be captivated by the description of The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly and intrigued by the cover! Don't forget to enter to win a signed advanced reader copy, too.

Rebecca Ansari lives in a very loud house in Minneapolis with her husband, their four boys, and a somewhat insane golden retriever. After twelve years as an ER doctor, she shelved her scrubs to write magical and mysterious worlds for middle grade readers. She is drawn to any story that evokes, “Please, mom! Just one more chapter!” and she strives to craft the same. She was the winner of the Minnesota SCBWI Mentorship for 2015. When she isn’t writing, you can find her joyously mountain biking, begrudgingly running, or escaping “up north” with family, friends and a stack of good books. Her novel, The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly is due out from Walden Pond Press/HarperCollins in March 2019.
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About the Book

Charlie O’Reilly is an only child. Which is why it makes everyone uncomfortable when he talks about his brother.

 Liam. His little brother, who, up until a year ago, slept in the bunk above Charlie, took pride in being as annoying as possible, and was the only person who could make Charlie laugh until it hurt. Then came the morning when Liam disappeared forever. No one even remembers him—not Charlie’s mother, who has been battling depression; and not Charlie’s father, who is often gone on business trips. The only person who believes Charlie is his best friend, Ana; even if she has no memory of Liam, she is as determined as Charlie is to solve the mystery of his missing brother.

 The search seems hopeless . . . until Charlie finds a mysterious note, unmistakably written in Liam’s handwriting. And if he and Ana are going to figure out what happened to Liam, they have no choice but to follow its instructions—even if doing so could mean that they, too, might disappear, unremembered, forever.

 Rebecca K. S. Ansari’s debut is a stunning contemporary fantasy about love, loss, and the power to forgive that we all have inside us—even if we forget that it’s there.

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Reveal 

 And now for the official cover reveal of The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly!

DRUMROLL PLEASE!

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Publisher: Walden Pond Press

 Release Date: 03/2019

I'm so curious to read this book and piece together the identities of the kids in the foreground... and those silhouettes in the windows! Share your thoughts in the comments and be sure to add The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly to your Goodreads and upcoming reads list!

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Giveaway

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An Interview with Elana K. Arnold, author of Bat and the Waiting Game

Like many readers, I fell in love with a boy named Bat and his furry friend Thor in Elana K. Arnold's middle grade novel A Boy Called Bat. Today, Elana visits The Hiding Spot to talk about her return to Bat and Thor's story in Bat and the Waiting Game!

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What was the inspiration for this second book about Bat and his pet baby skunk, Thor, in which Bat struggles with a change to his routine and separation from Thor? 

I was thrilled to continue Bat and Thor’s story. I love Bat so, so much. Like Bat, I’m very much a fan of routine and staying home with my animal friends. And, like Bat, I’m a sibling. I remember the challenges of having to suppress my preferences and needs because of the preferences and needs of my family members, and I wanted to poke at these places in myself and experience how Bat would feel and react when he’s challenged to move further outside his comfort zone. And, as a fan of Charles Santoso’s work, it’s been amazing to see more illustrations of Bat and his world. 

Are more stories about Bat and Thor planned?  

Yes! I am thrilled to share that I’ve just handed in edits for the third BAT book, Bat and the End of Everything. It will be out in March of 2019. 

In addition to your Bat books for young readers, you have written multiple young adult books. Does your writing process change depending on the audience for which you are writing? 

When I am working on a first draft of any project, I don’t think about audience at all. I tell myself, “It’s none of my business who reads my book.” My business is to tell the character’s authentic story the best way I know how. So, in that regard, my process is identical whether I’m writing a picture book, a novel for younger readers like my BAT books, or a young adult novel. But I do see my time with Bat as a respite from the more fraught work I do in my young adult novels. These past few years, I’ve been working on Bat’s story while concurrently writing some of my most personally challenging young adult titles, and I like to think of each as a palate cleanser for the other; the challenges the BAT books present are different from the challenges of my young adult work, and working on them side by side has allowed me to return with fresh eyes over and over again. 

Recommend one of your favorite new or old titles for fans of your Bat books! 

I love Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books. They focus intently on the very real, everyday problems of childhood without condescending. Fans of Bat may also love (as I do) Linda Urban’s Weekends With Max and His Dad and Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and Audrey Vernick’s Two Naomis. (Bonus: both books have sequels!) If they’re fantasy lovers, readers should also pick up Anne Ursu’s The Real Boy. Graphic novel enthusiasts will love Sally J. Pla’s Stanley Will Probably Be Fine, illustrated by Steve Wolfhard. And, if your reader wants another book with a fantastic teacher, direct them toward John David Anderson’s Ms. Bixby’s Last Day. 

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About the Book

Pub Date: March 27, 2018

Buy It!

 The second book in the irresistible and “quietly groundbreaking”* young middle grade series starring Bat, an unforgettable boy on the autism spectrum. For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life is pretty great. He’s the caretaker of the best baby skunk in the world—even Janie, his older sister, is warming up to Thor. When Janie gets a part in the school play and can’t watch Bat after school, it means some pretty big changes. Someone else has to take care of the skunk kit in the afternoons. Janie is having sleepovers with her new friends. Bat just wants everything to go back to normal. He just has to make it to the night of Janie’s performance… 

About Elana K. Arnold 

Elana K. Arnold grew up in California, where she, like Bat, was lucky enough to have her own perfect pet — a gorgeous mare named Rainbow — and a family who let her read as many books as she wanted. She is the author of picture books, middle grade novels, and books for teens, including the National Book Award finalist title What Girls Are Made Of. Elana lives in Huntington Beach, California, with her husband, two children, and a menagerie of animals. She calls the “Bat” series for Walden Pond Press “books of her heart.” You can find her online at www.elanakarnold.com.

Giveaway: GRANTED by John David Anderson

John David Anderson is one of my favorite middle grade authors to recommend to young readers because, once they're hooked on his writing, he'll take them on adventures through a variety of genres, where they'll meet fantastic, memorable characters. His newest novel, Granted, is no exception to this rule! 

I'm thrilled to kick off the blog tour for Granted with a giveaway! Learn more about the book and enter below.

Granted by John David Anderson 
Pub Date: February 13, 2018
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
ISBN: 9780062643865 
Buy It!

Everyone who wishes upon a star, or a candle, or a penny thrown into a fountain knows that you’re not allowed to tell anyone what you’ve wished for. But even so, rest assured: There is someone out there who hears it. 
Ophelia Delphinium Fidgets is no ordinary fairy – she is a Granter: one of the select few whose job it is to venture beyond the boundaries of the Haven and grant the wishes of unsuspecting humans every day. It’s the work of the Granters that generate the magic that allows the fairies to do what they do and to keep the Haven hidden and safe. But with worldwide magic levels at an all-time low, this is not as easy as it sounds. On a typical day, only a small fraction of the millions of potential wishes get granted. And even granting those promised few means navigating a human world fraught with danger. 
Today, however, is anything but typical. Because today, Ophelia is going out on her first assignment. And she’s about to discover that getting what you truly want takes much more than a handful of fairy dust.

About the Author

John David Anderson is the author of Ms. Bixby's Last Day, Posted, Sidekicked, Minion, and The Dungeoneers. A dedicated root beer connoisseur and chocolate fiend, he lives with his wife, two kids, and perpetually whiny cat in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit him online at www.johndavidanderson.org.

1 winner. Open to US/Canada addresses only. Ends 3/10/2018.

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COVER REVEAL: Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth by Sheila O'Connor (Putnam, 04/18)

Sheila O'Connor is the critically acclaimed author of Tokens of Grace, Where No Gods Came, Keeping Safe the Stars and Sparrow Road. A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, she is a professor in the MFA program at Hamline University, where she also serves as the fiction editor for Water~Stone Review. As a longtime writer-in-the-schools, Sheila has encouraged thousands of young people to write their stories. Today I have the absolute pleasure of revealing the cover for her 2018 release, Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth. Find out more about the book and view the truly excellent cover below!
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About the Book

Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, one young girl is determined to save her brother from the draft—and gets help from an unlikely source—in this middle-grade tale, perfect for fans of The Wednesday Wars

When eleven-year-old Reenie Kelly’s mother passes away, she and her brothers are shipped off to live with their grandmother. Adjusting to life in her parents’ Midwestern hometown isn’t easy, but once Reenie takes up a paper route with her older brother Dare, she has something she can look forward to. As they introduce themselves to every home on their route, Reenie’s stumped by just one—the house belonging to Mr. Marsworth, the town recluse. When he doesn’t answer his doorbell, Reenie begins to leave him letters. Slowly, the two become pen pals, striking up the most unlikely of friendships.

Through their letters, Reenie tells of her older brother Billy, who might enlist to fight in the Vietnam War. Reenie is desperate to stop him, and when Mr. Marsworth hears this, he knows he can’t stand idly by. As a staunch pacifist, Mr. Marsworth offers to help Reenie. Together, they concoct a plan to keep Billy home, though Reenie doesn’t know Mr. Marsworth’s dedication to her cause goes far beyond his antiwar beliefs.

In this heartwarming piece of historical fiction, critically acclaimed author Sheila O’Connor delivers a tale of devotion, sacrifice, and family.

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Interview

What was the cover design process like? Were you very involved in the process? 

I had my first glimpse of the cover while on vacation in Mexico.  Its arrival was completely unexpected, and I was thrilled to open an email that contained another artist’s vision of the work.  For me, it’s incredibly exciting to discover what someone else sees in my books.  Also, there’s something about a cover that makes a book real, that turns it into a tangible object beyond my own imagination.

I’m not a designer, so I try to respect the expertise of the artist in the cover process.  Early on, I offered some small suggestions, minor concerns connected with the book’s content, and I think we had a couple of more rounds where I was able to weigh in, but mostly this was in the hands of the good people at G.P. Putnam’s Sons who understand marketing and sales, and what makes a reader pick up a book. 

What's your favorite part of the cover treatment?

From the first, I was struck by the designer’s ability to capture the essence of the book with a central image.  It’s a story about an eleven-year-old girl, Reenie Kelly, and a reclusive neighbor, Mr. Marsworth, who begin a friendship via letters when he learns of her fear that her older brother Billy could be sent to fight in Vietnam.  I love that the designer was able to capture the relationship between Reenie and Mr. Marsworth, and also so many other aspects of the book in that central image: 1968, peace, war, Reenie’s spunk and Mr. Marsworth’s desire to be left alone.  It’s an epistolary novel that unfolds entirely through letters, so I also loved what the designer did with font.  

And here’s a story that says it better:  Not long ago, I showed an early draft of the cover to a young friend, and I asked her what she thought the book was about based on the cover.   It was kind of a quiz, I guess, to see what the cover would say to my target audience.  “I think it’s a story about a girl who wants to be friends with an old man, and he isn’t sure, and so she starts writing him letters.”  I was amazed she saw that in the cover, and to me it’s evidence that the designers really do work magic.

What qualities will the ideal reader of your book have? 

That’s a great question!  As someone who writes for both adults and young people, I’ve always said I write my MG books for readers of all ages, and that’s true of this one as well.  I think the ideal reader of Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth, probably shares some qualities with either Reenie Kelly, or Mr. Marsworth, two characters who are opposites in many ways.  Readers who share Reenie’s voracious curiosity will be eager to learn about this period in history, particularly the ways the Vietnam War divided America.   Readers that share her spunk, her perseverance, or her hunger for friendship and justice, will also find a home here.  At the same time, the book will speak to thoughtful, quiet readers, readers with a commitment to peace who can relate to Mr. Marsworth.   The one quality both characters share is their great love for humanity, and in the end, that’s the most important thing I hope for in a reader.  I am writing for a reader who desires to be moved and changed by someone else’s story.  

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Reveal 

 And now for the much-anticipated cover reveal of Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth!

DRUMROLL PLEASE!

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Publisher: Putnam

 Release Date: 04/03/2018

I'm honestly in love with the color choices and font used for this cover! Share your thoughts in the comments and be sure to add Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth to your Goodreads and upcoming reads list!

COVER REVEAL: Granted by John David Anderson (Walden Pond Press, 2/18)

I've professed my love for John David Anderson's books before, so is it any surprise that I'm beyond excited to reveal the cover of Anderson's 2018 novel, Granted? Read on for a description of the story, a note from Anderson, and the cover!
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About the Book

Everyone who wishes upon a star, or a candle, or a penny thrown into a fountain knows that you’re not allowed to tell anyone what you’ve wished for. But even so, rest assured: There is someone out there who hears it.

Ophelia Delphinium Fidgets is no ordinary fairy—she is a Granter: one of the select few whose job it is to venture beyond the boundaries of the Haven and grant the wishes of unsuspecting humans every day. It’s the work of the Granters that generates the magic that allows the fairies to do what they do and to keep the Haven hidden and safe. But with worldwide magic levels at an all-time low, this is not as easy as it sounds. On a typical day, only a small fraction of the millions of wishes made get granted. And even granting those promised few means navigating a human world fraught with danger.

Today, however, is anything but typical. Because today, Ophelia is going out on her first assignment. And she’s about to discover that getting what you truly want takes much more than a handful of fairy dust.

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A Note From the Author

“The world of imagination is boundless.” Jean-Jacques Rousseau 

I joke sometimes with young readers that publishers spend more time debating cover art than they do editing a manuscript, but I understand. I get it. I have been arrested by an image on an endcap at a bookstore, a cover that lures you with its luster. Like that one aunt whose Christmas packages all look immaculate, with curlicue ribbons and the folds perfectly aligned (as opposed to my wrapping, which often consists of last-minute crinkled aluminum foil held together with electrical tape). They are works of art. But they are so much more. There’s good stuff inside. (Or, in the case of that Aunt, there’s an ugly shirt and—hopefully—a gift receipt.)

A book cover is a wrapping, but that wrapping contains a wish. Every book I set out to read carries with it expectations and entreaties. Take me away. Tell me something I don’t know. Make me laugh. Make me cry. Teach me. Comfort me. Entertain me. Surprise me. I suppose I ask a lot of the books I read, but that’s okay: they usually deliver.  They’re cool like that.

A book cover is also a promise. Or maybe just a tease. The famously sad eyes looming over the explosively bright skyline of Gatsby promising tragedy and excess. The endless forests and mountain ranges of Tolkien’s The Hobbit promising an arduous, adventure-filled journey (designed by the author himself, no less—some people get all the gifts). Or from my adolescence: the menacing hand of a monster gripping a sewer grate, making its own macabre promise…we all float down here. Maybe I shouldn’t have read It at such a young age, but it definitely delivered.

A book cover can be a puzzle, too. A mystery. Granted? What’s granted? Is that a fairy? What’s wrong with her wing? Why is she riding a dog? Fairies don’t usually ride dogs, do they? Where are they going? And what’s up with that single gold leaf floating down from the top? Of course to solve it, you have to read it. You have to follow the hobbits into the forest. You have to follow the killer clown into the sewer. You have to hop on the back of the dog and see where he takes you. Hopefully somewhere exciting. Somewhere magical. Somewhere that you’ve never been before but is strangely familiar. The possibilities are endless, after all. 

And that’s what I love most about writing. Those possibilities. That you can write a book about three kids skipping school to visit their teacher in a hospital one day and about a headstrong fairy who breaks the rules in her quest to grant a meaningful wish the next. Though the books be bound and wrapped, the world of imagination is boundless indeed.

A cover is a door. Crack it open and you discover a portal to a whole new world. A fantasy world ruled over by an icy queen. A chocolate factory filled with Oompa Loompas. A school where the lunch lady is a superhero. In the case of Granted, it’s a world where magic is on the wane and wishes are a dime a dozen. A world where granting one such wish isn’t as easy as it sounds and carries potentially catastrophic consequences. A world were fairies do ride on the backs of dogs, but only if they feed those dogs donuts. A world focused on family, friendship, and the difficulty that often comes with following your heart.

The doors to these worlds aren’t locked. They’re open to anyone with an imagination. Just find one you like and jump right in.

John David Anderson is the author of several middle-grade novels including Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, Posted, Sidekicked, and the forthcoming Granted. He would like to thank Julie McLaughlin for the cover design of that book. He would also like to thank Sara for hosting him again (because she’s just that awesome). You can find out more about all of his books by visiting www.johndavidanderson.org.

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Reveal 

 Scroll down to see the cover of Granted!

DRUMROLL PLEASE!

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Publisher: Walden Pond Press

 Release Date: 02/13/2018

I am so charmed by that jaunty pup and curiously torn fairy wing! Share your thoughts in the comments and be sure to add Granted to your Goodreads and upcoming reads list!