Cover Reveals - Young Adult - XLVII

Fiona by Meredith Moore

Goodreads

Fiona moves from her unstable home in Texas to take an au pair job in a castle in the Scottish Highlands, her deceased mother’s homeland and the place she has always dreamed of visiting. In this riveting, character-driven second novel, the fairy tale life Fiona imagined turns into a nightmare when a decades-old family feud resurfaces and forces her to confront the ghosts of her past—and question her own sanity.

Fiona, an independent loner with wild red hair, leaves her fractured home in Texas for a brand-new life in the Scottish Highlands to be the au pair for Poppy Mackenzie, the young daughter of her mother’s recently deceased childhood friends. Fee, as she’s called, is thrilled to be free of her less-than-ideal home life. But there’s another motive driving her eagerness to flee to the Highlands: the desire to reconnect with her mother, who succumbed to suicide after a long battle with schizophrenia when Fiona was only twelve, leaving her to live with distant relatives of her absentee father.

Fee doesn’t have much time to settle into her new home—a castle maintained by the Mackenzie family fortune—before a series of strange events starts to make her question her sanity. As the attacks on her mental health become more and more intense, Fee finds herself both the pawn and the target in a ruthless, greed-driven plot with roots that go all the way back to her mother. Alone and friendless in a foreign country and half-convinced she’s losing her mind—just like her mother—Fee must rely on her wits and her street smarts to save not only herself but also the lives of her newfound Scottish family.

The End of FUN by Sean McGinty

Goodreads

Everyday reality is a drag™.

FUN®—the latest in augmented reality—is fun but it’s also frustrating, glitchy and dangerously addictive . Just when everyone else is getting on, seventeen-year-old Aaron O’Faolain wants off.

But first, he has to complete his Application for Termination, and in order to do that he has to deal with his History—not to mention the present, including his grandfather’s suicide and a series of clues that may (or may not) lead to buried treasure. As he attempts to unravel the mystery, Aaron is sidetracked again . . . and again. Shadowed by his virtual “best friend” Homie, Aaron struggles with love, loss, dog bites, werewolf pills, community theater, wild horses, wildfires and the fact (deep breath) that actual reality can sometimes surprise you.

Sean McGinty’s strikingly profound and laugh-out-loud funny debut unearths a world that is eerily familiar, yet utterly original. Discover what it means to come to the end of fun.

The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever by Jeff Strand

Goodreads

The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever is so bad, it could wake the dead…

After producing three horror films that went mostly ignored on YouTube, Justin and his filmmaking buddies decide it's time to make something epic. In fact, they're going to make The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever. They may not have money or a script, but they have passion. And, after a rash text message, they also have the beautiful Alicia Howtz as the lead.

Hemmed in by a one-month timeline and a cast of uncooperative extras, but aching to fulfill Alicia's dreams, Justin must face the sad, sad truth: he may, in actuality, be producing The Worst Zombie Movie Ever.

Charlotte Cuts It Out by K.A. Barson

Goodreads

Lydia and I were in eighth grade when we came up with our Grand Plan to go to cosmetology school and get jobs to build our clientele while we earned business degrees. Then we’d open our own salon . . .

Now Charlotte and Lydia are juniors, in a Cosmetology Arts program where they’ll get on-the-job training and college credits at the same time. The Grand Plan is right on schedule.

Which means it’s time for Step Two: Win the Winter Style Showcase, where Cos Arts and Fashion Design teams team up to dazzle the judges with their skills.

Charlotte is sure that she and Lydia have it locked up—so sure, in fact, that she makes a life-changing bet with her mother, who wants her to give up cos for college.

And that’s when things start going off the rails.

As the clock ticks down to the night of the Showcase, Charlotte has her hands full. Design divas. Models who refuse to be styled. Unexpectedly stiff competition. And then, worst of all, Lydia—her BFF and Partner in Cos—turns out to have a slightly different Grand Plan.

Like 45 Pounds (More or Less), K.A. Barson’s Charlotte Cuts it Out is a funny, relatable story set in the heart of the Midwest, just right for girls who have big dreams of their own.

Mirage by Tracy Clark
Goodreads

Seventeen-year-old Ryan Poitier Sharpe is a gutsy, outgoing girl who spends her summer days hurling herself out of planes at her parents’ skydiving center in the Mojave Desert. Fiercely independent and willing to take risks, she challenges those around her to live life fully. But after a brush with death, Ryan is severely altered—she’s not the same thrill-seeking girl she once was and seems to be teetering on the edge of psychosis. As her relationships crumble and her life unravels, Ryan must fight the girl she’s become—or lose herself forever—in this eerie and atmospheric thriller.

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
Goodreads

What if the person you need the most is someone you’ve never met?

Julie Buxbaum mixes comedy and tragedy, love and loss, pain and elation, in her debut YA novel whose characters will come to feel like friends. Tell Me Three Things will appeal to fans of Rainbow Rowell, Jennifer Niven, and E. Lockhart.
Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago—the closest place she has to something like home—she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?

The thing is, Jessie does need help. It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live in LA with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son.

In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?

The Truth by Jeffry W. Johnston

Lie, torture, kill—there's nothing Chris and Derek wouldn't do for their younger brothers…
When Chris wakes up tied to a chair in a dark basement, he knows that he's trapped—and why. He shot and killed Derek's little brother. He had his reasons, but no matter how far Derek goes to uncover the truth about that night, Chris's story won't change. It can't. There is far too much at stake…

Derek is desperate to prove his brother didn't deserve to die. And if kidnapping his brother's killer is the only way to the truth, than he'll go to extremes. But Chris's truth is far more dangerous than Derek could have imagined, and knowing could cost both their lives…

The Taming of the Drew by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Goodreads

Cass McKay has been called stubborn, temperamental, difficult, and that word that rhymes with “witch” more times than she cares to count. But that’s all about to pay off. She has finally landed the role she was born to play—Kate, in The Taming of the Shrew—in the summer apprentice program of a renowned Shakespeare theater company in the forests of Vermont.

But Cass can barely lace up her corset before her troubles begin. Her leading man, Drew, is a complete troll, and he’s going to ruin Cass’s summer. Even worse, Cass’s bunkmate Amy has somehow fallen head over heels for Drew. Cass can’t let Amy throw herself at a total jerk, so she comes up with a genius plan to give Drew the personality makeover he so desperately needs: they’ll tame Drew just as Petruchio tames Kate! But as Shakespeare’s classic plays out offstage, Cass finds it harder and harder to resist falling for Drew herself.

The best kind of entertainment, The Taming of the Drew is smart, funny, fresh, and original. You’re going to love this badass heroine and her friends. You might even end up liking Drew, too.

Dove Exiled by Karen Bao
Goodreads

The thrilling follow-up to the groundbreaking debut Dove Arising.

Phaet Theta fled the Moon and has been hiding on Earth with her friend Wes and his family. But Phaet’s past catches up with her when the Lunar Bases attack the community and reveal that Phaet is a fugitive. She’s torn between staying on Earth with Wes—whom she’s just discovered her feelings for—and stowing away on a Moon-bound ship to rescue her siblings from the wrath of the government who killed their mother. But when Phaet makes the agonizing decision to return to the Moon, she finds the rebel movement there has turned her into their “Girl Sage,” a symbol of their struggle. She’s the biggest celebrity on the Moon: half the people worship her, and the other half want her dead.

Which new covers are your favorite?  Let me know in the comments!

Interview with Gayle Rosengren, author of Cold War on Maplewood Street

Gayle Rosengren visits The Hiding Spot today to answer a few questions about her recently released sophomore novel, Cold War on Maplewood Street, its historic setting, Little Women (spoiler alert!), and more!

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Can you tell us a bit about your decision to write a MG novel set during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

I wrote about the Cuban Missile Crisis because it played such a life-altering rolein my adolescence. It tore open the protective cocoon of childhood and exposed a harsh truth--that there were things in life my family, and even my country, couldn't protect me from, and nuclear war was most certainly one of them. Everyone lived with the possibility of a nuclear attack for seven long days. Yes, we survived, but not without some emotional scarring and disturbing memories. The most vivid of those memories found their way into Cold War on Maplewood Street, which, when all is said and done, is a story about the loss of innocence--of a child, but also of a nation. 

Tell me a little bit about your writing process: Do you outline? Start at the beginning? The middle? The end? 

I don't outline in the traditional sense, but I write chapter summaries, which are rough ideas of what I visualize happening in each chapter. For example, in Cold War on Maplewood Street, I wanted to end the first chapter with Kennedy's announcement of the crisis on television, which meant the earlier part of the chapter needed to establish the time, the setting and, most importantly, Joanna's character and inner conflicts. This meant I had to start with her at home alone and already a little on edge, then introduce Pamela, provide a bit of back-story about Joanna's relationship with Sam, and include a brief school scene, all before the president's announcement that evening. But even before I begin writing my chapter summaries, I know where I see the story ending. Sometimes I know what the last sentence will be. This doesn't mean I won't change the ending if I come up with a better one while I'm writing. It simply means I have a clear destination in mind, so I'm not likely to get sidetracked and lost mid-manuscript, which can happen all too easily. 

What jobs did you have on your way to becoming a published author? Is there a certain work experience that has shaped your writing or provided inspiration? 

I've worked as a pre-school teacher; a youth services librarian; an advertising copy writer; a reference librarian and copy editor at a publishing house; and I had a few office jobs that I hated but that paid the bills. I think everything except the office jobs impacted my writing in some positive way. Working with pre- schoolers, for example, re-enforced what I knew to be true from my own childhood--that even the youngest children love stories and respond to the language and rhythm as much as the plot and illustrations. Writing copy for ads taught me to be concise and choose the strongest possible words. Working at a publishing house, especially one that specialized in historical fiction for children, emphasized the importance of fact-checking and digging for accurate details about a time period and setting. It was also a great opportunity to view publishing from the inside out and to better understand and appreciate the editorial process. 

If you had to pick a favorite word, what would it be and why? 

"Inspiration," because it holds within it the promise of something very special. 

My blog is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Name a notable book that provided you with a hiding spot. 

From the moment I first read it at age nine, my hiding spot was Little Women. Even today, I sometimes return to it when I'm feeling nostalgic or when I simply need a break from today's more complex, uncertain, and fast-paced world. I loved the whole idea of having sisters (I had not a one, just three brothers who teased and spoiled me by turns) And though I have read hundreds and hundreds of books since the first time I read Little Women, it remains a cozy, safe world that I can slip away to and hide in sometimes. It isn't a perfect world. (Spoiler alert!) Father is in danger. Beth dies. Jo and Laurie don't get married. But the embrace of a loving family is always there to welcome me.

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About the Author

Gayle Rosengren grew up in Chicago. Like Esther from What the Moon Said, she enjoyed school, was an avid reader, and loved dogs and horses. She attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where she majored in Creative Writing and was the editor of the literary magazine. Gayle never outgrew her passion for children’s books, and she worked as a children’s and young adult librarian at a public library for several years in the late 1980s and early 1990s, enthusiastically sharing her love of books with young people.

Also like Esther, Gayle eventually moved to Wisconsin, but by then she was a mother with three children. She worked in the reference library, and later as a copyeditor, at American Girl. During this time period she published short stories for children in Cricket, Ladybug, Jack and Jill and Children’s Digest magazines.

Now Gayle writes full-time in her home just outside of Madison, Wisconsin, where she lives with her husband, Don, and slightly neurotic rescue dog, Fiona. She is living her dream, she says, writing books she hopes will make the same difference in children’s lives as her favorite books and authors made in hers.

About the Book

Goodreads / Purchase

Cold War anxieties play out in a sensitively told story set during the Cuban missile crisis in the 1960s, perfect for fans of Gary Schmidt and Kristin Levine. Joanna can’t get over how her brother broke his promise to never leave like their dad did. Sam is thousands of miles away on a navy ship, and no matter how often he sends letters, Joanna refuses to write back. When she makes a promise, she keeps it.

But then President Kennedy comes on TV with frightening news about Soviet missiles in Cuba—and that’s where Sam’s heading. Suddenly Joanna’s worries about being home alone, building up the courage to talk to a cute boy, and not being allowed to go to the first boy-girl party in her grade don’t seem so important. Maybe sometimes there are good reasons to break a promise.

The tense timeline of the Cuban missile crisis unfolds alongside a powerful, and ultimately hopeful, story about what it means to grow up in a world full of uncertainty.

Storytime: New and Notable Picture Books (23)

This week's Storytime features a lonely snowy bear's search for a home (and a friend!), a parent's unconditional love for the person their child will grow to be, a crow named Edgar and the tree house of Usher, the story of a Thanksgiving meal, and a compromise between three friends.

Snowy Bear

Written by Tony Mitton; Illustrated by Alison Brown
Ages 3-6, Available Now

Buy It 
Goodreads

Here is a bear who has nowhere to go,
so he's plodding along through the cold winter snow.

In the icy-cold heart of winter, a little snowy bear wanders through the snow and searches for a home. But where can he go? Each warm place has been claimed, and there is no room for a bear, no matter how little. Suddenly he sees a flickering of light, orange and bright against the snowy ground. It's a house!

As Snowy Bear pushes open the creaking door, he feels warmth spread over him. There's a girl by the window, who's also looking for a friend, and, somehow, deep down, Snowy Bear knows that he is home.

In need of a sweet story that will make you feel like you're wrapped in a fluffy, comfortable old quilt? Look no further than Tony Mitton and Alison Brown's Snowy Bear. Mitton's text has perfect pacing and rhyme which, paired Brown's color palette of blue and read and soft illustrations,  make this adorable story ideal for bedtime reading.

The Wonderful Things You Will Be
Written & Illustrated by Emily Winfield Martin
Ages 3-7, Available Now

Buy It
Goodreads

From brave and bold to creative and clever, the rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, and sometimes humorous, illustrations, this is a book grown-ups will love reading over and over to kids—both young and old. A great gift for any occasion, but a special stand-out for baby showers, birthdays, and graduation. The Wonderful Things You Will Be has a loving and truthful message that will endure for lifetimes.

Emily Winfield Martin's books - Dream Animals, Day Dreamers, and, this newest offering, The Wonderful Things You Will Be, are so incredibly beautiful. This newest one in particular caused tears the first time I read it (and comes close every time I've read it since). It is without a doubt one of my top new picks for baby shower gifts - as is Dream Animals, which is now available in board book format!
 

Edgar and The Tree House of Usher
Written by Jennifer Adams; Illustrated by Ron Stucki
Ages 2-5, Available Now

Buy It

Goodreads

"It was a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year ... " when the mischievous raven Edgar heads to his friend Roderick's house to work on their tree house. Edgar dashes his sister Lenore's hopes with the ever-popular phrase "sisters are not allowed," until a storm starts to brew and the two boys realize that sometimes the best things happen when you decide to stick together. The third picture book in the popular Edgar series is sure to warm the hearts of kids and parents alike.

This third Edgar book from Jennifer Adams in the BabyLit series is inspired by Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher. This is one of Poe's works that I'm only vaguely familiar with - and I've actually never read one of the Edgar books before - but I still enjoyed this story of Edgar, his friend, Roderick, and Edgar's persistent sister, Lenore. I'll definitely be looking into the first two Edgar books, as well as the rest of the BabyLit series, which looks fantastic!

Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story
Written by Pat Zietlow Miller; Illustrated by Jill McElmurry
Ages 4-8, Available 9/22/15

Buy It
Goodreads

Celebrate food and family with this heartwarming Thanksgiving picture book. We will share the risen bread. / Our made-with-love Thanksgiving spread. / Grateful to be warm and fed. / We will share the bread. In this spirited ode to the holiday, set at the turn of the twentieth century, a large family works together to make their special meal. Mama prepares the turkey, Daddy tends the fire, Sister kneads, and Brother bastes. Everyone—from Grandma and Grandpa to the littlest baby—has a special job to do. Told in spare, rhythmic verse and lively illustrations, Sharing the Bread is a perfect read-aloud to celebrate the Thanksgiving tradition.

Upon my first reading, I completely fell in love with this collaboration from Pat Zietlow Miller (Sophie's Squash) and Jill McElmurry (Little Blue Truck). Thanksgiving was always an important holiday within my family, as it was one of the celebrations that always brought my extended family together. Like in Sharing the Bread, Thanksgiving was characterized by action, a crowded, busy kitchen, and the faces of parents, siblings, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. The illustrations depict a turn of the century setting, making this a great pairing for A Fine Dessert!

Boom Snot Twitty: This Way That Way
Written by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Renata Liwska
Ages 3-5, Available Now

Buy It
Goodreads

The perfect spot is this way! says Boom. The perfect spot is that way!” tweets Twitty.

Snot is smartly silent.

How will these three friends decide which way to go to find the perfect spot?

In this second story featuring Boom (a bear), Snot (a snail), and Twitty (a bird), the three friends must decide where to spend their day together. Boom wants to visit the water, Twitty wants to visit the mountains, and Snot, as readers have come to expect after their debut story, creates a balance between her two strong-willed friends, finding a happy solution for everyone! Renata Liwska's depictions of each of these characters is absolutely delightful - I especially love her ability to tell so much of the story through the characters' postures and facial expressions!

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Love any of the books featured this week? Let me know in the comments!

Giveaway: Little Robot by Ben Hatke

I'm thrilled to offer a finished copy of Ben Hatke's newest book, Little Robot, to one lucky reader at The Hiding Spot! I'm a huge fan of Hatke's previous graphic novel series, Zita the Spacegirl, and am very much looking forward to sharing these new characters with readers as well. Learn more about this great graphic novel below, then enter for your chance to win!

About the Book

When a little girl finds an adorable robot in the woods, she presses a button and accidentally activates him for the first time. Now, she finally has a friend. But the big, bad robots are coming to collect the little guy for nefarious purposes, and it's all up to a five-year-old armed only with a wrench and a fierce loyalty to her mechanical friend to save the day.

About the Author

Ben Hatke is an author and illustrator of graphic novels and picture books. Most notably he is the creator of the Zita the Spacegirl graphic novel series. Learn more about Ben Hatke here.

Win It!

1 Winner. US addresses only. Ends 9/26/2015

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can follow the full blog tour for reviews and more chances to win here!

Thank you Macmillan for providing prizing for The Hiding Spot.

 

Lisa McMann To Visit Brilliant Books & Local Schools + Signed Books Available

I'm beyond excited that in less than two weeks, on September 22, NYT bestselling author (and seriously awesome person) Lisa McMann will be visiting Brilliant Books for a reading and signing, as well as visiting two area schools to talk with students!

I've been a huge fan of Lisa's writing since her very first novel, Wake, and have remained fan as she has continued to write gripping YA mysteries and the fast-paced, wonderful middle grade series The Unwanteds. The penultimate book in The Unwanteds series, Island of Graves, releases this Tuesday. I admit to feeling a bit of sadness that this fantastic series is drawing to a close, but - happily! - Lisa has just announced a spin-off series that's in the works!  Plus, readers who nab the newest Unwanteds book will be among the very first to see the brand new cover for the forthcoming and final book! How fun is that?

If you've yet to read Lisa's books, I highly recommend them. Her YA is all recommended for 14+ and is a great pick for reluctant readers. Both of her trilogies are fast-paced and really unique and her standalones (Dead to You and Cryer's Cross) are psychological thrillers that pack a punch!

The most straightforward pitch for  The Unwanteds series is The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter, which is remarkably accurate - though, trust me, McMann's series is epic in its own right! Perhaps the best aspect of this series? The focus on arts and individuality! If you enjoy middle grade or work with upper elementary or middle school kids and you don't have this books available, you're seriously missing out.

Don't forget that, even if you're unable to make it to Traverse City to meet Lisa yourself, Brilliant Books ships for free anywhere in the USA - were happy to send personalized copies of any of Lisa's books right to your doorstep! A full list of Lisa's books can be found here. 

And, while we're on the topic of Brilliant Books, all of you teachers, educators, and librarians out there be sure to check out our School & Library Program! The program offers the benefit of individualized title selections, discounts, and free shipping - PLUS a bookstore partnership to coordinate in-person and virtual author visits! An added benefit? 20% of all sales generated by school and library author visits directly benefit your library! For more information, you can email me directly at sara.grochowski@brilliant-books.net.

Cover Reveals - Middle Grade - XLVI

A Tiny Piece of Sky by Shawn K. Stout

Goodreads

THE SUMMER STORY OF THREE SISTERS, ONE RESTUARANT, AND A (POSSIBLE) GERMAN SPY
World War II is coming in Europe. At least that’s what Frankie Baum heard on the radio. But from her small town in Maryland, in the wilting summer heat of 1939, the war is a world away.

Besides, there are too many other things to think about: first that Frankie’s father up and bought a restaurant without telling anyone and now she has to help in the kitchen, peeling potatoes and washing dishes, when she’d rather be racing to Wexler’s Five and Dime on her skates. Plus her favorite sister, Joanie Baloney, is away for the summer and hasn’t been answering any of Frankie’s letters.

But when some people in town start accusing her father of being a German spy, all of a sudden the war arrives at Frankie’s feet and she can think of nothing else.

Could the rumors be true? Frankie has to do some spying of her own to try to figure out her father’s secrets and clear his good name. What she discovers about him surprises everyone, but is nothing compared to what she discovers about the world.

In a heartfelt, charming, and insightful novel that is based on true events, Shawn K. Stout weaves a story about family secrets, intolerance, and coming of age that will keep readers guessing until the end.

The Girl in the Well is Me by Karen Rivers

Goodreads

A hilarious and heartwrenching story about a bullied girl whose search for a new beginning takes a dire wrong turn.
Newcomer Kammie Summers has fallen into a well during a (fake) initiation into a club whose members have no intention of letting her join. Now Kammie’s trapped in the dark, growing increasingly claustrophobic, and waiting to be rescued—or possibly not.

As hours pass, the reality of Kammie’s predicament mixes with her memories of the highlights and lowlights of her life so far, including the reasons her family moved to this new town in the first place. And as she begins to run out of oxygen, Kammie starts to imagine she has company, including a French-speaking coyote and goats that just might be zombies.

Karen Rivers has created a unique narrator with an authentic, sympathetic, sharp, funny voice who tells a story perfect for fans of Flora and Ulysses, Reign Rein, and Counting by 7s. The Girl in the Well Is Me will have readers laughing and crying and laugh-crying over the course of its physically and emotionally suspenseful, utterly believable events.

Mabel Jones and the Forbidden City by Will Mabbitt

Goodreads

Fetch her, my foul creepers. Bring me the one called Mabel Jones . . .

What do you do when you survive a pirate kidnapping, a milk-drinking contest with a giant grizzly bear, and a stint inside the belly of a whale?

If you’re Mabel Jones, you'd everything you can to avoid another UNLIKELY ADVENTURE!

But an EVIL witch, wise in the ways of black magic, has a score to settle with Mabel and it must be done in the Forbidden City. To lure our brave heroine, the Witch Queen takes Mabel’s baby sister HOSTAGE!

Joining a brand-new cast of characters—and a few familiar faces from The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones—Mabel races an arrogant fox, slays a ferocious jungle millipede, and battles the diabolical witch. But is she prepared to make the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE to save her sister?

Me & Miranda Mullaly by Jake Gerhardt

Goodreads

The fates of three 8th grade boys converge in biology class one day, as each falls desperately in love with the same girl. There's Sam, the class clown; Duke, the intellectual; and Chollie, the athlete. And the object of their collective affection? The enigmatic Miranda Mullaly—the girl who smiles like she means it, the girl who makes Christmas truly magic when she sings, the girl who…barely realizes her admirers exist!

But nothing will stop the guys from doing everything they can to GET THE GIRL, not even their inevitable confrontation.

Told in alternating perspectives, Me and Miranda Mullaly is a comedy of errors where small misunderstandings lead to big laughs. And beneath the humor, every attempt to win Miranda becomes a compelling look at the larger world of each guy's life.

The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse by Brian Farrey
Goodreads

A princess and a peasant girl must embark on a dangerous quest to outwit a centuries-old warning foretelling the fall of the Monarchy in this thrilling modern fairytale.

In the center of the verdant Monarchy lies Dreadwillow Carse, a black and desolate bog that the happy people of the land do their best to ignore. Little is known about it, except for one dire warning: If any monarch enters Dreadwillow Carse, then the Monarchy will fall. Twelve-year-old Princess Jeniah yearns to know what the marsh could possibly conceal that might topple her family’s thousand-year reign of peace and prosperity.

Meanwhile, in the nearby town of Emberfell, where everyone lives with unending joy, a girl named Aon hides a sorrow she can never reveal. She knows that something in the carse--something that sings a haunting tune only Aon can hear--holds the cure for her sadness. Yet no matter how many times she tries to enter, the terror-inducing dreadwillow trees keep her away.

After a chance meeting, Princess Jeniah and Aon hatch a plan to send Aon into the heart of the carse to unlock its darkest secret. But when Aon doesn’t return, a guilt-stricken Jeniah must enter the carse to try and rescue her friend--even if it means risking the entire Monarchy.

The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse weaves together classic fairy-tale elements--a princess, a forbidden land, and a dangerous quest--in a clever, fast-paced adventure that explores the importance of asking questions and the power of friendship.

What Elephants Know by Eric Dinerstein
Goodreads

Abandoned in the jungle of the Nepalese Borderlands, two-year-old Nandu is found living under the protective watch of a pack of wild dogs. From his mysterious beginnings, fate delivers him to the King's elephant stable, where he is raised by unlikely parents-the wise head of the stable, Subba-sahib, and Devi Kali, a fierce and affectionate female elephant.

When the king's government threatens to close the stable, Nandu, now twelve, searches for a way to save his family and community. A plan to reinvent the elephant stable could be the answer. But to succeed, they'll need a great tusker. Their future is in Nandu's hands as he sets out to find a bull elephant and bring him back to the Borderlands.

In simple poetic prose, author Eric Dinerstein brings to life Nepal's breathtaking jungle wildlife and rural culture, as seen through the eyes of a young outcast, struggling to find his place in the world.

The Giant Smugglers by Chris Pauls & Matt Solomon

Goodreads

Description forthcoming.

Summerlost by Ally Condie

Goodreads

It's the first real summer since the devastating accident that killed Cedar's father and younger brother, Ben. But now Cedar and what’s left of her family are returning to the town of Iron Creek for the summer. They’re just settling into their new house when a boy named Leo, dressed in costume, rides by on his bike. Intrigued, Cedar follows him to the renowned Summerlost theatre festival. Soon, she not only has a new friend in Leo and a job working concessions at the festival, she finds herself surrounded by mystery. The mystery of the tragic, too-short life of the Hollywood actress who haunts the halls of Summerlost. And the mystery of the strange gifts that keep appearing for Cedar.

Infused with emotion and rich with understanding, Summerlost is the touching middle grade debut from Ally Condie, the international bestselling author of the Matched series, that highlights the strength of family and personal resilience in the face of tragedy.

Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan
Goodreads

Thorn, an outlaw’s son, wasn’t supposed to be a slave. He never should have run away from home, leaving his mother and siblings to fend for themselves. Now he’s been sold to Tyburn, an executioner, and they’re headed to Castle Gloom in Gehenna, the land of undead, where Thorn will probably be fed to a vampire.

Lilith Shadow wasn’t supposed to be ruler of Gehenna. But on the terrible day her father, mother, and brother were killed, young Lily became the last surviving member of House Shadow, a long line of dark sorcerers. Her country is surrounded by enemies and the only way she can save it is by embracing her heritage and practicing the magic of the undead. But how can she when, as a girl, magic is forbidden to her?

Just when it looks like Lily will have to leave her home forever, Thorn arrives at Castle Gloom. A sudden death brings them together, inspires them to break the rules, and leads them to soar to new heights in this fantasy with all the sparkle and luster of a starry night sky.

Which new covers are your favorite?  Let me know in the comments!

Book Trailer: Ghostlight by Sonia Gensler

I'll be interviewing Sonia Gensler later this month about her MG horror novel Ghostlight, but you can check out the creepy, atmospheric novel and read the book now!



About the Book

Things that go bump in the night are just the beginning when a summer film project becomes a real-life ghost story!

Avery is looking forward to another summer at Grandma’s farm, at least until her brother says he’s too old for “Kingdom,” the imaginary world they’d spent years creating. Lucky for her, there’s a new kid staying in the cottage down the road: a city boy with a famous dad, Julian’s more than a little full of himself, but he’s also a storyteller like Avery. So when he announces his plan to film a ghost story, Avery is eager to join in.

Unfortunately, Julian wants to film at Hilliard House, a looming, empty mansion that Grandma has absolutely forbidden her to enter. As terrified as Avery is of Grandma’s wrath, the allure of filmmaking is impossible to resist.

As the kids explore the secrets of Hilliard house, eerie things begin to happen, and the “imaginary” dangers in their movie threaten to become very real. Have Avery and Julian awakened a menacing presence? Can they turn back before they go too far?

Interview with Debra Dockter, author of Deadly Design

Today the wonderful Debra Dockter joins me at The Hiding Spot to talk about her debut, Deadly Design, the story behind her favorite word (awwww!), why she feels punk rock is an escape, and more!

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Your debut novel, Deadly Design, is, to me, a mystery with a scifi twist. Was there a specific experience or idea that inspired the plot or characters in your novel? 

To be honest, I had the main character in my head before I had the story. Kyle was a secondary character in another novel that I didn’t feel that strongly about. I was able to let go of the manuscript but not Kyle. I was thinking about what kind of person Kyle was (sarcastic, a little immature, but so full of untapped potential) and then the idea came to me – what if he was an identical twin, only his brother was born two years before him and just happened to be perfect in every way that society sees valuable. I started doing some research and discovered that not only was this possible, but that it has actually been done before. 

Tell me a little bit about your writing process: Do you outline? Start at the beginning? The middle? The end? 

I like starting with an idea and then discovering where it will go. I don’t do outlines and I rarely know how it’s going to end. I figure that if I’m making discoveries as I’m writing, the reader hopefully won’t be able to predict what’s going to happen. Plus, it’s a fun way to write, and anyone who’s ever seen my closet (or my car) knows that I’m not very organized so outlines, at least right now, aren’t my style. 

What jobs did you have on your way to becoming a published author? Is there a certain work experience that has shaped your writing or provided inspiration? 

This is such a fun question! Like many people, I’ve worked behind a fast food counter. I was also fortunate enough to dance for a professional ballet company, work as a professional nanny and get chained up and sawed in half by a magician on weekends. I think working as a behavioral science teacher and a psychologist definitely helped shape and inspire my writing. The things that people go through and survive are so inspiring. Doing therapy with children and adults with various histories really helps a person believe in the human spirit, and nothing is more inspiring than that. 

If you had to pick a favorite word, what would it be and why? 

This is so easy for me. My favorite word is “Mommy”. I know that sounds kind of corny, but it’s true. As the youngest of five children and the only girl, my mom and I are very close. Then when I was twenty-three, I decided to become a single foster parent. A policeman brought a three-month-old little girl to my apartment door, and I was so privileged to have her call me “Mommy” for the first year of her life. Now I have three children of my own and there’s no word I love hearing more. I also really like the word risqué just because it’s fun to say. 

My blog is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Who, what, or where can be credited as your personal escape from reality? 

Writing, reading, and music are my favorite places to escape. Writing gives you the ability to create your own world to escape into which is wonderful. Books provide the same escape and lately, I’ve really gotten into punk rock – yep – I said punk rock. I love the feeling that music creates when the melody or the lyrics connect to you somehow. 

What can readers look forward to next? 

I’m working on a couple of different projects right now, trying to decide which would be best to put forth next. One is a psychologist thriller (involving a ballet dancer so I’ve had the chance to utilize those experiences). One is a sci-fi thriller and one is a quirky story that takes place in Oklahoma. We’ll have to see which one makes it out of the gate next!

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About the Author

When my parents told me I could be anything I wanted when I grew up, I took it to heart. Even being a Kansas girl, I managed to become a ballerina (performing Swan Lake 28 times), worked as a magician's assistant (worst job ever!), became a child psychologist, and currently work as a college professor and a young adult author. I currently live in Kansas with my husband, our three children, one dog, one bird, nine fish and if my youngest gets her way, some sort of rodent. My young adult novel, "Deadly Design" is due out June of 2015 from Putnam/Penguin. I'm represented by the wonderful Ayesha Pande Literary Agency. Follow me on Twitter @debdockterYA 

About the Book

The emotional power of If I Stay meets the survival story of Maze Runner

Genetically engineered identical twins Kyle and Connor McAdams were born two years apart. Their parents figured it was safer that way, to increase their odds of survival. Connor was born first, paving an impossibly perfect path for Kyle to follow. He was the best at everything—valedictorian, star quarterback etc. Kyle never thought he’d be able to live up, so he didn’t even try.

But when Connor, 18, suddenly drops dead of a heart attack, and Kyle learns of other genetically modified kids who’ve also died on their eighteenth birthdays, he’s suddenly motivated—to save his own life. Like Connor and all the rest, Kyle was conceived at the Genesis Innovations Laboratory, where the mysterious Dr. Mueller conducted experiments on them. The clock’s ticking as Kyle searches for answers: who was Dr. Mueller really, and what did he do to cause their hearts to stop at eighteen? He must unravel the clues quickly, before, he too, becomes another perfect, blue-eyed corpse.