CURIOSITY HOUSE: THE SHRUNKEN HEAD for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

The first book in this planned series is set to debut tomorrow, and I’m thrilled to give you a preview of what to expect. First off, if you have no idea what a dime museum is, I didn’t either.

Dime museums were popular in the 1800’s and a one of the more popular ones was in New York City, started by the legendary P.T. Barnum. They were home for freak shows, curiosities, and circus performers. Dime museums popped up in many eastern U.S. cities.

The setting for THE SHRUNKEN HEAD is 1930’s New York at the mysterious Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders! 23277166Most kids here in the western U.S. have no interest in 1930’s New York, but that minor concern will disappear once they discover what’s inside the doors of the museum.

The action centers around four orphans with unusual abilities: A contortionist, a mind reader, a knife thrower, and a boy with strength beyond his years. When Mr. Dunfrey’s prized possession, a shrunken head, disappears, the four children set out to solve the mystery. What ensues is murder and mayhem.

Both funny and fast paced, this series is sure to attract readers of all ages, not just MG. I for one became an instant fan.

Comment below and win a brand new hard back copy of CURIOSITY HOUSE – THE SHRUNKEN HEAD, courtesy of Harper Collins Publishers. The cover in the image doesn’t do it justice. The actual cover is shiny and gorgeous. You have until October 4th, 7 p.m. EDT to enter. I’ll announce the winner on this blog next Monday.

PUBLICATION DATE: SEPTEMBER 29, 2015   PAGE COUNT: 368

FULL PLOT (From HARPER COLLINS)

The book is about, among other things: the strongest boy in the world, a talking cockatoo, a faulty mind reader, a beautiful bearded lady and a nervous magician, an old museum, and a shrunken head.

Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events.

When the museum’s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts. This sensational new series combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich knowledge of the notorious relics collector H. C. Chester.

What you will find in this book:

  • A rather attractive bearded lady
  • Several scandalous murders
  • A deliciously disgusting Amazonian shrunken head
  • Four extraordinary children with equally extraordinary abilities
  • A quite loquacious talking bird

What you will NOT find in this book:

  • An accountant named Seymour
  • A never-ending line at the post office
  • Brussels sprouts (shudder)
  • A lecture on finishing all your homework on time
  • A sweet, gooey story for nice little girls and boys

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE SHRUNKEN HEAD by Lauren Oliver & H.C. Chester

  1. The personalities of the four children are like very different puzzle pieces that end up fitting together nicely. Readers for sure will have a favorite to remember.
  2. The mystery angle was a fun one to follow. I had it pretty well figured out by the end but the ride getting there was a scream.
  3. You’ll be left hanging at the end, but not too bad. Most of the plot points and secrets are revealed. There’s just enough left to anxiously await book #2 in the series.
  4. The creepy underworld of  New York City was actually a nice change of pace from most MG books. I hope we learn more about this setting as the trilogy continues.
  5. Full page sketches of the many weird things going on are scattered throughout the book. It’s a window to this unique time period.

FAVORITE LINES: Just one of many…

He was wearing the most hideous outfit Max had ever seen: vivid green trousers and scuffled brown shoes paired with an orange-checked shirt that clashed horrendously with his hair. If his clothing could speak, Max knew it would be screaming.

AUTHOR LAUREN OLIVER’S question to CO-AUTHOR H.C. CHESTER

How would you describe our book in 15 words or less?

I would describe it thusly: “A thrilling mystery set in a colorful era of bygone New York City and involving one of the most fables rarities of all time – the shrunken head of the legendary Amazonian chieftan, Ticuna-Piranha!” (I am cognizant of the fact that this description exceed the prescribed length. However, so exceptional is our book – if I may be permitted to say so – that a mere “fifteen words or less” cannot do it justice.)

For more insights see Lauren Oliver’s web site.

Want to meet the authors? Lauren Oliver & H.C. Chester will be visiting local schools (also check for book store appearances in your area) in Atlanta (9/29), Chicago (9/30), Houston (10/1), and San Francisco (10/2 where there’s already a scheduled visit to NAPA STORE/3740 Bel Aire Plaza at 4 p.m.), and they will be appearing at the Texas Book Festival (10/17 & 10/18)

Final tidbit: H.C. Chester is also the alter ego of Harold Schechter, renowned true crime writer and professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College. And he’s Lauren Oliver’s father. The father-daughter writing team combined their talents – Harold Schechter’s vast knowledge from studying crimes and murders and a lifetime of collecting weird and bizarre artifacts, with Lauren Oliver’s skill at writing compelling and relatable stories for young readers.

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2

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Middle Grade News

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

It’s been a busy month for me as I finish up final edits on four manuscripts. I won’t go into the messy details that got me into this way of writing because I have other news to share.

The annual CYBILS Award (Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards) season is upon us and I’ve been chosen as a Round 2 judge in the Middle Grade Fiction category. Nominations in a variety of picture book, MG, and YA categories begin on October 1st and continue through October 15th. Anyone can nominate at http://www.cybils.com/.

Cybils-Logo-2015-Web-SmAfter all the nominations are in, the Round 1 judging panel takes over narrowing the list to a select group of books. The Round 2 judges begin there work on  January 1st reading every finalist selection (I’m hoping I’ve read a few by then). The award winners are announced on Feb. 14, 2016. I can’t wait!

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About a year ago I was asked to write a short piece for the great folks at CHILDREN’S BOOK INSIDER: WRITE FOR KIDS. I wrote the page, sent it off, and that was that. Many other educators did the same and they have compiled all this advice into an e-book.

dj226-9e4639e9-eebb-410b-8c87-ee0c46b74ac2-v2You can get your own free copy by visiting http://writeforkids.org/educators and giving them an email address to send the eBook. Here’s the teaser blurb:

The eBook is packed with great advice, specifically geared toward teachers (and ex-teachers) who want to write children’s books. (Not a teacher?  No worries — you’ll still find a treasure trove of writing advice that you’ll really enjoy.)

If you don’t get a copy, I can at least share my piece. It’s right there on page 44:

Writing a Children’s book. It’s a journey I knew nothing about five years ago. I had many misconceptions and it took me this long to do things the right way. Here are the roadblocks to avoid that will hopefully bring you success in your journey.

  1. DOING THINGS TOO QUICKLY. I wrote my first story in about three months and thought by the next year I’d be seeing it on the bookshelf. That was the teacher coming out in me; always meeting that next deadline or getting to the next meeting on time. Get it done and check it off. Well, relax. Sit back and write your story. Let it sit for a month. Read it again for first revisions. Let it sit for another month. Revise again. Next get a few people to critique your story. Preferably not teaching mates or family, they’ll be too nice. Revise again and again and again.
  1. YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL.Take a class, get reading the many fine blogs out there, or check out the great books available that will teach you how, and of course join Children’s Book Insider and SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators).
  1. CRITICISM. You should be ready for this one because as a teacher you are constantly under the radar by students, parents, and administrators. Your writing will be no different. Take each piece of advice and let it simmer for a few days. No one wants you to fail. The people I have met and worked with only served to make me a better writer.
  1. DON’T STOP READING. In fact read more, especially in your chosen genre. You’ll learn many things about plot and character development from the many gifted children’s authors active today.
  1. IT’S NOT A VACATION. Yes, you may have a summer free from grading papers, piling up in-service credits, or planning curriculum, but be prepared for that time to be filled with writing, revising, reading, and networking. Also, after living in the teaching world you may have a hard time adjusting to the fact that writing is a solitary endeavor. You’ll be alone with your thoughts 90% of the time. What will push you forward is your love of writing and connecting with an age group you’ve been around so much. My entire professional adult life has been spent teaching, mentoring, and now writing to the MG group. Creating a great middle grade story is hands down the hardest job I’ve ever had!

 

 

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MYSTERIES OF COVE: FIRES OF INVENTION for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

I’ve come across a few kids, mostly boys, who will read nothing but non-fiction. They have a passion for finding out how things work and are constantly ‘fiddling’ around with whatever object is close by. 51mBm3beYAL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_Maybe this first book in the new MYSTERIES OF COVE trilogy will provide a fiction outlet for their way of thinking. That’s a mechanical dragon on the cover created by two of the main characters in this tale, Trenton and Kallista,

There’s not only a dragon, but Cove is a city built within a mountain when technology destroys the outside world. Life inside forbids creativity or invention since that is what chased them into this new environment to begin with. It’s the future, but the inhabitants of Cove survive by incorporating technology born out of the 1800’s. It’s safer that way.

Enter our young teen heroes and they will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets of Cove set into motion over 100 years in the past. And that means secretly building that dragon. The adventure is fast paced and you will be visualizing this new society as the levels inside the mountain come alive.

Enjoy the ride on this one now so you’ll be ready for the book two where the world outside the Cove will be explored.

PUBLICATION DATE: September 29, 2015   PAGE COUNT: 288    

FULL PLOT (From Amazon): Trenton Colman is a creative thirteen-year-old boy with a knack for all things mechanical. But his talents are viewed with suspicion in Cove, a steam-powered city built inside a mountain. In Cove, creativity is a crime and invention is a curse word.

Kallista Babbage is a repair technician and daughter of the notorious Leo Babbage, whose father died in an explosion an event the leaders of Cove point to as an example of the danger of creativity.

Working together, Trenton and Kallista learn that Leo Babbage was developing a secret project before he perished. Following clues he left behind, they begin to assemble a strange machine that is unlikely anything they’ve ever seen before. They soon discover that what they are building may threaten every truth their city is founded on and quite possibly their very lives.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: FIRES OF INVENTION by J. Scott Savage

  1. It’s rather uncomfortably amusing as Trenton struggles to understand how to talk to girls. He’s so much better at communicating by building things and never knows what to say. Boys nearing that age will immediately understand his frustration.
  2. The ending is one of those endings where you just say “Wow! I like where this is going.” The first story is nicely connected with what is set to happen in the next book.
  3. Trenton and Kallista are different in so many ways, but their love of fixing things brings them closer together. A great pairing of these two as their characters are so well defined. Their interactions are a joy to follow.
  4. Much to be learned with the themes of censorship, oppressive government, and technology influence. It would make for a great classroom discussion with other real societies in our own world’s history.
  5. There’s nothing predictable in this story. I tried many times to guess what would happen next and never did connect with perfection. That alone will keep readers glued.

FAVORITE LINES:

He clenched his hands in his hair. His mother. This would kill her. How many times had she warned him that tinkering would get him into trouble? How many times had she made him sit at the table, writing line after line: We are all gears and cogs in a magnificent machine. When we do our part as it has been prescribed, the machine runs smoothly. When we do things differently, society suffers.

AUTHOR QUOTE:

“One of my favorite experiences is having a boy or girl tell me that my books are the reason they learned a love for reading. .” From J. Scott Savage’s web site.

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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THE BRAIN SUCKER for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

First off I have the winner of last week’s copy of CONFESSIONS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND. Congratulations to  BIBI BELFORD.  She is the MG author of the touching and enjoyable CANNED AND CRUSHED. I’ll get that out to you this week, Bibi. Now on to today’s review…

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When I first saw the cover for this book, I was certain that the pages inside would be a graphic novel full of The Brain Sucker by Glenn Woodcartoonish pictures. Wrong. What I found was a science fiction type story set in a contemporary setting with three very compelling teens. First we have our main protagonist, Callum, a boy who has spent his life in a wheelchair. Then there’s Sophie, a wizard at building things, and Jinx, who is trying desperately to control his own bad luck.

THE BRAIN SUCKER was first released in Australia three years ago, followed by Great Britain in 2014, and finally Canada/U.S. in 2015. The book has also been nominated for the 2015 Sakura Medal in Japan (a book award voted on by children and young adults in Japan).

It is a quick read that moves along at a hearty pace as our trio of heroes attempts to stop an evil man from sucking the goodness out of every brain in the city. His secret device has already been successful at turning the nicest people into complete, shall I say, morons.

Reluctant readers will gravitate toward text that has space above and below each line. The story will appeal to 8-12 year-old boys and girls who want to escape on a thrilling adventure to save the world.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2012, 2014, 2015   PAGE COUNT: 221

FULL PLOT :

Evil genius Lester Smythe has a black heart. He’s invented a dangerous brain-sucking machine that removes the goodness from its victims. Now he’s using it to rid the world of all human kindness. But Lester didn’t count on Callum McCullock and his two best friends, engineering whiz Sophie and Jinx Paterson, the world’s unluckiest boy. The trio vow to foil Lester’s evil plan but can they stop him before things go from bad to disastrous?

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE BRAIN SUCKER by Glenn Wood

  1. A wheelchair bound main character is a rarity so this was a welcome surprise. Callum has such a great independent attitude, and getting top of the line new wheels for his birthday starts the story off just right.
  2. Most stories with gadgets have a stereotypical boy in the role of someone who creates these wonders. Here though we have, Sophie, a girl who puts forth her tool belt savvy in almost every scene.
  3. A nice subplot is Callum’s relationship with his grandmother who is trying to adopt him after being his guardian.
  4. I loved how this ended in a climatic battle with the evil genius. Bad news at every turn gives a lesson to writers to surprise your readers.
  5. I smell a sequel as there is so much more to learn about these three characters.

FAVORITE LINES:

Callum could barely contain his excitement. If his new chair was as good as he hoped, it would make a big difference in his life. When you’re stuck in a wheelchair, mobility is everything, and the Thunderkit looked like it could conquer mountains, or the very least the steps outside the corner shop.

AUTHOR QUOTE:

“A great number of people assisted in bringing this book to print, so if you don’t like it, they’re to blame.”Glenn-Wood-Author-Brain-SuckerAbout Glenn Wood –

Glenn Wood is an award winning copywriter and author who has four published books to his credit. These include his popular autobiographical novels – The Laughing Policeman and Cop Out – and two middle school books The Brain Sucker and The Bully Chip.

For more insights and tongue in cheek humor see Glenn Wood’s web site.

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The U.S./Canada Edition of THE BRAIN SUCKER is now available on AMAZON. I know, don’t judge a book by its cover, but I do like the previous covers better:

getimage 14060474

 

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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CONFESSIONS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

I have my own confession to make. When I was a young boy growing up in a house full of girls, I had an imaginary friend. His name was The Invisible Man. Not the most creative name, but he served his purpose, giving me comfort in those early years. Of course as I grew older he left my world to remain only in name.

Now comes along a special book, CONFESSIONS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND: A Memoir by Jacques Papier. The concept is so brilliant,514noAQ7Z8L._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_ so creative, and so full of  insights about growing up, that I’m sure it will become a classic. Seems that the fine folks at 20th Century Fox Animation think so, too. They’ve already acquired the rights to the story even before the book is published.

The standard way to do a story of this type would be to write it from the perspective of the child who has the imaginary friend. Thank goodness the gifted author, Michelle Cuevas, chose to write this from Jacques’s first person narrative, because he is the imaginary friend.

You will laugh out loud in several places and possibly have a tear or two as real-life emotional issues are explored. This would make an excellent introduction to new readers of middle grade, but in reality young and old alike will be touched by its charm.

If you leave a comment (even an I want to win! will do), I’ll enter you in a drawing for a brand new hardback edition of CONFESSIONS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND courtesy of Penguin/Random House Publishers.  Hurry up though as I will draw the name next Sunday evening (Sept. 13 – 6pm EDT). If you win it will be one of those books that won’t stay on your bookshelf for long.

PUBLICATION DATE: SEPTEMBER 8, 2015   PAGE COUNT: 176

FULL PLOT (From Penguin-Random House):

Jacques Papier has the sneaking suspicion that everyone except his sister Fleur hates him. Teachers ignore him when his hand is raised in class, he is never chosen for sports teams, and his parents often need to be reminded to set a place for him at the dinner table. But he is shocked when he finally learns the truth: He is Fleur’s imaginary friend! When he convinces Fleur to set him free, he begins a surprising, touching, and always funny quest to find himself—to figure out who Jacques Papier truly is, and where he belongs.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: CONFESSIONS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND… by Michelle Cuevas

  1. Reluctant readers rejoice. The chapters are short (the first one is only 111 words). and the spacing of the lines perfect for eyes that shudder at too many words on one page. There are also small kid-like pencil sketches every so often to break up the text.
  2. The humor is surprising and sophisticated. It caught me of guard while reading the story as I waited to get a haircut. I couldn’t stop myself from giggling. I wish there was a picture of the looks I was getting from others wondering what could be bringing so much joy to my corner of the waiting area.
  3. Imaginaries Anonymous and The Office of Reassignment were both marvelous parallels to the real world. Show don’t Tell has a place for authors to study by visiting these pages.
  4. The story is a bundled up nicely for a successful conclusion. Not exactly what you expect, but so powerful in its effect.
  5. All of the characters Jacques meets along the way will be ones you may of crossed paths in your own life. They are each there to make a point about belonging and learning about oneself.

FAVORITE LINES:(And there are so many to choose from!)

“See,” I said, crouching back down to join Bernard. “I told you she’d be fine. She’s just sitting there with an ice pack over her eye. If it were anything serious, there would be an ambulance or a priest or something.”

A ONE QUESTION INTERVIEW WITH THE MAIN CHARACTER, JACQUES PAPIER

What inspired you to tell your story?

I guess I just wanted there to be a story out there for everyone who ever felt like I did; everyone who has felt unseen and invisible at some point in their lives. Some people probably feel like that right now. And I wanted them to know they’re not alone.

Also, I’d like to meet Oprah.

WHO IS AUTHOR, Michelle Cuevas?

Michelle Cuevas graduated from William’s College an holds a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from the University of Virginia. She is the author of The Masterwork of a Painting Elephant and Beyond the Laughing Sky. She lives in Massachusetts.   Michelle Cuevas’s web site.

CONFESSIONS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND is available at Amazon.

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2

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FORT for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

Congratulations to my two anniversary winners from last week’s giveaway:

SIX FEMALE PROTAGONIST BOOKS and a $15 Starbuck’s gift card: Rosi Hollinbeck (Check out her blog at THE WRITE STUFF)

SIX MALE PROTAGONIST BOOKS and a $15 Starbuck’s gift card: Patricia Tilton (Check out her blog at CHILDREN’S BOOKS HEAL)

Thanks to all that entered. I have more giveaways with some exciting new releases coming in September!

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It’s time to focus ahead to the coming months of fall and cooler weather. In most places school is back in session, but this tale of two boys might be what you need to relive those warm summer days that disappear all too quick…

The tale is told in first person by, Wyatt, a city boy who is visiting with his dad during the summer in upstate 22718759New York. Wyatt is very well adjusted to the two parent routine as  divorce is mentioned but never becomes a theme to the the story. Nice to see divorce depicted in this way where it isn’t overly devastating to a family.  Wyatt’s friend during his summer visit is a country boy named Augie, who has a few outdoor skills that come in handy. (I may never look at a squirrel the same way.) Together the two friends build a fort in the wilderness, or so it seems that way since they aren’t too far from civilization.

It’s shaping up to be the best end of the summer before intruders start to poke around their fort: two older bullies who ruin their plans and another developmentally disabled boy they’re not quite sure of. What ensues is a fresh approach in dealing with their problem and one that will appeal to young readers. It got me reminiscing on a favorite summer with my best friend as this gentle ride tugged at memories in my past.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2015   PAGE COUNT: 200

FULL PLOT : (From AMAZON)

In this boys-will-be-boys summer story about friendship and revenge, eleven-year-old Wyatt and his friend Augie aren’t looking for a fight. They’re having the best summer of their lives hanging out in the fort they built in the woods, fishing and hunting, cooking over a campfire, and sleeping out. But when two older boys mess with the fort–and with another kid who can’t fight back–the friends are forced to launch Operation Doom, with unexpected results for all concerned, in this novel about two funny and very real young heroes.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: FORT by Cynthia DeFelice

  1. The ingenious way the boys get back at the bullies. It’s not mean spirited or hurtful (not too much anyway) and provides a few giggles to readers.
  2. City boys and girls will long for a summer like this with slingshots, pocket knives, hunting for food, and creepy sounds in the wilderness.
  3. Several adults pop in and out of the story to provide support, but they let this be the kids’ story. Just like it should be in any MG novel.
  4. This believable tale is a welcome break from high tech action stories. It’s a quick read and would be perfect as a read-aloud.
  5. There’s a hint at the end that we may see another adventure with these two friends the next summer. I’d welcome a continuation of this as a series.

FAVORITE LINES:

Augie had never said it to her because I think he was afraid it would break her heart, but he had told me. “The only way I’m ever going to college is if I grow three and a half feet and magically learn to play basketball, or if they start giving out brain transplants.”

AUTHOR QUOTE:

“I try to write books that I would have loved to read when I was a child. It is very gratifying to hear from children that something I wrote touched them, making them laugh or cry, or think and feel something new.”

For more insights see Cynthia DeFelice’s web site.

 

 

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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AN MMGM 2nd Anniversary Celebration

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

A few notes before the celebration begins… 1) The winner of Carter Roy’s two book BLOOD GUARD series is  CINDY TRAN. You can check her review blog out at Cindy Reads A Lot.  Congratulations! I’ll get those out to you this week.

2) Take a look at  Author Kevin Gerard’s Kick Starter campaign for his fourth Diego Dragon’s book. Good luck with this, Kevin!

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With that complete, the time has come to celebrate my two years in Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday! Yes, for 24 months I’ve been posting reviews, but it’s also my 3 year blogging anniversary! Thanks to all of you who stop by either once in a while or every week. I couldn’t keep this up without you.

Let’s kick off this celebration with a double giveaway. I have a stack of books  for two separate lucky winners. One stack has six books with female protagonists and the other has six books with with male protagonists. All are like new, only once read. But that’s not all… each stack comes with its very own $15 Starbucks gift card! You’ll be the envy of everyone with your stash of books in one hand and favorite drink in the other.

FEMALE PROTAGONIST STACK (Three hardbacks and three paperbacks)

female

MALE PROTAGONIST STACK (Four hardbacks and two paperbacks)

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So how do you enter??? It’s easy. Just state your favorite book(s) read since last summer (MG or otherwise). For each book you list, up to a maximum of five books, you will get an entry for each one. wheel

My faithful visitors are also getting bonus entries. For every 10 comments you’ve made on this blog from last August through this past Friday, I’ll throw in another entry.

On Sunday, August 30th at 5 PM EDT, I’ll throw all the names into this shiny wheel. The first name chosen will get their choice of stacks. The second name chosen will receive the remaining one.

Good Luck and thank you to Shannon for hosting and putting together the MMGM links each week!

 

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THE GLASS GAUNTLET for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

Trust no one… That theme continues to ring true in the second installment of the Blood Guard Trilogy.

Due to release this week, THE GLASS GAUNTLET, is a plot twisting story of 13-year-old Ronan. He’s now in training to become a 51sUO9Zx62L._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_member of the The Blood Guard, aka, the good guys. His main duty is to protect his friend, Greta, from The Bend Sinister, an evil society of individuals wanting to bring an end to this world as we know it.

Yes, the second book in a planned series of three is a tough one to write. Up front you know that not every problem can be solved. Something has to be left for the final book. There will also be new readers who somehow skipped the first book and jumped into this one. How do you bring them up to speed but keep the plot moving forward? Finally, how does one end a story that is to be continued?

Thankfully, in the hands of author, Carter Roy, all is well with each of those concerns. He weaves in information from the first story so you won’t be totally lost and a few new interesting characters are introduced along the way. We also get a deeper understanding of Jack Dawson, a teen who is actually 198 or so in age. Not too much more is revealed about Ronan, Greta, and younger Tommy’s character, but you get the feeling the final book will find them them growing even closer.

The mark of a great fantasy adventure is it keeps you guessing as to what happens next. THE GLASS GAUNTLET has all of that and more. Equally good news is a chance for you to win both books. Details are below!

PUBLICATION DATE: AUGUST 18, 2015   PAGE COUNT: 261  

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):

Ronan Truelove barely survived his first encounter with his father and the Bend Sinister. Now, he’s determined to become one of the Blood Guard, a sword-wielding secret society sworn to protect thirty-six pure souls crucial to the world’s survival.

Eager to prove he’s got what it takes, Ronan is sent on his first mission with his friends Greta and Sammy to visit a weird-sounding school and take a series of tests called the Glass Gauntlet. Paper and pencils and nerdy scholarship—where’s the life-or-death challenge in that?

But the Glass Gauntlet is actually something much more dangerous: head-to-head competitions against ruthless opponents. Nothing and no one are what they seem. Who can he trust, and who will kill him? Ronan has to figure it out fast because his enemies are multiplying, and soon he will have to pass the ultimate test: facing his father again and standing up to those who threaten not only him and his friends but also the world.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE GLASS GAUNTLET by Carter Roy

  1. The Glass Gauntlet, the Verity Glass, and the Damascene ‘Scope are a few of the unusual and cool objects you will learn about. Their “soulful” purpose guide the story.
  2. Jack Dawkins not only comes back to life each time he goes through another untimely death, but he does so with wit and charm. He makes a great older leader for our group of young ones in training.
  3. Just going through the chapter titles will provide you with a few chuckles. My favorites: STICKING OUT LIKE A GLASS THUMB; YOU CAN DUNK A KID IN WATER, BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE HIM SINK; YOU DON’T KNOW JACK;  and A FISTFUL OF SOUL.
  4. The action spills off the pages at the perfect moments. There’s tension, some gruesome but not too gruesome parts, and more than a few scenes had me in awe, scratching my head, and saying “How did he come up with that one?”
  5. The world building is marvelous. From the training headquarters to the site of the competition, it all lends itself to words painting a visual for readers.

FAVORITE LINES:

“We’ve never officially trained any Blood Guard candidates before. You three are the first.” Dawkins’ face broke out into the enormous smile he uses when he’s trying to be charming. “But trust me: You are going to love this place!”

WHO IS CARTER ROY?

Carter Roy has painted houses and worked on construction sites; waited tables and driven delivery trucks; been a stage hand for rock bands and a videographer on a cruise ship; worked as a line cook in a kitchen, a projectionist in a movie theater, and a rhetoric teacher at a university. He has been a reference librarian and a book seller, edited hundreds of books for major publications, and written award-winning short stories for adult readers that have appeared in a half-dozen journals and anthologies. The Blood Guard was his first book, and The Glass Gauntlet is his second. He lives in New York City.    Carter Roy’s web site.

CONTEST TIME! How you can win both books in the Blood Guard Series?

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Last week I reviewed Book One, THE BLOOD GUARD. If you commented (or still want to) I’ve already entered you into this weeks drawing for a The Blood Guard Series two pack. You can double your chances by also commenting on this review. Just complete your comments to one or both reviews by Sunday, August, 23rd, 5 p.m. EDT. I’ll then draw the lucky name who will win a brand new hardback of THE GLASS GAUNTLET, and a once read hardback of THE BLOOD GUARD. The winner will be notified via email next Sunday and reported here on Monday. Good luck!

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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LUCKY STRIKE for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday EXTRA

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

I added this title to my list earlier this year for a reason only I might have –  the theme of luck or lack of it was something I covered in one of my own stories I’ve been editing for what seems like forever. My worry was that the story I had written would be too much like this one. Thankfully that wasn’t the case as LUCKY STRIKE goes down an entirely different road. It’s a journey I thoroughly enjoyed.LUCKY-STRIKE-front-cover-200x300

Written in third person, the action centers around a boy (Nate Harlow) who has the worst luck of any kid. It’s also about his best friendship with, Gen, a gifted thinker and outlier in the social world of school. Nate isn’t much better in that pursuit but when he survives an unfortunate lightning strike his future changes. He instantly becomes the luckiest boy in his small seaside Florida town.

This would make a great read aloud as the discussion that would follow would be rich with debate. Probability or dumb luck? How do  families deal with change? Does one really have good or bad luck?

After reading this touching story, you’ll feel great for having done so.

PUBLICATION DATE:2015   WORD COUNT: 45,813  LEVEL: 5.2

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  Nate Harlow has never had a lucky day in his life. He’s never won a prize, he’s never been picked first, he’s never even won a coin toss. His best friend, Genesis Beam (aka Gen), believes in science and logic, and she doesn’t think for one second that there’s such a thing as luck, good or bad. But only an extremely unlucky person could be struck by lightning on his birthday… and that person is Nate Harlow. By some miracle, though, Nate survives, and the strike seems to have changed his luck. Suddenly, Nate’s grandpa is the busiest fisherman in their small, beachside town. And Nate finds himself the center of attention, the most popular kid at school, the one who hits a game-winning home run! This lucky streak can’t last forever, though, and as a hurricane draws close to the shores of Paradise Beach, Nate and Gen may need more than just good luck to save their friendship and their town: They need a miracle.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: LUCKY STRIKE by Bobbie Pyron

  1. The sub-plot of loggerhead turtles migrating to shore to lay their eggs, and the protective nature of Nate and Gen was a welcome addition to the story. Being quite a ways inland, I’d never learned about the habits of this species.
  2. Nate initially reacts to his change with skepticism, but soon he embraces the good luck and uses it to his advantage. Of course in the process he leaves behind his best friend. Nate is a special kid and his true side is something we hope comes out in all children.
  3. Intermixed between the magic of Nate’s good fortune is a realistic portrayal of life in a sea town. Many memorable characters lift off the pages.
  4. The message about the importance of friendship rings true throughout the story. Young readers will embrace this theme.
  5. The writing of the climatic scene was excellent as the viewpoint switches back and forth to Nate and Gen. Great learning for any writer trying to increase the stakes in their own ending scenes.

FAVORITE LINES: He heard the wail of a siren in the distance. He saw his grandpa run across the road. He felt Grandpa’s heart hammering in his chest. Nate wanted so badly to tell him it was all okay.

For more information visit Bobbie Pyron’s Website

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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THE BLOOD GUARD for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

This debut came out last year, but I only just got to it now. What was I thinking? THE BLOOD GUARD is a fantastic adventure full of twists and turns, humor at the most unlikely times, and a cast of characters you want to know more about.511ThyJmYTL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_

Thirteen-year-old, Ronan, is a rather clueless protagonist from the start, but as the story progresses he learns about the secrets his parents have kept from him. Seems that his mother is member of The Blood Guard, a secret society that keeps care of 36 people in the world known as the Pure. Their existence basically keep the world from ending. As for his father, that gets a bit more confusing. No spoilers here.

With heart stopping action and some rather gruesome events, I’d reserve this one for 5-8th graders. Yes, it is intense at times, but far from nightmare inducing. Instead, you’ll be racing through the chapters to see what happens next.

There are a few loose ends left dangling with this one, but more is on the way. The next book in this series, BLOOD GUARD #2: THE GLASS GAUNTLET, is released August 18th. I learned my lesson and set out to not wait a year on this one. I’ll have a review next week!

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   WORD COUNT: 63,170        LEVEL: 5.0

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  When thirteen-year-old Ronan Truelove’s seemingly ordinary mom snatches him from school, then sets off on a high speed car chase, Ronan is shocked. His quiet, nerdy dad has been kidnapped? And the kidnappers are after him, too?

His mom, he quickly learns, is anything but ordinary. In fact, she’s a member of an ancient order of knights, the Blood Guard, a sword-wielding secret society sworn to protect the Pure—thirty-six noble souls whose safety is crucial if the world as we know it is to survive.

Now all those after-school activities—gymnastics, judo, survival training—she made him take, make sense. For suddenly Ronan is swept up in a sometimes funny, sometimes scary, but always thrilling adventure—dashing from one danger to the next, using his wits to escape the Bend Sinister, a posse of evil doers with strange powers. Falling in with two unlikely companions, Greta, a scrappy, strong-willed girl he’s never much liked and Jack, a devil-may-care teenage pickpocket, Ronan is left with only his wits and his mom’s last words of advice: Trust no one.

That’s a lot for an ordinary kid to deal with. But then again, maybe Ronan’s not ordinary at all.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE BLOOD GUARD by Carter Roy

  1. I’ve read many stories of this type where the action is so non-stop that eventually it loses my interest. Not so here as writers of fantasy/adventure novels should take note at the expert way Mr. Roy handles the balance of action and plot development.
  2. The cast of characters are a true blast. It begins with Ronan and Greta but there’s more. The youngest is Sammy, age 11, and the oldest is Jack, who is the oldest teenager ever. We don’t fully understand this group, but I’m sure their characters will become even more fleshed out in the next two books.
  3. I was laughing out loud at many of the unexpected comments. The best come from Jack, who seems to be a leftover from Oliver Twist, and Ronan, who would blend into any middle school setting. They both put a light touch on some intense scenes.
  4. It’s engaging, never boring, and for reluctant readers, it might be the perfect story to get them hooked.
  5. Yes, this is another kids versus the bad’s guy story, but the fun and unique elements of this one make it rise to the top.

FAVORITE LINES:

Call me Ronan.

That’s my middle name. My first is Evelyn and my last is Truelove, which is kind of a spectacular bummer on all fronts, because I’m a guy. My mom’s uncle Evelyn was from Great Britain, where I guess that name doesn’t sound weird for a boy. He had a house on a huge wooded lake in northern Michigan. So because my mom liked paddling a canoe there when she was nine, she gave me the first name that sounds like a girl’s.

I can’t even begin to explain how wrong this is.

AUTHOR QUOTE:

“I don’t know that I ever made a conscious decision to become a writer. I just sort of always was. I wrote stories and plays all through grade school, and then film scripts and stories throughout junior high and high school. I can’t think of a time when I wasn’t working on some sort of story or other.” From Carter Roy’s web site.

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

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