Win a set of Hidden Voices for your book club.
Enter to win by emailing Pat
(write "KidsBookclubbing" in the subject line).
 Dear
Reader:
The idea
for Hidden Voices, came from a remark on my classical music station that
Antonio Vivaldi wrote countless concertos to showcase the talents of orphans in
the institution where he worked and snare them husbands. Delving deeper, I learned there was a
complicated and fascinating story here, and my search for it brought together
an abiding interest in baroque music, my own experiences in a girl's school,
and my love of exotic places and distant times. Though the life of the composer
is interwoven through the text, it is the stories of three distinct orphans
that I chose to concentrate upon. 
Told in
their own voices, I hoped to show how teenagers in any time or place,
experience the same emotions and desires, and how deep friendships were forged
then as they are today.
I hope you
enjoy the book,
Pat Lowery
Collins
Book Reviews for Hidden Voices:
"Collins's descriptive prose makes
Venice and a unique slice of history come alive as the three connecting
narrative strains create a rich story of friendship and self-realization."
-School Library Journal
"The
girls' dissonant voices -- quite different from one another, making this
substantial novel manageable -- intense friendships and ardent (sometimes
shattering) pursuits of love endow the story with enduring intrigue. Fatherly
Vivaldi, a ruddy, spirited and sympathetic composer approaching greatness,
binds the girls and the story together. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 14
& up)"
-Kirkus Reviews
"With
its unique setting, vivid musical themes, and sharply realized characters, this
historical novel is well worth reading. Grades 8-10."
-Booklist
Discussion Questions for Hidden Voices:
1.
What
was Antonio Vivaldi's role at the Ospedale della Pietá and what was required of
him there?
2.
Of
the three protagonists - Luisa, Anetta, and Rosalba - which had the most
potential for surviving in the world outside the ospedale?
3.
Why
were certain orphans chosen for the figli di coro while others were put in the
figli di comun where they performed more ordinary and menial tasks?
4.
Why
did I choose this particular time, before Vivaldi had become famous, for most
of the action of the book?
Why
were Carnival and the running of the bulls so important to Rosalba?
Read
an excerpt,
find more about Pat and her books at her website, friend
her on Facebook and on Twitter. Plus check out this review of Hidden
Voices and an interview with questions about the book.
And,
look
for another Candlewick historical novel by Pat -- Daughter of
Winter,
a unique coming-of-age story set in the environs and ship yards of Essex, Massachusetts, in
1849 -- in fall
of 2010.
Author
Pat Lowery Collins is
happy to call into your club. She can
also meet with your group if you live in the Boston area. Email
Pat to submit your request.
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Ages
14 and up / YA / Hyperion/DBG
Win a set of By the Time You Read This, I'll Be
Dead for your book club.
Enter to win by emailing Julie Anne Peter's publisher (write "KidsBookclubbing" in the subject
line).
 Dear
Reader:
I wrote By the Time
You Read This, I'll Be Dead because I know how the effects of bullying can
build up over time. When I learned the term "bullycide" -- suicide because of
bullying- -- knew I had to write a book about it.
My main character, Daelyn, has been bullied all her life
because of her weight, but even when she loses the weight, she still feels
ugly. By the time she's ten years old, she's already decided to take her life.
I give Daelyn every reason to live -- loving parents, a fresh
start at school, God, a therapist, a potential friend, the chance at
romance -- then I leave it up to her to decide her future. The same way you are
 left to decide your own futures.
Remember, even in the worst of times, there are always
people who love and care about you.
Love,
Julie
www.julieannepeters.com
www.facebook.com/julieannepeters
www.myspace.com/julieannepeters
www.twitter.com/julieannepeters
Book Reviews for By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead:
"Any teen fortunate enough not to relate to the subject
matter should read this book, which turns the old adage, 'sticks and stones may
break my bones but words can never hurt me,' on its ear. Powerfully portrayed
in the first person, the protagonist's account offers compelling insight into
just how spiritually and emotionally devastating bullying can be."
-VOYA (starred
review)
"...will challenge teens to think about the impact
of bullying -- including cyberbullying -- and Through-the-Light's controversial
stance that 'self-termination is your right.'"
-Publishers
Weekly
Discussion Questions for By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead:
1. Bullycide.
I know that word well. Suicide as an escape from bullying. Before
reading this book, had you ever heard of bullycide? Do you think it
happens a lot?
2. Through-the-Light.com, a suicide board,
helps Daelyn plan her suicide. Is
this ethical? Is it freedom of
speech? If it didn't exist, would
Daelyn stop trying to kill herself?
3. Sometimes
people who are broken find other people who are broken. Why might that be? How does it happen in this book? Can they help each other back to
wholeness?
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 Dear Reader,
Did you know that Wilbur and
Orville Wright (the real-life brothers who invented the airplane) were great
friends? When I read about all the wild and crazy things they did when they
were growing up together, I decided to invent two adventure-loving brothers of
my own: Wilbur and Orville Riot. They make it a mission to have fun every day
in hilarious and surprising ways. You don't have to read the books in order,
but I'm hoping that one taste will inspire you to read more and make your own
fun.
Take the Mummy and Run: The Riot
Brothers Are on a Roll is
the fourth book in the Riot Brother series. In this book, Wilbur and Orville
Riot are dreading the arrival of their cousin. But when Amelia E. Hart shows up
with a fake snake, they're head over heels. Whether hunting for lost  mummies or
creating their own water park, there's never a dull moment. The games, songs,
and words of riotous "wisdom" in the back of the book provide instant
activities.
Have fun reading!
Mary Amatowww.maryamato.comwww.maryamato.com
Book Reviews for The Riot Brothers books:
The first book in the four-book
series, Snarf Attack, Underfoodle, and the Secret of Life: The Riot Brothers
Tell All
"Move over, Captain Underpants, a
couple of new pranksters are in town. . . . Libraries will have a hard time
keeping Snarf Attack on the shelf."
-School Library Journal
Drooling and Dangerous: The Riot
Brothers Return
"The black-and-white cartoons,
large print, and straightforward language will attract both newly confident and
reluctant readers, who will want to get in on the fun. . . . Be prepared for
youngsters to demand more about this crazy twosome."
-School Library Journal
Stinky and Successful: The Riot
Brothers Never Stop
"Adults will appreciate the
brothers' positive, teammate-style relationship. A smart choice for children
looking for humor, including reluctant readers."
-School Library Journal
Take the Mummy and Run: The Riot
Brothers Are on a Roll
"Kids are sure to enjoy the warm
family dynamics between the imaginative and exuberant brothers -- and their
like-minded cousin -- and the breakneck pace of this uproariously funny book."
-School Library Journal
1. The names Orville and Wilbur Riot and Amelia E.
Hart have historical significance. Talk about what you think inspired Mary
Amato to use these names.
2. Goliath Hyke is a mean bully in the first three
books in the series, and certainly starts off mean in the fourth book.
What happens to Goliath as the story develops? What do you think causes
Goliath to change?
3. Why do you think Wilbur and Orville get along
so well?
4. Talk about the Riot Brothers schemes to make
money. Why do you think the schemes often backfire?
5. What role do you think Amelia will play in any
future books?
Read an excerpt,
a Q&A with the author,
friend her on Twitter or Facebook.
Author
call-in information: Mary Amato is happy to call in to or skype
with your club. She may also be able to
meet with your group if you live in or near Washington D.C. or Montgomery
County, Maryland. E-mail Mary Amato to submit your request.
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A maximum of 10 books is available for each book club giveaway.
- Contest entries are sent directly to the authors administering each contest. Our Privacy Policy does not apply to emails sent as contest entries. You must be 18 years or older to enter the contests.
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