October 15, 2014

New Titles, Author Notes, Book Giveaways, and More

Dear Readers,

In this issue of KidsBookClubbing, you'll meet

...Marie Claire (Rat) and her older brother Bob (Protector of the Rat) in the sister-brother road trip NYTimes-praised adventure, UNHOOKING THE MOON.

...Portia as she finds her voice in the debut novel SILENT ECHO.

Warm wishes,

Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp

kidsbookclubbook.com

Ages 9-12 / Middle-Grade Fiction / Quercus US

Win a set of UNHOOKING THE MOON by Gregory Hughes for your book club. Enter to win by emailing the publisher (write "KidsBookclubbing" in the subject line).

Dear Reader,

After hearing a friend describe Winnipeg as "a land so flat you can watch your dog run away for three days," I had to see the landscape for myself. And when I did, I was so taken with the image I decided on the spot to set a book there and it became UNHOOKING THE MOON, a brother-sister road trip adventure -- and that line made it into the book too (see if you can find it). I was also inspired by people in my life -- Rat and Bob are based on my niece and godson -- and by my own travels. If you want to find out more about my inspirations and adventures, see this article.

Thank you for reading my book and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Cheers,

Gregory Hughes

Book reviews:

"[A] quirky, poignant debut."

-Publishers Weekly

"Though many of Hughes' characters will sink emotional hooks into readers, Rat takes and earns center stage by glibly charming the pants off every adult, showing a winning mix of quick wits and vulnerability. . . . Rousing adventures on the not-so-mean streets, with heart aplenty."

-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Rollicking...poignantly wrought, concluding on a note... of hope and fraternal love."
-John Freeman Gill, The New York Times Book Review

"Unhooking the Moon is one of the best books I have ever read. The story line is so good I can't explain it in words. It is intense and has a lot of action. I think it is a great book for growing kids."
-Mattieu Pattugalann, Newsday

Discussion questions:

1. How does your relationship with your siblings compare to Rat and Bob's?
2. What character were you most rooting for, and why?
3. If you could rewrite the ending, would you change anything? If so, how and why?
4. If you could take anyone on a road-trip adventure who would it be and where would you go?

To learn about Gregory Hughes, visit the publisher's website.

Ages 13 and up / YA Fantasy Fiction / Diversion Books

Win a set of autographed SILENT ECHO books along with a set of autographed limited edition SILENT ECHO Graphic Novels for your book club. Enter to win by emailing the author (write "KidsBookclubbing" in the subject line).

Dear Reader:

You know those moments? Moments when cyclones of thoughts and ideas spiral through your mind so quickly that your voice can hardly get them out fast enough? Well what if you couldn't get them out at all? What if, for reasons which no doctor or mortal could explain, you had been robbed of your voice?

In SILENT ECHO, Portia Griffin is the victim of this vocal crime and she is about to learn that the perp is actually a team of mythological Gods that she once believed only existed in ancient imagined stories.

When Portia finds her voice and the vast powers that come with it, she is thrust into a world of mythology that has her wondering if she was better off dwelling in her world of silence.

But Sirens cannot be silenced...

Read SILENT ECHO to discover a Siren's song that will haunt you forever.

Elisa Freilich

Book reviews:

"From the very first page to the last one this book hooked me, not only because the story is refreshing and captivating but because the writing style is fluid and inspiring. The author has also written a story within a story, SILENT ECHO spins pieces of the The Odyssey...and within Portia's story the songs are a story inside SILENT ECHO. I loved the songs and there were even some that I kept singing in my head."
-Azahara Arenas

"Mythological beings getting played by autocorrect? Dionysus with a MacBook? Does all that get your nerdy blood flowing? Then you've come to the right place... Portia, Felix, Charlotte, Max, and even dear Jacqueline are all well-rounded characters. For a while, I thought this was just another contemporary, but then the supernatural undertones sprouted and took me on a grand adventure... There's something about the writing that is...intoxicating. Mrs. Freilich, are you a Siren!? The writing is truly beautiful and I LOVED the songs and poems thrown throughout. Very clever indeed."
-Emily Savant

Discussion questions:

1. What is it exactly that you think makes Felix immune to Portia's Sirenic powers? Is it his deafness or does it go deeper than that?

2. Part of my goal in writing this series was to emphasize to readers how important it is to find your true voice, even if it is not the voice of a Siren. Which other characters in Silent Echo do you think found their true voice in this story? Did this book help you to reconsider the voice with which you want to dialogue with the world?

3. Many readers at times really disliked Portia's character despite the fact that her caustic behavior was being spurred on by spirits. Were you able to empathize with Portia throughout? Did Silent Echo make you realize that we all have internal struggles that might cause us to show our ugly sides but that those struggles should not ultimately define our true voices?

4. Are you, ahem, Team Felix or Team Max and why?

5. How did you feel the music in the book? Did it enhance the story for you? If not, why?

To read an excerpt and learn some fun facts, please visit the author's website.

AUTHOR CALL-IN INFORMATION: Elisa Freilich is happy to call in or Skype with your book club. She'd also be delighted to come speak in person if you are in the New York tri-state area. Email her to submit your request.

A maximum of 10 books is available for each book club giveaway.
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