THE TRUE BLUE SCOUTS OF SUGAR MAN SWAMP

THE TRUE BLUE SCOUTS OF SUGAR MAN SWAMP, by Kathi Appelt (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster 2013)(ages 8+).  Raccoon brothers Bingo and J'miah are the newest Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp and they take their responsibilities seriously.  But when there's a menace to the swamp too big for even them to handle, they know they have to awaken -- for the first time in decades -- the ancient and powerful Sugar Man.  But what if he wakes up cranky?   

In the meantime, twelve-year-old Chap Brayburn is trying to deal with the recent loss of his beloved grandfather and make enough fried pies to keep the family shop in business.  But can they ever make and sell enough of the things to fend off the developer who wants the land for an alligator wrestling arena?

THE TRUE BLUE SCOUTS OF SUGAR MAN SWAMP offers a lively and, at times, funny story filled with unforgettable characters.  With a voice redolent of the swamps of east Texas, Appelt provides an engaging and atmospheric tale of hope and integrity that spans the generations.

THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY

THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY, by Nikki Loftin (Razorbill/Penguin, August 2012)(ages 8-12). When eleven-year-old Lorelei's school burns down, she and her brother transfer to Splendid Academy, a new school which appeared practically overnight.  With gourmet meals, bottomless bowls of candy, no rules about texting or talking in class, and the best playground ever, it seems to be the perfect school. 

But there's a dark secret at Splendid Academy, and Lorelei and her new friend Andrew are determined to uncover the truth.  But who will believe that the school is a front for a witch?

THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY is a deliciously dark debut, offering an engaging heroine, a nicely creepy villain, and piles and piles of marzipan.  A splendid 21st century update to the tale of Hansel and Gretel.

Katniss and Ender...

Next month, when THE HUNGER GAMES movie releases, a group of us from the Austin youth literature community are planning to go see it at the decadently luxurious Capitol IPIC Theatre in The Domain (Yes, we're being ironic).  Anyway, in anticipation thereof, I decided to actually read the book.  I am not going to give it a full review here, but will say that I read it in one day, enjoyed it, and look forward to diving into the next two. :-).

I did want to observe, however, that, given all the hand-wringing I've seen about it from some quarters, it was considerably tamer than I was expecting. It reminded me somewhat of ENDER'S GAME, but less brutal, even though there is a higher (human) body count.

I'm not sure why.  Perhaps because ENDER'S GAME is more science fiction-y and THE HUNGER GAMES feels more fantasy-ish (at least to me).  Or perhaps it's because ENDER'S GAME wasn't originally written "for" a teen audience.  Or, I could just be getting old...:-).

No dinosaurs, however, were harmed in either book.    

VODNIK

VODNIK, by Bryce Moore (Tu Books/Lee & Low, March 2012)(12+).   When Tomas was six, his parents brought him to the United States after he was nearly drowned and burned to death -- and he has the scars on his arm and lungs to prove it.   Now sixteen, after their house in the States burned down, Tomas and his family are back in Trencin, Slovakia, and he has a job at the very castle at which he nearly died.

Then he starts seeing things -- fire elementals, water creatures, and the Grim Reaper -- and starts to think that the legendary vodnik may actually be after him and his soul...

VODNIK offers a thrilling and suspenseful update on Slovak legends of the vodnici.  Tomas is engaging and the setting atmospheric, without being cliched, blending the ancient and the contemporary in a fascinating and sometimes funny read.    

LARKLIGHT

LARKLIGHT, by Philip Reeve (Bloomsbury 2006)(ages 8+).  In this steampunkish space fantasy, in the 19th Century, the British Empire has spread across the aether, and has established colonies as far out as Jupiter. 

Arthur Mumby and his sister Myrtle live in a rambling house called Larklight orbiting the Moon.  Their lives are turned upside down when they are kidnapped by giant spiders and rescued by the fearsome pirate Jack Havock himself.  And things get really complicated when they uncover a plot to destroy the very heart of the Empire, London itself....

LARKLIGHT is a swashbuckling romp through a fantastically envisioned British Empire aboard ships reminiscent of those from Treasure Planet.  Art and Myrtle are engaging and dryly funny as they tell the story of how they traveled the solar system and defeated the evildoers...   

THE DRAGON'S TOOTH

THE DRAGON'S TOOTH (Ashtown Burials, Book 1), by N.D. Wilson (Random House 2011)(ages 10+).  Twelve year old Cyrus and his sister Antigone have been living with their older brother Dan in a decrepit motel in Wisconsin for the past two years, their father dead and their mother in a coma.

Then a strange old man shows up and gives Cyrus a mysterious artifact and set of keys, the place is burned to the ground, and Daniel goes missing.  To get him back, Cyrus and his sister are drawn into the machinations of the mysterious Order of Brendan, jailers of semi-immortal villains and caretakers of powerful mystical objects...

THE DRAGON'S TOOTH offers a well-constructed and gripping fantasy with high stakes and adventure.  Cyrus and Antigone are likeable and believable as siblings and as they come together to face a world in which legend has become reality.

STRAW HOUSE, WOOD HOUSE, BRICK HOUSE, BLOW

STRAW HOUSE, WOOD HOUSE, BRICK HOUSE, BLOW, by Daniel Nayeri (Candlewick 2011)(ages 14+), offers a quirky, compelling, and often funny quartet of novellas, across a disparate range of genres and voices.

In Toy Farm, Sunny, a young straw man, must defend his home -- a toy farm where the toys grow from the ground -- against an interloper bent on disassembling them to determine how the Farmer gave them sentience.

In Our Lady of Villains, a girl must save the world from a corporation's impending release of nanotechnology that would turn the entire world into a "nano hotspot," where everywhere is wifi.  Only it all plugs into your brain.

Wish Police presents a world in which wishes manifest as reality and it is the job of the Imaginary Crimes Unit to prevent the worst from coming to fruition.  Saul, his partner Ari, and their new colleague Mack must stop a spoiled boy's wish on a star for the death of his family from coming true.

Finally, Doom with a View is a dryly funny tale told from the point of view of an oddly preppy Death about his interactions with and on behalf of a pair of star-crossed lovers.

I keep thinking of this book as "Stephen King's Different Seasons meets The Three Little Pigs." :-).  On the whole, it's a collection of page-turning, fascinating, finely wrought, and occasionally thought-provoking reads that will leave readers wanting more.

Go check out the videos for each of the stories.

WITCHLANDERS

WITCHLANDERS, by Lena Coakley (Atheneum 2011)(ages 12+).  For as long as he can remember, all Ryder has wanted to do is leave his family's remote farm and go to sea.  But now that his father is dead, it's up to him to keep the hicca crop and protect the family. 

As for the witches in the coven on the mountain that they -- and everyone else in the village -- have to tithe to each year?  They're worthless.  And he should know, because his mother left the coven many years ago and that's what she says.

When his home is attacked, Ryder knows who's to blame -- the magic wielding Baen across the border.  The ones who started the last war.  Ignoring the witches' warnings, he sets off on a quest for vengeance, and perhaps something more.

In WITCHLANDERS Coakley offers a well-wrought world, engaging characters, occasional bits of humor, and plenty of action.  Ryder and his family and enemies are believable and sympathetic.  The plot twists and intrigue are compelling, ultimately satisfying and, in some ways, thought-provoking.     

MOONSHADOW: RISE OF THE NINJA

MOONSHADOW: RISE OF THE NINJA, by Simon Higgins (Little Brown 2010)(10+).  In this historical fantasy based on medieval Japan, the orphan Moonshadow has been raised as a ninja warrior spy by the members of the Grey Light Order to serve the shogun and preserve the peace against fractious warlords.

In addition to being a master of stealth and swordsmanship, Moonshadow possesses the "eye of the beast," the ability to see through the eyes of animals.  Now, on his first mission, he must put all his skills to the test as he goes in alone to the the castle of a rebel warlord who wants to overthrow the shogunate...

MOONSHADOW: RISE OF THE NINJA is a thoroughly fun, action-packed yarn.  Altogether, an engaging story of friendship, honor, and belonging.

First in a series, originally published in Australia as MOONSHADOW: EYE OF THE BEAST.

THEODOSIA AND THE LAST PHARAOH

THEODOSIA AND THE LAST PHARAOH, by R.L. Lafevers (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2011)(ages 8-12).  In the fourth Theodosia book, Theodosia is off to Egypt (with her smuggled cat) to return the Emerald Tablet and assist her mother on an archaeological dig.  But when the Serpents of Chaos appear, Theodosia finds she might have more than she can handle.  Between known enemies and unexpected allies, can she accomplish her mission and (more important) continue to keep her parents blissfully unaware of her secret life?    

THEODOSIA AND THE LAST PHARAOH is another thrilling adventure in a world filled with magic and danger.  Theodosia is as sharp as ever as she navigates the mysteries of Egypt in the Edwardian era...

THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF JACK

THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF JACK, by Kelly Barnhill (Little Brown 2011)(ages 8 - 12).  Jack has always been overlooked by both his parents and his brother and, well, pretty much everyone else, too.  But when he's sent to live with his aunt and uncle in rural Iowa, he finds, to his surprise, that they actually see him.  And not just them: it's the strange kids in the neighborhood (who seem to want to be his friends (!)) and the police, who work for the wealthiest man in town (who wants Jack dead). And then there are the eruptions of magic...

THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF JACK is an atmospheric story of family and belonging and good and evil.  Jack is engaging and believable, and the mystery of the dark magic unfolds to a compelling and satisfying conclusion.     

CHIME

CHIME, by Franny Billingsley (Dial, March 2011)(12+). In the early twentieth century, in the village of Swampsea, which borders a swamp still inhabited by the Old Ones, they hang witches. So seventeen year-old Briony Larkin must keep the secret that her uncontrolled powers injured her sister and killed her stepmother. But with the Boggy Mun sending the swamp fever, she must choose between telling all or letting the children die. And when handsome, funny Eldric arrives, things become even more complicated. Although attracted to him, she knows a witch cannot love...

Elegant and enigmatic, CHIME offers a world on the cusp of modernity, but where ancient wild magic still holds sway. At times both romantic and horrific, Briony's struggles over which path(s) to take make for a compelling and ultimately satisfying tale of love, family, and mystery.

THE HUNCHBACK ASSIGNMENTS

THE HUNCHBACK ASSIGNMENTS, by Arthur Slade (Wendy Lamb/Random House 2009)(ages 10+). In Victorian London, fourteen year-old Modo -- a shape-changing hunchback -- has been raised in seclusion since he was an infant by a Mr. Socrates, leader of a secret society determined to protect the British Empire.

His first assignment: to determine what has caused a group of young men -- Britain's finest -- to turn on their fathers with murderous intent, and figure out if it relates to the kidnapping of scores of orphans.

In THE DARK DEEPS: THE HUNCHBACK ASSIGNMENTS 2 (Wendy Lamb/Random House 2010), Modo finds his second: travel to New York to find out why one of their agents has disappeared and unlock the secret of the "Big Fish."

In THE HUNCHBACK ASSIGNMENTS series, Arthur Slade presents a likeable protagonist in a fantastical, steampunk-inspired Britain. Modo's struggles between duty and self are compelling and the stories are action-packed. Readers will eagerly anticipate book 3.

FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK

FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK, by Melina Marchetta (Candlewick 2010)(12+). At the age of nine, Finnikin, son of the captain of the King's Guard, witnesses a bloody coup in the kingdom of Lumatere. After a brutal massacre, the kingdom is placed under a curse: no one can enter or leave. But Finnikin himself has been spirited away.

Ten years later, Finnikin trains with the former king's first man, traveling to refugee camps, seeking out fellow Lumaterans in exile. Then they encounter the mysterious Evanjalin, who claims she can speak, in her dreams, to those trapped inside Lumatere. And she might just have a plan to release the curse and overthrow the imposter...

FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK is a thoroughly enjoyable, thrilling and textured tale of survival, hope, love, and justice. The plot is complex and the fantasy world richly-detailed. Characters are layered, likeable, and believable. Altogether, FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK is a compelling read, full of action and adventure and heart.

TYGER, TYGER

TYGER, TYGER, by Kersten Hamilton, (Clarion 2010)(12+). Sixteen year-old Chicagoan Teagan Wyllston's life is turned upside down when her seventeen year-old cousin, Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives to live with the family. It turns out that the mysterious and streetwise Finn is destined to lead the battle against the goblins -- the unearthly and evil sidhe of lore -- but has inadvertently led them to Teagan and her five year-old brother Aidan, who may have powers of their own. When their father is kidnapped by the goblins, Teagen must discover what and who she is and undertakes a rescue mission that leads her directly into Mag Mell, the heart of goblin power.

In TYGER, TYGER, Hamilton provides an intricately-wrought, suspenseful, fantasy adventure-mystery. Major and minor characters alike are well-drawn, believable, and, occasionally, funny. In short, TYGER, TYGER is an elegant and compelling update on the stuff of Irish myth and legend.

MOSTLY MONSTERLY

MOSTLY MONSTERLY, by Tammi Sauer, ill. by Scott Magoon (Paula Wiseman/Simon & Shuster 2010)(ages 4-8). Bernadette is a monster, but she's secretly very, very nice. On her first day of monster school, this doesn't go over very well. Will Bernadette ever be able to reconcile her inner self with societal expectations?

MOSTLY MONSTERLY is a terrifically fun, funny, and fanciful story of a little monster who just wants to be herself. With cupcakes.

BIG NEWS! THE CHRONAL ENGINE: AHEAD OF TIME

I am delighted to announce that Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) will be publishing my new novel, THE CHRONAL ENGINE: AHEAD OF TIME (tentative title). Tentative pub date is 2012.

Thanks to my agent, Ginger Knowlton, and new editor, Daniel Nayeri (co-author (with his sister Dina) of the ANOTHER series from Candlewick)!

Per today's Publisher's Marketplace: "Using their reclusive grandfather's time machine, a trio of contemporary teens travel to the Age of the Dinosaurs to solve a family mystery and rescue their sister..."

Grr...

Top two photos taken at the Houston Museum of Natural Science; bottom was taken at the Field Museum of Natural History.

ATTACK OF THE FLUFFY BUNNIES

ATTACK OF THE FLUFFY BUNNIES, by Andrea Beaty (Amulet 2010)(ages 7-11). Eleven-year-old twins Kevin and Joules Rockman have been dropped off at Campwhatsitooya by their parents, who are on their way to an international Spam festival. But instead of a summer of campfires and hiking and ghost stories, they find themselves in the middle of an invasion by big, giant bunnies from outer space! Can they save the earth from the leporine pestilence?

ATTACK OF THE FLUFFY BUNNIES is a hilarious parody, offering a unique take on the tropes of both horror and summer camp movies. In brief, ATTACK OF THE FLUFFY BUNNIES is the funniest story of attack by giant rabbits since NIGHT OF THE LEPUS.

Andrea co-blogs at Three Silly Chicks.

THOMAS AND THE DRAGON QUEEN

THOMAS AND THE DRAGON QUEEN, by Shutta Crum (Knopf 2010)(ages 8-12). Twelve-year-old Thomas is the eldest of ten children and the one who has to take care of the rest. Although small for his age, he's always dreamt of having an adventure and becoming a knight. He gets his chance when Sir Gerald takes him as his squire. At the castle, he learns there's more to becoming a knight than mere adventure -- it's hard work, involving learning the use of weapons, manners, and, worst of all, dancing.

But then the unthinkable happens: while all the other knights are away defending the border, the Princess Eleanor is captured by the Dragon Queen. So Thomas must now undertake a desperate quest all by himself - to rescue the princess and slay the dragon!

THOMAS AND THE DRAGON QUEEN is a fun and charming story of chivalry and adventure and lake monsters and dragons and a boy's quest to find where he best fits in the world.

THE INVISIBLE ORDER: RISE OF THE DARKLINGS

THE INVISIBLE ORDER: RISE OF THE DARKLINGS, by Paul Crilley (Egmont 2010)(ages 10+). In the middle of Victorian London, twelve-year-old Emily and her nine-year-old brother William are recently orphaned. When Emily rescues a piskie in a back alley, she is drawn into an ages-old conflict involving two sects of the fey folk and the Invisible Order, a human secret society dedicated to protecting humanity from the fey.

Things become more personal when William is kidnapped -- she has to get him back, but whom can she trust? Together with Corrigan, the piskie she rescued, and Jack, a street urchin a year older than her, she must navigate her way through treachery and danger.

RISE OF THE DARKLINGS is an intense, action-packed ride through a Victorian London that sits atop a dangerous faerie realm. Emily is engaging and well-developed, while Corrigan and Jack are funny and likeable. Readers will anxiously await the publication of Book 2, THE FIRE KING.