Review: THE SONG OF THE QUARKBEAST by Jasper Fforde

Title: The Song of the Quarkbeast
Author: Jasper Fforde
Pub info: HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013
Genre: MG fantasy, 289 pp

Having just finished The Last Dragonslayer, I had to move on to The Song of the Quarkbeast, the second book in Fforde's Chronicles of Kazam series. It was just as much fun as the first.

Goodreads summary:

Long ago, magic began to fade, and the underemployed magicians of Kazam Mystical Arts Management have been forced to take any work their sixteen-year-old acting manager, Jennifer Strange, can scare up. But things are about to change. Magical power is finally on the rise, and King Snodd IV, of the Ununited Kingdoms knows that he who controls magic controls everything. Only one person stands between Snodd and his plans for a magic-grab--and that's Jennifer.

Yet even smart and sensible Jennifer would have trouble against these powers-that-be. The king and his cronies will do anything to succeed--including ordering a just-might-be-rigged contest between Kazam and iMagic, Kazam's only competitor in the magic business. With underhanded shenanigans afoot, how can Kazam possibly win?

Whatever happens, one this is certain: Jennifer Strange will not relinquish the noble powers of magic without a fight.

Status: finished 3/19/14

My impressions:
Last week I reviewed the first book in the Chronicles of Kazam, and this novel is a fantastic follow-up. With the world-building securely in place and our already-beloved characters ready for action, this book proceeds more smoothly than #1 and gives us a bit more substance to chew on alongside the humor. There's plenty of action, too, if not quite as much magic. And I can't lie that I was overjoyed to see the word Quarkbeast in the title, considering some plot points from Book #1 that I won't reveal here. I loved learning more about Kazam's wizards as well as the fascinating origins of the Quarkbeast itself.

And here's a perhaps oft-overlooked plus: Jasper writes wonderful, believable, strong female characters. While that perhaps shouldn't be a big deal, it is--because not enough male writers can pull it off. Kudos!

Finally, one of the things I love best about these books is the extent to which the reader's imagination is engaged: It's up to you to imagine exactly what a Quarkbeast looks like, and yet I have a clear picture of it in my mind, just like I know precisely what Jennifer, Tiger, and the Transient Moose look like. And I love them all.

About Jasper Fforde:
Jasper Fforde is a novelist living in Wales. He is the son of John Standish Fforde, the 24th Chief Cashier for the Bank of England, whose signature used to appear on sterling banknotes. His published books include a series of novels for adults starring Thursday Next, including The Eyre Affair (2001) and  Lost in a Good Book (2002). Jasper also writes the Nursery Crimes series for adults, in which Detective Jack Spratt solves crimes inflicted by and upon nursery-rhyme characters (The Big Over Easy, 2005). The third book in the Chronicles of Kazam is called The Eye of Zoltar and is coming in October. (Note: Pub dates are for the USA releases; Fforde's books release earlier in the UK.)

Online:
Visit Jasper's very busy website here for fun stuff and news about his books and appearances. His Twitter page is here, and you can find him here on Facebook.


Want to win a free copy of this book? Next week I'm giving away your choice of the 5 books I reviewed during Middle Grade March Madness (oh yeah, and one adult novel too). Pick your fave, enter, and win!

SIGN UP HERE TO RECEIVE A BRIEF EMAIL WHENEVER A NEW GIVEAWAY BEGINS.

To follow my progress as I bulldoze my way through a stack of 51 to-be-reads this year, search for the tag 2014 TBR Shelf. Read all the reviews here.

And be sure to visit Shannon Messenger's blog to see more fun links to great middle-grade reads and giveaways!

Review: TESLA'S ATTIC by Neal Shusterman & Eric Elfman

Title: Tesla's Attic (Book 1 in the Accelerati Trilogy)
Author: Neal Shusterman & Eric Elfman
Pub info: Disney-Hyperion, 2014; 256 pp
Genre: MG sci-fi

I can't count this as one of my 2014 TBRs because I just bought it on impulse this month and read it right away. But I can't not tell you about it. It's just too good.

Goodreads summary:

After their home burns down, fourteen-year-old Nick, his younger brother, and their father move into a ramshackle Victorian house they've inherited. When Nick opens the door to his attic room, he's hit in the head by a toaster. That's just the beginning of his weird experiences with the old junk stored up there. After getting rid of the odd antiques in a garage sale, Nick befriends some local kids--Mitch, Caitlin, and Vincent--and they discover that all of the objects have extraordinary properties. What's more, Nick figures out that the attic is a strange magnetic vortex, which attracts all sorts of trouble. It's as if the attic itself has an intelligence . . . and a purpose.

Status: finished 3/23/14

My impressions:
I truncated the Goodreads plot synopsis above because I think it reveals too much of the story without quite taking the fast train to Spoiler Town. This book is best read if you don't know too many details. Suffice it to say that Nick, who has just lost his mother and whose dad is still shell-shocked by the experience, is on his own in this new town and has to deal with a lot of strange goings-on thanks to the junk in his new attic. The rest, as they say, is mystery.

I absolutely loved this book. I've never read either of these authors (I know, I know!), and I adore their writing. On one hand, this is a paranormal, sci-fi-ish tale about fantastical happenings, but it also explores love and loss as well. It's certainly not heavy, but neither do the characters blithely go about their business--tra la la--even though Mom has just been killed in a fire. The relationship Nick forges with his new friends--and I use the term loosely--is interesting all by itself, as well as the dynamics of middle-school life. There's a lot of good story even before you throw in the weird stuff. And come on, I love weird stuff. Tesla's Attic can be read as a standalone, but several unanswered questions and loose ends will compel me to snap up the second book in the trilogy as soon as it comes out. A nicely layered story, some genuine creeps, good writing. Sold.

About Neal & Eric:
Award-winning author Neal Shusterman grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and has made his mark as a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. His many books include the Skinjacker Trilogy (Everlost, Everwild, Everfound) for young adults.

Eric Elfman is the award-winning author of books for kids and teens, including Almanac of the Gross, Disgusting & Totally Repulsive; The Very Scary Almanac; the Three-Minute Thrillers series, and three X-Files novels. He has also written movies, TV shows, animation, and more.


Online:
Indulge your need to know all Neal info at his website, and follow his Twitter musings here. Visit Eric's world of UFOs and other weird and gross happenings at his website, here. You can also follow him on Twitter here.



Want to win a free copy of this book? The first Monday of each month features a giveaway of any of the titles I've reviewed the previous month. Pick your fave, enter, and win!  Next giveaway: April 7.

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Writer Wednesday: Tips for Kidlit Fests

Yesterday I wrote about the great experience I had at the University of Central Missouri's Children's Literature Festival. I haven't been to loads of writers' events, so I can hardly be called an expert. But I've learned a few things that I've noted down to remind myself of, and I'll pass them on to you too.

1. Think About Your Clothes.
No, really. I don't mean, Think about what you'll look good in; think about what purpose your clothes will serve. I've noticed that authors presenting to kids don't normally dress up much. Nice jeans are perfectly fine, and you'd better like your shoes a whole lot, because they'll be working hard for you. During presentations to kids, I wore my tennis shoes--they're comfortable, casual, and they send the right message, i.e., I'm not your teacher. And I stand up in them for session after session as well as tromp up four flights of stairs and all over campus in them. I wore a kind of snazzy-looking top with the jeans, but a quirky T-shirt would've been okay too.

I also packed something a bit nicer for the meet-and-greet/book signing. If it had been warm enough, I'd have worn this pretty lavender sundress, but as it was, black jeans and nicer shoes, another snazzy top. And layers! Some rooms will be sweltering (especially with 75 little bodies jammed in with you), and some will be cool.

2. Do Your Homework.
If you can, learn something about the other writers before you go. I looked up all 30 websites of the authors at the UCM Fest. I tried to note a few books they'd written. I even copied their photos and info into a document. I didn't refer to it like crib notes, but just doing that cemented their faces in my brain and made introductions so much easier.  
 
3. Get Involved in Everything.
I'm not a joiner. I'm an introvert. I don't mingle, I don't do small talk. And yet for this event, I turned all that on its head. I'd have happily holed up in my hotel room after a day of presentations, but instead I did the quirky shoe-store-visit-followed-by-bar tradition established at this festival. (We bought shoes, then went drinking. It's a thing.) I got to know my fellow writers. I ate no meal alone, not even coffee. I hung out in the lobby after dinner and chatted. I exchanged email addresses. Why? Because if you're part of the group, you're more likely to get invited back. And the added bonus is that other writers get you. You'll get advice from experienced folks and share bewilderment with fellow newbies. Writers are great people, and you don't get to see them that often. Take advantage of every opportunity. You can collapse when you get home.

4. That Said, Know Your Limits.
I did socialize far more than I was used to doing at UCM, but I also allowed myself a blissful period of alone time each day. I woke up early and read a book or went over my notes. I took a few deep breaths in the bathroom before starting the day's presentations. I enjoyed the silence of my room after 9:30 pm. Fill yourself up. You'll be glad you did.

5. Be Gracious. And Then More So.
Help out the others. Offer a ride or an extra pair of hose. Let Writer X know if the kids you saw gushed about her presentation. Buy other folks' books at the sale and get them to sign them. This isn't to earn points; it's about being a human being. Even the "famous" writers you meet have insecurities and may be nervous about doing presentations or speeches. Everyone has faced the blank page and the blank stare of an audience.

6. Follow Up, and Soon.
Send out those "glad to meet you" emails right away. If you promised someone a signed book, get it to her. And always send a thank-you note to the festival organizer. She worked long and hard to make the event worthwhile. And if she's anything like UCM's Naomi Williamson, she's worth her weight in Judy Blume books.

Fun at the UCM Kidlit Fest

I'm still very much a newbie at this author gig, blogfrogs; I'm still conquering a lot of firsts. This past week was my first children's literature festival.

This is the best kind of festival to go to because there's something for everyone. On Sunday, more than 30 kidlit authors had lunch at the University of Central Missouri student union, and we invited kids and parents to join in. Kids sat at tables with their fave authors and asked all kinds of questions while we chowed down at a marvelous pasta buffet. Illustrator Henry Cole gave a keynote speech that had everyone snorting their milk through their noses. He is seriously funny, and in high demand as a speaker.

the gorgeous author centerpieces created by Naomi Williamson & Cathy Clear

Then, after lunch, visitors were welcome to collect author signatures and browse the book sale, which featured middle-grade thrillers like Roland Smith's Chupacabra and YA tales like Terry Trueman's Printz Honor-winning Stuck in Neutral and Antony John's supernatural Elemental. Picture book authors and illustrators were liberally represented, ranging from Michelle Markel's Brave Girl to Brad Sneed's Thumbelina. Well-known authors like Mary Casanova, Mary Downing Hahn, and Stephanie S. Tolan stood beside newbies like myself and Regina Sirois, whose beautiful novel On Little Wings won the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award in 2012.

Now while Sunday was a superfun day, the real heart and soul of this festival are the two session days on Monday and Tuesday. This year, the festival hosted about 3,600 students in grades 3-8 who came to hear their favorite authors speak. Each student attended four presentations a day (and at least one class came on both days!). For us authors, that meant delivering 8 presentations in two days, but what fun it was! I was able to address a total of about 450 students in sessions of 30-75 kids each. They were incredibly well behaved and enthusiastic.

signing a student's T-shirt

In the evenings, authors had a chance to kick back and get to know each other. This group was among the nicest I've been part of.

Mary Casanova & Roland Smith

Terry Trueman presents a Mock Oscar in the ceremony honoring the festival staff

I came home very tired but so grateful to festival organizer Naomi Williamson and all the volunteers. If you love kidlit, keep an eye out on the festival website to get updates on next year's festival. You won't want to miss it.

Review: THE LAST DRAGONSLAYER by Jasper Fforde

Title: The Last Dragonslayer
Author: Jasper Fforde
Pub info: HMH Books for Young Readers, 2012
Genre: MG fantasy, 287 pp

This is the first book in the Chronicles of Kazam series. Two are out so far, and thank goodness they don't end on cliffhangers.

Goodreads summary:

In the good old days, magic was indispensable—it could both save a kingdom and clear a clogged drain. But now magic is fading: drain cleaner is cheaper than a spell, and magic carpets are used for pizza delivery. Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, an employment agency for magicians—but it’s hard to stay in business when magic is drying up. And then the visions start, predicting the death of the world’s last dragon at the hands of an unnamed Dragonslayer. If the visions are true, everything will change for Kazam—and for Jennifer. Because something is coming. Something known as . . . Big Magic.

Status: finished 3/13/14

My impressions:
I remember reading and laughing along with Jasper Fforde in his Thursday Next books, a series in which the detective solves crimes that occur within the pages of literature. (It's complicated and hilarious.) Fforde's voice in this new MG/borderline YA series comes through loud and clear: Here are his trademark array of zany characters (wizards with names like the Mysterious X and Full Price), quick satiric humor, and quippy dialogue. The Last Dragonslayer was a fun, whimsical fantasy with lots of real-world references thrown in, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The humor distanced me a bit from the characters--I can't say I was wholeheartedly invested in them, because some seem more like archetypes than real people. Still, for light fun and humor, you can't beat this clever author.

About Jasper Fforde:
Jasper Fforde is a novelist living in Wales. He is the son of John Standish Fforde, the 24th Chief Cashier for the Bank of England, whose signature used to appear on sterling banknotes. His published books include a series of novels for adults starring Thursday Next, including The Eyre Affair (2001) and  Lost in a Good Book (2002). Jasper also writes the Nursery Crimes series for adults, in which Detective Jack Spratt solves crimes inflicted by and upon nursery-rhyme characters (The Big Over Easy, 2005). The third book in the Chronicles of Kazam is called The Eye of Zoltar and is coming in October. (Note: Pub dates are for the USA releases; Fforde's books release earlier in the UK.)

Online:
Visit Jasper's very busy website here for fun stuff and news about his books and appearances. His Twitter page is here, and you can find him here on Facebook.


Want to win a free copy of this book? The first Monday of each month features a giveaway of any of the titles I've reviewed the previous month. Pick your fave, enter, and win!  Next giveaway: April 7.

SIGN UP HERE TO RECEIVE A BRIEF EMAIL WHENEVER A NEW GIVEAWAY BEGINS.

To follow my progress as I bulldoze my way through a stack of 51 to-be-reads this year, search for the tag 2014 TBR Shelf. Read all the reviews here.

TBR 2014: Books No. 8 and 9

Upping the ante! Next up are two books by Jasper Fforde: The Last Dragonslayer (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2010) and its sequel, The Song of the Quarkbeast (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013). If I don't like the first one, I'll likely ditch the second, but knowing Fforde's strengths as a writer, I'll probably gobble them both up.

“Features the same delightful mix of magic and everyday absurdity that characterizes [Fforde’s] other books. . . . Readers both young and adult will get hours of pleasure visiting these Ununited Kingdoms.” —NPR Books, online review

"Fforde's foray into children's books will delight readers who like their fantasy with a dash of silliness.”  —Publishers Weekly, starred review

I'm excited! You?

That's right: I've committed to reading all the books on my TBR Shelf this year--and blogging them! Click here to read the reviews I've posted so far.

Writer Wednesday: Calling Kid Writers

Are you a kid who likes to write? Or maybe you know a kid who likes to write? There are plenty of places to publish kids' writing and artwork, whether in print or online. Below are some places to get started (click on the titles to learn more about them):

Inklings Book Contest (grades 1-8)
Stone Soup magazine (ages 8-13)
Creative Kids Magazine (ages 8-16)  
New Moon Girls magazine (ages 8+, girls only)
Teen Ink (ages 13-19)
Push Writing Contests (grades 7-12)
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (grades 7-12)

 

Some Tips for Submitting Your Work

 1. Study the target.  Whether you're submitting to a website or print magazine, read as much of it as you can before sending in your work. Read a few issues cover to cover. Ask yourself honestly if what you're offering fits with the other material. If you're a poet and the magazine contains no poetry, don't waste your time. If all the fiction on the website centers around ordinary kids and their everyday lives, maybe your sci-fi space drama isn't what they're looking for. That's okay. There's a place for you elsewhere.

2. Follow the directions! If the site says they want work submitted via email, don't mail it in. If they require a signed form from a parent/guardian, include it. Take note of due dates for contests and follow them. The easiest way to earn a rejection slip is to blow off the requirements.

3. Proofread, proofread, proofread.  Don't assume your word processor's spell checker will do the trick. It won't catch words you've left out or extra words you've left in. Here's a hint: Print your work out to read it. Read slowly and carefully. Put it away for a few days, then print it out again, but this time use a different font. You'll probably catch mistakes you missed the first time. I know it seems environmentally irresponsible, but you can always use recycled paper that's been printed on one side. This is your work--be proud of it.

4. Keep Trying. Every writer, I don't care who they are, has experienced rejection. The hardest thing is that often publishers won't tell you why they turned down your piece. Some possible reasons:

• they've just accepted something similar to your story/illustration
• your work is good, but it doesn't suit the tone of the publication
• your work is too long / too short for the publication
• your piece needs a bit more polish

As long as you keep submitting work, you're an artist. That's what artists do. It can be hard to find your niche, but successful creative people are only successful because they don't give up. Ever.