This is the first time I’ve ever done a post exclusively about a cover artist (though maybe I should do it again sometime?), but I just had to write this post when I discovered something astounding about the covers of TJ Klune’s and Sophie Anderson’s books: They aren’t illustrations; they’re created as 3D “sets” (as the artist calls them) and then photographed! That’s right, the gorgeous cover you see below is actually a painstakingly created 3D model…
My new author website is live! I’d love it if you’d go to NicoleMHewitt.com and check it out! (There’s also a link in the menu here on the blog – I replaced the About Me page with a link to the new site.) The adorable main illustration was created by Dabi’s Diary, and the web design was done by the ultra-talented Jenny at Websy Daisy. It honestly turned out even better than I could have imagined it! Watch the site for updates on the book and other writerly news.
Today I’m featuring THE ADVENTURES OF THE FLASH GANG: EXPLODING EXPERIMENT by M.M. Downing & S.J. Waugh, a page-turning middle grade historical fiction mystery!
Read on for my review of the book, and then make sure you also check out the authors’ list of top ten addictions to find out more about them!
The Adventures of the Flash Gang: Episode One: Exploding Experiment by M.M. Downing, S.J. Waugh
Series: The Adventures of the Flash Gang #1
Published by Fitzroy Books on March 21, 2023
Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Mysteries
Pages: 212
Source: The Author
Cover Artist: CB Royal
That brief, blinding dazzle? The blue smudge and lingering stink? The Flash Gang has struck again! They are the most notorious thieves in Pittsburgh, food-stealing crooks the police and newspapers say are highly trained and very dangerous. But eleven-year-old Lewis Carter isn’t a thief, he’s just homeless and hungry. The Flash is a recipe he invented from bits of his missing father’s scientific research. He uses it to pinch his dinners. It’s been going pretty well, until now…Now his recipe is stolen, and he is in the clutches of some rather nasty people. Enter tutu-wearing, starry-eyed, and all around extraordinary (she will tell you) Pearl Alice Clavell. She is on a mission to uncover a Nefarious Deed she’s convinced involves the Flash Gang. Rescuing Lewis is right up her alley. Truth is, a Nefarious Deed is afoot, one that threatens the entire country. It will take Lewis and Pearl joining forces to save the recipe and themselves against an enemy who will stop at nothing, including kidnapping, and, very possibly, murder.
I often have kids coming into B&N looking for something spooky to read, so I thought I’d create a post with some of my favorite MG horror reads. I’m featuring ten of them, plus eight more books I’ve heard great things about and I’m planning to read (hopefully soon!).
Today I’m featuring debut author Matt McMann and the first two spooky mystery adventure books in the MONSTERIOUS Series, both of which release on May 9th. These books can be read in any order, so kids can feel free to pick up whichever title tickles their imagination. (I’m one of those people who usually can’t stand to read a series out of order, but I read this one and then the first book, and found that I missed out on zero things by doing it that way since all the characters and stories are different.) Read on to see what I thought…
And make sure you scroll down to check out Matt’s Top Ten Addictions. He shares some fascinating info about his family!
Escape from Grimstone Manor by Matt McMann
Series: Monsterious #1
Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers on May 9, 2023
Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Mysteries
Pages: 160
Source: The Publisher
Cover Artist: Ryan Quickfall
Here’s the first book in a new series of spinechilling tales that combine monsters + mysteries, perfect for fans of Goosebumps.
In a mansion on a hill, lived a man no one could kill.Raised the dead with magic darkto rule the world and make his mark.
Zari has always been fascinated by creepy stories about Hezekiah Crawly, the real-life inspiration behind her local amusement park’s haunted house attraction, so she’s thrilled when her friends Mateo and Taylor agree to go on the last ride of the day before the park closes.
But when the ride breaks down, the three get trapped inside the haunted house for the night! As if that weren’t scary enough, the kids stumble onto a hidden staircase leading to a dark, cobwebbed crypt that doesn’t seem like part of the ride–and by the looks of it, they aren’t alone down there. Is it possible the stories about Hezekiah Crawly and his monstrous experiments are true? And if so, can Zari, Mateo and Taylor make it through the night in one piece?
Today I’m featuring MIRROR TO MIRROR by Rajani LaRocca, an incredible new MG novel in verse featuring identical twin sisters who are afraid their lifelong bond isn’t enough to hold them together in the face of mental health issues.
Read on for my review of the book, and then make sure you also check out Rajani’s list of top ten addictions to find out more about the author!
Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca
Published by Quill Tree Books on March 21, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, Middle Grade, Verse
Pages: 352
Source: NetGalley
Cover Artist: Vrinda Zaveri
In Rajani LaRocca’s breathtaking follow-up to the Newbery Honor– and Walter Award–winning Red, White, and Whole, identical twin sisters with a complicated relationship do everything together—until one day, they break apart.
Maya is the pragmatic twin. But when her sister threatens to reveal her secret anxiety to their parents, she feels completely betrayed.
Chaya is the outgoing twin. With Maya shutting her out, she decides to make a drastic change to give her twin the space she seems to need.
The once-close sisters can’t seem to find their rhythm, but they know that something has to give. So they make a bet: they’ll switch places at summer camp, and whoever can keep the ruse going longer will get to decide where they both attend high school—the source of frequent arguments. But stepping into each other’s shoes isn’t as easy as it sounds. Will the twins’ relationship recover?
Since April is National Poetry Month, I figured it’s the perfect time to feature some middle grade verse novels I’ve loved. Check out my list below:
Well, this happened …
If you haven’t, you should go read my post about MY DEBUT MG NOVEL!! And I apologize to those of you who have already seen this everywhere (AKA the blog, Twitter–twice, since it also auto-posted after my blog post went up–Instagram–once as a post and once as a story). I guess you could say I’m a little excited.
Today I’m featuring ONE GIRL IN ALL THE WORLD, the exciting second book in Kendare Blake’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off! Check out my review, along with Kendare’s list of top ten addictions and a giveaway!
One Girl in All the World by Kendare Blake
Series: In Every Generation #2
Published by Disney-Hyperion on January 31, 2023
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Source: The Publisher
New York Times
best-selling author Kendare Blake takes us back to the demon capital of the world in this highly anticipated sequel to In Every Generation, set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.Frankie Rosenberg is coming to terms with the fact that she’s the newest slayer, but that doesn’t mean she has it all figured out just yet. She and her friends are still reeling from the deadly attack on the annual slayer retreat—and the new revelation that some slayers may still be alive. She’s got her own Scooby Gang, but sometimes feels more on the outside than ever. She throws herself into training with her mom, the great witch Willow, and her new Watcher, Spike, but they’ve got demons of their own to contend with (both of the real and metaphorical variety). Buffy made it look easy, but being a slayer is hard—and lonely.
But Frankie doesn’t have time to wander through Sunnydale Cemetery singing about her new responsibilities. With news of Buffy’s possible demise, Demons are making their way back to Sunnydale in droves, called by a Hellmouth that is starting to reawaken. And then an oracle brings news of a new Evil brewing…something called The Darkness. Could this be what attacked the slayers? And is it coming for Frankie?With a satisfying blend of fresh and familiar, humor and (stakes through the) heart, One Girl In All The World is a breathtaking continuation of the series that Booklist calls “a worthy successor to the Slayer stories” (Starred Review on In Every Generation).
I’ve been hinting and hinting, and now I can finally shout the news from the rooftops: ORPHAN’S SONG, my MG novel in verse is coming in early 2025! I got the offer from Feiwel & Friends back in September and signed the contract in December, so it’s officially official!
You can find my announcement on Twitter and Instagram as well (just click those links to see them).
I can’t wait to share more with you about the book (and the process, if you’re interested). For now, feel free to ask me anything in the comments. I’m planning to write a post answering questions and explaining a bit more next week!
