Free SOPHIE QUIRE ARCs and Wraparound Art...

Only two more months until Sophie Quire is out in the world! Already, advanced readers copies (ARCs) are being given out at various conferences. If you're keen to get one for yourself--check out our Goodreads Giveaway.

 

In the meantime, here's the full wraparound art for the book, drawn by the brilliant Gilbert Ford! Click the image for a bigger view...

ARCS of SOPHIE QUIRE coming this week!

PrintHello pilgrims! Just posting a note that I'll be at the American Association of School Librarians conference this weekend (Nov 6-7) with freshly printed arcs of Sophie Quire & the Last Storyguard! I'll be signing free books on Saturday at 11:30 (at the Authorpalooza event)  and 5:30 (during the Meet & Greet). Supplies are limited, so if you want a book -- come early! If you can't make the event, I'll also be at NCTE doing a "Nerdy Book Club" panel on Saturday Nov 21 and an ALAN "Whodunnit" panel on  Monday, Nov 23!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! FREE Peter Nimble!

This week, Peter Nimble hits bookstores in Merrie Olde England!  It's being published by Scholastic UK, and it looks 100% awesome.  As you can see, Scholastic decided to go with the US cover art -- which I wholeheartedly support.  Even better, they added GOLD FOIL to the logo.

Gold foil, people!

To celebrate, I'm running a special giveaway for UK readers.  Winners will get a signed copy of Peter Nimble with a hand-drawn illustration/inscription inside.  All you have to do is the following:

1)  Follow me on Twitter or add me to your circles on Google+

2) Either re-tweet this announcement on Twitter or post something about Peter Nimble on your blog or (if you've already read the book), post a short Peter Nimble review on Amazon.co.uk or Goodreads

3) Leave a comment on this blog with a link to your post/tweet

That's it!  Follow those steps and Bob's your uncle! Now get Tweeting![1. Fine Print: Entrants must be from the UK; I will be selecting two winners by using a random.org number picker at midnight on January 31, 2012; Winners will receive a hardcover copy of Peter Nimble with a custom illustration.]


Interview and Peter Nimble Giveaway!

I met Little Reviewer Elizabeth Johnson and her cartoonist husband last October in Portland (a city that the Washington Post has recently declared less awesome than Pittsburgh).[1. Elizabeth also ran a lovely Peter Nimble review, which you can read here.]   This week, she's running an author interview and Peter Nimble giveaway.  All you have to do is click here and write a comment on her site!  Those of you who resolved to read more blind-thief stories in the new year will finally have your chance!  While you're at it, check out the interview, in which I reveal my childhood gripe about the Oz series and my favorite illustration from the book.

The Little Reviewer: Author Interview and Giveaway!

 

School Visits, T-Shirts, and Signings -- Oh my!

Now that the craziness of the book release has calmed down, I'll be returning to a more regular posting schedule (MWF) in which I discuss broader subjects in children's books.[1. Next week's topics will include the allure of genre mashups as well as a post about the difference between sarcasm and irony -- stay tuned]

In the meantime, I wanted to share about my absolutely crazy week.  First off, I managed to get invited to an amazing party at author Cornelia Funke's house.  I got to hang out with a slew of teachers and booksellers ... as well as Newbery winning author Susan Patron.[2. Susan was delightful and very nice. She's having a signing at Skylights Books on the 18th for anyone interested in meeting her.] 

Even more awesome, this week I did my very first SCHOOL VISITS!  I did four middle schools in two days -- each group was between 300-400 kids.  The presentation included candy, costumes, toilet plungers, yo-yos and, of course, Peter Nimble!   The whole thing culminated in a signing at Redlands Barnes & Noble.  We had a huge turnout of awesome kids at the signing!  Here's a picture of me doing a little lightning quick sketch-artistry to explain some of the story:  

Also, check out this ridiculous photo from an article in the local paper about the event.  I especially love how this photo features my many weak chins:

I owe a huge thanks to librarian Joan McCall and B&N's Laurie Aldern for organizing the event.  I've got a whole slew of signings and presentations in the coming months ... check out my events tab to see the full list. Once I get a few more of these visits under my belt, I'll be writing a post with tips about what I've learned presenting to schools.  Until then, consider booking me in a school or store near you!

This is as good a time as any to point my Los Angeles friends to TWO upcoming signings that I'll be doing next week:

I will be at the famous Mrs. Nelson's Books & Toys on Friday the 23rd at 5pm in conjunction with another school visit.  And the following day (Sept 24), I will be at Chevalier's Books in Los Angeles from 1-3pm.  The store is on Larchmont in Mid-Wilshire.  For my LA friends, I urge you to please, please, PLEASE come to the Chevalier's signing.  Seriously, what else are you doing at 1pm on a Saturday?

And finally, I've picked winners from the Peter Nimble t-shirt giveaway!  The winners were selected from anyone who wrote a Peter Nimble review on Amazon, Goodreads, or B&N.com before August 31.  Here they are:

Karissa Eckert - "A creative world, interesting plot, and wonderful characters make this a book that is fun to read and hard to put down."

Nicola Manning - "A wonderful story that quickly grabs your attention with delightful characters one becomes fond of right away."

Joceline Foley - "Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes is a classic hero-on-a-quest novel, yet it manages to be anything but predictable and boring. The archetypal characters are fresh, funny, and smart."

Aislynn Thompson - "The author did a fantastic job of weaving all the various stories of each character together - from the evil kind, the lost princess, the mysterious desert with the thieves, the crows, the missing children ... all of it was woven together into a story that I couldn't put down!"

Francine Kizner - "Peter Nimble is a fun and exciting adventure story that brings a fresh voice and perspective to children's literature. It's enthralling, funny, and very entertaining."

I've contacted the winners -- congrats, gang!

I've had a number of people ask about buying Peter Nimble t-shirts.  For those interested, you can grab one for $20 (this includes shipping).  The shirts are hand-printed on American Apparel 50/50 tees. Please specify size (XS, S, M, L, XL) whether you want green or blue.  Click below to pay through paypal, or contact me directly to mail a check. 

Size
Color

Friday is for WINNERS!!!

Last month's Kindle giveaway came to an end, which means it's time to announce the winner! I actually had to draw a winner twice. Here's the story:

Over the course of the contest, I compiled my list of entries based on people who re-tweeted the announcement. Using a random number picker, I landed on blogger and Harry Potter nut Stephanie Pellegrin. I excitedly contacted Steph to let her know she had been chosen. In hindsight, this was a mistake, because when I dug through records to see what her #GreatestThiefWhoEverLived confession was, I couldn't find it.

I asked her to re-send it to me, and that's when she emailed with the confession that she hadn't written one! Points for honesty, but with a prize this size, I through it was important to play strictly by the rules. Steph took the bad news like a true Hufflepuff. I offered her a free signed copy of Peter Nimble, but she told me that she already had one from my debut signing at ALA. And so as a (very meagre) consolation prize, I drew the picture of Stephanie's tragic tale, shown above. Moral of the story: Stephanie Pellegrin is awesome and you should become her friend.

So who was the "some other jerk" who actually won the prize? I picked another random number from the list of entries and ended up with Joseph Garcia of San Jacinto. Joseph actually took the children's literature course that Mary and I co-taught last spring. He is also an aspiring comic artist -- check out this awesome picture he drew of an Octopus-Shark-Stingray-Crab Monster:

Yikes! That thing puts Holo-Shark to shame! One can only imagine that the man twisted enough to draw the above creature would have a really great #GreatestThiefWhoEverLived confession. Let's see, shall we?

Awwww, so sweet.[1. Also, accurate -- I have seen Joe's beard in person, and I can confirm that it is indeed terrifying!] That guy deserves a free Kindle!

For those wondering what MY greatest thieving confession might be, I urge you to check out my recent interview at the National Post, where among other topics, I discuss my past life of crime!


PETER NIMBLE is an ABA New Voices Pick!

Every year, the American Bookseller's Association selects ten children's books from debut authors for their New Voices list.  I am delighted to announce that Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes made the cut!!!


In fact, little ol' Abrams had THREE different authors on the list!  Julie Sternberg's Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie and Troy Howell's The Dragon of Cripple Creek were also honored!  To see the full ABA New Voices list, click the thumbnail.  Then go out and hug an independent bookseller!

 

Also, I should remind readers that today is the LAST DAY to enter to win an awesome Peter Nimble T-Shirt! All you have to do is leave a Peter Nimble review (good or bad) at Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble. Every review you submit counts as an entry, so you can triple your chances by doing all three.  Now get reviewing![1. for official giveaway rules, click here.]

 

 

 

 

 


It's my birthday! Do what I say!

Today is my birthday!  To celebrate, I've got interviews in BookPage magazine, Literary Rambles, and a wonderful Peter Nimble review from librarian blogger Hip Mama Jenn.[1. Please note that these interviews also are giving away free copies of Peter Nimble, just click here and here to enter!]  Did YOU forget to get me a gift?  No worries!  Here are three easy gifts I would LOVE to receive ...

GIFT #1:  Your presence at my Book Launch Party tomorrow!  This Thursday, Abrams is throwing a Peter Nimble party at Books of Wonder in New York.  Mary and I will be there with bells on.  If you're in the area please, please, please come! There will be snacks and sparking wine and giveaways and readings and books!  Bring friends! Click the flyer for details -->

 

 

GIFT #2:  Your hilarious thieving confession for the #GreatestThiefWhoEverLived Kindle giveaway.  If you want to enter to win a free Kindle with a copy of Peter Nimble loaded onto it, all you have to do is follow these three easy steps:[1. It's seriously worth checking out the previous entries, which are amazing and funny! For full rules and information about the Kindle giveaway, click here.] 

1)  Follow me on Twitter.  (click here)

2)  Re-Tweet this contest announcement. (click here)

3)  Post a tweet sharing the awesomest thing you’ve ever stolen (or wish you could steal)!  You MUST include the following hashtag: #GreatestThiefWhoEverLived

 

GIFT #3:   Your short Amazon review for Peter Nimble!  You don't have to be a fancy critic. You don't even have to say nice things (... but please do!).  Just write a short review for Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble.  I'm giving away free T-Shirts to five randomly-selected reviewers at the end of the month.  Every review you submit counts as an entry, so you can improve your odds 1,000,000% by doing all three.[2. My math might be wrong on this. For more information about the T-shirt giveaway, click here!]

 

Win a Copy of Peter Nimble on a FREE KINDLE!!!

 You may recall me mentioning that Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes comes out this week!  To celebrate, I'm giving away a FREE KINDLE with a copy of the book on it![1. I should note that the idea for this contest was swiped from Nathan Bransford, who gave away a Kindle for his recent novel Jacob Wonderbar.  Nathan is a great blogger and brilliant promoter.  His contest was pretty much the only giveaway I've ever entered. Also, his book is pretty great!]

But first, please consider buying a hard copy of Peter Nimble.  You can order it at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or you can pick it up at your local bookstore.  Abrams and Penguin Canada have done an exquisite job of making the book a beautiful object.[2. And I mean beautiful.  It's printed on high-quality acid-free stock. The edges are beveled.  From the dust jacket to the casing, this is one fine piece of paper! (all credit for the look of the book goes to the brilliant Chad W Beckerman)]  For those who don’t know, Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes is a middle-grade adventure about a ten year-old orphan who happens to be the greatest thief who ever lived.  It's got mischief, danger, riddles, vanished kingdoms, and a whole lot of swashbuckling!  To read a slew of glowing reviews, click here or here.

Enough talk, let's get back to the contest!  Since Peter Nimble is the greatest thief who ever lived, I thought I'd make this contest about sharing our own darkest crimes ...

HERE'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO WIN A KINDLE:

1)  Follow me on Twitter.  (click here)

2)  Re-Tweet this contest announcement. (click here)

3)  The third and final step is to post a tweet sharing the awesomest thing you've ever stolen (or wish you could steal)!  You MUST include the following hashtag: #GreatestThiefWhoEverLived

For Example:

  • I've always wanted to steal a traffic cone to wear like a hat! #GreatestThiefWhoEverLived
  • I once "borrowed" all my little sister’s Halloween Candy! Yum! #GreatestThiefWhoEverLived
  • Stole my wife's heart! #GreatestThiefWhoEverLived

Confession time, people!  Everyone’s either stolen or dreamed of stealing something awesome before  -- and now’s your chance to come clean!  The answers can be serious, or silly, or sappy ... just make sure they include the #GreatestThiefWhoEverLived hashtag.  The winner will be selected on August 15th at midnight … Now get Tweeting![3. A few rules:  US residents only. Only one entry per person.  Winner will be selected at random (using random.org) and notified by DM. Winner will receive an Amazon Kindle-With-Special-Offers Wi-Fi 6” Graphite Reading Device and an eBook copy of Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes. Please note that I am not liable for any trouble you find yourself in for confessing past crimes. Also, I am in no way condoning theft or lawlessness.]

For those of you who hate Kindles and have already read Peter Nimble, I'm running a special t-shirt giveaway that you can enter here!  Seriously good odds on this one, folks!


Peter Nimble Hits Stores Today!

Well, the time has finally come!  Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes is officially out!  Today, a blind, friendless orphan floats out into the Wide World ...

Poor kid.  All he really wants is for a nice person to adopt him.  If you do run into Peter Nimble, here's how you should react:

And then you should buy him and take him home!  If my recommendation isn't enough, check out what some recent reviewers had to say about the book:

"Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes is as delightful a magical story as readers ages 9-14 will hope to find. Part hero quest, part orphan saga, and wholly captivating" - Wall Street Journal

"A charming, adventurous, delightful gem of a novel about a brave boy that is both thief and a hero. I loved it from start to end. That is all."  - BookSmugglers

"A stunning, stunning debut novel. Brilliantly conceived, filled with masterful descriptions that provoke not only the imagination with sights, but also with sounds, smells and touch.  From the first few paragraphs I was spiraled into a story, much like Alice falling down her rabbit hole, and caught up in a tale of the completely fantastic and I loved every single second of it.  Every one." - Lost Entwife Reviews

"Anything can happen in debut author Jonathan Auxier's fantastical world. Even kids who read widely and suspect from the beginning that blind, orphaned Peter Nimble is destined for great things will be caught up in the suspenseful doings and surprise twists. And this book may well convert those who don't consider themselves readers." - Shelf Awareness

Plus there's this crop of glowing trade reviews from Publisher's Weekly, Quill & Quire, School Library Journal, and Kirkus!  And if that's not enough, I will direct you to my homeboy Darth, who knows a thing or two about good stories:

 

BUT ENOUGH TALK -- let's get to the facts! Here's everything you need to know about the Greatest Thief Who Ever Lived:[1. It's probably worth mentioning that the format of this announcement post has been modeled after author Catherynne M Valente, who knows a thing or two about promotion.]

  • Canadian readers (and I know you're out there!) can order a copy of the lovely Penguin edition, which will ship on August 9.[2. The eBook and audio versions are still being finalized; I will keep you posted as to when they will hit stores.]
  • If you'd like to read the first chapter of the book, you can do so here.

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP.  If you are so inclined, here are some super easy things to do that will go a long way toward spreading the word:

  • Buy the Book! Either for yourself or for a young reader in your life.  Early sales go a long way toward helping a new book break out from the pack!   If you've read and enjoyed the book, loan it to a friend -- the more people that know about Peter the better!
  • Come to an event!  I'll be having a launch party at Books of Wonder in New York on August 11th from 5-7pm.  After that, I will be back in California doing events all over the area -- stay tuned for details!  If you're not in the area, please swing by my Author Q&A on Goodreads.  Also, if you're a book store, library, or school in the Southern California area, feel free to contact me about setting up an event!
  • Write a Review!  If you read and enjoyed the book, please, please, please take a few minutes to write a review on Amazon and Goodreads -- that kind of feedback goes a long way to help get the word out!  If you're a blogger or book critic, I'd love to send you an ARC (or you can download it from NetGalley).
  • Ask Your Local Bookseller for the BookWith so many books out this fall, a lot of smaller bookstores won't necessarily have a copy in stock -- and that's why it is SO IMPORTANT to let stores know that you want to see Peter Nimble on the shelf!  Don't know where your nearest bookstore is?  Click here!
  • Request Peter Nimble at your Library.  Same as above, libraries won't carry a book unless they know that people will check it out.  This has the added advantage of letting you read the book for free!  And who doesn't like free?
  • Spread the word online!  Post a link to the book on your Facebook page or blog.  Or you can re-tweet this announcement.  If you're a book blogger, I'm spending this month doing guest posts and interviews all over the web and would love to contribute to your site!
  • Get your Friend/Spouse/Mother to write an Amazon ReviewAgain, I cannot stress how helpful user reviews are -- you don't need to be a book critic to have an opinion!  In fact, to sweeten the deal, I'm giving away five Peter Nimble t-shirts to randomly-selected people who leave reviews (good or bad) on Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble.  Each review posted counts as an entry, which means you can triple your chances by posting to all three sites! T-shirts, people! [3. Some basic rules: winners will be chosen by random number picker on August 31. Names will be announced on this blog, so make sure to come by at the end of the month to see if you've won!]

And last, but certainly not least, everybody should ...

ENTER THE HUGE CONTEST THAT I'M ANNOUNCING TOMORROW!!

see you then.


We Have Our Winners!

Hey, Gang!  This was an exciting weekend for me.  My in-laws in Pittsburgh threw a lovely little release party for the book.  The night ended with a very late call from my Canadian family -- all screaming "WALL STREET JOURNAL!"  So I went online and found this wonderful review of Peter Nimble, which includes phrases like "delightful" and "wholly captivating"! 

Even more exciting, this weekend marked the end of the most recent Peter Nimble giveaway!  Using a random number picker, I selected five winners from the hundreds of entrants.  Each person gets a signed copy of the book and an awesome hand-printed Peter Nimble T-Shirt!  Here they are:

Michael Scotto

Michael is a fellow graduate of the CMU Dramatic Writing program.  He lives in Pittsburgh and writes books for children -- his upcoming novel, Latasha and the Little Red Tornado, hits stores this November. (He also wrote a pretty nice Peter Nimble review here!)

 

Rita Meade

Rita Meads runs the wonderful librarian blog Screwy Decimal.  Readers of The Scop will remember when I drew a picture based on her blog post about "The Library of the Future!" Congrats, Rita!

 

 

Nikki D Robertson

Nikki D Roberston runs the blog True Adventures of a High School Librarian.  She is also moderator for Alabama School Library Association twitter chat group.  

 

 

Mary Ann Scheuer

Mary Ann is a K-5 Librarian in Berkley, CA.  She runs the blog Great Books for Kids, where she posts reviews on new picture and chapter books!

 

 

Kristine C. Asselin

Kristine is a MG and YA author from Massachusetts who runs the blog Writing. For Real.  You can read about her nonfiction children's books here.  Nice work, Kristine!

 

 

*           *          *

Instead of a regular post today, I would kindly direct you all to Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe, where the lovely Shannon Messenger has interviewed me about writing for younger audiences.  Those burning to know more about my secret past as a professional yo-yo player are advised to check it out.  Shannon's also giving away a copy of Peter Nimble to her readers, so if you still want a free book, here's your chance!

Tomorrow marks the official US release of Peter Nimble -- at which point I will unveil the (kinda huge) prize for my next giveaway.  See you then! 

There's Still Time!

Just wanted to send a reminder that there's still a bit of time to enter the latest Peter Nimble giveaway!  Five winners will be selected at midnight (PST) on Sunday, July 31st.  Winners will get a signed advanced reading copy of Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes as well as a hand-printed T-shirt.  We just picked them up yesterday and they look awesome:

To enter all you have to do is follow these three simple steps:[1. A few rules: Each person will only be entered once. US and Canadian applicants only. The contest will end at Midnight PST, July 31. Winner will be selected by randomizer and notified by direct message.]

1)  Like my Facebook author page or add me to your circle on Google+

2)  Follow me on Twitter

3)  Spread the word by re-tweeting this message

Seriously easy!  Three clicks of the mouse gets you in the running!  Tell your friends!


GIVEAWAY PART II: Bigger, Badder, Givier!

Hello readers!  I'm excited to announce phase two of the Peter Nimble giveaway![1. For the curious, there is a phase three and the prize is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!]  This time around, I'm giving away five prizes! 

Each winner will receive a Peter Nimble galley as well as a rad Peter Nimble t-shirt!  These shirts were designed with the help of Nick Caruso from Campfire Goods and will be printed on American Apparel 50/50 tees.  While I was up in Canada, I got the neighbour kid to model a shirt for the site:

 

Nifty, right?[2. The shirts are currently being printed, which is why I couldn't show a real photo. Just to be clear: actual t-shirts will not come with Justin Beiber inside them. Sorry ladies.]  To enter, just do THREE simple things:

1)  Like my Facebook author page or add me to your circle on Google+

2)  Follow me on Twitter

3)  Spread the word by re-tweeting this message

If you want to read the first chapter of the book, mosey on over here.  I've also listed a few reviews here.  Now get Tweeting before I sick the Beibster on you![3. A few rules: Each person will only be entered once. US and Canadian applicants only. The contest will end at Midnight PST, July 31. Winner will be selected by randomizer and notified by direct message.]


We Have a Winner!

The tweets are in from the first Peter Nimble giveway! I used a random number picker to determine the winner ... Zoe Rain Dasher Benji!

Congrats! Judging from the name, I'm pretty sure Zoe is a Jedi knight. You can learn more about her at her website, where she posts reviews and runs giveaways of upcoming YA books! Enjoy your copy of Peter Nimble, Zoe ... and thank you to everyone for participating!

* * *

Right now, the awesome folks at Penguin Canada have me hanging out with booksellers in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia.[1. I even got to meet the folks from Canadian trade publication Quill & Quire who gave Peter Nimble a wonderful writeup last week!]

Speaking of spreading the word, everyone should check out what Librarians Mr. Schu and Donna are up to on their annual road trip across the country. They stop along the way reading books at various attractions.[2. I think the official selections are Frankie Pickle and Owly ... I can hardly imagine better traveling companions!] Here's John Schu reading Peter Nimble at what seems to be a restaurant run by a serial killer -->

Later in the week, I'll announce another (EVEN BIGGER) giveaway! Stay tuned!


Advance Reviews and--OMG FREE BOOK!!!

When I was at ALA, I spoke with a number of different writers about what I should expect as I approach publication.  Invariably, the conversation would turn to one dreaded question: "Have you seen any reviews yet?"  This was always asked gently, in the same tone one might use to inquire whether a friend has any living grandparents.  

Every time, I gave people the same reply:  "Ask Mary." 

The thing you should know is that writers are famously sensitive to reviews.  Even a rave review with a single itty-bitty criticism lodged in the middle can feel like a crushing blow.  Most every author I know has a few "funny" stories about when they went over the edge, obsessing over stupid Amazon/Goodreads/Bookscan rankings until they had a nervous breakdown.[1. You doubt me? I dare you to google "author meltdown." Prepare to cringe.]

For that reason, Mary and I decided a few months back that I wouldn't read reviews.  Not a single one.  Instead she would read them and then tell me what they said.  She doesn't omit the bad stuff, but she does make a point of framing the criticisms (of which there have been mercifully few) in terms of things I might want to remember when a embark on a new project.  Because the fact is, Peter Nimble has already been written, and there's no real use in obsessing over a manuscript that I can't change.

That said, Peter Nimble reviews do exist -- and, frankly, they are pretty freaking awesome!  Here are a few highlights:

"What begins Dickensian turns Tolkien-esque in this quest replete with magic and mystery.... Auxier has a juggler’s dexterity with prose that makes this fantastical tale quicken the senses" - Kirkus Reviews

"Peter Nimble and his Fantastic Eyes is both a pull-no-punches adventure with the darkness of the most authentic fairy tales, and a whimsical romp in a fictional world where anything is possible ... The book’s quirky nature, distinctive plot, and fresh themes will draw young readers in and spark their imaginations, earning it a place on the shelf for re-readings." - Quill & Quire Magazine

"the fast-paced, episodic story, accompanied by Auxier's occasional pen-and-ink drawings, is inventive, unpredictable, and -- like its hero -- nimble." - Publisher's Weekly

"When the book ended, I was not only left with the satisfaction a great story brings, but with the idea that each one of us is important and can make a difference in the world.... Indeed, this is a book that could quite possibly steal The Newbery right out from under all of the other books I have read so far this year." - The Lemme Library

"What is the most telling difference between works of children’s literature written long ago and those written today? I’ll answer for myself: Tone. The tone of a book like Wind in the Willows or The Secret Garden is difficult to replicate. What Peter Nimble manages to do is create a tone akin to those books of yore.... Kids will stay with Peter every step of the way. It’s like something you’ve seen before and nothing you’ve ever read." - School Library Journal (Fuse #8)

Now doesn't that sound like a book you want to read? 

Here's the good news: even if you missed ALA, there's still a chance to win a copy of the book before it hits shelves!  I'm giving away a copy of Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes right here!  To enter, follow these two easy steps:

1) Follow me on Twitter!

2) Retweet this link!

That's it![2. A few rules: Each person will only be entered once. The contest will end at 12pm EST on Monday, July 11. Winner will be selected by a randomizer and notified by Direct Message.]  You really have no excuse not to enter!  And plus, don't you remember all the great things those reviewer people said about the book?!  Now get Tweeting!