It's finally here! The Final Gambit by Christopher Healy, the third and final book in the A Perilous Journey of Danger & Mayhem series, is now out in the world, and readers can now see how this thrilling middle grade alternate-history adventure ends. I'm so pleased today to be sharing Walden Pond Press's wonderful educator's... Continue Reading →
Blog Tour Contest & Educator Guide for The Treacherous Seas
I'm delighted today to be hosting a stop on the official blog tour for A Perilous Journey of Danger & Mayhem #2: The Treacherous Seas by Christopher Healy. I love Chris's books, and the first book in this series, A Dastardly Plot, was simply delightful! Book 2 is in stores now, but we've got your... Continue Reading →
Bat & the End of Everything by Elana K. Arnold: Blog Tour + Educator’s Guide
The charming Bat series by Elana K. Arnold comes to a conclusion in Bat & the End of Everything, which sees Bat having to face several goodbyes, not the least of which is Thor, the baby skunk he's been helping care for. Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat) has been the caretaker for Thor, the best... Continue Reading →
The Triumphant by Lesley Livingston: Real-Life Lady Gladiators
One of the coolest parts of The Valiant series by Lesley Livingston is the way it re-imagines ancient Rome to include the bad-assery of female gladiators. As we wrap-up our read-along of this series, and celebrate the recent release of the final book in the trilogy, The Triumphant, I thought it would be fun to... Continue Reading →
The Lost Girl: Educator’s Guide + Blog Tour Contest
I'm so excited to be hosting a stop on the official blog tour for The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu today. Thanks to our friends at Walden Pond Press, we have a wonderful educator's guide to share with you -- PLUS enter for your chance to win a copy of the book! Check out the... Continue Reading →
The Sea of the Dead: Classroom Guide + Contest
With this week's publication of The Sea of the Dead, Barry Wolverton's Chronicles of the Black Tulip is now a complete series. So today we have the updated and complete classroom guide for all three books. Plus, a look back on some students' reactions to the series and one last chance for you to win... Continue Reading →
Beyond the Book: The Real Alex & Eliza + Contest
It seems like everywhere you turn these days, people can't stop talking about Alexander Hamilton. It's Hamilton Fever! From the hit Broadway musical, to a growing roster of other creative works inspired by the revolutionary figure, it seems like Hamilton is everywhere. And yes, he's even on the shelves of the Young Adult section at... Continue Reading →
Beyond The Dragon’s Gate: A History of Mapmaking
One of the themes that carries through both of Barry Wolverton's Chronicles of the Black Tulip books, The Vanishing Island and The Dragon's Gate, is map-making. Bren's father is a map-maker, and he wants Bren to become one, too. He works for Rand McNally, and in The Dragon's Gate, uses map-making as an excuse to... Continue Reading →
The Vanishing Island & The Dragon’s Gate: Classroom Guide
One of my favorite things here at Novel Novice is when we can combine a book that readers LOVE with the opportunity to use it in the classroom. The Chronicles of the Black Tulip series by Barry Wolverton is a perfect example of this. Last year, when The Vanishing Island (book 1) was released, I... Continue Reading →
The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia: Classroom Discussion Questions
One of the things I loved most about The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia (in stores now!) is that more than being an amazing book -- fun to read, fast-paced, thrilling, sexy as hell -- it also gives you plenty to think about and discuss, even in a classroom setting. With that in mind, here... Continue Reading →