A new Roald Dahl on the block!

I'm excited to be a part of the blog tour and cool giveaway for Adam Sidwell's book, EVERTASTER, which launched in 2012 and his new book, EVERTASTER, THE BUTTERSMITH'S GOLD, which is *Brand New*. (There is a Rafflecopter to enter below and the deadline is July 2).

I read EVERTASTER last winter and it was one of my absolute favorite MG books from 2012. It's unique, funny as heck, mysterious, intriguing, quirky and yes, I liken him to Roald Dahl, he's that good. I especially loved the family dynamics and the Very Cool Mom in the book who does hair-brained things to keep her family together during a very wild ride around the world.

Pick up this book, read it alone, read it with your family, laugh out loud, and enjoy every single minute! Recommended for all ages and both boys and girls.

I also got the chance to interview Adam about his writing journey, which is below the Tour Info! 

Happy Reading, dear friends!

P.S. I got to meet Adam at a writer's conference a month ago and he was charming and lovely in person, too.

Tour Schedule

The Buttersmiths' Gold

BATTLES. BLUEBERRIES. BOVINES.

TORBJORN AND STORFJELL’S HISTORY UNFOLDS IN AN EPIC EVERTASTER NOVELLA.

Everyone knows the most coveted treasure of the Viking Age was blueberry muffins. Blueberry muffins so succulent that if you sniffed just a whiff, you'd want a whole bite. If you bit a bite, you'd want a batch; if you snatched a batch, you'd stop at nothing short of going to war just to claim them all.

Young Torbjorn Trofastsonn comes from the clan that makes them. He's a Viking through and

through – he's thirteen winters old, larger than most respectable rocks, and most of all, a Buttersmith. That's what he thinks anyway, until a charismatic merchant makes Torbjorn question his place among the muffin-makers. When Torbjorn lets the secret of his clan's muffin recipe slip, he calls doom and destruction down upon his peaceful village and forces his brother Storfjell and his clansmen to do the one thing they are ill-prepared to do: battle for their lives.

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About The Buttersmiths' Gold

The Buttersmiths' Gold is a spin off novella in the Evertaster series that tells the story of two Viking brothers and their adventurous past. The Evertaster series (Book #1 released June 14, 2012) is about Guster Johnsonville, who goes searching for a legendary taste rumored to be the most delicious in all of history. Along the way he meets a slew of mysterious characters, including two Viking brothers Torbjorn and Storfjell. The Buttersmiths' Gold is their story. 124 pages. By Adam Glendon Sidwell. Published by Future House Publishing.

Evertaster, Book #1:

A legendary taste. Sought after for centuries. Shrouded in secrecy.

When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother’s casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret: an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know — a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the truth: Guster is an Evertaster — a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster’s heels and the chefs’ reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it’s too late.

Purchase on

Amazon

Book Trailer  

Author Adam Sidwell

In between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Transformers and Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. He’s been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles, where he can’t wait to fall into the sea.

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Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 7/2/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. 

Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $25 US.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Adam Sidwell, In His Own Words: 

 

In March of 2008 I took a chance and quit my job so I could write a book. I was working as an animator on the movie Speed Racer at the time. In between that and Transformers 2 I wrote a draft for Evertaster in about 3 months. I revised it over the course of the next few months, while working, and then sent it out to 5 agents and 5 publishers, all of which gave me form rejections except for one: Alyssa Henkin at Trident Media Group. She was interested in representing me, and I was elated. I guess I wasn't crazy! Someone from New York was calling me to say so. 

We worked on the manuscript for 2 years, revising and editing, until we finally took it on submission to the big publishers. This time, Evertaster got a glowing response. The editors were saying things like: 

"I love the characters!"

"Wonderful adventure!"

"Great writing!"

We even had one big publishing house that was going to buy it and have it illustrated throughout. Then the devastating news came: that editor left the company and the whole deal fell through. So we ended up with nothing, and the other editors were too concerned that books about food don't sell. What about books about adventure? I thought. I suggested we try some smaller presses. Alyssa wisely suggested I do it myself. So I did. And it has been a very, very good choice.

The book has grown steadily, enough to justify writing another book in the series (The Buttersmiths' Gold), and now, this summer, I'm writing another one after that (the forthcoming Delicious City).

My best marketing tips I can give anyone is that you have to put yourself out there to sell your book, or no one will ever know it exists. I spent the summer setting up in Farmer's Markets, or signing in cafes, doing everything I could to meet readers and come in contact with traffic. People love meeting authors, so it's great to get out there and shake hands. I'm very happy about publishing the book myself. It has given me the control I need, as well as allowed me to make a living writing. And it's allowed me to control the product and make it what I want.

I write more about that journey here:

http://www.evertaster.com/2012/06/16/how-an-unknown-debut-novelist-became-an-amazon-bestseller-in-a-single-day/ 

Thank you, Adam, and I'm wishing you the very best in a long and successful career!!!

~Kimberley

Caroline's Classroom Connections

March 25, 2013 Caroline's Classroom Connections A BREATH OF EYRE by Eve Marie Mont setting: twenty-first century America and nineteenth-century England age range: young adult Kirkus starred review:  This richly satisfying tale of first and last love transcends its genre -- not another breathless, fan-fiction take on a literary classic but an intertextual love letter.   Please tell us about your book.   A BREATH OF EYRE is about Emma Townsend, a girl who seeks solace in books to help her escape her loneliness at her exclusive prep school. She has few friends and even fewer romantic prospects, unless you count her crush on her English teacher. But escape soon arrives in a leather-bound copy of JANE EYRE. Emma feels a strong sense of kinship with the lonely, headstrong Jane, but when a lightning strike catapults her into Jane's body and her nineteenth-century world, Emma is torn between two vastly different worlds, and two vastly different men.    Moving between her two realities and uncovering secrets in both, Emma must decide whether her destiny lies in the pages of Jane's story, or in the unwritten chapters of her own.   What inspired you to write this story?    Ever since I first read JANE EYRE in eleventh grade, it has remained my favorite book, one I return to again and again and that never loses its fascination for me.    I've never found another story with such a restrained yet passionate romance. And Jane is the ultimate heroine: strong, intelligent, moral, and unafraid to speak her mind. I knew I wanted my protagonist, Emma, to step into her shoes as she awakens to first love and discovers her own strength of character.   Could you share with readers how you conducted your research or share a few interesting tidbits you learned while researching?    As an English teacher, my main research was to read JANE EYRE numerous times -- not really much of a hardship for me!  The most exciting part of this process was recreating scenes of JANE EYRE from a modern girl's perspective, wondering how Emma would respond to Jane's fashion sense, using a chamber pot, being without cell phone or computer or electricity. I also love researching places in my attempt to create a fully realized setting. Emma's contemporary world is a fictional town in eastern Massachusetts, but I based it on a real place that I adore for its quirky New England charm and atmosphere.    A Breath of Eyre Book Trailer   What were some special challenges you faced while writing A BREATH OF EYRE?   JANE EYRE is one of the most beloved books in literature, so the idea that I have tampered with a treasured classic causes me plenty of sleepless nights. Rather than a straight retelling such as April Linder's JANE, A BREATH OF EYRE is more of a mash-up of a contemporary YA with a classic Gothic novel. It was a challenge to balance the scenes that take place in Jane's world with those that take place in protagonist Emma's real world.    While I use some of Brontë's text verbatim, most of the JANE EYRE scenes have been recreated to show a modern girl's reaction to being thrust into a nineteenth-century world. But Emma's own story is just as important as her adventures in JANE EYRE, so two-thirds of the novel takes place in her modern world. Yet in this case, life imitates art, and Emma soon realizes she has far more in common with Jane than she initially thought.     What topics does your book touch upon that would make it a perfect fit for the classroom?   I would hope that my novel might direct young readers to pick up JANE EYRE to see which elements I borrowed, adapted, or omitted, and of course, so they could discover for themselves what an amazing and romantic novel it is.     Beyond any curriculum tie-ins, the book touches on a lot of issues relevant to today's teens -- self-esteem and identity, depression, loss of a parent, gender and women's issues, self-expression, the powers of writing, first love, and most important, finding one's voice.    I think the book would be suitable for middle and high school libraries, English classes, and even mother-daughter book clubs.    Thank you, Eve, for joining us today! If you'd like to learn more about Eve Marie Mont, stop by her website. Eve's next book, A TOUCH OF SCARLET, which leads Emma into the world of Hester Prynne, releases tomorrow.                       Join Our Mailing List! Meet the Spellbinders Caroline Starr Rose spent her childhood in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and New Mexico, camping at the Red Sea in one and eating red chile in the other. She's taught English and social studies to upper elementary and middle-school students in New Mexico, Florida, Virginia, and Louisiana. Back in New Mexico, Caroline now writes middle-grade novels and picture books full time.  To find teacher's guides, writing activities, and information about author visits, go to her website, stop by her blog, or follow her on Twitter.    Carolee Dean has made numerous appearances as a guest poet/author at schools, libraries, poetry events, and teacher/library conferences. She holds a bachelor's degree in music therapy and a master's degree in communicative disorders, and she has spent over a decade working in the public schools as a speech-language pathologist. Her first novel, Comfort,was nominated as a Best Book for Young Adults, was named the Best YA Novel of 2002 by the Texas Institute of Letters, and was on the TAYSHAS (Texas Library Association) reading list. Take Me There is a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. She conducts teacher trainings on inspiring reluctant writers including "The Secret Language of Stories" and "Random Act of Haiku."             Kimberley Griffiths Little is the recipient of the Southwest Book Award, The Whitney Award for Best Youth Novel of 2010, and the author of the highly acclaimed, The Healing Spell and Circle of Secrets, published by Scholastic Press. Look for her books at the Scholastic Book Fairs, as well as two more forthcoming novels in 2012 and 2013.    She lives on a dirt road in a small town by the Rio Grande with her husband, a robotics engineer and their three sons. Kimberley is a favorite speaker at schools around the country, presenting "The Creative Diary", a highly successful writing workshop and has been a speaker at many conferences. Please visit her website to download free Teacher's Guides and Book Club Guides.       Upcoming Events Caroline Starr Rose April 19 New Mexico Library Association Youth Luncheon Albuquerque, NM July 27 19th Annual Norfolk Public Library Literature Festival, Norfolk, NE

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My 2012 Reading List - better late than never?

I never got this one done earlier this month. I fully intended to, but I had my middle son home from college until January 4th and I didn't want to let him go. We were having too much fun going to movies and staying up late talking and playing games and eating out and sleeping in . . . er, yes. 

And then I was gone January 5-9th for my brother's interment and after I returned, it was a case of yikes, I gotta get back to real life, take down all the Christmas decorations and, um, there was this little thing called a new novel I had to finish writing! And which I am STILL working on. And which I need to turn in to my Scholastic editor this week.

My goal is Thursday afternoon. Well, probably Friday afternoon. And yes, it is still quite a mess, and here I am reading the whole thing for the very first time. I finished the First Draft's on December 29th - talk about cutting it close. Well, I got to the middle the other day and there are SO many notes to myself about new scenes still to write and a whole slew of scenes to re-order that my head started spinning - I kid you not - swiveling like Pinky Whitehead from Harriet the Spy.

Without further ado, here is the list of books I read during 2013. Children's/YA titles are mixed up, but marked. They are listed in order of being read. Then comes nonfiction, for pleasure and for research. Last of all, adult titles. GRAND TOTAL: 101 books! 

I'm kind of proud of myself. 

And this year I also kept a list of movies I watched. Many are ones my hubby wanted to see. There are several I still want to see, like Lincoln and Skyfall.

I also critiqued 17 manuscripts for various friends and crit partners. Whew!

Children’s/YA Books Read:

Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood MG

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin YA

Trapped by Michael Northrop YA

May B by Caroline Starr Rose MG

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness MG

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi YA

The Visconti House by Elsbeth Edgar MG

Eight Keys by Suzanne LeFleur MG

Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming MG nonfiction

10. Peter Nimble and his Fantastic Eyes by Auxier MG

The Trouble with May Amelia by Jennifer Holm MG

The Aviary by Kathleen O’Dell MG

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr YA

Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George MG

15. Variant by Robison Wells YA

The Everneath by Brodi Ashton YA

Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs MG

Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes MG

Miles from Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams YA

20. Girls Don’t Fly  Kristin Chandler YA

The Humming Room by Ellen Potter MG

Starters by Lissa Price YA

With a Name Like Love by Tess Hilmo MG

Sean Grisham’s Head by Lindsey Leavitt YA

25. Slayers by C. J. (Janette Rallison) YA

Shifting by Bethany Wiggins YA

Legend by Marie Lu YA

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs YA

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate MG

30. Wonder by R. J. Palacio MG

Bigger Than a Breadbox by Laurel Snyder MG

Where Things Come Back, John Corey Whaley YA

What Happened on Fox Street? Tricia Springstubb MG

Tighter by Adele Griffin YA

35. Chime by Franny Billinsgly YA

Shine by Lauren Myracle YA

Grave Mercy by R.L. LeFevers YA

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen MG

The Wild Queen Carolyn Meyer YA

40. Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindle YA

Desert Angel by Charlie Price YA

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor YA

Leisl and Po by Lauren Oliver MG

Across the Universe by Beth Revis YA

45. Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker MG

46. Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin MG

47. Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone MG

48. Iva Honeysuckle by Candice Ransom MG

49. Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter YA

50. Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage MG

51. Small Damages by Beth Kephart YA

52. The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford MG

53. Don’t Look Behind You by Michelle Gagnon YA

54. Skylark by Meagan Spooner YA

55. Small Medium at Large by Joanne Levy MG

56. The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech MG

57 Throne of Glass  by Sarah Maas YA

58. Crewel  by Gennifer Albin YA

59. The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron YA

60. Liar Society, Book #2 by Lisa and Laura Roecker YA

61. What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang YA

62. Every Day by David Levithan YA

63. Vixen by Jillian YA

64. Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale MG

65. On the Road to Mr. Mineo’s by Barbara O’Connor MG

66. Hit the Road by Caroline Cooney YA

67. Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead MG

68. Z is for Zachariah by Robert C. O’Brian MG

69. Toby Gold by Craig R. Everett  MG

Non-Fiction Books:

7 Miracles that Saved America by Todd Stewart

7 Miracles that Saved the World by

America’s Hope by Douglas Brinley

Growing up Amish by Ira Wagler

Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo

The Writer’s Book of Hope by Ralph Keys

The Bedouin by Jamail Jabbar

Bedouins of the Desert

Belly Dance by Wendy Bonaventura

Lehi’s Journey

History of the Middle East

Jordan, Past and Present

Arabian Travels by Wilford Thesiger

Travels in Arabia Deserta by Charles Doughty

Abraham Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly

The Shallows: How the Internet is Transforming our Brains

Outliers by Malcom Gladwell

Life as a Victorian Lady by Pamela Horn

Second Sight  by Cheryl Klein

The Victorian Home

Victorian Dress

The War of Art  by Steve Pressfield

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by Countess Carnarvon

What Austen Saw and Dickens Knew

25. Daily Life in Victorian England

Adult Novels:

1. Rebecca’s Tale by Sally Beauman

2. The Dressmakers Daughter by Kate Alcott

3. Sister by Rosamund Lipton

4. The Beginner’s Goodbye by Anne Tyler

5. State of Wonder by Anne Patchett

6. The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge

7. Opal by Katherine Beck (partial)

Movies Watched (there may actually be more, I didn't start keeping the list until part way into the year:

I Capture the Castle

Possession

Downton Abbey (10 hours)

Cranford, BBC production (4 hours)

The Pianist

Persuasion

The Illusionist

Cranford Returns

The Help

Jane Eyre, 1944 version

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Mansion Houses of England

Mansfield Park

Ondine (surprisingly fantastic. If you haven't seen this, you must. Beautiful and haunting.)

Secret of Moonacre

Elizabeth

Jane Eyre, 2007 Masterpiece Theatre version

War Horse

Battleship

John Carter 3D

The Westing Game

Anonymous

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Somewhere in Time

The Bourne Legacy

Man From Snowy River

17 Miracles

Men in Black 3

The Dark Knight

The Avengers

The Recruit

Twilight, Breaking Dawn

Red Dawn

Jack Reacher

Casino Royale

Quantam of Solace

Birdsong, Masterpiece Theatre

Les Miserables

Television: 

Once Upon a Time, 10 episodes

My Guilty Pleasure: Southern, Funny, and Sexy: Hart of Dixie, 32 episodes - I had to watch all of Season One on Netflix and catch up!