Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Keeper Of The Lost Cities + A Paperback Giveaway

To find out more about Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, click here.  

Title: Keeper Of The Lost Cities
Author:  Shannon Messenger (link)
Genre:  Fantasy
Pub Date: October 2012

(Giveaway info below)

Goodreads Synopsis:  Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She’s a Telepath—someone who hears the thoughts of everyone around her. It’s a talent she’s never known how to explain.  

Everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who appears out of nowhere and also reads minds. She discovers there’s a place she does belong, and that staying with her family will place her in grave danger. There are secrets buried deep in Sophie’s memory -- secrets about who she really is and why she was hidden among humans -- that other people desperately want. Would even kill for.

First Line: Blurry, fractured memories swam through Sophie's mind, but she couldn't piece them together.

What a fun, fun book! But before I gush some more, I want to disclose that the mastermind behind Marvelous Middle Grade Monday penned this novel.

Ms. Messenger signs her middle grade debut at BEA 2012

I've been reading Shannon's blog for a few years now. She provides great tips for new writers, and brings much needed humor to the ups and downs of publishing. I couldn't wait to read her debut novel, and was able to get an arc at BEA last year.

I'm so happy to report that I was not disappointed. The story follows Sophie, a 12-year-old high school student who discovers that there is an explanation to her advanced cognitive and telepathic skills -- she is an elf! From there, readers are whisked into a colorful new world where Sophie struggles to find her place with the help of a few friends. Fans of Harry Potter will especially enjoy this story of an underdog kid who is introduced to a magical sphere.

Why You'll Love Sophie: It takes a special kind of character to eat the news that she's an elf with grace and style. Sophie's transformation from the human world to her new elfin one oscillates from cringe-worthy to complete fun. Her determination and grit in the face of a new school, a new family, a dangerous mystery, and even droolly dinosaurs will keep readers rooting for Sophie throughout this trilogy.


Keeper Of The Lost Cities Topics & Themes: new schools/students, identity, fitting in, outcasts, friendship, crushes, bravery, family, hard choices.

Exile, book #2 of this series came out this month! Let's celebrate with BOOKS!:

Keeper Of The Lost Cities Giveaway: Can't wait to get your hands on this book? Well I have one paperback copy up for grabs -- and all you have to do is comment and Tweet (+1 entry) or follow me on Twitter (+ 1 entry) for a chance to win it! Go for it!

Want to read about more marvelous middle grade books? Check out my past picks, as well as these MMGM bloggers who feature recommendations every Monday!