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Monday, October 21, 2013

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!  
 

17 comments:

  1. Loved this one! My daughter and I read it aloud together. Book 2 is my to-read pile. Don't enter me in the giveaway; we own a copy.

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    1. So cute that you read aloud together -- it definitely makes the story come alive in a different way.

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  2. I loved this one too! (And I already have a copy). Looking forward to reading the second one!

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    1. Me too! I can't believe I haven't gobbled it up yet.

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  3. I love that picture of Shannon.
    Thanks for the very special feature. :)

    Akoss

    PS: Don't enter me in the giveaway. I have my own copy.

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    1. The photo was from BEA last year! I love how her outfit matches the book and the background perfectly :)

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  4. MG is my first love and I've had my eye out on this one for awhile. I think my god-daughter would really enjoy this -- after I read it first. :)

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  5. This sounds lie a goos MG read. :D
    Tweeted Contest Link:
    https://twitter.com/bookbrews/status/392493607266951168

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    1. Hi Darith - thanks for spreading the word!

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  6. Yay, Shannon! She is truly amazing.

    I'm off to Tweet, and to follow you too--if I'm not already!

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  7. I think this is the best book I've read this year. I can't wait to read the sequel!

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    1. Can't wait either -- let me know what you think of it!

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  8. I have LET THE SKY FALL but I don't have KEEPERS. I heard Shannon speak at a YA book talk once- she's lots of fun.

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    1. I bought LTSF on my Kindle when it was on sale -- did you read it yet? It's in my never ending TBR pile :P

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    2. I haven't read it yet. I too have a huge stack of new books I still need to get to! =)

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