SPECIAL OneFour KIDLIT PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

The Other Way Around
by Sashi Kaufman
Signed ARC plus Swag Giveaway
Carolrhoda Books
Released 3/1/2014

Andrew West goes to an all-girls school and he still can’t get a date. If that’s not bad enough, his Mom is the headmaster. Everyone seems to have the wrong idea about Andrew. His teachers think he’s a good student who doesn’t apply himself -he really is trying. The kids at his old school thought he was a goth. His cousin Barry thinks he’s gay.

When his Thanksgiving break goes tragically awry he decides to run away. He catches a ride with a strange group of older teenagers. The Freegans are street performers and dumpster divers. As Andrew travels the country with his new friends he leaves behind the expectations of others and discovers what he expects of himself.

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about The Other Way Around?

That’s pretty difficult -but I think my favorite part of THE OTHER WAY AROUND is Andrew’s journey with the Freegans. I love that he learns about this totally different and unconventional way to be an adult -dumpster-diving, street-performing, debating whether or not eating honey exploits the labor of the bees. It’s all new to him and I hope it will be new and exciting to my readers too.

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The Violet Hour
by Whitney A. Miller
Signed Hardcover plus Swag Giveaway
Flux Books
Released 3/8/2014

The voice inside me is breaking free. I can’t stop it.

Some call VisionCrest the pinnacle of religious enlightenment. Others call it a powerful cult. For seventeen years, Harlow Wintergreen has called it her life.

As the daughter of VisionCrest’s patriarch, Harlow is expected to be perfect at all times. She must be considered a paragon of integrity by the other Ministry teens and a future leader in the eyes of the world.

Despite the constant scrutiny Harlow is keeping a dark and dangerous secret, even from her best friend and the boy she loves. She hears a voice in her head that seems to have a mind of its own, plaguing her with violent and bloody visions. It commands her to kill. And the urge to obey is getting harder and harder to control….

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about The Violet Hour?

It’s basically impossible to pick just one favorite thing, but okay fine you twisted my arm. My most favorite thing about THE VIOLET HOUR is the heroine, Harlow Wintergreen. I mean…she’s a crazy-smart punk rock badass who could take an evil demigod in a fight. What’s not to love? If I can sneak a few additional things in I’d say: the lush Asian settings, Harlow’s broody tattooed crush (is there any other kind?), and Harlow’s hilarious and awesome best friend Dora. Sorry – I told you I couldn’t limit myself to just one!

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Ask Again Later
by Elizabeth Czukas
Signed ARC with Swag Giveaway
HarperTeen
Released 3/11/2014

Despite what her name might suggest, Heart has zero interest in complicated romance. So when her brilliant plan to go to prom with a group of friends is disrupted by two surprise invites, Heart knows there’s only one drama-free solution: flip a coin.

Heads: The jock. He might spend all night staring at his ex or throw up in the limo, but how bad can her brother’s best friend really be?

Tails: The theater geek…with a secret. What could be better than a guy who shares all Heart’s interests–even if he wants to share all his feelings?

Heart’s simple coin flip has somehow given her the chance to live out both dates. But where her prom night ends up might be the most surprising thing of all…

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about Ask Again Later?

My favorite thing about Ask Again Later is the scene in the dark. I’m not going to be super specific because of spoilers, but it was really fun to write a scene where I couldn’t rely on any visual descriptions. It was a challenge to write, and I spent a lot of time with my eyes closed while I typed. Thank goodness I was forced to learn touch typing in high school! Plus, it’s just a really fun scene. Hint: there may be kissing involved.

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Gilded
by Christina Farley
Personalized Hardcover Giveaway
Skyscape
Released 3/1/2014

Sixteen-year-old Jae Hwa Lee is a Korean-American girl with a black belt, a deadly proclivity with steel-tipped arrows, and a chip on her shoulder the size of Korea itself. When her widowed dad uproots her to Seoul from her home in L.A., Jae thinks her biggest challenges will be fitting in to a new school and dealing with her dismissive Korean grandfather. Then she discovers that a Korean demi-god, Haemosu, has been stealing the soul of the oldest daughter of each generation in her family for centuries. And she’s next.

But that’s not Jae’s only problem.

There’s also Marc. Irresistible and charming, Marc threatens to break the barriers around Jae’s heart. As the two grow closer, Jae must decide if she can trust him. But Marc has a secret of his own—one that could help Jae overturn the curse on her family for good. It turns out that Jae’s been wrong about a lot of things: her grandfather is her greatest ally, even the tough girl can fall in love, and Korea might just be the home she’s always been looking for.

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about Gilded?

When writing GILDED I had so much fun bringing to life the world around me while I was living in Seoul. I got to put in my favorite coffee shop, all the Korean foods I adore, and my favorite beach that we’d have family picnics on. And yet I was also able to create a fantasy world within modern Seoul where mythological creatures such as the haechi, dokkaebis, the samjoko, and dragons lurk behind street corners and their golden claws tear through walls. That in itself made entering GILDED’s world and writing Jae Hwa’s story so real and fascinating for me.

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The Secret Side of Empty
by Maria E. Andreu
Signed Hardcover Giveaway
Running Press kids
Released 3/11/2014

As a straight-A student with a budding romance and loyal best friend, M.T.’s life seems as apple-pie American as her blondish hair and pale skin. But M.T. hides two facts to the contrary: her full name of Monserrat Thalia and her status as an undocumented immigrant.

But it’s harder to hide now that M.T.’s a senior. Her school’s National Honor Society wants her to plan their trip abroad, her best friend won’t stop bugging her to get her driver’s license, and all everyone talks about is where they want to go to college. M.T. is pretty sure she can’t go to college, and with high school ending and her family life unraveling, she’s staring down a future that just seems empty. In the end, M.T. will need to trust herself and others to stake a claim in the life that she wants.

Author Maria E. Andreu draws from her personal experience as a (formerly) undocumented immigrant to explore an issue that affects over one million children in the U.S. But while the subject matter is timely, it is M.T.’s sharp, darkly funny voice and longing for a future that makes this story universally poignant.

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about The Secret Side of Empty?

My favorite thing about THE SECRET SIDE OF EMPTY are the moments between the main character, M.T., and her boyfriend, Nate. TSSoE is not a love story, per se, but there is a love story in there, and it was such fun to write. Tapping in to those feelings of first attraction, the uncertainty, that sensation you get when you are first near someone you really like alone together… it was great. It’s kind of a serious story about the difficulties facing an undocumented teenager, so I like that there are moments of fun and flirting and real human connection. And, for anyone who’s read the book: the slow speed chase in which she meets Nate was inspired by something that really happened to me!

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Side Effects May Vary
by Julie Murphy
Hardcover Giveaway
Balzer + Bray
Released 3/18/2014

The Fault in Our Stars meets Sarah Dessen in this lyrical novel about a girl with cancer who creates a take-no-prisoners bucket list that sets off a war at school—only to discover she’s gone into remission.

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs. So she convinces her best friend to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge as it is about hope. But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission, and now she must face the consequences of all she’s said and done.

Contemporary realistic fiction fans who adore Susane Colasanti and Jenny Han and stories filled with romance and humor will find much to love in this incredible debut.

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about Side Effects May Vary?

My favorite part about Side Effects May Vary would be the contrast between Alice and Harvey. In a way, they are each other’s greatest weaknesses. So building that relationship was really challenging, yet rewarding. I also loved writing their parents. Parents are always my favorite part of writing a new project because they’re such a huge key in an unlocking the past of your main characters.

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The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare
by MG Buehrlen
Trade Paperback Giveaway
Strange Chemistry
Released 3/4/2014

For as long as 17-year-old Alex Wayfare can remember, she has had visions of the past. Visions that make her feel like she’s really on a ship bound for America, living in Jamestown during the Starving Time, or riding the original Ferris wheel at the World’s Fair.

But these brushes with history pull her from her daily life without warning, sometimes leaving her with strange lasting effects and wounds she can’t explain. Trying to excuse away the aftereffects has booked her more time in the principal’s office than in any of her classes and a permanent place at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Alex is desperate to find out what her visions mean and get rid of them.

It isn’t until she meets Porter, a stranger who knows more than should be possible about her, that she learns the truth: Her visions aren’t really visions. Alex is a Descender – capable of traveling back in time by accessing Limbo, the space between Life and Afterlife. Alex is one soul with fifty-six past lives, fifty-six histories.

Fifty-six lifetimes to explore: the prospect is irresistible to Alex, especially when the same mysterious boy with soulful blue eyes keeps showing up in each of them. But the more she descends, the more it becomes apparent that someone doesn’t want Alex to travel again. Ever.

And will stop at nothing to make this life her last.

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about 57 Lives?

The time travel. The history. I’m a total historyphile, and if I had a super power it would be to travel back in time to experience history first hand. Since that’s probably not going to happen anytime soon, I can bask in the travels of my main character Alex and join her on all her adventures.
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Nil
by Lynne Matson
Hardcover
Henry Holt and Co.
Released 3/4/2014

On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have exactly 365 days to escape—or you die.

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s naked in an empty rock field.

Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that she has to find a way to beat the clock, and quickly.

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about Nil?

What do I love most about NIL? Gosh, that’s hard. I love how the characters fight to figure out the island, knowing so much information has been lost over time due to the “revolving door” of kids coming and going over time. I Iove the selflessness of the characters (at least most!) on the island, as they cling to their humanity and work to help others, including figuring out a way to retain knowledge of Nil so less is lost. And I love how Charley and Thad wrestle with their feelings for each other …after finding each other in the one place (Nil) where they have no future.

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Storm
by D.J. MacHale
Hardcover
Razorbill
Released 3/25/2014

From #1 New York Times bestselling author D.J. MacHale comes
STORM
—the exhilarating, action-packed sequel to
SYLO
:

“Absolutely un-put-downable, more exciting than an X-box and roller coaster combined.”—Kirkus, starred review

“With this extremely high-octane story that’s the equivalent to a summer movie blockbuster, MacHale kicks off an apocalyptic trilogy sure to leave readers demanding the next installment.”—Booklist

“An entertaining and creepy tale.”—Publishers Weekly

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about Storm?

It’s hard to say something specific about STORM without putting it in the context of the overall trilogy. Though each book in The SYLO Chronicles trilogy holds a unique story with its own rhythm, each book is also one part of the larger whole. So I’ll offer two answers. My favorite thing about the entire trilogy is that it presents a slowly unfolding mystery that (I hope) will keep readers guessing as they try to solve it. As to STORM in particular, I like how all of the characters evolve (especially Tucker) as they are not only forced to cope with life and death challenges, but also with each other. (I also like the action scenes. They rock)

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Hope Is a Ferris Wheel
by Robin Herrera
Hardcover
Amulet Books
Released 3/11/2014

Ten-year-old Star Mackie lives in a trailer park with her flaky mom and her melancholy older sister, Winter, whom Star idolizes. Moving to a new town has made it difficult for Star to make friends, when her classmates tease her because of where she lives and because of her layered blue hair. But when Star starts a poetry club, she develops a love of Emily Dickinson and, through Dickinson’s poetry, learns some important lessons about herself and comes to terms with her hopes for the future.
With an unforgettable voice with a lot of heart, Hope Is a Ferris Wheel is the story of a young girl who learns to accept her family and herself while trying to make sense of the world around her.

Praise for Hope is a Ferris Wheel

“Well-constructed, thought-provoking and appealing, this first effort bodes well for the author’s future.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“In her debut, Herrera has created a delightful narrator with a memorable voice and surrounded her with a unique supporting cast. Got fans of Joan Bauer in your neck of the woods? Send them this way.”
—Booklist

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Nearly Gone
by Elle Cosimano
Hardcover
Kathy Dawson Books
Released 3/25/2014

Bones meets Fringe in a big, dark, scary, brilliantly-plotted urban thriller that will leave you guessing until the very end.

Nearly Boswell knows how to keep secrets. Living in a DC trailer park, she knows better than to share anything that would make her a target with her classmates. Like her mother’s job as an exotic dancer, her obsession with the personal ads, and especially the emotions she can taste when she brushes against someone’s skin. But when a serial killer goes on a killing spree and starts attacking students, leaving cryptic ads in the newspaper that only Nearly can decipher, she confides in the one person she shouldn’t trust: the new guy at school—a reformed bad boy working undercover for the police, doing surveillance. . . on her.

Nearly might be the one person who can put all the clues together, and if she doesn’t figure it all out soon—she’ll be next.

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Providence
by Lisa Colozza Cocca
Hardcover
Merit Press
Released 3/1/2014

The eldest of ten children on a dirt-poor farm, Becky trudges through life as a full-time babysitter, trying to avoid her father’s periodic violent rages. When the family’s barn burns down, her father lays the blame on Becky, and her own mother tells her to run for it. Run she does, hopping into an empty freight car. There, in a duffel bag, Becky finds an abandoned baby girl, only hours old. After years of tending to her siblings, sixteen-year-old Becky knows just what a baby needs. This baby needs a mother. With no mother around, Becky decides, at least temporarily, this baby needs her. When Becky hops off the train in a small Georgia town, it’s with baby “Georgia” in her arms. When she meets Rosie, an eccentric thrift-shop owner, who comes to value and love Becky as no one ever has, Becky rashly claims the baby as her own. Not everyone in town is as welcoming as Rosie, though. Many suspect Becky and her baby are not what they seem. Among the doubters is a beautiful, reclusive woman with her own terrible loss and a long history with Rosie. As Becky’s life becomes entangled with the lives of the people in town, including a handsome boy who suspects Becky is hiding something from her past, she finds her secrets more difficult to keep. Becky should grab the baby and run, but her newfound home and job with Rosie have given Becky the family she’s never known. Despite her guilt over leaving her mother alone, she is happy for the first time. But it’s a happiness not meant to last. When the truth comes out, Becky has the biggest decision of her life to make. Should she run away again? Should she stay–and fight? Or lie? What does the future hold for Becky and Georgia? With a greatness of heart and a stubborn insistence on hope found in few novels of any genre, “Providence” proves that home is where you find it, love is an active verb, and family is more than just a word.

“When 16-year-old Becky Miller rescues an abandoned newborn, a nontraditional family is born, attracting other warm-hearted women into its folds. Reading “Providence” is like cozying up with longtime friends in front of a homey fire.” –Sherry Shahan, author of “Skin and Bones” (Albert Whitman & Co.)

“A beautifully written tale about trying to make the right choice when there might not be one.” –Wendy Mass, author of “A Mango-Shaped Space” (Little Brown Books for Young Readers)

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Sing Sweet Nightingale
by Erica Cameron
Paperback
Spencer Hill Press
Released 3/4/2014

Seventeen-year-old Mariella hasn’t said a word in four years, and it’s not because she can’t: it’s because she won’t. She has nothing to say because no one would believe there’s a world she can only visit in her dreams. And no one would understand why Mariella promised her silence to Orane, the man who introduced her to this world. Hudson is only eighteen, but he’s survived a lot–including a run-in with creatures he calls the “dream demons,” creatures he blames for the recent death of his four-year-old brother. Struggling to cope in the aftermath of this loss–and guided by signs even the practical Hudson can’t ignore–he moves to a new town and comes face-to-face with the one thing he never thought he’d see: another victim of the demons. Mariella and Hudson have both been chosen by demons from a world that exists within ours, a world where beauty and magic mask cruelty and greed. Hudson has seen the gruesome reality of these beings, but Mariella is still in their thrall. She’s in love with her captor, Orane, and is convinced she doesn’t need saving. It’s up to Hudson to show her the truth about the demons before she’s lost in their world forever.

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The Voice Inside My Head
by S.J Laidlaw
Hardcover
Tundra Books
Released 3/1/2014

A fast-paced mystery, The Voice inside My Head is expected to be a commercial success and a hit with teens.
     Seventeen-year-old Luke’s older sister, Pat, has always been his moral compass, like a voice inside his head, every time he has a decision to make. So when Pat disappears on a tiny island off the coast of Honduras and the authorities claim she’s drowned – despite the fact that they can’t produce a body – Luke heads to Honduras to find her because he knows something the authorities don’t. From the moment of her disappearance, Pat’s voice has become real, guiding him to Utila, where she had accepted a summer internship to study whale sharks. Once there, he meets several characters who describe his sister as a very different girl from the one knows. Does someone have a motive for wanting her dead? Determined to get to the bottom of Pat’s disappearance, Luke risks everything, including his own life, to find the answer.

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