Check out this very short video of the animated cover of Derek Landy’s new book, Demon Road. Demon Road is released here in NZ on September 1, so not long to wait now!
Keep an eye out on the blog for a Derek Landy competition coming next week.
Interview with Jack Heath, author of The Cut-Out
Today I’m joined by Australian author Jack Heath. Jack is the author of action-packed thrillers for children and young adults, including the Scream series from Scholastic, Money Run, The Hit-List and his first novel, The Lab. Jack’s latest novel is The Cut-Out, a spy thriller about mistaken identities that is perfect for fans of the Cherub series and Alex Rider. I had a few questions about Jack’s latest book and spies. Jack very kindly answered my questions and you can read them here.
The Cut-Out is out now from Allen and Unwin.
What are 3 words that you would use to describe your new book, The Cut Out? Fast, frantic, fun.
Is the character of Fero based on who you wanted to be when you were a teenager?
Fero is everything I wasn’t – athletic, quiet, courageous. In some ways I wish I’d been more like him, but it’s those qualities that get him into so much trouble in The Cut Out!
In The Cut Out, Fero gets mistaken for enemy agent, Troy Maschenov. Have you ever had a case of mistaken identity?
I have a brother who looks a bit like me, and sometimes people get us confused. Fortunately my brother isn’t a deadly foreign spy, or so he claims.
What is your favourite gadget in The Cut Out?
Definitely the Armoured Turbofan Vehicle, which is like a cross between a motorcycle and a tank.
What books and movies inspire your writing?
I love spy thrillers by Robert Ludlum and Olen Steinhauer. As for movies, some of my favourites include Tomorrow Never Dies, True Lies and Mission Impossible 3.
Who is your favourite fictional spy?
I’m a big fan of reluctant spies, so I always loved Alex Rider. He got more interesting with every book!
Your first book, The Lab, was published when you were a teenager. What advice do you have for young writers who want to get published?
I encourage all aspiring writers to join their local writers centre, to write something every day, and to read everything they can get their hands on.
Who would you recommend The Cut Out to?
The Cut Out is for anyone who likes shifting allegiances, big twists and lots of action.
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Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar
Louis Sachar is an exciting author. He’s not prolific but when he does publish a book it’s always something to shout about. My first Louis Sachar book (and probably his most popular) was Holes, the story of Stanley Yelnats and Camp Green Lake. It totally grabbed me and is still one of my favourite books. Louis’ last book, The Cardturner, was a fascinating book about bridge and family secrets. It’s been 5 years since his last book, so I was very excited to hear about Louis Sachar’s new book, Fuzzy Mud. After reading his previous books and having high expectations I wasn’t disappointed.
Tamaya is on a scholarship to the prestigious Woodridge Academy and every day she and seventh-grader Marshall walk to school together. They never go through the woods. And when they arrive at school they stop talking to each other – because Marshall can’t be seen to be friends with a little kid like Tamaya. Especially not with Chad around. Chad-the-bully, who makes Marshall’s life utterly miserable. But today, hoping to avoid Chad, Marshall and Tamaya decide to go through the woods … And what is waiting there for them is strange, sinister and entirely unexpected. The next day, Chad doesn’t turn up at school – no one knows where he is, not even his family. And Tamaya’s arm is covered in a horribly, burning, itchy wound. As two unlikely heroes set out to rescue their bully, the town is about to be turned upside down by the mysterious Fuzzy Mud.
Fuzzy Mud is a weird, thrilling, suspenseful story about friendship, bullies and an experiment gone wrong. Louis Sachar keeps you on the edge of your seat as the suspense builds right to the end. It’s slightly creepy and I wasn’t quite sure how it was going to end. Like each of Louis’ books there are several strands to the story. What at first seems like just a school story about fitting in and bullies making life hell, soon becomes a quite different story with far worse problems. The story of Tamaya and Marshall is interspersed by extracts from an inquiry into a place called SunRay Farm, a research facility not far from their school, that was creating an organism that would be used to make a bio-fuel to help save the planet. These extracts show you that their experiments didn’t quite go as planned. When Tamaya discovers the fuzzy mud in the forest when she is helping Marshall escape the school bully, the consequences are disastrous. Could an organism that was designed to help people actually harm or even kill people instead?
The book has got one of the coolest covers I’ve seen recently and it is sure to grab the attention of kids. The design of the book is very clever too. I wasn’t quite sure what all the dots at the top of the chapter headings were to start off with but this became clear as I kept reading. I think it’s kind of quirky and a nice touch.
Fuzzy Mud would be a great read-aloud for kids aged 10 and up. Not only is it a thrilling story that will keep kids entertained, but it’s also thought-provoking. What would you do if you found a weird substance in the forest? How would you react if the kid who was bullying you suddenly disappeared?
If you love Louis Sachar or just want a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, grab a copy of Fuzzy Mud now.
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I Can’t Wait For…The Rest of Us Just Live Here
Patrick Ness is my favourite author. Every time he publishes a new book I rush out and get it and try to find a quiet place to sit to enjoy it. I fell in love with his writing when I first read The Knife of Never Letting Go and then devoured the rest of the series. The thing I love the most about Patrick Ness’ writing is that he isn’t afraid to push boundaries and try something new. His latest book, The Rest of Us Just Live Here, promises to be another highly original and memorable story. I can’t wait to read it! The only problem with reading it is that I then have to wait another year or so to read another new Patrick Ness book. Oh the dilemma!
Check out the blurb and cover for The Rest of Us Just Live Here below:
Award-winning writer Patrick Ness’s bold and irreverent novel powerfully asks what if you weren’t the Chosen One? The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death? What if you were like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again. Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life. Even if your best friend might just be the God of mountain lions.
The Rest of Us Just Live Here is released on August 27 by Walker Books Australia.
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Win The Bakehouse by Joy Cowley
Joy Cowley’s latest novel, The Bakehouse, is out this month from Gecko Press. It’s a brilliant, multi-layered novel about secrets, lies and how the consequences of one boy’s actions ripple throughout his family. You can read my review here on the blog.
Thanks to everyone who entered. The winner is Benedict.
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Interview with Elizabeth Pulford, author of Bloodtree Chronicles
Elizabeth Pulford is one of our great Kiwi authors. She has written books for all ages, from picture books to novels for children, young adults and adults. Elizabeth has two new books that have just been released, a picture book called Finding Monkey Moon and the first book in her fantastic new Bloodtree Chronicles series, Sanspell. You can read my review of Bloodtree Chronicles: Sanspell here on the blog.
I had a few questions about the Bloodtree Chronicles and Elizabeth has very kindly answered them for me. Read on to find out more about Elizabeth’s new series and her favourite story worlds.
- What inspired you to write the Bloodtree Chronicles?
It was more a case of resistance in the beginning. I was having time away from writing in the garden when into my head slipped the first line of Sanspell. I told it to go away and that I wasn’t interested. Then an hour or so later the same line, word for word, arrived. I ignored it. Later than evening it made another appearance so I wrote it down, not really interested. Two days later I found the piece of paper and typed it into the computer. As soon as I did that my curiosity was stirred and I started to ask questions, eg ‘whose mother’s dress was it?’ It went on from there until the idea caught me completely and wouldn’t let me go.
- In Sanspell, Abigail gets transported into the Silvering Kingdom, a magical place made of stories. If you could be transported into a story, which one would you choose?
Definitely the Robin Hood stories. I would love to be in his gang and living in Sherwood Forest.
- What sort of character would you be in the Silvering Kingdom?
Zezmena. I always think villains are so interesting. What makes them behave the way they do? What makes them tick? Trying to find the one redeeming quality that they keep hidden beneath all their evil deeds.
- What is your favourite fantasy world?
The Magic Faraway Tree world created by Enid Blyton. Growing up there was an old apple tree in our garden. I kept wishing for this to be the same as the Faraway Tree and that Moonface would appear. Sadly it never happened!
- In the next two books in the Bloodtree Chronicles you take us to Bragonsthyme and Thatchthorpe. Can you give us a taste of what Abigail might find in these stories?
The Bragonsthyme’s story is frozen. To be a proper fairy story it needs to have a happy ending, otherwise it cannot help the Bloodtree to heal. It is up to Abigail / Spindale (with help from Flint and Bramble) to find its ending.
In Thatchthorpe the King of Silvering Kingdom dies. Rackenard sees his chance to rule, thereby putting the Bloodtree at a greater risk than it has ever been. The only way to stop this happening is finding the two parts of the magical code, which will reveal to the people of the kingdom who is the true king.
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My Most Anticipated Kids and YA August New Releases from Walker Books Australia
Whistling in the Dark by Shirley Hughes
Liverpool, 1940: thirteen-year-old Joan’s home is under threat from the Nazi’s terrifying nightly air-raids. It is not an easy time to be a teenager, especially with the sweet rationing, strict curfews and blackouts. Joan and best friend Doreen love going to the cinema until the bombings intensify and then even that becomes too dangerous, especially when an army deserter is found lurking near their home. Who is he and why does he think Joan can help him? As the Blitz worsens, Joan and her friends make a discovery that will tear the whole community apart…
The Fortelling of Georgie Spider (Book 3 of The Tribe) by Ambelin Kwaymullina
The third and final book in the thrilling eco-dystopian series The Tribe.
A storm was stretching out across futures to swallow everything in nothing, and it was growing larger, which meant it was getting nearer… Georgie Spider has foretold the end of the world, and the only one who can stop it is Ashala Wolf. But Georgie has also foreseen Ashala’s death. As the world shifts around the Tribe, Ashala fights to protect those she loves from old enemies and new threats.
And Georgie fights to save Ashala. Georgie Spider can see the future. But can she change it?
Remix by Non Pratt
From the author of Trouble comes a novel about boys, bands and best mates. Kaz is still reeling from being dumped by the
love of her life… Ruby is bored of hearing about it. Time to change the record.
Three days. Two best mates. One music festival. Zero chance of everything working out.
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Bloodtree Chronicles: Sanspell by Elizabeth Pulford
Imagine that your mother suddenly starts packing a suitcase for you and tells you that the time has come and you must hurry. She is sending you somewhere, but she doesn’t tell you where. She tells you that this place is unlike anywhere you have ever been and when you get there you must call yourself a different name. She gives you a locket that you should never remove from around your neck. The next thing you know, you are standing in the snow in a strange land – a land that only you can save.
Elizabeth Pulford emerses readers in her fantastic story of the Silvering Kingdom in Sanspell, the first book in her new series, Bloodtree Chronicles. This is the sort of book that you just want to curl up with on a Winter’s day, wrapped in a blanket with a hot drink. Elizabeth really makes you feel like you’ve been transported to the snowy Silvering Kingdom with Abigail.
Abigail loves stories and uses books as an escape from her life. She doesn’t have many friends and is bullied at school, so she feels far from special. However, when she is transported to the Silvering Kingdom and the Sanspell story she discovers that she is incredibly important and it is up to her to save the Bloodtree and the characters that inhabit the story.
Like Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart series this is a story about the magic of stories. I love the way that Elizabeth Pulford has created the story within the story. The story of the Silvering Kingdom is written by Abigail’s aunties and there is a visual record of the story on the walls of their house. As the story changes, the illustrations change. The aunties are so used to creating the story that when Abigail takes the story in her own direction they are not sure what to do.
Special mention needs to be made of Donovan Bixley’s stunning cover and design. His cover is one that will catch the eyes of young readers and make them want to read this wonderful book. The silver foil catches the light and highlights different parts depending on how you look at it.
Sanspell has me hooked on the Bloodtree Chronicles! I can’t wait for Elizabeth Pulford to take me to Bragonsthyme and Thatchthorpe in the next two books in the series.
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My Most Anticipated August Kids New Releases from Scholastic NZ
The Bad Guys: Episode 1 by Aaron Blabey
They sound like the Bad Guys, they look like the Bad Guys . . . and they even smell like the Bad Guys. But Mr Wolf, Mr Piranha, Mr Snake and Mr Shark are about to change all of that! Mr Wolf has a daring plan for the Bad Guys’ first good mission. The gang are going to break 200 dogs out of the Maximum Security City Dog Pound. Will Operation Dog Pound go smoothly? Will the Bad
Guys become the Good Guys? And will Mr Snake please spit out Mr Piranha?
Dragon Knight: Witch by Kyle Mewburn and Donovan Bixley (Book 3)
A witch’s curse and brussel sprouts are bad enough. But will Percy’s revenge be the end for Merek? From the creators of Dinosaur Rescue comes an outrageous and revoltingly funny medieval adventure series that’ll set you on fire!
Stan the Van Man by Emma Vere-Jones and illustrated by Philip Webb
Sometimes, being helpful is not enough . . .
When the mail van driver walks out, Miss Mickle from the Post Office store is left in a right pickle. Enter Stan, a helpful chap who offers to drive the delivery van. Unfortunately Miss Mickle doesn’t give him the chance to explain that he actually can’t read … and parcel pandemonium ensues! When the angry recipients storm the Post Office and find out the reason for the misdeliveries, they decide to band together to help Stan learn to read.
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I Can’t Wait For…Demon Road by Derek Landy
I absolutely love Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant series! It’s one of the few series that I’ve read every single book of and dropped everything to read the new book when it was released. Derek Landy has been in the world of Skulduggery Pleasant for so long that it will be really interesting to read a completely different story from him with new characters. Demon Road is this new story. I can’t wait to delve into this new world and see where Derek takes us next!
Check out the blurb and the cover for Demon Road below.
Killer cars, vampires, undead serial killers: they’re all here. And the demons? Well, that’s where Amber comes in … Sixteen years old, smart and spirited, she’s just a normal American teenager until the lies are torn away and the demons reveal themselves. Forced to go on the run, she hurtles from one threat to another, revealing a tapestry of terror woven into the very fabric of her life. Her only chance rests with her fellow travellers, who are not at all what they appear to be …
Demon Road is released in New Zealand by HarperCollins NZ on 1 September. Keep an eye out on the blog for an awesome competition coming soon for your chance to win an advance copy of Demon Road.
My Best Friends Are Books 