NERD BLAST: The Hideaway by Pam Smy

Today, we have a Nerd Blast to spotlight Award-winning Author/Illustrator Pam Smy's The Hideaway, a Middle Grade paranormal mystery/thriller. So... Be sure to check it out and grab your copy now!

Genre:

Middle Grade

Paranormal/Thriller/Mystery

Graphic Novel

Publish Date:

October 5, 2021

Publisher:

Pavilion Children's

Synopsis:

A haunting illustrated novel from the author of the highly acclaimed Thornhill.

Told in two alternating narratives, The Hideaway tells the story of Billy McKenna, who runs away from home and takes refuge in an overgrown graveyard. The first narrative is told from his perspective, whereas the second thread tells of the situation at home and the police search for Billy. Covering themes of domestic violence, families, childhood, being separated and reunited, this is an important and beautifully illustrated book for middle grade readers right up to adults.

The Hideaway is illustrated throughout with tonal and textured black and white drawings. The atmospheric illustrations seep into the edge of the pages before they give way to a series of double-page spreads as the story reaches its climax.

       

     

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Praise for The Hideaway

"Love, loneliness, and grief are portrayed in grayscale illustrations...that expertly use light and shadow to convey mood...Atmospherically heartfelt and cathartic." —Kirkus Reviews

"The new book by the amazingly gifted Pam Smy ... What an exquisite and beguiling interweaving of word and image" —Anthony McGowan

"Heartbreaking yet heartwarming … Smy’s artwork lends the book a wintry, dramatic feel, but when it comes time for the spirits of the graveyard to be reunited, her spreads are full of joy" —BookTrust

"An original, haunting story" —The Bookseller

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**About the Author**

Photo Credit: Zulfiya Wilde

Pam Smy studied Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, where she now lectures part-time. Pam has illustrated books by Conan Doyle (The Hound of the Baskervilles), Julia Donaldson (Follow the Swallow) and Kathy Henderson (Hush, Baby, Hush!), among others. 

She lives in Cambridge. Her first novel, Thornhill was a critical and commercial success, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the UKLA Book Awards, and the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2018 and winning the 2018 British Book Design & Production Award for Graphic Novels.

Stay connected with Pam Smy

   

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter

- ends November 24, 2021

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box

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NERD BLAST: Kyle's Little Sister by BonHyung Jeong

 Today, we are kicking off this kicking off this 5-day Nerd Blast for BonHyong Jeong's debut Middle Grade graphic novel, Kyle's Little Sister! To celebrate this debut, we have a cool giveaway to share! So... Be sure to check it out and grab your copy now!

Genre:

Middle Grade

Realistic Fiction

Publish Date:

June 22, 2021

Publisher:

JY

Synopsis:

My name is Grace, not "Kyle's little sister!"

Having a good-looking, friendly, outgoing older brother sucks—especially when you're the total opposite, someone who likes staying home and playing video games. Your parents like him better (even if they deny it!), and everyone calls you "Kyle's little sister" while looking disappointed that you're not more like him. I was really hoping I'd get to go to a different middle school, but no such luck. At least I have my friends...until he finds a way to ruin that, too...! Argh! What do I have to do to get out of his shadow?!

          

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Praise for Kyle's Little Sister

"The manga-style illustrations successfully magnify the range of feelings expressed in the story while the text and image placement effectively enhance the drama and conflicts. The color palette, with light purples, peaches, and blues, lifts Grace’s brooding storyline with a playful feeling... A story of friendship and sibling rivalry that will resonate with many readers." —Kirkus

"With a soft color palette and stylized faces, bouncy illustrations interplay seamlessly with denser speech bubbles, making this ideal for intermediate graphic novel readers. Jeong delivers an endearing portrayal of friendship and sibling bonds (“Why? ‘Cos you’re my sister. Duh”) in this accessible, appealing debut." —Publishers Weekly

"BonHyung Jeong, a Korea-born, internationally raised and U.S.-educated artist, astutely channels the universal experience of growing up--and sometimes growing away--in her delightfully boisterous middle-grade graphic novel debut... Her whimsically stylized art adds an ongoing invitation for interactive engagement... Beyond the lively visuals, Jeong is a multi-layered storyteller who relies on much more than dialogue bubbles to reveal her characters' thoughts. Asides directed at readers appear in boxes with italicized text; whispers are seen in lowercase type encased in dotted borders; mobile texts presented in a computer font are strewn throughout--communication can happen in many ways, she reminds readers. She's also deft at inserting humor, especially in creating exaggerated reactions and highlighting overwhelming emotions." —ShelfAwareness

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**About the Author**

Photo Content from BonHyung Jeong

BonHyung Jeong (Bon) studied Cartooning at the School of Visual Arts in New York, and Kyle's Little Sister is her debut graphic novel, made possible with the help of numerous people. She hopes to make connections with others through relatable stories. Currently living in Korea, she's always busy playing console games - exactly like someone in the book!

Stay connected with BonHyung Jeong

 

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter

- ends July 26, 2021

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nerd Blast Organized by

BLOG TOUR: Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani

 

 Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Nidhi Chanani's newly released graphic novel, Jukebox! Today, on our tour stop, we have a short author Q&A and a cool tour-wide giveaway to share! So... Be sure to check it out and grab your copy now! Follow the tour, HERE!

Genre:

Middle Grade

Mystery/Time Travel/Science Fiction

Publish Date:

June 22, 2021

Publisher:

First Second

Synopsis:

Grab some coins for the jukebox, and get ready for a colorful, time-traveling, musical tale about family and courage

A mysterious jukebox, old vinyl records, and cryptic notes on music history, are Shaheen’s only clues to her father’s abrupt disappearance. She looks to her cousin, Tannaz, who seems just as perplexed, before they both turn to the jukebox which starts…glowing?

Suddenly, the girls are pulled from their era and transported to another time! Keyed to the music on the record, the jukebox sends them through decade after decade of music history, from political marches, to landmark concerts. But can they find Shaheen’s dad before the music stops? This time-bending magical mystery tour invites readers to take the ride of their lives for a coming-of-age adventure.

          

*Author Q&A*

• Tell us about your new book!

Jukebox is a graphic novel about two cousins, Shahi and Naz, who find a Jukebox that takes them back in time. It's a story about how music ties us to our past and present, how it's influenced history and how it connects us to each other.

• How and when did your path as an artist begin?

I've always enjoyed drawing and making up stories. I never considered pursuing it as a career because I didn't know that I could until my late 20s. When I discovered artists who were making art as their job I put all my energy into practicing and improving my artistic skills.

• What motivates/inspires you when you create your art?

I love a challenge. Work that pushes me to explore and learn is my favorite kind of work. When I'm working I will always have music playing and that keeps me focused and motivated.

• I read in your bio that you attended art school, then later dropped out. Could you tell me about that experience?

When I was in art school, I loved it but it wasn't enough practice. I was in my late 20s and eager to begin my career. I dropped out because I wanted to focus on skill building. After school I completed a new illustration every weekday for years. I created my own ritual to force myself to practice and improve. At the end of the first year of daily drawings, I opened an Etsy store because people wanted prints! The desire to improve my artistic skills helped me start my art business and eventually lead to illustrating and writing books.

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**About the Author**

Nidhi Chanani was born in Kolkata, India and raised in California. She creates illustrations that capture love in everyday moments which are often featured at Disney Parks. In 2012 she was honored by the Obama Administration as a Champion of Change. She’s the author of Pashmina, Shubh Raatri Dost/Good Night Friend, and illustrator of I Will Be Fierce. Nidhi draws and dreams in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and kid.

everydayloveart.com

Stay connected with Nidhi Chanani

     

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open to the U.S. & Canada Only

- ends July 1, 2021

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Organized by