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

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NERD BLAST: It Doesn't Take a Genius by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

 

Today, we have a Nerd Blast to kick off to celebrate the release of Award-winning Author Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich's It Doesn't Take a Genius. To celebrate this book birthday, we have blitz-wide giveaway to share! So... Be sure to check it out and grab your copy now!

Genre:

Middle Grade

Coming-of-age/Realistic Fiction

Publish Date:

April 13, 2021

Publisher:

Six Foot Press

Synopsis:

Emmett and his older brother Luke have always been "Batman and Robin," though they're quick to bicker about who's who. Spending the summer at a historic Black summer camp seems like a wonderful adventure for the two to share, but since Luke is there as a junior counselor, he seems to spend all of his time being everyone else's big brother, and ignoring Emmett.

As Luke seems to be moving on to new adventures, Emmett struggles in unexpected ways, especially in swim class and the "It Takes A Village" entrepreneurship class. Without his brother to turn to for support, Emmett works to build a new crew of "superfriends," who'll help him plan something spectacular for the end-of-camp awards night and celebration. Along the way, Emmett learns that no matter what, there can be many ways to define family. 

       

  

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Praise for It Takes a Genius

"When everyone’s a star, it’s hard to stand out. African American E―who’s not named after Emmett Till, thank you very much―is used to being the cheerful sidekick to big brother Luke, but Luke has different ideas. He’s gotten a scholarship to a boarding school in Maine, and this summer he’ll be a junior counselor at DuBois, a historically Black summer camp that is a little bougie. Thirteen-year-old E has been trying to dissuade Luke by reminding him how many horror movies are set at boarding schools and summer camps, but Luke is clearly ready to step out on his own and dive into his visual art. E takes matters into his own hands by secretly applying for and getting into DuBois. He soon learns that while he may be a debate team star and talented break dancer at home, everyone at DuBois is exceptional―and they all seem to be better versed in Black excellence than he is. He quickly learns to keep his mouth shut and Google later when it comes to names he doesn’t recognize, like Toni Morrison and Marcus Garvey. E feels hopelessly shy and uncool, shining only when it comes to dance. His relationship with Luke becomes strained, with Luke wanting to break free of his little brother while E is desperate to maintain their connection. The cast of characters is fully realized, distinct, and absolutely lovable, and E’s journey will resonate. An exceptional novel with broad appeal." —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

"Defining Black identity is central to Rhuday-Perkovich’s endearing coming-of-age story, and a rosy ending wraps up this account of Black boy joy nicely. Readers seeking books with BIPOC protagonists like Pablo Cartaya’s The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora will enjoy this selection as well." —Booklist

"This is a great book to add to lists of titles that showcase Black joy!....Summer camp books are always possible, and I loved all of the information about Black culture and history....this is primarily a humorous, fun book." —Ms. Yingling Reads

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**About the Author**

Photo Content fro Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich is the author of 8th Grade Superzero, which was named a Notable Book for a Global Society, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, an adaptation for Sesame Workshop's Ghostwriter, and Operation Sisterhood. She is the coauthor of NAACP Image Award nominee Two Naomis, a Junior Library Guild selection, and its sequel, Naomis Too. She also writes nonfiction, including Above and Beyond: NASA’s Journey to Tomorrow, Someday is Now: Clara Luper and the 1958 Oklahoma City Sit-Ins, and Saving Earth: Climate Change and the Fight for Our Future.

Olugbemisola is a member of the Brown Bookshelf, editor of the We Need Diverse Books anthology The Hero Next Door, and teaches at the Solstice MFA Program in Creative Writing. She holds an MA in education, and has written frequently on parenting and literacy-related topics for PBS Parents, Brightly, American Baby, Healthy Kids, and other outlets.

Stay connected with Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

     

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter

- ends May 4, 2021

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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NERD BLAST: Speak No Evil by Liana Gardner

We are kicking off a 5-day Nerd Blast celebrating the release of Speak No Evil by Liana Gardner! We celebrate this new release with a cool giveaway! So... Check it out now and grab your copy now!!!

Genre:

Young Adult

Contemporary/Realistic Fiction

Publish Date:

October 1, 2019

Publisher:

Vesuvian Media Group

Synopsis:

TRUTH IS THE HARBINGER OF HELL

What if every time you told the truth, evil followed?

My name is Melody Fisher. My daddy was a snake handler in Appalachia until Mama died. Though years have passed, I can still hear the rattle before the strike that took her from me.

And it’s all my fault.

Since then, I’ve been passed around from foster home to foster home. I didn’t think anything could be as bad as losing Mama.

I was wrong.

But I will not speak of things people have done to me. Every time I do, worse evil follows. Now, the only thing I trust is what saved me years ago. Back when I would sing the snakes calm ...

      

  

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Praise for SPEAK NO EVIL
Recommended for the INDIE NEXT LIST

"... suspense and intrigue ... Melody's story is grim, but hope is weaved in throughout ... highly emotional." ―School Library Journal

"Gardner tackles difficult topics, including bullying and abuse of all types, in a way that is both artistic, respectful ... [and] masterfully written." ―BookTrib

"... a touching tribute to the power of love, faith and steadfast, patient kindness to heal the damage done by human cruelty and thoughtlessness." ―IndieReader Approved

"... a very powerful novel that depicts the cruelty and injustice of the world while also highlighting the ever-present beauty that few see when struggling with dark issues. The book displays the power that love and music have even in the darkest of times. Gardner does an excellent job of portraying a teenage worldview while focusing on adult concepts." ―US Review of Books

"There are too many Melody Fisher's in our homes and schools who lock themselves away in a world where they are both desperate to be heard and afraid to speak up ... Speak No Evil is their story. A brilliant and novel approach to addressing important social issues." ―Viga Boland, Author of No Tears for my Father

"WOW! Just WOW! Gardner is a great author telling a story of death, sorrow, and so much more. You will fall in love with Melody ... You will feel her sorrow ... You will feel her shame ... you will feel everything with this character. A MUST read that will make you sit and think well after you turned the last page." ―Bookworm Tri-Cities, Bookstore

"... alternately beautiful and troubling--and a totally compelling read ... Gardner's characters are finely drawn and credible, and her plot is so relevant considering the thousands of children lost in the foster care system and at the mercy of those charged to care for them." ―Jack Magnus, Readers' Favorite

"... Melody's silence signifies the way some women feel about sharing their stories with other people, and how difficult it is to overcome the desire to retreat. I urge others to read it; the story of Melody and her bravery will speak to you and stay with you for quite some time." ―Tracy Young, Bulgarian Review

"Any victim of abuse, or those who blame themselves for events out of their control, needs to read this novel ... This book should be in every school library and youth centre. I cannot recommend it highly enough." ~Lesley Jones, UK authorbly with Noah’s grief, and readers will appreciate his return to the field.” ―Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 

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**About the Author**

Photo Content from Liana Gardner

Liana Gardner is the award-winning author of 7th Grade Revolution and the Misfit McCabeseries. Daughter of a rocket scientist and an artist, Liana combines the traits of both into a quirky yet pragmatic writer and in everything sees the story lurking beneath the surface. Engaged in a battle against leukemia and lymphoma, Liana spends much of her time at home, but allows her imagination to take her wherever she wants to go.

She fostered her love of writing after reading Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and discovering she had a great deal in common with the character Jo. The making up of stories, dramatic feelings, and a quick temper were enough for her to know she and Jo would have been kindred spirits.

Liana volunteers with high school students through the International Trade Education Programs (ITEP). ITEP unites business people and educators to prepare students for a meaningful place in the world of tomorrow. Working in partnership with industry and educators, ITEP helps young people “think globally and earn locally.”

Stay connected with Liana Gardner

     

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter
Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Nerd Blast Organized by