The Weekly 411 (2/23/24)

© Leila Nabih

Feb. 23, 2024 vol. 8

The Weekly 411 gathers all the links added to Kidlit411 each week. To receive this post by email, sign up for our email updates. Are you on Facebook? Join our Kidlit411 group for conversations and camaraderie. This week's illustration is by Leila Nabih.

Middle Grade Giveaway

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the middle grade novel, Lost Kites and Other Treasures, by Cathy Carr (Amulet Books), out now. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below!

art by Maeve Norton, cover design by Deena Micah Fleming

About the Book: Cathy Carr’s Lost Kites and Other Treasures is a moving and heartfelt middle-grade novel about mental illness, the transformative power of art, and the ever-changing complications and joys of family life.

  

Twelve-year-old Franny Petroski never lets anyone know how often she thinks of the charismatic, troubled mom who left her years ago—any more than she talks about the unaccountable things Mom did while she was still in the picture. Life with Nana is safe and secure, and Franny’s innovative art projects fill in any lonesome times. But when Nana has an accident and Franny’s estranged uncle comes home to help out for a while, some long-guarded family secrets come to light. Franny has to use all of her courage, as well as all of her creativity, to come to terms with the discoveries she makes about her mother—and herself.

 

About the Author:  Cathy Carr was born in western Nebraska and grew up in Wisconsin. Since high school, she has lived in four different US states, plus overseas, and worked a variety of jobs, from burger flipping to technical writing. Wherever she goes, her observations of the natural world give her inspiration. Her first book, 365 Days to Alaska, was called “a wonderful debut novel about compassion, belonging, and finding your way home” by Lynne Kelly, author of Song for a Whale. 365 Days to Alaska was a Junior Library Guild selection and chosen for Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of the Year. Carr now lives in the New Jersey suburbs with her family and a semi-feral cat named Barnaby. 

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Picture Book Giveaway

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, Shaky Quaky Jake by Kelly D. Roberts, illustrated by Jveria Gauhar (Global Bookshelves International), coming out on March 1. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.

About the Book: After a tough day at school with his shaky quakies, Jake, through an afternoon with his Gramma, struggles through video games, baking, and board games to regroup. He is one-of-kind, unique, and he shouldn’t be embarrassed by the difficulties in life that make him different, Gramma reminds him as they enjoy themselves. Family roots and encouragement provide support as Jake figures out a way to overcome his frustrations and solve a tricky problem in art class the next day at school in Shaky Quaky Jake.  

 

About the Author: Kelly D. Roberts lives in Richland WA. Kelly homeschooled her own children, then finished her degree in Early Childhood Education spending time as a preschool teacher with the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program before retiring and pursuing a career in children’s literature. She graduated from the Institute of Children’s Literature in 2019 and won the SCBWI Inland Northwest 2019 Conference Inclusivity Scholarship that fall. Since then, she has taken part in the 12 X 12 Picture Book Challenge, won a Representation Matters scholarship to the Courage to Create Community and is a member of SCBWI and the Author’s Guild. She adores ALL things Christmas and believes every child deserves to be accepted for who they are, as they are, and writes stories for that child which lives inside all of us yearning to be included.

About the Illustrator: Jveria Gauhar is aspiring to be a Jane of All Trades. Eager to learn any new skill, she often jumps into projects feet first, with her head joining soon after. Shaky Quaky Jake is her debut illustrated book. In addition to doodling, she is a black belt in Taekwondo. She is a professionally trained Optometrist and has an eye for all things EYES! Jveria’s most prized project, which has no end in sight, is being the mother to four creative kids and two uncreative cats! She is based in Louisville, Kentucky.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For Writers

Mastering Turning Points in Relationship Plots

How to Avoid Explaining Your Novel

Effect and Cause

How to Craft a Great Mystery in a Novel

The Three Words That Almost Ruined Me as a Writer: Show, Don't Tell

Query Letters

Turbo Charging the Bio Section of Your Query Letter (Top Tips)

Submissions: Agents & Editors

Agent Nudge Examples

Why Don't People Want to Rep My Book?

Revisions

The Ultimate Guide to Editing a Book

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