I came home from Boston and my dad had gotten a box - full of books - that was delivered while we were gone. It came from his friend, Kristen Pelfrey, who is a teacher taking part in a revolution of reading (my dad told me to write that, I'm not sure what it is) and sent us a bunch of ARCs she picked up at something called ALA. I think she's awesome, because I've been wanting to read Shannon's book since she started recommending all my favorite MG books!
Shannon Messenger's book (comes out October 2nd), Keeper of the Lost Cities, was in the box, obviously. The cover was very interesting. It was also a book my dad told me I should try to read. So I opened to the first page, and my jaw dropped in love.
Shannon Messenger's book (comes out October 2nd), Keeper of the Lost Cities, was in the box, obviously. The cover was very interesting. It was also a book my dad told me I should try to read. So I opened to the first page, and my jaw dropped in love.
I was telling my dad about it today, "Dad, this book so good! I honestly love it more than I first loved Hunger Games and Harry Potter!"
He was shocked, considering I have been OBSESSED with both books since I read them.
I'm about 5 chapters in right now, but I still am excited to read the rest, since it has such an excellent beginning.
My dad says I shouldn't talk about the parts I've read, because the book isn't published quite yet. :O - but, he did say if I talked about the first page and why it made me fall in love with the book that would be okay.
He was explaining to me that the first page is a REALLY important part of a book, because it makes a HUGE difference to a reader when they're deciding whether they're going to love a book or not.
The book begins with a preface, which apparently is like a prologue (but not EXACTLY). When I read the page, I fell right into Sophie's surroundings.
The opening is as written:
Blurry, fractured memories swam through Sophie's mind, but she couldn't piece them together. She tried opening her eyes and found only darkness. Something rough pressed against her wrists and ankles, refusing to let her move.
A wave of cold rushed through her as the horrifying realization dawned.
She was a hostage [dad said I had to write: emphasis added here, because this line in in italics in the book].
Didn't you love that as much as I did? The way it makes you shiver as you read it, isn't it a rush? In the beginning, Sophie is only a year older than me, and is going through some special things (I won't tell you, but you should read it on October 2nd to find out what it is). Reading about her in this situation is terrifying, because someone could easily hold a kid my age "hostage."
October 2nd should defiantly be on your calender as, "Go to Barnes & Nobles to get Keeper of the Lost Cities!" You won't regret it.
My dad says I should put links up to people when I post about their books. So here's where you can find Shannon:
*Brain Food*
What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?
~~Middle Grade Madi~~
30 comments:
Thanks for sharing about the first page of Shannon's new book. You are so lucky to get an ARC. I've been checking the mail everyday hoping I'll get one. And you and your dad are right. The first page of a story is very important.
I, like your dad, am a little jealous that you have Shannon's book before it hits the shelves. Thank you for sharing some of it and we look forward to hearing more from you soon!
Natalie - I'm supposed to potentially be getting one from S&S too. If you're interested, I would gladly pay to ship that one to you, if you promised to read and review it, and then ship it along to more bloggers.
Great review! I don't really read MG books anymore, but I might make an exception.
And the answer to your riddle is: river. :)
Great post, Madi! The first page is crazy important, for sure. Kind of like a first impression. You don't get the opportunity to wow somebody like that twice. I'll be going to look up Keeper of the Lost Cities, now. :-)
That was a wonderful first impression, Madi! Thank you for sharing it with us. :)
Madi, this was a perfect review and your dad is very smart (he told me to say that *wink*)!!!
Thanks for sharing because this book is on many of our radars! Hope you love the rest, too!
Madi, you are full of your own brand of awesomesauce. I am so glad that you are enjoying Shannon's book and the books I got for you and your dad at the American Library Association Convention. You are OFFICIALLY part of the Revolution and the first Angel Potato from Georgia. Rock on, chica.
Madi, your writing is fantastic! My kids will be jealous you got a whole box of soon-to-be-published books. Sheesh.
Kristen Pelfrey is one of my favorite bloggers. I think she's really smart and funny.
KP - you fill my heart with gladness.
This book sounds so interesting that I want to read it now! Thanks for sharing. (:
Brain food: Is it a river?
Awesome review. You totally made me want to read it! I'm going to check out Shannon's blog now. Thanks :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Madi! I'm going to be waiting for this one!
That is an awesome cover; and those first lines are catchy. I can see why you liked it right away.
........dhole
Sounds like an interesting book.
Also, getting free boxes of books is pretty much the best thing in the world.
Wow, I can't wait to get my hands on this. It sounds awesome. Thanks for writing up your thoughts, Madi!
Excellent! It's cool to see her book coming out, and with such a great cover and first page.
And great review, by the way, with just the right mix of info, humor, and candid comments.
P.S. Your dad is wise and tells you good stuff, and I know the answer to the riddle!
Fantastic blog post! You've made me want to read Shannon's book even more than I did before. And, I think it's awesome that you talk to your dad about writing and books. All the parts where you say what he advised you about made me smile!
Great post! Her book was definitely on my get it and read it list, but now I may camp out for midnight sales!
Thank you for taking the time.
Lucky girl! Enjoy the rest of the book.
Hey Madi, new follower here.
I do love that opening. And I think it is awesome that you have a blog. So cool.
I enjoy Shannon Messenger's blog, but Madi, you've convinced me to add her book to my "to read" list. Congrats on getting an ARC! I hope you enjoy the rest!
I haven't read this book, but I do love the cover. As for the riddle, Summer beat me to the river.
Oh Madi - I am so so so jealous that you got an arc of this! i want to read it so bad, and just reading about how much you love it makes me want to read it EVEN MORE. And that opening bit? Oh man! That sounds amazing!!
The book sounds awesome! You're so right that the first page is very important. We writers struggle over making the first page extra-exciting.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks for all the super-nice comments! And the riddle answer was, yes, riddle! Great job Summer Frey!!!
Hopefully I'll have the full review up soon!!
~~Middle Grade Madi~~
Fun post, great review, super cool site. Are you sure you are only just going into the 6th grade.
Keep on reading and writing Madi, it's the way to get yourself to the places you want to go, be all that you can be, and have the adventure of a lifetime.
Great review of the beginning, Madi. I'm really looking forward to Shannon's book as well. She's such a nice person & I bet her book is fabulous! Enjoy :)
Wow--I've been out of town for Comic Con and missed this until now. Thank you so much for all the kind words and support for KEEPER, Madi. I'm so glad you were able to get your hands on an ARC and I hope the rest of the book doesn't disappoint! Thank you thank you thank you!
This is the greatest review ever. If I were Shannon, I'd be over the moon! You are so excited about this book, and I love the cover. It's totally on my TBR pile. Thanks, Madi! :D
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