First Page Panda

Darri didn’t see the ghost until he was upon her, a solid weight that dropped from the branches above and threw her sideways off the saddle. Because he was solid, she didn’t realize at first that he was dead. She hit the ground with a thud and rolled to her feet, pulling her dagger from her boot. By the time she was standing, she had already thrown it.

The dagger plunged into the man’s chest with a thunk, and he laughed at her. He was a large, ruddy man wearing a fine set of riding clothes and a short cape. As he laughed, his body slowly faded, so that even in the torchlight Darri could see the trees through him. Her dagger dropped straight down through his body and disappeared into the dark mass of ferns that covered the forest floor.

Darri’s breath twisted in her throat. Her horse — a battle-trained stallion who could face a mounted charge without flinching — neighed shrilly in terror and reared. The dead man laughed louder. He became solid again, bent to pick up her dagger, and lunged at her.

Darri’s body reacted instinctively, whirling sideways as he rushed past her. She was poised to kick the dagger out of his hand, but her mind betrayed her. Terror burned through her chest, and by the time she swallowed it, the moment had passed. The spectre’s side was no longer unguarded. He turned and came at her again, and the scent of rotting flesh filled the air.

Her attacker jerked suddenly, an expression of surprise wiping the laughter from his face. And then he was gone. When his hand vanished, Darri’s dagger dropped again. With it fell another — the blade that had been hurled into the ghost’s back. That one gleamed with the unmistakable glint of silver before it disappeared into the ferns.

Darri took a deep breath and looked up at her brother, who was leaning back in the saddle to recover from his throw. His face wore its usual unruffled expression.

Darri willed her voice steady. It didn’t quite work. “I thought the terms of our invitation specified that we bring no silver weapons.”

About the book:

In a kingdom where the living walk with the dead, a warrior princess has come to rescue her sister — but what if her sister doesn’t want to be saved?

What people are saying:

“Swordfights, blood, and double-dealing pack the pages as this action-filled story races to a surprising conclusion.” -ALA Booklist

“[F]ans will recognize the poetic style and rich characterization…Transcendent and triumphant.” -Kirkus (starred review)

Released: May 31, 2011

About the author:

Leah Cypess used to be a practicing attorney in New York and is now a full-time writer in Boston. She much prefers her current situation. She is the author of the YA high fantasy novels MISTWOOD (a Kirkus Best Books for 2010) and NIGHTSPELL (HarperCollins, May 2011), as well as of numerous short stories. You can visit her at www.leahcypess.com.

The pandas have quite a few giveaway winners to announce today, so let’s get to it!

The winner of the Lipstick Laws swag giveaway is:

Kelly Hashway

The winner of The Year We Were Famous swag giveaway is:

Liz Straw

The winner of the Aliens on Vacation ARC giveaway is:

Nha Huynh

And the winner of the OyMG swag giveway:

Alicia

Congrats to all the winners!

Win a Skype visit with the author! Details at the end of this post.

1

A fever was what started everything. That, and the water tower, and the cherry cola. Well, also, Dad and his condition, and Mom being in Philadelphia and all.

I mean, the fever alone wasn’t the problem, or even the hallucination that came with it. I always got those when I was sick. “Febrile seizures” Mom calls them. But they were usually confined to my bedroom. Okay, once to the bathroom—unless there were actually giant spiders guarding the toilet—and once to the backyard. But there were definitely giant noodles dancing out there, so I had to join them. Which, according to my brother, Jeremy, was hilarious.

As far as Jeremy’s concerned, I’m just one big ball of feverish entertainment.

Even Mom says she never saw anyone who can spike a fever like I can. It’s like I can be fine one minute, then burning up an easy 104 degrees the next.

Jeremy is different. He’s Mr. Healthy so it’s an international crisis if he even sneezes or gets a headache. Really, the dude is never sick. Never misses a day of school or a game or, worse, his own birthday party. It’s like my folks had him, then spent the next three years saving up the sick genes and popped me out to deal with them.

Excerpt© 2011 Gae Polisner

About the book:

While Nick Gardner’s family is falling apart, his best friend, Scooter, is dying from a freak disease. The Scoot’s final wish is that Nick and their quirky classmate, Jaycee Amato, deliver a prized first-edition copy ofOf Mice and Men to the Scoot’s father. There’s just one problem: the Scoot’s father walked out years ago and hasn’t been heard from since. So, guided by Steinbeck’s life lessons, and with only the vaguest of plans, Nick and Jaycee set off to find him.

Characters you’ll want to become friends with and a narrative voice that sparkles with wit make this a truly original coming-of-age story.

What people are saying:

“She [Gae Polisner] is a writer young adult readers will surely want to hear more from.”–examiner.com

“Although the teens’ best laid plans go oft awry, they discover that the force of the universe is with them—or at least friendship, family and romance. Pulls the heart in all the right places.”–Kirkus Reviews

“Scooter, Nick, and Jaycee are real, and they’re funny. I love how they yearn for something beautiful, warm, and true to lift them from the lousy, sad absurdity of their circumstances. And I love the unlikely places where they find it: Yoda. A possibly misguided bus trip. Red wax lips. Real lips. And each other. I love that they find it mostly in each other.”—Lynne Rae Perkins, Newbery Medal-winning author of As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth

“Part love story, part adventure story, funny and serious, The Pull of Gravity is a delightful read.”—Francisco X. Stork, author of Marcelo in the Real World

Released: May 10, 2011

About the author:

Gae Polisner is a wife, mother, and family law attorney/mediator by trade, but a writer by calling. When she’s not writing, you can find her swimming in her pool or in the open waters off Long Island. The Pull of Gravity is her first novel. You can visit her at http://gaepolisner.com or read more about her book at http://thepullofgravity.com.

Giveaway:

Gae has been kind enough to offer a 15 minute Skype visit with an individual reader who’s read the book or a 30 minute Skype visit with a book club that’s read the book!

To enter simply leave a comment on this post.

For extra entries:

-Be a follower of this site (just click “Join this site”) or a follower on Twitter [+1 entry each].

-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].

Please list your extra entries in the comments.

The contest is open in the US and Canada and ends on June 9th at midnight EST.

Good luck and happy reading!

Chapter One

I am Josephine Darly, and I intend to live forever.

Excerpt© 2011 Tessa Gratton

[This is, indeed, the whole first page! See a picture of it here.]

About the book:

A novel about two teens who meet in a cemetery and plunge into a dangerous world of dark magic, first love, and the deadly secrets that hide in blood.

What people are saying:

“Love buried in cemeteries, horror hidden behind masks, and the whispered language of blood. I adore this book.” –Maggie Stiefvater

“I loved BLOOD MAGIC;   it’s absorbing, it’s well-written—it’s full of little throw-away lines like ‘His lashes curled like birthday ribbons’—it has a climax of blood and fire that scared me silly.”–Robin McKinley

Released: May 24, 2011

About the author:

Win a copy of Flawless and other prizes! Details at the end of this post.

I love the first day of school.  There’s nothing like a new start.  New clothes, new classes, new goals.  And maybe, just maybe, the possibility of meeting a new guy.

Especially when you’re a senior in high school.

With a last glance at the ensemble I’ve put together for my last first day of high school and a mental kiss to the hair gods for my stunning naturally blond wavy hair, I close my bedroom door then dance downstairs.

Where I slam headfirst into reality.

Next to my “You Are Special Today” plate, a tradition my mother started on my first day of kindergarten, polished silverware sits on top of a rhinoplasty brochure.

No napkin.  Just the brochure.

I ignore my mother’s watchful eyes.  “Real subtle, Mom.”  I move the silverware, then flick the glossy trifold with the tip of my finger, scoring a beautiful two-pointer as it lands in the silver and black trash can.

I totally hate the word rhinoplasty.  How can you not think of a disgusting two-ton mammal when you hear that word?

Just call it what it is – a nose job.

Spatula still in hand, she retrieves the brochure from the trash.  “Just a suggestion, Sarah.”

“Yet still offensive.  Couldn’t you have waited until, like, the second day of school to start in on me?”  I stab the tasteless egg white omelet on my plate, wishing there were some crispy strips of bacon sitting next to it.  It’s hard to believe I was actually born to this health-conscious runway-worthy woman.  Being a Burke can be a serious pain in the ass.

Excerpt© 2011 Lara Chapman

About the book:

Flawless is a modern retelling of the Cyrano de Bergerac story in which a senior-class salutatorian with a notable nose agrees to help her perfectly gorgeous best friend catch the eye of the new hottie at school, only to discover he’s actually the perfect guy for her.

Released: May 10, 2011

About the author:

Lara Chapman, author of Flawless, grew up loving school, especially new school supplies (who doesn’t love the smell of new crayons?).  She loved school so much, in fact, she tried to make a career out of it.  But after an extended stay in college prompted her father to announce she couldn’t be a professional student, she finally declared a major and graduated with her teaching certificate, reluctantly leaping into the scary waters of adulthood.  Since then, she’s been teaching various subjects at the intermediate school level and loving every second of it. Lara lives with her family in Dime Box, Texas (it’s as small as it sounds), where she reads and writes daily. She’s rarely – if ever – found without her laptop and iPhone.  For more, visit Lara online at www.larachapman.com or at www.chillsandthrillsteenbooktour.wordpress.com.

Giveaway:

Lara has been kind enough to contribute a copy of Flawless and some bookmarks and pens for a giveaway!

To enter simply leave a comment on this post.

For extra entries:

-Be a follower of this site (just click “Join this site”) or a follower on Twitter [+1 entry each].

-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].

Please list your extra entries in the comments.

The contest is open in the US and Canada and ends on June 1st at midnight EST.

Good luck and happy reading!

Win a Popular prize pack! Details at the end of this post.

Olivia

Popularity has its privileges, but an ideal high school schedule isn’t one of them. So, being the number two person to the number one girl in the school is not enough to save me from the sheer pointlessness of a mid-morning study hall in my senior year. In fact, being second in command does not entitle one to much of anything, like for instance knowing when your best friend is throwing her next party or who was lucky enough to make the guest list, as Chance Avanale proved when he burst through the door into study hall a good thirty or so seconds after the bell sounded, looking not contrite, but more like someone who has just won the World Series. I guess that’s kind of what it feels like.

Okay, so I’ve never once had to wonder whether or not I would make Hamilton’s guest list, or known the unmitigated thrill of seeing my name posted there for the very first time, but I do know that magic feeling of being chosen by the great Hamilton–although my magic moment came before anyone else’s. Hamilton chose me all the way back in kindergarten.

Excerpt© 2011 Alissa Grosso

About the book:

For reigning popularity queen Hamilton Best, the very idea of a graduation is filled with fear. As high school draws to a close, Hamilton is about to lose everything that makes her who she is. To make matters worse, the clique is slowly coming apart at the seams. Although the hand-picked members – Olivia, Zelda, Nordica, and Shelly – all have their own agendas, desires, and secrets, they do have one thing in common: they’re desperate to break away from Hamilton. Yet Hamilton has the biggest and most shocking secret of all. If the truth got out, it would completely destroy her fragile world. And she’ll do anything to keep that from happening.

Released: May 8, 2011

About the author:

At various points in her working life Alissa has been a tavern wench, a term paper writer, a newspaper editor and a children’s librarian. She owns very few garments that aren’t covered with cat or dog hair. She lives in New Jersey. She belongs to The Class of 2K11, The KidLit Authors Club, The Elevensies and The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Popular is her first novel.

Giveaway:

Alissa has been kind enough to contribute a Popular prize pack for a giveaway! The prize pack includes a sweet pencil case with some signed Popular bookmarks, some Popular buttons, and other assorted supplies:

To enter simply leave a comment on this post.

For extra entries:

-Be a follower of this site (just click “Join this site”) or a follower on Twitter [+1 entry each].

-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].

Please list your extra entries in the comments.

The contest is open in the US and Canada and ends on May 31st at midnight EST.

Good luck and happy reading!

Chapter One

Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire

 

I make cakes. It’s what I do. It’s what I love.

But today, I’m standing over a mermaid, wondering what’s wrong. She’s as long as my arm, and beautiful — no doubt about that. Carved from devil’s food, she’s got a cute face, pouty red lips, fierce bloned hair. And her tail fin is nothing short of amazing.

It should be. Last night, while most girls my age were panting over their boyfriends at the Grand Rapids Cineplex, I was sculpting fish scales out of fondant.

The colors are perfect: shades of teal, indigo and turquoise. On the board beneath her, there’s an underwater garden on a cobalt blue buttercream ocean. There are coral-colored gum paste anemones, green royal icing seaweed, graham cracker sand, and silver oysters made from modeling chocolate. And inside each oyster, a single, edible pearl.

But something is definitely missing, and it’s making me nuts.

Excerpt© 2011 Christina Mandelski

About the book:

In the world of Sheridan Wells, life is perfect when she’s decorating a cake. Unfortunately everything else is a complete mess: her mom ran off years ago, her dad is more interested in his restaurant, and the idea of a boyfriend is laughable.

But Sheridan is convinced finding her mom will solve all her problems – only her dad’s about to get a cooking show in New York, which means her dream of a perfect family will be dashed.

Using just the right amount of romance, family drama, and cute boys, The Sweetest Thing will entice fans with its perfect mixture of girl-friendly ingredients.

What people are saying:

“This sensitive story explores the need to embrace the reality rather than the fantasy of love, both familial and romantic.”–Kirkus

“A triple layer of sugary perfection complete with a sprinkle of shimmer dust, THE SWEETEST THING will satiate your need for a delectable summer read.”–The Book Swarm blog

Released: May 10, 2011

About the author:

Christina Mandelski loves to bring the characters in her head to life on the page. When she isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her family, volunteering, traveling or reading (preferably under an umbrella at the beach). Although she’d love to create amazing cakes like the main character in her book, THE SWEETEST THING, given past experience she’s decided to stick with eating them. Christina lives with her husband and two daughters in Houston. You can visit her at www.christinamandelski.com.

Giveaway:

Christina is doing a drawing for people who take a picture of the book and post it on The Sweetest Thing’s Facebook page. The contest goes through the end of May.

Rain and wind pelted the ocean’s surface so hard it looked like it was boiling. In the passenger seat of our VW bus, I shivered despite the warm, muggy air. My dad jumped into the driver’s seat and shook the rain off.

“Weird summer, huh?” Water dripped from his face as he tried to catch my eye.

I looked away.

“You ready? Sure you’ve got everything?”

“Yep. Got it all.” I paused, staring straight out the windshield. “Oh, wait—except my friends, my school, my life…”

“Anna—“

“I know. I’m gonna love it there. It’ll just be great.”

He started to say something but shook his head instead, cranked the key, and turned the music up to a volume that made it clear we were finished talking. I felt a pang of regret for being like that with him, but kept my eyes on the beach that he’d decided, without even asking me, to leave. The beach where I’d found a simple peace on my morning runs, and trolled for boys with my friends on lazy summer afternoons, and where I’d caught my last waves of the day, just as the sun slipped into the ocean. It was where my life was.

And where my mother had left hers.

Excerpt© 2011 Jessi Kirby

About the book:

When Anna was little, she and her mother used to search for sea glass, but since they looked at night, they called it moonglass. Now, ten years after her mother’s mysterious death, her father is working as head lifeguard on the same beach where her mother grew up and her parents first met and fell in love.

Reluctant to get close to anyone (including her father) and not pleased about having to start at a new school, Anna begins to spend more time alone, running the length of the beach and wondering about who her mother really was. After meeting a lifeguard named Tyler, she slowly lets her guard down and together they start exploring the abandoned houses that dot the beach.

But when learning more about her mother’s past leads to a painful discovery, Anna must reconcile her desire for solitude with ultimately accepting the love of her family and friends.

What people are saying:

“I couldn’t put this book down. Kirby’s voice is fresh and wise, all at once. An incredible first novel.”–Sarah Dessen, New York Times bestselling author of Lock and Key

“Kirby is an author to watch, and her debut will be enjoyed by a large array of teens in search of identity stories.”–Booklist

Released: May 3, 2011

About the author:

Jessi Kirby lives in a historic cottage on the beach in Orange County, CA with her husband and two children. Currently, she works as a middle school librarian, which allows her to be amongst the best YA writers every day. Moonglass is her first novel. You can visit her at www.jessikirby.com.

Win some OyMG prizes! Details at the end of this post.

Chapter 1

I love to argue. I’ll argue about anything—school uniforms, raising the driving age, or ear hair. I can be for something or against it—doesn’t matter. That’s why my speech coach says I’m such a natural. Mom and Dad say I was born to argue. My first word was “no” and fourteen years later, it’s still my favorite. That’s how I knew something was different about Devon Yeats. I took one look at him and all I wanted to say was…yes.

I met Devon the first day of the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts Camp. CSSPA is one of the best summer camps for incoming freshmen who want to compete on their high school speech and debate teams. When I got my acceptance letter, I was so psyched. Zeydeh, my grandpa, said I was meshugah ahf toit. Roughly translated, that’s Yiddish for “crazy as a loon.”

“What Jewish girl goes to a Christian camp?” he ranted.

“Speech and Debate camp,” I said.

“We’ve been arguing with Christians for two thousand years. You have to go to camp to argue more?”

Excerpt© 2011 Amy Fellner Dominy

About the book:

Ellie Taylor is at the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts camp determined to win it all—a scholarship to a private high school, a chance to compete on the best speech team in the country, and Devon—the insanely hot guy who’s also her hottest competition. There’s just one catch. If the scholarship’s private donor finds out she’s Jewish, Ellie could lose it all.

What people are saying:

“Dominy’s debut balances light and heavy subject matter with ease. . . . Readers who like their frothy romance with a bracing dash of serious social issues will be clamoring for seconds.”–Kirkus

Released: May 10, 2011

About the author:

Amy Fellner Dominy worked as a copywriter in the advertising business for twenty years before leaving to earn her MFA as a playwright. Her plays for adults and children have been staged in various cities around the country. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and two teenage children. This is her first novel. You can visit her at www.amyfellnerdominy.com.

Giveaway:

Amy has been kind enough to contribute some signed bookmarks and OyMG magnetic poetry!

To enter simply leave a comment on this post.

For extra entries:

-Be a follower of this site (just click “Join this site”) or a follower on Twitter [+1 entry each].

-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].

Please list your extra entries in the comments.

The contest is open in the US and Canada and ends on May 18th at midnight EST.

Good luck and happy reading!

Win an ARC of Aliens on Vacation! Details at the end of this post.

When the taxi pulled up to Grandma’s place I wanted to burrow under the seat and cower in shame. I blinked a few times, but the view didn’t get any better. Of all the places my parents had dumped me for the summer, this was the dumpiest.

The sign out front said it all: The Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast. The three-story Victorian home had at least the potential to be normal, with its white picket fence and rocking chairs on the wrap-around porch, but . . . no. The house was jet black, with huge murals of comets and stars and planets on each side, painted on with what looked like glittery nail polish.

I wondered if I would have to submit a formal application to be the town freak, or if being related to Grandma meant I would be automatically awarded the title.

The taxi driver filled his stubbly cheeks with air and blew it out as he studied the front entrance. “This has gotta be the place, kid.”

Excerpt© 2011 Clete Barrett Smith

About the book:

When 12-year-old Scrub goes to work at his grandma’s bed-and-breakfast in rural Washington State, he learns that it’s actually an undercover operation that aliens use to vacation on Earth in disguise.

Released: May 3, 2011

About the author:

Clete Barrett Smith’s first novel, Aliens on Vacation, will be published by Disney-Hyperion Books for Children in May, 2011. A sequel, part of The Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast series for middle grade readers, will come out the following year. A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Clete has taught English, Drama and Speech at the high school level for over a dozen years and has also worked in journalism. Clete received his MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in January, 2010. Visit him at www.cletebarrettsmith.com.

Giveaway:

Clete has been kind enough to contribute an ARC of Aliens on Vacation and some bookmarks for a giveaway!

To enter simply leave a comment on this post.

For extra entries:

-Be a follower of this site (just click “Join this site”) or a follower on Twitter [+1 entry each].

-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].

Please list your extra entries in the comments.

The contest is open in the US and Canada and ends on May 17th at midnight EST.

Good luck and happy reading!