4 Author Spotlight: Bridget Hodder, Wade Albert White, Casey Lyall, Erin Petti

August 19, 2016

Today we are pleased to be a part of the Back to School Bookshelf Tour, featuring eight MG authors whose debut books are coming out this Fall. Today we feature the first four (the next four will be next week): Bridget Hodder, Wade Albert White, Casey Lyall, Erin Petti.

We asked each of them what their favorite MG books, past and present, are, because we always love book recommendations. Be sure to enter their giveaway below. 

BRIDGET HODDER

Bridget Hodder was an archaeologist, translating ancient documents in order to tell the stories of long-dead civilizations. Then she realized she had her own stories to tell. 

THE RAT PRINCE (Macmillan/ Farrar, Straus, Giroux, Aug. 23) The dashing Prince of the Rats--who's in love with Cinderella--is changed into her coachman on the night of the big ball. And he's about to turn the legend (and the evening) upside down on his way to a most unexpected happy ending!

Favorite Classic MGs: So many! THE HOBBIT, the HARRY POTTER books, A LITTLE PRINCESS, A WRINKLE IN TIME, and anything by Tamora Pierce!

Favorite Recent MG: Impossible to choose a favorite! The most recent one I read and enjoyed was THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE by Kimberly Brusker Bradley.

One thing most people don't know: I used to have my own late-night radio show in college, called "Bedtime Stories."

WADE ALBERT WHITE

Wade Albert White believes he is a figment of his own imagination. He has yet to prove himself wrong. Also, he's from Canada, which explains a lot. 

THE ADVENTURER'S GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL ESCAPES (Little Brown, Sept. 13) In a magical world of floating tiers, mischievous dragons, and endless bureaucracy, Anne and her friends embark on a Rightful Heir Quest to claim her place in the Hierarchy and escape horrible consequences.

Favorite classic MG: ANNE OF GREEN GABLES by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Favorite recent MGs  WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON by Grace Lin

One thing most people don't know: I've had a piece of pencil lead stuck in my arm since elementary school.

CASEY LYALL

Casey Lyall (5’4”, brown hair, blue eyes, no known aliases) is a middle grade writer from Southwestern Ontario. She can often be found working on a story, full of cookies, surrounded by cats.  

HOWARD WALLACE, P.I. (Sterling Children's Books, Sept. 6) Twelve-year-old Howard Wallace lives by his list of rules of private investigation. When a hot case of blackmail lands on his desk, he’s ready to take it on himself . . . until the new kid, Ivy Mason, convinces him to take her on as a junior partner and things quickly get out of hand.   

Favorite classic MGs:  Too many to name! SON OF INTERFLUX by Gordon Korman is an eternal favourite. Same with DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD by Roald Dahl. The AUSTIN FAMILY series by Madeleine L'Engle! I can keep going! How much room do I get?

Favorite recent MG: I've read SO MUCH awesome MG this year! I'm going to give a special shout-out to THE VOYAGE TO THE MAGICAL NORTH by Claire Fayers because I just adored it.

One thing most people don't know: I have a long history of spectacular sports failures. Someday I will tell you about them over a large piece of cake. 

ERIN PETTI

Erin Petti lives under big pine trees in Massachusetts with her husband, excellent daughter, and helpful cat. She loves to read about magic, dinosaurs, folklore, and ghosts. Erin has a Masters in Education and a background in improvisational comedy.

THE PECULIAR HAUNTING OF THELMA BEE. (Mighty Press, Sept. 6) Eleven-year-old budding scientist Thelma Bee has adventure in her blood. But she gets more than she bargained for when a ghost kidnaps her father. Now her only clues are a strange jewelry box and the word “Return,” whispered to her by the ghost. It’s up to Thelma to get her dad back, and it might be more dangerous than she thought—there’s someone wielding dark magic, and they’re coming after her next. 

Favorite classic MGs: The REDWALL series!

Favorite recent MGs: COUNTING THYME, by Melanie Conklin, THE KEY TO EXTRAORDINARY, by Natalie Lloyd, THE LUCK UGLIES, by Paul Durham

One thing people don't know: One of my greatest fears as a child was that I would be sent to space camp and launched into the atmosphere.

Thank you Bridget, Wade, Casey and Erin. Be sure to enter for a chance to win all eight books (four featured this week, four next).



Click here to enter!