Young Husky sitting
German Shepard sitting
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Big, fuzzing brown puppy sitting
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New Releases 11/14-11/20 plus Giveaway for THIS IS OUR STORY

by Shelly Zev

Happy Monday! Don’t forget to check out all the new releases and enter to win below.

Happy Reading,

Shelly, Sam, Jocelyn, Martina, Erin, Susan, Michelle, Laura, Anisaa, and Kristin

YA BOOK GIVEAWAYS THIS WEEK

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This is Our Story
by Ashley Elston
Signed Hardcover plus Swag Giveaway
U.S. Only
Disney-Hyperion
Released 11/15/2016

No one knows what happened that morning at River Point. Five boys went hunting. Four came back. The boys won’t say who fired the shot that killed their friend; the evidence shows it could have been any one of them.

Kate Marino’s senior year internship at the District Attorney’s Office isn’t exactly glamorous—more like an excuse to leave school early that looks good on college applications. Then the DA hands her boss, Mr. Stone, the biggest case her small town of Belle Terre has ever seen. The River Point Boys are all anyone can talk about. Despite their damning toxicology reports the morning of the accident, the DA wants the boys’ case swept under the rug. He owes his political office to their powerful families.

Kate won’t let that happen. Digging up secrets without revealing her own is a dangerous line to walk; Kate has her own reasons for seeking justice for Grant. As she and Stone investigate—the ageing prosecutor relying on Kate to see and hear what he cannot—she realizes that nothing about the case—or the boys—is what it seems. Grant wasn’t who she thought he was, and neither is Stone’s prime suspect. As Kate gets dangerously close to the truth, it becomes clear that the early morning accident might not have been an accident at all—and if Kate doesn’t uncover the true killer, more than one life could be on the line…including her own.

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about This is Our Story?

My favorite thing about THIS IS OUR STORY is probably the format. The story is told through two different perspectives, one of them unreliable, transcripts, text messages and police interviews. It was really fun to write! I also really loved diving into the legal aspects associated with the crime in this book. I had so many awesome lawyer friends help me figure out how the River Point Boys could (maybe) get away with murder. And that cover — I’m really in love with that cover.

Purchase This is Our Story at Amazon
Purchase This is Our Story at IndieBound
View This is Our Story on Goodreads

* * * *

YA BOOK GIVEAWAYS LAST WEEK: WINNERS

Die for You by Amy Fellner Dominy: Kelly M
Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark: Caitlin M
The Infinity of You & Me by J.Q. Coyle: Susan L
All in Pieces by Suzanne Young: Jenny M

MORE YOUNG ADULT NOVELS NEW IN STORES NEXT WEEK

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A New Life
by Dom Testa and Nicola Ferguson
Paperback
Tor Teen
Released 11/15/2016

The Galahad Archives Book Three: A New Life is the third of three thrilling two-book omnibus editions in the Galahad Archives series for young adults by Dom Testa. The edition includes the novels Cosmic Storm and The Galahad Legacy.

When the tail of the comet Bhaktul flicks through the Earth’s atmosphere, deadly particles are left in its wake. Suddenly, mankind is confronted with a virus that devastates the adult population. Only those under the age of eighteen seem to be immune. A renowned scientist proposes a bold plan: to create a ship that will carry a crew of 251 teenagers to a home in a distant solar system. Two years later, the Galahad and its crew―none over the age of sixteen―is launched.

In Cosmic Storm, sixteen-year-old commander Triana Martell has disappeared. Not knowing if she is alive or dead, the crew must hold an election to replace her. Council member Gap seems the most likely candidate until an old flame shocks him by adding her name to the ballot. In The Galahad Legacy, the crew comes face-to-face with extraterrestrial life. An ambassador of an alien race comes to them with a proposal that could be their only hope for survival. And it comes at an astronomical price. Beset with doubts and surrounded by danger, can the crew of Galahad find a way to reach their destination–a new home for the human race?

The Comet’s Curse, now collected in The Galahad Archives Book One: Leaving Earth, is on the American Library Association’s Popular Paperback for Young Adults list.

Purchase A New Life at Amazon
Purchase A New Life at IndieBound
View A New Life on Goodreads

* * * *

Flashfall
by Jenny Moyer
Hardcover
Henry Holt and Co.
Released 11/15/2016

Orion is a Subpar, expected to mine the tunnels of Outpost Five, near the deadly flash curtain. For generations, her people have chased cirium—the only element that can shield humanity from the curtain’s radioactive particles. She and her caving partner, Dram work the most treacherous tunnel, fighting past flash bats and tunnel gulls, in hopes of mining enough cirium to earn their way into the protected city.

But when newcomers arrive at Outpost Five, Orion uncovers disturbing revelations that make her question everything she thought she knew about life on both sides of the cirium shield. As conditions at the outpost grow increasingly dangerous, it’s up to Orion to forge a way past the flashfall, beyond all boundaries, beyond the world as she knows it.

Purchase Flashfall at Amazon
Purchase Flashfall at IndieBound
View Flashfall on Goodreads

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Hollywood Days with Hayes
by Hayes Grier
Paperback
Feiwel & Friends
Released 11/15/2016

Twelve days and twelve nights in Hollywood with Hayes

Hayes Grier has just landed his first big Hollywood role, the lead in a big budget blockbuster film. There he meets Violet Reeves, an aspiring writer, who has also been given her first big break. If she aces her new job as Hayes’s assistant on the film, which means making sure he is on time, knows his lines, and doesn’t get himself killed, the director will read Violet’s own screenplay.

The only problem? Violet has a huge crush on Hayes. She has to keep her emotions in check, impress Hayes, and add some heart to her script. But what about Violet’s heart? Does Hayes feel the same way about Violet as she does about him?

Social media superstar Hayes Grier sets this story, based on the hit Episode story, during the hot days and long nights of a Hollywood shoot.

In addition to this novel, fans will get an exclusive, never-before-seen Q&A with Hayes, A Perfect Day with Hayes, and some family photos!

Purchase Hollywood Days with Hayes at Amazon
Purchase Hollywood Days with Hayes at IndieBound
View Hollywood Days with Hayes on Goodreads

* * * *

The Girl in the Picture
by Alexandra Monir
Hardcover
Delacorte Press
Released 11/15/2016

Nicole Morgan has been labeled many things — the geeky music girl, the shy sidekick to Miss Popularity, and the girl with the scar. Now only one name haunts her through the halls of Oyster Bay Prep.

The Girl in the Picture.

After high school heartthrob Chace Porter is found dead in the woods near the school, the police are in search of the girl whose picture with Chace is the only clue found amongst his personal belongings. A girl who no one knew was even close to Chace–and whose dormmate, Lana Rivera, was Chace’s girlfriend.

Nicole is that girl and now she’s the primary suspect in his murder.

But what really happened that night? Were Nicole and Chace dating behind Lana’s back; were he and Lana over? Could either of them have killed him?

Told in alternating points of view, that of our suspect, Nicole Morgan, and her former best friend and roommate, Lana Rivera, readers will piece together the story of a starcrossed love, a fractured friendship–and what really happened the night Chace was killed.

From Alexandra Monir, author of the popular time-travel novel Timeless, comes a gripping mystery and a poignant romance in one thrilling read.

Purchase The Girl in the Picture at Amazon
Purchase The Girl in the Picture at IndieBound
View The Girl in the Picture on Goodreads

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The Nerdy and the Dirty
by B.T. Gottfred
Hardcover
Henry Holt and Co.
Released 11/15/2016

Pen Lupo is sick and tired of hiding who she is. On the outside, Pen is popular, quiet, and deferential to her boyfriend. On the inside, however, Pen is honest, opinionated–and not quite sure that she’s like other girls. Do they have urges like she does?

His classmates may consider him a nerd, but Benedict Pendleton knows he’s destined for great things. All he has to do is find a worthy girlfriend, and his social station will be secured. Sure, Benedict is different–but that’s what he likes about himself.

When fate intervenes, both Pen and Benedict end up at the same vacation resort for winter break. Despite their differences, the two are drawn together. But is there such a thing as happily ever after for a nympho and a nerd?

Purchase The Nerdy and the Dirty at Amazon
Purchase The Nerdy and the Dirty at IndieBound
View The Nerdy and the Dirty on Goodreads

* * * *

The Turncoat’s Gambit
by Andrea Cremer
Hardcover
Philomel Books
Released 11/15/2016

What if America had lost the Revolutionary War? And now lived in constant fear and oppression? From the bestselling author of Nightshade, this is the action-packed final chapter of The Inventor’s Secret trilogy

Charlotte has spent her whole life fighting the British Empire, following in the footsteps of her parents and their group of rebels. But when her reunion with her mother laid bare horrible truths about the rebellion, Charlotte knew she had to escape. Now she is on the run, with no idea who the enemy is–or which of her compatriots is truly on her side.

In this action-packed conclusion to the Inventor’s Secret trilogy, full of swashbuckling pirates and young ladies who can hold their own against them, Charlotte will need to fight for her life and for her beliefs — whatever they might be.

Purchase The Turncoat’s Gambit at Amazon
Purchase The Turncoat’s Gambit at IndieBound
View The Turncoat’s Gambit on Goodreads

Shelly Zev

Shelly is a Toronto-based book professional versed in editing, the publication industry, and the library sector where they currently work part-time as a public-facing librarian.

Shelly reads and blabbers on the internet about books, their expertise being in professional editing as well as library services for children and teens. They occasionally write.

Post © Shelly Zev and/or Adventures in YA Publishing. All rights reserved.
Posted: Nov 14, 2016
Category: Imported from AYAP
Tags: New Releases | YA Fiction Giveaways

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The first slide is an animation of a science/magic room in a castle. A cartoon character of a mad-scientist looking man in in the foreground says: “Hello! Dr. Frankenstein here to say, Well Done on kid lit zombie week! I’m an expert at reviving the dead, and let me assure you, with a little spark, you can bring dead projects to life. Especially if you dig up parts from other dead things. I’ll even let you have a sneak peek at my laboratory’s store room to consider potential parts for your dead project. If you see something with a yellow glow, that means you should click it. Have fun!”

He points to the right side of the screen and a new scene slides in of a castle science/magic storage room. There are various cartoon Frankenstein body parts scattered around. Some of them have a yellow glow. If you click on them, the images below appear (I’ve added alt text to them, so I hope it works).

The Heart of your story is the main character. The protagonist is the beating core that truly brings your story to life. If your MC doesn't make kids (and their grown-ups) care within the first few pages, your story will flatline. </p> <p>Your main character needs to be:<br /> • Relatable enough for kids to see themselves<br /> • Unique enough to stand out in the slush pile<br /> • Active enough to drive the story<br /> • Memorable enough to survive multiple readings at bedtime</p> <p>Where do you find this amazing donor heart? It might be the very thing you loved so much about the manuscript you want to revive. It might be the younger sister from your shelved YA novel. Or maybe it’s the hilarious kid you blogged about meeting at a school visit. Find a character beating with potential and place it in the center of your story.<br />
The Brain of your story is the theme or central message. The theme is the big idea that controls everything else. Picture books are more than stories - they're tiny life lessons disguised with humor and heart.</p> <p>But your theme needs to be:<br /> • Subtle enough not to trigger the dreaded "didactic" rejection<br /> • Clear enough for a four-year-old to grasp<br /> • Universal enough to speak to both kids and adults<br /> • Fresh enough to prevent agents and editors from responding with "Not another sharing/bedtime/first-day story!"</p> <p>Check your other dead manuscripts to see if there is a recurring theme, something that really seems to be speaking to you. Find the bit of poetry you scribbled on the back of a receipt to see what theme inspired it. Reread the pep talk you texted your critique partner at 1am. Pick the theme that will drive your story, giving it purpose, direction, and deeper meaning.<br />
The Legs of your story is the plot. Not to be confused with a grave plot.🤪 The plot is what keeps everything upright and moving, as well as providing support for all the other elements. You have very few words to use in a picture book, so you need to do a lot with each plot point.</p> <p>In general, your plot should:<br /> • Hook readers fast<br /> • Build tension that a child can follow<br /> • Create page turns that feel natural<br /> • Wrap up in a way that satisfies</p> <p>You can borrow a plot twist (a leg) from one manuscript and the opening (the other leg) from a different manuscript. Consider if the subplot of the middle grade novel you trunked would work better as a picture book. Or maybe your Facebook post about a disastrous camping trip could become a story for kids. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you have your storyline.
The Arms of your story are the side characters.
The Torso of your story is the setting. Setting helps a story breathe and connects all the elements of the story. It isn't just where your story lives, it's what makes your story ALIVE. It's the difference between "this happened in a park" and "this happened in that park, the one with the twisty slide that burns your legs and the creaky swing that sounds like a baby crying.”</p> <p>Your setting should:<br /> • Make your character's world feel real<br /> • Contain your story in a way that makes sense to young readers<br /> • Connect different scenes and moments organically<br /> • Give your illustrator enough room to add visual subplots</p> <p>Half-finished manuscripts are a great place to dig up settings, since you worked out the place details before the plot petered out. Or maybe you had to cut a second fantastic location from your chapter book. You can also revisit the detailed caption from your Instagram carousel documenting your tour of that delish candy shop. Disinter a robust setting that can house all of your story's vital organs.

After you press the Click When Done circle button, the lights flash with the sound of electricity buzzing. Then the screen goes black and lightning zaps across the screen with the sound of thunder.

The screen then lights up to show the storage room, and all the Frankenstein pieces have been assembled into the whole monster. An upbeat song plays in the background. Then a speech bubble pops up with the words, “I’m alive! I’M ALIVE!” Then the screen goes to black. 

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