This is a
segment of my blog that shamelessly promotes the Katherine Tegen
Books/HarperCollins Children’s Books that I have worked on (or that my team has
worked on that I’m particularly excited about). You’ll see more “Coming Your
Way” posts in the upcoming months—the books below are titles that I worked on
in the very first few weeks of starting my job at HarperCollins.
Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay
My wish is to fall cranium over
Converse in dizzy daydream-worthy love.
(If only it were that easy.)
Marcie has been dragged away
from home for the summer—from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire.
She’s left behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the
Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.
By the time Labor Day rolls
around, Marcie suspects this “summer vacation” has become permanent. She has to
start at a new school, and there she leaves behind her Leftover status when a
cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding
love, especially when you’ve watched your parents’ affections end, is elusive.
What does it feel like, really? Can you even know it until you’ve lost it?
Love & Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl’s journey navigating
family, friends, and love, and a compelling and sexy read that teens will
gobble up whole.
My thoughts: This is such a
realistic portrayal of a teen’s heartbreak and trials of growing up—Marcie is
so relatable. The prose format makes this a quick read and was actually my
introduction to prose novels—I highly recommend checking them out!
My role in its publication: I
offered editorial feedback on a draft of the manuscript, and Sarah, the debut
author, was so sweet to recognize that by including my name in the
acknowledgement sections—my first mention!
Available: Now
The One and Only Ivan by
Katherine Applegate
Ivan is an easygoing gorilla.
Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to
humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his
life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.
Instead, Ivan thinks about TV
shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a
stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a
mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.
Then he meets Ruby, a baby
elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own
art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to
Ivan to make it a change for the better.
Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to
create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship,
art, and hope.
My thoughts: This based-on-a-true
story narrative told from Ivan the gorilla’s point of view is both
heartbreaking and heartwarming. It’s received quite a bit of author praise and
starred reviews so far and they are so deserved. If Ivan’s story doesn’t make
you both cry and renew your faith in the world, I don’t know what will! (Also,
check out the trailer—it’s fantastic!)
My role in its publication: I
provided editorial feedback on a draft of the manuscript.
Available: January 17
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a
million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and
experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished,
and no one knows why.
NOSOUL
Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an
omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her
seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of
Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means.
When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?
HEART
Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and
worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he
love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature
alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her
someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy
the promise of reincarnation for all?
Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance,
fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.
My thoughts: My favorite part
about this novel is how it doesn’t fit into any one genre—it’s fantasy, science
fiction, and dystopian. It’s unique and special in an oversaturated teen
marketplace. Ana is a great heroine and her romance with Sam is so achingly
romantic. Not to mention themes in this novel are really thought provoking!
My role in its publication: I
offered editorial feedback and drafted the flaps. Incarnate was actually the
very first manuscript I read and worked on once I started at Harper, so it’s
extra special to me. Jodi is a great author and it’s been fun working on the
sequel right now.
Available: January 31
