September 26–A Month of Monsters
Countdown to
FROM THE GRAVE!!!
Today’s Monsterism:
#5: The sneakier the better!
Here’s the link to win a signed copy of FROM THE GRAVE
September 25–A Month of Monsters
Countdown to
FROM THE GRAVE!!!
Today’s Monsterism:
#4: Decay wasn’t built in a day
Here’s the link to win a signed copy of FROM THE GRAVE
September 24–A Month of Monsters
Countdown to
FROM THE GRAVE!!!
Today’s Monsterism:
#3: Time waits for no monster
Here’s the link to win a signed copy of FROM THE GRAVE!
September 23–A Month of Monsters
Countdown to
FROM THE GRAVE!!!
Today’s Monsterism:
#2: Mayhem when appropriate
Here’s the link to win a signed copy of FROM THE GRAVE!
A Month of Monsters!!!
Today–September 22–
is exactly a month until
FROM THE GRAVE‘s
BOOK LAUNCH at
THE NOVEL NEIGHBOR!!!
In celebration of the big event, I’ll be posting a new MONSTERISM here each day! Sign up for my blog, so you won’t miss a single one!
#1: Monster is as monster does.
Here’s the link to win a signed copy of FROM THE GRAVE!
FROM THE GRAVE Book Launch at THE NOVEL NEIGHBOR
Come Join Me!
On October 22 at 2:00 to celebrate the launch of FROM THE GRAVE!
There will treats, prizes, activities–and BOOKS!
Get your signed copy of FROM THE GRAVE!!!
Be prepared for some Frightful FUN!!!
FUN with SPIDERS
Here Come the Cobwebs!
Frankenstein Frightface Gordon (Frank) in my book, FROM THE GRAVE, has a big brother named Ghoulbert. Frank’s brother is not affectionate in the least when it comes to Frank, but Ghoulbert does get a little mushy over his pet. He has a rather uncooperative spider called Spidey, that Ghoulbert adores.
As you can see in the scene below, Ghoulbert goes all out to rescue it. Frank is the one telling the tale, and his mam and pap are in the scene as well.
An Excerpt: FROM THE GRAVE (coming Oct. 18!!!)
I HURRIED THROUGH my supper (mac and sleeze with fresh swamp greens salad). Then I excused myself—said I needed to study for the Monster Achievement Test and practice Scare Patrol tactics. I was kind of surprised when my dad offered to help.
Pap threw his bulky arm around my shoulders. “That’s my monster,” he said.
I blinked. When was the last time he’d said that?
“Mondo! Mon-dOOOOOO!” Mam shrieked as she floated into the dining room. “Ghoulbert’s done it again. My bungling big boy. My misaligned monster.”
“What now?” Pap hunched his shoulders, as though preparing for a blow.
“Ghoulbert’s gotten his head stuck in the toilet again. Trying to rescue Spidey.”
“Ratzbotchin!” Pap threw back his thick green noggin. “That silly pet spider causing trouble again, Shareeka? Hiding out to get another bite on my behind, I bet. I’ve a mind to flatten that spider. Flatter than a nail in a coffin.”
“Oh, drat, draaaaaat, draaaaaat,” wailed Mam. “You mustn’t.” She floated on Pap’s footsteps, as he stomped to the outhouse.
I slipped quietly away. I knew by the time this latest crisis was solved Pap would be ready for his pre-bedtime nap by the fireplace. All I needed to do was leave a note on my now care- fully rumpled bed, “Went for a midnight stroll,” in case someone tried to look in on me.
*****
Like me, you probably don’t want a pet spider–especially Spidey! But here is a fun art project for making a fuzzy pipe cleaner spider. Perfect for Halloween decorations!
Stay tuned for more updates on FROM THE GRAVE!
Happy 100th Birthday to ROALD DAHL!
September 13
Today marks what would have been the 100th birthday of one of children’s literature’s great fantasy authors.
Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.
(Matilda)
Dahl’s spunky, outrageous, endearing characters have become a part of childhood for so many children. I remember reading THE BFG to my two sons when they were young elementary students. We would all be laughing and eagerly turning the pages to find out what was going to happen to Sophie and the Big, Friendly Giant.
Click on this link to read more about the BFG and me.
Celebrate today with Ten Quotes from Dahl’s Stories
Here is a great list from USA TODAY of fun and insightful quips taken from some of his favorite books!
Please share the celebration!!!
Reviews Are In!
See What Two First Readers Are Saying About
FROM THE GRAVE
[FROM THE GRAVE]… this is a totally fun book that I can see middle graders adoring. And it is fun that we hear the story from both Frank and Malcolm’s perspective and that Cynthia Reeg doesn’t sugarcoat the emotions the young monsters feel. There are lots of great themes and lessons here, particularly about how our society treats people (or monsters) who are outside of the norm, but they are drenched in monster pus and roars and hysterically funny things. Shocktober, ‘Monster Up’, Mushington Way, Snotfargle; I can’t tell you how many times I giggled at the name. The end of the book leaves open the possibility for another book. I’m sure a lot of kids will hope there will be one!
WENDY MACKNIGHT, author of It’s a Mystery, Pig Face! (Sky Pony Press, 2017)
Frankenstein Frightface Gordon (Frank) isn’t cut out to be a real monster. He’s not the right color. He doesn’t want to scare humans. He couldn’t hurt a monster or a human or any creature at all. And he just can’t stand being covered in dirt or grime or bat poop—truth be told, he’d rather be neat! Frank just can’t seem to do anything right. Yes, he’s a total misfit, and when a law is passed to get rid of misfits like him, he has to somehow figure out a way to stay true to himself and to stay in Uggarland, his home.
Good-hearted Frank sets out to prove that he and his misfit friends are an important part of Uggarland, and he knows just how to do it. In fact, his idea seems so bad, that maybe—just maybe—it might actually be good.
Cynthia Reeg does a great job creating a fun and funny world full of monsters, witches, dragons, and mummies—with names like Mr. McNastee to insults like, “Eat sugar!” to a horrifying field trip to a place with fresh air and bright blue skies! Young readers will laugh out loud, root for Frank, boo Malcolm, and wait with bated breath for these characters’ next adventure.
VICTORIA COE, author Fenway and Hattie (Penguin, 2016)
You Can Preorder Now and Earn a Chance to Win Swag!
Five specially designed spook-tacular T-shirts in child sizes!!!
Simply preorder FROM THE GRAVE and send a digital receipt copy/photo to publicity@jollyfishpress.com
Here are links for placing your order:
Jolly Fish Press
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-the-grave-cynthia-reeg/1123528610?ean=9781631630941
Books A Million
Indiebound
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781631630941
Powell’s
http://www.powells.com/book/from-the-grave-9781631630941