Posts Tagged Veera Hiranandani

New Releases: September 2022

By on September 1, 2022   /   Articles, Book Lists, Fiction, kidlit, New Releases, Nonfiction  

It’s back to school season . . . and back to the school library too! Which books will be filling those shelves? Maybe some of these great new middle grade releases. Here are a few to check out, releasing this month. Happy back-to-school reading!

How to Find What You’re Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani

Releases September 13 from Kokila

Twelve-year-old Ariel Goldberg’s life feels like the moment after the final guest leaves the party. Her family’s Jewish bakery runs into financial trouble, and her older sister has eloped with a young man from India following the Supreme Court decision that strikes down laws banning interracial marriage. As change becomes Ariel’s only constant, she’s left to hone something that will be with her always–her own voice.

 

 

 

Adventuregame Comics: Leviathan by Jason Shiga

Releases September 13 by Amulet Books

Adventuregame Comics is a new series of interactive graphic novels in the vein of Jason Shiga’s hit graphic novel Meanwhile. Readers follow the story from panel to panel using tubes that connect them, and sometimes the path will split, giving readers the chance to choose how the story unfolds.

Leviathan is set in a medieval coastal village, where residents live in fear of a giant sea creature. Your goal as a reader is simple: defeat the Leviathan! As you wander through the open world, the town’s backstory is revealed. You can attempt to visit the library to try and learn why the Leviathan destroyed it years ago. You can stop by the castle to discover the town was once riddled with crime and theft—and how that’s stopped as the Leviathan will wreak havoc on the town for the smallest misdeeds. If you’re lucky, you may find your way to the old wizard who may possess the one thing that could keep the Leviathan at bay. But not everything is as it appears in this village. Can you discover the secrets and stop the Leviathan before it’s too late?

 

The Midnight Brigade by Adam Borba

Releases September 13 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Carl Chesterfield wishes he could speak up—whether that means being honest with his father about the family’s new (and failing) food truck, reaching out to a potential friend, or alerting others to the fact that monsters might be secretly overrunning his hometown of Pittsburgh. There’s plenty to fret over. And plenty to question.

When a flyer about a mysterious monster-seeking group called the Midnight Brigade catches his eye, Carl sees an opportunity to find answers. Little does he know, his curiosity will lead him to find an incredible discovery under one of his city’s magnificent bridges and to be bolder than he ever imagined. Chock-full of humor and heart, this is the quirky tale of three unexpected friends and the crankiest troll with a heart of gold.

 

Meet Me Halfway by Anika Fajardo

Releases September 13 from Simon & Schuster

Meet Me Halfway is the story of seventh-graders Mattie Gomez and Mercedes Miller. Despite looking alike, they have nothing in common, and finding out that they’re half-sisters, doesn’t help them get along. But when they discover that their Colombian father—whom neither has met—is a visiting professor at a nearby college, they have to figure out how to work together as they embark on a road trip/adventure to find him.

 

 

 

 

Duet: Our Journey in Song with the Northern Mockingbird by Phillip Hoose

Releases September 13 from Farrar, Straus and Giroux

The Northern mockingbird’s brilliant song―a loud, bright, liquid sampling of musical notes and phrases―has made it a beloved companion and the official bird of five states. Many of our favorite songs and poems feature mockingbirds. Mockingbirds have been companions to humans for centuries. Many Native American myths and legends feature mockingbirds, often teaching humans to speak. Thomas Jefferson’s mockingbird, “Dick”, was the first White House pet. John James Audubon’s portrait of a rattlesnake raiding a mockingbird’s nest sparked outrage in the world of art. Atticus Finch’s somber warning to his children, “Remember, it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird,” is known throughout the world. Some jazz musicians credit mockingbirds with teaching them a four-note call that says, “Break’s over.” And mockingjays―a hybrid between jabberjays and mockers―are a symbol of the rebel cause in the Hunger Games trilogy.

But in the early 1900s the mocker was plummeting toward extinction. Too many had been trapped, sold, and caged. Something had to be done. To the rescue came a powerful and determined group of women. Now, National Book Award and Newbery honor-winner Phillip Hoose brings the story of the important and overlooked connection between humans and mockingbirds―past, present, and future. It is the third volume of his bird trilogy.

 

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

Releases September 27 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

11-year-old Kofi Offin dreams of water. Its mysterious, immersive quality. The rich, earthy scent of the current. The clearness, its urgent whisper that beckons with promises and secrets… Kofi has heard the call on the banks of Upper Kwanta, in the village where he lives. He loves these things above all else: his family, the fireside tales of his father’s father, a girl named Ama, and, of course, swimming. Some say he moves like a minnow, not just an ordinary boy so he’s hoping to finally prove himself in front of Ama and his friends in a swimming contest against his older, stronger cousin.

But before this can take place, a festival comes to the villages of Upper and Lower Kwanta and Kofi’s brother is chosen to represent Upper Kwanta in the wrestling contest. Encircled by cheering spectators and sounding drums, the two wrestlers from different villages kneel, ready to fight. The match is over before it has barely begun, when the unthinkable–a sudden death–occurs… As his world turns upside down, Kofi soon ends up in a fight for his life. What happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves.

 

The Museum of Odd Body Leftovers: A Tour of Your Useless Parts, Flaws, and Other Weird Bits by Rachel Poliquin, Illustrated by Clayton Hammer

Releases September 27 from Greystone Kids

Did you know your amazing, incredible body is a walking, talking museum of evolution? In The Museum of Odd Body Leftovers, tour guides Wisdom Tooth and Disappearing Kidney lead readers through a wacky museum dedicated to vestigial structures: body parts that were essential to our ancestors but are no longer useful to us—even though they’re still hanging around.

From goosebumps and hiccups to exploding organs and monkey muscles, each room in the museum shows us that these parts have stories to tell us about our past. By the time we make it to the gift shop, we’ll understand that evolution is not only messy and imperfect, but also ongoing. Our bodies are constantly changing along with the environment we live in—and there’s so much that is still unknown, just waiting to be discovered.

 

Cuba in My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas

Releases September 20 from Square Fish

When the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 solidifies Castro’s power in Cuba, twelve-year-old Cumba’s family makes the difficult decision to send him to Florida alone. Faced with the prospect of living in another country by himself, Cumba tries to remember the sound of his father’s clarinet, the smell of his mother’s lavender perfume.

Life in the United States presents a whole new set of challenges. Lost in a sea of English speakers, Cumba has to navigate a new city, a new school, and new freedom all on his own. With each day, Cumba feels more confident in his new surroundings, but he continues to wonder: Will his family ever be whole again? Or will they remain just out of reach, ninety miles across the sea?

Detector Dogs, Dynamite Dolphins, and More Animals with Super Sensory Powers by Cara Giaimo, Illustrated by Daniel Duncan

Releases September 20 from MIT Kids Press

Fly alongside a photo-delivery pigeon, discover a honeybee’s electric secrets, and sail the high seas with a poop-sniffing dog detective on a mission to save endangered killer whales. All of these animals use their super senses, from echolocation to electroreception, to help human coworkers tackle real-world problems like pollution and global warming. Each chapter introduces a different animal, such as Cynthia, the pipe-fixing ferret, and Rosita, a goat who helps prevent wildfires. With bright and entertaining text alongside colorful photos and illustrations, this book examines how each animal’s behavior and biology makes it perfectly suited for the job it does. At the end of each chapter, curious young scientists are invited to explore their own human senses through fun guided experiments.

 

Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango, Illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez 

Releases September 13 from Random House Books for Young Readers

Seventh grade is going to be Iveliz’s year. She’s going to make a new friend, help her abuela Mimi get settled after moving from Puerto Rico, and she is not going to get into any more trouble at school. . . .Except is that what happens? Of course not. Because no matter how hard Iveliz tries, sometimes people say things that just make her so mad. And worse, Mimi keeps saying Iveliz’s medicine is unnecessary—even though it helps Iveliz feel less sad. But how do you explain your feelings to others when you’re not even sure what’s going on yourself? Powerful and compassionate, Andrea Beatriz Arango’s debut navigates mental health, finding your voice, and discovering that those who really love you will stay by your side.

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Interview With Middle-Grade Editors of Angelella Editorial

By on December 16, 2018   /   Articles, Book Lists, Fiction, For Writers, Nonfiction  

For today’s post, we asked the editors of Angelella Editorial five burning questions about middle-grade books.

Angelella Editorial  is a community of highly skilled editors, specializing in but not limited to children’s literature. We focus on the craft, career, and community of writing and look forward to helping you craft your storytelling magic. Here’s what they have to say.

  1.   What are your top three favorite middle grade fiction/nonfiction books from 2018?

Marissa Graff: Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed, Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani, The Science of Unbreakable Things by Tae Keller

Diane Telgen: Regrettably, I haven’t read as much MG as I would have liked this year, but I really enjoyed the skillful weaving of stories in The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson, the clear-eyed look at various social issues in Breakout by Kate Messner, and the off-the-wall humor of The Mortification of Fovea Munson by Mary Winn Heider.

Denise Santomauro: The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson, The Mortification of Fovea Munson by Mary Winn Heider, Louisana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo

Jenn Bailey: Charlie and Frog by Karen Kane; The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson; The Collectors by Jacqueline West

Jay Whistler: Young, Gifted, and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present by Jamia Wilson, Journey of the Pale Bear by Susan Fletcher, Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar

Kate Angelella: Having just had a baby and amidst growing this business, I have not had much time for free reading this year. But a few of my all-time favorites: Dani Noir (aka Fade Out) by Nova Ren Suma, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass, and Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead.

 

  1.   What is your favorite thing about editing middle-grade novels?

Marissa Graff: Middle-grade novels are misunderstood as being simple to write, especially when compared to YA. Rather, I think the author has a much more difficult task in conveying heart and age-appropriateness, all while respecting the audience’s savvy and perceptiveness.

Diane Telgen: MG allows for more kinds of complexity, both in content and structure, than most people give it credit for. One thing I particularly enjoy is that the tone of MG often tends to be more open and less cynical than works for older readers, and that makes for a refreshing read.

Denise Santomauro: Young people in this age range are old enough to engage in a deep way with challenging topics, but still have a sense of wonder about the world, which is what makes working on stories for them interesting and fun. Characters in MG dive deep into complex social and emotional situations while going on adventures and finding magic and whimsy in the everyday. It’s exciting to help authors balance all of these elements.

Jenn Bailey: When kids start reading MG they are entering a time in their life when they are less self-absorbed and far more curious. They are looking at the world, seeing what it has to offer, and finding their place in it. I love how open they are to experiences that dwell beyond what they know, even when it comes to what kinds of stories they will read. This makes editing middle grade stories delicious. Nothing is really off the table (as long as it stays PG) and it is a time where authors can weave in Big Ideas and take risks in style, approach, and content. It is a chance to awaken wonder in readers and reawaken wonder in ourselves as we write, and edit, for these kids.

Jay Whistler: I love that middle-grade kids are still at the age at which they haven’t figured out how to manipulate people and lie the way older teens and adults have, so the books are more honest and raw. There is a vulnerability in the main characters that you don’t see in YA because the MC still hasn’t figured out how to put up those walls yet. I like being able to help authors navigate that.

Kate Angelella: There is a rawness about this age that has always appealed me. Young people in this age group are experiencing life in all its fullness–joy, sorrow, grief, excitement, and heartache included. Honesty and emotional truth are paramount when creating an authentic voice for this age range. A good MG book will allow the adult reader to travel back in time to that time in their lives in a way that leaves them feeling almost breathless, and will allow the MG reader to feel as though they’re not alone.

 

  1.   If you could have lunch with a middle-grade author, who would it be and why?

Marissa Graff: Lauren Wolk, hands down. I read Wolf Hollow and Beyond the Bright Sea back-to-back and scrambled to see what else she had written or what was coming out next. Her characters have such believability and life to them, as do her settings. The worlds she creates are these perfectly sculpted packages she delivers to her readers in a way that makes you swear she was watching the stories as they happened. I also love that she delivers messy endings. The characters get what they need, but not necessarily what they want at the novels’ outset.

Diane Telgen: Can I have another lunch with Philip Pullman? While studying in England, I actually attended a group lunch with the author of my favorite MG series (His Dark Materials). I could have stayed past dinner time listening to him talk about the power of poetry and how he builds worlds.

Denise Santomauro: I would love to spend a few hours with Kate DiCamillo. I love pretty much everything she writes. She infuses so much heart and courage in her stories and isn’t afraid of delving into challenging topics, which leads me to believe that we would have an amazing conversation and become best friends.

Jenn Bailey: I would love to cruise the Costco aisles, eating free samples with John David Anderson. I discovered him a few years ago and have since devoured everything he has written. He pairs funny, trope-busting, quirkiness with great heart and honesty. And he’s comfortable in multiple genres — fantasy, contemporary, scifi. I will never forgive him for writing The Dungeoneers before I could (as if I could) but I will always love him for Ms. Bixby’s Last Day. Speaking of last days, if I could have lunch with somebody who is dead I’d pick Terry Pratchett. Always Terry Pratchett. I’d eat out of a dumpster for Terry Pratchett. But I’d bring John along with me.

Jay Whistler: There are almost too many to name. I love Julie Berry’s ability to switch genre and age level and voice, to sound as if she is writing as a plucky preteen in Victorian England in one book and then a persecuted religious heretic during the Inquisition in the next. Then there’s Katherine Paterson, who has managed to navigate a changing landscape of children’s literature over her nearly fifty years of writing. How does one stay relevant to that age group, when one’s original audience could almost be grandparents now? Or Lois Lowry, or Diana Wynne-Jones, or Terry Pratchett. I could go on. Just too many.

Kate Angelella: Neil Gaiman, without a doubt. I would love to explore the wonderful weirdness that is his brain. That said, I am always a little afraid to meet the people whose worlds I’ve inhabited for so long, and in such a personal way! I’m always afraid that knowing who they are personally will shade the way I read their books.

 

  1.   How do you get a sense of the voice and character in a middle-grade novel?

Marissa Graff: When a voice can translate from words on a page to sounds in my ear, I know a writer has nailed the voice for their narrator or characters.

Diane Telgen: I love that MG often allows for a distinct narrative voice, in addition to the voice of the characters, and thrill to a confident narrator who can draw the reader deeply into a new world. As for character, it’s their emotions and actions, as well as their dialogue, that show me who they really are.  

Denise Santomauro: Unique voice is most apparent for me when it’s clear the author has fully fleshed out the character. A character who has a past, desires, dislikes, hopes, opinions, emotional responses, etc. will guide the voice and the way a character moves through the story.

Jenn Bailey: When I know exactly what that character will say (I don’t mean verbatim) and how they will say it before I read it. Voice and character — a great pairing — because I feel they support, enhance, and inform each other.

Jay Whistler: I read this question differently than my colleagues did, and I saw it as wondering how we, as writers, find that sense of voice for writing middle grade. So I answered it that way. This probably seems obvious, but volunteering in a classroom or library is a great way to be around that age group and see what is important to them, how they talk, how they behave, how they interact with one another and with the adults around them.

Kate Angelella: This may sound a bit strange…but when I can imagine myself in the character’s shoes, when the character is so real to me that I can move through their story as them, I feel as though that’s the moment a writer has conveyed voice and character successfully.

 

  1.   What advice would you give someone who is looking to hire an editor?

Marissa Graff: Request a sample edit, a few pages where the editor gets to know your writing and you get a sense of the value of their feedback. It’s an investment and you want to make sure it’s worthwhile. I think most writers are surprised at how valuable the feedback of a good editor really is. I also think a good editor shows you how to employ techniques going forward so that you learn deeply for all writing going forward.

Diane Telgen: I agree with Marissa that a sample edit can be useful in deciding whether you’ve found the right editor. I’d add that working with an editor requires an open mind-set. If you see a critique as just someone telling you what’s wrong, it can feel crushing when you see comments and corrections littering your pages. But if you approach a critique as a chance to learn and grow, to try new things, it can be amazing. Remember, we provide feedback because we have confidence you can make your writing better.

Denise Santomauro: I’d echo everything Marissa and Diane said, and add that I think it’s important to examine where you are in the writing process and read the editorial options carefully to determine the most useful type of edit for the manuscript in its current form. I’d also recommend taking a break from the manuscript after you send it off to an editor. Taking time away provides the necessary distance needed to be able to have a fresh perspective on the work when you get your editorial letter.

Jenn Bailey: Difficult to think of anything to add to the wonderful advice of my colleagues. I think Denise really hits on something by encouraging writers to know where they are in their process, and know what they will need from an editor, before jumping in. I realize that may sound counterproductive to getting folks to hire us, but it isn’t. We really want you writers to succeed. We want you to launch on your publishing adventure, but you have to be ready. So write your first draft, give it some revision, share it with your critique group, and when you are ready for that one-on-one deep dive into your story, that push that will make your story the best it can be, look us up.

Jay Whistler: My colleagues have covered a lot of the same points I would make. But I think it doesn’t hurt to reiterate that you must be open to having someone go through your story with a fine-toothed comb. While it might seem as invasive as having someone rifle through your underwear drawer, remember that editors are truly looking to help you make your story as strong as it can be. Professional editors have a reputation to uphold and want to help you on your journey to learn and improve your craft.

Kate Angelella: Yes, to all of the above! Be sure you get a sample edit, be sure you get a contract, and be sure you feel connected to the editor in some way. The reason we offer clients a glimpse of our editors’ favorite movies and TV shows on our website is to offer potential clients a way to connect with our editors outside of their own work. One of the very first things Kyle and I connected over, way back when he was a client of mine, was our love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the TV show Pushing Daisies.

Writers, did you know that Angelella Editorial is offering a 10% discount on all editorial services this holiday season? For more information about the editors of Angelella Editorial and the work they do, click here and here.

 

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Food and Friendship: An Interview with Veera Hiranandani

By on October 15, 2014   /   Author Interviews, Giveaways  

imageWe mostly talk middle-grade here at From the Mixed-Up Files, but I’m also happy when I can give some attention to the little sibling of MG books, the chapter book.

Today I have the honor of visiting with author Veera Hiranandani. We discuss food, friends, and her new Phoebe. G. Green chapter book series published by Grosset and Dunlap/PSS! (an imprint of Penguin Random House).

MUF: Welcome Veera! First of all, tell us a little bit about the first book in your new Phoebe G. Green series, LUNCH WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.

VH: I’ve always been passionate about food and have tried to share that with my kids. I also know a lot of kids who are imagereally into food and I didn’t see many books for kids celebrating that. I have seen a bunch of “picky eater” stories out there, so I wanted to create something for the kids who really love exploring food and also something to inspire the kids who are more reluctant. I had a funny, adventurous character in mind who sometimes gets herself in trouble, but ultimately learns to not only accept what makes her unique, but the differences around her. The book is as much about how Phoebe negotiates her friendships as it is about her love for food. 

MUF: I love that this book is about food. Why did you decide to use food to bring together Phoebe and the new girl, Camille?

VH: Well, I’ve always admired how the French eat and how they teach their children to eat. I wish we’d do more of that in America and banish all the children’s menus! I’d rather restaurants just offer half-portions off their regular menu. If kids see over and over that they are only supposed to choose from hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and mac and cheese, they get the message that they’re only supposed to like those things. So it felt right to have Phoebe enter into a friendship with a child from France. That idea seemed rich with possibilities, both food and friendship related.

MUF: Yes it is, and I love how your book is full of new types of food for most American kids. Did you do a lot of taste testing yourself for research for this book?

VH: I’m always taste testing something for better or worse. Sometimes I reference dishes that we’ve enjoyed as a family and sometimes I did research on more traditional French dishes that I mention in the book (including using my editor, Eve Adler, who grew up in France as a resource). I don’t include very specific recipes in the book because I wanted it to be more about inspiration than the actual recipes. There are many amazing chefs out there who can fill in that information if someone wants to make Beef Bourguignon, Julia Child is probably a better resource than I am for that recipe!

MUF: I think it’s perfect that you introduce your readers to new foods through Phoebe.  What advice can you give kids about trying new foods on their own?

VH: That it’s a life-long adventure. Also, sometimes if you don’t like something the first time, it’s good to give it a few more tries. Camille tells Phoebe in one of the books, “My mom says you taste something the first time to get to know it and then taste it again to become friends with it.”

MUF: Speaking of friends, I love that this book is also about friendship. Phoebe is navigating her old friendship with Sage while making a new friend as well. Do you have any advice for readers who are dealing with the same kinds of changes in their own friendships?

VH: Along with good food, friendship is one of our greatest pleasures in life. But friendship can be a little more complicated than a good meal. Phoebe suddenly finds herself with two close friends and has to figure out how that’s going to work for her. She usually comes to the realization that accepting her friends’ differences, being kind, and being honest is the best way to go. But she doesn’t always take the shortest route getting there. Being accepting, kind, and honest still applies in grown-up friendships too!

MUF: Before you go, can you share a little about the next book in the series, FARM FRESH FUN?

imageVH: I’ve found that one of the best ways to get kids to try something new is having them pick it right out of a garden or cook it themselves. It really empowers them. My kids have gobbled up vegetables they normally don’t love when they’ve picked it out of the ground. They also will eat anything they cook, even something they haven’t wanted to eat when I’ve cooked it alone. It’s so important for kids to connect with food that way. In FARM FRESH FUN, I wanted to have Phoebe experience the thrill of collecting eggs, picking her own spinach, making her own goat cheese, and creating a true farm-to-table lunch. But a day out with Phoebe is always unpredictable and her enthusiasm usually gets the best of her, as it does at the farm, especially when her best buddy, Sage, is involved. 

MUF: Thank you, Veera, for sharing your books (and your love of food) with us!

Readers, Veera’s publisher is offering to give away the first two books in the Phoebe G. Green series to one lucky reader.  Please leave a comment below to be considered.  Only US residents are eligible. Thanks!

And Happy Eating, everyone!

—

Elissa Cruz eats food.  And she has friends, too.  She is the ARA for SCBWI Utah/Southern Idaho region and cohost of #MGlitchat on Twitter.  She  is happily married to her husband of 19 years, and together they live with their five children.  The husband and children eat a lot food, too, and usually invite their friends along on the adventure. Life is good.

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