Even though I’ve been out of school for quite some time, the start of a new school year still inspires anticipation and excitement. My own kids are eager to start new classes, connect with teachers, and see their classmates again. We’re a little sad that summer is over, but we’re also kind of glad to get back to our routines.
This past year, I’ve met some new classmates myself. We weren’t in school together, though; we’ve been navigating the roller coaster of debut year, and I couldn’t have done it without my fellow 2019 middle grade debut authors.
I’ve already written about meeting a group of friends at a retreat at the Highlights Foundation last November, before any of our books had published. These authors are still among my closest writing friends! This summer, I was also lucky enough to travel to the west coast, North Carolina, Cape Cod, and Chicago to do book events with more MG debut authors, and these have been some of the best experiences I’ve ever had—as an author, and as a person. We had such fun sharing book love, meals, and lots of laughter. I’m wowed by my fellow authors’ brilliance and generosity, and I’ve learned so much from them.
In honor of the start of school, and the educators who put so much of themselves into teaching kids, I am thrilled to announce a HUGE giveaway!
I am giving away THREE copies of MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM and THREE copies of the audiobook CD (which, I will tell you, is FANTASTIC!) to SIX lucky teachers!!
Even more exciting…TWENTY of my fellow MG debut authors are generously giving away copies of their books! Just look at this incredible collection of books by Rebecca Balcarcel, Chris Baron, Gabrielle K. Byrne, Jennifer Camiccia, Meg Cannistra, Malayna Evans, Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo, Josh Levy, Jody Little, Kim Long, Gillian McDunn, Nicole Melleby, Nicole Panteleakos, Sofiya Pasternack, Jess Redman, Gail Shepherd, Sandy Stark-McGinnis, Karen Strong, Wendy Swore, and Nicole Valentine!! I am honored to be debuting with this fantastic group of authors and their magnificent books!
There will be a whopping TWENTY-SIX winners, so educators, please enter and tell your friends!!
You are such a beautiful human. Such a champion for teachers, and readers. I’m in awe and inspired by your generosity and kindness. I have LOVED all of the debut books I have gotten the chance to read so far this year, and am excited by the possibility of reading more of them, and BOOKTALKING with all (nearly) 300 of my 7th graders. Thank you for the chance/opportunity.
I’m truly fortunate to have met these wonderful authors! Their books are exceptional, and they the generous ones! And all of us are indebted to the incredible teachers who have helped us in our lives, and who bring our books to young readers! Thank YOU!!
I’ve loved all of the #novel19s that I have read this year. I feel like there are so many relevant and diverse books being published out there for kids. I love sharing them with my students and getting them excited about reading!
I feel the same way!! Thank you for reading and sharing!!
Wow. This giveaway is wonderful and so is your book. I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you for doing this for us teachers!
So excited for these books! Thank you for offering the opportunity to teachers. I know my students would love these. It’s incredibly generous of you!
We are so grateful to teachers who help students find our books, and I’m so grateful to my fellow authors for writing and donating these books!!
I am so excited about this giveaway! I already followed some of the authors and am thrilled to have new book ideas for my class and myself!
Hooray!! Thanks so much for entering…and yes these authors are amazing!!!
I have read so many of the Novel 19s’ books, and they have all been fantastic! I love the diverse characters, the fantastic topics and plot twists, the gorgeous writing. You all really put your heart into it!
By the way, I just got back my copy of Midsummer’s Mayhem from my mom -she saw me reading it on vacation this summer, and asked to borrow it! She loved it too!
Thank you so nuch for your kind words, Shari! Fingers crossed you win one of the marvelous Novel19s MG books that you haven’t yet read! What an incredible debut year!!
I loved finally getting to read your book after our Skype visit last year! I was so excited to read it that I preordered it twice!
Oh my goodness, thank you!! Hope I get to “see” you and your class again this year!
MG has been on fire lately!! So many great new titles that I’m not sure what to read next. It’s a fantastic problem to have!!!
Yes, MG is the best, and our year is particularly wonderful!!
Wow! This is such a generalization giveaway! Thank you so much for hosting and engaging with your readers online
Thank you for entering!! These authors are SO amazing and so generous to give their books away!! And we are all so grateful to educators who help young readers find our books, so thank YOU!
These look so fantastic. I’m a middle school media specialist, and I know these would be fantastic for my students! The diversity in this group of books is just what I need to open doors to other lives for my students. Thank you!
Thanks so much for entering!! These books and authors are incredible!!
Wow! New teacher here looking for more books for my Spanish classroom. What a wonderful opportunity! Thank you!
Hooray!! Thanks for entering!!
This is the best contest! My rural school library would be so excited to have all of these new books to share with our hungry readers! And I can’t wait to read them too! Thank you so much to everyone who donated.
Thanks so much for entering!! Fingers crossed for you!
Loved meeting you a Nerd Camp in North Carolina this summer. Great giveaway, the students at my school would love to read all of these books!
It was so great to meet you! Thanks for entering!!
I love these gorgeous covers, and I love that there are more and more books available for actual middle school readers of all stripes. Thanks for the generosity of all involved!
Thank you for entering!! These authors are amazing!
You are so generous, Rajani! You, and the authors of all of these amazing books, make my job (finding books for all readers) easy! I appreciate all you so and can’t wait to meet you in November!!
I’m so grateful for you, Kristen, and all you do to help get books to young readers! I’m so looking forward to nErDCamp LI in November!