Book Blast: 2016 Books by SCBWI Authors

The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCWBI) is holding its annual six-week Book Blast promotion that started October 10 and will continue until November 18, 2016.

Book Blast highlights traditionally and independently published books on individual author pages. Picture books for young children, chapter books for older readers, middle grade novels and young adult books for teen readers are featured.

If you’re searching for that perfect Christmas gift, SCWBI Book Blast is the place to look. Below are featured six authors and their books. Three are traditionally published and the remainder are self-published.

Traditionally Published: These are authors that were published by traditional publishers.

Anne Loader McGee, an award winning children’s writer, is the author of the acclaimed YA Cedar Creek mystery series.

The Mystery Beneath Midville Museum– Mallory Gilmartin is an eighth grade paranormal detective who uncovers unnatural forces at Midville Museum’s Egyptian exhibit. An ancient protective scarab follows her home in an effort to right an ancient wrong. It’s Mallory’s job to uncover a thousand year mystery before Midville’s exhibit returns to Cairo.

Kristen Zajac writes for VProud and Everyday Family, an Internet parenting magazine. Her published books include Ebeneezer’s Cousin and Chasing the Spirit of Service.

Grandma’s Telescope, a picture book, shows what happens to a group of children when their dad loses his job and they are forced to live with their grandparents. Sarah, Owen, and Olivia learn more about each other as they uncover the allure of astronomy.

Michael Thal is the author of five published novels including the Koolura Series. His novel, Goodbye Tchaikovsky won second place in the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2016.

Koolura and the Mayans is the third installment of the Koolura series. When touring a Mayan archeological dig, Koolura and best friend Leila uncover a mysterious device that hurtles them 2000 years back in time. They soon discover the Mayans have become slaves to an alien race of beings bent on taking over the Earth.

 

 

 

 

Independently Published- These are self-published authors.

Susanne Blumer, a resident of South Carolina is an accidental farm girl. Her farm-life experiences has inspired her writing. Blumer says, “Having a farm is like a story. Sometimes it’s a comic book. Sometimes it’s a horror story. But mostly it’s a fairy tale.”

Piper Periwinkle and the Perfect Picnic– In this picture book, Piper Periwinkle invites best friend Lily to a picnic on the first day of summer. Piper prepares everything meticulously. But will the weather cooperate?

Krysten Lindsay Hager writes about teen relationships including friendship, self-esteem, and frenenemies. Her debut novel, True Colors, won the Reader’s Favorite award for best pre-teen book.

Competing with the Stars– In the YA novel, Hadley Daniels moves to a beach community with her family. She has wonderful friends and a very cute boyfriend. Things go south when Hadley learns boyfriend Nick once dated teen TV star Simone Henrickson. Will Hadley’s insecurities destroy her perfect life?

 

Dorothea Jensen has served as a Peace Corps volunteer in South America and taught middle school and high school English. Her novel, The Riddle of Penncroft Farm, has been used as a resource in the classroom for students studying the American Revolution.

 

 

A Buss from Lafayette– It’s June 1825 and Clara Hargraves has a few problems. Kids tease her about her red hair, her stepmother is annoying, and Revolutionary War hero Lafayette is coming to her town on his “Fairwell Tour” of America.

On SCBWI’s Book Blast you will find hundreds of picture books, middle grade novels and YA books by traditionally and independently published authors. Take a browse. You won’t be disappointed.