Kirkus Praises WHEN THE MOON COMES!

Congratulations to Transatlantic Agency client Paul Harbridge, and illustrator Matt James on a second wonderful review from Kirkus of WHEN THE MOON COMES (Tundra Books)! Kirkus writes, “Harbridge captures the sights, sounds, and smells of the almost spectral, night-time gathering from a child’s point of view, including details that place you, the reader, right there…Matt James’ illustrations, rendered in acrylics and India ink, are dark and mysterious, just like Canadian nights in winter, and full of energy and movement.”

Check out the full review at the following link:

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/features/winter-winners/#continue_reading_post

LOST IN SEPTEMBER by KATHLEEN WINTER publishes with Knopf Canada!

Happy book birthday to Kathleen Winter​’s LOST IN SEPTEMBER, this thrilling new novel just published with Alfred A. Knopf Canada​!

This brilliant high-concept novel reimagines an eleven-day period in the life of General James Wolfe (1727-1759), an iconic figure in the military history of Canada. Legend portrays him as fearless and determined, but his voluminous personal correspondence (some of which is housed at Toronto’s Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library) reveals a lifelong struggle with melancholy and trauma.

Wolfe began his military career at the age of 15. By 25, after a decade of hard soldiering, he begged, and was awarded, a month of study leave in Paris. But before he could embark, Britain adopted Europe’s Gregorian calendar, and the entire country had to adjust its dates: September 2, 1752 was followed by September 14, and Wolfe lost eleven days of his precious sabbatical.

In LOST IN SEPTEMBER, Wolfe is reimagined as Jimmy, a PTSD-afflicted veteran wandering the streets of contemporary Montreal, determined to reclaim those lost days and to fathom what became of his youth—and of the British North America for whose gain he’d abandoned all hope of personal happiness. His search dislodges unsettling questions about the price war exacts from soldiers of all empires, past and present. In this poetic and imaginative work, Winter skillfully interweaves the factual past with an imagined present, while bridging more than 300-years of time.

Kathleen Winter’s previous novel Annabel was published in 15 countries and is in development as a film. It was a finalist for the Scotiabank Giller, Governor General’s Award, Writers’ Trust and Orange (U.K.) prizes, was a Globe and Mail “Best Book” and a New York Times “Notable,” and was a #1 bestselling Canada Reads selection. Previous to that debut, Kathleen penned the short story collections, boYs and has subsequently published a second collection, The Freedom in American Songs, and an award-nominated travel memoir, Boundless: Tracing Land and Dream in a New Northwest Passage.


Pre-publication Praise:

– A CBC Books selection for “Fall 2017: books you must read this season”
– A Globe and Mail “Most Anticipated” book for the rest of 2017
– Chosen by Canadian librarians as one of their “Favourite Upcoming September Books” (Quill and Quire)
– A Chatelaine “Best Fall Reads” book
– Deemed a highly-anticipated “Sizzling Stories” by the Winnipeg Free Press

The Mosaic Publishes with Groundwood Books!

Happy book birthday to Nina Berkhout‘s THE MOSAIC, which publishes today with Groundwood Books!

About the Book
Twyla Jane Lee has one goal: to finish senior year so she can escape her military hometown of Halo, Montana, with her boyfriend Billy Goodwin. But to graduate, Twyla needs to complete 40 hours of community service. When she reluctantly signs up for the Help a Vet program, she is paired with the rude and withdrawn former football star, Gabriel Finch.

As the two form an unexpected bond over the secret buried in the missile facility, Twyla begins to unearth Gabriel’s ghosts from the Middle East Wars. Her discoveries force her to question her view on the wars and she realizes that even if she gets out of Halo, she won’t ever be able to leave Gabriel Finch’s story behind her.

Nina BerkhoutAbout the Author
THE MOSAIC is Nina’s debut YA novel. Nina is the author of five poetry collections, most recently Elseworlds (Seraphim Editions) which received the 2013 Archibald Lampman Award for the year’s best poetry. Her earlier work has been shortlisted for THIS magazine’s Great Canadian Literary Hunt, The Archibald Lampman Award and the John Hirsch Award. Her debut novel, GALLERY OF LOST SPECIES, was published by House of Anansi.

Pre-publication Praise
“Berkhout provides a realistic view of the complex effect wars have on veterans, and people’s varying perspectives on the subject. Poignant descriptions ignite the setting. The characters have depth; readers will empathize with Gabriel as a survivor of PTSD, and will revel in the two’s compassionate connection.” – School Library Journal

“A rich and jumbled mix of war and peace by an author to watch.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Berkhout creates a cinematic feel with her evocative language and scene setting.”
– Quill & Quire

Selected for the Toronto Star‘s “Five upcoming Young Adult books that make a statement” list.

Kirkus Reviews WHEN THE MOON COMES by Paul Harbridge!

WHEN THE MOON COMES, which is written by Transatlantic Agency​ client Paul Harbridge and illustrated by Matt James, is publishing with Tundra Books​ on September 12th, and already it has received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews​! They write of the book, “The illustrations, with their burnished waning light, and the clipped-short narrative combine to create an atmosphere that for anyone who has experienced it will feel pitch-perfect.”

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/paul-harbridge/when-the-moon-comes/

Quiz Whiz receives a starred review

Kirkus Reviews has given Anna Humphrey‘s QUIZ WHIZ a starred review, calling it “smart, lively, and genuine”!

According to Kirkus Reviews: “Humphrey’s second Clara Humble book delivers another exciting adventure featuring a group of characters who feel pleasingly authentic and who find themselves in tricky situations that require sharper-than-usual creative thinking skills.”

Quiz Whiz, the second volume in the “Clara Humble” series, is geared towards children ages 8-12, and finds Clara competing against her best friend, Bradley, on her favourite TV quiz show.

Quiz Whiz will be available from Owlkids Books on September 15, 2017.

The Agony of Bun O’Keefe receives a starred review

Kirkus Reviews has given Heather Smith’s YA fiction novel, THE AGONY OF BUN O’KEEFE, a starred review!

The book tells the story of Bun O’Keefe, a 14 year old girl living on the streets of St. John’s, Newfoundland, in 1986. Heather Smith’s writing is commended: “Smith’s talent lies in deftly handling numerous heavy topics: suicide, sexual abuse, neglect, AIDS, homophobia, transphobia, and racism, without making them feel forced or gratuitous.”

According to Kirkus Reviews, “Although Bun is 14, she possesses the endearing naiveté and honesty of a child, but her first-person narration isn’t sappy or immature.”

THE AGONY OF BUN O’KEEFE will be available from Penguin Teen on September 5, 2017.

Great reviews pour in for Pointe, Claw by Amber Keyser

Amber J. Keyser’s hot-off-the press YA novel, POINTE, CLAW (Carolrhoda Lab) has been getting so many good reviews it’s hard to keep track! Here’s a taster from some of the best (click the links for the full review):

“It might just change your life… I can’t choose the best part of this book. This was the best book I have ever read. Truly. It felt like Keyser just reached in and wrote my soul.” – Olivia, School Library Journal, teen reviewer

“Keyser’s writing shimmers with raw emotion and empathy, and her finale, much like in dance, is poetic, bittersweet, and life affirming.” – Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

“Keyser draws upon her own background in dance and biology to create authentic protagonists, whose complicated family lives add further dimension to the narrative.” – Booklist, starred review

“I was completely immersed in it while I was reading it, and it definitely has a wild, passionate appeal to it.” – Danika, The Lesbrary, queer blog

“This raw, intense novel, reminiscent of those by Sonya Hartnett and Stephanie Kuehn, will leave readers unsettled long after the final page is turned.” – The Horn Book Magazine

“This is absolutely 100% a book about what it means to inhabit a girl’s body. I can’t say enough good things about this strange, disturbing, and extremely compelling look at girlhood, bodies, and identities. Raw, weird, and wonderful.” – Amanda, Teen Library Toolbox, School Library Journal

Thanks to the reviewers and congratulations, Amber!

Amber is represented by Fiona Kenshole.

Starred Publisher’s Weekly Review for Pointe, Claw by Amber Keyser

What awesome news for a Monday morning: Amber Keyser’s forthcoming POINTE, CLAW received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly! Publishing with Carolrhoda Lab in the spring, POINTE, CLAW is Amber’s compelling YA novel blending ballet and biology through the dual perspectives of protagonists Jessie and Dawn. Both women face fears, physical and mental, in a story about identity and the powerful bond between friends.

Publisher’s Weekly writes: “Keyser’s writing shimmers with raw emotion and empathy, and her finale, much like in dance, is poetic, bittersweet, and life affirming.” Here’s to writing that shimmers! Read the full (and great!) review here. 

Congratulations, Amber!

Stephanie Morrill’s LOST GIRL OF ASTOR STREET

From the glitzy homes of the elite to the mob-run streets of 1920s Chicago, Stephanie Morrill’s jazz-age mystery shows just how far a girl will go to save her friend.

Lydia has vanished.

Lydia, who’s never broken any rules, except falling in love with the wrong boy. Lydia, who’s been Piper’s best friend since they were children. Lydia, who never even said good-bye.

Convinced the police are looking in all the wrong places, eighteen-year-old Piper Sail begins her own investigation in an attempt to solve the mystery of Lydia’s disappearance. With the reluctant help of a handsome young detective, Piper goes searching for answers in the dark underbelly of 1924 Chicago, determined to find Lydia at any cost.

When Piper discovers those answers might stem from the corruption strangling the city—and quite possibly lead back to the doors of her affluent neighborhood—she must decide how deep she’s willing to dig, how much she should reveal, and if she’s willing to risk her life of privilege for the sake of the truth.

CLICK HERE to order THE LOST GIRL OF ASTOR STREET

Advance Praise:

“Combining the fascinating setting of the Roaring ‘20s with a smart, savvy heroine, Morrill has hit the perfect note with this captivating story.”  RT Reviews, 4 Stars

“A well-plotted mystery with plenty of twists, turns, and red herrings.” –Publishers Weekly

“Piper Sail is a character I’d follow to the ends of the earth—she had me from the very first page. With its smart, savvy heroine and moody Jazz-Age setting, Stephanie Morrill has penned a winner from start to finish.” – Bestselling author Hillary Manton Lodge

“Morrill has a keen eye for historical details and setting, making Jazz Age Chicago Piper’s invisible yet omnipresent sidekick. Here’s hoping this won’t be the last case for this strong and admirable female sleuth to solve.” –Kirkus Reviews

The Lost Girl of Astor Street boasts a strong, smart, and courageous heroine, a note-perfect Jazz-Age Chicago setting, and a terrifically engaging plot that kept me reading into the middle of the night.” -Jennifer Robson, international bestselling author of Moonlight Over Paris

Witty and compelling, The Lost Girl of Astor Street is as thick with romance as it is with evolving mysteries. Piper Sail is a 1920s heroine to root for and the dashing Mariano Cassano a detective sure to win more hearts than just her own. A truly fresh and engaging story that not only kept me guessing until the very end, but that left me with a satisfied sigh for more please!” – Joanne Bischof, award-winning author of The Lady and the Lionheart

For further information about Stephanie Morrill, and to play a fun Clue Hunt book giveaway, CLICK HERE

NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW FEATURES ANDREW LARSEN!

51rXkgdeYrL “[The] very best picture books appeal to several audiences at the same time. These include parents, fellow bookmakers, librarians, award givers and, one hopes, even children. Four new books about books manage to thread that needle.” – Frank Viva, The New York Times Book Review.

How delightful that one of these books appealing to multiple audiences happens to be A SQUIGGLY STORY, by our very own Andrew Larsen! The New York Times Book Review calls Larsen’s latest picture book, “… a charming little book that may help first-time storytellers keep trying to write stories, even if they lack the ability to draw proper letterforms….” It’s great to see A SQUIGGLY STORY highlighted in the NYT Review, especially as it celebrates creativity and writing in young kids.

There’s an added bonus to the review: SQUIGGLY illustrator Mike Lowery also created the artwork for THE DAY MY MOM CAME TO KINDERGARTEN by Transatlantic author Maureen Fergus.
https://transatlanticagency.com/category/reviews/
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