I got to share some exciting news yesterday–that When Audrey Met Alice has been optioned for film!
I’m still learning the way the film industry works, but basically an option agreement is a contract that allows film producers to obtain the rights to a book. It’s the first step–of many, many steps–needed to make a book into a movie.
I’m thrilled about this, and thankful to the team at New Leaf Literary–especially Pouya Shabazian, Suzie Townsend, and Chris McEwen–helping make it happen. You can read the full announcement in TheHollywood Reporter.
March is Reading Month, and I am really excited to share in The Hiding Spot‘s Growing a Reader series to celebrate it. I wrote about three of my formative reading experiences–which made me the reader and writer that I am today. You check out my post here, and find out more about this wonderful and thoughtful series here!
For Word Spelunking’s March MG Madness, I shared my top ten MG titles about real people and real places. (Did I miss some of your favorites? Let me know!) There’s also a giveaway for a pre-order of Summer of Lost and Found, along with personalized swag. It runs until 4/3, so hurry over to the post and entry form!
And finally, I’m so excited that The Rumpus is sending out my Letter for Kids this month. I wrote about one of my favorite things when I was a middle-grader–manatees–and how the things I loved as a kid are still part of my life today, as a grown-up. Letters for Kids is such a cool program; information about subscribing is at the link!
I’m excited to share two wonderful blurbs for Summer of Lost and Found, from two writers whose work I adore.
Jodi Lynn Anderson has written two of my all-time favorite books, Tiger Lily andMy Diary from the Edge of the World. Lately whenever I meet up with another MG reader, I immediately ask: Have you read Diary yet?! It’s a story with so much heart and creativity, and it has a collection of lovable and funny and complex characters. It’s poignant and funny and surprising. And I’d follow the Lockwood family just about anywhere.
Caroline Starr Rose wrote May B. and Blue Birds, which is a verse historical novel about a Roanoke Island. Blue Birds was published while I was working on Summer of Lost and Found, and I decided to wait until my book went to copy edits before reading it. It was really the best reward. The book is rich in historical detail, beautiful and moving writing, and a powerful theme of friendship and understanding. I’m really excited that Caroline and I had a great conversation about writing Roanoke–including the research process, the facts we found most fascinating, and our own feelings about what really happened to the Lost Colony. I’ll let you know when we share it on her site in May.
So here are the blurbs:
“I was edge-of-my-seat interested while reading Summer of Lost and Found. Rebecca Behrens has the ability to make the past irresistible and weave it into a present-day story that will satisfy fans of both mystery and adventure.” —Caroline Starr Rose, author of Blue Birds
“A sweet, sparkling setting, a historical riddle, and a quirky cast make this little gem of a mystery a pure pleasure to read.” —Jodi Lynn Anderson, author of My Diary from the Edge of the World
I’m so grateful to Caroline and Jodi for reading Summer and sharing their thoughts. And if you haven’t already–go get their books!
It often feels like forever until a book comes out (thanks to all those hours spent writing, revising, and revising, and revising). And then suddenly the book’s first trade review arrives and, whoa! You realize publication is only two months away.
I’m excited to share the first two trade reviews for Summer of Lost and Found: Kirkus said, “the mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke becomes an engaging backdrop for a preteen experiencing her own losses” and praised, “this blend of history with mystery and fantasy with realism is a good find indeed.” Hooray!
And School Library Journal noted, “Behrens’s deft writing gives the book substance. . . . This intriguing mix of historical and realistic fiction with a dash of the paranormal makes this well-written novel appealing to a wide range of middle grade readers.” Thanks, SLJ!
It’s always a little nerve-wracking to get early feedback, so I’m thrilled that these reviewers enjoyed Summer. I certainly had a wonderful time researching and writing Nell and Ambrose’s story, and I’m excited to share it with readers on May 24.
I’ll have some more news soon–about blurbs and book launches. Stay tuned!
I’m excited to share that I have a new short story in the February 2016 issue of Scholastic Scope magazine! “Lost & Found” was inspired by some of the research I did for Summer of Lost and Found. Here’s a sneak peek at the first page:
And here’s a teaser about the story:
A brother and sister find treasure from an ancient shipwreck. The laws say it’s not theirs to keep—but would anyone know if they did?
To find out more about Scope magazine, visit its website here.
One of the ways I discover new books is the “Weekly Bestsellers under $4.99” section on my iPad. The vast majority of books I read are print, but I still love to browse that section and find titles I might not take a chance on otherwise. Recent sale books I’ve loved? INTO THE FOREST, HAMLET’S BLACKBERRY, BIG LITTLE LIES, and THE ISLE OF YOUTH.
So it’s exciting to think about other readers being introduced to Audrey and Alice through this discount. Here are links to the e-books at B&N and Amazon, if you know a reader who wants to take a chance on a new MG!
Friend and fellow Class of 2K14 author Gayle Rosengren and I are presenting on Friday, November 6 from 11:20-12:20 (Room C212). Here’s a little about our presentation:
Making It Real, authors Gayle Rosengren and Rebecca Behrens will suggest creative ways for librarians to help bring history to life as they prepare students to meet Common Core State Standards. Strategies include multimedia displays, interactive library programming, writing workshops, author Skype visits, and outreach with local historic sites. The authors will provide tools such as a multimedia planning template that can be filled out for any title, book talks, and recommended media lists.
We’ve had a lot of fun creating this presentation, and hope you’ll join us if you’re attending the conference.
We’ll also be in the Author Signing Booth from 1:00-1:30 on Friday. Stop by and say hi! I’ll have my first pieces of Summer of Lost and Found swag, and plenty of When Audrey Met Alice bookplates, stickers, and more.
I’m emerging from some kind of author hibernation with two events this week. I’d love to see you there!
Wednesday, May 27: I’ll be part of a fantastic panel at One More Page in Arlington, VA with author friends Tara Dairman and Jen Malone. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 30: I’ll be part of the second-ever Kids Author Carnival at the Jefferson Market Library in New York! This event was so much fun last year–I can’t wait to do it again. Just look at all the fabulous authors who will be at the coolest library in the city!
How is it almost May? Somehow this winter seemed both endless (thanks, snowstorms) and super short. Anyway, I’m enjoying the tulips popping up on NYC sidewalks and planning trips to WI this summer. What else is new?
Bookplates! The lovely Kristin Rae (whose YA debut, Wish You Were Italian, is incredibly charming, and is the perfect read for spring and summer wanderlust) designed some bookplates for me. If you have a copy of When Audrey Met Alice and you’d like a signed bookplate for it, let me know! I’m happy to send one your way.
Speaking of signing books, I’ll be in Arlington, VA, at One More Page bookstore on May 27, with MG author friends Tara Dairman and Jen Malone. So if you live in the DC area, stop by and I can sign your book in person!
I’ll also be at Kids Author Carnival in NYC on Saturday, May 30, at the very cool Jefferson Market Branch of the NYPL.
And I’m excited to share that When Audrey Met Alice was selected for the 2015-2016 Southwest Iowa Battle of the Books. I’m honored to be included among the fantastic titles on the list!
Finally, there’s still time to enter my educator giveaway before the paperback of When Audrey Met Alice releases on May 1: Class Set Giveaway
I’m excited to share that When Audrey Met Alice will soon be in paperback! Personally, I love paperback books–they’re so much easier to read on the go (which makes up a lot of my reading time lately) and they are priced right for class sets, book clubs, and babysitting money. Also, it’s fun to see a different interpretation of the story on a paperback’s cover. Speaking of which, here’s the new look for this edition of Audrey and Alice:
I love it! It’s fresh and bold, and Audrey would love the yellow type. The shoes on the back cover mean that every cover for the book–from the ARC to the hardcover to this paperback–has played with footwear past/present, which is a cool unifying detail.
The paperback will be in stores 5/1/2015 for $7.99. Starting next week, I’ll be giving away a paperback preorder every Wednesday in March to celebrate Women’s History Month–check back on 3/4 to enter!
So you might have seen this in Publishers Marketplace (click to make big!):
That’s right! The Summer of Lost and Found has a new home. And it will still be in bookstores in the first half of 2016 (right now, it looks like a May publication date). I am so excited to be working with editor extraordinaire Alyson Heller and the team at Aladdin/Simon & Schuster. Aladdin is one of the imprints that made a huge impact on me as a young reader–I have fond memories of looking for the colophon on the spines of some favorite books.
(Yes, even as a kid I was into learning about different publishing imprints. It would’ve been tween me’s dream come true to publish an Aladdin book!)
More information to come, but for now I’ll just say how grateful and excited I am that Summer will be on shelves next year.
*And by “I,”of course I mean my fantastic agent, Suzie Townsend. I’m incredibly thankful to her (and everyone at New Leaf Literary) for their support and enthusiasm, and skill at finding perfect homes for their clients’ books.
I’m so excited to share that the Ossining Public Library’s OPLbery Club awarded When Audrey Met Alice the 2015 OPLbery Medal! What an honor to be considered among the other finalists, and to hear that the OPL readers enjoyed Audrey and Alice’s story so much.
From the OPL Kids website (oplkids.wordpress.com)
In other news, I am keeping busy with school and Skype visits from East Harlem to Dallas to Pittsburgh. More information about my school and library visits is on the Visits page of my site.
And here is a teaser for some news I’ll have in a month or so:
