Good news roundup

Hey, now! Here's a happy trio, worth of some attention. Some of our peeps are making some commotion. And they deserve a huge HOLLERING HOORAY!


Jessixa Bagley and Laurie Thompson are authors chosen for a major Presidential initiative to get diverse books into the hands of children in need. The DC-based literary nonprofit First Book, Corporate Partners will make a whopping 60,000 paperback books from a selection of six titles available to kids. And on that select list? Boats for Papa (Roaring Brook/Porter), written and illustrated by Jessixa Bagley and Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah (Random/Schwartz & Wade), written by Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Sean Quails. Kudos!

Stacey R. Campbell, author of ARGH!, received a Mom's Choice Award for her middle-grade tale of plunder and pirate-y adventure.

Conrad Wesselhoeft's young adult book, DIRT BIKES, DRONES, AND OTHER WAYS TO FLY, made the shortlist for the "Reading the West" Award. 

Janet Lynn Eystad's fourth book, WHAT IS YOUR COSTUME? A FALL FESTIVAL TALE, was released April 10, 2015 and is now available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle. This is her debut eBook. Dedicated to young trick-or-treaters everywhere!

Adois, Nirvana Book Trailer

Here's a great video trailer for Conrad Wesselhoeft's YA novel, ADIOS, NIRVANA. The video highlights West Seattle, and really sets the tone for the book (that's also set in West Seattle).

Here's a review from Booklist:

In the wake of his twin brother’s death, Jonathan, a former star student, is facing the possibility of repeating his junior year. The only things standing between him and failure are his devoted best friends, an understanding principal named Gupti, and his English teacher. The assignments that will ensure his promotion? Attend class every day, help an 88-year-old WWII veteran write his memoir, and perform Gupti’s favorite song, “Crossing the River Styx,” at graduation. Wesselhoeft offers a psychologically complex debut that will intrigue heavy-metal aficionados and drama junkies alike. Peopled with the elderly and infirm, crazy parents, caring educators, and poignant teens trying desperately to overcome death’s pull, it mixes real and fictional musicians and historical events to create a moving picture of struggling adolescents and the adults who reach out with helping hands. Darker and more complex than Jordan Sonnenblick’s thematically similar Notes from the Midnight Driver (2006), Adios, Nirvana targets an audience of YAs who rarely see themselves in print. Grades 8-12. --Frances Bradburn

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