MMGM: KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES Interview and Giveaway

About fifteen years ago, I took a job at a dry cleaners because they told me that I could read or study, as long as I had my work done. One day I was reading a Harry Potter novel when a customer walked in. He grinned and asked me which of the characters was my favorite, that his were the Weasley twins. I had to agree.

So, you can imagine my delight a few months ago, when I discovered a pair of characters that I enjoyed every bit as much as Fred and George. They aren't twins. In fact, Dex and Keefe don't even like each other, but they both become friends with Sophie Foster in Shannon Messenger's debut novel, KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES. And Sophie? I love Sophie.

I don't want to spoil anything, so I'm just going to link to the Goodreads description, give you a short interview with Shannon, and say that it's the best book I've read this year. I've pre-ordered a copy for my daughter's fourteenth birthday (which happens to be in October), and I'm looking forward to getting reacquainted with the characters. If you like middle grade, you'll love it!

My questions are in blue. Shannon's answers are in black.

You've been sleeping with a blue elephant since you were four, and you probably have all kinds of stories about her. Is there one you'd be willing to tell us?

Ha! Oh, there are so, so, SO many it's hard to pick. I've already blogged about the time I thought I'd lost her--it was a very dark day--and rather pathetic considering I was an adult (or pretending to be one anyway.) But I guess one that stands out in my mind was when I was traveling to Europe a few years ago. Ella always goes in my carry-on (what? She is PRECIOUS cargo!) and the security person was clearly suspicious of the 20-something girl carrying the bright blue stuffed elephant with her. So he made me take Ella out of the bag so he could scan her alone--likely searching her for weapons of mass destruction. Alas, all he found is that I really am that big of a nerd. As did all the people around me, who did *quite* a bit of staring. *shrugs*

Okay, so it's interesting that you shared your comfort toy with Sophie. Were you making up for the hard stuff you had to put her through? 

Wow, that's a good guess--and you're totally right!! I knew that Sophie would have a lot of difficult things happen to her in her story--and that she would find herself losing everything and having to start over several times. So I wanted to give her one thing she could hold onto and keep with her. And naturally I thought of Ella. 

I totally get that. And last, you post pictures of the most amazing looking (and probably tasting) cupcakes. Do you have a favorite?

Hm... I want to be a brat and say ALL OF THEM ARE MY FAVORITE since I've honestly never met a cupcake I didn't love. But, I'll narrow it down to two. ANY type of chocolate cupcake is always an amazing idea. Or, if I can find it, I absolutely adore banana cupcakes, either with cream cheese or peanut butter frosting. *drools*

Mmmm. I've never had banana cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. I'll have to take care of that! Thanks so much!

The release date for KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES isn't until October, but Shannon just happens to be giving away three advance reader copies. You should go enter.

But just in case you don't win, you can enter for finished copy here that will most likely surprise you when it shows up in October. I'm also giving away your choice of a used 1987 Baby Elephant Puffalump with the original Hawaiian shirt (like the ones that Shannon and Sophie own) or this brand new (if you have an aversion to used stuffed animals) blue elephant and either a pair of van Gogh Starry Night socks (because stars are an important part of the story) or cupcake socks (because Shannon keeps her local bakeries in business). Here's the recap: one pre-order of Shannon's book, one blue elephant, one pair of cool socks. This giveaway has a lot of parts, so I'm not going international with it. To enter,  comment before midnight on Friday.

If you'd like to read about more Marvelous Middle Grades, you can catch the links over at Shannon's blog. Have a Marvelous Monday!