Tag: Pam Withers

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Guest Post: Pam Withers

Pam Withers: The Pacific Northwest is full of adventurers, and not just the armchair variety.

How do I know? Because I did a presentation in Portland, Oregon yesterday to 200 booksellers, librarians, publishers and other book lovers at the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association’s Fall Tradeshow 2011.

If I had a penny for each one who came up to me afterwords and said, “I’m a kayaker” or “I’ve done river rafting” or “I’ve just signed up for kayak lessons and I’m so excited,” I’d have a bucketful of spare change.

My latest young adult novel, First Descent, is about a 17-year-old whitewater kayaker who goes on an international expedition to South America, links up with an attractive 17-year-old indigenous girl there, and then gets kidnapped. Oops! That is giving away too much. Let’s just say that the plot serves up action, adventure, danger, jealousy, abandonment and betrayal.

Pacific Northwesterners have a special passion for all of the above. I know, because I spent years guiding river raft trips and teaching kayaking in western Washington state, while working as a reporter and copy editor at the Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer. That was years ago, before I wound up in Vancouver — which is also densely populated with adventuresome types.

So I don’t know why I was surprised to have a long lineup of folks after my talk, eager to get autographed copies of First Descent, yes, but also eager to tell me about their own participation in my favorite sport. They hailed from Alaska, California, Washington, Oregon and Montana (perhaps from other states, too – it was a blur of name tags dancing in front of my eyes by the end of my visit). I enjoyed chatting with each and every person, and I sure hope they find that First Descent inspires the readers to whom they’re delivering the book.

Now I’m at work putting together a Pacific Northwest tour, where I hope to drop in on as many bookstores, public libraries and schools as are interested in having me. Especially the small-town Washington library that (so I was informed by the proud librarian) is the seventh oldest library in the United States. Can’t wait to go there!

Adventurous folks make a highly receptive audience to an adventure tale. And the Pacific Northwest has them in spades.

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Guest Post: Pam Withers

We hope you were able to check out the Word on the Street yesterday! While we were blessed with beautiful weather in Toronto, author Pam Withers had a different story in Vancouver:

Pam Withers: Word on the Street is a lively readers’ and writers’ festival that takes place every year in a series of tented stages hugging the perimeter of the downtown Vancouver Public Library.

Imagine tentfuls of festival-goers listening raptly to words of all kinds: preschoolers giggling through children’s author readings, poetry lovers listening raptly to the cadence of poets reading, and book lovers of all ages and backgrounds getting to ask questions of, or collect autographs from, a favorite author. Never mind the tables upon tables of writing organizations, publishers and booksellers.

I’ve been going to this event for many, many years, and I thought I’d experienced it in every manner of weather: lashing rain, brilliant sunshine, bone-chilling cold and late-summer warmth. But ho, was I wrong!

I showed up at 1 p.m. yesterday to introduce my new Tundra book, First Descent – a teen novel about a river kayaker who goes on an international expedition and gets kidnapped. And wow, did it ever feel like a wet, windblown expedition where tents – quite literally – got kidnapped!

An entire street of volunteers and visitors found themselves clinging desperately to tent poles as gusts of wind smacked into them. Pieces of tent siding went flying like kites, and the crash/bang/boom of collapsing structures sent dozens of exhibitors packing.

I was lucky enough to be presenting on the east side of the library, where wind gusts merely spattered authors and their books with rain as audience members in sensible rain-gear filled folding chairs to listen. You know what? When you’re introducing a novel about adventurers chasing down a river amidst white-capped waves, boulder-choked rapids, whirlpools and a waterfall… what better setting, right? When you’re describing characters dealing with warring factions of soldiers, riverbank landmines, jealousy, abandonment and betrayal — you have… a book summary that makes this year’s Word on the Street feel cozy and safe!

Anyway, I had a laminated, poster-size version of First Descent‘s awesome cover to hold up as I spoke, so I cheated the rain of spoiling one book that afternoon. Had to tuck my notes under a chair leg to keep them from blowing away.

I have to give major points to the valiant volunteers to kept things running, and all the dedicated book-lovers who milled about and listened and bought books. What better testimony to the fact that the printed word remains alive, well and alluring?

I was blown away and flooded with delight. Thanks, Tundra, for setting up my Word on the Street adventure!

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The Word on the Street


Have you started planning out your schedule for Sunday, September 25th, 2011? Everyone is excited about the author events, presentations, workshops, and marketplace. We hope to see you at the Word on the Street festival from 11am to 6pm at Queen’s Park!

Here’s a quick glance at our schedule:

TORONTO

Children’s Activity Tent:
12:15pm-1:00pm – Join Nan Forler, author of Winterberries and Apple Blossoms, for a craft activity, make a quilt-inspired square, and take home your own mini wall-hanging! Ages 6 & up.

Children’s Reading Tent:
12:10pm-12:30pm – Ella May and the Wishing Stone by Cary Fagan
1:00pm-1:20pm – Noni Says No by Heather Hartt-Sussmann
1:20pm-1:40pm – Body Works series by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein MD
4:30pm-4:50pm – Merci Mister Dash! by Monica Kulling
5:10pm-5:30pm – Juba This, Juba That by Helaine Becker

This is Not Shakespeare Stage:
12:00pm-12:45pm – Mastering the Mystery – How to Keep Readers Guessing
How do mystery authors ensure that their book is a page-turner? How do they keeping us guessing, without compromising the integrity of their characters and the depth of the plot? What are the elements of a great mystery? Join authors Norah McClintock, Evan Munday, and Shane Peacock for a discussion of these topics and more!

Scotiabank Giller Prize Bestsellers Stage
2:00pm-3:15pm – Bestsellers of Tomorrow
The Dragon Turn: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Fifth Case by Shane Peacock
Summer 1869, Sherlock Holmes and his friend Irene celebrate her sixteenth birthday by attending the theater to watch a celebrated magician make a real dragon appear on stage. Sherlock and Irene meet the magician, Alistair Hemsworth – just as he is arrested for the murder of his rival, The Wizard of Nottingham. It seems that traces of the missing Wizard’s blood and his spectacles were found in Hemsworth’s secret studio. But is Hemsworth guilty? Sherlock has his doubts, and soon, so does the reader. The Dragon Turn is full of humor and plot twists as dizzying as a narrow London lane! Author Shane Peacock invites his readers along on another exciting adventure with one of literature’s all-time favorite characters.

VANCOUVER

Authors Tent
1:20pm – First Descent by Pam Withers
Montana-born Rex loves nothing more than to take his kayak out on a river, the faster and more powerful the better. When he gets the opportunity to tackle the well-named El Furioso in southwest Colombia, he is thrilled. He anticipates the river’s challenges, but finds himself in a situation where the real danger is human.

Kids Tent on Literacy Lane (Hamilton Street)
4:40pm – The Case of the Missing Deed by Ellen Schwartz
Five cousins are looking forward to their annual vacation at their grandmother’s cottage, but this may be their last summer there as a mining company has set its sights on the land. Grandma must produce the deed to prove that the property legally belongs to the family, but she can’t find it. The cousins suspect there may be clues hidden in the family’s cherished trove of recipes-but can they solve the mystery in time? Ellen Schwartz grew up in New Jersey before moving to Canada. She has written several books for children, including Avalanche Dance and Stealing Home. Ages 8-11

HALIFAX

Juba This, Juba That illustrated by Ron Lightburn

KITCHENER

Children’s Reading Tent:
12:00pm – Mrs Kaputnik’s Pool Hall and Matzo Ball Emporium by Rona Arato
1:30pm – Rude Stories by Jan Andrews
2:00pm – Sail Away with Me and Our Corner Grocery Store illustrated by Laura Beingessner

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Tuesdays with Tundra 13

Tuesdays with Tundra is a monthly post on our new releases. The following books are available today in stores and online!

The Case of the Missing Deed
By Ellen Schwartz
Hardcover | Ages 8-11
ISBN 978-0-88776-959-7
eBook 978-1-77049-267-7

Take a dash of colorful characters, a pinch of danger, and generous scoops of adventure and you have a terrific culinary mystery for young readers.

Five cousins are looking forward to their annual vacation at their grandmother’s cottage. None of them knows that this may be their last such summer. A mining company has set its sights on the land and is determined to seize it. Grandma must produce the deed to prove that the property is really hers, but her memory is not what it used to be, and she can’t find it. The children suspect there may be clues to the deed’s whereabouts somewhere in the family’s cherished trove of recipes. But can they solve the mystery in time?

Adult mystery buffs have had many culinary mysteries to choose from. Ellen Schwartz introduces her young readers to a delicious genre. She even provides easy-to-follow and yummy to eat recipes.

First Descent
By Pam Withers
Hardcover | Ages 12+
ISBN 978-1-77049-257-8
eBook 978-1-77049-274-5

Montana-born Rex loves nothing more than to take his kayak out on a river, the faster and more powerful the better. When he gets the opportunity to tackle the well-named El Furioso in southwest Colombia, he is thrilled. He anticipates the river’s challenges, but finds himself in a situation where the real danger is human.

In Colombia, he meets Myriam Calambás, an indígena, who has lived along the El Furioso all her life. Though she loves its rushing waters, she dreams of leaving to get an education so that she can help her people. Her dreams, and her very survival, are in the balance when she and Rex are caught up in the clash between paramilitaries, working for rich landowners, and guerillas, who are supposed to be protecting the poor.

Pam Withers’ skill at writing about extreme adventures combines with a compelling story about an endangered world and a people struggling for their very right to exist.

Juba This, Juba That
By Helaine Becker
Illustrated by Ron Lightburn
Hardcover | Ages 2-5
ISBN 978-1-77049-975-7

Traditional “juba” rhythms have a long history. They originated in Nigeria as hand-clapping games. People who were brought to the New World as slaves fought hard to keep their culture alive against terrible odds. They transformed “juba” rhythms into work songs that were passed down orally.

Juba This, Juba That is based on one of the most popular songs. With its strong beat and read-along repetition, it will delight small children. Along with all the fun there’s also fascinating history and concepts including opposites and prepositions. Children will have fun discovering the story told in the art about a boy named Juba who follows a mysterious yellow cat on a magical, middle-of-the night adventure that leaves them both happy and ready for slumber.

Body Works Series


By Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein MD
Illustrated by Joe Weissmann
Hardcover | Ages 6-9

My Achy Body ISBN 978-1-77049-204-2
My Messy Body ISBN 978-1-77049-202-8
My Noisy Body ISBN 978-1-77049-201-1
My Stretchy Body ISBN 978-1-77049-203-5

Young children are full of questions about how their bodies work. With straightforward, easy-to-understand language and a playful attitude, Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein MD have collaborated to create books packed with solid information about the intricacies of the human body. Their reassuring text describes the body’s various systems and supplies parents and caregivers with answers that will help them provide the accurate, age-appropriate information young children need.

Pub Date Giveaway: How was back to school week? Tell us which new release (the four Body Works books count as one) you would love to read in the comments below and one lucky reader will receive a copy of their requested book! One request per person and please review our rules. This giveaway ends at midnight on Thursday, September 15, 2011!

UPDATE: A winner has been randomly chosen. Congratulations to Emily D., the new owner of The Case of the Missing Deed.

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BlogFest 2011

Welcome and thank you for joining us for BlogFest 2011!  We had so much fun last year that we decided to do it again. For those of you who are participating for the first time, here’s some background info from our host and organizer, A Journey of Books:

What is BlogFest?
BlogFest is a blog run of sorts. A list of participating blogs will be provided on July 15, each offering a fantastic giveaway for readers to enter. Each blog will link to another, pulling readers through the fantastic party we’ll have set up for them!

How do I enter to win?
Each blog has their own giveaway and their own rules. The giveaways will start at midnight EST on the morning of July 15th and run through 11:59pm on the night of the 17th. That’s a whole 72 hours where you get to visit as many blogs as you want and enter their amazing giveaways.

This year, you could win the following prize pack (5 books) from Tundra Books:

Stones for My Father
By Trilby Kent
Ages 11+ | 176 Pages
HC ISBN 9781770492523
“The more prominent review media seem to have completely missed this gem from a Canadian-Brit. In quickly evocative prose, Kent creates an immediate and scintillating story of young Corlie Roux, a Boer girl in South Africa during the Anglo-Boer War at the turn of the last century…. Kent has a keen craft and understands her audience, and the U.S. children’s literature world would do well to start paying her more attention.” – BayViews, The Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California

The Case of the Missing Deed
By Ellen Schwartz
Ages 8-11 | 200 Pages
HC ISBN 9780887769597
“…The Case of the Missing Deed is fast-paced, and full of cryptic clues, secret codes, and red herrings…. Schwartz beautifully captures the agony, ecstasy, and exquisite self-centredness of a 13-year-old girl on a family vacation…. The Case of the Missing Deed is a great summer read for kids who love a good, meaty mystery as much as they love a delicious homemade dessert.” – Quill & Quire

First Descent
By Pam Withers
Ages 12+ | 272 Pages
HC ISBN 9781770492578
“…Myriam is one of the best heroines I’ve found in a YA novel! She has so many layers and depth and she’s strong without being impossible…. Myriam and her family weren’t tropes or stereotypes; they were fully fleshed-out characters who were just living their lives as best they could. The changes Rex went through were really organic – because he spent time with Myriam’s people but also because he finally got away from his grandfather’s poisonous influence…. Willingness to both listen and to alter your worldview when needed are two important things I think a lot of kids need to learn about, and First Descent tells them that in such a way that it never felt like preaching. Which is great, don’t you think?” – Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog

“Scribbling Women” True Tales from Astonishing Women
By Marthe Jocelyn
Ages 14+ | 208 Pages
HC ISBN 9780887769528
“…a wonderful example of a book that will break down any negative stereotypes about biographies. [Jocelyn]… creates lively, sometimes humorous pieces that blend straight biographic detail and anecdotal accounts about some lesser known women writers in history…. Not only does Jocelyn share extraordinary stories about these women, but her piece also celebrates writers of all kinds, inspiring young adults, particularly girls, to value their own voices and experiences by writing through whatever means they choose….” – ForeWord Reviews

Yes You Can! Your Guide to Becoming an Activist
By Jane Drake and Ann Love
Ages 11+ | 144 Pages
TR ISBN 9780887769429
“…The style is conversational and the tone offers realistic encouragement to teens looking to solve problems. Teachers will approve of the focus on the importance of developing writing and speaking skills, being mindful of one’s online reputation, and learning how to evaluate project efforts … a useful historical perspective of activism.” – School Library Journal

To enter our BlogFest Giveaway:

  • Please leave a comment sharing your favourite book blog! The blog’s name or URL please! One entry per person.
  • Also let us know if you do the extra entries in your entry comment. It is optional! If you’re already a subscriber, follower, fan, and friend – just let us know. You don’t have to re-do it.
  • The giveaway closes on July 17, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Entries after this date and time will not be considered.
  • The winner will be chosen by random draw and notified by e-mail. Please read our rules here.

Optional extra entries:

  • +2: Subscribe to our blog using the widget on the top right-side column.
  • +2: Tweet this: I entered the #BlogFest2011 #giveaway at @TundraBooks http://wp.me/priCH-Wn =)
  • +1: Follow us on twitter.
  • +1: Like our page on facebook.
  • +1: Be our friend on goodreads.

Now hop on over to:
165. Tall Tales from a Small Town
166. Taming the Bookshelf
167. Teens Read and Write
168. The Book Garden
169. The Book Nympho

Giveaway Closed! Congratulations to Aik!

Tundra Book Group