MMGM: GIVEAWAY & AUTHOR INTERVIEW w/ ALISON JACKSON

- Book Review: WITH LOVE & LAUGHTER, JOHN RITTER
- Win THE RIFTS OF RIME by Steven Peck (Ends 6/4) 
- Win DEVINE INTERVENTION by Martha Brockenbrough (Ends 6/6) 
- Win $100 Gift Card! (Ends 5/31) 

Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click HERE.

EGGS OVER EVIE
Alison Jackson
Henry Holt & Co.
Ages 8 & Up
224 pp.

Twelve-year-old Evie Carson lives with her mom. In an apartment across the lake, Evie’s celebrity-chef dad is starting a new life with his young second wife, Angie, who’s expecting twins. To make matters worse, Evie’s dad has custody of the beloved family dog. Navigating her new family situation is difficult, and Evie turns to her love of cooking as a way to stay connected to her father. Through cooking classes, Evie finds an unexpected friend in Corey, whose eccentric aunt Shanti might be able to make everyone a little happier. Evie learns to look outside herself, help others, and make friends where she never thought she could (she also learns to make a pretty darn good soufflé!).

"This is an appealing book with an authentic voice, particularly when discussing the upheaval and discomfort caused by divorce, as well as the effort and good will required to smooth the transition."—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library (School Library Journal)

I had the pleasure of meeting Alison recently at a writer's workshop in Ojai, CA where I was speaking. She was kind enough to give me a signed copy of her book, which I shared with my nine-year-old daughter, Brennah. Brennah dove right in and loved the book, especially because she wants to be a chef when she grows up. Brennah gives this book a big thumbs up!

Alison is a seasoned children's book author with a dozen titles under her belt and has graciously agreed to visit with us today. She is also donating a copy of EGGS OVER EVIE to one lucky winner! Just scroll down to find out to participate in the giveaway.

Tell about EGGS OVER EVIE in one sentence.

Twelve-year-old Evie must deal with her parents' divorce, a new stepmother, and a troublesome neighbor, so the only solution is to cook!

What inspired you to write this story?
I enjoy cooking and thought it would be fun to incorporate recipes and cooking tips in a story about a girl who uses cooking as a way to express herself.
 

Share a little about your other books.

I have written 12 books for young readers, ranging from pre-school to middle school. Only 6 of them are still in print, but here is a brief list:

I KNOW AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A PIE  A humorous thanksgiving take-off on the familiar song, "I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly."

THE BALLAD OF VALENTINE  A romantic Valentine's Day variation on the beloved folksong, "Clemintine."

RAINMAKER Set in central Florida during the historic famine of 1939, 12-year-old Pidge and her widowed father send for a "Rainmaker" to end the drought.

THEA'S TREE  Thea Teawinkle plants an odd purple seed in her front yard for a class science project, with astonishing results.

DESERT ROSE AND HER HIGHFALUTIN HOG  A Texas twist on a familiar favorite: "The Old Woman and Her Pig."

I also have a book available on Kindle for $1.99. Entitled SCHOOL SPIRIT, it is the story of a high school girl who doesn't realize her school is haunted until she herself becomes a ghost, doomed to haunt the halls of Cannon Academy in order to solve the mystery of her own death.

What books did you enjoy as a child?
My favorite books as a child were A WRINKLE IN TIME and CHARLOTTE'S WEB. I also liked anything by Edward Eager, Lois Lenski, and Betsy Byars.

What do you like to read now?
I love historical fiction, especially stories that take place in exotic or foreign lands.
 

Tell us about your journey to publication.

I began writing children's books because I was a children's librarian. After recommending so many books to young readers, I felt I could write a book which they might enjoy. The result was my very first middle grade novel, entitled MY BROTHER THE STAR. It is the story of a fifth grade boy whose younger brother is a TV star. This was followed by two sequels: CRANE'S REBOUND and BLOWING BUBBLES WITH THE ENEMY.

What can we expect from you in the future?
I have another picture book scheduled for publication in 2013. Entitled WHEN THE WIND BLEW, it is the story of "Rock-a-bye, Baby", only in my story the wind blows so hard it carries the baby right out of the tree and he lands on the shoe house belongingto the "Old Woman in a Shoe." All of the nursery rhymes continue to get mixed up until the wind finally shifts direction and blows everything back where it belongs.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Alison is providing a copy of EGGS OVER EVIE to one (1) lucky reader. 

 To be eligible for the drawing, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. 

This giveaway will end on JUNE 11TH.

a Rafflecopter giveaway