Giveaway: Debut Novels from Candlewick Press

Candlewick: Do you know Candlewick Press? If you read young adult, middle grade, or children's books, I'm sure many of their titles have crossed your path, such as the best-selling I Want My Hat Back, the Clarice Bean books, and Owl Babies. Since 1992, this small independent press has published quality books in a variety of genres and for young readers of all ages.

Whether you're an old friend of Candlewick's or have just discovered them, you have a lot to look forward to this coming spring with the publication of five strong novels from five promising debut authors.

The Giveaway: Just in time for the holidays, and thanks to Candlewick, I can offer one of my readers with a U.S. or Canada mailing address a sneak peak at all five debut novels. You read that right! The prize pack consists of five advance reading copies and one fun accordion bookmark.

Here's a little bit about each book. If you want to know more about the authors, take a look at Candlewick's Pinterest board dedicated to these "First Pages."

Sarah Combs's Breakfast Served Anytime (ISBN-13: 9780763667917) is about the summer Gloria went to Geek Camp for gifted students. Although she's excited about spending the summer on a college campus, she is still mourning her grandmother's death and knows she'll miss her best friend, especially because all electronics are banned from camp. A contemporary coming-of-age story set in beautiful Kentucky. In The Chance You Won't Return, by Annie Cardi (ISBN-13: 9780763662929), sixteen-year-old Alex is struggling to overcome her fear of driving and is negotiating the rocky world of high school crushes. But when her mother begins to lose her grip on reality, Alex's real challenge is to find a way to hold on to the woman who used be mom. A moving look at delusional disorders and how they can disrupt a family. Ryan Gebhart's There Will Be Bears (ISBN-13: 9780763665210) is part adventure and part family story. Thanks to ADHD, thirteen-year-old Tyson struggles in school and has grown apart from his childhood friends. After his grandfather moves to assisted living because of failing kidney function, Tyson is lonelier than ever. So when Grandpus suggests they go on a clandestine hunting trip, despite reports of a man-eating grizzly, Tyson agrees. An exciting story with some good lessons for middle grade readers.

Skila Brown's Caminar (ISBN-13: 9780763665166) takes us to 1981 and war-torn Guatemala, where young Carlos's life is turned upside down when soldiers come to his village. This emotionally strong novel, written in verse, reveals the horrors of war as the boy is forced to become a man and protect his loved ones. The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton (ISBN-13: 9780763665661)--a mix of family saga, coming-of-age, and magical realism--tells the story of what happens when Ava, who was born with wings, decides she wants what every other teenage girl wants: friends and love. This magical book explores family, love, and finding one's true self.

So there you have it:

Five strong novels + five debut authors + 1 fun accordion bookmark = one great giveaway.

How to enter: All you have to do to enter for a chance to win all five books (ARCs) is to have a U.S. or Canada mailing address and fill out the following form. This is going to be a quick giveaway so Candlewick has time to send out the books before they close for the holidays. I can't promise you'll get the books before Christmas, but I hope you do. I'll pick a winner via random number generator on December 18. Once the winner has been confirmed, I'll erase all personal data from my computer. Good luck!