The Expedition Log

Look at these great Expeditioners character bookmarks, designed by Katherine Roy! Who will it be? Kit, Zander, M.K., or Sukey? Pick your favorite at the Norwich Bookstore book launch tomorrow!

Look at these great Expeditioners character bookmarks, designed by Katherine Roy! Who will it be? Kit, Zander, M.K., or Sukey? Pick your favorite at the Norwich Bookstore book launch tomorrow!

I’m honored to be the featured author this month over at The Book Jam. I always struggle with listing a few books that have inspired me, but I managed to come up with three!

Look at these great Explorer’s Vest worksheets, designed by Katherine Roy. I’ll be debuting them at a kids’ writing workshop I’m teaching tomorrow. This one was customized for adventure by a member of the Expeditioners’ household! Come design your own Explorer’s Vest (or newly discovered map of the world) at one of our signings.

Look at these great Explorer’s Vest worksheets, designed by Katherine Roy. I’ll be debuting them at a kids’ writing workshop I’m teaching tomorrow. This one was customized for adventure by a member of the Expeditioners’ household! Come design your own Explorer’s Vest (or newly discovered map of the world) at one of our signings.

Here’s a nice review from Publishers Weekly! 

“In this series kickoff, Taylor (Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean) introduces a fascinating world where history took a different turn. The invention of computers in 1880—and their failure a century later—has led to the discovery of strange lands not on any map as well as the rise of steampunk technology in place of gasoline and electricity. Siblings Zander, Kit, and M.K.—14, 13, and 10, respectively—are forced to go on the run after they discover a map created by their deceased father, a renowned explorer, which points the way to a massive hidden treasure, one coveted by the corrupt Bureau of Newly Discovered Lands. As their journey takes them into the depths of a long-hidden region, they encounter all manner of dangers. The author’s evident love of maps and exploration strengthens this Indiana Jones–style adventure, which is filled with nifty gadgets, moments of moderate terror, and high stakes. The retro-futuristic technology, never-before-seen sights, and danger provide plenty of fodder for Roy’s playful illustrations, which have an adventurous, Jonny Quest flair. Ages 10–up. Agent: Esmond Harmsworth, Zachary Shuster Harmsworth Literary Agency. (Dec.)”

— Publishers Weekly

I’m getting ready to head up to Montpelier to teach a workshop at the Young Writers Project Celebration of Writing Day at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. The Young Writers Project is a great organization that gets kids across Vermont and New Hampshire writing and sharing their work. I’m very honored to be a part of the celebration of YWP’s new anthology (with a preface by Katherine Paterson!)

Introducing … The Expeditioners and the Treasure of Drowned Man’s Canyon, the book trailer!

I loved Icefall by Matthew Kirby. It has a brave and perspicacious storytelling heroine, an intriguing ancient Norse historical setting, and great suspense and atmosphere.  While trapped in a remote fortress that’s meant to protect her and her siblings from their Viking chieftain father’s enemies, Solveig begins to realize that the real danger may lie within the small community of warriors and household members she’s counting on to keep them safe. Icefall is a coming of age novel about trust and hard truths and finding your path. I loved it. 

I loved Icefall by Matthew Kirby. It has a brave and perspicacious storytelling heroine, an intriguing ancient Norse historical setting, and great suspense and atmosphere. 

While trapped in a remote fortress that’s meant to protect her and her siblings from their Viking chieftain father’s enemies, Solveig begins to realize that the real danger may lie within the small community of warriors and household members she’s counting on to keep them safe. Icefall is a coming of age novel about trust and hard truths and finding your path. I loved it.