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The new book is out, and it’s a doozy! If you or your kids like SKELETON CREEK, you’ll love TOWERVALE.

Three years in the making, TOWERVALE is a new series that has a very unique feature specially made for readers who are also gamers.

TOWERVALE is organized in seven sections that are not in order. Each section ends with a password readers must enter in the free Towervale game, unlocking a level. When the level is cleared, the next page to turn to in the book is revealed. But there’s a catch: if you didn’t read the previous section of the book, you’ll have no idea how to clear the level in the game.

TOWERVALE is a big, sprawling fantasy like Land of Elyon, but in this series, the reader is the hero of the adventure. So fun! My first time back to fantasy in a looooong time!

To order or find out more about the series, go toÌýÌýIt’s perfect for 9-12-year-olds, or big kids of any age.

And a final note: TOWERVALE is not available in stores or on Amazon. It’s only available atÌýÌý·¡³æ³¦±ô³Ü²õ¾±±¹±ð!

Read on!

Towervale game platforms: web, Apple, Android.

Hey thanks Texas! The Bluebonnet Awards list has been announced and Mr. Gedrick and Me makes the cut. The committee considers more than 500 books to select five outstanding books of various genres for grades 3, 4, 5, and 6. Find the entire list here:

The Land of Elyon trilogy is now available in an omnibus edition � 660 pages of adventure. If you like a big book, this edition is for you. Here are links for the entire Elyon collection:

Land of Elyon trilogy in one volume:Ìý

The Dark Hills Divide:Ìý

Beyond the Valley of Thorns:Ìý

The Tenth City:Ìý

Into the Mist:Ìý

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Mr. Gedrick and Me is officially loose in the world! If you liked Mary Poppins, you might just love Mr. Gedrick, a modern-day manny with magical abilities helping a family find it’s way home after a tragic loss.

If you’d like aÌýSIGNED COPY, call Book and Game in Walla Walla, Washington at â€� they’ll have me over to personalize and sign as needed and then ship you the book.

And read all the reviews here:

KIRKUS (STARRED REVIEW)

A reimagined Mary Poppins, set in 21st-century Chicago, with a Mr. Gedrick playing the role of the magical nanny restoring a family from grief.Mr. Gedrick, with his green felt jacket, red tie, and crisp white shirt, channels fatherly advice with impeccable timing and just a touch of magic. And the Darrow family needs help. Jonathan was the stay-at-home dad, and his death has shattered the lives of his wife and three children. Elsa, the gifted architect mother, has lost her creative drive on an important project. Older son Fergus has retreated to baseball. Daughter Amelia, also a talented artist, hides in her room alone. It is the neglected Stanley, the endlessly optimistic narrator and youngest in the family, who connects with Mr. Gedrick and drives the whole story. (All are white.) While the death-of-a-parent genre skews serious and mystical, Carman flips this, keeping the tone as funny, energetic, and bighearted as Stanley himself. Fans of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and Nurse Matilda will approve while glimpsing the unsettling effects of grief. Mr. Gedrick is the fairy godfather every child needs: present, engaging, and thoughtful. But is he magical enough to fix both the family and Mom’s important project? The funny and comforting way this lovely family slowly turns away from sadness is a balm for all readers—there are not many like it on the shelves. (Fiction. 8-12)

BOOKLIST

Stanley’s family hasn’t been the same since his dad died. His sister is always in her room, his brother never has time to play, and his mom is buried in work. While visiting his dad one day in the cemetery, Stanley sees a strange, jauntily dressed man sitting near his dad’s grave. Imagine his surprise when this man—Mr. Gedrick—shows up at their doorstep as their new nanny. Mr. Gedrick begins to clean up the house right away, and soon he and Stanley are spending much of their time together. With his particular magic, the children and their mom begin to realize that they’re all afraid of doing what their father would have wanted them to do: move on. Along the way, the kids come together to work on a special plan and help their mom rediscover her talent and passion. With an energetic, bright, and outgoing narrator in Stanley, there is never a dull moment. Lightly fantastical with plenty of emotional heft, this will please young readers who like their stories to have some depth.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

A stand-alone novel that brings a little magic to a difficult but familiar middle grade topic. The Darrow family has recently lost their father. Stanley, the youngest, pines to be noticed, while his brother Fergus seeks solace on the baseball field. Amelia rarely leaves her room, while Mrs. Darrow struggles to find inspiration and regain her footing at her architectural firm. The Darrows hire Mr. Gedrick to help around the house, but they soon find out he is a very different sort of nanny. Mr. Gedrick has a car that bends time, a talent for breakfast, and uncanny similarities to the late Mr. Darrow. Ultimately, the family and Mr. Gedrick work together to heal their wounds and grow stronger. While it is clear that Mr. Gedrick has magical abilities, it is a subtle form of fantasy and packed with humor. The presentation of loss is tempered substantially through Stanley, the most optimistic of the Darrows. The plot resolves neatly and not all that realistically, but this doesn’t prevent a satisfying conclusion. This joy-filled and charming tale will resonate with children who have faced a recent loss. Readers will come away with a feel-good assurance that wounds heal in time and loved ones are never far away. VERDICT A good choice as a family read-aloud or for those experiencing grief; generally recommended for large collections.–Taylor Worley, Springfield Public Library, OR

PUBLSIHERS WEEKLY

Nine-year-old Stanley Darrow’s family is having a hard time. His father has died, his mother is overwhelmed trying to maintain her job and care for the family, and everyone is grieving. When Stanley’s mother mentions getting a nanny, he completes an online request form, and the prim Mr. Gedrick shows up soon after, hailing from a mysterious place called Swoghollow. Not a typical nanny, Mr. Gedrick focuses on helping Stanley and his siblings work through their grief and come together while chipping in with housework and building a series of projects, including a tree house. With the aid of Mr. Gedrick, the siblings also help their mother break away from a cruel boss so that she can manage her career and family more easily. Carman (the Fizzopolis series) handles Stanley and his family’s grief with sensitivity and moments of levity. With a touch of magic and a lot of heart, this journey of a family redefining itself is both heartwarming and fun. Think Gary Poppins. Ages 8�12. (Nov.)

Here we go Mr. Gedrick!

In this new Fizzy adventure, Harold Fuzzwonker and his best good buddy, Floyd, find Fizzopolis in a state of emergency. No Fuzzwonker Fizz! Only one villainous and crummy candy family could have stolen it: the Snoods. Harold and Floyd go on their wildest mission yet and must rescue all theÌýFuzzwonker Fizz bottles to save Fizzopolis. Burps everywhere are counting on them!

Praise for the series:

“Fizzopolis bubbles over with belly burps-and belly laughs.�

� Tom Watson, New York Times bestselling author of the Stick Dog series

“Carman’s wacky words and Sheesley’s loony artwork go together like soda pop and belches!�

� Jim Benton, New York Times bestselling author of the Franny K. Stein and Dear Dumb Diary series

COVER REVEAL! Mr. Gedrick and Me from Harper Collins will be out this fall, but the cover was just finalized the other day. Very excited about it! Stanley Darrow’s family is falling apart, until a mysterious and magical manny arrives to put things back together again. My favorite kind of story: big heart, lots of laughs, and mysterious goings on. Stay tuned for release date. Middle grade, ages 9-12.

I listened to Yes Please by Amy Poehler during my drive to Montana. Recommended! Surprisingly full of good advice for creatives, and her reading cracked me up. One nugget I’ll share:

Great people do things before they are ready.

I think this is especially true in the arts. Whether it’s acting, painting, writing, or whatever � taking risks is one of the most important ways to grow at the beginning. Finding your way is going to involve falling on your face, feeling embarrassed, getting up, and keeping at it. I still remember how unready (is that a word?) I was when I handed the Land of Elyon to my local librarian. Let’s just say the meeting for coffee a week later did not go well. And touring was the same. I was so nervous the first time I stood in front of a group of kids and teachers. It’s a miracle I didn’t melt into a gloppy fear blob. But I soldiered on. I wasn’t ready to be a writer, I knew that. Thirty books later, I don’t know if I’m great, but I know that I’m pretty good. If I had waited until I was ready, I’d still be waiting.

Go forth and fall on your faces, newbies! It won’t last forever. And the sooner you get it over with the sooner you WILL be ready.

Mr. Gedrick and Me is officially loose in the world! If you liked Mary Poppins, you might just love Mr. Gedrick, a modern day manny with magical abilities helping a family find it’s way home after a tragic loss.

Order online here:Ìý

If you’d like aÌýSIGNED COPY, call Book and Game in Walla Walla, Washington at â€� they’ll have me over to personalize and sign as needed and then ship you the book.

And read all the reviews here:

KIRKUS (STARRED REVIEW)

A reimagined Mary Poppins, set in 21st-century Chicago, with a Mr. Gedrick playing the role of the magical nanny restoring a family from grief.Mr. Gedrick, with his green felt jacket, red tie, and crisp white shirt, channels fatherly advice with impeccable timing and just a touch of magic. And the Darrow family needs help. Jonathan was the stay-at-home dad, and his death has shattered the lives of his wife and three children. Elsa, the gifted architect mother, has lost her creative drive on an important project. Older son Fergus has retreated to baseball. Daughter Amelia, also a talented artist, hides in her room alone. It is the neglected Stanley, the endlessly optimistic narrator and youngest in the family, who connects with Mr. Gedrick and drives the whole story. (All are white.) While the death-of-a-parent genre skews serious and mystical, Carman flips this, keeping the tone as funny, energetic, and bighearted as Stanley himself. Fans of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and Nurse Matilda will approve while glimpsing the unsettling effects of grief. Mr. Gedrick is the fairy godfather every child needs: present, engaging, and thoughtful. But is he magical enough to fix both the family and Mom’s important project? The funny and comforting way this lovely family slowly turns away from sadness is a balm for all readers—there are not many like it on the shelves. (Fiction. 8-12)

BOOKLIST

Stanley’s family hasn’t been the same since his dad died. His sister is always in her room, his brother never has time to play, and his mom is buried in work. While visiting his dad one day in the cemetery, Stanley sees a strange, jauntily dressed man sitting near his dad’s grave. Imagine his surprise when this man—Mr. Gedrick—shows up at their doorstep as their new nanny. Mr. Gedrick begins to clean up the house right away, and soon he and Stanley are spending much of their time together. With his particular magic, the children and their mom begin to realize that they’re all afraid of doing what their father would have wanted them to do: move on. Along the way, the kids come together to work on a special plan and help their mom rediscover her talent and passion. With an energetic, bright, and outgoing narrator in Stanley, there is never a dull moment. Lightly fantastical with plenty of emotional heft, this will please young readers who like their stories to have some depth.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

A stand-alone novel that brings a little magic to a difficult but familiar middle grade topic. The Darrow family has recently lost their father. Stanley, the youngest, pines to be noticed, while his brother Fergus seeks solace on the baseball field. Amelia rarely leaves her room, while Mrs. Darrow struggles to find inspiration and regain her footing at her architectural firm. The Darrows hire Mr. Gedrick to help around the house, but they soon find out he is a very different sort of nanny. Mr. Gedrick has a car that bends time, a talent for breakfast, and uncanny similarities to the late Mr. Darrow. Ultimately, the family and Mr. Gedrick work together to heal their wounds and grow stronger. While it is clear that Mr. Gedrick has magical abilities, it is a subtle form of fantasy and packed with humor. The presentation of loss is tempered substantially through Stanley, the most optimistic of the Darrows. The plot resolves neatly and not all that realistically, but this doesn’t prevent a satisfying conclusion. This joy-filled and charming tale will resonate with children who have faced a recent loss. Readers will come away with a feel-good assurance that wounds heal in time and loved ones are never far away. VERDICT A good choice as a family read-aloud or for those experiencing grief; generally recommended for large collections.–Taylor Worley, Springfield Public Library, OR

PUBLSIHERS WEEKLY

Nine-year-old Stanley Darrow’s family is having a hard time. His father has died, his mother is overwhelmed trying to maintain her job and care for the family, and everyone is grieving. When Stanley’s mother mentions getting a nanny, he completes an online request form, and the prim Mr. Gedrick shows up soon after, hailing from a mysterious place called Swoghollow. Not a typical nanny, Mr. Gedrick focuses on helping Stanley and his siblings work through their grief and come together while chipping in with housework and building a series of projects, including a tree house. With the aid of Mr. Gedrick, the siblings also help their mother break away from a cruel boss so that she can manage her career and family more easily. Carman (the Fizzopolis series) handles Stanley and his family’s grief with sensitivity and moments of levity. With a touch of magic and a lot of heart, this journey of a family redefining itself is both heartwarming and fun. Think Gary Poppins. Ages 8�12. (Nov.)

Here we go Mr. Gedrick!

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Mr. Gedrick and Me
Patrick Carman. HarperCollins/Tegen, $16.99 (224p) ISBN 978-0-06-242160-9
Nine-year-old Stanley Darrow’s family is having a hard time. His father has died, his mother is overwhelmed trying to maintain her job and care for the family, and everyone is grieving. When Stanley’s mother mentions getting a nanny, he completes an online request form, and the prim Mr. Gedrick shows up soon after, hailing from a mysterious place called Swoghollow. Not a typical nanny, Mr. Gedrick focuses on helping Stanley and his siblings work through their grief and come together while chipping in with housework and building a series of projects, including a tree house. With the aid of Mr. Gedrick, the siblings also help their mother break away from a cruel boss so that she can manage her career and family more easily. Carman (the Fizzopolis series) handles Stanley and his family’s grief with sensitivity and moments of levity. With a touch of magic and a lot of heart, this journey of a family redefining itself is both heartwarming and fun. Think Gary Poppins. Ages 8�12. (Nov.)
Reviewed on 09/22/2017 | Details & Permalink

Starred review fromÌý°­¾±°ù°ì³Ü²õÌý´Ú´Ç°ùÌýMr. Gedrick and Me

MR. GEDRICK AND MEÌý[STARRED REVIEW!]

Author: Patrick Carman

A reimagined Mary Poppins, set in 21st-century Chicago, with a Mr. Gedrick playing the role of the magical nanny restoring a family from grief.Mr. Gedrick, with his green felt jacket, red tie, and crisp white shirt, channels fatherly advice with impeccable timing and just a touch of magic. And the Darrow family needs help. Jonathan was the stay-at-home dad, and his death has shattered the lives of his wife and three children. Elsa, the gifted architect mother, has lost her creative drive on an important project. Older son Fergus has retreated to baseball. Daughter Amelia, also a talented artist, hides in her room alone. It is the neglected Stanley, the endlessly optimistic narrator and youngest in the family, who connects with Mr. Gedrick and drives the whole story. (All are white.) While the death-of-a-parent genre skews serious and mystical, Carman flips this, keeping the tone as funny, energetic, and bighearted as Stanley himself. Fans of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and Nurse Matilda will approve while glimpsing the unsettling effects of grief. Mr. Gedrick is the fairy godfather every child needs: present, engaging, and thoughtful. But is he magical enough to fix both the family and Mom’s important project? The funny and comforting way this lovely family slowly turns away from sadness is a balm for all readers—there are not many like it on the shelves. (Fiction. 8-12)

SLJ

MR. GEDRICK AND ME

CARMAN, Patrick. Mr. Gedrick and Me. 224p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. Nov. 2017. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062421609.

Gr 3-5–A stand-alone novel that brings a little magic to a difficult but familiar middle grade topic. The Darrow family has recently lost their father. Stanley, the youngest, pines to be noticed, while his brother Fergus seeks solace on the baseball field. Amelia rarely leaves her room, while Mrs. Darrow struggles to find inspiration and regain her footing at her architectural firm. The Darrows hire Mr. Gedrick to help around the house, but they soon find out he is a very different sort of nanny. Mr. Gedrick has a car that bends time, a talent for breakfast, and uncanny similarities to the late Mr. Darrow. Ultimately, the family and Mr. Gedrick work together to heal their wounds and grow stronger. While it is clear that Mr. Gedrick has magical abilities, it is a subtle form of fantasy and packed with humor. The presentation of loss is tempered substantially through Stanley, the most optimistic of the Darrows. The plot resolves neatly and not all that realistically, but this doesn’t prevent a satisfying conclusion. This joy-filled and charming tale will resonate with children who have faced a recent loss. Readers will come away with a feel-good assurance that wounds heal in time and loved ones are never far away. VERDICT A good choice as a family read-aloud or for those experiencing grief; generally recommended for large collections.–Taylor Worley, Springfield Public Library, OR

If you like big adventures, lots of laughs, and being chased by cheese zombies,ÌýFloozombies is for you! Join Harold and Floyd in their latest story â€� see you on the inside!