Monday, October 1, 2012

THE SEVEN TALES OF TRINKET and a giveaway!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is the brainchild of Shannon Messenger. For other participants, see my sidebar.



The Seven Tales of Trinket by Shelley Moore Thomas (Sept 2012, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, ages 8 to 12)

Source: hardcover purchased from bookstore

Synopsis (from Indiebound): Guided by a tattered map, accompanied by Thomas the Pig Boy, and inspired by the storyteller’s blood that thrums through her veins, eleven-year-old Trinket searches for the seven stories she needs to become a bard like her father, who disappeared years before. She befriends a fortune-telling gypsy girl; returns a child stolen by the selkies to his true mother; confronts a banshee and receives a message from a ghost; helps a village girl outwit—and out-dance—the Faerie Queen; travels beyond the grave to battle a dastardly undead Highwayman; and meets a hound so loyal he fights a wolf to the death to protect the baby prince left in his charge. All fine material for six tales, but it is the seventh tale, in which Trinket learns her father’s true fate, that changes her life forever.

Why I liked it:  The best thing about the book, of course, is Trinket! She comes across as very real, human, flawed and yet lovable. She wants desperately to be a good storyteller as her father was, but she's shy about actually telling the stories to people they meet. So she listens and observes and gathers the tales for later telling. I had no trouble guessing what happened to her father, but I doubt a tween reader would figure it out. Filled with vivid descriptions, this book has a decidedly medieval flavor and stories based on Celtic folklore. My favorites are the Selkie's tale and the Banshee's tale. The Seven Tales of Trinket would make a perfect read-aloud.

You might recognize Shelley Moore Thomas as the author of the adorable Good Knight series of picture books and young readers. This is her first middle grade novel.  

And here's the giveaway I promised you last week. I will use random.org to choose one lucky winner of my hardcover copy. The rules are simple: You must be a follower and you must leave a comment on this post. International entries welcome. This giveaway will end at 11:00 pm EDT on Saturday October 13 (edited to fix the date!), 2012.  Good luck!

27 comments:

  1. I'm reading this right now! The idea of stories leading Trinket to learning about her story-telling father as she learns how to weave stories herself is so interesting to the writer in me. As for the reader, I love Trinket -- for all the reasons you mention.

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  2. Sounds like a great read. Enter me in the contest for a change. Thanks for sharing your copy.

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    1. Hi Natalie! Consider yourself entered. It was the last book I purchased with my employee discount, so I'm happy to give it away. There may not be as many giveaways in the future!

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  3. This sounds like a fantastic book. I can't wait to read it. Thanks for running the giveaway.

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    1. You're welcome, Rosi. And assuming you're a follower, you're now officially entered.

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  4. I love this kind of concept--multiple adventures with an arc that carries through. I'll definitely put it on my TBR list.

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    1. Hi Michelle! Yes, it's the perfect structure for this book.

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  5. I think I've seen this book featured on another MMGM not that long ago. Hmm... I should add it to my list then.
    Thanks for the feature and a chance to win a copy. :)

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    1. Yes, Akoss! Myrna Foster had a giveaway of this two weeks ago.

      You're welcome and you're officially entered.

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  6. Sounds like an interesting book! I'll pass on the giveaway (b/c you are already sending me an ARC - thank you again!) but I will keep this one in mind for when time permits.

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    1. You're welcome, Julie, and that's so sweet of you. You could have entered anyway.

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  7. Oh yes please! (And I'm a dedicated follower!)

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    1. Ahaha, Michael. I know you are. Thank you for that! And, uh, thank the Don for me.

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  8. This book sounds fantastic! I love the way you described Trinket. I also found the story to be intriguing. I cannot wait to pick it up. I would LOVE to win a copy. Thanks for sharing and the giveaway.
    ~Jess (old follower)

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    1. Hi Jess! Thanks for your kind words. And now you're officially entered!

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  9. I haven't heard of this author before - will have to check out the Good Knight books too as those also sound good.

    - Jessica @ Book Sake

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    1. Hi Jessica! Yes, check those out. They're a lot of fun.

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  10. I know Shelley! I would love a copy. Hooray for MG.

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    1. Hi Matt! Lucky you, knowing Shelley. And yay for MG love.

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  11. Thanks for a chance to win a copy! Would love to read this one and my oh my what a cover.

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  12. I can't resist a story with a tattered map! Count me in.

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  13. Trinket sounds like a great character, and I searching for seven stories sounds rather magical. Thanks for highlighting.

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    1. Hi Susan! Thanks for visiting (and entering). Trinket's a wonderful heroine.

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  14. This giveaway is now CLOSED. Winner to be announced on Monday Oct 15.

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