Monday, September 8, 2014

LUG, DAWN OF THE ICE AGE Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway



Lug, Dawn of the Ice Age: How One Small Boy Saved Our Big, Dumb Species by David Zeltser for ages 8 to 12, Egmont, September 9, 2014

Source: Netgalley, by invitation from the publisher

Synopsis (from the publisher): In Lug’s Stone Age clan, a caveboy becomes a caveman by catching a jungle llama and riding against the rival Boar Rider clan in the Big Game. The thing is, Lug has a forbidden, secret art cave and would rather paint than smash skulls. 

When Lug is banished from the clan for failing to catch a jungle llama, he’s forced to team up with Stony, a silent Neanderthal with a very expressive unibrow, and Echo, a girl from a rival clan who can talk to animals and just may be prehistory’s first vegetarian and animal rights activist. Together they face even bigger challenges—Lug discovers the Ice Age is coming and he has to bring the warring clans together to save them not only from the freeze but also from a particularly unpleasant migrating pride of saber-toothed tigers. It’s no help that the elders are cavemen who can’t seem to get the concept of climate change through their thick skulls.




Why I recommend it: Lug is my new hero. He's endearing, funny, and smart. David Zeltser has managed the magical feat of channeling the voice of a twelve-year-old cave boy to perfection. Lug is the only one in his clan who seems to realize climate change is coming, although in this case, it's an ice age. But you'll also enjoy Lug's creative tendencies, his attempts to bring rival clans together, and of course his first crush. An easy and fast read. Final art not seen, but it looks as if the lively drawings will enhance the story nicely.



Photo credit: Fiona Dulbecco


David Zeltser emigrated from the Soviet Union as a child, graduated from Harvard, and has worked with all kinds of wild animals, including rhinos, owls, sharks, and ad executives. David lives with his wife and daughter in Santa Cruz, California. He performs improv comedy and loves meeting readers of all ages. His second book about Lug is scheduled to publish in Fall 2015. Visit David’s website at www.davidzeltser.com. He’s also on Twitter: @davidzeltser

And now, a touching guest post from David, with giveaway details below that.

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Dear My Brain on Books readers,

Joanne kindly asked me to share something about my journey as a writer.

Although I was a constant reader, up until I was 21, I was sure I’d be a theoretical physicist. But right before my senior year at Harvard, my best friend was struck and killed by lightning. His name was Qijia Fu and that sudden loss changed everything for me. Instead of continuing on with my plans to go to grad school and do theoretical physics, I suddenly felt I wanted my work to have more of a connection to people, emotion and imagination. I spent my last year of college taking classes in everything except science. There was a regular playwriting contest at Harvard where the winning piece was produced. I co-wrote a play with my brilliant friend, Alexis Gallagher. Encouraged by the win, I began writing screenplays. I wrote with Alexis, with my wonderful actor friend Max Faugno, and on my own. A couple of scripts got optioned, but for some reason it never occurred to me to move to LA. Instead, I wrote whatever I wanted and paid for my tiny NYC apartment by working as a freelance advertising copywriter on the side. My friend Zimran Ahmed always called me Madman, long before the famous show came out.


For more about me, LUG, and other upcoming books, please visit my website. And here’s the page with the LUG book trailer: http://davidzeltser.com/books/lug-dawn-of-the-ice-age

Hope you enjoy it!
David

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Thank you, David. I'm so sorry to learn this about your friend, but glad you found a beautiful way to connect with people.  

Readers, the publisher has generously offered a signed, hardcover copy to one lucky winner. Open to addresses in the US or Canada only. You must be at least 12 years old to enter this giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower and comment on this post. I will give extra entries if you mention this on Twitter, Facebook, or your own blog, but please include a link. Thanks! This giveaway ends at 10 pm Eastern Time on Friday, September 19, 2014. Winner to be announced Monday, Sept 22.


Be sure to visit these other stops on the LUG Blog Tour: 



 Monday, September 08, 2014
Review and giveaway

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

Guest Post and giveaways

Guest post and giveaway

Guest post and giveaway



35 comments:

  1. I know some boys at my school who would want to read this. I'm passing the info along. Thank you!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Theresa. Boys should love this.

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  2. I just love this cover and premise! Just like Theresa, I definitely know a few boys (one in particular who happens to live with me) who'd love this story. I'll show it to him when he gets home from school!

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    1. Isn't that a great cover, Sheri? And the premise is so cool (pun intended).

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  3. What a touching post and inspiring journey. Thank you so much for sharing. And this book sounds like something I would love (and my daughters would, too!).

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    1. Saw your tweet, Jess. Thanks! Your daughters would probably love this. It's not just for boys, especially with Echo.

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  4. Sorry David's journey to writing came from such a tragedy but glad he found his talent. This sounds like a fun book. Please let someone else win. I'm behind in my writing.

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  5. I meant reading. Though I'm behind in writing as well.

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  6. David has such a great story – both his own in in this new MG novel. Best of luck with this and I'll be adding it to my books to read this year.

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  7. This sounds like a lovely read, and David's story is very inspiring! I'd love to win a copy, so I'm here crossing my fingers, and have also done my part to spread the word about the giveaway in a post I put up on a group blog I participate in. You'll find that post here: http://mommyauthors.blogspot.com/2014/09/writing-what-you-feel.html and happy MMGM!

    --Suzanne
    www.suzannewarr.com

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    1. Thank you so much, Suzanne! Awesome of you to spread the word, and good luck in the giveaway.

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  8. Wow. That is quite a story. Thanks for sharing it. Don't put me in the drawing. I just won a copy of this from The Mixed Up Files and am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the post.

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    1. Yay! Glad you're getting a copy of this, Rosi. And thanks for letting me know.

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  9. This sounds so funny, and timely. I'd love to win a copy! Thanks for the interview and the giveaway.

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  10. This sounds like a really unique read. And I loved reading about David's journey to becoming a writer. Working with books is such a way to connect with people.
    Thanks for the great interview and feature!

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  11. This sounds awesome!!!!! :D I have it to be reviewed - now I can't wait to read it!

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    1. Yay, Erik! I saw your blog listed in the blog tour. Hope you enjoy it.

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  12. I would love to read this book. It sounds like a great and very unique story. Thanks for the review and the give a way.

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  13. I can't wait to read this one! Love your review and we are so lucky to be given a chance to win. I tweeted: https://twitter.com/dmsfiles/status/509462028818202624

    I am so sorry to hear about David's friend, but I think it is amazing that as a result he decided to spend his life making connections with others. It sounds like he has a true passion for writing! Wishing him all the best. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. He certainly must have that kind of passion, Jess. Thanks for tweeting.

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  14. What a well-written, thoughtful review. I'll have to check this book out!

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    1. Hi, Anne Marie. Thanks for being my newest follower!

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  15. What a way to honour your friend, David. I am really looking forward to reading this one (and boy, LOVE the subtitle, lol.)

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  16. This book sounds like a fun read. I can imagine lots of boys will love it!

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    1. Hi Jennifer! I think you're right. Boys (and girls) will love this.

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  17. What a fun book! and yet another book you feature and I've never heard of. Yay! :)

    ~Akoss

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