New Book in August 2017 – Cover Reveal!

 

I’m so excited to share with you the beautiful cover for my next middle grade novel, THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU. Coming out August 22, 2017, it’s a story about sisters, changing friendships, and figuring out who you are. It also has a really great dog named Bean. When I saw my cover, I cheered! I loved everything about it – Emily in her pajamas, Bean peeking out from under the covers, posters of Emily’s favorite book characters decorating her room. Illustrator Kathrin Honesta made everything absolutely perfect. I am in awe of her talent.

Here’s the official synopsis: 

Emily Murphy is about to enter middle school. She’s sort of excited… though not nearly as much as her best friend Hazel, who is ready for everything to be new. Emily wishes she and Hazel could just continue on as they always have, being the biggest fans ever of the Unicorn Chronicles, making up dance moves, and getting their regular order at the Slice.

But things are changing. At home, Emily and her mom are learning to move on after her parents’ divorce. Hardest of all, her beloved sister Mina has been in a treatment facility to deal with her anorexia. Emily is eager to have her back, but anxious about her sister getting sick again.

Hazel is changing, too. She has new friends from the field hockey team, is starting to wear makeup, and has crushes on boys. Emily is trying to keep up, but she keeps doing and saying the wrong things. She wants to be the perfect new Em. But who is that really?

THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU is a bighearted, poignant novel about the often shifting bonds of family and friendship.

The book is not yet available for pre-order but should be in the next month or so! I can’t wait till it’s out in the world. (And psst… Newsletter subscribers got to see this first! Want to join? Scroll down and add yourself to my mailing list!)