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Friday, March 10, 2017

6th MMGM: The Pants Project by Cat Clarke (guest post, giveaway)

Welcome to Day 10 of the 6th Annual March MG Madness, featuring Cat Clarke and her book, The Pants Project!


The Pants Project
by Cat Clarke
March 7, 2017
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
"My name is Liv (Not Olivia)... I'm not technically a girl.

I'm Transgender. Which is a bit like being a transformer. Only not quite as cool as cool because I probably won't get to save the world one day."

A Transformer is a robot in disguise. Liv is a boy in disguise. It's that simple. Liv knows he was always meant to be a boy, but with his new school's terrible dress code, he can't even wear pants. Only skirts.

Operation: Pants Project begins! The only way for Live to get what he wants is to go after it himself. But to Liv, this isn't just a mission to change the policy- it's a mission to change his life. And that's a pretty big deal.




Cat Clarke’s Top 5 MG Reads


I love so many middle-grade books, but these are the ones I would take with me to a desert island.

Better Nate Than Ever, by Tim Federle
I fell in love with this book after just a couple of pages. Better Nate Than Ever tells the story of 13-year-old Nate Foster as he embarks on a daring solo journey to New York City in his bid to star in a Broadway musical. I literally could not put this book down – and I was delighted to be proved wrong time and time again about what would happen next. Nate’s voice is pitch perfect; this hilarious story about chasing your dreams can’t fail to warm your heart.

The Last Wild – Piers Torday
Torday is one of the very best British writers for this age group, and this, the first book in a thrilling trilogy, is surely a classic in the making. 12-year-old Kester Jaynes hasn’t said a word since his mother died six years ago and is basically a prisoner at an institute for ‘challenging children’. The Last Wild tells of Kester’s quest as an unlikely hero destined to save the last remaining animals on Earth, after global warming and a deadly virus have wreaked havoc on the natural world. Gripping, funny, and features a bossy cockroach. What more could you ask for?

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
It’s almost impossible to pick a favourite Judy Blume novel, but this one just about comes out on top for me. 12-year-old Margaret Simon has moved away from her childhood home – from the city to the suburbs – and has to face sixth-grade at a new school. Are you there God? deals with puberty sensitively and humorously, and also tackles Margaret’s religious confusion. This is Judy Blume at her absolute best.

El Deafo, by Cece Bell
I’m a fairly recent convert to the joys of graphic novels, and this one is really special. El Deafo is a touching, joyful memoir about growing up with a hearing impairment. I adored this story about the trials and tribulations of making friends, and learning to be OK with being different. Don’t miss this funny and moving gem of a book.

Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robery C. O’Brien.
This Newbery Medal-winning classic was first published in 1971. I first read this book when I was nine years old, and have never forgotten it. A family of mice who have to leave their home in a field before the farmer destroys it with his plough, but Mrs Frisby’s son Timothy is too sick to travel. Mrs Frisby seeks help from unlikely allies in a bid to save her family in this heart-thumping adventure.


Cat was born in Zambia and brought up in Edinburgh and Yorkshire, which has given her an accent that tends to confuse people.

Cat has written non-fiction books about exciting things like cowboys, sharks and pirates, and now writes YA novels. She lives in Edinburgh with a couple of cats, Jem and Scout, who spend their days plotting to spit up furballs at the most inconvenient times. She likes cheese A LOT, especially baked camembert.

Win a finished copy of The Pants Project!
Sourcebooks has generously offered two (2) copies for two winners.
-US/CAN only
-two winners will each get one book
-ends 4/5/17
-winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours
-Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prizes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

3 comments:

Danielle H. said...

I am so excited to read this book! I love the synopsis and can't wait to get to know Liv.

Carl Scott said...

This sounds like an important story to tell and topical as well. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

Slowsly said...

I am anxious to read this book. It touches on the topic for our March SCBWI meeting. I also appreciate your book recommendations. Thank you.