Along The Tapajos Blog Tour (review & giveaway)

Along the Tapajos 

By Fernando Vilela 

Translated by Daniel Hahn 

10/1/19 

Amazon Crossing Kids 

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Cauã and Inaê are a brother and sister who live in a small community along the Tapajós River in Brazil. Here, the homes are on stilts and everyone travels around by boat—even to school! When the rainy season comes, they must leave their village and relocate to higher ground for a while. But after moving this year, Cauã and Inaê realize they’ve left behind something important: their pet tortoise, Titi! Unlike turtles, tortoises can’t swim, and Cauã and Inaê are really worried. So the pair sneaks back at night on a journey along the river to rescue him. Will they be able to save Titi? 

This picture book, first published in Brazil, offers kids a unique look into the lives of children who live along Brazil’s beautiful Tapajós River. 

★“The vibrant colors in Vilela’s illustrations and the expressive faces of Cauã and Inaê bring lightheartedness to their dangerous journey and the cyclical living it prescribes. A riveting journey.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) 

“This is one of those engaging titles that offers a glimpse of a location new to most American readers. More translations like this one, please!” —Fuse #8 Production 

Fernando Vilela’s Along The Tapajos is a gorgeously rendered picture book that will take readers on a thrilling and captivating journey to an unfamiliar part of the world: the rainforest along the Tapajos River. 

Through charming, exciting storytelling, the dangerous, yet mesmerizing lives and rescue mission carried out by a brother sister team, burst off every page. Vilela skillfully and beautifully brings this wondrous rainforest world, and all its people; animals; and sights, to life through his lovely words and lush, vibrant illustrations. The engaging, energetic, brightly colored and textured illustrations will dazzle and intrigue. And Daniel Hahn does a fantastic translating job. 

Little adventurers and explorers everywhere will be delighted and impressed with the superb Along The Tapajos! 

Fernando Vilela is an award-winning author and illustrator from Brazil. Published in Brazil under the title Tapajós, this book was inspired by one of his trips to the Amazon rainforest. He has received many awards for his books, and he has exhibited his artwork at home and abroad, including at the MoMA in New York and the Pinacoteca of the State of São Paulo. For his picture books, he has received five Jabuti awards (Brazil) and the New Horizons Honorable Mention of the Bologna Ragazzi International Award. He is also a plastics artist, and he teaches courses, lectures, and workshops on art and illustration. Learn more about him online at www.fernandovilela.com.br. 

 Daniel Hahn is an author, editor, and award-winning translator. His translation of The Book of Chameleons by José Eduardo Agualusa won the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize in 2007. His translation of A General Theory of Oblivion, also by José Eduardo Agualusa, won the 2017 International Dublin Literary Award. He recently served on the board of trustees of the Society of Authors. In 2017, Hahn helped establish the TA First Translation Prize, a new prize for debut literary translation. Learn more about him online at www.danielhahn.co.uk. 

Win a copy of Along The Tapajos!

Amazon Crossing Kids has generously offered one copy for one winner.

-US only

-ends 10/2/19

-winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours

-Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, stolen prizes

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Review: The Beast (The Darkdeep #2) by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs

The Beast 

(The Darkdeep #2) 

By Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs 

9/24/19 

Bloomsbury Children’s 

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Nico, Opal, Tyler, Emma, and Logan survived their worst fears come to life, and saved their tiny Pacific Northwest town of Timbers from a monstrous figment invasion. Now they just want to keep their heads down, enjoy Halloween, and explore the secrets of their mysterious houseboat clubhouse. And also figure out their new Torchbearer responsibilities as keepers of the Darkdeep, an ancient whirlpool hidden in Still Cove that can make both dreams and nightmares into reality. 

But when a dangerous new breed of figments starts appearing on their own, and the very environment around them begins to spiral out of control, the friends realize they have no idea what they are doing-or how they're supposed to restrain the Darkdeep. They must uncover the pool's origins, as well as those of the freaky Thing in a Jar, a seemingly lifeless green creature Opal believes is communicating with her. To make matters worse, a trashy YouTube series has rolled into town intent on finding the Beast, the legendary local sea monster suddenly stirring up the countryside. 

As threats rapidly close in around them, the friends must fight to protect their secrets, defeat new enemies, and save Timbers and all that they love. 

Told from alternating points of view, this chilling sequel from bestselling duo Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs will once again have readers sleeping with the lights on. 

Read my review of book one in this series

After Nico, Opal, Tyler, Emma, and new friend Logan, banded together to save their town of Timbers from the mysterious Darkdeep and its scary figments, they’re ready to take on their roles as new Torchbearers and keep the Darkdeep safe. But soon the five kids discover that their new responsibilities are anything but simple and they aren’t sure who or where to turn. Toss in a mind-talking goo creature, a pesky Youtube show invading Timbers, strange behaving figments, and a maybe all too real Beast, and the five friends will be lucky to survive Halloween. 

Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs return to their wildly fun and wickedly engrossing middle-grade The Darkdeep series with book two, The Beast. Once again, this superb writing duo have spun a spectacularly spooktastic and unputdownable tale, that will have young readers eagerly turning pages by flashlight late into the night.  

The Beast excitedly continues this smart, cinematic series with a storyline full of thrills, chills, and fantastic twists. The mystery and history of the Torchbearers, the houseboat, and the Darkdeep itself are wonderfully explored and expanded in book two, through pitch-perfect storytelling, excellent character development, and immersive world-building. Readers will have a blast joining our heroes as they race to thwart an annoying Youtube star, protect their town, survive Halloween, and somehow not end up grounded! The authors once again, create a fantastically lush, spine-tingling atmosphere and fill this bewitching world with cool, imaginative horror, fantasy, and sci-fi elements. And of course, at the heart of this story and series, is five capable, likable, and relatable young heroes who continue to be a joy to get to know. 

An engaging and engrossing story, an awesomely cinematic vibe, cool characters, and heart-pounding adventure and twists, make this book and series a perfect read for young readers, especially reluctant readers. 

MY RATING

5/5 Cupcakes

Ally Condie is a former high school English teacher who lives with her husband, three sons and one daughter outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves reading, running, eating, and listening to her husband play guitar. 

 Brendan Reichs was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated from Wake Forest University in 2000 and The George Washington University School of Law in 2006. After three long years working as a litigation attorney, he abandoned the trade to write full time. He lives in Charlotte with his wife, son, daughter, and a herd of animals that tear up everything.