Guest Post and Giveaway: Sarvenaz Tash

I'm very excited to have Sarvenaz Tash stopping by to celebrate the paperback release of her fantabulous middle-grade read The Mapmaker and the Ghost. This was one of my favorite books I read last year (check out my 5 cupcakes review). Sarvenaz talks about why she writes and loves middle-grade, plus you can win a signed copy of the newly released paperback...

The Mapmaker and the Ghost

Sarvenaz Tash

3/26/13 (paperback)

Walker Childrens

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Purchase: Amazon / B&N

Goldenrod Moram loves nothing better than a good quest, so she decides to start her own exploring team fashioned after her idols, the explorers Lewis and Clark. Setting out to map the forest right behind her home, her task is derailed when the team encounters a mysterious old lady, who has them search for a legendary blue rose. And when she stumbles upon none other than the ghost of Meriwether Lewis himself, Goldenrod knows this will be anything but an ordinary summer . . . or an ordinary quest.

WATCH THE AWESOME TRAILER

Why I Write (and Love) Middle Grade

Sarvenaz Tash

In honor of Word Spelunking’s March MG Madness Month, I thought I’d explain why exactly I love to write and love to love middle grade books.

The most obvious reason is that I first fell in love with books when I started reading middle grade. Roald Dahl, Beverly Cleary, Ellen Raskin. Louis Sachar, and Ann M. Martin come clearly to mind whenever I stop and reminisce about my childhood. You know how they say you never get over your first love? I believe that to be true of many things. For me, that includes reading.

I adore writing from the point-of-view of kids, especially kids that are anywhere from 7 to 13 years old. I think it's a magical time, but one that is also rife with conflicts: conflicts that can seem thoroughly epic to someone with limited life experience (and sometimes even thoroughly epic to anybody).

Speaking of magic...ah, magic. I really enjoy writing about fantastical things. The Mapmaker and the Ghost has touches of fantasy but the latest book I'm working on takes place in a whole fantastical world. And let me tell you: it's been SO fun to write. I'm pretty sure I'm going to try writing contemporary MGs at some point too, but--for me--MG lends itself to fantasy so wonderfully. I think it's because the MG audience still believes in bits of magic. The secret is...I do too. I think there are touches of magic all around us and being able to expand upon that in a story...well, I'm not sure how many other audiences will give you the same leeway to do so.

Humor. I love writing it and I never laughed harder as a child than I did when reading a really funny book. I'm not sure I ever lost that silly/slightly mischievous sense of humor. In other words, the average 8-year-old will probably find me funnier than the average 38-year-old. I have accepted this to be true.

The great Madeleine L'Engle once said, "You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children."

And I love writing for children. I really do.

Sarvenaz Tash
Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook
Sarvenaz Tash was born in Tehran, Iran and grew up on Long Island, NY. She received her BFA in Film and Television from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. This means she got to spend most of college running around and making movies (it was a lot of fun). She has dabbled in all sorts of writing including screenwriting, copywriting, and professional tweeting. THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST is her debut novel.

Win a signed, personalized paperback copy of The Mapmaker and the Ghost!

Sarvenaz has generously offered one signed paperback copy of her book to give away.

DETAILS

-US ONLY

-will end 3/31

-must be 13+, one free entry per person, winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours

-Word Spelunking is NOT responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prizes in the mail

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I'm Back! Let's Celebrate With A Giveaway!!!

Hiya, Cupcakes! I'm baaaaack! Did ya miss me? Did ya did ya did ya?!

I missed all of you {group hug}

I want to thank everyone for their sweet and kind thoughts, words, encouragements and prayers during my family's difficult time. My little sister is now home and doing very well!

I'm back and ready to start reading and reviewing again, as well as participate in weekly memes and blog tours. I have a few reviews ready for this week and next Sunday I'll have a new Goodie Basket post up for y'all. Plus, if you haven't noticed, I have a newish blog look. Do you like? I LOVE!

To get things rolling and to thank everyone for their love, support and patience I'd thought I'd hold a quickie giveaway *cheers abound* ;)

One of my favorite MG reads, The Mapmaker and the Ghost by Sarvenaz Tash, is on sale on Amazon right now. The Kindle version is only $1.99 for a limited time! That's like 88% off the original price. Amazing right?! Be sure to read my 5 cupcakes review! Here's more about the book...

Goldenrod Moram loves nothing better than a good quest. Intrepid, curious, and full of a well-honed sense of adventure, she decides to start her own exploring team fashioned after her idols, the explorers Lewis and Clark, and to map the forest right behind her home. This task is complicated, however, by a series of unique events—a chance encounter with a mysterious old lady has her searching for a legendary blue rose. Another encounter lands her in the middle of a ragtag gang of brilliant troublemakers. And when she stumbles upon none other than the ghost of Meriwether Lewis himself, Goldenrod knows this will be anything but an ordinary summer . . . or an ordinary quest. Debut author Sarvenaz Tash combines an edge-of-your-seat adventure, a uniquely clever voice, and an unforgettable cast of characters to prove that sometimes the best adventures of all are waiting right in your own backyard.

So, for this giveaway I'm going to giveaway one (1) Kindle copy of The Mapmaker and the Ghost!!!

Details

There will be one winner.

Prize: 1 Kindle copy of the book above (if the price happens to change then an ebook prize of the winner's choice, equaling $3 or less will be given).

Open to anyone who can receive Kindle ebooks.

Will run from 5/20 - 5/21 at 11:59pm ET.

Must be a blog follower (GFC or Linky or Email or RSS).

Fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter

• One main entry per person
• Winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours
• Must be a blog follower
• I am not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged prizes

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GOOD LUCK CUPCAKES!

(M MG M) Review- The Mapmaker and the Ghost by Sarvenaz Tash

Be sure to check out my interview with author Sarvenaz Tash and enter to win an ARC of The Mapmaker and the Ghost plus awesome swag HERE

TITLE: The Mapmaker & the Ghost   AUTHOR: Sarvenaz Tash PUB: Walker Childrens                        PUB DATE: 4/24/12 FORMAT: ARC, 242 pgs SOURCE: from pub. in exchange for honest review

Goldenrod Moram loves nothing better than a good quest. Intrepid, curious, and full of a well-honed sense of adventure, she decides to start her own exploring team fashioned after her idols, the explorers Lewis and Clark, and to map the forest right behind her home. This task is complicated, however, by a series of unique events—a chance encounter with a mysterious old lady has her searching for a legendary blue rose. Another encounter lands her in the middle of a ragtag gang of brilliant troublemakers. And when she stumbles upon none other than the ghost of Meriwether Lewis himself, Goldenrod knows this will be anything but an ordinary summer . . . or an ordinary quest. Debut author Sarvenaz Tash combines an edge-of-your-seat adventure, a uniquely clever voice, and an unforgettable cast of characters to prove that sometimes the best adventures of all are waiting right in your own backyard. 

BOOK TRAILER

THE MAPMAKER AND THE GHOST by Sarvenaz Tash (Official Trailer) from Sarvenaz Tash on Vimeo.

THREE WORDS: Fabulous, Fantastical Fun

MY REVIEW: A plucky heroine, a daring quest, a ragtag group of outrageously named misfits, an elegant ghost, and thrilling adventure? Yep, Sarvenaz Tash’s MG book The Mapmaker and the Ghost has all of this and then some!

Eleven year old Goldenrod Moram loves maps, a good quest and her idols, the explorers Lewis and Clark. What starts out to be an ordinary, boring summer turns into a something so much more as Goldenrod sets out to make the most accurate and detailed map of her hometown, Pilmilton. A mysterious old lady, a quest for a blue rose, the ghost of Meriwether Lewis, a group of ingenious troublemakers and one pretty cool little brother come together to set into motion a grand adventure for our intrepid explorer Goldenrod.

I had SO much fun reading this book! Sarvenaz Tash has created a truly unique, imaginative and special story. With a fantastically fun story full of non-stop adventure, compelling characters and superb writing, The Mapmaker and the Ghost is a definite delight.

I found this to be a quick read and read it one sitting; I was simply too enchanted to put it down. The story is easy to fall into and I was more than a little sad when it was over. Fast paced and action packed the story will hold the attention of even younger readers from beginning to end. Tash’s writing and voice are pitch-perfect for her intended MG audience: clever, fun, humorous and a bit whimsical.

Tash’s main character, Goldrenrod Moram, is a gem of a character that sparkles and shines. Goldenrod is so wonderfully crafted; she’s refreshing, relatable, spirited, and definitely one of a kind. There’s something so charming about Goldenrod’s mapmaking and exploring hobby and her choice of idols. And I think Goldenrod’s thirst for adventure and excitement will connect with readers of all ages, but especially younger readers.

Tash’s entire cast of characters is awesome and impossible to forget. Goldenrod’s little brother, Birch, is endearing and surprisingly very non-annoying for a little brother. The mysterious old lady by the woods and the ghost of Meriwether Lewis make for really likable and entertaining grown-up characters, while Goldenrod’s parents and fifth-grade teacher are kind of amusingly absurd in the way that younger readers often prefer authoritative characters to be. And then of course, there’s the Gross-Out Gang- the eclectic band of misfits that live in the forest. The Gross-Out Gang consists of six of the most awesomely and aptly nicknamed characters ever: Spitbubble, Brains, Lint, Snotshot, Toe Jam and No-Bone.

Seriously, Tash has come up with some of the best and most unforgettable character names I’ve come across in a long time. I really do adore the names and I think the book’s intended audience will as well because younger readers tend to be drawn to the more whimsical and fantastical things in life. I know when I think of all the MG books I love and loved as a child, the ones that stand out most are the ones with unusual character and/or setting names.

Goldenrod’s quest for the blue rose and her adventure going up against the Gross-Out Gang is full of excitement, laughs and fun twists and turns that will keep readers eagerly turning pages, and the book ends with a heartwarming conclusion that will satisfy readers and make them smile.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Goldenrod is character that readers, like myself, will simply fall in love with and will want to go on a thousand more adventures with and The Mapmaker and the Ghost is a book that readers of all ages will gobble up like cupcakes. A definite must read!

MY RATING

5/5 Cupcakes

Now, be sure to go read my interview with Sarvenaz Tash and enter the ARC and swag giveaway HERE

Find the author: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Purchase: Amazon / B&N / Book Depository