Word Spelunking’s temporary hiatus is now permanent. All requests are closed and there will be no new content. Thank you to everyone I’ve worked with and everyone who has read and supported this blog. Y’all are awesome!!
The wonderful folks at Random House Children's have just launched an awesome Young Adult program called First In Line! Below you can read all about this cool program, learn how to join, and even win a super sweet First In Line tote bag...
MADE BY SERIOUS YA READERS FOR SERIOUS YA READERS, FIRST IN LINE OFFERS YOU THE NOVELTY OF HAVING THE NEXT BIG BOOK ALL TO YOURSELF AND THE REWARD OF BEING A LITERARY TRENDSETTER.
Being the first at anything is no easy feat, but you already know that.
You were readingThe Hunger Games beforeVOLUNTEERING AS TRIBUTE.
You wereFEELING THE FEELSfromThe Fault in Our Stars before it was TFIOS. Okay? Okay.
YouKNEW YOUR FACTIONwhile other people were being sorted into their houses.
FIRST IN LINEoffers YA readers exclusive advance access to bestselling and debut authors and behind-the-book content! Members receive a monthly newsletter and access to locked sections of the site. This will include special behind-the-book material and author content, such as never-before-seen deleted scenes, extended excerpts, author videos and Q&As, shareable social images, and advance reader’s copy giveaways!
These are the first four books featured in the program and include: Another Day by David Levithan, Everything Everything by Nicole Yoon, Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, and Unforgiven by Lauren Kate, with many more books to come!
I've been exploring the First In Line website and I'm super excited for and impressed by all the program has to offer! I think it's going to be a super fun and invaluable program to both bloggers and readers.
Signing up is easy-peasy! Just follow the link below and snag YOUR place in line:
And once you've signed up, you can share your thoughts and First In Line moments with the hashtag #FirstInLine
Win a First In Line tote bag!
The awesome people at Random House Children's have offered up one tote bag for one winner.
DETAILS
-US only
-ends 8/28
please read the FULL set of rule below the form
a Rafflecopter giveaway Unless otherwise stated, the policies and rules for each giveaway are as follows:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington D.C. who are 13 years old or older as of date of entry.
To enter, fill out the appropriate Rafflecopter form associated with each giveaway.
The start and end dates for each giveaway will be clearly stated and followed.
The specified amount of winners shall be selected in a random drawing.
Winners will be notified by email and must claim their prize within 48 hours. If a winner does not respond within 48 hours, then a new winner will be chosen. Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prizes in the mail. Once a prize is dropped off at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility and I will not compensate in anyway for prizes not delivered because of the USPS. If a third-party (author, publisher, etc) is shipping a prize, once I provide the winner(s)' mailing information to them, the prize is no longer my responsibility. I will forward your mailing info to the proper people within 48 hours after getting it from you. If you have not received your prize from an author or publisher within 8 weeks, it is your responsibility to contact them further. By participating in any giveaway, you agree to adhere to these rules. Any breaking of these rules by entrants will disqualify them from the giveaway and their entries will be deleted.
I'm so excited to be sharing my review of Erin E. Moulton's awesome YA book, Keepers of the Labyrinth, with y'all today! Plus, Erin stops by to discuss her new book and you have the chance to win a copy...
Keepers of the Labyrinth
(book one)
by Erin E. Moulton
August 25, 2015
Philomel/Penguin
Courage is tested, myths come to life, and long-held secrets are revealed
Lilith Bennette runs at midnight. She scales walls in the dark and climbs without a harness. She hopes that if she follows exactly in the steps of her strong air force pilot mother, she’ll somehow figure out the mystery of her mother’s death—and the reason why her necklace of Greek symbols has been missing ever since.
So when Lil is invited to Crete for a Future Leaders International conference, the same conference her mom attended years ago, she jumps at the chance to find some answers. But things in Melios Manor are not what they seem. Lil finds herself ensnared in an adventure of mythological proportions that leads her and her friends through the very labyrinth in which the real Minotaur was imprisoned. And they’re not in there alone. What secrets does the labyrinth hold, and will they help Lil find the truth about her mother?
This book is perfect for older fans of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the Heroes of Olympus--and anyone who wants to find out the true story behind the magic of the Greek gods.
"Secret societies, mythology, and puzzles worthy of a Dan Brown novel all figure prominently in this thriller....There is much to recommend this book: all the protagonists are empowered female characters, it explores the idea that behind the stories of classical Greek mythology is a history of real people, and it is filled with exciting action."--VOYA
"Secret societies, Greek mythology, and a group of strong female characters are all wrapped up in a mystery which will hit the mark with readers who have finished Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” series."--School Library Journal
"Greek mythology provides the frame for this exciting amalgam of action, friendship, and girl-detective fiction."--Booklist
watch the book trailer
Lil’s strong, adventurous Air Force pilot mother committed suicide...at least that’s what Lil has been led to believe. Lil wants to be just like her beloved mother and longs for answers. So when she’s invited to attend the Future Leaders International conference in Greece, the same conference her mother attended as a teen, Lil jumps at the opportunity. Once in Greece, Lil quickly discovers that there’s more to Melios Manner, her leader counselors, and her mother’s death. Soon, Lil and and her new friends find themselves traversing the fabled Minotaur's labyrinth and faced with unexpected truths.
Erin Moulton’s Keepers of the Labyrinth is a smartly crafted, excellently plotted, and enthralling book! Moulton fills the pages of Keepers of the Labyrinth with exiting mythology, fascinating science, intriguing history, and breathtaking art. The Greek myths of lore vividly come to life through well researched information, clever plot twists, and fierce imagination. Both fans of Greek mythology and those new to the subject will appreciate and be captivated by the world the author has created. Beautiful, mysterious Melios Manor, and the wicked cool labyrinth beneath it, make for beguiling and fun settings.
I love that Keepers of the Labyrinth is all about the girl power and features four strong, capable, and unique heroines. Lil, and her new friends Charlie, Kat, and Sydney, each bring something worthy and vital to the story. From brave Lil to witty Charlie, passionate Kat, and clever Sydney, these are memorable, complex characters that readers will respect and root for. Moulton wonderfully shows that girls can have thrilling adventures, get dirty, kick butt, and save the day and themselves! There are no romantic elements or pairings in Keepers of the Labyrinth, with the author choosing to focus on the relationship and bond between the four heroines...which I found so refreshing!
Moulton takes both her characters and readers on a breathless, twisty ride through the dangerous and surprising labyrinth. Our heroines come face to face with real life myths, deadly obstacles, and mind bending riddles, all while being chased by a crazy religious cult...needless to say, readers will be entirely consumed by the action and twists!
my final thoughts: Myths brought to life, secret societies, awesome heroines, and sparkling storytelling...Keepers of the Labyrinth has all this and more! A definite must read!!
MY RATING
5/5 yummy cupcakes
What three words best describe your book, Keepers of the Labyrinth?
Mysterious, ancient, dangerous.
Can you give us your best one sentence pitch to convince readers, especially reluctant readers to give Keepers of the Labyrinth a try?
Lil Bennette attends a future leaders conference in Greece as she tries to unravel the mystery surrounding her mother’s death, but she soon finds herself in a deadly labyrinth—and on an adventure of mythological proportions!
Grab a copy of Keepers of the Labyrinth and answer the following:
favorite chapter?Chapter 44. A lot gets revealed.
favorite page?115
favorite setting?The Daedalus Chamber
flip to a random page and give us a 1-2 sentences teaser:
P. 144
Follow to the Minotaur, son of Minos, full of lore.
Choose right and walk this way, or accept your death today.
Where did the idea for Keepers of the Labyrinth come from? How did the story come to be?
I don’t always remember where the story ideas originate from, but this beginning is clear as day to me. Being in my head is like standing in the middle of a coffee shop. The murmuring is sort of white-noise until you hear little fragments of conversation above the rest. That is how Keepers arrived. I was sitting on the floor, petting the dog, and a fragment—a line—managed to rise above the din. It said, “The Daughters of Ariadne.” And I literally tilted my head and said. “What’s that now?” But I’d heard it and wondered what the heck I was thinking. I tried to remember who Ariadne was. I couldn’t. So, of course, I started digging. I did a lot of digging. The thing about myths, though, is that they have been retold and retold and retold so many times, it is difficult to know what sources to trust, but I was able to hone in on Crete. And from there, I discovered the Minoans. And from there, I emailed a Professor at BU and he gave me some great archaeological resource ideas. And from there, I bought a plane ticket. And from there, well, I followed the thread, so to speak.
Did you have to do a lot of research on myths and lore when writing Keepers of the Labyrinth? Do you have a favorite mythical story and/or character?
I did a ton of reading in both mythology and Archaelogy. My favorite mythographers ended up being Appollodorous and Ovid. And my favorite archaeology text on the Minoans was Minoans by Lesley Fitton. Very accessible. The research fed my imagination.
My favorite characters..well, I grew very fond of all of the mythological underdogs on Crete, but especially Ariadne and Daedalus. Ariadne because I felt like there were huge chunks of her story missing and that left me with a sense of yearning. And Daedalus, because of his tragedy. Of course, he has the tragedy of losing his son, but tragedy follows him as a creator. Everything he creates, or is forced to create seems to sour in his hands. He builds a labyrinth…it becomes a prison. He creates wings…they malfunction and kill his son. His creations lead to destruction.
Keepers of the Labyrinth features four strong, capable heroines: Lil, Sydney, Charlie, and Kat...can you briefly tell us about each girl and what makes them unique?
I could go on and on about them, but I will try to be brief!
The main character is Lilith Bennette. She is a second generation Greek American. Her mom was from Greece, and fell in love with a hippie farmer from Vermont. Lil grew up following in her mother’s footsteps. And her mother moved fast. When we meet Lil, she has lost her mother, to a presumed suicide. But Lil doesn’t believe that her mother would commit suicide. So she runs at midnight. Running at midnight is how she deals with emotions. How she tries grapple with the mystery of her mother’s death. She’s tough, sure-footed, a good leader, but she feels like an outcast in her own town due to her heritage as well as the stigma around the suicide.
Sydney Bennington. Sydney is African Canadian, hailing from Winnipeg. She is a bi-lingual, smart as a whip, engineering-brained gal who values reason above all else. Oh, Sydney is as practical as can be and this can make some of her social interactions a little awkward. But she seriously excels at problem solving and seeing how things go together. Sydney grew up looking after her sister who has epilepsy. She wants to find the cure. Syd is a natural leader as well, but she is a little less diplomatic, so people are prone to mistaking her for bossy. Truth is, they’d be smart to listen to her.
Katrina Andrande: Katrina is half Spanish and half Portuguese and hails from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Her father works at the Museo de Arte de Sao Paulo. Staring at those beautiful art installations her whole life has turned Kat into what she is, today. A wonderful, caring, empathetic and passionate artist. She is known for her sketches and for making the kids in the favela smile, (she volunteers at an art program for kids in Paraisopolis). She goes to an international school and is well known for being clever, creative, and supportive.
Charlotte (Charlie) Babineaux is French as far as she knows. She actually doesn’t know who her parents are, so tracking her heritage is a bit of a mystery to her. Charlie is gay, but doesn’t feel the need to vocalize this, as her straight friends hardly seem to feel compelled to explain their sexual orientation to anyone. Why should she feel compelled to explain herself? Charlie speaks French and English. She lives with her foster mom, Margo, who owns a bookshop in a quaint village in France (Villefranche de Conflante). And she has read just about every book there. Every book and then some. A lover of quill pens, metaphors, and stories, Charlie is reliable, deep and has a brain like an archive.
Sorry to go on about them forever. I could say much more, but I don’t think we have that kind of time!
In addition to the four heroines above, Keepers of the Labyrinth features other strong, unique female characters and there is a real sense of “girl power” throughout the novel...was this something that you planned? How important was it to you to have such complex female characters?
This is a great question! Thanks for asking. I had several main reasons for writing a cast that was primarily female.
First and foremost, we see a lot of boy/girl romance in YA. A LOT. And it’s all good, but you know what? I come from sisters and to be honest, a sisterly connection, whether by blood or by bond, is a very deep thing, worth exploring. (And that’s not to say there can’t be romance in this story, of course. I could see a romance blooming, perhaps, later ;) )
Secondly, the women in the Greek myths are mostly sidenotes. They get abducted, ravaged, smacked around and then we go following along the hero’s story a bit more. I mean, there are exceptions, but the bulk of the narratives are quite disempowering toward the women characters. Think of Europa in the Metamorphoses. She gets abducted by Zeus, who is supposedly, in love with her(or infatuated…or something, I mean, Zeus is a serial rapist, so….). In Ovid’s version, he finds her play area and stakes out near it. UMMMM, yeah, how old is Europa that he is hanging around her play area? Is this just a problem with the translation? Or is Zeus abducting a very young girl? It makes my skin crawl. Because the Greek mythology is so heavily male, and the women have such broken stories I really wanted this retelling to highlight a variety of female characters that could have an empowered connection to the old tales.
Thirdly, the backstory of the plot simply pointed to an all female cast. In the backstory, the roots of the secret society would have been formed when the Minoans were disappearing and the Mycenaeans were invading. In this scenario, I pictured the women clustering together during this time period, for safety, and finding a way to continue their beliefs in a new world.
Lastly, the beauty of writing a cast so abundantly female is that you have time to explore the various forms of femininity and how it is represented. I have soldiers and artists, engineers and bookish ladies. Ladies that some people mention they keep picturing as boys, but the truth is, they’re girls. This is reality, as I see it. I think, as storytellers, we can be profoundly unoriginal in our representations of masculinity and femininity and I wanted to really stretch and see if I could hit more of the glorious personalities along the spectrum.
Can you give is any tidbits about what’s to come for Lil and the others in future books in this series?
Heck no!
Well, one of them is definitely going to die. Just kidding. Or am I?
Fill in the blanks:
I’m really awesome atdrinking tea
I’m really embarrassed to admitthat I just walked away from my computer but got caught on the cord to the mouse and tripped over that, bruising my ankle against the stool. Don’t let anyone tell you different: Writing is a dangerous job.
.
The last great book I read wasOh heck, I read so many great books! For nonfiction: So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson. For Middle Grade: Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley and Another Kind of Hurricane by Tamara Ellis Smith.
If you were to create and bake a cupcake inspired Keepers of the Labyrinth, what would it look and taste like, and what would you call it?
The Greeks do something magical with food. I don’t think they eat a lot of cupcakes, so it would have to be like baklava in a cupcake form. Honey and walnuts and filo dough. Flakey and crunchy and sticky and sweet. I would call it Homage to Ariadne.
Erin E. Moulton graduated with an MFA in Writing for Children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of Flutter: The Story of Four Sisters and One Incredible Journey, Tracing Stars and Chasing the Milky Way, as well as a forthcoming YA, Keepers of the Labyrinth. She lives in Southern New Hampshire with her husband, unruly dogs and son.
Win a new hardcover copy of
Keepers of the Labyrinth!
The awesome folks at Penguin have offered up one hardcover copy for one winner. Plus, since I LOVE this book so much, another winner will get my extra ARC.
DETAILS
-US only
-ends 8/31
-winner #1 will get the hardcover from Penguin
and winner #2 will get my extra ARC
(please read full list of rule below the rafflecopter form)
a Rafflecopter giveaway Unless otherwise stated, the policies and rules for each giveaway are as follows:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington D.C. who are 13 years old or older as of date of entry.
To enter, fill out the appropriate Rafflecopter form associated with each giveaway.
The start and end dates for each giveaway will be clearly stated and followed.
The specified amount of winners shall be selected in a random drawing.
Winners will be notified by email and must claim their prize within 48 hours. If a winner does not respond within 48 hours, then a new winner will be chosen. Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prizes in the mail. Once a prize is dropped off at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility and I will not compensate in anyway for prizes not delivered because of the USPS. If a third-party (author, publisher, etc) is shipping a prize, once I provide the winner(s)' mailing information to them, the prize is no longer my responsibility. I will forward your mailing info to the proper people within 48 hours after getting it from you. If you have not received your prize from an author or publisher within 8 weeks, it is your responsibility to contact them further. By participating in any giveaway, you agree to adhere to these rules. Any breaking of these rules by entrants will disqualify them from the giveaway and their entries will be deleted.
With back to school just around the corner for many kids, I have some awesome and educational books and activity sets to share with y'all, that make learning fun, engage children, and inspire further exploration! My niece and I have had a lot fun with them all. Below you can found out more about these wonderful books from Silver Dolphin and the Smithsonian...
I received this set of books/activity sets in exchange for this spotlight/feature.. All book information has been gathered from the Silver Dolphin website. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Which state flag was designed by a thirteen-year-old? Which state lets you keep any gems you find while mining at the Crater of Diamonds State Park? And which state is home to the second most-visited house in America?
Journey across the country with the Smithsonian and learn all about what makes our nation so great with Smithsonian Young Explorers: 50 States. This alphabetically arranged compendium of state trivia contains information on state birds, animals, and flowers, famous state residents, and a gaggle of fun facts.
Once kids 6 and up have become experts on Alabama through Wyoming, they can have more fun assembling the included 130-piece puzzle of the United States. The adorably illustrated puzzle and map gives kids extra opportunities to learn about the 50 states and basic geography. And once kids are ready to see the states themselves, the book, puzzle, and map all tuck neatly into a snap-shut suitcase, ready to hit the road.
Get ready to go under the sea with the Smithsonian—and experience life beneath the waves. Smithsonian Young Explorers: Oceans provides the perfect introduction for kids 6 and up to our undiscovered underwater world. The lively and fun fact book covers the science of ocean movement, pollution, and fascinating facts on marine life. From profiles on the Pacific, to waves and tsunamis, kids will love to learn about the basics of the ocean.
And of course, all the cutest sea creatures (sea otters and dolphins!) and the fiercest (great white sharks and poisonous jellyfish!) and all their ocean friends are covered in detail for young ocean explorers.
Once young explorers get their feet wet in the world’s oceans, they can continue their education by assembling the included floor puzzle of colorful marine life. The puzzle and poster give kids extra opportunities to learn about the ocean and engage them in the sciences. And once kids are ready to dive in headfirst, the book, puzzle, and map all tuck neatly into a snap-shut suitcase, ready to embark on a journey on the high seas.
Get ready to go back in time with the Smithsonian—and experience life among the dinosaurs. Smithsonian Young Explorers: Dinosaurs provides the perfect introduction for kids 6 and up to the fascinating world of dinosaurs. The playful and informative fact book teaches kids how we learn about dinosaurs, how they are classified, and which dinosaurs ruled the land millions of years ago. Read about the mighty T. rex and the chicken-sized Compsognathus. Learn how scientists solved the mystery of the plates of the Stegosaurus. And find out which animals descended from dinosaurs surround us today.
Once young explorers have become paleontologists-in-training, they can continue their education by assembling the included dinosaur floor puzzle. The colorful puzzle and poster give kids extra opportunities to learn about the different dinosaurs and engage them in the sciences. And once kids are ready to go on the hunt for their own dinosaur bones, the book, puzzle, and map all tuck neatly into a snap-shut suitcase, ready to uncover the new greatest dinosaur that ever lived.
This is what a Smithsonian Young Explorers set looks like:
These Young Explorers sets are awesome! The facts books are fun to flip through, the posters would look cool hanging in a kid's bedroom, the puzzles are the perfect size for young readers, and the handy little suitcases make cleaning up a breeze!
Smithsonian Everything You Need To Know Fact Cards
Curious minds will find hundreds of fascinating facts in Smithsonian Everything You Need to Know: Grades K-1. The flip-top box is packed with 275 fact cards covering categories such as Earth and space, plants and animals, geography, history, and health. Whether it’s the number of teeth in a great white shark’s mouth or how a rainbow forms, kids ages 5–7 will learn a variety of information in a tactile and engaging manner. Each flip of a card not only showcases beautiful color photographs and illustrations paired with a fact, but also presents a new learning moment. With this packed-full box of facts, kids are given an extra opportunity to learn all they need to know for early science, social studies, and history exploration in a fun format that’s sure to engage eager young minds.
How many rings are there around Saturn? What causes an earthquake? How many bones are in a giraffe’s neck? With Smithsonian Everything You Need to Know: Grades 2-3, kids ages 7-9 will learn exciting and interesting facts about Earth and space, plants and animals, geography, history, and health. Each of the 275 fact cards includes colorful photos and illustrations coupled with a fascinating fact. From the solar system to George Washington to volcanoes, each fact card presents educational material in an innovative and engaging format. Inquisitive kids will have hours of fun discovering everything their young minds need to know in this interest-packed fact card set.
These boredom busters will entertain and educate kids for hours! With SO many fascinating topic and facts, and fun, bright pictures, kids will want to go through them over and over. These sets would be perfect for long car/plane trips or rainy days.
From the mighty T. rex to the towering Apatosaurus, Smithsonian Sticker Creations: Dinosaurs offers kids a glimpse into the dinosaur age through a fun and innovative format. The 64-page activity book comes with 5 oversized dimensional stickers and more than 175 reusable stickers, providing children with a unique and interactive learning experience. After reading about their favorite dinosaurs, children can place the colorful stickers in the removable frame to create their own prehistoric scene. With interesting information, detailed illustrations, and a hands-on format, Smithsonian Sticker Creations: Dinosaurs takes children on a spectacular tour through the fascinating world of dinosaurs.
With Smithsonian Sticker Creations: Under the Sea, young explorers will embark on an underwater adventure to learn about life beneath the waves. Smithsonian Sticker Creations: Under the Sea’s hands-on format allows children ages 5 and up to explore the amazing diversity of the sea while interacting with more than 175 reusable stickers and 5 oversized deluxe dimensional stickers. After learning about their favorite sea creatures, children can create their own underwater scene by placing the stickers in the removable framed ocean scene. The beautifully illustrated sticker activity book gives young ocean explorers a creative opportunity to learn about all types of incredible sea creatures!
I'll be honest, even as an adult, these sticker books had me very excited! I mean who doesn't love stickers?! Plus, they're reusable, so the fun never really ends! And the beautiful illustrations and facts will have readers captivated.
With Smithsonian Discover: Earth, kids can take a tour of Earth’s fiery core, scale Mount Everest, scuba-dive in the Great Barrier Reef, and hunker down during a hurricane, all without ever leaving the safety of their living rooms. A must-have for any kid who calls Earth home, this engaging book contains three sections: Amazing Earth (all about the inside and outside of the planet), the Blue Planet (covering awesome oceans, raging rivers, and great lakes), and Wild Weather (which explains the science of weather and goes inside natural disasters). Each page contains science presented simply, and facts backed by the museum professionals of the Smithsonian.
The compelling content is only the tip of the iceberg (only a tenth of which floats above the ocean’s surface, as you’ll learn). This engaging title also delivers hands-on activities like you would find at the Smithsonian. Bound right into the book are 12 Earth fact cards, a large double-sided map of the world, and materials to construct a three-dimensional paper globe. Though we walk its surface every day, Smithsonian Discover: Earth will surely teach kids that Earth is one fascinating planet!
What a cool, exciting book! Kids will learn amazing things about Earth and have a ton of fun in the process. The fact cards and map are super neat and I can't wait t construct that 3D globe!
Ping-Ping Panda is searching for some tasty leaves with the help of her hummingbird friend, but as they roam through the forest, all they find are other animals' favorite foods. Will Ping-Ping find something to satisfy her rumbling tummy? Help Ping-Ping and her friends explore the forest in this interactive story with flaps to lift and colorful, detailed scenes by best-selling nature illustrator Maurice Pledger.
When Dottie Dolphin dives deep into the ocean to play hide-and-seek with her siblings, she discovers a wonderful world of ocean animals. Join Dottie and her new friends beneath the waves in this interactive story with flaps to lift and colorful, detailed underwater scenes by best-selling nature illustrator Maurice Pledger.
What sweet, cute books! The bright illustrations are so eye-catching and the stories are fun. My 2 year old niece just loved discovering what is under each flap.
Silver Dolphin Books publishes activity, novelty, and educational nonfiction books for preschoolers to 12-year-olds. Highly interactive formats such as the Field Guides and Uncover series both educate and entertain older children. The lovable characters of the Maurice Pledger series and the boldly illustrated Snappy Sounds series appeal to both young children and parents alike.
