Arthur Frommer on Doug Mack's EUROPE ON 5 WRONG TURNS A DAY

EUROPE ON 5 WRONG TURNS A DAY relates the misadventures of an inexperienced, semi-inept traveler and what happens to him when he journeys through Europe with an outdated, 1963 edition of Arthur Frommer's EUROPE ON FIVE DOLLARS A DAY.  This unique travel memoir, written by Doug Mack and due to be released the first week of April, is filled with humor as well as reflection on the modern tourist experience.

Mack recently appeared on the radio show Rudy Maxa's World with none other than Arthur Frommer himself.  Both discussed their experiences of Europe, and Frommer praised Mack's book, saying it was an "amusing and a wonderful read," one that "absolutely fascinated" him.  You can listen to their interviews at the link here.  (Doug Mack talks on Hour 1 of the March 17th podcast, beginning around 12 minutes and 15 seconds in, and Arthur Frommer talks on Hour 2.)

Mack has also created a hilarious trailer for his book, which demonstrates how to pack for a European vacation as a 1960s-era tourist would.  Fitting packing guidelines, indeed, for Mack's European trip guided by a book published in 1963!



EUROPE ON 5 WRONG TURNS A DAY has received several early reviews, and the author will soon be featured on National Public Radio, The Detroit Free Press, The Washington Post, National Geographic Traveler, The San Francisco Chronicle, and MSNBC.com.  A sampling of early reviews are below:

"A clever idea for a travel book, executed engagingly." --Kirkus

"In this age of Yelp and TripAdvisor, who'd have thought that one of the dustiest dinosaurs of European guidebooks could inspire some of the freshest travel writing in recent memory?  Doug Mack, that's who.  This charming chronicle will leave you daydreaming of scribbled postcards, overstuffed backpacks and having nothing urgent to do but study the train schedule over one more cup of coffee." --Mark Adams, author of TURN RIGHT AT MACHU PICCHU

"Whether he's out 'Frommering' or searching for his latest chocolate croisant fix, Doug Mack is always funny and thoughtful.  The perfect travel companion.  With one foot in 1963 and another firmly in today, Mack adroitly straddles two eras, never losing his balance. EUROPE ON 5 WRONG TURNS A DAY is a delight from start to finish." --Eric Weiner, author of THE GEOGRAPHY OF BLISS

Perigee, April 2012

Rave reviews keep rolling in

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST by Emily Danforth has been receiving rave reviews like no other!  After its release in February, it received four starred reviews (Booklist, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal) and was reviewed in numerous locations, from NPR to Seventeen Magazine.  Kirkus named the book its Critics' Best Book Pick, Publishers Weekly named it a Pick of the Week, Amazon named it a Best Book of the Month, and the book was profiled in USA Today and Entertainment Weekly.

Below is an update of all the reviews that have come in since our last post at the end of January!  (To check out the older reviews, just click on the "Danforth" label and scroll down.)

"This finely crafted, sophisticated coming-of-age debut novel is multilayered, finessing such issues as loss, first love, and friendship.  An excellent read for both teens and adults." --Library Journal, starred review

"Powerful...Danforth is a talented wordsmith who recounts...experiences not only with impeccable phrasing but emotional and visual clarity, drilling down into individual moments and dwelling there in slow motion to help readers experience Cameron's hopes and fears...Danforth has crafted a story that's likely to be remembered long after readers of any sexual orientation have put it down." --Los Angeles Times

"You'll love it if you've ever struggled to come to terms with a part of yourself that you fear others might not accept.  MISEDUCATION is incredibly well-written, and stays light-hearted throughout, even as Cam faces serious social prejudices and her own internal dilemmas." --Seventeen Magazine

"Danforth's writing style is multilayered in the best way, with a gradual, deliberate accretion of details that creates a resonant whole.  This is a book that invites lingering--and not only on the scenes of young love that might become dog-eared at the library--though, if you're like me, you'll speed through the story, unable to tear yourself away from Cameron's meticulously rendered life.  Describing a book as 'important' is a compliment, but it can also seem to detract from its literary quality--as if its significance is more about its message than its sentences.  MISEDUCATION is indeed an important book--especially for teens growing up today in communities that don't accept them for who they are.  But it is also a skillfully and beautifully written story that does what the best books do: It shows us ourselves in the lives of others." --National Public Radio

"Nuanced, complex character[s]...Cameron is a memorable heroine with an unforgettable and important story to tell, and she does so with wit, emotion, and depth." --Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books

Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins, February 2012

Trailer for THE HUMMING ROOM

A gorgeous trailer has just been released for Ellen Potter's THE HUMMING ROOM, which came out this February! View the video (which includes a compilation of all the wonderful reviews the book has received) below:


The Humming Room by Ellen Potter (book trailer) from Ellen Potter on Vimeo.

KidsReads.com also just released a new, rave review: "Inventive and charming...Potter's success in THE HUMMING ROOM is that, as you read it, you forget this is a retelling of such a familiar story...Her writing is fresh and effortless, and she updates many key features from the century-old original while keeping its enchanting tone...Powerful and enjoyable."

Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan, February 2012

Trailer for THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN

In celebration of Read Across America Day, we are excited to share the trailer for Iza Trapani's new picture book THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN!  Author-illustrator Trapani has taken the much-loved children's song "The Bear Went over the Mountain" and expanded it into the story of a curious bear and what he sees, hears, touches, smells, and tastes on his explorations away from home.



An early review from Kirkus highly praised the book, which is due to publish this April!  Read an excerpt of the review below:

Seasons and senses and bears, oh my!  In a refreshing spin on an old sing-along favorite, Trapani's bear doesn't go over the mountain just to see what he can see, but to hear, touch, smell, and taste as well.  His sensory adventures are humorously cut short when he sees a mama duck nipping and chasing him away, hears a snake hissing in his ear, smells a skunk spraying, feels a porcupine's quills and has his taste of sweet honey interrupted by a swarm of buzzing bees.  Verse by verse, the song's text introduces the five senses while art depicts the (mis)adventures and also provides a visual representation of the progression of the seasons.  Throughout, the colorful paintings...will engage young readers and singers.  A fine addition to the storytime shelf.

Sky Pony Press, April 2012