Just in case your summer’s gotten dull, we’re giving away two adventure-packed middle grade novels.
Fourteen-year-old Itchingham Lofte, nicknamed Itch, has an unusual hobby: collecting every element in the periodic table. So what if that means he’s had a few… accidents? But when he gets his hands on a suspiciously warm rock made of a new, previously unknown element, things really begin to explode. Soon, a sinister teacher, an evil corporation, and a top-secret government agency are all after him. Can his science know-how keep him one step ahead of everyone…and help him and his friends stay alive?
Simon Mayo, who lives in England, is at work on the sequel, due in 2014.
And book number two:
The kooky residents of Ratbridge are clamoring for the miracle medicine Black Jollop, but the Nautical Laundry, the famed rat-pirate vessel, must journey afar to gather the medicine’s secret ingredient. Things aren’t what they seem…and soon the ship is under attack. Can young Arthur and his Ratbridge friends triumph and return with the cure for the town’s ills?
Illustrated throughout with hundreds of detailed and delightful black-and-white drawings, this imaginative novel will captivate young sea-faring scallywags and brave buccaneers who love a daring, humorous, and extraordinary adventure.
Alan Snow, also from England, has also written Here Be Monsters! likewise set in the wonderfully weird world of Ratbridge.
To win copies of both novels, just enter a comment below!
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They sound great! I’d love to win!
Hope everyone’s having a good summer so far!
Would love reading these books and then passing them on to a local grade school! Thanks for the offer.
Both look like a blast. Good luck to everyone.
These books sound like so much fun. And what an intriguing cover for Itch! Thank you for highlighting them!
These both sound delightful, and I would love to share them with students at our school! I think I would read the “Worst Things Happen at Sea” book first, as I was a Navy wife for 19 years and our son is now a pilot in the Marine Corps, sometimes deployed on Navy ships. I am intrigued with plentiful illustrations, which often entice reluctant readers! Barbara, reading specialist, Haycock Elementary, Falls Church, Virginia
These both sound delightful, and I would love to share them with students at our school! I think I would read the “Worst Things Happen at Sae” book first, as I was a Navy wife for 19 years and our son is now a pilot in the Marine Corps, sometimes deployed on Navy ships. I am intrigued with plentiful illustrations, which often entice reluctant readers! Barbara, reading specialist, Haycock Elementary, Falls Church, Virginia
Love the name Itch. Love the premise. Love to win either book.
I had a student last year who memorized the entire periodic table at the age of nine and was reading at an eighth grade reading level. I was always challenging myself to find literature that matched his interests as ‘periodic table fanatic’ and scientist….Finally, a book written just for him!!!! I have to have this book!!!!
These look like a lot of fun!
Itch has such a great sounding premise–been look forward to it. first hearing about the second, and I love Kooky characters.
Students arrive Wednesday and I could always use more books!
MG books coming back into their own! I can’t wait to read these.
I’m really impressed by all the fun, exciting MG books cropping up lately. Love it.
Those sound really fun! Both have ingenious plots.