#versify books

[versifybooks]

The incredible Jason Reynolds gave some praise to Lamar Giles’ LAST LAST-DAY OF SUMMER! He says “All children deserve to exist in magical spaces where their imaginations and familial bonds will them into heroism...I for one am grateful to Giles, and this brilliant story, for that reminder.” 

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This lush tale of magic and dragons is a gem for any adventure-seeking middle grader and perfect for fans of Aru Shah and the End of Time. Adam Gidwitz called it “Fresh, funny, and sometimes scary...but always magical.” 

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Cover Reveal: ANYA AND THE DRAGON!

*stares at beautiful cover, ultimately forgetting what we wanted to say*

Oh, right- hello, there! We’re so stunned by the jaw-dropping art on the cover for one of Versify’s Fall 2019 titles, ANYA AND THE DRAGON. 

Anya and the Dragon is the story of fantasy and mayhem in 10th century Eastern Europe, where headstrong 11-year-old Anya is daughter of the only Jewish family in her village. When her family’s livelihood is threatened by a bigoted magistrate, Anya is lured in by a friendly family of Fools, who promise her money in exchange for helping them capture the last dragon in Kievan Rus. This seems easy enough – until she finds out that the scary old dragon isn’t as old – or as scary – as everyone thought. Now Anya is faced with a choice: save the dragon, or save her family. 

We think this middle-grade fantasy is perfect for fans of Roshani Chokshi’s ARU SHAH AND THE END OF TIME, and we’re so excited to bring a Jewish protagonist to the Versify list! 

Look for ANYA AND THE DRAGON on 9.24.19....and in the meantime, get excited about our upcoming Versify titles, all publishing 4.2.19! 

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Click the title you’re interested in below to learn more about it!

THE UNDEFEATED by Kwame Alexander

THE LAST LAST-DAY-OF-SUMMER by Lamar Giles

WHITE ROSE by Kip Wilson

VAMOS! LET’S GO TO THE MARKET by Raul the Third 

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Watch Kwame Alexander talk about the inspiration for his new picture book, THE UNDEFEATED!

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Love this video of Kip Wilson sharing photos from her trips to the historical places featured in her novel, WHITE ROSE! 

Share a place you would love to set a story in below. 

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Don’t miss your chance to see Kwame Alexander and the debut Versify authors and artists on their bus tour of the Northeast, beginning April 1. See below for details!

Monday, April 1, 2019

THE CENTER FOR FICTION, 7pm

15 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217

Moderated by Jacqueline Woodson

http://www.centerforfiction.org/calendar/kwame-alexanders-versify-debut-with-jacqueline-woodson

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

HARVARD BOOK STORE, 7:30pm

Venue: First Parish Church

1446 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138

http://www.harvard.com/event/kwame_alexander/

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

AN UNLIKELY STORY, 7pm

111 South St., Plainville, MA 02762

https://www.anunlikelystory.com/event/kwame-alexander-rockstar-tour

Thursday, April 4, 2019

WORDS BOOKSTORE, 7pm

179 Maplewood Ave., Maplewood, NJ 07040

973-763-9500

Friday, April 5, 2019

CHILDREN’S BOOK WORLD, 6pm

Venue: Shallcross Hall, Friends' Central School

1101 City Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096

http://www.childrensbookworld.net/events/

Saturday, April 6, 2019

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, 10:30am

Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20565

Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson in conversation. Moderated by Kevin Merida.

https://www.nga.gov/calendar/lectures/lectures-signings/the-undefeated.html 

POLITICS & PROSE, 1pm

5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

https://www.politics-prose.com/event/book/author-panel-kwame-alexanders-versify-imprint-kwame-alexander-kadir-nelson-ra-l-third

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One of ANYA AND THE DRAGON author Sofia Pasternak’s FOUR writing notebooks –to keep track of scenes, define character arcs, and hammer out plotholes sans computer. How many notebooks do you keep? 

[versifybooks]

Coffee break with Lamar Giles! 

*guzzles caffeine* 

*smashes cup*

Okay, back to reading! What’s on your TBR this week?