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Chris Grabenstein first scary book for Young Readers THE CROSSROADS (Random House) was called “an absorbing psychological thriller” and “rip roaring ghost story” by Booklist in its starred review. THE CROSSROADS won the 2008 Agatha Award for Best Children’s/YA Mystery, was cited as one of 2009’s Top Ten Crime Fiction Books for Young Readers, and is nominated for an Anthony Award.
Kirkus raved about the second book in Chris’s haunted places series, THE HANGING HILL, saying, “thrills and chills of the ectoplasmic and mildly gruesome kind abound in this exciting, humorous sequel. Readers will race through terse sentences and demonically paced chapters to reach the satisfying, Indiana Jones–like and, yes, thought-provoking ending—and they’ll be hanging on for the next installment.”
Chris is also the author of the John Ceepak mysteries TILT A WHIRL (Anthony Award), MAD MOUSE, WHACK A MOLE, HELL HOLE, and MIND SCRAMBLER (June, 2009) and the thrillers SLAY RIDE and HELL FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
50-100 miles of New York City. Further if travel expenses are paid.
Blurbs:
"If Grabenstein's first YA book were to receive a one-word review, the word would be Coooool, a term that applies in a variety of ways—from the book's cover image (a face peering out of the bark of a tree) and its hitchhiking, hot-rodding ghosts to its creepy atmosphere, believable story, and suspense that engulfs readers from the very first page. Even the characters are cool, including contemporary, doo-wop, and even Dickensian. Grabenstein, who has won the Anthony Award for his adult mysteries and whose writing career encompassed work for the Muppets, brings a great sense of timing to this mystery-fright ride. Zack Jennings, a kid uprooted following his mother's death and his father's re-marriage, sees a leering face in a gnarled tree in the park near New York City's American Museum of Natural History. A move to Connecticut doesn't extricate Zack from evil apparently lodging in trees. Readers soon learn that at a crossroads just behind Zack's new home there's an oak tree capable of branching out into murder—and a number of dissatisfied ghosts that prey on passing motorists. An absorbing psychological thriller (the ghost of Zack's malevolent mother plays a part) as well as a rip-roaring ghost story, this switches points of view among humans, trees, and ghosts with astonishing elan. Expect lots of requests."
—Connie Fletcher, BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW
Program Info
Program Descriptions:
hris (a former improvisational comedian) has put together an incredibly fun and interactive presentation called EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY that he'd love to bring to your Middle School.
Using pictures gleaned from magazines and Google, Chris demonstrates how he sometimes uses photographic inspiration to jump-start his ghost stories.
Then, it's the kids' turn!
Chris runs through a series of imagination-igniting pictures and together he and the students make up their own "Haunted Schoolhouse" Ghost Story—right on the spot (painlessly learning about story structure along the way).
The improv game is fun, everybody gets to play, there's lot of laughs, and, best of all, the students leave the classroom (or auditorium) jazzed about how much fun writing can be.
If you're interested in having Chris do an Author Visit at your school, shoot him an e-mail: author@ChrisGrabenstein.com.
He and the folks at Random House will help you put together an exciting and educational day.
Check out the new CROSSROADS Study Guide!
"If you want to get ALL of your students, even your most reluctant readers, excited about reading and writing, invite Chris Grabenstein to visit your school! His book, The Crossroads, is the perfect Halloween ghost story, but the mystery and fast-paced action make it a great read any time of year. I showed Chris' book trailer to all of the students, and it generated enough interest to sell over 100 copies of his book before his visit. Chris' interactive presentation had the students on the edge of their seats, eagerly raising their hands to participate. Chris answered every question with humor and grace, and students raved about the assembly for days. As he signed countless books and bookmarks, he took a genuine interest in each student, writing thoughtful comments like, 'To Jasmine: You're the real princess.'
If you have ever planned an author visit, you know that some authors can act like divas. Not Chris. Even the teachers said that he was the friendliest and most down-to-earth author that they had ever met. During the writers' workshops, Chirs tirelessly answered students questions and gave them feedback on their writing. A few students have emailed Chris to ask him for more feedback on their writing, and he quickly responded with positive input. After Chris' visit, I had to order even more books for his new fans.
I cannot thank Chris enough for all that he did for the students of my school! I will definitely be inviting Chris to visit again to discuss his next book. Take my advice and plan your author visit with Chris now because he will not remain an undiscovered gem for long!"
Jen Kleinknecht
Media Specialist
HBW Middle School
Verona, NJ
Program Pricing:
Varies.
Special Features:
Fun, interactive, improvisational.
Students leave the assembly wanting to have fun writing!
Audience Levels:
Middle School
Contact Info
Contact Email:
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Contact Address:
P.O. Box 192, NY, NY 10024
Home City:
New York
Home State:
New York
Contact Phone:
2123625979
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