Archive for January 27, 2024

New Book, SHAKEN, Is Coming Along (Fall, 2024)

I’ve been slowly, methodically going through the final edits for SHAKEN, my upcoming middle-grade novel (Macmillan, Fall 2024). The book involves a soccer-obsessed 7th grader, Kristy, who suffers from post-concussion syndrome. It’s a story about identity, anxiety, panic attacks, art therapy, new friendships, making mistakes and, finally, coming true to one’s ever-evolving self. Anyway, it’s a great relief to read through all these words once again, months later, and still feel like, yeah, I like this — I’m proud of it — this is what I hoped to say.

I’m grateful to my editor Liz Szabla and, always, Jean Feiwel, for the opportunity and the steadfast support. True story: I published my first book 38 years ago . . . and Jean was there for that one, too. She’ll never learn. Grades 5-8. 

COMING SOON: Blood Mountain in Paperback, April 23rd, 2024!

GOOD NEWS! I’m thrilled to share that Blood Mountain will soon be available in paperback. To me, that’s when books really get a shot at reaching a wide variety of readers.

Note: It’s an honor to be compared to Gary Paulsen. The man is legend. This book got compared to his bestselling Hatchet novel in three different reviews. I’d sign up for 1/10th of those sales.

Blood Mountain was a Junior Library Guild Selection.

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A QUICK RECAP OF THE REVIEWS . . .

“Preller combines brave characters with vivid descriptions of the perilous mountain, grasping readers’ emotions in the same way as Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet series.” — Booklist.

“A fast-paced, action-packed story that is filled with intense moments and well-researched outdoor information . . . Preller nails it.”

The Reading Junky

“Fans of Gary Paulsen’s books will likely be hooked from page one.” — Publishers Weekly.

“A thrilling purchase for middle grade collections, perfect for fans of adventure novels by Jean Craighead George, Peg Kehret, and Gary Paulsen.” — School Library Journal

FAN MAIL WEDNESDAY #333: Pamir Writes, Jimmy Remembers

 

 

 

 

 

I have friends in Istanbul. One particular school, in fact, that reads my Jigsaw Jones books — even ones that are long out-of-print.

It’s the story of my career at this point. More books that are out-of-print than there are available. 

Oh well!

The price of hanging around in this business for nearly 4 decades. 

Here we go. 

A reader writes . . . 

Dear Mr. Preller,

My name is Pamir. I am 12 years old and I like to play games and I also like to read books. I live in Istanbul and I am studying in Hisar schools .I read your book “THE CASE OF THE DETECTIVE IN DISGUISE” two weeks ago. It was beautiful and I’m writing this email because I wanted to tell you why I liked your book. In your book my favourite character is Mike because he wants to find the secret and become a detective. My favourite part is the first part because it was a funny part. They went to the attic and found detective clothes. I think that part 10 because It was less exciting but still good. 

Make more books like this and don’t forget to come to visit Turkey.

Goodbye,

Pamir

I replied . . . 

Pamir,
Thanks for the invitation to visit Turkey. Boy, that would surely be an amazing adventure for me. 
I wrote that book so long ago it took me a few minutes to remember it all. When I wrote that story, I had a small office above a cozy sandwich shop called The Yogurt Shop, owned and operated by Mike & Mary. They made the best chicken salad sandwich I’ve ever eaten — and wonderful cookies, too. In the afternoons, I’d often go down there to get a cup of coffee and chat with them. Sometimes Mike would even help me with ideas. So when it came time to write The Detective in Disguise, I decided to weave me friends into the story. 
Since that time, I’m sorry to report that Mike and Mary got divorced. She moved to Cape Cod. Mike is still around but I don’t see him much anymore. But pulling that book off the shelf helped me remember those happy times we shared together. Isn’t that amazing? I think it’s one of the best parts about writing. When we make art, we can store those memories forever.
I’m so glad you reminded me!
Your friend,
James Preller

COMING SOON: Two Birds and a Moose!

SNEAK PEEK: It’s nice to have something coming out for the youngest readers that promotes violence. Ha-ha. I mean, a Looney Tunes-inspired brand of violence. And not much of that, actually. But, yes, here comes a new book.
Thirty years ago I wrote two very successful easy-to-read titles, Wake Me In Spring and Hiccups for Elephant. I still meet people who remember those books fondly. Both sold about 1.5 million copies. Long out of print. Try as I might, I couldn’t get a third one published and eventually gave up, moved in a different direction.
So, yeah, it’s time.
I’m very much looking forward to the arrival this fall of Two Birds and a Moose (Simon & Schuster). It’s part of S & S’s “Ready-to-Read” line, level 1. 
Rough sketch by the talented Abigail Burch.
By the way, I also have a new middle-grade novel coming out at around the same time, Shaken (Macmillan, Fall, 2024). It centers around a 7th-grade girl, Kristy Barrett, who is a soccer player with Division 1 dreams. Early in the book, Kristy suffers a severe concussion with lasting effects. Forced to give up the game she loves, Kristy experiences stress, anxiety, self-doubt, panic attacks  — and eventually goes on to spend time in the care of a therapist. Two therapists, actually. And a couple of new friends. The book is about how Kristy navigates this challenging time in her life. More on that, another day. 
Thanks for stopping by.

“I’m Rich!”

Illustration by Anna Laura.