Read on to learn more about Tracy Holczer's latest book, Brave in the Woods. Use the Rafflecopter widget or link at the end of the post to enter to win a copy of the book and other goodies. Check back each weekday of the tour for a new post and/or a throwback post to a recent review of or article about the book.
by Tracy Holczer
Published by G.P. Putnam and Sons Books for Young Readers (February 9, 2021)
Fiction * Realistic Fiction * Family * Grief * Coming of Age
Audience: Middle Grade (Ages 10 and up)
IndieBound * WorldCat
About the book: Critically acclaimed Tracy Holczer returns with a heartrending tale about a girl descended from the Grimm brothers who sets out to break what she thinks is a family curse.
Twelve-year-old Juni is convinced her family is cursed. Long ago, her ancestors, the Grimm Brothers, offended a witch who cursed them and their descendants to suffer through their beloved fairy tales over and over again–to be at the mercy of extreme luck, both good and bad. Juni fears any good luck allotted to her family she used up just by being born, so when she wakes up in the middle of the night with the horrible feeling like antlers are growing from her head, she knows something is wrong. The next day she learns her older brother Connor has gone missing during his tour in Afghanistan.
Her family begins grieving his loss in their own ways but Juni can’t help but believe that his disappearance means the family curse has struck again. Juni is convinced the only way to bring her brother home is to break the family curse and so she sets out on a quest to do just that.
From Charlotte Huck honoree Tracy Holczer comes a stunning new novel about the power of stories, the enormity of grief, and the brilliancy of hope.
My thoughts on the book:
I am excited to be kicking off the Blog Tour for Tracy Holczer’s book BRAVE IN THE WOODS. It has been a lot of fun planning out some of the posts with Alethea (Read Now Sleep Later) and Thuy (Nite Lite Book Reviews) including a playlist of the songs mentioned in the books and keeping track of the food that was mentioned throughout the story. As we discussed ideas, I realized that I have missed being able to create activities for students that bring books to life. Hopefully, when we return to more of a normal school routine, I will be able to share this book with students in person and experience the book on a whole new level.
In her latest book, Holzcer deals with the impact of war and grief has on various members of a family but also weaves in the various journeys each member must take on their own. I loved Juni (the main character) and her relationship with her grandmother, Anya. How themes of fairy tales and life stories reveal the normal hopes, fears, dreams, and relationships that children and adults must face.
In honor of the book Alethea and Thuy enjoyed a socially distanced meal outdoors and capped it off with peach cobbler. You will have to read the book to understand the connection. If you are looking for the recipe, I used the Peach Cobbler recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond on the Food Network Website.
Look for a copy of BRAVE IN THE WOODS at your local indie bookstore or community library. And don’t forget to check out the other reviews and posts that will be happening this week and next.
BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE
Mon May 17 - Kid Lit Frenzy
Tue May 18 - Instagram post by @the_readers_antidote
Throwback Post: Unleashing Readers - Review and Discussion Questions
Wed May 19 - Librarian’s Quest
Thu May 20 - Instagram post by @pasadenalovesya
Throwback Post: Teach Mentor Texts - Writing with Brave in the Woods
Fri May 21 - Read Now Sleep Later
Mon May 24 Throwback Post: Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook
Tue May 25 - Nite Lite Book Reviews
Wed May 26 - Instagram post by @readnowsleeplater
Throwback Post: ReadWonder - Review and Reflections
Thu May 27 - The Windy Pages - Interview with Tracy Holczer
Fri May 28 - Instagram post by @jeninthebookstore
Throwback Post: Nerdy Book Club - Guest post “On Found Objects, Creativity and Beginnings by Tracy Holczer
Giveaway Rules:
The giveaway is open to the US only, except where prohibited by law. The giveaway starts at 12:00 AM Pacific on 05/17/2021, and ends at 12:00 AM Pacific on 06/05/2021. By entering you are agreeing to all the rules.
The winners may not provide a PO Box as a mailing address.
One (1) winner will be chosen on 06/05/2021 to receive 1 copy of Brave in the Woods by Tracy Holczer and a $25 gift card for Once Upon a Time Bookstore in Montrose, CA. One (1) winner will be chosen on 06/05/2021 to receive 1 copy of Brave in the Woods by Tracy Holczer and a mystery gift pack. One (1) educator winner will be chosen to receive 2 copies of the book (must complete a special entry “Thanks, teachers and librarians!” on the Rafflecopter).
We (the blog tour hosts) are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
One set of entries per household, please.
If you are under 13, please get a parent or guardian’s permission to enter, as you will be sharing personal info such as an email address.
Winner will be chosen randomly via Rafflecopter widget.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email with their shipping address, otherwise we will pick a new winner.
If you have any questions, feel free to email us at readnowsleeplater@gmail.com.
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY PERSONAL INFO IN THE COMMENTS. Sorry for the CAPS, but we always get people leaving their email in the comments.