Release: 13 Oct. 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: JeanBook Nerd
Find it at: Amazon, B&N,TBD
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A riveting middle-grade fantasy about sibling bonds, enchanted houses, and encroaching wildness, lyrically told in eerily beautiful prose.
The grass grew taller than the house itself, surrounding it on all sides. It stuffed the keyholes and scraped against the roof. It shook the walls and made paintings shiver.
Seven years ago, the Ballastian sisters’ parents left them in the magical Straygarden Place, a house surrounded by tall silver grass and floating trees. They left behind a warning saying never to leave the house or go into the grass. “Wait for us,” the note read. “Sleep darkly.” Ever since then, the house itself has taken care of Winnow, Mayhap, and Pavonine–feeding them, clothing them, even keeping them company–while the girls have waited and grown up and played a guessing game: Think of an animal, think of a place. Think of a person, think of a face.
Until one day, when the eldest, fourteen-year-old Winnow, does the unthinkable and goes outside into the grass, and everything twelve-year-old Mayhap thought she knew about her home, her family, and even herself starts to unravel. With luscious, vivid prose, poet and author Hayley Chewins transports readers to a house where beloved little dogs crawl into their owners’ minds to sleep, sick girls turn silver, and anything can be stolen–even laughter and silence.
About the Author:
Hayley Chewins is an author and writing coach. She grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, in a house so full of books that she learnt to read by accident. She’s fond of telling people that she writes books about magical girls with secrets—even if that’s not an actual genre. Her books are literary fantasy, surreal fairy tales, or weird magic. (Or: all of the above.)
Her debut, The Turnaway Girls, was a Kirkus Best Book of 2018 and made the American Library Association’s Amelia Bloomer List of Best Feminist Books for Young Readers. Her second book, The Sisters of Straygarden Place, is forthcoming from Candlewick Press on October 13th, 2020, and has already been called “superb, spooky, and unforgettable” in a recent starred review.
Hayley lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her soulmate/husband/fellow coffee addict, Liale, and their toy poodle, Darfer.
She is represented by Patricia Nelson at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, otherwise known as The Most Amazing Agent Ever.
The Sisters of Straygarden Place Review:
Omg, this book just blew me away with its creativity, and unique storytelling. I loved everything about it!
Firstly, I will not term this as middle grade, because it is creepy, atmospheric, gothic, and a story that anyone can enjoy. The author did an amazing job in the plot. It is unlike anything I have read before, and I honestly did not know how it would turn out. The story is a bit bumpy in the beginning, where you have talking grass and a house that changes your clothes and tends to your every wish. But, once you get used to the characters and the situation, this story gets so good and exciting!
Moreover, I loved all the characters. Mayhap is wonderful in the lead as she tries to find out what happened to Winnow. In fact, all the Ballastain sisters are unique, strange and delightfully creepy in their own manner. I also loved Tutto as the librarian hippo. It was so bizarre to visualize such a character, yet it fit so well with the storyline. Also, the author did a wonderful job with the villain Mysteriessa. She is so complex that at times you don’t even know if she is good or bad. At the same time, there are few questions raised as to who Mysteriessa is, and what happened to Mayhap’s first droomhunds. However, the author beautifully answers all the questions with various twists and turns.
Hence, the story is just full of imagination, thrills and chills and easily one you would not forget. Overall, I loved reading “The Sisters of Straygarden Place” and eager to read the author’s previous novels.
Giveaway
Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter
– 5 Winners will receive a Copy of The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Hayley Chewins.
Book Tour Schedule
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Hayley Chewins Blog Tour hosted by JeanBook Nerd. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
WEEK ONE
14th SEPTEMBER MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW
15th SEPTEMBER TUESDAY BookHounds YA REVIEW & INTERVIEW
16th SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAY TMBA Corbett Tries to Write EXCERPT
16th SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAY Bookriot Edah REVIEW
17th SEPTEMBER THURSDAY Emelie’s Books REVIEW
17th SEPTEMBER THURSDAY Gwendalyn’s Books REVIEW
18th SEPTEMBER FRIDAY The Bookwyrm’s Den REVIEW
18th SEPTEMBER FRIDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon REVIEW
WEEK TWO
21st SEPTEMBER MONDAY J Long Books REVIEW
21st SEPTEMBER MONDAY Rajiv’s Reviews REVIEW
22nd SEPTEMBER TUESDAY J.R.’s Book Reviews REVIEW & GUEST POST
23rd SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAY Nay’s Pink Bookshelf REVIEW
23rd SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAY Author Kelly Riser REVIEW
24th SEPTEMBER THURSDAY Ya It’s Lit REVIEW
25th SEPTEMBER FRIDAY My Fictional Oasis REVIEW
25th SEPTEMBER FRIDAY Books A-Brewin’ EXCERPT
