ITCH: THE EXPLOSIVE ADVENTURES OF AN ELEMENT HUNTER GIVEAWAY

Today I’m excited to share and give away a copy of ITCH: THE EXPLOSIVE ADVENTURES OF AN ELEMENT HUNTER by Simon Mayo. I haven’t had time to read it, but it’s gotten really good reviews and I thought you and your middle grade kids would enjoy it.

Here’s a description from Goodreads:

Thrills. Danger. And world domination. Itch is as action-packed and suspenseful as a middle-grade novel can get!

Fourteen-year-old Itchingham Lofte, nicknamed Itch, has an unusual passion: collecting specimens of every element in the periodic table. So what if that means he's had a few ... mishaps? But when he gets his hands on a suspiciously warm rock made of a new, previously unknown element, things really begin to explode. Soon, a malevolent teacher, an evil-doing corporation, and a top-secret government agency are all after Itch. Can his science know-how keep him one step ahead of everyone...and help him stay alive?

Cover and jacket flap feature augmented reality animations via a free downloadable Itch app!

Here are a few reviews I found on the Website of Sterling Publishing Company, the publisher.

“A great debut. You'll be itching to read more!”
—Anthony Horowitz, New York Times bestselling author of the Alex Rider series
“You'd have to work quite hard not to like Itchingham Lofte. . . amid the teenage intrigue and heart-in-mouth escapades there are sequin flashes of real science. . . the story [moves along] in a high-speed Hitchcockian manner...”—The Guardian

And here’s a bio of Simon Mayo, the author:

SIMON MAYO is one of Britain's best-loved and well-known radio DJs. He works for BBC radio, and in 2008 he was recognized as the Radio Broadcaster of the Year at the 34th annual Broadcasting Press Guild Awards and the Speech Broadcaster of the Year at the Sony Radio Academy Awards. ITCH is his first middle-grade novel, and he's working on a sequel, scheduled for 2014. Simon lives in England.

Sterling Publishing generously offered a copy of ITCH for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment by midnight on September 7th. I’ll announce the winner on September 9th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, please leave it in the comments.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. You must be 13 or older to enter. This giveaway is for U.S./Canada residents only.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Monday is Labor Day and I’m participating in a Sequels Blog Hop Giveaway. I’ll have lots of great sequels for you to choose from. Don’t worry if you’re busy on Monday having fun. The contest will run through September 9th.

Next Wednesday with an interview with Mari Mancusi and a giveaway of SCORCHED, a dystopian/fantasy/time travel story. I’ve been excited about this book since I read the book sale blurb in PW Children’s Bookshelf. And I was not disappointed. It’s fantastic and I can’t wait to share it with you. I’m sure Mari with have lots of advice for us because she’s also the author of another 8 book series.

The following Monday I’m interviewing debut author Caroline Carlson and giving away a copy of MAGIC MARKS THE SPOT. It’s a fantastic pirate adventure story with a bit of fantasy as well. It’s my first pirate story and I really enjoyed it.

Tuesday next week I’ll have a special Tuesday tip interview with Daniel Alexander who is the 20-year old author of two books and a new picture book, A SWIM THROUGH SPACE, which he’s offering for a giveaway. He has 28,000 Twitter followers and he’s going to share some advice on Twitter. I’m really excited for the tips because I’m not sure exactly what to do on Twitter and I’ve heard this from a number of writers.

The following Monday I’m interviewing Alex Cavanaugh, one of our followers, and giving away ARCs of CASSAFIRE and CASSASTORM. This is an interesting Sci-fi series that takes Bryon from a young adult into adulthood. I don’t spotlight adult books but I’m a big following and fan of Alex and this is the last book in his series. And he’s a very successful blogger and will be sharing blogging advice with us. In these times when some writers seem to be tiring of blogging, I really feel it’s important to help each other invigorate our blogs and support each other by continuing to follow each other.

Wednesday that week I’m interviewing another follower, debut author Christina Lee, and giving away an e-book of her new adult novel, ALL OF YOU, a contemporary romantic story.
And don't forget our Tuesday Tips and Casey's Thursday agent spotlights.

Hope to see you on Monday!