Though we were saddened by the news that EgmontUSA would be closing its doors on January 31, we’re thrilled to be participating in the Last List Blog Hop, which is being hosted by the ladies over at Cuddlebuggery. Check out all of the posts on the Last List Blog Hop to see fun interviews and other things on the final Egmont titles. Today, we’re checking out one of the middle grade titles: Anywhere But Paradise by Anne Bustard, which hits shelves and e-readers on March 31!
***About the Book***
Anywhere But Paradise by Anne Bustard Published by EgmontUSA on March 31, 2015
Genres: Children's Fiction
Pages: 288
Goodreads Buy the Book
Moving from Texas to Hawaii in 1960,12-year-old Peggy Sue faces a difficult transition when she is bulled as one of the few haole (white) students in her school. This lyrical debut novel is perfect for Common Core classroom connections.
It's 1960 and Peggy Sue has just been transplanted from Texas to Hawaii for her father's new job. Her cat, Howdy, is stuck in animal quarantine, and she's baffled by Hawaiian customs and words. Worst of all, eighth grader Kiki Kahana targets Peggy Sue because she is haole--white--warning her that unless she does what Kiki wants, she will be a victim on "kill haole day," the last day of school. Peggy Sue's home ec teacher insists that she help Kiki with her sewing project or risk failing. Life looks bleak until Peggy Sue meets Malina, whose mother gives hula lessons. But when her parents take a trip to Hilo, leaving Peggy Sue at Malina's, life takes an unexpected twist in the form of a tsunami. Peggy Sue is knocked unconscious and wakes to learn that her parents safety and whereabouts are unknown. Peggy Sue has to summon all her courage to have hope that they will return safely.
Sounds awesome, right? We can’t wait to read it!
***About Anne Bustard***
Born in Hawaii, author Anne Bustard is still a beach girl at heart. If she could, she would walk by the ocean every day, wear flip-flops, and eat nothing but fresh pineapple, macadamia nuts and chocolate. Growing up, Anne took years of hula lessons and spent many happy hours wearing a facemask and breathing through a snorkel. Her small sea glass collection from childhood is one of her most treasured possessions.
Anne loves school. And she has a lot of degrees to prove it. Three came from the University of Texas at Austin (BS, MLIS, PhD). Her most recent one, and she believes her last, is an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
Children’s books have always been central to her life. When she taught in elementary schools and universities, she always used literature. Anne co-owned Toad Hall Children’s Bookstore in Austin, Texas, too. As a bookseller, she loved opening up new boxes of books, telling others about them and running a summer writing program for children.
Anne is the author of non-fiction works for young readers including the award-winning Buddy: The Story of Buddy Holly (Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers).
Her debut middle grade historical novel Anywhere But Paradise (Egmont USA), set in Hawaii in 1960, will be published in April 2015.
Anne lives in Austin, Texas, where she is a part of the vibrant writing community. She shares her writing space with her feral cat, Sweet Baby James.
