5.5.2015: It's a book!

Welcome to the world, Anna, Banana.

Dear friends,

Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split was born early this morning, after more than 2 1/2 years of labor. She's a beautiful and healthy 7.5" x 5.5" and weighs 7.5 ounces. Illustrator Meg Park and I are so proud--we can't wait for you to meet her! 

If you're in the New York City area, please come celebrate with me (and get a signed copy of the book!) at BookCourt in Brooklyn this Saturday, May 9, at 4pm. There will be activities for kids, prosecco for adults, and home-baked treats (plus cheese) for all.

If you can't make it to the party but would still like a signed copy of the book, please contact BookCourt to order one. You can order a not-signed copy of the hardcover or ebook here: Indiebound | B&N | BAM | iTunes | Target | Amazon, or ask for it at your local bookstore or library. Thanks so much for your support.

For more information about the book, including flap copy and reviews, click here. There's also a book trailer to watch!

Here's a sneak peek from Chapter Seven: Pretty Please with a Pony on Top.

I watched in horror as Sadie leaned over her desk and whispered something to Amanda. Amanda glanced at me, then whispered back to Sadie. Sadie giggled softly.

I couldn’t believe it. Sadie never whispered with Amanda. Sadie hardly ever even talked to Amanda. Amanda sometimes picked her nose in public! My best friend was whispering with a known nose-picker and she refused to even look at me. It felt like I’d swallowed a bucket of rocks.

I had to do something.

Huge thanks to midwife Kristin Ostby, doula Meredith Kaffel, and head nurse Laurent Linn! (And thank you to the wonderful night staff at New London Hospital who assisted with these photos.) 

4.17.2015: Take a Ballerina Card

Dear friends and colleagues,

Today is my last day at HarperCollins. After more than thirteen years as an editrix, I am taking a break from this job I love in order to write full-time.

Before I go, I want to say thank you: Thanks to all of you who have shared your stories with me over the years. Thank you for the privilege of being part of your creative lives, and for the innumerable ways you’ve shaped mine. I am so grateful to be part of this community of book lovers.

See you in the next chapter.

Always,

Anica

Image from What Shall I Be?: The Exciting Game of Career Girls (2009 custom edition by Terra Elan McVoy)

4.15.2015 Friendship Split Giveaway(s)

Enter to Win!

Now through May 5, enter the Goodreads giveaway to win one of five signed hardcovers of my debut novel, Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split. Perfect for kid lit fans of all ages, especially readers ages 6-10.

Here's the giveaway link. If you'd prefer to just buy a copy, the hardcover and ebook editions are available for pre-order (and should start shipping any day now): 

Indiebound | B&N | BAM | iTunes | Amazon

Speaking of giveaways, I have a few Anna, Banana shelf-talkers left. If you'd like one for your home, classroom, or office (or for your bookstore or library!), please email me your address and I'll happily send one your way.

*throws confetti*      Yay, books!

P.S. Have you seen the Anna, Banana book trailer yet? Click here to watch it. (Thanks, Mr. Schu, for hosting its premiere!)

4.8.2015: Five Fab New Reads

Totally Biased Book Recs

If you're looking for a great new read, here are five upcoming novels that I highly, wholeheartedly recommend (with thanks to all of these authors for the honor and pleasure of being their editrix!). Click on the titles below to find the books on Indiebound, on the images to find them on Goodreads, and on the authors' names to view their websites.

Invincible by Amy Reed (on sale April 28)

The Fault in Our Stars meets Go Ask Alice in this heartbreaking novel about a teenage girl who survives a terminal cancer diagnosis...only to get trapped in the deadly spiral of addiction. A raw, honest, emotional read with so much heart and depth. 

Drive Me Crazy by Terra Elan McVoy (on sale April 28)

Buckle up for a fun story about two 12-year-old girls stuck together on a road trip with their honeymooning grandparents. The bumpy road to friendship is full of unexpected twists and turns in what promises to be the adventure of a lifetime.

Making Pretty by Corey Ann Haydu (on sale May 12)

This gorgeously-spun novel has all the heat, grit, and intensity of summer in New York City. An intoxicating new friendship, an all-consuming romance, and an unexpected family announcement send Montana spinning into the most important summer of her life.

Vanished by E. E. Cooper (on sale May 12)

Gone Girl meets Pretty Little Liars in this delicious, fast-paced, YA psychological thriller about three friends: one missing, one dead, and one left behind to untangle the deceptions and reveal the unthinkable truth.

A Sense of the Infinite by Hilary T. Smith (on sale May 19)

A breathtakingly beautiful coming-of-age story about the bonds of friendship, the weight of secrets, and the healing power of nature.

Happy reading!

4.2.2015: A Recipe for Spring

Nana Sasso's Savory Easter Pie

In celebration of spring, here's a short piece I wrote for Italian Cooking & Living several years ago, about a family recipe passed along through my maternal great-grandmother, Maria Assunta Famighlietti Sasso, and the changing traditions surrounding it.

I don't recommend following the magazine's version of the recipe (it's too salty, for one), so I've also posted Nana's original instructions (as told to my mother) and my mother's adaptation (click through to read those). As you'll see, altering the recipe is part of the tradition and fun of this pie. Year to year, it is never exactly the same--so feel free to play with it!

Happy spring.

3.26.2015: Upcoming Events: Book Party Alert

You're invited! (x4)

Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split is almost here, and I'll be doing four fun events in April and May to celebrate. If you're anywhere near Newburyport, Atlanta, Alexandria, or Brooklyn, please come join me at one of the readings/parties below--I'd love to see you there!

If you can't come to the events but would still like to get a signed copy of the book, please contact Little Shop of Stories, Hooray for Books!, or BookCourt to order one. For a not-signed copy (or an ebook), just follow these links to Indiebound, Amazon, B&N, BAM or iTunes, or ask for Anna, Banana at your local bookstore or library.

Thanks for your support! See you soon.

April 25: Newburyport Literary Festival

I'll be launching Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split at the Newburyport Literary Festival in Newburyport, MA on Saturday, April 25. Please come say hello, get a signed a copy of the book, take part in a fun storytelling game...and meet my mom, too!

May 1: Little Shop of Stories 

Join acclaimed YA author Terra Elan McVoy and me at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, GA on Friday, May 1 at 6:30pm for a joint party celebrating the release of two friendship-themed books: Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split and Terra's first middle-grade novel, Drive Me Crazy. Treats will be served and books will be signed. Bring your best friend!

May 3: Hooray for Books!

Please join me at Hooray for Books! in Alexandria, VA from 2-4pm on Sunday, May 3. There will be fun activities for kids, tasty beverages for adults, and treats and books for all.

May 9: BookCourt

Come celebrate with me at one of my favorite Brooklyn bookstores, BookCourt, on Saturday, May 9, at 4pm. There will be activities for kids and prosecco for grownups, plus cheese, cheer, and home-baked treats for all. (Also, books!)

I will also be doing several school visits this spring and fall. If you'd like me to visit or Skype with your school or classroom, please be in touch!

2.24.2015: Book News! The Teacher's Pet

Here comes trouble....

Some book news I'm delighted to share (official announcement from the PW Rights Report):

This manuscript was a ton of fun to write, and I feel so lucky that my super agent, Meredith Kaffel, matched it with super editrix Rotem Moscovich at Disney-Hyperion, who brought the superb Zachariah OHora on board. (If you're not already familiar with Zach's illustrations, please check out his latest picture book, Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman. It will steal your heart. I'm such a fan.)

Here's to summer 2017!

2.14.15: Book Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

What better way to celebrate than by falling in love with a book? Here are a few that captured my heart.

• Tales Designed to Thrizzle, Vol. 1 by Michael Kupperman is expertly absurd. It became an instant favorite from page one.

• What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt grabbed onto my heart and broke it to pieces. A new friend gave it to me, and in return I gave her:

• The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison, which, yes, you've been hearing about everywhere, for excellent reasons. (Her novel, The Gin Closet, is wonderful too.)

• The Actual & Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher by Jessica Lawson made me want to climb out my window in search of mischief and adventure (preferably with Becky by my side).

• Books & Islands in Ojibwe Country by Louise Erdrich is one to read slowly and savor.

• We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulaway is one to fly through, swept up in the story and the voice.

• Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman isn't out until April, but you should go line up outside the bookstore now--it's that great.

• This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki received both a Printz Honor and a Caldecott Honor for its excellent illustrations and storytelling. It's vibrant through and through.

• Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light: "I love art! It's my imagination on the outside." <3 <3 <3

What books are warming your heart these days?

2.11.2015: Big-Mouth Bet Cover Reveal!

Introducing...Anna, Banana, and the Big-Mouth Bet!

I'm delighted to share the cover for Anna, Banana, and the Big-Mouth Bet (S&S, Sept. 2015). This third book in the series was super fun to write, and I love Meg Park's cover art, especially Banana's expression. Big thanks to Meg and to art director Laurent Linn and editrix Kristin Ostby.

Here's the flap copy:

Anna has a loose tooth! It’s as wiggly as her dog Banana’s tail. But while Anna is poking at her loose tooth, class clown Justin keeps poking fun at Anna and her friends. 

Anna tries to make Justin leave them alone, and gets pulled into a high-stakes bet. If Anna wins, Justin has to play nice; but if Anna loses, she has to do something so jaw-droppingly embarrassing, even Banana can’t believe it.

There’s no wiggling her way out of this one. Anna has to win the bet and stop Justin’s annoying antics…before she gets in even more toothy trouble.

And would you like to read an excerpt? Here's one from Chapter Twelve: The Better Bettor.

I popped out of my seat, turned toward the coat hooks, and slammed straight into Justin. We both froze.

He looked at me with startled eyes for what felt like the longest second in the world. For a moment, I wondered if Justin was as worried about the bet as I was. 

Then he spoke. “Better rush home and practice your dance moves,” he said, “since tomorrow you’ll be performing in the middle of class. Bawk bawk!” 

I glared. “Better practice keeping your mouth shut,” I said, “since soon you won’t be allowed to open it at all.” 

I stormed off without waiting for his comeback. This tooth had to come out now.

Add it on Goodreads here. 

(Pssst, the first two books in the series are now available for pre-order! Here are the links to find Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split, which comes out on May 5: Indiebound | B&N | BAM | iTunes | Amazon | Goodreads. Thank you for your support!)

12.29.14: Triple Happiness

Blurbtastic news!

My almost-8-year-old niece, Anna Luiza, read an advance copy of Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split over the holidays, and my heart split open and oozed happiness at the sound of her giggling over it in the next room.

Two other wonderful people, Lauren Myracle and Megan McDonald, also gave the book an early read. Lauren and Megan are two of my favorite authors, so I am dancing around the room, wagging my tail with excitement over the news that they liked it:

"I've drawn rainbow sparkle hearts on every page of this book, because I love it that much. A perfect friendship story!" --Lauren Myracle, bestselling author of the Winnie Years

"Fast-paced, fun, and funny. Girls will lap up this easy-breezy friendship story like a banana split--and the happy ending is the cherry on top!" --Megan McDonald, bestselling author of Judy Moody

Thank you, Lauren and Megan!

And hey, Happy New Year, everyone. Here's to sparkles and joy and lots of great books in 2015.