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Matched trilogy author Ally Condie has signed a deal to publish her debut middle grade novel. Dutton Children’s Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, will release Summerlost on April 05, 2016.

Publisher Julie Strauss-Gabel negotiated the terms of the agreement with Writers House literary agent Jodi Reamer. A first printing of 100,000 copies has been ordered.

Condie gave this statement in the press release: “I wrote Summerlost about a girl named Cedar, who is dealing with the heartbreak of a family tragedy. Just when she needs it most, she finds herself surprised by the wonderful, magical feeling of falling into an unexpected friendship. During the pivotal summer in the novel, Cedar also explores long-held mysteries within her community and concerning those she loves.”

The heart of Young Adult Fiction descended into picturesque Charleston, SC on November 7, 2014 as 60 Young Adult authors, including 37 New York Times bestsellers, joined together for the 4th Annual Charleston Young Adult Book Festival (“YALLFest”).

Dive into Atlantia and discover an undersea future of sirens and science, where one family's secrets will either save the world or destroy it completely. Creative world-building and an immersive mythology make this a refreshing addition to a YA shelf already filled with dystopias. Books mentioned in this post Atlantia Ally Condie New Hardcover $18.99

Hundreds of writers gathered at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Summer Conference in Los Angeles last weekend.

The annual “Editor’s Panel” featured a star-studded collection of editors, including Dutton Children’s Books publisher Julie Strauss-Gabel–she’s worked with Ally Condie, John Green and John Grisham, among many others. Strauss-Gabel snapped that photograph of her view from stage during the panel. GalleyCat was there, gathering advice for aspiring writers…

1. You need to send the manuscript to the right editor. Strauss-Gabel explained: “I’m very attentive to fit both the imprint and if it is a good manuscript for me. We mean it when we say ‘this is not the right manuscript for me.’ I know another editor could bring something to that manuscript that I couldn’t.” She advised writers to read an editor’s body of work and understand what kind of books they love.

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Matched trilogy author Ally Condie has inked a deal to publish two new novels with Dutton Children’s Books. The Penguin Young Readers Group imprint will release the first book in fall 2014.

Writers House agent Jodi Reamer  negotiated the deal for North American rights with publisher Julie Strauss-Gabel. Strauss-Gabel will  also edit the books. Here’s more about the book, from the release:

[The book] tells the story of Rio, who has waited her whole life for the opportunity to leave her safe, underwater city of Atlantia for life on the surface. But when her twin sister, Bay, shocks everyone and chooses Above first (only one family member may go), Rio is left with increasingly dangerous questions about the complex political and religious system constructed to govern the fragile divide between land and sea.

Julie Strauss-Gabel said, “I am thrilled that we can all look forward to more books from Ally Condie at Dutton. I’m excited to introduce fans of the Matched series to exciting new worlds and heroines as strong and compelling as Cassia.”

Ally Condie is the author of the critically-acclaimed, New York Times bestselling Matched trilogy. Matched has been called “the hottest YA title to hit bookstores since The Hunger Games” (Entertainment Weekly), and a “superb dystopian” (The Wall Street Journal) featuring “impressive writing that’s bound to captivate young minds” (The Los Angeles Times). Crossed, the second book in the Matched trilogy was released in paperback March 12, 2013.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Best Selling Kids’ Books & New Releases

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 1, 2012

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review and the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

20 of the Best Kids Christmas Books

Oliver Jeffers on Writing, Illustrating, and Bookmaking

Christmas Board Books for Babies and Toddlers

How Picture Books Play a Role in a Child’s Development

20 Sites to Improve Your Child’s Literacy

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Pandora the Curious (Goddess Girls)

By Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams

Ages 8-12

Huggy Kissy

By Leslie Patricelli

Ages 1-3

The Twilight Saga White Collection

By Stephenie Meyer

Ages 14 and up

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book 5: Trust No One

By Linda Sue Park

Ages 9-12

Deadly Little Lessons

By Laurie Faria Stolarz

Ages 12-17

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

This Is Not My Hat

by Jon Klassen

Ages 4-8

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas

By Eric Litwin

Ages 4-8

Llama Llama Time to Share

By Anna Dewdney

Ages 3-5

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

By Sherri Duskey Rinker (Author), Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)

Ages 4-8

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses

by Ian Falconer

(Ages 3-7)

_______

CHAPTER BOOKS

“Who Could That Be at This Hour?”

By Lemony Snicket

Ages 9-12

LEGO Ninjago: Character Encyclopedia

by DK Publishing

Ages 6-12

Lincoln’s Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever

by Bill O’Reilly

Ages 10-15

Wonder

by R.J. Palacio

Ages 8-12

Insurgent (Divergent)

by Veronica Roth

Ages 14 and up

_______

PAPERBACK BOOKS

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

Ages 14 and up

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

by Stephen Chbosky

Ages 14 and up

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

Ages 14 and up

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher

Ages 12 and up

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie

Ages 12 and up

_______

SERIES BOOKS

Hunger Games Trilogy

By Suzanne Collins

Ages 12 and up

Dork Diaries

By Rachel Renee Russell

Ages 9-12

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

By Jeff Kinney

Ages 9 to 12

The Heroes of Olympus: The Demigod Diaries

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 10-14)

Matched Trilogy

By Ally Condie

Ages 14-17

This information was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit: www.nytimes.com.

Original article: Best Kids Stories – December 2013

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 1, 2012

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

5 Family Favorites with Elizabeth Bard

Giveaway: Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen

Splash into Summer with 3 New Picture Books

How Picture Books Play a Role in a Child’s Development

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses

by Ian Falconer

(Ages 3-7)

Nevermore: The Final Maximum Ride Novel

by James Patterson

(Ages 13-17)

The Heroes of Olympus: The Demigod Diaries

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 10-14)

The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee: An Origami Yoga Book

by Tom Angleberger

(Ages 8-12)

Big Nate Makes the Grade

by Lincoln Peirce

(Ages 8-12)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 1, 2012

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

Best Young Adult Books with Galley Smith

Summer Reading List: Summer Sports, Baseball, & the Outside World

3 Kids Picture Books that Teach Good Manners

How Picture Books Play a Role in a Child’s Development

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Shadow of Night

by Deborah Harkness

(Ages 18 and up)

Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian

by Eoin Colfer

(Ages 9-12)

Big Nate Fun Blaster

by Lincoln Peirce

(Ages 8-12)

How to Train Your Dragon: Book 9

by Cressida Cowell

(Ages 8-12)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

by Eric Litwin

(Ages 4-7)

To celebrate the final installment of the Matched trilogy, Penguin Group set up a photo booth at BookExpo America so fans could pose for a photograph inside a 3D life-size replica of Ally Condie’s book cover.

Fans could share their photographs online (we’ve embedded a sample above).

Ally Condie appeared at the Reached photo booth to check out the conference and do a little posing of her own. GalleyCat caught up with Condie and asked her what it was like to finish writing her first book series. Condie replied: “It’s kind of scary. It’s really exciting, but all the threads need to be tied together or not. Mostly I just want the readers to feel like this was satisfying.”

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By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 2, 2012

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

Best Young Adult Books with Forever Young Adult

Books for Boys: 5 Funny Kids Books

How Picture Books Play a Role in a Child’s Development

Author Interview: Gary Paulsen

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

by William Joyce

(Ages 4-8)

Bink and Gollie, Two for One

by Kate DiCamillo

(Ages 6-8)

Dork Diaries 4: Tales from a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess 

by Rachel Renee Russell

(Ages 9-12)

Dragons Love Tacos

by Adam Rubin

(Ages 3-5)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 7, 2012

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

Five Family Favorites with Catherine Newman

Books for Boys: 5 Funny Kids Books

Best Young Adult Books with Andrea Chapman of Reading Lark

How Picture Books Play a Role in a Child’s Development

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

The Serpent’s Shadow (The Kane Chronicles, Book Three)

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9-11)

Theodore Boone: The Accused

by John Grisham

(Ages 8-12)

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

by Eric Litwin

(Ages 4-7)

The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)

by Michael Scott

(Ages 12-17)

 

In this much anticipated sequel in the "Matched" Trilogy, "Crossed" picks up where the first book left off and we find Cassia still willing to do whatever it takes to find Ky even if it means risking her life. Nothing is what it seems (including those pesky little blue pills) and everyone seems to have an ulterior motive. Who can Cassia trust and whose really in charge?  Is she just a pawn in a game?  Cassia is faced with tough choices, none of which are black and white, (or should I say, green, blue or red?)  The things she'll discover about herself and the two boys she loves will change her forever.

Click here to read my full review

Crossed by Ally Condie
On sale November 1, 2011




Destined by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
On sale now!




Legend by Marie Lu
On sale November 29, 2011

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 1, 2011

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

Kids’ Earth Day Books: Green with Environmental Awareness

The 39 Clues Blog Tour: Access Granted, Peter Lerangis

How Picture Books Play a Role in a Child’s Development

Review: Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

The 39 Clues, Book 11: Vespers Rising

by Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, Jude Watson

(Ages 8-12)

Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 10: The Emperor of Nihon-ja

by John Flanagan

(Ages 9-12)

Big Nate Boredom Buster: Super Scribbles, Cool Comix, and Lots of Laughs

by Lincoln Peirce

(Ages 8-12)

The Loud Book!

by Deborah Underwood

(Ages 1-6)

Athena the Wise (Goddess Girls)

by Joan Holub

(Ages 8-12)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

How often can you meet authors who write about outer space, werewolves, dystopian societies, fairies, and reincarnation in the same event?

The Breathless Reads tour featured Beth Revis, Andrea Cremer, Ally Condie, Brenna Yovanoff, and Kirsten Miller.

We caught up with the five authors for advice on writing, getting published, and more. Highlights from the interview follows below.

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

I still haven't read Matched, and I don't know how I will like it, because everyone keeps saying it's so much like Delirium, and you know who much I love Delirium (Just look at the button on my left sidebar). But I've got to read it, because most of you say it's great.
One thing I love about it is its green cover. So peaceful looking. And then, we're hit with this cover:

So cute!

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 1, 2011

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

How Picture Books Play a Role in a Child’s Development

Review: Scat by Carl Hiaasen

20 Sites to Improve Your Child’s Literacy

Superhero Books: Batman, Superman, Spider-Man

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Lost and Found

by Shaun Tan

(Ages 8-12)

Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad

by Jacky Davis

(Ages 3-7)

The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight

by L. J. Smith

(Young Adult)

Fancy Nancy: Aspiring Artist

by Jane O’connor

(Ages 4-8)

Scorpia Rising: An Alex Rider Misson

by Anthony Horowitz

(Young Adult)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

Matched Ally Condie

In the Society everything is regulated and controlled. In their 17th year, teenagers are matched-- assigned their spouse. Cassia is lucky in that she's matched with her best friend, Xander. Not only is it extremely rare to be matched with someone from your town-- someone you actually know, but Xander's a great guy and Cassia couldn't be happier, even if she is a bit nervous about how this changes their friendship and relationship.

But, after the matching banquet, Cassia sticks in the microcard to learn more about Xander (not that there's anything else to know, but... well... you would too), but it's not Xander's face, it's Ky's. An Official comes to her that night, already knowing what's happened, saying someone played a cruel joke and to forget it. Ky can never be Matched-- his father was an Anomaly (and Anomalies are dangerous), making Ky an Aberration. Cassia's known Ky for most of her life, but now she starts to really see him and starts to fall in love.

Cassia's never questioned Society, but she can't choose Ky, and as she learns more of his backstory, and sees the actions of her parents and Grandfather, she starts to see cracks in the perfection.

In their review of Delirium, Forever Young Adult said "Y’all, I’ve been growing a bit weary of dystopia, esp. since it’s the new vampire." And you know what, IT'S TRUE.

So much dystopia lately. And I'm not anti-dystopia, I actually love it, but there's just been a lot lately. I can't read it all.

Then YALSA-BK had a conversation last month about books we didn't like and a lot of commentators said that Matched had been over-hyped and didn't live up to the hype. I already had it checked out and it was overdue, which I see more as a challenge to READ IT NOW rather than a "just return it and get it later" because apparently I have a messed-up brain (but you regular readers knew that already, didn't you?)

ANYWAY! Between the claims of it being over-hyped and dystopia burnout, I was a little trepidatious but so many people I tend to have similar tastes with loved it and...

I did, too. It doesn't break a lot of new ground-- there's a reason I keep seeing it compared to The Giver-- their societies are very, very similar. But I liked Cassia's awakening, and I liked the tension. I liked that neither Ky nor Xander were perfect, but they also weren't bad boys. Both were excellent choices, which made the tension that much more awesome. I liked the underground economy in deleted material and I liked the ending.

I also liked that, yes, there will be a sequel (it's a trilogy) but this book stands by itself perfectly well. I'll read the nex

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 1, 2011

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

Caldecott Winners, 2011

Winter Books: Snow, Hibernation, and More

Review: Sleepy Kittens (Despicable Me)

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

Best Kids’ Picture Books, 2010

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Silverlicious

by Victoria Kann

(Ages 5-8)

When I Grow Up

by Al Yankovic

(Ages 4-8)

Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel

by James Patterson

(Young Adult)

Closer (Tunnels)

by Brian Williams

(Ages 12 and up)

I Broke My Trunk!

by Mo Willems

(Ages 4-8)

Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party

by Melanie Watt

(Ages 4-8)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

Ally Condie (pictured, via) published several books before she came out with her recent New York Times bestseller, Matched.

We caught up with the author to find out how she landed an agent for her young adult manuscript–straight from the slush pile. We also found out what it takes to write dystopian fiction for a YA audience. Highlights from the interview follow below.

Q: How did you find your agent?
A: I sent out queries to agents who represented young adult fiction. I found their names online at agentquery.com and then researched them at Publishers’ Marketplace and online to make sure they would be a good fit (i.e., I wasn’t sending young adult fiction to those who didn’t represent it!). A friend clued me in to all of these websites—things had changed a bit since I originally queried my first book in 2004!

continued…

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When considering the perks of working in publishing, I have only two words: free books.  Between galleys and take shelves, there’s always something to bring home. But the best part is when Penguin decides to give away a free, hot-off-the-presses title… delivered right to your desk!

I’d heard about the famous “Penguin 5″, a selection of new YA titles whose advance copies were packaged and sent to industry folks, setting them all abuzz with excitement (did I mention the power of free books?).  I’d be surprised if the above trailer and website didn’t send every teen reader of paranormal/romance/horror/dystopia/fantasy running “breathless” to the nearest bookstore.  But the book I was excited to read myself was Matched… and guess what pretty, pretty hardcover showed up on my desk in honor of its release yesterday?

I think I can accurately describe Matched as The Giver for the teen girls of 2010. Heroine Cassia Reyes is a 17-year-old member of The Society, the universal government that dictates everything from your clothes and your food, to the art you consume, your job and – of course – your mate.  Cassia receives her optimum match, and in a stroke of luck, it’s her best friend and resident blond hottie, Xander.  But in an unlucky “error”, another face comes up on her match-card as well: outsider Ky.  Ooooh snap!

Who is her true “match”?  Will knowledge lead her to buck “The Society” and realize it isn’t all that perfect?  Though the answers seem obvious, I’m a third of the way through… and I’m still enthralled.  Definitely a great YA read!

Check out the super-mysterious website for Matched, as well as a video of the author, below.

Today, I interviewed Ally Condie for her new book, Matched, coming this fall.

In honor of our Twitter Agent Pitch Contest, I did it a little different and kept Ally's answers in Twitter (short) form. Am I smart or what?

What I loved about Matched....
I loved the world Ally created and was impressed that even though the world is different from today, she did not get bogged down in details and make it too convoluted. It just seemed natural.

And hello - is the cover gorgeous or what? I love the green and it is so relevant when you read the book.

What could be wrong with this book? It's got a cool cover, 2 hot boys (yay!), adorable girl, cool new world, a little action, and great writing. Oh yeah, and I've met Ally and she is super sweet too!

Here's what Ally had to say...

Hey Ally, give us your author bio in a twitter post.
I'm an author, a mom to three boys, and a former high school English teacher.Love reading, running, and listening to my husband play guitar.

Tell us about Matched in a twitter pitch.
MATCHED is the story of Cassia-who, on her 17th birthday, finds out who her government (the Society) has selected as her perfect mate.

What inspired the story for Matched?
Several things came together to make me think of the idea for MATCHED: an experience I had chaperoning a prom back when I was a teacher, the computer match dances that were popular when I was young, and several conversations about the role of government in private life.

Can you explain how the process changed for you from earlier books until now? Maybe give us a glimpse into your progression as a writer.
I think the biggest change in my process has been allowing myself permission to write non-linearly. It used to be that I would write scenes in chronological order. Now I write whatever I want, when I want, and then go back and fix it. This has been really freeing and helpful for me as a writer.