The Color of Bones - Sample

I've been hard at work prepping the upcoming release of my first middle grade novel, The Color of Bones. For those of you who aren't familiar with kids' books, middle grade means for ages 9-12, or sometimes it's labeled as ages 10 and up.

If you're on Goodreads, you can click the cover and add it to your to-read list.

And you can read the first two chapters by clicking below.

The Color of Bones - Sample

My First Book - The Color of Bones

The Color of Bones

Twelve year-old Derby Shrewd lives in a divided town. Lights live on the Northside of the Line, Darks live on the Southside. Hillside has been that way ever since the Line appeared naturally from the ground, much like a spring welling up from deep inside the earth.  

Now the Line controls the town, keeping Hillside separated, zapping those who come near it and killing those who dare cross it. 

But when Derby, a Northsider, finds a pile of bones stacked on the Line, he sets out to uncover the person's identity. While doing so, he befriends a Southside girl and soon begins to challenge the Line and the town's rules. And then, before he can turn back, Derby goes too far.

My Favorite Middle Grade Reads of 2011

My reading level never surpassed age 12, give or take six months, so I mostly read books targeted at 8-12 year-olds. Here are my favorite reads from 2011, and also the books that, in my teacher/writer/reader opinion, deserve Newbery consideration.