Middle Grade Monday: James Ponti Author Event

 

On Friday, I went to RJ Julia's to see James Ponti and Alyson Gerber.

I've seen James Ponti a few times before and he never disappoints. 

Read my recaps of each event:

Time 1

Time 2

Time 3

I reviewed EUROPA already, I adore this series.

The room was packed, which was nice to see.

Themes:

James writes four themes in his books:

1. Family Drama

2. Mystery

3. Action/Adventure

4. Humor 

* He writes about Family because of his own story.

Writing Advice:

1. Write something small and work up to a book - it's like training for a marathon, you don't go out and decide to run a marathon in one day. You have to build up to it. It's the same thing with writing. 

2. Read your world aloud. You will catch more mistakes that way - of even strangely worded scenes.

On Coming up with the concept for The Sherlock Society

There’s a lake near his house. There are nine benches around the lake. One day, he decided to walk about the lake to plot his book. At each bench, he would stop and ask a question. Each question would be harder than the last and he couldn’t leave the bench until he solved the answer to the question.

Example: The new book would be a mystery.

The kids would get around Florida thanks to their Grandfather.

Why would he be taking them around to solve mysteries? He had a vested interested as a former investigative journalist.

After two laps around the lake, he had the book figured out.

Book three: Art Attack comes out in September and I'm so looking forward to it!  

Why Europa is Dedicated to Suzanne:

When James was coming up with the idea for the Shakespeare Code, he remembered a conversation with former co-worker Suzanne Collins. He wrote her a quick note about it. She immediately called him up. They had the same conversation again and then spent time figuring out the code for this book. 

Our newest pictures:

Alyson was busy with other readers, so we didn't get a chance to talk, sadly. 

But what another fun night! 

Middle Grade Review: Europa

* Book 7 in the City Spies series * 

There's a chatter of a major attack coming. Tru asks her team to review the evidence. Her adult agents are looking at an attack on London, but the City Spies think it's happening in Paris. They have a way of looking at things a little bit differently. It helps that they're teenagers. Could this be the work of a threat they thought they contained?

My Thoughts: As this is book 7, I don't want to say too much. But I loved it! I loved the moments with Tru - and her puzzles, games, and history. I liked learning more about the history of spies in England. I even learned about art. I love books that make me research, and I did look up some of the art mentioned. This series is fantastic and honestly, I never want it to end. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your public and school library's collection. 

* this book comes out tomorrow

Author Event: James Ponti and Alyson Gerber

 

Last Friday, I attended a super fun book event:

James Ponti was at RJ Julia's with Alyson Gerber.

He was talking about the newest CITY SPIES book: London Calling

Read my review here. 

James is always funny; I laughed so many times.

He asked kids in the audience about their favorite middle grade authors - several mentioned were his friends. Then he texted them to see who would text back first (Sarah Mlynowski -Author of the Whatever After series - won)

Alyson asked really great questions.

My favorite was about research.

James talked about how he liked to travel to the places in his books but when he couldn't, he would use all the resources available to him. For example, for the Istanbul scenes, he talked with his Turkish book editor who had lived there all her life. He learned about some secret passageways from her. 

If he can't find someone to talk to, he uses videos for research. There's almost always a video online that will walk down roads and he can see everything.

Or he will talk to his neighbors about certain ideas.

On Naming Characters

Besides the main characters who are named after the city they lived in; the other characters are named for people in James's life: his mother, his editors, people who help with research....and in a funny tale he told, his sister the tour guide. 

There were jokes about other authors. 

On writing:

Both James and Alyson talked about how writing mysteries for kids is different than adults and honestly, I never put it together, but it makes sense. Most adult mysteries deal with solving a murder. But rarely in mystery books for kids does someone die - and if they do, it's off the page (like a cozy). The action and danger have to be there. The stakes have to be high. You can't have any boring moments, or the kids will put down the books. It's a different set of skills. 

Did you know that City Spies has been optioned for a movie? I really hope this happens!

It was great to meet Alyson.

She's a fashionista who grew up in New England.

Her childhood librarian was in the audience (how cool was that?)

She writes:

Read my review of The Liars Society here.

* Book 2 comes out in April and I can't wait! 

Look at the cover!!!! 

This was such a fun event! And I'm so glad I got to go!

No photos were taken this time because I was sick with a cold and didn't want to make anyone else sick. 

Here's one from our first meeting (this is now the third time we've met)

Middle Grade Review: London Calling

 

* Book 6 in the City Spy series * 

Cairo, the newest member of the City Spies, takes the lead when his sister disappears in Istanbul. Determined to save the family of one of their own, the team risks discovery as their search leads them to Rome. Meanwhile, there’s been intel that seems to threaten the royal wedding about to take place in Westminster, bringing the team back to the UK on an official case for MI6. With so much security all over the city, it’s harder than ever for the City Spies to go unnoticed. Will their skills be up to the task? - Summary from the Publisher.

My Thoughts: I don't want to say too much about this book because SPOILERS. But...

Questions are answered

 Stakes are Higher

All the Action

Family Drama

Royal Wedding

I LOVED it!

Here's my favorite line:

* Book sent for review

Top Ten Tuesday: Books to Movies

 This week's topic is books I would love to see turn into movies.

Paging Hallmark - these stories would make Great movies:

And these books, I would love to see made into a TV series:

Do you agree with my choices?

James Ponti Author Event: Mission Manhattan

Last week I was lucky enough to attend an author event (my first one of the year) at RJ Julia's featuring James Ponti and Jake Burt. 

In the shop window:

The event was super fun - I cried with laugher several times. 

Jake Burt was a wonderful moderator. We all played a game plotter vs panser.

James Ponti is a panser - sort of. He knows the ending but not how we get there. He does like to plan three chapters ahead. 

He doesn't know how to play chess, so those scenes are hard to write. 

James talked about his love for indie bookstores and how he's proud to be a Kid Lit writer. 

One Easter Egg: He writes song lyrics into each book

Easter Egg #2 The head of MI6 is also in the Framed books (Which I still need to read)

He doesn't have a favorite character, because he doesn't want the books to become unbalanced. Each character has one of his qualities. But Kat is the closest to him. 

We heard a funny TOAST story.  

Here he is reading the first little bit of the book. 

Thanks to a goodreads review, he stats each book off with a bang. 

It was such a fun night. We didn't end up getting another picture together. This is from the last tour:

We talked a little bit about NYPL. I love the fun fact that is in the book. It's fascinating and no I'm not going to spoil it.

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of the book. I love this series - there's so much action, danger, and drama. You can read my review here.

Another great night! I was so happy I was able to attend. 

Outside the shop. How cute is that?

Middle Grade Review: Mission Manhattan

* Book 5 in the City Spies series * 

The City Spies travel to Venice to protect a young environmental activist. It's chaos on the streets on Venice. When Rio saves the target from a bomb in the canals, that's when things go sideways. They determine that the threat isn't going to stop since the girl, who didn't get to speak, is now invited to Washington D.C. to speak.

The City Spies follow, but it's hard to plan a mission on the fly. There are too many variables. Of course, everything goes sideways. Can they save Beatriz and themselves?

My Thoughts: I'm such a huge fan of this series. I was happy to be asked if I wanted a review copy. This is one of my favorite middle grade series - it has everything - spies, adventure, danger, travel, friendship, and family. This book has everything I love about the series - plus there's moments in NYPL. I loved how Brooklyn greeted the lions as though they were old friends. The mission focuses on a girl that reminds me of Greta Thunberg. The environmental concern shows a current issue, written in a meaningful way. Also, I love the Peanut, Butter, and Jelly names. I wish I was as clever as these characters. And that ending! I can't even!! I need the next book ASAP.

Cover Thoughts: Love it

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your public and school library collections! 

Oh, and did you see his unboxing video? Too funny! 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by James Ponti (@jamespontibooks)

You're going to want to get your hands on this book ASAP. Luckily, it's not TOO long of a wait. It comes out February 6. 

And if you haven't read this series yet, there's still time to rush to your local library and get the books. Trust me, they are THAT good! 

Author Event: James Ponti

 I’m a huge fan of the series City Spies and was thrilled that James Ponti was coming to a local bookstore at RJ Julia's in Madison, CT

He was joined by Lauren Tarshis, a CT author (Westport) - who writes the I Survived series. There are 23 of these so far...

Fun Facts about James Ponti:

He used to work in television 

He was a reluctant reader as a child. 

Favorite book:

There's a funny story about how he discovered that the author lived in his hometown (Florida). 

For City Spies series:

The idea came from travel - he wanted to write books that would take place all over the world. And readers could travel the world through his books. 

Came up with the idea traveling to London and Paris

He liked the idea of middle schoolers as spies because they

1. disappear into the background

2. test out different identities

3. no one would ever think they are spies

Writing Points:

He likes to blend the old ideas with the new ideas (ancient Egypt but hacking creating the problem)

He conductions expert interviews: asking people "What do you hate about books or movies that gets them wrong?" 

He's mostly a pantser BUT he does know the ending. 

And we have Suzanne Collins (of the Hunger Games fame) to thank for his books. She persuaded him to start writing. They used to work together writing for TV shows. 

Also, the movie rights were sold! 

Here we are together. Because I'm awkward, I didn't get a picture with Laura. But this one came out nice. 

Blog Tour: City of the Dead

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the CITY SPIES: CITY OF THE DEAD by James Ponti Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 About The Book:

Title: CITY SPIES: CITY OF THE DEAD

Author: James Ponti

Pub. Date: February 7, 2023

Publisher: Aladdin

Formats: Hardcover, ebook, audiobook

Pages: 400

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/CITY-SPIES-CITY-OF-THE-DEAD 

In this fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling series from Edgar Award winner James Ponti, the young group of spies go codebreaking in Cairo in another international adventure perfect for fans of Spy School and Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls.

Codename Kathmandu, better known as Kat, loves logic and order, has a favorite eight-digit number, and can spot a pattern from a mile away. So when a series of cyberattacks hits key locations in London while the spies are testing security for the British Museum, it’s clear that Kat’s skill for finding reason in what seems like randomness makes her the perfect candidate to lead the job.

And while the team follows the deciphered messages to Egypt and the ancient City of the Dead to discover who is behind the attacks and why, Kat soon realizes that there’s another layer to the mystery.

With more players, more clues, and involving higher levels of British Intelligence than ever before, this mission is one of the most complex that the group has faced to date. And it’s also going to bring about a change to the City Spies…

 

Grab the rest of the CITY SPIES BOOKS now!

 My Thoughts:

Ok, I love this series - for so many reasons. Check out my past reviews. The fourth book in the series was better than ever! I loved going to Egypt with the gang. I loved the addition to the family - although that ending freaking me out a bit. I loved seeing the team together again in action. Lots of action, danger, and plot twists here. I can't wait to see where this series goes next. This is one of my favorite middle grade series and I recommend it at the library a lot! 

Book Trailer:

About James:

JAMES PONTI (he/him/his) is the New York Times bestselling author of three middle grade book series: City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award–winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy– nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti.com.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Giveaway Details:

1 lucky winner will receive a finished copy of CITY OF THE DEAD, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Tour:

1/23/2023	Mythical Books	Excerpt/IG Post
1/23/2023	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
1/24/2023	YA Books Central	Excerpt
1/24/2023	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
1/25/2023	Log Cabin Library	Excerpt
1/25/2023	Kim"s Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
1/26/2023	Blog Write. Read. Live	Excerpt/IG Post
1/26/2023	Lifestyle of Me	Review
1/27/2023	YA Book Nerd	Review/IG Post
1/27/2023	onemused	IG Post

 

James's Tour Schedule

 I'm super excited because he's making at stop at one of my favorite bookstore: RJ Julia's. I can't wait to meet him! I only wish I was moderating the event (if only!)

Review: Forbidden City

 

* Book 3 in the City Spies series *

After their last mission, the team is used to help turn a North Korean nuclear physicist. The man rarely leaves the country, but his son is an excellent chess player involved in a tournament, Luckily Paris is also great at chess. 

The team will use the tournament as a cover to make contact and turn the scientist. Unfortunately, they are not the only team interested in this man's abilities. And the other team isn't as nice - they aren't above kidnapping. 

Can the team complete the mission with all the curve balls thrown at them?

My Thoughts: Another great book in this series. I loved the chess angle and how the tournament split up the team. I liked the socialite angle - and especially her father. I enjoyed the birthday party and Sydney taking a undercover gig as a journalist for the family. I loved how the code needing to be broken was on social media. I loved watching Rio eat his way through the cities of Russia and China. I'm on the fence about Charlotte appearing and I hope that's fleshed out in the next book. Of course I can't wait for the next book to read more from my favorite spy family!

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public libraries.

On Your Radar: Golden Gate (47)

 

Title: Golden Gate

Author: James Ponti

Publisher: Aladdin (Simon and Schuster)

Release Date: March 9, 2021

Reasons It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Found Family

* Spies 

* Mole

* Feelings

* Saving Lives

* Bird Watching

* Finding the truth

* Oxford

* ARC sent for review

** Cover is amazing

This is the second book in the City Spies series and I'm hoping there will be many many more books to come.  This is a great thriller with lots of action, danger, and great characters. 

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public libraries.

I made this for the first book in the series.