Go to Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer
MURDER, MAGIC, AND WHAT WE WORE
Murder, Magic, and What We Wore
by Kelly Jones
September 19, 2017, Knopf Books for Young Readers
HONORS:
REVIEWS:
School Library Journal, July 2017, starred review
“A cross between Jane Austen dramas and Harriet the Spy, this delightful strong female–led title mixes historical fiction and spy mystery with a touch of magic to produce a story filled with adventure. Jones infuses her female characters with boldness, intelligence, and wit. Refreshing.”
Booklist, July 25, 2017
“A touch of Jane Austen, a dash of adventure, and just a hint of magic make it shine.”
Kirkus, June 15, 2017
“’Women’s work’ is a weapon in this female-centric spy novel set in the Regency era… A great deal of fun, one stitch at a time.”
VOYA, August 2017
“Funny and thrilling. A great choice for those who love Regency romances and adventurous heroines.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Vol. 71, N. 2, October 2017
“Annis, Millie, and Cassia uncover truths about one another and themselves while sifting the clues of Annis’ father’s murder, standing up for aggrieved womanhood, and doing their bit for England against the threat of Napoleon’s return. More than a clever homage to Jane Austen, this novel plucks characters from history, legend, and contemporary middle-grade and YA Regency novels, dropping Easter eggs right and left for readers to discover on their own before finding their sources cited in the author’s note, which forms a must-read list for fans of the period.”
The Horn Book, November/December 2017, #6
“Secret messages, disguises, code names, and knife fights flit in and out of ballrooms and dressmakers’ shops in this Regency-era adventure…. With only a sprinkling of romance and plenty of girl power, the heroine’s interests prove that bravery and style can go comfortably hand-in-hand.”
The Christian Science Monitor, November 3, 2017
“Charming in a way that feels as sweetly ingenuous as its heroine… Keep a weather eye out for Jones’s sneakily beautiful passages.”
PRESS & PRAISE:
“Murder, Magic, and What We Wore blew my bonnet off. Kelly Jones has found a fresh way to share the delights of the magical regency. I truly love this book!” —Caroline Stevermer, coauthor of Sorcery & Cecilia, or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot
“A deliciously enchanting adventure full of magic, mystery and delight.” —Stephanie Burgis, author of Kat, Incorrigible
Murder, Magic, and What We Wore | Leila Roy, Kirkus
Librarians Shout ‘N Share Their Literary Finds | BookExpo 2017
INTERVIEWS & GUEST POSTS:
Episode 63, Fashion Forward with @curiosityjones, Bellwether Friends
UNUSUAL CHICKENS FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL POULTRY FARMER
Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer
by Kelly Jones, illustrated by Katie Kath
May 12, 2015, Knopf Books for Young Readers
School Library Journal 30-Second Booktalk Video
HONORS:
ALA ALSC Children’s Notable Book – 2016
2016 MSRI/CBC Mathical Honor Book
2016 Washington State Book Award Finalist
2016 Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children’s Literature Honor Book
2018 Garden State Children’s Book Award Nominee
2017-2018 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Nominee
2018 Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee
2018 Oregon Reader’s Choice Award Nominee
2018 Pacific Northwest Young Reader’s Choice Award Nominee
2017-2018 Arkansas Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award Reading List
2018 Oklahoma Children’s Sequoyah Book Award Masterlist
2017 Read Across Lawrence, KS Children’s Selection
2016 Missouri State Teachers Association Reading List (Intermediate)
2017-2018 Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee
2017-2018 Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award Nominee (Intermediate Division)
2017 North Dakota Flicker Tale Award Nominee
2016-2017 New Mexico Land of Enchantment Book Award Nominee (Coyote Reading List)
2016-2017 Massachusetts Children’s Book Award (MCBA) Nominee
2016-2017 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List
2016-2017 Georgia Children’s Book Award Finalist
2016-2017 Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Master List
2016-2017 Maine Student Book Award Title List
2016-2017 North Carolina Children’s Book Award Junior Book nominee
2016-2017 Mukilteo Children’s Choice Chapter Book Award Nominee
2016-2017 Horned Toad Tales Nominee
2016 Children’s Choice Debut Author Finalist, Children’s Choice Book Awards
Indie Choice Award Nominee for the E. B. White Read-Aloud Award
REVIEWS:
“…A delightful protagonist, interesting fowl of various breeds and a cast of appealing second-string characters make this a top pick for young readers, poultry fanciers or not.” (starred review)
School Library Journal, February, 2015 (scroll down to Middle Grade)
“…Told in letters, quizzes, newspaper clippings, and delicious ink drawings reminiscent of Quentin Blake, this middle grade epistolary novel has a little magic and a lot of warm family humor. Jones delivers a dynamic Latina protagonist…Readers will cheer for Sophie and clamor for more of those amazing chickens. Exceptional, indeed.” (starred review)
Publishers Weekly, March 23, 2015
“Jones debuts with a comically poignant story composed of the letters that 12-year-old Sophie Brown writes…”
“…Full-page illustrations work with the epistolary format to tell a story that is as much about the process of grieving as it is about supernatural chickens. The combination of real-life emotion and otherworldly farming makes for a comedic story with the right amount of pathos.”
“…Sophie’s unique way of figuring life out on her own makes her easy to root for and provides entertainment beyond the inherent humor of chickens.”
Shelf Awareness, June 30, 2015
“Debut novelist Kelly A. Jones introduces brave, highly intelligent and resourceful Sophie Brown, a 12-year-old poultry farmer in the making…” (starred review)
Unshelved Book Club review (in comic form!)
The Booklist Reader, April 3, 2015
Review of the Day, A Fuse #8 Production, June 1, 2015
CCBC Book of the Week, June 23, 2015
Libros Latin@s from Latin@s in Kid Lit, April 16, 2015 (with teaching tips!)
educating alice by Monica Edinger, May 4, 2015
Reading Through Life, April 19, 2015
Reads for Keeps, June 16, 2015
PRESS:
Best Books 2015, School Library Journal
Best Middle-Grade Books of 2015, Kirkus
Top 2015 Mighty Girl Books for Tweens & Teens, A Mighty Girl
100 Magnificent Children’s Books 2015, A Fuse 8 Production (School Library Journal)
We Need Diverse Books End of Year Middle Grade Recommendations
Best children’s books of 2015, The Kansas City Star
Favorite Titles of 2015, Latin@s in Kid Lit
Holiday Book Gift Guide, San Francisco Chronicle
2015’s Best Books for Children, The News & Observer
Oakland Public Library Holiday Gift Guide — Children’s Books
Q&A: We Need Diverse Books talks about Scholastic Reading Club collaboration
“50 Best Books for Summer,” Instructor Magazine
“Sublime summer reads for readers, from toddlers to teens,” Seattle Times, June 21, 2015.
“Hey, kids, warm up to summer reading with these 10 titles,” Kansas City Star, May 3, 2015
The Center for Fiction: Junior Edition: New Books for Younger Readers #25
“Summer reads: the kid edition,” Minnesota Public Radio, July 9, 2015
“What your kids (and you) should read this summer,” ParentMap
“Strange birds and a brave young girl,” The Daily Republic, June 15, 2015
“Book Recommendations from Books Inc.,” San Francisco Chronicle, June 3, 2015
“Which books to get your kids this summer,” San Francisco Chronicle, June 7, 2015
“Top 5 summer reads for children 8-12”, Cambridge Chronicle, June 12, 2015
Amazon’s Best Books of 2015: Ages 9-12
INTERVIEWS & GUEST POSTS:
“Indies Introduce Q&A with Kelly Jones,” ABA, May 21, 2015
“4 Questions and 4 Sentence Starters with Kelly Jones”, Watch. Connect. Read. June 18, 2015
“The Debut Club: An Interview with Kelly Jones,” Sweet Sixteeners, May 9, 2015
“5 Amazing Middle Grade Novels Selected by Kelly Jones,” The Children’s Book Review, June 10, 2015
“Interview with Kelly Jones,” On the Verge, May 4, 2015
“Hey Kid! with Kelly Jones,” Heidi Schulz Books, May 14, 2015
“Q&A with Kelly Jones,” Reads For Keeps, July 20, 2015