Okay, we’re going to do something a little different with today’s cover reveal. Apparently in 2018 the publishers all put their heads together and said “Cover reveals on blogs are fine, but you know what the people really want? Excerpts from the books themselves.” I can hardly argue. As such I’ve had two such offers to reveal not just the book jackets of titles coming out, but selections from the books as well. How does a blogger decide whether or not to follow up on such an offer?  Well, when the magical words, “This is Newbery Medal-winning author Cynthia Rylant’s first new stand-alone novel in 20 years,” are dangled in front of my nose, I’ll admit I’m intrigued. Then there was this description of her new book Rosetown:

To Flora, Rosetown is full of surprises…many of the best of which happen at the Wing and a Chair Used Book Shop, where she loves to read vintage children’s books after school in the faded purple chair in the window.

But lately, those surprises haven’t been so good. Her dear old dog, Laurence, recently passed away. Not long after, her parents decided to take a breather from their marriage, and now Flora has to move back and forth between their two houses. Plus, she’s just begun fourth grade, and it is so much different than third.

Luckily Flora has two wonderful friends–one new and one old. And with them around to share thoughts and laughs and adventures big and small, life in Rosetown still has many sweet moments–and even some very happy surprises!

As the publisher explained to me, this is a book for kids, “who have graduated from chapter books but aren’t quite ready for a 200-page middle grade novel.”

Eh voila! Well have the cover . . .

And we also have a five page excerpt from the beginning of the book. Enjoy it here: Rosetown Excerpt

On sale May 8th. Thanks to Lisa Moraleda for the reveal.