Wednesday, May 5, 2010

The Lost Children by Carolyn Cohagan Book Review & {Giveaway}!



The Lost Children
by Carolyn Cohagan
 
"With a quirky and charming style that should draw in readers from the outset, Cohagan's debut
is a gently creepy, captivating fantasy about loss, determination, and hope."
-Publishers Weekly

It is my pleasure to introduce you to author Carolyn Cohagan and her new middle grade novel, The Lost Children. With colorful, vivid prose, Cohagan's debut novel takes readers on the epic adventure of twelve year-old protagonist Josephine and her friends Fargus and Ida. On their mission to uncover the mystery of the lost children of Gulm, the unlikely trio must travel through cracks between worlds, battle mouthless monsters, and a daunting villain named The Master, who rules over the land of Gulm. In a world where nothing is like it seems, the friends learn the value of self-trust, true friendship and family. In the tradition of classics like Alice in Wonderland, The Lost Children is a rollercoaster of adventure and mystery, with spunky, courageous characters that make this book a must-read for children and parents alike. This epic fantasy opens a magic portal of communication between young and old, encouraging children and parents to put themselves in each other’s shoes and grow beyond the roles of parent and child to develop a more understanding and loving relationship. A passionate advocate for the connection between kids and adults through the shared joy of reading and writing, Carolyn Cohagan has been a long time mentor for the Los Angeles based non-profits Reading to Kids and Young Storytellers.


The book trailer can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iu9d2wyQqg. Please find more information about the book and author Carolyn Cohagan in the paragraphs below.


The Lost Children
By Carolyn Cohagan
Alladin, February 9, 2010

Book Synopsis:

Josephine Russing owns 387 pairs of gloves. She's given a new pair every week by her father, a sullen man known best for his insistence that the citizens in town wear gloves at all times. A world away, the children of Gulm have been taken. No one knows where they might be, except the mysterious and terrifying leader of the land: The Master. When a peculiar boy named Fargus shows up on Josephine's property and then disappears soon afterward, she follows him without a second thought and finds herself magically transported to Gulm. After Fargus introduces her to his tough-as-nails friend Ida, the three of them set off on an adventure that will test everything Josephine has ever thought about the rules of the universe, leading to a revelation about the truth of the land of Gulm, and of Josephine's own life back home.

Book Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iu9d2wyQqg

Author Bio:

Carolyn Cohagan began her writing career as a stand-up comic, performing in comedy clubs all over the world. After studying physical theater at the Ecole International de Theatre Jacques LeCoq in Paris she began to write and perform award-winning one-woman shows and theater plays throughout North America and Canada. Since moving to Los Angeles she has worked as a freelance journalist, blogger, and red carpet host for Film Independent, a non-profit organization that produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Awards. A passionate advocate for literacy among young readers, Carolyn mentors with the non-profit organizations Reading to Kids and Young Storytellers. The Lost Children is Carolyn’s first novel. She is currently working on a sequel entitled "Ida and the Unfinished City." She's also creating a performance piece based on "The Lost Children" that allows children to participate in the telling of the story by transforming them into physical elements of the scenes. In becoming the life on the story, children orchestrate and experience each moment of the story as their own and learn to develop confidence in their own unique ways of creative expression.

Author Website:

http://www.thelostchildrenbook.com


Praise for the book:

"With a quirky and charming style that should draw in readers from the outset, Cohagan's debut is a gently creepy, captivating fantasy about loss, determination, and hope."
-Publishers Weekly

"This nifty fantasy from a new author has everything: Great characters, creepy villains, laughs, frights and a great surprise twist at the end."
-Buffalo News

"A worthy first children's novel that pulses with life and promise."
-Austin Statesman

"Carolyn Cohagan's debut novel is filled with magic, wonder, and curiosity. It takes readers into a whole new world of fantasy and mystery."
-The Undercover Book Lover

“The main characters are well developed, particularly the spunky and plain-spoken Ida, the laconic but loyal Fargus, and Josephine, whose journey uncovers hidden strengths and helps her to understand her enigmatic father…
-Booklist 

-Courtesy of Aladdin Books/Carolyn Cohagan


I was curious to review The Lost Children by Carolyn Cohagan. The synopsis sounded very Harry Potter-esque! The Lost Children is Cohagan's debut novel. She grew up here in my home base, Austin, Texas and currently lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Cohagan has a comedy background and studied theatre in Paris. She credits her parents for "...never making her get a real job...". Love it! She is also a fellow blogger.

The Lost Children is for fantasy readers of all ages. I have been reading a few pages to my daughter at bedtime. I love the beautifully bound book and interesting names in the book. i.e. Fargus, Gulm...

The Lost Children is a fantasy. The three main characters are Josephine, Fargus, and Ida. Worlds away, the children of Gulm have disappeared and only the terrifying leader of the land knows where they may be. Josephine follows Fargus and finds herself transported to the land of Gulm. Fargus introduces Josephine to his friend Ida and they set off on an adventure that will reveal the truth about the land of Gulm. 

I love this book and am excited for the sequel Ida and the Unfinished City. Cohagan is even creating a performance piece based on The Lost Children that will allow kids to participate in the story!

Thanks to Aladdin books for the book sample!

*I received a sample of The Lost Children to facilitate my candid and honest review. No other form of compensation was or will be given. All personal views are my own!

***
Win It!
 
I'm happy to announce that Aladdin Books is giving away a copy of The Lost Children to one 512 Kidz blog reader!

Main entry: (A must!) Just leave a comment with email on this post to be entered to win. Feel free to share... why/who you would like to win this book for.

Extra Entries: (Leave a separate comment for each)

  • Follow me publicly (you MUST follow publicly for this entry to count) on Google Friend Connect (located on sidebar)
  • Follow me on Twitter (leave your twitter screen name in your comment)
  • Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in your comment every time you tweet, you can do this daily)  
  • Subscribe to 512 Kidz via RSS or reader (located on sidebar)
  • Blog this giveaway (leave the link)
  • Add 512 Kidz to your link list/blogroll (leave your blog url)
  • Comment on any 512 Kidz blog post (meaningful comments please) and let me know which one (non giveaway posts)
  •  Enter any of my other current giveaways (if applicable, current giveaways found on 'Current Giveaways' tab at top of the page) and let me know which one
  • Vote for 512 Kidz on Top Baby Blogs! Just click the button below, and leave me a comment letting me know you did. Just click and your done!

Vote For Us @ TopBaby Blogs! The Best Baby Blog Directory

Giveaway ends May 15, 2010 at 11:59 pm CST. Winner chosen using Random.org. Winner will be posted on this blog and will be emailed. Winner has 72 hours from Winner announcement to reply to claim prize. Open to USA.

59 comments:

Gwendolyn B. said...

I'd love to win this book for 2 reasons: first, I'm always on the lookout for good middle-grade books for a reluctant reader I live with ;) and secondly, my brother and I used to play a game when we were small that we called "Lost Little Kids" and this book reminds of that. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Kaitlyn Devin and Grace said...

I'd love to win this book to review on my site! (http://www.thebookbuff.blogspot.com)

k8thebookbuff(at)yahoo(dot)com

Show Me Mama said...

This book would be a great present for my niece. She love reading. It would make her happy.
showmemama@ymail.com

Show Me Mama said...

Following you via google friend connect.

Show Me Mama said...

Following you on twitter @ShowMeMama

A Musing Mother said...

I would love to share this book with my kids.

Nancy

ntaylor228 at yahoo dot com

Elise said...

I would love the book for my younger cousin who loves to read. She would be so happy.
caliblue7@gmail.com

Elise said...

Im a follower
caliblue7@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would like to win this for myself, and then once i have read it i would pass it on to friends and family, or donate it to the library like i do all books i get :)
kiss_my_makeup@live.com

Elise said...

I subscribe via RSS also.
caliblue7@gmail.com

ABCD Diaries said...

This sounds great! Thanks for the chance:)

ABCD Diaries said...

I follow via GFC:) Thanks!
christinbanda at yahoo dot com

E.J. Stevens said...

I would love a chance to win! :)

xx,
E.J.

e.j.stevens.author[at]gmail[dot]com

I follow on GFC.

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book for my daugther. She is following in my footsteps with my love of reading.

mylifeladyblog(at)gmail(dot)com

throuthehaze said...

This sounds great!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith said...

I am a follower, my grandkids would like the book,

Bill ;-)

billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com

Hope you'll check out my book giveaway:
http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2010/05/book-giveaway-glorious.html
http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/

Edna said...

Please enter me
I follow on google


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

i follow on twitter@mrsred49


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

I tweeted about this giveaway on twitter


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

I voted for you


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Ms B said...

Would love to win this. My daughter's reading addiction is wonderful but expensive!
Following now from MBC
http://whatsthebuzzmsb.blogspot.com/

Literary Litter said...

Just wanted to let you know I've posted a link to your giveaway at literarylitter.blogspot.com

Thanks :)

skkorman said...

This book would make a great gift for my niece—please enter me to win!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

RyanE said...

Oh, fun! My daughters would Love to read this book, I'm sure.

superpaige@ericksonfamily.com

Celestia said...

I love YA fiction so I would probably enjoy this book. Then I would probably donate it to a local school or library.

celestia dot price at gmail dot com

EmilyB said...

what a great giveaway! I hope I win!

luv.me.some.blog[at]gmail[dot]com

EmilyB said...

I follow via Google Friend Connect!

luv.me.some.blog[at]gmail[dot]com

EmilyB said...

I follow via Google Reader!

luv.me.some.blog[at]gmail[dot]com

EmilyB said...

Voted for your blog!

luv.me.some.blog[at]gmail[dot]com

katscorner said...

I would love to win this for my son and husband who share the same taste in books and this is just the kind they love to read

Jolee said...

Sounds great. I would read this myself (LOVE children's books) and would share with my son. Thanks. joleehamlin@comcast.net

Jolee said...

follow. joleehamlin@comcast.net

Jolee said...

also entered the Yoplait giveaway. joleehamlin@comcast.net

Julie said...

I entered the Yoplait Greek giveaway!

jewell330 at aim dot com

Charlotte said...

I'd love a chance to read this one!

katscorner said...

following on twitter 5-9 (ktscorner)

Emily Taylor said...

This sounds like a fun read. I'd love to win it for me. Then of course I would share it when I was done:)

nordstromemily(at)hotmail(dot)com

Emily Taylor said...

I follow.

nordstromemily(at)hotmail(dot)com

katscorner said...

I have been disabled for over 20 years and as my MS gets worse reading is one of the things I can still do it keeps my mind sharp and does not hurt to do.

TheAnnieHour said...

I would love to win this book because I am going to be a school teacher, and it would be a wonderful resource for my classroom!

email: gilbertsona@my.uwstout.edu

katscorner said...

retweeted 5-12 (katscorner)

Misusedinnocence said...

This sounds amazing, I would love to read it.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow on gfc/blogger.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book for my little daughter, she just starting to learn english and it will be veru helpfull for her.

ksyshenka@yahoo.com

katscorner said...

reading has been one of my ezcapes left for me since my MS has gotten so bad and this is just the kind of book I love to read .

Bonita12 said...

I would love to share this adventure with my son.
bwalker1123 at gmail dot com

Bonita12 said...

I subscribe via Google reader.
bwalker1123 at gmail dot com

Julie said...

I voted for you on Top Baby Blogs!

jewell330 at aim dot com

madpay said...

nice prize to win

katscorner said...

I would love to win this book for myself because it would be a great excape from my MS and all the pain I live with 24 7 so I have been reading more and more all the time getting lost wonderful pages of a great book

demmi said...

would love to win the book

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book for my granddaughter. She would love it. garrettsambo@aol.com

DEBIJOT said...

Would love to win this for my grandson.

DEBIJOT said...

follow you on twitter - debijot

DEBIJOT said...

GFC follower

DEBIJOT said...

google reader subscriber

DEBIJOT said...

voted for you

Renee said...

I would like to win this for myself to read because I am an extremely avid reader and I would then share it with my mom and my sister because they also share my love of books.
yeloechikee at hotmail dot com

Trina said...

I would like to win this for my 12 year old god daughter.
couponsiwant(at)verizon(dot)net

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