Spinning Out Blog Tour
6.27.11 | Lara Starr | Children's
Today we’re kicking off the blog tour for our new YA novel Spinning Out.
About the Book
Combines Glee-like backstage drama of high school musical theater with a poignant story of friendship.
High school senior Frenchy has little ambition beyond hanging out at the smoking rock until his best friend, the ever-witty and conniving Stewart, gets him to try out for Man of la Mancha. To everyone’s surprise, the guys are a hit. But when Stewart’s antics begin to grow more obsessive—he wears his costume 24/7, freaks out about little details, and displays an incessant hatred of the high-tech windmills outside of town—Frenchy worries that there’s something deeper going on. Is Stewart spiraling into madness, just like Don Quixote? And can Frenchy battle through his own demons in time to save his friend from self-destruction before it’s too late?
Reviewers are Raving!
“Delivers a simultaneously uplifting and heartbreaking look at the dual toll grief and mental illness take on teenagers. The resulting denouement is chaotic and heart-wrenching.” – Publisher’s Weekly
“The narrative moves logically to its denouement, and the fast pace will keep readers interested in the conclusion” – School Library Journal
“The best type of contemporary YA: the one that is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming. Totally recommended. ” – Book Smugglers Blog
“A mounting of Man of La Mancha becomes the stage on which the characters tackle serious problems and begin to grow up.” – Guys Lit Wire Blog
“Shows friendship at its best and at its worst” – TeensReadToo.com
Read an Excerpt
Follow the Blog Tour
Keep clicking for reviews, author interviews, guest posts, giveaways and more!
6/27/2011 WORD for Teens
6/28/2011 The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection
6/29/2011 The O.W.L.
6/30/2011 The Hate-Mongering Tart
7/1/2011 Carrie’s YA Bookshelf
7/2/2011 Friendly Reader
7/5/2011 Cracking the Cover
7/6/2011 Mother Daughter Book Club
7/7/2011 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
7/8/2011 The Book Cellar
7/11/2011 Teaching Books
Win a Copy
Leave a comment with and be entered to win one of three copies of Spinning Out. Winners will be notified on Friday July 1st around noonish Pacific
Lara Starr
Marketing Manager, Children’s
Subscribe to our Chronicle Kids Newsletter.
Sounds like a great read! Would love to win a copy!
Would love to win this one for myself and my school library!
I can't wait to read it!
there's nothing better that a funny book! -except maybe a funny book meant for teen boys!!
Ooh, Spinning Out sounds like a really interesting read. I only recently got into the whole Glee thing, but I have to admit I enjoy it and that made me curious about the book. But Don Quixote? Even better. :) I'll definitely be back on here when I get home from work to check out the excerpt.
This book sounds fantastic! The Don Quixote for YA was what grabbed me, my partner AND my sister-in-law.
I would love to win a copy also. It sounds like a great read for young adults and adults alike!
sounds great!
Would love to read it!
I would love to read it!
this book sounds delightfully weird and funny.
and, strangely somewhat true-to-life. i had a preschooler in one of my classes wear a full head-to-toe batman costume to school everyday for a month. like, cape and everything. he finally stopped wearing it when it started getting hot out and he discovered it was too difficult to drink out of the drinking fountain while wearing the mask… ;)
i'd love to win a copy!
Wow, this books sounds great. I'm reading something like it but this one sounds better!
Man of La Mancha has always been a favorite of mine since my brother acted in it in junior high. Would love a copy for my library :)
Sounds darling. I would love to win a copy. Hopefully this can be the Summer book I've been dying for!
The plot sounds really intriguing! I used to participate in high school musicals as well and I'm curious to read about it :)Looking forward