June's Book of the Month

June’s Book of the Month is personal! It’s GHOST TOWN IN THE MOUNTAINS, written by me and illustrated by Roland Garrigue, published on June 15 by Sleeping Bear Books.

I couldn’t be more proud of this book, and I sincerely hope you’ll excuse the flagrant self-promotion!

Here’s the trailer we made:

My publisher describes the book this way:

A hauntingly hilarious riff on the tune “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain.”

It’s a dark and gloomy night when two children decide to visit a ghost town. It’s lonely. It’s deserted. And it’s certainly eerie. The main street is filled with tumbledown storefronts and there’s not a soul in sight. But then the kids spot a boarded-up creaky, creepy cabin. Do they dare enter? What will they find? And what is with all those bones their dog is collecting?

Deliciously spooky, fun-filled artwork brings the story to ghostly life. Back matter includes information on ghost towns and the history of the song.

And reviewers have been kind!

School Library Journal gave it a star, and said, “Classrooms and storytime audiences will delight in the blend of music and imagery that help make this book, and spooky season, a little more accessible to young children.”

Kirkus called it “a tuneful and deliciously scary escapade.”

Publisher’s Weekly said, “Amid an ever-present parade of ghosts, inky pinks, purples, and teals give an aura-like energy to this appropriately goosebump-y ride.”

And Booklist opined that “the rhymes are on point and contain creative words that add to the fun. Many elements of ghost stories are included in the dark-hued illustrations…Throughout, the ghosts appear to be having a fun-filled night observing their visitors and appear dismayed when the youngsters hightail it out of town. A fun tale, fit for musical story time and sure to encourage children’s participation.”

I hope you’ll check it out, either by requesting it at your local library or your favorite indie bookstore!

If you’re in Colorado, I’ve got some events planned, please drop by and say hello if you can:

• June 20th, 1pm-2pm: Signing at Old Firehouse Books in Fort Collins, CO.

• July 25th, Time TBD: Storytime and signing at one year anniversary event for The Quill & Candle Bookshop in Longmont, CO.

• August 1st, 9am-10am: Storytime and signing at Blue Pigeon Books in Denver, CO.

• August 29th, Time TBD: Signing at Bristlecone Bookshop in Nederland, CO.

• September 13th, 9am-1pm: Signing at Farmers Market/Second Star to the Right in Denver, CO.

• September 27th, 12pm-2pm: Signing at Old Firehouse Books in Fort Collins, CO.

• October 16th, 10am-10:30am: Storytime at Longmont Library in Longmont, CO.

Thank you for reading my blog!

—Lynn