Today, I am excited to welcome author Cheryl Carpinello to the blog! Take it away, Cheryl!
1. What drew you to this story?
After writing Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend, I wanted my next Arthurian Tale to appeal more to boys. With my emphasis on encouraging reluctant young readers, this made sense because boys are usually the ones not reading as much. However, the story is also definitely for girls. I also wanted to write more of an action/adventure story that incorporated what I call the cornerstones of Arthurian Legend: Honor, Loyalty, and Friendship. It’s also a story that I would have loved reading back when I was younger.
2. Do you find yourself coming back to certain themes? Why or why not, and what are they?
Coming from a teaching background, I’m aware of the need and struggle of kids of all ages to find out who they are, to determine what they are capable of achieving, and to discover how they fit into the world around them. In a sense, these are the themes that run through my stories. In Young Knights, the three protagonists face deadly challenges revolving around these themes. In Guinevere, she, at the tender age of 12, must find a way to come to terms with a future that has already been decided for her.
3. What’s the one thing you must have when you write?
Music. Music has always inspired me and carried me to other worlds. Sometimes it’s the lyrics, but more often it’s the tune. For my current WIP, I’m addicted to Mumford and Sons.
4. What three people, living or dead, would you most like to talk to and why?
On a world scale, at this point in my life, I would like to sit down with Zahi Hawass, former Secretary General of Egyptian Antiquities. He intimately knows all of Egypt’s ancient monuments, and his insights into the lives of the ancient Egyptian people and their pharaohs would be fascinating to hear.
For my craft of writing, I would like to visit with Aristotle. His Poetics forms the basics of writing even today, over 2500 years ago. Without his guidance, writing might look very different today.
On a personal level, it would be my parents who both passed from this world when I was in my early twenties. I would share all that has happened in my life, what I’ve learned and experienced, and my successes and my failures.
5. If your book was made into a movie, who would write the soundtrack?
I love the soundtrack of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, so I would have to say Howard Shore.
6. What’s up next for you?
I’m working on the second draft of my next story which will be for upper MG and YA readers. My scene shifts from Medieval Times to Ancient Egypt and the time of the Pharaohs. In it, the protagonist teams up with an famous pharaoh in a search for a lost queen and a quest for honor. Similar to the concept behind Young Knights, this story takes readers on a search for self and also holds some surprises!
About the Book
Title: Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's RansomAuthor: Cheryl Carpinello
Publication Date (Kindle): May, 2012
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing
Number of pages: 84
Recommended age: 9+
Summary (Amazon):
In medieval Wales, eleven-year-old Prince Gavin, thirteen-year-old orphan Philip, and fifteen-year-old blacksmith's apprentice Bryan are brought together in friendship by one they call the Wild Man. When an advisor to the king is killed and a jewelled medallion is stolen from the king’s treasury, the Wild Man is accused of the theft and murder. Filled with disbelief at the arrest of the Wild Man, the three friends embark upon a knight’s quest to save their friend’s life. To succeed, the three must confront their fears and insecurities, and one of them will have to disclose the biggest secret of all. Join Gavin, Philip, and Bryan on their quest and share the adventures that await them in the land of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
Purchase
Amazon * Muse it Up * Barnes and Noble
The Buzz
"The King's Ransom is a fast-moving story, a tale of knights and castles and villains. As Gavin, Phillip, and Bryan set about to save their friend, the reader is brought vividly into the medieval world of King Arthur. There is just the right balance of action and character development to entice young readers and reluctant readers to pick this book up, as was the author's intent. I recommend it to all middle grade readers." ~ Laurie C., Amazon, 5 Stars
"The adventures these future Young Knights of the Round Table experience in their quest to save their friend are filled with the fantasy and adventure story elements that children love to read. There's a villain, secret passages in castles, swordplay, and even a witch. And with King Arthur's appearance, astonishing secret identities being revealed, and a happy ending, what more could anyone want in a good read?" ~ Tyler T., Amazon, 5 Stars
"This was a great book! I liked all of the action and excitement in it. Ms. Carpinello wrote this book really well and it was very appropriate for kids even though it deals with fighting and a wrongfully accused person. Ms. Carpinello described the time period really well, I felt like I was a knight in medieval times! I really love that the story features a bit of King Arthur legends in it! The ending had a couple fo great twists that had me totally surprised!." ~ Erik @ This Kid Reviews Books, 5 Stars.
Awards
2013 EVVY Finalist and EVVY Merit Award for Juvenile/Young Adult from Colorado Independent Publishers Assoc.
2013 Ariana Cover Finalist
2012 Silver Award Recipient for YA Fiction from Children's Literary Classics and the CLC's 2012 Seal of Approval.
2012 Finalist E-Book Children from USA 2012 Best Book Awards
About the Author: Cheryl Carpinello
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| Cheryl Carpinello |
She loves to travel and her other job is with a major airline. Her favorite trip was a two week visit to Egypt with her husband that included traveling by local train from one end of Egypt to the other. Some of her favorite books include The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Once and Future King, and any by the duo Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
Author Site: http://www.beyondtodayeducator.com/
Author Blog: http://carpinelloswritingpages.blogspot.com
Facebook page: Author Cheryl Carpinello
Goodreads author page: Cheryl Carpinello
Twitter: @CCarpinello
Google+: Cheryl Carpinello
Young Knights of the Round Table Blog Tour Schedule (2013)
September 9September 10
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September 30
*** Young Knights of the Round Table Blog Tour Giveaway ***
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash
Contest runs: September 9 to October 6, 11:59 pm, 2013
Open: WW
How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. If you have any additional questions - feel free to contact Renee at Mother Daughter Book Reviews.
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Mary, thank you so letting me visit today!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! Sounds like a great book to get kids interested in the Arthurian legend. Good luck!
DeleteThank you so much for the great interview with Cheryl. I'm with you on Aristotle Cheryl! Can't wait to read your next book - I love everything about EGYPT. Thanks so much for joining us on the Young Knights tour Mary. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Renee, for finding such a nice host for me! I'm excited about my next book. Just finished the 2nd rewrite last last. Cheryl
DeleteI don't know how any YA readers can not be drawn to these delightful stories, Cheryl. A great adventure in each one. Hey, I'm a grown-up *honest* and I'm drawn to them. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to stop by! Cheryl
DeleteAnother fantastic interview. I am going to try to start my 8 year old Nephew on The King's Ransom when I get time. He will love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by Shelly. I hope both of you enjoy Young Knights!
ReplyDelete