SUPER MIDDLE GRADE MONDAYS
INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY
INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY
Tracy Tam: Santa Command
by Krystalyn Drown
Welcome to this week's Super Middle Grade Mondays Book Blitz presented by Tantrum Books/Month9books and Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours!
Today, we get up close and personal with Krystalyn Tam, author of Tracy Tam: Santa Command from Tantrum Books. Be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of the post for your chance to win a copy of the book!
Description
Tracy doesn’t believe that Santa can deliver all of those presents in one night without a little help from science. A flying sleigh can only be powered by jet engines, and Santa’s magical abilities can only be the result of altered DNA.
In order to test her theories, she sneaks onto Santa’s sleigh and ends up at Santa Command, the place where a team of (gasp!) humans monitors Santa’s big night. When Tracy attempts to hack into their computers, she accidentally introduces a virus to their system. As a result, three states get knocked out of sync with the rest of the world (oops!).
Before the night is over, Tracy has to fix time and help Santa finish his deliveries. And she has to do it all with Santa’s magic, which she doesn’t believe exists.
Excerpt
“Okay,” Beth said as if the matter was settled. “How about we say it was magic?”
“How about we don’t?” Tracy whipped out a tiny notebook and pen and scribbled something down. “I’ve given you my hypothesis –”
“And I’ve proven your hypothesis incorrect. When that happens, you need to modify it.”
“Modify it to what?”
“I gave you an alternative theory.” Beth took Tracy’s notebook and scribbled the word ‘magic.’
Praise for the Book
"Fast-paced, entertaining and occasionally bittersweet." ~ Publishers Weekly
"Tracy Tam is an entertaining holiday read with a stubbornly scientific protagonist, a smattering of ornery 'elves', a few over-worked and over-worried Santa Command employees, one grieving and angry boy, a little bit of golden magic … and yes, I wiped away a few tears at the end." ~ D. Salerni
"Tracy Tam: Santa Command by Krystalyn Drown turns everything you thought you knew about Christmas on its head - the reluctant reader will enjoy nail-bitter page turns, while the reluctant believer gets an exciting Christmas escapade." ~ Amazon Customer
"This was a very enjoyable read, even for an adult. The recommended age range is 9 - 12 (grade level 3 - 7). I loved that the author weaved in a few surprises and magic. Nothing is quite like it seems. All of the characters were remarkably fun - except for maybe the zombie-like Santa Claus." ~ D. Coto
"This is a fun holiday read with a unique take on how the North Pole runs. Tracy is smart and strong, but with a tender heart. This is the perfect before bed story for this time of year. It'll have young readers dreaming of taking Tracy's place as she investigates who Santa is and what the holidays are really all about." ~ Amy Christine Parker
Interview With the Author
Quiet. Determined. Quirky.
Describe your book in three words.
Scientific. Magical. Santa-riffic
Tell us about your day job.
I’m a substitute teacher. I used to be an elementary teacher, but I love how subbing gives me more time to spend with my family and to write.
Which writers inspire you?
Judy Blume because she understood what it was like to be a preteen, Richard Peck because of Bel Air Bambi and the Mall Rats as well as all of his historical novels, J. K. Rowling because of Harry Potter.
What is your writing process like?
I know the beginning, a few main points in the middle, and the end. Then I sit down and write. I send one of my critique partners (Dianne K. Salerni) my chapters one by one for feedback. Once I have a rough draft, then I write an outline and revise from there.
What are you reading right now?
Do you have an author crush?
Maggie Stiefvater. The way she writes her characters leaves me in awe.
Quick questions. Physical books or eBooks?
Physical books.
Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi.
Twitter or Facebook?
Facebook.
Song you can’t get out of your head right now?
Sweet or salty?
Sweet.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee.
Write on computer or notebook paper?
Computer.
Thanks for visiting us today, Krystalyn!
Freebie
Download the FREE Teacher's Resource Guide (Grades 3-5) for Tracy Tam: Santa Command, including vocabulary words from the story, discussion questions, writing prompts, and an art project that can be done alone or in groups.
About the Author
Krystalyn spent thirteen years working at Walt Disney World in a variety of roles: entertainer, talent coordinator, and character captain. Her degree in theatre as well as many, many hours spent in a dance studio, helped with her job there. Her various other day jobs have included working in zoology at Sea World, as an elementary teacher, and currently as a support technician for a website. In the evenings, she does mad writing challenges with her sister, who is also an author. Krystalyn lives near Orlando, Florida with her husband, son, a were cat, and a Yorkie with a Napoleon complex.
Giveaway
Enter the blitz-wide giveaway for a chance to win an ebook copy of Tracy Tam: Santa Command by Krystalyn Drown.
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