SEAN GRISWOLD’S HEAD
* YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2012
* Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominee
* Whitney Award Nominee
“Leavitt capably handles the issues of chronic illness with sensitivity, making this an insightful, humorous, and ultimately uplifting family drama.” ~The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books
“A heartfelt and laugh-out-loud story of first love and self-discovery….I loved, loved, loved it.” —Lauren Barnholdt, author of Two-Way Street
“Leavitt delicately handles topics of illness, evolving relationships, and what it means to grow up. Payton’s alternately sarcastic, snappy, and reflective narration carries this insightful story.”~ Publishers Weekly
“Payton’s voice, funny and honest–drew me in from the first line. This is my favorite kind of book–one that offers laughter and hope even in the midst of a serious subject.” –L.K. Madigan, author of Flash Burnout
“Payton is likable and the writing brisk and amusing…Complex, significant issues are raised.” ~Kirkus Review
“I really liked this book, because it was interesting and funny at times. It was different than a lot of books that I’ve read lately, and it was all the better for it.” ~Hilary, SLJ Book Ninjas
“A balanced proportion of comedy and gravity… refreshing and realistic without being overwrought with angst.” ~School Library Journal
“Leavitt does a great job balancing the seriousness of family illness with hilarious teenage observations.” ~Reading Today
“Leavitt tucks in lines like ‘I don’t do spandex. The devil wears spandex. And I doubt the devil’s butt is as big as mine’ while bringing her protagonist around to acceptance and repaired relationships… the formula is tried-and-true.” ~Booklist
Payton Gritas needs a focus object—something to focus her emotions on after discovering that her father’s been hiding his multiple sclerosis. Her guidance counselor suggested something inanimate but Payton chooses the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold’s head. They’ve been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas, it’s an alphabetical order thing), but she’s never really noticed him before. Payton starts stalking—er, focusing on—Sean’s big blond head, and her research quickly grows into something a little less scientific and a lot more crush-like. As Payton gets inside Sean’s head, Sean finds a way into her guarded heart. But obsessing over Sean won’t fix Payton’s fear of her dad’s illness. For that, she’ll have to focus on herself.
THE ROYAL TREATMENT
“This breezy sequel to Princess for Hire (2010) continues a middle-school girl’s dream come true… Leavitt keeps the story dancing along with breathless, wish-fulfillment glee. Desi’s character stands out with her unsinkable confidence.” ~Kirkus Review
“While the first book was like a fluffy cupcake–sugar and spice and lots of fun, this book is more like banana bread–a little denser and substantial. It absorbs the theme of the first book (to do the right thing) and takes it to the next level.” ~Chicago Examiner
“THE ROYAL TREATMENT continues with the same sparkle and spunk as the first book and brings the magic to a whole new level… a book teen girls will adore. It is also the squeaky-clean kind of book parents can feel at ease letting their girls read.” ~Deseret News
“Leavitt cleverly weaves the subplot of Shakespeare’s play about players controlled by fairies into her own story of character manipulation. She also manages to blend and compare Desi’s school life (with its very believable characters and teen problems) and her Façade life (with its fabulous adventures and sensational participants). It is a fun fantasy filled with humor, adventure, and even a little angst.” ~VOYA
Desi Bascomb’s job as a princess substitute has gotten a whole lot more glamorous now that she’s advanced to Level 2 within the Facade Agency. Magical make-up, roller-skating celebrities, and the chance to see Prince Karl again are just some of the major perks. Not to mention, she’s landed the role of Fairy Queen in her school’s production of Midsummer’s Night Dream (opposite her best friend’s crush. Which is a little weird, but at least he wears a donkey head during their kissing scene). Life should be perfect, but Desi can’t seem to shake the feeling that there is more going on with the agency’s magic than she’s told. Like why is this mind-bending power exclusive to royals? Is it possible that there could be a bigger way to make an impact in both parts of her life?
PRINCESS FOR HIRE
Find out more at www.princessforhire.com
“With creativity and a sense of humor, this first novel is a delightful romp. The provision of magic makes all things possible, and the sense of place is vividly realized.” ~Booklist Review
“Entertaining wish-fulfillment fantasy.” ~Horn Book
“A fast-paced and humorous read with a dash of romance…. sure to leave readers longing for the next installment.” ~School Library Journal
“This story will easily appeal to fans of Meg Cabot’s “The Princess Dairies” as well as anyone who likes their princess stories with a bit of excitement.” ~Children’s Literature
“Desi shows that she’s a heroine with heart.” ~Publisher’s Weekly
“Princess for Hire is a riot of a read” ~Kid’s Compass
“I totally heart this book! Funny, witty, and magical, Princess for Hire is a must-read.” ~Lisa Schroeder, author of I Heart You, You Haunt Me and It’s Raining Cupcakes
“This is a confection with fairy dust sprinkled throughout… Laugh and enjoy the wit of the author and the delightful, well-meaning blunders of the protagonist, Desi.” ~San Jose Mercury News
“The magic works in the story and the magic works on the reader. The whole book is like eating a giant cream puff. Delicious.” ~National Book Examiner
When Desi Bascomb gets discovered by the elite Facade Agency–royalty surrogates extraordinaire–her life goes from glamour-starved to spectacular in a blink. As her new agent, Meredith, explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient Egyptian formula “Royal Rouge,” she can transform temporarily into the exact lookalike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right?
Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras. Like, what do you do when a bullying older sister puts you on a heinous crash diet? Or when the tribal villagers gather to watch you perform a ceremonial dance you don’t know? Or when a princess’s conflicted sweetheart shows up to break things off–and you know she would want you to change his mind?
In this hilarious series debut, one girl’s dream of glamour transforms into something bigger: the desire to make a positive impact. And an impact Desi makes, one royal fiasco at a time.
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