Member News is a monthly feature on the EasternPennPoints blog. We want to celebrate our Eastern PA SCBWI members’ good news and help spread the word far and wide. Send us your children’s book–related news—book deals, releases, awards, author or illustrator events (signings, launch parties, appearances), etc. If you’d like your news to be included in next month’s column, please email Laura Parnum at epa-ra2@scbwi.org before November 20, or fill out our “Good News Survey.”
Here’s some exciting news from our members this month:
Book Release
This month, author-illustrator Berrie Torgan-Randall released her debut book, Bella & Blue: Bella Meets Blue (Blue Bronco Books, Jr., October 1, 2022). Bella & Blue is a graphic early reader series that celebrates life’s everyday struggles, silliness, and surprises. Eight-year-old Bella has anxiety. Small things aren’t so small for Bella. But with the help of her colorful dog, Blue, and her grandma, Gigi, who has a flair for all things French and over-the-top hats, Bella can handle every day’s twists and turns. Blue is the companion children dream of having. He’s the therapy dog that plays pat-a-cake to calm Bella’s nerves and take away her blues. Celebrate the beauty of being blue in this first of the graphic early reader series, Bella & Blue. Book 1 contains three short stories, perfect for the stamina of emerging readers. And check out this interview with Berrie on Critter Lit: https://www.critterlit.com/blog/2022/10/6/interview-with-author-and-illustrator-berrie-torgan-randall
Book Release
Author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow released her picture book Hold Them Close (HarperCollins) on October 4. As affirming as it is touching and warm, Hold Them Close encourages young children to hold close their joy, the words of their ancestors and elders, as well as their power to change the world. A perfect book for shared story time, this book will inspire young people to march forth with pride, glow, and happiness. With artwork by Patrick Dougher and photographs by Jamel Shabazz, Hold Them Close is a picture book celebration of Black past, present, and future—a joyful love letter to Black children.
Book Release
Author Adam Perry’s middle grade historical fiction novel, Ghosts Come Rising (Yellow Jacket), released on October 11. Ghosts Come Rising is set in the mid 19th century, when a religious movement called Spiritualism spread across America. Spiritualists believe that the living could communicate with the dead. Complete with ghostly black-and-white photographs, this suspenseful book tells the story of twelve-year-old Liza Carroll and her little brother as they try to find answers and hide a secret while staying at a spooky Spiritualist commune.
Cover Reveal
Author Hilda Eunice Burgos is a contributor in the middle grade anthology Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC Authors, edited by Aida Salazar and Yamile Saied Méndez (Candlewick Press, March 28, 2023). The cover for the anthology was released this month and was illustrated by Fahmida Azim and designed by Matt Roeser. This anthology is an essential, highly relatable collection of short fiction and poems around the topic of menstruation, written exclusively by authors who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color. Other contributors include Veeda Bybee, Susan Muaddi Darraj, Saadia Faruqi, Nikki Grimes, Leah Henderson, Mason J., Erin Entrada Kelly, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Elise McMullen-Ciotti, Yamile Saied Méndez, Emma Otheguy, Aida Salazar, Christina Soontornvat, Padma Venkatraman, and Ibi Zoboi.
Cover Reveal
Author Laura Parnum recently revealed the cover for her debut middle grade novel, Peril at Price Manor, which is set to release next summer from HarperCollins. The cover was illustrated by Pauliina Hannuniemi in collaboration with designer Catherine Lee and art director Jessie Gang. Halle Thompson is determined to someday play the Damsel in Distress in a horror movie. She takes acting lessons, practices fainting, and has the most perfect of all perfect horror movie screams—something her mom and classmates could do without. When she seizes the opportunity to deliver flowers to Price Manor, home of the famous horror movie maker who lives just outside of town, she is sure she will get her big break. Meanwhile, at Price Manor, a strange creature is attacking the household staff. The movie maker’s 12-year-old twins are sure it’s just another one of their father’s elaborate pranks. But when Halle shows up and discovers the very real horror scene, she must stop thinking like a Damsel in Distress and start thinking like a Heroine.
SCBWI Recommended Reading List—October 2022
Each month, SCBWI features books written, illustrated, and translated by members from across the globe and every month highlights a new theme that will foster discussions, activities, and enjoyment! SCBWI PAL members are invited to submit their books to the SCBWI Recommended Reading according to each month’s theme. This month we celebrated Hispanic Heritage with books celebrating the people, histories, culture, and/or traditions from the U.S. Latinx community, Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and/or South America. The list featured Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle by Hilda Eunice Burgos and There’s a Lion in the Forest! by Mônica Carnesi.
If you have good news to share, please send it to epa-ra2@scbwi.org to be included in next month’s Member News column or fill out our “Good News Survey.”
EasternPennPoints 
Congratulations to everyone!