AWARD NEWS from the American Library Association!
Looking for your next favorite fantasy series for kids? Check out:
“A breathless retelling of the Japanese legend of Momotaro, this is an Asian version of Percy Jackson; adventure fans will be waiting for more.”―Kirkus
Note from the author:
“I created the Momotaro series because I thought the Japanese story about a warrior fighting off the monsters who cause havoc in the human world should be better known. It is a tale that can be enjoyed by anyone. And I wanted to make an Asian (or half-Asian, like me!) superhero who would be relatable to many kids.
My favorite feedback from this story is hearing about how the book made reluctant readers put down their videogames and read!”
MORE PRAISE FOR XANDER AND THE LOST ISLAND OF MONSTERS
“With phantasmagorical environments, flying white rats, a fire-breathing bird, a giant, a snow demon, and other creepy things, there is abundant action. This retelling of a Japanese folktale celebrates courage, friendship, and pride of heritage, while featuring unforgettable characters and leaving readers eager for the next installment in this new series.”―Booklist
“Though the story of Momotaro is familiar to every Japanese child, Dilloway seamlessly weaves necessary background information into the fast, action-filled plot. Xander, a Japanese American boy, hardly knows the legend himself, so readers learn along with him. Xander’s candid and straightforward first-person narration will instantly resonate with middle grade readers, as will his story’s themes of self-acceptance and friendship. Yoon’s comic-style illustrations evoke Xander’s talent for drawing and bring welcome visual interest for reluctant readers. This fast-paced fantasy adventure with a foundation in Japanese culture is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson.”―School Library Journal
IndieBound finds your local bookstore!!
Amazon
Book Two is now available!
“Xander and his friends return in the second installment of this series centered on the Japanese folklore legend of the Momotaro. Xander has learned that he is the descendant of an ancient warrior, and his newfound powers are creating an extreme amount of stress in his life. To make matters more complicated, his missing mother has returned after a long absence. Xander is not sleeping, and he must deal with evil creatures, the oni, trying to harm him at every turn. His father constantly demands that he train and be prepared. Xander’s mother, whom he barely recognizes, is trying to reinsert herself into his life after many years of being away. But more than anything, his nightmares are starting to deeply frighten him. To combat this problem, Xander’s grandmother gives him a special baku charm, which is supposed to ease his dreams by taking them away. Xander soon realizes that he has turned his world upside down by using the baku foolishly. Thus begins a new adventure for Xander, who must save his family and friends. Dilloway’s research into Japanese folklore, the well-crafted characters, and the setting make this fast-paced tale perfect for fans of Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” and Jennifer Nielsen’s “Mark of the Thief” series. ¬VERDICT Readers will eagerly anticipate the next volume. Purchase where mythology-based adventures are popular.–William ¬Anderson, Scott County Public Library, IN– School Library Journal
The tale of a real-life 12th-century samurai woman comes to life when modern sisters Drew and Rachel Snow discover the book hidden in their mother’s house. The saga of love and loss inspires their own lives and heals their relationships.
Kirkus: “As they embark on this project together, burdened by years of conflict, hurt feelings and an impossible desire to know more about their mysterious mother, Drew and Rachel discover, in each other and in themselves, a power they didn’t know they had—a power to heal, to forgive and become sisters once again. Alternating with Rachel and Drew’s story is the story of Tomoe Gozen and her unlikely friendship with her lover’s wife, Yamabuki. In the hands of a less experienced novelist, this format might have become trite, but the two narratives don’t draw obvious parallels. The ways in which Rachel and Drew learn from Tomoe and Yamabuki and apply those lessons to their own lives are unexpected and ultimately satisfying. In this enjoyable novel, imperfect and at times unlikable women become lovable.”
Available at IndieBound, Amazon, Barnes and Noble
An eBook only edition, THE TALE OF THE WARRIOR GEISHA, is a novella telling the historical part of the story, with additional content.
Now Available in Paperback: The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns
WINNER OF BEST WOMEN’S FICTION AWARD, the American Library Association’s Literary Tastes Reading List
“Book-club alert! Dilloway’s exquisite little novel, about a biology teacher who breeds roses so she won’t have to think about her kidney disease, brims with all the heart-tugging appeal of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.”– Entertainment Weekly
“This radiant debut pays moving tribute to the power of forgiveness.”– People Magazine, 4 Stars
A 2011 John Gardner Fiction Book Award Finalist
Read the first two chapters of How to Be an American Housewife: Housewife Excerpt
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