Promotional Information

Based on the original inspiration for the Nutcracker ballet, Sherri L. Smith brings the Nutcracker Prince to life in this fascinating journey into a world of toymaking, magical curses, clockmaking guilds, talking mice and erudite squirrels.

About the Author

Sherri L. Smith was born in Chicago, Illinois and spent most of her childhood reading books. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she has worked in movies, animation, comic books and construction. Sherri's first book, Lucy the Giant, was an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults in 2003. Sherri's novel, Sparrow, was chosen as a National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. Upon the release of Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet in February 2008, Sherri was featured as a spotlight author for The Brown Bookshelf's Black History Month celebration, 28 Days Later. Flygirl, an historical YA novel set during World War II, is her fourth novel. It won the California Book Award Gold Medal, was a YALSA Best Book for Young Adults, and has received fourteen State Award nominations. Her latest novel, Orleans, is a cli-fi futuristic novel that garnered several starred reviews and was a 2014 CBC Best Book of the Year.

Reviews

Praise for The Toymaker's Apprentice:
"An absorbing tale of adventure, invention, family loyalty, and sly humor. . . . Bursting with unforgettable characters." —School Library Journal, starred review

"Men and mice engage in mortal conflict in this multilayered retelling . . . . A fast-paced adventure." —Kirkus Reviews

"An inventive fantasy." —Booklist

"Smith manages to tease out the darker elements of her inspiration, the Nutcracker, while still maintaining a sense of whimsy, resulting in a story that blends wonder, melancholy, and adventure." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Exceedingly well done, this is a great fantasy novel and is highly recommended for middle grade readers, fans of fantasy, and lovers of The Nutcracker." —VOYA

“Smith’s usage of elements from Hoffmann, Dumas’s later adaptation, and the perennially popular Nutcracker ballet is extremely clever.” —Publishers Weekly

“Smith threads a wondrous tale which salutes The Nutcracker stories and ballet while carrying readers off on enchanting new adventures. “ —School Library Connection

Praise for Orleans:
CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Center)
2014 CBC Best Books of the Year for Children and Young Adults
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book 2013
Westchester Fiction Award Honorable Mention 2014 (California)
Junior Library Guild Selection

"This version of NOLA reads like a twisted love letter to the original as Smith mines its famous landmarks and traditions for a dark revision . . . Smith's vision of the future is terrifying." —BCCB starred review

"Compelling and disturbing . . . Alternating chapters of Fen's strong and often lyrical voice and a third-person account from Daniel's point of view move the complicated plot briskly." —Booklist, starred review

"Gritty and dark, with plenty of glimmers of humanity . . . a book that will fly off the shelves and thrill readers of realistic, as well as science, fiction." —VOYA

Praise for FLYGIRL:
California Book Award Gold Medal winner
15 State Award nominations
YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
The Washington Post Best Kids Book of the Year
Children's Indie Next List
ALA Amelia Bloomer Project list
Capital Choices Notable Book for Children
CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book
CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Center)

"This breakthrough title adds a new story to the shelves of World War II books . . . an unforgettable climax." —Booklist, starred review

"It was hard not to find myself cheering Ida Mae on. Hard not to get an itch to fly after reading this. Sherri Smith is a truly talented writer and Flygirl is a wonderful story." —Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award- and Newbery Honor-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming

"A dynamic, heartfelt novel." —The Washington Post