Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Bruce Hale!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Bruce Hale
Bruce Hale (he/him) has written and/or illustrated more than sixty books for kids and is the author of the Clark the Shark series; the award-winning Chet Gecko Mysteries series; Snoring Beauty, one of Oprah’s Recommended Reads for Kids; and the School for S.P.I.E.S. series. He lives in Santa Barbara, California, and you can visit him online at www.brucehale.com.
About the Book: ELVIS IS MISSING
Blast off into space and come along for an intergalactic mystery—with plenty of pizza—in this first book of the illustrated chapter book series, Outer Space Mystery Pizza Club!
It’s another ordinary Friday night in the suburbs for the Garcia-Jackson family: Mateo and Valentina’s favorite show is on TV. Mateo’s best friend, Booker, is over. And their babysitter, Jennica, is definitely keeping an eye on them and not playing with her phone.
But when Elvis, the family’s dog, bolts out of the house, barking uncontrollably at someone—or something—in the backyard, the kids go investigate…only to watch Elvis disappear through a mysterious portal!
The three kids, with their babysitter in tow, have no choice but to follow him—adventuring through deep space, where they’ll encounter aliens, dodge asteroids, and defy gravity—as they attempt to find their furry best friend (and make it back home before bedtime!).
About the Book: GRUNTHAR’S REVENGE
Perfect for fans of The Alien Next Door, this second illustrated chapter book in the Outer Space Mystery Pizza Club series is an out-of-this-world adventure!
With their trip to Kroon behind them, Mateo, Tina, Booker, and Jennica are back on Earth, Elvis the dog is no longer missing, and all is safe and sound…right?
Wrong! Hot on their tails are Grunthar and his motley alien crew. NoWay and Clorox have made their way to Earth, too, ready to help the kids against whatever Grunthar is planning. Tina is determined to be the hero this time, but will she be able to figure out what the alien inventor is up to before it’s too late?
~Author Chat~
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
I love when they get caught in the snot storm and take shelter in a cave — then discover it’s not a cave after all.
YABC: What came first, the concept, landscape, characters, or something else?
The concept and title came first. That was so much fun, it inspired the characters, outer space setting, and the rest of it.
YABC: If you could only write one genre for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
It would probably be mysteries. I love figuring out whodunit, then weaving a tale that points the reader in a different direction. And I love reading books that have a mystery at their core.
YABC: What can readers expect to find in your books?
Readers will find humor, snark, and plenty of action in my books, as those are the kind of stories I enjoy reading.
YABC: What is your favorite snack when writing?
Hands down, it’s chocolate chip cookies. They are the queen of desserts!
YABC: If you were able to meet them, would you be friends with your main character?
Yes, I would absolutely be friends with Matteo. Like him, I loved movies and books when I was growing up.
YABC: What do you do when you procrastinate?
I have a whole list of behaviors. I trim my nails. I go through my email inbox. I play video games or guitar. I think about cleaning my office. I spend time on social media. The list goes on…
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I’m working on a book with animal characters that I’m also illustrating. They are four troublemakers causing “good trouble” in their school.
YABC: What is your favorite holiday or tradition and why?
My favorite holiday is Halloween. I love the spookiness of it, the supernatural element, the candy (of course!), and the dressing up in costume. Plus, my birthday is the day before. What’s not to love?
YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?
I love to write stories for kids who aren’t sure they like books. I was one of them when I was younger, so I love to create books that my younger self would have enjoyed.
Title: ELVIS IS MISSING, GRUNTHAR’S REVENGE
Author: Bruce Hale
Illustrator: Luke Séguin-Magee
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
ISBN-10: 059366017X, 0593660196
ISBN-13: 9780593660171, 9780593660195
Genre: Early Reader Chapter Book
Age Range: 6-8
~ Giveaway Details ~
Three (3) winners will receive a copy of Elvis Is Missing and Grunthar’s Revenge (Bruce Hale) ~US Only!
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
