Third Place Books is delighted to welcome middle-grade author Claribel A. Ortega to our Lake Forest Park store! Ortega will be presenting her new book The Golden Frog Games—the sequel to her bestselling novel Witchlings. She will be joined in conversation by local children's book author Margaret Owen. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required in advance.
This event will include a public signing and time for audience Q&A. Sustain our author series by purchasing a copy of the featured book!
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Get ready for more magic, mayhem, and monstruos! From Claribel A. Ortega, author of Frizzy and Ghost Squad, comes the sequel to the instant New York Times bestselling and #1 Indie bestselling Witchlings.
Every four years, the Twelve Towns gather for a legendary magical tournament--the Golden Frog Games.
With Ravenskill hosting this year's games, all eyes are on Seven Salazar, Valley Pepperhorn and Thorn Laroux: the most famous Spares in the Twelve Towns. Thorn is ready to compete as a fashion champion, but when a forbidden hex is used to turn her fellow champions to stone, suspicion lands on the Witchlings.
As the Witchlings attempt to unravel the mystery of the stonifications, future Uncle Seven is harboring a dangerous secret: While she's supposed to be able to communicate with animals, the voices she hears most clearly belong to monstruos, and one spine-chilling voice is the loudest of all.
Can Seven fix her broken magic and find out who is stonifying the champions . . . before Thorn becomes the next victim?
“The story balances serious social themes with lighthearted friendship hijinks, and the plot is fast-paced and full of gratifying twists. Ortega invites readers in, combining familiar fantasy furnishings with a low-key, modern-inflected tone. Seven is cued as Latine, and many of the spells she invokes on her journey ring with Spanish roots, offering Spanish speakers the joy of recognition and others the excitement of new-forged understanding…Energetic and intelligent; invites readers to question their assumptions and the status quo.”
—Kirkus Reviews
"Magic, friendship, and humor―an enchanting read."
―Kwame Mbalia, author of the Tristan Strong series
"Inventive. Magical. Enchanting. An absolutely charming tale with its heart rooted in the friendships we make and keep."
―J.C. Cervantes, author of The Storm Runner series
Claribel A. Ortega is the New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Squad, Witchlings, and the graphic novel Frizzy and is a former reporter who writes middle grade and young adult fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she's not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic, and video games into books, she's cohosting her podcasts Write or Die and Bad Author Book Club and helping authors navigate publishing with her consulting business, GIFGRRL. Claribel has been featured on BuzzFeed, NPR, Good Morning America, and Deadline. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at @Claribel_Ortega and on her website at claribelortega.com.
Margaret Owen was born and raised at the end of the Oregon Trail and has worked in everything from thrift stores to presidential campaigns. She now spends her days writing and negotiating a long-term hostage situation with her monstrous cats. She is the author of the Merciful Crow and the Little Thieves series. In her free time, she enjoys exploring ill-advised travel destinations and raising money for social justice nonprofits through her illustrations. She resides in Seattle, Washington.
Want a signed edition of the featured book, but can't make it to the event? Order through our website or over the phone, and write your request for a signature or personalization in the comments field at checkout. Please call the hosting store if you're placing your order within 24 hours of the event.
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For media inquiries, access inquiries, or questions about our Covid-19 policies, please email events@thirdplacebooks.com or call our Lake Forest Park store at (206) 366-3311.
