In which The Third Period Comeback gets a cover
Book covers are one of the most interesting topics in publishing, and it’s for a good reason. Although the expression is “Never judge a book by its cover”, the entire industry is built on people doing just that. Covers have trends, some more unfortunate than others, and patterns. Authors don’t usually have that much input into what their covers look like, but I have been extremely fortunate thus far.
The thing that makes The Third Period Comeback different, for me at least, is that it’s Middle Grade. Obviously there are differences between what appeals to 9-12-year-olds and what appeals to teens. And I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted. I had a very vague cottage-y idea: forest, rocks, hockey sweater, but nothing concrete. I was, I’ll admit, pretty excited.
The art that Chelen Ecija came up with was perfect. I adored it on sight, and as Maria Fazio’s design came together, it only got better. Therefore, without further adieu, The Third Period Comeback:
New York Times bestseller E. K. Johnston’s middle-grade debut is an utterly charming, witty, and gloriously inclusive magic-tinged caper in the Canadian wilderness.
Hayley Rilko was born to play hockey—and cursed to ruin whatever team she plays for. As long as she’s still a kid, the curse’s magic doesn’t stick, but everyone knows her time is running out. The two things Hayley has on her side are her family–four generations of it, all carrying the same curse she does–and one last summer vacation in the Ontario Northwoods, where her great grandfather disappeared and the curse began.
As the clock runs down and the magical mysteries pile up, Hayley realizes that just following the evidence isn’t going to be enough. She’s going to have to talk to someone who has the information she needs—even if it means raising the dead. With her cousins on her team, Hayley sets out to do what no one else has been able to: find her great grandfather’s body and break the curse, no matter what it takes.
They even called it “charming”. I’m officially a Middle Grade author now!
You can preorder The Third Period Comeback at all the usual places, or request a copy for your local library. Release day is August 11, so you’ve got some time, but then you can read it as summer winds down and Hayley’s adventure winds up.