Today's post features Joshua C. Carroll's upper-middle grade novel, “The Adventures of Sarah Ann Lewis and the Memory Thieves," a story with elements of the mystery, rural sci-fi, and thriller genres.
About the Book
The story follows protagonist, Sarah Ann, a girl who is learning to be accepted -- but her self-discovery is interrupted (or enhanced) when she realizes she's being stalked by spies, uncovering secrets, and meeting mad scientists.
Thirteen-year-old Sarah is a character the reader can relate to. She’s finding herself, trying to do the right thing, curious about the world around her, but at the same time struggling with her living situation. She lives in the country in rural Texas with her grandfather. She must step out of her comfort zone when she joins forces with mysterious "people" called The Sentinels. She must get over her mistrust of them as working with them is the only way to save life as she knows it.
One of the strengths of the book is its broad appeal. Although it's aimed at a middle grade audience, it has plenty of twists and turns in its plot to entertain readers of all ages. The upper middle grade genre is unique in that it is approachable for younger readers yet still has complex ideas, heartfelt themes and multi-dimensional characters. "Sarah Ann" is unique in that it has elements from multiple genres, namely elements from rural sci-fi, mystery and thriller genres. There literally is something for everyone in this book, from spies to family secrets to intelligent animals to shapeshifters and more!
Another interesting aspect of "Sarah Ann" is its setting. Set in 1988, readers are transported to a world where Facebook, HD TV, and other aspects of modern life aren't in existence. In a recent writer interview, Carroll talked about the challenges of writing a book set in the 1980s, stating, "I wanted to share a bit of that world with new readers who can’t imagine what life was like the phone was connected to the wall by a coiled cord and most people didn’t even own a computer ... it felt simpler writing a story where people aren’t constantly staring at screens and texting each other and posting things to social media. " Readers who are familiar with the period will enjoy revisiting their past while younger readers will be entertained at the slower pace of life in 1980s Texas.
If you're curious about how readers have responded to "Sarah Ann" so far, the book has received positive reviews on Amazon. One Amazon reviewer said, "...I tried to read carefully for details, but I began to enjoy it so much I soon realized I was being swept along and decided to just enjoy the ride!" Another reviewer said, "The characters are relatable and unique, the plot keeps you guessing, and the world that the author has built is deep and layered. Highly recommended for readers of all ages."
Readers of "Sarah Ann" will be pleased to know Carroll is working on the sequel. Additionally, in a recent interview, Caroll talked about working on two other novels, stating, "...one is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi that involves quantum computing, data mining, and an alien substance that can be manipulated so that its molecular structure changes. The other is a story of a time traveler stuck in the body of the son his mother would have had if he had never been born."
In closing, if you're looking for a fun upper middle grade story with likable characters, a fun setting, and influences from multiple genres, look no further than "The Adventures of Sarah Ann Lewis and the Memory Thieves." Now is a great time to get your copy! Starting Thursday, August 8, the book will be 99¢ for a couple days, and then it will slowly increase until it goes back up to the normal price of $6.99 on Thursday, August 15. Get it on Amazon by clicking here.
“The Adventures of Sarah Ann Lewis and the Memory Thieves Genre” excerpt:
What Sarah doesn’t know…
...could doom us all.
It’s 1988 in the middle of nowhere, Texas, and 13-year-old Sarah is about to be swept out of her boring life and into a world of danger.
Spies are coming for her. The people next door are not what they seem. And Sarah’s family has been hiding something. Something BIG. Something not even Sarah knows.
The fate of the world hangs in the balance. But for Sarah, all that matters is rescuing her family. What’s left of it, anyway.
If she fails, the Memory Thieves will learn their secrets, and as a result, millions around the world will die. But to save the people she loves, Sarah will have to team up with strangers she isn’t sure she can trust. Strangers who aren’t even human.
This story is not what you think.
A captivating blend of rural sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and thriller, the first book of this genre smashing series will have you begging for more.
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