An Announcement from Brad Strickland

Brad Strickland writing:

Brad Strickland has agreed to write more books in the series begun by John Bellairs. Following the death of John's son Frank, the copyright situation was complex and tangled. Through the efforts of John's and Brad's agent Richard Curtis, all of John Bellairs's surviving relatives (his former wife Priscilla, his sister Suzanne, and his brother Frank) have reached an agreement regarding copyright with Dial Books for Young Readers, clearing the way for new additions to the series. Titles have yet to be worked out, but this fall Brad will turn in the first new Bellairs series title since The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost. I hope the readers think this is good news!

All best,
Brad

Edward Gorey Art For Sale

Up for grabs on ebay this week are the original pen and ink illustrations by Edward Gorey from the interior of The Trolley to Yesterday. On one sheet of paper are the illustration of the pointing hand, candle and sword as seen on page 120 and, our favorite device, the tabergan from page 107. The seller notes that the piece was purchased from the Gotham Book Mart on April 22, 1995.

La Pendola Magica - e altro ancora!

Longtime Bellairs fan Lorenza Boisi recently wrote to us from Italy and helped fill in some of the gaps of the Italian editions of House and provided some thoughts on the books:

Whither Travel You?

Visiting Vinalhaven this summer? Heading to Hoosac? Partying with puffins on Lundy Island? Zephyring over to New Zebedee? We are interested in hearing about any of your summer vacation plans that include visits to locations or ports of calls mentioned in John or Brad’s books. Or let us know if your vacation ends up like Rose Rita’s in The Letter, the Witch and the Ring (but if it does...well...you’re on your own...). Anyway, once you’re returned write a review of the destination, include a picture if possible, and we’ll share it online.

Time Capsule: 1955

May 31, 1955 - Fifty years ago John Bellairs graduated from Marshall High School. According to the MHS yearbook, the Dial, he spent two years in the Latin club and the Chess club for all four years of high school. Dubbed "Genius John," the yearbook says his future included attending Notre Dame and studying pre-law. Only half of that came true: Bellairs did live in South Bend for four years but focused his attention on English literature and, during his senior year, becoming a minor television celebrity.

Something About Summer Reading

NPR has a list of librarian Nancy Pearl's options for kids - and parents – for reading this summer in the downtime between Harry Potter adventures. Her choices " range from new releases of proven classics to new, irreverent and witty fantasy books that cross boundaries of genre and age." Titles include long-time favorite The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster and The Ear, the Eye and the Arm by Nancy Farmer, the tale of three children in a futuristic Zimbabwe.

Encouraging Boys to Love Books

 Author Jon Scieszka has spent his adult life trying to encourage young boys to read. The former teacher and the author of more than 20 children’s books says treating boys and girls the same in school just doesn’t work. Read part of an interview at NPR and excerpts from his literacy program or visit the guysread website.

Go, Bid Thy GothGirlsCloset

Longtime ebay seller gothgirlscloset has 26 John Bellairs books (and those later completed and written by Brad Strickland) for sale. She notes many titles are almost out of print in this format with the Edward Gorey illustrations. These are all first editions, with many books being first printings and are a mixture of ex-library and brand new books, most in very good to excellent condition! Definitely a look-see for any collector.

Book Alert: Le Crâne du Sorcier

The fourth book in the French Johnny Dixon series has been published: Le crâne du sorcier. It follows Le secret de la salle souterraine, published this February.