I am thrilled to be hosting a spot
on the CLARA POOLE AND THE LONG WAY ROUND by Taylor Tyng Blog Tour hosted
by Rockstar
Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Author: Taylor Tyng
Pub. Date: July 4, 2023
Publisher: Pixel+Ink
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 384
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/CLARA-POOLE-AND-THE-LONG-WAY-ROUND
Mr. Lemoncello meets the Amazing Race in this quirky high-octane
balloon-racing middle grade around-the-world adventure.
When an unintended flight over Michigan in her class science project—a lawn
chair held aloft by balloons—brings her instant celebrity, Clara Poole is
invited to be the spokesperson for a round-the-world adventure race. But when
her overprotective father refuses, Clara forges his signature in a moment of
defiance and runs away to Paris to take her place in the skies. If only she’d
read the fine print first.
Partnered with a veteran aeronaut who wants nothing to do with her, Clara faces
down ten treacherous stages in a race around the world—capturing flags in the
perilous mountains of Nepal; being a guest of honor at a maybe-wedding in the
Saharan desert; flying through rings of fire in Hong Kong—all while learning
the ropes alongside a colorful cast of international competitors.
But there are more dangers ahead. Someone is trying to sabotage the
competition. And surviving this race means Clara must come to terms with the
tragedy that set her fleeing to the skies in the first place, and accepting
that forgiving herself isn’t a process she has to undertake alone.
Gorgeous prose and winning characters combine in this quirky, often-hilarious,
sometimes heart-breaking, and thoroughly captivating middle grade adventure
series starter from an incredible new talent.
Book Trailer:
Why Should You Read This?
Clara Poole and the Long Way Round by Taylor Tyng is a delightful and adventurous middle-grade novel that takes readers on an exhilarating around-the-world journey with a touch of quirkiness and heart. The story follows Clara, a young girl who becomes an accidental celebrity after flying over Michigan in a science project gone awry. When she is offered the opportunity to be the spokesperson for a global hot air balloon race, her grief-stricken father, still mourning the loss of his wife, refuses to let her participate. However, driven by a brash defiance, Clara forges her father’s signature and sets off to Paris to embark on this extraordinary adventure.
Partnered with a veteran aeronaut who is initially reluctant to work with her, Clara faces a series of challenging stages in the race that takes her to exotic and dangerous locations across the globe. From capturing flags in the treacherous mountains of Tibet to attending a potentially impromptu wedding in the Saharan desert and flying through rings of fire in Hong Kong, Clara’s journey is filled with excitement and unexpected twists. Along the way, she encounters a diverse cast of international competitors, making the story even more engaging.
Beyond the race itself, there are hidden dangers at play as someone is trying to sabotage the competition. Clara must not only navigate the perilous race stages but also unravel the mystery behind the sabotage. Additionally, the race becomes a journey of self-discovery and healing for Clara as she confronts the tragedy that led her to escape to the skies and learns to forgive herself with the support of newfound friends.
Taylor Tyng’s prose is beautiful and engaging, captivating readers from the very beginning. The vivid descriptions of the race stages and exotic locations transport readers to each destination, making them feel like they are soaring through the skies alongside Clara. The characters are well-crafted and endearing, each bringing their unique charm to the story. Clara’s determination and resilience make her a relatable and admirable protagonist, while the interactions between the international competitors add a layer of humor and warmth to the narrative.
Clara Poole and the Long Way Round skillfully blends adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments, creating a well-balanced and entertaining read. The author’s ability to tackle serious themes such as grief and forgiveness in a middle-grade novel is commendable, making the story resonate with readers of all ages. The book’s engaging plot and well-developed characters leave readers eagerly anticipating future installments in this promising adventure series.
In conclusion, Clara Poole and the Long Way Round is a fantastic middle-grade novel that offers an unforgettable high-octane adventure around the world. With its gorgeous prose, lovable characters, and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read for young readers and adults alike. Taylor Tyng proves to be a remarkable talent in the world of middle-grade fiction, and I eagerly look forward to more adventures with Clara Poole in the future.
About Taylor Tyng:
Taylor Tyng has worked as a designer, animator,
film editor, and software CEO. He finds endless
joy in writing for middle-grade readers, who are no longer
children but not quite adults. He lives
in
Massachusetts with his family. Visit him online at TaylorTyng.com.
Giveaway Details:
1 winner
will receive a finished copy of CLARA POOLE AND THE LONG WAY ROUND, US Only.
Ends August 22nd, midnight EST.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
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8/7/2023 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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8/7/2023 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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8/8/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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8/8/2023 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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8/9/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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8/9/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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8/10/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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8/10/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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8/11/2023 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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8/11/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
Week Two:
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8/14/2023 |
Review |
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8/14/2023 |
TikTok Post |
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8/15/2023 |
IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post |
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8/15/2023 |
IG Review |
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8/16/2023 |
IG Review |
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8/16/2023 |
IG Review |
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8/17/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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8/17/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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8/18/2023 |
Review/IG Post |
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8/18/2023 |
Review/IG Post |