Thursday, December 17, 2015

Cover Reveal: I AM DRUMS by Mike Grosso (Take 2!)

Today on Kidliterati, we have a first for us and a second for middle grade author Mike Grosso and his debut, I AM DRUMS: a NEW cover reveal! Read through to hear all about Mike's publishing journey, and don't miss the Rafflecopter giveaway for this charming middle grade coming September 6, 2016 from Clarion Books.

A middle grade debut about dreams, dilemmas, and drums that will resonate with readers trying to keep their ambitions alive during tough times.
Sam knows she wants to be a drummer. What she doesn’t know is how she could ever afford a drum kit, or why budget cuts end her school’s music program, or why her parents argue so much these days, or even how to explain her dream to other people.

But drums sound all the time in Sam’s head, and she’d do just about anything to play them out loud—even lie to her family if she has to. Will the cost of chasing her dream be too high?
An exciting new voice in contemporary middle grade, Mike Grosso creates a determined heroine readers will readily identify with and root for.

We can't wait to find out how things work out for Sam. Here's some insight on why author Mike Grosso was drawn to writing this middle grade story:

I feel like the adult world loves telling kids they can be whatever they want to be, but only if their dreams fit into a shiny little box. Kids who dream of music nowadays are more likely to get eye rolls than real support to make their dreams come true. 
I wanted to write about a kid who has all the drive to make it happen but has to fight harder than anyone else to prove it. Sam was always a percussionist in my imagination because drummers are unlike any other musician. They live on another planet much cooler than our own.

We agree--kids need the freedom to chase their dreams. Without further ado, here's the cover reveal!

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  GoodReads | Available for pre-order soon!

Wow, this cover is even more interesting than the original. There are so many cool things to look at--it reminds us of decorating the front of our notebooks in middle school. And now, here's the scoop from Mike on the new cover!

If Kidliterati readers are feeling a sense of déjà vu, that’s probably because I’ve pulled this song and dance (see what I did there?) already. I did a cover reveal for I AM DRUMS last December, less than a month before it was orphaned by the closing of Egmont USA.

I was thrilled when Clarion Books picked it up, but I couldn’t help feeling nervous about the cover and jacket copy changing. I knew I was in capable hands, but I’d grown attached to Egmont’s take on things. I had to sit on pins and needles hoping Clarion’s new direction wouldn’t stink in comparison.

I’m thrilled to report that the new cover doesn’t stink at all. It rocks my face off.

I have to be careful what I say, because there are sweet plot-related details all over this thing. It’s cool to think that readers will see the cover in a new light after reading the book. I can say that the artist, Matthew Taylor Wilson, knocked this one out of the park. He’s a fellow drummer, and his enthusiasm as an illustrator shows.


I’m thrilled to have a rickety drum set and converse All Stars on the cover – those are two details from the Egmont cover that made it into this one, albeit in their own unique way. The title font bursts out at you, and the headphone jack in the letter D made me smile the same as the little red face wearing headphones. The musical notes and instruments seem to be in motion, like someone just finished playing them and they’re still reverberating with music. It’s also great that the notes look like authentic drum notes with real percussion clefs.

My favorite part, though, is the lawnmower flying across the top, leaving a trail of money in its wake. Money is such a tough, important theme in this book."

Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win a signed Advanced Reader Copy of I AM DRUMS!

Mike Grosso is a musician and a school teacher who keeps a guitar in his classroom. He lives with his wife and son in Oak Park, IL. This is his first novel.

Website | Twitter






a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks, Mike, for sharing I AM DRUMS with us today!



 

8 comments:

  1. I love this cover! It makes me want to read this book, as does the synopsis! And I love stories where girls have strong voices and agree completely that drummers are way cool! Congrats Mike!

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  2. Fantastic cover! So glad I AM DRUMS was picked up by Clarion.

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  3. Gonzo, Mike! The other cover was nice, but this one captures the book better, I think. Congrats!

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    1. I agree! I was attached to the first one, but this one FEELS like the real cover.

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  4. I want to play either drums, guitar or piano! I already played the guitar though, with my mom teaching me, but I failed miserably. XD

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    Replies
    1. That's great that you tried! You could always pick up something else and see if you make a better connection with it, but keep in mind "failing" guitar and "still needing more practice" are two very different things.

      Best of luck with whichever instrument you choose!

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