SPARK comes out today!!!

Today is the book birthday for SPARK!!!

SPARK is a fantasy adventure for kids, published by Clarion Books / Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and I'm beyond thrilled that it's out in the world! I loved writing this book, and I'm so excited to introduce you to Mina and Pixit!

In SPARK, storm beasts and their guardians create perfect weather every day, and Mina longs for a storm beast of her own. But when the gentle girl bonds with a lightning beast -- a creature of fire and chaos -- everyone's certain it's a mistake. Everyone but Mina and the beast himself, Pixit. Quickly enrolled in lightning school, Mina struggles to master a guardian's skills, and she discovers that her country's weather comes at a devastating cost -- a cost powerful people wish to hide. Mina's never been the type to speak out, but someone has to tell the truth, and, with Pixit's help, she resolves to find a way to be heard.

If you're interested, more information can be found on my website, including the first two chapters: www.sarahbethdurst.com/Spark.htm

All books start with a spark. An idea, an image, a feeling, a wish... The spark for this book was three words:

Mina was quiet.

I wanted to write a book about a quiet girl and her lightning dragon. But I didn't want it to be the story of a quiet girl who learns to be loud. I wanted it to be the story of a quiet girl who discovers she's strong, exactly as she is.

Growing up, I was a quiet girl. I spent a lot of my childhood in my room, reading books. For the bulk of sixth grade, I was so shy that I barely talked to anyone. It took me a long time to discover you can be quiet and strong.

So this book is for all those quiet kids out there. And it's for anyone who has ever struggled to be heard, who has yearned to resist injustice, or who has simply dreamed of being friends with a telepathic lightning dragon!

If that's you or your kid, please consider taking a look at SPARK! Hope you're having a wonderful spring! And thanks so much for reading!