Cover Reveal for Natalie Lloyd's The Key to Extraordinary

Happy Monday! I am kicking off the week with the one and only Natalie Lloyd. She's here to reveal the cover for her second middle-grade novel, The Key to Extraordinary. W00t! W00t! Thank you, Natalie! You're spindiddly! 

Hello, friends! I’m so excited to share the cover of my second middle grade novel, The Key to Extraordinary. This cover is illustrated by Gilbert Ford, and designed by Nina Goffi at Scholastic. That’s a dream team of cover wizards, and I absolutely adore their work. The story takes place during an unsettling season for my main character, Emma. She has heaps of pressure, worry and fear crushing down on her tiny shoulders. But there's hope scattered throughout her journey, too - those bright bursts of joy that come from friendship, family, hope and adventure. (And magic, of course.) I think Gilbert captured all of those feelings in his illustration. One of my favorite images in the story also made the cover — that’s Emma on the back of the motorcycle, holding tightly to her Granny Blue. On a sappy note, I’m grateful Mr. Schu wanted to share the cover here. Since A Snicker of Magic was released, I’ve felt so welcomed by the online community of teachers, librarians, booklovers, and nerdybookclubbers. Even a word collector could not adequately express how grateful I am for you folks. Thank you for giving my characters a home in your hearts. I can’t wait for you to meet Emma, Cody, Earl and the town of Blackbird Hollow. (Just be careful if you explore the Hollow at night. Especially the graveyard. Strange things have been happening around there …)

Look for The Key to Extraordinary on February 23, 2016. 

Everyone in Emma’s family is special. Her ancestors include Revolutionary War spies, brilliant scientists, and famous country music singers—every single one of which learned of their Extraordinary Destiny through a dream.

For Emma, her own Destiny Dream can’t come soon enough. Right before her mother died, Emma promised that she’d do whatever it took to fulfill her Destiny, and she doesn’t want to let her mother down.

But when Emma’s dream finally arrives, it points her toward an impossible task—finding a legendary treasure that’s supposedly hidden near her town’s historic cemetery. If Emma fails, she’ll let down generations of her Extraordinary ancestors . . . including her own mother. But how can she find something that’s been missing for centuries and might be protected by a mysterious singing ghost?

With her signature blend of lyrical writing, quirky humor, and a cast of unforgettable small town characters, Natalie Lloyd’s The Key to Extraordinary doesn’t just tug on your heartstrings, it strums them—cementing her status as one of the most original voices writing for children today.