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Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Blog Tour- CHARLIE HERNANDEZ AND THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS by Ryan Calejo With An Interview & Giveaway!




I am stoked to be hosting a stop on the blog tour for CHARLIE HERNANDEZ AND THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS by Ryan Calejo! I have an interview with Ryan to share with you today check it out and enter to win the giveaway below!

About The Book:





Title: CHARLIE HERNANDEZ AND THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS (Charlie Hernández #1)
Author: Ryan Calejo
Pub. Date: October 23, 2018
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 330
Find it: GoodreadsAmazonKindleAudibleB&NiBooksKoboTBD

“This is a perfect pick for kids who love Rick Riordan’s many series, particularly for those eager for mythologies beyond Greek and Roman stories.” Booklist (starred review)

“A winner for all kids, but it will be especially beloved by Latinx and Hispanic families.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred review) 

The Lightning Thief meets the Story Thieves series in this middle grade fantasy inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America.

Charlie Hernández has always been proud of his Latin American heritage. He loves the culture, the art, and especially the myths. Thanks to his abuela’s stories, Charlie possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the monsters and ghouls who have spent the last five hundred years haunting the imaginations of children all across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Central and South America. And even though his grandmother sometimes hinted that the tales might be more than mere myth, Charlie’s always been a pragmatist. Even barely out of diapers, he knew the stories were just make-believenothing more than intricately woven fables meant to keep little kids from misbehaving.

But when Charlie begins to experience freaky bodily manifestationsones all too similar to those described by his grandma in his favorite legendhe is suddenly swept up in a world where the mythical beings hes spent his entire life hearing about seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Hispanic folklore and into his life. And even stranger, they seem to know more about him than he knows about himself.

Soon, Charlie finds himself in the middle of an ancient battle between La Liga, a secret society of legendary mythological beings sworn to protect the Land of the Living, and La Mano Negra (a.k.a. the Black Hand), a cabal of evil spirits determined to rule mankind. With only the help of his lifelong crush, Violet Rey, and his grandmother’s stories to guide him, Charlie must navigate a world where monsters and brujas rule and things he couldn’t possibly imagine go bump in the night. That is, if he has any hope of discovering what’s happening to him and saving his missing parents (oh, and maybe even the world).


No pressure, muchacho.

Now on to the interview!


Hey Ryan!! First I want to say welcome to Two Chicks on Books I’m glad you could stop by for a chat! CHARLIE HERNANDEZ AND THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS sounds AWESOME and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! 


For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about the CHARLIE HERNANDEZ AND THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS and the characters?

Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows is about a boy named Charlie, who, thanks to his grandmother, grows up hearing myths and legends from all over the Spanish-speaking world. Slowly he begins to realize that those stories might be more than just make-believe and before he knows it Charlie finds himself teaming up with Violet Rey (investigative journalist extraordinaire) as the two of them embark on a wild adventure through the heart of Miami Dade County (which just so happens to be my hometownyay!). At its core, the story is about friendship and family and how culture is passed down through generations. And, of course, there are plenty of funnies!


How many more books are planned for the series?

The sequel hits shelves Nov. 12, so counting that one, about three more.



Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?

Not really, but the description for probably the most physically imposing character in the book was inspired by my itty-bitty little Maltese/Havanese mix.



Who was your favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?

I’d say Violet was my favorite. She’s just so spontaneous and bravenot to mention brilliant! Honestly, I dont have a least favorite. I enjoyed writing all of them. (Even the bad ones!)


What is your favorite passages/scenes in CHARLIE HERNANDEZ AND THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS?

When Charlie and Violet go on a wild underground ride on that rickety old mine cart. I’ve always been a HUGE fan of rollercoasters, so I had a lot of fun writing that scene.


What kind of research did you have to do for the story?

I spent a few afternoons at my local library, digging up information on the lesser-known myths. But the research phase didn’t actually take that long because I was already pretty familiar with most of the stories. Growing up, I wasn’t exactly the best behaved kid on the planet, so to entertain me and keep me from running amok my grandmothers would tell me all the different legends and folktales they’d learned as children. They were my main sources of information, as well as inspiration.


Who is your ultimate book villain?

Captain Hook. That pirate haunted my dreams for years!


What inspired you to write Middle Grade?

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. The moment I finished it I knew I wanted to write a children’s book.


Lightning Round Questions

What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?

I’m currently reading The Last Life of Prince Alastor by Alexandra Bracken.


What Hogwarts House would the Sorting Hat place you in?

Gryffindor!


Twitter or Facebook?

Twitter!


Favorite Superhero?

Superman, duh!


Favorite TV show?

The Simpsons!


Sweet or Salty?

Sweet!


Any Phobias?

Just one: Nomophobia (the fear of being without a cellphone)


Song you can’t get enough of right now?

I’ve had “Love you like a love song,” by Selena Gomez stuck in my head since about 2011, so I’ll go with that!


2019 Movie you’re most looking forward to?

CATS! Judi Dench, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellenneed I say more?



Thanks so much Ryan for answering my questions! I can’t read for everyone to read CHARLIE HERNANDEZ AND THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS!



About Ryan:
Ryan Calejo was born and raised in south Florida. He graduated from the University of Miami with a BA. He’s been invited to join both the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Golden Key International Honour Society. He teaches swimming to elementary school students, chess to middle school students, and writing to high school students. Having been born into a family of immigrants and growing up in the so-called “Capital of Latin America,” Ryan knows the importance of diversity in our communities and is passionate about writing books that children of all ethnicities can relate to. His first novel was Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows.



Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a signed hardcover of CHARLIE HERNANDEZ AND THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS, US ONLY.




Tour Schedule:
Week One:
8/19/2019- BookHounds YA- Interview
8/20/2019- Savings in Seconds- Excerpt
8/21/2019- Twirling Book Princess- Excerpt
8/22/2019- Country Road Reviews- Review
8/23/2019- Lifestyle Of Me- Review

Week Two:
8/26/2019- Rhythmicbooktrovert- Review
8/27/2019- Wonder Struck- Review
8/28/2019- Two Chicks on Books- Interview
8/29/2019- Aunt Addie's Bookshelf- Review
8/30/2019- The Desert Bibliophile- Review

Week Three:
9/2/2019- The Layaway Dragon- Review
9/3/2019- Random Bookish Banter- Review
9/4/2019- Eli to the nth- Review
9/5/2019- Novel Novice- Guest Post
9/6/2019- Fyrekatz Blog- Review

Week Four:
9/9/2019- Nicole's Novel Reads- Review
9/10/2019- Marshmallow Pudding- Review
9/11/2019- Nerdophiles- Review
9/12/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Review

9/13/2019- two points of interest- Review

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