By Parul Bavishi – Editor 

It seems that every day I’m adding to the list of fans for Now is the Time For Running by Michael Williams. This book was acquired quietly, thus without an auction or much fanfare so perhaps you haven’t heard of it… yet. Of course, it can be fun (and nerve-racking*) to win a book in a heated auction, but there is a particular delight in acquiring a book quietly, like finding a precious gemstone which you slip into your pocket and treasure, sure that you will delight everyone when they finally see it…And delighted they are:

Today I received a lovely email from the latest fan, Jason Wallace, who said: Thank you for letting me read it, that said, I did find it quite difficult keeping my enthusiasm down to a minimum number of words!!!!. Jason’s quote (see below) will join the inimitable Bali Rai whose quote will also feature on the front cover. And there’s more: Michael Williams has fans at the Bookseller, Bookbag, Goodreads and Kirkus. That comes on top of a marketing, sales and publicity team who have phoned and emailed me to say that they were touched by Michael’s writing, that they shed tears and that they simply love the book. High praise indeed – our sales team don’t cry easily.

 With all this good will, what next? Well, the book hasn’t been published in the UK yet, so we wait and hope that it will find a home in the hearts and bookshelves of those who love children’s and YA literature. As a reader, an editor, I wish this with all my heart.

 *obviously not nerve-racking like heart surgery but for the delicate sensibilities of an editor, auctions can be rather heart pounding.

 REVIEWS SO FAR  

 The triumph of human endeavour against a harrowing landscape… A gripping, powerful tale that will more than touch your soul. Quite simply, this story needs to be read. Jason Wallace

A wonderfully written, thought-provoking novel that brings the grim reality of life for ordinary Zimbabweans into sharp focus. It deserves a wide audience. Bali Rai

Heartbreaking, unputdownable tale of prejudice, resilience and brotherly love.  Fiona Noble, Bookseller

I found this story incredibly troubling and moving; Deo and Innocent will stay with you.  Clare Poole, Bookseller

 Extremely powerful and it wrings every possible emotion out of its readers. The football is as exhilarating to read about as it is for Deo to play. Bookbag

 Gripping, suspenseful and deeply compassionate. Kirkus Review

 Wonderful. A must-read for anyone who loves international YA fiction . . . very brave. Goodreads

2012 is set to be a fantastic year for Tamarind Books.  We’re extremely excited about our upcoming titles from both debut and established authors.  Here’s a sneak preview of what’s coming up…

Camp Gold: Running Stars and Camp Gold: Going for Gold by Christine Ohuruogu (June)

 Just in time for the London Olympics is the exciting new Camp Gold series.  Written by British running champion Christine Ohuruogu, Running Stars and Going for Gold follow the story of Maxine – a young girl with an extraordinary running talent. 

Maxine is crazy about sports and is thrilled to be going to Camp Gold, an elite sports summer camp. At the camp she meets good friends, cute boys and, best of all, she discovers her hidden talent – running. Soon she’s training for the Nationals, which will be watched by Olympic champions. It’s tough but it’ll be worth it if she wins. Then the pranks start and her things go missing.  Someone is out to sabotage her chance of winning…

 This series is set to kick start the summer with a bang.  We can’t wait.

 Tamarind Stars: Sporting Heroes  (June)

Also in June comes Sporting Heroes.  This title is from our Tamarind Stars series and will provide a fun guide to today’s sporting heroes. What does an Olympic champion eat for breakfast? How can you become the fastest runner in the world?  This book is full of interesting facts and never seen photos of some of the best-known sporting heroes including boxer Amir Khan and runners Mo Farah and Christine Ohuruogu.

 This exciting book will inspire young people to follow their sporting dreams. 

 Now is the Time for Running by Michael Williams (June)

A striking, page-turning novel about the plight of young Zimbabwean refugees and the power of brotherly love.

Meet Deo: a great footballer, a fierce protector of his older brother, Innocent
Meet Innocent: easily nervous, easily happy and good at keeping score on the dusty fields of Zimbabwe where they boys play.

When the soldiers come, they destroy the only home they’ve ever known. Now Deo has nothing but his brother, and a football stuffed with billions of worthless dollars. And so starts their journey to find their father. But with soldiers everywhere, they have only one chance to cross the border, one chance to escape.

 This is an incredibly emotional and important book. We defy anyone not to hold back the tears as they read about the incredible journey of Deo and Innocent as they flee the violence and corruption that has taken over their home. This harrowing story is based on the true accounts of Zimbabwean refugees.

Nina and the Travelling Spice Shed by Madhvi Ramani (October)

 Follow Nina on a magical adventure as she enters her Aunt’s spice shed and ends up finding her self in the bustling and colourful streets of India. But how will she get home? A charming series featuring a feisty heroine who finds herself on a set of thrilling and unexpected missions.

This is a fun and uplifting tale for children of 5+.

 Spike in Space by Malaika Rose Stanley (September)

A feel-good story which explores the theme of ‘being different’ with refreshing warmth and humour. This is a brilliantly funny sequel to the 2010 Spike and Ali Enson filled with quirky illustrations and plenty of slapstick moments.

Depicting an adoptive, multicultural family, this story deals with issues of bullying and challenging stereotypes. 

Win a critique from a RHCB editor and a copy of the latest Writers and Artists Yearbook!

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Author of Skin Deep and Spike and Ali Enson, Malaika Rose Stanley, contributed a fantastic blog post for An Awfully Big Blog Adventure last week. In Black, White and Just Right Malaika compiles a list of children’s and young adult fiction which feature mixed-race and mixed-heritage main characters. The list includes titles from authors such as Bali Rai, Philip Pullman and Rick Riordan. However, it was not easy to put the list together. As Malaika says, ‘It’s a short list – and not in a good way – but in the end, isn’t quality always more important than quantity?’ We couldn’t agree more Malaika. 

To read the full article, follow this link: http://awfullybigblogadventure.blogspot.com/2011/11/black-white-and-just-right-malaika-rose.html

To celebrate Black History Month, we’re giving away a book a day between now and 31st October!  Each day, on Facebook (facebook.com/TamarindBooks) and Twitter @TamarindBooks), we’ll let you know which of our fantastic books could be winging their way to you.  All you have to do is email us at info@tamarindbooks.co.uk with your full name and address.  Winners will be picked at random and then notified by email.  Check out Facebook and Twitter NOW to find out about today’s amazing giveaway!

Tamarind Books founder and children’s author Verna Wilkins has been shortlisted for the Metro’s top black hero.

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Cover for the US edition - more news on the UK edition soon!

You know a story is good when you get phone calls from your colleagues who gush about how they couldn’t put it down. And then they confess that they were so moved by the story that they were crying tears on the tube journey into work, snotty tissues and all.

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Click here to see a lovely trailer for Skin Deep by Malaika Rose Stanley

We have been quieter than normal on the blog and on Twitter. Truth is, we’ve been super busy back here at Tamarind Towers! We are building a list of honourable Patrons, buying exceptional books and working hard on a new look for our list including a revised mission statement and logo.

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