I was planning to do a big reveal about the sequel to THE JUMBIES to coincide with the release of the paperback in two weeks, but the deal was announced in Publisher’s Marketplace last week!
The good news is, I don’t have to keep that a secret any more. I’m good at keeping secrets, but I really don’t like to. And now you know what I’ve been working on! But my big reveal plans aren’t totally foiled. I made a little teaser trailer that I will still post at the same time as the paperback release.
In the past few weeks, I’ve visited a few schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and I went to the Kweli Journal Children’s Book conference this weekend. That was an AMAZING day. I got to hang out with people I admire personally and professionally AND I got to meet two writing heroes of mine, Edwidge Danticat, and Joseph Bruchac.
Joseph Bruchac, Edwidge Danticat, me, Ibi Zoboi, and Leah Henderson.
In February, I had the opportunity to sit in a room of extraordinary women including Rita Williams Garcia, Jacqueline Woodson, and the lovely and articulate Marley Dias, who started the hashtag #1000blackgirlbooks. We talked about what we were all reading, particularly what Marley and the two other young ladies in attendance were reading, and what kind of books they are hoping for. It was an illuminating afternoon.
Ellen Oh, A.P., Renee Watson, me, Marley Dias, Jacqueline Woodson, Dhonielle Clayton, Rita Williams-Garcia, A.B., and Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich (not pictured: Marley’s mom Janice, Jennifer Baker, Nancy Paulsen, and Phoebe Yeh).
I’m hoping to be better about blogging and keeping everyone up to date on what’s going on, but I’m making NO promises. You know how it is. In the meantime, I still have some time in the schedule for a few more end of year school visits!
Tracey Baptiste 
Isa is thrilled to hear this wonderful news and told me to tell you she can’t wait to read it!
Thanks Isa!!! I don’t have a release date yet (mostly because I’m still writing it) but I’ll let you know when to expect it.