Maria V. Snyder's STORM WATCHER Nominated for Young Reader's Choice Award

STORM WATCHER, written by New York Times Bestselling author, Maria V. Snyder, is a nominee for the 2015-2016 school year’s Pennsylvania School Librarians Association Young Reader's Choice.

Leap Books, LLC is thrilled to announce their middle grade title, STORM WATCHER, written by New York Times Bestselling author Maria V. Snyder, is a nominee for the 2015-2016 school year’s Pennsylvania School Librarians Association Young Reader’s Choice Awards Program in the Grades 6-8 Division.

Snyder’s STORM WATCHER follows Luke Riley whose mother’s recent death set his family adrift. Even though his father, twin brothers, and their three Bloodhounds are search and rescue volunteers, they have been unable to rescue themselves and truly unite as a family again.

The purpose of the Young Readers Choice Awards Program is “…to promote reading of quality books by young people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to encourage teacher / librarian collaboration in young adult and children’s literature, and to honor authors whose works have been recognized by the students of Pennsylvania.” The 2015-2016 Master List of nominees, posted here, demonstrates Snyder is in good company.

Previous winners include: Katherine Applegate, Carl Hiaasen, Ransom Riggs, John Green, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Rick Riordan, and many other talents.

Maria V. Snyder switched careers from meteorologist to novelist when she began writing the New York Times

best-selling Study Series (POISON STUDY, MAGIC STUDY, FIRE STUDY, and SHADOW STUDY) about a young woman who becomes a poison taster. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria dreamed of chasing tornados and earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Meteorology from Pennsylvania State University.  She used that scientific background when creating STORM WATCHER and includes intriguing and educational STEM-supporting information in the back of the novel in the form of “Luke’s Weather Notebook.”

Get YOUR copy now! Amazon | B&N  

Praise for Storm Watcher:

“This deftly plotted story will engage readers of both genders with its fresh storyline….Intertwining family relationships, weather science and search-and-rescue dog training, this coming-of-age story relays themes of friendship, grief, challenge, fear and responsibility without didacticism or melodrama….A welcome addition to the middle-grade library.” ~Kirkus

“There is always room on the shelf for another exciting boy-and-his-dog story, and this readable contemporary novel will appeal especially to youngsters interested in search-and-rescue training or meteorology.” ~School Library Journal

“STORM WATCHER is a brilliant and beautiful tale of how the simple, honest love of a dog can help a lonely boy find his way out of the darkness. Subtle, powerful and highly recommended.” ~ Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of FIRE & ASH and ROT & RUIN

“Best-selling author Maria V. Snyder’s debut novel for young readers, Storm Watcher, is a thrilling, heart-warming canine caper. Thirteen-year-old Luke loves dogs and is fascinated with weather data—but storms terrify him. With lightning quick action, humor, and lots of dogs, Storm Watcher will delight readers. Also the scientific and math insights into weather will appeal to educators and inspire readers to create their own weather science projects. Highly recommended! ~ Linda Joy Singleton, author of THE SEER and DEAD GIRL series