Monday, July 29, 2013

The "Yearbook" Spread


One last preview of Donner Dinner Party, before it comes out next month. This is from the back of the book. Every member of the Donner Party is here. The darkened squares are the ones who didn't make it. Follow the key at the top to find out how they died.

Yesterday, we got our first review for DONNER DINNER PARTY, care of the San Francisco Chronicle!

 Donner Dinner Party By Nathan Hale
(Amulet; 130 pages; $12.95; ages 8-up)

Heading up to Tahoe on Interstate 80? A tidy graphic novel recounts the mess at the summit in the winter of 1846-47. Quick summary: Things go from bad to worse for a wagon train headed from Illinois to California, and there is nothing left to eat but each other. The narrator is Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale, who foresees another gruesome chapter in American history right before the British hang him in 1776. (With the same name as the real-life author, he ties together the "Hazardous Tales" series.) Although it's based on somber truths, irreverence rules with Mad magazine edge and snarky asides. Still, the main themes are intact: arduous journey, bad choices, hubris, hunger, cold and an infamous end.

Susan Faust is a librarian at San Francisco's Katherine Delmar Burke School. E-mail: books@sfchronicle.com

Monday, July 22, 2013

Donner Dinner Party Ad 2


We're so close! It's almost out! I've had a few early readers say it's the best Hazardous Tales yet--can't wait to see what others think.

Monday, July 15, 2013

DONNER DINNER PARTY sample page: "Make room for Grandma!"

Hey gang, only a few more weeks until NATHAN HALE'S HAZARDOUS TALES: DONNER DINNER PARTY launches. Here's a sneaky peek at page 10!


Monday, July 8, 2013

DONNER DINNER PARTY--the advertisement!


We're just a few weeks away from the launch of DONNER DINNER PARTY! Here's a little advertisement we worked up. It's in the style of the old late 70s-early 80s magazine page ads.

The kicker, that kid is only on page 20!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

4th of July Spectacular


Hey gang, taking a summer break. Be back next week. Enjoy the holiday.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Hats of History: The Pickelhaube



Joining This Hazardous Week and Hazardous Holidays, we have a new feature on the Hazardous Tales blog: Hats of History! The Provost is running the show on this one and he's very excited about these hats!