THE NEW YORK TIMES!
"Otheguy’s novel is deeply original, action-packed and brimming with historical richness and wit." -The New York Times
Today The New York Times published a glowing standalone review of my upcoming book Cousins in the Time of Magic! Here’s a short quote from the review by Juan Vidal:
It is particularly satisfying to see how her characters change and grow on their journey, ultimately gaining a better understanding of their culture and its influence on the United States at large. She does a wonderful job of infusing the complexity of identity into the narrative while maintaining a welcome playfulness.
This review will appear in print on Sunday. If you get the paper in print on Sunday, please send me a photo of my review on your coffee table, please! I will keep it forever.
Finally, here’s a gift article link so you can read the review in its entirety (and then head right back over here—lots more to share, including a big educator giveaway!)
RSVP: Book Launch Party on 2/25/25
I hope you will join me for an in-person party to celebrate the publication of Cousins in The Time of Magic. If you can make it, please RSVP at this link, as an estimated headcount will help us plan for the event. I will be overjoyed to see or meet you at what I hope will be a fun evening with friends and beloved book people!
Do you know a teacher or librarian who can read my book aloud?
I know how hard it is for teachers or librarians to find time to read an entire novel aloud during the school day. But one of my most fervent wishes for Cousins in the Time of Magic is that it be read aloud, and that students benefit from the guidance of an educator who can contextualize the history in the book.
If you’re an educator who can read Cousins in the Time of Magic aloud to kids in the 4th-7th grades, I’d like to help as much as I can. I am giving away a classroom set of books to any teacher or librarian who can read all of Cousins in the Time of Magic aloud to their students. I’ll put my author copies to this, and assuming interest, as many additional sets as I can afford. To enter this giveaway:
Pre-Order Cousins in the Time of Magic from any bookseller
Make a plan to read the book aloud to your students (you’ll need about twenty ten-to-fifteen-minute sittings to get through all of it).
Reply to this email or email emma.otheguy@gmail.com. Tell me:
Where you ordered the book
Where you teach and what grade
What your plan is to read the book aloud (when will the time be scheduled, anyone with whom you need to coordinate, etc.)
If you would be willing to make and share a lesson plan using the book
Any other reason a classroom set would be great for your students!
I’ll keep this open until February 14th and announce the winners the following week. Please feel free to forward to any educator you think would be willing to read the book aloud.
Register for a Young Writers’ Workshop
Kids grades third grade and up: join me for a young writers’ workshop at the New York Society Library!
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
(If you’re wondering: while kids and grown-ups are welcome at both events, the book launch at The Corner Bookstore will be a “mostly grown-ups” party with wine, mingling, and a few words; this event at the New York Society Library will be a “mostly kids” workshop with hands-on writing activities).
Can you forward this newsletter to a friend?
Most of my readers find me through friends and family who have recommended me. If you can forward this email to someone who loves kidlit, I would be honored. ¡Mil gracias!