![]() Hi friends and readers! I can't believe it's been six months since Planet Perfect came out in January! This hi-lo novel is a fun romp in space, blending the lighthearted science fiction of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy with the funny-but-earnest vibes of Miss Congeniality. Out of my books, I'd say it is most similar to The Worst Villain Ever, followed by Paris on Repeat and Rome Reframed. This book is aimed for ages 10-14 and up, with a high interest storyline and lower readability. I love this book and am proud it helps meet a real need for accessible yet age-appropriate and entertaining books for this age group. What reviewers are saying: "If Suzanne Collin's Hunger Games took place in space and was written for elementary school readers, this would be it." -- School Library Journal "Written with a deft narrative touch, this story touches on a number of important themes in a fast-paced, engaging manner that is quite relevant to the modern era in which climate change is becoming an existential issue." -- Children's Literature About the book: Fourteen-year-old Meg knows aliens are real. Everyone does. But she’s not happy with them. Extraterrestrials landed on Earth twenty years ago and took off fast. They didn’t leave behind advanced science or miracle cures. Instead, they delivered an alien reality TV channel. Beamed to the whole galaxy, Planet Perfect is Earth’s obsession. But no Earthling has ever been invited—until now. Meg wants to fight climate change, not play games. But when she is one of two Earth teens invited to Planet Perfect, she agrees to go. Planet Perfect makes its own clean energy with zero waste. Such knowledge could save Earth. Meg needs to stay in the competition so she can figure out this technology. But the show is harder than expected. The host demands almost impossible tasks with lots of drama. And when Meg finds out that Planet Perfect has a secret that threatens Earth, she realizes she has to win to prove her planet deserves a seat at the intergalactic table. Characterized by exciting, fast-paced plots and age-appropriate themes, Harbor’s Hi-Lo books are both engaging and easy to read. Short chapters, simple sentence structures, and an accessible format make these books perfect for tween reluctant readers. Harbor books are written at a 2nd- to 3rd-grade reading level with an interest level of ages 10 and up. No matter how entertaining a book is, I think the best stories leave us thinking once we've set it down. I hope that is what Planet Perfect offers. It's fun and a bit silly, but it also addresses the very real concern of climate change. It's part of the Harbor Series with Jolly Fish Press, which is Hi-Lo fiction for ages 10-14. If you're looking for YA hi-lo, check out their Horizon imprint. Happy reading! Sold individually or in a set with another hi-lo book, Heckyll & Snyde.
IndieBound/Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads | Books-a-Million | Jolly Fish Press/Harbor series | iBooks | Google Play
0 Comments
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets Miss Congeniality, |
I'm excited to share that I'll have a short story in another Snowy Wings YA anthology, coming out this fall! MAGIC UNDER THE BIG TOP is a circus anthology edited by author Mary Fan for @snowywingspub! This anthology is circus-themed, and my short story involves Parker and friends from my Secret Psychics series. The anthology has stories of all genres-- something for everyone! AND LOOK AT THAT COVER! AHHH! I love it so much! Cover Design by Najla Qamber Cover Photo by @wendywildradio Book Description: Gentlefolk and children of all ages, welcome to the greatest show on earth... and beyond! Dive into this multi-genre collection of short stories inspired by the circus from Snowy Wings Publishing. A princess who moonlights as a trapeze artist. A teen aerialist who switches places with her lookalike friend to attend circus camp. A boy who visits the childhood circus of his ailing grandfather. An artist who moves into a madcap house with a bunch of circus artists. And more... |
George is here!

If you love fun, light-hearted stories with a sweet character and a feel-good message, this is a great book for for you, no matter your age.
"A lighthearted and entertaining play on the title’s double meaning.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Humorous and heartfelt, The Worst Villain Ever is a novel in which a boy learns a compelling lesson about accepting himself as he is.” – Foreword Reviews
Any villain worth his lockpick will tell you it’s bad to be good, but George can’t quite hide his horrifying niceness. To improve his class ranking in villain school, he accepts an impossible assignment to defeat the greatest superhero ever...who has a big problem of his own.
I'd love to hear what you think! And if you enjoy the story, I hope you'll tell a friend to check it out, too!
IndieBound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Books-a-Million | Goodreads Did you know that bookstores can order books for you if it's not on the shelves? Most also ship. There are now three indie bookstores in my local area: The Twig Book Shop Nowhere Bookshop Cibolo Chicks Bookstore Or search for your local indie: bookshop.org/pages/store_locator | Genre: middle grade superhero/supervillain comedy Ages: 8-12 years (grade 3-6) Publisher: Snowy Wings Publishing Date of Release: October 18, 2022 Cover: Design by Qamber Kids, with illustrator Oh Lenic Interior: Qamber Designs, by Nada Qamber Don't forget, if your library doesn't have a copy, you can request that they carry it, too! |
Thank you so much for all the support! Y'all are the best!
-Amy
About the book:
Parker can sense strong emotions in others. And the new girl, Mia, is super sad—and secretive. When a pre-cognitive buddy says Mia's pain will lead to their discovery by dangerous people, Parker tries to help Mia. That’s harder than expected, especially when Parker’s gift backfires in a big way.
Link: https://amazon.com/Shortcuts-Secret.../dp/B08YDLC9F5/
#kindledeals #KindleUnlimited #ebook #ebooksale #uppermiddlegrade #mgbooks #paranormal #uppermg #secretpsychicseries #snowywingspub
I have some exciting news to share about my upcoming middle grade supervillain story, The Worst Villain Ever! First, reviews are starting to roll in. I'm delighted that Kirkus Reviews described The Worst Villain Ever as: A lighthearted and entertaining play on the title's double meaning." |
Any villain worth his lockpick will tell you it’s bad to be good, but George can’t quite hide his horrifying niceness. To improve his class ranking in villain school, he accepts an impossible assignment to defeat the greatest superhero ever...who has a big problem of his own.
![]() Title: The Worst Villain Ever Release date: October 18th, 2022 Publisher: Snowy Wings Publishing Ages: 8-12 and up Cover: Qamber Designs | Links: IndieBound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Books-a-Million | Goodreads Indie bookstores can order and ship! Three in my area: The Twig Book Shop , Nowhere Bookshop, Cibolo Chicks Bookstore |
-- Amy

You can find the links of your favorite places to buy books online here:
IndieBound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Books-a-Million |
Did you know that local indie bookstores can order books for you if it's not on the shelves? Most also ship. There are now three in my local area:
The Twig Book Shop Nowhere Bookshop Cibolo Chicks Bookstore
Or search for your local indie: bookshop.org/pages/store_locator
And you can add it to your list on Goodreads, too!
Note: The ebook will only be available on Kindle, at least at first, as it will be in Kindle Unlimited, but paperbacks will be available online anywhere books are sold. Pricing may vary based on distributer discounts.
- is a great fit for chapter book readers ready for the next level
- celebrates kindness without being didactic
- has silly footnotes for all ages to enjoy
- is fun, fast, and funny
About the book:
When eleven-year-old George Pruwell is finally admitted to the Academy of Villainy and Wrongdoing, he has big plans of making his family proud, especially his older brother Alex. Unfortunately, unlike his brother, George is anything but villainous. To secure a slot in the school's best class roster and prove himself worthy of his family's wonderfully wicked name, he takes on a nearly impossible assignment: defeat Captain Perfectus, the world's greatest superhero.
Now, George has to figure out how one too-nice-villain-in-training can defeat the most impressive superhero of all time. Alex offers his help, but George isn’t so sure he wants to use his big brother's methods. And when Captain Perfectus turns out to have some seriously big problems of his own, George must choose whether to follow his instincts and help the superhero or crush him and become the most villainous Pruwell ever.
Amy Bearce
To young readers, I hope I can offer a smidgen of help & encouragement as you traverse the waters of school, friendships, and life.
For those who are writers or aspiring writers, I will occasionally share thoughts on the writing process. Hope it helps!
For librarians and teachers, I sometimes share resources on books, reading, and writing.
For those who are readers of any ages, I like to share when a book totally floors me. Share the love if you agree.
Archives
June 2025
September 2024
July 2024
June 2024
June 2023
October 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
February 2022
October 2021
August 2021
July 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
April 2020
February 2020
January 2020
November 2019
October 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2016
May 2016
February 2016
June 2015
March 2015
January 2015
December 2014
Categories
All
Book Recommendation
Events
News
School Success
Summer
Words About Writing