“Say It Again” Saturday was created because…Sometimes when I’m reading a book there are lines that just jump out at me. They make me want to laugh, cry, or just sit and think for a minute. Sometimes the lines are just beautifully written. They are the kind of lines that you want to stop reading, find someone close by, and read the line or passage aloud to them so they can share it with you.

I’ve chosen to feature EYES LIKE STARS by Lisa Mantchev in honor of its release this week. Be sure to get a copy. Not only is the cover beautiful, but the language and the story are fabulous as well. Check out some of the passages I love.

Bertie’s entire head tingled as the ammonia burned her scalp. She tried not to scratch at it, because that way lay madness…madness and funky-colored fingertips. (p.5)

The fairies cheered the blackout. In the pale echo of light, vague outlines moved through Bertie’s field of vision, but their details were lost to the dark. Her bedroom walls took flight in a soaring arc before disappearing into the rafters. The bed dropped below the stage while the armchair and dresser chased each other into the wings. Huge wooden waves slide in from Stage Left with the clank and wallop of mechanical water. Seaweed hit the stage with wet thumps, sand gathered in drifts, and saltwater misted the floor. Ground row lights painted the cyclorama in undulating shades of blue and green. (p.12)

Bertie’s first indication that she’d overslept was the troupe of cancan dancers that brushed past her bed and hit her in the head with their rustling crinolines. The second was their tittering giggles. But even that was easier to ignore than Nate’s hand clamped down on her shoulder.

“Lass.” The nudging became more insistent as his other hand joined the first. “There was a notice on th’ Call Board, an’ they’re all gatherin’. Ahoy. Wake up.” (p.119)

EYES LIKE STARS is in stores now. Don’t let this one pass you by folks. It is delightful. You also need to visit the Book’s website and especially the Call Board in the upper right hand corner.

Every time you buy a copy, a fairy gets its wings!