“There’s lot’s of magic in it, and some very colourful characters.”
This is how Becky Citra, a multiple award-winning and popular local children’s author, describes her newest book, The Griffin of Darkwood.
Citra will launch her spooky and exciting new children’s book at the Cariboo Regional District Library-100 Mile House Branch on Sept. 17, 1-3 p.m.
Citra invites the community to come out and take a sneak peak, or buy a copy and she will sign it.
Targeting children and youth about eight-13 years old, The Griffin of Darkwood – unlike some of her books – is a fantasy, and not a sequel to one of her former series, she explains.
“It’s about a 13-year-old boy called Will, who is an orphan, and he’s living with his nasty aunt in a haunted castle.”
Citra notes Will solves an ancient mystery involving medieval tapestries and treason.
In addition to his nasty aunt, the characters in her latest novel include an evil butler and an eccentric bookseller, she says.
“It’s a bit of a departure for me. I don’t do a lot of fantasy, but I’ve had a lot of fun with it and I’m hoping to do a sequel.”
Her books all sell well, and have been very popular at the schools and libraries around British Columbia Citra visits – most of them stock her books and are ‘big supporters” of her, she says.
A former teacher at Bridge Lake Elementary School for 20 years who left to write full time, Citra says she loves to talk to the students about her books and to read them excerpts from her stories, always including plenty of visual props and photographs.
Her past series include Jeremy and the Enchanted Theatre, a fantasy for ages six to eight; and a historical fiction series, Ellie and Max, about pioneers in Upper Canada (a territory established in 1791 to govern parts of British North America).
While Citra has published more than 20 books, mostly short and long novels for all ages of children, she says every time she finishes one, it becomes her “new favourite.”
Her fans will be delighted to know there are yet more stories in the works by this author.
“I’m currently working on a new Cariboo story that will be set on a ranch – a mystery.”
Turn out for her book launch to enjoy some refreshments, enter the free book draws and chat with the author while you check out or purchase The Griffin of Darkwood and any of Citra’s past novels that interest you.
Among her awards for fiction, Citra received the Red Cedar Book Award for Finding Grace in May, selected as number 1 by grades 4-7 readers across British Columbia.
More information on Becky Citra’s books, awards and recognition is online at www.beckycitra.com.
