Last year, a publisher contacted me. In 2014, one of the most beloved books from my childhood is celebrating a significant anniversary. The publisher is releasing an anniversary edition. And they wanted me to write an introduction for the new edition.
Whoa. This little girl just about died from surprise and delight.
A book little Shannon cherished so much will now have an introduction written by big Shannon! That's just magical.
But what book is it?
Let's make it a contest, as I have an ARC of Dangerous to give away! In the comments, make your guesses. Next Monday I'll use a random number generator to pick a comment until I get one that guessed correctly. May the odds ever be in your favor.
Since such magical things happen, maybe when I'm old or dead, Bloomsbury will release an anniversary edition of The Goose Girl with an introduction written by one of you.
Ps. Austenland releases in the US February 11 and I get to give away some DVDs! Check back here or follow me on twitter for the most up to date info. (pps. I don't have any DVDs in my possession. People keep emailing me requests.)
Enid Blyton's The Island of Adventure?
Posted by: Ruby Scarlett | January 13, 2014 at 11:07 AM
It's Harriet the Spy. Has to be. (Can we just go with the first correct answer?) (;
Posted by: Esme | January 13, 2014 at 11:08 AM
My guess is Robin McKinley's Beauty.
Posted by: Cindy Smith | January 13, 2014 at 11:09 AM
Hmmm . . . I will have to guess The Secret Garden.
Posted by: Janet Johnson | January 13, 2014 at 11:13 AM
Harriet the Spy? The Little Prince?
Posted by: Kristine A | January 13, 2014 at 11:15 AM
I'm guessing Anne of Green Gables? Eep.
Posted by: Lady | January 13, 2014 at 11:17 AM
Pippie Longstockings.
Posted by: Sherry Berrett | January 13, 2014 at 11:20 AM
A Ramona Quimby book? Anne of Green Gables is a good guess too though, wish I'd put it first!
Posted by: Christy Grigg | January 13, 2014 at 11:22 AM
Mansfield Park
Posted by: Kadusey | January 13, 2014 at 11:26 AM
Charlie & The Chocolate factory? do we get more than one guess?
Posted by: Kristine A | January 13, 2014 at 11:27 AM
I have no idea on the book, but the picture of little girl you next to picture of current you made me think... Wow you were such a cute kid, no wonder your gorgeous! ;^)
And my 10 year old daughter and I are loving Ever After High!
Posted by: Jennifer H | January 13, 2014 at 11:29 AM
Hmm. I'm going to say either Half Magic (Edward Eager), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harriet the Spy, or The Book of Three (Lloyd Alexander). No matter what book it is, though, congratulations! That is so cool!
Posted by: elliespen | January 13, 2014 at 11:29 AM
I'm hoping for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, since the 50 year anniversary is this year, and that was one of my own favorites as a kid. Have to say that Harriet the Spy is a good guess, too, though...
So exciting, whatever it is. My inner child was utterly thrilled when, as an adult, I had email contact with Zilpha Keatley Snyder AND John Christopher. And those were just emails.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 13, 2014 at 11:33 AM
Is it Harriet the Spy? Little Shannon could be Harriet the Spy!
Posted by: JoLee | January 13, 2014 at 11:36 AM
I love sweepstakes! I have ever since my mom won a win a car sweepstakes.My guess would be the Never Ending Story. May the odds be ever in my favor!!
Posted by: lauren jonczak | January 13, 2014 at 11:38 AM
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
Posted by: Genevieve Ford | January 13, 2014 at 11:43 AM
How exciting! Congratulations! :) My guesses are "The Book of Three", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "Harriet the Spy", and "The Giving Tree" — any of those would be amazing to write an intro for!
Posted by: Jacqueline | January 13, 2014 at 11:44 AM
Is it the Chronicles of Narnia?
Posted by: CarrieJoDowd | January 13, 2014 at 11:57 AM
Journey to the center of the earth!
Posted by: Iruleyou2 | January 13, 2014 at 11:59 AM
I feel like I'm copying everyone else, but Harriet the Spy or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, since I know they're both having big anniversaries this year!
Posted by: Emily | January 13, 2014 at 11:59 AM
Anne of Green Gables...a fav of mine!
Posted by: Susan Kipp | January 13, 2014 at 12:00 PM
Harriet the Spy or Madeline
Posted by: Amelia Boggess | January 13, 2014 at 12:11 PM
Congratulations! How exciting.
My guess is The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Posted by: Sarah McGuire | January 13, 2014 at 12:12 PM
The Little Prince
Posted by: Jennifer Kay | January 13, 2014 at 12:16 PM
I'll guess Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Posted by: Danyelle | January 13, 2014 at 12:16 PM
I'm putting in a vote for Harriet the Spy. It's definitely time for me to re-read that book! I loved it when I was a kid.
Posted by: Lisa Campbell | January 13, 2014 at 12:18 PM
The Giving Tree!
Posted by: Nicole Hannel | January 13, 2014 at 12:18 PM
I remember you saying how much you loved Harriet the Spy when you were in Austin a short time ago, so I'm going to guess that! Whatever it is, that's really exciting!
Posted by: Regan | January 13, 2014 at 12:25 PM
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander is my guess.
Posted by: Heather Hoyt | January 13, 2014 at 12:27 PM
Anne of Green Gables? :)
Posted by: Tiffany Ray | January 13, 2014 at 12:34 PM
Ooh Harriet the Spy!
Posted by: Tiffany Ray | January 13, 2014 at 12:38 PM
I'll try Harriet the Spy
Posted by: Cami | January 13, 2014 at 12:46 PM
Is it The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley? That book will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year.
Posted by: Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard | January 13, 2014 at 12:47 PM
My guess would be Hero and the Crown because that would be sweet.
Posted by: Diana | January 13, 2014 at 12:47 PM
I'll pick a different 1964 book- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
(Harriet the Spy is a fantastic guess- and young girl Shannon is adorable!)
Posted by: SMarie | January 13, 2014 at 12:53 PM
Harriet the Spy. I love that book.
Posted by: Lindsay D | January 13, 2014 at 12:57 PM
It has to be Harriet the Spy, who didn't love that book?
Posted by: Becky | January 13, 2014 at 12:59 PM
Harriet the Spy?! Congratulations on the honor!
Posted by: SBlackburn | January 13, 2014 at 01:01 PM
I'm going to join the most frequent guessers and say Harriet the Spy.
Posted by: Pensrose | January 13, 2014 at 01:05 PM
Harriet the Spy!
Posted by: Stephanie Behling | January 13, 2014 at 01:06 PM
Harriet the Spy or Mansfield Park.
I wish it was Pride and Prejudice, but that had its anniversary a couple years ago...
Posted by: stefani | January 13, 2014 at 01:10 PM
Harriet the Spy!
Posted by: Emily | January 13, 2014 at 01:11 PM
I WANT IT!!! My guess is ... I have no idea. All I read as a kid were the sweet valley twins and boxcar children.
Posted by: Katie | January 13, 2014 at 01:16 PM
I'm going to guess Black Beauty.
Posted by: Dena | January 13, 2014 at 01:20 PM
I'm going to guess, THE DARK IS RISING or the first book, Over Sea, Under Stone.
Posted by: Layne | January 13, 2014 at 01:20 PM
Yeah, that'll be Harriet the Spy. Though if by chance the number generator picks this post, skip it and go to the next because I've already had the chance to read DANGEROUS!
Posted by: Q | January 13, 2014 at 01:21 PM
Harriet The Spy!
Posted by: Holly Thatcher | January 13, 2014 at 01:21 PM
My first guess was Mansfield Park, but I don't think that would be a "little Shannon" book. 2nd guess - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?
Posted by: Susan | January 13, 2014 at 01:23 PM
Not to jump on the bandwagon or anything, but Harriet the Spy seems the logical choice...50th anniversary, girl power story!
Congratulations!
Posted by: Faith E. Hough | January 13, 2014 at 01:25 PM
My first thought was Ramona, because we are of similar ages and those Ramona books are amazing. I actually just re-read most of them, some to my boys, some just for fun.
Posted by: kirsten | January 13, 2014 at 01:25 PM