Spooky Season Giveaway Featuring The Weirn Books, Vol. 2: The Ghost and the Stolen Dragon by Svetlana Chmakova

Graphic novelist extraordinaire Svetlana Chmakova returns to the Nightschool with the latest installment in her middle grade graphic novel series for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

THE WEIRN BOOKS, VOL. 2: THE GHOST AND THE STOLEN DRAGON
By Svetlana Chmakova

Beloved illustrator and critically-acclaimed graphic novelist Svetlana Chmakova returns with the second installment in her graphic novel fantasy series for middle grade readers: The Weirn Books, Vol. 2: The Ghost and the Stolen Dragon (JY, an imprint of Yen Press | October 15, 2024 | Ages 8-12). In the Night Realm, shifters, vampires, weirns (a particular kind of witch), and other night things passing for human may prowl the streets, but school is still in session—and you still have to do your homework!

In The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods (released June 2020), Ailis and Na’ya are pretty average students, but when a shadow starts looming and a classmate gets all weird, they’re the first to notice. It gets personal, though, when Na’ya’s little brother D’esh disappears. To get him back, she has no choice but to confront the secrets of the forbidden mansion in the Silent Woods!

Just in time for Halloween, The Weirn Books, Vol. 2: The Ghost and the Stolen Dragon takes readers back to Chmakova’s supernatural world full of magic, adventure, and… dragons! After her terrible adventures in the Silent Woods, Na’ya’s world seems to have returned to normal… that is, except for the nightmares that keep haunting her. What she needs is the power to protect everyone, and she has the perfect solution—she’ll turn into a dragon, once and for all! With help from Ailis and Jasper, everything seems to be going according to plan. But what’s that dark shadow slithering around the spell-casting range?

School Library Journal hailed The Weirn Books, Vol. 1 as a “sweet, not-too-scary coming-of-age story that feels like a young read-alike to Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” while Publishers Weekly praised Chmakova’s signature art style: “Classic manga visuals enrich Chmakova’s charming, full-color art: sweeping magic amid serene concentration, shadows accentuating fear-inspiring retorts from authority figures, and facial contortions add humor to life-and-death stakes… Chmakova smartly keeps the focus on family, friendship, and the relatable struggles of fitting in.”

About the Author
Svetlana Chmakova was born and raised in Russia until the age of 16, when her family emigrated to Canada. She is an internationally published, award-winning author and illustrator, with more than 10 published books and her work translated into over 13 languages. Svetlana has drawn and written for animation, how-to-draw books, toy designs, and most of all, comics and manga. Her full-length manga/comics series include the fan-favorite romantic comedy Dramacon, the award-winning urban fantasy Nightschool: The Weirn Books, and the hit Berrybrook Middle School series, as well as the manga adaptation of the New York Times bestselling Witch & Wizard by James Patterson. She graduated from Sheridan College with a three-year Classical Animation Diploma, and was a Master Comics Artist-in-Residence at Atlantic Center for The Arts. Find her online at www.svetlania.com.

Praise for Svetlana Chmakova

“Chmakova maintains her signature anime-influenced style, as seen in the “Berrybrook Middle School” series, and adds a touch of whimsy through visual worldbuilding around the eerie, desolate woods… VERDICT Relationships take center stage in this sweet, not-too-scary coming-of-age story that feels like a young read-alike to Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

—School Library Journal (The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods)

“Classic manga visuals enrich Chmakova’s charming, full-color art: sweeping magic amid serene concentration, shadows accentuating fear-inspiring retorts from authority figures, and facial contortions add humor to life-and-death stakes… Chmakova smartly keeps the focus on family, friendship, and the relatable struggles of fitting in.” 

—Publishers Weekly (The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods)

“Felicity’s humorous, colloquial, first-person narration rings true, from her passion for gaming to her sibling rivalry to her volatile middle school relationships. With its use of emphatic text, exaggerated gestures and facial expressions, a muted color palette, and rapidly changing visual perspectives, the graphic format proves ideal for anime fan Felicity’s tale of self-acceptance, friendship, and family. Lively, engaging, perfectly pitched tween drama.”

—Kirkus Reviews (Enemies)

“The dynamic panels offer readers an engaging experience, as the illustrations play with the pacing and sequencing of events… With a wide range of diverse characters, the author also challenges traditional gender norms. VERDICT This graphic novel, which will appeal to Chmakova’s many fans, belongs in libraries for pleasure reading.”

—School Library Journal (Enemies)

“Chmakova’s Berrybrook Middle School series are always top graphic novels because they deliver a complex story with multiple moving parts that still feels very authentic to the middle school experience. Enemies greatest strength is how well written it is. All the characters, especially Felicity herself, have excellent traits and development. No one feels one-dimensional or useless; instead everyone has their own charm and unique personalities.”

—Youth Services Book Review, Laila Carter, Cheltenham Township Library System (Enemies)

“Chmakova really hits all the nails on the head. She created a captivating story with warm and likeable characters (and some characters you really don’t want to like). While the situations are exaggerated for the sake of fiction, it works! There is a diverse cast of characters. The soft color tones and manga style artwork enhance the exciting read.”
 —Good Comics for Kids, a School Library Journal blog (Crush)

“The artwork is magnificent... a surefire hit.” 

—School Library Journal (Brave)

“[Chmakova’s] first middle school grade graphic novel from Yen Press is a funny and heart-felt look at middle school through the eyes of a realistic tween whom readers will love… Awkward is another shining example of kids comics done right. It’s got plenty of heart and soul and is sure to reach new fans who might just find the Awkward adventures of Peppi to feel like their own days at school.”

—Good Comics for Kids, a School Library Journal blog (Awkward)

“[T]old with a clear, believable voice… Chmakova is an adept storyteller… Readers will connect with the relatable, complex characters. VERDICT A superb graphic novel that authentically depicts the naturally awkward adolescent years.”
 —School Library Journal (Awkward)

“In my opinion, Svetlana Chmakova’s Berrybrook Middle School series is the best set of graphic novels for young readers out there… I’m amazed by the in-depth portrait we get of these kids and their social and emotional challenges. These books are beautifully done and rich in feelings and struggles in an authentic way.”

—Good Comics for Kids, a School Library Journal blog (Berrybrook Middle School series)

Awards and Honors

TLA’s 2021 Little Maverick Reading List (The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods)

YALSA’s 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List (Enemies)

TLA’s 2023 Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List (Enemies)

YALSA's 2019 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten (Crush)

Pop Culture Classroom’s 2019 Excellence in Graphic Literature Award in Middle-Grade Fiction (Crush)

ALA’s 2019 Amelia Bloomer List Top Ten (Crush)

Amazon's Best Comics and Graphic Novels of 2018 (Crush)

School Library Journal's Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2018 (Crush)

YALSA’s 2018 Great Graphic Novels for Teens (Brave)

Amazon's Best Comics and Graphic Novels of 2017 (Brave)

ICv2’s Top 10 Kids Graphic Novels of 2017 (Brave)

TLA’s 2018 Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List (Brave)

School Library Journal's Top Ten Kids' Graphic Novels of 2017 (Brave)

2017 Silver Birch Fiction Award Honour Book (Awkward)

2017 Rocky Mountain Book Award Gold Medal Winner (Awkward)

TLA’s 2017 Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List (Awkward)

Maine Student Book Award's 2016-2017 Reading List (Awkward)

YALSA’s 2016 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten (Awkward)

2016 Shuster Awards, The Dragon Award Winner (Awkward)

2016 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics Finalist (Awkward)

2016 Eisner Award nominee (Awkward)

YALSA's Top Ten Graphic Novels for Teens 2016 (Awkward)

School Library Journal’s Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2015 (Awkward)

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award for Grades 6-8 (Awkward)

Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award for 6-8th Grade (Awkward)

YALSA’s 2007 Great Graphic Novels for Teens (Dramacon)

Purchase Links and Book Trailers:

• THE WEIRN BOOKS Main Page: https://yenpress.com/series/the-weirn-books
• Book 1 (with buy links): https://yenpress.com/titles/9781975311223-the-weirn-books-vol-1
• Book 2 (with buy links): https://yenpress.com/titles/9781975311261-the-weirn-books-vol-2
• Vol 1 book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSQnJb8gQe4
• Vol 2 book trailer: https://twitter.com/jyforkids/status/1844838173441966505

Social media:

Author:

Instagram: @svetlana.chmakova
Twitter: @svetlania
Facebook: @Svetlana-Chmakova-250746558664/

Publisher:

Instagram: @yenpress and @JYforKids
Twitter: @yenpress and @JYforKids
Facebook: @yenpress and @JYforKids
Threads: @yenpress and @JYforKids

GIVEAWAY 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

• US only, sponsor will ship directly to winner
• Entry must be received by November 5th
• 1 winner will receive a paperback set of both The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woodsand the newly released The Weirn Books, Vol. 2: The Ghost and the Stolen Dragon, plus an interactive Mystery Potions Kit for Kids! (ARV $45)