I'm a little frustrated, because the image Andrew sent me was huge, very hi-res, and beautifully detailed. Blogger won't let me post it at the full resolution, so this is the best we can get. I still think it looks amazing. In case you can't read it, this is what the blurb says:
"Andrew Smith is one of the most courageous and compelling authors I've read. Stick moved me deeply." - Sara Zarr, author of Once Was Lost
I would agree with that, completely. I've only read one of Andrew's books, but I already know he's one of the most honest writers out there, and that certainly does take courage.
I told him that I love this cover. I think the gritty, sort of film grain quality of the image matches his deep and brutal method of telling the truth through fiction. I also love how it contrasts with the birds, and the boy's upraised arms.
Here is the "catalog copy" -
Stark McClellan (“Stick”) hears the world in a different way. He is surrounded by cruelty and ugliness, but holds on to a powerful sense of wonder, faith, and love for his best friend, Emily, and the most important person in Stick’s world -- his older brother, Bosten, who happens to be gay. When the boys’ father throws Bosten out of their home, Stick steals a car and takes off on a three-state odyssey to find and rescue him.
I could go on for a while about Andrew and his books, and there are a lot of other exciting things coming up, like a live action trailer for Stick, but if you just visit Andrew's blog, and follow him, you'll be just in the know as I am.
UPDATE: There are four other blogs hosting Andrew's cover reveal today. You should visit them as well:
Lovely and haunting. I'm really looking forward to this book, both the story and the style.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan after reading The Marbury Lens. I'll read anything he writes! Great cover.
ReplyDeleteI'm tough to please with covers, but this one seems good to me for its intended audience.
ReplyDeleteGreat cover. And it's good he's writing about a male main character. So many are girls. Sounds like a good book. Thanks for sharing. And have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover...sounds like an amazing book. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLike the monochromatic color scheme.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really really great cover. Will check him out. Sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteThat cover is amazing! The story sounds interesting, one I know I'd like. Thanks for the rec!
ReplyDeleteThe cover is powerful, indeed, but nearly as much as what's inside. It certainly fits the tone of the novel.
ReplyDeletewow... this is so beautiful... wow
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely cover - gritty and powerful!! Good luck to Andrew!! Yay!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
I love the cover too. I hope you're planning to post the trailer when it comes out. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for a good cover! This one is really great.
ReplyDeleteI've read only one of his books, too, but I loved his style.
~JD
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm very excited to read this novel! I've read all of Andrew's other work and he does not disappoint.
Thanks for including my blog, Matthew. It is a pleasure to present something so special with very few people.
Amy
It's wonderful to be a part of this reveal with you!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a powerful cover - and sounds great too!
ReplyDeletepretty cool cover, really gives that sense of hope and lonelyness
ReplyDeleteThis cover took my breath away. I totally agree about the grainy quality, and the powerful image of the boy with his arms raised in the air, eyes closed, face raised to the sky. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how a good cover design can make you desperate to read something, even before you know what it's about?
Definitely a cool cover – rim lit and stark, and with his arms up, it's both a gesture of crucifixion and exultation.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to be a part of this as well! I have recommended TML at least 50 times... Can't wait to read Stick!
ReplyDeleteJen
O Blogger and thy resolution issues! The pixel gods are displeased with thee--but not with this cover. To me, it looks like the boy is running a race and throwing his arms out at the finish line. That, or preparing to dive from a high cliff. Whatever the truth of it, it is definitely an arresting visual image and seems to perfectly match the book's content. Thanks for sharing it, Matt.
ReplyDeletegreat looking cover. It sounds like a very intriguing book.
ReplyDeleteSounds like one of those books that really gets you in the heart. I love these type books, and end up thinking about them even years afterward.
ReplyDeleteAngela @ The Bookshelf Muse
I am beyond excited to read this book, as well as all the other Andrew Smith books currently sitting in my pile! Bring on the summer!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I can't wait!! *rocking side to side with excitement*
ReplyDeleteWow. That's all I've got. Just wow.
ReplyDeleteThat is an AMAZING cover, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat! And it sounds like such an interesting story, too. :)
ReplyDeleteWOW-- thank you for introducing me to him today!
ReplyDeleteThat is a pretty sweet cover. Sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThat is a powerful cover. I love Andrew Smith. He is most definitely one of my favorite authors.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED LOVED LOVED The Marbury Lens. See, so much I have to use caps. Andrew is a brilliant writer.
ReplyDeleteThis cover is also gorgeous. It reminds me a lot of the book Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly. So much so, I wonder if they had the same cover artist. It's not a bad thing because I had the same emotional response to Harmonic Feedback as I did to Stick. This cover is lovely and arresting.
Wow! STICK sounds awesome. Looks like I'll be increasing the TBR pile again ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing cover! Thanks for featuring it. I'll have to add it to the pile.
ReplyDeletePowerful and stunning cover, but it's the raw, poignant blurb that seals the deal for me.
ReplyDeleteNiiice! (That's the word high schoolers are using now)
ReplyDeleteTender and raw cover, I love it! Thanks for this, Matt! I'm looking forward to reading!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a powerful cover. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis cover looks great!!! Can't wait to check it out. I love cover and book cover reveals - so exciting! My cover and trailer were just released! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt!
~Melissa
Reflections on Writing
Wow! Even without the high-res, it's a stunning cover. Very moving. Looks like it'll be an emotional read.
ReplyDeleteThis looks really cool. And the low-res makes it look even more gritty! Thanks for the rec! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this - it sounds like an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteIt's a gorgeous cover, and the book sounds fantastic. Thanks, Matt!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sneak peek! Very cool cover. I bet Andrew is quite pleased.
ReplyDeleteShelley
Great cover! Thanks for sharing. And the book concept sounds very interesting.
ReplyDelete