It's a Wonderful Death
Release Date: 10/2015
Sky Pony Press
320 pages
Summary from Goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old RJ always gets what she wants. So when her soul is accidentally collected by a distracted Grim Reaper, somebody in the afterlife better figure out a way to send her back from the dead or heads will roll. But in her quest for mortality, she becomes a pawn in a power struggle between an overzealous archangel and Death Himself. The tribunal presents her with two options: she can remain in the lobby, where souls wait to be processed, until her original lifeline expires, or she can replay three moments in her life in an effort to make choices that will result in a future deemed worthy of being saved. It sounds like a no-brainer. She’ll take a walk down memory lane. How hard can changing her future be?
But with each changing moment, RJ’s life begins to unravel, until this self-proclaimed queen bee is a social pariah. She begins to wonder if walking among the living is worth it if she has to spend the next sixty years as an outcast. Too quickly, RJ finds herself back in limbo, her time on Earth once again up for debate.
RJ is a snarky, unapologetic, almost unredeemable, very real girl. Her story is funny and moving, and teens will easily connect with her plight. Prepare to meet the Grim Reaper, who’s cuter than you’d expect; Hawaiian shirt–wearing Death Himself; Saint Peter (who likes to play Cornhole); and Al, the handler for the three-headed hound that guards the gates of Hell. This cast of characters accompanies RJ through her time in the afterlife and will do their best to gently shove her in the right direction.
But with each changing moment, RJ’s life begins to unravel, until this self-proclaimed queen bee is a social pariah. She begins to wonder if walking among the living is worth it if she has to spend the next sixty years as an outcast. Too quickly, RJ finds herself back in limbo, her time on Earth once again up for debate.
RJ is a snarky, unapologetic, almost unredeemable, very real girl. Her story is funny and moving, and teens will easily connect with her plight. Prepare to meet the Grim Reaper, who’s cuter than you’d expect; Hawaiian shirt–wearing Death Himself; Saint Peter (who likes to play Cornhole); and Al, the handler for the three-headed hound that guards the gates of Hell. This cast of characters accompanies RJ through her time in the afterlife and will do their best to gently shove her in the right direction.
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Early Praise for It's A Wonderful Death
"Fun, Funny and Full of Life" - Kirkus Review
"A snarky joyride of a book with a deep moral core; long after you've finished laughing, you'll still be thinking about RJ's journey and perhaps asking yourself: What defines a life well lived?" - Mike Mullin, author of Ashfall
"It's a Wonderful Death is a wonderful gem. Both snarky and uplifting, it sneaks inside you and makes you smile and cry at the same time."
-Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of Vessel and Drink, Slay, Love
-Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of Vessel and Drink, Slay, Love
"It's A Wonderful Death is a great mix of mirth, myth and metaphysics; I enjoyed it greatly and I'm certain that YA readers will as well."
- Daniel Waters, author of Generation Dead
"Mean Girls meets A Christmas Carol! Smart, sassy, and humorously original with clever world-building and a host of interesting characters, It's a Wonderful Death will have you laughing out loud and rooting for RJ from the first page!"
- Amalie Howard, best-selling author of Bloodspell
- Daniel Waters, author of Generation Dead
"Mean Girls meets A Christmas Carol! Smart, sassy, and humorously original with clever world-building and a host of interesting characters, It's a Wonderful Death will have you laughing out loud and rooting for RJ from the first page!"
- Amalie Howard, best-selling author of Bloodspell
"Just the kind of story I love -- full of snark, heart, and contemplation about the meaning of life! It's a Wonderful Death will get you thinking about what you want to leave behind and how you want to live until then."
- Kristen Lippert-Martin, author of Tabula Rasa
"RJ's witty narrative had me both laughing out loud and weeping into the pages. It's a Wonderful Death is a delightful read that questions the butterfly effect of choices made...and unmade."
- Danielle L. Jensen, author of Stolen Songbird
“You know a story’s going to be good when Death shows up as a surfer! I loved every bit of this funny and heartwarming tale of second chances.”
-Lisa Maxwell, author of Sweet Unrest
About the Author
Sarah J. Schmitt is a K-8 school librarian and Youth Service Professional for Teens at a public library who, in addition to planning a variety of events, enjoys opening up the world of books to reluctant readers. She runs a teen writing program that combines Skype visits from well-known authors and screenwriters and critique group style feedback.
Prior to immersing herself in the world of the written word, Sarah earned her Masters of Science in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from Indiana University where she worked with first year college students as they acclimated to college life. Sarah lives outside of Indianapolis with her husband, two kidlets and a cat who might actually be a secret agent. She is an active member of SCBWI, ALA and the Indiana Library Federation and is a regular participant at the Midwest Writer's Workshop. Her debut novel, IT'S A WONDERFUL DEATH, comes out Fall 2015 from Sky Pony Press.
Prior to immersing herself in the world of the written word, Sarah earned her Masters of Science in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from Indiana University where she worked with first year college students as they acclimated to college life. Sarah lives outside of Indianapolis with her husband, two kidlets and a cat who might actually be a secret agent. She is an active member of SCBWI, ALA and the Indiana Library Federation and is a regular participant at the Midwest Writer's Workshop. Her debut novel, IT'S A WONDERFUL DEATH, comes out Fall 2015 from Sky Pony Press.
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Fall 2015 Reads
This fall is obviously a crazy busy time for me, but there
are a few books coming out in this season that I am absolutely going to read
before the end of the year. Narrowing this list has been an almost impossible
challenge, but I’m pretty happy with my selections
August Debut: THE CREEPING by Alexandra Sirowy Why? I don’t
know what it is, but I am so in the mood for scary stories and this one is a
great way to kick it off!
August “veteran” Author: LAIR OF DREAMS by Libba Bray Why?
Um, well first of all, it’s the sequel to THE DIVINERS and second of all… it’s
Libba (freaking) Bray.
September Middle Grade: THE PIRATE CODE by Heidi Schulz Why?
I am obsessed with Jocelyn and her adventures on the high seas!
September Debut: THE FIX by Natasha Sinel Why? I’ve been
looking for a good, deep contemporary and I think this one might just fit the
bill!
September “veteran” Author: DUMPLIN’ by Julie Murphy Why? I
started reading the ARC on my way back from BEA and feel in love with the main
character. Committee reading requirements got in the way and I had to put it on
the back burner but when it showed up in my OwlCrate box, I was so stoked!
October Middle Grade: THE SWORD OF SUMMER by Rick Riordan
Why? This is another one of those “because it’s {insert name of author} that’s
why.
October YA Debut: ROMANCING THE DARK IN THE CITY OF LIGHT by
Ann Jacobus Why? This book just sounds amazing and it comes out on the same day
of IT’S A WONDERFUL DEATH so I have to show some love for my girl Ann.
October “veteran” Author: THE ROSE SOCIETY by Marie Lu. Why?
I loved THE YOUNG ELITES and can’t wait to see what happens next.
November Debut: RULES OF 50/50 CHANCES by Kate McGovern Why?
I have a good friend who may or may not have the gene for Huntingtons and I
want to see how the author handles this timely subject.
November “veteran” Author: WINTER by Marissa Meyer Why?
Okay, this is a two-fer because I have not had a chance to read CRESS yet, but
I love this series and want to see more!
December Debut: THE YEAR OF LIGHTNING by Ryan Dalton Why?
This book just has be so curious. I love a good lightning book.
There you have it. My list of must-reads this fall. And if
you don’t see your most anticipated book on this list, leave a comment and tell
me what else I should be reading. I need more ideas!
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