Order The Call to Shakabaz through your favorite bookstore or online bookseller.
For more information about the book and to access the Teacher’s Study Guide, as well as other materials for educators, click here.

Click here to read:  Everyday Practices for Young People Who Want to Help Save the World

Click here to read Articles by Amy Wachspress

Listen to the Author Read Excerpts from the book

Listen to Amy's interview on Book Bites for Kids:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bookbitesforkids

Listen to Bev Smith’s 30-minute interview with Amy on the Bev Smith Show on March 1, 2007. (21 min., 21MB)  (The Bev Smith show is broadcast out of WPGR 1510 AM in Pittsburgh Monday through Friday 7-10PM EST and the show is syndicated to stations nationwide. You can listen in via the internet through WAOK in Atlanta.)

Listen to Mark and Andrea at Just One More Book! in Ontario, Canada talk about their experience reading The Call to Shakabaz aloud as a family with their young daughters.  “Our girls laughed, swooned, quaked and cheered — then happily chirped Satyagraha!”

Listen to Amy's Radio Interview: with Annie Esposito at KZYX Radio (17 min, 16MB)
(music heard on the  KZYX podcast was created by Thomas Raglin Douglass, Jr., aka Nature.  P.O. Box 251, Elk, CA 95432.  nature@mcn.org (707) 877-3811)

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT “THE CALL TO SHAKABAZ”

 “The Call to Shakabaz is a children’s book that is important for everyone to know about. I suggest you buy it and read it together with the whole family.”  -- Bev Smith, nationally syndicated talk radio host

 “This is a book about finding personal strength, in all different forms, and appreciating the talents of others, and the strength in uniting different people, and so much more! I want to buy a copy for everyone I know, regardless of age, race, or sex. It’s part fantasy, part history lesson, part real life—I can’t even describe it!” -- Carrie Spellman, Teens Read Too

 “This midgrade fantasy is perfect for a young reluctant reader. We ranked this excellent book five hearts.” -- Bob Spear, Heartland Reviews

 “First and foremost, The Call to Shakabaz is a highly readable, entertaining fantasy that anyone can enjoy. But beyond that, it fills some important holes in fantasy literature. The four children are African-American and many aspects of African-American culture are integrated into the story. It’s about time that a good fantasy came along featuring characters that African-American children can identify with.” -- Sheila Ruth, Wands and Worlds

 “When I was a child, no one ever wrote about Black children. We were still calling each other whenever a Black person was coming on TV, ‘Nat King Cole gonna be on TV tonight’. Now, 53 and grandmother to a host of children, to them I can read a tale about Black girls and boys who have adventures, rise above their fears, and so help me God, save the whole wide world! I had to wait 53 years before a Black girl could ride the white horse.” -- Jessica Nelson, English teacher, University of San Francisco

 “Highly recommended.” -- James Cox, editor-in-chief, The Midwest Book Review

 “Do you want to read a good adventure book with a great storyline and no violence? If you do, you will want to check out this one. Amy Wachspress has a great imagination. I will definitely read this book again!” -- Brianne Plach (age 9) for Readers Views

“This book is a terrific fantasy book for kids. With the popularity of the Narnia series, The Call to Shakabaz could easily become a favorite for students and teachers. It kept Brianne very enthused about reading.”  -- Brianne’s mother for Readers Views

 “At the Mendocino Book Company reading [of The Call to Shakabaz], my 9-year-old sat captivated as Wachspress read several excerpts. She broke her concentration long enough to lean over to me and whisper ‘Can we get this book?’ – a resounding endorsement for this new work by Amy Wachspress.” -- Dot Brovarney, coordinator, Mendocino LitFest

“The climax of The Call to Shakabaz was especially thrilling. We [Mark and Andrea Blevis and their two daughters] had the absolute time of our life—laughing, crying, glowing and agonizing—during the march on Sissrath. What a wild and wonderful ride!!! We will be giving Shakabaz as gifts this year and we will continue to shout its praises wherever we go. -- Andrea Blevis, Just One More Book (podcasts about children’s books), Ontario, Canada

 “I missed my bus stop by eight stops because I was so engrossed in reading The Call to Shakabaz.” -- Stephanie Vela, children’s books manager, Black Oak Books

“This is a children’s book in the tradition of The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter.” -- Tom Elliott, book review editor, Mensa Bulletin

“I felt like I was right there sharing the adventure. You will love this book.” -- Gabriela Kong, age 14

 “My son who just turned 13 is not a reader but he may be one now. I have never seen him as absorbed in a book as The Call to Shakabaz, which he devoured. He sat for hours reading it and says he is ready for the sequel.” -- Amy Foster, parent (Amazon reviewer)

 “I was just going to quickly review this book for my grandchildren – instead I got hooked! A well-written fantasy, with stress on positive values, and a plot with enough twists and turns to keep you interested.” -- Eleanor Cohen, grandmother (Amazon reviewer)

 “The Call to Shakabaz is full of action and surprises. If you haven’t read the book yet get a copy!!!!” -- Nico Correia, age 12 (Amazon reviewer)

“We just finished reading your novel yesterday and it was a big hit with the students. It strikes me as a Lord of the Rings meets The Fifth Sacred Thing and I enjoyed it as well. My students are thinking that you should be working on the sequel.” -- Timothy McEnry, teacher, Spy Rock Elementary School

 “I just started reading The Call to Shakabaz and I am loving it! I wish I could stay home and read.” -- Rani Saijo, owner, Leaves of Grass Books

 “The vocabulary goofs of Hyacinth in The Call to Shakabaz are some of the best comic relief I’ve ever come across.” -- Dr. Steven Wirth, physician, family practice

 “The Call to Shakabaz is so full of invention and shareable feelings. It’s like an African American Narnia. The characters are really believable. I’ve ordered an extra copy for the Family Learning Institute and one for my sister, who has four grandchildren.” – Dr. James McIntosh, Ph.D., retired English professor, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor

 “How refreshing to read an adventure tale that does not depend on clichéd British medieval imagery!” -- Eris Weaver, librarian (Amazon reviewer)

My Top Six Reasons for Buying Harry Potter 7 at My Local Bookstore

by Amy Wachspress

Amy Wachspress (author of The Call to Shakabaz) and her husband Ron Reed paid full cover price for HP7 at Mendocino Book Company just after midnight on July 21, 2007. (right-click on photo to save)

It is July 21, 2007. At 12:01 this morning, I paid the Mendocino Book Company in Ukiah, California $37.70 for my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. While I know this price puts the book out of reach for many low-income muggle families, our family found a way to include it in our budget this month. Why?

Reason 1. The real magic of Harry Potter.

Trivia question:  How many books were printed in the first printing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (then called “Philosopher’s Stone”)? Answer:  1,000. So how did people find out about it? Word of mouth. And who passed the word? At first, independent booksellers. Then readers (mostly children) and soon after librarians, teachers, parents, everyone; then the advertising mucky-mucks got their paws on it. But it started with little local independent booksellers saying “Psst, hey, little girl, read this.” Without them, who knows where Harry would be today? That’s the real magic behind Harry’s catapult to international fame. Although the mainstream literary industrial complex (B. Kingsolver’s term) produces and promotes many good books, it also lets many good books fall through the cracks. We have our local independent booksellers to thank for peering between those cracks and picking those books up. These independents are literally closing their doors every day because online and big box booksellers are pushing them out of business. It is up to us to keep those doors open for them so that they can keep the doors to a heap of good reading open for us. Our indie bookstores put Harry on the map (and I don’t mean the Marauder’s Map) so we could find him! Don’t you think the least we can do is give them our business?

Reason 2. What goes around comes around.

Frankly, I owe Ann Kilkenny (owner of Mendocino Book Co.). She hosted the successful launch of my children’s fantasy adventure, The Call to Shakabaz, published by a small indie press in January. While Barnes & Noble and Borders won’t so much as nod in my direction (I’m an unknown quantity), small independent bookstores here and there are discovering and hand selling my book and helping get the word out. Booksellers like Stephanie Vela at Black Oak Books in Berkeley (CA), Sharon Wright at Carol’s Books in Sacramento (CA), Bob Spear at the Book Barn in Leavenworth (KS), Susan Sternberg at Alphabet Soup in Lawrenceville (NJ), and St. Helens Bookshop (OR), are making a big difference in my life as a first-time author, and in the lives of my young readers. I’m not a purist. I do shop online. But I also make a conscious effort to buy at Mendocino Book Co., especially something like HP7. It’s the least I can do to show my appreciation to Ann and her staff. My survival and the survival of other new authors like myself depends on her survival and the survival of other indies.

Reason 3. It’s about more than strawberries at the Farmer’s Market.

There’s a lot of talk about community and supporting community by buying local products (also a factor in reducing global warming), but let’s put our money where our mouth is. Our local bookstore owner is a member of our community. She raised her children here. She sells cards and calendars made by local artists. She provides the service of selling tickets for local dance, music, and theater performances. She contributes to the local merchants’ association and she is part of the local economy. Her modest earnings on our purchases do not go to a corporate headquarters outsourced to the Philippines. Ann’s store doesn’t have an upscale gourmet coffee bar, fancy pedestal tables, or pastries for sale; but the store has couches, chairs, and a welcoming atmosphere. While raising my children, I would often say “Meet me at the bookstore.” The staff knew each of them by name and could suggest titles just for them. When we say it takes a village to raise a child, we must remember that part of that village is the local bookstore. So what better place to celebrate the publication of HP7? An online bookseller can’t compete with the face-to-face, warm-and-human event of buying a great book  in person,  or, furthermore, celebrating the launch of that book with friends and acquaintances as part of a larger community. There is no substitute for the village.

Reason 4. Sharing the pie.

Apparently online booksellers will not make a profit on HP7 because of the rock bottom price they have offered. If the online booksellers want to slit their wrists on this one, let them, but you can be sure that someone is making a profit. No matter what price the online booksellers offer, they still have to pay the publisher a fixed amount per book based on the cover price. The publisher and the author are making a profit. I don’t begrudge JK a penny of her millions. She has earned it. If you have read her books then you are probably as confident as I am that she will make good use of the money. But why are we begrudging our local bookstores this sterling opportunity to turn a profit? What other business would you prefer to support? We have a win-win situation here. The consumer gets a terrific product while stimulating the local economy. What’s not to like about it? My only complaint is that the cover price is so high that low-income families can’t afford the book.

Reason 5. Keeping a promise.

I have not heard of a single independent bookstore that leaked one word of HP7 before the street date. In fact, it seems the only leak in the world occurred through Deep Discount, an American online seller. I find it hard to believe that there are those who so desperately need to feel like a know-it-all that they sought and released the book or information about the book before the launch date. In the entire world, this happened only in the U.S. What does that say about our ability to delay gratification? (Shame on the newspapers who cashed in on the leak and printed advance reviews.) At midnight in Ukiah, people of all ages, Republicans and Democrats, children of every ethnicity and many religions (and speaking in more than one language) joined our counterparts throughout the Pacific time zone as we gleefully counted down together for the witching moment when the sealed boxes could be slit open. You know-it-alls missed out on that magic. I honor all the local bookstores, big and small, for keeping a promise and ensuring that those boxes remained sealed until the contractually agreed-upon time.

Reason 6. Sheer delight.

What fun to participate in last night’s book launch celebration! I spent hours in the company of our small community’s beautiful children while they celebrated the publication of a book. Our children, many dressed in costumes or with painted faces, talked heatedly about books with each other and adults, ate the abundant treats provided (many with Harry themes), played games at tables, watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, skateboarded in front of the store, entered contests to win prizes by answering HP-related quiz questions and coloring HP-related pictures, played word games, and filled in word puzzles. Does it get any better than this? And what about today? July 21 should be declared International Reading Day in honor of the brilliant imagination of one woman in Edinburgh and her ability to unite the world for a weekend of peaceful reading. Now there’s magic for you.

In among the crowd of children at our bookstore last night, I saw one particular child whose presence lifted my heart. Let’s call her Sylvia. Last winter, my 15-year-old son told me that Sylvia (also 15) had been diagnosed with cancer and had only a few weeks to live. This news broke my heart, even though I have never spoken to Sylvia or her family. I have watched many children, such as Sylvia, grow up from a distance. I have seen her sing, dance, and act in local children’s performances produced by a performing arts school in town ever since she was four years old. She is the only child of back-to-the-land hippies who spend most of their time on an isolated sheep ranch. I find the thought of these gentle, shy parents losing their only child devastating.

But last night I saw Sylvia at the bookstore. Thin and frail, with a black and red scarf hiding her bald head, she spoke quietly with friends who asked how she was doing and sat down with her to hear her tell them and listened and cared. These children were not afraid to face her or her struggle and to lend their support. When I left the bookstore at 12:20, I was elated not only because I had in my hands the final installment of Harry Potter, but also because Sylvia is still alive. Today I imagine her curled up in bed, reading. Perhaps JK’s complex and deeply felt thoughts on death will comfort and assist her on her difficult journey. Whether or not she wins her battle with cancer (and I hope with all the hope in my heart that she will win), I am grateful that she stayed with us long enough to find out how Harry ends. I could not have bought the knowledge that Sylvia is still alive to read HP7 at an online bookseller. It is part of that community thing. The village. All my reasons aside, just the image of Sylvia reading HP7 all the way to the very last secret revealed was worth the $37.70 I paid for the book at my local, terrific, independent, community bookstore.

--Amy Wachspress, July 21, 2007

Woza!

We founded Woza Books to publish the books that Amy has been writing during the past fifteen years while we were raising our children. We are depending on you to get the word out about us and The Call to Shakabaz so that we can publish more books in the future. For now we are keeping the business in the family so please do not send us your manuscripts or queries. The traditional publishing industry is like the lottery because agents and editors are overwhelmed with submissions on a daily basis. According to Publisher’s Weekly, 300,000 new books are published in the U.S. every year. What a lot of good reading! We recommend “going indie” like we did. We suggest that you read Dan Poynter’s The Self-Publishing Manual. That’s how we got started and you can do it too. Amy Wachspress Ron Reed    "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" --JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Click here for Materials for Teachers

v      One of the top 10 children’s books sold in spring 2007 by Black Oak Books, Berkeley, California

v      Recommended in Marching Orders, the newsletter for the Million Mom March

v      Recommended by online reviewers Book Pleasures, Book Loons, The Taz, and more

v      Recommended by Johanna Cummings, Wild Oak Living, KZYX radio

v      Recommended by Bev Smith of The Bev Smith Show, nationally syndicated

v      Recommended by Just One More Book!

v      Featured on Reader Views book blog and website

v      Featured at Mendocino LitFest, The Solar Living Institute’s Annual SolFest, Sonoma County Book Festival, Just One More Book, Teens Read Too, Book Bites for Kids, and Today’s Author Blog

v      Winner of three national book awards

v      Winner BAIPA 2008 Best Juvenile Fiction Award (and Finalist for Best Interior Book Design 2008)

VISIT AMY ON     HER BLOG AT:

www.viewfromamysworld.blogspot.com

Find archived copies of Amy's 2007 monthly e-zine The Bookaneer at: www.shakabaz.blogspot.com