The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic - now in paperback!
Now it’s up to Persimmony and her new friend Worvil the Worrier to convince all the island’s other quarreling inhabitants—the Rumblebumps, the Leafeaters, and most of all, the stubborn young king—that a giant is sleeping in their midst, and must not be woken.
With dazzling illustrations by the legendary Brett Helquist, Jennifer Trafton’s fantastical debut tells the story of one brave girl's efforts to make an entire island believe the impossible.
Dial Books for Young Readers
Ages 8-11
Available in hardcover and paperback
Click to Buy the Book
Maps, Poisonous Tongues, and Sweet Potato Soup
I was honored to learn that The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic had been named one of four finalists for the 2013 National Homeschool Book Award, which celebrates "great fiction that shines a positive light on what learning outside a traditional classroom looks like." Homeschooling families around the country can sign up to vote on their favorite book, and the website includes activities related to each of the books and suggestions for how to start a book club in your area. I'm so impressed by the creative ideas they've come up with for Mount Majestic . . .
Read the Original Query
The Guide to Literary Agents blog invited me to post my original query letter to my agent Steven Malk of Writers House, along with Steve's reasons for taking me on as a client. It was fun to revisit that letter after six years, and—judging from the outpouring of interest in the blog comments and on Twitter—I was surprised at how many people found my rather unorthodox (I may say a bit crazy) approach inspiring. So here it is: enjoy!
"Framed as an account written by Professor Barnabas Quill, 'Historian of the Island at the Center of Everything,' Trafton's debut is a lively adventure about magical pots, pepper, manners, poison-tongued jumping tortoises, poetic soldiers, and downtrodden yet resilient heroine Persimmony Smudge. . . . Trafton imbues her tale with a delightful sense of fun and fascinating, well-rounded characters—playful wordsmithing and flowing dialogue make this an excellent choice for bedtime read-aloud."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Trafton creates a unique setting with unusual and detailed characters, including the playful Rumblebumps, the polite but dangerous Leafeaters, and the selfish 13-year-old king who has no regard for his subjects. Persimmony’s sense of adventure and determination make her an entertaining heroine."
—School Library Journal (starred review)
"There's a funny, witty read ahead, as we follow Persimmony, who must be lost in a significant way, and then, yes, found, in search of a much more interesting tale under the 'Center of Everything'— literally a sleeping giant—than anyone else knew. . . . A good book for the family to read aloud."
—Chicago Tribune
"The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic is a book just made for a family to share, with enough wit to keep grown-ups amused and enough action to keep kids wanting one more chapter. . . . Clearly, Jennifer Trafton has an affinity for Lewis Carroll's wordplay and Roald Dahl's creatures, most especially his Oompa-Loompas. The island's inhabitants include the swimming, giggling Rumblebumps and the humorless, courteous Leafeaters. Be sure to assign the read-aloud role to someone good at voices."
—Cleveland Plain Dealer
"First-time novelist Trafton uses delicious descriptions and flight-of-fancy words to put Persimmony on the path of a hero’s journey, and the story is filled with characters who make an impression."
—Booklist
"Inhabited by a variety of fanciful creatures and illustrated by Brett Helquist, the artist who brought Lemony Snickett’s A Series of Unfortunate Events to life, this debut novel is a fairy tale in the classical sense, filled with omens, prophecies, twists of fate, and happy endings. Readers looking for the Snickett ironic dystopia won’t find it here. Instead, Jennifer Trafton whips up a fantasy filled with sassy voice and verve, with a satisfying conclusion and a hint of more to come."
—Chapter 16
"With language that trips and dips and twirls and swirls off the tongue, and zings merrily through mind and heart alike, The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic will delight readers young and old. Whimsical, wonder-full, and witty, Jennifer Trafton’s tale of the big, breathing-in ups and the gigantic, breathing-out downs of the extraordinary inhabitants of the Island at the Center of Everything is magical—a buoyant, lively debut and a great read-aloud!"
—Ingrid Law, author of the Newbery Honor winner Savvy
"The book’s bratty child king, magical elements, and eccentric islanders make it a rousing and rewarding adventure."
—AARP's Books for Grandparents
"My favorite writers aren’t just the ones that are telling the truth, but the ones who are telling it beautifully. . . . It reads like a modern day fairy tale, so it felt familiar. But right up to the last chapter I had no idea how the book would end. The book is thick with wonder, from the illustrations to the cover and dust jacket, to the moment when Persimmony first sees the sleeping giant. It’s a great story for read-aloud, for your 8-and-up kids, and even for the grownups. I loved it as much as my 12-year-old did."
—The Rabbit Room
"Fantastic and fun, Trafton's debut is for anyone who loves to let their imagination run loose. (Recommended reading position: on your back with a toy building — such as a Monopoly hotel — balanced on your stomach.)"
—Where the Best Books Are
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Trafton creates a unique setting with unusual and detailed characters, including the playful Rumblebumps, the polite but dangerous Leafeaters, and the selfish 13-year-old king who has no regard for his subjects. Persimmony’s sense of adventure and determination make her an entertaining heroine."
—School Library Journal (starred review)
"There's a funny, witty read ahead, as we follow Persimmony, who must be lost in a significant way, and then, yes, found, in search of a much more interesting tale under the 'Center of Everything'— literally a sleeping giant—than anyone else knew. . . . A good book for the family to read aloud."
—Chicago Tribune
"The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic is a book just made for a family to share, with enough wit to keep grown-ups amused and enough action to keep kids wanting one more chapter. . . . Clearly, Jennifer Trafton has an affinity for Lewis Carroll's wordplay and Roald Dahl's creatures, most especially his Oompa-Loompas. The island's inhabitants include the swimming, giggling Rumblebumps and the humorless, courteous Leafeaters. Be sure to assign the read-aloud role to someone good at voices."
—Cleveland Plain Dealer
"First-time novelist Trafton uses delicious descriptions and flight-of-fancy words to put Persimmony on the path of a hero’s journey, and the story is filled with characters who make an impression."
—Booklist
"Inhabited by a variety of fanciful creatures and illustrated by Brett Helquist, the artist who brought Lemony Snickett’s A Series of Unfortunate Events to life, this debut novel is a fairy tale in the classical sense, filled with omens, prophecies, twists of fate, and happy endings. Readers looking for the Snickett ironic dystopia won’t find it here. Instead, Jennifer Trafton whips up a fantasy filled with sassy voice and verve, with a satisfying conclusion and a hint of more to come."
—Chapter 16
"With language that trips and dips and twirls and swirls off the tongue, and zings merrily through mind and heart alike, The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic will delight readers young and old. Whimsical, wonder-full, and witty, Jennifer Trafton’s tale of the big, breathing-in ups and the gigantic, breathing-out downs of the extraordinary inhabitants of the Island at the Center of Everything is magical—a buoyant, lively debut and a great read-aloud!"
—Ingrid Law, author of the Newbery Honor winner Savvy
"The book’s bratty child king, magical elements, and eccentric islanders make it a rousing and rewarding adventure."
—AARP's Books for Grandparents
"My favorite writers aren’t just the ones that are telling the truth, but the ones who are telling it beautifully. . . . It reads like a modern day fairy tale, so it felt familiar. But right up to the last chapter I had no idea how the book would end. The book is thick with wonder, from the illustrations to the cover and dust jacket, to the moment when Persimmony first sees the sleeping giant. It’s a great story for read-aloud, for your 8-and-up kids, and even for the grownups. I loved it as much as my 12-year-old did."
—The Rabbit Room
"Fantastic and fun, Trafton's debut is for anyone who loves to let their imagination run loose. (Recommended reading position: on your back with a toy building — such as a Monopoly hotel — balanced on your stomach.)"
—Where the Best Books Are