Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · 6d

That’s the dream!!! Huge congratulations!

Reposted by Sarah J. Mendonca

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 9d

We're 5 hours into #PreDV and we love the practice pitches we're seeing!
A reminder that today is about more than feedback its about COMMUNITY!!
Make sure you send encouragement to fellow authors and make friends!
#DVpit #writingcommunity #writersky #booksky

a couple of minions standing next to each other with their mouths open .

ALT: a couple of minions standing next to each other with their mouths open .

media.tenor.com

9 55

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · 9d

At Creature Clash we’ll argue about which of our fantastical creatures would win in a series of sillier and funnier competitions. And YOU the audience will determine the winner.

See you at October 11th in the Madison, WI area.

#booksky #kidlit

Creature Clash at Garden Wall Bookshop October 11th

1

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · 16d

I’m working so hard on book 2 of the Encantadora series that I forgot to share the incredible review from The Horn Book! #kidlit #booksky

Review from The Horn Book for An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic

3 10

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Sep 5

There’s a dog in book two! I’m so excited for people to read it.

1 1 1

Reposted by Sarah J. Mendonca

Samantha M Clark @samanthamclark.com · Aug 31

Peanuts agrees that AN ENCANTADORA’S GUIDE TO MONSTROS AND MAGIC is wonderful. 😁🐕🦴 And another part I loved was the Portuguese influence. Reminded me of my Portuguese ancestors. It was fun to see in this adventurous #mg by @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social. You’ll love it. #kidlit

A golden doodle lies on a brown couch on a multi colored quilt next to a hardcover copy of the middle grade novel AN ENCANTADORA’S GUIDE TO MONSTROS AND MAGIC by Sarah J. Mendonca.

1 1 5

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Sep 5

I’m so glad you liked it!

1 1

Reposted by Sarah J. Mendonca

Samantha M Clark @samanthamclark.com · Aug 31

Recent WONDERFUL read: #mg fantasy novel AN ENCANTADORA’S GUIDE TO MONSTROS & MAGIC by @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social. I LOVED this book so much! Fun magic, great characters and a mystery that reminds me of how Terry Pratchett’s book spin metaphors for our real world issues. Highly recommend! #kidlit

Hardcover copy of middle-grade novel AN ENCANTADORA’S GUIDE TO MONSTROS & MAGIC by Sarah J. Mendonca, with a character on the front in front of a fuchsia background. The book is on a hardwood floor and has two white square stickers with an elaborate design and Tea Leaves on one side and two round stickers on the right for slug burns and bookworms.

1 1 2

Reposted by Sarah J. Mendonca

Diane Magras @dianemagras.bsky.social · Aug 18

I had so much fun reading the ARC of @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social's wonderful debut, and gobbled it up yet again when it came out! So it's out, and here's my review. (And librarians and teachers: This is one that will fly off your shelves!) #MGLit #KidLit

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Diane Magras's review of An Encantadora's Guide to Monstros and Magic (Encantadora, #1)

5/5: This is such a delightful book. I was fortunate to read an advance copy, and read it again once it had been published, which felt like a visit to a fascinating friend. It was impossible to put do...

www.goodreads.com

1 1 5

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 15

“…This fantasy heist novel has plenty of Portugese culture as well as a feeling of Tamora Pierce's world of Tortall.”

Thank you for the amazing review! I can’t imagine a higher compliment than being compared to my favorite childhood author!

#kidlit #booksky

Ms. Yingling @msyingling.bsky.social · Jul 15

Need some great culturally connected fantasy titles? Check out my two sentence reviews by @carisavencruz.bsky.social @fsgbooks.bsky.social, Aimee Lim @mackidsbooks.bsky.social, and @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social @harpercollins.bsky.social! msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/2025/07/fant...

4

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 14

Interview Sneak Peak:

What are you working on now?
I’m excitedly working on book 2 of the Encantadora series! I don’t want to spoil too much, but we might be getting a smaller and furrier new member of the crew…

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 14

Giveaway and Author Interview!!!

Head over to the Literary Rambles blog for full details on the Giveaway, and to check out the full conversation.

www.literaryrambles.com

#kidlit #booksky

Snippet of interview with Literary Rambles

1 2

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 9

When the incredible DIANE MAGRAS agreed to read my book and I could barely contain my excitement. She’s the talented author of the Mad Wolf's Daughter books and Secret of the Shadow Beasts. Check them out for your perfect summer reads!

#booksky #kidlit

5

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 8

Thanks to all my friends and family that supported me over the years. You are all rockstars and I cannot wait to celebrate this amazing moment with you!

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 8

Thanks to the amazing middle grade writers group that I met in the Pitch Wars trenches, the wonderful MIDDLE GRADE ESCAPADES, and all the incredible books that paved the way for my book to be published.

1 1

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 8

An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic is out now!

There are so many incredible people that I’d like to thank. Thank you so much to my editor Jen Ung, the incredible cover artist Giovanna Moreira, cover designer Celeste Knudsen, and my literary agent Emily Forney.

#booksky #kidlit

1 3

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 7

It still hasn’t totally sunk in yet. Thank you so much to my incredible editor Jen Ung for all the amazing feedback and support these last few years!

2

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 7

Kirkus loves AN ENCANTADORA’S GUIDE TO MONSTROS AND MAGIC!

Not only did they give my book a ✨STARRED review ✨, but I was the Editor’s Pick in the July 1st issue and featured in the “20 Best July Books for Young Readers.”

#booksky #kidlit

2 6

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 5

Celebrating another bookseller review of AN ENCANTADORA’S GUIDE TO MONSTROS AND MAGIC. Three days to go!

Super grateful for this lovely review from Mara! If you pre-order from Chapter One Books Store, you can fill out the f0rm in my bi0 and get some book swag!

#booksky #kidlit

3

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 2

If you need some summer reads for your TBR check out her newest books “Their Just Desserts” which is for fans of The Great British Baking Show and Clue, and “Ghoul Summer” for those in the mood for something spookier.

#anencantadorasguidetomonstrosandmagic #2025debut #fantasybook #kidlit

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jul 2

I’ll forever be grateful to Tracy for plucking my story out of the Pitch Wars submissions pile and seeing something special in it. That book would eventually become “An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic,” and changed my life in more ways than I can count.

1 2

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jun 26

Sharing another bookseller review of AN ENCANTADORA’S GUIDE TO MONSTROS AND MAGIC. Barely two weeks to go!

Special thanks to Lauren for this incredible review. If you pre-order from Chapterhouse Books, you can fill out the f0rm in my bi0 and get some book swag! #kidlit #booksky

1 2

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jun 25

I am completely over the moon to announce Publishers Weekly gave me a STARRED REVIEW ✨

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that AN ENCANTADORA’S GUIDE TO MONSTROS AND MAGIC would connect so deeply with readers. Thank you so much for the support.

#booksky #kidlit #publishersweekly

4

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jun 24

Two more weeks until AN ENCANTADORA’S GUIDE TO MONSTROS AND MAGIC is out in the world!!!

There’s still time to submit and receive bookswag.

Either pre-0rder from a bookstore or request it at a local library. Then submit via the form in the bi0.

#booksky #kidlit

Pre-order stickers for An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic

1 4

Sarah J. Mendonca @sarahjmendonca.bsky.social · Jun 23

I had the best time at the Hedberg Public Library Book Fest this past weekend. Not only did I teach a class on plotting, I also connected with readers at the book fest. Thank you to the incredible staff for putting this event together. I definitely recommend it to any Wisconsin writers. #booksky

Sarah J. Mendonca at the Hedberg Public Library Book Fest

5