Cathy's Book

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Cathy's Book is an Alternate Reality Game book written by Sean Stewart, Jordan Weisman, and Cathy Brigg (illustrator), published September 12, 2006. This interactive book is the first young adult novel of its kind. It includes an evidence packet filled with letters, phone numbers, pictures, and birth certificates, as well as doodles and notes written by Cathy in the page margins.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

The book follows Cathy, a young artistic girl, who is allegedly missing. Supposedly, Cathy left the book for Emma, her best friend, so she can use the clues provided and figure out where Cathy went. The story begins when Cathy is dumped by her boyfriend, Victor. The next morning she notices a strange mark on her arm, but sets it aside as a spider bite. She and Emma later determine that the mark on her arm is in fact a needle mark from a blood test Victor performed on Cathy. While trying to confront Victor about the blood test, she encounters various members of the mythical, immortal, Chinese Eight Ancestors, as well as adventure and mystery. It also includes phone numbers which you can really call and leave a message for Bianca, Cathy, or Victor.

[edit] Recognition

In November of 2006, Cathy's Book debuted at #7 on the New York Times Best Seller list for Children's Books.[1]

[edit] Following

Cathy's Book has a following online of over 1,000 members, on the website http://www.doubletalkwireless.com/. On the website, readers/players discuss their theories about where Cathy ends up after the book, where Victor is, whether Cathy's father is dead or alive, as well as many, many others. Although aimed at an audience of teen girls, the following includes all ages and genders.

[edit] Advertising Ageements

Cathy's Book agreed to include references to the CoverGirl makeup line in exchange for advertising space on the Web site Beinggirl.com.[2] The references were deleted in the novel's paperback version.[3]

[edit] Sequel

Sean Stewart said in an interview that there will be a second book. In the interview, Stewart mentions there being a plot twist. There has been much speculation as to whether this twist would involve Cathy's allegedly-dead father, the mysterious character Jun, or Bianca who is affiliated with Victor in more ways than one. This sequel, entitled Cathy's Key, is scheduled was released in May of 2008.[4]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Children's Books - New York Times
  2. ^ M. Rich, "Product Placement Deals Make Leap From Film to Books," The New York Times, June 12, 2006; L. Petrecca, "Authors strike deals to squeeze in a few brand names," USA Today, September 10, 2006; J. Deam, "Selling a book by its CoverGirl," The Denver Post, September 12, 2006
  3. ^ M. Rich, "In Books for Young, Two Views on Product Placement," The New York Times, February 19, 2008
  4. ^ Sean Stewart . Cathy's Key