Dorothy’s Derby Chronicles Announces Rise of the Undead Redhead in Bookstores Across the Country

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Dorothy's Derby Chronicles series Book 1 Rise of the Undead Redhead in Stores July 2014

You don’t have to play roller derby to have an independent spirit, and we are thrilled to share it with all girls.

(PRWEB) July 08, 2014

The first roller derby inspired book for tweens has rolled into bookstores across the country. Hitting shelves July 1, 2014, Rise of the Undead Redhead is the first book in the Dorothy’s Derby Chronicles series. Young readers are in for action-packed fun that inspires young girls to be strong, independent, and confident through a roller derby adventure.

A redheaded ball of enthusiastic contradictions, Dorothy Moore has to find her place at her new middle school when her mother leaves her and her sister Sam with Grandma Sally to chase stardom in Nashville. To make matters worse Dorothy’s new home is a creepy funeral home, and her new ride to school is in an old hearse. It’s when Grandma—also known as G-ma—gives Dorothy her first pair of retro roller derby skates that her mismatched team comes together. Dorothy and her new pack—Jade Doe, Booty Vicious, Dinah Mite, Geekzilla, Rolling Thunder and Dee Tension—accidentally smack-talk their way onto the junior roller derby competition schedule and hit the track.

Co-authors Meghan Dougherty and Alece Birnbach were inspired to use roller derby as a platform for adventure and positive lessons in this new book series. Meghan Dougherty discovered those positive traits of the sport when she joined the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls in 2007. Rise of the Undead Redhead was written by Meghan Dougherty with Karen Windness and illustrated by Alece Birnbach.

“There are so many women from 6 to 60 years old across the globe finding empowerment through the sport of roller derby,” said Meghan Dougherty, co-writer and co-creator of Dorothy’s Derby Chronicles. “You don’t have to play roller derby to have an independent spirit, and we are thrilled to share it with all girls.”

“It was so much fun to create such a diverse group of girls for this book,” added illustrator and co-creator Alece Birnbach. “The sport loves every body type, and it was fun to draw all those unique girlish figures.”

Revived in 2003 in Austin, TX, roller derby has persevered since it began in 1922. Today roller derby is the fastest growing sport in the world, with more than 1,500 leagues worldwide.

Booklist Review
What do you get when you mix a potentially haunted roller rink; a pink-haired, hearse-driving grandma; and girl power? A new series: Dorothy’s Derby Chronicles. In this first installment, gothic scenes, creepy language, and clandestine subplots, along with an eclectic roller-derby team, blend easily in a sincere tale of familial love, friendship, and tween crushes. Throughout, the story highlights how roller derby inspires protagonist Dorothy, BFFs Jade and Gigi, and the rest of the team to build confidence, learn individual and collaborative strengths, and, more significantly, discover that it’s OK to be different. After all, Dorothy lives in a converted funeral home and has trouble not falling while off her skates, but according to Grandma Sally, “Normal is overrated!” Noting the diversity on her team, Dorothy observes that the players are “different sizes and colors and ranged from conservative . . . to wild women.” A motivational read that nicely kicks off a spunky new series. — Annie Miller

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Meghan Dougherty owns a local public relations firm, Dougherty Relations, Inc. In 2007 she joined the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls roller derby league as Undertaker’s Daughter, #DOA, and plays with the Sugar Kill Gang. Alece Birnbach is a professional graphic recorder and a nationally recognized illustrator whose images can be found on hundreds of products nationwide. Co-writer Karen Windness is a professional writer and illustrator who lives in Thornton, Colorado. Meghan and Alece both live in Denver, Colorado. Learn more at http://www.dorothysderby.com.

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky ● July 2014 ● ISBN: 9-781-4022-9535-5 ● Trade Paper /$6.99 ● Ages 9-12

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