Cathy's Book

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.

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.

Recognition

In November 2006, "Cathy's Book" debuted at #7 on the "New York Times" Best Seller list for Children's Books. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/12/books/bestseller/1112bestchildren.html Children's Books - New York Times ] ]

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.

Advertising Agreements

"Cathy's Book" agreed to include references to the CoverGirl makeup line in exchange for advertising space on the Web site [http://www.beinggirl.com/en_US/funzone_watchthis_cathys.jsp?ContentId=GTWT_cathy Beinggirl.com] . [M. Rich, " [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/12/business/media/12book.html?ex=1307764800 Product Placement Deals Make Leap From Film to Books] ," "The New York Times", June 12, 2006; L. Petrecca, " [http://www.usatoday.com/money/advertising/2006-09-10-books-product-placement_x.htm Authors strike deals to squeeze in a few brand names] ," "USA Today", September 10, 2006; J. Deam, " [http://www.denverpost.com/lifestyles/ci_4327316# Selling a book by its CoverGirl] ," "The Denver Post", September 12, 2006] The references were deleted in the novel's paperback version. [M. Rich, " [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/books/19cathy.html?_r=1&oref=slogin In Books for Young, Two Views on Product Placement] ," "The New York Times", February 19, 2008]

Sequel

Sean Stewart said in an [http://www.intellinuts.com/blog/?page_id=200 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. At the start of this book, Cathy is led to believe her father was murdered. This sequel, entitled "Cathy's Key", was released in May 2008. [ [http://www.seanstewart.org/novels/cathyskey/ Sean Stewart . Cathy's Key ] ]

External links

* http://www.cathysbook.com/
* http://www.doubletalkwireless.com/

References