Cover Reveal: Being Fishkill by Ruth Lehrer

Good morning, friends! It’s time for another cover reveal and it’s one that’s close to my heart. Today, I have the immense pleasure of hosting the exclusive cover reveal for debut author, Ruth Lehrer, and her forthcoming young adult release, Being Fishkill. Ruth has long been a kind and generous supporter of both myself and Pop! Goes The Reader, and it means so much to be able to help with such a special step in her journey to publication today. Coming to a bookstore and library near you November 17th, 2017 from Candlewick Press, Being Fishkill tells the story of thirteen-year-old Carmel Fishkill who, with a quick reversal of her name, hopes to reverse her fortunes and her future as well, along with the help of a help of her eccentric new friend, Duck-Duck. The cover of Being Fishkill was designed by Pam Consolazio. Please read on to learn more about this fascinating young adult release, including the exclusive cover reveal and a personal note from the author about the novel’s origins and inspiration, as well as an opportunity for one lucky reader to win an advance reader copy of Being Fishkill.

Several years ago my in-laws in New York were ill. All winter my partner and I spent almost every weekend driving back and forth from western Massachusetts to Queens, NY, up and down the Taconic Parkway. Back and forth, back and forth, passing the Fishkill/Carmel highway exit sign each way. “Carmel Fishkill — wouldn’t that be a funny girl’s name?” I said to Amy. “Uh-huh,” she said.

The first sentence of a book came to me next, and I realized that it was Fishkill’s story. The voices of Fishkill and her friend Duck-Duck were so strong that often it was almost like dictation. I completely knew Fishy and Duck-Duck were real girls walking around on the earth. I wish that happened to me more often when I write! I’m so proud that they will be out in the book world come November.

About Ruth Lehrer

Ruth Lehrer is a writer and sign language interpreter living in western Massachusetts. Her fiction and poetry have been published in journals such as Jubilat, Lilith, and Trivia: Voices of Feminism. She is the author of the poetry chapbook, Tiger Laughs When You Push. Her young adult novel, Being Fishkill, will be published by Candlewick Press in November 2017.

Author Links: Website ● Twitter ● Facebook ● Goodreads

Title Being Fishkill
Author Ruth Lehrer
Pages N/A
Intended Target Audience Young Adult
To Be Published November 17th, 2017 by Candlewick Press
Find It On Goodreads ● Amazon.com ● Chapters ● The Book Depository

Maybe being named for a highway sign off the Taconic State Parkway is a sign itself.




“Passing through, passing by,” Carmel Fishkill was born in the backseat of a moving car, unceremoniously pushed into an unfair world. After thirteen years of poverty, neglect, and verbal abuse, it’s time to fight back. The first step: a new name. Carmel Fishkill becomes Fishkill Carmel. Fish – cold and scaly. Kill – don’t mess-with-me dangerous. 



Fishkill’s fierce new defenses falter upon meeting eccentric and logical optimist, Duck-Duck Farina. The two girls form an intense friendship, and Fishkill enjoys a detour into a world of roasted chicken dinners, home-baked cookies, pink ruffled beds, and a mother-daughter code that speaks of love and forgiveness. When the dream tragically implodes, a fast retreat into anger, grief, and isolation is definitely the easiest, most logical route for someone named Fishkill to take.

Poet Ruth Lehrer’s young adult debut is a stunning, revelatory look at what defines and sustains “family.”

As an extra, exciting bonus, Ruth has been kind enough to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win an advance reader copy of Being Fishkill! This contest is open to residents of the US and Canada and the prize will be distributed once ARCs become available. Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway