Author and poet Ron Koertge has written over a dozen books for teens, including DEADVILLE, STRAYS, and MARGAUX WITH AN X. In today's guest blog, he reflects on his nearly 30-year writing career, from his rocky start penning novels to his belief in a certain Something that helped him get to where he is today.


Not long ago, somebody pointed out that I was one of the oldest kids’ writers around. I’m not so sure. But I’ll be seventy in April, and there’s no way to call that middle-aged.

Sometimes I walk into a classroom for a school visit, and the students look at each other with a Who’s-the-old-guy? expression on their faces. I don’t blame them. It seems odd to me, too. If my readers are around fifteen, I’m about five times as old as they are.

Polite kids will say, “Gee, you don’t look really old,” and most days I don’t. Not really old. My wife and I walk three or four miles every day. I do a little yoga. I’m fairly careful about what I eat. I have good genes. And you can’t get those at The Gap.

I didn’t start out as a kids’ writer. Not many people from my generation --- men, especially --- did. But I wanted to write. I met people in college and grad school who took writing seriously. So I wrote a novel and eventually got it published when I was around forty.

I thought that was the beginning of a real career. Instead, the next novels were awful.

Unpublishable. I was, in a way, a failure. Then a friend of mine pointed out that I was chronically immature. Why didn’t I write for teenage boys?

So I went to my local library, got out a couple of YA novels, read them and thought, “These are okay, but I’ll bet I can write one just as good.”

So I did. WHERE THE KISSING NEVER STOPS is still one of my faves. It’s very funny and I had a good time writing it. More fun than writing so-called serious fiction.

Twelve or thirteen books later, here I am. How did this happen? For one thing, I’ve been reading and writing poetry nearly all my life, so words and how they sound and how they fit together are important to me. So I actually write pretty well.

For another thing, I believe in Something. Maybe not the same thing that regular churchgoers believe in, but it’s definitely Something. When I was in my thirties and behaving badly, I thought I didn’t believe in anything. That is, I believed in Nothing.

But that wasn’t very satisfying and it sure wasn’t any fun. And things happened that made me see there was Something going on. I’d get the right ideas at the right time. STONER & SPAZ, one of my most popular novels, didn’t have a boy with cerebral palsy in it until Something guided two boys with CP right at me. I told kids in Q & A sessions that I wasn’t a big fan of sequels, but now I’ve written two because I couldn’t resist. One of them is just out: SHAKESPEARE MAKES THE PLAYOFFS, the sequel to SHAKESPEARE BATS CLEANUP.

What’s next? More books, I hope. And a long and happy life. I’ve had my flu shot, so I should be good at least till June.

-- Ron Koertge

Labels: Ron Koertge, Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs

Today's Reader Q&A comes from 13-year-old Katrina Santillan from Los Angeles, CA. Below, she explains why she's so envious of Hermione Granger, lists her top three favorite tear-jerking novels, and describes why movies can never live up to the books on which they're based.


If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?

Hermione Granger. who wouldn't want a day of her life? It's so full of excitement and surprises. You'll never be bored. Plus, she''s smart. It's fun being smart, the best in class (in magic!), and pretty, too. And let's not forget the two cute guy best friends. :)

Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.

1. THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak: The story is amazing. I fell in love with the characters really quickly. Despite the situations they were in, they always found a way to have fun and to entertain themselves. The style of writing only made the whole thing much better. More importantly, the story touched me in a way that I cried so many times reading the book. It's the best!

2. DEAR JOHN by Nicholas Sparks: This is the best romance novel ever! It's not one of those happily-ever-after kind of stories. The book teaches the reader what true love is all about. It's about sacrifices and happiness and being thoughtful. And the ending was just amazing.

3. THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher: The story is really unique. I've read other books in the same genre, but nothing is quite like this. It made me understand what life is about, and how even the little things in life can make a huge difference (good or bad) to a person's emotions. I recommend it to every teenager.

What movies have you seen that were based on books? Did you like the book or film version better? Why?

I've seen a lot of movies based on books. The Harry Potter series, the Twilight Saga, the Series of Unfortunate Events, The Princess Diaries, and Pride and Prejudice, to name a few. I've come to conclusion long ago that no movie version of any book would be better than the book. The book tells you a lot of things that the movie never can, like the character''s thoughts, for example. Also, movies always cut some scenes from the book, and that is just stupid (I think). Sometimes, they remove the best parts of the book thinking that its not really important to the story, but it is. The worst film adaptation of a book is (in my opinion) The Princess Diaries.

Tell us about your favorite book series.

The best series ever written is the Harry Potter series. I'm sure heaps of people think so as well. The story is just brilliant. J. K. Rowling thought of it so well. And I like her writing style too. She put in a lot of time making it as ''realistic'' as it can get because of the amount of description into every book. I especially love the many twists and turns that occurred in the books. They made me cry and laugh more times than I thought I would. It's the best.

Labels: Reader Q and A

Elizabeth Scott is the author of eight young adult novels, including BLOOM, PERFECT YOU, SOMETHING, MAYBE and STEALING HEAVEN. While her latest novel, THE UNWRITTEN RULE, centers on messy love triangles and the difficulties of falling for a guy who's "off limits," she joins us today to talk about a different sort of heartache --- the kind that occurs when you lose your best friend.


If there is one thing that matters in high school --- and for your whole life --- it is friendships.

My latest novel, THE UNWRITTEN RULE, is about a girl, Sarah, who falls for her best friend Brianna’s boyfriend, Ryan, but it’s about more than wrestling with feelings for a guy that you know you shouldn't have. A lot of the book deals with friendship, the kind of lifelong friendship that means the world to you. . .and what happens when you realize that maybe it isn’t what you think it is.

That maybe your best friend isn’t your best friend. Maybe she isn’t even a friend at all.

Friendships are tricky things. You can be sure everything is fine, and that your friendship is going to last forever. . . and it can just end. No explanation, no anything. And it is not easy. In fact, I think losing a friend is worse than losing a boyfriend, especially when it is a friend you’ve had in your life for a long time.

One of the things that Sarah struggles with in THE UNWRITTEN RULE, beyond her feelings for Ryan, is her friendship with Brianna --- how long they’ve been friends, how she understands Brianna in a way no one else does, and what to do when a crack appears in their friendship, not because of Sarah's feelings for Ryan, but because Sarah begins to wonder if maybe Brianna isn’t her best friend after all.

Having a friendship end is incredibly painful and one of the things I hated when I was younger --- and that I still hate now --- is how people say, “Oh, it’ll be okay. You’ll move on, you’ll be fine.”

It is true that you will eventually move on and that you will be fine. But you will also always carry that lost friendship with you. It may not take up all of your heart like it does at first, but it will take part of it.

And that, I think, is something no one ever talks about and that I wish we could --- and would.

What do you do when someone you are friends with decides your friendship is over? How do you deal with it?

For me, it took tears. . . and time. How about you?

-- Elizabeth Scott

Labels: Elizabeth Scott, The Unwritten Rule

This morning, we have two for the price of one, as 17-year-old Katie Smith from Cleburne, TX and 15-year-old Janae Haygood of Milwaukee, WI answer today's edition of the Reader Q&A. Read what they have to say about favorite characters, series, and literary-based movies.


Katie Smith from Cleburne, TX
If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?

Hmm... Max from the Maximum Ride books. 1) I've always wanted to fly, and 2) she's awesome, and can kick butt.

What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?

FIRE by Kristin Cashore. Definitely. It was great.

Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.

Maximum Ride, Fang, and Angel.

Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.

I love Maximum Ride by James Patterson, which is about a girl who is 98% human, 2 % avian; THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins which is set in a futuristic America, and the capitol makes kids compete; and GONE by Michael Grant, during which everyone over the age of 14 disappears. :D

Tell us about your favorite book series.

Hmm... that would be a tough choice. There are too many. :)

****

Janae Haygood of Milwaukee, WI
Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.

I''d invite Zara from NEED because she's like me, plus she''s short like me too. I'd also invite Jace from The City of Glass series, and Edward from Twilight just because I love his character and I think he's really hot!

Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.

It would be GRACELING, NEED, and TORCH RED.

What movies have you seen that were based on books? Did you like the book or film version better? Why?

I've seen Twilight, New Moon, Speak, Pride and Prejudice, Zathura,Underworld and others...

Tell us about your favorite book series.

The City of Glass, the Need series, the Twilight Saga, the True Colors series by Melody Carlson, the Blue Bloods series and the Wicked Lovely series.

Labels: Reader Q and A

Feeling a little bored? Well, the fastest and easiest way to bring a little excitement to your life is to pick up a really great book. This week we have ten buzzworthy releases to share with you, including thrilling new installments of the hit Vampire Diaries, Maximum Ride, and Keys to the Kingdom series; as well as the reality-bending SPLIT, by science fiction author Stefan Petrucha. The love triangle in Elizabeth's Scott's THE UNWRITTEN RULE will certainly spice things up, while the nail-biting historical drama of Moying Li's coming-of-age tale SNOW FALLING IN SPRING promises to inspire and illuminate.


New Releases for March 15th

Hardcover
FANG: A Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Being a kid with wings --- constantly on the run --- has never been easy, and Max and her flock are getting tenser than ever. First, on a trip to Africa, they meet a mysterious billionaire whose intense scrutiny of the flock makes her fear the worst. Then, a cryptic message from a young girl arrives, warning them “The sky will fall.” And as if an impending apocalypse weren’t bad enough, canny birdkid Angel makes a dire prophecy about Max’s soul mate: Fang will be the first to die.

Max’s desperate desire to protect Fang brings the two closer than ever. But can the team weather the storm, or will the turmoil rip them apart for the last time?


New Releases for March 16th

Hardcover

THE BODY FINDER by Kimberly Derting (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the 16-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies --- or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world ... and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer --- and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer…and becoming his prey herself.

LORD SUNDAY by Garth Nix (Scholastic Press)
Seven days. Seven keys. Seven virtues. Seven sins.

In this thrilling conclusion to Garth Nix’s Keys to the Kingdom series, Arthur Penhaligon must complete his quest to save the Kingdom he is heir to...and Arthur’s world.

THE RETURN: Shadow Souls by L. J. Smith (HarperTeen)
On the run…

Elena Gilbert’s love, the vampire Stefan Salvatore, has been captured and imprisoned by demonic spirits who are wreaking havoc in Fell’s Church. While her friends Bonnie and Meredith explore the evil that has taken over their town, Elena goes in search of Stefan.
In order to find him, she entrusts her life to Stefan’s brother, Damon Salvatore, the handsome but deadly vampire who wants Elena, body and soul. Along with her childhood friend Matt, they set out for the slums of the Dark Dimension, where Stefan is being held captive. It is rumored to be a world where vampires and demons roam free, but humans must live enslaved to their supernatural masters…

Elena will stop at nothing to free Stefan. Yet with each passing day the tension between Elena and Damon grows, and she is faced with a terrible decision: Which brother does she really want?
Back in Fell’s Church, Bonnie and Meredith have made some dire discoveries. They hastily try to follow Elena and warn her --- only to be caught up in Elena’s most dangerous adventure yet.

SPLIT by Stefan Petrucha (Walker Books for Young Readers)
Wade Jackson has always felt split, his love for playing and writing music competing with his ambition to do well in school. But when his mother dies, this need for order competes with his desire to leave it all behind. What follows is a split in his consciousness that takes him to two very different worlds.

Told in alternating chapters that together form one cohesive story, SPLIT follows both Wades as they pursue what they think is the correct path. One Wade continues working hard in school, pulling all-nighters to write a computer code he believes will save the world. The other Wade pursues the dream of being a dive-bar singer, pulling all-nighters to party, gamble, and live on the edge. But when these two worlds begin to collide, each Wade will need to find a balance between control and abandon, order and chaos, life missed and life lost, in order to save himself.

THE UNWRITTEN RULE by Elizabeth Scott (Simon Pulse)
Another sweet and funny coming-of-age novel by the author of BLOOM; PERFECT YOU; SOMETHING, MAYBE; and LIVING DEAD GIRL.

VOICES OF DRAGONS by Carrie Vaughn (HarperTeen)
On one side of the border lies the modern world: the internet, homecoming dances, cell phones. On the other side dwell the ancient monsters who spark humanity’s deepest fears: dragons.
Seventeen-year-old Kay Wyatt knows she’s breaking the law by rock climbing near the border, but she’d rather have an adventure than follow the rules. When the dragon Artegal unexpectedly saves her life, the rules are abruptly shattered, and a secret friendship grows between them.
But suspicion and terror are the legacy of human and dragon inter¬actions, and the fragile truce that has maintained peace between the species is unraveling. As tensions mount and battles begin, Kay and Artegal are caught in the middle. Can their friendship change the course of a war?

In her young-adult debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Vaughn presents a distinctly twenty-first-century tale of myths and machines, and an alliance that crosses a seemingly unbridgeable divide.


Paperback
THE SECRET LIFE OF PRINCE CHARMING by Deb Caletti (Simon Pulse)
A thoughtful, funny, and layered teen novel by National Book Award Finalist Deb Caletti.

SNOW FALLING IN SPRING: Coming of Age in China During the Cultural Revolution by Moying Li (Square Fish)
Most people cannot remember when their childhood ended. I, on the other hand, have a crystal-clear memory of that moment. It happened at night in the summer of 1966, when my elementary school headmaster hanged himself.

Moying Li is 12 years old when the Cultural Revolution sweeps across China. Studying at a prestigious language school in Beijing, she seems destined for a promising future. But everything changes when student Red Guards orchestrate brutal assaults, violent public humiliations, and forced confessions throughout the country. After watching her headmasters beaten in public, Moying flees school for the safety of home, only to witness her beloved grandmother denounced, her home ransacked, and her father taken away --- along with this precious books. Struggling to make sense of her crumbling world, she finds sanctuary in literature. But with many schools shut down and most books forbidden, how can she keep her passion for learning alive?

TEEN, INC. by Stefan Petrucha (Walker & Co.)
Ever since his parents were killed by a faulty piece of equipment manufactured by NECorp, 14-year old Jaiden Beale’s family has been the corporation. But after meeting some new friends, he’s confronted with the truth about NECorp and must make the tough decision whether to stay loyal to his “family” or to side with his new friends and the rest of the community.


New Releases for March 18th Hardcover

Hardcover

SHADOW MIRROR by Richie Tankersley Cusick (Speak)
Unsettling. There’s no better word to describe Miranda Barnes’s ability to hear the cries of the dead, feel the wind move her hair when they run by, and --- dare she look into a mirror --- see the reflection of a ghostly woman behind her. There’s only one person to turn to for support: Etienne. As sexy as he is mysterious, Miranda can’t help but be drawn to him. He believes her; he wants to help her. But there’s a secret in Etienne’s past, something Miranda’s on the verge of discovering. As paranormal activity escalates, passion grows, and soon Miranda is caught up in both love…and tragedy.

Labels: New Releases

If your life were a fairy tale, which one would it be?

We recently came across this adorable quiz for LITTLE MISS RED, Robin Palmer's latest novel, which --- like her two previous books CINDY ELLA and GEEK CHARMING --- is a modernized retelling of that classic fable we all grew up hearing. The book follows Sophie Greene, a goody goody who's tired of playing it safe, but can't quite work up the nerve to live her life a little more on the edge. But all that's about to change during a visit to her grandmother's, where she meets (and falls head over heels for) a wolfishly handsome bad boy who's willing to help her shed her squeaky clean image.

Be sure to check out LITTLE MISS RED, and take the quiz below if you've ever been swept off your feet, gone from rags to riches, fallen for a wolf in sheep's clothing, or are just in search of your very own happy ending!

(PS - I'm Red Riding Hood!)

Labels: Fun Stuff, Little Miss Red, Robin Palmer

Taking part in today's Reader Q&A is eighteen-year-old Emily Cross from Bolivar, MO. Check out her responses below, as she raves about THE PRINCESS BRIDE (both the book and the movie), reveals why she *didn't* like TWILIGHT, and discusses her favorite series by Laurie R. King.


If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?

Aouda from AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS by Jules Verne. She was a strong woman surrounded by great characters on the trip of a lifetime. Who wouldn't want to be her? Not to mention, Phileas was a sexy beast.

What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?

TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer. I would not recommend it for a few reasons. The writing was lacking, the plot was weak, and I feel like it is a very unhealthy interpretation of love.

Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.

Westley, Inigo and Fezzik from THE PRINCESS BRIDE by William Goldman. Best. Party. Ever.

Do you have a favorite quote from a book? If so, what is it?

"We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?" -Ray Bradbury, FAHRENHEIT 451

Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.

THE PRINCESS BRIDE by William Goldman is one of those books you can truly read a million times and always notice something new. For me, it captures the feeling of wonder and obsession when you begin to discover great stories as a child.

FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury opened my eyes to a lot of things and instilled in me a deep interest in freedom of speech, thought, and expression.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee is a book I think about on a near daily basis. Everything about it is so human, good and bad.

If you had the opportunity to meet any author (dead or alive), who would you choose to meet, and what three questions would you ask him/her?

I would love to pick Lois Lowry's brain.

1. Do you think the human race can reach a point when they give up war?
2. Who were your literary heroes growing up?
3. How in the world did you master flashbacks inside of flashbacks??

What movies have you seen that were based on books? Did you like the book or film version better? Why?

The Princess Bride by William Goldman: I love the movie. I love the book. All things considered, it''s perfect.

The Green Mile by Stephen King: I felt like the movie did a wonderful job portraying the story.

Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee: All right, this is actually based on a play, but it is my most favorite movie. The acting is great and it was very true to the play.

Tell us about your favorite book series.

The Mary Russell series by Laurie R. King is about a young orphaned woman, named Mary, in the early 1920s who is neighbors with none other than a retired Sherlock Holmes. He takes her under his wing and teaches her the art of detection. It''s a fun series and actually does a good job portraying Holmes.

Labels: Reader Q and A

Despite having just been released yesterday, Swati Avasthi's debut novel, SPLIT, has already garnered much praise and attention for its intense and realistic portrayal of a teenage victim of domestic violence, and his struggles to rebuild his life after escaping from his destructive home. Below, she traces the origins of the book to her personal experiences with families suffering from similar abuse, and describes how she was able to find hope and inspiration from their heartbreaking stories.

And if you haven't already, be sure to check the book trailer for SPLIT, here.


My debut novel, SPLIT, is narrated by 16-year-old Jace Witherspoon, who has just fled 1300 miles after finally hitting his dad back. He hasn’t seen his brother, Christian, in five years. But he shows up on Christian’s doorstep with $3.84 in his pocket, bruises on his face, and a secret. He tries for a clean slate, but can’t really go on living with his secret, unless he deals with all he’s left behind: his mom (who is still trapped with his dad) and his girlfriend --- well, his ex-girlfriend --- Lauren, who just won’t stop emailing him.

Jace’s story grew out of the three years I coordinated a domestic violence legal clinic. I learned a lot of lessons about survival and courage. I was often asked how I could put up with so much sadness and misery, but to me, it was inspiring. Every day, I watched men and women seeking orders of protection bravely come into our office, facing down the devil they knew and opting for the devil they didn’t.

Once, a woman came in with her two kids. She was telling me about a harrowing incident when I stopped her and asked her if she’d like an intern to look after her kids. She wasn’t sure why and when I told her that it might be hard for them to hear about her experience, she told me that they had seen it. It was chilling to think that the two little kids in front of me witnessed this. I wondered who these kids would turn into when their primary role model for manhood was an abuser. The kids, the boy in particular, began to haunt me.

Additionally, I was disturbed by my own response to his mother. Underneath all my sympathy and genuine concern for her, there was a tinge of anger toward her. I wanted her to protect her children, to be a responsible mother. But I was blaming the wrong person. I needed to hold their father accountable.

Domestic violence is typically seen as a women’s issue, but to me, that seems strange. In most cases, the abusers are men. Abusers have the clearest line of sight to ending abuse, to breaking the cycle. Women can escape abuse (though it is very difficult and requires an impressive amount of courage) and go on to a better relationship. But abusers carry their hatred and anger to their next victim.

SPLIT is about what happens after the abuse is over. Jace, who terms himself a Scholar of Fightology, has a lot of Fightology Lessons to unlearn. He needs to find a better way, a way that is not just about survival, but about living.

-- Swati Avasthi

Labels: Split, Swati Avasthi

In the opening of Swati Avasthi's debut novel, SPLIT, main character Jace Witherspoon finds himself in quite the predicament. He's just traveled over a thousand miles with nothing but three bucks in his pocket, a busted-up face, and the hope that the brother he hasn't seen in five years will take him in. You see, Jace is running away from home; specifically, after throwing a few punches of his own, he's running from the father who's abused him his entire life. Now all he wants to do is start over, but the big question is... how?

SPLIT hits bookstore and library shelves today and Swati will be joining us here on the Teenreads blog tomorrow, but in the meantime, check out the book trailer for SPLIT below, and be sure to let us know what you think!

Labels: Book Trailer, Split, Swati Avasthi

In today's Reader Q&A, 16-year-old Audrey Crothers from Virginia Beach, VA talks about her favorite book-based film, shares the two series that got her hooked on fantasy fiction, and reveals the real reason behind wanting to swap shoes with Jessica from Amelia Atwater-Rhodes's DEMON IN MY VIEW.


If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?

I would have to say I'd want to be Jessica from DEMON IN MY VIEW by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. Jessica is unique and courageous. Even when she's staring death in the face, she isn't afraid to fight back. Plus she has a strong and sexy vampire protecting her.

Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.

Jacob Black from the Twilight series; Patch from HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick; and Cabel from WAKE by Lisa McMann.

Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.

I have a lot of books that I would call my favorites, but the first that come to mind are: WHITE FANG by Jack London; AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie; and ALAS, BABYLON by Pat Frank.

What movies have you seen that were based on books? Did you like the book or film version better? Why?

My all-time favorite movie -- that was based on a book -- is THE PRINCESS BRIDE. I don't know how many times I've watched it. I am in love with the movie, as well as the abridged version of the book; both versions are amazing. I saw the movie first, and i really liked the story and the characters. Then, when I read the book, it was able to give me more detail about the storyline that only books can.

Tell us about your favorite book series.

I don't read many book series, but I think there's a tie between the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer and the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson. Ever since reading that type of fiction/fantasy, i cant get my hands on enough books in that genre.

Labels: Reader Q and A

“Powerful.” “Explosive.” “Snappy.” “Breathtaking.” These are just a few of the words that have been used to describe some of the fantastic titles hitting the shelves this week. These books may span all kinds of subject matters and genres --- from sports and family dramas like THE BATBOY and SHAKESPEARE MAKES THE PLAYOFFS, and romances like FLIRTING WITH DISASTER and THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE, to fantasies like THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES and THE SINGING --- but what they all have in common is the sheer excellence to be found between their pages.


New Releases for March 9th

Hardcover
THE BATBOY by Mike Lupica (Philomel Books)
It is every baseball kid’s dream summer job: batboy for your hometown Major League team. Yet for fourteen year-old Brian, the job means more than just the chance to hang around his idols. Baseball was the job his father loved so much, in the end he couldn’t leave it. Yet he could leave his family. Now Brian sees the job as the way to win back his father.

There is no winning back some people, though. Just ask Hank Bishop --- once the most popular player in baseball before he was banned for using steroids. Now he is making his comeback. And an unlikely friendship slowly develops between this man in need of a family and this boy in need of a father.

Mike Lupica, king of the sports novel, delivers his most powerful and kid-friendly to date.

BORDERLINE by Allan Stratton (HarperTeen)
The truth is closing in.

Life’s not easy for Sami Sabiri since his dad stuck him at a private school where he’s the only Muslim kid. But it’s about to get a lot worse.

When Sami catches his father in a lie, he gets suspicious…He’s not the only one. In a whirlwind, the FBI descends on his home, and Sami’s family becomes the center of an international terrorist investigation. Now Sami must fight to keep his world from unraveling.

An explosive thriller ripped from today’s headlines, borderline is the story of a funny, gutsy Muslim-American teen determined to save his father, his family, and his life.

THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES by Carrie Ryan (Delacorte Books for Young Readers)
Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.

HOURGLASS by Claudia Gray (HarperTeen)
Bianca will risk everything to be with Lucas.

After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas take refuge with Black Cross, a fanatical group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at their hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend --- the vampire Balthazar --- hiding is no longer an option.

Soon, Bianca and Lucas are on the run again, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they travel, Bianca can’t escape her destiny.
Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything…but can it survive what’s to come?

KEEP SWEET by Michele Dominguez Greene (Simon Pulse)
Alva Jane has never questioned her parents, never questioned her faith, never questioned her future. She is content with the strict rules that define her life in Pineridge, the walled community where she lives with her father, his seven wives, and her twenty-eight siblings. This is the only world Alva has ever known, and she has never thought to challenge it.
But everything changes when Alva is caught giving her long-time crush an innocent first kiss. Beaten, scorned, and now facing a forced marriage to a violent, fifty-year old man, Alva suddenly realizes how much she has to lose--and how impossible it will be to escape.

POISONED HONEY: A Story of Mary Magdalene by Beatrice Gormley (Knopf Books for Young Readers)
This story begins with Mariamne, a vulnerable girl who knows little of the ways of the world. Much as she wants to be in control of her own destiny, she soon learns she has no such power. She must do as her father and brother see fit, and when tragedy strikes, Mari must marry a man she does not love and enter a household where she is not welcome, for the good of her family.

But she finds a small way to comfort herself when she meets an Egyptian wisewoman who instructs her in the ways of the occult arts. In the spirit world, Mari finds she has power. Here, she really is in control of her fate. But is she? Or is the magic controlling her?

This gripping portrait of one of the most misunderstood and controversial Biblical figures is the story of a young girl’s path through manipulation and possession, madness and healing, to a man who will change the world forever.

SAVING MADDIE by Varian Johnson (Delacorte Books for Young Readers)
Joshua Wynn is a preacher’s son and a “good boy” who always does the right thing. Until Maddie comes back to town. Maddie is the daughter of the former associate pastor of Joshua’s church, and his childhood crush. Now Maddie is all grown up, gorgeous—and troubled. She wears provocative clothes to church, cusses, drinks, and fools around with older men. Joshua’s ears burn just listening to the things she did to get kicked out of boarding school, and her own home.

As time goes on, Josh goes against his parents and his own better instincts to keep Maddie from completely capsizing. Along the way, he begins to question his own rigid understanding of God and whether, as his mother says, a girl like Maddie is beyond redemption. Maddie leads Josh further astray than any girl ever has…but is there a way to reconcile his love for her and his love for his life in the church?

SHAKESPEARE MAKES THE PLAYOFFS by Ron Koertge (Candlewick Press)
Fielding his social life is a bigger challenge for Kevin than hitting a fastball in Ron Koertge’s funny, insightful sequel to SHAKESPEARE BATS CLEANUP.

Fourteen-year-old Kevin Boland has a passion for playing baseball, a knack for writing poetry --- and a cute girlfriend named Mira who’s not much interested in either. But then, Kevin doesn’t exactly share Mira’s new-found fervor for all things green. So when Kevin signs up for open mike night at Bungalow Books and meets Amy, a girl who knows a sonnet from a sestina and can match his emails verse for verse, things start to get sticky. Should he stay with Mira? Or risk spoiling his friendship with Amy by asking her out? Ron Koertge, master of snappy dialogue and a deft poet, offers a fast-paced, sympathetic story that interweaves two narrative voices with humor and warmth.

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson (Dial Books for Young Readers)
Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life --- and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie’s struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.

SOFTWIRE: The Awakening on Orbis 4 by PJ Haarsma (Candlewick)
The sci-fi series careens to a conclusion as JT comes to terms with the startling truth about his destiny on the Rings of Orbis.

Johnny Turnbull now knows that his sister, Ketheria, is the Scion --- a long-awaited being who will bring understanding and healing to the universe. But what about him? As the Scion’s protector and guardian, JT is expected to start training to become a Space Jumper, a mercenary soldier who can jump through time and space. And he’s not happy about it, especially as he promised his girlfriend, Max, he would never take on that dangerous role, which could take him who-knows-how-far away. Can anything --- or any one --- guide Johnny to his true calling? And as new trouble brews on Orbis, will even Space Jumper skills be enough to help JT protect his sister and his friends?

SPLIT by Swati Avasthi (Knopf Books for Young Readers)
Sixteen-Year-Old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father’s fist), $3.84, and a secret.

He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can’t make him forget what he left behind—his mother, who is still trapped with his dad, and his ex-girlfriend, who is keeping his secret.

At least so far.

Worst of all, Jace realizes that if he really wants to move forward, he may first have to do what scares him most: He may have to go back. First-time novelist Swati Avasthi has created a riveting and remarkably nuanced portrait of what happens after. After you’ve said enough, after you’ve run, after you’ve made the split --- how do you begin to live again? Readers won’t be able to put this intense page-turner down.

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR STALKING: The Clique #12, by Lisi Harrison (Poppy/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
The twelfth novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series about Westchester County’s most exclusive private middle school girls.

VINTAGE VERONICA by Erica S. Perl (Knopf Books for Young Readers)
Veronica Walsh is 15, fashion-minded, fat, and friendless. Her summer job in the Consignment Corner section (Employees Only!) of a vintage clothing store is a dream come true. There Veronica can spend her days separating the one-of-a-kind gem garments from the “Dollar-a-Pound” duds, without having to deal with people. But when two outrageous yet charismatic salesgirls befriend her and urge her to spy on and follow the mysterious and awkward stock boy Veronica has nicknamed the Nail, Veronica’s summer takes a turn for the weird. Suddenly, what began as a prank turns into something else entirely. Which means Veronica may have to come out of hiding and follow something even riskier for the first time: her heart.


Paperback

ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL by Nora Raleigh Baskin (Simon & Schuster)
Jason Blake is an autistic 12-year-old living in a neuro-typical world. Most days it’s just a matter of time before something goes wrong. But Jason finds a glimmer of understanding when he comes across PhoenixBird, who posts stories to the same online site as he does.
Jason can be himself when he writes and he thinks that PhoneixBird-her name is Rebecca-could be his first real friend. But as desperate as Jason is to met her, he’s terrified that if they do meet, Rebecca wil only see his autism and not who Jason really is. By acclaimed writer Nora Raleigh Baskin, this is the breathtaking depiction of an autistic boy’s struggles-and a story for anyone who has ever worried about fitting in.

FLIRTING WITH DISASTER by Rhonda Stapleton (Simon Pulse)
Felicity is a total romantic. That’s why she follows her heart --- not the rules --- in her job as a cupid. But when Felicity turns her matchmaking magic on her best friend, Andy, it’s Andy who breaks their golden rule: friends always come first. Andy is so wrapped up in her new guy that she’s ditching everyone else. How can Felicity stop her BFF from letting a BF come between them?

Meanwhile, Felicity decides to get over her crush on Derek by setting him up with someone else --- but in her impulsive haste, she accidentally matches him with the whole school, and now everyone is in love with him. The entire student body is headed toward heartbreak, just weeks before prom. Does Felicity have what it takes to make everyone’s heart happy --- including her own?

HE FORGOT TO SAY GOODBYE by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing)
“I mean, it’s not as if I want a father. I have a father. It’s just that I don’t know who he is or where he is. But I have one.”

Ramiro Lopez and Jake Upthegrove don’t appear to have much in common. Ram lives in the Mexican-American working-class barrio of El Paso called “Dizzy Land.” His brother is sinking into a world of drugs, wreaking havoc in their household. Jake is a rich West Side white boy who has developed a problem managing his anger. An only child, he is a misfit in his mother’s shallow and materialistic world. But Ram and Jake do have one thing in common: they are lost boys who have never met their fathers. This sad fact has left both of them undeniably scarred and obsessed with the men who abandoned them. As Jake and Ram overcome their suspicions of each other, they begin to move away from their loner existences and realize that they are capable of reaching out beyond their wounds and the neighborhoods that they grew up in. Their friendship becomes a healing in a world of hurt.

San Antonio Express-News wrote, “Benjamin Alire Sáenz exquisitely captures the mood and voice of a community, a culture, and a generation”; that is proven again in this beautifully crafted novel.

JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta (HarperTeen)
In this lyrical, absorbing, award-winning novel, nothing is as it seems, and every clue leads to more questions.

At age 11, Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother. At 14, she ran away from boarding school, only to be tracked down and brought back by a mysterious stranger. Now 17, Taylor’s the reluctant leader of her school’s underground community, whose annual territory war with the Townies and visiting Cadets has just begun. This year, though, the Cadets are led by Jonah Griggs, and Taylor can’t avoid his intense gaze for long. To make matters worse, Hannah, the one adult Taylor trusts, has disappeared. But if Taylor can piece together the clues Hannah left behind, the truth she uncovers might not just settle her past, but also change her future.

SCANDAL by Kate Brian (Simon & Schuster)
Kate Brian’s Private series gets even better when Reed returns from her horrific vacation.

THE SINGING: The Fourth Book of Pellinor by Alison Croggon (Candlewick)
In a battle-ravaged land, Maerad, Cadvan, and Hem desperately search for one another as they make their separate journeys. The Black Army is advancing, and all of the Seven Kingdoms are threatened with devastating defeat. Yet in Maerad and Hem lives the secret to the mysterious Singing, and legend holds that if they release the music of Elidhu together, they have the power to defeat the Nameless One. Can brother and sister find each other in time --- and are they strong enough, even reunited --- to defeat the supreme enemy before all is lost?

Labels: New Releases

Think it's possible to decipher aspects of your personality through your eating habits? Or better yet, your writing personality? Below, Y. S. Lee --- author of the new mystery series, The Agency, which centers around a 17-year-old amateur detective in Victorian London --- breaks down some common dinnertime tendencies that can indicate whether you're a plotter, a plunger, or a strategizer.

Also, make sure to check out her "If I Were A Spy..." contest, where three lucky readers can win copies of the series' first installment, A SPY IN THE HOUSE, plus t-shirts and a mystery prize! You can read more about the giveaway at Ying's website, here.


Time for a quiz! It’s dinnertime. Your plate holds both foods you like and foods you feel lukewarm about. You start by:

a) Eating the thing you like least, and saving the best for last.
b) Eating your favourite; you’ll deal with the other stuff later, and maybe you’ll be too full to bother with it anyway.
c) Considering how hungry you are, tasting a little of each food in case your position towards it has changed, and planning your meal accordingly.

“Yeah, yeah,” you say. “I thought this was a book blog.” Well, I think your approach to mealtimes says a lot about your writing personality.

If you chose A: you’re a classic plotter. You find the core of your story, tease out the various complications and sub-plots, structure the plot, and do your research up front. You are never surprised by who the villain might be. Your characters never disobey your will; they are your creations, and they take orders from you, General. You have a preferred way of writing --- from beginning to end, perhaps, or key scenes first --- and stick to it. You meet your deadlines. The toughest part of writing for you may be actually getting words on the page, since you’ve already imagined your scenes and relationships so fully.

If you chose B: you’re a carefree plunger. Inspired by a moment, an idea, a line in a song, you dive in and write. When your words flow, they’re a deluge; when you’re blocked, it’s the Gobi Desert. Your plot goes in unexpected directions, some of which are brilliant and some of which just need to be scrapped. Your characters will develop traits, histories, and even sidekicks that come as a surprise to you. You tend to write the best parts first, and find yourself stuck with all the bridges at the end. Your greatest challenge in writing is pulling all your lovely moments into a consistent, coherent whole.

If you chose C: you are a cautious strategizer. It’s refreshing to start anew each time, and you bring few, if any, assumptions to your new project. You spend time weighing the possibilities, and may try a few things before backing away. This is a wonderful way to write, when it works, but it can also be extremely frustrating and time-consuming. Your characters are vivid in your mind, but their motivations might change. The emphasis of the book may change, although your research is unlikely to be wasted. The hardest thing for you is charting your course and sticking to it.

For those of you who’ve read A SPY IN THE HOUSE, can you guess which type of writer I am? And please tell me, because I’m curious: what kind of writer are you?

-- Y. S. Lee

Labels: A Spy in the House, The Agency, Y.S. Lee

Today, 15-year-old John J. from DuBois, PA shares which fun, fictional characters he'd want at his birthday bash, discusses the realistic aspects of David Klass's YOU DON'T KNOW ME and shares a set of amusing quotes from one of the greatest American novels ever written.


If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?

Probably Prince Po from GRACELING. He''s smart, sexy, a fighter, and graced with being able to feel people and read their thoughts about him. And, he''s royalty. What more could you ask for?

What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?

YOU DON'T KNOW ME by David Klass. I would suggest it to anyone. The main character is a perfect representation of what it is to be a teenager: confusing, creative, and explosive. Plus, all of the characters are fun to love (or hate)!

Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.

1. Gemma Doyle (A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY): She's witty, subtle, and one of the best protagonists I've ever read about. A must have for my birthday.
2. Zack (Beautiful Americans): Fun, snarky fashionista. In male form. Enough said.
3. Schuyler Van Alen (Blue Bloods) - A girl with her own style and flair, but is loyal, intelligent, and responsible. Plus, she could get us into all the best NYC clubs!

Do you have a favorite quote from a book? If so, what is it?

Yes, it's from GONE WITH THE WIND. "Well you sir are no gentleman." - Scarlett "And "You are no lady!" - Rhett Butler

Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.

1. GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell: Unbridled passions, a backdrop of one of the most epic events in American history, amazing writing, and characters that play at the most reserved of your emotions. Truly a masterpiece.
2. RAINBOW BOYS by Alex Sanchez: What GEOGRAPHY CLUB started, this book mastered. The characters are all lovable and different, yet honest. It explains the realities of being a gay teenager, and a teenager in general. Should be on anyone''s top reading list.
3. A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY by Libba Bray - Magic, mystery, and Victorian England. Yep. If you don''t want to read it already, well... A teenage girl tries to find herself, when being a lady just isn't her destiny. When her mother is mysteriously killed, she is forced to be shipped off to Spence Academy for Ladies, and discovers magical abilities, things get just a little bit crazy.

If you had the opportunity to meet any author (dead or alive), who would you choose to meet, and what three questions would you ask him/her?

Libba Bray! She''s funny, always writes with a creative and delectable style, and has amazing characterization.

1. How did you come up with your characters?
2. What is your next major project?
3. Is there any hope for the Gemma Doyle Trilogy becoming a quartet?

What movies have you seen that were based on books? Did you like the book or film version better? Why?

Gone With the Wind and Twilight are two that stand out. I loved Gone With the Wind with an equal ferocity, but I preferred the novel version of Twilight to the movie, which was satisfying but not at all worthy of the hype it got. Ditto for the second book in the series as well.

Tell us about your favorite book series.

The series I devoured the fastest recently was the Rainbow Boys series, which combined normal teen problems with a topic that many authors tend to avoid in main characters these days. They were quick, dramatic, and catty. Like Gossip Girl. But with guys. And better writing.

Labels: Reader Q and A

Today, we're joined by Stephen Emond, creator of the comics Emo Boy and Steverino. Below, he reflects on the practice of keeping a journal --- online or otherwise --- and discusses how it inspired his debut novel for young adults, HAPPYFACE.


I’ve always been interested in the idea of self-expression. I’m rather shy by nature and never was one to speak out or draw attention to myself, so I think my piles of art and writing are my way of communicating with the world. In my debut YA novel HAPPYFACE, the main character similarly writes and draws in his own journal, expressing all the things he hides in person. The dichotomy of Happyface as he is with his friends, how he comes off in his emails and online conversations, and how he is in his own journal was really interesting to me.

Back in 2004 --- well before the days of Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and sliced bread --- I had just signed up for my very own LiveJournal account. Complete strangers were becoming my LiveJournal friends. A lot of them were teenagers who picked up a copy of my comic book Emo Boy and added me to see what I had to say. Likewise, it was interesting for me to see what they had to say. You see, before the facebooks and the twitters, people would write these long rambling diatribes on LiveJournal; what they did, what they’re doing, what they plan to do, how they feel about it. Some of them were intensely personal and I felt a little guilty reading them. But this was their self-expression; it was the same thing I did with all my projects, just a little more direct. I always wondered if any of them had writing aspirations, if they save these ideas, or if it’s just an outlet and that’s that. And are they that open in their offline lives?

My LiveJournal never got very personal. I keep sketchbooks, which is about as close to a diary as I’ve ever come. I have boxes full of my old sketchbooks, which contain superhero drawings, pencil renderings, drawings of girls, and autobiographical comics. Some drawings were silly; some were mimicking my cartooning idols. A lot of them weren’t very good. As the years moved on my sketchbooks were filling more and more with my writing; there were ideas for stories, character names, town names, bits of dialogue, jokes. My current sketchbooks are nearly full of writing (though I still prefer to use unlined paper). I have pages set aside for movie ideas, book ideas, comic books, stand up routines, sketch comedy stuff. Memories. I try to just store it all up --- if I think it, it’s worth writing down. I guess the idea is that it’s all potentially usable, somewhere, sometime.

I used a lot of my jokes and gags working on a newspaper comic strip that never took off. My comic strip “STEVERINO” was me pouring my lonely heart out, a sad comic about a naïve lovelorn boy. I barely hid myself in the work; it was my way of saying all the things I was too shy to say aloud. I used a lot of life experience and how I felt as a teen in writing Emo Boy. But here I obscured myself a bit more, concentrating more on outlandish concepts and story arcs.

I thought about the LiveJournalists while writing HAPPYFACE and tried to fuse that honesty and emotion, that rawness, with what I’d always known, my sketchbooks. So Happyface’s journal is a diary, but it’s also where he draws and expresses all of his ideas. He talks about his experiences and feelings but he also draws what he can’t talk about. He jots down little throwaway gags in the margins. He adapts his experiences into short story ideas. I even pulled in the social media idea a bit and have him using email and instant message conversations as part of his own self-expression.
It’s something that would be kind of cool to catch on, I think --- just a puddle of self-expression in its purest forms. I could see a “SketchJournal” site, maybe, where a creative community would write and draw, sing and dance, post music and videos and share all their thoughts and feelings with whoever is willing to watch, read and listen. Just credit me if you build it.

-- Stephen Emond

Labels: Happyface, Steve Emond

Today's Reader Q&A participant is 16-year-old Lindsee from Hampton, GA. Below, she talks about her current obsession with Alyson Noel's Immortals series and credits the Twilight books for jump-starting her interest in reading.


If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?

My current obsession is with the Immortals series, so I would chose Ever... even though she goes through a lot of situations!

What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?

BLUE MOON! Yes!! I''m on the third book of the Immortals series now, and I finished the second one in two days! It's great!

Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.

Damen, Ever, and... oh yeah! Wanda!!

Do you have a favorite quote from a book? If so, what is it?

"You are my life now."

Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.

1) THE HOST! 2) The Immortals series! (I can''t choose just one.) 3) Well the Twilight Saga, since that''s what got me really into reading as much as I do.

If you had the opportunity to meet any author (dead or alive), who would you choose to meet, and what three questions would you ask him/her?

Wow... Alyson Noel. I would ask where she got her brilliant ideas! What does she think of when she thinks of Summerland? How does she do it?!?!

What movies have you seen that were based on books? Did you like the book or film version better? Why?

Twilight and New Moon --- definitely the books! They are written in such detail. I get the feeling so much better, and it sticks with me all day (:

Tell us about your favorite book series.
The Immortals is amazing! Go read it. Now. (: (:

Labels: Reader Q and A