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TEENREADS.COM
NEWSLETTER
AOL Keyword: The Book Bag
Teenreads.com
April 5, 2001
Dear
Reader,
Haven't we heard just about
enough from Ms. Sarah Brennan? Every week, it's all about her. Well, move over Wild Irish
Rose, this week is going to be all about me, Lucy Burns (of Play Ball, the best
baseball feature of all time, fame) --- and Chris Crutcher, YA
novelist extraordinaire whose new book, WHALE TALK just came out.
Actually, you should know that it was all my idea to have a Crutcher Books
Giveaway on Teenreads, NOT Ms. Brennan's --- though knowing her, she'll probably take
all the credit.
Now, you might expect me to be hostile towards Ms. Brennan or to start some sort of dis
war, since this week she saw fit to make an unkind remark about my sister Serena and I in
her New And Newish
In Paperback feature. But I am above any childish acts of retaliation. Let her say
whatever she wants. But if I were you, Ms. Brennan, I'd sleep with one eye open.
That's pretty much all I have for this week because, unlike Ms. "Can't afford therapy
so I use the newsletter to shrink my own head" Brennan, I don't need to blather on
endlessly about every little thing in my life. (Oops...I forgot about my promise not to
stoop to childish retaliations. Oh well.)
Think I, Lucy Burns, am the true Teenreads.com queen? Write to Sarah and tell her that: Babyswingster@aol.com.
THREE'S COMPANY...
Guess Sarah is not the only
one out there who's spent some quality time vacationing in third-wheel hell. Does this
make her feel any less bitter about her singlehood? Hmm, no. Not really. But that's
certainly not your fault, my sweet and perfect Teenreaders...
Now, let's see what you guys had to say for yourselves... (For the record, there
were more submissions but, alas, they were unfit to print...feisty teens, the bunch
of you!)
"Last year my friend invited me to go to this really cool rodeo with her and her
boyfriend for her birthday. I thought it would be fun, plus she was my best friend and I
couldn't say no to her. We met her boyfriend there and all she wanted to do was talk to
him. She ignored me the whole time! And worse than that, she walked off with him and it
took me forever to find them! It was horrible!" --- Tigger013186
"Oh, I know exactly how you feel. Being the third wheel is like one of the worst
things. My good friend has had a boyfriend since her freshman year of high school and she
doesn't have much time to hang out with me anymore. And whenever I do see her, she's with
her boyfriend and I can't really talk about personal stuff with him around. And they
always kiss and hug and all that...and I'm like standing there wondering if is it always
going to be like this."
--- PARLER 99
NEW THIS
WEEK...
Win Free Chris Crutcher Books!!!
If you've already had the good
fortune to read IRONMAN, STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES,
or anything else by Chris
Crutcher, no doubt you are a fan. If not, now is your time to check out this author.
This week we're giving away Crutcher's new book WHALE TALK and two other
titles. Just answer three quick questions and you are automatically entered to win. Now
that you are bursting at the seams with eager anticipation, I suggest you check out the
Crutcher contest. I SAID GO!!
Teenreads.com
Chats With...
Chris Crutcher,
author of WHALE TALK
Teenreads.com writer Kelly Milner Halls chats with Chris Crutcher about
surviving high school, the trends of today and yester-year, and the teenager secretly
living in his head.
WHALE TALK by Chris
Crutcher
T. J. Jones --- a wise-cracking, socially-conscious rebel --- decides to teach the
"cool" kids of his school a lesson by heading up a varsity swim team comprised
of the same kids who are picked last for every team in gym, who have never been seen near
the weight room or the track, and who are the last people you would imagine wearing your
high school letter jackets.
Play
Ball...
For those in the athletic dark, this week marks the start of baseball season. Now, you
might not have any interest in the game --- which is a real shame because oh lordy that
Derek Jeter is something special --- but you should definitely give some of these baseball-inspired books
the ol' college try.
This book was one of the Teenreads.com
Top Ten Books of 2000. For more about it, check out our review, excerpt, and bio of the author.
"I just finished a
book called GO ASK ALICE -- it's by a girl who was on drugs while she wrote this diary
(it's her real diary). She runs away and it explains all her feelings and emotions. It's
one of those books that makes you see how bad drugs can go. I suggest you read this book
today."
New
And Newish In Paperback...
Sometimes you just don't feel like throwing down $20 for a book...therein lies the beauty
of the paperback. So, in celebration of the under appreciated softcover, Teenreads.com is
bringing you reviews of eight great new (and newish)
paperbacks.
Written In
The Stars...
Why have an astrology column on a book review site? Why not?! Frankly, Teenreads.com
strongly believes that more books should be bought through the guidance of the heavens.
Now go check out the books
we've selected for Aries.
More
Reviews...
DREAMCATCHER by Stephen
King
King's latest horror thriller promises to do for walks in the woods and hunting lodges in
Maine what IT did for clowns, CARRIE did for proms, MISERY did for nurses. Be afraid...be
very afraid.
TROY by Adele Geras
Troy, at war with the Greeks for over 10 years, is a city imprisoned within its own walls.
Each day the men go out to fight --- and their women are left wondering if they will ever
see them alive again.
CRACKS by Sheila Kohler
There are secrets hidden in every sentence of this haunting and harrowing story of a group
of former classmates reunited after several decades under mysterious and sinister
circumstances.
GIRL IN BLUE by Ann
Rinaldi
Sarah is determined to live her own life. Her father, however, has other ideas. But before
he can enforce his will, Sarah disguises herself as a boy and joins the Union Army in its
fight against the Confederacy.
STILL
GOING STRONG...
Memoirs, Memoirs
Everywhere...But Which Ones Do You Read
Teenreads.com picked the four memoirs we thought you'd most enjoy. Go check them out
Rewriting Her-Story
March was Women's History Month, and in celebration Teenreads.com's most unabashed
feminist has compiled a list of thought-provoking books written for women, by women.
Music Makes The
People Come Together
Be reminded that music is, was, and always will be important to youth culture with our
round-up of music-inspired books.
LIFE IS A MOVIE STARRING
YOU by Jennifur Brandt
Founder and editor of the popular 'zine Pesky Meddling Girls, Jennifur has
collected all her best beauty, decorating and crush tips in one swank volume. Also, check
out our interview with Jennifur
Brandt.
GIRL TALK by Julia
Baggott
A young woman reflects on her fifteenth summer, when the complexities of life created a
new level of understanding with her mother.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING by
Dennis Foon
Kip will never lose his love of gambling, but he decides to put his college education to
use and become a stockbroker. Will he make it?
TEEN ASTROLOGY: The
Ultimate Guide To Making Your Life Your Own by M. J. Abadie
All the tools you'll ever need to decipher the heavens and their effect on you and your
buds, 'rents and crushes.
RECENTLY
REVIEWED...
IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN
BRAVE NEW GIRL by Louisa Luna
DOVE SONG by Kristine L.
Franklin
GRAVEYARD GIRL by Wendy B. Lewis
READERS
RECOMMEND...
"I just finished reading TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee in school. It was about
this girl in the 1950's that was dealing with prejudice and ethics (doing the right thing
no matter what). She's a tomboy, but her life is exciting. I thought it was a great book,
and that a lot of teens would really like it!"
ENTER
THE 2001 CLAUDIA ANN SEAMAN POETRY AWARD CONTEST...
Established in 1983 by the Seaman family in memory of their daughter and
sister, Claudia, this contest is open to all aspiring young poets in grades 9 through 12.
The winner is awarded a $500 cash prize and the chance to have his/her poem published in
the literary magazine Hanging Loose. Interested? Go check out the contest guidelines.
OUR MESSAGE BOARDS ARE FEELING IGNORED...
The Message Boards
are a venue for teens across the nation to swap thoughts on topics like Favorite Authors, What
You're Reading, or post your Original Poetry
and Short Stories Now go boost the boards'
self-esteem and post on them!
Have a great week, guys! And remember, if you have any suggestions on how we can improve
the Newsletter or Teenreads.com, or if you just want to say hello, write to: Babyswingster@aol.com.
--- Lucy Burns for Teenreads.com
Talkback@Teenreads.com.
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