LizB offers a wonderful rec of The Order of the Poison Oak by Brent Hartinger (HarperCollins, 2005)(see June 10 post).
I particularly agree with her assertion: “Now all we need — because I’m the demanding sort — are GLBT teen books that are fantasy. And science fiction. And mystery.”
It also hit me that I’ve been neglecting to mention the book in my recent lists of my 2005 recs because I read the ARC in 2004.
“Once you become a novelist, it helps if you can remain philosophical about things like poverty, rejection, and celebrity picture books.”
– Author David Lubar from suite101.com
On writing: Writing is the act of writing, not the bound product. Focus on the craft, on the process, on the journey.
On representation: Having a great agent is better than having no agent.
Boy Proof by Cecil Castellucci (Candlewick, 2005). Victoria insists on being called “Egg” in honor of her favorite sci fi heroine, pushes herself to be just as superheroic, and distances from peers, especially boys, who might try to define her in their terms. But she can’t accomplish her goals–as a photographer, a scholar, even as a Vampire and Bat Wing apprentice–without reaching out and opening up to the real-world people around her.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Cecil Castellucci on Boy Proof »
On the childrens-writer list serv through yahoogroups, a member asked about the meanings of style and voice as well as what editors mean by the expression “fresh voice.”
This is from my response:
In an interview for my site, author Kathi Appelt (Miss LadyBird’s Wildflowers: How A First Lady Changed America) said: “Calling on voice is in some ways like calling on the muse.
NEW YORK – Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books announced today that Notes On a Near-Life Experience by Olivia Birdsall, has been selected as the winner of the 2005 Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young Adult Novel. Birdsall’s heartwarming novel was selected from more than 600 entries, a record number of submissions for the annual contest.
Continue Reading Delacorte Prize Goes To Olivia Birdsall’s Notes On A Near-Life Experience »
On spookycyn, I’m blogging today in response to a 2004 Washington Post article about the character Jake Ryan from “Sixteen Candles.”
I’ve been trying to think of YA lit heroes that fall even vaguely into the same category. Dishy, destined, and determined to help solve your problems.
I came up with only one: Gabriel from Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause (Delacorte,
From a young reader, Jessica in Wisconsin, I received a letter yesterday telling me how much she enjoyed reading my short story collection, Indian Shoes (HarperCollins, 2002)(ages 7-up), and asking “Why doesn’t Ray ever go to school?”
From my reply:
Ray does go to school but none of the short stories focus on his time there.
I’m incredibly busy with my final edits as well as prepping for my novel-writing workshop and upcoming talks. As in swamped. Buried. But loving it.
That said, if you’ve emailed me lately and not gotten a response, it’s probably because I had my spam filter on too high. Please try again.
Cynsational News & Links
Author Pooja Makhijani presents a wonderful new resource: South Asia and the South Asian diaspora in children’s literature: an annotated bibliography.
To me, “summer reading” suggests relatively light, fun, hopefully funny books. Sort of like summer movies. Not necesarily “fluff” or “beach reads,” but simply stories that lift your spirits.
True story: The summer before third grade, back when I was “Cindy Lou,” I won the summer reading contest at the Mid-Continent Public Library of Grandview,
It Is The Wind by Ferida Wolff, illustrated by James Ransome (HarperCollins, 2005). What has caused the noise in the night? Is it the owl, the gate, the swing? What is it, really? In perfect poetry, a young boy in his farmhouse bedroom wonders, worries, and then sleeps reassured. Ages 4-up.
More Thoughts on It Is The Wind
Now I can sleep better,
Continue Reading It Is The Wind by Ferida Wolf, illustrated by James Ransome »