Review: The Magician's Elephant

I cannot stop raving about The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo. It is a marvelous fantasy story about a boy looking for his sister, a magician who wants to perform a magic trick beyond his best, a young orphan girl and the elephant that brings them all together.

Kate DiCamillo is known for her story telling ability. Just read The Tale of Despereaux or The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and you will be convinced. But The Magician's Elephant, in my opinion, is her best work to date. It is a beautiful story, elegantly told. The illustrations by Yoko Tanaka add a wonderful element to the words.

The Magician's Elephant is first class, all the way.

Dear Big V

Courtney Condon just happens to be the founder of Donuts and Coffee, her high school abstinence club. She swears that she'd never sink as low as making out with a guy. She also writes entries to Big V, her virginity. Then things change when she's asked to write a piece for her paper that involves working with Lance, Mr. Player, and also hottie of her school. Dear Big V addresses issues such as conflict over values with hormones. Told in a zippy fun style, Courtney's decisions and actions will reasonate with you. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Want to win a free copy of Legacy by Tom Sniegoski?

The first five people to leave their answers (with their email addresses and mailing addresses!) at my book blog, Bildungsroman, will get free copies of the book.

It's as simple as that - and that's way simpler than learning how to fly.

Read my review of Legacy.

Last Call!!!

Not to beat a dead horse (which is something I would definitely never do...who makes up these sayings?), but only THREE more days to get in your prize claims for the Prize Bucket. If you earned a book before the end of September by either posting reviews or posting in the forum, I need your picks ASAP! After the end of October, that's it. Finito. End O' The Bucket.

I've still got a list of over 10 people that I know for sure earned books and have not responded...

Leviathan

Enter the alternate world of 1914 Europe, where mechanical machinery is in odds with gentically engineered beasts. Leviathan is a fun, exciting YA steampunk tale where science fiction meets fantasy. Once again Scott Westerfeld has created a fantastic world that will take readers away to imaginative places. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

By the pricking of my thumbs...

Murder, betrayal, blood, and fear. So goes the story of Macbeth, the mad King of Scotland. Many have read his story, seen it preformed on a stage as the drama swept them in. But what of his people, and the side characters who seemingly meant so little? What is their story? What did they see as their beloved Lord Macbeth went mad with power? This is their story.
It is the tale of a traitor's daughter, a scullery maid, a servant, and the sons of nobles. How are these five important to Macbeth's story? Can they see through the darkness of madness, greed, loss, and and betrayal to discover the truth? And who can they trust? Can they get out before it's too late? Or do they even deserve to be saved?

Something wicked this way comes.

I absolutely adored Enter Three Witches. It was dark and enthralling, with a constant underlying mystery that kept me wondering who was trustworthy, and trying to decide who I should like and who I should dislike. The story takes an interesting spin a little over halfway through. It threw me for a loop, and left me begging to find out how it would end. I was initally interested in this book because of my deep love for Shakespeare. Those who have to read Macbeth in school and don't exactly understand the plot, this book might help you understand a little better. And for those who love Shakespeare, Caroline B. Cooney has taken one masterpiece to make another. I HIGHLY suggest this book to anyone with a love of dark plots, romance, and mystery.

Review: Back Creek

The summer after high school graduation is chock full of surprises for Grace. She witnesses Tommy White's fatal boating accident in the creek behind her Tidewater, Virginia home. Her mother leaves to visit Grace's aunt, confined to a mental institution in Williamsburg and doesn't return home. Instead, Grace's long estranged older sister returns to Virginia, appearing at Tommy's funeral. These events will have a profound impact on Grace and her family. Grace's only friend throughout the summer is Cal, a Vietnam veteran who lives on a boat across the creek. Grace and Cal spend many an evening sitting on the dock, sipping a beer.

In Back Creek, Leslie Goetsch has provided us with a fine coming of age story, one that will pull you in and keep you interested from the first to the last page. She has created real characters. She has written an interesting story and her writing style is literary without being overbearing. You can visualize the Tidewater area of Virginia where the story takes place. All in all, Back Creek is a fine read. Go for it.

Review and Author Interview: Surviving the Angel of Death

At the age of 10, Eva Mozes and her twin Miriam were taken away from their home in Romania and sent to Auschwitz. They suffered through a long train journey in which they could not sit or lie down, and there was no food or water given to them. Upon arriving there, Eva’s mother, father, and her two older sisters were pulled in one direction, while Miriam and Eva were identified as twins and pulled in another direction. Read the full review here.

In addition, YABC is pleased to have an interview with Eva Mozes Kor, author of Surviving the Angel of Death. Click here to read about Kor's thoughts on her survival, her life now, and more.

Free Author Visit to a Chicago area school

Find out more here: http://kimberlypauley.com/2009/10/23/free-author-visit/

And please feel free to pass that on!

Review: Open Me Up

Next time you're stumped for conversational tidbits, you may wish you'd checked out the billions of fascinating facts about the human body in Open Me Up, which would enable you to chat about such topics as corpse preservation (plasticized body parts . . .!), "medical" treatments from long ago (skull drilling to relieve a headache, anyone?), and the ways magicians trick us, plus so much more.

Interview with Bob Krech

Bob Krech, author of Rebound, has been interviewed on YABC. Be sure to check it out and find out what his working style's like, who influences him, a bit of writing advice, and much more!

Chat with YA Authors at readergirlz all Teen Read Week long!

All week long, readergirlz is hosting live chats at http://readergirlz.blogspot.com with YA authors in honor of Teen Read Week. We kicked off things last night with a lively chat with Justina Chen Headley, Alyson Noël, and Zoë Marriott. Tonight promises to be just as fantastic, as we welcome Elizabeth Scott and Lynn Weingarten along with readergirlz co-founder Lorie Ann Grover! The complete line-up is as follows:

* Monday, Oct. 19: Beyond Imagination with authors Justina Chen Headley (NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL), Alyson Noël (EVERMORE) and Zoë Marriott (DAUGHTER OF THE FLAMES)
* Tuesday, Oct. 20: Beyond Hardship with rgz diva Lorie Ann Grover (HOLD ME TIGHT), Elizabeth Scott (LIVING DEAD GIRL) and Lynn Weingarten (WHEREVER NINA LIES)
* Wednesday, Oct. 21: Beyond Daily Life with rgz diva Holly Cupala (TELL ME A SECRET), Lisa McMann (WAKE) and Cynthia Leitich Smith (ETERNAL)
* TONIGHT: Thursday, Oct. 22: Beyond Our World with rgz diva Melissa Walker (LOVESTRUCK SUMMER), Cassandra Clare (CITY OF ASHES) and Patrick Ness (THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO)
* Friday, Oct. 23: Into Our Beyond with rgz diva Dia Calhoun (AVIELLE OF RHIA) and pioneering YA sci-fi author Sylvia Engdahl (ENCHANTRESS FROM THE STARS)
It all happens at the rgz forum (http://readergirlz.blogspot.com) beginning at 6 p.m. Pacific Time (9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time), Oct. 19-23.

Read the full rgz TRW press release.

In conjunction with the author chats, readergirlz will be hosting a Teen Read Week Tribute. Anyone who loves YALSA's Teen Read Week is encouraged to let it out on their blog through a post or vlog, then send the link to readergirlz@gmail.com (subject line: entrant's name, TRW Tribute). readergirlz will collect all contributions and post them at the rgz blog in a tribute that will run October 23.

Watch the rgz Teen Read Week trailer at rgz tv: www.youtube.com/readergirlz

The Invisible Order Book One: Rise of the Darklings

Twelve-year-old Emily struggles to support herself and her younger brother Will. One day, while on the way to work, she comes across a faery battle. Then everything changes. Not just for her but all of London too. The Invisible Order is a page turning tale with an assortment of characters that is sure to become a hit. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Review: Marcelo in the Real World

It is difficult enough to function in the 'real world' when your mind works like everyone elses. For Marcelo it is even more difficult. His mind processes verbal and written communication slower and he is very literal in his interpretations. So, when his attorney father, Arturo, makes him work in his law firm's mailroom for the summer, instead of taking care of the horses at the Paterson School where he attends, he is most upset.

Francisco X. Stork's description of this summer in Marcelo in the Real World is thought-provoking and addicting. Naive in the ways of the world, Marcelo experiences friendship and beauty as well as false friendship and the uglier side of business.

Marcelo's 'special interest' in religion ties nicely into the moral dilemmas he faces; dilemmas tough even for someone without a 'cognitive disorder'. Stork's writing is spare but perfect for the characters and stories he is telling. If you don't come away pondering your own real world, I'd be very surprised.

One of this year's Top Ten.

YABC on Facebook --- 2 away from 500 fans!

Okay, I just noticed that YABC is only TWO followers away from 500 on Facebook. When it hits 500, I'll do a giveaway!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Adult-Books-Central-YABC/49509922115

More Winners! (Forest of Hands & Teeth, Ballads of Suburbia, The Devouring...)

Here's a bunch more winners for ya, all from last month's contests:

The Devouring

Liz Jurbina
Rose Roberts
Kara Cardwell
Hailey Miller
Alex Wilson
Rocio Villela
Tara Lannen-Stanton
Tonya Haney
John Washington
Chastity Hale
alyssa bryant
Shelby Marsh
Amanda Thompson
Ashley Barrineau
Leann Swinney

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Janice Gabriel
Taylor Loman
tara johnson
Catherine Kyle
Mary DeBorde

Catching Fire winners were selected by Myra and she's sent out email notification to everyone, so check your email!!

Ballads of Suburbia

Megan Bishop
Kara Cardwell
Ronald Still
Melissa Darwin
Janelle Morarie

Star in the Middle

At age sixteen, Star's life has changed now that she's the mother of a baby boy. She finds it's tough to be a parent and tries to do her best. Wilson, the birthfather, is in denial. Then something happens that brings them together. One is a dark secret that will change both of them. Star in the Middle is a story of teen pregnancy told through both birthparent's point of view. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Shipment going out today!

Here's the shipment that's going out today. I've sent out my last reminder notice to those who have earned a book, so PLEASE get your picks in to me as soon as you can!! The end of October is your deadline!!

The Legend of Vinny Whiskers

Boomerang Lookout is the smallest kit in his litter. Worse, he is named after one of the infamous "Lost Six," a group of prairie dogs who left their home, the Ward, and never returned. When young Boomer decides to venture beyond the Ward, he learns the true story of his namesake. The original Boomerang Look out was the first King of the Tubes, an underground city populated by band of small animals called the Alignment of the Wee. Years earlier when control of the Tubes was passed to the rat Vinny Whiskers, the Wee were betrayed. Vinny opened the Tubes to the rats from the sewers, and the Wee were expelled. Ever since, the Wee have searched for a way to win back their home. When a young prairie dog emerges with a legendary name, a showdown between the Alignment of the Wee and the Rat Nation seems inevitable.

Full of humor, love, and an amazing cast of characters, Vinny Whiskers is a great choice for school teachers and libraries. Check out my full review! Or better yet, check out my interview with Gregory Kemp himself!

Karma For Beginners

Fourteen-year-old Tessa can't believe her hippie wannabe mother is pulling her out of school to live on an ashram. It's bad enough that her mother refuses to speak of her father but to take her to a place where everyone speaks in their own language and worships a guru is too much. Then she meets hot Colin and everything changes. Problem is Collin isn't a member of the ashram and older. Much older. Karma For Beginners shows the struggles Tessa goes through on her own quest for truth. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Review: A Season of Gifts

Richard Peck's A Season of Gifts brings back Grandma Dowdel in some of her finest hours. In the sequel to A Long Way From Chicago and A Year Down Yonder, which takes place in 1958, 12-year-old Bob Burnhart moves from Terre Haute, Indiana to a tiny town in rural Illinois, right next door to Grandma Dowdel. His father is the new local Methodist preacher. It's bad enough moving to a new town, but to be the preacher's son...well, can it get any worse? Yep! His welcome to town is getting dunked in the local crick by a group of bullies and tied upside down in Grandma Dowdel's privy.

Grandma Dowdel is as feisty as ever, sitting in her yard, guarding her pumpkins with her shotgun on her lap. But true to form, her hard exterior surrounds a soft interior as she befriends Bob's 10-year-old sister, Ruth-Ann.

Peck's characters are unique. His writing is descriptive and funny and nobody compares to him when it comes to dreaming up Grandma Dowdel's shenanigans. For a fun-filled read, A Season of Gifts is perfect.

Lots O' Winners

I'm announcing a bunch of winners today from a bunch of different contests. :-) No emails or anything required; the winners have been sent on to the appropriate publisher for sending out! Congrats, all!

20 Boy Summer

Lindsey Kuser
Barbara Rawe
Ed Nemmers
annette anderson
Rachel Connell
Faye Contreras
Megan
Angelica M. Rangel
Sandra Stiles
Marina
Katie Waitman
Annita
zarria james
Darcy Wishard
amanda howard

Special Clique Giveaway

Amy Santos (First Prize)
patricia gambrell
Melissa Darwin


Closed for the Season

Evelyne Gibson
Debra Kidle
Marie Lay
Lori Weaver
Molly Capel
Erica Luckstead
Julie Jones
Stephanie Gromaski
Stephanie Nordkap
Melissa Roberge


Once Was Lost

Chris Hall
Mara Sandroff
Kim Baker
Stephanie Kim
Maegan Langer
Mike Martin
Shannon Hayes
Cari Albarelli
Meg Amos
Claire Wilson
Jasmine Guillory
Sarah Sproul
Mary DeBorde
Madison Walker
Jessica Kirchner


Ash

Jamie Durant
sandy perez
Daniel M
Schneider
Taymiah Mahmood
Laura Woitalla
Lola S.
Katie Butler
Taschima Cullen
Kerrie Walker
Elizabeth Borges
Clara Moskowitz
Katie
Rachel Adams
Sabrina Horande

Anatomy of Wings

Jennifer Homes
Pauline Mendes
ALLI  Shockley
gaby lapus
Asja Proano

Winter's Tail + Writing Contest

I just heard about this, and feel the need to find the book immediately!

Press release from Scholastic:

Enter for a chance to win a visit with Winter the Dolphin at her home in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Tell us who your favorite animal hero is and why?

Winter the Dolphin has been an inspiration and hero for children and adults alike. When Winter was just three months old, she was rescued from a crab trap which had seriously damaged her tail. It wasn’t clear that she would survive but she did. However, the damage to Winter’s tail was so extensive that that it fell off. To everyone’s amazement, a prosthetic company stepped in and fitted Winter with a prosthetic tail. Now Winter is using her new tail and thriving.

We want to hear about an animal that has most inspired you! Tell us about your favorite animal hero in 200 words or less. One grand prize winner and his/her guardian will receive a trip to visit Winter at her home in Clearwater, Florida, one night’s stay at a hotel, $500 travel voucher, a Winter prize pack and a Nintendo DS game system. 10 runner ups will receive a copy of Winter’s Tail, a Winter’s Tail Nintendo DS game and a Winter plush doll! All entries must be received by November 30, 2009. Winners will be announced on or around December 14th. No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of 50 United States and D.C. ages 6–14 as of November 30th 2009. Void where prohibited. For complete contest rules, please visit www.scholastic.com/winterstail.

Please send your entry to the following address:

Scholastic’s Meet Winter the Dolphin Contest
557 Broadway
New York NY 10012

October Giveaway: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (Book #4) !!!

It’s summer vacation, the weather’s great, and all the kids are having fun outside. So where’s Greg Heffley? Inside his house, playing video games with the shades drawn.

Greg, a self-confessed “indoor person,” is living out his ultimate summer fantasy: no responsibilities and no rules. But Greg’s mom has a different vision for an ideal summer . . . one packed with outdoor activities and “family togetherness.”

Whose vision will win out? Or will a new addition to the Heffley family change everything? 

Okay, you KNOW you wanna win this one! YABC has 10 copies of Diary of a Wimpy Kid #4 to give away thanks to the lovely publisher (Abrams). Here's all you have to do to win:

E-mail me at kim@yabookscentral.com with the subject line "Wimpy, Wimpy, Wimpy!" and tell me:

• Your Name
• Your Age (if under 13, I'll also need an email from your parent or guardian stating it is okay for you to accept the prize)
• Your Address
• And the answer to this: What's your idea of the perfect summer vacation?

Contest open to residents of the United States and Canada. Each entry must be the original work of a single individual. Prizes provided by the publisher. Contest runs throughout October 2009. 10 prizes will be awarded. One entry per person, except visitors and/or blog subscribers who follow special instructions for an additional entry (keep an eye out on the blog). Chances of winning depend upon number of entries received. And remember, your answers do count! (i.e. If you don't answer the question...your entry is no good!)
 

YABC is not responsible for and will not consider incomplete or incorrect entries, or emails sent but not received by YABC for any reason, as potential contest winners. YABC and/or the Publisher will mail the contest prize to the address supplied by the recipient of the winner announcement email. In the unlikely event that the specified prize becomes unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, YABC may substitute a prize of like or equal value. YABC reserves the right to alter any rules of any contest at anytime. If you have any questions or complaints about a YABC contest, please contact kim@yabookscentral.com.

 
 

The End of the Prize Bucket & a Special Teacher Giveaway

For those of you who might have missed the original announcement, the end of September 2009 also saw the end of the YABC Prize Bucket and the 15 book reviews = a free book giveaway. I still hate to do it, but there you go.

I do have some good news -- there were quite a few people who had hit 14 reviews, just one short of the 15 requirement at the end of the month. I've emailed them and let them know I'm also giving them a free book in this last round of prizes (though I'll be filling their requests after those of the ones who hit the 15).

Thank you so much to everyone who has participate on the website over the years. Can you believe we've been around for over 10 years now? Wow! I hope to continue seeing all of your great reader reviews in the years to come. You've always got something interesting to say.

Please also make sure you enter the monthly giveaways (they're continuing on!). This month includes a special Cirque du Freak giveaway and a Beautiful Creatures giveaway and a Diary of a Wimpy Kid giveaway as well (I'm about to post that one, so stay tuned).

Now for the extra special good news...

Remember I mentioned that I'd still have a bunch o' books left over after I gave away the final Prize Bucket prizes? I still want to give them away, but I'm planning on doing it in one fell swoop (or possibly two or three or maybe even five, depending on how many books are left). And I want to give it to a teacher for a classroom library. You can either enter for yourself OR enter for your teacher. Here's what you have to do:

1. E-mail me at kim@yabookscentral.com with the subject line: Kick Start a Teacher's Library!
2. Tell me your name and age and (if entering for someone else) your teacher's name and age.
3. Tell me what age range they teach (elementary, middle, high school).
4. Now, tell me why they (or you) deserve to get a big old box full of books

And that's it! Good luck! I'll be accepting entries until the end of October.

Beautiful Creatures Giveaway

Enter to win one of 15 copies of Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

To enter:

E-mail me at kim@yabookscentral.com with the subject line of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES and include the following:

• Your Name
• Your Age (if under 13, I'll need an email from your parent or guardian stating it is okay for you to accept the prize)
• Your Address
• And the answer to this: What does the title "Beautiful Creatures" make you think of?

Contest open to residents of the United States and Canada. Each entry must be the original work of a single individual. Prizes provided by the publisher. Contest runs throughout October 2009. 15 prizes will be awarded. One entry per person, except visitors and/or blog subscribers who follow special instructions for an additional entry (keep an eye out on the blog). Chances of winning depend upon number of entries received. And remember, your answers do count! (i.e. If you don't answer the question...your entry is no good!)

YABC is not responsible for and will not consider incomplete or incorrect entries, or emails sent but not received by YABC for any reason, as potential contest winners. Winners will be contacted at the email address used to enter the contest. YABC and/or the Publisher will mail the contest prize to the address supplied by the recipient of the winner announcement email. Claiming of prizes requires an email response to kim@yabookscentral.com from the winning sender email address within 30 days of being notified of winning at the email address used to enter. Failure to respond shall mean that the winner forfeits the prize and the prize will be placed into the Prize Bucket. In the unlikely event that the specified prize becomes unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, YABC may substitute a prize of like or equal value. YABC reserves the right to alter any rules of any contest at anytime. If you have any questions or complaints about a YABC contest, please contact kim@yabookscentral.com.

Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials

Charlie just wanted a fresh start at her high school. She thought she'd left all the Mean girl drama behind. Wrong. Charlie finds out that the past can follow you and that girls aren't the only mean ones at school. Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials is Rosalind Wiseman's first YA novel and she doesn't disappoint. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Cirque du Freak Special Movie Giveaway!

So, what can you win?

Five (5) winners will receive:

• Cirque du Freak book Set (3 titles in one book)
• Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant Locker Mirror

Important Shipping Guidelines: The Vampire’s Assistant giveaway is open to legal US residents who are at least 13 years of age as of October 1st. Prizing is only available to United States mailing address only. (International readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail.)

Whaddaya need to do to win??

Two things. Just two little things...

1. Vote using the cool widget thing-y below
2. Send an email to me at kim@yabookscentral.com with the subject line "Cirque du Freaking Awesome!" and tell me why YOU should win.

In theaters October 23rd!!

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, based on the popular series of books by Darren Shan, is a fantasy-adventure about a teenager who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.

CIRQUE DU FREAK has been rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned - Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) for sequences of intense supernatural violence and action, disturbing images, thematic elements and some language.







DETAILS ON THE BOOK RELEASE:

THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT and Other Tales from the Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan

New movie edition features the first three books--Cirque Du Freak, The Vampire's Assistant, and Tunnels of Blood-- bound up in one volume!

Do you love to be scared? Then don't miss the terrifying adventure that begins when Darren and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to the CIRQUE DU FREAK, a wonderfully bizarre and creepy freak show. Brace yourself for thrills and chills as the boys witness a parade of grotesque creatures and face their deepest fears by entering the darkest world of the vampire. In the blood-curdling tradition of Anne Rice and Stephen King, CIRQUE DU FREAK will have you shrieking for the next horror show!

Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers

The Navel of the World

Benjamin Holt doesn't spend his spring break like other kids. No, he just found out he has two other brothers and it's his task to find them. Add time travel, special extrasensory gifts, a special school, and Gods and readers will find The Navel of the World a fun tale. Sure to appeal to fans of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

An Interview with Kimberly Pauley

I recently begged ... um ... convinced the YA Book Goddess herself to submit ... um ... agree to an interview. I think you'll find Kimberly Pauley, also the author of SUCKS TO BE ME, is a truly amazing woman (and also the Nicest Person on the Internet).

Here's a glimpse:

When you were younger what did you want to be when you grew up?

Taller.

Seriously. But you probably meant a vocation, right? I kind of always wanted something creative and artsy. Writing was always up there for me. I wrote all the time. I also liked art in general. I still paint some.

How were you like/different from Mina in high school? (Aside from the whole vampire thing. I mean, we hope.)

Mina is a lot better at speaking her mind. Even though she’s always got an inner dialogue going that shows that she’s still insecure like all of us are, she often steps up and says what she thinks or does what she feels is right. I like that she doesn’t cave to pressure. I was a bit more timid about that, though some people might argue the point. And I definitely wasn’t as scrappy as Mina is. I’ve never been in any kind of physical fight (not that I haven’t had people I’d like to punch out).

Read more by clicking here to jump to the full interview at Young Adult Books Central!

Beth Kephart: The Story Song

Through the end of the year, Beth Kephart, our first author-in-residence at readergirlz, will be posting monthly video blogs in which she discusses the art (and the joys, and the frustrations) of writing. Each vlog entry will also serve as a prompt for writing contests. 

Here is the second of Beth's vlog entries, with her written introduction:

"For the second readergirlz contest, I've chosen a topic close to my heart - choreography - and called it The Story Song. I read books to meet new characters, to go new places, and to find out what happens. I also read to learn how the author has chosen to choreograph the narrative. Is it a straightforward telling, or a book that turns round on itself? Does the story speed up and slow down, are there embedded refrains, which themes recur, which details, and why? Watch the video below, then share with me one of your own poems or short (up to ten lines) pieces of writing. Tell me, with your submission, just how you thought about the piece as lyric. What, in other words, was your choreographic strategy?

"Send your entry to kephartblog AT comcast DOT net by October 25th, 2009. The author of the winning paragraph will receive a signed copy of House of Dance, a novel about a young girl who, in taking care of her dying grandfather and learning about the life he once lived, decides to offer him one final gift."

If you can't see the video below, click here.

 

 

 

Positively by Courtney Sheinmel

Positively by Courtney Sheinmel is an important book that stands head and shoulders above its peers. With a very real voice, it captures the important "firsts" of a girl who must move on with life after her mother dies of AIDS complications. Count on an emotional journey, including a powerful scene in chapter seven. Read the review here!