Harmonic Feedback

Sixteen-year-old Drea is passionate about her music. She doesn't have many friends. It doesn't help when her mother tells everyone she has 'issues' and a slight touch of Asbergers. On their latest move, Drea runs into two other outsiders. Should she open up to them? She fears that if they know the 'truth', they will treat her different.


Harmonic Feedback is filled with music, friendships, and being true to yourself. It also gives us a real and honest heroine who's journey will stay with you long after you close the book.

unREQUIRED READING Book Tour

I just learned about the unREQUIRED READING Book Tour from one of my wonderful website clients, Kristen Tracy, who is one of six authors participating in this nationwide tour. I hope some of you are able to attend the events.

unREQUIRED READING Book Tour
featuring six authors: Kristen Tracy, Brent Crawford, Stacey Kade, Daniel Waters, Elizabeth Rudnick, Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin. Please note which authors are scheduled to appear at each of the following events:
- June 18th: Davis Kidd, Memphis, TN (Waters, Rudnick, Franklin, and Halpin)
- June 18th: Keplers, Menlo Park, CA (Tracy, Kade, and Crawford)
- June 19th: Books & Books, Coral Gabels, FL (Waters, Rudnick, Franklin, and Halpin)
- June 21st: Pudd'nHead Books, Webster Groves, MO (Tracy, Kade, and Crawford)
- June 21st: Little Shop of Stories, Atlanta, GA (Waters, Rudnick, Franklin, and Halpin)
- June 22nd: Anderson's, Chicago, IL (all authors)
- June 23rd: Watermark Books, Wichita, KS (all authors)
- June 24th: Books of Wonder, New York, NY (all authors)
- June 25th: Reception at American Libraries Association Convention, Washington, DC (all authors)
- June 26th: Politics & Prose, Washington, DC (all authors)

Learn more about Kristen Tracy's brand-new YA novel, A Field Guide for Heartbreakers.

Review: The Vinyl Princess

The Vinyl Princess by debut novelist Yvonne Prinz is primarily about music...and life. Allie, 17, is a music buff, but it's got to be the old vinyl LPs, not today's CDs or downloads. She's been working at Bob and Bob's Record Store for two years. She's also got issues: (i) she's not a fashionista like her best friend Kit, (ii) she doesn't have a boyfriend, although she's fantasizing about some guy who comes into Bob and Bob's, (iii) her mom is thinking about dating again and (iv) her dad just told her that his young girlfriend, Kee-Kee, is pregnant. That's definitely enough to keep her busy.

On top of all that, there's been a rash of store robberies on Bob and Bob's block. Allie thinks it's those well dressed guys hanging out across the street near the fancy car. They just don't fit in.

The Vinyl Princess is just a great, fun read. You're going to love Allie and Kit and all the other characcters. I especially liked Shorty and Jam, two cross dressing drunks, who dress in wedding dresses one day and feather boas the next. There's a list of music that can't be beat. For a happy, put-a-smile-on-your-face book, The Vinyl Princess is the book for you.

Morpheus Road The Light

Marsh Seaver can't wait for summer break. He has lots of plans that involve his best friend Cooper. Problem is Cooper is now hanging with another tougher crowd. Marsh is bummed. Then he starts hearing things and is convinced he might be haunted. He can't explained it until he comes face to face with the gravedigger, a creature of his own imagination. Marsh has no idea why he's being tormented until Cooper goes missing. Now it's up to Marsh and Sydney, Cooper's sister, to find out the truth. Morpheus Road is a suspenseful tale that keeps building until the final revelation. Read more of my review at YABC.

Review: tales of the MADMAN underground

tales of the MADMAN underground by John Barnes is not your normal book. It's about and narrated by Karl Shoemaker, who, for one year, his senior year in high school, wants to be normal. But the cards are stacked against him. He's a member of the Madmen Underground, a name the members gave their therapy group. They've been together since middle school.

They each have problems at home which has caused problems within themselves. They drink, they fight, they get locked out of their houses. But, they are friends 'til the bitter end and they'll do anything for each other.

So, join Karl and his best friend Paul, Darla who converses with her stuffed rabbit Mr. Babbitt, Squid, Cheryl, newcomer Marti, Danny and Bonny on what will be an eye-opening, fun, hopeful story. You will not forget these characters and this book.

The Bad Queen Rules and Instructions for Marie-Antoinette

History books portray Queen Marie-Antoinette as a selfish ruler who told the starving French people to eat cake. Carolyn Meyer does a great job of fleshing out a royal, showing us someone who missed her Austrian home and hated all the rules that were expected of her. The Bad Queen Rules and Instructions of Marie-Antoinette shows readers a flesh and blood woman, who ignored the rules expected of her at a terrible cost. If you love historical fiction, this book is for you. Read more of my review at YABC.

The Jaguar Stones Middleworld

Fourteen-year-old Max Murphy loves his video games. He's also looking forward to an Italian vacation with his parents. Then his parent's cancel the trip to go on a dig in Central America. Max isn't too happy. Later, he's summoned to San Xavier only to find his parents are missing. Along with the help of Lola, a spirited Mayan girl, he goes on an adventure that will take him right into the secret world of the Maya. The Jaguar Stones is one fast paced ride with twists and turns that will keep you holding on. Read more of my review at YABC.

Big News: YABC's New Leader!

Hi Everyone!

I've got some exciting news for you today. MG Buehrlen will be taking over as the new site owner of YA Books Central. You may already know her from Twitter or from her PluggedInParents website and I know you're going to love her.

You can find out more about Mandy at the About This Site page on YABC.

While I am sad to be letting my "baby" go, it's been a long run. I created the site back in 1998 and now, twelve years later, it's time for me to move on and concentrate on my writing (and The Max, who's now 2 and into everything). I still hope to periodically contribute to the site with reviews and I'll be helping Mandy out as we transition everything over, so I won't just be disappearing.

You can also always find me on Twitter or on Facebook or at my official author website: www.kimberlypauley.com. 

Thank you for some wonderful memories and for being there all of these years. I've literally watched readers grow up with the site and I will never, ever forget any of you. You've all touched my life in so many ways.

Read on!

STILL SUCKS TO BE ME Review

I am such a huge fan of Kimberly Pauley in general that’s it’s difficult for me to be unbiased when it comes to her work.

But anyone who read SUCKS TO BE ME and loved it will agree that her humor, wit, and ability to tell a vampire story (that’s really a coming of age story) continues to be dead on excellent in her follow-up, STILL SUCKS TO BE ME.

Mina still has the same pitch-perfect snarky voice she did in SUCKS TO BE ME.  We get plenty of chances to witness it thanks to the Vampire Relocation Agency, who have made her dad her “brother” and her mom her “sister in law”.  When Mina reads that the VRA is going to move her family to L.A., she has high hopes for her new vampire life.

Except she’s not moving to to-die-for Los Angeles L.A. - land of the rich and famous  – she’s moving to LA as in Louisiana. (And not somewhere cool like New Orleans. But to the country. Where there are cows. And cow poop.) Now Mina wonders if turning undead was a good choice after all.

STILL SUCKS TO BE ME comes with a new cast of crazy characters, including the cute and undead Cameron, who Mina can’t help but notice (especially since her boyfriend George is on a personal pilgrimage to Brazil).  There’s also Grady, whose tag-a-long sort of girlfriend, Kacie, is way scarier than any vamp Mina’s ever come across.

Add to this the stalking of Mina’s BFF Serena (by Talon wannabe Raven?), her Uncle Mortie and his usual shenanigans, her dad’s new boss, Dr. Musty, and his questionable activities and a tiara - and then sit back for one entertaining read that really will make you laugh out loud.

Five of Five Stars

Highly Recommended

Do the Write Thing for Nashville: YABC's auction!

If you haven't been following the INCREDIBLE auctions over at Do the Write Thing for Nashville, you really, really should be! Besides my own auction (which I think ends today), YABC has also offered up two 3-month advertising spots. So go bid!

St. Anne Institute Book Drive

From author Eric Luper:

St. Anne Institute Book Drive

St. Anne's is a residential and therapeutic facility for at-risk girls ages 12 to 18 from all over New York State. It has been in operation since 1887. [ . . . ] If you are an editor, an agent, a publishing bigwig, a published author, an aspiring writer, or simply a concerned citizen, please consider donating whatever you can.

There are a few ways you can help:

1) If you have books on-hand and would like to ship them, please contact me via my webpage. [Eric] will forward you the mailing address and you can ship boxes by media mail.

2) If you'd rather donate books by phone, [Eric has] made arrangements with The Little Book House, an independent bookseller in Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany. You can drop by the store or call in and order a book at (518) 437-0101. They have a wishlist from the teachers, librarians and students and you can select something from the list. They've even agreed to offer a 20% discount for books slated for St. Anne's!

Princess For Hire

Magical rouge, tiaras, and exotic locations. Sounds like a fun job, right? Desi Bascomb longs for some glamour in her Idaho life. Then one day a woman steps out of an iridescent bubble and asks if she'd like to take on such an assignment. Desi has a rare magical ability. When she applies some "Royal Rouge" she can transform into the exact look-alike of any princess who needs her help. But the transformation is only temporary. What should Desi do? Princess for Hire is one of those stories that's sure to make you smile. Read more of my review at YABC.

Judy Moody Movie

One of my favorite contemporary book series for children is becoming a film! Here's the press release:

Media contact: Laura Rivas
Assistant Director of Marketing, Publicity, and Events
617-588-4445; laura.rivas@candlewick.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUDY MOODY MOVIE
BASED ON CHILDREN’S BOOK SERIES
COMING TO THEATERS SOON

Somerville, MA (May 6, 2010) – Candlewick Press is thrilled to announce that a Judy Moody movie is coming from Smokewood Entertainment, the Oscar-nominated production company behind the acclaimed film “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.” John Schultz (“Aliens in the Attic”) will direct the film. Kathy Waugh and Megan McDonald wrote the screenplay, based upon the characters in the wildly popular and award-winning Judy Moody children’s book series by McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, and published by Candlewick Press. Candlewick will also publish a Judy Moody movie tie-in program in Spring 2011.

The project commences production in August and is being packaged by Creative Artists Agency. Smokewood principals Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness will produce, with Bobbi Sue Luther and Andrew Sugerman executive producing.

Says Candlewick President and Publisher Karen Lotz , "We are mega-Moody thrilled that Judy's hop to the big screen will be with Smokewood Entertainment and their incredible roster of talent. Double R-A-R-E!"

“As a family that reads and loves the Judy Moody book series, it became very apparent to us that they would make wonderful family films,” said Siegel-Magness. “Our company, Smokewood Entertainment, intends to make films with a positive message for a variety of audiences, and the adventures of independent Judy and her family and friends are a perfect vehicle for that.”

Candlewick’s movie tie-in publishing program will feature a select number of titles, including paperback original Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer written by McDonald, based on the screenplay by Waugh and McDonald. Also coming as part of the movie tie-in program will be the full-color hardback Judy Moody Goes Hollywood .

The Judy Moody book series has more than 12 million books in print worldwide and has been translated into 23 languages. Currently there are eight titles in this fun and funny middle-grade fiction series starring the feisty and independent-minded third-grader; plus a series starring Judy Moody’s younger brother, Stink; and two full-color adventures co-starring Judy and Stink. A new hardcover Judy Moody book - Judy Moody, Girl Detective – will go on-sale August 10, 2010.

McDonald is the author of the Judy Moody series, the Stink series, the Sisters Club books, and numerous other titles including picture books and easy readers. She lives in Sebastopol, California. Reynolds is the illustrator of the Judy Moody and Stink books and the author-illustrator of The Dot, Ish, So Few of Me, The North Star, and Rose’s Garden. He lives in Dedham, Massachusetts .

Candlewick Press is an independent, employee-owned publisher based in Somerville, MA. Candlewick publishes outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages; including books by award-winning authors Kate DiCamillo, Laura Amy Schlitz, and M. T. Anderson; the widely acclaimed 'Ologies and Judy Moody series; and favorites such as the Where's Waldo and Maisy books. Candlewick's parent company is Walker Books Ltd., of London, England, with additional offices in Sydney, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand.

Do the Write Thing for Nashville

Many of you may not know this, but our own Myra McEntire lives in the Nashville area. Actually, a number or our reviewers are from Tennessee. If you haven't seen it on the news (the coverage has been spotty at best), the area has been hit with devastating floods. Lives have been lost, many are without homes, and they are running short on clean water.

This is a call out to both writers/editors/agents/etc. as well as to readers and anyone else who would like to help. Please check out Do the Write Thing for Nashville.

Thank you!

The Smell of Old Lady Perfume

Chela can't wait to start the sixth grade with her best friend Nora. Then tragedy strikes her family when her beloved father has a stroke. Her grandmother moves in and her overpowering scent fills the house. Chela tries to make sense of all this while later battling the nasty girls at school and staying true to herself. The Smell of Old Lady Perfume is a sweet coming of age story that rings true. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Donations for Teen Summer Reading Program

This just in from Terri Clark, YA librarian and novelist:

Hi everyone - The kids in my area have a little over 5 weeks until they are out for the summer and that means it's nearly time for the Teen Summer Reading Program. Many of you authors generously donated autographed books and promo items (bookmarks, magnets, shirts, etc.) for last year's Readathon. I had 30 teens participate in the 6 hour reading challenge and every kid was able to leave with a great prize. (Some authors even donated to me later in the year and those books were used for volunteer prizes and with the creative writing club.) I'd love to be able to do the same again this year. If you're interested in donating books and/or promo items please email me and I'll give you the library address. Thank you very much! I can't tell you how much this means to me and my teens. You can reach me at TerriClarkBooks@aol.com.