Anya's Ghost

Anya hates her Russian mother's food and anything to do with Russia.  All she wants is to fit in her private school and catch the eye of the cute guy Sean.  One day she falls into a hole and finds the bones of Emily who died almost hundred years ago.  Emily tells Anya she's lonely and wants to be her friend.  Anya is hestiant at first until Emily tells her she can help her with her grades and  get the attention of Sean.   Anya finds out that's sometimes it's better not to believe a ghostly friend.  Anya's Ghost is a funny but also scary tale with a character who learns maybe it's best not to listen to a ghost.

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Review: Enclave

Enclave was a real treat to read! I simply loved every page. Dystopians, for me, are a hit or miss, and Enclave was very much a hit. The characters are relatable and the story is just wonderful.

Click Here to Read More of My Review

Review: Trauma Queen

If everything that can go wrong, does go wrong on your first day in a new middle school, imagine how bad the rest of the year is going to be. Marigold’s first day at Crampton Middle School is February 23 and her mother, Becca, is positive it’s Pajama Day. So, Mari is standing outside homeroom in yellow flannel monkey pajamas. The only problem is that it is not pajama day and her mother refuses to let her go home to change and she won’t bring a change of clothes. So, Mari’s only other option is to pick clothes from the nurse’s office: seventies pants and pink polka dot top. Things can’t get worse, yet they do.

Becca is a free spirit performance artist who walks dogs to make ends meet. It seems there are two things she loves, performing and embarrassing Mari, and she excels at both.

If you want to see how embarrassing Mari’s life can get, then read Trauma Queen by Barbara Dee. It’s fun and it’s funny. You’ll be glad your mom’s not Becca…or will you? For my full review, click here.

Also, Barbara Dee is a featured author on a new website called VYou. You can submit questions and chat with her.  Just go to:  http://vyou.com/barbaradee.

Review: Detective Blue

Little Boy Blue has left his flocks to become a detective. Miss Muffet is missing and Blue is on the case! As Detective Blue searches for the missing Muffet, he interviews a host of his nursery rhyme friends. Has Muffet been a victim of foul play? Click here to read more.

Review: Moon Over Manifest.

The Newbery Award Winning Moon Over Manifest, a debut novel by Clare Vanderpool, is a marvelous story about twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker, whose father, Gideon, has shipped her off to Manifest, Kansas, purportedly for the summer of 1936 while he works on the railroad.  Gideon, who had lived for a short time in Manifest as a boy, had loved the small town and knew Abilene would feel at home there.

It is here that Abilene meets the odd assortment of Manifest residents, from Shady who lives in a church/speakeasy to Miss Sadie the diviner who reads both the earth and the people of the town and regales Abilene with stories from 1917 and 1918 to Sister Redempta who seems to be more than she appears.

Vanderpool has created a town we would all love to live in, a cast of characters we would all want as friends and a story that we would all love to partake in.  She has interspersed the two time periods, 1917 and 1936 into a story with mystery, soul searching, humor and discovery.  It is in Manifest that Abilene truly comes to know herself and her father. 

Moon Over Manifest is a book that you can read over and over again.  I can't rave about it enough.  But don't take my word for it.  Read it for yourself.  For my complete review, click here.

Fury of the Phoenix

I'm a huge fan of multicultural fantasies.  When I read Silver Phoenix, I fell in love with the rich and detailed writing.  I was very excited to read the companion novel.  Once again Pon doesn't disappoint.  In this story Ai Ling hasn't heard from Chen Yong, the young warrior she met on the road to the Emperor's city.  She decides to follow him, disguised as a boy.  Her disguise is found and instead of being happy to reunited with Chen Yong, disappointment and heartbreak follow as she finds he's on his way to his betrothed.  But Ai Ling doesn't let that get in the way of staying by his side as she fears a dream she had about his fate.  Fury of the Phoenix is one of those novels you want to curl up and read.  A total must read.

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Review: 50/50 Monologues for Student Actors

50/50 Monologues for Student Actors was a great set of monologues! It is a book of 100 monologues - 50 for girls and 50 for guys. There was a lot of diversity with them, that would allow for monologues for tons of different shows.

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Instructions for a Broken Heart

Jessa can't believe she stumbled in on her boyfriend Sean with Natalie "the Boob Job" Stone.  To make matters worse this happens just three days before the drama club's trip to Italy.

Jessa won't let her jerk of an ex ruin a trip she'd been saving and looking forward to.

Then her friend Carissa gives her some envelopes, each one with instructions on how to get over Sean.  Jessa is up to it.  But then she finds that unlike a well rehearsed script, life has it own surprises.  Instructions for a Broken Heart is a refreshing tale set in the lush backdrop of Italy with characters that are unforgettable.

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Janet Lee Carey Giveaway and Interview

Author Janet Lee Carey (Dragons of Noor, The Beast of Noor, Dragon's Keep) is celebrating Earth Day with a gift that keeps on giving: trees. An active supporter of the Plant a Billion Trees project, Janet wishes more people would help preserve our ancient playgrounds. I hope this interview will inspire you to lend your support as well.

Get a free book! Leave a comment on the interview at Bildungsroman for your chance to win. Janet will select a random commenter to receive a copy of The Dragons of Noor.

Review: Substitute Creacher

When Ms. Jenkins’s class learns they will have a substitute teacher, they go a little crazy. Amanda scribbles on the chalkboard, Luke performs a circus act, Gavin laughs like a mad scientist. Then the one-eyed, tentacled Substitute Creacher arrives to clean up the class’s act. Click here to read more.

Review: Hogwash!

Hogwash! (Wilson, Karma)  It’s spring! Time to clean the pigs. Farmer resorts to all sorts of tricks to try to clean up his dirty hogs, but the mischievous pigs are determined to remain muddy. No baths for them! Finally Farmer realizes, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Click here to read more.

Review: Chamelia

While most chameleons prefer to blend in, Chamelia loves to stand out, especially in the way she dresses! Bold colors, sequins and animal prints fill her wardrobe. But sometimes, standing out means being left out. As Chamelia begins to feel this way, her parents let her know that standing out isn’t the only way to feel special. She must find a way to join in and still be herself. Click here to read more.

Review: Eona: The Last Dragoneye

Dragoneye Eona, one of two remaining Dragoneyes, is in for the challenge of her life.  She must convince Prince Kygo to liberate Dragoneye Lord Ido in order to have him train Eona in her powers.  Ido has slaughtered Kygo's royal family and allowed his half-brother, Sethon, to assume the throne against his right.  In the process, Ido was captured and tortured by Sethon and is being held in a dungeon on the palace grounds.  Everyone knows Lord Ido is a power hungry man who will stop at nothing to possess all the powers of the Dragons.

In Eona: The Last Dragoneye by Alison Goodman (a continuation of Eon: Dragoneye Reborn), Dragoneyes gain their power from their heavenly dragons.  Their spirit pervades heaven and earth and to be one with your Dragon is the ultimate for a Dragoneye. 

Eona and Kygo and Ido must battle for the crown, for the power that comes from the Dragons and for love. 

If you have not read Eon: Dragoneye Reborn and Eona: The Last Dragoneye, you have missed two of the best young adult written recently.  Click here to read my review.

But i Love Him

Ann is a popular track star of her high school.  But this all changes when she meets Conner.  At first his attention is more than Ann has ever wanted.  Then slowly it changes into compulsive behavior that leaves her isolated and abused.  But i Love Him is a gritty, realistic tale of a relationship that goes very wrong. 

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Review: F is for Fireflies

Explore the joys of summer through jumping rope, swimming and watching fireflies exemplify some of the wonders of this season. The alphabetic verse of F is for Fireflies by Kathy-jo Wargin adds a playful note to the book’s text.

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Consumed

This sequel picks up where the first book left off. Rayne is still living and working at Morton's Keeps. However, she finds herself having nightmares about St John. She also feels a close connection with Ethan, but does he feel the same connection? It seems as though Ethan and Rayne are really hitting it off and Rayne is hoping to make it more than just a friendship. To read more of my review, click here.

The Demon Trapper's Daughter

Riley is the only girl Demon Trapper in Atlanta and she gets a lot of flak for it, but she doesn't give up. She sticks with it and tries even harder than she might if she were a boy. Some of the men of the Guild are very rude, disrespectful and sexist towards her, but that doesn't slow her down. To read more of my review, click here.

Rock the Drop!

Want to win a complete set of the Ruby Oliver books by E. Lockhart? Here's how:

Readergirlz and Figment are going to ROCK THE DROP in honor of YALSA's Support Teen Lit Day all day on Thursday, April 14th. People around the world will find copies of amazing books in unexpected places, gifted out of love for YA lit. Everyone can participate to raise awareness of the day by leaving a book in a public place for another reader to discover!

Read all about it on the blog, watch our Rock the Drop video from Crissa Chappell, and snag bookplates for the book(s) you plan to put out into the world!

When you drop a book, send a photo or video or report to readergirlz@gmail.com and tweet your drop with the #rockthedrop tag! Both readergirlz and Figment will be posting updates on the blog all day, and one lucky dropper will win a full set of 4 books from the Ruby Oliver series by this week's featured author E. Lockhart!

Have fun!

Bookplate and banner ahoy:





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Savannah Grey

Fifteen-year-old Savannah Grey is restless.  She can't stay still and has been in at least six different foster homes.  She's used to not getting close to anyone.  But that changes when she meets Reece.  Seems they might share a lot in common, including a weird growth inside their throats that just happens to make bizarre sounds.  Then Savannah sees a creature, and senses that maybe her throat might in fact be a weapon to fight a growing threat.  Savannah Grey is an engaging tale that's unique with a subtle creepiness.

Click here to read more

Interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith!

Jill and I recently got the chance to interview the tantalizing Cynthia Leitich Smith. Check out her answers to our questions below!


   

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times and Publishers Weekly best-selling author of ETERNAL, TANTALIZE, and BLESSED (Candlewick). She also writes short stories and acclaimed books for younger children.

Cynthia is a member of faculty at the Vermont College M.F.A. program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

Her website at www.cynthialeitichsmith.com was named one of the top 10 Writer Sites on the Internet by Writer's Digest and an ALA Great Website for Kids. Her Cynsations blog at cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/ was listed as among the top two read by the children's/YA publishing community in the SCBWI "To Market" column.

Thank you, Cynthia, for joining us on the YABC Blog today!  First off, can you tell us a little bit about your latest novel, Blessed?

Blessed is the story of Quincie P. Morris, a teenage restaurateur who’s facing the consequences of her own undeath, trying to clear her true love of unfounded murder charges, and fighting to stop the monster that remade her from cursing hundreds of others. Or, put another way, it’s your basic rescue the boy, destroy the monster, save-the-world story.

Blessed crosses of the casts of my two previous books, Tantalize and Eternal, and picks up at the very scene where Tantalize leaves off. Like those earlier titles, it’s a Gothic fantasy with strong elements of romance and some humor.



What was it like stepping back into the world of Tantalize and Eternal for this third book?

Fun, perilous, ambitious.

In Tantalize, we meet the everyday people of the world—high school students and teachers, a wedding planner and police officers, waiters and a homeless guy. In Eternal, the stage shifts to spotlight the major players—the vampire royalty and the forces of heaven who combat it. Blessed is a bridge book of sorts, bringing together characters from all walks.

How intriguing to rediscover guardian angel Zachary trying to fend off restaurant customers who longed to touch his hair and to join high-school student Quincie in meeting vampire queen Sabine for the first time.



Will there be a fourth book in the series? If so, can you tell us a bit about it?

Yes, I’m revising it now! Book four is still untitled, but it will feature characters from all of the previous books. That said, it’s more of a sequel to Eternal in the way that Blessed is more of a sequel to Tantalize. Expect more adventure, humor, chilling suspense, and moments that may well inspire Quinice/Kieren and Zachary/Miranda shippers to swoon.

It’s the last in this quartet of titles inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897), heavier on the heaven versus hell conflict than anything we’ve seen to date.



Did you base the character Zachary on anyone in particular? If so, who and why?

That Zachary—he is an attention getter. I’m afraid I can’t point you to his real world doppelganger, but I’m pleased by his popularity. He’s a really good guy—an angel of a guy—not perfect, but only slipped rather than fallen. Who could resist? Why would anyone want to?



Who was your favorite character to write in Blessed and why? Did it differ from your favorite in the previous two novels?

Favorite is tough. I have a soft spot for secondary characters.

With Blessed, I already knew the leads and especially enjoyed further developing the secondary characters. Meghan, the four-year-old hybrid werewolf, gave me a chance to flex my picture book writer muscles for a YA audience. Before the book came out, I did a visit with a group of teen girls at a juvenile detention center in Kalamazoo, and one of the girls mentioned that Meghan reminded her so much of her own little sister. I loved that.

With Eternal, I found myself especially intrigued by the twins—Harrison, a vampire servant who wants to join the undead, and his brother Freddy, working as an event planner for the eternals in hopes of persuading Harrison to hold onto his humanity.

With Tantalize, Quincie and Kieren’s English teacher, Mrs. Levy caught my imagination. She returns in Blessed and plays an even bigger role in Tantalize: Kieren’s Story, a graphic novel illustrated by Ming Doyle, which will be released by Candlewick in August.



Did you know a lot about Bram Stoker's Dracula before writing this series? Or did you learn more about Dracula as you went along?

When I first decided in 2001 to take on vampire mythology, I started by doing my homework, studying the books that had come before so I could make thoughtful decisions about when to nod to traditions and when to make a fresh contribution.

Dracula is the quintessential classic.

I’d read it before, but I’ve reread it a dozen times (and listened to an excellent audio adaptation) while writing the series.

The book is dense, told in alternating point of view and with quasi epistolary elements. Van Helsing’s voice is pompous and ponderous to the point of being exhausting. I love it.



How did you think of the idea for a vampire-themed restaurant and all those exotic foods?!

As a teen I’d worked as a waitress at a chain Mexican restaurant and then at the restaurant of an athletic club to make money for college. I’ve always thought that restaurants were such great stages for drama. Think about it: you have thematic menus, décor, music. It’s like stepping into another world. People occasionally even burst into song.

Sure, people think of vampires as more drinkers than diners, but I thought that might offer some of the fresh blood I was looking for.



Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does Blessed have a playlist?

Not a formal playlist per se—but lots of Sinatra and Eartha Kitt.



You have a very popular blog and a substantial online presence in addition to writing novels, public speaking, and more. How do you balance work, writing, and family? (You have super powers, don't you?)

Balance? On the Web content, I tend to work way ahead—months ahead so that I can maintain a steady flow of quality content. I also have a terrific webmaster, Lisa Firke of Hit Those Keys, who keeps the main author site updated and looking gorgeous.

Beyond that, I read and write on a steady basis. My very cute husband, author Greg Leitich Smith, is an author, too. So, he’s especially understanding of the demands of the writing life.



We hear you have some incredible cats at home. Could you have written this series without them?

Yes! Mercury Boo, Bashi Doe, Blizzard, and Leo! Blizzard is snow white and the other three are gray tabbies. Well, Leo is a bit tawny and spotty. They’re terrific company, great inspiration for my werecats, and they love to listen to me read.



So, what's next for Cynthia Leitich Smith?

I look forward to the release of Tantalize: Kieren’s Story! And beyond that, I also have an essay, “Isolation,” being published in the anthology Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories, edited by Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones (HarperTeen), which will likewise be available in late summer/early fall.



Last but not least, what has been your biggest SQUEE! moment since becoming a published author?

The most recent happened on my Blessed tour in NYC. A teenage boy came up to me with Tantalize clutched in his hands and said it was the first book he’d ever finished.

As in the first book he’d ever finished in his whole life.

Wow. I just pray that he keeps reading.



Thank you, Cynthia!

To find out more about Cynthia's Tantalize series, check out her website and the Blessed trailer below:

April's Epic Giveaways

We have FOUR epic giveaways going on this month, book lovers! Check out the epic epicness:


Blood Trinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love

One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive:
- One monogrammed Belador backpack
- One signed copy of BLOOD TRINITY
- One Belador Tshirt (limited edition that can't be purchased)
- One engraved Belador pin
- One Belador post it booklet
- temporary tattoos
- One $25 Amazon gift certificate

Five (5) Runners up will receive:
- One signed copy of BLOOD TRINITY and a Belador full color Tshirt (can't be purchased)

Click here to enter this giveaway!



Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Three (3) winners will receive:
- One copy of FALLING UNDER


Click here to enter this giveaway!












Clarity by Kim Harrington

Five (5) winners will receive:
- One copy of CLARITY


Click here to enter this giveaway!












Num8ers 2: The Chaos by Rachel Ward

One (1) winner will receive:
- Copies of NUM8ERS and NUM8ERS: THE CHAOS!
- One Unisex Fossil Watch

Click here to enter this giveaway!












 

Num8ers

I really enjoyed the uniqueness of this book. I found it refreshing how Jem is dealing with something she did not ask for, but she is not some sort of paranormal being! She is living with a curse everyday. How awful would it be to look into someone's eyes and see the date they will die? It gives me shivers just thinking about it. I could not blame for Jem for not wanting to get close to anyone, even her foster mother. Jem struggles everyday with not getting too close to anyone. Jem is a bit rough around the edges, but you can't really blame her. To read more of my review, click here.

March Giveaway Winners Announced

Congrats to our March Giveaway Winners!

The Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee McKenzie

murphykatt

zhoubluebear

kcmelone

bookaholic117

heather.p

Blood and Allegiance by Annette V. Hart

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lindadao2060
katie_loves_you09
liforda
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Jimmy Stone's Ghost Town by Scott Neumyer

1superkris
traymona
bookgeeksrule
liforda
teacherkeri
drea70
kallosmango123







Heroes and Angels by J.M. Norwood

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City of Fallen Angels

First things first, now that Clary and Jace can truly be boyfriend/girlfriend I was more at ease. Obviously their relationship didn't make me feel sick to my stomach anymore (heh heh). They are as close as ever and things are going great for them. Jace is even helping train Clary how to be a Shadowhunter. However, soon Jace starts to pull away from Clary, leaving her wonder what is going on and why he is behaving that way. Does he still love her? Does he still want her? To read more of my review, click here.

Die for Me

Kate and her sister Georgia move to Paris after the deaths of their parents.  Kate wants nothing to do with the world around her.  It's just too painful.  Then one day she notices a hot guy who seems to pop up where ever she is.  After a near fatal accident, she more determined to find out more.  What she finds though might be almost too much for her to bear.  Die for Me has a lush setting and an intriguing premise.

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The Goddess Test

Kate Winters only came to the small town Eden to fulfill her dying mother's last wish.  She didn't plan on getting to know anyone or date.  But it seems the inhabitants of Eden had other plans for her.  When a cruel prank turns tragic, Kate's choice leads her on a path she never expected.  The Goddess Test is a unique and fresh retelling of Persephone.  I can't wait for the next book!

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Review: The Time-Traveling Fashionista

Twelve-year-old Louise Lambert is a typical teen, braces and all. But her love of true vintage fashion sets her apart, which at times makes her feel incredibly weird and incredibly alone.

The Time-Traveling Fashionista starts out as a seemingly light and fun tale, but by the end turns into a race between life and death.

Click here to read my full review!

Compulsion

Eleven forty-seven.  Eleven plus four is fifteen plus seven is twenty-two minus eleven is eleven.  OK.

To Jake Martin there's a beauty to prime numbers.  He has created his own self-protection that comes with his obsession with prime numbers.  Everything will be fine once a prime number is in effect. He tells himself he won't need the magic of the numbers after his team wins the third state soccer championship.  Or will he?

Compulsion is a honest and realistic tale of a teen who's obsession with prime numbers ends up becoming his own prison.  Riveting and haunting, Jake's tale will let you into the mind of OCD that will stay with you long after you close the book.

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