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Archive for February, 2009

If I weren’t already buying a house in New Jersey,

Feb-28-2009 By Keri

This article would make me want to move to Austin.

I know New York has a huge YA writing scene, but I’m too lazy to get over there on a weeknight most of the time.

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QuickReview: Writing and Selling the YA Novel by K. L. Going

Feb-25-2009 By Keri
Book #14 of 2009
Title: Writing and Selling the YA Novel
Author: K. L. Going
Publisher: Writers Digest Books
Pub Date: 2008
Grade: B+
Comments: So I had just decided to stop reading writing books when this one came in to tech services. Mike asked me if I had ordered it for YA and I hadn’t, and was thinking about reserving it based on the title, but thought, “Oh no. No more writing books.” Then I discovered it was written by K. L. Going, who wrote Fat Kid Rules the World which is one of the best books ever. While this writing book was more geared toward beginners than I would have liked, the format of the book (structured as different periods of the day in school) kept everything focused and moving and it didn’t get repetitive like other writing books (and it was funny. Extra points.) The point of view chapter was very useful to me. I would definitely recommend this to anyone thinking of writing a YA Novel (after they’ve read at least 25 YA novels….then you should read this. Then read 25 more YA novels, and then try to write a book. It’s harder than it looks).
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Found Another One

Feb-24-2009 By Keri

YA Authors Who Write for TV Shows: Paula Yoo, who wrote the novel Good Enough, also wrote for the West Wing and Beyond the Break, among other shows.

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QuickReview: Parties and Potions by Sarah Mlynowski

Feb-24-2009 By Keri
Book #13 of 2009
Title: Parties and Potions
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Publisher: Delacorte
Pub Date: 2008
Grade: B+
Comments: These books are just a ton of fun. I don’t know if the author intended to write this many when she started the series but it doesn’t seem like the book was pushed out just to sell more copies. I like how the series is growing the girls’ abilities and how likeable the characters are. A “fantasy” book for realistic fiction lovers is a nice change of pace every now and then.
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QuickReview: Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

Feb-18-2009 By Keri
Book #12 of 2009
Title: Writing the Breakout Novel
Author: Donald Maass
Publisher: Writers Digest Books
Pub Date: 2001
Grade: C+
Comments: Some of the information about developing a plot was useful, but overall I think I need to stop reading books about writing and spend more type actually doing it.
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QuickReview: The President’s Daughter by Ellen Emerson White

Feb-10-2009 By Keri
Book #11 of 2009
Title: The President’s Daughter
Author: Ellen Emerson White
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pub Date: July 22, 2008
Grade: B+
Comments: I picked this up on the recommendation of several blogs and listservs and while I really enjoyed this book, some criticisms immediately came to mind. For one thing, the title pretty much ruins any suspense the entire first half of the book could have had. Meg is decidedly removed from the inner workings of her mother’s campaign. As someone who followed the 2008 presidential election rabidly, I found it shocking how little she knew about what was going on, and that was her mother running! I can believe that for her brothers but at sixteen she should care more, even without having the best relationship with her mother. There are a lot of minor characters that are mentioned or even given small scenes and never really developed further. I didn’t find the writing to be all that interesting or significant. What makes this book are the characters. Meg has a sparkle that makes you want to see what will happen to her next. The Mom is interesting in how she unsuccessfully balances being parent and president. The brothers are full of love. Even without loving the writing style of this book, I immediately ordered the next three for my library because I do want to know what is going to happen next.
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QuickReview: Love and Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Feb-8-2009 By Keri
Book #10 of 2009
Title: Love and Peaches
Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pub Date: October 28, 2008
Grade: B+
Comments: It takes me a little bit of time to get into the Peaches books; the characters and plotlines don’t stick out for me quite as much as other teen series. Once I’ve gotten back in though, I love these characters. They don’t talk or act like other teens in books. They aren’t defined by their relationship statuses or their families or their cliques. I like that they are real and flawed and interesting and would definitely recommend them.
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QuickReview: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Feb-3-2009 By Keri
Book #9 of 2009
Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pub Date: September 14, 2008
Grade: A
Comments: I can’t review this book without gushing. This book was SO GOOD. Between this and Graceling, I think I have been converted away from being a realistic fiction only reader. I don’t care if the plot is somewhat derivative of other stories. I don’t care if there are some unexplained issues with backstory. I don’t care if it has grammar and copyediting problems (which I honestly didn’t notice, so they’ve either been corrected or the story is SO good you don’t even notice them). This is one of the best YA books ever written. The plot is engaging; the characters fly off the page. Even Gale who only gets a few moments onscreen is a sympathetic and lifelike character. I cannot wait for the sequel. I may take the day off from work so I can stay home and read it. If there were a midnight party at the bookstore, I’d be there. I need to convince somebody at the middle school or high school to let me do some booktalking. This book needs to be in teens’ hands.
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My Favorite Book Covers - February 2009

Feb-1-2009 By Keri
Bloodline by Katy Moran Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee
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QuickReview: The Year We Disappeared by Cylin Busby and John Busby

Feb-1-2009 By Keri
Book #8 of 2009
Title: The Year We Disappeared
Author: Cylin Busby and John Busby
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Pub Date: August 1, 2008
Grade:B+
Comments: This was a very shocking and interesting non-fiction book with a hook that will really draw teens in. The mystery and the tension and the family relationships are written with great care. I loved the brief mention of Malden (my former home). I only wish that more time was spent on the end of the year they disappeared. Her father’s eventual recover is glossed over and we find out the end of the case in an epilogue. Much more detail would have been appreciated for that part of the story. Other than that, I think this will appeal to a lot of reluctant readers.

Since I didn’t write this review right after finishing the book, I was able to watch the 48 hours special on the case before posting. I can’t say I would recommend it since the graphics and added background noises serve to sensationalize a story that was written so engagingly in the book, but I think if you enjoyed that special, you must read this book.
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