The topic of today’s Friday Feud is: ZOMBIES VS. UNICORNS, inspired by the book of the same title. It’s a collection of short stories edited by Holly Black (Team Unicorn) and Justine Larbalestier (Team Zombie). I was a little skeptical of the book before I read it–I mean, how much is there really to say… Continue reading Friday Feud: Zombies Vs. Unicorns
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Lenny Kravitz as Cinna?! Okay, I Guess (And Other Thoughts on Hunger Games movie casting)
In case you have not been following the Hunger Games movie casting news closely, you might not have heard that Lenny Kravitz was announced to be playing Cinna, Katniss’s stylist. A lot of people have been reacting with surprise/negativity. I’m definitely disappointed, but only because I really wanted Christian Siriano (from Project Runway) to play… Continue reading Lenny Kravitz as Cinna?! Okay, I Guess (And Other Thoughts on Hunger Games movie casting)
My Summer Reading List
Summer’s here! If not in weather–it’s cloudy and in the low 50s here in central Illinois–at least in official school terminology. This summer session I’m only taking one class (web design), and I’m hoping to catch up on some non-academic reading. (Okay, let’s be real, I’m taking classes on youth librarianship, so a lot of… Continue reading My Summer Reading List
Soul Surfer: Sharks ‘n Jesus
A few months ago, I went to see the movie Soul Surfer. I was drawn both by my love of watching other people surf and my love of teen movies. Soul Surfer looked like it would be promising on both accounts. Oh, before I say more–after I saw it, I went out and told everyone… Continue reading Soul Surfer: Sharks ‘n Jesus
A success story
This weekend I was lucky enough to attend my fourth New England Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators AKA NESCBWI (worst acronym ever) Conference and it was a doozy. The keynotes speakers were Jane Yolen and Tomie DePaola, both known mostly for their work in picture books, but Jane Yolen has a few novels… Continue reading A success story
Friday Feuds: Team Peeta
Oh Peeta. Sweet, unwaveringly loyal, smart and cute… what else does a girl need? Well if you’re Katniss Everdeen, you could go for the best friend, the one you’ve known all your life – the one that looks so much like you he could be your brother (AKA Gale)! But you should go for the… Continue reading Friday Feuds: Team Peeta
Friday Feud: Gale vs Peeta!
Sandy and I decided to try out a new feature called FRIDAY FEUD. Gotta get down (with YA literature) on Friday. Our first feud comes from Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy. Which, if you haven’t read it yet, you’re probably a really boring person. I just don’t know how else to say it. In case… Continue reading Friday Feud: Gale vs Peeta!
Literary Moms
In honor of Mother’s Day, how about some fictional moms? (NOTE: I started writing this on Mother’s Day and then got distracted and never finished it. But, you know what? In the Dominican Republic, Mother’s Day is the last Sunday in May, so I’m early for that. Also, you should love your mom every day!)… Continue reading Literary Moms
“Teens will like”
I was just perusing Goodreads and saw this beginning on one of the reviews. “Teen will like” and then later “Teens will identify” – and I’m not sure why, but that really bothers me, though I’m sure I’m guilty of it as well. Obviously, as a writer of YA I want to write novels that… Continue reading “Teens will like”
Retro YA: “The Outsiders”
I discussed in my first post about finding that Judy Blume novel on my sister’s shelf made me a reader, but it was another tattered book that I read that made me obsessed. That one was S.E. Hinton’s 1967 novel (one of, if not the first “YA” ever) The Outsiders. Now, I’ll be honest. I… Continue reading Retro YA: “The Outsiders”