Class of 2k7tag:classof2k7.com,2008://12007-10-12T18:27:28ZDebut authors of middle-grade and young adult fiction.Movable Type 3.33The End(?)tag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.7202007-10-15T17:26:13Z2007-10-12T18:27:28ZThis is the End (or maybe the beginning) Ask experienced writers for advice about the writing process, and they will usually say at least one of the following: Take chances. Jump off a cliff. Face your fears. That is what...Greg Fishbone
This is the End (or maybe the beginning)
Ask experienced writers for advice about the writing process, and they will usually say at least one of the following: Take chances. Jump off a cliff. Face your fears. That is what 38 first-time authors did over one year ago, after selling our first novels. We took a chance, jumped off the marketing cliff, and created a group to help promote our books...]]>
belonging-having a big gang of other authors to share the things you can't always share out loud with the world at large.
Stuff like:
It is scary.
My review sucks.
My reviews have been great.
Has anyone seen my book on an actual shelf?
Will I ever be able to finish my next novel?
And: cheer for me-I just sold something new.
Even though we are all trying to succeed at the same thing, we rejoice in our individual successes. Writing can be a lonely profession. Whether you blog or join a critique group or go to school, inevitably you must put your butt in the chair and write. You work alone. It is great to have a group of writers to recognize you and your work.
To be able to cheer and cry and get excited for a community has been a privilege. We've experienced this amazing year together. In the future, we know we will see other classes. If you're a writer, no matter what kind of publicity and marketing schemes you hatch, we hope that you will always remember that one of the most crucial elements toward writing success is having a supportive community. We have had one. As the year ends, we hope you will hear more from us as individuals. We'll be in touch!]]>
Feature: Boy Bookstag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.7192007-10-15T17:25:14Z2007-10-12T18:18:24ZFeature: Boy Books With so many Class of 2k7 authors writing books for boys, we thought we'd close the year with an article on what makes a book a good choice for teen male readers. G. Neri offers both suggestions...Greg Fishbone
Feature: Boy Books
With so many Class of 2k7 authors writing books for boys, we thought we'd close the year with an article on what makes a book a good choice for teen male readers. G. Neri offers both suggestions and questions to ask when making the selection.]]>
Great Reads for Teenage Boys by G. Neri
As an up-and-coming author of young adult books for boys, I'm always being asked for book recommendations for young male teenagers. Action, adventure and humor sell (see Harry Potter, Holes or Hoot), but what about the books that portray the real-life issues and concerns of boys and young men?
There are many great YA and MG books for boys that deal with challenging issues. But these books must compete with the likes of video games, cable, iPods, and the internet. Which means they must speak to today's youth in ways that may, on the surface, make parents uncomfortable.
Book characters are generally ahead of the curve from the reader's perspective, so the great thing about these books is that the reader can live vicariously through a character and his issues, before deciding how to deal with said issue himself. Protecting young men from the evils of the outside world may be a natural instinct for a parent. But exposing them to honest portrayals of today's issues will help make them the healthy adults they can be.
So what makes a great book for teenage boys?
* They have a male protagonist with an authentic voice.
* They deal with issues only boys would know about (and girls want to know about).
* The books have to look cool and edgy enough so the reader won't be embarrassed to hold it.
* They involve issues compelling enough for boys to want to read them. And that often means the hot topics: sex, drugs, violence, experimenting with the unknown.
* They should not be heavy-handed in preaching a moral message (i.e. drink and you will die). Books need to be real and open enough to let the readers make up their own minds.
* Size matters: books under 175 pages will probably find more reluctant readers.
Both of my upcoming books, Chess Rumble and Yummy, deal with issues of the inner cities in America: gangs, violence, disintegrating families, and the choices male teens must make in order to survive. The books are specifically aimed at groups often overlooked: reluctant male readers from urban America. Targeted for the ages where heavy choices come into play, they deal with relevant issues - gangs vs. school, violence vs. love, giving up vs. rising above the ills that surround you. The stories are deliberately open in their approach, showing many aspects of the issues involved to allow the reader to draw his own conclusions.
These books, as well as many listed below, depict the hidden worlds of American youth not often seen in print. Male readers will recognize themselves in these characters even if the specifics are radically different from their own lives. These books may plant seeds of hope so that when readers deal with these problem areas themselves, they will have something to think about, instead of rushing blindly into a situation they may later regret.
- G. Neri
A Class of 2k7 Bibliography
Not all of these books tackle the big issues cited in G. Neri's article above, but they do all featuring male protagonists. There's something here for every guy (and curious girl) reader:
Head Case by Sarah Aronson (YA)
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (YA)
No Castles Here by A.C.E. Bauer (MG)
This Is What I Did: by Ann Dee Ellis (YA/upper MG)
Brendan Buckley's Universe & Everything In It by Sundee T. Frazier (MG)
Blood Brothers by S.A. Harazin (YA)
Toby Wheeler: Eighth Grade Benchwarmer by Thatcher Heldring (MG)
Kimchi & Calamari by Rose Kent (MG)
Big Slick by Eric Luper (YA)
Chess Rumble by G. Neri (MG)
To Catch a Mermaid by Suzanne Selfors (MG)
Reality Leak by Joni Sensel (MG)
First Light by Rebecca Stead (MG)
For an more book for boys, visit G. Neri's reading list page.]]>
Reviewstag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.7182007-10-15T17:22:21Z2007-10-12T18:24:40ZThe Class of 2k7 Wants to Share our Reviews The reviews have been pouring in for books written by Class of 2k7 members and they're terrific. We'd like to share some of the highlights with you!...Greg Fishbone
The Class of 2k7 Wants to Share our Reviews
The reviews have been pouring in for books written by Class of 2k7 members and they're terrific. We'd like to share some of the highlights with you!]]>
Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend by Carrie Jones
"Tips explores the broader ramifications of homophobia and closetedness without resorting to stereotypes and if it finds its way into the hands of more teens, LGBT and not, that will be a good thing for all families. Jones has a knack for storytelling, an ear for unadorned dialogue, and a respect for the ups and downs of adolescent life. Although much of the book is about the characters working through layers of deception and hurt, Jones manages to imbue it with humor." -- Dana Rudolph, Bay WindowsBig Slick by Eric Luper
"Poker's darker forces appear in equally blemished, overlapping adult and teen worlds that feature ugly strains of violence, addiction and personal compromise. Luper's authentic first-person narrative captures teen frustrations, feelings of confinement and the mottled world of poker. . . powerful momentum, upping the ante and racing the reader's pulse like an amphetamine." -- Kirkus Reviews
The Swan Maiden by Heather Tomlinson
"Inspired by little-known French fairy tales, this novel has a light and enchanting quality to which readers of retold fairy tales will be drawn. Doucette's struggles and dreams will resonate with teenage girls who are trying to find their place in the world." -- Voice of Youth Advocates
". . . a romantic, fairy-tale novel steeped in the folk traditions of France. . . This is an entertaining novel which will be enjoyed by fans of Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted and Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl." -- Susan Fichtelberg, author of Encountering Enchantment A Guide to Speculative Fiction for Teens
"Inspired by French fairy tales, Tomlinson's first novel takes the motif of the "swan maiden"--a beautiful young woman who can assume the form of a swan--and embroiders it into an elaborate romantic fantasy." -- Publisher's Weekly
"... the atmosphere and gratifying last chapter will please fans of romance and ambiance." -– Kirkus Reviews
Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregerson
"I can't say enough good things about this book. I hope every school and public library buys multiple copies of this book to have on hand. It's a huge contribution to the young adult literary world." -- Book of the Moment – reviewer who works with abused and neglected kids
"...it (Bad Girls Club) would find an audience with teens in need or those who enjoy dystopian literature. It is recommended for large collections or those with a focus on teens in crisis." -– Voya
"Gregerson kept me in her clutches with her true to life description of what it is like to live in a totally dysfunctional family due to mental illness. It brought to light the sadness and dangers children of the mentally ill face each and every day. What a powerful book she has written. I cannot get this book out of my mind." -– Kathy Spielman, Sr. Library Media Technician, Yorba Linda, California
"The kids (even my reluctant reader GUYS) loved it. A couple of the die hard Dave Pelzer fans said Bad Girls Club was 'better than A Child Called It'." -– Leigh, 12th Grade English Teacher, Maine
Bad Girls Club added to the 2007 Best Books List by Teri S. Lesesne (Professornana)
No Castles Here by A. C. E. Bauer
"Bauer balances tone and content beautifully in this superb debut. . . Complex characters and an infinitely readable text make this one of the strongest titles of the year." -– Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Bauer's a first time author, but you'd never know it from reading this book. This story is the perfect balance of magic and realism. The characters stick with you, the message isn't messagey (a good thing, in my eyes), and the first page is suitably gripping. A book kids would actually enjoy reading." –- Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production (a School Library Journal blog), listing No Castles Here among her pick of Newbery contenders
"A successful mingling of genres and a testament to the powerful truths in timeless tales." -– School Library Journal
Before, After, and Somebody in Between by Jeannine GarseeBefore, After, and Somebody in Between has been named a Borders Original Voice for August 2007. The book is also being used by Rollie Welch, YA librarian at the Cleveland Public Library, in his book discussion group for incarcerated teenagers at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center.
"An hour into her first day of tenth grade, Martha knows she's in trouble: the school bully has threatened her life and her home life is in shambles. She wants to play cello--but even music is dangerous, until a wealthy lawyer provides a possible key to moving away from her dangerous life. A poignant story of a girl's struggle to be some[body and to] escape danger evolves in a complex plot highly recommended for older teens." -– Midwest Book Reviews
"There isn't much that doesn't happen to Martha Kowalski, the 14-year-old protagonist in Garsee's down and dirty debut. . . Garsee's unwillingness to tie things up neatly lends the story realism and poignancy." -– Publisher’s Weekly Annex
"Fans of Mary Pearson's A Room on Lorelei Street (2005) will be a good target for Garsee's look at another troubled teen trying to escape her horrible circumstances. . . Teens will inevitably find Martha a compelling character and will root for her as she adapts to new challenges and a new name to fit her new environment. Readers are left with hope that Martha will always find her way." -– Booklist
My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe
"My Last Best Friend is a delightful and heartbreaking look at the struggles of friendship, the pains along life's journey, and the ability to bounce back and find light in what may otherwise appear to be an utterly dismal experience. Full of humor and the lessons of life this is certainly a book that many girls will relate to and enjoy." -– Regan Windsor for Curled Up With a Good Kid's Book
"Ms. Bowe has captured some of the social struggle associated with late elementary school and has created a character with whom young readers can empathize; the result is a humorous tale that will have the reader wanting more when it ends." –- The Catholic Review
"[My Last Best Friend] is about [a] girl whose best friend moves away. The girl, Ida May, promises never to have a best friend again. But then a new girl named Stacey moves in and she's really nice. Ida leaves secret friendly notes for her and sees if Stacey can figure out who she is. It's really good." -– Maddy for KidPub.com
"Bowe successfully creates a wry, sweet, proud protagonist in Ida May, whose struggle to leave the security of childhood things behind and make new friends hits all the right emotional notes. Comedy and important growing-up issues, like handling bullies and telling the truth, meld in a strong debut, just right for the age group." -– Booklist
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
"Melissa Marr adds elegantly to the sub-genre of Urban Faery with this enticing, well-researched fantasy for teens." -– Annette Curtis Klause
"Enjoyably sultry." -– Kirkus Reviews
"The unusual combination of past legends and modern-day life gives a unique twist to this 'fairy' tale." -– School Library Journal
Chess Rumble by G. Neri
"'Battles is fought every day' in 11-year-old Marcus's 'hood. Not only has his father abandoned the family, but his sister has recently died, leaving him frustrated, angry and ready to fight--even with his worried, red-eyed mother and his younger twin brothers. Just as his volatility starts to get him into real trouble, Marcus meets a Yoda-like chess master and ex-con in the school library who challenges him to a game of chess. At first, Marcus's 'opening move' is to hurl the chessboard groundward, but in time, he learns to master the game--and his temper. Marcus tells his story in street slang, in a conversational first-person voice. . . The acrylic black-and-white illustrations are particularly effective at capturing natural expressions and the concrete-gray inner-cityscape.” -– Kirkus Reviews
Carpe Diem by Autumn Cornwell
Book Sense Pick for Fall 2007
"A witty coming-of-age adventure." -– Kirkus Reviews
"Take a traveler as reluctant as Anne Tyler's accidental tourist and add the number of misadventures found in The Out-of-Towners, and you have the recipe for Cornwell's hilarious, adventure-packed first novel.” –- Publishers Weekly
"Anyone who has lost their luggage; felt their well-planned day, trip, or life slip through their fingers; or made a list of goals will laugh aloud and love this book." –- Book Sense
". . . this first novel has its amusements and diversions, including Vassar's share of romance with a self-styled Malaysian 'cowboy.' The best part, however, is the vividly realized setting. Cornwell has obviously been there and done that, and her novel is much the richer--and funnier--for it." –- Booklist
One of Publishers Weekly's "Children's Galleys to Grab" for Fall 2007
Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles
"This book is beautifully written. . . Knowles doesn't just give us a look at the secret and troubled lives of children, and how that haunts the adults they become. She also gives us forgiveness and understanding. This could easily have gone the after school special route of making Leah eeeviiiillll. But; she isn't. She is a broken child. And by the end, the reader weeps for both Leah and Laine." –- Liz Burns, A Chair, A Fireplace And A Tea Cozy
"Spare and evocative prose weaves the story of Leah and Lainey's turbulent and abusive friendship. . . Clearly and concisely written, Knowles's provoking exploration of children abusing children portrays the tense and finely crafted dynamics between the two girls. Lainey's character is extremely well-developed showing her metamorphosis from hypercritical and withdrawn to self-realized with a focused and knowing clarity. A razor-sharp examination of friendship, abuse and secrets." -– Kirkus Reviews
". . . a powerful book that doesn't shy away from difficult topics. . . I think that Lessons from a Dead Girl would make a great discussion book for high school students, especially those who have been, or might be, bullied or abused. . . Knowles tackles questions about friendship, sexual orientation, and standing up for oneself in abusive situations. . . Even though the details of this particular story are fairly dramatic, the friend to friend dynamics are, no doubt, played out in middle schools and high schools every day. Jo Knowles has captured this phenomenon brilliantly." –- Jen Robinson, Jen Robinson’s Book Page
Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
"Into the Wild is a creative romp through the fairy tale genre, highlighting the strength of the female characters whose stories we all know so well." –- Kliatt
"Durst takes readers on a grand adventure involving candy houses and ogres, providing plenty of opportunities to watch for favorite fairy-tale characters and chances to spy traditional story traps before Julie becomes caught up in them. . . Julie's imaginative quest and the presence of some mainstream names (Cinderella, Snow White) will [keep young readers'] attention and, perhaps, send them back to the shelves in search of additional stories, or those they may have forgotten they knew and loved once upon a time." -– Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"There have been many fairy tale related books lately, but don't overlook this one. The personalities of the characters are fresh and fun and the story is original. . . Into the Wild is fast moving and fun as the characters pull together to defeat the Wild while trying not to get trapped in any of its stories." –- Alyson Del Vecchio, Baker & Taylor's CATS Meow Newsletter
Head Case by Sarah Aronson
"It will make a strong impression on readers with its raw emotion and bitter narrative tone." -– Booklist
"Aronson's raw first novel delves into the emotions, mobility, daily functions (e.g., eating, talking on a phone and using a computer) and even the pleasures and sex of quadriplegics. Above all, it asks us to consider how we value individuals with disabilities." -– Kirkus Reviews
"First time novelist Sarah Aronson's take on a situation that most people would consider nightmarish manages to not only be hopeful, but also full of humor and the strength of the human spirit." -– Reading Rants
"Head Case was a really, really good book. 9 out of 10.” –- Flamingnet Book Review
"A scary, thought-provoking glimpse at life without control." -– Teens Read Too
This Is What I Did: by Ann Dee Ellis
"Part staccato prose, part transcript, this haunting first novel will grip readers right from the start. . . In relaying the action chiefly through Logan's terse observations and through script-like reproductions of dialogue, Ellis never veers from Logan's point of view. In this way, she infuses the narrative with his guilt over what happened, the details of which are revealed only in a climactic finale." -– Publisher’s Weekly
"This powerful novel about abuse and anger, guilt and betrayal, does not so much unfold as it does circle around the traumatic event at its center in an ever tightening spiral. . . The book captures the harsh realities of schools as complex societies, where students must learn at least as much about social interaction as about academic subjects. Though written for a younger audience, it bears comparison with such novels of betrayal as Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner." –- Children’s Literature
"Told mainly in dialog, with handwritten notes (about palindromes) interspersed, this is a valuable if disturbing story of a boy finally finding the courage to speak up and take action." – Kliatt
Me and the Pumpkin Queen by Marlane Kennedy
"This marvelously heartwarming story deserves a big blue ribbon" -– BookPage
". . . fleshed out with characters the reader will both understand and fall in love with. Mildred is a very appealing, very real eleven year old. . . This is a refreshing and uplifting story that will have wide appeal for middle grade readers." -– Children's Literature
"Kennedy's straightforward narrative is as solid and unadorned as a pumpkin, yet lovely in its own way." -– Booklist
"The author combines the art and science of horticulture with a gentle family story, a feel for a child in mourning, and just the right amount of humor and tension. . ." -- School Library Journal
Brendan Buckley’s Universe & Everything In It by Sundee T. Frazier
"This is an absorbing look at a 10-year-old boy who has never had to deal with race and prejudice, who collides into years of anger and hurt in his family and must create a new identity for himself. . . Frazier writes affectingly about what being biracial means in 21st-century America." -– School Library Journal
"Brendan is an appealing character with a sense of honor, . . . curiosity and intelligence. A good, accessible selection for inspiring discussion of racism and prejudice." –- Kirkus Reviews
"This book portrays real feelings of a real bi-racial kid growing up in today's society. It's also just a fun read for kids--especially boys--interested in science (especially geology) and Tae Kwon Do." –- Bill's Best Books, ALAN (The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents)
Beauty Shop for Rent by Laura Bowers
". . . Each character emerges as a distinct personality, but it is Abbey, with her fierce and sassy voice, whom readers will take to their hearts and cheer when she finally confronts her mother. The book has a strong sense of place, which local readers will recognize immediately as the state of Maryland. Well-drawn details include Ocean City during Senior Week, the Frederick Keys minor-league baseball team and a University of Maryland Terrapins sweatshirt." -– Mary Quattlebaum, Washington Parent
The Penguins of Doom by Greg R. Fishbone
"Thoroughly silly and campy!" --Kirkus Reviews
"A fun romp that will appeal to boys and girls of all ages, nine and up!" --Jen Robinson's Book Page
"Septina Nash is smart, sassy, and has a delightfully refreshing attitude." --Wands and Worlds ]]>
Newstag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.7172007-10-15T17:21:07Z2007-10-13T16:05:30ZWhat We've Been Doing! The summer of 2007 was sizzling with activity for 2K7 class members. Here's a sampling of our dog-day doings:...Greg Fishbone
What We've Been Doing!
The summer of 2007 was sizzling with activity for 2K7 class members. Here's a sampling of our dog-day doings:]]>
Ruth McNally Barshaw has stayed busy dividing time between writing and illustrating new books and promoting ELLIE MCDOODLE: HAVE PEN WILL TRAVEL, which debuted in May with Bloomsbury. The sequel, ELLIE MCDOODLE: NEW KID IN SCHOOL comes out next July, and it continues in Ruth's trademark illustrated journal style. Ruth's cartoon workshop, given at bookstores and libraries, has proven very popular with kids. She has presented to all ages, from second graders keeping their first journals to retired librarians keeping up with the newest literature trends. Check out her website, http://ruthexpress.com, for a teacher's guide, freebies, famous author pages, and zillions of sketches of school field trips and camp, as well as information on author appearances.
A.C.E. Bauer spent a relaxing July on a lake in Quebec, and then returned to launch her new website, http://acebauer.com. In August, Random House confirmed that it will be releasing NO CASTLES HERE in ebook format at the same time as her hardcover launch on October 23. In September, Kirkus Reviews gave NO CASTLES HERE a starred review, which made her dance with glee (causing further damage to her poor floors). On October 10 she spoke with the Writer's Block (a group of very cool students at Cheshire High School) about her book, writing, and the tribulations of publishing. On October 13 she appeared for a brief three minutes on WTNH Channel 8 (an ABC affiliate) to talk about her book. You can see her here: http://www.wtnh.com/Global/category.asp?C=3D31277. She has also been busy planning her book release party in November.
Julie Bowe celebrated her most magical moment in July (Harry Potter parties aside) when Harcourt offered to publish the sequel to MY LAST BEST FRIEND. The new book (MY NEW BEST FRIEND) is scheduled to debut in the fall of 2008. Other fun happenings included speaking to her hometown crowd in Luck, WI, leading a Young Writer's Workshop at Butterfly Books in DePere, WI, and swinging a deal with Winding Oak for the spunky redesign of her website (www.juliebowe.com). The new site will be up and running in time for the launch of her second book.
Sarah Beth Durst spent the summer in bookstores and libraries (her favorite places!) in the wake of the June release of INTO THE WILD. In July, she toured through Massachusetts, the setting for INTO THE WILD. She spoke and signed at the Barnes & Noble in Worcester, Eight Cousins Bookstore in Falmouth, and Pandemonium Books in Cambridge, and she was a program participant at Readercon (a Boston-area science fiction and fantasy convention). She also participated in a Teen Author Reading Night at the New York Public Library. In August, she was the guest speaker at "Face the Fiction" at the Borders in Paramus, NJ, hosted by the Science Fiction Society of Northern New Jersey; she gave a talk at the Emma S. Clark Library in Setauket, NY; and she did a book signing for Moondance Gifts at the East Quogue (NY) Fair. In September, Sarah did a book signing at the Waldenbooks in Lake Grove, NY, and was a participating author at the Princeton Children's Book Festival in Princeton, NJ. In between events, Sarah gave several interviews. Articles about Sarah and INTO THE WILD appeared in three Massachusetts newspapers: the Boston Globe, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, and the Northborough-Southborough Villager. She was also interviewed on the Amazon.com Book Blog, SciFi Wire, Adventures in SciFi Publishing, and various other websites. And last but certainly not least, Sarah worked on revisions for her next novel, OUT OF THE WILD Razorbill/Penguin, June 2008).
Greg R. Fishbone hosted a pre-launch book party for THE PENGUINS OF DOOM on 07/07/07 at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline, Massachusetts. Book plates were signed, manuscript pages given away, and many wings consumed--chicken rather than penguin, or so we're told. A book signing in Los Angeles followed Greg's SCBWI Conference panel with fellow 2k7ers Jay Asher, Thatcher Heldring, Carrie Jones, G. Neri, and Joni Sensel.
Jeannine Garsee, author of BEFORE, AFTER AND SOMEBODY IN BETWEEN, will be appearing at AuthorPalooza at Ohio Educational Library Media Association (OELMA) on October 18, 2007 in Dayton, Ohio. In the meantime she has completed her second YA novel (no, not a sequel!), which is currently being reviewed by her agent at ICM. She's also planning a personal writer's retreat with another insane writer buddy at a 200-year-old cabin in southern Ohio. No, she has never been camping in her life. Good luck wishes will be highly appreciated!
Judy Gregerson's BAD GIRLS CLUB has been nominated as a YALSA Quick Picks!
S. A. Harazin's BLOOD BROTHERS has been nominated as a YALSA Quick Picks. She's currently working on her next novel, tentatively scheduled Summer 2009.
Carrie Jones, author of TIPS ON HAVING A GAY (EX) BOYFRIEND, spent part of the summer with other Class of 2k7 members at SCBWI's Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles. She's keeping busy this fall, chairing a talk at NCTE, and appearing at bookstores with Robin MacCready, Edgar-winning author of BURIED. She looks forward to slumping down on her own bed and snoring away the month of December in an attempt to catch up on her badly-needed beauty sleep.
Jo Knowles was thrilled to learn that LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL was nominated for consideration on the 2008 BBYA list. She also sold her second novel, JUMPING OFF SWINGS to Candlewick Press (tentative pub date: Fall 2008). She is hard at work revising her third novel and helping her son survive third grade.
Eric Luper had some great news this summer. He was offered a contract on his second novel, BUG BOY, with FSG. Projected release date is Summer 2009. Aside from that, he is busy setting up speaking engagements and signings for the fall. He is currently scheduled to speak at the Spencertown Academy of Arts Festival of Books, NYSRA and NJASL. He is also hosting a few teen poker tournaments at bookstores in the northeast to promote the September release of his first YA novel BIG SLICK.
Melissa Marr has had a summer of chaotic travel. Aside from a couple of days between flights, the past three months were spent away from home promoting her novel WICKED LOVELY. Early July was highlighted by a trip to California for signings at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego and Warwick's in La Jolla. The latter part of the month included a Science Fiction & Fantasy conference in Tulsa, OK, where she signed books, met a wolf, and enjoyed panels on YA fiction, urban fantasy and genre-crossing. The month ended with another signing at Creatures 'n Crooks in Richmond, VA. August brought signings in northern Virginia, a research trip to Ireland, and signings in London, England. After a couple of days to re-pack the suitcase, September continued to be travel-filled with panels and signings at both the Brooklyn Book Festival and the Baltimore Book Festival. The schedule for October and November looks to be equally blurry with another multi-city book tour, as well as the NAIBA conference in Baltimore, MD, and a Book Festival in St. Petersburg, FL.
G. Neri had some good news this summer. He sold his first not-a-graphic YA novel SURF MULES to Putnam for release in summer of '09. He then appeared at the SCBWI Los Angeles conference in August with several 2k7ers talking up the group and impressing published authors to join forces in order to defeat the evils of the book-marketing world. He gave his first solo bookstore talk at a Barnes and Noble in Tampa (even though his book CHESS RUMBLE hadn't come out yet) and was booked to speak at conferences in Miami and Orlando, as well as appear with author M.T. Anderson in Atlanta for the IRA Conference.
Suzanne Selfors' TO CATCH A MERMAID is called an "assured debut" by Publisher's Weekly, and Elizabeth Bird for School Library Journal says that Suzanne's "narrative voice never falters." A reading in Los Angeles in early 2008, and another in Chicago are in the works. For information about 2007 readings, please visit Suzanne's website (www.suzanneselfors.com) Look for Suzanne's debut YA novel, SAVING JULIET, on Feb. 5, 2008.
Heather Tomlinson spent the spring and early summer at a marina in northern Baja, Mexico, working on her next book for Henry Holt, AURELIE: A FAERIE TALE. After turning in the manuscript, she embarked on a three-city "mini-tour" with two other Henry Holt debut novelists, enjoying festive dinners with children's booksellers and librarians in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. September will see the launch party for her first YA novel THE SWAN MAIDEN at Adventures for Kids bookstore in Ventura, CA, and then revamping her website! (www.heathertomlinson.com)
Tiffany Trent spent a busy summer writing and revising BETWEEN GOLDEN JAWS, the third book in the Hallowmere series. Her first book, IN THE SERPENT'S COILS, debuted in August and was a BookSense Children's Pick for fall. In September, she hosted a Genre Writing Q&A at Virginia Tech. For Teen Read Week in October, Tiffany will travel to Seattle for an event at Washington Middle School. She will also give several library visits, book signings, and hold a book launch party around Halloween. She will then travel to the World Fantasy Convention in New York, after which she looks forward to continuing work on Book 7 of Hallowmere.
Sara Zarr probably did a bunch of stuff since the last ezine, but it's hard to remember anything now. At the publication of this issue, she just found out that STORY OF A GIRL is a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature.]]>
Upcoming Eventstag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.7162007-10-15T17:19:46Z2007-10-12T17:49:24ZUpcoming Events Our class is an active group this quarter. We are doing tours, workshops, conferences, and visits to both schools and libraries. Please take a look at our schedules. We'd love to meet you....Greg Fishbone
Upcoming Events
Our class is an active group this quarter. We are doing tours, workshops, conferences, and visits to both schools and libraries. Please take a look at our schedules. We'd love to meet you.]]>
A.C.E. Bauer, No Castles Here (Random House)
November 10: 2-4:30pm - Launch party and signing at Cheshire Public Library (http://www.cheshirelibrary.org), with the help of The Alphabet Garden (http://www.thealphabetgarden.com/index.shtml)
Sarah Aronson, Head Case (Roaring Brook)
October 13-20: Highlights Foundation Whole Novel Workshop
November 17: Chair for Teaching with a Social Conscience at NCTE
November 18: Jewish Children's Writing Conference. I will be speaking from both sides of the publishing experience. "It's not what your publisher can do for you, but what you can do for your publisher!"
May 4-8: IRA. Panel discussion with Teri Lesesne, Tanya Lee Stone, Laura Ruby and Sonya Sones, called: REACH, DON'T PREACH!
May 16-18: 4th Annual Novel Writing Workshop at Vermont College. For more information: sarah@saraharonson.com
Jay Asher, Thirteen Reasons Why (Razorbill)
October 20: SCIBA Author Feast & Trade Show, Los Angeles, CA
October 22: 3:30pm, Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse, Flintridge, CA
October 27: SCBWI Ventura/Santa Barbara Writer's Day, Thousand Oaks, CA
November 13: Not Your Mother's Bookclub / Books Inc. Opera Plaza, San Francisco, CA
Julie Bowe, My Last Best Friend (Harcourt)
October 19: Visiting schools as part of the 2007 Chippewa Valley Book Festival, Eau Claire, WI
November 7: Speaking to the children's literature class at Green River Community College, Auburn, WA
November 8: Visiting Seattle schools and signing books at All For Kids Books & Music, Seattle, WA
November 9: Discussing My Last Best Friend with the campus book club at Tacoma Community College, Tacoma, WA
Laura Bowers, Beauty Shop for Rent (Harcourt)
November 6: Mount Airy Library, Mount Airy, MD
November 7: Eldersburg Library, Eldersburg, MD
November 10: Random House Book Fair, Westminster, MD
Paula Chase, So Not the Drama (Dafina/Kensignton)
October 16: Randallstown Public Library - Teen Read Week
October 16: Catonsville Public Library - Teen Read Week
October 18: Reisterstown Public Library - Teen Read Week
October 18: Woodlawn Public Library - Teen Read Week
October 25: Cockeysville Public Library - Teen Read Week
October 25: Pikesville Public Library - Teen Read Week
November 10: Random House Children=92s Book Fair
November 15: Enoch Pratt Free Library - Fan Fic Challenge
November 27: Essex Library - Twisted Book Launch
November 29: Rosedale Library - Twisted Book Launch
December 8: Don't Get It Twisted Book Signing: Urban Knowledge, Eastpoint Mall, Baltimore, MD
Sarah Beth Durst, Into the Wild, (Razorbill)
October 22: Marion E. Zeh School (Northboro, MA) - School Visit
October 23: Marguerite E. Peaslee Elementary School (Northboro, MA) - School Visit
October 24: Lincoln Street Elementary School (Northboro, MA) - School Visit
October 25: Fannie E. PrOctoberor School (Northboro, MA) - School Visit
October 26: Robert E. Melican Middle School (Northboro, MA) - School Visit
November 1-4: World Fantasy Convention (Saratoga, NY)
November 6: University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT) - Guest Lecturer
November 6: UConn Co-op Bookstore (Storrs, CT) - Reading/Signing
November 15-18: National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention (New York, NY)
November 27: Bancroft School (Worcester, MA) - School Visit
Sundee Frazier, Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It (Delacorte/Random House)
October 16: Key speaker at Barnes & Noble Educators' Night, Woodinville, WA
November 1: Fall Book Fair - Parkplace Books, Kirkland, WA
November 4: Fall Book Fair - Inglewood Presbyterian Church, Kenmore, WA
November 8: SCBWI's Inside Story showcasing fall releases - Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA
November 16: Reading and signing for National Children's Book Week - Village Books, Bellingham, WA
November17: Borders grand opening - Gig Harbor, WA
Judy Gregerson, Bad Girls Club (Blooming Tree)
October 16: 4:30-6:30pm, B&N Book Event at Southcenter, near Seattle
November 8: 7pm, Inside Story (Seattle SCBWI) Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA
Carrie Jones, Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) Boyfriend (Flux)
November 7: 7pm, reading at the Flying Pig Bookstore in Vermont with Sarah Aronson, Heather Tomlinson and A.C.E. Bauer
November 17: Chair for Teaching with a Social Conscience at NCTE
March 2008: Release of Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape), sequel to Tips on Having a Gay (ex) BoyfriendMarlane Kennedy, Me and the Pumpkin Queen (Greenwillow/HarperCollins)
October 15: School visit, Saltcreek Elementary
October 16-17, 19-20: Book signing Pumpkin Show, Circleville, OH
October 18, 19: School visit, Lanaster Schools
October 18: Authorpalooza Ohio Educational Library and Media Association
October 25-26: School visit, Westfall Schools
Jo Knowles, Lessons From A Dead Girl (Candlewick)
October 19: 4-6pm, Signing at The Yankee Bookshop, Woodstock, VT
November 5: 7pm, Guest Author at Mount Holyoke College (YA Literature course taught by Megan Lambert)
November 7: Tentatively scheduled to read/sign at the Flying Pig Bookstore with other Class of 2k7ers, Shelburne, VT
November 19: Panelist at NCTE/ALAN with Cecil Castellucci, Holly Black, Sara Ryan and Garret Freymann-Weyr
November 27: 7-8:30pm, Guest Author at the Reading Public Library Book Club, Reading, VT
December 6: 6pm, Book Party at Simmons College, Boston
Eric Luper, Big Slick (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)
October 19: 5-7pm, Dog Ate My Homework Bookstore, Glens Falls, NY: poker tournament and signing
October 27: 2-5pm, Spotty Dog Books, Hudson, NY: poker tournament and signing
November 8: New York State Reading Association
November 15: New Jersey Association of School Librarians
Melissa Marr, Wicked Lovely (Harper Collins)
October 15: North Atlantic Independent Bookseller's Assoc (NAIBA) conference, Baltimore, MD
October 18: Anderson's Naperville, IL (Chicago area)
October 20: Changing Hands, Phoenix, AZ
October 21: Barnes & Noble, Oceanside, CA
October 23: Blue Willow, Houston, TX
October 27-28: St Petersburg Festival of Reading
Heather Tomlinson, The Swan Maiden (Henry Holt/Holtzbrinck Group)
October 20: SCIBA Author Feast & Trade Show, Los Angeles, CA
October 27: SCBWI Ventura/Santa Barbara Writer's Day, Thousand Oaks, CA
Tiffany Trent, In the Serpent's Coils (Mirrorstone/Wizards of the Coast)
October 16: Teen Read Week at Washington Middle School, Seattle, WA w/YALSA
October 22: Visit w/Radford Public Library, Radford, VA
October 31-November 4: World Fantasy Convention
Sara Zarr, Story of a Girl (Little, Brown)
October 16: Readergirlz 31 Flavorite Authors - Live Chat, 5 pm Pacific/8pm Eastern. www.readergirlz.com for more info!
October 27: 2pm, Speaking and reading at the Utah Humanities Festival, Salt Lake City, UT
November 14: National Book Awards (Finalist)
November 19-20: ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents) National Conference, New York, NY. "New Voices" panel on the 20th
Spring 2008: Sweethearts hardcover release, Story of a Girl paperback with reader's guide
Also, Class of 2k7-ers Joni Sensel, Sundee Frazier, Suzanne Selfors, Thatcher Heldring, and Judy Gregerson are teaming up for the following events:
October 16: Barnes & Noble Southcenter Educators' Night
November 17: Gig Harbor Borders Grand Opening
]]>
4th Q Graduatestag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.7152007-10-15T17:16:17Z2007-10-12T17:47:47ZPresenting our Fourth Quarter Graduates As always, we have a variety of texts for our readers--middle grade and young adult, fantasy and drama, tears and laughter, life and death. The Class of 2k7 would like to share our last batch...Greg Fishbone
Presenting our Fourth Quarter Graduates
As always, we have a variety of texts for our readers--middle grade and young adult, fantasy and drama, tears and laughter, life and death. The Class of 2k7 would like to share our last batch of new releases:
October 1: Big Slick, by Eric Luper
October 9: Brendan Buckley's Universe & Everything In It, by Sundee T. Frazier
October 9: Lessons from a Dead Girl, by Jo Knowles
October 13: Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher
October 23: No Castles Here, by A.C.E. Bauer
October 31: The Penguins of Doom, by Greg R. Fishbone
November 1: Chess Rumble, by G. Neri
November: Don't Get It Twisted, by Paula Chase Hyman]]>
Big Slick, by Eric Luper
Farrar, Straus & Giroux--October 1--YA
All in all, sixteen-year-old Andrew Lang has been dealt a pretty good hand in life. Sure, he has to spend his afternoons slaving away in the hellhole that is his dad's dry-cleaning business, but even that's not so bad with Jasmine, the seriously hot Goth-chick senior, working right beside him. So what if she's got a boyfriend? Plus, Andrew's got an ace up his sleeve--he's good at poker. Very good. Unfortunately, all it takes is one bad beat at Shushie's illegal poker club to turn Andrew's bankroll from huge to nonexistent. And Andrew's pretty sure that sooner or later his dad's going to notice that $600 he "borrowed" from the register. Andrew thinks he may know how to get the money back, but it's a little bit crazy, and a little bit dangerous . . .
In this breakneck-paced novel about gambling and growing up, the stakes are high, and Andrew must ask himself: What does going all in really mean?
Eric Luper is an avid poker player who, among other things, once managed a dry-cleaning store. He lives in Albany, New York. Big Slick is his first novel.
Visit Eric Luper's Class of 2k7 page and his website.Brendan Buckley's Universe & Everything In It, by Sundee T. Frazier
Delacorte Press/Random House--October 9--MG
Ten-year-old biracial Brendan Buckley is a scientist, budding rock hound, and Tae Kwon Do blue belt who keeps a notebook to record all of his big questions about "life, the universe, and everything in it." For Brendan, no question is unimportant and nothing is too small to ask about. The one thing he knows not to ask about is the white grandfather he's never met and doesn't know why. Then Brendan makes a shocking discovery and all his summer plans take a back seat to one, singular mission: to find out where Grandpa DeBose has been--without letting his parents know what he's up to.
This multigenerational story is about uncovering secrets, family division, and ultimately family reconciliation made possible by the initiative and persistence of one young boy.
Sundee T. Frazier was the kind of kid who went searching for clues to mysteries that didn't exist, shaved her hairless doll's legs with a real razor, and stuffed olives up her nose just to see what would happen. As a kid, she wanted to be a magician, a detective, a singer, a radio broadcaster, and when she was ten like Brendan, a geologist. At age nine, she decided she would be an author and set about trying to figure out how to get a book published. It only took her twenty-five years to figure it out. She is also the author of Check All That Apply: Finding Wholeness as a Multiracial Person. You can read more about her work at www.sundeefrazier.com.
Visit Sundee T. Frazier's Class of 2k7 page.Lessons from a Dead Girl, by Jo Knowles
Candlewick Press--October 9--YA
FF=Friends Forever. That's what Leah tells Laine when she writes the letters on her hand in the fifth grade. But theirs is a complex and abusive friendship, and it's only after Leah is killed in a tragic accident that Laine begins to make sense of their complicated past.
How long does a childhood promise written on the palm of a hand last? Is there really such a thing as friends forever? Only Laine can answer. To do so, she must explore a troubled friendship, find its core, and decide whether she can forgive Leah--and ultimately, forgive herself.
Jo Knowles lives in Vermont with her husband, son, two cats, and various woodland creatures who prefer her basement to the great outdoors. She's a freelance writer and teaches writing for children at the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons college in Boston. Jo was the 2002 recipient of the SCBWI Work-in-Progress Grant for a Young Adult Novel, and the 2005 winner of the PEN New England Children's Book Discovery Award. She recently sold her second YA novel, Jumping Off Swings, to Candlewick Press. You can learn more about Jo and her books by visiting her website: www.joknowles.com.
Visit Jo Knowles's Class of 2k7 page.Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher
Razorbill/Penguin--October 13--YA
The rules are pretty simple. There are only two. Rule number one: You listen. Number two: You pass it on. Hopefully, neither one will be easy for you. (from Cassette 1: Side A)
Hannah Baker records the defining moments of the past few years of her life onto seven audiotapes. Thirteen stories involving several people at her school. She packs the tapes into a shoebox and mails them to the first person on the list. Then, she goes home to kill herself. Two weeks later, Clay Jensen comes home from school to find a box with no return address leaning against his front door. Inside are seven audiotapes, their sides labeled 1 through 13 in blue nail polish. He has no idea what's on the tapes, which is kind of exciting. . . until he presses play.
With Hannah's voice as his narrator, Clay spends the rest of the night wandering through town, visiting places mentioned on the tapes, unearthing the thirteen reasons why Hannah chose to kill herself.
And one reason belongs to him.
Jay Asher has worked at an independent bookstore, an outlet bookstore, a chain bookstore, and two public libraries. When he is not writing, he plays guitar, goes camping, and blogs with his friends at www.DiscoMermaids.blogspot.com.
Visit Jay Asher's Class of 2k7 page and his MySpace page.No Castles Here, by A.C.E. Bauer
Random House Children's Books--October 23--MG
Camden, New Jersey, is the armpit of the world, as far as eleven-and-a-half year old Augie is concerned--a home to drug dealers and bullies he must avoid. Seeking adventure, he escapes to Philadelphia only to become a thief when he steals a magical book of fairy tales. His mom signs him up with a Big Brother he doesn't want. And for sixth grade, he gets the meanest, toughest teacher in school who ropes him into the school chorus. All Augie wants is to remain invisible, but when circumstances threaten to shut down his school, he rallies his courage and he discovers that, even in his world, there might be such a thing as a fairy godmother.
A.C.E. Bauer has been telling and writing stories since childhood. She took a short break to write dreadful poetry, and then a longer one while she worked as an attorney, writing legal briefs and telling stories about her clients. She has returned to fiction, and now writes children's books and short stories for all ages. No Castles Here, named as "one of the strongest titles of the year" in a starred Kirkus review, is her first middle-grade novel. Born and raised in Montreal, she spends most of the year in New England, and much of the summer on a lake in Quebec.
Visit A.C.E. Bauer's Class of 2k7 page and her website.The Penguins of Doom, by Greg R. Fishbone
Blooming Tree Press--October 31--MG
The Penguins of Doom is a contemporary humor novel for ages 9 and up, written as a collection of letters.
Septina Nash is a 7th grade seventh child with purple hair and a knack for popping up in music videos. After her triplet-sister mysteriously disappears, Septina finds herself stalked by penguins, pursued by a mad scientist, and on the fast track to an Olympic medal in freestyle skateboarding. Along with her more reality-minded triplet-brother, Quinn, Septina hurdles from one adventure to the next: surviving for ten minutes in the world's most dangerous truck stop, launching a polar expedition, and collecting an enormous amount of empty yogurt containers.
Is it any wonder why she can't complete her math homework on time?
Greg R. Fishbone is the author of books for children, teens, and penguins of all ages. Since 2001 he has served as Webmaster and Assistant Regional Advisor for the New England Regions of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. In 2005, he sold his first novel to Blooming Tree Press. In 2006, he started the Class of 2k7 group for debut children's and young adult novelists, which will continue with 2k8 and 2k9 classes in 2008 and 2009.
Visit Greg R. Fishbone's Class of 2k7 page and his website.Chess Rumble, G. Neri
Lee and Low Books--November 1--MG/YA
Three moves
is all it takes
to change the outcome
of the game.
In Marcus's world, battles are fought everyday--on the street, at home, and in school. Angered by his sister's death and his father's absence, and pushed to the brink by a bullying classmate, Marcus fights back with his fists.
One punch away from being kicked out of school and his home, Marcus encounters CM, an unlikely chess master who challenges him to fight his battles on the chess board. Guarded and distrusting, Marcus must endure more hard lessons before he can accept CM's help to regain control of his life.
Inspired by inner-city school chess enrichment programs, Chess Rumble explores the ways this strategic game empowers young people with the skills they need to anticipate and calculate their moves through life.
G. Neri is an award-winning filmmaker and new media producer from Los Angeles, where he also taught animation and storytelling to inner-city youth. Now living in Tampa, Florida, with his wife and their daughter, Neri writes for teens and children. This is his debut book soon to be followed by his graphic novel, Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty. His website is www.gneri.com.
Visit G. Neri's Class of 2k7 page.Don't Get It Twisted, by Paula Chase Hyman
Kensington Books--November--YA
Mina Mooney's parents are killing her social life. It's time to fight back. Don't Get It Twisted, the second book in the Del Rio Bay Clique series, shows what it takes to have a blast while breaking all the rules. A fast-paced novel about loyalty, love and friendship.
Paula Chase lives outside of Annapolis, MD with her husband and two daughters. She has written for Girls' Life, Sweet 16, and Baltimore Magazine among others. In addition to her background in corporate communications and public relations, she also founded a youth mentoring program for 14-17 year old girls called Committed Black Women. Her dream is to offer young black girls a story in the vein of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in which they can recognize themselves, as well as a story with crossover appeal to a wide range of readers.
Visit Paula Chase Hyman's Class of 2k7 page and her website.]]>
Letter from the Editortag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.7142007-10-15T17:11:42Z2007-10-12T17:45:49ZWelcome to Issue #4 of our E-Zine! This is our final issue of the ezine. In addition to our usual collections of reviews, reports on our activities and upcoming events, we have two articles this time. The first is a...Greg Fishbone
Welcome to Issue #4 of our E-Zine!
This is our final issue of the ezine. In addition to our usual collections of reviews, reports on our activities and upcoming events, we have two articles this time. The first is a discussion of Great Reads for Teenage Boys, and the second is a lovely article looking back over the past year. I hope you enjoy these as much as we have. ]]>
January 2008: Carrie Jones Moe Berg's Story, David Godine/Black Sparrow Press
February 2008: Suzanne Selfors, Saving Juliet, Walker/Bloomsbury; Sara Zarr, Sweethearts, Little, Brown
March 2008: Carrie Jones, Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape), Flux; Tiffany Trent, Hallowmere: Between Golden Jaws, Mirrorstone; Sara Zarr, Story Of A Girl (paperback release, with reader's guide), Little, Brown
May 2008: Karen Day, No Cream Puffs, Wendy Lamb Books/Random House; Julie Bowe, My Last Best Friend(paperback release), Harcourt; Sarah Beth Durst, Into the Wild (paperback release), Razorbill/Penguin; May 2008: Carrie Jone, Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend (paperback release), Flux
Spring 2008: Melissa Marr, Wicked Lovely(paperback release), HarperTeen; Melissa Marr, Ink Exchange, HarperTeen; G. Neri, Yummy: Last Days of a Southside Shorty (graphic novel), Lee & Low
June 2008: Sarah Beth Durst, Out of the Wild, Razorbill/Penguin
July 2008, Carrie Jones, Girl, Hero, Flux
September 2008: Suzanne Selfors, Fortune's Farm, Little, Brown, Middle Grade Fantasy; Suzanne Selfors, To Catch a Mermaid (paperback release), Little, Brown
Fall 2008: Julie Bowe, My New Best Friend, Harcourt; Melissa Marr, Love is Hell (anthology), HarperTeen; Jo Knowles, Jumping Off Swings, Candlewick; Heather Tomlinson, Aurelie: A Faerie Tale, Henry Holt
We hope that you will find texts among those that you will enjoy.
with ongoing appreciation,The Ezine Committee
Contributors to this quarter’s ezine: Sarah Aronson, Jay Asher, A.C.E. Bauer, Julie Bowe, Laura Bowers, Greg R. Fishbone, Sundee T. Frazier, S. A. Harazin, Marlane Kennedy, Jo Knowles, Rose Kent, Melissa Marr, G. Neri, Sara Zarr.]]>
First Lines Contesttag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.6852007-07-18T21:02:58Z2008-02-14T19:26:22ZFirst and Last Annual Class of 2k7 First Line Matching Game It's been said that many editors judge a manuscript by its first line. So, writers work hard at making their first lines "pop!" See if you can match the...Greg Fishbone
First and Last Annual Class of 2k7 First Line Matching Game
It's been said that many editors judge a manuscript by its first line. So, writers work hard at making their first lines "pop!" See if you can match the first lines with the Class of 2k7 books. Whoever gets the most right will win an array fabulous and lavish prizes!
But be forewarned. . .it's not as easy as you might think!]]>
the list of first lines and titles on our site
2) Match each first line with its novel/author (you can print out the lists to make it easier)
3) Email your entry with "2k7 Matching" in the subject line in the form of a number sequence (i.e. 9, 12, 3, . . .) to Eric. Please include your name and contact information (your information will not be used for anything other than the purposes of this contest).
All entries must be received by August 15, 2007. (Our previous deadline has been extended!)
The winner will receive 3 of the following 5 fabulous prizes (at our discretion):
1. a collection of ARCs written by members of the Class of 2k7;
2. recognition on our blog;
3. a flight in an invisible jet to the secret Class of 2k7 hideout where you will be imbued with super powers and help fight crime with the rest of us;
4. our eternal praise and respect;
5. a pirate chest filled with jewels.
Good Luck!
(You're going to need it!)]]>
Upcoming Eventstag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.6842007-07-18T21:01:33Z2007-07-18T21:02:40ZUpcoming Events The Class of 2k7 is ON THE MOVE! Check this schedule to see if we are going to be in your area. We would love to meet you!...Greg Fishbone
Upcoming Events
The Class of 2k7 is ON THE MOVE! Check this schedule to see if we are going to be in your area. We would love to meet you!]]>
Sarah Aronson, Head Case (Roaring Brook Press, September 2007)
July 21: Vermont College Special Weekend
September 19: Reading and chocolate at the Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, VT
October 13-20: Sarah will be working at the Highlights Foundation with Carolyn Coman and Tim Wynne-Jones. Applications will be accepted July 9-Aug 1. http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/pages/current/FWsched_wholeNovel_07.html
Check Sarah's website, www.saraharonson.com, to see more September dates including fundraisers for Spinal Cord Injury research.
Kelly Bingham, Shark Girl (Candlewick)
Oct 12-14: Panel presentation at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, TN
Julie Bowe, My Last Best Friend (Harcourt)
July 1, 3:30pm: Presentation, discussion and signing at West Denmark Family Camp Luck, WI http://www.westdenmarkchurch.org/_mgxroot/page_10727.html
July 12, 1pm: Young Writers Workshop at Butterfly Books, DePere, WI http://www.butterflybooks.com/
July 12, 2pm: Book signing at Butterfly Books, DePere, WI
Laura Bowers, Beauty Shop for Rent (Harcourt)
July 7-8: Laura will be teaching a class on plotting at the SCBWI MD/DE/WV Summer Conference. http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/scbwi/events.htm
September 28-30: Baltimore Book Festival http://207.114.6.204/resources/up182.aspx
September 27: Guthrie Memorial Library Hanover, Maryland
Sarah Beth Durst, Into the Wild (Razorbill)
July 5-8: Author guest at Readercon (F&SF convention), Boston, MA
July 11, 6-8pm: Reading at New York Public Library, Tompkins Square Branch, New York, NY
July 14, 3:30pm: Reading/signing at Barnes & Noble, Worcester, MA
July 20, 9pm: Reading/signing at Eight Cousins Bookstore, Falmouth, MA
July 27, 6-8pm: Reading/signing at Pandemonium Books, Cambridge, MA
Aug 2, 7-8pm: Reading/workshop at Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, Setauket, NY
Aug 11, 8pm: Guest speaker for SFSNNJ at Borders, Paramus, NJ
Aug 18, 1-3pm: Signing at Moondance Gifts, Eastport, NY
Sept 15: Reading/signing at Princeton Children's Book Festival, Princeton Public Library, Princeton, NJ
Thatcher Heldring, Toby Wheeler: Eighth Grade Bench Warmer (Delacorte)
Please check his website, www.thatchertheauthor.com, for upcoming events.
Carrie Jones, Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) Boyfriend (Flux)
July 21: Books and Blooms in Maine. Fifty Maine authors gather together, selling books, doing readings. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Barters Island Road, Boothbay, ME
July 21: Hanging out at Vermont College's MFA in Children's Writing ANNIVERSARY PARTY (Yes, she is doing both in ONE day!)
August 3-6: Panel Presenter at Summer Conference for SCBWI
Jo Knowles, Lessons from a Dead Girl (Candlewick, November 2007)
July 26-29: Jo will be speaking at the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons College during their Summer Institute: "Food, Glorious Food!"
Rose Kent, Kimchi and Calamari (HarperCollins)
July 28, 11am-1pm: Booksigning at Eight Cousins Bookstore in Falmouth (Cape Cod)
July 22, 9-10:15am: Presenter at the Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Network (KAAN) Annual Conference, Boston, MA
Melissa Marr, Wicked Lovely (Harper Collins)
July 15: Join Melissa in celebrating the German release of Wicked Lovely at 1 PM, Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, CA
July 20-22: Author guest at Conestoga
July 28, 1-3pm: Appearance at Creatures 'n Crooks Bookshoppe in Richmond, VA
August 4: Signing at Borders in Woodbridge VA.
August 6: Wicked Lovely releases in the U.K.
August 26-29: Book promo things in London
September 29-30: Melissa will be a guest author and participate in a panel at the Baltimore Book Festival.
If you would like to schedule a member or members of the Class of 2k7 at your bookstore, library, or school, we would love to hear from you. Contact us at Send email.]]>
Class Member News & Activitiestag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.6832007-07-18T21:00:16Z2007-07-18T21:00:54ZApril – June news for the Class of 2K7 It has been a busy three months for the Class....Greg Fishbone
April – June news for the Class of 2K7
It has been a busy three months for the Class. ]]>
Melissa Marr's book, Wicked Lovely, for their April book group. Wicked Lovely received a starred review from Publishers Weekly in April, and was chosen as a Book Sense Summer 2007 Pick. Melissa lunched with members of the Michigan BGI (Borders and Waldenbooks) children's division in April, spoke at the ABC New Voices luncheon in May, and attended the Balticon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention in Baltimore where she served on two panels ("Feminism in YA" and "Is it worth it to write a book?"). While at BEA in June, Melissa did a Podcast interview and book signing. She also signed books in Altoona, PA and at ALA in Washington D.C.
Kelly Bingham's Shark Girl received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. She made her first author appearance at the Book Nook in Ellijay, GA. Kelly says, "It was a wonderful experience!" She's happy to report that Shark Girl is already in its second printing.
Film rights for Sara Zarr's Story of a Girl were sold to Mixed Breed Films (Kyra Sedgwick and Emily Lansbury producing) by co-agents Eddie Gamarra of the Gotham Group and Michael Bourret of Dystel & Goderich. Sara participated in the Summer Blog Blast Tour, produced by Colleen Mondor of Bookslut and Chasing Ray. Story of a Girl has been nominated for a Texas Library Association TAYSHA, an ALA/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, and is now in its fourth printing.
On June 2, A.C.E. Bauer, author of No Castles Here, was a featured speaker at the Ninth Annual Shoreline SCBWI Conference in Madison, Connecticut. She discussed how she revises manuscripts for publication, and was particularly thrilled to be able to share the day with her editor, Lisa Findlay of Random House Books for Young Readers.
Julie Bowe celebrated the April 1st debut of My Last Best Friend with a sold out book launch at Borders in Eau Claire, WI. She had a busy spring visiting schools, providing media interviews, and memorizing the terrific reviews she's received from Publishers Weekly, Kidsreads.com, School Library Journal, and more! Julie is thrilled that My Last Best Friend is included in Kirkus Reviews 2007 First Fiction Spotlight: Promising Debuts from Important New Voices. Julie is hard at work planning summer/fall book events and working on a sequel to the story. She loves hearing from kids who have read the book and, like a best friend, she always writes back!
Suzanne Selfors is happy to share that To Catch a Mermaid has been selected by the Junior Library Guild as a Premier Fall Selection.
Girl Overboard by Aimee Ferris has been recommended as one of Justine Magazine's Page Turners in the June/July issue. Girl Overboard was also listed as a Summer Read Pick from the Girls Say What blog for Allykatzz teen community, earning "two paws up!" Aimee celebrated the book's release in May with an outdoor tropical signing party at The Golden Notebook children’s bookstore in Woodstock, NY where readers can order signed copies of the book online at: www.goldenbook.comRuth McNally Barshaw, author and illustrator of Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel launched her book on May 1. She visited dozens of Michigan schools, bookstores, and libraries, spoke at the Michigan Library Association Spring Institute, the Michigan SCBWI Spring Conference, the Ann Arbor Book Festival, and the Lansing School District Calbery Awards Ceremony. Ruth also participated as a judge in Detroit's PBS Reading Rainbow writing competition for children. In addition, she donated a painted table to her local PBS auction. The table, featuring 34 scenes of Lansing family activities as well as her book's heroine, Ellie McDoodle, went to the Capital Area District Library after spirited bidding. Despite the frenzy of such a busy spring, Ruth found time to complete the first draft for a sequel to Ellie McDoodle which is due out with Bloomsbury USA in July, 2008. Both books are a sketch diary hybrid (a combination of graphic novel and journal) aimed at kids ages 7-13. In the first book, 11-year-old Ellie travels with relatives she can't stand, keeping a sketch diary of the trip. In the sequel, Ellie begins sixth grade at a new school in a new city, sketching her encounters with bullies and broken friendships. Ruth's website and sketch blog (ruthexpress.com) put a fun spin on all her author events, with lots of extras for both kids and grownups.
The Swan Maiden by Heather Tomlinson was nominated for the YALSA Best Books for Young Adults list in May!
"This gritty story has great appeal." So says Kirkus Reviews of Jeannine Garsee's book Before, After, and Somebody in Between. Jen celebrated the book's release with a launch party at Borders in Strongville, Ohio on June 26.
Sarah Beth Durst had a very busy spring, with lots of events leading up to and following the release of her book, Into the Wild. On May 5, she returned to the town of her college alma mater to be a guest author at the Princeton Teen Book Bash. After snagging lots of free books at BEA in early June, she did her first book signing on June 9 at the Worcester Public Library in Worcester, MA. This was followed by her first school visit on June 12 at Village Elementary in Syosset, NY. On June 16 Sarah woke up early to do a two-hour live radio interview/reading on the Hour of the Wolf program on WBAI 99.5 FM in NYC. She celebrated her June 21 book launch with a reading/signing/party at Book Revue in Huntington, NY. Two days later, she continued the celebration with another reading/signing at Books of Wonder in NYC. Hours later, she hopped a train to Washington D.C. to attend the ALA conference! Now she is in dire need of a long nap.
Beauty Shop for Rent by Laura Bowers was featured in the June/July issue of Girls' Life Magazine as one of their top three picks! The book was also featured in the April 26 and May 24 issues of Publishers Weekly Children's Bookshelf newsletters.
Tiffany Trent, author of In the Serpent's Coils, the first book in the young adult fantasy Hallowmere series, enjoyed several April happenings. She was interviewed by Chris Eboch for a historical fantasy article that will appear in the 2008 Children's Writers and Illustrators Market, served as a panelist at Technicon in Blacksburg, VA, and was guest author at the Young Adult Library Services Association’s (YALSA) Support Teen Literature day at Benito Juarez High School in Chicago, IL. While in Chicago, she was interviewed by three local news affiliates and three newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times. In May, Tiffany served as a panelist and reader at Balticon, signed books at BEA, and was interviewed by Joe Kennedy of The Roanoke Times as well as Teens Read Too (www.teensreadtoo.com/InterviewTrent.html). In June, Tiffany signed copies of In the Serpent's Coils at ALA where she also enjoyed reading at the Live@Your Library stage.
Eric Luper's novel, Big Slick, was selected by Richie Partington as a Richie's Pick!
Autumn Cornwell is excited to announce that foreign rights for Carpe Diem have been sold to Mondadori in Italy and The House of Books in Holland. In addition, the audio rights for Carpe Diem have been sold to Rebecca Bullene at Listening Library.
City of Bones author, Cassandra Clare, went on a seven-city book tour with fellow urban fantasy author Holly Black. Dubbed the "Iron and Bone" tour for the authors' books, the duo traveled to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Chicago, Ann Arbor, and New York. There were many terrific events, but one stands out. In San Francisco, Not Your Mother's Book Club (a book club for YA enthusiasts sponsored by Books Inc) held a Goth Prom with an urban fantasy theme. Everyone came dressed in their darkest finery, and Cassandra and Holly were guests of honor. They signed books and chatted with fans while gothic music played and sparkling pixie dust was scattered on the attendees! The bash was such a success it was later featured in Publishers Weekly.
In the course of promoting her book, Reality Leak, Joni Sensel has run into two long-lost high school pals, traded a book for a potted pansy, gotten out of bed at 4 a.m. for a breakfast event, accepted autographs from three readers under age eight, spent two hours in a hallway with an untuned middle-school band, worn a plastic lei, personalized a book for a customer who then decided not to buy it, dealt with one inexplicably angry parent, and had her book donation rejected by fundraising auction organizers in favor of a giant plastic hammer. She also managed to finalize copyedits on her second book, The Humming of Numbers, and got the news of the sale of her third book on the day of Reality Leak's release. Couldn't be better!]]>
Reviews and Blurbstag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.6822007-07-18T20:57:33Z2007-07-18T20:58:32ZThe Class of 2k7 Wants to Share our Reviews Excellent press continues to roll in for the Class of 2k7! Here's the latest buzz:...Greg Fishbone
The Class of 2k7 Wants to Share our Reviews
Excellent press continues to roll in for the Class of 2k7! Here's the latest buzz:]]>
Me and the Pumpkin Queen by Marlane Kennedy
"A warmhearted and genuine offering that demands little and gives much." -- Kirkus
My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe
"Delightful details enhance this friendship story." -- School Library Journal
"Engaging. . . realistic. . . will certainly appeal." -- Kirkus
"Bowe's characters emerge fully formed. Ida embodies the universal longing to connect with a kindred spirit." -- Publishers Weekly
"We hope to read more from this talented new author." -- Kidsreads.com
Blood Brothers by S. A. Harazin
"The story will grab readers from the first sentence." -– Kirkus
"A terrific novel of friendship, family, longing and belonging in Blood Brothers." -- Teri Lesesne
"Will hold the interest of all but the most squeamish readers." –- Richie's Picks
Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles
"This suspenseful, disturbing debut will help older teen readers understand that abusers are victims, too. If you enjoy the emotional, gritty work of E.R. Frank or Ellen Hopkins, you're gonna love Jo Knowles." -- Jennifer Hubert, Reading Rants
Before, After, and Somebody in Between by Jeannine Garsee
"(Garsee) tells this disturbing-yet-poignant tale. . . with a clear voice and authenticity." -- Childrens Literature
"This gritty story has great appeal." -- Kirkus
"Packed with tension. . . an over-the-top fairy tale. . . (Garsee) knows about what she is writing and she leaves out nothing. . . painfully realistic." -- VOYA
Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend by Carrie Jones
"Jones offers a convincing small-town environment, and the author's poetic prose ably captures her heroine's emotional upheavals." -- Publishers Weekly
"Jones's smart and emotional writing style enhances this slightly addicting, fast-paced read." -- VOYA.
"An emotional story that's true at heart." –- Kirkus
"It's good to have her talent in the field." -- KLIATT
First Light by Rebecca Stead
A Children's Book Sense Pick for Summer 2007
"[T]his compelling contemporary ice-age mystery introduces two engaging characters whose personal courage is tested as they discover one another's worlds as well as the truth about themselves. Thoroughly enjoyable arctic adventure." –- Kirkus
"Credible and absorbing . . . a journey worth taking." -- Publishers Weekly
Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregerson
"Bad Girls Club is as riveting as Dave Pelzer's A Child Called It books, but is far better. . ." -- Midwest Book Review
"I'm expecting to hear a lot more about this book. . ." -- Jen Robinson's Book Page
"To say that I enjoyed the book is not quite accurate--rather, I was engrossed in it and unable to put it down. . ." -- Fallen Angels Reviews, 5 stars
"One of the best I have ever read." -- Teen Reviewer, Flamingnet.com, Top Choice Award
"Gregerson's first novel is sure to garner lots of attention." -- Smartwriters.com
"Books like A Child Called It have long been popular with teens. This book will appeal for many of the same reasons." -- Professornana, The Goddess of YA
"I would recommend this book to all teens and young adults and believe it should be incorporated into the curricula of health classes at the middle and high school levels." -- Stanley C. Goldklang, Ph.D., Psychologist, NJ
"Thank you for sharing this story with the world--it needs to be heard." -- Tony Zabinski, Teacher, Connecticut
Toby Wheeler: Eighth Grade Benchwarmer by Thatcher Heldring
A Junior Library Guild selection.
"A truly great basketball story. Every hoops fan will love this book." -- Phil Jackson, member of the NBA Hall of Fame and head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel by Ruth McNally Barshaw
"The engaging text reflects a contemporary preadolescent sensibility and is chock-full of clean, distinguished line drawings on each spread." -– School Library Journal
"Part journal, part graphic novel, all fun." -– Kirkus
"Minimal text, sprightly illustrations, and plentiful action." -- paulamorrow.com
"Fun to read and recommended." -- curledupkids.com
"Funny and insightful." -– kidsreads.com
For more reviews, visit Ruth's website: www.ruthexpress.comInto the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
"So inventive with her take on fairy tales' relevance to our world." -- Charles de Lint, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction
"An entertaining, introspective, clever remixing of traditional fairy tales with a Labyrinth edge and a self-aware sensibility. " -- Realms of Fantasy Magazine
"Deeper than most rewritten fairy tales, this existential story is chunked with big ideas about the fairy-tale genre, yet the story is lightened with touches that will connect with its audience." -- Kirkus
"The story is peppered with sly allusions, and Julie is an appealingly reluctant heroine, one whose goodness and bravery come with plenty of wry, contemporary sarcasm." -- Booklist
"Durst pulls you in on page one and takes you on a wild adventure that's in parts hilariously funny, seriously thoughtful, depressing, and still filled with love, hope, and family." -- SFRevu
"An amazing, wild, romp of an adventure. . . What really sets it apart is that Durst truly gets the darkness in the old fairy tales, . . . the darkness of happily ever after. " -- Wands and Worlds
"Hilarious in parts, sad in parts, and surprisingly honest. A great book. I enjoyed it immensely!" -- TeensReadToo
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
"Fans of the smart/chic horror typified by Buffy the Vampire Slayer will instantly fall for this new series." -- Publishers Weekly
"City of Bones is a highly readable first novel. . . left me looking forward to the next adventure." -- LOCUS Magazine
"Lush and fun." -- Kirkus
"This fast-paced fantastic thriller will keep readers on the edge of their seats." -- VOYA
"I fully expect that City of Bones will be the hottest YA fantasy novel of the summer." -- Greenmanreview.com
"This debut novel from a brilliant, smart new voice in Young Adult literature is a marvelous adventure." -– teensreadtoo.com
Beauty Shop for Rent by Laura Bowers
"Teens will find Abbey's emotional turmoil rings true. . . But it's the multi-generational friendships--the feisty, sniping conversations . . . brim with humor--that make Bowers's first novel a delight." -- Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"This deceptively simple book reveals Abbey as a wonderful character who will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers." -- School Library Journal
"Step into this Beauty Shop for Rent for a good, clean read that will tickle your funny bone, massage your mind, and warm your heart." -- Bildungsroman
"Realistic, yet humorous, this is a satisfying novel." -- www.teensreadtoo.com
Big Slick by Eric Luper
"Big Slick is an action-filled tale involving hot girls, hot cars, very dangerous people, serious desperation, and some seriously bad choices. . . I'm betting that Big Slick is going to be both extremely popular and a great new title for reluctant readers." -- Richie's Picks
"Big Slick is filled with colorful characters, poker action, humor, romance, and illegal deals that will keep you turning the pages. Teen readers--both guys and girls, poker fans or not--will be fighting over who gets this one first." -- Sally Kruger (ReadingJunky) from www.teensreadtoo.com
No Castles Here by A.C.E. Bauer
"[D]ue to some excellent character development, you anxiously wait to hear both the fairy tale stories and Augie's story. . ., both were equally enthralling." -- Books4Ever
Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham
A School Library Journal Hot Pick
"This engaging read will entice enthusiastic and reluctant readers; the drama of the shark attack will hook them, and Jane's inner journey will hold them til the end." -– School Library Journal, starred review
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
A Children's Book Sense Pick for Summer 2007
"A fully imagined faery world that runs alongside an everyday world, which even non-fantasy (or faerie) lovers will want to delve into." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A debut that reads like the work of a seasoned pro. I can't wait to see what Marr comes up with next." -- Charles de Lint, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
"A modern day fairy tale wherein the girl saves herself and the denouement involves a negotiated partnership." -- Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books (recommended read)
"Twilight meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in an urban, faery world." -- Assoc. of Booksellers for Children newsletter (New Voices Profile)
"Expertly crafted, alternating effortlessly among four different characters. It's chockfull of ancient faery lore while at the same time bringing to life an ultramodern girl. Captivating!" -- Galley Talk in Publisher's Weekly
"With glorious imagery and faery deeds more light-hearted than most gritty urban faerie fantasies, it doesn't take long to feel at home with Wicked Lovely." -- Calgary Herald
"Aislinn's ability to straddle the real and faerie worlds is quite breathtaking, and readers will rapidly turn pages to see if she chooses the mortal Seth or the Summer King." -- Shelf Awareness
Reality Leak by Joni Sensel
"Perfect for the younger reader." -- Newton's Book Notes
"Unique characters, unique plot. Full of one imaginative adventure after another. . . an enjoyable read." -- Deliciously Clean Reads & Becky's Book Reviews
"Part mystery, part fantasy and packed with humor, this extremely creative novel will hold readers in lighthearted suspense through all 218 pages." -- Kendal Rautzhan, syndicated reviewer
The Penguins of Doom by Greg R. Fishbone
"The Penguins of Doom is a fun romp aimed squarely at middle grade readers. The format and voice are both unique." -- Jen Robinson's Book Page
Girl Overboard by Aimee Ferris
"Girl Overboard is part of the Sass series, so it is heavy on light romance. Where this story excels is its detailed, vivid descriptions of marine life and science, which allows it to transcend the rest of the series. High school science teachers could easily find a place for it on their shelves." -- David Gill, ALAN website, Bill's Best Books 2007
Me and the Pumpkin Queen by Marlane Kennedy
"This marvelously heartwarming story deserves a big blue ribbon." -- BookPage
"[R]eaders. . . are likely to be drawn in by Kennedy's straightforward narrative, as solid and unadorned as a pumpkin, yet lovely in its own way." -- Booklist]]>
About Graphic Novelstag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.6812007-07-18T20:55:17Z2007-07-18T20:56:39ZWhere to Begin with Graphic Novels When people hear that Class of 2k7 member G. Neri has written a graphic novel, he usually gets one of two reactions: either a truly impressed "Really?" or a highly suspicious "You wrote a...Greg Fishbone
Where to Begin with Graphic Novels
When people hear that Class of 2k7 member G. Neri has written a graphic novel, he usually gets one of two reactions: either a truly impressed "Really?" or a highly suspicious "You wrote a graphic novel? For kids?" So to avoid any confusion that he's writing blood-splattered books for toddlers, Mr. Neri's stock explanation goes like this: "A graphic novel is simply a novel-length story told in comic book format." It's not graphic in a violent or sexual way, but in a graphic arts way. It's an illustrated novel. And there's a growing trend to target this evolving medium more specifically toward teens and younger readers.]]>
manga (the Japanese form), both of which are extremely popular and are, for the most part, fantasy-based or science fiction. But look closely, and scattered throughout the bookshelves are some of the most profound and yes, literary novels you’ll ever read. Novels about real life, about coming of age, or first love, or escaping the Holocaust, or being gay, or abused, or lonely-—virtually any compelling real-life story you might imagine.
The wonderful thing about illustrated novels is that they started with a children's medium (comics) and turned into more of an adult medium (graphic novels like Maus, American Splendor, and Jimmy Corrigan). Now they're coming back as a medium specifically for teens and kids. Many of these newer stories have teenage protagonists that deal with teenage issues. So it makes sense that virtually every publisher of young adult books has a graphic novel in the works or has started a new imprint just to handle this exciting medium. Even mainstream comic labels like DC have gotten into the act, creating a niche imprint in order to market original graphic novels (The Plain Janes) specifically for teen girls.
But is it literature? By most definitions, illustrated novels can fit the bill. They can be of considerable length (Blankets and The Invention of Hugo Cabret clock in at well over 500 pages). They can be literate, like the Proustian Fun Home or Paul Auster's City of Glass. They can be insightful biographies, as in R. Crumb's Kafka or Louis Riel, a book about the 19th century Canadian rebel leader. They can be personal dissections of world cultures and politics. Persepolis or Safe Area Gorazde illuminate cultural divides far more than any news report could. Coming-of-age memoirs? Night Fisher or Blindspot capture the raw essence of growing up in America. There seems to be a true yearning by teachers and librarians for books, illustrated or not, that are provocative and honest enough to generate discussion amongst a nation of distracted young adults. Since reluctant readers tend to prefer visuals over straight prose, many of these books can fill this void.
Books like American Born Chinese, Epileptic, We Are on our Own, and Kampung Boy not only expand the boundaries of what an illustrated novel can do artistically, they are being accepted by teen audiences and BLTs (booksellers, librarians, teachers) as legitimate YA and MG novels. Recently, American Born Chinese won the prestigious Printz Award and was runner up for the National Book Award, an unprecedented move by these significant award committees. Hugo Cabret can be found on the N.Y. Times bestseller list, while books like Persepolis, Night Fisher, and Blankets have been deemed teen classics. BLTs have seen the value and appeal of getting reluctant readers, many of whom will only look at comics, to read illustrated novels. Like Harry Potter, these gateway books can open the door to the world of reading.
G. Neri's upcoming books Chess Rumble (a free-verse illustrated novella) and Yummy: Last Days of a Southside Shorty (a more traditional graphic novel) purposely target urban male teens and reluctant readers. The stories deal with real life issues of the street (gangs, poverty, inner city life), using characters usually not found in traditional literature.
Fellow 2k7er Ruth McNally Barshaw describes her middle grade book Ellie McDoodle as part graphic novel, part confessional journal, part wilderness survival guide. Her illustrated novel evolved accidentally from her habit of making online sketchbook journals. To her it was a natural evolution. For G. Neri, using this cinematic format evolved from being a filmmaker. Whatever people’s backgrounds, the art of storytelling has expanded exponentially with illustrated novels.
For those wondering where to start, here is a list of some top illustrated novels for middle grade and young adults. All of these books are eye-opening looks into the world around us, dealing with powerful issues like first love, religion, drugs, war, disease, sexuality, ethnicity, and history.
For a more complete picture, check out G. Neri’s online list. There you will find a remarkable range of illustrated novels appropriate for kids, teens, and adults. Pick up a few from your local bookstore or library, and the next time someone says, "Well, graphic novels aren't real writing. . . ," you can tell them otherwise.
1) Alia's Mission by Mark Alan Stamaty (Iraqi war) MG
2) American Born Chinese by Gene Yang (racism) MG
3) Berlin: City of Stone, by Jason Lutes (German history, pre WW2) YA mature
4) Blankets by Craig Thompson (first love) YA mature
5) Blindspot by Kevin C. Pyle (coming of age) MG-YA
6) Capote in Kansas by Ande Parks (non-fiction event, writing) YA
7) Epileptic by David B. (epilepsy) YA
8) Ethel and Ernest by Raymond Briggs (history of England, love and marriage) YA
9) The Golem's Mighty Swing by James Sturm (racism, baseball, period piece) YA
10) Houdini: The Handcuff King by Jason Lutes (biography) E-A
11) Kampung Boy by Lat (growing up Muslim in Southeast Asia) MG
12) Kings in Disguise by James Vance/Dan Burr (the Great Depression) YA
13) Latino USA: A Cartoon History by Ilan Stavans (Hispanic history) YA
14) The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea by Anne Sibley O'Brien (Korean folklore) E-MG
15) Louis Riel: A Comic Strip Biography by Chester Brown (biography) YA
16) Malcolm X by Andrew Helfer and Randy DuBurke (biography) YA
17) Maus 1 and 2 by Art Speigelman (Holocaust, racism) YA
18) Night Fisher by R. Kikuo Johnson (drugs, Hawaii) YA
19) The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation by Sid Jacobson (terrorism) YA
20) Palestine by Joe Sacco (war journalism) YA
21) Pedro and Me: Friendship, Loss and What I Learned by Judd Winick (AIDS) YA
22) Persepolis 1 and 2 by Marjane Satrapi (growing up in Iran) YA
23) The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (art terrorism) YA
24) Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle (life in N. Korea) YA
25) Safe Area: Gorazde by Joe Sacco (war journalism) YA mature
26) Sleepwalk by Adrien Tomine (loneliness, relationships) YA mature
27) Strum and Drang: Great Moments in Rock n' Roll by Joel Orff (teenage slice of life, music) YA
28) The Rabbi's Cat by Joann Sfar (Jewish issues, racism) YA
29) The Summer of Love by Debbie Drechsler (first love) YA
30) The Tale of One Bad Rat by Bryan Talbot (incest, homelessness) YA
31) To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel and Mark Siegel (dance) MG
32) When the Wind Blows by Raymond Briggs (nuclear holocaust) YA
33) We Are on our Own by Miriam Katin (Hungarian girl escapes Nazis) YA]]>
3rd Quarter Bios & Synopsestag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.6802007-07-18T20:53:05Z2007-07-18T20:54:39ZPresenting our Third Quarter Graduates We have quite a range of books for our readers this quarter, from penguins to prom queens, via pumpkin growers and mermaids. The novels cover multiple genres: fairy tales, humor, drama, historical fantasy, mystery, contemporary...Greg Fishbone
Presenting our Third Quarter Graduates
We have quite a range of books for our readers this quarter, from penguins to prom queens, via pumpkin growers and mermaids. The novels cover multiple genres: fairy tales, humor, drama, historical fantasy, mystery, contemporary action, and verse, and they deal with many diverse subjects such as abuse, recovery, love, friendship, sports, paralysis, and traveling the world. The Class of 2k7 is excited to announce its latest batch of new releases:]]>
This Is What I Did, by Ann Dee Ellis
July 3: Me and the Pumpkin Queen, by Marlane Kennedy
July 3: Revenge of the Homecoming Queen, by Stephanie Hale
July 7: The Penguins of Doom, by Greg R. Fishbone
July 10: Blood Brothers, by S.A. Harazin
July 24: Bad Girls Club, by Judy Gregerson
Aug. 7: The Swan Maiden, by Heather Tomlinson
Aug. 14: Toby Wheeler: Eighth Grade Benchwarmer, by Thatcher Heldring
Aug. 28: In the Serpent's Coils, by Tiffany Trent
Sept. 1: To Catch a Mermaid, by Suzanne Selfors
Sept. 4: Head Case, by Sarah Aronson
Early Sept.: Carpe Diem, by Autumn Cornwell
This Is What I Did, by Ann Dee Ellis
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers -- July 1 -- YA
Imagine if you witnessed something horrific happen to your friend but you did nothing to help. That's Logan's dilemma. An awkward but lovable outcast, he becomes enmeshed in a mysterious psychological drama that changes his life and his perspective on what it means to be a good friend and a good person. Part novel in verse and part screenplay, with palindrome notes strewn throughout, This is What I Did will make readers think about what they've done.
Ann Dee Ellis was born and raised in Provo, Utah. After stints in London, Hong Kong, and San Jose, she now lives in American Fork, Utah with her husband and son. She teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University.
Visit Ann Dee Ellis' Class of 2k7 page.Me and the Pumpkin Queen, by Marlane Kennedy
Greenwillow/HarperCollins -– July 3 -- Middle Grade
Mildred (11) is very focused on giant pumpkins. She's growing them for her mother who never had a chance to enter the Circleville, Ohio Pumpkin Show weigh-off herself. But in order to grow a flawless pumpkin, Mildred must keep the dogs from trampling the seedlings, contend with the weather, keep busy-body Aunt Arlene from interfering, and find time to help Daddy at his veterinary practice. Readers will be rooting for Mildred and her Atlantic Giant pumpkin.
Marlane Kennedy has much in common with her novel's hero. At age 11, she lived in Circleville, Ohio, where she attended the annual Pumpkin Show—-her inspiration. She now lives in Wooster, Ohio with her husband, two sons, and daughter.
Visit Marlane Kennedy's Class of 2k7 page.Revenge of the Homecoming Queen, by Stephanie Hale
Berkley Jam/Penguin -– July 3 -– YA
Beautiful Aspen Brooks, who is dating the most popular guy in school, expects nothing less than being crowned Homecoming Queen. But something goes terribly wrong. The tiara is placed on the head of Angel Ives. As if that's not bad enough, Aspen receives threatening messages and her car tires are slashed. She suspects Angel. If it's a war she wants, it's a war she'll get.
Stephanie Hale has always lived in the middle of a cornfield but is currently sharing the place with her husband and two sons. She firmly believes that high school is much better the second time around, especially when you can make your characters do and say whatever you want.
Visit Stephanie Hale's Class of 2k7 page.The Penguins of Doom, by Greg R. Fishbone
Blooming Tree Press -– July 7 -- Middle Grade
Septina Nash (7th grade) has purple hair and a knack for popping up in music videos. After her triplet-sister disappears, Septina finds herself stalked by penguins, pursued by a mad scientist, and on the fast track to an Olympic medal in freestyle skateboarding. Is it any wonder why she can't complete her math homework on time?
Greg R. Fishbone lives in the Boston area with his wife and two cats. A lawyer by day and writer by night, Greg fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and fun.
Visit Greg R. Fishbone's Class of 2k7 page.Blood Brothers, by S.A. Harazin
Delacorte/Random House -– July 10 -- YA
Clay (17) dreams of becoming a doctor but since he can't afford college, he works at the local hospital. When his best friend, Joey, overdoses and ends up at Clay's hospital, clinging to life, Clay fears he may be blamed for Joey's condition. Clay will do whatever it takes to find out what happened at the party and to help Joey recover.
S.A. Harazin attended nursing school in Alabama and has worked in the ICU and ER of many hospitals. She currently lives in Georgia with her husband and three children.
Visit S.H. Harazin's Class of 2k7 page.Bad Girls Club, by Judy Gregerson
Blooming Tree Press -– July 24 -– YA
Destiny has a secret. She's been told not to tell anyone what happened to her, her little sister, and her mother at Crater Lake. But the secret is killing her and every day she remembers. Destiny must choose between exposing the lies or telling the truth, which could ruin her family. It could be the end of her life. Can the truth really set her free?
Judy Gregerson has worked as a newspaper copy editor, a marketing assistant at Viking/Penguin, and in the advertising department of The New York Times. Doubleday published her memoir in 1980. She now lives in Seattle with her husband, two daughters, and a variety of creatures.
Visit Judy Gregerson's Class of 2k7 page.The Swan Maiden, by Heather Tomlinson
Henry Holt/Holtzbrinck Group –- Aug. 7 -- YA
A third daughter can dream of being a creature of flight and magic, or wearing a swan-skin like her sisters. But Doucette is only a chastelaine in training, learning to run the castle household while her older sisters are taught to weave spells. For Doucette, the dream of flying is exactly that—-until the day she discovers her own hidden birthright.
Heather Tomlinson has taught English in Paris, and French in the U.S. Her novel was inspired by French fairy tales and the magical countryside of Provence. She lives in Southern California with her husband and three cats.
Visit Heather Tomlinson's Class of 2k7 page.Toby Wheeler: Eighth Grade Benchwarmer, by Thatcher Heldring
Delacorte/Random House -– Aug. 14 -- Middle Grade
Toby Wheeler wants to help his basketball team win, but how is he supposed to do that if he's stuck sitting on the bench? A friendship with the coach's daughter and a rash promise made to an archrival only complicate matters. For Toby, overcoming the odds will require practice, determination, and belief in one important truth-—it takes an entire team to win one game.
Thatcher Heldring has been a benchwarmer, a shortstop, a goalie, and a coach. He currently lives in Seattle with his wife and new baby boy, Jack.
Visit Thatcher Heldring's Class of 2k7 page.In the Serpent's Coils, by Tiffany Trent
Mirrorstone/Wizards of the Coast -– Aug. 28 -- YA
Book One in the Hallowmere series begins as the Civil War ends. Ever since her parents died, Corrine's dreams have been filled with faeries warning of impending peril. When she's sent to live at Falston Manor, the dreams grow stronger, just as girls begin disappearing from school. Then Corrine discovers letters of forbidden love by a medieval monk who writes of his entanglement with a race of vampiric Fey-—the same Fey who haunt her dreams. Who are these creatures and will Corrine be the next girl to disappear?
Tiffany Trent grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and has lived and worked in Hong Kong, China, Oregon, Montana, and N. Carolina. She currently lives in Virginia with her husband, four cats, and dog.
Visit Tiffany Trent's Class of 2k7 page.To Catch a Mermaid, by Suzanne Selfors
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers -– Sept. 1 -- Middle Grade
When Boom Broom (12) brings home a seaweed-covered fish from the reject seafood bucket by the docks, he thinks it's going to be just another fish dinner. When the dinner turns out to be a foul-tempered, mud-scented merbaby, Boom and his sister, Mertyle, are thrust into an adventure that comes with a curse.
Suzanne Selfors spent many childhood days on the beach, hoping to catch sight of a mermaid. She lives on an island in the Pacific NW with her husband, son, and daughter.
Visit Suzanne Selfors' Class of 2k7 page.Head Case, by Sarah Aronson
Roaring Brook Press/Holtzbrinck Group Contemporary -– Sept. 4 -– YA
Frank Marder is a head, paralyzed from the neck down and it's his fault. He was drinking and driving. Now he needs someone to feed him, to wash him, to move his body. When you're a head, do you ever feel like a whole person? Will Frank ever forgive himself? Head Case willmake the reader consider how we judge each other and how we can move beyond our mistakes.
Sarah Aronson has been an aerobics instructor, physical therapist, and religious school principal. She currently works for Jewish Lights Press and lives in Vermont.
Visit Sarah Aronson's Class of 2k7 page.Carpe Diem, by Autumn Cornwell
Feiwel & Friends/Holtzbrinck -– Early September -- YA
Overachiever, Vassar Spore (16) has her entire life planned out, including the PhD and Pulitzer Prize. Enter long lost Bohemian Grandma Gerd, who blackmails Vassar's parents, forcing Vassar on a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, upsetting the life plan. From Malaysia to Cambodia, to the remote jungles of Laos, the only thing Vassar can count on is that she'll never be the same again.
Autumn Cornwell knows a thing or two about traveling, having explored twenty-two countries. She worked with refugees and orphans in Burma and Laos, and recently worked in the TV and film industry. She lives outside of Los Angeles with her husband and son.
Visit Autumn Cornwell's Class of 2k7 page.Released in June:
Before, After, and Somebody in Between, by Jeannine Garsee
Into the Wild, by Sarah Beth Durst
First Light, by Rebecca Stead
Wicked Lovely, by Melissa Marr]]>
Letter from the Editortag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.6792007-07-18T20:49:02Z2007-07-18T20:51:59ZLetter from the Editor in Chief Talent. That's the first word I think of when I'm asked about the Class of 2k7. There's so much darned talent. If our first twenty books haven't thoroughly convinced you (yes, we've already put...Greg Fishbone
Letter from the Editor in Chief
Talent. That's the first word I think of when I'm asked about the Class of 2k7. There's so much darned talent. If our first twenty books haven't thoroughly convinced you (yes, we've already put twenty new books on bookshelves!), or the numerous accolades we've received, or our successful and fun appearances, then this latest crop of releases should do it. While our ezine will introduce you to our third quarter's group of debut novels, let me introduce the authors to you.]]>
Tiffany Trent lived and worked in Hong Kong and mainland China. Autumn Cornwell visited twenty-two countries, mingling with reformed headhunters and cannibals in New Papua as a child. Heather Tomlinson taught English in Paris–-and French in the United States. Stephanie Hale, on the other hand, was born, raised, and still lives in the middle of a cornfield, while Marlane Kennedy prefers to explore Ohio forests and creeks where she can catch crawdads and salamanders.
Their jobs are as diverse as their travel experiences. Thatcher Heldring's storied work history includes stints as a grocery bagger and ditch digger. S.A. Harazin has done just about everything as a nurse. And Sarah Aronson taught aerobics, worked as a physical therapist, and held the position of religious school principal. Unfortunately, Suzanne Selfors couldn't pursue a career at sea because she tends to turn green in ocean swells.
Judy Gregerson has already won recognition for her past work, having been included in the 1980 Who's Who in America. Greg R. Fishbone, for his part, won several Golden Grunion awards for his participation in the legendary superhero parody project, Superguy. But perhaps my favorite claim to fame comes from Ann Dee Ellis who owns a glow-in-the-dark Hallowe'en apron, which may still be in her dirty laundry hamper.
Come explore all this talent. In our third quarter ezine read about what we've been up to, what we plan on doing, our reviews, and of course, all about our books. G. Neri generously shares his list of favorite graphic novels, while the Class runs a fun first lines contest. Happy summer to all!
-- A.C.E. Bauer
Contributors to this quarter's ezine:Sarah AronsonA.C.E. BauerJulie BoweAutumn CornwellGreg R. FishboneJeannine GarseeS.A. HarazinThatcher HeldringEric LuperG. Neri for "Where to Start with Graphic Novels"
Suzanne SelforsSara Zarr]]>
First Lines Contesttag:classof2k7.com,2007://1.6782007-06-06T13:08:56Z2008-02-14T19:24:28ZThe contest is closed. We thank all those who participated....Greg Fishbone
The contest is closed. We thank all those who participated.
All in all, sixteen-year-old Andrew Lang has been dealt a pretty good hand in life. Sure, he has to spend his afternoons slaving away in the hellhole that is his dad's dry-cleaning business, but even that's not so bad with Jasmine, the seriously hot Goth-chick senior, working right beside him. So what if she's got a boyfriend? Plus, Andrew's got an ace up his sleeve--he's good at poker. Very good. Unfortunately, all it takes is one bad beat at Shushie's illegal poker club to turn Andrew's bankroll from huge to nonexistent. And Andrew's pretty sure that sooner or later his dad's going to notice that $600 he "borrowed" from the register. Andrew thinks he may know how to get the money back, but it's a little bit crazy, and a little bit dangerous . . .
In this breakneck-paced novel about gambling and growing up, the stakes are high, and Andrew must ask himself: What does going all in really mean?
Eric Luper is an avid poker player who, among other things, once managed a dry-cleaning store. He lives in Albany, New York. Big Slick is his first novel.
Visit Eric Luper's Class of 2k7 page and his website.
Brendan Buckley's Universe & Everything In It, by Sundee T. Frazier
Delacorte Press/Random House--October 9--MG
Ten-year-old biracial Brendan Buckley is a scientist, budding rock hound, and Tae Kwon Do blue belt who keeps a notebook to record all of his big questions about "life, the universe, and everything in it." For Brendan, no question is unimportant and nothing is too small to ask about. The one thing he knows not to ask about is the white grandfather he's never met and doesn't know why. Then Brendan makes a shocking discovery and all his summer plans take a back seat to one, singular mission: to find out where Grandpa DeBose has been--without letting his parents know what he's up to.
This multigenerational story is about uncovering secrets, family division, and ultimately family reconciliation made possible by the initiative and persistence of one young boy.
Sundee T. Frazier was the kind of kid who went searching for clues to mysteries that didn't exist, shaved her hairless doll's legs with a real razor, and stuffed olives up her nose just to see what would happen. As a kid, she wanted to be a magician, a detective, a singer, a radio broadcaster, and when she was ten like Brendan, a geologist. At age nine, she decided she would be an author and set about trying to figure out how to get a book published. It only took her twenty-five years to figure it out. She is also the author of Check All That Apply: Finding Wholeness as a Multiracial Person. You can read more about her work at www.sundeefrazier.com.
Visit Sundee T. Frazier's Class of 2k7 page.
Lessons from a Dead Girl, by Jo Knowles
Candlewick Press--October 9--YA
FF=Friends Forever. That's what Leah tells Laine when she writes the letters on her hand in the fifth grade. But theirs is a complex and abusive friendship, and it's only after Leah is killed in a tragic accident that Laine begins to make sense of their complicated past.
How long does a childhood promise written on the palm of a hand last? Is there really such a thing as friends forever? Only Laine can answer. To do so, she must explore a troubled friendship, find its core, and decide whether she can forgive Leah--and ultimately, forgive herself.
Jo Knowles lives in Vermont with her husband, son, two cats, and various woodland creatures who prefer her basement to the great outdoors. She's a freelance writer and teaches writing for children at the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons college in Boston. Jo was the 2002 recipient of the SCBWI Work-in-Progress Grant for a Young Adult Novel, and the 2005 winner of the PEN New England Children's Book Discovery Award. She recently sold her second YA novel, Jumping Off Swings, to Candlewick Press. You can learn more about Jo and her books by visiting her website: www.joknowles.com.
Visit Jo Knowles's Class of 2k7 page.
Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher
Razorbill/Penguin--October 13--YA
The rules are pretty simple. There are only two. Rule number one: You listen. Number two: You pass it on. Hopefully, neither one will be easy for you. (from Cassette 1: Side A)
Hannah Baker records the defining moments of the past few years of her life onto seven audiotapes. Thirteen stories involving several people at her school. She packs the tapes into a shoebox and mails them to the first person on the list. Then, she goes home to kill herself. Two weeks later, Clay Jensen comes home from school to find a box with no return address leaning against his front door. Inside are seven audiotapes, their sides labeled 1 through 13 in blue nail polish. He has no idea what's on the tapes, which is kind of exciting. . . until he presses play.
With Hannah's voice as his narrator, Clay spends the rest of the night wandering through town, visiting places mentioned on the tapes, unearthing the thirteen reasons why Hannah chose to kill herself.
And one reason belongs to him.
Jay Asher has worked at an independent bookstore, an outlet bookstore, a chain bookstore, and two public libraries. When he is not writing, he plays guitar, goes camping, and blogs with his friends at www.DiscoMermaids.blogspot.com.
Visit Jay Asher's Class of 2k7 page and his MySpace page.
No Castles Here, by A.C.E. Bauer
Random House Children's Books--October 23--MG
Camden, New Jersey, is the armpit of the world, as far as eleven-and-a-half year old Augie is concerned--a home to drug dealers and bullies he must avoid. Seeking adventure, he escapes to Philadelphia only to become a thief when he steals a magical book of fairy tales. His mom signs him up with a Big Brother he doesn't want. And for sixth grade, he gets the meanest, toughest teacher in school who ropes him into the school chorus. All Augie wants is to remain invisible, but when circumstances threaten to shut down his school, he rallies his courage and he discovers that, even in his world, there might be such a thing as a fairy godmother.
A.C.E. Bauer has been telling and writing stories since childhood. She took a short break to write dreadful poetry, and then a longer one while she worked as an attorney, writing legal briefs and telling stories about her clients. She has returned to fiction, and now writes children's books and short stories for all ages. No Castles Here, named as "one of the strongest titles of the year" in a starred Kirkus review, is her first middle-grade novel. Born and raised in Montreal, she spends most of the year in New England, and much of the summer on a lake in Quebec.
Visit A.C.E. Bauer's Class of 2k7 page and her website.
The Penguins of Doom, by Greg R. Fishbone
Blooming Tree Press--October 31--MG
The Penguins of Doom is a contemporary humor novel for ages 9 and up, written as a collection of letters.
Septina Nash is a 7th grade seventh child with purple hair and a knack for popping up in music videos. After her triplet-sister mysteriously disappears, Septina finds herself stalked by penguins, pursued by a mad scientist, and on the fast track to an Olympic medal in freestyle skateboarding. Along with her more reality-minded triplet-brother, Quinn, Septina hurdles from one adventure to the next: surviving for ten minutes in the world's most dangerous truck stop, launching a polar expedition, and collecting an enormous amount of empty yogurt containers.
Is it any wonder why she can't complete her math homework on time?
Greg R. Fishbone is the author of books for children, teens, and penguins of all ages. Since 2001 he has served as Webmaster and Assistant Regional Advisor for the New England Regions of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. In 2005, he sold his first novel to Blooming Tree Press. In 2006, he started the Class of 2k7 group for debut children's and young adult novelists, which will continue with 2k8 and 2k9 classes in 2008 and 2009.
Visit Greg R. Fishbone's Class of 2k7 page and his website.
Chess Rumble, G. Neri
Lee and Low Books--November 1--MG/YA
Three moves
is all it takes
to change the outcome
of the game.
In Marcus's world, battles are fought everyday--on the street, at home, and in school. Angered by his sister's death and his father's absence, and pushed to the brink by a bullying classmate, Marcus fights back with his fists.
One punch away from being kicked out of school and his home, Marcus encounters CM, an unlikely chess master who challenges him to fight his battles on the chess board. Guarded and distrusting, Marcus must endure more hard lessons before he can accept CM's help to regain control of his life.
Inspired by inner-city school chess enrichment programs, Chess Rumble explores the ways this strategic game empowers young people with the skills they need to anticipate and calculate their moves through life.
G. Neri is an award-winning filmmaker and new media producer from Los Angeles, where he also taught animation and storytelling to inner-city youth. Now living in Tampa, Florida, with his wife and their daughter, Neri writes for teens and children. This is his debut book soon to be followed by his graphic novel, Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty. His website is www.gneri.com.
Visit G. Neri's Class of 2k7 page.
Don't Get It Twisted, by Paula Chase Hyman
Kensington Books--November--YA
Mina Mooney's parents are killing her social life. It's time to fight back. Don't Get It Twisted, the second book in the Del Rio Bay Clique series, shows what it takes to have a blast while breaking all the rules. A fast-paced novel about loyalty, love and friendship.
Paula Chase lives outside of Annapolis, MD with her husband and two daughters. She has written for Girls' Life, Sweet 16, and Baltimore Magazine among others. In addition to her background in corporate communications and public relations, she also founded a youth mentoring program for 14-17 year old girls called Committed Black Women. Her dream is to offer young black girls a story in the vein of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in which they can recognize themselves, as well as a story with crossover appeal to a wide range of readers.
Visit Paula Chase Hyman's Class of 2k7 page and her website.]]>
