How do you pick out a Christmas present or birthday gift for a young reader? There are all sorts of ways to choose, but sometimes I like to pick out a book set in a place where those readers live or featuring characters from the same locality. Readers have enjoyed recognizing places from Suspect, my … More Regional Reads for Christmas
I got the news that my young adult mystery SUSPECT was on the top of the Society of School Librarians International best books for language arts (grades 7-12) last fall, but the official link never popped up for me until last week. Now I’m honored to share it, especially since I’m in such good company.
Peachtree Publishers does such a lovely job of promoting the books on their backlist. My friend Sondy was at ALA and took a picture of SUSPECT being promoted even though it came out last fall. She also found SAVING THE GRIFFIN face out. It does have an extremely tempting cover.
Once again I can’t help thinking about how this is the weekend in June where the mystery weekend in SUSPECT would take place. Weather did really play a role in the plot. Weather, seasons and climate do play or at least should play an important role in establishing the setting in novels. In every book that … More When It All Goes Down
I’ve always enjoyed reading books in the season when they are set. I’ve done this most often with the work of Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels because that writer, whose real name is actually Barbara Mertz, does such a fabulous job of bringing in the season as well as the physical setting. So I can’t help thinking … More ‘Tis the Season to Read SUSPECT
SUSPECT was one of ten books picked for the High School KSRA 2011 YA book award . Students can vote on their favorite title as long as they’ve read at least four of the following books: Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins, Charlesbridge Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson, Simon and Schuster Five … More Keystone State Reading Association
Suspect made the Pennsylvania YA Top 40 (or so) list. I’m afraid that “or so” means closer to 200 books, but it’s still a lovely honor. Here’s the review from the librarian who nominated it: Seventeen-year-old Jen goes to help her Grandma Kay for the summer at the bed-and-breakfast she owns, but finds herself investigating the … More The PSLA YA Top 40 (or so)
It was fun to find SUSPECT in Kirkus again. This time it accompanied THE LIAR SOCIETY review in the “similar books” section. Nice!
Some writers don’t read the reviews of their books. Many of those who will read reviews from professional journals will avoid reader feedback from places like GoodReads. That would undoubtedly be both smarter and safer. A very wise writer said that “Good reviews are like crack; bad reviews, like poison.” But I’m blessed and cursed with an … More Reading Reviews
That Cover Girl is one blogger who’s willing to judge a book by its cover. Or maybe it’s closer to say that she’s judging the covers of various YA books. In any case, she recently interviewed Peachtree’s Mo Withee about her THIS GIRL IS DIFFERENT cover. At a point later in the interview, Mo mentions … More Judging Books by Their Covers
Kristin Wolden Nitz 