The National Writing Project (which revolutionized my teaching and writing life) invited me to participate in their events for the national day on writing, October 20. Yay!
So cruise over here and read my responses to the six questions … Read more
Steve Brezenoff’s latest novel, Brooklyn, Burning, sets the bar high for punk-friendly, slacker-sweet, gender-indifferent YA. And it takes on the issues facing many LGBT teens in the wisest way possible: by refusing to make those issues all that the … Read more
Cupcake by Rachel Cohn is the third book following the misbehaviors and adventures of Cyd Cherisse, which begin in Gingerbread and continue in Shrimp.
C.C. aggravates the hell out of me a lot of the time, being all rich-girl … Read more
One of the things I love about reading YA is discovering new company for books I love–especially imagining how I’d group them and what recommendations I’d offer to folks who’ve loved a book.
Here’s the Library of Congress book summary:… Read more
I admired Jordan Sonnenblick before I even knew his books. Like me, he put in a number of years teaching in the public schools of Houston through Teach For America. Plus he’s a funny, unassuming guy who is unstinting when … Read more
I just finished listening to Chris Crutcher’s Deadline, and doing so was both a pleasure (I’ve loved Chris Crutcher since listening to his fabulous Whale Talk) and a chance to think about the relationship between realism and diversity … Read more
Somebody recently asked me this question: “Besides teens, who do you think is the most important audience for What Can’t Wait?”
Good question. Here’s my answer: What Can’t Wait wants to be read by middle school and high school … Read more
I’ve wanted to read The Freak Observer ever since I first heard about it (even before it won the prestigious Morris award). I mean, who wouldn’t want to read a book “about death, life, astrophysics, and finding beauty in … Read more
There ought to be a database out there with all the characters in YA and MG novels who love books, dictionaries, literary allusions, or word play.
There ought to be such a thing so that I can print it out … Read more
(This week, I’m trying to overcome recent angst directed at one reviewer’s comments on YA fiction by reflecting on positive author-reviewer experiences.)
A sweet review from a YA reader makes me just as happy as a tree full of bright … Read more
