Three Goodies: New Narnia, TTT & Self-Publishing Done Right

I have three announcements!

First, the next Narnia movie is in the works: The Silver Chair!

Second, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) announced the Teens' Top Ten Winners- Woot!

For a list of the books and other information about Teens' Top Ten, check out YALSA's website page, or this post in which I explain why I love the TTT competition.

And, finally, earlier today the blogging sensation Nathan Bransford released his first self-pubbed book, a writing guide. Happily, Bransford presents writers an example of "the right way" to self-publish for a large audience. He hired two editors, a cover designer, the whole shebang to prepare his book for the public. I haven't read it yet, but I certainly will.

YA Fiction Booklist: Twisted Fairy Tales and Retellings

Fairy Tale Retellings

Check out these twisted and retold fairy tales, all available at the Lakeport Library,or upon order from nearby Redbud library. And don’t forget about our ebook and audiobook downloads. You can download certain books on your home computer through “overdrive” onto your Kindles, ipods and other ereaders and mp3players. Some books are Adult Fiction that appeals to Young Adults, and others are Juvenile Fiction that appeal to Young Adults.



Cinder / Marissa Meyer

The book of lost things / John Connolly (Adult Fiction)

Golden / Cameron Dokey

Bewitching : the Kendra chronicles / Alex Flinn

Princess of the Midnight Ball / Jessica Day George

Just Ella / Margaret Peterson Haddix

Fire and Hemlock / Diana Wynne Jones

Snow / Tracy Lynn

Beauty : a retelling of the story of Beauty & the beast / by Robin McKinley (Juvenile Fiction)

Deerskin / Robin McKinley

Rose daughter / Robin McKinley (Juvenile Fiction)

Mermaid : a twist on the classic tale / Carolyn Turgeon

Spindle's end / Robin McKinley (Juvenile Fiction)

Beast / Donna Jo Napoli

Bound / Donna Jo Napoli

East / Edith Pattou

Sisters red / Jackson Pearce

Bella at midnight / Diane Stanley

Nobody's son / Sean Stewart

The swan maiden / Heather Tomlinson

Midnight pearls : a retelling of "The little mermaid" / Debbie Viguié

Breadcrumbs / Anne Ursu

Briar Rose / Jane Yolen

The following books are available Ebooks or Audiobooks AND in hard copy at the Lakeport.

A little princess / by Frances Hodgson Burnett (audiobook, Juvenile Fiction )

Entwined / Heather Dixon (ebook)

Book of a thousand days / Shannon Hale (audiobook)

The goose girl / Shannon Hale (ebook & audiobook)

Fairest / Gail Carson Levine (audiobook, Juvenile Fiction)

Impossible : a novel / Nancy Werlin (audiobook)

The amazing Maurice and his educated rodents / Terry Pratchett (ebook)

Order These From Nearby Redbud

Into the Wild : a novel / Sarah Beth Durst

Confessions of an ugly stepsister / Gregory Maguire

The swan maiden / Heather Tomlinson

Briar Rose / Jane Yolen


 

2013 Edwards Award Winner

     Last week, I posted about several YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) awards for young adult literature. I did not, however, talk about the Margaret A. Edwards Award!
     YALSA describes the Edwards award as honoring "a significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens." This year's winner deserves an entire post to herself because her books are literally the reasons I began devouring books at age 10. Who is this wonderful author?

...

Tamora Pierce!

For her Song of the Lioness and Protector of the Small quartets! The following information is derived from the YALSA website:



 

 

"The four books in the Song of the Lioness series, Alanna: The First Adventure; In the Hand of the Goddess; The Woman Who Rides Like a Man; and Lioness Rampant, focus on Alanna’s journey to accept herself both as a woman and a warrior."

Also set in Tortall, two decades later, is the Protector of the Small quartet, First Test; Page; Squire; and Lady Knight. Keladry of Mindelan goes through struggles, from her First Test, then becoming a Page, a Squire and eventually a Lady Knight. While set in a fantasy world, Pierce’s heroines face realistic challenges that resonate with teen readers.

This information is from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) website. Check it out for booklists, awards and more at http://www.ala.org/yalsa/



Award Winning Teen Fiction (Booklist)

Greetings, Scribblers and Book Bandits!
The Young Adult Lit theme for March (and most of April) is "Award Winning Teen Fiction." If you and your teen are looking for YA fiction with a literary flair, here is your cheat sheet. All these books are easily available from the Lakeport library. (If they aren't on the Lakeport library display or the shelves, you can order them from a nearby library. The shipping service is fast and free! Find the online catalogue here. If you would like to see the full lists of the books, click here.) I also included the Young Adult Library Services Association's descriptions for each award:

 

Printz Awards & Honors: are the best books written for teens each year.

 

·         Dodger by Terry Pratchett (2013) Also on ebook & audiobook!

·         Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey (2012). Also on audiobook & ebook!

·         Tales of the Madman Underground : a historical romance 1973 by John Barnes (2012)

 

      ·         The Scorpio Races / Maggie Stiefvater (2012) Also on audiobook! (It's amazing, trust me.)

·         Why we broke up / novel by Daniel Handler, author of The Series of Unfortunate Events ; art by Maira Kalman (2012 )  Also on audiobook!

·         Ship breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi (2011). Also on audiobook!

·         Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick (2011) Also on audiobook!

·         Please ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King (2011) Also on audiobook!

·         Charles and Emma : the Darwins' leap of faith / Deborah Heiligman (2010) Also on audiobook!

·         The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves by M. T. Anderson (2009) Also on audiobook!

·         Your own, Sylvia : a verse portrait of Sylvia Plath by Stephanie Hemphill (2008) YA NF 811 HEMPHILL

·         The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson (2007 & National Book Award for Young People’s Literature) Also on audiobook!

 

Alex Awards: yearly honors adult books with special appeal to teens.

·         Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt (2013) Also on ebook!

·         Big Girl Small by Rachel DeWoskin (2012)

·         The Magicians by Lev Grossman (2010)

·         The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (2012) Also on audiobook & ebook!

 

·         Ready player one by Ernest Cline (2012) Also on audiobook!

·         Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson (2012) Also on audiobook!

 

Odyssey Award: honors the producer of the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States. The award is co-administered with the Association for Library Service to Children

·         Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama (2013)

·         Rotters by Daniel Kraus (2012)

·         The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (2012 ) (Yes, that's two, count 'em, TWO awards for The Scorpio Races!)

·         Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt (2012)

·         Alchemy and Meggy Swann (2011)

·         Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (2011 Honor)

 

     ·         Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan (2011 Honor)

 Morris Award: honors a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature.

·         Flash burnout by L.K. Madigan (2010 Winner)

·         The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (2012 Finalist) Also on ebook!

·         Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (2012 Finalist) Also on ebook!

Sorry about the blur!

·         Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey (2011 Finalist)

·         Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride (2011 Finalist)

·         Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl Also on audiobook!

·         Graceling by Kirstin Cashore (2009 Finalist) Also on audiobook & ebook!

·         The Everafter by Amy Huntley (2010 Finalist) Also on audiobook!

This information is from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) website. Check it out for booklists, awards and more at http://www.ala.org/yalsa/

Young Adult Booklist: "Travel" Theme

    
Hi everyone! I worked up a booklist for a Young Adult Fiction display at the library. The theme is "Travel." All the books in the first list are available at the Lakeport library or available on order from a nearby library. You can order any or all of these books right from your home by searching here through the library catalog. Enjoy!
 

Travel Booklist for Young Adults

·         Ostrich Boys by Keith Gray

·         Shift by Jennifer Bradbury

·         The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares (also on ebook)

·         An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (also on audiobook)

·         Wounded by Stephen Cole

·         The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

·         The Convicts by Iain Lawrence

·         Come Back to Afghanistan : a California teenager's Story by Said Hyder Akbar and Susan Burton

·         Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (also on Audiobook)

·         Blood Red Road by Moira Young

·         Rules of the road by Joan Bauer

·         The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex

·         Defining Dulcie by Paul Acampora  

·         Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd

·         Pardon my French by Cathy Hapka

·         Spain or Shine by Michelle Jellen

·         Forrest Gump : a novel by Winston Groom (Adult Fiction, also on Audiobook)

·         The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963 a novel by Christopher Paul Curtis (Juvenile Fiction, also on Audiobook & Ebook)

·         Here Abide Monsters by Andre Norton (Juvenile Fiction)

·         Travels with Charley : in search of America by John Steinbeck (Adult NF 917.3 STEINBECK)

·         The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti (Only on Audiobook)

·         13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson (Ebook & Audiobook only)

·         Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Not all of these next books are available at our library, but they also fit our theme.

·         Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

·         TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow

·         Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber (I am definitely going to read this!)

·         Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

·         Saving June by Hannah Harrington.

·         How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

·         American Spaz the Novel by Greg Kieser

·         Punkzilla by Adam Rapp

·         Kiss the Morning Star by Elissa Janine Hoole

     I can't make any promises that these books won't include "questionable content," because I picked them based on the theme and haven't read them all.
     P.S. And I haven't forgotten the craft post on Premise. I want to make sure it's freaking amazing before I let you see it. For now, read up!

Photo Attribution:
By gnuckx [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Summer Reading List

    

     I always end up surprising myself with what I end up reading, so making a list is still fun! And sharing/exchanging lists is even morefun, so I hope you'll share your lists and recommendations with me :) First I'll share my reading plans, then I'll give a few recommendations of great books I read this year! Here's what's cooking at the moment:

What's on My List?

• The Beautiful Days of My Youth by Ana Novac.

               -I'm reading this one for research purposes in my novel, but also because historical reads are growing on me! If you are at all interested in studying the Holocaust (cheery, I know), this book may be a good pick.

• Jersey Tomatos are the Best by Maria Padian.

               -I've already begun reading this one (as you can see if you look right...a little more...yep, on my bookshelf!). It wasn't part of the plan, originally, but the voice caught me up instantly. If you've read any of my book reviews, you know voice is a big factor in whether I like a novel. Plus, it pairs a dynamic, athletic duo in the package of two best friends--a tennis stud(ette), and a ballet star. These contemporary teens will have you laughing and longing to play, too.

• The Notebook by Nicolas Sparks

               -Saw the movie. It = <3. I may finally get around to reading the book. Woo Hoo!

• Pretties by Scott Westerfield

               -Thanks to a good friend of mine (Thanks Cora!), I picked up the first book of this series, called Uglies. I also ended up studying it for a plot program I've been working. It was a great read, especially with its rousing plot. I reviewed it on Goodreads, if you would like my whole opinion of it.

• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

               -This book popped up in several places, boasting high ratings and recommendations. Despite its rather boring cover, I picked it up enthusiastically. So glad I did! I'm working my way through it slowly to pick up every gem of knowledge I can.

My Recommendations (if you're interested! :)

• The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater.

                -Did you see this coming? Yeah, I figured. If not, read my rave review. Two reasons to read this mythical beast of novel: (1) It's a Teens Top Ten Pick, & (2) it won the Printz Award. Plus...it's fun without being forgettable. Perfect for summer! This book is going to hit it big, folks. You'll be right on board with the market if you read this now.

• The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright

                 -Or, really, this whole adorable series. If you have kids, this is clean, brilliant fun from the 1940s. Mona, Rush, Randy and Oliver are the perfect kids for your children to follow around--not to mention dear father and Cuffy, the housekeeper.

• Graceling by Kristin Cashore

                 -For the Fantasy enthusiasts. This summer is prime-time to read Kristin Cashore's fantasy books because the long-awaited next installment, Bitterblue, has come into the world! Novels by Cashore are slow in coming, so Bitterblue requires celebration--besides the fact that both of her previous novels are fantastic.

• The Hobbit by You-know-Who (a.k.a J.R.R. Tolkien. Wow. Look at all those periods.)

                 -Know why this is a timely book to read? Because the movie is coming out on December 13th this year. This is the last summer to read the series and be ready for the movie! Enjoy this classic.

• Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art by Madeleine L'Engle

                 -This book deserved much more than a simple review (which you can see by clicking on the book's picture in the bookshelf to the right). In this age, when faith and art seem at opposite ends of the spectrum, we need a readjustment. This book provided that, for me. I can't recommend it as highly as it should be recommended.

     I wish you a grand summer filled with books! And now, I am about two begin my next NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) adventure: Camp NaNoWriMo (the same noveling adventure, but set in the summer). Check it out, if you want inspiration! If you want to know what NaNoWriMo is all about, click my "Useful Websites" label, and scroll to the bottom the of that page. There's a post on what it is, and why it's useful.
     See you next week!