Writer, teacher, blogger and mom.
Ever read a book that makes you want to give up writing because you know you’ll never write anything even half as good? PERSONAL EFFECTS, the debut novel by E. M. Kokie is such a book. After his older brother dies in Iraq, Matt makes a discovery that rocks his beliefs about strength, bravery, and … More Best Book in July – PERSONAL EFFECTS BY E. M. Kokie
I’m very excited to have Sharon G. Flake, author of many award winning books with me this week, to talk about her upcoming book PINNED. First, let’s blurb: Autumn and Adonis have nothing in common and everything in common. Autumn is outgoing and has lots of friends. Adonis is shy and not so eager to … More SHARON G. FLAKE talks about PINNED and GIVEAWAY
When I was teaching screenwriting at the University of Sydney there were a few things that came up, reliably, with every class. For example, it got so I would give a prize to the first person who mentioned Fellini or Bergman, with bonus points going to the person who mentioned them both in one sentence. … More Road Trip Wednesday – BOOKS vs MOVIES: The Revenge of the Writer
I picked up MY OWN REVOLUTION by Carolyn Marsden at ALA last month, after not only blogging it as an “I can’t wait to read” book that week, but also having a drink with Carolyn at a middle grade meet-up the night before! When I found her signing the books in the exhibition floor we … More Marvelous Middle Grade Monday – My Own Revolution
June was another big reading month. I tweeted most things and reviewed a few things too. Here’s the run down with a few other thoughts, particularly about smoking in YA lit. THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky, Tweet: PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER Stephen Chbosky – compelling read. Charlie felt ynger than … More June Reads, Book Tweets and Thoughts on Smoking in YA Lit.
My body arrived back from ALA12 two days ago but I think my mind has only just joined it. What an amazing experience. I’m kind of glad my first ALA was as a lurking nobody rather than a signing author with commitments and expectations because I’m sure I would have lost my mind somewhere in … More ALA12 – White Canadian Broad Gets Schooled
A quick MMGM post this week because I (and the lovely Shannon W Messenger) are both busy running around ALA12 like lunatics. This week I’d like to highlight a series Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan. Ranger’s Apprentice is part George RR Martin, part Tamora Pierce, Part Nancy Farmer. It’s a series of dramatic adventures involving a … More MMGM The Ranger’s Apprentice Series by John Flanagan
Much has been written about YA covers and the ubiquitous “white girl/impractical dress/floaty hair” theme. I’ve personally taken umbrage at the “dead girl” (with or without impractical dress/floaty hair. Although, if you’re dead a dress can’t really be impractical can it? But I digress). Quite apart from the racial discussion (which is no small thing. I’m starting to … More COVER STORY – Graphic/Iconic Covers
Over at The Green Bathtub Amy L. Sonnichsen is hosting a crazy-fun blog hop wherein we all go back to our teenage journals and share some embarrassing poetry, prose or other silliness. Lord but there’s a lot to be embarrassed about in my high school journal and very little to be proud of, but I AM … More My So Called Teenage Life Blog Hop (rated R for language)
This might just be my favorite Terrific Teen Tuesday ever. Toronto area teen Yoonseo Kang graduated high school with a spot at the prestigious Univerity of Toronto awaiting him. Instead he decided to go live on a farm in the USA learning and developing ways of building farm and factory equipment from scratch. Crazy? Possibly, but … More Terrific Teen Tuesday – Stay Out of School!
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