News: April 2008 Archives

In very typical fashion, the professional review journal Kirkus throws Maureen Johnson's SUITE SCARLETT a backhanded compliment. But kt, you ask, if so, why are you posting it on your website?

Well, readers, because that's the way Kirkus likes to roll. A little love, a little pain. Much like life, I think. The kicker:

There are a lot of pieces packed into Johnson's caper comedy, and at times the fantastical plot feels a bit unwieldy. However, the authentic charm of the characters and the endearing sweetness of their odd familial relationships do, finally, make this light read worthwhile.

The full quote is up on bn.com. Personally, I think Kirkus can take their "light read"s and stick them somewhere untoward. The sense that YA novels are light and fluffy (unless they're dark and depressing) is one that abounds in critical analysis of teen fiction, and it bugs me.

It's been nominated for the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) Teens' Top Ten list, to be voted on in October. From the American Library Association (ALA) website:

Teens' Top Ten is a "teen choice" list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year! Nominators are members of teen book groups in fifteen school and public libraries around the country.

The full list is here. How many have you read?

I'm getting caught up again after a weekend away, happily pouring through my inbox to find all sorts of good news about my authors. Like this review of BAND GEEK LOVE by Josie Bloss in the School Library Journal:

The story moves quickly, and it doesn't take half of the book for the Ellie, the main character, to meet the guy that she falls for, which seems to be the custom in other teenage romance novels.

Check it out -- a book trailer for Alyson Noel's new book, CRUEL SUMMER (coming this May).

What do you think? What other movie-style trailers for books have you seen lately? And do they make you run to the bookstore?

More questions for Maureen Johnson, these posed by Julie Prince of Young Adult (& Kids) Book Central. Taking a leaf (a lead? Someone help me out here!) from celebrity magazine interviews, Julie ask Maureen a few things you likely won't read about anywhere else.

So, who are you wearing?

I tell you, my inbox was swimming in good news when I came back to work! SAVING ZOE by Alyson Noel has been named a finalist in the National Reader's Choice Awards, sponsored by the Oklahoma chapter of RWA. Yay for ZOE! It was also named a "Staff Pick" by the Collier County Public Library (FL), whose reviewer said:

Although Alyson Noel is best known for "lighter" stories, in this book she looks at dangerous issues facing young people: internet predators and teen stalkers. This book is a true page-turner as I found myself as immersed into Zoe's life as Echo was.

Little Willow has posted a great interview with Josie Bloss, author of BAND GEEK LOVE, up on her site, along with a review that calls it "music to your ears"! Do we have any other former band geeks out there? Make yourself known in the comments!

Jocelyn over at Teen Book Review has a fabu interview up with Maureen Johnson, author of the just-released SUITE SCARLETT. My favorite bit (probably because I'm mentioned) is when she was asked about her favorite trip. Her reply:

I think one of the best trips I ever took, and probably the one that most fueled 13 Little Blue Envelopes, was the summer I lived in London with the person who is now my agent (known as Daphne Unfeasible on my blog). That entire summer was an event. The memories come in flashes: hiding under a bridge to escape a cast member of Riverdance, taking a 5 AM boat to France after a night spent throwing Pringles into the Thames, breaking in to our own apartment through the window over the trash cans because we couldn't get the door open . . .

Read the whole thing, and enjoy!

I have a feeling I'm going to be posting a lot of these: a great review for SUITE SCARLETT by Maureen Johnson, this time from The Edge of the Forest (who also reviewed BAND GEEK LOVE in this issue!). To quote:

Maureen Johnson's lively writing and endlessly funny characters make this book a sure hit with fans of her previous books, The Key to the Golden Firebird, The Bermudez Triangle, 13 Little Blue Envelopes, Devilish, and Girl at Sea. It will definitely earn her many new fans as well. Me, for one.

The Martin family dynamics, especially the relationships between siblings, are unique, yet familiar. This gives the story an expectation easily fulfilled by its genius author, who weaves a plot highlighting the best traits of each character.[...]

A smooth read that's perfect for pool side entertainment and worthy of passing on to friends for book clubby discussion.

Dare one call it a "rave"? I think one might!

Josie's already posted this on her own blog, but I think we have the first review of BAND GEEK LOVE, from "The Edge of the Forest," billed as a children's literature monthly. There's a bit more recapping than reviewing, but we love this part:

When four years worth of drama catches up with her, Ellie's insecurities as she negotiates the new world of emotions are pathetic and realistic. Anyone who has tried to control what other people think of them will recognize the flailing and freaking out that Ellie does as she realizes that the world is what it is, and she's not in control of anything.

More soon, we hope!

kt literary will be closed for a brief week's holiday, as we officially add the "t" to our "k". We'll get back to your queries, emails, questions and comments next week!

Just got a VERY excited email from my author:

THE HOPEWELL HOTEL IS READY FOR YOU NOW.

I am extremely pleased to announce that Suite Scarlett is now on sale. It can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Powell's, and several other online retailers. It's appearing in stores as well . . . rolling out all over the place. If it's not in your local store yet, it should be very shortly.

Want to know more about the hotel? Scarlett? Spencer? Hamlet? The unicycles? Mrs. Amberson? Read more here!

Scholastic will be launching the BIG SCARLETT CONTEST on May 1st! In the meantime, I'll be giving away books and swag on my blog!

Go on! Your room is ready! It's time to check in!

Please, won't you help me keep Maureen calm? Go buy the book, and I'll try to keep the exclamation points away from her.

Everyone's favorite internet book reviewer named after a character in a Joss Whedon show, Little Willow, likes BAND GEEK LOVE by Josie Bloss! She's named it to her best books of March 2008 list -- with a caveat that it'll be released in July 2008. Stay tuned for a full review.