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It’s a tough assignment, and the best I can do is choose five YA books that, if I were shipwrecked today, I’d want with me.

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Wow. I've been editing Slider's Son every spare second, so I haven't taken time to blog for ten days. So much to say, and so little time.

Rainbow theme:
First, Kirstin Cronn-Mills was on a panel last night at the loft, discussing GLBT YA literature, and the evening was fascinating and fun. So far to go in getting full acceptance of honest literature. Kirstin was the "token straight ally" author. I want to read every book represented there. Marion Dane Bauer, David LaRochelle, David Levithan, and Pat Schmatz. See my facebook page for a photo of the rainbow snacks provided (Jello made by DivaE, aka Kirstin).

Makes me delighted that in our upcoming anthology Girl Meets Boy, the stories include at least one gay romance.
I'm also gratified that in Chasing AllieCat,  the issue isn't an issue--it's just part of who a character is. 

David Levithan and Brian Farrey both read from their recent novels, and they ROCKED.

We're lucky to live in Minnesota with such a supportive writing community!

Posts coming in the near future (in between or after editing): Kurtis Scarletta, Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna, and some thoughts on fall cycling...:) stay tuned.

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My family moved right after my fifth birthday - into the house my parents still live in.  So, being the "new kid" at school - except in first grade when we were ALL new kids - was a trauma I never experienced.  Being new in a group situation, like the first day of camp, or dance lessons, or a scout troop - that was enough for me.  Two of the books I read this week centered around the "new kid" in school.

Bluefish by Pat Schmatz alternates between the third person story of Travis, who is the new kid at school and the first person journal of a girl, Vida, who embraces her nickname of Velveeta.   On the first day of school, Travis does a kind act as secretly as possible.  Velveeta sees it and decides to become Travis' friend.  The shortest, and smartest, boy in their class rounds out this trio of middle school oddities.  Together they help each other overcome their difficulties, bear their burdens and face a brighter future because of it.

By alternating the voices, Schmatz keeps this book from becoming a downer.  Travis has lived with his grandfather from the age of three.  Vida has lost her best friend, an elderly neighbor.  This book could be a handbook on dealing with grief but the characters are so different; they have such different strengths, that humor creeps in.  Bradley, who is the smart kid, is the almost normal foil that evens out this story of struggling to find one's place - a common plight for teenagers.

There is also a little tiny bit of evangelizing for literacy.  Those of you who read a lot will enjoy the references but they are sprinkled in with a light hand so, if you don't read a lot, they don't spoil the story.

Part of me wants to tell you what Travis' secret is.  But I want you to read the book.  And doing your own detective work will make the book more enjoyable.

This book is written for the middle school and above market - ages 11 through 14, I'd say.  Adults who work with these ages will enjoy the book as well - or readers who enjoy books about friendships and growth.  So that's almost everybody.

Two more books to go; The Predicteds by Christine Seifert, and an excellent portrayal of a tragic accident from WWII, Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff.  I will let the Chobani Cup Oracle decide which book is reviewed tomorrow.

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Friday night, I went to the book launch for Pat Schmatz' new YA novel, Mousetraps. This is a terrific book and, I think, an important one.

I went to the book launch for two reasons: 1) I wanted to support Pat, who is an author I've met just a few times, but she seems like a cool person, and I like the way she thinks; 2) With the possibility of a book launch in my somewhat near future, I wanted to see one in person. That's right. I'm embarrassed to say I've never been to one. And the idea of a party about me and my book makes me very nervous, so I need to prepare. In fact, even just going to someone else's book launch made me somewhat nervous. I'm not good at events like these.

This launch was for a YA novel, so it was pretty different fom how I imagined a picture book launch to be. I'm trying to get to some picture book launches in the next month or two, but the schedule is slim pickings, and I can't go to the only one I found scheduled. I'm going to have to do some online research! Anyone want to share links that tell about picture book launches people have gone to or given?

Yum--Cake Pat's book launch was held at the Red Balloon in St. Paul, Minnesota. After a reading of the pivotal Chapter 12, the audience descended upon the chocolate cake with the book cover on it.

Signing Books Pat tried to ignore me taking pictures as she signed books after the reading.

Pat Schmatz No matter how nervous you get about readings, it has to feel good to have people lining up to have you sign your book!

Jane St. Anthony and Marsha Chall Several great area writers came to the launch, including Jane St. Anthony (my younger daughter adored The Summer Sherman Loved Me) and Marsha Chall (check out the beautiful Sugarbush Spring).

Star Attraction And after a while, someone brought in Sophia Lolita, who allowed everyone to pet her.

Lindsay Chall and Elizabeth Dingmann The publicity department from Lerner Publishing was there. Lindsay Chall, Senior Publicist, is on the left, and Elizabeth Dingmann, Publicist, is on the right. How cool to have your publicist at your book launch!

Good luck with this book, Pat! I hope it gets lots of great attention!

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