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1. November 2015 Releases

Hey, readers! Once again, we’ve brought out the Upcoming Titles feature to give you a sampling of the books being published this month! As always, this is by no means a comprehensive list of forthcoming releases, just a compilation of titles we think our readers (and our contributors!) would enjoy.

Without further ado:

November 1st

01 infinitylost

November 3rd

02 how to be brave
03 traffic
04 until we meet again
05 need

06 the wrinkled crown
07 black wolves

November 10th

08 winter
09 see no color
10 consent
11 da vinci's tiger

12 soundless
13 a bitter magic
14 unforgiven

November 17th

15 just visiting
16 the game of lives

November 24th

17 promises i made

Happy reading!

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2. Best New Kids Stories | November 2015

Hot New Releases & Popular Kids Stories It's important to keep up on the hot new releases and popular kids' books as we enter the gift giving season!

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3. Splash into Summer with These Titles from Random House Children’s Books!

By Mary Van Akin of Random House Children’s Books
Published: June 29, 2012

Two long-awaited conclusions to bestselling series!

RAPTURE

By Lauren Kate

The long-awaited, astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series is here! To stop Lucifer from erasing the past Luce and Daniel must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this–live only to lose Luce again and again. Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen. For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her–and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters. In the fight for Luce, who will win?

Random House Children’s Books | 978-0-385-73918-4 | June 12, 2012 | $17.99 | Ages 12-17 | 464 pages

Check out Fallen Books on Facebook!

THE ENCHANTRESS

By Michael Scott

The sixth and final book in the New York Times bestselling Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series.  This internationally known series introduces readers to legendary historical and mythological figures—weaving history, myth, folklore, and magic together seamlessly. The twins of prophecy have been split. Nicholas Flamel is near death. John Dee has the swords of power. And Danu Talis has yet to fall. The future of the human race lies in the balance–how will the legend end?

Delacortes Press | 978-0-385-73535-3 | May 22, 2012 | $18.99 | Ages 12 and up | 528 pages

Check out The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series on Facebook!

Read the book that everyone is buzzing about!

WONDER

By R.J. Palacio

An emotional and beautiful novel about being the new kid.  August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school–until now. He’s about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances? R.J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is ac

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4. February 2012: Best Selling Kids’ Books, New Releases, and More …

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 4, 2012

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

THE HOT SPOTS: THE TRENDS

Award-Winning Illustrator Marla Frazee & the Best Interview Ever

Kids Winter Books: Snow, mittens, polar bears and other arctic animals

Caldecott Medal, 2012

Newbery Medal Winners, 2012

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online


THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet

by Jane O’Connor

(Ages 4-7)

And Then It’s Spring

by Julie Fogliano

(Ages 4-7)

Listen to My Trumpet!

by Mo Willems

(Ages 4-8)

Pandemonium (Delirium)

by Lauren Oliver

(Young Adult)

Fallen in Love: A Fallen Novel in Stories

by Lauren Kate

(Ages 12-17)


THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

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5. Beat the Heat with Summer Reading!

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 23, 2011

As the school year ends, join Random House Children’s Books to

BEAT THE HEAT with SUMMER READING!

Because every beach bag should have sunscreen, a pair of shades, and a story…

PASSION

By Lauren Kate

Before Luce and Daniel met at Sword & Cross—before they fought the Immortals—they had already lived many lives. Desperate to unlock the curse that condemns their love, Luce must revisit her past incarnations to understand her fate. Sweeping centuries and spanning the globe, PASSION is the third novel in the thrilling and romantic Fallen series by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate.

Delacorte Press | 978-0-385-73916-0 | June 14, 2011 | | $17.99 / $19.99 Can. | Ages 12+ | 432 pgs

THE WARLOCK: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

By Michael Scott

The fifth book in Michael Scott’s riveting six-part New York Times bestselling series, which has introduced readers to legendary historical and mythological figures—weaving history, mystery, and magic together seamlessly. Before penning the first novel, The Alchemyst (2007), Michael Scott devoted nearly a decade researching this series—and it shows. In THE WARLOCK, the twins of prophesy—Sophie and Josh—have been separated, and as the end of the series nears, the action-packed plot is more intense and absorbing than ever. With Scatty, Joan of Arc, Saint Germain, Palamedes, and Shakespeare all in Danu Talis, Sophie is on her own with the ever-weakening Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel. She must depend on Niten to help her find an immortal to teach her Earth Magic. Much to the surprise of readers, she will find her teacher in the most ordinary of places.

Delacorte Press | 978-0-385-73533-9 | May 24, 2011 | | $18.99 / $20.99 Can. | Ages 12+ | 400 pgs

THE EMERALD ATLAS

By John Stephens

Fourteen-year-old Kate, 12-year-old Michael and 11-year-old Emma have moved from one orphanage to another over the last 10 years. Taken away from their parents as babies, and seemingly unwanted, these children are more remarkable than they possibly could imagine. They are being protected from a horrible evil about which they know nothing—that is, until they discover a magical prophecy that is tied to three books of magic, the first of which is The Emerald

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6. April, 2011: Best Selling Kids’ Books, New Releases, and More …

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 1, 2011

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

THE HOT SPOTS: THE TRENDS

Kids’ Earth Day Books: Green with Environmental Awareness

The 39 Clues Blog Tour: Access Granted, Peter Lerangis

How Picture Books Play a Role in a Child’s Development

Review: Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online


THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

The 39 Clues, Book 11: Vespers Rising

by Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, Jude Watson

(Ages 8-12)

Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 10: The Emperor of Nihon-ja

by John Flanagan

(Ages 9-12)

Big Nate Boredom Buster: Super Scribbles, Cool Comix, and Lots of Laughs

by Lincoln Peirce

(Ages 8-12)

The Loud Book!

by Deborah Underwood

(Ages 1-6)

Athena the Wise (Goddess Girls)

by Joan Holub

(Ages 8-12)


THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

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7. March, 2011: Best Selling Kids’ Books, New Releases, and More …

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 1, 2011

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

THE HOT SPOTS: THE TRENDS

How Picture Books Play a Role in a Child’s Development

Review: Scat by Carl Hiaasen

20 Sites to Improve Your Child’s Literacy

Superhero Books: Batman, Superman, Spider-Man

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online


THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Lost and Found

by Shaun Tan

(Ages 8-12)

Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad

by Jacky Davis

(Ages 3-7)

The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight

by L. J. Smith

(Young Adult)

Fancy Nancy: Aspiring Artist

by Jane O’connor

(Ages 4-8)

Scorpia Rising: An Alex Rider Misson

by Anthony Horowitz

(Young Adult)


THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

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8. February, 2011: Best Selling Kids’ Books, New Releases, and More …

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 1, 2011

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

THE HOT SPOTS: THE TRENDS

Caldecott Winners, 2011

Winter Books: Snow, Hibernation, and More

Review: Sleepy Kittens (Despicable Me)

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

Best Kids’ Picture Books, 2010


THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Silverlicious

by Victoria Kann

(Ages 5-8)

When I Grow Up

by Al Yankovic

(Ages 4-8)

Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel

by James Patterson

(Young Adult)

Closer (Tunnels)

by Brian Williams

(Ages 12 and up)

I Broke My Trunk!

by Mo Willems

(Ages 4-8)

Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party

by Melanie Watt

(Ages 4-8)


THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

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9. Torment (Lauren Kate) Audiobook Review

SPOILER ALERT
If you have not read Fallen, there may be spoilers ahead
SPOILER ALERT

Publisher: Listening Library (September 14, 2010)
Format: Audio
Narrator: Justine Eyre
From Goodreads. How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword and Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean - and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future...and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened...what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?

Review
TORMENT, by Lauren Kate, is the second book in the Fallen series. This book continues after the supernatural events that occured at Sword and Cross. The relationship between Daniel and Luce evolves as she tries to figure out who she really is.

I had a rough time figuring out if I liked this book as much as Fallen. The first book was good in that there was mystery, romance, and suspense in what was occuring at Sword and Cross. The second book fell flat at some points. I understand that as a teenager a girl can be confused and question everything around her, but at some points the fights that Luce and Daniel always got into were too repetitive. At times I wanted to shake Luce and tell her to wake up to the amazing guy in front of her, but Daniel was not so forthcoming with telling her the truth. I was pretty torn about whose side I was on.

On the other hand, I did like the new characters that were introduced at Shoreline, and the romance between Luce and Daniel (when they weren't fighting) was hotter than ever. I enjoyed the deeper look into Luce's past lives and I wanted to see more! I enjoyed Shelby and Miles as Luce's new buddies. Miles was adorable and Shelby was truly an honest and great friend. The last 1/4 of the book had my heart pounding. The Thanksgiving dinner crowd kept me laughing at the awkwardness of it, and the final scene had me teary-eyed.

Overall, I did like this book, although it had too much petty fighting for my taste, I am still in love with this series and its characters. I am interested to read the new two installments as soon as I get my hands on them.

In terms of the audiobook part of the review, I was not a huge fan of Justine Eyre. She did well in differentiating the voices but the cadence and tone that she used while narrating did not work for me.



My Review of Fallen.
For more info, check out Lauren Kate's website
10. What’s Hot in November, 2010? Author Events, Best Selling Kids’ Books, and More …

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 2, 2010

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases, the bestsellers, and kids’ book events.

THE HOT SPOTS: THE TRENDS

Fall Books for Kids: 2010

Interview with Lian Tanner, Author of The Keepers Trilogy

2010 Children’s Choice Book Awards Nominees

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

20 Sites to Improve Your Child’s Literacy

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth

by Jeff Kinney

(Ages 9-12)

Hero Hero

by Mike Lupica

(Ages 9-12)

Pegasus Pegasus

by Robin McKinley

(Young Adult)

Crocodile Tears (Alex Rider) Crocodile Tears (Alex Rider)

by Anthony Horowitz

(Ages 12 and up)

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together

by Mary Ann Hoberman

(Ages 4-8)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

Llama Llama Holiday Drama Llama Llama Holiday Drama

by Anna Dewdney

(Ages 0-5)

It's a Book

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11. What’s Hot in August, 2010? Author Events, Best Selling Kids’ Books, and More …

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 1, 2010

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases, the bestsellers, and kids’ book events.

THE HOT SPOTS: THE TRENDS

Sleepy Kittens: Despicable Me

2010 Children’s Choice Book Awards Nominees

20 Sites to Improve Your Child’s Literacy

Summer Reading Tips & What to Read When

Kids’ Summer Reading Lists: Early-Fluent to Fluent Readers / Ages 6-10

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games) Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games)

by Suzanne Collins

(Young Adult)

Artemis Fowl 7: The Atlantis Complex Artemis Fowl 7: The Atlantis Complex

by Eoin Colfer

(Ages 9-12)

The 39 Clues, Book 10: Into the Gauntlet The 39 Clues, Book 10: Into the Gauntlet

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

(Ages 9-12)

Fancy Nancy and the Delectable Cupcakes (I Can Read Book 1)Fancy Nancy and the Delectable Cupcakes

by Jane O’connor

(Ages 4-8)

Hunger Games Trilogy BoxsetHunger Games Trilogy Boxset

by Suzanne Collins

(Young Adult)

Sabotaged (Missing) Sabotaged (Missing)

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

(Ages 8-12)

Clementine, Friend of the WeekClementine, Friend of the Week

by Sara Pennypacker

(Ages 7-10)

THE BEST SELLERS Add a Comment

12. Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen by Lauren Kate

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Where to start!? This book is a can’t-put-it-down type of book. The plot is original, creative, and captivating. Lauren Kate, the author, draws you into the world of Luce and Daniel with such dramatic visions of an unknown, uncontrollable darkness that has followed Luce all her life. Luce’s life seems tragic and destined for a dark ending. Until she arrives at the reform school, after a terrible incident involving death, Luce sees Daniel and she feels an unbelievable pull, and a knowing him that she can’t explain. No matter how mean and off putting he is, she is drawn to him. As the dark shadows befall Luce again and are increasingly more dangerous, Daniel appears to be more present to save her or guide her. Luce starts researching Daniel’s past as she is drawn to him. She has to know everything about him. This only leads to more shadows appearing and hurting those around her. Ultimately, Luce figures out why she has these vivid dreams of her past and of being with Daniel and realizes they have been together in past lives and no matter what they do they find each other, but they are soon driven apart upon Luce’s death. She only lives for 17 years each time and Daniel is heartbroken but so in love he falls for her each time. This time though things are different and Luce doesn’t die when Daniel and others expect her to and Daniel is doing everything he can do to keep her safe and break the cycle of losing Luce. As the angel war begins, Daniel is doing everything he

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13. Summer Reading List: Young Adult / Teens

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 13, 2010

To capture the interest of a teen/young adult while summer is in full swing, books need to have an engaging story line and strong characters. The following books represent just that, they are all very hard to put down!

The CardturnerThe Cardturner

by Louis Sachar

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (May 11, 2010)

Source: Publisher

What to expect: Summer, Family, Game of bridge, Self-discovery

Louis Sachar, a Newberry-winning (Holes, 1998) and bestselling author, sure knows how to take a subject that may be seen as boring—the game of bridge—and turn it into a riveting story of self-discovery, integrity and morals. The story moves around a teenage boy, Alton Richard, and his great-uncle Lester—a rich family member with a large inheritance that everyone is trying to get a piece of. When you combine a teenage boy and a cute girl, old men, greed, and the game of bridge, (you may not believe me but …) you get a real page-turner. Great book!

Add this book to your collection: The Cardturner

FallenFallen

by Lauren Kate

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 464 pages

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; First Edition/First Printing edition (December 8, 2009)

Source: Publisher

What to expect: Angels, Boarding school, Love

Thrilling, exciting, and engaging is what this love story is. Too much vampire talk going on at your house? Lauren Kate has certainly launched us into a new phase: angels. Fallen angels, at that! The characters are captivating and have strong voices. This is a suspenseful book that is very hard to put down.

Add this book to your collection: Fallen

Three Rivers Rising: A Novel of the Johnstown FloodThree Rivers Rising: A Novel of the Johnstown Flood

by Jame Richards

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (April 13, 2010)

Source: Publisher

What to expect: Johnstown, Pennsylvania flood; Social classes; Summer

Providing a book of interest is key. This is a book for a true historical-fiction lover. It will also convert your regular-fiction reader into a historical-fiction lover before you know it. Jame Richards takes on social class, romance, and the Johnstown Flood of 1889, and truly touches th

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14. What’s Hot in July, 2010? Author Events, Best Selling Kids’ Books, and More …

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 1, 2010

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases, the bestsellers, and kids’ book events.

THE HOT SPOTS: THE TRENDS

2010 Children’s Choice Book Awards Nominees

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

2010 Children’s Choice Book Awards Winners

Book Giveaways

Summer Reading Suggestions: Random House Children’s Books

THE NEW RELEASES

The most coveted books that release this month:

by Maggie Stiefvater

(Young Adult)

How to Train Your Dragon Book 7: How to Ride a Dragon's Storm  (Heroic Misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III)How to Train Your Dragon Book 7:…

by Cressida Cowell

(Ages 8-12)

Pinkalicious: Tickled Pink Pinkalicious: Tickled Pink
by Victoria Kann

(Ages 4-8)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

Ladybug GirlLadybug Girl at the Beach

by Jacky Davis, David Soman

(Ages 3-7)

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15. Torment by Lauren Kate

Releases on September 28, 2010!

Read why bestselling author Lauren Kate wrote a book series about angels: Why Angels?

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

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16. What’s Hot in May, 2010? Author Events, Best Selling Kids’ Books, and More …

Here’s the scoop on May's most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases, the bestsellers, and kids’ book events.

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17. An Excerpt from Aaron Starmer’s Clover

As an author of novels for young people, I have to stay on top of the trends. The trends have shown that girls these days are swooning over magical old men who sweep into their high schools and offer danger and breathy declarations of love. Stephanie Meyer is keeping the vampire fires burning with her upcoming novella and the Eclipse filmMaggie Stiefvater’s Shiver has shown that girls dig werewolves too.  Lauren Kate’s Fallen has proven they like them winged and biblical. And Carrie Jones’s Need feeds the need for hot pixie-love. No, I’m not talking about Kim Deal and Black Francis.

Seeing how successful these books have become, I thought I’d jump into the game. So here, for the first time, is a sneak preview, an excerpt from a novel I am writing. Set in coastal South Carolina, it is known simply as Clover.

The violet light skipped across his face. I couldn’t always tell indigo from violet, but this was violet alright. It splashed soft highlights in his fiery hair and shrouded his freckles in inky, purple shadows. I reached down to touch his cheek.

“You’re old,” I said.

“Aye,” he said.

“In school, the boys are always bragging about being men and all that. Three years ago, they didn’t even know what shaving cream was.”

“Tis true,” he remarked.

“Your face is rough,” I said. In his stubble I could feel the hills of his homeland, the roots of soul.

“Twas a beard for many a snow,” he said. “The sands of Myrtle Beach know lil kindness towards a whisker me-fears. Barbers rule this land.”

“Myrtle Beach is cruel,” I said. I’d always believed it, but never had the courage to admit it to my friends or my parents. They all adored the golf and go-carts.

“Aye,” he said. Smoke trailed from the side of his mouth. If the breeze hadn’t stolen it, I would have sucked it up and felt its dangerous caresses on my lungs.

“There’s a dance,” I told him. “It’s not important or anything. It’s just something we do here. If we went for an hour, would that be awful? Together I mean. If we went together.”

“I do a jig,” he said. The velvet soles of his boots attacked the sand and the rhythm of the waves combined with the gentle scrape into a sensuous lullaby. I knew that Lance was still waiting at the concert. He’d texted me, “Wassup Jen? Where u at? Got the tix. Theez jams r gonna rock ur bra off!” I’d let him wait. I had my music here.

“The rainbow?” I asked him. “How long will it last?” In a tide pool, I saw that the colors were now cast upon my face.

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18. What’s Hot in April, 2010? Kids’ Book & Author Events, Best Selling Kids’ Books, and More …

Here's the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases, the bestsellers, and kids' book events.

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19. Interview with Lauren Kate, author of FALLEN

My special guest today is Lauren Kate, author of Fallen. Kate grew up in Dallas, sent to school in Atlanta, and started writing in New York. She's also the author of The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove. She's currently working on the sequel to Fallen, Torment. Kate was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer my questions.

Thanks so much for the interview, Lauren! Tell us, what was your inspiration for Fallen?

I got the idea for Fallen from a line in Genesis that describes a group of angels who were cast out of heaven for falling in love with mortal women. I started thinking about what it would be like to be a normal girl--suddenly the object of an angel's affection. What kind of baggage would an angel have? What would her very over-protective parents think? From there, this whole world unfurled in my head. Fallen angels, demons, reincarnation, and the war in heaven were all battling for a piece of the action.

I found the atmosphere in the book deliciously dark. How conscious do you have to be of language to create such an effect?

Thank you! It took me until the second draft of Fallen to realize that the setting was really another character in the story. At times, I struggled with those descriptions—like, how many times can I use the word “humid?”—but then, once I started to see how integral Savannah and Sword and Cross were to Luce’s storyline, I started to have more fun with it. Torment is set in an entirely different place, but I like to think the setting is just as relevant and important, and just as much fun.

Did you plot the story in advance or did the story and characters develop as you wrote?

I surprised myself by meticulously plotting out Fallen before I wrote it. Character descriptions, paragraph long synopses for each chapter, “big” endings, the whole deal. The outline (along with a few chapters) was shared with writer-friends, agents and/or editors at very early stages. And because the story was larger and more complicated than I’d first realized, I actually did revisions on the outline. Way more plotting than I’d ever done before.

At the end of plotting, when I was ready to plunge into the story, it was comforting to sit down every day and know I had to write a chapter where x happened, followed by y, and then z. But sometimes, it was also uninspiring. Suddenly, Y bored me, and Z felt really predictable. But it was in the outline, which fit together like a puzzle! What to do? Eventually, I realized there were days when I would have to loosen my leash from my outlines, to let the story adapt and change organically as I went along. This was a very good decision, and I think the book is stronger because of both my plotting and my plot-straying.

Who is your favorite character in the book? Why?


I love Arriane. The crazy ones are always the most fun, aren’t they? She is crazy, but she’s also smart and loyal and funny and will be very important to Luce over the course of the series.

What was the most challenging aspect of writing this novel?

This is the first time I’ve written any kind of series and it was very, very different from my experience writing my first novel, The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove. Because Luce’s story is so far-reaching and will take so long to tell, the challenge of the first book was doing all the work setting up the world of these characters. There were so many rules to invent, so many back-stories to keep straight, and so many plot twists to withhold from the reader for later books! All of that was a challenge, but I *think* it paid off for me as a writer. Because so much is already in place, Torment has been vastly

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20. Day in the Life of Lauren Kate




I have an extra-special treat for you all today! Lauren Kate, author of Fallen (which I reviewed here), has sent over some pictures, chronicling just what a day in her life is like. After looking through these, I started telling my husband that I think I really do want to write a book...if only because I'll learn to make pasta and play the acoustic guitar. Hehe...enjoy!

(I apologize in advance about some of the formatting...Blogger was not cooperating during the creation of this post!)


Good morning! It's about eight am in Los Angeles and the sun is just cresting over the east side of Laurel Canyon.



I never was a morning person until I figured out how to program this fancy coffee maker. Hard to stay in bed with a carafe of hazelnut coffee calling your name.





 One of the best parts of living in Laurel Canyon is our neighbor, Runyon Canyon. Aptly named—it a great place to go for a run. But first: stretch it out.



1 Comments on Day in the Life of Lauren Kate, last added: 1/15/2010
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21. Fallen


Fallen by Lauren Kate. Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House. 2009. Official website. Review copy from publisher. Young Adult.

The Plot: Luce Price, 17, has been sent to the Sword & Cross reform school following an unexplained incident at her old boarding school that left a seventeen year old boy burned to death. At the Sword & Cross, she meets Daniel Grigori, and there is attraction and something more. Daniel's attitude towards her is frosty at best, leaving her to obsess and wonder but also to have the free time to flirt with just as handsome Cam.

Being at reform school, trying to figure out who is a friend and who isn't, is hard enough but there is also the matter of the shadows. Luce has seen threatening shadows since she was little, when talking about them meant visits to psychiatrists and medication. So she's not going to mention that she is not only seeing them again, they've also gotten downright dangerous.

The Good: Fallen is a book full of secrets and puzzles waiting to be discovered by Luce and the reader. The Sword & Cross is an unusual reform school, and I turned the pages trying to figure out what exactly was going on with the school, its staff, and its students. This is the first of a series, and because only a fraction of my questions were answered, I look forward to the next book in the series.

Trailers and the book website let the reader (or at least the reader who has read about this book online!) in on one of the big secrets: angels, fallen angels specifically, are involved. The book jacket itself doesn't give this away.

Since you're reading this online, I'll assume the fallen angel bit isn't a terrible spoiler because, well, as I said, just check out the official website. But even with that knowledge (somehow, a fallen angel is involved...) it's still fun and suspenseful trying to guess who is and isn't an angel, and who is and isn't a good guy, and what that even means, and why are they all at this weird school, anyway? Because this is the first of a series, some questions are answered and some are not. Only a bit of the fallen angel mythology is revealed. This is to be expected. A series with this much secret supernatural mythology involved is not going to give it all up in the first book.

Luce's attraction to Daniel is sort of love/lust at first sight, with hints (thanks to the prologue) of something more being involved. Fallen also has a huge helping of "now Daniel is nice, now Daniel is mean, nice, mean, wah." Seriously, if this was the real world, the "at first glance I know he's somehow connected to me" and vaguely abusive flirt/hurt dynamics would make me go "uhg."

But here's the thing.

Those aspects of the Luce/Daniel relationship didn't matter to my reading enjoyment because clearly Fallen is not the real world. It's, well, it's sort of like another show with menacing shadows:

7 Comments on Fallen, last added: 1/16/2010
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22. Fallen (YA review)

Jacket description:

"There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.


Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at Sword & Cross boarding school in Savannah. He's the one bright spot in a pace where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are screwups, and security cameras watch every move.


Except Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce - he goes out of his way to make that very clear. But she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Luce has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret...even if it kills her."

Lauren Kate knows how to entertain, let's just put that out there before I complain about some other aspects. You'll want to know what happens next, even as the book continues to drag with lengthy descriptions of simple things that don't have a whole lot to do with the plot. The book is 452 pages long...and it easily could have been 250-300 pages, without losing the actual plot line. Too much "extra," definitely, though again, you'll want to know what everything is building up to, so you'll keep turning the pages.

As a main character, Luce is not nearly as strong as I would have hoped. She is portrayed as a weak girl, pining away for a boy that doesn't give her the time of day, and ignoring the only friends she's made to follow him around. That was annoying. But, the whole point was that she didn't know who Daniel and Cam really were, so of course she was written as slightly clueless.

I was completely annoyed with the whole "reform" school thing, being that the kids could basically do whatever they wanted, including drink/smoke/take a walk in the woods/etc. I get that Sword & Cross was somewhat of a cover for some of the students, but the reform school aspect could have been done a bit better, if that's the cover the author chose to use.

One other thing that bugged me (and then I promise, we'll move on to more good) was the cover image chosen. I think it's beautiful, with a dark, and gothic feeling, just like the story, but Luce's hair is super-long and it's mentioned about 20 times in the book how she has been forced to chop it short after the fire. Like pixie short. Not waist length. Just a minor issue, but an issue the same. Maybe it's not even Luce on the cover...who knows.

Ok, so I DID like some aspects of Fallen, even though at the moment it probably doesn't seem like it. I really enjoyed the whole "fallen angel" theme, which seems to be the up-and-coming new subject of choice. The concept was intriguing, the descriptions of the school and the surroundings (though incredibly lengthy) were detailed and made for beautiful images.

I think Penn was an excellent character and I liked the way Arriane was written, so the reader didn't quite know if she was good or bad. And again, I wanted to know what happens at the end, so even though I was irritated about a lot of things, I still kept reading. And I'll read the sequel (Torment, out in September).

Rating: 3 out of 5
Overall, it entertained me and would hand it to fantasy-loving teens.

Fallen
Lauren Kate
452 pages
Young Adult
6 Comments on Fallen (YA review), last added: 1/14/2010

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23. Fallen, Lauren Kate

Fallen, Lauren Kate; Delacorte Press, December 8, 2009.  (4 Bookmarks)

Ooh, how to review a book that is so difficult to review because I'm not giving anything away.  Well apart from the name of the book.  Which kinda gives you an idea as to what this book is about.  But first, let's discuss the cover:



This cover is NOT indicative of the book.  The main character Luce is not like this girl on the cover.  Yes, it is a gorgeous cover, but almost a WTF cover too.  But enough about that.  Let's get to the story.

Luce Price is 17 years old and has been sent away to Sword & Cross school because of a suspicious death that she may or may not have been responsible for.  Luce's first day of school is of course jam packed with meeting people and just in general trying to keep her head down and do her time.  But how is that possible, when a crazy girl sets her sights on her and wants to take her under her wing?  What about the gorgeous guy with the dark hair and green green eyes, who lights up a room that she's in.  Or the tall gorgeous blonde who smiles at her, but then flips her off!

As Luce gets deeper and deeper into Sword and Cross, things are not what they seem, people are not who they say they are and shadows seem to follow Luce as she navigates the teeming waters of the school.

Some of the information is thrown at you right up front, but then, the author pulls back and holds off on other information.  I liked Luce and Cam and Daniel and Arriane and Penn.  I found all of these characters to be believable.  It's a long book and does drag a bit in the middle, but you get through it and then the last 1/3 of the books just moves at lightening-fast pace.  I found myself literally sitting on the edge of my couch trying to soak it all in.  I'm very excited to see where the author goes with this story.  I'm excited to see if she follows through with her plot (which I will not give away) and delve into what she has started.  I really, really enjoyed this book.  The next book in the series is Torment and will be out in September, 2010.

I hope that people enjoy this story as much as I did.

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