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Elle Strauss is the author of Clockwise (YA Time Travel) and her newest middle grade, It's a Little Haywire.
Owen True is eleven and eleven twelfths and has been “exiled” to the small crazy town of Hayward, WA, aka, Haywire, while his mother is on her honeymoon. All he has to whittle away the time is the company of Gramps, his black lab Daisy, and his Haywire friends, Mason and Mikala Sweet. They don’t look so hot this year, in fact, the whole town has gone to pot since the mill shut down.
Owen has his first encounter with a real life homeless man who ends up needing Owen’s help in more ways than one. But how does a rich city kid help the small town’s suffering citizens?
And what is Owen to make of the fog train and its scary, otherworldy occupants that appears out of thin air on the old tracks behind Gramps’ house? Do they have the answer Owen is looking for?
I asked Elle to stop by to talk about her decision to publish her middle grade.
Well, I guess the simple answer to the question, why did I indie my middle grade is because I can. I think the most frustrating thing with traditional publishing, at least for me, was having to wait for someone else to say, yes, let’s publish this.
I had an agent. I actually had two agents.
8 Comments on Bookanistas: Guest Post by Elle Strauss (It's a Little Haywire), last added: 2/23/2012
I loved Elle's Clockwise! Can't wait to read this one too! I've got a few kids in my class with ereaders they own or share with their family - I'm definitely going to tell them about this tomorrow! :)
Congratulations, Elle. When I read the description of your novel, indie-pub was the last thing on my mind. My first thought was that it's good to see that publishers are still publishing realistic, fun stories for kids. But good for you that you decided to do it yourself. And you are right. When you do it yourself, YOU decide your book's shelf life. I self-pubbed an MG novel 10 years ago (because I wanted to). And even when I've tried to allow it to go "out of print", someone is always looking for copies. I'm so glad Amazon started Createspace. Now I let them handle my inventory by printing on demand. Much success to you, Elle.
Congrats Elle! It sounds like a great decision for you. It's so interesting to watch all the new ways people are getting their stories out. Good luck with your book.
Today, Kim Anderson stops by to discuss The Reading Room, a new community for book lovers.
Next Tuesday, Feb 14th I will join The Reading Room for a Valentine's Day chat at 7pm EST/4pm PT. To find out more information, join TheReadingRoom today. I will be discussing indie publishing, marketing and my books.
Hi Kim, thanks for stopping by. Tell us about yourself and The Reading Room.
My name is Kim Anderson I’m the Founder and CEO of TheReadingRoom and I live a long way from the US and UK in Sydney Australia. . It probably goes without saying that books and reading are my passion. After graduating from the University of Sydney I interviewed for two jobs while I pondered what I might do. The first was as a proofreader and the second as a personal assistant to a chartered accountant. The chartered accountant had a passion for figures of all kinds, and not books, so it was a huge relief when I received an offer to train as an editor. Apparently, I flunked the proofreading, but edited the text with flying colors! I went on to work as a publisher for many publishing houses, and spent a couple of years in New York working at HarperCollins as a VP and Publishing Director. Over the years I have had the privilege of meeting many wonderful authors and the opportunity to discover many wonderful books. In New York, I was introduced to Shel Silverstein and entertained my son with his poetry for years – we still scream with laughter at the “Dog with Two Tails”, and The Giving Tree is still my number one choice for a gift.
TheReadingRoom is a place where people can connect, share and recommend books they love. A place where readers can enjoy the variety of books on offer to them no matter what type of book they like to read. It was born and has grown from my passion for reading and true love of books.
4 Comments on Bookanistas The Reading Room, last added: 2/9/2012
Hi, I am a new GFC follower. I found you on the Mom Bloggers Club. I would love for you to stop by my site follow me back please. Also if you are interested go to reviews/giveaways link to enter to win a super cool 3D bike helmet if you have kids. Thanks http://www.chunkyandmonkeymd.com
I've sold approximately 3,600 books to date (from Nov 31st).
The highest sales are on Amazon. B&N second.
ebooks account for most of that at 90%.
Only about 200 paperback.
Winners for Q/A post All prizes for launch day will be mailed out on Monday.
Karen Adkins, Mandy, Vera and Danielle. Email me at [email protected] to discuss your choice of prize.
1) a free ebook of On The Bright Side 2) a free ebook of Untraceable 3) a query critique 4) some other books/arcs I have laying around. You can choose.
Don't forget to stop by On The Bright Side tour still going on :) There are are some giveaway, prizes, marketing tips, writing tips, character interviews and more.
Answers to your questions
How do you manage your time with everything?
Well I'm glad it LOOKS That way. Because I don't feel like I do. fake it 'til you make it that is my motto. So honestly? I try to schedule the time. 1 hour for interviews, 1 hour to write etc etc. I also have ADHD which comes in handy for multi tasking. I'm also a night owl so I get a lot done after 10 pm. Plus I am having so much fun it doesn't feel like work. But I am tired :)
3 Comments on Answers, Prizes, and Bookanista - Oh My, last added: 2/3/2012
Congrats that your book is doing so well. :) And I enjoyed reading all your answers. I'm like you about NaNo, I just can't take the fun away from myself.
I love reading your stats. It's amazing what you've done. Very inspiring. I also started writing after my kids were born (actually after my youngest was born).
Well, I managed to comment on just the right post. :) Congrats on hitting the bestseller lists on amazon! Isn't that such a rush?? I hope you are taking screen shots to save for later. :)
This is all so exciting and wonderful! Congratulations! Can't wait to read it! (Off to my class on using the period rather than the exclamation point!) ;-)
Shelli, I just wanted to pop in and say that I wandered over here from Twitter several days ago, clicked through to read your guest post on Shannon O'Donnell's blog, and decided I had to buy your book. I just picked up the paperback from Amazon:) (Had to wait until payday, of course...)
So cheers to you, a writer who clearly has the skillset to reach so many of the milestones along the path to traditional publication but lacked the luck that every author needs to reach that finish line. I'm so impressed with your decision to go it on your own and not succumb to self-doubt or self-pity. May UNTRACEABLE hit many more lists!
Congratulations! Just read your interview on another blog and am inspired deeply by your story. I also have a YA suspense/thriller set in modern day....you give me hope. Will be buying your book today!
Today I wanted to tell you about Become by Ali Cross.
Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.
When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—from something she’s never had before—a friend.
I know what you are thinking: not another paranormal book but this book is different. Trust me!
10 Things I loved about this book:
I know I always say this - but hey I don't read books much if the cover doesn't grab me. It's what I look at first. This cover is awesome. That is a big compliment coming from me b/c my friends will tell you I am picky. I love that it is a badass angel figure. I love the purple and grey. And I love sacrificial undertones. I am actually jealous this is not my cover.
Desi is a badass. She is so true to a teen and jumps off the page. She is flawed and I love that she's not perfect and doesn't pretend to be. She's actually okay with not being perfect. Who doesn
7 Comments on Bookanista Buzz: become by Ali Cross, last added: 11/4/2011
Yes, yes, and yes! This is the perfect review of BECOME. I agree with every one of your bullets, Shelli, esp. #7 and #8. ALL of them! I absolutely LOVED this book! :-)
Thanks so much for reviewing my book, Shelli! I loved your "top ten loves"! It's always interesting to see what readers will take away from your story, ya know?
Here is Ditched by Robin Mellom coming your way Jan 10th! A book that made me laugh over the summer when I needed it most.
High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.
2 Comments on Bookanista Buzz - Ditched by Robin Mellom!, last added: 10/20/2011
Because I've been so busy I have forgotten to blog about a few books I've read lately. So this is a little snippet of each and a shout out to the authors.....
When high school junior Sara wins a coveted scholarship to study ballet, she must sacrifice everything for her new life as a professional dancer-in-training. Living in a strange city with a host family, she's deeply lonely-until she falls into the arms of Remington, a choreographer in his early twenties. At first, she loves being Rem's muse, but as she discovers a surprising passion for writing, she begins to question whether she's chosen the right path. Is Rem using her, or is it the other way around? And is dancing still her dream, or does she need something more? This debut novel in verse is as intense and romantic as it is eloquent.
What I loved: I love a good book written in verse mixing love and ballet. The writing is beautiful - uh yeah I was jealous. Oh yeah and the guy on the cover is hot :)
Megan Miranda's Fracture is coming in January and is already starting to get massive buzz.
Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine -despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?
Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?
For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.
Know what I love about this book? Everything! Seriously not one thing I don't like - well except that it could have been longer because I didn't want it to end!
I love love the cover! Gorgeous and eerie and spooky all in one.
I love the tension - seriously I read it in one day.
I love the setting - cold and dark and spooky.
I love Decker - he's hot....yeah.
I love that I love the book because Megan is a great friend of mine and I get to watch her succeed in something she loves and is good at it.
I love that not only is she a great writer, but she is one smart cookie. She won some kind of big award for research in bioengineering at MIT. TWICE! Do you hate her yet?? Smart, cute, and published! She first became interested in brain injuries after supporting a friend who suffered a serious traumatic brain injury.
Although this book isn't as much about "brain injury" as it is about what makes us - US. But knowing that she knows what's behind an injury just adds more believability.
Check out more Bookanista Buzz!
Elana Johnson interviews Elle Strauss, author of Clockwise
1 Comments on Bookaniasta Buzz- Fracture by Megan Miranda, last added: 9/30/2011
Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her overprotective mom, by the hunky son of the police officer who got her father killed, and by the eerie voices which she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Turns out the voices are demons--the Biblical kind, not the Buffy kind--and Bridget possesses the rare ability to banish them.
San Francisco's senior exorcist and his newly assigned partner from the Vatican enlist Bridget's help with increasingly bizarre and dangerous cases of demonic possession. But when one of Bridget's oldest friends turns up dead in a ritualistic sacrifice that mirrors her father's murder, Bridget realizes she can't trust anyone. An interview with her father's murderer reveals a link between Bridget and theEmim: a race of part-demons intent on raising their forefathers to the earth in human form.
Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the Emim's plan before someone else close to her winds up dead, or worse--the human vessel for a Demon King.
6 Comments on Bookanistas: I'm Crazy about Possess, last added: 8/19/2011
Totally agree with the point about finding ways to be out there but also to be genuine. I find when I'm not really following my own passions as a writer and a person, the marketing effort feels very tough. When I'm connecting to people and things I truly care about, the marketing is work I have the energy and willingness to do! Thanks for a great interview, Shelli!
Okay so I've gone a little overboard on the book recs this week but it was a stellar week and I like to support authors on their release days esp. when I've read the books and
liked them!
And I will say, I do not recommend a book I don't love. And trust me, the Bookanistas get tons of books so the ones we stand behind are the ones we like. We do not push books just because we might
know the author.
Now for The Royal Treatment!
Have you guys read Princess For Hire by Lindsey Leavitt. It truly is Meg Cabot meets magic. The Royal Treatment is the sequel. Now I adore this series for middle graders/tweens. It's cute and clever. Well, and let's face it - it also has glitter, princesses, and bubbles in it. Who could ask for more?
Except... Lindsey gives soooo much more in this series.
Her downright hilarious humor. Now, I happen to know her very well a
10 Comments on Bookanistas: The Royal Treatment, last added: 5/7/2011
A real princess? Since I'm still harbouring my Royal Wedding obsession I have to say Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. Loved her dress and poise..gah!
A fictitious one would have to be Mia Thermopolis. I totally adore the Princess Diaries books.
My favorite fiction princess has to be Andrea from Two Moon Princess for I based her on my son. Real princesses I must agree with Bee, Katherine, Princess of Cambridge awed me too at her wedding.
Oh, I adored these books! I just finished The Royal Treatment and I get to review it for Deseret News. Happy work! I can't wait for the next book! (Why do I suddenly sound like a thirteen-year-old?)
Can't wait to read The Royal Treatment! I think it should have been released the same day as Princess Kate of Cambridge wed!!! Must admit one of my favorite real life royals is Prince Albert of Monaco!
I thought Princess for Hire was a really cute book. I don't really have a favorite princess but I like Belle and Ariel from the Disney movies :) throuthehaze at gmail dot com
I haven't heard of this one. Thanks for reviewing it, Shelli! I love to write because it gives me joy and it opened up my life to a whole new world of friendships online.
I haven't heard of this one either. But if you recommend it, it must be good. I love writing because it's opened me up to a creative side of myself I never knew I had and I love making friends in the writing community.
I would love to add this book to my collection of writer help books.
I love to write mainly because I like to give my imagination something to play in instead of my head. It's nice seeing a product come out of the hard work.
Part of the reason I love to write is that it seems to complement my day job as a professor of computer science. Whenever the left side of my head gets too heavy, writing brings me back into balance.
Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.
This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.
Okay so WOW!
First , did you all see this from PW?
“Possession held me completely captivated from beginning to end. And what an end! I fell in love with the characters and had countless moments of ‘Wow.
—JAMES DASHNER, bestselling author of The Maze Runner
Hello? James Dashner? (swoon)
Possession is pacy and kept me up nights. It even has a cliffhanger. Vi is a kick-ass heroine and... Jag is oh how do I say it....HOT.
I love love love the technology angle. I mean controlling technology - how cool is that? Anyone interested in mind control, people who can sense technical power, and all the latest gadgets you wish you had - this book is a must see.
10 Comments on The Bookanistas: Possession by Elana Johnson, last added: 4/23/2011
I so agree with your review. I was lucky enough to get an ARC and am giving it away on my blog.
My daughter who knew nothing about the book loved it too and totally would not share it. And I don't know how I'll break it to her if there's no sequel. Because she said there had better be one.
I loved this book! I was lucky enough to get an ARC and devoured it in one sitting. I want to read it a second time before I even attempt to write my review. Or maybe that's just a good excuse to read it again before my daughter takes off with it.
Charitable donations are a very personal thing. There are so many ways our hard earned money can help others, and lately our world seems to be breaking into pieces around us. Needs are many and great. The Bookanistas want to give back, so in the coming months, we're going to be looking for ways to pour into communities, both bookish and worldwide.
For the month of April, the Bookanistas have chosen to spotlight Run For Your Life, an event that's raising money for a cancer hospital, largely because the framework is already set up (we'd like to keep it simple our first time out), and also because of personal connections to the cause. Most everyone has lost a loved one to cancer or knows someone who has.
To encourage you to donate, we're going to give away some sweet prizes! Here's how it will work:
2. Make a donation. $5 is suggested, but lower or higher is fine. (Also know that for every dollar you donate, you'll be entered to win a private, advance screening for twenty people for Breaking Dawn. The Bookanistas have NOTHING to do with that part - that's all Charlie Bewley and Summit Entertainment.)
3. Come back and fill out the entry form on this page.
We're trusting you to be honest about giving, and about the amount you give. Don't be a mamby pamby. Keep up our faith in mankind.
3 Comments on Bookanistas Give Back!, last added: 4/3/2011
This sounds like a great cause and a wonderful idea on your part. I will be sure to check it all out and come back with my donation amount before the 30th.
What a wonderful idea! There are so many wonderful causes out there. This is a terrific one - so nice of you all to spread the word and help them out!! :)
I donated $25 to the cause. My heart broke when I saw the picture of Jocelyn Clarke and read her story.
As for the chance to win one of the awesome prizes--because I also love cupcakes, words, and write paranormal YA, I'd love to win the critique from Corrine Jackson : )
Sorry about the late post. (ugh a day late! to be exact)
Carrie Ryan is one of my favorite writers. If I could pick a writer to write like - Carrie would be in my top 3. Why? because I LOVE how she walks the line between commercial and literary.
I love that she can write beautifully while having a pacy novel.
(And Megan Miranda) last fall for lunch (aka Mexican fiesta!), I developed a huge writer crush on her. Not only is she so sweet, but she is hilarious - and you all know how much I love funny, sweet people.
Now, if you have not read this series because you are telling yourself "I am not a zombie person" I want you to know - "I am not a zombie person either!"
But a couple years ago, I happened to watch
Forest of Hands and Teeth trailer on Amazon and it scared the crapola out of me. yet intrigued me so much I bought the book that day. And a) i never read zombie stuff b) hate horror, and 3) hate to be scared like that. But the words on that video pulled me in.
And I've read all 3 books happily.
So after just finishing the Arc of TDAHP (which btw the sequels are really companion novels because they follow 3 different characters though they are all connected closely) - here is my shout out:
6 Comments on Belated Bookanistas - Going to "Dark and Hollow Places", last added: 3/28/2011
I loved the Forrest of Hands and Teeth. I haven't read the others yet, but I'm sure they're just as beautiful. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I would call any other zombie book beautiful.
Cheryl Klein stops by to talk about her new book - Second Sight, An Editor’s Talks on Writing, Revising, and Publishing Books for Children and Young Adults.
For those of you who have not heard Cheryl speak - I'm sorry :( because you are missing out. The woman is brilliant and I have many aha moments at each talk. But never fear, now all of her best, amazing talks are in this book.
I've had the pleasure of being on faculty with Cheryl and she was as fun and engaging as
A personal tidbit I learned - she loves music. Like goes to concerts all the time. That's how cool she is.
This will be a 2- part interview with a giveaway on Part 2.
Hi Cheryl, tell us about yourself.
Hi Shelli. I’m a narrative nerd of long standing: I love stories of all kinds—true, false, books, film, theatre, biographies, for children, for adults—and thinking about how a good story works or why the bad ones don’t. I’m lucky enough to get to work with lots of brilliant writers and stories in my job as a senior editor at Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of
11 Comments on The Bookanistas love Cheryl Klein's new book, Second Sight, last added: 3/18/2011
Great interview. I'm looking forward to reading part 2. I'm so excited for Cheryl and glad she listened to us begging her to write a book. My copy is in the mail so I won't enter the giveaway. Can't wait to see the section on voice, which I struggle with. I was fortunate that Cheryl let me interview her last Friday and I'm also giving away two copies at Literary Rambles. The winners will be announced on Monday.
Thanks for the interview! I'm one of those people who have Cheryl's talks from her website...well, not quite memorized yet, but I quote them to my writers' group all the time. :) I'm really looking forward to the book.
Really great interview so far, Shelli! It's so interesting to see an editor's approach to books and why they pass them up. Sounds like a book I need to read!
I have already ordered this book! Can't wait to dive inside the pages!
I love how each bookanista is described! That is too cute! I myself am about to dive into the world of reviews on my blog! I think its important to showcase what we love!
If you are waiting on a book from the last contest, I have not sent them out yet. I'm sorry but with my agent revisions, family stuff, and the pitch contest being so successful (with over 100 pitches), I haven't found the time. My plan is to send them out next week. Thanks for your patience.
Pitch Winners
Don't forget to enter your query letter on the Winner post (again you can email me if you don't want to post it on the site) by this FRIDAY at 5pm EST. I plan to go through them next week.
The Bookanistas
Check out the Bookanista posts this week. There is some good stuff coming!
CONGRATS Beth (and I am FINALLY buying the hardcopy of the book today, yay!...the bookstore I work at didn't have them on order, so I requested they get 10 and they are in!!)
Love the Bookanista's dancing, I do...but, Maggie, oh Maggie you da bomb sweet thing!
First - she debuted on the NYT bestsellers list!! wootwoot! She - more than anyone - so deserves this success. I know all about Beth's long journey to publication. Not only have we been blogger buddies for about 3 years but we're also in the Bookanistas together. She is also one of my critique partners and let me tell you - she is an amazing critiquer!!! Like takes the time to give comments on anything and everything that could be helpful. Can you tell I'm a huge fan :)
ATU was like her 10th or 11th book. I actually remember a couple she tried to get agents for. Beth was a teacher, making ends meet while busting her tush at night to write. I even happen to know she got agent rejections for ATU. I also happen to know that she was on the verge (which I don't think would have happened b/c she loves writing too much) of giving up if this book didn't fly.
Guess we all know now what she was destined to do because Beth took off and is still flying - just like Godspeed. :)
My point in even revealing some of this (which she will tell you and has blogged about) is don't think this can't happen to you! Don't give up! You are only one person away from yes. One day you can get 10 rejections and the next get the one. The good thing about this publishing business is one day you can be ages away from ever seeing your book on the shelf but the next it could all happen in the blink of an eye. It's exciting.
Why I love ATU -
Its different! what? no paranormal.....I think Beth was brilliant in taking Star trek and making it for teens is BRILLIANT.
Her character, Amy, is spunky.
It's pacy and she's a great writer. (hence, teacher!)
I love the idea of being stuck in universe and having no future
The first chapter - was - so - GRIPPING. Serious
11 Comments on Bookanistas: Over the Moon for Across the Universe, last added: 1/27/2011
This is a wonderful review/post(I love hearing specific reasons why someone likes a book). It was so nice to read the paragraphs about your relationship with Beth as well. How wonderful that she kept going (and hit the NYT Bestseller list with her debut--SO awesome!).
I can't even begin to say how happy I am for Beth in this little comment. She's such a great person on top of her wonderful writing. This is one of my favorites from last year. (I read it in Dec.) An absolutely amazing debut.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I don't know how I didn't know all that stuff about Beth, but I'm reading ATU right now, and LOVING IT. It makes me feel so hopeful to know that she succeeded in such a big way after so much perserverence. It also lets me know that I have a long way to go before I even think about giving up. Thanks so much Shelli!
The Bookanistas are back for 2011 - some great books are coming so stay tuned every Thursday for scoop.
I was sent this eArc a awhile back.
And, I LOVE a good survival story. Especially for kids.
Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby is a great book. It is scheduled to be released by Carolrhoda Books (Andrew Karre's imprint) in March 2011.
A science-class field trip to the Everglades is supposed to be fun, but Sarah's new at Glades Academy, and her fellow freshmen aren't exactly making her feel welcome. When an opportunity for an unauthorized side trip on an airboat presents itself, it seems like a perfect escape--an afternoon without feeling like a sore thumb. But one simple oversight turns a joyride into a race for survival across the river of grass. Sarah will have to count on her instincts--and a guy she barely knows--if they have any hope of making it back alive.
I loved the survival aspect. YA for "City mouse visits Country mouse". City girl goes to everglades, gets lost, and meets local boy who helps her find her way out. All while learning what is important. This book touched on my biggest fears: snakes, gators, being lost, and surviving in the wild with no hair gel or chocolate. The Everglades scare me so this was a way to go there without getting my feet wet :)
You thought navigating high school was hard? Wait until you enter the Everglades.
So it's a MG? Sounds great either way ... but it would be cool if my son could read it. Sounds like he'd love it! Adding it! Thanks for the review Shelli!
I love a good survival story. How cool that it's set in the Everglades. I think I saw a Bear Grylls episode there once. Definitely a lot of scary things to have to avoid, even scarier for a kid. I lived in Miami for a couple years, way back when the Everglades were on fire. I remember feeling terrified all the alligators were going to leave and come into peopled areas. I was always so scared of those things. Sounds like a book to keep you on the edge of your seat.
We always seem to talk about the Young adult books coming out and forgetting Middle Grade.
Why is that?
I've seen and know of some great books targeting younger kids that have either just come out or are coming out:
McKenzie Blue - Friends Forever by Tina Wells (Harper Collins, Jun 2010) This is a cute series with a spunky character that is told through diary entries, texts, instant messages and various lists.
Mackenzie, aka Zee, is the charismatic, fashionable, pop-culture savvy, down-to-earth star of this fresh new tween fiction series that chronicles the adventures of a diverse crew of friends who try to survive middle school at the prestigious Brookdale Academy in southern California. Fun and eco-conscious, Mackenzie Blue is an upbeat break from mean-girl culture.
School of Fear series by GittyDaneshvari (Little Brown, Sept 2010) The second in the series School of Dismissal just came out. I missed the first one. This is a cute series about kids who go to school to curb their fears.
For the first time--maybe ever--Madeleine, Theo, Lulu, and Garrison are not looking forward to the start of summer, and three little words are to blame: School of Fear. In what they're sure will be the longest and most terrifying six weeks of their lives, the foursome must face their phobias head-on as students of the exclusive and elusive school. There's no homework or exams. But if they don't conquer their fears by the end of the summer, they'll find out just how frightening failing can be.
The Search for Wonderla by Tony DiTerlizzi (S&S, Sept 2010) This is a modern day Alice and Wonderland. So magical and wonderful. The art throughout the book is amazing. I am really enjoying this one.
Eva Nine is being raised by Muthr, a pale blue robot who is loving and maternal (she speaks in the sweet, unflappable tones of a 1950s sit-com mom), in an underground home on the planet Orbona. When a marauder destroys her home, she leaves Sanctuary in a quest to find other humans like herself. Aboveground she finds a fantastic and frightening world populated by malevolent wandering trees, a giant beast who is pursuing her, nasty sand-snipers, and more. With the aid of Rovender, a lanky blue creature with backward-bending knees, and Otto, a giant water bear with
10 Comments on Bookanistas - Middle Grade Marvels, last added: 10/22/2010
Thanks for highlighting Middle Grades! I've written down the titles to read. My current ms is a middle grade so I've been reading lots of them this year. Plus I have a sixth grader so love to see what books I can suggest to him!
I love MGs! Thanks for showcasing these titles. Will have to check them out. I am especially eyeing a couple for my 8-year old. The ones he's enjoyed recently include Sid Fleishman's McBroom tall tales and Bruce Colville's Magic Shop series. I enjoyed them too.
Yay for Middle Grade getting more attention!!!!!!!!!!!!! And these are some fabulous ones to highlight. Personally I can't wait to finally dive into The Lost Hero this weekend--I'm hearing really good things about it. ;)
I don't know about much MG, not recent ones anyway, and I've only heard of a couple of these, but it's so good to see good MG getting out there for the tweeners. Great reviews, Shelli!
My friend, Victoria Schwab, just got her cover for The Near Witch.
How exciting to get it! I'd thought I'd give her a congrads shout-out. And it's up for preorder! So go order it now!
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. There are no strangers in the town of Near.These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
And here's her talking about all the deets around the cover. Check it out!
Don't forget to check out all the other Bookanista Specials:
First I'll talk about Rachel herself. Adorable, Hilarious, So fun. I met her a couple years ago online just before she sold her books to Hyperion. She is honestly one of the funniest people I've ever met right up there with Lindsey Leavitt. So as you can imagine I love hanging out with both or either of them.I only hope they think i'm half as funny as them. :) In addition to this series, Rachel has another one coming out in next year or two, Rebel Belle, which sounds awesome. I read Hex Hall last year and loved it. But I never blogged about it? I know crazy right? So when I saw Rachel this past weekend, she gave me an ARC of Demonglass. Of course, I devoured it immediately.
Hex Hall Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus.Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.
Characters Sophie is a great character - vulnerable, ballsy, hilariously snarky. The inner dialogue is snappy and the book is pacy. Now, lets talk about Archer a bit - hotty, magical, cutie patootie. He's The humor was perfect for me - a good balance. I laughed out loud many times. I love that it is a light, fun, pacy paranormal. Not too dark. Just the right mixture. Cover Love I love the reflection on this cover. It's bright and unique, and I think it captures the mixture of fun and intensity this book conveys quite well. Once you've read the story, you'll totally get it and how it connects!
13 Comments on Bookanistas - Hex Hall and Demonglass, last added: 9/12/2010
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By: Shelli,
on 2/9/2012
Today, Kim Anderson stops by to discuss The Reading Room, a new community for book lovers. 
I loved Elle's Clockwise! Can't wait to read this one too! I've got a few kids in my class with ereaders they own or share with their family - I'm definitely going to tell them about this tomorrow! :)
I need to read both of her books. I just downloaded her MG on my kindle. Yay! Can't wait to read it.
Congratulations, Elle. When I read the description of your novel, indie-pub was the last thing on my mind. My first thought was that it's good to see that publishers are still publishing realistic, fun stories for kids. But good for you that you decided to do it yourself.
And you are right. When you do it yourself, YOU decide your book's shelf life. I self-pubbed an MG novel 10 years ago (because I wanted to). And even when I've tried to allow it to go "out of print", someone is always looking for copies. I'm so glad Amazon started Createspace. Now I let them handle my inventory by printing on demand.
Much success to you, Elle.
Congrats Elle! It sounds like a great decision for you. It's so interesting to watch all the new ways people are getting their stories out. Good luck with your book.
I already have this one and plan to feature on MMGM pretty soon! :-)
Thanks for having me, Shelli!
Thanks for the free download, Elle! I'm looking forward to reading it!
Elle, thanks for the free download! I look forward to reading this.