Surely Great: P.S. Be Eleven Review

When I first heard there was to be a sequel to the wonderful One Crazy Summer, I squealed, just like Vonetta is wont to do. It is one of the most highly decorated middle grade titles of the last ten years and deservedly so. To see why I loved this book so much, click here.

P.S. Be Eleven begins on the plane, when Delphine, Fern and Vonetta are returning home to New York after spending ‘one crazy summer’ with their free-spirited activist mother. But one can never come home again, as Delphine discovers that things have changed in her absence over the summer. Delphine is surprised to find that her beloved father has a girlfriend and can’t make heads or tails of her uncle’s strange behaviour.

This book is as close to bottled adolescence as you can get. Delphine’s instant love for The Jackson Five and her unmitigated glee when they come on the radio is so charming and realistic I can barely stand it. I want to reach through the pages and squeeze her cheeks. Just as authentic is her distrust of Miss Marva Hendrix, her father’s love interest, and her deep love but disappointment in her loved Uncle Darnell who is back from Vietnam and not the man he was before.

The classroom scenes are my favourite. They are vividly and hilariously rendered. Group dynamics, especially among children, can be extremely hard to convey but RWC does this with ease. It helps that every single student and their teacher have such distinct personalities, even in the brief, shining glimpses we get of them.

While in no way a history lesson, Rita Williams-Garcia* is able to bring history to life through vivid, imperfect but lovable characters who readers can relate to, despite having little (or no) historical context. Fiction is a great means to learn history. Case in point, I have read exactly one work of nonfiction on WWII but have read innumerable fictional novels set in the era. Williams-Garcia touches on Vietnam, civil rights, racism, drugs, poverty and feminism without ever straying from Delphine’s hilarious and unforgettable voice.

P.S. Be Eleven can be read as a standalone, but do yourself a favour and read One Crazy Summer first. One can never have enough Delphine in her life. Fans of Susin Nielsen, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Gordon Korman and my books (ahem) will love reading about these unforgettable sisters.

P.S. Be Eleven is available in hard cover from HarperCollins.

*Rita Williams-Garcia is all kinds of awesome. Check out this great Q&A from the Indigo Kids Blog.

Hope, Grief & A Pizza Boy: The Boy on Cinnamon Street Review

Phoebe Stone is a master of contemporary voice. Despite a tragically misleading cover*, The Romeo and Juliet Code was (and remains) a favourite book of mine. She has done it again in the funny and cathartic The Boy on Cinnamon Street, the second of two MG books I’ve read recently dealing with grief.

Warning, this review contains spoilers!

Louise has quit the gymnastics team and given up her name for the more apt, outrageous Thumbelina. Unfortunately only her best friends Reni and Henderson are willing to call her by this new moniker. Her grandparents, who she lives with, are too busy calling her Louise and being in love to notice any changes. She is contemplating moving in with Reni and Henderson’s family when a pizza boy leaves a note and suddenly the whole world looks different.

I can’t say I’ve read a lot of books in which the narrator has repressed memories about a parent’s suicide. Even if I did, I doubt they would be as well-rounded, empathetic and hopeful as The Boy on Cinnamon Street. Louise (or Thumb, as Henderson calls her) is irrepressible, even in the states of denial, grief, and anger she experiences throughout the book. She is self-effacing but also totally hopeful, latching on to the idea of the pizza boy as her secret admirer so wholeheartedly that you can’ t help but cheer for her. Of course the pizza boy is not the one with a crush on her, but the reader is very aware of who Thumb’s true admirer is, and you root for him the whole time.

I admire how Phoebe Stone creates unlikable (or at the very least) unreliable parents, but not in a comedic, absurdist Roald Dahl way. These are adults who are ill-equipped to parent, and Stone explores the ramifications of this in her books.  When we do learn about Thumb’s mother and her absentee father, you feel horrified and sad, but this is mitigated because her new family, consisting of her grandparents and The Elliots, are so wonderful. Just like in The Romeo and Juliet Code, when we realize  Felicity’s parents have left her with distant family in order to pursue their careers as spies and are likely not coming back, instead of outrage and numb horror we are happy that she has found her new family.

Stone is also very good at creating a male friend/potential love interest for her heroines, Henderson in The Boy on Cinnamon Street and Derek in The Romeo and Juliet Code. Both Derek and Henderson are interesting, sensitive, and though the romance may not be fully realized in the book, the reader has the sense that it will be at some point. Which brings me to yet another thing I love about Stone’s work- the sense of that these characters will leave and breathe beyond the last page. As a reader, I love feeling like I have caught a glimpse of the characters and the author has created an open ending in which I can image all sorts of lives for them.

One of the things that separates straight-forward issue-driven fiction from just plain good fiction is a well-rounded experience. This isn’t a book solely about grief, it’s also about first crushes, friendship, family, bullying, giving up and starting over again, and body image. You may think, how on earth can all of that fit into one book, but even in a tragic or low point in life chances are there are other things going on. Life is never one plot line. Stone handles this incredibly well, probably because she is a middle-grade genius.

So many of her phrases stick with me but I especially liked how she dealt with body image and weight. Thumb meets Reni in fat camp, where Thumb is teaching gymnastics. Reni is worried about her weight and always trying to lose a few pounds, but it is clear that the Elliot family are all on the heavier side. When Reni wonders why boys love her big sister but not her, Thumb points out that perhaps it’s because “Annais acts pretty.” I loved the awareness and age-appropriateness of this line.

If the premise of this book doesn’ t make you weepy, than the author’s note definitely will. Like Louise, author Phoebe Stone lost a parent to suicide at a young age. She is careful to point out the differences in her experience and Louise’s story, but it is clear the story is personal.

The Boy on Cinnamon Street is available now in hardcover from Scholastic. I picked mine up at the charming and wonderful Curiosity House in Creemore, ON. If you can, make sure you drop in and ask for Jenn- one of the most passionate, charming, and generous booksellers I know! I mean how many bookstores offer free wishes? (see below)

*Upon further reflection, it appears Arthur Levine may be branding Stone’s books by using shoes on her covers. I’m not opposed to shoes on covers, in fact I rather like it. This cover is very effective. But when the shoes in question are coloured high-top Keds that are supposed to evoke WWII, I have some issues.

DAYS THAT END IN Y: Events and Signed Copies

Want to Hang Out With Me? Upcoming events include this awesome bookstore sleepover for three lucky winners at Mabel’s Fables in Toronto:

And a writing workshop & signing at Chapters Waterloo on March 23rd from 1-3pm.

 

Where to Get Signed Books

If you’re in Toronto, there are now signed copies at the following locations:

-Mabel’s Fables

-Another Story Bookshop

-Chapters Runnymede

-Chapters John and Richmond

-Indigo at The Eaton Centre

-Indigo Bay& Bloor/Manulife Centre

-Indigo Yonge & Eglinton

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Under-sung Series

Nothing breaks my heart more than a truly outstanding series that for whatever reason does not achieve the success it deserves. As a busy reader and writer, I rarely get to sequels or subsequent books in a series. When I do, I know the series is a winner. And so I present to you ten series that are worth your consideration!

For the purposes of this post, the term series refers to at least two sequential books, and under-sung means that while most of these series are critically regarded, they exist just below the mainstream. Let’s see if we can change that!

Kiki Strike & The Bank Street Irregulars 

If you’ve been reading this blog you KNOW I cannot get enough of these five delinquent girl scouts who solve international mysteries while also experiencing life, love and friendship in New York. (Proof here and here). If you have EVER enjoyed a Nancy Drew book, if you like a healthy dose of sass in your reading, or just love NYC, for GOODNESS SAKES pick up this series!

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

Maryrose Wood lovingly pokes fun and also celebrates the “governess and her cheeky charges” trope in a delightfully old-fashioned yet never dry style. There is something a bit Snicket-ish in her tone, particularly in the way Wood plays with language, puns, and definitions. It doesn’t hurt that the books include spot illustrations by the unstoppable Jon Klassen.

The Montmaray Journals

This sweeping, epic saga is exactly the kind of series I like to sink into on a Saturday afternoon, only to emerge when my tea is cold or gone. Witty teenage royal Sophie observes the odd lives of her family, the royals of Montmaray. Think I Capture the Castle meets Downton Abbey. If you have a female tween, teen, or adult who loves historical YA in your life, be a hero by gifting them this series.

Real Mermaids 

With the exception of Ariel, I’ve never been a big mermaid fan. That being said, Canuck Helene Boudreau‘s series has always been more about relationships, puberty, and identity  (that middle grade trifecta) than mermaids. Her humour is light and the keystones of growing up (first period, first crush, first dance, etc) are spot on.

The Mary Quinn Mysteries

Another wonderful Canadian author adds some spice to the Victorian era by imagining a secret society of female spies. Mary Quinn’s mixed heritage and mysterious youth adds depth to what would otherwise be a simple mystery series.  Y.S. Lee’s background ensures the historical details are rich and accurate.

Spud

Thirteen year old boys can be tough customers when it comes to reading, but I have yet to meet a boy who didn’t howl with laughter over this boarding school series from a young South African author. A great blend of heart, gross-out comedy, and fun.

The Casson Family series

I have a weakness for British middle grade, and no one does it better than Hilary McKay. The off-kilter Casson family get into all sorts of wacky drama. You’ll be so busy laughing you don’t see the emotional moments coming. Saffy’s Angel is widely considered the best of the series, but Permanent Rose is number one in my heart.

The Stanley Family Series

Zilpha Keatley Snyder was one of my favourite childhood authors. What I loved best about these books is that they always had a mysterious or supernatural conflict that ends up having a perfectly rational explanation. They are not quite issue books, although divorce, blended families, and sibling rivalry all play big parts in the plots of this quartet, but Snyder is able to combine said issues with warmth, wit, and the possibility of magic.

The Ingo Chronicles

I don’t read a ton of fantasy but when I do, I like rich writing, plausible worlds, and character development. Enter Helen Dunmore. This series about one family’s connection to the undersea world of Ingo will make you want to pack up your bags and head to Cornwall. Hmm….despite a previously stated indifference to mermaids I appear to have TWO mermaid-esque series on the list…re-evaluating my stance on merfolk now.

The Guests of War Trilogy

This feels a little like cheating. Kit Pearson‘s classic Canadian series featuring Nora and Gavin, who are sent from England to spend the duration of the war in Canada, is multi-award winning, best-selling and beloved: not exactly under-sung. But in my opinion you can not talk about this series enough.  Like the best middle grade, Pearson uses a greater conflict (WWII) to heighten the coming-of-age moments in life. Historical, emotional, evocative and lovely, this is a study in character development at its finest.

Have you read any of these series? What are your favourite under-sung series?

I Wanna Be a Bank St. Irregular: Kiki Strike & The Darkness Dwellers Review

I adore the Kiki Strike series. I still can’t believe it’s not bigger than it is. It is one of my missions in life to make The Irregulars a household name.One can only hope with all the spy and international intrigue “Bourne books” on the rise that people will get another chance to discover The Irregulars.

A good part of the book takes place in Paris, but author Kristen Miller does not abandon her beloved New York completely. NYC is just as much a character in the series as any of the girls, and I’m glad she found a way to include it yet again. The Darkness Dwellers refers to a secret society living in the catacombs of Paris. Throw in an upscale girl’s finishing school, some WWII intrigue, and two cases of mistaken identity and you have the recipe for a killer adventure.

For some reason I never think to categorize these books as fantasy, despite obvious made-up elements (a fake European kingdom complete with it’s own history & traditions or massive man-eating rats that live in a made-up city underneath NYC). Instead, I consider it a kick-ass mystery series featuring a troupe of almost super-hero like teenagers.

Picking a favourite Irregular is like picking  a favourite Spice Girl: impossible, and I resent being asked to choose. Why can’t I like ALL of them equally? I love how vindictive but surprisingly sensitive Oona is, I love Ananka’s deadpan narration, and I love Iris the 12 year old side-kick who kidnaps delivery boys when she has crushes on them. But this book was an ode to Betty Bent, the kind-hearted master of disguise who until now, is often underestimated by the rest of the team. Betty could come across as sickeningly sweet, but Miller avoids this and instead she projects quiet confidence. I loved the image of her in a super-hero esque catsuit with killer boots when she descends into the catacombs of Paris. There were so many get up and cheer moments for Betty that I lost count and just continued to grin through the whole book.

Miller does a great job juggling not only a number of plot lines, but a large cast of characters. The Irregulars never feel interchangeable and even the supporting cast members feel distinct. I loved the addition of a love interest for Kiki (who would have thought!)

My only question is WHY hasn’t this series been made into a movie yet? The books are fabulous on their own, but they would make one fist-pumpingly good movie. Seriously with all the superhero flicks out there what’s stopping producers? It would be like Kick-Ass meets The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants only set in NEW YORK!

I think everyone should read this series, but fans of The Red Blazer Girls, Nancy Drew, Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls books, Maureen Johnson fans will especially love it.

Kiki Strike and the Darkness Dwellers is available now from Penguin Canada.

The Spy Who Loved Me: Also Known As Review

Remember how much I loved Robin Benway’s Audrey, Wait? Well I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of Also Known As. There seem to be lots of spy and international intrigue books on the market right now, both in middle grade and YA, ranging from high-octane thrillers like Don’t Turn Around  by Michelle Gagnon to fun friendship stories like ally Carter’s The Gallagher Girls books. This one falls more on the fun end of the spectrum.

At sixteen, Maggie is a professional spy. Her superior safe-cracking skills have proved useful in more than one international intrigue. Maggie enjoys her life of globe-trotting and adrenalin- fueled raids. That is until her parents sign her up for a mission that requires her to go undercover in a high school in New York City. Maggie has never been to school before and is not used to dealing with people her own age. She feels completely out of her depth- especially when the mark turns out to be handsome and witty.

This is excellent fun. Maggie is a funny and proactive heroine. It is endearing to watch her try to navigate the social minefield of high school. Her wry observations convey her intelligence but also her naivete, which is a compelling combination.

I love a good sidekick (remember Victoria in Audrey, Wait? Best friend perfection!) and Roux is a treat. Basically abandoned in a slick apartment by her wealthy but totally useless parents, Roux is the epitome of the poor little rich girl. I like how Benway gives her a past as a powerful meangirl who has fallen and never regained her position. There are hints of that mean girl in some of her actions but I did truly believe that Roux was remorseful and lonely and willing to do what it takes to be a good friend. Like go on spy missions.

The boy is perhaps a bit too good to be true, but I’m hoping there is a second book, perhaps in which the boy proves to be less than perfect. Also Known As is grade A YA fun, a little bit Ally Carter, a little bit Kiki Strike, with some Maureen Johnson thrown in for good measure, and yet still with Benway’s unique voice and sense of play.

Also Known As is available in hard cover from Penguin Canada in February.

The Secret Lives of Dogs: Metro Dogs of Moscow Review

As a child who could not get enough of ‘the secret lives of animals’ narrative- think 101 Dalmations, The Rescuers, The Aristocats- I very much appreciated this fun romp which seems tailor made for an animated film adaptation from Canadian author Rachelle Delaney.

JR is the dog of George, who works for the Canadian embassy. George travels a lot, which means JR doesn’t get what he most wants in the world: a home. When they arrive in Moscow, JR decides not to get too attached to the city, since they’ll probably be leaving sooner or later. But then he has a chance encounter with a group of savvy stray dogs who introduce him to history, delicious Russian food, and most importantly, adventure.

The premise is like catnip (pardon the cat reference in a post about dogs) to kids. The secret lives of dogs in a foreign city is not only a genius concept, it’s one based on  reality! Check out this savvy stray on the metro system in Russia:

Delaney folds in bits of history and Russian culture throughout the narrative in a manner that is natural and not overwhelming. I particularly enjoyed the parts about ‘dog’ history, perfectly in keeping with the canine characters’ interests but also fun for readers.

Rachelle Delaney has a very classic take on the middle grade narrative. Her stories are gentle, well-paced, full of light humour, imagination, and carefully delivered character growth. I hesitate to use the term old-fashioned, because there is nothing stuffy or out-of-date about her writing. It is timeless rather than trendy. Her books would be comfortable alongside the work of Enid Blyton or Mary Norton. Younger readers  (grade 2-4) who can handle novels but perhaps not older subject matter will be right at home with the Metro Dogs of Moscow,  along with fans of the animal narrative, humour, and a unique concept.

The Metro Dogs of Moscow is available now from Penguin Canada.

Stay tuned for a Q&A with Rachelle sometime this month!

Vancouver folk! Rachelle will be holding a book launch at Kidsbooks  (West Broadway location) on February 7th at 7pm. Click here for more info!

Waiting on Wednesday: Days That End in Y

My third book, the final in the Clarissa and Benji series, Days That End in Y is available in three weeks! I can barely contain my excitement. I’ve already received my author copies from Scholastic Canada, look how pretty:

Doesn’t the blue make you think of summer? Doesn’t Clarissa look just ever-so slightly more mature and angsty? Aren’t you so excited to find out what happens before she starts high school?

Also, look how nice all three books look together. Don’t you want all three for your bookshelf?:

In honour of Waiting on Wednesday I’d love for you to add Days That End in Y to your Goodreads shelf, 50 Book Pledge bookshelf, pre-order online at Amazon, Indigo, or at your local bookstore. Also, stay tuned for some giveaways, when you could win a brand-spanking new copy of Days That End in Y OR the whole trilogy! i still can’t believe that I wrote a trilogy, but there they are, three books with my name on them!

Somebody pinch me!

Calling All Budding Filmmakers, Grade 4 and up!

You still have time to enter my book trailer contest! Create a fun, short video celebrating the Clarissa and Benji  books and you could WIN!

All video submissions must be received by January 15th, 2013.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

1. The winning video will be revealed here on the blog as the OFFICIAL TRAILER. It will also be posted on the Scholastic Canada website.

2. I will visit the winner’s school to lead some writing workshops and personally thank the winner/winner’s class.

3. The winner will receive a prize pack from Scholastic Canada valued at $100.00.

4. The winner’s classroom and library will receive a signed set of my books (WORDS THAT START WITH B, LOVE IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD, and DAYS THAT END IN Y).

THREE RUNNERS UP:

1. These winning videos will also be posted on the blog.

2. Runners up will receive a prize pack from Scholastic Canada valued at $25.00

Ready to enter? Email vikki.vansickle@gmail.com for a registration form.

FOR TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS

-Group and individual entries are eligible

-Great project for students in grades 4-8 studying media, digital literacy and integrated arts programs

-Excellent opportunity for lit groups, book clubs or reading circles

-Possibility of winning an author visit for your school AND books for the classroom and library!

GETTING STARTED

First of all, get your hands on a copy of WORDS THAT START WITH B and LOVE IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD!

Click here to read an excerpt from WORDS THAT START WITH B

Click here to read an excerpt from LOVE IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD

-Check out some of the book trailers on the Scholastic youtube channel to get some ideas

-Think about your favourite movie trailers. What do you like about them? How can you apply these elements to a book trailer?

-Consider dramatizing your favourite scene from one of the books.

-Imagine a new or deleted scene from one of the books.

-Create a slideshow of images that remind you of the series, accompanied by a voice over of one of the characters.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Remember the sky’s the limit! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: Friday Society Review

I was in desperate need for something fun and fresh, and this cheeky YA novel from Canadian Adrienne Kress fit the bill.

You know I love a good girl power (ugh how I wish I could find a cooler term) novel. Case in point, my love of Kiki Strike, The Red Blazer Girls, and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks. When I first heard of the concept- three girls who are apprentices to powerful men join forces to create a sort of secret superhero society in Victorian (or is Edwardian?) London- it felt so perfect I couldn’t believe no one had attempted it before. Kress’  love of all things steampunk combined with a sassy attitude make her the perfect writer for this story.

This book is a fine balancing act. It is at times silly, inspiring, fun, feminist, but it never feels like too much of one thing. It’s easy to visualize and would make an excellent movie, a sort of Charlie’s Angels meets Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes. I appreciated the inclusion of Michiko, a young Japanese woman trained in the samurai arts. So often ‘Victorian’ translates to ‘British,’ and  diversity in YA is always welcome.

There is some romance here, but thankfully Kress avoids making the story revolve about boys, which is a nice change of pace in the often romance-saturated YA. Instead, the girls are discovering that they, too can be proactive and make a difference, much aided by their new-found friendships. Kress includes a few conversations about women’s rights but she never feels preachy nor does she stray too far from her fun, adventure-seeking plot. Fans of Y.S. Lee’s Mary Quinn mysteries, Kiki Strike, Lesley Livingston, or anyone looking for a fun, empowering book for teens will love The Friday Society. Let’s hope Kress has more under her steampunk belt!

The Friday Society is available now in hard cover from Dial, and distributed in Canada by Razorbill Canada