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.

The Recipe for a Perfect Summer Novel

We are now three weeks away from the launch of my new book, Summer Days, Starry Nights- an ode to summer, the 1960s, and friendship- three of my favourite things! I thought I’d answer some basic questions here to get people excited.

Q: Why the 1960s?

Carole King in 1962

A: I love the 1960s, particularly the music. For the first time, women were singing songs that other women could relate to. I read Girls Like Us, an amazing in-depth triple biography of Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon and Girl Groups, Girl Culture, a great book about popular music in the 1960s, which helped flesh out what was going on with women, music, and social change during the time period.

Music and identity play big roles in Summer Days, Starry Nights. Both Gwen, mysterious wayward ballerina, and Reenie, dependable country girl and a classic middle child, are trying to figure out who they are and what their place in the world is. Gwen introduces Reenie to girl bands like The Shirelles, The Crystals, and The Chantels. It seemed natural to set a coming of age story at a time where the whole world was coming of age.

Q: Is the resort Sandy Shores based on a real place?

A: When I was young my family spent a number of summers at a resort near Orillia, Ontario called Lake Dalrymple Resort. I have fond memories of the resort, and the layout of Sandy Shores is based on the layout of this resort, more or less. Of course I changed things to suit the plot, which is one of my favourite elements of fiction writing.

Q: What inspired the book?

A: The name Reenie Starr came to me first. I started to think about who this Reenie Starr was, how she did or did not live up to her name. I gave her two siblings, Scarlett and Bo, and then I wondered who would name their children after movie stars and lo and behold their mother- a woman who prefers to be called Mimi, not Mama- was born.

Margaret Langrick in My American Cousin

I also wanted to write a summer book and for me summer is always connected to the 1960s, probably because of movies like Dirty Dancing, My American Cousin, The Man in the Moon, and A Walk on the Moon. I remembered how much I loved the resort on Lake Dalrymple and how as a kid I thought it would be absolute heaven to live there all year. So through the magic of fiction I got to experience that by having my protagonist live on a summer resort.

Anna Paquin in A Walk on the Moon

I had a lot of fun (and spent a LOT of time) creating and seeking out inspirational playlists, like this one from songza. You can check out some of my inspirational images, girl groups, etc on the Summer Days, Starry Nights pinterest board here.

Toronto friends I hope you’ll join me at 3030 on May 28th for the launch. I will also be making appearances in Woodstock, London, Brampton, Erin Mills, Creemore and Orillia in the next two months- stay tuned for dates.  Remember you can pre-0rder on Amazon, Indigo, or at your local bookstore. 

The Passage for Kids: The Fifth Wave Review

Those of you who have heard me say ‘I don’t really read much sci-fi or fantasy’ probably have a hard time believing me given the number of speculative books I’ve reviewed recently. The truth is I LOVE a well told fantasy or sci-fi novel, I’m just EXTREMELY picky about what I read. The Fifth Wave is is one of better ones. If you’re looking for a fast-paced survival story with a touch of sci-fi, this should be your go-to summer read (in addition to Summer Days, Starry Nights of course).

Despite being a standalone book, The Fifth Wave has the scope, range of characters, and the same taught tension as Justin Cronin’s best-selling The Passage. We are introduced to Cassie, sixteen, paranoid and alone, hiding from an unknown alien foe in the woods. Cassie tells us about the previous waves of invasion and how quickly earth’s population has been decimated in a matter of months. Next we meet Ben, a schoolmate of Cassie’s who has been recruited by a covert military operation who are training children to become ultimate alien-killing machines, a la Ender’s Game.

The teens in this novel are up against some pretty serious odds. Parts of the book are vivid and brutal, including Cassie coming upon a dying soldier in an abandoned convenience store, and scenes of cruelty involving a rather sadistic commander and his child soldiers. It’s not gratuitous and helps build up the characters of Ben and Cassie, but it may be hard for some younger readers to stomach.

The strongest part of the novel is how plausible it all felt. I like my sci-fi near-fetched, as opposed to far-fetched. Rick Yancey‘s ‘waves’ of invasion feel frighteningly possible: power outage, natural disasters, viral outbreak, etc. I don’t want to give too much away because the joy of reading this novel is having it unravel as you get deeper into the story. There is a moment when Cassie, who is the character we spend the most time with and grow the closes too, mentions her few possessions, one of which is a box of tampons. YES. Even when on the run from unseen alien invaders, a girl needs tampons. I wish more survival novels acknowledged the necessities of life.

At times The Fifth Wave dips into melodrama in the form of some teen angst and relationships, but I appreciated how Yancey acknowledges that even in the middle of an apocalypse, teens are going to have feelings, much like the teen angst that rears its head in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Overall I could not get enough of this well-paced, suspenseful read. Yancey is an accomplished storyteller who reels you in from the very beginning. This book feels tailor-made for adaptation, perhaps as a miniseries. This is one of those rare books that appeals to both male and female readers, and fans of The Passage, Ender’s Game, The Hunger Games and well-told survival narratives with eat this one up.

The Fifth Wave will be available from Penguin Canada on May 7th.

Gold and Gators: The Girl From Felony Bay Review

There is nothing more comforting to read than a classic middle grade novel. After the death of my family cat (RIP dear Cocoa, almost 20), I was in need of some serious comfort reading. Something about the setting and situation of The Girl From Felony Bay reminded me of The Rescuers, a wonderful but often overlooked Disney classic loosely based on a fantastic children’s novel by Margery Sharpe.  Minus the talking mice, of course.

Abbey knows her beloved father did not steal an old woman’s jewels. But since he is in a coma after a mysterious fall, he can’t exactly defend himself. Now Abbey lives with her mean Uncle Charlie and his equally sour wife, Ruth. It is clear she is not wanted, let alone loved. So Abbey seeks solace on the grounds of her old home, a sprawling plantation, looking after the horses. Here she meets the daughter of the new owners, Bee, who despite being friendly and up for almost anything, is clearly hiding a sad secret of her own. The two girls team up to prove that Abbey’s father is innocent, uncovering a number of surprises along the way.

J.E. Thompson’s style seems effortless. Clear, rich and effective storytelling but with enough character flavour and detail to make the book memorable. He has crafted the perfect setting for a middle grade novel, a sprawling estate full of secret paths, gators, and possible hidden treasure. Without leaving the property, Abbey has enough to keep her engaged and busy all summer. With the exceptions of a few scenes, most of the action takes place in and around the plantation, which is becoming more rare in children’s books. A writer must be confident and extremely accomplished at world building to rely on one basic set.

I loved the friendship between Bee and Abbey, which is considerate and helps both girls  heal from their past tragedies.  Bee’s Grandmother belongs to the middle grade trope of a wise old woman who seems stern but has a heart of gold  and also happens to cook up delicious and wholesome food. Uncle Charlie is fairly un-redeemable (he has little to no qualms about murdering children), but I like how Thompson doesn’t feel the need to go too much into his backstory to explain his behaviour. He is a true villain- sometimes I think we need to let villains be villains.

I also loved the inclusion of the plantation’s history and how Thompson handles the delicate issues of race, slavery, and ownership. Like Abbey, Bee’s last name is also Force, which suggests that her ancestors were one slaves of Abbey’s ancestors and took on their name when they were freed.  Although this novel is not about race, history and racism pop up from time to time in a way that feels natural and is well-handled.

This book has the feel of a classic. I could read it now, ten years ago or ten years from now and it would not feel dated. A great summer read for fans of traditional mysteries or novels with a southern setting.

The Girl From Felony Bay will be available in hard cover from HarperCollins Canada on April 30th.

Summer Days, Starry Nights Toronto Launch: Party Like it’s 1962!

It’s party time! If you’re in the Toronto area on Tuesday, May 28th come celebrate the launch of SUMMER DAYS, STARRY NIGHTS with me at one of my favourite Junction hotspots, 3030.

Starting at 7pm, this is an all ages event and will feature a reading by yours truly and a performance by the amazing Miranda Mulholland, of Great Lake Swimmers and Belle Starr fame. Miranda is also an accomplished solo artist and I could not be more thrilled that she is sharing this night with me. Also, look at her wicked hair:

When Miranda is not singing, expect a great mix of late 1950s and early 1960s vinyl, perfect for dancing! This is not a costume party, but if you come dressed in 60′s attire you will earn my undying respect and devotion. Books will be sold by Toronto institution Mabel’s Fables and I will be happy to sign one for you, your niece, your grandmother, or anyone else you’d like to give a first edition signed copy to!

Located at High Park and Dundas West, 3030 is easily accessible by TTC (walk north from High Park station or take the 40 bus from Dundas West Station) and there is a Green P parking lot nearby (south of Dundas West, between Pacific and Medland) for those who will be driving.

Can’t wait to see you! Bring your dancing shoes and we will party like it’s 1962!

For those of you outside the GTA area I will also be doing events in Woodstock, Brampton, Erin Mills, Creemore, Orillia and London. Schedule coming soon!

New Book Announcement: SUMMER DAYS, STARRY NIGHTS

I am thrilled to announce a new book, Summer Days, Starry Nights, due out June 1st! This is my love letter to summer, the 1960s, and growing up. Pretty much all of my favourite bookish things in one novel! I am beyond thrilled with this gorgeous cover, which captures the essence of the novel beautifully.

Summer Days, Starry Nights is the story of 14 year old Reenie Starr, who loves her family’s summer resort, Sandy Shores, more than anything else on earth. The resort falls on hard times the summer of 1962, so the Starrs decide to hire a young dancer from the city to come up and run an entertainment program. When 17 year old Gwendolyn Cates arrives, Reenie is starstruck by her glamorous looks and exciting lifestyle. But Gwendolyn is not exactly who she seems to be, and her arrival sets off a series of events that will change Reenie’s life forever.

Hmm, you’re thinking. That sounds kind of like the movie Dirty Dancing.

I have been known to describe the book as ‘Dirty Dancing without the Dirty.’ There are some similarities in that it takes place on a summer resort during the same time period and is very much about the music and culture of the 1960s, however Reenie is significantly younger than Baby (aka Frances) and Summer Days, Starry Nights is more about friendship and family than romance. But there is some romance. And secret letters. And missing persons. And campfires. And late night dance parties…

Summer Days, Starry Nights will be available in June, 2013. Just in time for summer reading! You can pre-order on Amazon, Indigo, or visit your local bookstore. I will also be throwing a super-fun 60s style launch party in Toronto, which you are all invited to! More details to come.

I can’t wait to share this book with you!

 

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!

New Book Announcement: DAYS THAT END IN Y

I am thrilled to announce that Scholastic Canada will publish my third novel, DAYS THAT END IN Y in February 2013.

Here are some things to look forward to: fireworks, Little League baseball games, old high school yearbooks, bicycle missions, doggie drama, a wedding, at least three major misunderstandings, and as always, a  few surprises.

This will be the final book in the Clarissa and Benji series,* which is very bittersweet. I adore Clarissa and company and in many ways I feel like I could write about them forever. However, I consider the books to be a middle school arc and there was a clear end in sight (ie: high school). I am sad to let them go, but happy with where I left them. I hope readers will agree!

STAY TUNED for an exciting contest opportunity which may well bring you fame and fortune- or at the very least, some free books, a workshop with yours truly, and internet super-stardom. Intrigued? More info coming in early September! Teachers and librarians you will DEFINITELY want to check back!

In the meantime, look for the French edition of Love is a Four-Letter Word, entitled <A comme amour> this fall!

*If anyone can come up with a better series name, I am all ears. The Word Books? Clarissa Chronicles?

Two Girls on the Verge: Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone Review

I read this book because John Green told me to. Well not personally, but in this very glowing, very public blog post. Literary teen fiction is one of my fail-safe genres as you can pretty much guarantee that “literary teen fiction” translates to “well-written poignant coming of age story.” The title sounds a little like a country song to me, but it’s also quite unique, much like the book.

Rebecca has always wanted to leave her deadbeat home town Silverlake, even after she falls in love with James in her senior year. But when the dead body of a girl shows up on the outskirts of town all her anxieties about going out into the world are magnified. When some of the locals become obsessed with the crime Rebecca’s suspicion and horror mounts, leading to a tragic misunderstanding that changes everything.

There are elements of the mystery novel here, especially in terms of who killed Amelia, which is revealed in a series of chapters from her perspective interspersed throughout the Rebecca’s main narrative. But moreso than a mystery novel, this is a story about young women on the verge of change. Debut author Kat Rosenfield examines the excitement and anxieties around leaving a place to start anew from two very different perspectives. We have Rebecca, living in a small town and anxious to escape to college, and Amelia, who has just finished her college degree in NYC and is thinking of switching careers and becoming an actress. Both girls are held back (to some extent) by a boyfriend, both girls are on the verge of something new, but unlike Amelia- whose life is cut short- Rebecca has doubts that manifest into severe anxiety.

The book is also about belonging and otherness. A community will accept small sins or look the other way when the questionable behaviour belongs to one of their own, but outsiders never really rise above suspicion. In Amelia’s story line, her desire to break from her path (get married to a businessman and have babies) and try something different (acting) is seen as “other.” Rosenfield has some pretty heavy and interesting things to say about women’s choices and how people try to shape them. This was unexpected but welcome subtext, which makes for engaging, thought provoking literary YA fiction. Fans of Imaginary Girls, The Miseducation of Cameron Post or Mister Death’s Blue Eyed Girls will appreciate Rosenfield’s grasp of language and her skill at conjuring atmosphere.

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone is available now in hardcover from Penguin Books Canada.

Canada Day News Round-Up

What I would like to be doing on Canada Day

It’s Canada Day! I am a proud Canadian, and today I am especially proud of three cool news pieces:

Just in time for Canada Day, check out this stellar line-up of Canadian authors, as recommended by Danielle at Bookish Notions, including L.M. Montgomery, Kit Pearson, Kenneth Oppel, and ME! I had to double-check to ensure that yes indeed, that was my name there included with some of personal Canadian faves.

Can’t get enough Canada? Be sure to check out the Canada Day Blog Hop! Celebrating Canadian bloggers and Canadian authors, there are lots of great Canadian books up for grabs. For a complete list of participating blogs, click here. If you’re looking for a copy of one of my books, be sure to drop by Just A Lil Lost, who has included WORDS THAT START WITH B among her prizes!

I was also thrilled to be among the varied young professionals in the Oxford Shopping News’ Top 40 Under 40, published this weekend. Click here to check out the piece and be sure to read all about the other nominees. Reading through the profiles, one thing became very clear: hard work and passion is a killer combination. Thank you to the anonymous angel out there who submitted my name, I’m truly honoured to be included in such a stellar list.

Happy Canada Day everyone!