Best Young Adult Books: Top Picks from YA Bloggers in the Know, #3
By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 9, 2012
Michelle and Andi, the masterminds behind Galleysmith, kindly agreed to choose not 5, but their 10(!) most swoon-worthy and gripping new summer reads. We’re ready to grab a beach blanket, a pina colada, and dive into these books. Thanks to Michelle and Andi for making our summer reading list even better.
The Ten Most Anticipated YA Summer Reads
When The Children’s Book Review asked that I stop by and tell you all about my five most anticipated summer reads I thought to myself, “only five?!?” You see, on my blog Galleysmith my colleague Andi and I have The List of Ten. The purpose of this list is to plot out our next ten reads to avoid the indecision that sometimes accompanies book selection. Moreover, it’s intended to help us keep our reading varied by being comprised of various formats, genres and ages. Have no fear, readers! The list below doesn’t follow our usual rules of formation nor does it come with any of the usual selection indecision. We’re thrilled to share with you some of our most anticipated forthcoming summer releases and we couldn’t just stop at five!
By Courtney Summers
Zombies! Need I say more? ZOMBIES. And not just the flesh eating terrifying kind. The kind that have heart and soul despite their undeadliness. Oh, and it’s Courtney Summers one of the all-time best writers I’ve read.
Ages 13-17 | Publisher: St. Martin’s Press | June 19, 2012
by Jenny Han and Siobahn Vivian
Jenny Han wrote one of my favorite series ever (the amazing Summer series which I encourage you to pick up) and Siobahn Vivian is equally amazing at writing empowered and independent female characters. Together I have no doubt they will work magic with their story about girls seeking revenge on those that have wronged them.
Ages 14 and up | Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers | September 18, 2012
By Jennifer Echols
The queen of contemporary drama, Echols has yet to disappoint me with any of her work. She writes romance like nobody’s business! When she announces a new book I’m all about pressing that “pre-order” bu
It's one thing to shop local. You're supporting neighborhood businesses. When you buy local products, you're supporting both a business and an artisan - two entities within your community. That's why when you give a book as a gift this year, please choose to purchase one written by a Fort Collins author.
Here are some suggestions for kids and teens on your list. And if you don't have children, why not donate a book to your local public or school library, or give one to your Toys for Tots drive. They are always in need of gifts for teens.
By Colorado Book Award Winner, Laura Resau
15-year-old Zeeta and her flighty mother live in a different country every year. This year, in the Ecuadoran Andes, Zeeta helps an American boy search for his birth parents. With him, she encounters adventure, mystery, love, and ultimately, the truth about what she really wants.
In this companion to The Indigo Notebook, Zeeta continues her adventures in the southern French town of Aix-en-Provence, where she encounters captivating street performers, age-old secrets, and mysteries of love.
By acclaimed novelist, Todd Mitchell
I'm working on revisions for Hollyweird and I'm trying to work out a sticky plot point, but I haven't come up with the perfect thing yet. I know eventually I'll be zapped with an "Aha!" moment, but I hope it hurries up. LOL. I don't like feeling stuck. In the meantime I'm doing research and looking for inspiration everywhere. I want to nail this ending!
This weekend I'm going to the Colorado Teen Lit Conference and I'm really looking forward to it. I get to visit with some authors I only get to see at these events (Lauren Myracle, Todd Mitchell, Amy Kathleen Ryan) and I'm looking forward to meeting new authors Amy Efaw and Becca Fitzgerald (who I've only spoken to on email).
I'm also really excited to FINALLY meet Ellen Hopkins. We had stories together in the anthology Breaking Up Is Hard To Do and I have an essay in the anthology about her work, Flirtin' with the Monster. Ellen and I have talked on email, and both Lynda and Nic have met her, but I've yet to have that pleasure.
Even more fun will be having two of my creative writing club teens attend with me. :) I know the Kels(e)ys are going to have a blast!
This conference is always a favorite of mine. And this year the weather is supposed to be much nicer than last year so attendance should be higher.
Can't wait!
I made soup for dinner tonight. It was so tasty and completely worth going to 2 different stores to get the ingredients.
Today's book was provided by the publisher, via The Picnic Basket, which is another one of those sites you should know about. I was really excited when it was offered, because I really wanted to read it after reading Leila's review.
Also! Below! A Contest!
Vibes Amy Kathleen Ryan
Kristi is psychic. Life isn't easy when you can hear the popular girls thinking such things as
Why is she such a drama queen? and
Why does she wear those horrible outfits. Life really isn't easy when the most beautiful boy in school, whom she shouldn't care about, but does, thinks
sick every time he sees her. It doesn't help when your best friend's head is full of gross fantasies involving your ginormous boobs somehow being wet. Opera at full volume is really the only thing that can keep the voices at bay.
But that's all background. The real drama of this story has nothing to do with the voices Kristi hears. The drama comes from sources readers will identify with--the mean popular girls, the mean not-as-popular girls, ex-best friends, boy friends who want to be your
boyfriend, and serious parental drama.
What's even better is that Kristi is definitely human. She's mean and makes wrong decisions. Sometimes she learns, sometimes she doesn't. She's an excellent biting voice to YA fiction, a la Cyd Charisse in
Gingerbread.
The book looks pink and light. And it is pink, but there's a reason Kristi is wearing such dark eyeshadow. This isn't depressing, but it's not fluffy. This is a book that has meat, while still being funny.
Mom might be a little overweight, but she's still an absolute health nut. For my fifth birthday party she got me an all natural carrot cake from an organic bakery that sweetens everything with honey. Hildie took one bite of it and announced to the room, "Ew! This takes like bird poop!"... You think my mother would take all this under advisement when selecting the cake for my next birthday, but she not. She got me a carob-raisin mocha chip, which was as yummy as it sounds.I highly recommend.
Look for it October 6.
But, if you can't wait... I have a copy of give away. Email me at kidsilkhaze at yahoo dot com with the subject line "Vibes" by midnight (Eastern) next Wednesday. Winner will be chosen by random drawing. Open to everyone!
This is Not a Test
Burn for Burn
Such a Rush
Victoria Hanley also has a cool book out, Violet Wings.