Recommended Resources: Best MG/YA Reads

Writers of KidLit are almost without fail readers of KidLit, and the Class of 2k8 debut authors are no exception. As if our TBR (to be read) piles weren't tall enough already, we can't wait to get our hands on more great YA and MG books. Where do we find them, you ask? Well besides the beloved treks through the shelves at our local independent book stores or consults with our favorite librarians, we also hit some great websites:


"A great place to find the best in children’s literature is The PlanetEsme Book-a-Day blog, run by the amazingly talented Esme Raji Codell. She blogs about picture books on up." Jenny Meyerhoff


Brooke Taylor & Liz Gallagher agree that Slayground, aka Little Willow, is a must check for great YA and MG books.

"The girl is a voracious reader, truly. She gives monthly favorites out of the gagillions of books she reads, and she even takes the time to break them down into categories -- from picture books on up. Some are spankin' new or pre-release, and some are gems from years past." Liz Gallagher

"After posting about a book I liked on Little Willow’s site, she immediately responded and had several personal suggestions. They were all amazing, right up my alley, and books I’d never heard of! I also consistently watch TeenReads and TeensReadToo for new books." Brooke Taylor

"I am a big fan of the teen bloggers like Another Book Read and Trainspotting Reads. I'm also a big fan of the Compulsive Reader and who doesn't love Book Chic? They all read a ton, write terrific reviews and have great taste in books." Daphne Grab

"I love to sample YA books through Dear Reader. Each week they feature a new book, and each day they email you a five-minute reading portion of that book." Jody Feldman

"Professor Nana, aka The Goddess of YA Literature, aka Teri, teaches library students about YA, middle grade, and kids' lit. She also writes books about books. And she reads a ton! And she shares what she reads! She's also a good person to live vicariously through when you don't make it to a conference." Liz Gallagher

"Flamingnet has won accolades for its reviews as well as its contributions to libraries nationwide. Good people." Debbie Reed Fischer

FYI: Class of 2K8 books Undone and Braless in Wonderland have both been honored the Flamingnet Top Choice Award! YAY!

Day 4: Learning From Mistakes

As writers we often learn things about our industry and craft through trial and error. It can be painful at times, but inevitably we survive these experiences being smarter and stronger. We asked Jennifer Bradbury if there was anything that made her think she might never get published.

I never thought I'd get published when I started trying to write YA back in 2002. I learned about the Delacorte press contest for first Young Adult Novel and decided that I would try and write and submit to this contest—having a deadline has always helped me be more productive. That first year, I actually got a really nice, detailed rejection, and ended up speaking with the editor and resubmitting later. I blew it, but felt the next year, when I submitted a story that I thought was way, way better that things would go differently. And they did. But not well. I got the standard, speedy form rejection.

And I was devastated.

Now when I look back at that manuscript, I realize it isn't even close to as wonderful as I thought it was then. But at the time, I was certain it represented the best I could ever pull off. Was certain it was superior to the one I'd submitted the year before. And I sort of folded up and felt sorry for myself for a while.

Eventually, I started revising, bought a copy of The Children's Writers and Illustrators Market, and started querying agents with that same story. And though no one ever bought it, getting through that disappointment was necessary and made me a better writer.

Incidentally, I submitted an early, very rough version of SHIFT to the contest as well (because by then, I'd sort of established a pattern of writing a novel a year and getting rejected). And whether it just wasn't ready, or the people opening the envelopes were put off by the fact that my well-meaning friend (who I had print and submit it for me because we were still out of the country) printed it double sided, I'll never know. But that rejection came back even more quickly than the two before it!


Double-sided? Eek! We're betting that's it. Tomorrow we're going to get to know Jennifer a little better by flipping through her photo album. We'll find out why she was in jail and where she found state-shaped blocks of cheese.

Day 3: Jennifer's VIP

In getting to know Jennifer we've learned her husband has been a strong influence on her writing, but we wondered if there was a teacher or librarian along the way who set her on her path to publication. Here's her heartfelt answer....


I'm pretty sure the expectation for this question was that I'd talk about a teacher or librarian from my own schooling that influenced me. And I had some great ones—Gail Kirkland at Daviess County High School and Linda Tatum from Tamarack Elementary to name two—but the person who really got me started writing in the way I'm writing now is Cathy Belben.

Cathy is the librarian at the school where I taught for eight years, Burlington-Edison High. She was assigned as my mentor my first year, and I'm so lucky for it. Cathy is an amazing teacher, a passionate librarian, and absolutely one of the funniest people I know. But she is also a gifted writer. She's published hundreds of articles on all sorts of topics. From incorporating crafts in the library for professional magazines to her piece on donating her own remains to the body farm for Bust Magazine. She's published award winning fiction, spent a season living in Hollywood writing for Veronica Mars, and generally inspires everybody who comes into contact with her. She's the one who really got me hooked on great YA, and who invited me to join her writing group even though I didn't really write much at the time. She's just one of those people who make you want to join the party of words and story and craft, and we're so lucky to have her in our community.

She's also a great friend. Here we are on one of our homecoming dress up days at school. I think it was superhero day, and we came dressed as twin triathletes. Goggles, running pants, towel capes. We took our bike helmets off for the photo so we wouldn't, ahem, look dumb.

Here we come to saaave the day!

Cathy truly is a superhero. (But she might need to hire a new costumer.) Tomorrow we learn why some writing contests left Jennifer wondering if she'd ever get published.

Make way for Liz Gallagher!!!

YAHOOOOOOOO!

We really hope everyone has fully recovered from New Year’s Eve, because it’s time to break out another bottle of bubbly!!!

Yes, it’s time to lift our glasses, toast to the very first Class of 2k8 author, LIZ GALLAGHER!!

Liz is a former children’s bookseller and early education teacher. She received her MFA in writing for children from Vermont College and lives in Seattle (if you want to more about Liz--including the story of how this witch costumed inspired her book--come back tomorrow for her author interview).

Or stop by on Wednesday, for the Liz Gallagher tour of Fremont, Washington. Or on Thursday or Friday for other top-secret Liz-related fun.

Why all the fuss?

Because today Liz is stepping over the threshold, taking the plunge, (and mixing just about every other metaphor you can think up) as she becomes an AUTHOR.

A real live author.

For everyone out there who isn’t an unpublished author, let us take a moment to say that this is HUGE. This is the day Liz has dreamed of for years and years. It's like having a baby, making a million dollars, waking up to find herself a movie star. Just imagine what it would feel like to find your childhood dreams had come true.

Just like that.

Her book will be shelved in libraries everywhere, beloved by teenagers all across the country. And so it seems only appropriate that we find some way to create a fuss.

So... without further ado... YAY! HURRAH! WOOOOOO HOOOOO!

It's time you ran out and got yourself a copy of her awesome book, The Opposite of Invisible!

It looks like this:

Hot, right?

It's really really good. You want the official scoop?

Alice and Jewel have been best friends since grade school. Together, they don’t need anyone else, and together they blend into the background of high school. Invisible. To Alice, Jewel is the opposite of invisible. Jewel is her best friend who goes to Indie concerts and art shows with her. Jewel scoffs at school dances with her. Alice is so comfortable around Jewel that she can talk to him about almost anything. But she can’t tell him that she likes the cool, popular Simon. And then Simon asks her to the school dance the same day that Jewel kisses her for the first time. Still, she can’t say no to Simon. He seems like the easy choice, the one she’s attracted to, the one she’s ready for. But will it mean losing Jewel? In a bright debut novel set against the lively backdrop of Seattle, Alice must learn the difference between love and a crush, and what it means to be yourself when you’re not sure who that is yet.

Now you'll have to read it. How could you not run out and get one right now?

Or, if you're too lazy to run you can order the book here!

Then you can spend some more time with Liz at Randombuzzers!

And if you want to meet her in person, you can catch her Saturday, January 12, at 1 pm, at the Chester County Book Company, in West Chester PA.

Now, show Liz some serious love, folks! She's an author now. She's all growed up! Leave a comment in the box, and let her know how proud you are of her.

That way, when she's uber famous, you'll have proof you knew her when.

The secret lives of 2k8!

While every member of the Class of 2k8 is a debut children's/YA author, we aren't all *totally* new to the world of publishing. In fact, we've spent hundreds of years (altogther, duh!) scribbling and submitting, and we've published lots and lots of books. From academic textbooks to anthologies, romantic comedies to quiet collections of poetry.

Of particular interest to blog-readers might be this gem, just out from Walker yesterday!

The Ultimate Teen Book Guide

The Ultimate Teen Book Guide is a review guide covering over 700 books for teens. Contributors include award-winning authors such as Nancy Werlin and 2k7's Sara Zarr, best-selling authors Meg Cabot and Christopher Paolini, debut authors (2k8's Debbie Reed Fischer), and many more. Articles and reviews by teachers, librarians, editors and teens make this book a must-have for any book-lover. Whether you like fantasy, horror, chick lit, graphic novels, sci-fi, or crime, there's something for everyone. Readers will also enjoy the top ten lists and surveys. Each rave review comes with suggestions for what to read next, so with more than 1,000 recommended books total, you'll never be without a good book again!

That's right! Our own Debbie Reed Fischer is a contributor! W00T!

How does she find the time? We have *no* idea... but you'd better go check it out!