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This summer offered up a surprise for me. I experienced the joy of seeing Counting Thyme on summer reading lists around the country–something I hadn’t really anticipated in the way that all authors fail to anticipate their books’ lives beyond the manuscript phase. It’s been a truly incredible thing, and I was fortunate to write about the experience on The Booklist Reader, which you can read here. Last week, something brand new and astounding happened: I received my first fan letter from a student. Now, I know I wrote a middle grade novel, and that it’s full of awkward moments and first crush flutters and bathroom humor, but seriously, I wasn’t prepared for letters from kids! Side note: physical letters are AWESOME. I’m one of those moms who makes her kids write thank-you’s (just like the mom in Counting Thyme), so I really appreciate the effort that it takes to get a letter in the mail these days. But letters are special. They are worth it. This experience has got me thinking about why we are so passionate about books, outside of our own identity as readers. I think we do it for the kids. There is nothing greater than watching this happen:
Or this:
Although this is pretty great, too: But seriously, as I schedule my first school visits (including Skypes on WRAD!), I am so grateful for the opportunity to talk books with kids. Some of those kids are already book nerds; the rest of them just don’t know it yet. But one day, there will come that magical moment when they lose themselves inside of a book. It’s a moment fueled by the passion of teachers, librarians, and parents–it’s the faith that unites us: Our belief that our lives are enriched by story. Stories created civilization. Stories bind us together through our common experiences as human beings. It is story that builds knowledge and grows empathy, so that we can all evolve together. We who write and share and love books are doing the work of the ages. What could be more exciting? The books shown above include: THE RIVERMAN from Aaron Starmer. My older son is obsessed with this magical trilogy about a world where stories are born. Then there’s I CAN’T WAIT, by Amy Schwartz, a funny picture book about waiting for something amazing to happen, and BLACK CAT, WHITE CAT by Silvia Borando, about finding friendship by expanding your comfort zone. I can’t tell you how often I hear friends looking for book recommendations for their middle grade aged boys on the Facebook, or on the blacktop after school. It’s hard to find books for this age set if you’re not tuned in to reading blogs and Newbery lists. To be clear, by middle grade I mean grades 3 through 7, age 8 to 12 (roughly). Anyone can enjoy a middle grade read, but in terms of content as appropriate to age of reader, this is the rough guideline for the designation. For example, if you’re not ready for your child to read THE HUNGER GAMES because of the overall concept of kids fighting kids to the death, then middle grade is where you want to go for some great books. Now, as far as the gender thing goes, I firmly believe that anyone can enjoy any book, if it’s the right book for them. Middle grade is a great source for books that appeal to both genders, with the acknowledgement that individual readers will have their own tastes, and that’s okay! With no further blabbery from me, here’s a list of some FABULOUS middle grade reads, ones that offer plenty of action, humor, and heart:
It can be easy to forget why we do this work, what with deadlines and doubts and all of the things we do in our own little writerly vacuums. The good news: All it takes is reading a book to a class of eager young readers to remember the why. Here are my latest five star YA reads! Plus, a great MG author to discover and a captivating adult noir read from my book club. I also read quite a few other strong books in the last month or two, so you can always find me on GoodReads for more recommendations.
A captivating story with a unique world and compelling characters that will steal your heart and keep you turning pages through the night!
What a unique concept, and so very well executed. From the lovely, clear prose to the quiet, wrenching moments, All Our Yesterday’s has everything you could ever want in a YA read. Highly recommended.
This is not just a story, but all of our stories–such a close examination of what it is to live and love, unlike anything I’ve ever read before. It took me a few pages to relax into the narrative style, but once I did I could not read quickly enough nor slowly enough, and often found myself stopping to read again, and again, as the meaning and phrases built momentum, propelling the story forward, and taking me with it. I loved following the many different characters, as they took their separate yet entwined journeys. I loved the effortless sense of place and self Levithan develops with his beautiful yet understated imagery. And I loved the bare honesty he put upon the page, something I aspire to in my own writing. While this is not a light everyday read, it is a worthy read, and one that will take up a place in your heart. Thanks to a recommendation from my lovely agent, I’ve recently discovered Cynthia Kadohata’s work, and I recommend it to anyone who loves deep, character-driven middle grade!
I fell in love with the writing and characters here, and am eager to read Kira-Kira now. I don’t fit in a ton of adult fiction these days, but this book was well worth my time:
I read this book with my book club in November, and it was unlike much I’d read before. Fans of Gone Girl will surely enjoy this story. I’ve read some great YA contemporaries of late. Aristotle & Dante was my favorite–perhaps my favorite book of the year. As I enter into revisions on my MG novel, I’m on to MG contemporaries for a while (and a little YA fantasy for fun), but if you’re looking for a great read, check these titles out!
A very skillful exploration of tragedy as a theme, with an interesting cast of characters and a hook that draws you in right at the beginning. Our present day MC is Duncan, who arrives at his boarding school to discover that the boy who had the room before him left him a pile of CDs. On the CDs are hours of recordings, recordings that hold the secret to what happened to that boy, Tim, the year before–a mystery that plays out in a heartfelt way that kept me turning pages.
This book contains some of the loveliest writing I have encountered in a novel of late. I think that speaks to the author’s background in poetry–absolutely gorgeous, uncluttered prose. And paired with such a wonderful and touching story. I loved every single page. Ten out of five stars!
A wonderful YA voice and a fascinating topic. *waits for boos*
The best paced YA novel I’ve ever read. Swept me off my feet. Loved the world, and the characters even more so. A chillingly rational answer to a familiar hypothesis: when the aliens arrive, what will happen to us?
A lovely, eloquent story of survival in the face of grief. Millay has a talent for letting the reader into her character’s souls. I enjoyed every word.
Wonderful characters and an interesting world construct make this series stand out in the field of dystopian YAs. If you haven’t read Legend, go for it, because the whole series is out this year! No waiting! 🙂
What a great read, with such honest, complicated emotions and incredible chemistry–I couldn’t put it down. This was the first year I waited with true excitement to find out who won the Newbery Medal. Sure, I’ve read a TON of Newbery and Caldecott books over the years, but this was the first year I felt a personal connection to the awards. Because I’m writing these kind of books now (MG, not Newbery winners. Puh-leaze.). And I can imagine everything it took for these books to make it onto the page, into print, onto the shelves, and into readers’ hands. Wow. What an astounding accomplishment. I offer my sincere congratulations to all of the winners today, and to every writer out there walking the path, putting words to paper every day. 2013 John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature:
 The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
2013 Newbery Honors go to:
2013 Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
 This Is Not My Hat illustrated and written by Jon Klassen
2013 Caldecott Honors go to:
2013 Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
 In Darkness by Nick Lake
2013 Printz Honors go to:
2013 Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:
2013 Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States:
 The Fault in Our Stars produced by Brilliance Audio. The book is written by John Green and narrated by Kate Rudd. 2013 Odyssey Honors go to:
2013 Pura Belpré (Author) Award:
 Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz 2013 Pura Belpre’ Honors go to:
The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano 2013 Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award:
 Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert illustrated by David Diaz, written by Gary D. Schmidt
2013 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children:
 Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
2013 Sibert Honors go to:
2013 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book:  Up, Tall and High! written and illustrated by Ethan Long
2013 Geisel Honors go to:
2013 William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens:
 Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Yes. That’s right. I’m so flipping crazy-headed over a book right now that I just used a question mark and an exclamation point in sequence AND I DON’T CARE. What’s wrong with me? What, or rather, WHO happened to me? Well. This weekend, I discovered Laini Taylor‘s latest series. Although, to be fair, DAUGHTER OF SMOKE & BONE has been on my TBR list for ages, I finally got down to reading it. Which I did in a day. And then the next day, I drove my behind straight to the nearest bookstore and bought the sequel, DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT. And I read it even more quickly than the first book. And now I have to wait until APRIL 2014 to read BOOK THREE. *dies a little* If you’re thinking, wow, I can’t wait to hear about these books . . . well, sorry. No book reviews here. I’ll post those when I’m sane, after I’ve finished the grieving process. Because right now, my heart is so darn full of Karou and Akiva and their worlds and the flying and the death and the hope that I cannot be a nice, normal writer who provides witty and inspiring book reviews. I’m full-on fan-girling. And that makes me wonder:  Why does this happen to me? HOW does this happen to a reader? Because I have loved books. I have loved so many books, over so many years, and every single time I fall in love I can’t believe it’s happened again. That someone else’s WORDS could so easily capture me, kidnap me, and wreck me so profoundly that I have to mourn the book when it’s over. It’s ridiculous. It’s consuming. And most importantly, it’s essential. Because a life without these other worlds, these other people and their lives and their struggles and their triumphs, well, that life is not worth imagining. What I’m pondering instead, as I sit here deep in the midst of my latest book-inflicted-grief, is what makes me fall in love with a book.  Well, for one, it’s the characters. The few books I’ve failed to finish had lame characters–people I couldn’t care about no matter how hard I tried (and believe me, I try. I’m a reader, guys. I WANT to love your book. I will sift through chapters of inconsequential, boring mess to follow a good character). But the books I love, I swear, I think I might run into the characters on the street at any moment. That they (be they humans or angels or demons) might, just might pop up on my doorstep, needing something, still caught up in the throes of their own narratives. I feel this way because the author LETS ME IN. They let me know the character and their every thought, feeling, and struggle. They let me care for them. It’s a confluence of every small action, every adjective and verb, every nuance–and when executed perfectly, the result is love.  What else? Well, I have to have a good, solid storyline. Not too complex. Definitely NOT ludicrous (I can suspend disbelief with the best of them. The only movie I ever walked out of was SOLARIS, and I gave it a good hour before giving up. Too much weepy Clooney for anyone to endure). I’ve read books in so many different veins that I know it’s not the content of the story that catches me. Laini Taylor’s books are the very first angel & demon stories I’ve ever read. It’s the strong construction of the universe, its rules, and the characters’ motivations that make me love a plot. It’s like stepping on the right roller coaster. Not a kiddie ride. And not a silly, thinly-veiled marketing toy. But a for-real, well-engineered, rolling monster of terror and delight. That’s the coaster I want, although it takes many forms.  And finally, for this reader, THE WRITING. That’s nice and ambiguous, right? Covers all manner of things–voice, and the quality of description, the flow of backstory, the knitting of words into gorgeous sentences. I’ve read many a book that didn’t boast great writing. I’ve enjoyed them. But I’ve never LOVED them. To love a book, the writing has to take me there to that other place so completely that I forget my life, and in the end, leave me more than a little awed that a human being could have ever produced words such as these. I find great writing more often than I expect, from sweet and searching middle grade like WHEN YOU REACH ME to gorgeous young adult contemporary like THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, to sweeping, heart-wrenching fantasy like DAUGHTER OF SMOKE & BONE. I love them all. They wreck me. They leave me wanting for something I cannot have, but I would never choose to have it any other way. The power of words is incredible. Last week I was lucky enough to win a signed copy of Middleworld during #MGLitChat, and this week the book arrived, thoughtfully inscribed to my two little boys 🙂 They felt like celebrities–what a wonderful thing for the authors to do! Thank you J&P Voelkel, we are really looking forward to reading your book. 
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