The High Deeds of Finn Mac Cool
A discussion of “The High Deeds of Finn Mac Cool” by Rosemary Sutcliff, focusing on Finn, Oisin, Dearmid, and Saba.
Censoring Empathy: Let’s Challenge Erasure
Book censorship is far more threatening than it was ten years ago because it erases anyone who doesn’t look or think like the censor.
Serious Summer Reading
When we think of summer reading, we think ‘beach reads,’ books we can’t put down that provide an escape from reality. But in these longer summer days, we may find ourselves with time to tackle a goal that eluded us … Continued
What’s the Purpose of a Book Review?
The book review star rating system is meaningless. The sole purpose of a book review is to inform the potential buyer about the contents of books. A good review allows that buyer to know if the book being reviewed is … Continued
One Important Secret in ‘Far from the Tree’
Since I am on a YA fiction jag, I want to have a quick look at why National Book Award winning Far from the Tree by Robin Benway is so good. Happily, one important secret that makes this novel work … Continued
Parameters of the YA Novel: Is Bridge of Clay Still YA?
Bridge of Clay and YA Novels What are the parameters of the YA novel? Is Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay still YA? I asked myself this as I read this gorgeous novel. If you’re writing a novel that focuses on … Continued
Hope in the Mail: Writing Advice for Young Writers
Wendelin Van Draanen, author of Hope in the Mail: Reflections on Writing and Life, wrote one of my favorite YA novels, The Running Dream. (I wrote a review of The Running Dream here. Check it out–and check out the book!) … Continued
The Miseducation of Cameron Post: Literary Quality YA
posted in: Book Reviews, Character Development, Inspiration, Writing Advice, YA fiction, YA literature |
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The film The Miseducation of Cameron Post based on the YA novel of the same name won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Festival. I’m naive enough about the judgment of critics to think that this meant they would all … Continued
Props for the Teen Issue of Inlandia
posted in: Inlandia Institute, Literary Journals, Literary Journeys, newspaper column, YA authors, YA fiction, YA literature |
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Still in the crazy space, but on the upside, there was this fun article about the teen issue of Inlandia Literary Journeys Journal in the Press Enterprise. I was interviewed, as were Cati Porter (executive director of Inlandia Institute) and three … Continued
Identity, Addiction, and Harassment in YA Literature
posted in: Author Events, Conferences, Creativity, Inspiration, YA authors, YA fiction, YA literature |
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The Importance of the Teen Book Fest I can’t help putting in one last word for the Ontario Teen Book Fest. It’s full of great positive energy for readers and writers, and that’s one reason I’ve always enjoyed it, have … Continued