YA Galley Teen Reviewers Love Article 5
Here’s what Teen readers are saying about Article 5 – a debut dystopian novel by Kristen Simmons!
- “I just loved the story it as truly fantastic. The characters were great for this story.”— Matt, age 16
- “Well written and suspenseful.”— Edward, age 14
-“I thought it was a very realistic idea. Many laws are verging on infringing on privacy.”—Lily, age 13
- “The best part of the book was the characters, who were well developed.”—Abigail, age 14
- “This book shows teens that love is the most powerful of emotions and how persistence gets you where you want. Ember’s determination could be inspiring to teens who think they can’t do anything.”—Angel, age 15
- “Honestly, I loved this book and could not tear my eyes away. This book was suspenseful and really feeds your hunger for descri0ptive writing and passion in the characters. “—Layla, age 14
Teens and Horror
By Bonnie Kunzel
Years ago I took a group of teens to a “Best of the Best in Young Adult Literature” program at Rutgers University. After a presentation on the best new books for teens, the librarians and teachers in the audience had some questions for our teen guests. In particular, they wanted to know why their teens liked to read horror, why at that time books by authors such as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, John Saul and V. C. Andrews were so popular. Their answer was simple and to the point: they liked to read scary books when they were safe in their homes, snuggled down in the comfortable haven of dens, bedrooms or anyplace else they could lose themselves in books. This response was the same from both genders. These boys liked to read horror; so did the girls.
This trend has continued into the present. And it’s not limited just to books. Consider the popularity of teen slasher movies and the current zombie craze, which has joined the vampire and werewolf mania, both on the big and small screens. Nor is it limited to a particular season. Certainly, it’s fun to read books about witches and goblins and ghosts, oh my, when Halloween rolls around. But the popularity of these spooky stories, along with the aforementioned vampires, werewolves and zombies continues throughout the year.
The teens I took to Rutgers University were high school students, but the popularity of all things scary is the same for the middle school crowd as well. Just look at the response to David Lubar’s weenie books, as he calls them. Their popularity has soared with his latest addition to the canon, Attack of the Vampire Weenies and Other Warped and Creepy Tales. Of course, being David Lubar, there’s humor mixed with the horror in this collection, just as there is in the ongoing adventures of his unfortunate fifth grader, Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie.
And speaking of humor mixed with horror, the Twisted Sisters, Annette and Gina Cascone have started a new Deadtime 
Stories series, which has already been picked up for a live-action tv series. The first title, Grave Secrets, will be published in January, 2012, followed by The Witching Game in March. Chuckie fans should take a look at the doll on the cover of Grave Secrets, which features four teens, two boys and two girls, who dig up a buried doll and then have to cope with the consequences. This is the classic confrontation between the local kids and the old woman next door they are convinced is a witch. Their parents think she’s just lonely, but the kids know better, or at least they think they do. It’s not a doll that threatens a similar group of young teens in The Witching Game. Another striking cover shows an evil witch in a mirror. Unfortunately the little sister of one of the girls plays a wishing game in front of an antique mirror that has just arrived in the house, and Bloody Mary accepts the invitation to get involved in their lives. On the bright side, this means the younger sister gets the puppy she’s always wanted and the older sister gets the role in the school play she lost to a rival. On the dark side is the pain and suffering Bloody Mary dishes out to make these wishes come true.
Perfect for tweens and reluctant readers who like a dash of horror with their fun.
International Reading Association Convention
Come join us at IRA 2012 in Chicago for a Special Interest Group featuring David Lubar, Kristin Simmons, Kendare Blake, Annette and Gina Cascone on Tues. May 1, 2012 9 – 11:45 a.m.
Where: Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, room CC11B
Public Library Association Conference
David Lubar will be signing ATTACK OF THE VAMPIRE WEENIES on Thurs. March 15th from 3 – 4 p.m. ath the PUblic Library Association Conference in Philadelphia.
Come join us at booth number 1937.
ALA Midwinter Meeting
January: American Library Association Midwinter Meetingin Dallas TX
- Visit us at the Tor/Forge Booth # 1505
- Join us on Saturday, January 21 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at ALA’s Book Buzz Theater
Publisher Kathleen Doherty and Senior Editor Susan Chang will present highlights from the Starscape and Tor Teen Winter 2012 list along with hot new releases for Spring 2012. Attendees will partake of advance reading copies, finished books, and delicious “Weenies” snacks!
Author Events: Dom Testa
Come meet Dom Testa!
October 5th at The Tattered Cover Book Store, Highlands Ranch, CO
- Event: Cosmic Storm Launch Party and signing
- Time: 7:00 pm
- Address: 9315 Dorchester Street
October 15 at Mysterious Galaxy for Books, San Diego, CA
- Time: 2:00 pm
- Address: 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
Author Events: Kiki Hamilton
Come meet Kiki Hamilton!
September 30 at Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, Beaverton, OR
- Time: 7:00 pm
- Address: 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd
October 19 at Barnes & Noble, Olympia, WA
- Time: 4:00 pm
- Address: 1563 Black Lake Blvd SW
October 26 at Barnes & Noble, Lynwood, WA
- Time: 7:00 pm
- Address: 19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
