SummerTeen!
Yesterday
School Library Journal held their second annual SummerTeen event. You still have a little time to
register (yes, after the event) and they will let you know when the archive of the sessions is available. Right now you can visit the “booths” of different publishers to see trailers of new books, read the chats from the event, and sign up to possibly win some items. It was great to hear about new titles coming out and listen to the authors’ talk about them. Hope they hold it again next summer!
One of the many things I learned is that Tamora Pierce, the Keynote Speaker, has some advice for writers on the FAQ section of her web
page. Scroll down until you see the questions “Where do you get your ideas?” “How do you deal with writer’s block?” “How do you start a book or story?” and more. It is a good place for aspiring young writers to glean some sage advice from a well-known author.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell is set in Omaha in 1986. Eleanor, new to school and to the school bus, is immediately an outcast and Park tries to avoid eye contact so she will sit somewhere else. She ends up next to him on the bus. Park soon realizes Eleanor is reading his comics surreptitiously over his shoulder during the ride and he adjusts how he is sitting to give her a better view of the story. Soon they are sharing music and moving toward a more serious relationship. Eleanor’s home life is scary. Her stepfather abuses her mother and Eleanor must tread lightly. Park’s home life is the opposite, with loving supporting parents. When home life gets too dangerous for Eleanor, she and Park must decide the best solution to the situation. Bullying is a big topic as well as abuse, and finding acceptance in love.
Eleanor & Park has a starred review from Booklist and is for grades 9 and up.
(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers. After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)
