RED GLASS by Laura Resau

Often the best part of researching literary agents is discovering an author (and book) I may not have otherwise. Not that the agents themselves aren’t interesting in their own right, of course, but the books they represent often tell (or should I say show) more about who they are as agents than any web-interview can.

My most recent find: Laura Resau’s novel, RED GLASS. I knew I was in for a great read when the first page described the dryness of the desert so well I needed to pause for a glass of lemonade before turning the page.

Now I could go on to write the usual book blurb review. Tell you about Sophie, the phobic, self proclaimed amoeba, teen girl who travels from the US to Mexico, where the germs she fears party in the streets and on dinner plates, where soft hands are scoffed at, and where Sophie finds real dangers (loss, love, guns, gangs and . . . yes, red glass), causing her to wonder if her imagined fears are a waste of living. I could tell you how Sophie’s love and possible loss of five year old Pablo and teen-hunk Angel challenges her to step out of the oversized clothes she hides behind, and question what Sophie la Fuerte (the strong) could do.

I could, (okay I did) but I also want to applaud the exceptionally developed secondary characters that left permanent imprints on my heart. As writers we strive to develop multi-layered protagonists readers will care about, of course, but it’s the secondary characters that make a good solid story a fuller, richer one.

What would THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN be without Reepicheep, or THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY without Constance? Sure, they'd still be good, but would they be as memorable? For RED GLASS, there would be less humor and heart without Nola and Zida in the mix. These two characters still bring a smile to my face weeks after finishing the book.

In addition, Laura Resau’s beautiful portrayal of Mexico, its people, their customs, and the way they contrast with those in the US, gave me much to ponder. How is quality of life defined? What is needed to have a good life? How do the answers differ from culture to culture? What is sacrificed in the pursuit of a perceived better life?

Go on, hurry up and read the book, and then come back and tell me who you think has a better life, Abuelita and Nola, or Sophie and Zida?

Click here to visit Laura Resau’s blog and learn about her newest book, THE INDIGO NOTEBOOK.

Join Me - Take Cindy Liu's Dare!

I took the dare! How about you?

Children’s book author of Paris Pan, Cindy Liu, is also a third grade elementary school teacher for a Title I school in Oklahoma City. Through her blog she has reached out and asked as many as possible to: “Take the Dare - Show You Care.” Mail new or gently used books for grades K-5 to the Tulakes Elementary School, a school located in a high poverty area.

Today I shipped off my box of books. I have to admit, picking through my library for books to part with was tougher than I thought. I might want to read this one or that for the fifth time, after all. But, of course, I knew the kids needed adventure, magic, and friends of there own to love and cherish.

So I dare you to join me. Visit Cindy Liu, and see how you can help. If you don’t have any books to send, then check out Cindy's Double Dare and Triple Dog Dare.

Jay Asher: Laughs and Inspiration

Tonight I had the pleasure of hearing Jay Asher speak at RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT, author of the best selling YA novel THRITEEN REASONS WHY.

Besides finding Jay far from depressing and darn dry-witted, I learned his writing career began with a review of Vanilla Ice (Ice baby), his first kiss tasted like hotdogs and mayo (uh-yuk), and if in need of a creative jolt one might try visiting Las Vegas where his idea for Hannah’s tapes originated.

Wit aside, the story of his road to publication was fraught with highs and lows, but his steadfast perseverance and dedication to his love for writing (along with a few tears of encouragement from his wife and a bit of praise from his mom) are some of his reasons for never giving up on his dream.

“Everything affects everything,” is the line Jay Asher writes below his signature inside his books. So I'm at my favorite cafe, which begins with an “S,” (by myself), mug raised, toasting Jay: “Thanks for your inspirational and motivational effect tonight.”

Cough, cough, er—okay, people are staring at me now, better get back to writing.

To read my review of THRITEEN REASONS WHY chek out the January archives.

At least Jay takes a good pic


To read more about Jay Asher, visit his blog here.

The Magic Thief: Lost

“The lizards are watching.”

Written in Wellmet’s Runic Alphabet, author Sarah Prineas penned this coded message beneath her signature of my signed copy of THE MAGIC THIEF - LOST, the second in the series. This is but one example of the creative, personal touches readers will find throughout her novels: From her unique writing style, to the recipes in the back for Benet’s Biscuits.

Enter a world where wizards rely on a living-magic power source and locus magicalicus stones to cast their spells and protect their cities. Connwaer, a wizard’s apprentice, thief, and master lock picker, needs a new locus stone (having lost his in book one) to speak to the magic. Until then, he uses pyrotechnics to hear the magic murmur, despite Master Nevery’s warnings. With each explosion the magic warns of a threat to Wellmet, and all he holds dear. THE MAGIC THIEF – LOST takes Connwaer out of the only place he’s known, to the city of Desh where he must use his wits and will to save the people and the city he loves.

Sarah mixes a pinch of the familiar with equal parts original and extraordinary, creating this wonderful story of magic, belonging, adventure, and friendship. Nothing simply moves, it: jink-clink-kajink, tap-taps, shuffs, or scritch-scritches. The main character, Conn, so consistently honest, even when it is to his disadvantage, breaths freshness and humor into this story.

But it was the number of twists, dangers, and precarious situations Conn finds himself in that had my mouth dropping with each turn of the page. I thought, this has to be the low point for Conn, surely things will start to turn around for him, right? Not so. Again and again, trouble threatens to bury Conn until, honestly, I had no idea how he would ever get himself out from under. This, in combination with the vivid images of darkness, shadows, and the “dreaded magic” makes this tale one any lover of fantasy will stay up all night reading.

To read more about the author, visit her blog here.

Book Trailers

Since I've already blogged about the rave reviews Cindy Pon's debut novel SILVER PHOENIX has received I thought I'd talk about book trailers.

This is a new concept for me, though maybe not for all of you cyber savvy writers and readers out there. A book trailer is just like a movie trailer. A video of music, images, and a blurb so enticing you know you just have to read it.

If you want to see an amazing example, follow the link here to view the trailer for SILVER PHOENIX.

If you want to learn more about Cindy, and find out how to win one of her beautiful brush art paintings (which will be in a PB coming out, I believe, next year) or a signed copy of her debut book, visit her blog here.

So what do you all think of this new way to advertise? Me, I think it is brilliant.

Paula

Hello Ello 2: Contest to Win an Autographed Copy of the Silver Phoenix!!!

Visit Hello Ello 2: Contest to Win an Autographed Copy of the Silver Phoenix!!!

New author Cindy Pon's YA fantasy called THE SILVER PHOENIX will be released April 28, 2009. Follow the link above to Ellen Oh's blog for look at the book's trailer.

So far she's received a starred review from ALA booklist's and many rave reveiws from other published YA authors. Read what they're saying about THE SILVER PHOENIX:

"If the cover image of a fearless Chinese heroine reminds readers of such films as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, that’s intentional; the story inside will, too. First-time novelist Pon has a screenwriter’s talent for producing a sweeping saga, and in this, the first of two books set in ancient China, 17-year-old Ai Ling faces demons, monsters, and gods as she tries to fulfill her destiny. Frightened after a local man tries to blackmail her into marriage, Ai Ling resolves to journey to the emperor’s palace where her missing father was last seen. Along the way, she meets the handsome Chen Yong, who is of mixed parentage and on a quest to find answers to questions about his family that have haunted him his whole life. (In the story’s prologue, readers get hints about his origins.) As in most martial-arts movies, the story sometimes takes a back seat to the action, but Pon doesn’t stint when it comes to her characters. Ai Ling is a clever and determined heroine, Chen’s younger brother is a witty teen whose girl-crazy ways transcend the centuries, and even the monsters have dimension. Pon’s writing, both fluid and exhilarating, shines whether she’s describing a dinner delicacy or what it feels like to stab an evil spirit in the gut. There’s a bit of sex here, including a near rape, but it’s all integral to a saga that spins and slashes as its heroine tries to find her way home."— Ilene Cooper

“I couldn’t put it down. Your heart will be racing, and you’ll be aching for more. An addictive gem.”—Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries and Airhead series

I don't know about you, but I sure am going to go out and buy it (unless I win a copy : )

WAITING FOR NORMAL, by Leslie Connor

Addie is my hero!

Addie, the main character of Leslie Connor’s book WAITING FOR NORMAL, has such a strong voice and a warm heart she reached out from the page and pulled me, heart and all, into her story. I prayed, I cried (seriously,) and I cheered for Addie to find her place. Leslie Connor weaves her cast of unique characters together in Kate DiCamillo fashion. This beautiful story reminds us; even small acts of kindness can make a hero out of us all.

I’m fortunate to have her, and so many other amazing authors, as fellow members in our local SCBWI group. And we will have some celebrating to do at our February meeting because on January 26, her book, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, was named the winner of the middle-school 2009 Schneider Family Book Award. The American Library Association (ALA) announced the winners during their Denver Meeting last week. The award honors authors and illustrators for “the artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.”

Congrats Leslie!

To read the full story and find out who the other winners were visit the ALA site here.