Karen Krossing » Book News

Book Trailer for Pure

Karen — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:04:25 +0000

Here’s my new video trailer for Pure, a futuristic novel about genetic engineering, the healing power of art, family secrets and lies.

I got the idea for Pure when I heard an interview with Maureen McTeer on CBC radio. She had published a book about the ethical and legal implications of genetic technologies. The interviewer asked something like, “How would a teen feel to have been genetically ‘arranged’ by his or her parents?” With that one question, an idea for a novel for teens began to grow.

I began to ask “what if” questions: What if parents could genetically choose a child—ensure she grew up unusually smart, healthy, or attractive? How would a teenager react to the news that her parents had genetically enhanced her? What if that genetic enhancement came with unexpected physical and social consequences?

Today’s teens will have to face some sticky ethical questions in their lifetimes. Who has a right to determine a person’s genetic make-up? And how will we treat our genetic underclass?

Pure explores these questions, and more.

Thanks to Air Productions for creating the trailer, and to Kevin MacLeod for the music. Enjoy!

Hot YA Dystopia Novels

Karen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:00:52 +0000

YA Dystopia novels are uber-popular ever since the release of Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. So if you like dystopia novels and are looking for more to read, check out this list of Half a Century of English-Language Young Adult Dystopias, compiled by Amy H. Sturgis. My novel Pure is on the list, as well as many other fine reads.

Cleavage Makes Social Responsibility List

Karen — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:10:25 +0000

Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls, which features my short story “Profanity,” is on the 2010 Amelia Bloomer List, part of the American Library Association’s Social Responsibility Round Table. Here’s the link for more info.

Video Trailer for Take the Stairs

Karen — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:28:06 +0000

Check out this new trailer for my novel Take the Stairs, which was nominated for the Ontario Library Association White Pine Award. Resource Links says, “Through reading Take the Stairs, one develops a greater appreciation for the commonality that runs through people’s lives: suffering, struggle, and hope.” Thanks to Air Productions for creating the trailer, and to Kevin MacLeod for the music.

Granted!

Karen — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:45:05 +0000

My novel-in-progress received a second writing grant, this time from the Toronto Arts Council. The novel is tentatively called The Yoyo Prophet. It’s about fifteen-year-old Calvin Layne, who becomes an overnight sensation as a yoyoing street performer. With almost three-quarters of the book written, it’s great to have the support and encouragement to finish it! I think I can … I think I can …

Book Trailer for Cleavage

Karen — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:14:14 +0000

I’m thrilled to announce that Cleavage, an anthology about teens and body image that includes my story “Profanity,” now has a book trailer. Thanks to Air Productions for putting it together and Jamye Dawicki for the awesome music.

Cleavage Named Best Book for Teens

Karen — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:17:48 +0000

Cleavage was named a Best Book for Teens by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Canadian children’s books. Here’s what they had to say about the book: “An edgy new collection of 15 stories about girls who challenge convention and those who wish they could. Hilarious, comforting and intense, these stories make us think more about taking pride in wearing our bodies just the way they are.”

A Pleasant Mailbox Experience

Karen — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:41:22 +0000

The life of a writer can be ruled by the mailbox. Sometimes I get pleasant surprises in the mail, like a letter from a reader or an acceptance from a publisher. Other times, the news is not so great. On June 23, I went to my mailbox to find I had been awarded an Ontario Arts Council Work-in-Progress grant for my next project, a teen novel tentatively titled The Yoyo Prophet. I shrieked loud enough to disturb the neighbours. Now, I’m back to writing, with a little more enthusiasm and a big smile on my face.

Teacher’s Guide for Take the Stairs

Karen — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:44:12 +0000

At long last, I have created a teacher’s guide for Take the Stairs. These teaching ideas were prepared with contributions from Kathleen Moro of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School in Oakville, Ontario, and Diane Tursman of Vaughan Secondary School in Thornhill, Ontario. Thanks to you both for sharing your ideas. To read the guide, go to Take the Stairs and click on the link for the Teacher’s Guide.

Cleavage News

Karen — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:36:50 +0000

Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls has been selected by Resource Links as Best of the Year 2008. It was also nominated for a Cybils Book Award, the children’s and young adult bloggers’ literary awards. A review in the School Library Journal called Cleavage edgy, charming, funny, and sweet. It’s “an aptly named collection of stories about body image and mothers and daughters coming together and growing apart. A fresh, honest, and entertaining anthology.”