Hot YA Dystopia Novels
February 24, 2010
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
February 10, 2010
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
January 19, 2010
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!
September 17, 2009
My novel-in-progress received a second writing grant, this time from the Toronto Arts Council. The novel is tentatively called The Yo-Yo 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
August 28, 2009
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
July 13, 2009
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
June 25, 2009
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 Yo-Yo 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
April 10, 2009
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
February 23, 2009
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.”
Cleavage Highly Recommended
December 5, 2008
Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls, which includes my short story “Profanity,” received a highly-recommended rating from Canadian Review of Materials. The review, posted December 5th, says “the stories are very strong, with sympathetic girl protagonists, colourful purposeful mothers, realistic family situations and the gleaming knife of raw emotion. Highly Recommended.” You can read the full review here.
Cleavage Enlightens and Entertains
November 3, 2008
A ‘n’ E Vibe posted a great new review of Cleavage here. Monika Wierzbicki writes “When we get very lucky we come across a book that expands our minds, enlightens us, and miraculously is still entertaining enough to make us want read it again.” Cleavage is “written in a wonderfully direct and often hilariously offbeat way that will make you want to keep reading.” You can read more about Cleavage here.
Reading at the Cleavage Book Launch
September 25, 2008
A full crowd gathered at the Canadian Children’s Book Centre last night to celebrate the launch of Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls. We enjoyed mocktails and cool snacks before settling in for readings from five of the contributors to the book. Thanks to all for the enthusiastic response.
Cleavage Book Launch
August 31, 2008
Teens and adults are welcome to join me at the official book launch for Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls, which includes my story “Profanity.” The event will be held on Wednesday, September 24 from 5:30-8:30 at the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (Suite 101, 40 Orchard View Blvd, Toronto). Please drop by to celebrate with us – and enjoy mocktails and cool munchies.
New Story in Cleavage Collection
June 3, 2008
My latest story for teens, “Profanity,” will be published this Fall in Cleavage – an anthology about mothers, daughters, and body image (Sumach Press). In “Profanity,” teenaged Claudia is repelled by her mother’s pregnant body, referring to her as “the human whale.” Editors Deb Loughead and Jocelyn Shipley preview some of the issues in the anthology in the Parents Canada article “Your Child’s Body Image.”
The Castle Key Great Magical Book
February 28, 2008
The Castle Key was selected by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre for The Magic of Books: Great Canadian Children’s Books About Magic. This thematic guide recommends books that will create a magical reading experience for children.
