by Karen Krossing | Jan 6, 2012 | Book News
My new novel, The Yo-Yo Prophet, continues to get great reviews. Here are excerpts from the latest reviews:
“The urban characters are diverse and the relationships feel authentic. Krossing’s descriptions of bullying are powerful. Students 7th grade and up will connect with this story about finding our real family and owning our actions.”
Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Material Review Group
“Calvin is a strong young man whose resilience and growth through the book will endear him to caring readers. Recommended for middle and high school libraries.”
Tri State Young Adult Book Review Committee
“Krossing’s light, straightforward style presents the “big” issues of bullying, self-discovery and loyalty in accessible and inspiring ways. Watching Calvin cope with each of these issues invokes empathy and instruction. Her description of yo-yo tricks is exceptionally strong.”
Resource Links
by Karen Krossing | Dec 16, 2011 | Book News, Mentoring
Too often, I hear boys talk about how they don’t like to read. According to the Ontario Ministry of Education guide, Me Read? No Way! A Practical Guide to Improving Boys’ Literacy Skills, “nearly 50 per cent describe themselves as non-readers by the time they enter secondary school.”
Because of this trend, one of my goals when I wrote my latest novel, The Yo-Yo Prophet, was to write a book that young male readers would want to read. When I received this message from a mother of a 12-year-old, I was thrilled:
“My son LOVED The Yo-Yo Prophet and read it in record time. He even started playing with his yo-yo again and then recently made one. He highly recommends this book to his friends. It has initiated him reading every night at bedtime again and I am truly grateful for that.”
Lynn E.
I’m so glad that The Yo-Yo Prophet inspired Lynn’s son to read again, and that it encouraged him to get his friends’ hooked, too. I hope that well-written books can repeat this pattern over and over again.
Finding literature to interest young male readers can be difficult, and some of us are guilty of picking books for boys that we think they ought to read, rather than books that reflect their interests.
James Moloney says in Boys and Books: “A good book for a boy is one he wants to read.”
If you’re looking for books for a young male reader, my suggestion is to take him to a bookstore and/or library regularly so he can pick books for himself. You can also encourage him to check out www.guysread.com, a website developed by author Jon Scieszka to connect boys with books.
Happy reading!
by Karen Krossing | Dec 12, 2011 | Book News
I’m pleased that two local newspapers have recently published articles about my new novel The Yo-Yo Prophet:
It’s particularly meaningful to me to be recognized in the community where I live and write.
In an era where community newspapers are facing hard economic times, I’m grateful that these newspapers can showcase people, events and businesses in the local area. I particularly like how community papers make room for the “good news” stories of the day.
by Karen Krossing | Dec 8, 2011 | On Writing
I have a secret fondness for magnetic poetry – not so secret if you’ve been to my home. On a wall in my kitchen, I have a 3′ by 4′ board with as many sets of magnetic poetry as I can find.
The obsession began slowly, with only the original version of magnetic poetry – which is a collection of tiny magnetic words, in case you don’t know. I quickly needed more, leading to an injection of Shakespearean words, as well as Romance, Art and others.
I’m not sure that magnetic poetry is really useful for writer’s block. I’ve never written a sentence using it that sparked a story or even a line in a story. But it does remind me to play with words, to treat them with irreverence, to stir them into new combinations. For me, that’s an important thing to remember.
I also love seeing what messages people who visit my home might leave behind. These days, the word board speaks of a “frantic concrete flower” and how to “balance above a metaphor” – a tricky task.
It also instructs me to “breathe rhythm,” “explore wild magic” and “embrace poetry.” As for the latter, I think I already have.
by Karen Krossing | Nov 6, 2011 | Mentoring, Presentation News
As CANSCAIP vice-president, I’ve spend the last ten months planning CANSCAIP’s Packaging Your Imagination conference with a team of enthusiastic volunteers. From our fledgling first ideas, through the obstacles that popped up during the months of planning, to the crescendo of the final event, I’ve greatly enjoyed sharing the journey with the volunteers, speakers, and attendees.
Volunteer work like this can be draining at times, and I must admit to getting volunteer fatigue as the conference approached. But the joy at connecting with so many people who share a love of creating for children quickly reminds me why I volunteer.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this day. It was a pleasure to share it with you.
by Karen Krossing | Oct 14, 2011 | Mentoring
Last night, I really enjoyed attending the launch of Young Voices 2011, the Toronto Public Library’s annual magazine of art and writing for youth aged 12 to 19. It was great to hear the teens talk about what inspires them and to share their passion for their art.
Thanks to the youth librarians at the TPL for all they do. I’m glad to be a guest editor of this fine magazine.
The deadline for next year’s entries is March 31, 2012. Please help to spread the word to young Toronto artists and writers. For more information, go to the TPL’s Young Voices page.
by Karen Krossing | Oct 6, 2011 | Book News
I’m delighted with this new review of The Yo-Yo Prophet in Canadian Materials:
“Karen Krossing has created a fresh and engaging story that was intricately crafted, yet easy to follow. Of particular note were the different terms and descriptions for yo-yo tricks and techniques. The explanations and descriptions of the different yo-yo skills that Calvin was adeptly practicing and mastering were done in such a way that I could easily envision what he was doing. This particular element would be especially useful for readers as evidence of effective descriptions of potentially foreign concepts. I also appreciated the realistic portrayal of high school life. As Calvin’s confidence increased and as he sought to fit within the high school hierarchy, aided in part by his successful yo-yo performances, he weaved his way in and out of difficult decisions, with some being more successfully resolved than others….
“A large component of the success of The Yo-Yo Prophet lies in its innovative plotline coupled with superior character development. The reader is privy to Calvin’s fascination and aptness with a yo-yo, adding an enhanced level of playfulness to this highly enjoyable read. Highly Recommended.”
To read the whole review, visit Canadian Materials.
by Karen Krossing | Oct 5, 2011 | Book News, On Writing
You can check out my Feature Author Interview with Orca Book Publishers on their site. Here’s a teaser:
Feature Author Interview by Orca Book Publishers
Why do you write, and why children’s books?
I write to understand the world. I love how a gorgeous string of words can alter my perceptions, widen my view of the world. Words have incredible power. They can inspire us to do great things. They can make us laugh or cry. I’m continually fascinated by the power of words to move me. Read More >>
For more of my online author interviews and a participant review of my writing workshops, click here.
by Karen Krossing | Sep 21, 2011 | Book News
Thanks to everyone who participated in my online contest to win a signed copy of The Yo-Yo Prophet. And the winner is … (pause for drum roll) … school librarian Sarah W.
If you’re disappointing you didn’t win, you can read the first fifteen pages of the book below. I hope that helps.
Need a reason to run out and buy your own copy of the book? Here’s the latest review:
“Calvin is a likable character who is struggling to keep it together under the mounting stress, the relationship between Calvin and his grandmother is realistically portrayed, and the eventual resolution with Calvin’s dad feels authentic. Meanwhile, the yo-yoing scenes are surprisingly vivid and keep the action moving. Readers will root for Calvin to stand up to Rozelle and triumph in the end.”
Booklist (American Library Association)
by Karen Krossing | Sep 15, 2011 | Book News, Presentation News
On September 1st, I published my latest novel for teens, The Yo-Yo Prophet. Why did I write about street performing?
As an author, I have a love-hate relationship with performing. Once I get to a book reading or writing workshop, I’m eager to interact with my audience. But there’s often a moment beforehand where I’m dreading it – mostly because I’m worried about how an audience will react to what I have to offer.
Managing an audience is not unlike taming wild lions. Not that I’ve ever tamed lions, but the two are linked in my mind. A performer tries to work with the audience, to control its reactions – get people to laugh at the right part and fall respectfully silent when needed. In The Yoyo Prophet, 15-year-old Calvin faces his audiences head on. He feels the joy of successful performances as well as the horror and shame of public humiliation.
Today, the effect of public humiliation and success can be multiplied a thousand-fold through online exposure. With instant fame possible through viral videos, instant defeat can be just as swift and harsh. Calvin experiences both in the novel, and finally has to find his judgments about himself from within.
Street performers, like Calvin, are a different breed, since they need to capture the attention of a mobile and possibly indifferent audience and compel them to watch as well as pay for an unsolicited performance. The inspiration for writing about a street performer grew from my love of BuskerFest, held every August on the streets of Toronto. With a spectacular stunt, a joke or original music, buskers can transform an open street into a dynamic performance space.
To check out my video book trailer for The Yo-Yo Prophet, click here. To enter a draw for a signed copy of the book, simply comment on this post, or send me an email through my website before September 20th.
