Very difficult to know where to begin! They are all, as you see, YA or children’s books, with the exception of The Swerve (written by Stephen Greenblatt, my former professor). I was most eager to get Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone (I love her books), and was delightedly surprised to find a new one by Catherine Murdock, Wisdom’s Kiss. I’m curious about Maile Meloy’s Apothecary. She’s obviously an amazing writer for adults. Can she write for our audience? We shall see. Meloys are in the air this season; her brother, Colin, lead singer of The Decemberists, also has a book coming out this fall, illustrated by his wife, Carson Ellis. I’m no expert on The Decemberists, but I have played C. Meloy’s live version of “On the Bus Mall” over and over, and the first time I heard it, I thought, He could be a writer (yes, yes. Songwriters ARE writers, but you know what I mean). In other ARC news, there are quite a few dystopian novels in that picture above (no surprise there. It’s the biggest trend, it seems).

But, of course, the best part about BEA is the people. I had a lovely time doing an “author speed-dating” session with 19 tables of librarians and booksellers, who were so charming. And I saw many friends, including (Exhibit B):

Sarah Beth Durst (left. I’m very much looking forward to her new book, Eat, Slay, Love) and Laini Taylor (right). I’m in the center.

In other news, I know that many of you have waited for a while to hear who won the three ARCs I’m giving away. I got a little tidal waved by end-of-the-semester stuff, but I finally put the names in a hat (mixing bowl for making cookies, really) and drew them. Here are the winners (Exhibit C):

That’s Claire L. Young, Eddie Garcia, and Monica Pelegri. Congratulations! You know, one of the reasons it took me so long to draw the names was because I kept thinking about all the names that would not be drawn, and the people who might be disappointed. There were many entries, and I wish I had an ARC for every single one of you. I’m sorry for those who did not win!

There’s been a recent (perennial, in fact) discussion about whether children’s/YA books should feel an impulse to have some kind of “message” for their readers. It was sparked by this opening line from a New York Times article by Lisa Belkin:

“The purpose of young adult literature is often twofold: to tell a story, and to send a message, usually in the form of a much-needed lesson.”

Sarah Ockler has responded to this and other problematic parts of the article here and Bennett Madison, here (scroll down past the picture of Roseanne Barr). Thanks, Bennett, for bringing the debate to my attention! I suppose, if anyone were to want my two cents, I would say, as Ockler does, that the story has precedence over any message. That said, I personally feel that any work of literature, for any age, should give me a deeper understanding of the human condition. That sounds weighty, but it’s the truth, at least for me. I want a book to touch me, mold me, change me. So, in that sense, I do want something larger than the story—or, rather, I want that something to be intrinsically part of the story. I do learn when I read, all the time. When I read Alice Munro’s “Wenlock Edge,” I learn about the way women can be with one another, about power, sympathy, revenge, secrecy. So while I don’t feel any pressure to give a message with my books—and I wouldn’t say I send “messages,” not in the way that Belkin means it—I do often have an ethical question I am asking myself as I write, such as How can we assert ourselves as individuals and still be part of a community? (a question lurking beneath my 2012 YA novel, The Shadow Society). I ask myself these questions whether I’m writing something for young people, or for adults.

Writers, readers, what do you think? Do books, regardless of their audience, have an ethical component?

Details are here.

Please post a question or comment for Eliot Schrefer (aka E Archer).

Thanks,

Marie

PS: for those of you looking for my ARC giveaway, the information is here.

Want an ARC of Jewel? If so, follow these steps:

1. Read this whole post before you do anything!

2. Email me at Marie@MarieRutkoski.com (you can also click on the link here). Do this on or before May 15.

3. Tell me your name and age

4. Tell me which character in the Kronos Chronicles series you like best and why.

I will then pull three names from a hat and email the winners to ask them for their addresses to mail the books. So if you are under 18, show this post to your parents before you enter to win an ARC, and ask them if it’s ok to tell me your home address (or any address where you could could receive the package) if you win.

I will announce the winners on May 20th. I will also share (on my website) some or all what people wrote about their favorite characters. I won’t use your full name; on the website, it’ll look something like,

“I like Tomik best because he’s smart and loyal. My favorite scene was when he escaped from the crew of the Pacolet.”
—Annie, age 10, from Ennis, TX

Any questions? Write them in the comments below!

Please post a question or comment for David Levithan regarding The Lover’s Dictionary, his writing process, or any of his other books.

Thanks,

Marie

Dear class,

Please post a comment or question for Lisa Graff regarding her novel, Umbrella Summer.

Best,

Marie

Thanks so much, Dana, for a wonderful chat!

In other news, it looks like I will be at Book Expo of America this spring. More details to come!

I am very excited about this year’s NYC Teen Author Festival! I’ll be reading at one event and signing at another. My reading will be on March 14, 6-8, at the Catham Square Branch of the NYPL (it’s the first event listed below). My signing will be at Books of Wonder on Sunday, March 20, 1:45-2:30. For both events, I’ll be sharing the company of some fabulous authors. See details below!

Here’s the schedule:

Schedule

Monday, March 14   (Chatham Square Branch of the NYPL, 33 E Broadway., 6-8):

Finding Voice, Giving Voice:  Speaking Up for Characters

Authors:

Cathleen Bell

Jen Calonita

Cecil Castellucci

Brent Crawford

Elizabeth Eulberg

Brian James

Kekla Magoon

Melina Marchetta

Marie Rutkoski

Moderator:  David Levithan

Tuesday, March 15  (B&N Union Square, 7-8:30):

YA Reader’s Theater

Authors:

Holly Black

Judy Blundell

Gayle Forman

Eliot Schrefer (aka E. Archer)

Host:  David Levithan

Wednesday. March 16 (South Court, 6-8):

YA Rocks, featuring Tiger Beat!

Tiger Beat:

Libba Bray

Daniel Ehrenhaft

Barnabas Miller

Natalie Standiford

With music-related readings from:

Philana Marie Boles

Libba Bray

Barnabas Miller

Jon Skovron

Jeri Smith-Ready

Rita Williams-Garcia

Host:  Jack Martin / Chris Shoemaker

Thursday, March 17 (Five Borough Read, 10-12):

Manhattan:

Seward Park Branch, 192 E Broadway, Manhattan, 10am

Alma Alexander

Philana Marie Boles

Leanna Renee Hieber

Lena Roy

Mark Shulman

96th Street Branch, 228 E 96th St, Manhattan, 10am

Violet Haberdasher

Kimberly Marcus

Micol Ostow

Eliot Schrefer

Natalie Standiford

Washington Irving H.S (in conjunction with Mulberry St Branch)  – 40 Irving Place, 10am.

Eireann Corrigan

Jocelyn Davies

Anne Heltzel

Matt de la Pena

Patrick Ryan

Leila Sales

Muhlenburg Branch, NYPL, 209 W 23rd St

Alexandra Bullen

Helen Ellis

Sarah Mlynowski

Matthue Roth

Adrienne Maria Vrettos

Robin Wasserman

Brooklyn

Central Branch, Brooklyn Public Library, Dweck Auditorim, 10 Grand Army Plaza

Cathleen Bell

Gayle Forman
Christopher Grant

Melissa Kantor

Jeri Smith-Ready

Melissa Walker

Bronx:

Bronx Library Center, 310 E Kingsbridge Road, Bronx

Margie Gelbwasser

Sarah Darer Littman

Arlaina Tibensky

Maryrose Wood

Queens:

Library TK

Brent Crawford

Barry Lyga

Melina Marchetta

Neesha Meminger

Staten Island:

St George Branch, 5 Central Ave, Staten Island, 10am

Elizabeth Eulberg

David Levithan

Michael Northrup

Danette Vigliante

Friday, March 18^th, morning (Scholastic, 557 Broadway), 10am

Scholastic Event

Reading/Signing:

Alexandra Bullen

Judy Blundell

Libba Bray

Elizabeth Eulberg

Kim Harrington

Sarah Darer Littman

Michael Northrup

Patrick Ryan

Eliot Schrefer

Maggie Stiefvater

Signing only:

Eireann Corrigan

Aimee Friedman

Barry Lyga

Michael Northrop

Matthue Roth

Lisa Sandell

Samantha Schutz

Natalie Standiford

Suzanne Weyn

Friday March 18^th, Symposium (South Court, 42^nd Street, 2-6)

2:00  Introduction

2:10 – 3:00:  Telling the Truths – Hard Topics, Illuminating Fiction

Authors:

Eireann Corrigan

Donna Freitas

Sarah Darer Littman

Kimberly Marcus

Micol Ostow

Moderator:  DL

3:00 – 3:50: Debut Author Showcase

Authors:

Jocelyn Davies

Margie Gelbwasser

Christopher Grant

Anne Heltzel

Kimberly Marcus

Arlaina Tibensky

Moderator:  Jack Martin / Chris Shoemaker

3:50 – 4:00:  Break

4:00 – 5:00:  I Think I Love You (But Maybe I Don’t?) – Writing About Teens in Love

Authors:

E. Lockhart

Terra Elan McVoy

Sarah Mylnowski

Patrick Ryan

Moderator:  David Levithan
5:00 – 6:00:   Under the Influences:  Discussing Influences on YA Fiction

Authors:

Libba Bray

Alexandra Bullen

Susane Colasanti

Barry Lyga
Carolyn Mackler

Lena Roy

Adrienne Maria Vrettos

Maryrose Wood

Moderator:  Barry Lyga

Saturday. March 19^th, Symposium (South Court, 42^nd Street, 1-5:30)

1:00 – Introduction

1:10 – 2:00:  The Ties That Bind, Part One:  The Struggle Against Darkness

Kim Harrington

Lisa McMann

Maggie Stiefvater

Robin Wasserman

Moderator:  David Levithan

2:00 – 2:45:  The Ties That Bind, Part Two:  Family Bonds

Melissa Kantor

Melina Marchetta

Alyssa Sheinmel

Natalie Standiford

Danette Vigilante

Moderator:  Jack Martin / Chris Shoemaker

2:45 – 3:30:  The Ties That Bind, Part Three:  Friends and Community

Matt de la Pena

Torrey Maldonado

Michael Northrop

Leila Sales

Moderator:  Barry Lyga

3:30-3:40 – Break

3:40 – 4:20 – Tribute to Michael Cart

Host/Opening:  Jack Martin

Speakers/Readers:  David Levithan and Jacqueline Woodson

Acceptance:  Michael Cart

4:20-5:30:  LGBTYA:  Past, Present, and Future

Nick Burd

Michael Cart

David Levithan

Martin Wilson

Jacqueline Woodson

Moderator:  Jack Martin / Chris Shoemaker

Sunday afternoon:

Books of Wonder Signing (1-4)

Authors:

1-1:45

Lizabeth Zindel  (A Girl, A Ghost, and the Hollywood Hills, Penguin)                 

Maryrose Wood  (The Hidden Gallery, Harper)

Suzanne Weyn  (Empty, Scholastic)

Danette Vigilante  (The Trouble with Half a Moon, Penguin)

Maggie Stiefvater  (Linger, Scholastic)

Natalie Standiford  (Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters, Scholastic)

Mark Shulman    (Scrawl, Roaring Brook)

Alyssa Sheinmel  (The Beautiful Between, RH)

Kieran Scott  (She’s So Dead to Us, S&S)

Leila Sales  (Mostly Good Girls, S&S)

Patrick Ryan  (Gemini Bites, Scholastic)

1:45-2:30

Marie Rutkoski  (The Celestial Globe, FSG)

Lena Roy  (Edges, FSG)

Michael Northrup  (Trapped, Scholastic)

Sarah Mlynowski  (Gimme a Call, RH)

Neesha Meminger  (Jazz in Love, Ignite)

Terra Elan McVoy  (After the Kiss, S&S)

Lisa McMann   (Cryer’s Cross, S&S)

Kimberly Marcus  (Exposed, RH)

Melina Marchetta (The Piper’s Son, Candlewick)

Torrey Maldonado  (Secret Saturdays, Penguin)

Barry Lyga  (Archvillain, Scholastic)

2:30-3:15

E. Lockhart  (Real Live Boyfriends, RH)

Sarah Darer Littman     (Life After, Scholastic)

David Levithan  (Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares, RH)

Melissa Kantor  (The Darlings Are Forever, Hyperion)

Carla Jablonksi  (Resistance, First Second)

Gwendolyn Heasley      (Where I Belong, Harper)

Kim Harrington  (Clarity, Scholastic)

Christopher Grant  (Teenie, RH)

Margie Gelbwasser  (Inconvenient, Flux)

Elizabeth Eulberg  (Prom & Prejudice, Scholastic)

Helen Ellis  (The Turning, Sourcebooks)

3:15-4

Daniel Ehrenhaft  (Friend is Not a Verb, Harper)

Sarah Beth Durst  (Enchanted Ivy, S&S)

Matt De La Pena  (I Will Save You, RH)

Brent Crawford  (Carter Finally Gets It, Hyperion)

Eireann Corrigan  (Accomplice, Scholastic)

Susane Colasanti  (Something Like Fate, Penguin)

Marina Budhos  (Tell Us We’re Home, S&S)

Kate Brian  (Book of Spells, S&S)

Philana Marie Boles  (Glitz, Penguin)

Judy Blundell    (Strings Attached, Scholastic)

Cathleen Bell    (Little Blog on the Prairie, Bloomsbury)

Isn’t that lovely? It’s the Dutch cover for The Celestial Globe, published by Lemniscaat. And hopefully I’ll be able to show you David Frankland’s cover for The Jewel of the Kalderash soon! I love it.

Classes have begun, and I have a new crop of students, new things to teach…very fun. One of the things I always do at the beginning of my Fiction Writing for Children and Young Adults class is distribute the first pages of about 20 books. No titles or authors’ names show on these pages. I try to choose a variety of genres, age groups, gender, point of view, etc. The pages are distributed, read at home by the students, and during the next class we talk about what we, as readers, are able to know about a book only from its first page. I got this idea from a blog post Scott Westerfeld wrote several years ago, in which he did a “first page test” judging the quality and personality of a book from its first few lines (and his first page of Uglies was included in my students’ packet: “The early summer sky was the color of cat vomit”). Sorry, wish I had a link to that original post, but my foggy memory will have to do.

I have some issues with my own class exercise. It’s disheartening to think that readers would read a first page with a mental ax hanging in midair, ready to chop off the book’s head and set it aside for more gripping fare, or to spare the book, let that ax hang, and keep reading. And I kind of promote that attitude with this exercise, because at the end of class I have my students vote for the book they’d most like to keep reading (I then distribute the first 20-30 pages of it). But I still do this exercise, if only because I think it’s valuable for my student writers to feel that their first pages matter greatly, and to think carefully about the information they can convey in a first page (about character, setting, time, conflict, etc.). Oh, and also? It is fun, and I’m always curious to see which book will win. This year, it was The Book Thief, by Markus Zuzak. The year before, Before I Die, by Jenny Downham (who was a close second this year). The year before that, Twilight (I have since taken that one out of the packet, since it is too recognizable. In spring 2008, when I first taught this class, it wasn’t so well known; perhaps one of my students had read it. Students seemed really drawn in by the immediate life-or-death quality of the prologue).

Can you think of any great first pages?

I just finished rereading one of my favorite books from my teenage years: Robin McKinley’s The Outlaws of Sherwood. Here’s the book cover from my youth:

I kind of prefer the classy edition of more recent years, which shows a bronze notched arrow, but for nostalgia’s sake let’s let this woodsy one stand.

I have many, many McKinley favorites: The Hero and the Crown (a seminal read for me!), Sunshine, Deerskin, Beauty, and this one, whose slow pace I adore. Honestly? It was so nice to read a book that did NOT try to grab me by the throat with the first page. I’m tired of being grabbed (despite the class exercise. It’s still good pedagogy to do the exercise, though it causes me some ambivalence). Also? McKinley is just such a good writer in the old school kind of way—meaning, not only can she write beautifully, but also masterfully, showing excellent control of complicated structures. When was the last time you saw a semi-colon used in YA lit? Not recently, I bet. Well, hey, if you want to sample some of her stuff—and, God, you should—I see she’s got an esampler up on her website. Go forth and read good things.

Soon: news about the NYC Teen Author Festival! I’ll be reading and signing.

Oh, and check out this exchange I had with the delightful Meg Pickert, a 4th grade teacher in Houston, TX, about a mysterious autographed copy of The Celestial Globe. I love hearing from students and teachers! Thanks, Meg, for getting in touch and for letting me post this.