Off to Turn Another Page....

Happy Birthday, Dear Lea!!!!

2010-08-16T04:10:10Z

I am blessed to have the greatest writing buddy on the face of the planet!
We get together at least one day every month to touch base and work together on writerly projects.
We bounce ideas off of each other and discuss how we plan to advance our writing careers.
We talk about the books we've read, exchange books, and talk about what we liked and didn't like about them.

In addition, over the past several years, we've become close friends and there's no one whose
company I enjoy more outside my own family. She's truly my BFF, and I'm proud of it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEA!!!!!!

TOO PICKLEY Written by Jean Reidy, Illustrated by Genevieve LeLoup

2010-07-06T05:53:56Z

It's herrre! Too Pickley! just hit shelves. Find it, and I promise you won't be disappointed. Read my mini-review about this fantastic companion book to Too Purpley! at Kids Books Central

SCARS by Cheryl Rainfield

2010-04-25T22:51:16Z

I have a confession to make. I avoided reading Scars by Cheryl Rainfield.

I avoided it for so long after getting the book, that I missed posting my review in time to plug the great promotion the author was holding on her website, with apologies to my readers for not posting the link.

Why did I commit this travesty of putting a book aside for so long? Because I knew how hard it would be to read. Exactly how hard. Because really, how could it not be difficult? Just reading the blurbs told me what I needed to know:

"Scars is a brave novel, a read-in-one-sitting-except-when-you-have-to-put-it-down-to-breathe novel." --Ellen Hopkins

"Scars is a painful and well told story, obviously written with the heart's blood of the author. It could prove to be a life-saver for other young victims of abuse and self-harm." --Lois Duncan

This wasn't going to be a quick, easy YA read. These types of books tend to speak aloud--they should--they have a lot to say. What I didn't know before picking up Scars, was exactly how much it would say...no shriek at me. How much of my heart would be ripped out and handed back to me. How much of my outlook would change after this one read.

Congratulations to Cheryl Rainfield for really digging deep and pulling up the dregs of emotion that exist for those who resort to cutting to mask or alleviate their pain. While I found some of the book to be a bit predictable and overly dramatic, I cannot deny that I mostly found the entire story to be incredibly powerful and "in your face" in the best sense.

Kendra's fierce determination to find the truth about her abuse and the identity of her abuser is beyond admirable. Her passion for art and need to express herself through that medium bring a likability to Kendra's character.

The book isn't the least bit patronizing. It shows raw emotions & reactions without necessarily explaining specific causes, which allows readers to draw their own conclusions. Ultimately, I have to agree with Ellen Hopkins that this book forces one to stop and breathe. By the time I was done dragging the book everywhere I went, it looked as though it had been through a war. And although I felt as though I'd been through the war with it, I couldn't pretend I wasn't glad I'd read it.

Kudos to the brave main character and to her even more brave creator.

Off to Turn Another Page....

YA book picks for the past decade

2010-04-09T05:07:37Z

From Joan Kaywell, of the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (aka: ALAN):

"Hi Fellow YA Lovers,

Every decade, Dr. Ted Hipple would ask YA enthusiasts, what their favorite YA books were for the last decade. He would compile the list and publish the results in THE ALAN REVIEW. Given that he was my mentor, I figured I'd follow the tradition. So, here's my request:

Please e-mail me at kaywell AT usf DOT edu your response to this question:

In your opinion, what are the 10 best YA books published between 1999 and 2009 with 1 being your favorite and so on? Please list title and author and identify your primary role in how you made your selections as (choose only one) either a secondary teacher, a university professor, an author, a media specialist, or a parent.

When Ted asked me for my recommendations for 1990-1999, this is how it looked:

TOP TEN NOVELS OF THE 90'S (Joan F. Kaywell, university professor)

1. Ironman by Chris Crutcher (1995)

2. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher (1993)

3. The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis (1995)

4. Good Moon Rising by Nancy Garden (1996)

5. Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey by Margaret Peterson Haddix (1996)

6. Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (1997)

7. All But My Life by Gerda Weissmann Klein (1995 in paper, 1957)

8. Push by Saphire (1996)

9. When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago (1993)

10. Make Lemonade by Virgina Euwer Wolff (1993)

The deadline for your nominations to be included is April 15, 2010.

I would appreciate your copying, pasting, and sending my message to all YA enthusiasts you know. PLEASE only respond one time.

Thanks tons. I hope to have this published in the summer 2010 issue of THE ALAN REVIEW. If you are not a member of the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the NCTE and would like to join, go to www.alan-ya.org for more information on how to become a member."

Pass it on!

In Which Son gets to use the "A" Word!

2010-04-03T03:58:00Z

As soon as Son saw Artsy Fartsy, he had to crack it open. It was completely irresistable.

Luckily, I was able to pry it out of his hands (after he fell asleep) long enough to read it myself, at which point I wanted very much to talk to the author, Karla Oceanak.

Since my 12-year-old son absconded with your book as soon as it arrived at our house, I thought I’d give him a chance to ask the first couple of questions. So:

Son would like to know why you chose to write your book in this comic-illustrated style?

KO: I’m a mom with three boys. Guess what their favorite books are? Sure, they’ve read and liked oodles of great novels and series…Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Inkheart, anything by Roald Dahl. But which books do they reach for ad nauseum? Their comic books! If the Book Welfare Society raided our house, we’d be in big trouble, because all our Calvin & Hobbes and Bones and Wimpy Kids have their covers half-torn off from so much use. I hoped to create a series that kids would read and reread until they literally fell apart, too.

Son would also like to know how you came up with the names you used in the book…specifically Aldo Zelnick and Goosy?

KO: From the beginning this was planned as an A to Z series. So for the main character, I wanted an odd (but real) first name and last name that bookended the alphabet. I scoured baby name books and phone books until I found something I liked the sound of. For Goosy, I wanted a name that’s as eccentric and fun-loving as she is. Somehow I came up with Goosy (maybe Mother Goose played a part?) then, afterwards, invented the back-story that’s attached to her nickname. Aldo is the one who started calling her Goosy when he was little because he couldn’t say her real name, which is Grandma Lucy.

When I finally got my turn to read it, I saw the attraction. This book is fun and fresh and a great lure for reluctant readers. After reading it, I came up with a few questions of my own.

What made you think of adding the "A" word glossary? Was this some sort of ploy to get grown ups to look past the "Artsy-Fartsy" title? Great job attracting adolescent boys, by the way!

KO: Actually, the alphabetical vocabulary was really the spark that fired up the whole series idea. I’m a word nerd. I just think cool words are fun—fun to say, fun to read, fun to write. I asked myself how I could create a series that turned kids on to great vocab at the same time it delivered great stories. And regarding the title…I have to admit that while I thought kids would pick up a book called Artsy-Fartsy, I also feared push-back from parents. I’m thrilled to report that parents, teachers, and librarians alike aren’t offended by the title, after all (whew!). We did get one phone call from a grandmother who said she liked the book, but why oh why did we have to use that phrase as the title?

How do you feel about comparisons of your book to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and similar books?

KO: The popularity of the Wimpy Kid series was certainly something I considered when I was still noodling the format of the Aldo Zelnick books. What I like about Wimpy Kid and other similar books is that, unlike true comic books, they allow for longish chunks of text. I also had Aldo’s voice in my head long before I started writing it down, and he was funny! A funny, sort of curmudgeonly 10-year-old. Being rendered as a cartoon, and allowing him to draw his own cartoons, brings out the best in him. I also thought more could be done with the format than I had seen so far, such as the vocabulary and richer character development.

How do you think Aldo Zelnick felt about girls by the end of the summer?

KO: Now there’s a question that would make Aldo blush and say, “Oh c’mon. I don’t know! Girls are just…weird. Sheesh. Abby’s OK, I guess, even though she’s basically a girl.”

What’s Aldo up to now? Will readers be seeing more of him soon?

KO: Aldo’s creating his own comic strip and learning how to do yoga. In the C book, he gets to go to the State Fair and pig out on everything fried on a stick. Summer’s over, so he also has to go back to school.

What about his creator? What are you up to, and what will we seen next from you?

KO: I have a day job writing things like feature articles and brochures. I’m also squeezing in lots of school visits, talking to kids about Artsy-Fartsy and Aldo Zelnick. Kendra (the illustrator) and I just finished up the second book in the Aldo Zelnick series, Bogus, which will be available in late May. That means it’s time to start the C book!

And we can't wait to "C" it, Karla! Thanks for talking to us about Aldo, and thanks to you and Aldo's wonderful illustrator, Kendra Spanjer, for creating a book kids can love!

For those interested, my official review of Artsy Fartsy can be found over at YA (& Kids) Books Central!

A very purpley interview with author Jean Reidy

2010-01-16T06:49:12Z

I was lucky enough to snag an interview with one of the hottest new picture book authors! See what I mean? Not only is she gorgeous and talented, she's also clever and funny.

That's why I predict her new book, Too Purpley, will soar to the top of best seller lists everywhere!
And, it will be followed shortly by its companion:

It's easy to see at a glance just how much kid-appeal these books,illustrated by the extraordinary Genevieve LeLoup, have jam-packed in them. And Jean's not even done yet! To learn about other work coming soon, check out her award-winning website. But first you can find out more right here.

What inspired you to write these particular picture books?

Too Purpley! and Too Pickley! were initially inspired by a niece and a nephew of mine. When my niece Sarah was in preschool ─ she’s now old enough to have two children of her own ─ every article of clothing in her closet had just a little something wrong with it. Whether the tag was too scratchy or the pattern too stripy, every shirt, skirt or sock needed to pass the comfort test with Sarah. But then, when I had kids of my own, we all encountered our own closet monsters of strangling turtlenecks, creepy jeans and suffocating sweaters. And it’s not as if I’m any different. I spend most writing days in my favorite sweatpants and t-shirt ─ a perk of the job.

Likewise, Too Pickley! begged to be written for my nephew, Frank. Frank now sups on anything from wasabi to White Castle’s, but for many years in his young life, he only ate hot dogs ─ WITH THE SKIN PEELED OFF. Then a few years later I had food frenzies with my own kids ─ Pat, whose only fruit was apples; Tim, who gagged on whipped cream; Catherine, my bottle-free baby and Molly, my gourmet. I soon realized that grilled cheese tantalized everyone’s taste buds, so grilled cheese it was. Lots and lots of grilled cheese.

Lots of people seem to think that writing picture books is easy because of the simple language and short length of the books. Anyone in children's publishing can tell you that’s a misconception. What do you find to be the hardest part of the picture book-writing process?

I’d like to make out that I have the most difficult job in the world. But, while picture book writing may not always be easy, it is always fun. Probably the most fun part of picture book writing is getting to think like a kid and behave like a kid on paper. I have to take my mom hat off when I write for children. Otherwise Too Purpley! might have been titled How I Got My Child to Make Wise Clothing Choices. And what kid would want to read that? Also, the picture book’s short form makes the document manageable throughout revisions. It’s fun to find those few perfect words to tell your story.

Perhaps the hardest part of picture book writing is creating the delicate balance between text and illustration. You have to say a lot with a little. For example, Too Purpley! and Too Pickley! have very slight texts. But a wonderful agent or editor can see that illustrative, picture book potential in just those few words. Then I defer to the illustrator to take creative license and get a little crazy with the interpretation. Illustrators are amazing at that. I can’t imagine how difficult their job must be.

What are you currently working on?

I have two other picture books coming out – both with Hyperion. The first is My Own Little Piece of the Universe scheduled for release in 2011. It’s a cumulative verse about a kid’s sense of place in the universe and is being illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine. The other is There’s a Corner in my House about a kid sitting in timeout ─ a place where my kids and I have spent minutes or hours or years of our lives. It will be illustrated by Robert Neubecker. I’m also working on another picture book and several middle grade novels.

What do you think kids will like most about your books?

The characters in several of my books have a naughtiness about them that I think kids, and adults, will identify with. And I think they’ll identify with the themes – especially those disguised in humor. Comfort clothing, comfort foods, comfortable places and spaces – it all boils down to security. And I hope they’ll really like the made-up words and of course the fun and funny illustrations. Genevieve Leloup is so creative. I can’t stop looking at her hilarious renderings of my text. I haven’t seen the art for my other books yet, but with Margaret Chodos-Irvine and Robert Neubecker illustrating ─ I’m sure it will be nothing less than wonderful.

Why have you chosen to write for a young audience?

Because kids make me laugh and I love to laugh. I adore their fluid thinking and their pure candor before adult propriety creeps in. I’ve been told I have a naughty little kid lurking inside me. And naughtiness makes for some of the best stories. But I also gush over a kid’s tender moments. MY OWN LITTLE PIECE OF THE UNIVERSE reveals that tenderness in the form of awe. As a parent I have such tremendous responsibility for raising my children well. As a children’s writer I can stop being a parent for a while and view kids the way they view themselves and each other. It’s still a tremendous responsibility, but it allows me a fresh ─ and often fun ─ look at the world.

Have you ever had prickly clothes? What did you do about it?

I still have prickly clothes. I have a couple of sweaters that should have been sold with a back scratcher. I’d give them away but I wouldn’t want someone else to suffer with them. Mostly I have trouble with clothes being too taggy ─ whether it’s the scratchy size label that digs into my neck or the washing instructions that stab my side all day long. Or how about jeans that are too snuggy? That’s why sweatpants are my bottoms of choice.

Do you love pickles? What's your favorite condiment? Do you like your food mushy?

Mmmmm. Dill are my favorite. But I’ve been known to stack a sandwich with bread and butter pickles as well. I must say I do love mustard whether it’s French’s yellow or Grey Poupon. But I love to heap plenty of mayo on my pastrami sandwiches too. My daughter introduced me to mayo and peanut butter sandwiches and they’re scrumptious ─ really. Wait. Does peanut butter count? If so, then Jiff Extra Crunchy. YUM! I eat it right off a spoon.

As for mushy food ─ are we talking mash potatoes or melted ice cream? I like both. But if it’s not supposed to be mushy, like the brown bananas frequently found on my kitchen counter or the apples that fall off my tree and sit under the swingset for a few days, well then I’ll pass on those.

Was it hard for you to let someone else illustrate the words for your books? Were you afraid they wouldn't match the images in your head? Do they?

I wasn’t afraid at all, because I have such amazing editors. Their visions are both beautiful and creative. They put out gorgeous picture books. So I knew they would find perfect illustrators. And they sure did.

Genevieve Leloup is a textile designer as well as an illustrator ─ what could be more perfect for a book about clothes? I remember when I got her first sample drawings, my editor and I just sighed (good sighs) together over the phone. And she’s nailed the whimsy of Too Pickley! as well. Margaret Chodos-Irvine for My Own Little Piece of the Universe has a Caldecott Honor so I’m not going to argue with that. The global feel of her work matches my vision for Universe. I couldn’t be happier.

Then there’s Robert Neubecker. I have a feeling when I see his interpretation of There’s a Corner in My House, I’ll first laugh my head off. Then I’ll sit back and sigh and wonder how he saw so much in my story. Finally I’ll say “Perfect!”

Where is the weirdest place you have been when a story idea struck you, and how did you act upon it?

I was driving across the state of Iowa with my daughters. We had just finished listening to the book on tape of Bloomability by Sharon Creech and I had an idea for a Middle Grade novel. As ideas flooded into my head I had my daughter Catherine write them down on a map she was holding. She was only eight at the time. Finally the map margins were full and I had to pull over into a rest area and write for about twenty minutes before getting back on the road.

How do you celebrate your writing successes? What did you do when you got "the call" telling you your first book had sold?

I adore “the call” or “the e-mail” that brings good news. But celebrating is an area of weakness for me. I definitely need to celebrate better. Usually the rest of my life gets in the way of taking off for a celebratory day in the mountains or dinner date. But I’m okay with that since everyday life has given me my best writing ideas. For now I’ll settle for e-mailing all my favorite friends, family and critique buddies and doing a cyber jump for joy.

What do you wish someone had told you about being an author before you started writing? What were you pleasantly surprised to find out?

I’m not sure there was anything someone should have told me and didn’t. I think it was more a matter of wishing I had listened. I thought I had an appreciation for how professional this business is. And of course I thought my submitted material was always high quality. But like many new writers I always thought there was a short-cut. Like all I’d need to do is meet an editor at a conference and they wouldn’t be able to resist my work. Or I just needed an agent to request my full manuscript and they’d be begging to represent me. HA! Live and learn.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that writing is addictive. I love writing and the business of writing so much it’s hard for me to take a day off.

Who is your favorite writing critique partner?

Hee hee. Oh goodness, Julie, you’re trying to get me in trouble. Each of my critique buddies both in my online and face-to-face groups offers me something wonderfully different. Where one knows the details of grammar and sentence structure, another asks the big bomb questions like “What’s the takeaway?” or “What’s your main character’s story problem?” One studies the emotional plot while another spots pacing problems. So hmmm a favorite ─ Sheesh! Rough question! But the best part about all my critique buddies, is that they all take children’s literature seriously.

Tell us 5 of your all-time favorite picture books and why those are some of your favorites. Do they have anything in common?

I’d have to answer that differently for my childhood as opposed to my adult life. There are so many reasons why a child might love a book. But once I latched onto favorites ─ well ─ they still sit on my shelves and their spines show my “love.”

THE CAT IN THE HAT BEGINNER BOOK DICTIONARY FOR CHILDREN – So many things about this book endeared me. Like the snippet-length structure. So if I only had a minute I could read just a little and not have to worry about tracking where I was in the plot. Or the hilarious pictures and the side-splitting definitions. The humor is extremely dry and being the youngest of six kids, this type of humor worked or me.

LET’S IMAGINE THINKING UP THINGS – This was a book about finding shapes in the world around you. I adored the illustrations with the pronounced blackline shapes showing through the art.

MY TRIP TO DISNEYLAND – My family went to the park when I was very young and because I got sick I had to stay with my aunt that day and couldn’t go. I don’t remember the trip or being sick, so I’m guessing I wouldn’t have remembered Disneyland either. Still my Mom and Dad bought me this book and as I flipped through it, I dreamed of the day I’d get to go ─ which turned out to be my senior year of high school. I’ve been back since then with my own kids loads of times.

MARY POPPINS – The movie came out when I was in kindergarten and Poppins paraphernalia abounded. The picture book (with photos from the movie) and the music album were my treasured two birthday gifts that year. Without VCRS or DVD players, that’s how I relived every minute of that movie that I so loved.

Confession time: I adored Archie Comics. Do those count? That’s probably why I’m digging the graphic nature of Diary of a Wimpy Kid so much now.

But when my kids were little I developed a whole new list of favorites:

BIG WHEELS – The first book my first child adored and memorized. Need I say more?

GOOD NIGHT MOON – This perfect bedtime story was loved and memorized by all my children. We ended up with several copies including the board book addition.

LILY’S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE – Lily is every little girl. And most big girls too.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE – I remember finding Max’s naughtiness so distinctly refreshing, and his smirky little face was mirrored on every one of my kids. Since I’ve learned that WTWTA was one of the pioneers of naughty kid books and the one to study if you’re an aspiring picture book writer,

THE POLAR EXPRESS – My family loves trains and my family loves Christmas. Even though my kids are old now, we still read this out loud every Christmas Eve before we head to bed.

And it doesn’t stop there. I’m picking up picture books all that become new favorites. For example, have you read SCAREDY SQUIRREL? When I read this one at the ALA convention I had tears of laughter streaming down my face. And what about A COUPLE OF BOYS HAVE THE BEST WEEK EVER? I bought that one for each of my adult sons. They’ve had many a week like that. And I can’t forget the first time I read MATH CURSE and THE STINKY CHEESE MAN, and how about … wow.

If you could wish one wish for your young readers and their future reading, what would it be?

That when someone asks them to name their five favorite books, just thinking about their answer sends them on such a whirlwind tour of captivating characters, inspiring illustrations, and perfect plots that they simply can’t whittle down their list and must discuss just one more. And as they share those favorite books, they can’t stop smiling.

You can't ask for a better author than this one, folks!

Top Books of 2009

2010-01-01T03:49:35Z

This has been a WONDERFUL year for me (much better than 2008), and I'm anxious to see what 2010 brings.
By the way, I've decided on "twenty-ten," over the more cumbersome "two-thousand-ten." How about you?

I'm wondering a couple of things about my f-list. So tell me a couple of things:

One really great thing that happened to you this year and
Two great books you read in 2009!

As for me, the arrival of The Littlest Prince tops my list as the greatest thing that happened to/for me this year. There really isn't anything better than a warm baby snuggled into your neck, or listening to baby giggles. Life is good here at the Prince homestead.

As for the two greateset books I read in 2009:

I'm tempted to name the ones that I've read repeatedly from early inception, like Soul Enchilada and Scones and Sensibility, but that would probably be "cheating." So, I'm going to name a couple of others instead:

Also Known as Harper by Ann Haywood Leal, which is probably considered a "quiet" middle grade but has stuck with me all year long
and
Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser, a picture book with such striking illustrations, they cannot be ignored.

Now, don't get me wrong, those are just two great books that were released in 2009. I also read a few books for the first time this year, which were released awhile back, but that I love, love, loved:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Alexie Sherman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

and

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Anyway, that wraps up this year for me. Tell me about you!

Happy Birthday, SCONES AND SENSIBILITY!!

2009-12-23T17:10:20Z

It's out in the world now!

As of yesterday, the hottest new tween book is on shelves and ready to be snatched up!
If you have a tween on your shopping list, no need to look any further!

Review: THE YEAR OF THE SAWDUST MAN by A. LaFaye

2009-12-14T02:56:16Z

A poignant coming-of-age story, THE YEAR OF THE SAWDUST MAN chronicles a year in the life of Nissa Bergen. Her impulsive mother has just run off, leaving Nissa and her father behind in the wake of small town gossip.
A fairly quiet and reflective book, I found it to be insightful and realistic. Flashbacks focused on Nissa’s unique and fun relationship with her missing mother, while the eleven-year-old also dealt with the current problem of watching her father move on with another woman.
One thing I found particularly compelling was the way Nissa’s feelings about her mother wavered uncertainly. One day Nissa would think of her with adoration and complete loyalty, ready to fight whomever spoke a bad word. The next day, she’d remember her mother’s flightiness and instability and be appropriately angry at her abandonment. This felt very believable and understandably confused.
Milkweed Editions has sparked my interest lately, as I make my way through books that have waited far too long on my shelves for their due attention. I look forward to unburying more treasures like this one from my “to be read” stack.
Off to Turn Another Page….

I've been, like, quoted and stuff!

2009-12-12T03:51:37Z

Please allow me a "geek" moment.

Like many people, I check out my Google Alerts now and then. Ya know, to be sure none of the other "Julie Prince"s out there are starring in porno flicks or anything I should know about before I learn it the hard way.

Anyhoo, I found a professor's 'Intro to Literature' assignment that quoted yours truly:

"In her review of The Lucky Place for ALAN, Julie M. Prince comments that, 'The challenge of keeping a character’s voice believable and consistent is always difficult. Vincent manages it under doubly difficult circumstances, since this story spans from Cassie at age three to Cassie at age twelve. Vincent has done an amazing job of capturing the world from a preschooler’s perspective and growing the voice along with the character.' Your challenge in this week's discussion forum is to first write your adult version of the event, and then try to capture that same event or memory from the perspective of the kid you used to be, the one who lived it firsthand."

Is it corny that I'm more proud of this than I am of my actual publications? *tee hee*

SCONES AND SENSIBILITY

2009-11-26T06:04:23Z

I can't believe it's almost time for the December 22nd release of my critique buddy's debut middlegrade novel, SCONES AND SENSIBILITY!

As a HUGE fan of both L.M. Montgomery and Jane Austen, I can tell you that I heart the main character, Polly Madassa, and that you will too!

To celebrate this fantabulous book's release, author Lindsay Eland is holding a contest that just may allow YOU to get your hands on a copy of your very own! Check it out!

Just Right!!!

2009-10-04T21:53:08Z

This one doesn't hit shelves for a few months yet, but I loved it so much (almost as much as I love its author), I just had to post an early review over at YABC.

TOO PURPLEY! is made of awesome!!!!!!

I'll just have to update and feature it more as the publication date gets a bit closer.

Another Awesome Book!

2009-10-03T05:34:19Z

Positively by Courtney Sheinmel is an important book that stands head and shoulders above its peers. With a very real voice, it captures the important "firsts" of a girl who must move on with life after her mother dies of AIDS complications. Count on an emotional journey, including a powerful scene in chapter seven. Read my full review over at YABC!

Bounced E-mails

2009-09-30T04:45:17Z

I've had some long-term technical difficulties that I didn't even know about. If I haven't responded to an e-mail sent to my "julie AT juliemprince DOT com address, please assume that I never got your message. We're talking within the past...say...six months!!! *le sigh*

SCBWI Arizona

2009-09-27T06:53:48Z

What a fabulous show they put on at their annual "Welcome to Our House" Conference!
I had such a great time re-connecting with friends and colleagues, and I learned a ton from this year's amazing faculty:

Jennifer Rees, Senior Editor,
Scholastic Press
Miriam Hees, Publisher,
Blooming Tree Press
Katherine Jacobs, Associate Editor,
Roaring Brook Press
Laura Rennert, Senior Agent,
Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Loraine Joyner, Art Director,
Peachtree Publishers
Bradford Hees, Editorial Director,
Blooming Tree Press

Thanks to everyone who participated and to everyone who came up and talked to me throughout the day. I loved working at the conference again this year!

Libba Bray Blog Tour

2009-09-23T18:21:18Z

I love reading Libba Bray's blog (libba_bray), and I know she has a wild personality. When I agreed to host her blog tour over at YABC (Young Adult & Kids Books Central), I knew we'd be in for a real treat. I was right!

Check it out!

It's Time to Give it Up

2009-09-06T01:03:00Z

I have had a heart-to-heart with my lovely (and brutally honest) writing partner and come to an alarming realization: my book reviewing is keeping me from writing!

Of course, this had occurred to me previously, but the examples she pointed out made it too obvious to ignore.

When I started reviewing, the purpose was clear. I wanted to be well-read within the children’s and young adult genres. I wanted to help promote books and authors that I loved. I wanted to be able to break down plots and identify what I loved and what I disliked about certain books and storylines. I knew this would help me in my own writing. I was right.

But, for the past several months, my reviewing has dropped off significantly, and my guilt over that has kept me from writing (ie: I can’t justify writing anything new right now, when I’m so far behind with promised reviews). Sure, I have the obvious excuse of having a brand new baby. Pregnancy and newborn care are time consuming, energy draining, and downright exhausting! But, I have also been fighting with this review vs. writing balance that shouldn’t even exist.

So, I’m planning to finish reading the books I’m working on and the ones that I feel committed to reading and/or reviewing (I always agree to read the books sent to me, I do not agree to review them, although I try), and then I’ll retire from reviewing. I still intend to do casual and periodic reviews on my blog when I feel compelled and on the YABC and TRT sites if Kim and Jen will let me. I will also continue my author interviews for Teacher-Librarian Magazine and other forums (blog tour stops for YABC and here on LJ), as I think they help me stay connected in the kidlitosphere. That is very important to me.

Basically, I no longer intend to pressure myself or to feel guilty about not getting to certain reviews that I “should” do. I refuse to “should all over myself” any longer!

It’s time to get busy writing and stop making excuses for not following my dream!

If you have any questions about my news, please fire away via e-mail: julie AT juliemprince DOT com

Otherwise, I’ll still be around, so please stop by and say hi!

Author Interviews

2009-08-31T02:05:15Z

As some of you may be aware, I write the Author Portrait column for Teacher-Librarian Magazine.

I've interviewed people like LJ's own Laurie Halse Anderson and Coe Booth, along with E. Lockhart, M.T. Anderson, Chris Crutcher, Suzanne Crowley, and a few others.

I'm wondering who YOU would like to see interviewed in the coming months?

More Books

2009-07-10T21:02:39Z

Oh, yeah!
I forgot to list a few of the other books I read during maternity leave:

MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD
HUNGER GAMES
THE GRAVEYARD BOOK
CATCHING FIRE

How could I forget these titles?!
I listened to a couple of audio books as well. :-)

Plus, I'm currently reading FATE.

I'm a happy, happy reader, if a reviewer who's behind in reviewing.
A few of them are up on YABC's site: www.yabookscentral.com

Books, Books, and More Books!

2009-07-07T22:00:57Z

Thank you all for the many congratulations on The Littlest Prince!

Life is chaotic and exciting right now, as we fit the newest member of our family into his own little niche.

There has been little time to read since June 6th, but as I come back to the land of the living, I've started to find time to catch up
on reviews from when I was reading like mad while expecting. Some people knit booties, I read!

Some books that stood out during this period:

I'M REALLY NOT TIRED written by Lori Sunshine, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler
ALSO KNOWN AS HARPER by Ann Haywood Leal
and
ABSOLUTELY MAYBE by Lisa Yee

I also read and may be writing up reviews on:
I NEED MY MONSTER written by Amanda Noll, illustrated by Howard McWilliam
GOOD NIGHT WORLD
11 BIRTHDAYS
EMMA-JEAN LAZARUS FELL OUT OF A TREE
THE I LOVE YOU BOOK
DISTANT WAVES
LEAF
THE PATRON SAINT OF BUTTERFLIES
CHRISTIAN THE LION
NEWES FROM THE DEAD
HECK: Where the Bad Kids Go
A GARDEN OF OPPOSITES
I'M YOUR PEANUT BUTTER BIG BROTHER
THIS LITTLE BUNNY CAN BAKE
CHASING BLUE

In the TBR pile, we have:

HOLES
MAMA'S KISS
TEENAGE FAIRY PRINCESS
MEXICAN WHITE BOY

and too many others to list!

So, as you can see, we have the old, the new, and everything in between!
I know I missed some in each category. I can assure you that I loved some of these and I "dis-loved" some (including some that shall remain unnamed because I disliked them so much). I can't wait to fill you in on why I loved some of these and dis-loved others.

I'm still posting reviews on YABC (www.yabookscentral.com), TRT (www.teensreadtoo.com), and ALAN (http://www.alan-ya.org/), so watch for my reviews there as I get caught up!

Tell me what's new with you! What have you been reading, loving, and dis-loving?!

The Littlest Prince has arrived

2009-06-20T01:07:58Z

June 6th. 7lbs, 6oz. 21"

It's Here! It's Here!

2009-04-07T13:14:05Z

Bug Smoot has finally been released into the wild!

Congratulations to thunderchikin on the release of his first fantastic book, SOUL ENCHILADA!!!

You're in for a wild ride when you open this book, and it doesn't stop until the very end. Unique doesn't begin to describe the premise, and I challenge anyone to come away from it without first falling in love with its main character.

Here's my own review:

Bug is too smart for her own good, in both senses of the word. Her smack-talking comebacks tend to get her in trouble with people like her boss and her landlord, but Bug always comes out on top because she outwits anyone who gets in her way.

Except this one guy, Beals, who is totally freaking her out. Maybe it has to do with his forked tongue...or the fact that he pops out of nowhere. Or that he claims to be a repossession agent from Hell, here to take Bug's prize (and pretty much only) possession...her Papa C's car. HER car.
Ain't no way that's happening...not as long as Bug's around.

Beals is the most deliciously dry and sarcastic nemesis I've read, and the repelling chemistry between these two characters is enough to make the pages vibrate.

The action and constant element of surprise in this book keep readers zipping through those quivering pages to see how things play out. The LOL humor here is the kind that most authors only wish they could stir, engaging readers from page one.

Bug's boy, Pesto, brings just enough romance to keep things stirred up, but it isn't enough to gag unsuspecting readers, as in some books which shall remain nameless. And the rest of the characters? You REALLY need to meet them for yourself. Unbelievable!

THIS is an author worth watching!

Good to see friends!

2009-03-15T00:44:17Z

Son and I visited the Tucson Festival of Books today.
I forgot how tiring it can be to walk around in the third trimester. I need a nap.

But, it was definitely worth the trip, as I got to see lots of friends:

afraclose
janni
azang
Juanita Havill
Michelle Parker-Rock
Jennifer J. Stewart

and a bunch of other friends from SCBWI AZ, The Gila Gang, and online .

I also got to listen to some authors I'd never met in person speak, like:
Neal Shusterman
Janette Rallison
Robin Brande
A.S. King
Lisa McMann

Those last three were on a panel together, and they bantered back and forth like a veteran comedy troupe!

There were readings and signings and panels...oh my!
Kids activities, music, food, and so many things to do, we didn't know what to look at next. What fun! There's just nothing better than hanging out with other book-lovers!!

And there's still one day left! If you're in the area, you MUST stop by!

Speaking of janni , have you guys read Bones of Faerie yet?
I have!
*squee*

**I had all of this post done once before and due to a technical glitch, I lost most of it and had to start over with all the names and links, so if I forgot someone, please forgive my tired brain. I really need a nap now! **

You WANT to win this contest!

2009-02-21T02:04:02Z

Susan Taylor Brown (aka: susanwrites ) is holding a suhweet contest on her blog. The prize is a copy of SAY THE WORD by Jeannine Garsee (aka: onegrapeshy ), one of my favorite contemporary YA authors. I fell in love with her work when I read BEFORE, AFTER, AND SOMEBODY IN BETWEEN. Okay, and her hilarious LiveJournal blog doesn't hurt either. I just adore this woman's writing!

SAY THE WORD is due to hit shelves on March 17th. I've read the book, I've reviewed the book, and I'm telling you...you want it for your own collection!

As further proof of my adoration, I can tell you that I'm not even blogging about this to win a free book. I already have it, after all. I'm telling you because it's JUST THAT GOOD! So get on over and enter the contest. Susan's made it easy enough, so what's stoppin' ya?

2008-09 Cybils Awards were Announced Yesterday

2009-02-15T17:19:15Z

If you haven't been over to the Cybils Blog to check those out yet, you really should go and take a look. What a great group of winners!

This year, I got an up close and personal look at what goes into pulling these awards together, and color me impressed! So many people dedicated to great children and young adult literature coming together in the Kidlitosphere to coordinate the honors!

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to be a final-round judge in the middle grade fiction category with a great group of insightful people who really care about getting great books into the hands of kids.

Here are the panelists and judges in the middle grade fiction category:

Panelists (Round I judges)

Sarah Mulhern The Reading Zone
Alysa Stewart Everead
Mary R. Voors ACPL Mock Newbery
Sherry Early Semicolon
Kim Baccellia
Melissa Fox Book Nut
Matthew Wigdahl The Book Club Shelf

Judges (Round II)

Kelly Herold Big A little a
Eric Berlin
J.L. Bell Oz and Ends
Kerry Millar Shelf Elf
Julie M. Prince Off to Turn Another Page

In the end, this book came out on top: The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd.

Congratulations to all the winners, and a special thanks to everyone who works behind the scenes to make these awards happen!