Given the trendiness of Throwback Thursday, I’m re-branding my beloved series of guest author posts called “Self-Deprecating Sunday.” Self-Deprecating Sunday started because I’d written a YA novel about a girl in R.O.T.C. in high school. I was looking for photos of myself in my uniform–had to get the description of the uniform just right. I foundContinue reading “Throwback Thursday with Shannon Lee Alexander”
Tag Archives: young adult books
Book Review: Eleanor and Park
Eleanor and Park gets filed under: Books I wish I wrote. It is easily a new favorite. It won a Printz honor award, and I boldly declared on some social media site that it should have won, admitting I hadn’t read the others. I’ve read another of the honor books, which I’ll review soon. IContinue reading “Book Review: Eleanor and Park”
39 Bookshelves You Should See
This is a peek into my library. My books are mostly young adult novels, which happen to come with FANTASTIC colorful covers. So, I ordered them by color, which makes the shelves pretty to look at. I LOVE my bookshelves for being filled with wonderful books like the autographed copy of Stargirl. It also holdsContinue reading “39 Bookshelves You Should See”
Book Review: Boy Meets Boy
This was my first Levithan book. I really liked it. On romance: Paul and Noah was charming and gooey, rich with the grand gestures that teens think are necessary, and maybe are necessary. It got pretty Hallmark Card there at the end but I can’t resist a good romantic ending. Sue me. On character: PaulContinue reading “Book Review: Boy Meets Boy”
Book Review: A Curse Dark as Gold
This book was so rich with story that it took me twice the time to read it as usual.I almost gave up at 50 pages in, because either it was slow or I was sleepy, but I’m glad I kept on! I ended up really enjoying it! I loved the author note at the back,Continue reading “Book Review: A Curse Dark as Gold”
Character Worksheet – Chart
So a while back I talked about doing the thing I always poo-pooed: Work through a character worksheet. I only did it because doing the things that Cheryl Klein says (in terms of editing — probably in other areas of life too, but I don’t know her that way) make So. Much. Sense. Her talksContinue reading “Character Worksheet – Chart”
Book Review: Please Ignore Vera Dietz
This was a terrific book.I’ve been wanting to read it for so long, but wasn’t sure if I was going to cry, so I saved for a time where I was ready to tear up and could be alone. I didn’t cry, but the book was definitely heart-wrenching, and worthy of the Printz award. I’mContinue reading “Book Review: Please Ignore Vera Dietz”
Book Review: The Big Crunch
Pete Hautman is one of my favorite writers. He won my heart with GODLESS, fed my curiosity with HOW TO STEAL A CAR, and satisfied me once again with THE BIG CRUNCH. I generally dislike books about destiny. I wasn’t even a big fan of Slumdog Millionaire. Partly this is because I don’t believe inContinue reading “Book Review: The Big Crunch”
Book Review: Don’t Stop Now
I love all of Julie Halpern’s books. This is no exception. Into The Wild Nerd Yonder is definitely still my favorite, so if you haven’t read this author, I’d start there. But this book is wonderful, too. The cover is blah. If I didn’t love the author I would have passed this by on theContinue reading “Book Review: Don’t Stop Now”
Where Donna Galanti Interviews Me
Yesterday I did an interview over at Donna Galanti’s blog. We connected during the time I was writing my first YA manuscript, in which a high school girl joins the Navy. One of key pieces in my research was a slim book called, Letters From Boot Camp. It is filled with letters she wrote asContinue reading “Where Donna Galanti Interviews Me”
Jody Sparks Mugele 