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TEENREADS.COM
NEWSLETTER
AOL Keyword: The Book Bag
Teenreads.com
June 20, 2001
Dear Reader,
Sound the alarms, I have big news!! This past weekend --- get out your
inhalers...asthma attacks may ensue --- I had a date! How'd it go? Let's just say this
week's Shrink Your Own
Head feature was inspired by the following...
When I arrived to meet Prince Charming (let's call him PC for short) he was wearing a
t-shirt that had a gigantic portrait of Sisqo (excuse me, The Dragon) on it with
"Dumps Like A Truck" splashed across the back.
Of course, PC just broke up with his girlfriend. Oh yes, please, tell me all about
how perfect and beautiful she was. A girl can really never hear enough about that.
His favorite topic of conversation? Volcanos. Did you know that Mt. St. Helens has an Ape
Cave (a lava tube) that is 12, 810 feet long, which ranks it as the second longest Ape
Cave in the world? I know. Right now you are saying to yourself, "How did I ever get
by in life without this crucial information?"
Well, at least PC lavished me with compliments all night, the sweetest of which was
definitely: "You have a very nice smile. Without it, you're face would be
plain."
So there you go. A mini play-by-play of the most excruciating two hours of my young life.
Please, oh please, make me feel like less of a social failure and tell me about a
situation you were in that was similarly disastrous: Babyswingster@aol.com.
NEW THIS WEEK...
Win A Free Copy of LIREAL by Garth Nix!!!
If you intend on keeping up your super-cool teen facade, there are two things you are
going to have to know. (1) Garth Nix is a
genius. (2) All the hip kids know about and post like mad on Teenreads.com's Word of Mouth. They worship Word of Mouth like an Internet-god because
it's a great venue to find out what other teens are reading and recommend AND because you
can win lots of great books by just submitting one teeny-tiny entry.
This week we are giving away a free copy of LIREAL by
Garth Nix two randomly chosen contributors to Word of Mouth. For details on how to
enter, click here.
Teenreads.com Chats With...
Garth Nix, author of LIREAL
This Australian fantasy author took the world by storm with his remarkable novel, SABRIEL.
Now, its eagerly awaited sequel, LIREAL, is
finally here! Teenreads.com writer Kelly Milner Halls caught up with Garth Nix to talk about his
vision of fantasy and the magic that vibrantly drives it.
LIREAL by Garth Nix
Lirael lives with her cousins, the Clayr, a magical clan of women, but she is very
different from the rest of her family. She can't cut it in the magic department ---
everyone but her possess "Sight," the ability to see the future. But a dangerous
act committed just after her birthday leads Lireal to a meeting with a wise woman and
eventually to the magical, smart-mouth "Disreputable Dog." Readers will be
totally caught up in Lireal's life as she comes to turn with herself and her magical
gifts.
And...
Walter Dean Myers, author of BAD BOY: A Memoir
This YA author extraordinaire has temporarily put aside his fiction writing to give his
readers a glimpse at the personality behind all those brilliant stories. Join
Teenreads.com's Sarah Brennan (that's me!!) as she chats with Walter Dean Myers about the effect this
memoir had on his family, coming to terms with one's "blackness" and more.
BAD BOY: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers
A substantial contribution to the memoir writing phenomena, Myers' life story won't offer
you any easy answers but will force you to consider to very important questions about
race, community, culture and literature.
Summer Reading Lists From 5 Authors You Love...
Admit it. You don't really get cracking on your required reading lists until, like,
the week before school starts. So, in the interim, why not do a little reading for FUN? To
help you get started on your Purely-For-Pleasure reading list, 5 of your favorite teen authors have
offered Teenreads a peek at what's on their reading
agenda for Summer 2001.
Three is the Magic Number...
Want to learn more about witchcraft but don't want to slog through some boring --- and
frankly weird --- New Age book about Wicca? Teenreads has the answer for you: the Circle of Three series of
novels by Isobel Bird
Shrink Your Own Head...
The Teenreads staff knows how hard it is to be a teen. We understand. We feel your
pain. And we want to help. Go check out our reviews of 8 non-eye-rolling-inducing books to help you (and us, incidentally) get
your acts together. At the very least, it's cheaper than therapy!
Question of the Week...
For those of you who have recently come back from Guam and are a little out of the
Teenreads loop, here's a little update: Question
of the Week IS ALIVE AND KICKING!!
Last week we asked what books you will be
reading for FUN this summer?, and we got a lot of great responses. Go check them out!!
This week we are asking you to tell us your
favorite book about the summer.
Five Best Books For Butt Kicking Grrrls...
Now that Buffy's dead (I know, I know, UPN picked up the show --- but still, her
demise was very traumatic for me) the world is in need of a few good, butt kicking girls.
Think your pretty tough? Good. Now go check our picks of the 5 Best Books For Grrrly Girls like yourself.
More Reviews...
BREATHING UNDERWATER by Alex Flinn
An approach that is both unique and effective, this compelling debut explores an abusive
relationship between two highschoolers from the abuser's perspective.
FINN by Matthew Olshan
A modern take on Twain's classic, THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN, our heroes this time
are two mismatched girls. In keeping with the tradition of the original, the pair journey
through a fantastical slice of American life where danger and excitement abound.
THE GREAT GOOD THING by Roderick Townley
In this magical tale, characters come alive in dreams, taking readers to never before seen
places, exploring the unknown areas of the mind and experiencing new sensations.
THE BRIMSTONE JOURNALS by Ron Koertge
With a cast of familiarly dysfunctional characters, this inventive and engrossing
poem/novel explores the timely and all too-real topic of teen violence.
STILL GOING STRONG...
ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE by Mary Higgins Clark
The latest from America's Queen of Suspense explores an intriguing and unique dimension:
reincarnation, a belief who's origins are centuries old. Is the killer the result of an
evil reincarnated? There is also an interview with Mary
Higgins Clark.
THE BLUE NOWHERE by Jeffery Deaver
The master of suspense explores the chilling possibility of an unknown hacker using
technology to seek out his victims. There is also an interview with Jeffery Deaver.
FEELING SORRY FOR CELIA by Jaclyn Moriarty
From anonymous love notes to coed slumber parties to a hottie track star named Saxon to
liturgical dancing (whatever that may be), this hilarious and touching story has it all.
There is also an interview with Jaclyn
Moriarty.
FIGHTING RUBEN WOLFE by Markus Zusak
The brothers Wolfe are living on the edge of Sydney’s blue collar and together, they
fight for identity, pride and for each other. There is also an interview with Markus Zusak.
LEONARDO'S HAND by Wick Downing
When the mysterious hand shows up, 13 year-old Nard figures he can use it to his
advantage. And what Nard decides will affect the rest of his life. There is also an
interview with Wick Downing.
GIRLHEARTS by Norma Fox Mazer
While trying to deal with the staggering death of her mother, 13-year-old Sarabeth must
also struggle with the feeling that she's intruding on her new caregivers' lives.
DRAGONS OF A LOST STAR by Margaret Weis and Tracy
Hickman
The eagerly anticipated sequel to last year's DRAGONS OF A FALLEN SUN.
A DIAMOND IN THE DUST by Carla Joinson
Katy must decide if leaving her coal-mining town is worth leaving her family and her true
love.
WRITE WHERE YOU ARE: How to Use Writing to Make Sense
of Your Life by Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Ph.D.
Writing can be immensely therapeutic. Find out how.
A MOTHER'S GIFT by Britney and Lynne Spears
How can a poor girl from Biscay, Mississippi who has never even been in an airplane before
make her hopes for stardom come true?
RECENTLY REVIEWED...
THE RANSOM OF MERCY CARTER by Caroline B. Cooney
ELLA IN BLOOM by Shelby Hearon
NORY RYAN'S SONG by Patricia Reilly Giff
In Memoriam...So Long and Thanks for All the Fish
Douglas Adams passed into the galaxy this weekend. For you non-hoopy frood readers,
Douglas Adams was the creator of THE HITCHHIKER'S
GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. Don't know what the heck I'm talking about? Don't panic. Just
check out our tribute to an author who will be
greatly missed.
Have a great week! And remember, if you have any ideas for the newsletter or
Teenreads.com, or if you just want to say hello, write to: Babyswingster@aol.com.
--- Sarah Brennan for Teenreads.com
Talkback@Teenreads.com
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