For years, as I would assist kids who enjoyed fantasy, sci-fi, and horror novels, I would think, "These kids will love books by Christopher Golden . . . in ten years."

Golden's first novel, OF SAINTS AND SHADOWS, was released in 1994. This dark horror story about a vampire named Peter Octavian contains what Buffy Summers would describe as "violence, strong language, adult content." This and the subsequent Octavian novels - referred to collectively as THE SHADOW SAGA - were not written for kids.

Golden continued to write stories shelved in the fiction/literature department (or sci-fi/fantasy or horror, if the bookstore or library has genre breakouts) until he became involved in the BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER line, which was in teen series. He was one of the first authors on board with the BtVS books. He authored or co-authored multiple original novels based on the television series as well as companion books such as the first volume of THE WATCHER'S GUIDE and THE MONSTER BOOK. Then Simon & Schuster started an adult line of BtVS novels, shelved in sci-fi/fantasy series instead of teen series. These books were longer and meatier than the teen BtVS line.

BODY BAGS, Golden's first novel in the BODY OF EVIDENCE forensic murder mystery series, came out in May 1999. (Note that this outdates CSI by nearly a year and a half.) BODY BAGS and the books that followed it were shelved in teen fiction and featured a college-aged protagonist, the intelligent and quick-thinking Jenna Blake. BoE offered ten books which I in turn offered to teens and adults alike. In fact, when a new book came out, some parents and teenagers who would teasingly fight over who got to read the book first!

A few summers ago, Christopher Golden and Thomas E. Sniegoski released a quartet of juvenile fantasy novels entitled OUTCAST, starting with the book THE UN-MAGICIAN. Finally, finally, I could give Golden books to eight year olds. In fact, due to the timeless nature of this fantasy series, I put these books in the hands of kids, teens, and adults alike.

Golden has continued to write books for adults. His novels and series range from urban fantasy to Victorian ghost stories and everything in-between. He has brought mythology into contemporary settings (THE FERRYMAN, THE VEIL), dabbled in dark magick and time travel (THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN), even re-told Peter Pan as a coming-of-age story set in 1981 (STRAIGHT ON 'TIL MORNING). These and more are the titles you'll find in the sci-fi/fantasy or horror sections of the bookstore. Mature older teens gobble up these stories just as quickly as adults, while other parents hold on to the titles for their kids to read when they are older.

Christopher Golden has successfully written for adults, teens, and kids. If I can claim the same too someday, I'll be a happy girl.

Here is a quick rundown of his most popular works for different age groups.

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Visit Christopher Golden's official website to learn more about the man, the myth, the legend.

Browse through my Golden-related posts at Bildungsroman.

See my other author spotlights.

January 2008: 79 books read

Picture Book Pick
Dog and Bear written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

For ages 8 and up
Babymouse #8: Puppy Love by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Zibby Payne and the Party Problem by Alison Bell (coming out in April)
Pippi Longstocking, newly illustrated by Lauren Child, newly translated by Tiina Nunnally, originally written by Astrid Lindgren
Just Grace by Charise Mericle Harper
Jessie's Mountain by Kerry Madden (coming out in February)
Red Dragon Codex by R.D. Henham (I was happy to write the Red Dragon Codex Teacher Guide)
Tennyson by Lesley M. M. Blume

For ages 12 and up
The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher
Wish You Were Here by Catherine Clark (coming out in April)
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (coming out in May)
The Poison Apples by Lily Archer
Poison Ink by Christopher Golden (coming out in July)
Prom Kings and Drama Queens by Dorian Cirrone (coming out in February)

For ages 14 and up
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen (coming out in April)
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley
How They Met, and Other Stories by David Levithan
Leftovers by Laura Wiess

For author Sara Lewis Holmes, sketches led to letters, which in turn led to an epistolary novel. Letters From Rapunzel should be read and shared. Learn more now about the story behind the story in this interview with the author herself.

I think that each of us has the potential to be a hero, even as we're looking for someone else to save us. Tell us about your story's journey.

I started Letters From Rapunzel on the basis of a sketch and a title ... and a whole lot of curiosity! I didn't have a clue as to where I was headed, and the length of a novel intimidated me after writing only short stories and poems. So I used the letter technique to trick myself. I would pretend that my main character was writing letters to me. Well, I never got any further than that. She had such an engaging voice, and a great story to tell, and I let her have at it.

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Our discussion of her book's jacket led to further discussion. Please share your thoughts!

Read my review of Letters From Rapunzel and my favorite poem from the book.

Visit Sara Lewis Holmes at her website and blog.

Please add your ideas to The Very Big, No Kidding, We're Changing the World, You Bet! Good Deed List.