Summer is here. Avid young readers will relish the time to sit in their favorite spots - in the shade of a tree, on a window seat, next to the community pool - and dive into a good book. Kids and teens alike will check out books that their schools require students to read as well as their tried-and-true favorite. Here are a few of my favorite books for grade schoolers that feature summer storylines.

Check out my summer reads booklist!

When asked why she goes to camp, O'Shea answered, "My heart lives there. Camp is different from every other place in the world."

Read my article about summer camps.

Looking for a summer job? Are you between the ages of 12 and 17? You will need to get a work permit...

Here's how!

If you search for the word "summer" within my blog, you'll get over a thousand hits. I am amused by this.

Here's one more summertime post:

Poetry Friday: Summer by John Ashbery

The Robe of Skulls, Vivian French's newest book for children, includes a lonely young girl, a villainess, a troll, a werewoman, crones, and many young royals. Some are turned into frogs, some go on quests, and some are up to no good - and somewhere along the way, all of their paths cross. When my path crossed with Vivian's, we spoke of good books, classic fairy tales, and funny bones.

At the start of your story, poor little Gracie Gillypot is punished for being pleasant! Have you ever gotten in trouble for being happy? (I have, and it was a truly odd experience.)

I'm not sure about getting into trouble for being happy, but I've got thrown out of several libraries for laughing too loudly - AND out of a bookstore! (I was reading Susan Juby's book, "Alice, I Think." Have you read it? It's HILARIOUS!)

Yes, and I agree! It's quite funny. I like that series.

And when I was at college I once had a terrible fit of the giggles during a very serious seminar. The tutor read an extract from a novel: 'She sighed deeply, dropped her eyes, and sank to the floor' and I thought it was hysterically funny ... but nobody else did. They gave me disapproving looks, and tut tutted. I suspect I had a shallow and frivolous nature as a student ... and I'm not sure I've improved a lot since.

( Read more... )

Visit Vivian's website.

Here is the complete readergirlz line-up, past, present, and future:

February 2007 - the premiere issue!
March 2007 - Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) by Justina Chen Headley
April 2007 - On Pointe
May 2007 - The Phoenix Dance
June 2007 - Dragon's Keep by Janet Lee Carey
July 2007 - Goy Crazy by Melissa Schorr
August 2007 - Ironside by Holly Black
September 2007 - Sold by Patricia McCormick
October 2007 - 31 Flavorite Authors
November 2007 - A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt
December 2007 - Miss Spitfire by Sarah Miller
January 2008 - Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
February 2008 - Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes
March 2008 - Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
April 2008 - Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham
May 2008 - Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
June 2008 - Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson
July 2008 - Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
August 2008 - Violet in Private by Melissa Walker
readergirlz archive
readergirlz downloads

On behalf of the readergirlz and postergirlz, I invite you to join us at the readergirlz forum to discuss these and other fantastic books. We hope the issues inspire you to start your own book groups and to get active in your communities!

In 2004, Simon & Schuster began publishing romantic comedies for teens as part of their Simon Pulse imprint. The titles were few and far between that first year, but as interest increased, so did the number of titles. Quite a few were released in 2005. Now the line has been firmly established and new titles come out every other month. Simon Pulse romantic comedies are finding their way into the hands and hearts of readers and booksellers.

I was delighted to discover that many of the stories have the main characters deal with school, friends, family, afterschool activities, college worries, and more. In other words, the books are not just about getting the guy, but also about getting the scholarship, reconnecting with parents, balancing school with work, and thinking about life and future careers.

All of the stories star everyday American girls. Most of these stories take place in high school, while others are set during the summer or in college. Some of the tales take place in small towns, others big cities, a few overseas. Rather than being pared-down versions of stereotypical adult romances or competing with the current racy and materialistic teen bestsellers, these are contemporary stories that are surprisingly quirky and, for the most part, refreshingly clean. In general, these paperback stories are recommended for readers over the age of 13. If these books were films, most would carry a PG rating, some a PG-13 rating due to dating situations and the occasional curse word. In other words, they would star Amanda Bynes.

I have spoken to many authors whose stories have been published by Simon Pulse, as well as Amy Saidens, who designs the book covers for the line. Every single author responded to the interview questions with enthusiasm and kindness. Nearly all of them share my love for The Great Gatsby. Check out our exclusive interviews!

Niki Burnham (Do-Over)
Jennifer Echols (Major Crush)
Kelly McClymer (Getting to Third Date)
Aimee Friedman (A Novel Idea)
Erin Downing (Dancing Queen)
Micol Ostow (30 Guys in 30 Days)
Amy Saidens (book cover artist)
Wendy Toliver (The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren)
Jamie Ponti (Animal Attraction)

Here is a full list of Simon Pulse romantic comedies in order of release:
( Read more... )

Jennifer Echols created a blog for the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies. Add it to your bookmarks!

Congratulations to all of my readers who have recently graduated from high school or college. You did it!

Times of transition can be difficult. The summer following the completion of high school is typically an interesting one as teens prepare for more changes in vocation, location, education, and life.

The following books follow characters as they live through that summer...

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
- Two guys go on a road trip and end up in an interesting little town.
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
- One of my favorite Dessen novels, second only to The Truth About Forever.
Cubanita by Gaby Triana
- A summer filled with family, culture, heartbreak, and art.
The Temptress Four by Gaby Triana
- Four best friends take a cruise together after high school graduation.
How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle, and Sarah Mlynowski
- Three girls take a three-day road trip.

...and/or as they make the transition between high school and college.

The Body of Evidence series by Christopher Golden and Rick Hautala
- There are ten books in this series. The main character, Jenna Blake, enters college in the first book, Body Bags. The first chapter begins with the line, "It was a beautiful day to grow up." Isn't that perfect?
Cupcake by Rachel Cohn
- The third in the CC trilogy, following Gingerbread and Shrimp.
Rocky Road Trip (previously published as Wurst Case Scenario) by Catherine Clark
- Sequel to Banana Splitsville (previously published as Truth or Dairy).
It's Not About the Accent by Caridad Ferrer
- A girl reinvents herself upon entering college.
Finding Grace by Alyssa Brugman
- A high school graduate becomes a sort of caretaker to a brain-damaged woman.
Shift by Jennifer Bradbury
- Two guys go on a biking trip after high school, but only one starts college.
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
- Two of Scarlett's siblings consider college and work.

Related Booklist: Set in School

Here are some fantastic stories about what it means to be a sister and to have sisters.

Classics
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen
All-of-a-Kind Family series by Sydney Taylor

For ages 8 and up
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
- Sequel: The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley M.M. Blume
The Steps by Rachel Cohn
- Sequel: Two Steps Forward
The Ramona books by Beverly Cleary
Shug by Jenny Han
Runaround by Helen Hemphill
Piper Reed, Navy Brat by Kimberly Willis Holt, illustrated by Christine Davenier
The Sisters Impossible by J.D. Landis
Rules by Cynthia Lord
The Maggie Valley trilogy by Kerry Madden
- Gentle's Holler
- Louisiana's Song
- Jessie's Mountain
The Baby-Sisters Club series by Ann M. Martin, especially:
- #7 Claudia and Mean Janine
- #14 Hello, Mallory
- #24 Kristy and the Mother's Day Surprise
- #31 Dawn's Wicked Stepsister
- #112 Kristy and the Sister War
The Sisters Club by Megan McDonald
Yours Truly, Skye O'Shea by Megan Shull
Tru Confessions by Janet Tashjian
The Hollywood Sisters series by Mary Wilcox

For ages 12 and up
What Happens Here by Tara Altebrando
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Stay with Me by Garret Freymann-Weyr
The Year My Sister Got Lucky by Aimee Friedman
The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry
All Rivers Flow to the Sea by Alison McGhee
The Dashwood Sisters' Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton
The Avery Sisters trilogy by Rachel Vail
- Lucky
- Gorgeous (Spring 2009)
- (Third title and release date unknown)

I dedicate this booklist to my own sister. :)

A few years ago, paranoidkitten asked for a list of YA books which focused on school life. After giving her some recommendations, I typed up this list, and kept adding more and more titles until I had a booklist populated with characters in various grade levels going through all sorts of transitions.

Elementary and middle school:
The Ramona books by Beverly Cleary - Follow Ramona from age 4 to age 10.
Sixth Grade Secrets by Louis Sachar - Classic girls vs. boys story that also encourages honesty and inspires laughter.

... and, of course, The Baby-Sitters Club. Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia and Stacey are in seventh grade when the series begins. After a handful of books, they are promoted to eighth grade, at which time they gain two additional members, Jessi and Mallory, who are sixth graders. The girls stay in middle school for the remainder of the series. The original four girls finally graduated from eighth grade at the end of the final series, Friends Forever.

Between middle school and high school:
Transitioning from middle school to high school can be exciting, scary, difficult, and overwhelming. The following stories include middle school graduations.
Lucky by Rachel Vail (the first in a trilogy about sisters)
Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet by Sherri L. Smith

Freshman year of high school:
I highly recommend all of the titles on this freshman list. They get it, they really do.
The True Meaning of Cleavage by Mariah Fredericks - The separation of two best friends. Highly recommended.
Nothing but the Truth by Avi - This documentary novel chronicles the life of a ninth grade boy whose minor disturbance in class leads to a major media story.
Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar - A fantastic story, a well-written book.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - School factors heavily into this incredibly memorable story.
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson - In this case, the freshman is the protagonist's younger sister, Hannah.
So Not the Drama by Paula Chase - Four friends navigate the high school hallways.
Perfect Girl by Mary Hogan - A first crush, a worldly aunt, and so much more.
The Comeback Season by Jennifer E. Smith - Grieving and healing, alone and together.
Looks by Madeleine George - One of the two main characters is a freshman, the other a sophomore.

Boarding school and/or private school:
The Ballet School Diaries by Alexandra Moss - This cute and fun series for kids is set at a ballet boarding school.
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta - An all-boys school goes co-ed.
Looking for Alaska by John Green - Set in a modern-day Alabama boarding school. Highly recommended.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart - Set in a modern-day school. A fresh take on secret societies, with a young girl thwarting some smirky boys. A great book.
The Poison Apples by Lily Archer - Three girls at boarding school bond over their family situations: each has recently acquired a stepmother. Though it uses the fairy tale metaphor, this book isn't a fantasy, nor is it magical realism. It is realistic fiction, and it is really good.
A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray - A historical fantasy trilogy set in a Victorian girls' boarding school. Incredibly imaginative and intriguing.
Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman - Two best friends consider Pride & Prejudice and get involved in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Modern-day. Recommended.
The Love series by Emily Franklin - Set in a modern-day New England boarding school. Love's dad becomes the principal.
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld - A few decades removed from modern-day.
The Gallagher Girls books by Ally Carter - Modern-day spy school for girls. Read them in order:
- I'd Tell You I'd Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You
- Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy
Accidentally Fabulous series by Lisa Papademetriou

Classics:
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Good-Bye, Mr. Chips by James Hilton
Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott
Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster

School is a supporting character:
Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters - The main characters start seeing each other before school. Literally.
Innocence by Jane Mendelsohn - Oh, the scenes in the lunchroom! I love this book so much.
Swollen by Melissa Lion - Your perceptions of your classmates may differ from the truth. From their truths. From your truths.
Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan - I wish all schools were this open and accepting. I wish all people were this open and accepting.

Even more:

The Body of Evidence series by Christopher Golden and Rick Hautala - In the first book, Body Bags, protagonist Jenna Blake is just about to enter college. The first line of the first chapter: "It was a beautiful day to grow up."

Follow a girl through elementary school, middle school, and high school in the Alice McKinley books by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. The series has over twenty titles. The Agony of Alice was the first book and is set in middle school. The author has since written prequels, making Starting With Alice (third grade) the earliest story on the timeline. The Grooming of Alice describes the summer between her eighth grade and ninth grade years. Alice Alone starts off her freshman year. For the full breakdown of titles and grades, please click here.

Barthe DeClements had fun with her grade-oriented dramadies for young readers:
- The Fourth Grade Wizards by Barthe DeClements
- Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade in Fifth Grade by Barthe DeClements
- Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You by Barthe DeClements
- How Do You Lose Those Ninth-Grade Blues? by Barthe DeClements

For even more stories set in school, please refer to the categories of cheating and teacher relationships within my Tough Issues for Teens booklist.

Also check out my After Graduation booklist.

Read the new issue of readergirlz.

This month, we're discussing Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. I am extremely happy that this book was selected for readergirlz. You may recall me praising it last year, when I named it to my Best Books of 2007 list. I think that Hannah's story is extremely powerful, and I hope it reaches readers on various levels.

Talk About It

Discuss this month's book and other great reads at the readergirlz forum.

Join our hour-long chat with Jay Asher on Thursday, July 24th starting at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST at the readergirlz forum.

Recommended Reads

This month's theme is Compassion. With both that and Thirteen Reasons Why in mind, the readergirlz divas and the postergirlz advisory council also recommend the following books:

Fiction
Looking for Alaska by John Green
No Laughter Here by Rita Williams Garcia
Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande
Remembering Raquel by Vivian Vande Velde
As Simple as Snow by Gregory Galloway

Non-Fiction
Without You by Anthony Rapp

Recent Reads
Last month's featured book and author: Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson
Next month's featured book and author: Violet in Private by Melissa Walker
Visit the readergirlz archive.

Related Posts
Meet the readergirlz divas and the postergirlz advisory council
Read the original readergirlz press release
View all of the readergirlz-tagged posts at Bildungsroman
Check out my interview with Jay Asher
Consult my Tough Issues for Teens booklist

Look at the cuteness that is FIDDLESTICK!

Earthling Publications has released a signed, limited edition of Strangewood by Christopher Golden. This edition includes sixteen illustrations by Richard Kirk, an introduction by Graham Joyce, and an afterword by Bentley Little. Even the endpapers are fully illustrated. (See samples of Kirk's illustrations.) The book is Smyth-sewn and bound in leather, and housed in a cloth-covered slipcase.

Ordering Information

To obtain a copy of the book, email earthlingpub@yahoo.com with the subject line Reserve Strangewood.

Strangewood Synopsis

As TJ Randall, he pens the tales of Strangewood, the most popular series of children’s books since The Wizard of Oz. As Thomas Randall, he is a recently divorced father coping with joint custody, which permit him with only weekend visits with his young son. But when his son is hospitalized with an incurable catatonia, the reality and fantasy of Thomas's life start to merge... His son has been taken hostage into the world Randall created. Strangewood is at war.

Publishing Notes

Christopher Golden refers to Strangewood as "my enduring favorite of all of my scribblings," and he is extremely excited about this release. He adds, "Yes, Earthling's book are expensive, but they aren't intended for the casual collector. What Paul Miller does is just as much a work of art as Richard Kirk's illustrations. I'm honored he's chosen Strangewood for his Earthling Classics series."

Paul Miller, the man behind Earthling, has received extraordinary praise in recent years for the amazing job he does on each and every book that the company produces. I'll be interviewing him in the near future.

Learn more about the story of Strangewood here and there.

June: 78 books read

For all ages
Toys Go Out: Being the Adventures of a Knowledgeable Stingray, a Toughy Little Buffalo, and Someone Called Plastic by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinski

Picture Books
That New Animal by Emily Jenkins
Five Creatures by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Tomek Bogacki
Princess Grace by Mary Hoffman
Gone Fishing by David McLimans
The Trouble with Dragons by Debi Gliori
Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella Story by Paul Fleischman

For kids and pre-teens
Suddenly Supernatural: School Spirit by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Sarah Simpson's Rules for Living by Rebecca Rupp
The Bronze Pen by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning by Danette Haworth
Thank You, Lucky Stars by Beverly D'Onofrio
Boys Are Dogs by Leslie Margolis
The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower by Lisa Graff

For teens
Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle
Kat Got Your Tongue by Lee Weatherly
Perfect Girl by Mary Hogan
Many Stones by Carolyn Coman

Graphic Novel Spotlight
Rapunzel's Revenge written by Shannon and Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale

Historical Fiction
Marie, Dancing by Carolyn Meyer
Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell
Nobody's Princess by Esther M. Friesner