Anybody read any of james Patterson's stuff for kids? There's a full page ad on the back of my teacher's union magazine, and I hadn't actually heard of any of them, but the ad claims they're all bestsellers. Wondering if they're any good...?
Talk about the kidlit you're reading!
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They look awfully silly. I cracked one at the (grocery) store and, well, meh. It was rather Pattersony. The general plot's been done to death and the writing is nothing special. I think they are upper MG or maybe YA?
My mom teaches to the middle grade audience (she's a reading teacher) and her kids like the Maximum Ride series. I've never read them.
I just got my copy of Among the Ghosts by Amber Benson and i"m dying to dive in. Unfortunately, homework must intervene.
I just got my copy of Among the Ghosts by Amber Benson and i"m dying to dive in. Unfortunately, homework must intervene.
I read Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies today. It was heartbreaking and hilarious all in one. And it brought up memories from my own awkward middle school days.
Just finished The Adventures of Maude March by Audrey Couloumbis, which was rather odd. I didn't dislike it, but it was very different from anything I've read recently.
Also read two of the Magic Thief series by Sarah Prineas. Really liked these.
And, The Secret of Platform 13, by Eva Ibbotson. Loved this one, which I find is pretty typical response to her books. I think she's a very talented woman.
Okay, that's all I've got for now. Now I have to read my brother's latest ms one more time to tell him what I think of his latest changes.
I'm really going to start writing again one of these days. Seriously.
Also read two of the Magic Thief series by Sarah Prineas. Really liked these.
And, The Secret of Platform 13, by Eva Ibbotson. Loved this one, which I find is pretty typical response to her books. I think she's a very talented woman.
Okay, that's all I've got for now. Now I have to read my brother's latest ms one more time to tell him what I think of his latest changes.
I'm really going to start writing again one of these days. Seriously.
I started reading the last of The Sister's Grimm last night, and I just can't do it. I seldom leave a book unread, but this one just irritated me to a point where I gave it up.
I haven't read the earlier books, and started with the last one. For some reason, the premise of their cabin supposedly flying through a tornado and landing on a witch's legs and resulting in the death of the witch just didn't work. The cabin has a dirt floor!
I realize they're in a story, but some things just have to be more realistic for me.
I haven't read the earlier books, and started with the last one. For some reason, the premise of their cabin supposedly flying through a tornado and landing on a witch's legs and resulting in the death of the witch just didn't work. The cabin has a dirt floor!
I realize they're in a story, but some things just have to be more realistic for me.
Over the weekend I read "Highway Cats". Magical sparkly kittens is a dubious subject for a novel, but it was very entertaining.
Then I read "Eleven" by Lauren Myracle. At first the narrator was, I dunno, TOO introspective and annoying me. The second half was much more entertaining. But I dunno, the narrator was kinda like Ramona Quimby but less interesting. It's a good book though--lots of stuff about girls resisting peer pressure to act adultish before you are ready to do so.
Then I read "Eleven" by Lauren Myracle. At first the narrator was, I dunno, TOO introspective and annoying me. The second half was much more entertaining. But I dunno, the narrator was kinda like Ramona Quimby but less interesting. It's a good book though--lots of stuff about girls resisting peer pressure to act adultish before you are ready to do so.
I just read this book too and it blew my mind. It was everything I was in 6th grade (not exactly, but the feelings) and it brought back a lot of memories. The book is a perfect crytalization of one year. I hadn't given the introspection much thought until you brought it up but here is what I think.
The character has to be intropective in order to convey the feelings to kids that they may not be able verbalize themselves. It get's the feeling across in a very clear way that I don't think at that age I could have necearily put into words on my own.
I liked the first Maximum Ride book, but I had to read it with a grain of salt, cuz some of the plot points didn't make much sense. 
I've written a blog post for the middle grade site Project Mayhem, and it includes a link to a free download of Tik-Tok of Oz, if anyone want to revisit that world!
http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2010/09/bark-said-dog-really.html
I've written a blog post for the middle grade site Project Mayhem, and it includes a link to a free download of Tik-Tok of Oz, if anyone want to revisit that world!
http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2010/09/bark-said-dog-really.html
I just read "Out of My Mind" by Sharon Draper. Highly recommended!!!!! About a very intelligent girl with CP who cannot walk or talk. She gets a new way to communicate and comes into her own amongst her peers at school as she tries to compete on the Quiz Bowl team. She made a great narrator. She fights hard to be accepted as an equal, and wins, but her losses are heartbreaking. Mainly happy ending
Now reading "Gods of Manhattan" by Scott Mebus. Wow! I don't know why this series isn't more popular. The worldbuilding is stronger than almost any urban fantasy I've ever read. Being Overlong Middle Grade Fantasy About Boys Who Are Chosen Ones And Must Collect A Series Of Magical Objects, this isn't my favorite genre. But it's rather Gaimanesque with a lot of Harry Potter style kiddie action. Manhattan is full of gods, mostly from NY history, from the God of Banking to the God of The Good China to the God of Heroes. Plus immortal Indians, cockroach warriors fighting on ratback, living statues, and Albino alligators. The only downside is, this book has more characters than most adult fantasy novels which makes them hard to keep track of.
In other news, I read Twelve, which I enjoyed all the way through. The horrors of shopping for training bras and getting one's period were hilarious. I was a little surprised at all the talk about hard-ons, though I suppose it is educational. When the MC says reading Judy Blume books turned her into a pervert, fixated on periods and erections, I cracked up. Thirteen is in my TBR pile now.
Now reading "Gods of Manhattan" by Scott Mebus. Wow! I don't know why this series isn't more popular. The worldbuilding is stronger than almost any urban fantasy I've ever read. Being Overlong Middle Grade Fantasy About Boys Who Are Chosen Ones And Must Collect A Series Of Magical Objects, this isn't my favorite genre. But it's rather Gaimanesque with a lot of Harry Potter style kiddie action. Manhattan is full of gods, mostly from NY history, from the God of Banking to the God of The Good China to the God of Heroes. Plus immortal Indians, cockroach warriors fighting on ratback, living statues, and Albino alligators. The only downside is, this book has more characters than most adult fantasy novels which makes them hard to keep track of.
In other news, I read Twelve, which I enjoyed all the way through. The horrors of shopping for training bras and getting one's period were hilarious. I was a little surprised at all the talk about hard-ons, though I suppose it is educational. When the MC says reading Judy Blume books turned her into a pervert, fixated on periods and erections, I cracked up. Thirteen is in my TBR pile now.
I just saw Gods of Manhattan at the library and passed it up because I'd never heard of it. I'll have to check it out next trip.
Next time, I'm going to come to this thread and write some books down. Everytime I go to the library I forget what books I want! (comes with old age)
Next time, I'm going to come to this thread and write some books down. Everytime I go to the library I forget what books I want! (comes with old age)
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Naturally as a twelve-year-old I've read a lot of MG--one of my favorites is the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. It's about two kids, Seth and Kendra, who are about eleven and fourteen (though they get older as the series progresses) and their adventures at their grandparents' manor. What they discover is that there are magical creatures living there that humans can't see unless they drink a special milk. They're very entertaining books that can be either MG or YA. My mom and her friend also read and enjoyed them.
Thanks, 12yroldwriter. I'm going back to the library tomorow and I'll see if those are available.
Anyone got anything else? I'm all out. Finally quit reading The Sisters Grimm. It's hard for me to put one down unfinished, but it couldn't be helped.
Anyone got anything else? I'm all out. Finally quit reading The Sisters Grimm. It's hard for me to put one down unfinished, but it couldn't be helped.
Sissy, if you haven't read anything by Tove Jansson, check her out @ the library! Her stuff is MG fantasy, and it came out a while ago, but I find it quite timeless. Her Moomin books are my favorite kids books of all time. Also, if you haven't read it, "Bone" by Jeff Smith is a graphic novel series which has major kids appeal and is G-rated. My library keeps it in the kiddie section.
I haven't read Fablehaven. It's the Mormon Harry Potter, FWIW--published originally by the LDS Church as a morally upright alternative to HP.
I haven't read Fablehaven. It's the Mormon Harry Potter, FWIW--published originally by the LDS Church as a morally upright alternative to HP.
I'm with Sissy, I need something new. Like NOW. Because I just finished The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and I need to decompress. I've never done well with sadistic/psycho/serial rapist/killer type of stories - they haunt me afterwards for weeks. I don't know what I was thinking picking it up.
My library doesn't have Moomin, though it looks really cute. I've read Fablehaven and liked the first two I read. I had no idea it was published by the LDS Church.
Ooh - I just found out that my library has Gods of Manhattan, so I'm going to check that out. Thanks Kitty.
My library doesn't have Moomin, though it looks really cute. I've read Fablehaven and liked the first two I read. I had no idea it was published by the LDS Church.
Ooh - I just found out that my library has Gods of Manhattan, so I'm going to check that out. Thanks Kitty.
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Just read the Hunger Games trilogy over the past 3 days. Now I'm decompressing with The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein. Feels like all the Goosebumps/Scary Stories tales rolled into a single novel.
My adult son and I are both sorta hooked on The Mysterious Benedict Society. He just finished the third one in the series, and I just started it. I feel like these books would be savaged by a critique group... they have an omniscient adult narrator and they do a lot of "telling"... but the story is such fun, none of that bothers me. It's about a group of four quirky kids, each gifted in some way, who are brought together by an equally quirky benevolent genius (whose evil twin is a threat to civilization as we know it). The kids find themselves in impossibly dangerous situations, but somehow manage to triumph through their ingenuity and goodheartedness. Or sheer stubbornness, as the case may be.
ABC Triplets, my 16 y. o. daughter is reading the Hunger Games trilogy (she just finished the second one and is ready to start Mockinjay). She says they're fantastic, but I keep finding her in tears ... not sure I am ready for that kind of emotional turmoil!
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If she is just starting the third book, you might want to make a quick run to the store and stock up on tissues
Okay, I have a question, and I don't know if I can get it answered here or if it needs its own thread.
Firstly, I just finished, like five minutes ago, The Summer of Moonlight Secrets by Danette Haworth. I haven't read anything else by her, but this book blew me away with how fun and exciting it was. It took me forever to figure out Tara, but it was fun waiting for the reveal. I just really, thoroughly enjoyed this one and recommend it to everyone.
Now, the problem, and it's possibly just me.
This story is done in first person present tense. The problem I have with this style is all the 'ing' words. My brother's current WIP is written this way, and I've been editing for him and getting rid of lots of them, because I just don't like them. It's distracting for me.
But some people must not have a problem with them. So I'm wondering what others here think. I can see where there are instances where you need them, but if the sentence reads, "I'm walking over to the counter and notice a strange man sitting behind the ficus tree," why can't it be just as effective to write, "As I walk over to the counter, I notice a strange man sitting behind the ficus tree?"
Is it just me? I don't want to be so critical of my brother's story if it's an okay thing to do. Maybe the MG audience likes that kind of immediacy (did I spell that wrong?) Ugh, long day.
Anyway, read the book. It's fun, but it's also got a lovely storyline.
Firstly, I just finished, like five minutes ago, The Summer of Moonlight Secrets by Danette Haworth. I haven't read anything else by her, but this book blew me away with how fun and exciting it was. It took me forever to figure out Tara, but it was fun waiting for the reveal. I just really, thoroughly enjoyed this one and recommend it to everyone.
Now, the problem, and it's possibly just me.
This story is done in first person present tense. The problem I have with this style is all the 'ing' words. My brother's current WIP is written this way, and I've been editing for him and getting rid of lots of them, because I just don't like them. It's distracting for me.
But some people must not have a problem with them. So I'm wondering what others here think. I can see where there are instances where you need them, but if the sentence reads, "I'm walking over to the counter and notice a strange man sitting behind the ficus tree," why can't it be just as effective to write, "As I walk over to the counter, I notice a strange man sitting behind the ficus tree?"
Is it just me? I don't want to be so critical of my brother's story if it's an okay thing to do. Maybe the MG audience likes that kind of immediacy (did I spell that wrong?) Ugh, long day.
Anyway, read the book. It's fun, but it's also got a lovely storyline.
I'm revising a ms right now, and I'm trying it in first person present. Not sure whether I like it or not, but it's a good learning exercise. I'm with you, Sissybaby... I definitely like "I walk" better than "I'm walking". More active voice. I try to minimize the "ing" verbs, just like I would in past tense (ie; "I walked" instead of "I was walking").