Caroline Bock's Blog: Caroline Anna Bock Writes, page 23
August 27, 2011
WAITING FOR HURRICANE TO HIT
So, if you're waiting for the hurricane to hit and haven't seen LIE:The Book Trailer go check it out!! LIE -- in stores everywhere-- as a book, as an ebook, on this Tuesday!!
August 25, 2011
"A fantastic book discussion book" -- STACKED review/Calling all Book Clubs
"...LIE would make for a fantastic book discussion book, as I think that it's relatable and understandable to readers on many levels..." --Stacked (with a great subtitle: Librarians. Reviews. Mayhem.) Wow. Five more days until
LIE
publication!!
August 30th!
If there are any book clubs out there interested in reading LIE and having its author (me) show up to discuss (in person if on Long Island or Westchester County or southern CT, or by phone or Skype anywhere else, drop me an email and we can discuss possibility).
Though, I think I'm more nervous about my own book club reading LIE than anyone else!!
August 30th!
If there are any book clubs out there interested in reading LIE and having its author (me) show up to discuss (in person if on Long Island or Westchester County or southern CT, or by phone or Skype anywhere else, drop me an email and we can discuss possibility).
Though, I think I'm more nervous about my own book club reading LIE than anyone else!!
August 21, 2011
Countdown to LIE continues and a poem from HIGH SCHOOL/A Reflection from today
A POEM FROM HIGH SCHOOL and A REFLECTION FROM 2011
I am here,
And I'm lonely.
I live, eat and talk with you.You listen while reading the paper.
My tears are shrill, deafening.
Sitting on the toilet seat,
I cry them
into a raggedy towel. You bang on the locked door and
yell at me to get out.
I attempt to tell you my problems,
I know you have enough of your own
But I can help you too.
Tell me what you're feeling….I know.
Alright.
I'll grow up.You turn your back to me,
reverting to the work stacked on the desk.My voice unhinges.You said you'd listen.I stop in the middle of reciting my poem;
you're not listening.
I know you have more important things to do.
You probably think I'm a fool.
(originally published in OPUS atNEW ROCHELLE HIGHS SCHOOL)
--
I grew with a single parent, my
father. He raised four kids alone. My mother had a stroke that left her
brain damaged, paralyzed and hospitalized since I was four-and-a-half years
old. When I was in high school I felt particularly desperate. By then, I was responsible for my three younger siblings, in charge
of the housework and meals for my
family. I wrote this poem in 11 grade. My high
school literary magazine, Opus, at
New Rochelle High School published it. This poem, never titled, made me realize that I could
channel my emotions, my raw loneliness, into writing.
All these years later, this poem still resonates for me. How did my father react to it? I don't think he did.
He didn't read, or listen to, my poetry. Will
he read my LIE, my debut novel? I can't say for sure, but now I know, I am not a fool.
I did the dishes, the laundry,
made dinner and wrote. I grew up. Writing shaped and defined me, carried
me through the worst times in my life, and the best. Though, I have
to admit, I hope he reads LIE. After all these years, I still want him to listen, to hear me, to acknowledge me -- why?
I am here,
And I'm lonely.
I live, eat and talk with you.You listen while reading the paper.
My tears are shrill, deafening.
Sitting on the toilet seat,
I cry them
into a raggedy towel. You bang on the locked door and
yell at me to get out.
I attempt to tell you my problems,
I know you have enough of your own
But I can help you too.
Tell me what you're feeling….I know.
Alright.
I'll grow up.You turn your back to me,
reverting to the work stacked on the desk.My voice unhinges.You said you'd listen.I stop in the middle of reciting my poem;
you're not listening.
I know you have more important things to do.
You probably think I'm a fool.
(originally published in OPUS atNEW ROCHELLE HIGHS SCHOOL)
--
I grew with a single parent, my
father. He raised four kids alone. My mother had a stroke that left her
brain damaged, paralyzed and hospitalized since I was four-and-a-half years
old. When I was in high school I felt particularly desperate. By then, I was responsible for my three younger siblings, in charge
of the housework and meals for my
family. I wrote this poem in 11 grade. My high
school literary magazine, Opus, at
New Rochelle High School published it. This poem, never titled, made me realize that I could
channel my emotions, my raw loneliness, into writing.
All these years later, this poem still resonates for me. How did my father react to it? I don't think he did.
He didn't read, or listen to, my poetry. Will
he read my LIE, my debut novel? I can't say for sure, but now I know, I am not a fool.
I did the dishes, the laundry,
made dinner and wrote. I grew up. Writing shaped and defined me, carried
me through the worst times in my life, and the best. Though, I have
to admit, I hope he reads LIE. After all these years, I still want him to listen, to hear me, to acknowledge me -- why?
August 17, 2011
STARRED REVIEW FROM SLJ!
Yeah! Thank you Jennifer Barnes at the Malden Public Library in MA!
*BOCK, Caroline. Lie. 212p. St. Martin's/Griffin. Sept. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-66832-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-8441-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Skylar's life hasn't been the same since her mother died of cancer. The only bright light has been her relationship with her boyfriend, Jimmy, a Scholar-Athlete of the Year, but now he stands accused of assaulting two Salvadoran immigrants and she is the prime witness. The full story slowly comes into focus through the many different perspectives of people in a Long Island town that has seen its demographics change dramatically in recent years. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Skylar navigates her precarious position. As she puts the pieces together and ponders her own future, can she speak out against her boyfriend? And should she? Bock successfully captures a range of voices in addition to Skylar's, from teens close to the perpetrator to the victim's family and community members and richly develops this ripped-from-the-headlines tale. Within the larger picture of tension around illegal immigration is the lesser-known practice of "beaner-hopping," in which teens attack suspected illegal immigrants as a sick sort of sport. While readers are not given direct insight into Jimmy's views, he comes to life as a multifaceted person who unfortunately inherited many of his father's grudge-laden, bigoted opinions. Bock's debut will grip readers searching for complete realism in their fiction.–Jennifer Barnes, Malden Public Library, MA
*BOCK, Caroline. Lie. 212p. St. Martin's/Griffin. Sept. 2011. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-312-66832-7; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4299-8441-6. LC number unavailable.
Gr 7 Up–Skylar's life hasn't been the same since her mother died of cancer. The only bright light has been her relationship with her boyfriend, Jimmy, a Scholar-Athlete of the Year, but now he stands accused of assaulting two Salvadoran immigrants and she is the prime witness. The full story slowly comes into focus through the many different perspectives of people in a Long Island town that has seen its demographics change dramatically in recent years. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Skylar navigates her precarious position. As she puts the pieces together and ponders her own future, can she speak out against her boyfriend? And should she? Bock successfully captures a range of voices in addition to Skylar's, from teens close to the perpetrator to the victim's family and community members and richly develops this ripped-from-the-headlines tale. Within the larger picture of tension around illegal immigration is the lesser-known practice of "beaner-hopping," in which teens attack suspected illegal immigrants as a sick sort of sport. While readers are not given direct insight into Jimmy's views, he comes to life as a multifaceted person who unfortunately inherited many of his father's grudge-laden, bigoted opinions. Bock's debut will grip readers searching for complete realism in their fiction.–Jennifer Barnes, Malden Public Library, MA
August 16, 2011
Be the FIRST to WATCH the LIE Book Trailer
Be the first to watch the LIE book trailer!! Go to YouTube http://youtu.be/QZPmG1mrymk This trailer was produced and directed by an amazing independent filmmaker (and Apple guru) Heather Smith. Thank you so much Heather for all the passion you have for LIE. The novel is in stores everywhere on August 30th!!
August 14, 2011
SWING! PLUS, LIE READING/AND LAUNCH! Friday, September 16tha
Kids in swings untilsummer rains ring down leavingkids wishing for school.--Haiku to Sara, celebrating her 6th birthday this past weekend!!
and LIE READING/LAUNCHon Friday, September 16th at 7 at Book Revue in Huntington, NY
Please join me!! Celebrate the publication of my debut novel with the first reading, a glass of wine, a cheer!
LIE (publication date countdown!! August 30th from St. Martin's Press).
August 9, 2011
TEACHER'S GUIDE FOR LIE ...and 3 MORE WEEKS TO LIE publication date (gulp!)
Hey... I know it's the middle of the summer.... but it's one month until school starts here in New York (and yes, 21 days until publication of LIE on August 30th!!). Are you a teacher like me: Eager, eager to teach a new novel? Focused on how narratives are constructed? How character drives plot and theme? I wrote with the good folks at St. Martin's Press a TEACHER'S GUIDE TO LIE. So calling all English teachers (grades 8 and above): Check out the TEACHER'S GUIDE TO LIE. www.macmillan.com.
August 3, 2011
INSPIRATION: Graffiti
Wild graffiti ourartifacts, relics, sprayed marksof a drive-by past.--haiku by Caroline Bock, 2011Inspiration day, trip to the Bronx and Queens with amazing artist friend to disappearing sites. Her work can't compare to these quick shots I took for inspiration. See her work at charleneweisler.com
Caroline Anna Bock Writes
Here's to a 2018 with
-stories that matter
-time to read those stories
-drive to write (and finish) my own stories.
Here's a happy, healthy world for all!
--Caroline
...more
-stories that matter
-time to read those stories
-drive to write (and finish) my own stories.
Here's a happy, healthy world for all!
--Caroline
...more
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