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Kendra’s Year In Books

Kendra’s 2021 Year in Books

Take a look at Kendra’s Year in Books. The long, the short—it’s all here.

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Kendra Griffin

Goodreads Author

Website

https://kendragriffin.com

Twitter

KendraGriffin42

Genre

Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Member Since

May 2019

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Hello!

I've been writing young adult novels for eight years now and they are my favorite genre -- teenagers are funny, smart, savvy, world-wise and yet still have enough innocence to keep believing in people. When I was a teenager, YA novels helped me through some tough, lonely times. Honestly, they saved my life (although maybe a few of my favorite musicians helped ). Without books, I never would have understood there was a better world just waiting for me both inside my head and after I survived high school.

Why YA? Because young readers feel things. They haven't forgotten that the world is both real and unreal, and that everything flipping matters. That's a marvelous, scary, amazing, wild ride. I remember when I was little, thinking to mys Hello!

I've been writing young adult novels for eight years now and they are my favorite genre -- teenagers are funny, smart, savvy, world-wise and yet still have enough innocence to keep believing in people. When I was a teenager, YA novels helped me through some tough, lonely times. Honestly, they saved my life (although maybe a few of my favorite musicians helped ). Without books, I never would have understood there was a better world just waiting for me both inside my head and after I survived high school.

Why YA? Because young readers feel things. They haven't forgotten that the world is both real and unreal, and that everything flipping matters. That's a marvelous, scary, amazing, wild ride. I remember when I was little, thinking to myself, "I'll never grow up and forget that I had real thoughts and they meant something. Everyone treats me like I'm not real yet, because I'm still a kid." I remember exactly where I was-- on the school bus, slowing down to drop me off at my lonely mailbox, my face pressed against the rattling bus window.

My characters are real to me. And they inspire me. And I love, just love the Young Adult and Middle Grade genres.

When we're young, it's so hard to see past the walls trapping us into our immediate lives, so hard to believe that we have the power to change our world. It's also so frustrating to be young and trust that our thoughts matter, to realize that we're insightful and real and important, when often our peers, communities, and politicians don't value us or ask our opinions.

I love focusing on realistic, imperfect characters. We're all misfit toys in our own way, and labels don't do anyone any good in this upside-down world. I also value sibling relationships, probably because I spent more time with my brother than my parents. We grew up too young and too fast, and we didn't always get along, but during the rough times, we were the closet family we had. You can read more about that in Seventeen Seconds when it's finally out.

Representing marginalized characters is also crucial to me. I especially like telling stories that aren't often told, stories about kids who haven't grown up with money or in exciting circumstances or even with two functioning parents in the household. For most of us, that's a fantasy. I love a good story that someone could read and relate to while tucked away under a leafy tree in their small-town favorite reading nook, or when settled on the metal stairs of their fire-escape hideaway, finding precious solitude in a busy city.

Please check out my Pox series. It begins with Pablo's adventures in The Pox Ward, continues with my almost finished sequel for those who survive the Ward, and then jumps ahead to the return of the Pox in Apocalypse Thoughts with Kella. (I promise this is not a real spoiler :) I will be adding sequels as quickly as I can get them edited!

I began this Pox series years ago before we had any idea a pandemic would change the way we saw ourselves and live in this world. I believe it will also change the way we treat each other, in both good and bad ways.

I'm editing and publishing as quickly as I can, but please feel free to ask me questions and send suggestions! I'm also a teacher at a community college, and I host workshop in my community and advise our school's creative writing club. I love helping writers of all ages find and trust their voices. ...more

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Kendra Griffin’s books

Average rating: 4.65 · 138 ratings · 93 reviews · 7 distinct works • Similar authors

	Apocalypse Thoughts 4.64 avg rating — 99 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Pox Ward 4.72 avg rating — 18 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fresh Starts by Morgen Leigh, Nikia Hunt (Goodreads Author), Bill May 4.27 avg rating — 11 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Apocalypse Thoughts: A Story for the Possible End Times (The Pox Series) 4.80 avg rating — 5 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Vale Frendl and the Trip to the In-Between it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A People's History of Magic it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Jase Dauphin and the Island in the Swamp 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Kendra Griffin…

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Kendra Griffin's Blog

Vetted Vellas: Crossover Serials on Kindle Vella that Don’t Cross Boundaries

A cross between magical realism, historical fiction, and a Raymond Chandler novel, Charlotte and the Demons has a noir feel while showcasing Eason’s seemingly effortless capacity for surprise and wit.

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Published on March 25, 2022 14:20

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Kendra is Currently Reading

Kendra Griffin is currently reading

Dread Nation (Dread Nation, #1)

by Justina Ireland (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Apr 17, 2021 02:14PM

Kendra Griffin is currently reading

Fresh Starts

by Morgen Leigh

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Apr 08, 2021 08:13PM

Kendra Griffin is currently reading

The Underground Railroad

by Colson Whitehead (Goodreads Author)

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Dec 27, 2020 05:32PM

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Kendra’s Recent Updates

Kendra Griffin rated a book it was amazing The Naughty List - Vella by J.R. Froemling (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jun 11, 2022 04:30PM · 1 like · like
Kendra Griffin liked an answer from J.R. Froemling: Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story? The world decided no more books. So they burned them all. J.R. Froemling
Jun 11, 2022 04:29PM
Kendra Griffin liked an answer from J.R. Froemling: If you could travel to any fictional book world, where would you go and what would you do there? This is tough. I would likely travel to the Dasaharu Empire in my Slaves of Prophecy story, specifically the city of Artisans. I would learn how to craft something, and spend my nights enjoying the company of fellow artisans. J.R. Froemling
Jun 11, 2022 04:29PM
Kendra Griffin made a comment on Collings MacCrae’s review of A People's History of Magic " I have been wondering and hoping when this would go international!!! Also I am going to start another YA soon there. It's so good to see your name in ...more "
May 03, 2022 09:48PM · see review
Kendra Griffin and 1 other person liked Collings MacCrae's review of A People's History of Magic: "This was one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. The characters were so real, the dialogue! This author was able to build a nuanced world that allow drama, humor and pathos. Read it! "
Jan 17, 2022 09:24PM · see review
Kendra Griffin is now following Audrie Harrington's reviews
Jan 15, 2022 04:09PM · like
Kendra Griffin rated a book it was amazing The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 14, 2022 09:19PM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Kendra Griffin is now following J.R. Froemling Author of My Viking Alpha: Book One of the Immortal Love ...
Jan 14, 2022 09:17PM · like
Kendra Griffin is now following Andrew L. Hicks Author of The Art of Being Human: What it Means to Be
Jan 14, 2022 09:17PM · like
Kendra Griffin made a comment on Sara Oxton’s review of Apocalypse Thoughts " I am thrilled to hear you had a hard time putting this down! What a lovely review to read. I actually wrote this before Covid and didn't mean for it t ...more "
Dec 24, 2021 02:58PM · see review