Mitali Perkins's Blog, page 45

A Dozen YA Novels With Asian Guy Protagonists

Last week, I issued a call for YA novels published in 2007-2010 with Asian or Asian American guys as main characters. I got great suggestions, but didn't include any middle-grade titles, those published before 2007, or novels in which the Asian guy was a sidekick, romantic interest, or one of several protagonists.



It was tough coming up with a dozen books within those parameters. I haven't read all of them--in fact, I've only read three. The descriptions are publisher annotations.



Three of ...

YA Novels With Girl Heroes that Guys Read ... And Like

Which young adult novels featuring girl protagonists do guys like to read? I asked the question on Twitter, and we came up with this list, which is up for discussion:



Science Fiction / Fantasy

GRACELING and FIRE by Kristin Cashore
MORTAL INSTRUMENTS series by Cassandra Clare
HUNGER GAMES and CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins
INCARCERON by Catherine Fisher
CRY OF THE ICEMARK series by Stuart Hill
DUST OF 100 DOGS by A.S. King
GONE series by Lisa McMann
TWILIGHT series by Stephenie Meyer

Rally for Massachusetts Libraries March 9th

Massachusetts readers, writers, students, and parents, here's an important call for support from our friends at the Massachusetts Library Association and the Massachusetts Shool Library Association:

Massachusetts library supporters will gather at the State House at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 to rally against the impact of drastic funding reductions to the Commonwealth's libraries.



The Governor's proposed FY11 budget for the state library budget is a 37.2% cut from FY2009...

Yep. Me. That's Right.

Since PW just tweeted it, I guess it's okay to share: I'll be speaking at BookExpo America's children's breakfast this May.



For those who don't know why I'm desperately trying to lose five pounds for this event, the other speakers were just announced: Richard Peck and Cory Doctorow.



And guess who'll be serving as Master of Ceremonies? Sarah Ferguson. I'll be in the green room with the Duchess of York.



Stay tuned for more, plus obviously I'll need you to weigh in on a vital question: WHAT ...

5 Tips For Middle School Author Visits

I'm visiting a bunch of middle schools this month, and they can be a tough crowd. Masters of the eye-roll, an 8th-grade audience prepares to be bored by any visiting adult who isn't Will Smith or Jay-Z. If an ancient angst returns in full measure when you're facing a room of early teens, try these tips:

Engage as many of their senses as you can. Get them to smell, touch, hear, and see with engaging props and slides. For example, you could pass around the hard-as-a-rock Teddy Bear that you...

5 Quick, Free Ways to Buzz Your Book

Take an hour or so this week to get the word out about your book through one of these free online services:



1. Goodreads : Set up an author page, because passionate members recommend books, compare what they're reading, review, discuss, debate, and join book clubs.  Tip : Offer a free giveaway for the book.



2. Indiebound : This American Booksellers Association site allows you to make lists of your titles and other favorites, "fan" your favorite indies, and sign up for an affiliate account to ge...

Looking For Asian Guy Protagonists in YA Novels

I need a dozen good recent novels (2007-2010) featuring Asian or Asian American teen guy protagonists. Can you help? I've found five (three featuring adoptees, interestingly), and am on the hunt for seven more:



STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE by David Yoo

(Hyperion, 2008)



Before he met Mia, resigned loser Albert Kim was too busy dodging high school sociopaths to imagine having a girlfriend. Much less the adorable ex-girlfriend of alpha jerk Ryan Stackhouse. Yet somehow, by the end o...

Which Children's Novels Do You Re-Read?

As I consider Betsy Bird's posts of the top 100 children's books, I'm realizing that I categorize a novel as a favorite once I've read it at least five times with delight.



I tend to recycle my favorites during particular times of the year. Here are some examples that seem to fit with the seasons:



Winter:



Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott

Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace



Spring:



Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Soren...

Girls Under Pressure: Can a YA Book Help?

A new study in Scotland discovered tween and teen girls crumbling under cultural pressure: 

Over the two decades, (Helen) Sweeting found that, while the 15-year-old boys she spoke to had experienced a small increase in psychological distress, the number of girls of the same age reporting mental issues from mild anxiety to issues serious enough to justify hospital treatment, had jumped sharply.

Assuming a growing global homogeneity of youth culture, I shared this article on twitter today and as...

February Reading Retreat

I'm taking an internet fast for eight days to read and warm up my icy bones in the sunshine. Be back on the Fire Escape with more reviews, interviews, and reflections next Tuesday, February 23rd. Peace be with you.

Come visit me on the Fire Escape!