Maddy Lederman's Blog, page 2
April 22, 2015
EDNA IN THE DESERT is on another school reading list!
EDNA IN THE DESERT has been put on another school reading list, this time for 8th graders in Quebec, Canada!
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
It is such an honor to be on this very short list along with classics by Charlotte Bronte and Agatha Christie! Hope the students enjoy EDNA IN THE DESERT and feel free to share their thoughts!
EDNA IN THE DESERT is also on the Summer Reading List for English Honors 9 at Carle Place High School in New York State, and on the "Teen-friendly" ebook list at Westbury Library!
http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
Edna is spoiled and wreaking havoc at her Beverly Hills school. Her therapist advocates medication, but her parents come up with an alternative cure: Edna will spend the summer in the desert with her grandparents. Their remote cabin is cut off from cell phone service, Internet and everything else she likes. Edna’s determined to rebel until she meets an older local boy and falls in love for the first time. How can she get to know him from the edge of nowhere?
You can find EDNA IN THE DESERT at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Electio Publishing.
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
It is such an honor to be on this very short list along with classics by Charlotte Bronte and Agatha Christie! Hope the students enjoy EDNA IN THE DESERT and feel free to share their thoughts!
EDNA IN THE DESERT is also on the Summer Reading List for English Honors 9 at Carle Place High School in New York State, and on the "Teen-friendly" ebook list at Westbury Library!
http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
http://www.maddylederman.com/edna-in-...
Edna is spoiled and wreaking havoc at her Beverly Hills school. Her therapist advocates medication, but her parents come up with an alternative cure: Edna will spend the summer in the desert with her grandparents. Their remote cabin is cut off from cell phone service, Internet and everything else she likes. Edna’s determined to rebel until she meets an older local boy and falls in love for the first time. How can she get to know him from the edge of nowhere?
You can find EDNA IN THE DESERT at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Electio Publishing.
January 26, 2015
What People Say About EDNA IN THE DESERT
"I LOVED the book! It was so dramatic and sweet. I loved the part where Edna was going to try to die by evaporation. I just loved it. I will buy several copies for my school library and I recommend it to students and teachers."
--Karen Casaceli, Gateway Middle School Librarian, 1/8/15.
"EDNA IN THE DESERT really captured the teenage voice...I definitely think more schools should have the opportunity to read it."
--Melissa Mehling, Honors English Teacher, Carle Place High School, 6/24/14. http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
"EDNA IN THE DESERT is the most hilarious and realistic Young Adult book that I have read in a VERY LONG TIME...the precocious but incredibly lovable Edna really struck a chord with me."
--writer Ingrid Hall, 8/17/14. http://ingridhall.wordpress.com/tag/e...
"I enjoyed getting to know Edna, and I’m certain that the lessons for our students will have an impact on their lives today!"
--Dave Flatley, Superintendent of Schools, Carle Place School District, 9/19/14.
"I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert….4 out of 4 stars for realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline…..Throughout the book, the author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships……Edna gradually shifts from Beverly Hills brat to considerate young woman."
--Official Online Book Club review, 10/20/14, http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/view...
"The Summer Book Club at Piperton United Methodist Church in Piperton, TN is currently reading EDNA IN THE DESERT. What a great book! So glad we chose it! Can't wait to come together with the readers and discuss it!"
--Debbie Daubenhauser,7/21/14.
--Karen Casaceli, Gateway Middle School Librarian, 1/8/15.
"EDNA IN THE DESERT really captured the teenage voice...I definitely think more schools should have the opportunity to read it."
--Melissa Mehling, Honors English Teacher, Carle Place High School, 6/24/14. http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
"EDNA IN THE DESERT is the most hilarious and realistic Young Adult book that I have read in a VERY LONG TIME...the precocious but incredibly lovable Edna really struck a chord with me."
--writer Ingrid Hall, 8/17/14. http://ingridhall.wordpress.com/tag/e...
"I enjoyed getting to know Edna, and I’m certain that the lessons for our students will have an impact on their lives today!"
--Dave Flatley, Superintendent of Schools, Carle Place School District, 9/19/14.
"I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert….4 out of 4 stars for realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline…..Throughout the book, the author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships……Edna gradually shifts from Beverly Hills brat to considerate young woman."
--Official Online Book Club review, 10/20/14, http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/view...
"The Summer Book Club at Piperton United Methodist Church in Piperton, TN is currently reading EDNA IN THE DESERT. What a great book! So glad we chose it! Can't wait to come together with the readers and discuss it!"
--Debbie Daubenhauser,7/21/14.
November 30, 2014
"I Absolutely Loved Edna in the Desert"
Edna in the Desert
The following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of “EDNA IN THE DESERT” by Maddy Lederman.
Strong-willed and sarcastic, thirteen-year-old Edna sows turmoil at home, at extra-curricular activities, and especially at school. When her latest misconduct ends in physical assault, Edna’s parents decide to send her away from the affluence of Beverly Hills to her grandparents’ sparse cabin in the middle of the desert. For Edna, this means spending an entire summer without television, Internet, or cellular phone service, all while contending with her strict grandmother and mentally impaired grandfather.
After a failed attempt at running away, Edna’s attitude begins to soften when she meets Johnny, a high school boy whose family owns the local general store. For the first time in her existence, Edna finally begins to care about the opinion of someone other than herself, and the two forge a friendship that Edna hopes will become something more. Meanwhile, she starts to second-guess the shallowness of her L.A. lifestyle as she learns more about the desert and the true reason her grandparents have chosen to live there.
From the beginning, I was very taken with Edna in spite of her terrible attitude. While her sarcasm and disregard for others did get on my nerves, there was a part of me that admired her gutsiness. I personally find blunt, outspoken characters to be refreshing in a way, especially when they also possess a sharp intellect like Edna’s. Her precocious intelligence, combined with Lederman’s realistic depiction of teenage melodrama, makes Edna a surprisingly relatable character for both teens and adults (after all, Edna only vocalizes what most of us would say in our heads!)
As the novel unfolds, Edna’s character gradually shifts from Beverly Hills brat to considerate young woman. Throughout much of the book, Edna’s sole concerns are Johnny and his opinion of her, which initially is very self-centered. However, Edna and Johnny’s friendship opens up a new world to Edna, one in which people actually matter, and by the end of the book Edna has laid the foundation for a positive relationship with both of her grandparents. While Edna is not cured of her outspoken nature, she becomes less snarky and more likely to think before she opens her mouth. One can imagine that Edna’s next school year, while perhaps not completely free of incident, will be much less dramatic.
Throughout the book, the author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships. Unfortunately, I can’t say much on this for fear of including spoilers, but I can say that Edna’s lack of access to television and the Internet is a driving factor in the story, and a very thought-provoking one as well.
Lastly, I enjoyed this book for the writing itself. I did not notice any spelling or grammatical errors, and I appreciated Maddy Lederman’s balanced descriptions of the settings. When I use the word balanced, I mean to say that she was not overly wordy. I was able to get a clear picture of the story in my mind without getting lost in long descriptions or explanations. Lately, I’ve read several books that frequently derailed my attention through the use of too much (or sometimes not enough) detail, so reading this book was a welcome change of pace.
I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert and have given it 4 out of 4 stars for its realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline. While I believe that this book would appeal more to female readers, I would recommend it to anyone who frequently interacts with younger teens, as it provides some perspective on the mindset of that age group.
Originally published Oct. 20, 2014 by LivreAmour217 for the OnlineBookClub.org.
The following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of “EDNA IN THE DESERT” by Maddy Lederman.
Strong-willed and sarcastic, thirteen-year-old Edna sows turmoil at home, at extra-curricular activities, and especially at school. When her latest misconduct ends in physical assault, Edna’s parents decide to send her away from the affluence of Beverly Hills to her grandparents’ sparse cabin in the middle of the desert. For Edna, this means spending an entire summer without television, Internet, or cellular phone service, all while contending with her strict grandmother and mentally impaired grandfather.
After a failed attempt at running away, Edna’s attitude begins to soften when she meets Johnny, a high school boy whose family owns the local general store. For the first time in her existence, Edna finally begins to care about the opinion of someone other than herself, and the two forge a friendship that Edna hopes will become something more. Meanwhile, she starts to second-guess the shallowness of her L.A. lifestyle as she learns more about the desert and the true reason her grandparents have chosen to live there.
From the beginning, I was very taken with Edna in spite of her terrible attitude. While her sarcasm and disregard for others did get on my nerves, there was a part of me that admired her gutsiness. I personally find blunt, outspoken characters to be refreshing in a way, especially when they also possess a sharp intellect like Edna’s. Her precocious intelligence, combined with Lederman’s realistic depiction of teenage melodrama, makes Edna a surprisingly relatable character for both teens and adults (after all, Edna only vocalizes what most of us would say in our heads!)
As the novel unfolds, Edna’s character gradually shifts from Beverly Hills brat to considerate young woman. Throughout much of the book, Edna’s sole concerns are Johnny and his opinion of her, which initially is very self-centered. However, Edna and Johnny’s friendship opens up a new world to Edna, one in which people actually matter, and by the end of the book Edna has laid the foundation for a positive relationship with both of her grandparents. While Edna is not cured of her outspoken nature, she becomes less snarky and more likely to think before she opens her mouth. One can imagine that Edna’s next school year, while perhaps not completely free of incident, will be much less dramatic.
Throughout the book, the author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships. Unfortunately, I can’t say much on this for fear of including spoilers, but I can say that Edna’s lack of access to television and the Internet is a driving factor in the story, and a very thought-provoking one as well.
Lastly, I enjoyed this book for the writing itself. I did not notice any spelling or grammatical errors, and I appreciated Maddy Lederman’s balanced descriptions of the settings. When I use the word balanced, I mean to say that she was not overly wordy. I was able to get a clear picture of the story in my mind without getting lost in long descriptions or explanations. Lately, I’ve read several books that frequently derailed my attention through the use of too much (or sometimes not enough) detail, so reading this book was a welcome change of pace.
I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert and have given it 4 out of 4 stars for its realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline. While I believe that this book would appeal more to female readers, I would recommend it to anyone who frequently interacts with younger teens, as it provides some perspective on the mindset of that age group.
Originally published Oct. 20, 2014 by LivreAmour217 for the OnlineBookClub.org.
April 25, 2014
EDNA IN THE DESERT on an English Honors Summer Reading List
After their cell phone-free experiment (see report below), Carle Place High School has added Maddy Lederman’s debut novel, Edna in the Desert, to their list of summer reads for English Honors 9 students.
Edna in the Desert chronicles a spoiled, tech-addicted teen's summer without cell phone service, Internet or TV.
Long Island High School Students Challenged To Go A Week Without Cellphones
April 4, 2014, CARLE PLACE, N.Y. (Reporter Jennifer McLogan, CBS-NewYork)
(excerpts)
Students at one Long Island school went through withdrawal from Instagram, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr this week, but they learned they could actually live without their cellphones.
As CBS 2’s Jennifer McLogan reported, the unplugging experiment was held at Carle Place High School. Students in Ms. Melissa Mehling’s English class were studying Ray Bradbury’s dystopian futuristic novel “Fahrenheit 451,” about a bookless, hedonistic and illiterate society distracted and infatuated by mass media.
“I challenged the kids for one week not to use their cellphones and social media,” Mehling said.
And in taking on the challenge, some students admitted that they were distracted and infatuated by electronic devices.
“You don’t talk anymore and you don’t start conversations,” one student said.
“It’s so hard to cut back when you are already so used to it,” another said.
“Some of us are really obsessed with our phones; some couldn’t last one period when we got our phones wrapped,” a third said.
Some students went so far as to call their cellphone, iPad and Internet use an “epidemic,” and wondered whether they had the inner strength to hand over their “obsessed” possessions to their teacher.
“At first, a lot of the kids had a hard time; the shakes – as if they were a drug addict,” Mehling said. “By the third day, by Wednesday, they said, ‘You know what? I feel relieved I don’t have my phone;’ especially the girls — they said they were released from drama.”
Full article here: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/04/0...
More about EDNA IN THE DESERT: http://www.maddylederman.com/news/pro...
Edna in the Desert chronicles a spoiled, tech-addicted teen's summer without cell phone service, Internet or TV.
Long Island High School Students Challenged To Go A Week Without Cellphones
April 4, 2014, CARLE PLACE, N.Y. (Reporter Jennifer McLogan, CBS-NewYork)
(excerpts)
Students at one Long Island school went through withdrawal from Instagram, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr this week, but they learned they could actually live without their cellphones.
As CBS 2’s Jennifer McLogan reported, the unplugging experiment was held at Carle Place High School. Students in Ms. Melissa Mehling’s English class were studying Ray Bradbury’s dystopian futuristic novel “Fahrenheit 451,” about a bookless, hedonistic and illiterate society distracted and infatuated by mass media.
“I challenged the kids for one week not to use their cellphones and social media,” Mehling said.
And in taking on the challenge, some students admitted that they were distracted and infatuated by electronic devices.
“You don’t talk anymore and you don’t start conversations,” one student said.
“It’s so hard to cut back when you are already so used to it,” another said.
“Some of us are really obsessed with our phones; some couldn’t last one period when we got our phones wrapped,” a third said.
Some students went so far as to call their cellphone, iPad and Internet use an “epidemic,” and wondered whether they had the inner strength to hand over their “obsessed” possessions to their teacher.
“At first, a lot of the kids had a hard time; the shakes – as if they were a drug addict,” Mehling said. “By the third day, by Wednesday, they said, ‘You know what? I feel relieved I don’t have my phone;’ especially the girls — they said they were released from drama.”
Full article here: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/04/0...
More about EDNA IN THE DESERT: http://www.maddylederman.com/news/pro...
