Seasonal Suggestions -- SIX Superlative Stocking Stuffers

1. SAARA'S PASSAGE -- by Karen Autio, new out this fall.
2. SISTER WIFE -- by Shelley Hrdlitschka, also new and hot.
3. SEEDS OF TIME -- haven't read it yet? Why not? Time travel, plague & adventure await!
4. SECRET OF LIFE -- Leonardo D as a 15 year old boy -- like you've never seen him before.
5. SHADES OF RED -- Murder & mayhem in Reformation Europe & England.
6. Steven Galloway's CELLIST OF SARAJEVO -- because I just read and loved it last week...

Happy holidays!

~kc

Seasonal Suggestions for Teens -- December 1

Ho ho ho




December is here, and with this change in the calendar comes the fear and loathing...of figuring out the perfect gift for your teenager.








Yep -- the hardest people to buy for, hands down. What do teens want, anyway? They HAVE everything.

But relax, gentle reader, and fear no more, for I am here to provide you with not one, not two, but a full month (well...24 days, anyway) of gift suggestions for the teens on your list -- and not one of my suggestions involves slipping them 20 bucks and a candy-cane in a brown paper envelope.

Contrary to popular opinion, teens DO have interests outside of mirrors and video games. Let's have a look, shall we?

Seasonal Suggestion #1: SISTER WIFE, an Orca Book written by Shelley Hrdlitschka.




Ideal Recipient: Hey -- for the man who has everything -- how about a new wife?

Actually, the ideal recipient of this wonderful novel would be anyone who is interested in a look inside a polygamous community. This novel could literally have been ripped from the headlines, as it examines the reality of turning 15 years old as experienced by a young girl in the fictional community of Unity.





The story unfolds within three different points of view -- through the eyes of Celeste, almost 15 and chafing under the restrictions of a religion that will not allow her to love someone her own age or of her own choosing; and of Nanette, Celeste's younger sister who longs for nothing more than motherhood as a sister wife, and finally through the voice of Taviana, an outsider who finds some solace in the bosom of the community.

Shelley Hrdlitschka weaves this tale with her usual skill -- with warmth and humour, and allows humanity to bloom in the most unexpected corners of the world she has built. It's an amazing read from an author who continues to surprise and entertain with every book she writes -- a fitting choice for our first seasonal suggestion.

And here's a little bonus -- if you'd like to make a Seasonal Suggestion of your own for Teens, go ahead and leave your ideas in the comments section. Any suggestion that I use for the blog will be rewarded by an autographed copy of MS. ZEPHYR'S NOTEBOOK, my own contribution to the season for teens.

So enjoy these suggestions, add any of your own that you'd like to share, and...

Happy Holidays!

~kc

Book Launch Fun

Last night I had a great time at the latest Orca book launch, held at Vancouver Kidsbooks. I love going to book launches (especially when they are not my own!). No pressure, get to hang with my friends AND have someone read to me? Not to mention the added bonus of heading home with an awesome stack of new reading material.

Last night was no exception. I had a little trouble with the *&$# bridges, which meant I was 20 minutes late for pre-launch sushi with Meg, but once I'd met her, scarfed a little sushi and headed over to the bookstore, all traffic issues waned as the fun began.

Five authors (including one author-editor) were fete-ing their new novels, of whom are two my especial pals, so it was a great night for me.

I enjoyed listening to excerpts from Kim Denman's new novel SPIRAL, and Robin Stevenson's TEN THOUSAND SHADES OF BLUE, (I meant to high five Robin for her excellent taste in chromatic titles -- but I forgot...) as well as editor/author/emcee Sarah Harvey's THE LIT CLUB.

Meg Tilly read from her new Orca Soundings novel FIRST TIME.


Of all the pictures I shot, this one is my favourite -- Meg is standing to one side, quietly waiting her turn as she is introduced. Then of course, when she takes the stage, she disappears into her character and we were all pulled into the white Toyota Echo along with Hayley and her friend Lyn. I NEVER miss a chance to listen to Meg do a reading. She is magical.







Shelley Hrdlitschka captured the audience in her own way, discussing the parallels between the world of Unity in her new novel SISTER WIFE and those of Bountiful, a polygamous community, long a source of controversy in British Columbia. She wrote her story from the varying points of view of three separate characters, but it is Celeste, the young girl destined to be married at 15 whose voice captured me.

I cannot wait to read these two novels.

And, of course, the beast must be fed, so a few more books made it into the TBR pile that teetered on the car seat beside me all the way home. I bought DEATH BY LATTE, by Linda Gerber (have already had to promise to read fast and send to my girl, as she is a huge Aphra fan...); Cory Doctorow's LITTLE BROTHER (because, hey -- I've been a boing-boinger for more than a year now. I was going to hold out until it came out in paperback, but...well, I'm weak); Karen Autio's new sequel to SECOND WATCH called SAARA'S PASSAGE and Sherman Alexie's THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN (just 'cause I've wanted to read it since it came out).

Now, if you'll excuse me -- I have some reading to catch up on...

~kc

Rambling...

...tonight is Hycroft, the Very Cool unveiling of most of the new fall line-up in the way of BC Children's Literature. It takes place at Hycroft House, near the UBC campus.

My new book will miss the deadline by 3 months, and I am swamped to the ears with work, so I will be absent from the festivities for the first time in several years. Instead, I am helping proofread my daughter's King Lear essay, via Skype. And working on some last-minute research for A WALK THROUGH THE WINDOW.

Tomorrow night I'll be at the Orca booklaunch of a number of new titles, including Meg Tilly's FIRST TIME and Shelley Hrdlitschka's SISTER WIFE. I'm excited!


I'm going to have to miss the Surrey Public Library's 2008 YA Contest Award Night, though, and I regret that. I love meeting up and coming young writers and Surrey School District produces some amazing talent. Best wishes to all the participants...

~kc

The One I forgot to put a title on...

Collection of thoughts.

I'm very glad I took this shot yesterday, up the mountain above the village hall where I take my gym class.

Today the snow is obscured and the colours are gone as we go through the reality of a typical Howe Sound rainfall. Walking outside is like walking under water, and I've had to postpone my weekly dog walk with my friend Meg and her dog. When she is not walking dogs with me, she becomes the famous author Meg Tilly, and next week marks the start of a new tour (she's doing the Canadian Children's Book Centre's tour this fall -- hooray!) AND a book launch for her new story FIRST TIME.

I'm excited because I haven't read her new book yet, and a new book by Meg is something to be celebrated. This one is for the Orca Soundings series, so she'll be launching with other Orca authors, including Sarah Harvey, Kim Denman and the most wonderful Shelley Hrdlitschka.

I can't wait!

Things are hopping for my own upcoming book, A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW -- I got a glimpse at the new cover last week, and this week will take a final look at the galleys and make my suggestions for the cover copy. It's getting closer!

As for writing, I've got two main projects on the go right now -- the sequel to the adult mystery satire I finished this year, and the first of what I hope will be a five book series, set in the UK. I need to find a word for this -- don't like Quintology... how about a Quintych? I also have a new Darby book due before next summer.

So in the end I guess, rainy days are the best, because they keep me inside, writing -- in body, anyway...

~kc

Mama's Day

I generally find manufactured holidays like this one pretty darned hideous, but have done my best to persevere, and have managed to survive this one just fine, thank you. I have nothing but love for the two creatures who put me in the position of motherhood, so will cling to that thought (and the beautiful flowers and chocolate) instead of sticky Hallmark sentiments.

In celebration of the day, I'd like to give a shout out to Shelley Hrdlitschka -- one of the loveliest and most gracious mothers I know. Shelley's new book GOTCHA! recently found its way into my hands. I finished reading it this week, and a great read it was.

GOTCHA! is the story of a game played in the final year of high school -- a game that starts out as a lark, but ends up markedly changing the lives of just about everyone involved. The story grabbed me by the throat and left me riveted -- I couldn't put it down until I finished.

Shelley is the author of a number of incredible stories including KAT'S FALL, SUN SIGNS and (one of my all-time favourites) DANCING NAKED.

Do yourself a favour and grab her latest -- or any of her earlier works. You won't be disappointed.

***

Hot off the presses --the Stellar Award was just announced, and Diane Tullson's novel RED SEA was the winner. Congratulations to Diane and to all the winners of the Red Cedar Awards, also announced this weekend.


~kc

Launches, Soirees and Galas -- oh my!

Went to a lovely Orca Launch at Vancouver Kidsbooks last night. Five new books made their way out into the world in inimitable Kidsbooks style. Shelley Hrdlitschka, Diane Tullson, Annabel Lyon, Kathleen Cook Waldron, Bob Warick and Richard Van Camp had a chance to show us their new books and a good time was had by all. (Many thanks to Mr. Van Camp for his attempt to assuage the back spasm of a party-crasher with accu-pressure.)

Forgot my camera, though I may have a line on a couple of pixs. Stay tuned, will post if I get 'em. In the meantime, we can look at the beautiful cover-babe of Richard's new book. (This particular book is being distributed to every new baby born in the province this year through the Books for BC Babies Initiative -- all 43,000+ of them!)

Saturday night is the BC Book Prizes Soiree -- free to all at the Metropolitan Hotel (645 Howe St, Vancouver) from 7 to 9:00 pm.

I will do a better job of remembering to bring my camera to give you a taste of all the action.

In other news, Silas greeted my return last night having eaten my last dish scrubber and a couple of cushion-tops from the stools in the kitchen. I'm blaming my kids for their poor supervision skills. Because I can.

~kc

Gotcha!

I just got an invitation to attend the launch of author (and sister in blogging) Shelley Hrdlitschka's new novel GOTCHA!

I'm thrilled for Shelley, (pictured here) but even more thrilled for myself (and my daughter). We are both huge fans of this wonderful author.

Shelley's book is coming out at the same time as a few other Orca titles, and these other great authors will be celebrating their books as well:

Diane Tullson has a new title: LOCKDOWN (looks exciting!)

Ann Walsh worked with Kathleen Cook Waldron and photographer Bob Warick to produce FORESTRY A-Z.

Richard Van Camp has a lullaby for newborns called WELCOME SONG FOR BABY and Anabel Lyon's new book is called ALL-SEASON EDIE.

Congratulations to all on the arrival of these new titles -- and to all the readers out there who will now get to enjoy them!

~kc

Writers Who Blog ....and Once

Northern Voice 2008 continues to be an inspiration for me, so tonight, a quick shout out to all the members of CWILL BC -- authors AND illustrators who take the time to reach out through the internet and blog to (and for) their fans. Check out these amazing blogs:

Fiona Bayrock -----------------
http://fbayrock.blogspot.com/

Julie Burtinshaw --------------
http://burtinshaw.wordpress.com/

Diane Haynes ------------------ http://wildliferescueseries.com/

Shelley Hrdlitschka ------------ http://shelleyhrdlitschka.blogspot.com/

Eileen Kernaghan ------------- http://eileen-kernaghan.blogspot.com/

Tanya Kyi ------------------------- http://tanyalloydkyi.blogspot.com/

James McCann ---------------- http://jamesmccannauthor.blogspot.com/

Victoria Miles ------------------- http://www.magnifico-victoria-miles.blogspot.com/

Jacqueline Pearce -------------- http://www.wildink.wordpress.com/

Nikki Tate ------------------------ http://www.nikkitate.blogspot.com/

Meg Tilly --------------------------http://www.officialmegtilly.com/blog/

Kirsti Wakelin has 2 blogs! http://mysecretelephant.com/blog/

and ----------------------------------- http://kirsti.wordpress.com/


***



In other news, the song from ONCE, a tiny Irish movie that was my favourite flick of 2007, just won the Oscar for best song. Now, it was up against a whole load of Disney schlock, but still -- justice was served, and I am celebrating. If you haven't seen the movie yet, I recommend it. A small, gentle film with a beautiful message that isn't preachy, and one of the best endings I have seen to a movie in years. I loved it.

~kc

This and That

Got a lovely review of Ms. Z this week, courtesy of Marsha Skrypuch. Marsha, who founded and is currently in the throes of running the Brantford Writers' Camp, submitted a series of book reviews to her local paper, The Brantford Expositor. They did a beautiful job of laying out the page. I wish more Canadian papers would devote this kind of space to great books for kids by local authors. Go Brantford Expositor! Go Marsha!

http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=640375&catname=Books+%26+Literature&classif=

In other news, I've got two new blogs to add to my regular reads, both by excellent writers for young people. Mahtab Narsimham is a new Dundurn author and her blog can be found at http://mahtabnarsimhan.blogspot.com/

And the Most Excellent (and prolific!) author Shelley Hrdlitschka is now blogging too, at http://shelleyhrdlitschka.blogspot.com/

Be sure to check both these new sites out!

~kc