Review: Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle

Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle
January 21st, 2014 from Simon & Schuster

Nate Foster's Broadway dreams are finally coming true. Armed with a one-way ticket to New York City, small-town theater geek Nate is off to start rehearsals for E.T.: The Broadway Musical . It's everything he ever practiced his autograph for! But as thrilling as Broadway is, rehearsals are nothing like Nate expects: full of intimidating child start, cutthroat understudies, and a director who can't even remember Nate's name.

Now, as the countdown to opening night is starting to feel more like a time bomb, Nate is going to need more than his lucky rabbit's foot if he ever wants to see his name in lights. He may even need a showbiz miracle.

You know what this world needs? Instant, microwavable cupcakes and more books just like this one! Books that are smart, funny, clever, and full of literal laugh out loud moments. More books about boys who just happen to be a little on the short side with ordinary non-Bieber hair who think other boys are cuter than girls. Specifically, more books with gay characters that don't make homosexuality "a thing" or a theme or anything. Don't get me wrong, we need those books too, but we also need stories that approach homosexuality subtlety. No mention about Nate's sexuality in the premise or even in the first chapter. Just not necessary. Nate is a one-of-a-kind Broadway nut and personality that is larger than life. I would honestly hang out with this kid if he were real (I think he is real, but just a little older....uh-hem, Mr. Federle).

Young Adult Keller Book Festival

Last week I was super excited to head up to Fort Worth for YAK Fest. I was honored to be asked to moderate the Reality Bites panel with none other than Andrew Smith, Christa Desir, Diana Lopez, and Kody Keplinger! Lucky for me I had read their books so I was able to spend some time asking them questions that I really wanted to know. We talked about thier pet peeves in writing (someone doesn't like alternating points of view and another slut shaming), the prom (Andrew is friends with his senior prom date on Facebook and Christa didn't go to prom), and of course about inspiration and process. Even though I did a lot of research I learned so many new things about all four authors. We had a great time!

Andrew Smith, Christa Desir, 

Diana Lopez, Me, and Kody Keplinger

Interview & Giveaway: The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos

The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos
January 21st, 2014 from EgmontUSA


A severely burned teenager. A guitar. Punk rock. The chords of a rock 'n' roll road trip in a coming-of-age novel that is a must-read story about finding your place in the world...even if you carry scars inside and out.

In attempting to describe himself in his college application essay--help us to become acquainted with you beyond your courses, grades, and test scores--Harbinger (Harry) Jones goes way beyond the 250-word limit and gives a full account of his life.

The first defining moment: the day the neighborhood goons tied him to a tree during a lightning storm when he was 8 years old, and the tree was struck and caught fire. Harry was badly burned and has had to live with the physical and emotional scars, reactions from strangers, bullying, and loneliness that instantly became his everyday reality.

Giveaway: The Diviners by Libba Bray

The Diviners by Libba Bray
December 3rd, 2013 from Little Brown Books For Young Readers (pbk.)

Do you believe there are ghosts and demons and Diviners among us?

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It's 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he'll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfurled in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened....

Libba Bray’s New York Times bestselling Diviners is now in paperback. And we hear there’s going to be a second book next August so stay tuned!

Sneak Peak: Fat Boy vs the Cheerleaders by Geoff Herbach

Fat Boy vs the Cheerleaders by Geoff Herbach
June 10th, 2014 from Sourcebooks Fire

In FAT BOY VS. THE CHEERLEADERS, Gabe Johnson is waging war against the in-crowd to prove that he is not just some fat boy, but the leader of a revolution. Geoff Herbach is the author of the hilarious novels STUPID FAST and I’M WITH STUPID, which YALSA calls “One of the most real, honest, and still funny male voices to come around in a while.”

Lucky for us we can read the first chapter right HERE!

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You can find Herback at his website