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This month I surveyed children's writers about what they're reading and why. In a short time, my inbox was overflowing
with responses so thoughtful and compelling that my list of to-read books has grown considerably. Here's what some of
today's children's writers are reading:
Juliet C. Bond here...I am an Evanston, Illinois, native and a
novice to children's book writing. My background is social work and my interest is in childhood grief and loss. This
lead me to writing for kids in a sort of backwards way but I'm quite passionate about it now. I have one PB published,
Sam's Sister, about open adoption and its effect on sibships.
I just finished Looking For Alaska by John Green and I'm working on This is All by Aiden Chambers—both
Printz winners recommended to me by an agent I am hoping will choose to represent me. (She's asked me for a second revision
of my middle grade novel...cross your fingers for me people!)
I am planning to attend the Richard Peck discussion next month so I will be picking up a few of his books next. I also
loved Looking For Alsaka and now want to read Green's An Abundance of Katherines. I got lucky and won
the scholarship to the Highlights workshop in Chattauqua this summer; so, I also plan to do some homework on the authors
presenting there in July (Carolyn Yoder, Bruce Coville, Joy Cowley, etc.)
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Carol Grannick, Chicago area writer. Just finished Richard Peck's new book...It felt like a feast. I had to read
slowly and carefully—and often re-read pages because each word was delicious, and the order in which he placed them
absolutely exquisite.
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Sheila Welch: I live out in the country in Northwestern IL with my husband and a menagerie of pets. (Our seven
children have all—finally—moved out.) I write for children of all ages and do some illustrating too. My most
popular titles are: Little Prince Know-It-All and A Horse for All Seasons: Collected Stories.
I just finished Permanent Rose by Hilary McKay (I LOVE her work, especially Saffy's Angel, and I wanted
to read more about the same characters) and A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Schlitz ( I read a review of this
somewhere, and when I saw it at my local library, I picked it up). The author has worked as a librarian and storyteller,
and she does a masterful job with this suspenseful tale that takes place in 1909. The book contains some vivid descriptions
of the setting that made me want to go back and reread them. I think this story would make a great read-aloud for 4th
through 6th graders.
I am currently reading The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett because I read her Chasing Vermeer and was curious
to read the next in what appears to be a series. Actually, I'm liking this one more than the first. It's a good book to
entice kids into learning more about architectural design and Frank Lloyd Wright. The next children's books I intend to
read are The Higher Power of Lucky (the Newbery winner) and Rules (one of the Newbery honor books). I've
read reviews and articles about each of these and am looking forward to spending time with the characters.
I'm in the middle of two nonfiction books for adults: J M Barrie and the Lost Boys by Andrew Birkin and
Nobody's Horses: The Dramatic Rescue of the Wild Herd of White Sands. The latter is an interesting follow up to
the children's novel, The Green Glass Sea.
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Louann Brown, Springfield Scribes, SCBWI Downstate Illustration Rep., Gillespie, Illinois:
I'm reading everything I can get my hands on by Richard Peck.
Reasons:
I missed all his books...they came out during my motherhood years.
I met him recently and was curious.
I'm thinking of plunging into middle grade fiction and need lessons on
humor.
Kids books make me laugh!
Next in line: Betsy Byars! (and all the SCBWI authored books in storage in
my studio).
Bio: Retired elementary art teacher. Learning to write by reading, research
and rejection!
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Tamera Will Wissinger. Tamera writes stories and poetry for children. Her poem, "The
Toughest Teacher" appeared in a recent issue of the online magazine
Dragonfly Spirit. In January she began studying at Hamline
University's new Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and
Young Adults program.
Since I'm writing a middle grade historical fiction
novel, I'm taking a close look at several books in that genre. I
recently finished Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, set in Oklahoma
during the dust bowl, and just began Worth by A LaFaye, a farm
story set in 19th-century Nebraska. After that, I'm planning to read
Linda Sue Park's A Single Shard.
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Pat Cooley is former reviewer for educational materials with a background in teaching and working as a
reading specialist. She's found publishing success with her poems and anecdotes.
Here's what Pat has to say:
I have been reading James Howe's series, Bunnicula, Bunnicula Strikes Again, The Celery Stalks at
Midnight, Howliday Inn, Howie Monroe and the Doghouse of Doom, etc.
I started reading Howliday Inn with my fifth graders about two weeks ago and decided to read every book that
James Howe has written. (It's easy to get through each book in a day or so.) I love his humor and character development.
Harold, the dog, Chester, the cat, and Howie, a puppy, all have such strong voices. The parents and their two sons have
unique and believeable personalities and quirks as well. My son and his friends read these books in the early nineties,
and I was surprised to find that this series is still popular with elementary students today. I am particularly interested
in reading James Howe's books as they are similar to a Halloween chapter book that I am currently working on. It is also
written in first person, but from the perspective of a cat rather than a dog.
I have also been checking out a minimum of five picture books a week that have been published in 2006 and 2007. I have
been logging who the publishers are and writing a short synopsis of each book. This helps to get an idea of which
publishers have been publishing what types of picture books.
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Kate Gingold, the author of Ruth by Lake and Prairie, a narrative history of the founding of Naperville, is
currently reading "Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen, for the umpteenth time."
Here's what she wrote when asked how the book made it to her nightstand:
Actually, I keep a metallic basket on the side of the bed that holds nearly all of Jane Austen's books, even the little
History of England she wrote as a youngster. If I'm not involved in another book, I can always pull out one of
hers and enjoy it all over again. I love the elegance and the humor, and since my own writing deals with that period of
time, it gives me a better understanding of their mindset and manners.
When asked what books are next in line, she says:
I'm embarrassed to say this, but I haven't read the last Harry Potter book yet. I promised myself I wouldn't read it
until I finished writing my own, and now I'm so busy I'm afraid to start reading and get swept away.
Kate Gingold resides in Naperville, Illinois. Writes Kate:
We raised our family, launched our Internet business and became involved in the community of Naperville. While the city
planned its 175th anniversary celebration, I realized there were no children's books on the subject. What I thought
would be a quick re-write turned into months of research. Ruth by Lake and Prairie was released this year, a
narrative history of the founding of Naperville, written for her youngest citizens.
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Rene Colato Lainez, Los Angeles, California. Rene is a bilingual children's book author. His recent books include:
Waiting for Papá/ Esperando a Papá
I Am René, the Boy/ Soy René, el niño
Playing Lotería/ El juego de la lotería
Rene Colato Lainez is currently reading Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm's Babymouse series.
How the book made it to his nightstand:
I asked a librarian for a "hot" graphic novel title and she said, "The
Babymouse books." Babymouse is a typical student: she doesn't want to
wake up to go to school, can't wait for summer vacation, and wants to
be the most popular student. I was hooked.
Book(s) next in line:
Camp Babymouse (Book # 6)
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Debby Dahl Edwardson, author of the award-winning picture book
Whale Snow, is currently reading Rules for Survival by Nancy Werlin.
How the book found its way to her nightstand:
Because it was a National Book Award finalist by someone I know, and the
first page grabbed me and wouldn't let go.
Tell me what book or books are next in line:
Tod's manuscript.
Debby Dahl Edwardson lives in Barrow, Alaska.
Whale Snow, Charlesbridge, 2003
IRA Best Books for a Global Society (2004)
Bank Street Books Best Children's Books of the Year (2004)
Independent Publishers Children's Book Award (2004)
NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (2004)
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Darcy Pattison just finished Hilari Bell's The Farsala Trilogy,
which begins with Fall of a Kingdom.
How she says the book made its way to her nightstand:
My daughter works at Borders in Nashville and knows I love fantasy novels.
Next in line:
I have a copy of Cynthia Kadohata's new book, Cracker!, because I have a sixteen year old son interested in
Vietnam. I hope the story of a dog in Vietnam might interest him. He says it's not really a YA book, though, so I'm not
sure he'll finish reading it. It'll be interesting to read it with his comments in mind. What do teenage boys want to read?
Darcy Pattison (Arizona) is the author of The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman (Harcourt), Search for Oliver
K. Woodman (Harcourt) and 19 Girls and Me (Philomel). She travels around the country to teach her
Novel Revision Retreat and her Picturebook Revision Retreat.
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Mindy Hardwick is reading Ribbons of the Sun by Harriet Hamilton.
How did the book find its way to her nightstand? Mindy writes:
I chose this because it's published by Brown Barn Books, a small
publisher in Connecticut, and I was researching small houses. I was not disappointed. The book is about twelve-year-old
Rosa who is sold into a Mexico family as a maid. The patron sexually abuses her and she becomes pregnant. Thrown out on the
streets of Mexico and unable to go home to her village because she feels shamed, Rosa must make her way on her own with her
baby. Eventually, she finds her way to a Mission where she learns to accept that the abuse was not her fault and she can
return to her village.
Next in line:
Sold by Patricia McCormick. This is my young adult book club selection for this month, and should be an
interesting one to read after Ribbons of the Sun as both are about young girls who are sold as maids and end up
being sexually abused.
Mindy Hardwick, Lake Stevens, Washington, is a children's writer and runs an volunteer writing workshop with youth in
juvenile detention. She has published numerous articles on the craft of writing for children, including articles for
Children's Writer and The Writer. Mindy is currently working on a young adult romance novel told in
alternating voices. You can learn more about Mindy at her website.
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Susanna Reich just finished reading Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief. Here's what she has to say:
Zusak will be speaking at the
PEN America World Voices Festival in New York at the end of April, so I wanted to read the book before hearing him. I
also just ordered The Dream Merchant by Isabel Hoving, because she'll also be speaking on the children's book
panel. It's always interesting to read books by authors from other countries, and the World Voices Festival is an
incentive to get that reading done.
Last week I also read American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. I don't read many graphic novels. This one came to
my attention because of the awards it's won. Next up on my list is Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret.
It's been getting raves all around, and I can't wait to read it. Also on my nightstand is a collection of essays by
New Yorker critic Joan Acocella, Twenty-Eight Artists and Two Saints. Acocella is an intelligent and insightful
critic, and since I write biographies of artists, this book caught my eye.
Susanna Reich (Ossining, NY) has driven big trucks, designed flowers for the Emperor of Japan, and done graduate work in
ancient Hawaiian hula. Author of Penelope Bailey Takes the Stage, Jose! Born to Dance, Clara Schumann:
Piano Virtuoso, and the forthcoming Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin,
her honors include the Tomas Rivera Award, International Latino Book Award, Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Notable, BBYA, and
SLJ Best Books. As a Senior Publicist at Raab Associates, Susanna has worked with almost every major publisher. An active
PEN member, she also serves on the Steering Committee of Metro NY SCBWI.
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Karen Halvorsen Schreck, a member of SCBWI-Illinois, is reading
Rosa Sola by the chapter's own Carmela Martino. Here's how Karen says Carmela's book found its way to her
nightstand:
I'm teaching a course on Children's Novels at Northern Illinois this summer, and I wanted to include someone from our
chapter, and then have that person come and talk with the class, which Carmela kindly agreed to do.
Also, I just finished The History of Love by Nicole Krauss, which I absolutely loved! I've been hearing about it
for a while, from writers I respect, and then it happened to be on the WE LOVE THIS shelf at my local public library so
I snagged it.
Next on my list is Feed by M.T. Anderson because I'll be teaching it this summer, too, and it sounds like
this book does something powerful in the sci-fi mode—a genre I don't know much about, and would like to learn more!
Dream Journal (Hyperion)
Lucy's Family Tree (Tilbury House)
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Diane Mayr's current read is an adult book called Magnificent Corpses: Searching through Europe for St. Peter's Head,
St. Chiara's Heart, St. Stephen's Hand, and Other Saints' Relics by Anneli Rufus. Here's what she has to say:
I'm thinking of writing something
YA-ish about St. Elizabeth of Hungary. It's only a vague idea at this point! I started Hugging the Rock
by Susan Taylor Brown but have put it aside until I finish the Corpses book. It will be a rather quick read, I'm sure, but
I want to take my time in reading it since it is poems and I want to see how it works as a novel in verse (story arc, etc.)
After that, I have Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson. I belong to a writers' group and we will be discussing
Hattie, and The Higher Power of Lucky, the next time we meet. Then, I have an adult novel, The
Welsh Girl, by Peter Ho Davies. I'm a slow reader generally, so these will probably take me a while. I won't even get
into the books that are littering my home in hopes I pick them up!
Diane Mayr, a public librarian by day, resides in Salem, NH. She writes poetry, magazine articles and stories, educational
activities, and more. Her books include:
The Everything Kids' Money Book (Adams Media, 2000)
Littlebat's Halloween Story (Albert Whitman, 2001)
Out and About at the Apple Orchard (Picture Window Books, 2003)
Run, Turkey, Run! (Walker Books, coming September 2007)
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Amy Timberlake is reading Katharine Weber, Objects in the Mirror are Closer that They Appear. Writes Amy:
I keep a list of authors I want to read and she'd been on it for about four or five years and I'd never read anything of
hers. So finally I said, I'm going to do it and looked over all her books and this one looked great!
Books next in line: Eva Ibbotson, The Star of Kazan; Charles Portis, Norwood; Laura Ruby,
I'm Not Julia Roberts; E. Annie Proulx, Heart Songs; and several collections of Wildnerness and
Cowboy Stories. I'm also thinking it's about time to check out Joe Saramago—I keep running across his name.
Amy Timberlake (Chicago, IL) is the author of That Girl Lucy Moon (Hyperion) and The Dirty Cowboy (FSG).
Her website is www.amytimberlake.com.
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Tanya Lee Stone is currently reading A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz. Tanya writes:
I picked it up on an editor's recommendation as one of her recent faves.
Next in line: Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith because I can't wait another second, and the audio release of
The Book Thief because my book club, which is made up of YA authors and librarians is about to discuss it. I have
to stay on my toes with that group!
Tanya Lee Stone is a Vermont author and has written nonfiction and picture books for young readers. She entered the
world of YA last year with her debut novel A Bad Boy Can Be Good for A Girl.
www.tanyastone.com
www.myspace.com/tanyaleestoneauthor
A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl (Wendy Lamb/Random House—out in pb June 12)
Amelia Earhart (DK, 2007)
Elizabeth Leads the Way (Holt, 2008)
Almost Astronauts (Candlewick, 2009)
Up Close: Ella Fitzgerald (Viking, 2008)
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Wendie Old is re-reading (for the umpteenth time) books by Georgette Heyer—the grand old lady of Regency
romances. Writes Wendie:
(Heyer's) lush descriptions and wonderful characterizations put you right into the Regency period of English
history. Plus, being a children's librarian and a children's book author, I love the fact that they END with the characters
getting together—no steamy bedroom scenes. To me, steamy bedroom scenes simply stop the story. I'm an old married
lady. Been there, done that—get on with the STORY.
In my pile to-read are all sorts of new elementary grade adventures that I want to have fresh in my mind when I go to
schools to tell the kids about the Summer Reading Program at the library and suggest great new books they'd enjoy reading
this summer. (What, you want the titles? I keep a list at my library of what I discover during the year and I will drag
them out in May when I go booktalking.)
One book I'll be telling the Middle Schoolers about is The Wizard, the Witch and Two Girls from Jersey
by Lisa Papdemetriou. For fantasy fans who know the genre and can see how this book breaks all the rules and is so funny
because of it. Plunk two girls from Jersey (Jersey accent optional) into a fantasy story, one who is a fantasy fan and the
other (a fashion doo) who is only reading a fantasy book because she was assigned to it, and make their arrival kill the
heroine of the story. Ooops. The fantasy fan remembers how the story goes—but the people in the story acclaim the
other girl to be the heroine. So, it's up to the fantasy fan to make sure the story comes out right, so they can escape
from the story. Then things go awry.
www.wendieold.com
The Halloween Day Book of Facts and Fun, Albert Whitman, 2007.
The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun, Albert Whitman, 2004.
Busy Fingers, Charlesbridge, 2003 (under the pen name of C.W. Bowie).
To Fly, The Story of the Wright Brothers, Clarion 2002.
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Titles Esther Hershenhorn has read recently and why (in her words):
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Little, Brown 2006) by first-time novelist Trenton Lee Stewart.
I'd circled the PW review when they labeled it a cross between E.L. Koenigsburg and Ellen Raskin. Booklist also starred it
and Illene Cooper, whose critical eye I value immensely, had touted it.
The writer in me, who reads like a writer and tries to write like a reader, still marvels at how well Stewart distinguished
each of the four very singular gifted children, in voice, in mind-set, in heart-set. The four work as a team, so knowing
who was who is especially crucial to the plot. More importantly, I cared about each of them. Oh, to be teaching fifth grade
to read especially the beginning chapters to my class.
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass (Little, Brown 2006) also offered a character who tugged at my
heart. Jeremy was so real on the page, as was his side-kick Lizzy. I found myself slowing down at the end, despite the
compelling story line, just so they'd be there for me at the end of the day. This story is so poignant and everyday real. I
yearned for a class of fifth and sixth graders with which to share Jeremy's discovery of the meaning of life and this
thought-provoking story.
The Invention of Hugo Cabaret by Brian Selznick (Scholastic, 2007) is nothing short of brilliant: the story and
the design work together seamlessly to make for a compelling page-turning read. What surprised me most, though, was how
tender the story was and while I marvel at Selznick's brilliance at telling this story in such original and innovative
ways, I marvel even more at how, with but a few words, a few images, he had my heart.
Mrs. Crumps' Cat by Linda Smith, illustrated by David Roberts (HarperCollins, 2006). I was fortunate to know this
talented writer before her untimely death, thanks to some dear writing friends. Now the world can know her stories, because
so many had been sold in her few remaining years. I came home to type out the text for my picture book students, so they
could see the wonder of a perfect story.
Here are the YA titles I carried home from my Lincoln Park branch of the Chicago Public Library yesterday, all based on
reviews in Horn Book, PW and elsewhere:
Watt Key's Alabama Moon,
Garret Freymann-Weyr's Stay With Me,
Gail Giles' What Happened to Cass McBride?
Ned Vizzini's It's Kind of a Funny Story
and Joyce Carol Oates' After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away.
Both the reader and the writer in me can't wait.
And, in typing out my comments, the Writing Teacher and Writing Coach in me see how crucial it is not just to tell a
good story, but to tell one that grabs the reader and makes him care. The emotional plotline is oh, so important.
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Tina Dybvik is currently reading The Collected Sonnets of Edna St. Vincent Millay.
How does she say it found its way to her nightstand?
I ordered it from the library to search for test assessment passages.
Next in Line: Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger (same reason)
After earning her B.A. in journalism from the University of Minnesota, and working 10 years in sales promotion, Tina
"escaped corporate orbit to pursue a writing career." In 2001, she completed an M.Ed. from St. Mary's University of Winona.
Most of her recent contract work has been for CTB/McGraw Hill and Quarasan with literary bylines in Skipping Stones,
the Bear Deluxe Magazine, and the Front Porch Syndicate. Learn more about Tina at
www.TinaDybvik.net.
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Sallie Wolf, usually in Oak Park (Illinois), just finished Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, and had this to say:
Loved it. It reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird in its quirky, southern setting, full of weird and unique
characters. I'm reading all of Kate DiCamillo because she writes in such a wonderful voice in each book, and each book is
a distinctive.
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron. Reminded me of Because of Winn-Dixie, partly for the unusual,
small town setting with weird characters and partly for the unusually named dog, HMS Beale. I bought this because it won
the Newbery, and I read it now because I'm going to the April Write Place Retreat (an SCBWI Illinois chapter event) and
it's our assignment.
And I've just begun Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, just because I've never read it and I've always
wanted to.
On the nightstand: Julia's Kitchen, Three Cups of Tea, How to Read Like a Writer and Write Like a Reader.
I read The Higher Power of Lucky on a trip to Sioux Falls to visit
my in-laws with all my family. I'm a writer and artist and I swing between adult books, and children's lit. I find art and
children's lit to be the most satisfying, usually. I have a blog that is an on-going story about a little (toy) horse
and a website that tells about my art and writing. I'm currently working on a manuscript for children about
my Moon Project, which is an on-going art project. I have two books under contract with Charlesbridge.
www.salliewolf.com
The Little Horse
Peter's Trucks, Albert Whitman, 1992
Truck Stuck, Charlesbridge, Spring 2008
Birds in My Back Yard; Birds in My Journals, Charlesbridge, Spring 2009
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Joelle Anthony writes the following:
I'm reading The Isabel Factor by Canadian author Gayle Friesen (YA).
I read a lot and I'm looking for an agent and a home for my YA, so I want to read current stuff. When I pick novels from
the library shelves I look for a few things:
1. An enticing cover/title
2. A recent publication date
3. Authors I know (I didn't in this case)
4. Good first pages. I never, ever read the back of the book or the blurb.
I don't want to know anything about the book.
Next in line: Definitely more books by Gayle Friesen. I am in love with her writing. Also Squashed by Joan Bauer
and Keeper of the Night by Kimberly Willis Holt—both authors I love already. And also a whole pile of
books that I picked the same way I did The Isabel Factor.
My name is Joelle Anthony and I live in rural Tennessee. I am a YA writer and a regular contributor to the
SCBWI Bulletin. I read 100+ YAs per year and I have a blog all about the books I read called "Need to Read"
on my website: www.joelleanthony.com.
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Ophelia Julien is currently reading Brimstone (adult thriller) by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. They are
two of my favorite writers and this book, having a streak of the paranormal in it, is right up my alley because I write
Young Adult Supernatural.
Next up is a Neil Gaiman book (Anansi's Boys) for the same reason. I read YA but read more adult work and
part of the reason for that is I believe most kids who read YA also read adult: I tend to stray more into an adult
approach of a totally kid-friendly subject than a younger approach. (J.K. Rowling is my idol!)
Ophelia resides in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She writes paranormal because, and she writes: I like to write the kinds of
books I would have liked to read when I was a kid. I could never find enough ghost stories or books dealing with the
supernatural. I have two published YA novels, Dead of Summer and Saving Jake. I am currently working
on a book of as-told-to ghost stories of the Lake Michigan area, as well as doing research for my next novel.
Ophelia can be found at www.opheliajulien.com.
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Gail Martini-Peterson is reading Hattie Big Sky. She writes why:
It is a good read, won a Newbery Honor, and Kirby Larson is local to Seattle. I just finished The Book Thief, and
I read that because of all the buzz and awards. It was great. I also just read the Linda Johns' Hannah West
mysteries. They are so darn cute and very local again to Seattle. Young girls are eating them up.
What's Next?
The Higher Power of Lucky because it is the Newbery.
A little about me: I taught middle school English for 32 years, and as soon as I retired and could think straight for a
change, I began writing for kids. So far, I've had lots of how-to articles published, but soon I hope to have a book.
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Dori Butler writes that she's currently reading Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her by Melanie Rehak.
How did it end up on her nightstand?
I'm reading it because it's this month's book for my book group…I was interested in it because:
1. I was a huge Nancy Drew fan when I was a kid and
2. I've been a ghostwriter for a couple of other popular children's series, so
I'm especially interested in the story behind Nancy Drew.
I'm also reading Heartstopper by Joy Fielding, Games by Carol Gorman, and
Picture Perfect by D. Anne Love.
Dori Butler resides in Iowa. She is the author of several books for children, including Sliding Into Home,
Do You Know the Monkey Man, Trading Places with Tank Talbott, Tank Talbott's Guide to Girls,
and My Mom's Having A Baby.
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Here's what Sue Bradford Edwards is reading:
How to Write Funny edited by John Kachuba because an editor recommended it to me.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Steward because I am reading for my next set of reviews for the
St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
I will next read:
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George and Princess Nevermore by Dian Curtis Regan because the above
review is a round up and I need a number of sf/f novels.
Sue Bradford Edwards reads and writes a variety of fiction and nonfiction from her Missouri home. To find out more,
check out her web site at www.suebradforedwards.8m.com.
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Kim Sullivan writes the following about her current reads:
I'm usually in the middle of several books at once. I write middle grade and YA books (Stones of Abraxas,
YA fantasy, Medallion Press 2006) and do teen book reviews for TeensReadToo.com,
so I'm always reading a middle grade or YA book. Right now, it's Montmorency: On the rocks by Eleanor Updale.
It's a good mystery with an anti-hero. The first book in the series was great, which is why I'm reading the sequel.
I'm also reading a nonfiction book about Muammar Qaddafi because I'm under contract to write a high school-aged nonfiction
book about Libya. When I'm done with Montmorency, I will dive into the third Bartimaeus book. I can't wait—love
that djinni!
I'm usually reading an adult book. Right now it's Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich. Her series of Stephanie
Plum mysteries is hysterically funny. I plan to go back soon and start re-reading them from the first book. I write for
kids and young adults under the name K. Osborn Sullivan, while my alterego, Kimberly L. Sullivan, is trying to finish my
first manuscript for adults. That gives me an excuse to stay on top of the adult releases. As well as the kids' books.
Finally, I've usually got a self-improvement book on the nightstand, too. Right now, it's Beyond Anxiety & Phobia
by Edmund J. Bourne. It's helping me tackle my constant need to worry and fret. When I'm done with this one, I plan to get
my hands on a copy of The Secret as my next self-help project.
Kim Sullivan
Stones of Abraxas, Medallion Press 2006.
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