Saturday, December 11, 2010

in which books become gifts

Okay. I know I haven't read as many books in the past six months as I normally do. But I wrote two novels during that time, and finished the revision and editing work (which was ridiculously simple) on a third, Stick (which is coming out in 2011 and will have a fabulous, amazing cover, I've been told).

But I do have a couple ideas here for gift books that I'd confidently recommend, since it seems there is a lot of book-gift-giving going on this time of year.

All You Get is Me, by Yvonne Prinz
Aurora and her dad take up organic farming in a community divided between the economically and socially powerful, and the unrepresented, quiet, and hard-working people we depend on for so much... the kind of people who much of society consider to be invisible and frequently undeserving. It's a powerful examination of what divides us, and what brings us together. Like her previous, The Vinyl Princess, Prinz's latest YA (out this week) is full of quirky and captivating characters who provide no shortage of great dialogue. Hard to put this book down. You'll fall in love with this world.

The Haunting of Charles Dickens, by Lewis Buzbee
Meg's brother, Orion, disappears in Victorian London. Who better than Charles Dickens to help solve the mystery of his abduction? Following his previous Steinbeck's Ghost, another tribute to a beloved author, Buzbee pulls his readers along for a very enjoyable, exciting, and frequently laugh-out-loud funny ride. A great book to introduce young readers to the wonderful universe of Dickens, full of subtle our-generation tricks and jabs. A beautifully enchanting story for everyone.

The Marbury Lens, by Andrew Smith

In the Path of Falling Objects, by Andrew Smith

Ghost Medicine, by Andrew Smith

I truly believe that if you have a teenage boy who hasn't "gotten into" reading yet, it may simply be due to the fact that he hasn't found any books that speak to him for who he is, what he knows, and give him the kind of stories that boys want to read.

These three books at the bottom of the page fit the bill for that kid.

That's why I write my books -- not that girls and adults and every other imaginable element in the population won't connect to them in some way.

And besides, you didn't really think I'd not recommend my own books, did you?


4 comments:

Lady Reader said...

I gotta get Buzbee's book and I'm golden. :)

Andrew Smith said...

Oh... and keep your eye out for a novel called What Comes After, by Steve Watkins (Candlewick)... coming out in Spring, 2011 (I really liked this one, too), and then we've got a very interesting one called Open Wounds, a debut by Joe Lunievicz (WestSide Books), that I am going to be reading this week... it sounds really good, also Spring 2011.

And, of course, Lady Reader, I'll be sending you an ARC of Stick when they come out this spring, too.

Sitting Behind Homeplate said...

I'm giving one of my nephews Marbury for Christmas. (the one that's old enough)

connie

Lady Reader said...

Awesome! Thanks Andrew! You're the best. :)