Young Adult Literature

I'm a major fan of YA literature and have been for some time. And literature that's "technically" for children as well. One of the most highly anticipated books among my friends (both in real life and online) is Mockingjay, the third and final book in Hunger Games series.

The New York Times did an article (CLICK HERE) about the upcoming book and the adults who read the series (and other YA/children's books). The article talks about the draw these books have for us.

Some of the YA/Child Lit books (series) I've read over the last few years include:

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins -- Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay (coming out on August 24th)
"introduces sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where a powerful government called the Capitol has risen up after several devastating disasters. In the book, the Hunger Games are an annual televised event where the ruthless and evil Capitol randomly selects one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts, who are then pitted against each other in a game of survival and forced to kill until only one remains.

Collins says that the idea for The Hunger Games came from channel surfing on the T.V., and that the Greek myth of Theseus serves as inspiration for the book. She also says that her father fighting in the Vietnam War helped her understand how it feels to fear the loss of a loved one. The book has been released as a paperback and also an audiobook, which was read by Carolyn McCormick. The Hunger Games has an initial print of 200,000 which was bumped up twice from 50,000. The book has been translated into 26 different languages and rights have been sold to 38 countries as well."

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare -- City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass
"When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.

Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know."

Inkheart Series by Cornelia Funke -- Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath
"The books chronicle the adventures of teenager Meggie Folchart whose life changes dramatically when she realizes that she and her father, a bookbinder named Mo, have the unusual ability to bring characters from books into the real world when reading aloud. Mostly set in Northern Italy and the parallel world of the fictional Inkheart book, the central story arc concerns the magic of books, their characters and creatures, and the art of reading."

Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer -- Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn
These are so well known and in movie form, I don't think I need to say more.

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordin -- The Lightening Thief, Sea of Monsters, Titans Curse, Battle of the Labyrinth, The Last Olympian
The protagonist is Percy Jackson, who discovers that he is the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. He learns that the legendary beings of Greek mythology still exist and have always existed, including monsters, cyclopes, empousae, Titans, and the Greek Gods, including the twelve Olympians themselves who dwell in Olympus, which is now situated on the mythical 600th floor of the Empire State Building. Percy is frequently attacked by monsters because he is a child of one of the "Big Three": king of the gods and the god of the sky, Zeus, the god of the sea, Poseidon, and the god of the Underworld, Hades, who made a pact after World War II to not have any more children because they were too powerful and unpredictable. Percy meets many other young demigods, both friendly and hostile, who are also in the process of discovering their ancestry and powers.

Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead -- Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, Last Sacrifice (due out in December)
It tells the story of Rosemarie (Rose) Hathaway, a seventeen year old Dhampir girl, who is training to be a body guard for her Moroi best friend, Vasilisa (Lissa) Dragomir. In the process of learning how to defeat Strigoi (the undead and evil vampires) in St. Vladimir's Academy, Rose finds herself caught in a forbidden romance with her handsome trainer, Dimitri Belikov, while having an unbreakable bond with Lissa.

Artemus Fowl by Eoin Colfer -- Artemis Fowl, The Arctic Incident, Eternity Code, The Opal Deception, The Lost Colony, The Time Paradox, The Atlantis Complex
"...starring a teenage criminal mastermind named Artemis Fowl II. Artemis Fowl, the main character, is a ruthless and extremely intelligent young (human) criminal whose main goal is the acquisition of money through a variety of often illegal schemes. There are many settings in the series, including Siberia, Chicago, Taiwan, Morocco, France and various places in Ireland. One main setting that has been in all the books is the Lower Elements... The author has described the series as "Die Hard with fairies"."

Fablehaven Series by Brandon Mull -- Fablehaven, Rise of the Evening Star, Grip of the Shadow Plague, Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary, Keys to the Demon Prison
Fablehaven is a secret nature preserve protecting the beings of myth and legend from the outside world. The current caretaker, Stan Sorenson, describes it as "a refuge for mystical creatures". Those who live in this large sanctuary, mortal and magical, must abide by a treaty of rules. The most common rules are focused upon "the law of the harvest" or "the law of retribution" meaning, you reap what you sow. If this law in the treaty is broken, you lose the magical protection it provides, allowing for retaliation, which is essentially what drives the plot through the first book. There also exist magical borders that keep most mystical creatures within the preserve, but out of certain domains. The caretaker's house and grounds are within one of these protective boundaries. However, some of these borders dissolve on certain nights, allowing frightening creatures to roam free on the grounds, one of which - Midsummer Eve - occurs in the first book.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling -- Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows
The novels revolve around Harry Potter, an orphan who discovers at the age of eleven that he is a wizard. Wizard ability is inborn, but children are sent to wizarding school to learn the magical skills necessary to succeed in the wizarding world. Harry is invited to attend the boarding school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Each book chronicles one year in Harry's life, and most of the events take place at Hogwarts. As he struggles through adolescence, Harry learns to overcome many magical, social and emotional hurdles.

The main narrative of the novels is set in the years 1991-1998, with significant memories from the year 1976 (Harry's parents' Ordinary Wizarding Level (O.W.L.) year) and memories from various determinable and undeterminable periods after 1945; though little reference is made to features of any period.

The series is so rich that it appeals easily to readers of all ages, and it amazes me that so many people see them only as children's books. Harry Potter is the series that really took me back, so to speak, into the younger reader's genre. I was even interviewed on TV before the release of the final book--how's that for embracing your inner geek? =D

I'm still working as a moderator at the Leaky Lounge, which is the forum for the Harry Potter news site called The Leaky Cauldron. It's been an amazing ride, and this online experience has helped me to meet people I would never have crossed paths with otherwise. I'm excited to be going to LeakyCon11 next July, where I'll finally be able to meet in person (as opposed to online) many of these people I've known for close to five years. To say nothing of being able to visit the new theme park . *dances a jig*

You know, my HP experience and connection with the people on the Lounge has motivated me, in ways I'd never imagined, to do things I've always wanted to do--such as learning to write. I recently decided the adage that youth is wasted on the young is so very true. What I could have done earlier in my life if I'd had the focus I have now with the energy I had then. I'm going to be 56 next month, and I feel so alive right now.

But back on topic!

I've read (or tried to read) other series including:

Blue Blood vampire series (dreadfully written--I'm amazed they were published)

House of Night vampire series (bleck, interesting premise but went from bad to worse until I just quit reading. Plus they were pretty graphic for a YA series)

Septimus Heap (another little wizard boy--cleverly written but no comparison to Harry)

Leven Thumps (first book was okay, but I wasn't able to get into the second one though I know of many people who love them).

Other series I've enjoyed that I wouldn't necessarily call children's or young adult (but I believe are classified as such) include the Eragon series and Lord of the Rings. These two series I would rate as "okay" for the former and "amazing" for the latter. The film made of Eragon was horrendous and the trilogy made by Peter Jackson was wonderful.

Man Rules

I've seen this one before, but I think it's funny and has a lot of truth behind it. It's always fascinating to me how different men and women are. I'm not saying that one viewpoint is better than the other because we really need to see from both sides.

There are "rules" from the female side. Here are "rules" from the male side.

Please note.. these are all numbered '1 ' ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
[Editorial Comment--they don't get it.]

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us..

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we...

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings... Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear..

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine....Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or motor sports.


And in conclusion, I love this humorous take on the differences between men's and women's brains: CLICK HERE

SQUEEEEEE!!!

I got my class and paid the tuition today. Phew!!!

It's been a few years since I took a class (after too much teenaged drama at home, I put off taking--and then dropping--anymore classes until the kids were all growed up), and I've experienced a bit of a choke factor with the cost of one dang class. It's almost double what it was ten years ago.

And this is for the class I have to take so I can take the class I want.

*sigh*

Good thing tuition is a tax write off.

Old Movies

As I've been working around the house, exercising, or getting ready for work I've been pulling out some of our old VHS movies and having a watch.

My Science Project

This one was better than I remembered. It's cheesy, yes, but I've seen much, much worse. How's that for an overwhelming endorsement?

Baby Boom

I LOVE this movie! When I had my children, they changed my life. This film does a great job of showing how women who think they want it all can actually have it--just not necessarily quite the way they imagined it. It's a great example of thinking out of the box.

Cast Away

I hadn't watched this movie in many years, and I forgot about how touching it was when he finally got to meet up with his love, Kelly (who, thinking he is dead, has moved on). I don't think Ed ever got how important it was for Kelly to make the decision to leave with Chuck.

When David and Erin were very small, and we were SO poor, I would walk around KMart and load the shopping cart with things they needed. I'm not talking about extras, I'm talking about underwear and socks. I'd end up having to put them all back on the shelves because I didn't have the money to buy them. But there was a certain peace that came from going through the motions. Crazy? Maybe. But I always think of that experience when I see Helen Hunt's character decide to leave her husband and baby to go away with the love of her life. She doesn't of course, but it's like she had to make the decision to put it to rest, even if she couldn't follow through with it.

Ghost

*sob* 'nuff said.

Writing .... and Learning

I've been hoping to take a creative writing class this Fall, and I'm a little frustrated. I'm on the waitlist for my class (which is a prerequisite for the class I'd really like to take). As I get closer to the start of the semester, and I'm realizing I might not get in, I'm ready to pull my hair out! I'm faced with serious logistics problems if I have to wait until next semester to take the class. I've got a grandbaby coming in February which will require time away AND Ed and I are doing on a cruise with his brother and sister-in-law in April--about the time I'd be in finals. That makes it less likely I'll be able to take a class next semester.

So it could actually be summer 2011 before I can take the dang class.

Oh. It might actually be fall 2011, since I'm slated to go to LeakyCon11 in July of 2011. Ugh! So much to do and so little time!

I did sign up to take a continuing education class online from BYU--though I'm not sure what to think of the first writing assignment. I'm supposed to grade it myself. Huh? I was provided with criteria for the grading, but I'm hardly unbiased. *sigh* I'll have to see how it goes. I warned my son Paul that he may have to grade it using the criteria, too.

I've also signed up to take a session at UVU called The Book Academy, which is an all-day seminar. Should be interesting -- I hope.

I was searching for some hints on a writing issue I was struggling with, and I came across this blog post. I'd seen his blog before because a friend in Australia (hey Donna!) linked to it on her site. But this particular installment of Nathan's (and especially the comments of his readers) was very informative.

Learning how to write well (I hope that's the end result anyway) is sure a lot of work. Especially a lot of work, considering that I started down this path, so I can do a better job, when I write my personal history as part of doing my genealogy.

If I wasn't having so dang much fun, I might be tempted to give it up. I just wish I'd started all this when I was younger. I'm so worried I won't come up with a finished project before I die.

How's that for a morbid thought?

Oh, well. If it exercises the gray matter, it's gotta be a good thing. Right?

Summer Storm

Holy cow! I'm sitting here on my bed (with my WiFI Internet and my laptop) watching Mother Nature's fireworks show. Amazing. Lightening, thunder, and now a gentle rain as the worst of the tempest has moved to the east.

A few years ago, we added a large window to our bedroom and having two (one to the south and one to the east) made this experience like watching a major motion picture filled with special effects. I couldn't make up my mind which vista to view, and the sharp claps of lightening and roars of thunder coming in the two open windows was surprisingly "surround."

Too bad my camera's not the kind that could have captured this in the dark.

When I was a girl, we spent two years in the Philippines, and Typhoon Ella hit us dead on. We were living on Sangley Point across Manila Bay from the city, and we were without electricity for a week. The power of the winds blew over a huge number of trees on the base. When the Eye passed over us, we all went outside to examine the damage for ourselves, and the Shore Patrol had to drive around and warn everyone to return to their homes because the storm wasn't over. The direction of the wind in typhoons and hurricanes changes depending upon which side of the Eye you're on, so when the second half hit, the winds forced many of the fallen trees upright again. Unfortunately they couldn't be saved once their roots had been ripped from the ground.

I love extremes in weather; I find them exciting. It's humbling to see the force of nature in its fury, and it also makes me feel grateful. Grateful that I can watch from the comfort and security of my home, but also grateful for the majesty of this world.

It's wonderful to be alive!

Flesh

Ever wonder at what grade level you write? As a new student of fiction writing I'm curious. Thought you might be as well.

CLICK HERE