Sydney Taylor Book Awards

I am verklempt.

My Young Adult novel, Gottika  (Dancing Cat Books) has just been named a 2015 Sydney Taylor Notable Book.

Here is the complete list of winners, honor books and notable books. Congratulations to all!

"The Action Begins with the First Sentence and Never Stops!"

School Library Journal reviewed Trouble in the Hills and gave it such a great review I'm jumping up and down in my seat!

Here's what they said:

"In this exciting adventure set in the Canadian Rockies, the action begins with the first sentence and never stops. After arguing with his father, high school student Cam Stewart jumps on his bike and pedals quickly up a trail. A reckless ride is his way of handling his anger at his father, whom he feels constantly badgers him. While on this ride, Cam falls over a cliff, landing on a rock jutting out from the mountain. Badly hurt, but still able to move, he tries to get to safer ground. After another error in judgement, he is thrown into a fast-moving waterfall but saved by a young woman who appears to be running away from someone. Becker keeps the plot moving as Cam and Samira struggle to survive the elements, and more. Drug running, human trafficking, and an innocent romance all factor into making this story a hit with teens. Including reluctant readers. Because of its graphic language, this one is meant for older readers who enjoy extreme sports, and survival stories."

Thanks, SLJ!

BTW, if you want to see a sneak preview of the book, check out the live-action trailer on youtube. It was produced by the folks who I work with on the TV Show, Planet Echo, and it really captures the heart-pounding chase scene on which the novel opens.

Live Action Book Trailer Unveil!

Finally, it's done! The trailer for Trouble in the Hills. Live action. Featuring handsome leading men, one stunning leading lady, helicopters, explosions, and---

Oh, just watch it. :)

                                                                          
                

Will YOU Survive?

I certainly didn't feel like I'd survive my teen years. Mine were fraught: with anxiety, insecurity, doubt. I knew I had potential, but somehow it just seemed like I had to wait, and wait, and wait, until I could DO something. Like have a life.

That was the inspiration for How to Survive Absolutely Anything, my contemporary YA novel from Fitzhenry and Whiteside. I knew that I wasn't the only person who ever felt that way. But now, having survived the angsty times and reached the wise old age of ahem, I knew a little bit about how to deal.

So I created Bonnie and Jen, and their kooky 'Agony Aunt'-style blog for other teens.

Here's a snippet from the book:

"• Ok so if you’ve clicked on this blog you probably want to know how to survive something terrible.


• And if you are in middle school or junior high, guaranteed, something terrible has happened to you.

Is happening to you right now.

Or is about to happen to you.

• How do we know?

• Because we’ve been there. Definitely been there."

Naturally, Bonnie and Jen's plan to help other kids goes pear-shaped. Will they both survive their very-different, but very real challenges?

I hope you'll pick up the book as soon as it hits store shelves  - any minute now! And please let me know what you think of the new cover!