GreenBeanTeenQueen

I love looking at book covers. Browsing the shelves looking at book covers is one of my favorite things-and I love when I notice a cover change from hardcover to paperback. Some I like for the better and some for the worse. What do you think of these recent changes? I love the covers for the His Fair Assassin Series. They have tough, kickbutt girls on the cover who just look awesome! I love this hardcover for Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers: But I'm not so sold on the paperback cover. I still like it, but the girl just looks less tough to me.  Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick Hardcover Paperback:  This is a cover change I really like. The hardcover is OK, but it looks a bit weird and bland to me where I think the paperback has a more romantic and mysterious feel to it.  A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss Hardcover:  Paperback: Nonfiction doesn't always get a cover change, but I love this one! The new cover te...

Today I'm over at the ALSC Blog talking about passive programming for tweens . Check it out! What are some of your favorite passive programs for tweens?

Bobbie Pyron is the author of several middle grade novels including A Dog's Way Home. You can find her online at:  http://bobbiepyron.com/ I love middle-grade books. I love reading them and writing them—I love introducing the uninitiated to the fun and passion and compassion, the heart in middle grade books. These are the books that touched us most deeply when we are at that age of questioning the world around us and the world within us; the books that helped us feel less alone in the world. Whether it’s a funny story about a wimpy kid, an intriguing story narrated by a gorilla, or a book written in verse about a boy and a dog who need each other, these middle-grade books all have one thing in common: they are books full of heart, books that, when we finish the last sentence, we clutch them to our heart and say with a happy sigh, “Oh, I loved that story!”  Here are some of my favorites: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. Kate D. is the Q...

Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Contemporary Release Date: 1/8/2013 Add to Goodreads About the Book: For her graduation, Allyson is spending part of the summer on a tour of Europe. The tour has been just OK, but nothing life changing. Until Allyson meets Willem at a performance of Twelfth Night . The two decide to be spontaneous and spend a day together in Paris. Over the next year, Allyson comes to term with her memorable day in Paris and how her life has changed because of her experiences. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says:  I had heard so much about this book billed as a romance. And yes, there are certainly romantic elements, but this is more a story of Allyson coming of age and growing into adulthood. With all the talk about "new adult" as a genre, I could see Just One Day  falling into that category. Just One Day is a story of a girl after high school and trying to figure out where she fits. All her life Allyson has had things mapped out for her, followed her mother's...

I presented at the Missouri Library Association this past week on teen lit. It's always great to see everyone and talk books. The room was so full that I ended up running out of handouts! So here's the list I talked about: Teen Literature Update 2013 Sarah Bean Thompson Links of Note: Someday My Printz Will Come: http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/ Stars so Far 2013: http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/shelftalker/?p=11651 YA Novels of 2013: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7362.YA_Novels_of_2013 Middle Grade Bad Unicorn by Platte F. Clark Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle Doll Bones by Holly Black Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked by Jarrett J. Krosoczka School for Good and Evil by Soman Chaiani Young Adult The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler Cinders and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger Far Far Away by Tom McNeal The 5 th Wave by Rick Ya...

The Cybils nominations are now open! You can find the Cybils nomination form here . This is a great chance to get involved and nominate your favorite books in various categories. Let your voice be heard!

Rating: 5/5 Stars Genre: Realistic Fiction Release Date: 2/26/2013 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Eleanor and Park are both misfits. When new girl Eleanor sits next to Park on the bus, they don't want anything to do with each other. But over the course of the school year, things change. It starts with comic books and becomes a friendship and a romance that the two will never forget. You never forget your first love. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Have you ever had a book sit on your shelf that you've heard so much hype about? And you think that books sounds like it would be right up your alley, but you're in a reading slump and you're afraid to give it a try unless it fails? I knew Eleanor and Park sounded like my perfect book, but I was in such an after committee slump that I even though I knew this book would help, I just didn't want to be disappointed. I should have known better because Eleanor and Park was perfect and everything that I had hoped it wou...