Posts Categorized: putnam

Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters Blog Tour- Guest Post With Meredith Zeitlin

20 Mar, 2012 by in meredith zeitlin, putnam Leave a comment

Fire and Ice is today’s stop on the blog tour for Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin.
She is joining us for an exclusive guest post …SO, WHAT ABOUT MY FRESHMAN YEAR?

“My freshman year was both really hard and ultimately really rewarding. I started at a brand new school that year, which was really nerve-wracking. I missed my friends from middle school and could barely find my way around the place! But I actually ended up loving it – I did make friends, and figure out where to sit at lunch, and got cast in a lead role in the school play, and somehow ended up on the lacrosse team – a sport I’d never even heard of before. (In a related story, I was TERRIBLE at it. But I stuck it out, just like Kelsey does with soccer in the book.)
Of course, this is me as an adult looking back – at the time I know I was incredibly frustrated much of the time. It’s so hard to be new. It took a long time for things to be mostly fun instead of mostly terrifying.
I’ve been asked a lot during this book tour what I’d say to myself if I could go back in time, and the answer is: PLENTY. To be honest, I think Freshman Me would probably roll her eyes and tell Future Me I had no idea what I was talking about – I mean, what would you say to some nosy old person who claimed to know all about you and tried to tell you how to run your life? But I’d give it a shot, anyway.

I’d tell her not to try so hard, and to trust that people will like her even if she isn’t always “on,” or cracking a joke, or proving she’s right about everything. I’d love to explain to her that all the other fourteen-year-olds are just as insecure about themselves as she is. I’d definitely inform her that the guys she agonizes over are not worth her agony, and that she doesn’t have anything to prove.

I’d tell her not to suck up to that junior after the cast list for the fall play goes up. “It backfires!” I’d say. “Someday you’ll be working this moment into a YA book – stay away from her!”
I’d encourage her not to go into Manhattan to stay over at the apartment of a random girl she barely knew from camp. “She turns out to be really weird and live in what is essentially a room filled with garbage!” I’d insist. “This is not going to be the cool adventure you think it’s going to be!”
I’d try really, really hard to talk her out of the darkish-brownish-burgundyish lipstick she insists on wearing. Oh, and I’d suggest she find out something about Kurt Cobain – like, the name of more than one song he sings, for instance? – before she hangs pictures of him all over her locker. (I wouldn’t tell her he dies on her 16th birthday. That would just be mean.)
I’d tell her she’s pretty, even if she doesn’t think so. And that she isn’t fat. And that her parents aren’t ACTUALLY out to destroy her, even if it seems that way.
And the things I’d want to warn her about the next three years after ninth grade? Or college? Well, that list would be too long for this post.
The truth is, there’s a good reason we can’t go back and reveal these things to ourselves – we have to learn the hard way. It’s what makes us the adults we become, I think. And we probably know that truth, even as we’re slogging through the mess of freshman year – even if we don’t realize it til much, much later.
Of course, being able to read a book about anothergirl whose life is a disaster doesn’t hurt. So that’s really why I wrote this one. For fourteen-year-old me… and all the real freshmen who are trying to figure it out right now.”
About the Author: Meredith Zeitlin is a writer and voiceover artist who lives in Brooklyn with two adorable feline roommates. She also writes a column for Ladygunn Magazine, changes her hair color every few months, and has many fancy pairs of spectacles.

“Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters” (Putnam, March 2012) is her first novel.

You can learn more about the book on her website/ twitter/ facebook.

Review- Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters

20 Mar, 2012 by in meredith zeitlin, putnam, YA contemporary 1 comment

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters
by Meredith Zeitlin
Paperback, 282 pages
Published:  March 1, 2012
by G.P. Putnam’s Son
ISBN 978-0-399-25423-9
Book Source: author
3 stars
Summary from Amazon: Laugh-out-loud funny high school drama – perfect for fans of Lauren Myracle and Meg CabotLet’s say you’re fourteen and live in New York City. You’d
think your life would be like a glamorous TV show, right? And yet . . . You don’t have a checking account, much less a personal Black American Express card.You’ve never been to a club, and the only couture in your closet is a Halloween costume your mom made from an old laundry bag.In other words? You’re Kelsey Finkelstein – fourteen and frustrated. Every time she tries to live up to
her awesome potential, her plans are foiled. Kelsey wants to rebrand herself for
high school to make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny. But just because
Kelsey has a plan for greatness . . . it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is
in on it.Kelsey’s hilarious commentary and sardonic narration of her
freshman year will have readers laughing out loud – while being thankful that
they’re not in her shoes, of course.
Jodi’s Review: Let’s face it, the first year of high school is a challenge, no matter who you are. The main character, Kelsey is ready to face her first year of high school head on. Kelsey has decided to do something this year. Kelsey wants to make a mark, stand out. Kelsey does manage to stand out, but perhaps not in ways she planned. From upsetting a very popular Junior girl the first day of school to a horrible first date, this book is full of laughs. Many teenage girls can relate to the trials and tribulations high school brings. I as a parent however, would want make sure I discussed with my daughter some of the subjects that arise in this book. I recommend this book for ages 14 and up.
Content: Underage drinking, drug use, sex, and homosexuality
Jodi

Shelter ARC Giveaway

20 Jul, 2011 by in putnam, shelter 41 comments

Shelter
by Harlan Coben
288 pages
Expected publication: September 6th 2011
by Putnam Juvenile
ISBN 0399256504
series: Micky Bolitar #1

A young adult debut from internationally bestselling author Harlan Coben

Mickey Bolitar’s year can’t get much worse. After witnessing his father’s death and sending his mom to rehab, he’s forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools.

A new school comes with new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey’s train-wreck of a life is finally improving – until Ashley vanishes without a trace. Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley’s trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn’t who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey’s father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury – and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.

First introduced to readers in Harlan Coben’s latest adult novel, Live Wire, Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, and eager to go to any length to save the people he cares about. With this new series, Coben introduces an entirely new generation of fans to the masterful plotting and wry humor that have made him an award-winning, internationally bestselling, and beloved author.

Fire and Ice is giving away one advanced reading copy of Shelter, courtesy of Putnam. To enter to win simply leave a comment below. One entry per person. Giveaway is open internationally and ends August 20, 2011. Best of Luck!

ARC Tour- The Apothecary

08 Jun, 2011 by in ARC tour, putnam Leave a comment

The Apothecary
by Maile Meloy
Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication:
October 4th 2011
by Putnam Juvenile
ISBN 039925627X


It’s 1952 and the Scott family has just moved from Los Angeles to London. Here, fourteen-year-old Janie meets a mysterious apothecary and his son, Benjamin Burrows–a fascinating boy who’s not afraid to stand up to authority and dreams of becoming a spy. When Benjamin’s father is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must uncover the secrets of the apothecary’s sacred book, the Pharmacopoeia, in order to find him, all while keeping it out of the hands of their enemies–Russian spies in possession of nuclear weapons. Discovering and testing potions they never believed could exist, Janie and Benjamin embark on a dangerous race to save the apothecary and prevent impending disaster.

Together with Ian Schoenherr’s breathtaking illustrations, this is a truly stunning package from cover to cover.

We are accepting five readers in the U.S. for this blog tour. First come first serve. Must be willing to read and review the book within five days, send it to the next person with delivery confirmation, and send a link of your review and a DCF number to Fire and Ice via email. For a full list of rules and to sign up click here and fill out the form.

Book Review- The Apothecary

13 May, 2011 by in maile meloy, putnam 2 comments

The Apothecary
by Maile Meloy
Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication:
October 4th 2011
by Putnam Juvenile
ISBN 039925627X
4.5 stars

It’s 1952 and the Scott family has just moved from Los Angeles to London. Here, fourteen-year-old Janie meets a mysterious apothecary and his son, Benjamin Burrows–a fascinating boy who’s not afraid to stand up to authority and dreams of becoming a spy. When Benjamin’s father is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must uncover the secrets of the apothecary’s sacred book, the Pharmacopoeia, in order to find him, all while keeping it out of the hands of their enemies–Russian spies in possession of nuclear weapons. Discovering and testing potions they never believed could exist, Janie and Benjamin embark on a dangerous race to save the apothecary and prevent impending disaster.

Together with Ian Schoenherr’s breathtaking illustrations, this is a truly stunning package from cover to cover.

I have always been fascinated by apothecaries and their work of mixing potions, so when I saw this book I was immediately interested. Main protagonist, Janie has moves with her parents in a very secretive manner from Los Angeles to London and upon arrival they venture into a small old fashioned pharmacy for hot water bottles to keep them warm. There they meet the local apothecary, an intelligent middle aged man who stirs up a fresh batch of something special to help Janie with her homesickness. But going to school in a private academy with uniforms and no friends, Janie can’t help but to feel a little forlorn. That is, until she meets the apothecary’s son Benjamin. Janie catches him following her on errands one afternoon and from there they become fast friends and “chess partners in the park. ” The reality morphs as the two of them transform into young spies pulled head first into a web of secrets, danger and compromised national security. Bejamin’s father is missing, the two children have an old book they are to protect with their life and a new pickpocket sidekick named Pip. Can they save the secrets passed down from generation to generation or will they be caught by the man with the scarred face?

This is my favorite middle grade read in a long time! I loved the illustrations that are sprinkled in as well as the fast paced suspenseful narrative. Set close on the heels time wise of CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series, The Apothecary has a historical element that teaches what life may have been like for those children affected by the war- including threats of bombings, drills, and overall suspicion of all foreign residents. Along with the historical piece there is a magical, wonderful overlay of adventure that will spark the imagination. There is some moderate violence, but otherwise nothing worrisome in content. I truly enjoyed every minute of the Apothecary Though it concluded like a stand alone, I can’t help hoping there will be more books coming for Janie and Benjamin!

Janette Rallison- My Double Life

08 Dec, 2010 by in my double life, putnam 3 comments

My Double Life
By: Janette Rallison
Published by: Putnam Juvenile
Website: http://www.janetterallison.com/

Book Summary: (from Goodreads)
Her whole life, Alexia Garcia has been told that she looks just like pop star Kari Kingsley, and one day when Alexia’s photo filters through the Internet, she’s offered a job to be Kari’s double. This would seem like the opportunity of a lifetime, but Alexia’s mother has always warned her against celebrities. Rebelliously, Alexia flies off to L.A. and gets immersed in a celebrity life. Not only does she have to get used to getting anything she wants, she romances the hottest lead singer on the charts, and finds out that her own father is a singing legend. Through it all, Alexia must stay true to herself, which is hard to do when you are pretending to be somebody else!

Janette has donated one copy of My Double Life for our BIR2010 giveaways. Shipping is to US & Canada and giveaway ends December 15th. Enter by filling out this form.

Book Review- SEA by Heidi R Kling

31 Jul, 2010 by in book review, putnam, Sea 5 comments

SEA
by Heidi R Kling
published June 10th 2010
by Putnam Juvenile
details Hardcover, 336 pages
url http://www.heidirkling.com/
isbn 0399251634
5 Stars

Synopsis: Haunted by recurring nightmares since her mother’s disappearance over the Indian ocean three years before, fifteen-year old California girl Sienna Jones reluctantly travels with her psychiatrist father’s volunteer team to six-months post-tsunami Indonesia where she meets the scarred and soulful orphaned boy, Deni, who is more like Sea than anyone she has ever met.

She knows they can’t be together, so why can’t she stay away from him? And what about her old best friend-turned-suddenly-hot Spider who may or may not be waiting for her back home? And why won’t her dad tell her the truth about her mother’s plane crash? The farther she gets from home, the closer she comes to finding answers.

And Sea’s real adventure begins

Ever since I first read about Heidi’s book on Twitter I was intrigued by premise and elements of the story. The teasers started a creative flurry of activity for me of photos and jewelry, and I requested our local Barnes and Noble order it in. The wait has been long, but worth it. What an outstanding debut novel by Heidi R Kling. Sea is lyrically written from the eyes of Sienna, a young girl who suffers from PTSD and nightmares after losing her mother. Once filled with adventure and a love of the ocean, she has changed. When her father, a renowned world psychiatrist gifts her a trip to Indonesia with Team Hope, Sienna is forced to face her biggest fears. From her childhood friendship with a surfer named Spider, to touching lives at an orphanage in Yogyakarta; this book brought me to tears. It’s one that leaves you thinking and feeling hopeful for the power of change. Love overcomes loss as Deni shows Sienna that a choice must be made to live each new day. SEA will stick with you for a long time as will the impressions of post-tsunami recovery in Indonesia. It’s a meaningful, culturally rich novel with purpose. And this is one of those reviews where I feel like words aren’t adequate to describe my experience. So much of SEA is what I felt inside. Thanks to Heidi R Kling for sharing her talent.

Visit Heidi’s SEA store which features our Etsy items at http://heidirkling.com/sea-store/
50 % of all proceeds go to families similarly affected earlier this year by an earthquake and Tsunami in Chile, and the SEA Flickr gallery with photos which reminded me of the book at http://www.flickr.com/photos/heatherzahngardner/galleries/72157624488461623/