YA Authors You Need to Read: Cecil Castellucci

This article first appeared on the examiner on August 23, 2010.

Cecil Castellucci is one of those well-rounded Renaissance YA authors, you know, the type that does it all, writes fiction books for teens and picture books for kids, graphic novels, short stories, and a libretto for an opera. She also wrote and directed her first feature film, “Happy is not Hard to Be” in 2006.

In Castellucci’s “Beige”, Katy lives in Canada with her mom and has had very little contact with her American rock star father until her mom needs to go on an archeology dig without her. The only person who can take care of Katy for those 2 weeks turns out to be the Dad she never knew. There are loads of issues in “Beige” but it doesn't feel overwhelming or preachy--father/daughter issues; mother/daughter issues; friendship; self-esteem; drugs. Although the issues are serious, it's a fun read. “Beige” is a quick read and well worth it! Read the full Goddess Librarian review here.

Other Books (for teens)

“Boy Proof”
“Queen of Cool”
“Rose Sees Red”

You can find more information about Cecil Castellucci at her website and follow her on twitter.

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YA Authors You Need to Read: Kristen Cashore

This article first appeared on the examiner on July 13, 2010.

Kristen Cashore grew up in Northern Pennsylvania and like most authors moved around a lot (New York City, Boston, Cambridge, Austin, Pennsylvania, Italy, and London) before settling in Cambridge, Massachusetts. While getting her M.A. at the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons College she was drawn to YA books and honed her writing skills. She writes full time and is the author of two highly acclaimed fantasy novels for young adults.

In Kristen Cashore's first fantasy novel, “Graceling”, there are people called Gracelings who have extraordinary gifts. Katsa is a young girl graced with killing who is used as the king's bully until she meets another strange Graceling from another kingdom. This book has everything you want: fantasy, adventure, romance, social commentary, political intrigue, and mystery. Katsa is a strong female character and stays true to her ideals. For a complete review, click here.

Cashore’s next novel, “Fire” is a companion pre-quel to “Graceling”. Fire is a monster. The only thing that makes her a monster is that she has colorful hair and can read people's thoughts and control their minds. Her father was the same way and was power-hungry and cruel and ultimately perished. Determined to be different than her father, Fire, the last human monster, sacrifices everything she can to fix her father's wrongs and to be her own person. Cashore has a talent for writing strong heroines and Fire is no exception. See East Greenbush YA Librarian Chrissie Morrison's review here.

Cashore is currently working on a third novel, “Bitterblue” that will be a companion book to the first two and take place after the events in “Graceling”.

For more information about Cashore, check out her website and blog.

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YA Authors You Need to Read: Ally Carter

This article first appeared on the examiner on August 18, 2010. 

Sometimes you need to read a book that is just pure fun. When that happens turn to Ally Carter. Carter was born in Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma State University and Cornell University. She worked in the agricultural field for several years before dedicating herself to writing full time. Carter is the author of the popular “Gallagher Girls” series and a new series called “Heist Society.” Her books are fun to read, full of adventure, and feature strong female main characters.

The Gallagher Academy is supposed to be a private school for girl geniuses but they teach something far more deadly than advanced trigonometry. The school is actually training girls to be spies. Cammie Morgan is one of those girls in “I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You” the first book in the Gallagher Girls series. Cammie is the daughter of spies and spying comes naturally to her, but she finds that she’s out of her element when she meets a boy—a regular boy—and tries to have a regular relationship with him. But when you’re a Gallagher Girl, regular doesn’t exist. Cammie is a teenage girl with typical problems in a highly atypical setting. Carter’s novel is funny, exciting and the perfect light-hearted read when you’re sunning yourself on a beach at the end of the summer.

Other Books (for teens)

“Cross my Heart and Hope to Spy” (Goddess Librarian review )
“Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover”
“Only the Good Spy Young”
“Heist Society”

You can find more information about Ally Carter at her website and myspace and follow her on twitter.

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YA Authors You Need to Read: Andrew Auseon

This article first appeared on the examiner on July 8, 2010.


Andrew Auseon was born on July 12, 1976 and is exactly 1 year and 6 days younger than his biggest fan (the Albany Young Adult Fiction Examiner). The awesome Auseon (it had to be done) has his Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. When he’s not writing YA novels he works as a narrative designer for video games. Auseon currently lives in Baltimore, MD with his wife and two daughters.

“Funny Little Monkey” is Auseon’s first novel and was released in 2005. It’s the story of twin brothers, one of whom is really small and one is really big, and their twisted relationship in high school. Read a review here.

Auseon followed up “Funny Little Monkey” with “Jo-Jo and the Fiendish Lot” in March 2009. The book is an immensely creative and imaginative look at life after death. Auseon really delivered with this book and it is no surprise that a screenplay is in the works. Read a review here and here.

Next, Auseon teamed up with filmmaker David O. Russell and released “Alienated’ in October 2009. “Alienated” is a middle grade novel about teen boys who run a weekly tabloid about that aliens hiding among humans in Santa Rosa, CA. Russell is currently developing “Alienated” as a major motion picture.

Auseon’s newest novel for teens is “Freak Magnet” and was just released in June 2010. “Freak Magnet” is a “tale of love, loss, and lucky signs.” Look for a review here.

For more information about Auseon, check out his website, facebook page, and twitter.

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