Spotlight on CRACKED by K.M. Walton

Ever since I heard about this book from my editor (who also happens to have edited this book) I've wanted to read it.

Summary from GoodReads:

Sometimes there's no easy way out.

Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills—only to wake up in the hospital.

Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.

When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems. Which means things are going to get worse—much worse—before they get better….

I LOVE the idea of two enemies trapped in a psych ward together! Can't you just feel the tension of it?

James Howe, bestselling author of THE MISFITS, says... "In this powerful debut novel, K.M. Walton takes an unrelenting look at the corrosive effects of bullying, sometimes coming from where one would least expect it. CRACKED crackles with emotional intensity from beginning to end."


K.M/ Walton stopped by for a short interview about her and her writing.


1. What inspired you to write CRACKED?
I was at an SCBWI Winter Conference in NYC when I heard one of the editors speak on books with alternating points of view. My writerly interest was piqued. Back in my hotel room, I toyed with what two characters would be interesting to alternating between. After some brainstorming, I decided a bully and his victim would make for a compelling story.
 
2. What did you write as a teen?
I was a big “Dear Diary” gal when I was a teenager, and I have them all. I don’t know if I’ve ever read anything more hilarious than my 8th grade diary. All I wrote about was how I wanted my boyfriend at the time to kiss me longer than one second—like the entire diary is filled with my wishing it would happen. It’s priceless.
 
3.  What's the last YA Contemporary novel that you read and loved?
I loved EVERYBODY SEES THE ANTS by A. S. King. She is a fiercely talented writer.

 K.M. Walton writes contemporary YA, middle grade suspense, picture books and nonfiction. Her debut contemporary YA novel, CRACKED released out from Simon Pulse ~ Simon & Schuster January 3, 2012. She is fortunate to be represented by the lovely Sarah LaPolla from Curtis Brown Ltd.

K. M. had a gazillion dreams when she was a little girl. Her biggest dream was to be a teacher. Teaching became a reality for K. M. and she taught for twelve glorious years – some of it in Osteen, Florida and most of it in Springfield, Pennsylvania. But, it turns out writing is her favorite thing to do. Even the hard parts – and there are a lot of hard parts.

K.M. Walton also co-authored a book on the teaching of mathematics called TEACHING NUMERACY: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking published by Corwin Press.

You can pick up your copy of CRACKED from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or from your favorite independent bookstore. 

Spotlight: MY AWESOME/AWFUL POPULARITY PLAN by Seth Rudetsky

I'm all about the arts-related books (obviously!) and this one drew me to it not just because it features choir kids, but because the author, Seth Rudetsy, is active on and off Broadway. Check out his bio right here. His first novel for teens is called MY AWESOME/AWFUL POPULARITY PLAN.

Here's the description from Goodreads:

Justin has two goals for sophomore year: to date Chuck, the hottest boy in school, and to become the king of Cool U, the table in the cafeteria where the "in" crowd sits.

Unfortunately, he has the wrong look (short, plump, Brillo-pad curls), he has the wrong interests (Broadway, chorus violin), and he has the wrong friends (Spencer, into Eastern religions, and Mary Ann, who doesn't shave her armpits). And Chuck? Well, he's not gay; he's dating Becky, a girl in chorus with whom Justin is friendly.

But Justin is determined.

In detention one day (because he saw Chuck get it first), Justin comes up with a perfect plan: to allow Becky to continue dating Chuck, whom Becky's dad hates. They will pretend that Becky is dating Justin, whom Becky's dad loves. And when Becky and Justin go out on a fake date, Chuck will meet up with them for a real date with Becky. Chuck's bound to find Justin irresistible, right? What could go wrong?

I can't wait to read this! And now, I'm off to check out Seth's Sassy Blog. :-)

Spotlight: TRY NOT TO BREATHE by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Jennifer R. Hubbard's sophomore novel, Try Not to Breathe, releases tomorrow, January 19.

Ryan spends most of his time alone at the local waterfall because it’s the only thing that makes him feel alive. He’s sixteen, post-suicidal, and trying to figure out what to do with himself after a stint in a mental hospital. Then Nicki barges into his world, brimming with life and energy, and asking questions about Ryan’s depression that no one else has ever been brave enough—or cared enough—to ask. Ryan isn’t sure why he trusts Nicki with his darkest secrets, but that trust turns out to be the catalyst that he desperately needs to start living again.

blurb and cover image from goodreads

I can't even begin to express how excited I am for this novel. Anything that features a suicidal, or post-suicidal, character who finds a way to move past that is automatically bumped up to the top of my to-read list.

For me, it's personal. Reading stories like this remind me where I've been, where people close to me have been (psych ward? not exactly a fun place to visit), and more importantly, how we each got to where we are now. They remind me how devastatingly loud your own thoughts can be. But they also remind me there is hope, for anyone, and that the best remedy for suicidal depression is often not something prescribed by a doctor. It's just... having a friend, someone who genuinely cares, someone who will listen to what you need to get out of your head, no matter how dark it is. Someone who won't judge you for feeling the way you do.

Someone who wants you to live. All it takes is one person.

Try Not to Breathe takes it a step further, exploring how someone puts their life back together after a suicide attempt. In the author's own words, "I see this book mostly as a story of learning how to live."

And the dedication page pretty much says it all:

This book is for those who survived, and in memory of those who did not.

Where to find the book:

IndieBound
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Where to find the author:

website
Twitter
other

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

First off, I want to marry this cover. Like picket-fence, 2.5 children and a dog, grow old together MARRY this cover.

Summary from Amazon:

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Plane love. I believe in it, although I'm always the one who gets stuck by the smelly guys who hates my children and falls asleep on my shoulder. I've been excited about this book ever since it sold and buzz started building with loads of international sales. Contemporary books don't always fare as well in the global market, so yay for a book that's getting love all over! And it's easy to see why--I love this book. Start with a charming idea, add a solid voice and emotional truths and you'll find a book that is PERFECT for you next plane ride. Just ask the NYT review....

“The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight,” Jennifer E. Smith’s latest novel, is a gorgeous, heartwarming reminder of the power of fate and an echo of the timeworn motherly advice that love could be just around the corner, and that it will come when you least expect it."

Read Full Review

Spotlight: DITCHED by Robin Mellom

Doesn't this book sound fun?

From Goodreads:

High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.

Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat handle first.

Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.

Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom.

And then ditched her.

Now, as the sun rises over her small town, and with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven, Justina must piece together — stain by stain on her thrift-store dress — exactly how she ended up dateless. A three-legged Chihuahua was involved. Along with a demolition derby-ready Cadillac. And there was that incident at the tattoo parlor. Plus the flying leap from Brian Sontag's moving car...

But to get the whole story, Justina will have to face the boy who ditched her. And discover if losing out at prom can ultimately lead to true love.

Filled with humor, charm, and romance, Ditched: A Love Story by debut novelist Robin Mellom will have readers dreaming of love on their own prom nights.

Kirkus says, "For readers with a funny bone that needs a tingle, this should hit the spot."

I really wish there was more funny in YA, so I'm looking forward to reading this one!

Spotlight: BITTERSWEET by Sarah Ockler

I'm thrilled to spotlight Sarah Ockler's latest YA novel, BITTERSWEET. Cupcakes and hockey players? How's that for a winning combination? I really cannot wait to read this one. A copy is on its way to me as I type!!


Here's the description from Goodreads:

"Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances… a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been. 

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life…and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done. 

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last…."


Have you seen the amazing trailer? I love it! I told Sarah it reminded me of one of my favorite movies, WAITRESS, and she said she likes to think of her book as WAITRESS meets CUTTING EDGE. Awesome! I think Sarah has a winner with this one.

Spotlight on DON'T BREATHE A WORD by Holly Cupala

I love it when I get the opportunity to spotlight a book like this one today. DON'T BREATHE A WORD by Holly Cupala is unique, taking me into a contemporary realm that I would probably otherwise never have experienced: street life. True to her style, Holly has given us another set of authentic characters, well-developed and believable. Their relationships are complex, sometimes painful, and always gripping.  

Summary from GoodReads:

Joy Delamere is suffocating...

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take his words - tender words, cruel words - until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe... if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.

Praise for DON'T BREATHE A WORD:
“The author's considerable narrative gifts will keep readers engaged throughout.”
—Kirkus Reviews

"[A] tense, riveting story.”
—Publisher's Weekly

“This novel recalls Laurie Halse Anderson’s SPEAK.”
—Booklist

“A gorgeously written, intense page-turner. This is a beautiful book.”
—Courtney Summers, author of SOME GIRLS ARE

Holly has some wonderful events coming up to celebrate the release of DON'T BREATHE A WORD, including an extensive blog tour and a collaborative author video. Check out her website at www.hollycupala.com 


Here's a TWO CHAPTER PREVIEW of DON'T BREATHE A WORD, or to pick up a copy of the book, check out Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or your local independent retailer.

Spotlight: The Queen of Kentucky

Alecia Whitaker's THE QUEEN OF KENTUCKY came out yesterday and it looks super cute!


From Goodreads:


Fourteen-year-old Kentucky girl Ricki Jo Winstead, who prefers to be called Ericka, thank you very much, is eager to shed her farmer's daughter roots and become part of the popular crowd at her small town high school. She trades her Bible for Seventeen magazine, buys new "sophisticated" clothes and somehow manages to secure a tenuous spot at the cool kids table. She's on top of the world, even though her best friend and the boy next door Luke says he misses "plain old Ricki Jo."

Caught between being a country girl and wannabe country club girl, Ricki Jo begins to forget who she truly is: someone who doesn't care what people think and who wouldn't let a good-looking guy walk all over her. It takes a serious incident out on Luke's farm for Ricki Jo to realize that being a true friend is more important than being popular.


Here's what people are saying:


"Whitaker's debut sparkles as she takes the reader on a tour of two unforgettable places: small town Kentucky and the heart of our charming and hilarious narrator, Ricki Jo. Whitaker is a Queen of depicting the smallest moments of adolescence and showing how it's often those moments that define us. If you like a book that can make you both laugh and cry (sometimes even on the same page), make sure you read this one!"

(Gwendolyn Heasley, author of Where I Belong )

"Whitaker paints a vivid, finely detailed picture of life in the sometime-hardscrabble heartland. But what draws the reader in is the chaotic precision of her characters, youngsters who are conflicted and frequently inconsistent, yet feel rounded and real... Solid, just like its setting."

(Kirkus)

About the Author:

Alecia Whitaker grew up on a small farm in Cynthiana, Kentucky. She is an actress and writer and currently lives in Manhattan with her husband. Alecia has performed in the New York City Fringe Festival and is a visiting creative writing teacher and ambassador for The Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts.


Contact her here:


Website:  www.aleciawhitaker.com

Twitter:  @aleciawhitaker

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alecia-Whitaker/214702771907726

Watch the Book Trailer:

Happy New Year!

We're taking this week off here at The Contemps but be assured we'll be back next year with all kinds of wonderful, realistic contemporary YA reads for you!

Here's to a happy, healthy and prosperous new year for all!

Spotlight: Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Eeee, I am SO excited to read this book!

Sarah Tregay is a debut novelist, and a her book is written in verse. Verse isn't always an easy sell, something I know too well, so I'm thrilled Sarah found an editor and a house to publish it! Verse lovers, celebrate, we have another book to read!

Here is the description:

Marcie has been dragged away from home for the summer—from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She’s left behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.

By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this “summer vacation” has become permanent. She has to start at a new school, and there she leaves behind her Leftover status when a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you’ve watched your parents’ affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? Can you even know it until you’ve lost it?

Publisher's Weekly says, "The formal variety of Tregay’s poems creates an immediacy that should maintain readers’ interest and sympathy for Marcie."
I love these lines, taken from the novel:


My wish
is to fall
cranium over Converse
in dizzy, daydream-worthy
love.

This novel releases December 27, 2011 from Katherine Tegen Books. Happy reading!