Spot the difference.

A comic adventure novel for 10- to 14-year olds.

A comic adventure novel for 10- to 14-year olds.

I just received a wonderful note from a young woman named Alexia Panakos. She’s now a budding fashion designer but when she was in Grade Six, she read a funny little book called The Puppet Wrangler. It’s about a girl named Telly and a – how shall we say it? - character named Bitsie. (He’s hard to explain.)

Alexia enjoyed the book so much she decided to make a life-size replica of Bitsie.

Even better, she decided that it’s time the little guy came home to Mummy. Alexia is sending Bitsie to me so I can take him on school visits.

Didn’t she do an amazing job?

 

 

 

 

 

Bitsie by Alexia Panakos

Posted in Award Winner, Best books for kids, Book for teenaged girls, Funny Book for Kids, Set in Nova Scotia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ni Dører?

Nine DoorsAccording to good old Google, that’s how you say “Nine Doors” in Norwegian.

I have no idea if the Scandinavian publisher will keep that title but my comic high/low novel  will soon be available in Norway.

To which all I can say is, “Kjempeflott!”

(Which I hope means “awesome” and not “grilled cheese sandwich” or “orthopedic insoles” – although both, under the correct conditions, can be pretty darn good too.)

In case you’re not familiar with Nine Doors (“What?!), it’s a short Young Adult novel in Orca’s wonderful Currents series.

Here are a few reviews to whet your appetite.

“Vicki Grant has done it again: she’s come up with another great hi-lo teen novel that is almost certain to garner accolades equal to those which her past efforts (all ALA “Quick Picks” books) have earned. NINE DOORSboasts a plot that’s simple yet gripping, pacing that’s tight and rapid-fire, and true-to-life characters that will resonate with readers both young and old…On top of its absorbing storyline and sharply-drawn main characters who undergo believable changes, NINE DOORS even has a splash of romance thrown in – truly a fantastic all-round read that is a sure bet for grabbing the interest of reluctant readers. CM Magazine

“No one creates more likable, fully rounded characters than Vicki Grant’s protagonists and “good guys”. Her central characters are memorable individuals whose comments clearly show their views of the world and the motivations and interconnections between them and their allies.” The Virtual Bookmark

“Realistic action and dialogue, along with a fast-paced plot, will keep reluctant readers turning pages.” School Library Journal

Posted in Funny Book for Kids, high/low fiction, Mystery, Orca Currents, School Visits, Teen fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I just squeaked in.

ALA Quick Pick, OLA Best betThe good people at the Ontario Library Association (OLA) had a nice surprise for me. They awarded Hold the Pickles with an honourable mention on its Best Bets List 2012.

Hold the Pickles is a comic adventure for middle grade readers. It tells the continuing story of Dan Hogg, the hero* (sort of) of Pigboy, another Orca Currents young adult novel.

* He’d like that.

Congratulations to all the other authors who made the list!

Adderson, Caroline. Middle of Nowhere. Groundwood Books.
Bourke, Pat. Yesterday’s Dead. Second Story Press.
Curtis, Christoper Paul. The Mighty Miss Malone. Wendy Lamb Books.
Gay, Marie Louise and Homel, David. Summer in the City. Groundwood Books.
Horvath, Polly. Mr. and Mrs. Bunny – Detectives Extraordinaire! Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Groundwood Books.
Korman, Gordon. Ungifted. Scholastic.
Peterson, Lois. The Paper House. Orca Book Publishers.
Skrypuch, Marsha Forchuk. Making Bombs for Hitler. Scholastic Books.
Stratton, Allan. The Grave Robber’s Apprentice. Harper Collins.

Junior Fiction – Honourables:
Grant, Vicki. Hold the Pickles. Orca Book Publishers.
Trogan, Kari and Brit. Margaret and the Moth Tree. Kids Can.
Wharton, Tomas. The Fathomless Fire. Doubleday.
White, Susan. Ten Thousand Truths. Acorn Press.

Posted in Best Bets 2012, Best books for kids, Funny Book for Kids, high/low fiction, Orca Currents, Pigboy, Reluctant readers, School Visits, Sequel, Teen fiction, Young Adult Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Check me out at The Human Library.

photo credit: Meghan Tansey-Whitton

photo credit: Meghan Tansey-Whitton

If I were a book, what would I be?

A thriller? In my dreams.

A romance?  Not bloody likely.

A comic book? Closer, perhaps – that is if the cover were a little wrinkled, some of the jokes kind of lame and a few crucial pages were missing in the middle.

Sound like something you’d like to ‘read’? Then check me out this Saturday, January 26 from 10 to 2 at the Keshen-Goodman Library in Clayton Park.

I’m just one of the many books at The Human Library.

And what might that be?

“Human Libraries provide an opportunity to connect one-on-one with individuals who have diverse life experiences, stories and knowledge. Just like borrowing a book from a local library, the user can, “check out” a human book for a 20-minute conversation in the library.”

Other books this year include a forensic anthropologist, a transgender activist, a chef, a judge and a member of the Provincial Legislature. Check out their fascinating stories here.

 

 

Posted in Arthur Ellis Award, Award Winner, Best books for kids, Book for teenaged girls, Canadian Children's Book News, CBC Young Canada Reads, CCBC Book Club Selection, CLA Young Adult Book Award, Creative Catalysts, Cross-over fiction, high/low fiction, Mystery, Nova Scotian Author, Psychological Thriller, Red Maple Award Winner., Silver Birch Honour Book, Teen fiction, Young Adult Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I’m ready for my close-up.

Vicki GrantOkay, by the look of this picture, maybe I’m not  -but I went ahead and did it anyway.

The same questions come up frequently from readers so I decided to start videotaping my responses.

Click here for the first video, in which I reveal my favourite scene in my young adult novel Betsy Wickwire’s Dirty Secret and tell the somewhat embarrassing story that inspired it.

Keep tuned! More coming soon.

Posted in Betsy Wickwire's Dirty Secret, Book for teenaged girls, Canadian Children's Book News, Cross-over fiction, Nova Scotian Author, Set in Nova Scotia, Teen fiction, Teenage Depression, Young Adult Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Betsy Wickwire’s Christmas Present

BEFORE: The old cover. Stay tuned for the AFTER shot.

BEFORE: The old cover. Stay tuned for the AFTER shot.

It might not seem like much to you but Betsy Wickwire’s getting something wonderful for Christmas: suds.

One of the things that’s always bugged me – a bit – is that the sponge on the cover looks like a big candy heart. (Don’t you think?)

Not that there’s anything the matter with candy. And I guess you could argue that a teenager might be more likely to pick up a book that seems to be about food rather than cleaning up after it.

It’s just that that’s not what this particular young adult novel is about. It’s kind of about cleaning up your life, I guess. The new edition will feature “enhanced bubbles”. (And doesn’t everybody need enhanced bubbles in their life, now and again?)

I’ll post the new cover here as soon as I get it.

 

Posted in Best books for kids, Betsy Wickwire's Dirty Secret, Book for teenaged girls, Canadian Children's Book News, Cross-over fiction, Funny Book for Kids, Nova Scotian Author, Teen fiction, Teenage Depression, Young Adult Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Emily for Real – and for Christmas

Emily for Real Sylvia GunneryAnother great gift idea for the teen readers in your life: Emily for Real by Nova Scotian author Sylvia Gunnery. Look what Kirkus Reviews had to say about this touching coming-of-age novel:

“This is a story about familial ties-ties of blood, ties of love, ties that bind. It’s also about family lies and the way these lies affect core connections. Although protagonist Emily Sinclair’s family is small, it’s complex and is comprised of a variety of household situations: intact, divorced, step, gay, straight, illegitimate and adoptive. …[The story] is genuinely touching at its tear-inducing, hopeful end.”

Emily for Real is available at fine bookstores everywhere – or should be.

Posted in Book for teenaged girls, Nova Scotian Author, Set in Nova Scotia, Teen fiction, Teenagers, Young Adult Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An American Library Association Quick Pick(le)…

ALA Quick PickHot-diggety-dog! Hold the Pickles – my recent sequel to Pigboy - has just been nominated as an American Library Association Quick Pick for Young Adults.

The Quick Picks list identifies books which encourage reading among teens who, for whatever reason, dislike to read.

“And who wouldn’t want to read Hold the Pickles?” she asks modestly.

As Booklist said, “Filled with gross-out details of snot and slime, as well as simple wordplay, this short novel in the Orca Currents series for reluctant readers combines everyday scenarios with a clever mystery that ends with a surprising revelation.”

Gross-out details? Snot? Slime? And a clever mystery?  Sounds like this hotdog comes with the works.

Posted in Funny Book for Kids, Mystery, School Visits, Sequel, Set in Nova Scotia, Teen fiction, Young Adult Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Christmas Shopping Guide – Part 1

Running on Empty, Don Aker, Vicki Grant“Gripping, heartbreaking, and revelatory, a book that will touch teen (and adult) readers deeply.”

That’s what The Canadian Children’s Book News had to say about Don Aker’s RUNNING ON EMPTY. I bet there’s a teenager on your gift list who’d just love to go on this thrilling joy ride.

Running on Empty is available for $14.99 at fine book stores everywhere.

Posted in Award Winner, Book for teenaged girls, Canadian Children's Book News, Cross-over fiction, Teen fiction, Young Adult Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bacon and Eggs and Wonderful Kids.

Vicki Grant, School Visits, Author Visits, Chatham, London, Ontario

I just arrived back from three very busy days of school visits in Chatham-Kent and London, Ontario. I loved the delicious breakfast (and fabulous retro decor) of the St. Clair Restaurant in downtown Chatham.

But most of all, I loved the enthusiastic welcome I got from the kids and teachers I met there. A really inspiring visit

(I hope that some of those schools might have some nice photos for me to post instead of this blurry i-phone snap…)

Posted in Award Winner, Cross-over fiction, Funny Book for Kids, School Visits, Teen fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment