Vicki Grant » Cross-over fiction

Now that’s what I call a “Young Reader”.

vickigrant — Wed, 19 May 2010 12:04:04 +0000

NOT SUITABLE FOR FAMILY VIEWING has just been nominated for the 2011 Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award. We’ll have to wait until April of next year to see if the students choose it as they’re favourite book.

Looks like Ben’s getting started early.

Like, I mean, a VERY good week…

vickigrant — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:00:20 +0000

It must be nominations season. I just found out NOT SUITABLE FOR FAMILY VIEWING made it on another shortlist – this time, for The Canadian Library Association’s 2010 Young Adult Book Award.

This award recognizes an author of an outstanding English-language Canadian work of fiction published in 2009 that appeals to readers between the ages of 13 and 18.

The winner of the award and the Honour Books will be announced prior to the Canadian Library Association National Conference and Trade Show. The award will be presented on June 3 at the CLA conference in Edmonton.

The finalists for the 2010 CLA Young Adult Book Award, in alphabetical order by author, are:

Poster Boy by Dede Crane (Groundwood)
Come, Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant (Alfred A. Knopf)
Not Suitable for Family Viewing by Vicki Grant (HarperCollins)
Haunted by Barbara Haworth-Attard (HarperCollins)
Girl on the Other Side by Deborah Kerbel (Dundurn)
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston (HarperCollins)
The Gryphon Project by Carrie Mac (Puffin)
Dragon Seer by Janet McNaughton (HarperCollins)
Vanishing Girl by Shane Peacock (Tundra)
The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade (HarperCollins)

One of the ‘best books for kids this winter’

vickigrant — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:25:51 +0000

Not Suitable for Family Viewing was recently singled out as a holiday pick for teens by the Toronto Star. Here’s what reviewer Dierdre Baker had to say:

In Vicki Grant’s Not Suitable for Family Viewing (HarperCollins, 290 pages, $14.99, ages 12+), Robin’s mother Mimi is a popular talk-show host, while Robin sits at home in their Manhattan apartment like a slug. When she finds a school ring and photograph Mimi has hidden away, Robin heads to Nova Scotia to see if she can unearth the story behind them. What she finds surprises her in every way – and includes some nicely comic girl-meets-guy scenes, followed up with a satisfyingly convoluted mystery that involves impersonation, attempted murder and the dangers of relieving oneself outdoors.

Coming to a Book Club near You

vickigrant — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:44:37 +0000

A good choice for junior and senior high school students

Not Suitable for Family Viewing has been chosen as an official Book Club selection by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

Suitably launched…

vickigrant — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:32:58 +0000

I’m always slightly terrified before a launch.

What if no one turns up?

What if the few people who are there boo when I start to read or show more interest in the cheese plate than in what I’m saying?

What if my fly’s down or there’s pasty, mushed-up cracker between my teeth?

After seven launches, I’ve learned my lessons. I wear a long sweater now, always hold off on the snacks until after I’ve done my schtick – and only invite people I know who will laugh at my jokes. Luckily, over the years, I’ve managed to collect quite a few of them.

How I did it, I don’t know but I’m very, very, very grateful.

Thank you to everyone who came to the launch of NOT SUITABLE FOR FAMILY VIEWING – and especially to those who laughed at the appropriate moments.

Better late than never!

vickigrant — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:09:08 +0000

The reason the launch is so late has nothing to do with this book being Not Suitable for Family Viewing. I just wanted to let everyone have a chance to catch their breath after the busy first month of school.

So please join me tomorrow night at the historic Council of Women House on Inglis Street for readings and refreshments. Hope to see you – and your friends – there…