YA Friday Book Review: Daughter of Deep Silence

Daughter of Deep Silence
by Carrie Ryan
Penguin — Random House (May 26, 2015)
IndieBound | Worldcat

Description from GoodReads:

"I’m the daughter of murdered parents.
I’m the friend of a dead girl.
I’m the lover of my enemy.
And I will have my revenge.
 
In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process.
 
Sharp and incisive, Daughter of Deep Silence by bestselling author Carrie Ryan is a deliciously smart revenge thriller that examines perceptions of identity, love, and the lengths to which one girl is willing to go when she thinks she has nothing to lose."

Carolyn's thoughts on the book: 

It's no secret that I love mysteries, but I find revenge thrillers to be equally as enthralling. This book is the revenge thriller to end all revenge thrillers, full of unsavory political dealings, international corporate espionage, and one girl's remorseless quest for the truth - and, of course, revenge. The plot is crafted just as meticulously as Frances' plan is; her descent into complete vengeance is believable and even twistedly justifiable. Her brilliant plan and ruthless ambition are terrifyingly awing, and yet I oddly found myself sympathizing with Frances. The Southern setting serves as a perfect backdrop for Frances' mission, and the guise of a sweet Southern belle hides the sharply focused young woman Frances is. Complications abound, between being targeted herself for what she knows to falling in love with the son of the very politician who condemned her family (among thousands of others) to die. Without getting into dangerously spoiler-y territory, the ending of the book is ultimately satisfying, but in an unexpected way.

Daughter of Deep Silence is a great read for those who enjoy smart, engrossing thrillers, and is a fantastic addition to any reader's bookshelf.

Carolyn is a teen blogger who shares her favorite YA reads and favorite book related finds with readers on Fridays.

My Dog is Best Blog Tour: Interview with Laurie Thompson

My Dog is the Best
by Laurie Ann Thompson; Illustrated by Paul Schmid
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (June 9, 2015)
Fiction * Pets * Dogs
Audience: Ages 3 to 6
IndieBound | WorldCat | GoodReads
Sneak Peak at the Book, click here.

Thank you Laurie Thompson for stopping by and chatting with us about your new book, MY DOG IS THE BEST. Of course, I think that my cats are the best, but if you are going to have a book about dogs, this is certainly adorable. I look forward to sharing it with friends and kids. 

My Dog is the Best is your latest book. It's really different from your two previous releases (Be a Changemaker and Emmanuel's Dream). What led you to write MY DOG IS THE BEST? 

In 2009, I took a course on writing easy readers from Anastasia Suen. I wrote MY DOG IS THE BEST as the final homework assignment. I wanted to write something that had mostly simple vocabulary and repetition, but that also had humor, heart, and was something most kids would be able to relate to on some level. At around the same time, I’d noticed that I usually told my dog, “Good dog!” just as she was curling up to go to sleep. (She had been a hyper puppy, so it was still a relief to see her relax.) She always gave me this bewildered look. I thought it was funny that my idea of “Good dog!” was the exact opposite of hers and vice versa (and the same often applies to young children and their parents), so that’s where I started for the assignment.

Recently, I was talking with another author about the importance of teaching children to read both text and illustrations. In MY DOG, though simple text, the illustrations tell a slightly different story. Was this intentional on your part or did you and Paul Schmid collaborate on this or did Paul just have fun with the text? 

It was totally intentional on my part: that’s where the humor comes in! Surprisingly, though, Paul did not know that when he read the text, because all the illustrator notes had been removed. He read my mind and drew exactly what I’d been picturing (only much, much cuter!). I couldn’t believe it. He even got the surprise twist at the end. We did get to collaborate a bit during revisions, since we just happen to live near each other and were already friends. That was an amazing experience, and I love what it brought to the book!

Are there any other projects that you are working on that you can tell us about? Any new nonfiction projects?

My next project is a middle-grade series I’m co-authoring with my agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette, for Walden Pond Press. It’s called Two Truths and a Lie. I guess you could call it a hybrid, because every chapter has three stories—two are true and one is a hoax. We challenge the reader to try to spot the fake… and it is not easy! The first volume is scheduled to come out in 2017.

I’m also working on proposals for another MG nonfiction and a co-authored YA memoir, and I’m revising several picture books (mostly nonfiction) that are oh-so-close to being ready.

What is your writing routine like and do you have anywhere special that you like to write? (picture of work area is always welcome)

I’m not a morning person, so I do the reverse of what most productivity gurus (and successful authors) recommend. I can’t write first thing in the morning. I do less intense tasks like email and social media in the morning while I drink my coffee. Then I start writing later in the day once I’ve had a chance to wake up. My productivity is highest in the afternoon, so I try to set those hours aside for writing or revising.

I am supposed to be working at my treadmill desk: it’s great exercise, helps my neck and back stay happy, has a super workstation setup, and actually boosts my creativity and productivity by keeping me moving. My assistant hates when I do that, however, so all too often she persuades me to sit on the big comfy couch in the sunroom with her instead.

What has been your favorite letter/email or question from a child or teen? 

For Be a Changemaker, I received this note from a teacher: “I saw a student and his family today at student-led conferences. His mother thanked me profusely for showing him the book and said it was exactly what he's been looking for and that it changed his life.”

And, I’ve gotten two reviews for Emmanuel’s Dream that will always stand out for me, both from girls with limb differences:

Jordan wrote, “I think Emmanuel is a great example for me. The story literally is saying you can do anything as long as you try. The story makes me feel strong… that just makes me feel happy.”

And Keegan wrote, “I like seeing people that are similar to me in books because it’s like I know what they’re going through because I’ve gone through it myself. I’ve had people stare at me, laugh at me and whisper about me, loud or quiet. And Emmanuel stood up for us all, the disabled people, and I feel proud that I’m alive and going on healthy. I think that all of the other disabled people should, too.”

All three of those literally brought tears to my eyes. There’s nothing better than finding out your book connected with a reader in a meaningful way.

Since summer is my favorite time to catch up on reading, I love finding out what books are on other people's reading lists. Any fun beach reads on your list or other titles? 

One of my new favorite-books-of-all-time is The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough. You must read it this summer! It’s not a lighthearted romp, but it’s beautiful and gripping and unforgettable. Two others that I loved recently are Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy by Susan Vaught and Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel by Megan Morrison. Both of those two are a nice mix of adventure, humor, and seriousness. And I’m just finishing Arin Andrews’ Some Assembly Required, which is quite timely right now and I highly recommend.

As far as what’s on my to-read list for the summer, I’m really looking forward to book 2 of the Talker 25 series, Invisible Monsters by Joshua McCune (also not a lighthearted romp, I’m sure--the first was so gritty and thought-provoking!). I also can’t wait to read Jennifer Bertman’s Book Scavenger, Kelly Jones’ Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer, and Cynthia Levinson’s Watch Out for Flying Kids! How Two Circuses, Two Countries, and Nine Kids Confront Conflict and Build Community. 

About the author: 
Laurie Ann Thompson's other books include Be a Changemaker and Emmanuel's Dream. From the day she was born, many of her best friends have had four legs and fur. She now lives with her husband, two children, a grouchy cat, and a disabled dog in the Pacific Northwest. Visit her website  or follow her on Twitter at @lauriethompson. 

To check all of the stops on the blog tour, see the schedule below:

6/6/15     Booking Mama     
6/8/15     Jean Reidy
6/9/15     Watch. Connect. Read.
6/10/15    5 Minutes for Books
6/11/15     Kid Lit Frenzy
6/12/15    Unleashing Readers
6/16/15    Anastasia Suen: Booktalking #kidlit  
6/19/15    Kirby's Lane
7/1/15      Library Lions

Complete the form below to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of MY DOG IS BEST.  Must have a US Mailing address to enter. 

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Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: The Octopus Scientists

The Octopus Scientists: Exploring the Mind of a Mollusk
by Sy Montgomery; Photographs by Keith Ellenbogen
HMH Books for Young Readers (May 26, 2015)
Nonfiction * Octopuses * Marine Life
Audience: Grades 5-9
Teacher Guide & Discussion Questions
IndieBound | WorldCat

Description of the book:
With three hearts and blue blood, its gelatinous body unconstrained by jointed limbs or gravity, the octopus seems to be an alien, an inhabitant of another world. Its baggy, boneless body sprouts eight arms covered with thousands of suckers—suckers that can taste as well as feel. The octopus also has the powers of a superhero: it can shape-shift, change color, squirt ink, pour itself through the tiniest of openings, or jet away through the sea faster than a swimmer can follow.

But most intriguing of all, octopuses—classed as mollusks, like clams—are remarkably intelligent with quirky personalities. This book, an inquiry into the mind of an intelligent invertebrate, is also a foray into our own unexplored planet. These thinking, feeling creatures can help readers experience and understand our world (and perhaps even life itself) in a new way.

Thoughts on the book:
One of the newest Scientist in the Field books is The Octopus Scientists by the team of Sy Montgomery and Keith Ellenbogen. This latest addition to the series will grab readers and draw them into the world of the Pacific Giant Octopus.  As someone who has been fascinated by marine biology, it wasn't hard to lose myself in Montgomery's often vivid text. However, I couldn't help but think about how children would react to the stories of the octopuses found in this book. I even imagined how Carrie Gelson's students might respond if she read this aloud to them.

Montgomery opens the world of the Pacific Giant Octopus by taking readers on a trip to the island of Moorea, near Tahiti. She joins a team of scientists lead by Professor Jennifer Mather. The team is eager to find octopuses and study their environments looking at things like where they make their homes, what they eat, but what was most striking was the interest in both the intelligence of the octos and their personalities. Yes, their personalities. I never thought of an octopus as having feelings or distinct personalities. It was fascinating to find out that an octopus turns white when s/he is relaxed and that s/he can tell the difference between various people that have interacted with them. 

The Octopus Scientists is filled with amazing facts and informations about octopuses but more it is a story of truly incredible creatures.  Check out below the short video of an octopus at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and also Sy Montgomery's TEDX Talk where she shares about her first encounter with an octopus. 

Look for The Octopus Scientists at your local independent bookstore or public library. 

Fun video from the Monterey Bay Aquarium:

TEDx Talks: Sy Montgomery: 

About the author: 
"Part Indiana Jones, part Emily Dickinson," as the "Boston Globe" describes her, Sy Montgomery is an author, naturalist, documentary scriptwriter, and radio commentator who has traveled to some of the world's most remote wildernesses for her work. She has worked in a pit crawling with 18,000 snakes in Manitoba, been hunted by a tiger in India, swum with pink dolphins in the Amazon, and been undressed by an orangutan in Borneo. She is the author of 13 award-winning books, including her national best-selling memoir, "The Good Good Pig". Montgomery lives in Hancock, New Hampshire.

Keith Ellenbogen is an award-winning underwater photographer with an emphasis on environmental conservation. His images have been published worldwide in newspapers, magazines, and books as well as on TV. Keith is a Sr. fellow with the international League of Conservation Photographers and an assistant professor of photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York. He previously worked with Sy Montgomery on the bookThe Octopus Scientists: Exploring the Mind of a Mollusk. 

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction review:

The Signs of The Cat Blog Tour: Guest Post by Author Lynne Jonell

The Sign of the Cat
by Lynne Jonell
Henry Holt & Co. (June 16, 2015)
Fiction * Adventure * Cats
Audience: Ages 9 to 13 years old
IndieBound | WorldCat

Description of the book: 
Duncan is a very smart boy growing up in a fishing village. The problem is that his mother encourages him to be perfectly average: she insists that he only get mediocre grades and avoid extra attention. His special talent is the ability to talk to cats—but Duncan longs more than anything for academic success.

When Duncan rebels and succeeds on a standardized test, however, people start taking notice of him. And it turns out that some of those people may not have the best intentions . . . With echoes of Peter Pan and the Warriors series, Lynne Jonell tells an epic tale of bravery, adventure, and self-discovery as Duncan learns to embrace his true identity. 

Thank you Lynne Jonell for stopping by Kid Lit Frenzy and sharing a cat-themed list along with your drawings. 

1. This is Duncan and his cat, Grizel.  She’s the one who taught him to speak Cat.  Of course everyone would be able to speak Cat if they were taught at the right age, but since most cats can’t be bothered, the right age slips by for 999 out of 1000… Duncan was one in a thousand.

2. These cats are headed for a midnight council in a graveyard on the Island of Dulle.  (Duncan, who attends, doesn’t realize that the island won’t stay dull for long.)

3. This cat is called “Mr. Fluffers” by his mistress, and finds it humiliating.  His life’s ambition is to be called “Spike” instead.

4. Fia, a white kitten with one blue eye and one green, has trouble passing her kitten examinations, and hasn’t yet gotten her Explorer’s permit.  Her sisters and brother, Tibby, Tabby, and Tuff, mock her for this.

5.This does not look like a cat picture.  But you have to use your imagination; the crate is packed with abducted kittens, all mewing for their mothers.

6. You have to use your imagination here as well.  But I will give you a hint.  Note the little cat ears and furry tail garnish.

7. Fia has been tossed overboard.  Sometimes it doesn’t matter whether or not you have your Explorer’s permit yet—sometimes you just have to be brave anyway.

8. It’s a good thing that tigers also speak Cat, or Duncan would have been eaten.  He would have been eaten through a misunderstanding, of course, but he would be just as dead.

9. Brig, the military tiger, has a strong sense of justice and fair play. Unfortunately for him, not everyone else does.

10. There are cats in this picture—a small white kitten perched where the boom crosses the mast, and a tiger lying majestically on the raft.  They came along with Duncan because they want to help him restore justice to the kingdom of Arvidia.  Also, they like eating flying fish. 

About the author: 
Lynne Jonell is the author of four novels, four chapter books, and seven picture books for children, published by Henry Holt, Random House, and Penguin/Putnam. Her first novel, Emmy & the Incredible Shrinking Rat, won the Minnesota Book Award, and  her third novel, The Secret of Zoom, is a Junior Library Guild Selection. Her books are frequently selected for the Junior Library Guild, have received starred reviews in Horn Book, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Sesame Street Parents, and have been published in nine languages. She teaches writing at the Loft Literary Center, is married and has two sons, and lives in Plymouth, Minnesota. For more information about Lynne, check out her website. 

Whose Tools? Blog Tour: Interview with Toni Buzzeo

Kid Lit Frenzy is excited to welcome back Toni Buzzeo.  This time for a little Q & A. Thank you to Abrams Appleseed for organizing the interview and giveaway.

In looking over the books that you have written, there are a wide range of topics and styles of books. Where do you get your ideas?

I’m an author who finds the entire world a source of new ideas! As I tell kids in my school and library visits, I might be reading something, viewing something, listening in on something, or simply making my way in the world and suddenly, there it is! The idea for a new story. Some of those ideas are flimsy and don’t stick, but the ones that stay in my mind, knocking periodically with some force on the door of my imagination, are the ones that ultimately become complete manuscripts and perhaps even books. Each idea comes with its own built-in perfect audience. Sometimes that audience is quite young, as with Whose Tools? but sometimes the audience is older, as with my first biography, A Passion for Elephants: The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss, illustrated by Holly Berry (Dial, Fall 2015).  The story decides whom it is meant for!

WHOSE TOOLS? is done in a board book style with flap pages. Was this something that you envisioned or did this come from working with Jim Datz? 

Aren’t Jim’s illustrations so much fun?! The format arrived to Jim along with the text of the manuscript. However, the text of the manuscript was complete long before my editor and I settled on the format. I’d first envisioned a die-cut peek-through design but I’d forgotten that that format requires that the design work in both directions, from the front AND the back of the page with the peek-through. Next, I envisioned a lift-the-flap format, with the tools in a large mobile tool case as you might find on a job site. However, my editor reminded me that if the tools were hidden behind flaps, the purpose of the book would be to guess the TOOL, not the worker using the tool.

It was my brilliant critique partner and fellow children’s author Dianne Ochiltree who suggested the gatefold design, which was the perfect solution!

Are there any other projects that you are working on that you can share with us?

As I mentioned, A Passion for Elephants: The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss debuts this fall, along with the sequel to Whose Tools? entitled Whose Truck? about the various professionals in our communities for whom trucks are a part of their work.

My third fall book is entitled 12 Days of Christmas in New England, illustrated by Liza Woodruff (Sterling, Fall 2015) about two cousins who enjoy the Christmas holidays together traveling around the six New England states and enjoying the sites and experiences each state has to offer.

I’m also currently revising a manuscript entitled I Live with Dinosaurs about a young boy who is pretty certain that his new neighbors are dinosaurs and whose friend assures him it’s not the end of the world, since he, himself, LIVES with dinosaurs. It’s a rollicking romp of a book with a surprise twist at the end.

What writing routines do you have? Do you have any special places that you like to write?

I am not a writer with rigid routines. I suppose that comes, in part, from living in so many places. In my home state of Maine, I have a beautiful writing cottage where I write when I am home.  

In Cambridge, Massachusetts where I rent an apartment to be near my grandbaby, Camden, I write in the glorious old reading room in the Cambridge Public Library, just down the street from my apartment. And in Sarasota, Florida, I have a sunny office in the little condo where we winter. I often see egrets hunting for lizards among the hibiscus bushes outside of my office window.  

Who do you count as your writing mentors, and the authors who influenced you as you developed as a writer?

I am lucky enough to have two face-to-face writing groups, one in Maine and one in Florida. My fellow group members are my writing mentors and friends: Cynthia Lord  , Terry Farish , Sara Pennypacker , Dianne Ochiltree , and Linda Shute . My most enduring mentor, the author who helped me to write my very first manuscript and launch my career, and who continues to support me as a writer and a very close friend, is Jane Kurtz .

What is your favorite indie bookstore? 

My hometown—that is the town big enough to have a bookstore—is Portland, Maine and my favorite indie in Portland is Letterpress Books !

About the Author: 
New York Times Best Selling author Toni Buzzeo wrote the 2013 Caldecott Honor Book, One Cool Friend. She creates award-winning picture books for children that celebrate the importance of family and new adventures in a wide and welcoming world as well as the fun of learning through books and libraries. A former elementary school librarian and secondary teacher, Toni Buzzeo is an experienced public speaker who travels nationally and internationally speaking as a visiting author in schools, at international and national library and reading conferences, and in district and regional staff development trainings. Her books for teachers and librarians encourage excellence in teaching and collaborative practice among educators.  For more information check out Toni's website 

Don't forget to fill out the rafflecopter to enter to win a copy of WHOSE TOOLS? Participants must be 13 years or older and have a US mailing address in order to win. 

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