What does Young Adult mean?

I just read an advanced readers copy of The Spell Book of Listen Taylor, by Jaclyn Moriarty. It was fabulous--quirky characters, a family mystery, both funny and tender, but who was it written for? The book cover says its for 14 and up yet all the main characters but one are adults with adult concerns. Let's face it, no 14 year old is that interested in a list of "Irritating Things About My Husband", are they? Maybe I'm wrong about other 14 year olds, but I would not have cared for that at 14 or 16 or even 18. Listen Taylor (and isn't that a great name?) is 12 but I don't think she's the main character, but merely part of a large ensemble cast who work together to tell the story of the spell book and how it came to be. She's the one who works the spells but not the reason the book exists or even more than peripherally involved in the family mystery. So, although I loved this book, I won't be buying it for the store, because where would it get shelved? We have no spot for it.

But that doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it, just not for teens. Watch for it, it comes out in September and I'd be happy to order a copy for you if your interested.

Similes

May 8, 2007

My original plan was to post every day but I seem to be averaging once a week. Maybe I will be more prolific as time goes on but for now, no excuses will you hear from me but I will try to post a bit more often.

I'm working with a small group at my children's school doing some creative writing on Friday afternoons. This week we're going to talk about similes and I can't wait to share my new favorite book with them: My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks, by Hanoch Piven. For each member of the narrator's family is a whole list of similes describing them accompanied by a picture made of found objects. For example, Dad is as stubborn as a knot in a rope and the picture has a knotted rope for Dad's mouth.