ALAN Online

Mary Arnold, Chair of the 2008 ALAN Election Committee, has announced
the following ALAN 2008 election results:
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The Adventurous Deeds of Deadwood Jones by Helen Hemphill
The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees
Chameleon by Charles R. Smith Jr.
The Darkness under the Water by Beth Kanell
The Devouring by Simon Holt
Kendra by Coe Booth
The Robe of Skulls by Vivian French and Ross Collins
Seaborn by Craig Moodie
Tiger Moon by Antonia Michaelis
Walkaway by Alden R. Carter

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ALAN is proud to announce that Dori Hillestad Butler and her novel The Truth about Truman School will be featured in the October Book Chats.  

The Truth about Truman School is a compelling story that addresses cyberbullying from the perspective of six middle school students.  

You can find The Truth about Truman School on Amazon.com or wherever great YA literature is sold.

Join us in the ALAN Book Chat on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 9:00 PM (Eastern) to discuss the novel with the ALAN community.  Then, on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 9:00 PM (Eastern) come back to the Book Chat to chat live with Dori Hillestad Butler.

You do not need to be a member of ALAN to join the chat.  To access the chat room click here.

The September 24th Book Chat featured a great conversation with Adrienne Vrettos.  Adrienne answered several questions about her latest novel Sight and she gave a few details about her third novel which is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2010.  If you were unable to attend, you can read a transcript of the chat by clicking on the link below.

Adrienne Vrettos Book Chat 

As sub-genres go of young adult literature, we probably won’t find “Creepy Cool” on any library shelf.  But it’s the term I use for books that are a little edgy, a little unpredictable, a little uncomfortable to read, and incredibly engaging. 

Of course, I can’t tell sophomores a book is contemporary gothic.  Instead, I just say it’s “Creepy Cool,” and that seems to cover it.

These Creepy Cool books have helped snag several reluctant readers—those who try to find other things to do rather than pick up a book.  I’ve mixed in different grade levels, some for middle school and some for high school.  Of course, I know readers vary at any grade level, so use your own judgment when deciding who might enjoy one of these books.  

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