We e-mailed author Traci Chee to let her know The Reader is among the Top 10 in this year’s CCRSB Teen Reader’s Choice Award. We were thrilled to receive the following reply:

“Hello readers! I’m honored that The Reader has been nominated for the CCRSB Teen Reader’s Choice award, and I’m so excited for you to meet my main character, Sefia. I had such a wonderful time writing her because she’s so complicated—naïve, clever, stubborn, temperamental, totally capable when it comes to survival but totally inexperienced when it comes to human relationships. She starts out believing good and evil are completely distinct, but the more she learns about her world and the book that’s been entrusted to her, the more she realizes that life isn’t black and white, and the decisions we face are rarely clear-cut. She’s one of a motley cast of characters, including cage fighters, cowboy-pirates, and librarians, and I hope you enjoy following along with their interlocking adventures! Happy reading to all!”

– Traci

We e-mailed The Sun is Also a Star author Nicola Yoon to let her know her book is among the Top 10 in this year’s CCRSB Teen Reader’s Choice Award. We were thrilled to receive the following response:

“Thank you so, so, soooooo much for nominating The Sun Is Also A Star for the Teen Choice Award! It really means a lot to me. I hope that you’re enjoying Natasha and Daniel’s journey and finding ways to connect with all the people you love in your life.”

Nicola

We e-mailed When Dimple Met Rishi author Sandhya Menon to let her know her novel is among the Top 10 in this year’s CCRSB Teen Reader’s Choice Award. We were thrilled to receive her response:

“I’m honored that When Dimple Met Rishi has been shortlisted for the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board Teen Reader’s Choice Award! To all the teens about to delve into Dimple and Rishi’s world–I hope you have the best time! Kismet and kisses!” 

Warm wishes,

Sandhya

We e-mailed Laurie Halse Anderson, author of The Impossible Knife of Memory, to inform her that her novel is among the Top 10 in this year’s CCRSB Teen Reader’s Choice Award. We were thrilled to receive the following response:

“Thank you so much for the exciting news about the nomination of The Impossible Knife of Memory! Thank you so much for the opportunity to share a few things with your readers!

“As I watched soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq – many of them struggling with PTSD – I couldn’t stop thinking about their children. My father developed PTSD as a result of his experience in World War II. His depression and alcoholism nearly destroyed our family.

“I wrote The Impossible Knife of Memory to show the incredible challenges faced by teens whose parents are dealing with substance abuse and mental illness. I borrowed a lot from my own life; the terror I felt when my dad was suicidal, my confusion about his mood swings, my anger when he passed out drunk, and my constant prayer that he would get better. There is a lot of sadness in this book, but there’s also friendship, humor, and the kind of love that gives you the strength and hope you need when times are tough. I hope your readers like it.”

Very truly yours,
Laurie Halse Anderson

We e-mailed author Meg Wolitzer to let her know Belzhar is among the Top 10 in this year’s CCRSB Teen Reader’s Choice Award. We were thrilled to receive the following response:

“I’m really happy that Belzhar was nominated for a Teen Reader’s Choice Award.  I tried to write the kind of book that I would have wanted to read when I was a teenager.  The novel takes place at a boarding school for “emotionally fragile, highly intelligent teenagers.”  I liked the idea of setting it there, because it meant that the characters would be far away from their families and friends, and off in a new situation where anything could happen.  Fantasy ripples very lightly through the book, and I don’t want to say too much, but I will say that the ending is something that a lot of people seem to want to know about, asking me, “Did you always know it would end that way?” The answer is, “Not exactly.”  Every book has to find its own story, and the writer has to struggle to tell it.  I tried to do that, and along the way I loved being in the world of my characters.  I still miss them.”

All the best,

Meg

We e-mailed Elizabeth Wein, author of Rose Under Fire, to inform her that her novel is among the Top 10 in this year’s CCRSB Teen Reader’s Choice Award. We were thrilled to receive the following response:

“I am delighted and honoured to have Rose Under Fire nominated for the Chignecto-Central Teen Reader’s Choice Award! It is deeply moving to know that through Rose I have helped a little to ‘Tell the world’ about the women who lived and died at Ravensbrueck, and to share their story of despair and hope with a new generation. Thank you for going along with Rose on this harrowing reading journey.”

All the best, and thanks again!

Elizabeth

We e-mailed Cat Winters to let her know her book is among the Top 10 in this year’s CCRSB Teen Reader’s Choice Award. We were thrilled to receive her gracious response:

“I’m incredibly honored that my novel In the Shadow of Blackbirds was selected to be a part of the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board Teen Reader’s Choice Award. I’ve read most of the other books that appear on the list and know that my novel is sitting there amid some highly impressive company!

“One of my favorite types of letters to receive from readers starts with the sentence “I don’t normally read historical fiction, but . . .” or “I don’t usually read ghost stories, but . . .” In the Shadow of Blackbirds is indeed a ghost tale set in the past—1918 America to be specific—but I think you’ll find it’s a little different from other YA paranormal fiction and even other historical novels. It’s the story of a bright, scientific-minded, stubborn, and compassionate teen named Mary Shelley Black (named after the author of Frankenstein), who must deal with a world war, a deadly flu pandemic, and a ghost. She encounters séances, frauds, broken boys, and a mystery involving a lost love, all while trying to remain sane, alive, and true to herself. It’s a horror story, ghost story, love story, mystery, historical novel, and coming-of-age tale all wrapped in one spooky package that includes haunting real-life images from the past.

“I’ve always been drawn to books in which young people encounter the brutality of history with bravery, honesty, and even humor. I hope you’ll feel inspired by my main character’s perseverance while dealing with one of the world’s darkest moments.

“Thank you for participating, and happy reading!”

Warmest wishes,

Cat Winters

We e-mailed Out of the Easy author Ruta Sepetys to let her know her book is among the Top 10 in this year’s CCRSB Teen Reader’s Choice Award. We were thrilled to receive her speedy and gracious response:

“I’m so thrilled that Out of the Easy has been nominated for the Chignecto-Central Regional Teen Reader’s Choice Award! Out of the Easy is a story of decisions, dreams, and the power of books. Through reading, Josie Moraine’s world becomes less lonely. She finds characters who inspire her to overcome hardship and become the author of her own destiny.

“Reading is a creative partnership. The author provides the text but you, the reader, bring the story to life. Thank you for reading Out of the Easy and giving Josie, Cokie, Willie and all of the characters something so important — a voice.”

Sincerely,

Ruta