Recent Posts
Bildungsroman
Return To Blog Listing
Bildungsroman: A novel which traces the spiritual, moral, psychological, or social development and growth of the main character from (usually) childhood to maturity. (Wikipedia)rnrnBildungsroman: A novel whose principal subject is the moral, psycholog
Recent Posts Tagged With 'reviews'
Readergirlz Roundtable: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
We're kicking off 2010 at readergirlz with The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, a book I highly and frequently recommend. (Read my full-length review of the novel.) This witty story begins with a letter written by Frances ...
The Sisters Club and Rule of Three by Megan McDonald
The three Reel sisters, Joey (8), Stevie (10), and Alex (12 and three-quarters), are thick as thieves. Dramatic Alex, the oldest girl, is an aspiring actress who, despite her attempts to appear mature and sophisticated at times, still secretly confid...
Riding the Universe by Gaby Triana
Seventeen years ago, Chloé was adopted by a happily married young couple.Nine years ago, when she was in third grade, Chloé befriended a quiet, sad boy named Rock. She comforted him; he challenged her to a race across the playground. They've been r...
The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan
If you're looking for a page-turning graphic novel that is both educational and kid-friendly, look no further than The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan. This riveting story of one family's struggle during The Dust Bowl is not to be missed.Kansas circ...
Ghosts, Shapeshifters, and Vampires, Oh My!
Ghosts, Shapeshifters, and Vampires, Oh My!by Little WillowTrick or treat: Which do you prefer? I’ll take a treat myself. If you’re looking for a spooky story to read on Halloween, you’ve come to the right place, because all of the following bo...
Readergirlz Roundtable: Sweetgrass Basket by Marlene Carvell
Lorie Ann Grover: I'm very proud that rgz is celebrating Native American Heritage Month! Many thanks to Cynthia Leitich Smith for drawing our attention to this wonderful celebration. I recently had a delightful time meeting with the staff of the Amer...
Sweetgrass Basket by Marlene Carvell
After the death of their mother, two Mohawk sisters, Mattie and Sarah, are sent away from their reservation to the Carlisle Indian School in upstate New York. Sarah is quite shy and quiet, while Mattie is bold and outspoken. Despite their different p...
Legacy by Tom Sniegoski
Legacy by Tom Sniegoski explores good and evil and that murky gray area in-between. At the age of 18, Lucas, a high school dropout learns that his estranged, dying father is a superhero - and expects his son to take up his mantle. Lucas is understand...
Readergirlz Roundtable: The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
Welcome to the readergirlz roundtable! Today, we're discussing A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing, Libba Bray's three exquisite Victorian novels featuring the risk-taking Gemma Doyle. Join us!Lorie Ann Grover: Welcome ...
Roundtable: The Boys are Back in Town by Christopher Golden
This roundtable was cross-posted at GuysLitWire. Once upon a time, I received a box in the mail whose contents were a special surprise. That box contained what would become one of my favorite modern thrillers: The Boys are Back in Town by Christophe...
Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim
High school is hard enough, but add on the pressure of being the younger sister of a "Supernerd" as well as the only Asian or Muslim in her class and it's no wonder that Nina Khan feels a little out-of-sorts. Though Nina loves and appreciates her p...
Stranger with My Face by Lois Duncan
I just discovered that a television movie based on the novel Stranger with My Face will be premiering on Lifetime next Saturday night at 9 PM PST/EST. I hope it's decent. Adaptations of Duncan's books, be they feature films (I Know What You Did Last ...
GirlForce by Nikki Goldstein
GirlForce by Nikki Goldstein is this month's non-fiction recommended read for readergirlz. Here's a little bit about the book as I described it in my interview with the author: GirlForce encourages teen girls to be healthy: to find a healthy balance...
Hot Girl by Dream Jordan
Fourteen-year-old Kate, a foster kid living in Brooklyn, is fairly bored and lonely this summer because her best friend is far away, on a trip in South Africa. Kate makes a new friend named Najeelah, a girl who dresses to impress and has boyfriends g...
Interview: Cheryl Renee Herbsman
Cheryl Renee Herbsman's debut novel, Breathing, introduces readers to Savannah, a very likable protagonist whose severe asthma sometimes impedes her. One remarkable summer is punctuated by Savannah's work at the local library, her worries about her y...
Interview: Terri & Brittany MacLeod
Terri and Brittany MacLeod, mother and daughter, had a really cool idea for a book - and now it's been published! The non-fiction book 113 Things to Do By 13 is exactly what you think it is: a list of things to do, ranging from having a sleepover to ...
The Actor and the Text - and the Reader
This article was also posted at GuysLitWire.Have you ever played a part on stage or on film that was completely unlike you? I have. I love it. In my opinion, playing against type is one of the most challenging aspects of acting - and one of the best....
Brushing Mom's Hair by Andrea Cheng, illustrated by Nicole Wong
Ann's mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The book begins with her homecoming, following surgery in which both of her breasts were removed. This non-rhyming verse novel describes her recovery from surgery and her chemo treatments from her d...
The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
Graphic novels aren't just about superheroes. They can also be contemporary, realistic stories about everyday people. Art, community, and fear are all discussed in The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg, a poignant story about a girl named...
Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell
Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life, Rachel Renee Russell's debut, is an illustrated novel sure to appeal to tweens. When Nikki Maxwell transfers to a new school in eighth grade, her mother gives her a diary. Even though Nikki thinks it's...
The Twilight Zone graphic novels
It's hard to find a modern-day television series that continually offers intelligent scripts and thoughtful commentaries on society and history. Due to its creativity, imagination, and daring, the original Twilight Zone has always been one of my all-...
He Said, She Said: Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
Welcome to He Said, She Said, a feature for GuysLitWire in which a guy (Book Chic, a recent college graduate) and a gal (Little Willow, a bookseller) discuss books that will appeal to both genders.Little Willow: Last month, when I posted about the ma...
Imprint: Minx
In 2007, DC Comics launched an imprint called MINX. Promoted as "the first graphic novel imprint designed exclusively for teenage girls" and featuring new works by a variety of artists and writers, I had high hopes for the line. Sadly, it was cancell...
