Thursday, May 12, 2011

Winner, Interview, Giveaway 19

The Winner of Alex J. Cavanaugh's

CASSASTAR

is

Sophia Richardson!

Congrats!

Email me at muchlanguage (at) gmail (dot) com with your real name and a mailing address.

Today's offering: THE SUMMER BEFORE BOYS by Nora Raleigh Baskin



COVER COPY:
Julia and Eliza are best friends, spending the summer together. Julia's mother is serving in the National Guard and Julia spends all of her time trying not to think about what could happen. So the girls lose themselves in their summer, hanging out at the resort where Eliza's father works. But when they meet a new boy, neither one of them is prepared for what it does to their friendship.

Honest truth: I read this because I had access to the ARC. I did not expect to like it. Julia and Eliza are 12. And even though I read YA, middle grade is hit and miss for me. But I don't even think of this book as being middle grade. I think of it like Shrek: existing on 2 levels. As a kid, you see one thing. As an adult you see another.

I really identified when the boy started to come between Julia and Eliza. Not because I've done that, but because I've been guilty of putting my priorities in the wrong place, and letting others down. I think we all have.

Another thing was that this story is intertwined with a narrative about Julia's mother, who is fighting in Iraq. I'd never imagined the ambiguity of feelings. Julia wants everyone to remember her mother's in Iraq, but she doesn't want them to bring it up. She wants to be able to cry, but she doesn't want anyone's pity.

THE SUMMER BEFORE BOYS was a wonderful offering that might take you back to your pre-teen days or might teach you a thing or two about the world, or even yourself.

To win, let me know: have you ever priotised wrong and hurt someone?

Rules:
Contest open until Wednesday 11.59 pm EST.
Followers only.
Open internationally.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I can't think of any times when I've prioritiezed wrong and hurt someone, but because I didn't do it, I'm probably just blocking the experience from my memory. I like to pretend I've always been perfect :-)

This book does sound intreaging. I'm with you in that MG books cn be really hit and miss. The good ones are often amazing, but the bad ones make me want to stear clear of the whole genre. It's good to hear about another good one.

Sidrah said...

I don't think I have ever planned to wrong someone but definitely I have hurt a few people in jest. Also, am quite quick-tempered and blurt out things I regret later.

The book sounds amazing =)

Sophia said...

Holy moly, this is the second book I've won today, what the what? Clearly I need to go buy a lottery ticket, like now. Thanks so so much Claire, I'll get right on sending you my address.

Coming from a girl who was/can still be a tad boy obsessed, this book sounds really interesting. Kinda makes me think that I'd like to write a YA book focusing on friendship since I've made many mistakes my characters could learn from.
- Sophia.

Unknown said...

Wow, congrats, Sophia. Awesome.

Have I hurt someone in that way? Yes. Many times. I decide not to do something because I think it was not important but it turns out they were looking forward to it or waiting on me to show.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations Sophia!

Aleeza said...

this book was so sweet. i also read it cause i had an arc. perfect for a mother's day book, don't you think?

Sidrah said...

Hey where did my comment go?? =o

This book sounds nice.

I have never planned to hurt someone, but definitely I have hurt quite a few people in jest. Also am quick tempered so sometimes I blurt out things I regret later =\

I think I must have hurt my dad a lot =( I hardly ever listen to him!

Marsha Sigman said...

Oh, but that's hard when you're young and in love, to not ignore friends when you can get so caught up with a boyfriend. As an adult I think my husband had a hard time when we had my son. He was so used to being number one it took a little adjusting.

This sounds like a great book!