The end of July is fast approaching, and whether you’re soaking up the sun or wishing for some AC, we here at Young Adulting have pooled together the coolest up-to-date bookish news that is sure to help you beat the heat! Here’s a roundup of all the exciting reviews and news since I last wrote.
The First Page Feature is a chance for emerging writers to feature the first page of their works-in-progress (ranging from Middle Grade to New Adult) in our monthly newsletter. Interested in featuring your first pages? Read our First Page Feature guidelines here, and submit here!
July’s First Page Feature is Russell F. Hirsch!
Russell F. Hirsch is a fantasy writer, oral storyteller, and public speaking tutor based in Vancouver. He obtained his BFA in Creative Writing and MA in Children’s Literature from UBC. His short fiction and poetry have appeared in Geist, Mirror Dance, and Gingerbread House, among other venues, but his true literary love is middle grade fiction. His work-in-progress, ALLIE WYNNE AND THE PLAYGROUND OF PERIL, is a middle grade fantasy adventure about a girl transported to a land of enchanted playground games that she must win in order to survive.
Allie Wynne and the Playground of Peril
There’s this feeling I get when I’m being watched. I bet you’ve felt it too. Like you can sense someone staring at your back, and when you whip your head around, you could swear one of your classmates or teachers—or even a total stranger—has just darted their gaze away. But last fall, when I started sixth grade, the feeling changed. Intensified.
Picture this. It’s the evening before school starts. Dad and I are squashed into the beanbag chairs on my bedroom floor, hunched over my magnetic chess board. I never beat Dad. We’ve played every night for the past three years, and since then, I’ve chalked up one thousand one hundred forty-six losses, thirty-three ties, and zero wins.
But tonight, I’m holding my own. Dad’s taken more of my pieces, but I captured his queen and still have mine. My hand hovers over the worn wood of a black knight, planning to retreat and shield my king.
That’s when it happens. The feeling.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. My head twitches, and I’m about to look around, to see who could possibly be staring at me. It’s just me and Dad in here and the curtains are closed. Besides, our apartment’s on the second floor.
Something stops me from turning around, though.
Don’t look, a voice seems to whisper in the back of my mind. Just play.
“You okay, Allie-oop?” Dad asks, using my nickname. His voice sounds strange, richer and fuller than usual, like he’s close to a microphone. Everything looks more vivid too. I can see every dust mote dancing in the beam of the lamp behind him. I can make out every strand of fur on Captain Slinky—my otter stuffy—who’s watching our game from the bed. And when my gaze shifts back to the board, I see a weak spot in Dad’s formation I hadn’t noticed before. My hand shifts to my queen. I go on the attack. Three moves later, for the first time in my life…
“Checkmate.”
Dad’s eyes go wide behind his glasses. Then he lets out a whoop, grabs my wrist and hoists my arm in the air like I’m the heavyweight champion of the world. “That-a-way, Allie-oop! You did it!”
I let out a laugh, not really sure what just happened. Dad’s voice sounds normal again. My vision’s back to normal, too. It’s like I’m coming out of a trance.
“You sure you’re okay, Allie?”
“Yeah.” I shake myself. “Yeah, great, Dad.”
As we clean up the pieces, I finally glance behind me.
No one’s there.
The feeling’s gone. But I know, more than I’ve ever known anything, I want that feeling again.
What drew you to writing for younger audiences?
As a kid, I remember series like Narnia, Harry Potter, and The Dark Is Rising utterly enchanting me—not only because they were fantastical stories, but because they held my attention in a way that felt truly spellbinding. Ever since, I’ve wanted to pass that feeling on to future generations of kids.
What’s your favourite part of the writing process?
The first and last stages of the process are my favourite: first, conceiving the initial idea or concept that’s going to inform the whole story-world, and finally, several drafts later, playing with the rhythm and sound of the language—that’s the oral storyteller in me coming out! The middle stages are tougher, but ultimately just as rewarding.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
In Lisa Cron’s book Story Genius she talks about imagining every event in a story with the word “But…” or “Therefore…” in front of it, to make sure there’s a logical, cause-and-effect chain of events. (Apparently, she learned this from the creators of South Park!) Seems obvious in hindsight, but that was a game-changer for me. I think it’s especially important in fantasy, otherwise the story is less of a story and more of a travel diary or checklist of tasks for the characters to complete.
If you are interested in contacting Russell F. Hirsch, please email young.adulting@ubc.ca.
YAing Updates
We’ve published some marvellous reviews since our last update. Here’s a recap:
- “This short book packs a lot into its few pages, guiding its young readers on a journey as it seeks to break down the overwhelming idea of 365 days in a year into tangible amounts like weeks and months for its young readers such as “365 goodnights,” “52 sleep-in Saturdays,” and “12 trips to the mailbox.” The unlikely illustrated friendship of our young protagonist and a lion, who sometimes represents the sun, provides both a lens for the reader to look at the story through and an interesting dynamic for kids to follow along with.” Maia Dueck reviews 365: How to Count a Year by Miranda Paul and Julien Chung
- “This book reads like a real labour of love because the amount of tropes Lukens’ manages to cram in is unreal. Trapped in a room together, sharing a bed, truth potion, sword fighting, and romantic rescue are all methods of seduction Arek tries on his friends. Through fateful happenstance, or subtle subterfuge, Arek somehow only ever manages to succeed with Matt.” Kay Snell reviews So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
- “Although Mason doesn’t undergo significant character development, he does learn to let go of revenge and in-doing so a mutual respect arises between Denise and Mason. For readers worried that such a sappy ending will lessen the impact of this revenge novel, worry not: Marty Chan still delivers a satisfying finale and Mason finds a way to leave his former bullies to their just desserts.” Kay Snell reviews Final Cut by Marty Chan
As always, check back every Thursday and every other Tuesday for more reviews of upcoming and new releases.
Industry News
Join the Penguin School Library team on July 25th for the fourth annual SLJ Picture Book Palooza, an all-day, FREE virtual celebration of authors and artists from around the world, who bring picture books to life with their extraordinary art. They’ll have author and illustrators on panels all day long, advance copies of new and upcoming picture books, free resources like author videos, storytime guides, and more! Register here!
Additionally, on August 22nd the Penguin School Library team is hosting SLJ Teen Live!, an all-day, FREE virtual celebration of authors and artists from around the world who tell amazing teen and tween stories. They’ll have authors on panels throughout the day, advance copies of new and upcoming titles, free resources like author videos, discussion guides, and more! Register for this event here!
The FOLD’s Pitch Perfect: KidLit Edition is back! If you have a draft of a picture book or a book for preteens or teens, and you’re not sure what to do next, Pitch Perfect: KidLit Edition is the perfect opportunity to get direction and industry advice. Submissions will open July 22. Deadline will be Wednesday, September 4 at 11:30PM ET. See more here.
As always, please do send us your news related to children’s and young adult literature at young.adulting@ubc.ca so we can feature them in future newsletters. Our newsletter is published on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. And remember to keep up with us on Twitter and Instagram!
Take care, and happy reading,
The Young Adulting Editors
YOUNG ADULTING 