Sep
05
I read a couple books–Truth or Dare and All That Glitters–over the past week or so and wanted to pass them along to one lucky reader. It could be YOU this time!
Remember those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books from back in the day? I used to get them at our church library all the time–or was it the school library? The regular library? Anyway.
Nicole O’Dell’s new Scenarios books for tween girls are similar to those. In each book, the main character is faced with a tough decision, and you help her make the choice. There are alternate endings and everything. Pretty cool concept.
Here’s the deal: I’m tempted to gush about the books and tell you to rush out and buy them. All the reviews I’ve read have been stellar, and I don’t know the author personally, but from what I’ve read on her blog and website, she seems stinkin’ awesome. I love, love, love that people are writing wholesome fiction for my girlies to read in the months and years ahead.
But.
I didn’t love the books. They were just a little too Christian-bookstore and contrived for me. From the way the characters talked to the sermons they sat through at church, I just didn’t buy it. I love reading secular YA (young adult) fiction, and this just didn’t measure up to some of the great stuff I’ve read.
HOWEVER, I don’t know that it’s even possible to write good, clean fiction for young girls AND share the message of the Gospel AND impart the values that Christian parents want instilled in their kiddos AND leave the reader thinking, “Wow, what literary quality!” I certainly don’t have the writing skills to do it.
So, bottom line. The author is awesome, the books are beautiful, and chances are, your daughter/niece/granddaughter/little sister will love them. Don’t let my opinion discourage you from getting them. I just have to be honest, so you’ll trust me when I review books.
Here’s Nicole’s website, her blog, and an interactive site for young girls. Girls can even ask Nicole (and her 2 daughters!) questions. She has six kids–including one-year-old TRIPLETS!! And I love this guest post she did for author Mary DeMuth about her unconventional journey to publication. Super encouraging for those of you who dream of writing a book!
One lucky duck is going to win both books. All you have to do is answer ONE of these simple questions:
1. What was/is your favorite young adult book?
OR
2. If you had triplets, what would you name them?
U.S. addresses only. Winner will be announced Tuesday at noon. Have an awesome Labor Day Weekend!
My favorite book, was 1001 Clean Jokes…lol
Triplets: Huey, Duey and Luey!
I just to love the Babysitter’s Club books!
But if I had triplets, I’d name them….
Lyndon, Lauren, & Lakyn (girls)
or
Cole, Clay, & Cohen (boys)
Baby Sitters Club.
Alvin, Simon & Theodore
I loved the Choose Your Own Adventure books when I was a kid. I was always afraid I would make the wrong choice, though, and would “cheat” and read ahead before making a choice. Kinda took the whole adventure out of the books, but I still enjoyed them!
Hi Marla, live in Brazil and last week I read in a Brazilian magazine about the adventure of his family, visited the site, I loved the pictures. Congratulations Urban Safari.
I wrote in my blog about you!
Kiss from Brazil
I was a huge horse nut growing up and I loved the Misty of Chincoteague books by Marguerite Henry – actually all of her books helped quench my multitude of horse requests!
Sweet Valley Twins! Is is pathetic to admit that I still read them every once in a while? And that I own about 60ish of them? I’m so ashamed…
Triplets. Hmm. We could only come up with one name option for this little one, so I don’t think I can possibly come up with three. I’ll think about it though.
Hey Marla,
I’m not trying to win =) but I did want to tell you that it is possible to write YA books like that. Debby Viguie did so with her Sweet Seasons series (LOVED it!) and Shelley Adina’s It’s All About us series is fantastic too. I’ve read several other YA series lately, and I agree with you, too often, they turn into preachy sermons that no one wants to read, but Viguie & Adina are amazing.
And I guess I’ll give you my favorite YA title, just for fun. I loved The Witch of Blackbird Pond, can’t remember the title, but I must have read it 10 times when I was in 4-6th grades.
My favorite book(s) were anything by Judy Blume…the angst, the emotions, the humor. What a joy that I now get to hear my daughter laughing out loud at Fudge and his antics.
I appreciate your honest review.