Review - Same Difference / Siobhan Vivian

Emily is ready for a change. She's been in the same town with the same friends for a long time...and none of them really understand her art. But when she goes to Philadelphia for a summer art institute, she suddenly finds like-minded people. One in particular, Fiona, intrigues and challenges her. But there are some things Emily is going to have to find out for herself -- like what the balance is between life and art, and which is more important when push comes to shove.

Review - When talking about one's teen years most people speak about the freedom but most forget the trapped feeling that tended to overwhelm. As a teenager you are always stuck between who you are and who you will be - whether you follow a well worn path or blaze your own trail. Vivian's Same Difference is a quiet, nuanced look at a specific time in Emily's growth from teen to independent being. There are no easy solutions, no hero on a white stead, no right answers. It is contemporary at its purest - following a relatable character as they deal with life's inevitable quandaries.

Art school was a fantastic crossroad setting to contrast with Emily's sedate and unchallenging suburban life. One forces people to conform, to batten down their individualism. The other proclaims it like a badge. It is a universal story, finding yourself stuck between two roads where neither is the right fit.

Emily is a character that has always been a supporting player. Comfortable in the background she's never really wanted much other than to break free from the confines of the gated community in which she resides. It is this back foot, somewhat apologetic, aspect of her personality that allows the reader to buy into her obliviousness that propels the story. When you are so used to being seen a certain way, the reality isn't always as clear.

Fiona is just the kind of magnetic train wreck that would have me clamouring to be her friend. Confidence is a hugely seductive trait in friends and romantic interests alike and this girl has it in spades. Fiona's denial reflects Emily's own lack of self belief, they are the yin to each other's yan. Bold, brash and manipulative Fiona is the bright, oddly dressed sun that the students orbit and yet their is a fragility and wounded quality that allows the character to breathe despite her shallow nature.

Meg could be considered a stereotypes and cliche. The exception is that she's the real face behind the girls who don't necessarily want to branch out. She wants to stay near the nest, attend college and just be. It is easy to dismiss these girls but they are equally as viable as those that wish to fly away. It isn't that Meg doesn't want, she just wants something that is both definable and readily achievable. Her dreams seem smaller because they are almost in her palm. She serves as a worthy contrast to Emily as she's not striving for more instead she's working through having achieved what she wanted and all that entrails. The distance that widens between these best friends can be simply attributed to Emily's physical distance but really comes down to two people that need to reset their image of one another and the way they communicate.

Yates is an interesting romantic foil in that she's clearly crushable but there's a lot more going on. His perspective on art and 'making it' add an extra dimension of introspection that assist in establishing the art school and world as more than a convenient setting.

This was my first foray into Siobhan Vivian's writing and I am impressed. I am sure some people might read it as a simple story but there is a lot more going on beneath the surface and I really gravitated towards that. She took an aspect of life that is extremely relatable and places in squarely in a world that I was an alien to. Being artistically challenged, the author was able to express different mediums in a way that I could understand on a technical and visual level which is impressive. More than anything, Vivian showed that simple, universal concepts of growing up and changing can be conveyed in familiar but unique ways that can connect to an audience on different levels.

Published: March 1, 2009
Format: Paperback, 256 pages
Publisher: Push
Source: purchased
Origin: USA

http://www.siobhanvivian.com/

Stop #1 - Where She Went Teaser Tour

It's an absolute honour to be the opening leg of the Where She Went teaser tour. If I Stay was among the first titles that were reviewed here on Persnickety Snark and it had a big impact on the blog and myself. By visiting each of the ten blog stops (as detailed below) you will read a new curiosity burning teaser about this new title.

And on with the teasing...

Attention If I Stay fans:

You know what Mia and Adam went through after the Hall family’s accident, but have you ever wondered what happened after? Well the wait is almost over—New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman has written a sequel to If I Stay. It’s called Where She Went, and it comes out April 2011, but right now she’s doing a teaser tour to give If I Stay fans the scoop on what they can expect from Mia and Adam’s new chapter.

Teaser Number 1:

It’s a sequel—but not. This is definitely a continuation of the Adam-Mia story, but it’s also a brand-new story, Adam’s own story. Some people who’ve read the book have responded by saying: “It’s not a sequel at all! It’s a totally new work.” Which makes me happy because I have misgivings about sequels (unless they’re part of a series).

One other thing you might’ve deduced from the above blurbette is that you learn other people’s names and last names in this book. For instance, Mia’s last name is Hall. Adam’s last name is Wilde. And Mia’s parents are/were named Kat and Denny. Oh, look, I gave four things away. Well, I wanted to start with a bang.

Aren't you just dying to get your hands on it already?

Having been lucky enough to read Where She Went I can tell you that I cried. Getting me to cry these days is like drawing blood from a stone...it doesn't happen. Prepare to be hit with some Forman awesomeness.

In addition to tempting you with some Where She Went tidbits, Penguin USA is kindly providing a signed paperback copy of If I Stay for one lucky person. To be in the running to win this awesome prize you need to...

• live in the US


• volunteer a song that best represents Adam (as he is the protagonist of Where She Went) and why. Best answer wins.


• your email address

You have until August 26th to submit your entry.

Preorder your copy of Where She Went!

Where She Went Teaser Tour Stops:
August 19: Persnickety Snark
August 20: Hope’s Bookshelf
August 23: Bookworming in the 21st Century
August 24: The Story Siren
August 25: Sarah’s Random Musings
August 26: The Compulsive Reader
August 27: The Book Scout
August 30: Frenetic Reader
August 31: Book Chic
September 1: Presenting Lenore

Watch the If I Stay paperback trailer:

Review - The ABC's of Kissing Boys / Tina Ferraro

Parker Stanhope has played soccer practically since she could walk. And now that she’s a high school junior, everything she’s worked for is finally coming together. She’s paid her dues on the field, and as an upperclassman, she’s a shoo-in for the varsity team. But that’s not what happens.

This year, Coach Hartley moved up every JV player but two—and one of those two was Parker. Now, she’s stuck with the freshmen, her friends are cutting her loose, and her love of the game is seriously beginning to fail. But Parker is determined to get her life back. She has to get on the varsity team, and she has the perfect plan. All she needs now is the right kind of coach. Goodreads.

Review - Sometimes all a girl wants is a relatively issue free fun romp with sparky repartee and a little romance. At the moment it seems like these books are few and far between. Tina Ferraro's The ABC's of Kissing Boys was exactly what I wanted - light but meaningful fun, written well with some inventive kisses thrown into the mix. What was a little different was that the guy (the kisser in question) with the kissing goods is a little left of centre for YA. He's the younger man. I know. Shocking, right? It seems relatively minor in terms of challenging boyfriends but hey, I won't date anyone shorter than me, so who am I to judge? Tristan might be younger (he's a freshman, she's a junior) but he definitely has a way about him (and lips) that keep Parker on her toes.

It can seem trivial but in the scheme of all things high school, snogging a freshman is a social death knell. While it could be overwrought, Ferraro mixes healthy introspection with lighter moments that keep the story honest and vastly entertaining. That being said, Parker's idea to get her spot on the varsity soccer team and the impetus for Tristan's coaching, is a stretch. It is quite possibly the most laughable and ridiculous way to go about getting what she wants. While this does impact on the reader's judgement of Parker's intelligence to a degree, it is assisted by Tristan's silent recognition of the flaws in the plan. Desperation can blind a girl's judgement it seems.

The social anxiety and persecution faced by Parker is nicely played. While there are plenty of laughs, the toxicity of her friendship group and the level of judgement placed upon her are realistic. It was great to see the author have her protagonist own her choices within the school environment. Holes didn't exist to be dug deeper, Parker just needed to find other places to play. Sure she's oblivious and a little shallow but the growth this character achieves is well deserved by the end.

The ABCs of Kissing Boys won't cure cancer or grace award lists but it is well crafted with an authentic character arc and parents who are actually involved in their teen's life. It was exactly what I needed and wish there were more like it in the market. This was my first jaunt into Ferraro-territory and it is a place I am quite willing to revisit in the future.

Published - January 9, 2009
Format - Paperback, 224 pages
Publisher - Random House
Source - purchased
Origin - USA

www.tinaferraro.com

Final List - Top 100 YA Novels (2010)

First of all I would like to thank you all very sincerely for your involvement in this enterprise. From voting to commenting on the results, your involvement has been greatly appreciated. I look forward to a larger pool of voters next year.

Secondly I would like to thank Kevin Lee for all his hard work in sorting the data. It was an overwhelming task that was made difficult by typos, votes provided without authors and other curious entries. It was a mountain that Kevin tackled with enthusiasm and grace and I don't really have the words to thank him enough.

Lastly I would like to thank Judith Ridge for her perusal of the list. Judith is the resident YA expert here in Australia and used a John Stephens quote as the basis for what title met the YA criteria - “the emergence of subjectivity as a development of a central character’s ability to express self-recognition or agency”. I valued her knowledge and thank her for her role in fine tuning the top 100.

In future polls the definition will be spelt out more clearly but even with a very basic criteria in 2010 many people voted for title that were clearly not within the bounds of YA. The line between middle grade and young adult is still fuzzy with many people's opinions quite subjective.

At the conclusion of the Top 100 YA Novels poll for this year, I would like to share some information gathered from your votes.

• Voting took place over five weeks at the end of April and throughout May.


• 735 people shared their top ten choices of the best YA titles. The participants come from across the globe and many different careers. Students, librarians, teachers, editors and a myriad of other professions took the time to volunteer their thoughts on YA.


• At least 80% of participants were female.


• An overwhelming majority of voters identified themselves solely as readers.


• Sarah Dessen accumalated the most points which is amazing considering she has not written a series. The only title of hers not to make the top 100 was That Summer, her first publication.


• The top five authors represented on the list in terms of title rankings order were - Sarah Dessen, JK Rowling, Melina Marchetta, Stephenie Meyer and Cassandra Clare. Three represent the strong representation of paranormal series on the list while the other two represent contemporary works with strong female protagonists.


• Despite having only a single title (The Princess Diaries), Meg Cabot was the author with the most titles voted for - 20.


• The top five authors in terms of titles voted for were - Meg Cabot, Tamora Pierce, DianaWynne Jones, LJ Smith and Judy Blume.


• The top five authors represented in terms of point accumalation were - Sarah Dessen, JK Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Stephenie Meyer and Philip Pullman.


• As I am an Australian it is with pride that I point out that five titles were from my homeland.

My intention is to conduct this poll again in 2011 with some revisions. Readers have been pretty vocal in their thoughts on this poll and I would like to hear from you on what you'd like to see next year. Feel free to have your say in the comments section or privately via email.

Note - Should you reference this poll and its finding, please ensure you hyperlink to Persnickety Snark as the original source. Thank you.

And now for the final list ....

Persnickety Snark's Top 100 YA Novels for 2010

The Hunger Games	Suzanne Collins
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone	J.K. Rowling
To Kill a Mockingbird	Harper Lee
Speak	Laurie Halse Anderson
Northern Lights	Philip Pullman
The Truth About Forever	Sarah Dessen
The Book Thief	Markus Zusak
The Outsiders	S.E. Hinton
Twilight	Stephenie Meyer
This Lullaby	Sarah Dessen
Looking for Alaska	John Green
Just Listen	Sarah Dessen
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows	J.K. Rowling
Little Women	Louisa May Alcott
City of Bones	Cassandra Clare
On the Jellicoe Road	Melina Marchetta
The Catcher in the Rye	J.D. Salinger
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban	J.K. Rowling
The Perks of Being a Wallflower	Stephen Chbosky
Along for the Ride	Sarah Dessen
Shiver	Maggie Stiefvater
Vampire Academy	Richelle Mead
Graceling	Kristin Cashore
Thirteen Reasons Why	Jay Asher
Sloppy Firsts	Megan McCafferty
The Lord of the Rings	J.R.R. Tolkien
Alanna: The First Adventure	Tamora Pierce
Ender's Game	Orson Scott Card
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince	J.K. Rowling
Uglies	Scott Westerfeld
A Great and Terrible Beauty	Libba Bray
Tomorrow, When the War Began	John Marsden
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks	E. Lockhart
Pride and Prejudice	Jane Austen
The Westing Game	Ellen Raskin
Paper Towns	John Green
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire	J.K. Rowling
Catching Fire	Suzanne Collins
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn	Betty Smith
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian	Sherman Alexie
Lock and Key	Sarah Dessen
The Amber Spyglass	Philip Pullman
Evernight	Claudia Gray
Sabriel	Garth Nix
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	J.K. Rowling
Beautiful Creatures	Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl
Forever	Judy Blume
I Capture the Castle	Dodie Smith
Ella Enchanted	Gail Carson Levine
The Princess Diaries	Meg Cabot
Stargirl	Jerry Spinelli
Howl's Moving Castle	Diana Wynne Jones
The Dark is Rising	Susan Cooper
Hush, Hush	Becca Fitzpatrick
Saving Francesca	Melina Marchetta
Second Helpings	Megan McCafferty
Dreamland	Sarah Dessen
Eclipse	Stephenie Meyer
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist	Rachel Cohn, David Levithan
Fire	Kristin Cashore
The Chocolate War	Robert Cormier
Weetzie Bat	Francesca Lia Block
The Diary of a Young Girl	Anne Frank
Looking for Alibrandi	Melina Marchetta
How I Live Now	Meg Rosoff
City of Glass	Cassandra Clare
Keeping the Moon	Sarah Dessen
Breaking Dawn	Stephenie Meyer
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging	Louise Rennison
If I Stay	Gayle Forman
The King of Attolia	Megan Whalen Turner
Wintergirls	Laurie Halse Anderson
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast	Robin McKinley
The Blue Sword	Robin McKinley
Feed	M.T. Anderson
The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants	Ann Brashares
Go Ask Alice	Anonymous
Wicked Lovely	Melissa Marr
Lord of the Flies	William Golding
Someone Like You	Sarah Dessen
The Forest of Hands and Teeth	Carrie Ryan
Jacob Have I Loved	Katherine Paterson
The Knife of Never Letting Go	Patrick Ness
Poison Study	Maria V. Snyder
Shadow Kiss	Richelle Mead
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle	Avi
An Abundance of Katherines	John Green
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time	Mark Haddon
A Ring of Endless Light	Madeleine L'Engle
Glass Houses	Rachel Caine
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party	M.T. Anderson
Walk Two Moons	Sharon Creech
Whale Talk	Chris Crutcher
Perfect Chemistry	Simone Elkeles
Going Too Far	Jennifer Echols
The Last Song	Nicholas Sparks
Before I Fall	Lauren Oliver
Hatchet	Gary Paulsen
The Pigman	Paul Zindel
The Hero and the Crown	Robin McKinley

If you wish to print out a friendlier version of this list, follow this link.