Feb 1, 2018

10th Annual Texas Teen Book Festival


The Texas Teen Book Festival has announced the date of their TENTH year - October 6, 2018! I am so lucky to be a part of an amazing organization that connects teens and fans of YA to some pretty amazing authors and their books. Last year was a year of so many firsts, and we've already been planning some new and exciting things for 2018.

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Oct 11, 2017

Texas Teen Book Festival 2017

The 9th Annual Texas Teen Book Festival was amazing, as always! I really enjoyed the new iTent that had interactive programming for smaller audiences. Ask Me Anything sessions and super cool Vine Making workshop with Tillie Walden and Jennifer Mathieu. Here are some of my favorite photos of the day.


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Jul 20, 2017

Excerpt: The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash by Candace Ganger

The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash by Candace Ganger
July 25, 2017 from St. Martin's Griffin

Birdie never meant to be at the party. Bash should have been long gone. But when they meet, a collision course is set off they may never recover from.

Sebastian Alvaréz is just trying to hold the pieces together: to not flunk out, to keep his sort-of-best friend Wild Kyle from doing something really bad, and to see his beloved Ma through chemo. But when he meets Birdie Paxton, a near-Valedictorian who doesn’t realize she’s smoking hot in her science pun T-shirt, at a party, an undeniable attraction sparks. And suddenly he’s not worried about anything. But before they are able to exchange numbers, they are pulled apart. A horrifying tragedy soon links Birdie and Bash together—but neither knows it. When they finally reconnect, and are starting to fall—hard—the events of the tragedy unfold, changing both their lives in ways they can never undo. Told in alternating perspectives, The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash by Candace Ganger is a beautiful, complex, and ultimately hopeful teen novel that will move you to the very last page.

May 11, 2017

Review: Star Wars Builders (Millennium Falcon, Starfighters, & Droids)



Discover what makes the Millennium Falcon the most famous ship in the galaxy with this master builder kit! Featuring a 64-page book detailing out some of the ship's most daring adventures and introducing members of the crew, Star Wars fans will enjoy learning more about one of the most legendary starships in the galaxy. Plus, this kit includes thick puzzle-like pieces so fans can build their very own Millennium Falcon ship for all their adventures.

Mar 16, 2017

Review: Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley

Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley
January 31st 2017 from Harlequin Teen

Fifteen-year-old Aki Simon has a theory. And it's mostly about sex. 

No, it isn't that kind of theory. Aki already knows she's bisexual—even if, until now, it's mostly been in the hypothetical sense. Aki has dated only guys so far, and her best friend, Lori, is the only person who knows she likes girls, too. 

Actually, Aki's theory is that she's got only one shot at living an interesting life—and that means she's got to stop sitting around and thinking so much. It's time for her to actually do something. Or at least try. 

So when Aki and Lori set off on a church youth-group trip to a small Mexican town for the summer and Aki meets Christa—slightly older, far more experienced—it seems her theory is prime for the testing. 

But it's not going to be easy. For one thing, how exactly do two girls have sex, anyway? And more important, how can you tell if you're in love? It's going to be a summer of testing theories—and the result may just be love.