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readergirlz is a literacy and social media project for teens, awarded the National Book Foundation's Innovations in Reading Prize. The rgz blog serves as a depot for news and YA reviews from industry professionals and teens. As volunteers return full force to their own YA writing, the organization continues to hold one initiative a year to impact teen literacy. All are welcome to "like" us on Facebook!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Diva Delight: A Map of the Known World, Lisa Ann Sandell

How lovely is Lisa Ann Sandell? VERY! And not just because I'm partial to verse novelists. :~) Or because her middle name is Ann without an "e," too. Her latest work is prose, and it launches in a few short days!

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n62/n310569.jpg

Cora is dealing with the death of her older brother, Nate. Surviving in a small town while trying to unravel who her brother really was, she dreams of distant places she might one day visit. Her passion is to draw beautiful enhanced maps. When Cora begins to relate to Damian, the boy who survived her brother's car crash, she finds truth, friendship, and her own way through her world.

"They say no land remains to be discovered, no continent is left unexplored. But the whole world is out there, waiting, just waiting for me. I want to do things-I want to walk the rain-soaked streets of London, and drink mint tea in Casablanca. I want to wander the wastelands of the Gobi desert and see a yak. I think my life's ambition is to see a yak. I want to bargain for trinkets in an Arab market in some distant, dusty land. There's so much. But, most of all, I want to do things that will mean something."

A Map of the Known World is a beautiful contribution to YA lit. The inclusion of art as a means to heal and understand is so well done and uplifting. In keeping with the novel's themes, Lisa has uploaded a virtual gallery. What a marvelous idea! She was kind enough to accept my collage for my latest work in progress. Look for Secrets!

Brava, Lisa! And happy launch to you!

A Map of the Known World

Lisa Ann Sandell
Scholastic Press, 2009

My website

9 comments:

Erika Powell said...

Happy launch! I really want to read this and have heard all amazing things about it

Little Willow said...

It's a fantastic book!

Llehn said...

Have a GRRRRRRREAT launch Lisa!

Lesley

Melissa Walker said...

I am reading this book right now and loving it!

Shelly B said...

I keep seeing reviews of this one and can't wait to read it!

Reyna Meinhardt said...

This one looks good! I'm looking forward to reading it as well as "Song of a Sparrow"! Congratulations Lisa! And...I must say the cover is neat as well!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for all the kind wishes, everyone!!

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