Our Books Around the World

Readergirlz diva, Justina Chen, is on the road this week.
She took this photo when she spotted her books in Dubai!

More proof readergirlz authors reach around the world.

May your stories flourish everywhere.

Readergirlz wish you happy and safe travels, Justina!

rgz tour: #hitwithgratitude

 

The concept of #hitwithgratitude began with the release of my young adult novel HIT coinciding with the release of Justina Chen's YA novel release, A BLIND SPOT FOR BOYS. As close friends, critique partners, and co-founders of readergirlz, it was a short leap to the thought of going on tour together. Rather than rgz coming to us, we'd go to you all!

To join two houses, Blink Young Adult Books and Little Brown Books for Young Readers, would be novel. Yet, with a love of literacy, two books releasing so close together, the support of two houses, and being besties ourselves, it was an easy decision to hit the road side-by-side. 

How about the hashtag #hitwithgratitude? Where did that come from? Justina and I a few years before had taken a test, springing from Shawn Achor's book THE HAPPINESS ADVANTAGE. We discovered out of more than 20 personal strengths, we both ranked Gratitude in our top five abilities. It was interesting, and we filed it away. We also ran across Ann Voskamp's book, ONE THOUSAND GIFTS: A DARE TO LIVE FULLY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE, and we discussed the beauty of numbering our blessings. Personally, I was being hit with wave after wave of chronic illness diagnoses from lupus to rheumatoid arthritis and cancer, while Justina was being hit by an unexpected divorce, being abandoned in China, and finding her long way home. 

In 2014, as Justina read HIT and I read A BLIND SPOT FOR BOYS, we were struck by how both novels carried the theme of enduring trial with a thankful heart. A theme we've shared with readergirlz across the country since our beginning in 2007. We chatted about choosing to be BETTER NOT BITTER and choosing PRAISE NOT PITY. There was room to be thankful in the midst of trial: not because of it (that would be irrational), not in spite of it (that would be grim determination), but thanks in the midst of it, knowing there is a greater purpose and lessons to be learned.

With #hitwithgratitude, we set out initially on tour with our books to encourage readers of all ages to hit back with gratitude even when hit by heartache, loss, and physical testing. As time passes, we'll likely travel together around the globe more, carrying the same injunction. Along the way, we'll meet with readergirlz, media, librarians, teachers, students, and book clubs of all ages. We'll exchange stories, listening wholeheartedly, and encourage everyone to share a pic, a text, a video, or a post with the hashtag: #hitwithgratitude. Sharing, our personal gratitude we can hit, encourage one another, with our thanks...over and over...and over. 

Join us, rgz. Let's run and #hitwithgratitude!

Hit-and-Run: the Gratitude Tour
Portland: October 2
Yakima: October 3, 4
Launch Party, Sumner, WA: October 7
Tempe: October 16-18
South TX: November 12-16
YALSA Symposium: November 15

(If you'd like to contact us regarding a visit, virtual or personal, jot an email to lorieanngroveratclearwiredotnet. We'd love to see you, rgz, and share a bit of our gratitude for each one of you!)

Watch for It: A Blind Spot for Boys

Just back from the ALA Annual Conference where I went on the hunt for co-founder Justina Chen's new ARC. They were completely gone from the Little Brown booth the same day they were displayed. So watch for this one. I happen to know it's quite the hot adventure full of truths that will leave you thinking and inspired!

Here's the description:

Shana has always had a blind spot for boys. Can she trust the one who's right in front of her?
Sixteen-year-old Shana Wilde is officially on a Boy Moratorium. After a devastating breakup, she decides it's time to end the plague of Mr. Wrong, Wrong, and More Wrong.
Enter Quattro, the undeniably cute lacrosse player who slams into Shana one morning in Seattle. Sparks don't just fly; they ignite. And so does Shana's interest. Right as she's about to rethink her ban on boys, she receives crushing news: Her dad is going blind. Quattro is quickly forgotten, and Shana and her parents vow to make the most of the time her father has left to see. So they travel to Machu Picchu, and as they begin their trek, they run into none other than Quattro himself. But even as the trip unites them, Quattro pulls away mysteriously... Love and loss, humor and heartbreak collide in this new novel from acclaimed author Justina Chen.

A Blind Spot for Boys
by Justina Chen
Little Brown, August 12, 2014

Quote Call: See It, Say It

Hey rgz,

Can you believe our 7 year birthday is coming? Seriously, March 1, we are 7 years old! Watch for posts throughout the month of authors we featured in the past. They will be sharing 7 Things We Don't Know or giving a speedy update on their writing.

But now, I'm posting to make a quote call. Let's See It, Say It. Take your favorite quote from YA lit, snap a pic of the page, or write the quote out and take a pic, or design something awesome over at Polyvore. However you like, get it visual and post it on our Facebook page. Authors, draw from your own works and others; readers share the best bits from the books you heart; and librarians, teachers, and booksellers, jump on in.

Our beloved Ellen Hopkins has done this for awhile:



Here's one from co-founder Dia Calhoun:

And here's another from co-founder Justina Chen:

Here's one from me which I put together on Polyvore:



So you get the idea right? Okay! Find those quotes and get them onto our Facebook page. We'll make an album and cull some for the blog as well. Thanks for celebrating with us! Happy early birthday, rgz! xox

rgz HOST, Seattle: Return to Me

Happy to play rgz HOST tonight and report on the wonderful book launch of co-founder Justina Chen for her latest release, Return to Me.

Justina and I

Love this photo with stardust above Justina. :~)

Therese Plummer, actor who recorded the audio book of Return to Me

Celebrating rgz divas, Holly Cupala, me, Dia Calhoun, and Janet Lee Carey

rgz co-founders

Justina talked of the moment when you are ground to dust only to realize it is stardust revealed, stardust you are made of and surrounded by in your family and loved ones. Everyone was inspired and touched. Enjoy the photos, rgz! Happy reading to you each.

Return to Me
by Justina Chen
Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2013

rgz Newsflash: Justina Featured in Kirkus!

This, rgz, this is Justina Chen's heart which conceived our community. Read the Kirkus Feature by her and be inspired. Then, read Return to Me.

BACK STORY: TRAGEDY BECOMES INSPIRATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL YOUNG ADULT NOVELIST

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/features/back-story-tragedy-becomes-inspiration-successful-/#continue_reading_post

Happy Book Birthday! Justina Chen, Return to Me

Joy of joy! Co-founder of readergirlz, Justina Chen, is launching her latest novel today! Get ready for the beautiful, raw, realistic Return to Me. You will be moved. Just listen to the thoughts of other readergirlz: 

"So basically, they are real people. And that makes reading about them to be completely engrossing."
Kelly Hager 

"Return to Me is inspirational, it's raw emotions, and it's powerful! It's more than just reading a book. It's living in the story, being Rebecca!"
Jovan Tucker

"Justina has done such a great job at story telling you will be enthralled with this book and will not be able to put it down." 
Tee

"I can't even recount how many times I cried while reading this book. It was pretty amazing." 
Kristilyn

Here's the description from Amazon:

Nothing is going as planned for Rebecca Muir. She's weeks away from starting college--at a school chosen specifically to put a few thousand miles of freedom between Reb and her parents. But her dad's last-minute job opportunity has her entire family moving all those miles with her! And then there's the matter of her unexpected, amazing boyfriend, Jackson, who is staying behind on the exact opposite coast.

And if that isn't enough to deal with, mere days after moving cross-country, Reb's dad drops shocking, life-changing news. With her mother and brother overwhelmed and confused, Reb is left alone to pick up the pieces of her former life. But how can she do that when everything can change in an instant? How can she trust her "perfect" boyfriend when her own dad let her down? Reb started the year knowing exactly what her future would hold, but now that her world has turned upside down, will she discover what she really wants?

Happy Book Birthday, Justina! We are so proud of you and this work you are releasing with so much love. Thank you!

Join the Celebratory Twitter Party at #LBSchat at 5 PT, 8 ET!

Return to Me
by Justina Chen
Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2013

Sweet Goodbyes: Holly Cupala, Liz Gallagher, and Martha Brockenbrough

So in every organization, there's a flow of staff, coming in and going out. As a volunteer organization, this certainly occurs at readergirlz as every contributor is a YA author herself. It's time to say goodbye to three staff members this month.


First is Holly Cupala, our Design Diva. Holly has been our rgz face, essentially. She has donated hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours to make posters, videos, banners, bookmarks, newsletters, and other visuals hot and engaging for our community. We will miss Holly so much! Her sweet, giving spirit is always infectious. We send her off with our best as she works on her third YA novel. Thank you, dearest Holly! Thank you, thank you, thank you! We love you dearly.



Liz Gallagher is also stepping away from readergirlz this month. She has been our head rgz HOST, networking and representing us in the industry. Her joy and belief in the organization have always been inspiring. We will miss her in the day-to-day dealings of rgz. Thank you, Liz! Here's to your next YA release! We love you much!



And then the ever-so-brilliant Martha Brockenbrough is stepping down as well. She has been our PR agent and general advisor for all things future. Between her gifts, talents, and networking abilities, she enabled the YA lit world and beyond to know the amazing things we were doing as a community. Thank you, Martha, for every effort, especially those press releases, TBD blog rolls, and Twitter hashtag posts. You-wow-me. Congrats on the sale of your first YA novel! We heart you!



Both Justina Chen and Dia Calhoun, my fellow co-founders, will be retreating toward their own writing as Holly, Liz, and Martha are doing. However they aren't too far away. :~)

So, your current rgz team will be: Micol Ostow, Melissa Walker, Little Willow, with me, Lorie Ann Grover as the representing co-founder. You'll see a few changes, fantastic new ideas and projects, and amazing blog posts as we continue to feature a different author every week.

No worries. Your rgz community is alive and thriving. Spread the word, and take a minute to give your love to our volunteer YA authors who are departing. Thankfully, they are in our Circle of Stars and will always, always, always be readergirlz. Thank you, ladies. We really do love you each so much!

Now, rgz: READ, REFLECT, and REACH OUT.

Story Secrets: THE LATTE REBELLION by Sarah Jamila Stevenson + giveaway!

Thanks to the cafés cropping up on every street corner these days, everyone I know seems to be two steps ahead of a caffeine headache - but Sarah Jamila Stevenson, debut author, has an answer: THE LATTE REBELLION. It just hit the shelves this week and promises to be a funny, thoughtful look at a mixed-race girl who must choose her convictions in an increasingly mixed-up world.

readergirlz co-founder Justina Chen (NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL) says, "Get ready to start your own rebellion after gulping down Sarah Stevenson's deftly written, multi-layered story about growing a voice, growing apart, and most of all, growing up girl."

I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah at a kidlit blogger conference a few years ago and am so proud to see her book on the shelf!

Welcome, Sarah!

*****

Asha Jamison, the narrator, and her best friends, Carey and Miranda, decide to make their senior year a little more interesting by creating a fictitious social movement for students of mixed ethnicity: the Latte Rebellion. The proceeds from the t-shirts they sell will go straight into a vacation fund for after they graduate. But their movement gains a life of its own, and various aspects of Asha's life spin out of control as a result—in some good ways as well as not-so-good ways.


Holly Cupala: Welcome to the blog, Sarah! I heard you've had some pretty fascinating stops on the road to publishing this book. Will you tell us about it?

Sarah Jamila Stevenson: It allowed to me to realize one of my geeky lifelong aspirations—to be on NPR! When I was working on the first draft of The Latte Rebellion, it was National Novel Writing Month. A local NPR program, Insight (Capital Public Radio), was doing a segment on NaNoWriMo and posted a call for volunteers to appear on the show along with NaNoWriMo founder Chris Baty. I was one of those selected, and I got to read a passage from my work-in-progress on the air. It's the third and final segment on this show.

Of course, my real dream is to be some kind of expert whose sound advice and/or witty commentary is regularly sought on NPR, but I suspect that'll probably stay a pipe dream...


Read more of Sarah's secrets and enter to win THE LATTE REBELLION here...

~Holly Cupala

Shout Out: Chelmsford rgz!

When Janet Lee Carey, Justina Chen, and Dia Calhoun and I first sat in a coffee shop in Seattle and discussed the idea of rgz in 2006, we had a vision. Part of that vision was helping librarians across the country begin pods, or clubs, of readergirlz. We would provide everything we could to make those meetings fun.

What a thrill when we hear from a librarian who says he or she has begun a rgz group. Here's a shout out to Tricia with Chelmsford Library. Peek at her recent email. It's so spot on for what we hoped. Thank you, Tricia and rgz! We heart you. :~)

"Since beginning my career as a youth services librarian I have been attempting to start a successful book group. I tried everything: traditional book groups, book swaps, genre meetings, etc. Nothing worked. Then a few months ago I had a mini-epiphany--I should start a readergirlz group!

For over a year I had been reading along with each month's selection and following all the blog posts. I realized that all of those posted discussion questions would be the perfect way to keep teens engaged between meetings. We would have our fun monthly get-together (using play lists
and party ideas from the website) but the participants could also join the discussion online. The promise of author chats provided the icing on an already delicious cake.

And, guess what? It's working! We have a small, dedicated group (that I'm hoping will grow in size over the summer months) of amazing young women who are now proud readergirlz.

Let us know if you've begun a rgz group. You deserve a shout out!

Lorie Ann Grover and Justina Chen rock the drop #operation TBD

Two of our founders, Lorie Ann Grover (HOLD ME TIGHT) and Justina Chen (NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL) have rocked the drop. Stay tuned for photos later!

If you're rocking the drop, either tweet about it or send me (martha AT marthabee.com) an e-mail, and I'll put a note and link up on the blog.

Likewise, if you find a book, let us know! We love a happy ending.

Cover Stories: North of Beautiful by Justina Chen

Today, readergirlz diva and fantabulous author Justina Chen's North of Beautiful comes out in paperback! Yay! And the cover is the same as the hardcover, because if it ain't broke....

Here's Justina:

"My book has a twin: Alyson Noel's Evermore. The funny thing is, North of Beautiful and Evermore don't just share the cover girl. They were also published on virtually the same day in 2009. Twins separated at birth!

"A bunch of people have asked me whether it's been a problem sharing the same cover girl. I don't think so. If anything, that anomaly has raised the profile of our books. Publishers Weekly even did a story about it.

Plus, the treatment of the cover girl is so different I didn't even realize it was the same girl until a blogger pointed it out to me.

"I've hit the jackpot with all my book covers, thanks to my art director, Gail Doobinin who designed my first two books--Girl Overboard and Nothing but the Truth

(and a few white lies). And my new book designer, Saho Fujii who created North of B

eautiful.

I know I'm lucky to love all my covers and to have a publisher who honors my opinion.

"For North of Beautiful, Saho played around with a bunch of different concepts--and obviously had read my book. One of her initial ideas was to collage the cover just the way Terra herself may have created. But then Saho found the perfect photo representation for Terra: hair draped over her cheek, downcast eyes. It was precisely how I imagined Terra holding herself in public.

"Then, the brilliance that is Saho found a fabulous old-fashioned compass rose that she used to separate the three parts of the story. My one and only request was that she somehow integrate that compass image on the front cover. Her treatment of the compass--placing it as a watermark over Terra's cheek--was inspired! It is a truly and exceptionally beautiful cover."

I agree--it looks so different on each cover that I can totally see it as both Terra and Ever--separate girls in two fantastic books. I also love how Justina's three books are blue, pink and yellow in overall color palette--gorgeous! What do you guys think?

And don't forget to check out Alea's Pop Culture Junkie Lookalikes post on this cover--you'll find even more twins (or triplets?).

December 2009: rgz Newsflash!

National Book Foundation honors readergirlz!

rgz received the National Book Foundation’s first Innovations in Reading Prize. From over 150 entries, rgz was chosen as a program that innovatively sustains a love of reading for life.
Co-founders Lorie Ann Grover and Dia Calhoun accepted the award on behalf of the community and enjoyed the National Book Awards Dinner!


*****

rgz welcomes lauded fantasy author Tamora Pierce!

In December, we are honored to welcome Tamora Pierce into the rgz Circle of Stars. We’ll be discussing her duology Trickster’s Choice and Trickster’s Queen. Please join us as we chat about related topics all month at the rgz blog, and joins us for rgz LIVE! with Tamora on Wednesday, December 16th at 6 pm PST/9 pm EST.


*****

Gather the postergirlz recommended reads to accompany Trickster’s Choice and Trickster’s Queen:

His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
Sphinx's Princess by Esther Friesner
The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix
Flora Segunda, and Flora's Dare by Ysabeau S. Wilce
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede
Teens Cook: How to Cook What You Want to Eat by Meghan Carle and Jill Carle

*****

Congratulations to two of our co-founders!

Parents Magazine named Lorie Ann Grover's BEDTIME KISS FOR LITTLE FISH one of the Top 20 Best Children’s Books of 2009!

and...

Kirkus named Justina Chen's NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL one of the Best Books of 2009!

Hooray for Lorie Ann and Justina!

*****

As always, if you have any suggestions for our award winning online book community, contact us at divas@readergirlz.com.

Thanks for joining us as we read, reflect, and reach out! Happy holidays, rgz!

Best in books,
the readergirlz divas~

Melissa Walker, Lovestruck Summer
Holly Cupala, Tell Me A Secret (2010)
Lorie Ann Grover, Hold Me Tight
Dia Calhoun, Avielle of Rhia
Justina Chen, North of Beautiful

http://www.readergirlz.com/
readergirlz blog
rgz Twitter

Press Release: Innovations in Reading Prize

For more information contact: divas@readergirlz.com

READERGIRLZ HONORED IN NEW YORK CITY

The leading teen online book community is awarded by the National Book Foundation.

November 17, 2009 (Seattle, Wash.) – readergirlz (rgz) proudly accepts an Innovations in Reading Prize from the National Book Foundation at an awards luncheon today in Manhattan. Co-founders Dia Calhoun and Lorie Ann Grover will accept the honor on behalf of the nonprofit organization.

Chosen for developing innovative means of creating and sustaining a lifelong love of reading, readergirlz will use the prize money to continue inventive and engaging literacy projects.

“readergirlz is perpetually creating innovative, fun, and impactful ways to connect teens to the best YA novels and authors. What people may not realize is that readergirlz is run completely by volunteers and has been almost entirely self-funded by the divas. So thanks to the Innovations in Reading Prize, we can now pay for our day-to-day operational costs--but also kick off a new, exciting literacy program we've been brainstorming for the coming year,” says co-founder Justina Chen.

About readergirlz

readergirlz is the foremost online book community for teen girls, led by five critically acclaimed YA authors—Dia Calhoun (Avielle of Rhia), Holly Cupala (Tell Me a Secret) Lorie Ann Grover (Hold Me Tight), Justina Chen (North of Beautiful), and Melissa Walker (Lovestruck Summer). readergirlz is the recipient of a 2007 James Patterson PageTurner Award and the 2009 Innovations in Reading Prize from the National Book Foundation.

To promote teen literacy and leadership in girls, readergirlz features a different YA novel and corresponding community service project every month. For more information about readergirlz, please visit www.readergirlz.com and http://readergirlz.blogspot.com, or contact divas@readergirlz.com.

2009 readergirlz

Congrats to BBYA Nominees!

YALSA posted their awesome list of nominations for Best Books for Young Adults. Special congrats to diva Justina Chen for North of Beautiful being in the roundup!

Thank you to each librarian who has been reading voraciously!

A Book for All Seasons

A couple of weeks ago, husband and I went on a little trip into the Cascade Mountains to Leavenworth, WA, a community that rather ingeniously saved their town from recession after the Great North Railroad relocated by restyling the entire town into a Bavarian village. It's an odd weekend that Leavenworth doesn't have something going on, from Oktoberfest to Maifest to the Christmas Lighting Ceremony.

Here we are in front of A Book for All Seasons, and you can tell we haven't quite emerged from the Seattle cloudcover unscathed (wow, so THAT's the sun!).

Going into the store was even better - my friends' books on display! Like...

Janet Lee Carey's Dragon's Keep:

And Justina Chen's North of Beautiful:


And Lorie Ann Grover's Loose Threads:


And Dia Calhoun's Firegold (did you know the cover is by Adam Rex?):


And Deb Caletti's The Secret Life of Prince Charming:

And lots more, too many to document! Everyone, give a shoutout to the teens of Leavenworth, who are reading some excellent books in between all of those festivals. Tag, alles!