Maryrose's Blog, All Year 'Round (now illustrated)

A fourth starahwoooo for the Incorrigible children in School Library Journal, May 1 issue!

I am so happy to share with you this lovely and thoughtful starred review from the May 1 issue of School Library Journal. Here's an excerpt:

"Jane Eyre meets Lemony Snicket in this smart, surprising satire of a 19th-century English governess story....Humorous antics and a climactic cliff-hanger ending will keep children turning pages and clamoring for the next volume, while more sophisticated readers will take away much more...." —School Library Journal (starred review)

The whole review is here; it's the last one in the fiction section.

Add this to the starry praise from Kirkus, Booklist and PW (blurbage below), and I think Agatha Swanburne must be smiling, wherever she is! I know I am.

“It’s the best beginning since the bad beginning [by Lemony Snicket] and will leave readers howling for the next episode.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“How hearty and delicious . . . Smartly written with a middle-grade audience in mind, this is both fun and funny and sprinkled with dollops of wisdom (thank you, Agatha Swanburne). How will it all turn out? Appetites whetted.” —ALA Booklist (starred review)

“With a Snicketesque affect, Wood’s narrative propels the drama . . . pervasive humor and unanswered questions should have readers begging for more.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Isn't that wonderful? I'm so grateful and pleased. But, as Agatha Swanburne once said, "Studying astronomy is all very well, but sequels do not write themselves." It's back to work for this Incorrigible author...

xoxo
m

Three stars and a five city tour for the Incorrigibles! Ahwoooooooooo!

Happy new year, people!

It's time to begin the publication day countdown for THE INCORRIGIBLE CHILDREN OF ASHTON PLACE, Book I: The Mysterious Howling. In stores Feb 23rd. I could not be more excited, and here are a few reasons why:

*Publishers Weekly starred review! "With a Snicketesque affect, Wood's narrative propels the drama…the pervasive humor and unanswered questions should have readers begging for more.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

*ALA Booklist starred review! "How hearty and delicious...Smartly written with a middle-grade audience in mind, this is both fun and sprinkled with dollops of wisdom (thank you, Agatha Swanburne). How will it all turn out? Appetites whetted." —ALA Booklist (starred review)

*Kirkus starred review! "It's the best beginning since The Bad Beginning (1999) [by Lemony Snicket] and will leave readers howling for the next episode." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Five city tour! I will be coming to see YOU in Chicago, Dayton, Austin, Houston and Cincinnati in the beginning of March. Details will be posted here and on BookTour.com as soon as I have 'em.

Can I hear a happy ahwooooooooooo? Well done, wolfchildren!

A grateful shout-out to Becky Anderson and her wonderful staff at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville. My first Incorrigibles event with kids, parents, teachers and librarians was so much fun it didn't even matter that we were kind of stuck in a blizzard. Thanks and hugs to all who attended.

"Irresistible and unforgettable" — Teens Read Too gives a gold star for HOW I FOUND THE PERFECT DRESS

Yay! HOW I FOUND THE PERFECT DRESS is feeling some gold star love from Teens Read Too:

"When I finished WHY I LET MY HAIR GROW OUT, I really didn't think it could get much better. Well, I stand corrected, because the sequel outdid the first book. I mean the first one was awesome, but this one was even better....

...Morgan returns as funny as ever and definitely doesn't disappoint. This book is completely irresistible and unforgettable...There was nothing that could've made me put it down. The fantastical mix of magic and romance is still great, but we also get a bigger picture of reality as Morgan returns to high school...For fans of fantasy, romance, and just plain good books, go and walk...no, run!, to your nearest library and grab a copy..."

Thanks for the awesome review. There is nothing sweeter to my author-ears than hearing that the sequel makes fans of the first book happy!

xoxo
m

A "wonderful, sparkling read"

Some lovely reviews for HOW I FOUND THE PERFECT DRESS made for an especially happy mother's day for me:

“How I Found the Perfect Dress is a nicely paced, fun, and magical read that tops its predecessor, Why I let My Hair Grow Out. It's full of sarcastic, witty humor, more hysterical magical beings, and meddling faeries. What makes it memorable are the Fair Folk—they're just as described in those old tales, but rocking a 21st century style. There's a plot twist that's building up suspense around every corner, and Morgan handles it all with flair. Wood has created an absolutely wonderful, sparkling read.” — The Compulsive Reader

"It's not that often you find great books that have original plots and great dialogue, so when you find one you just have to get it and read. Enter: How I Found the Perfect Dress. A great read, not too complicated, plus this book is highly realistic. I can easily relate to the characters and have nothing but praise for Maryrose Wood for this excellent book. A must for summer reading, you will find yourself submersed into this book just like I was. Good luck stopping until you finish it. I know I couldn't." — Flamingnet, Top Choice Award (reviewer: age 13, Casa Grande, AZ)

Many thanks to both reviewers. I would also like offer a very sincere thanks to everyone, grownup and teen, who takes the time to read, blog, and otherwise spread the word about new books.

The unfortunate truth these days is that the big chain bookstores are carrying fewer titles than in the past, and the number and variety of books that get reviewed in newspapers and magazines is likewise shrinking. But books have always been a "word of mouth" phenomenon, and it is really hugely important and helpful that people who love books are not shy about recommending new titles that they've enjoyed. And support your local independent bookstore, too!

xoxo
m

"Hilariously entertaining" — but what do you wear to Publication Day?

It's May 6th! And HOW I FOUND THE PERFECT DRESS is finally here!

While I'm deciding what to wear in honor of this auspicious occasion, you check out what this sequel to WHY I LET MY HAIR GROW OUT is all about:

Soon-to-be-seventeen-year-old Morgan Rawlinson, snarky Connecticut teen and half-goddess from the long-ago days of Irish lore, takes another wacky romp through the faery realm.

This time it's Colin, her own freckle-faced Irish hottie, who's under a strangely yawn-inducing spell. To save him, Morgan has to find a leprechaun. In Connecticut. And that's only the beginning!

This book has magical prom dress shopping, a rather unusual game of mini-golf, and a special guest appearance by Gene Simmons. Seriously. I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did making it all up.

"I literally could not stop reading this book. It had me in its clutches from the moment I opened it and started reading the first page! I was thrilled to see the return of one of my favorite heroines...hilariously entertaining...a seriously fantastic book...." — Jocelyn Pearce, Teen Book Review

xoxo
m

p.s. - here's Gene!

MY LIFE: THE MUSICAL - “all the harmony of a hit Broadway number”

Only a dozen days left until opening night for MY LIFE: THE MUSICAL. Early reviews have been coming in this week; here's a roundup:

“...This tale is about how change is inevitable, the innocence and passion of youth, and the ultimate triumph of good over not so good. The novel is filled with Broadway lore, having been written by a Broadway veteran from both sides of the stage. It’s also filled with engaging humor, some satire of Broadway cynicism, warm humor and generous gifts of self. In the end, it will capture your interest and probably your heart." — Kliatt* (asterisk denotes "exceptional material")

“[Wood’s] knowledge of and affection for the musical theater world and its starstruck fans is a generous, palpable driving force behind this swiftmoving valentine to musical theater lovers.” — ALA Booklist (online)

“...Wood’s jangling, crescendo-building prose captures all the harmony of a hit Broadway number..." — Kirkus

xoxo
m

“A love letter to the theatre...”

There are still seven weeks to go until the launch of MY LIFE: THE MUSICAL (opening at a bookstore near you on March 11). But some early reviews are in, and they are so nice I wanted to share them.

“…My Life: The Musical is a love letter to the theater…I highly recommend this title for theater buffs from middle school and up, especially for fans of musicals. Any 'drama club geek from the suburbs' (as the author describes herself) will be completely unable to resist, and will be likely to settle in for multiple readings… For those who aren't theater fans, My Life: the Musical offers a window into another world, and a chance to see what all the fuss is about. Here's hoping for many encore books from Maryrose Wood.” - Jen Robinson, Jen Robinson's Book Page

“…This is the kind of book I wanted to read as a teenager. It's a book for every kid who has ever fallen in love with theater, whether they want to be the star, the stage manager, or the devoted fan. Even better, it's written by someone who has been there, done that….” - Miriam Neiman, Reading Fool Blog

Click links for full reviews. And many thanks to both reviewers; I almost feel like taking a bow!

xoxo
m

Nominated for YALSA Popular Paperbacks!

Oh, I am so jazzed — Why I Let My Hair Grow Out is nominated for the Young Adult Library Services Association's 2008 "Popular Paperbacks" list!

Woot!

The list is called "Magic in the Real World" — other nominees include books by my heroes Holly Black, Orson Scott Card, Cornelia Funke, Justine Larbalestier, David Lubar, Stephenie Meyer, Rick Riordan, Jonathan Stroud, Scott Westerfeld....and many others. Oh my.

To see the full list of 2008 nominations, click here.

xoxo
m

"A blast" for the beach

Some very sweet words from Dawn Emerman's awesome Avenging Sybil blog:

"Of other notable recent reads, I'd like to send a shout-out to Maryrose Wood, whose latest, Why I Let My Hair Grow Out, is a blast. I'd be very surprised if I didn't see this book decorating the totes and towels of many a teenage beach goer this summer and beyond. Very much looking forward to My Life: The Musical."

Totes and towels sound like an excellent idea! Happy beach reading, all.

xoxo
m

A gold star for "a funny, smart book"

Top o' the mornin' and muchos gracias to reviewer Jocelyn Pierce for her yummy, Teens Read Too Gold Star Award review of Why I Let My Hair Grow Out. She says:

"Both the fantasy parts of the story and the real, modern-day parts of Morgan's life are amazing!...I absolutely loved the characters; all of them are very interesting and three-dimensional. This is a funny, smart book that readers are sure to love!"

Merci beaucoup, Teens Read Too!

xoxo
m

A "Top Choice" and “Highly recommended” — even if you have no hair issues

Teen reviews are my absolute favorite kind. So many thanks to Flamingnet for giving real teens the chance to share their thoughts about books! I'm thrilled that WHY I LET MY HAIR GROW OUT was hailed as a Flamingnet "Top Choice," especially because it means I get to post this groovy dragon picture. Hot stuff, right?

Here's a little bit of what Flamingnet's reviewer had to say:

"...Morgan learned, among other things, that hair grows back and a broken heart does not have to stay that way... For readers who like just a bit of fantasy with their reality, this is a perfect book to read while you are waiting for your hair to grow out. Even if you have no hair issues, you are sure to find this book well worth your reading time. I highly recommend it."

Thanks, fire-breathing book-lovers!
xoxo
m

"Rockin', Romantic, Engaging, Snickering" praise for WHY I LET MY HAIR GROW OUT

I'm doing a happy Irish jig over some recently-arrived praise for WHY I LET MY HAIR GROW OUT. Read 'em and dance!

"[This] is a rockin' book! It includes a dude who is madly in love with a toad and speaks romantic soliloquies to it that are very funny; a talking horse; several extremely hot guys; magical mysteries; a character called Mrs. Boob, and much more that makes me recommend it very extremely highly. – E. Lockhart, author of The Boyfriend List, The Boy Book, Fly On The Wall and the upcoming Dramarama

“This romantic and magical adventure had me cheering and laughing out loud. I can’t wait for the sequel!” – Sarah Mlynowski, author of Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, and the upcoming Spells & Sleeping Bags

“I felt the need to snicker non-stop.”— teen reviewer for Fredericksburg.com

"...an engaging voice and attitude to spare." — BookLoons

Many thanks to E., Sarah, the youth of Fredericksburg and the 'Loons! If someone actually has a Snickers bar handy I wouldn't mind one, by the way.

xoxo
m

Listmania

This time of year (meaning, natch, the end) is the time of year when everybody makes lists. To-do lists, to-buy lists, to-give lists, lists of who's been naughty and who's been nice. And of course, the many lists of books, rounding up the year's best and most giftable.

I'm tickled to see Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love turn up on a few very nice end-of-year lists — check it out:

• The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Guide Book to Gift Books is a great annotated list of top 2006 titles for all ages, and recommends Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love for middle-school readers grade 6–9.
• The ParentCenter Family Entertainment Guide puts Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love on its Gift List: Books for Teens
• The great MotherReader blog places Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love on its MotherReader Suggests list for 14 year olds.
• The fantabulous E. Lockhart offers Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love as one of her gift suggestions for teens. Thanks, E! (Have the rest of you read The Boy Book yet, by the way? What a fun and wonderful book, the perfect followup to The Boyfriend List.)
• And, as noted a few posts ago, Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love makes the kidlitosphere's Top Picks of  2006 list.

Kittens will be out in paperback in July, by the way — just in time for that August beach holiday you've been thinking about lately!

wishing a merry, happy and festive season to all,
xoox
m

“Word-addicted, funny, and fun”

Today, Reader's Rants has posted a ranting, rave-o-licious review of Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love. The reviewer calls the book

“...a really intelligent novel, and takes the chance that girls will be interested enough in the fact of love to get down to the science of what makes it tick....Sometimes mixing science with love works... and sometimes it blows back in Felicia's face like a chemical reaction gone horribly wrong. Before it's all over, she's gotten confused — Matthew's gotten confused — and all the Sex Kittens end up with ... black eyes. The drama! The scandal! You know you want to read it!

... Read Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love, and enjoy a smart book about a savvy girl who does a lot of self-examination, listens to her mother (sometimes!), and is word-addicted, funny, and fun.”

Check out that Reader's Rants site; it's all about books and books and more books, and we love that. Thanks to the Raving Ranters!

xoxo
m

“Upbeat, hip, and just outright fun!"

The Teen-tastic Advisory Board of the Allen County Public Library weighed in with some great capsule reviews of current YA titles in yesterday's Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love is dubbed:

“...an upbeat, hip and just outright fun book! The subject of ‘love’ is captivating by itself, especially to teenage girls. No matter what you’re feeling, this book makes you laugh and cry with the characters because you can relate with what they’re going through..."

Thanks to teen reviewers James Langford, Haley D. Hunter and Emily Arnold (all of whom are lucky 13) and congrats on the byline!

xoxo
m

“Sweet, funny and inventive”

This just in from Dawn Emerman of the must-read Avenging Sybil site (the site is named after the character Sybil in Judy Blume‘s YA classic, Forever — to find out why, check out Dawn's thoughtful and passionate “spiel”). Dawn spent part of her summer vacation reading Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love. She found it “sweet, funny and inventive,” and writes:

“...I’m sure young teens and pre-teens are devouring Sex Kittens...I love the refreshingly strong, self-assured and supportive characters, particularly the girls. I also think Wood does for NYC what FL Block does for Los Angeles — presents it as a magical, vibrant place that is as much a character as it is a setting.”

Many thanks to Dawn the Avenger! To find out what her 65-year-old uncle thought of SEX KITTENS, you'll have to read her entire post.

xoxo
m

“Funny, Entertaining, Unique”

Jocelyn Pearce has posted a lovely review of Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love on her Teen Book Review blog. She concludes:

“Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love is a funny, entertaining, unique book taking place in a city full of possibilities, New York. Without the settings of New York and the Manhattan Free Children's School, the story couldn't happen! The idea is solid, and the characters well-thought out. Felicia's struggles with love are something anyone (of any age, but especially teenagers) can relate to! Maryrose Wood's writing style is funny, easy to follow, and pulls the reader right in. This is a good read to keep you occupied on these hot summer days (and there have been a lot of them lately). Pick up a copy; you won't be sorry!"

Thanks, Jocelyn! Hope you're keeping cool...off to make a fresh pitcher of lemonade...

xoxo
m

"Simply adorable"

I am reverbeverbeverberating with happiness about the terrific review of SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN LOVE on Jen Robinson's Book Page. She calls the book "simply adorable" and writes:

"What I like best about this book is the use of language. Felicia is a poet, and she is constantly making up or modifying words. The one that sticks with me that most is 'insert sound of the Chinese gong, reverbeverbeverberating!' Isn't that great? The word reverberating is reverberating itself.

...There are plenty of other nice things about the book. The girls are, for the most part, self-confident, and the kids all have talents and interests that they're passionate about. Felicia has a wonderfully close relationship with her Mom, and a believably strained relationship with her suburban father (and his new family)...But really, the reason to read this book is that the Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs are realistic portrayals of nice kids having their first look at love. Who wouldn't want to spend time with them?"

Thanks, Jen Robinson! Check out Jen's Book Page for tons of detailed, well-written reviews of all your favorite books.

xoxo
m

The Goddess Speaks!

Jennifer McIntosh, the one and only GoddessLibrarian, anoints SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN LOVE with her Goddess-like seal of approval!

"...I loved this book. It was funny, it was smart. I loved the plot. It was silly and captivating and an all-around great read."

We bow down, o Jennifer! Thanks be to you and your blog!
xoxo
m

"A terrific read"

SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN LOVE is a featured book on the fascinating Genrefluent site. Diana Tixier Herald writes:

"Felicia’s quirky voice is a delight...As I was finishing this I couldn't help but thinking that it hit me the same way that Weetzie Bat by Margaret A. Edwards award-winner Francesca Lia Block did back in 1989 with location playing such a large role in the protagonists’ lives. The sweetness and yearning for love also brought Carolyn Mackler’s books to mind. A terrific read for junior high girls."

Thank you, DTH!

When you're done browsing the wealth of information Diana offers about books, check out the mind-bogglingly awesome house she's building in Colorado! It's an Earthship house made of recycled materials like tires and stuff.

xoxo
m

Now I'm happy inside too! : ]

SEX KITTENS is on the 2006 Hot Summer Reads for Teens list at William F. Laman Public Library in North Little Rock, Arkansas. And the summer reading program section of the library's nice website reviews the book thusly:

“This was such a pleasant book to read. A girl has a crush and invents this ingenious plan to create a science project with her crush to figure out the X-factor that makes people fall in love with each other. It has a lot of twists and unexpected turns throughout the story. I could not put the book down until I had finished reading it. Extremely fun to read and it's written in a more modern teen language. After reading it I felt all happy inside!!! :]

Well helloooooooooooooo, North Little Rock! Now I'm happy too!

xoxo
m

I think you’re ADORABLE too!

Oh, it was so delightful to read this super-nice review (along with some right-thinking discussion of the ban-ability issue) of SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN LOVE on the adorably titled Bookshelves of Doom blog. The Harbinger of Doom says:

"This book is adorable.  ADORABLE."

and then sensibly uses all-caps to to denote the HIGH LEVEL of her ENTHUSIASM! Just like Super-Kitten Jess does in the book!

"Fans of Georgia Nicholson will appreciate Felicia’s creative and original slang, though she is much less snarky and negative.  The characters (major and minor) are smart and likable and fun.  They are all very motivated within their respective interests: Felicia (poetry), Matthew (breeder of genius rabbits), Kat (violin), Jacob (sitar), Jess (EVERYTHING, and with lots of ENTHUSIASM and capital letters -- she seems to have rubbed off on me), Randall (martial arts).  They attend a super-alterna-hippie school, but unlike the beastly pretentious characters in Blue Bloods, no one even MENTIONS David Foster Wallace. There are, however, references to Medea and Edwin Booth as well as an explanation of the scientific method and many, many donut-fueled math study sessions.

ADORABLE, I tell you! ADORABLE."

Sincere thanks, Doomsayer!

xoxo
m

“Sweet and Hilarious” in Buffalo!

The Buffalo News gives SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN LOVE this great shout-out, calling it

“...a sweet and hilarious story of a 14-year-old girl who decides to quantify the secret to love (find the X factor) for a science project at Manhattan Free Children's School. Felicia is a hugely appealing character...”

Thanks, Buff News people!
xoxo
m

The Anti-Gossip Girl Book?

As a welcome refresher from all this Hernando Ban-dorama, my pal E. Lockhart was sweet enough to bring to my attention a new review of KITTENS posted on a really lovely librarian's blog called A Chair, A Fireplace and a Tea Cozy. The reviewer calls SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN LOVE “a great school book about friendships and crushes, with no mean girls or game playing or label worshipping...” She writes:

“In many ways, this is the anti-Gossip Girl book; yes, it's a private Manhattan school, but these kids don't obsess about labels and clubbing and popularity. These 14-year-olds act and think and talk like real 14-year-olds. It's a true middle school book, with no sex or drugs, and when the girls think about their crushes the farthest they think is a kiss...

...how nice for a book to address (the concerns of girls this age) in a way that isn't ‘too much information’ and doesn't talk down to kids and doesn't get preachy...This is a perfect book for young teenage girls and they will love it.”

I love it when people love KITTENS, of course, but I especially love it when they love it for the exact same reasons I loved writing it. Thanks, Cozy Fireplace Librarian!

xoxo
m

“Smart, Sharp, Funny”

Another blog full o'useful and entertaining commentary about books is MotherReader, where the resident reading mother had some nice things to say about SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN LOVE.

“The writing is in the style of a ninth-grader, but a smart, sharp, funny, ninth-grader...(This book is) much more innocent then the title would have you believe. However, the title could reel in those teens and get them to actually read the book, which wouldn’t be a bad thing.”

Thanks, whoever's mom you are!
xoxo
m

First P.G. Wodehouse, now Cyndi Lauper — what next?

How loverly to ring in the spring with this awesome review of KITTENS in Sunday’s Cleveland Plain Dealer, which calls it a “charming, funny book.” My favorite bits:

“Pick it up because of the title. Stick with it because of the voice.

The title Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love by Maryrose Wood (Random House, 192 pp., $15.95, ages 12 and older) is irresistible.

It’s the literary equivalent of singer Cyndi Lauper’s 1980s pop megahit ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’....

... dabbling in love will get you in trouble. But in Felicia’s world, it's trouble of an oft-hilarious nature.”

Cyndi Lauper is so much da bomb that the mere fact that her name was invoked in connection with KITTENS means I’m going to be smiling for an hour now. Thanks, Cleveland Plain Dealer! : )

Bring on the Dawgs, says VOYA!

According to VOYA, SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN LOVE is

“...fast and fun, bringing smiles to readers’ faces and imparting X-wisdom for lovers of all ages. One of the better humorous and sexless chick-lit books, it might attract male readers.”

Hear that, Dawgs? Why should the Kitten-litters have all the fun? Up with Dawg-Lit!

woof,
xoxo
m

“Terrible Title Masks Terrific Book for Teens!” says Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is raving about KITTENS — raving mad about the seemingly-naughty title (guilty as charged! my fingers feel dirty just typing it!) — but also raving with praise for the book. Their reviewer calls KITTENS

“...an effervescent delight, whose laugh-out-loud humor derives less from the story than from the way it’s told. Felicia’s voice is one of the most original and hilarious in years. Readers will love listening to her, and cheering her on as she uses science to try and uncover what makes someone fall for another. She seems incapable of describing even the most mundane event in less than pitch-perfect, sardonic teenspeak.

About marriage: ‘Not that I’d really take his name once we’re married, my mom would go all Gloria Steinem on me.’

On Medea: ‘... she grabs a knife and utterly Tarantinos these two little kids they had together. It’s a gorefest, man.’

It’s like this on every page. This isn’t the way kids really talk — it’s the way they wish they did, if they were quick and clever enough.”

Read the full-on rave here, along with a complete scorecard of cusswords!

Publishers Weekly Reacts!

Publishers Weekly has a “positive reaction,” like so:

“...once hooked, readers will race along with the heroine as she and Matthew explore love’s strange phenomena, such as “Romantic Setting” and “the Romeo/Juliet Thing.” The 14-year-old‘s alternative New York City school provides plenty of other likeable, offbeat characters, such as a sitar teacher who reveals her personal love story in a Hindi love song. As Felicia watches other friends connect—and miss—she discovers that even she gives off her own brand of X. Readers may not be surprised about the pair‘s scientific conclusions, but they will certainly have a positive reaction to this fun, original plot.”

Muchos gracias, Publishers Weekly!

“Sweet and Upbeat” — and Recommended

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books gives KITTENS a “Recommended” review, saying:

“...sweet and upbeat...Wood's effervescent, often idiosyncratic style rather suggests P.G. Wodehouse as a Greenwich Village girl ("Kibosh! I say to my heart. I spray a pffft of X-Begone upon you!"), but it’s an innocent East Village sensibility of groovy and utopian understanding rather than sexual sophistication...the bold stroke of Felicia's revealing her crush to its object and then treating it as a puzzle for the two of them to solve will quickly snare admiring readers, who will wish they shared Felicia's nerve as well as her warm and eccentric peer group.”

Groovy! Thanks, Bulletin of the Center for Children‘s Books!

Hours of Squeaky Clean Fun! says SLJ

KITTENS

“...will provide hours of laughter and empathetic nods from readers...squeaky clean and lots of good fun...”

says School Library Journal.

Thank you, Squeaky Library Journal! Now, memorize the following dialogue:

"Mom, I want to buy a new book."
"Wonderful, darling! I was wondering when you'd learn to read."
"Mom, I'm serious. And it's called SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN--
"WHAT! I'm not buying any book with SEX KITTENS in the title."
"But Moooooooooooommmmmmmm!"
"SEX KITTENS! For teenagers? What next? LAP DANCERS AND DRUG DEALERS? ARMED GUERRILLAS AND TAWDRY TARTS?"
"Mom, LISTEN! School Library Journal says it's squeaky clean and lots of good fun."
"Squeaky clean?"
"And hours of laughter, too. Can I? Can I, huh, huh?"
"Well, of course you can, darling. And we'll get one for all your friends, too. But only because it's so squeaky, squeaky, squeaky and funny!"
"Thanks Mom, you're the best! Hey, what's that book you're buying?"
"This? Oh, nothing, nothing, just a little light entertainment for grownups...."
"'VAMPIRE SLUTS GO WILD, a new Hot'N'Heavy romance' -- ewwwwww!"
"Hush! It's a present."
"For WHO?"
"For your grandmother, that's who. Now mind your beeswax!"
"Moooooooooooommmmmmmm!"

Captain Kirkus says “Beam me up, Meg Cabot fans!”

The thing I love about Kirkus Reviews is that they always make me think of Captain Kirk. Not Jean-Luc Picard (though Patrick Stewart is no slouch in the bald, middle-aged-hotties-with-English-accents department — wait! I hear you saying the competition is not so very fierce in that department! But that‘s only because Alan Bates still has hair).

No, I speak of Captain James Tiberius Kirk, Star Trek‘s own, original, swashbuckling space cowboy. As played indelibly by William Shatner — oh, Mr. Shatner, who can forget your recording of “MacArthur Park is Melting in the Dark....” Classic. Classic.

But the other thing I love about Kirkus Reviews is that they say this about KITTENS:

“...Felicia's boundless energy and witty — albeit hyperactive — musings are infectious...for younger teens who enjoy Meg Cabot's and Sue Limb's books and are looking for pure entertainment.”

Hyperactive AND infectious! Sounds like a hummingbird with avian flu! But seriously, this is very nice and I could not be more flattered, and, you know, Meg Cabot has an awful lot of readers & fans (I‘m one of ‘em, and bet you are too!). So if you have already read Princess Diaries volumes one through forty-seven, proceed at warp speed to SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN LOVE! It‘s 100% pure entertainment, with no additives or preservatives.Captain Kirk said so himself!

Booklist Gives KITTENS its First Rave-alicious Review!

ALA Booklist calls KITTENS

“...an uproariously funny debut novel....giddy humor, intrigues, and captivating characters...strong, pitch-perfect narration will easily win readers...”

Thank you, ALA Booklist!

(In case you are wondering: ALA is not a pathetic attempt at French prepositions, but a good ole Ammurican acronym for the American Library Association. Can we talk about how cool librarians are? Can we? And read the post about AS IF! below to hear the tale of an especially cool school and its  über-cool librarian.)

Purrr! Thanks, E. Lockhart!

"I wish I were a Sex Kitten. These smart-talking, free-spirited girls are like the best friends everyone needs. As they search for the secret of romantic attraction, they careen through a near-magical New York City that's a mixed-up, rollicking, donut-filled heaven. Just the place I want to live. Maryrose Wood is funny and surprising and wild at heart. Read her book."
— E. Lockhart, author of THE BOYFRIEND LIST and FLY ON THE WALL