Tuesday, October 21, 2008

High Praise for Lobster Press YA Novels!

Posing as Ashley, They Called Me Red, and Tin Angel. Critics agree, these three outstanding novels for teen readers are worthy of praise! Here's the latest buzz...

Posing as Ashley - Kimberly Joy Peters
A positive review of Posing as Ashley will appear in the November issue of School Library Journal. The review hails Peters' realistic depiction of various contemporary issues that many teens face today. It goes on to say, "with the same sincerity as Painting Caitlyn, Peters captures the fragility of the teenage soul and creates an honest character in Ashley. Situations such as her parents' divorce, her mom's illness, and a broken heart will resonate with many teens."

Posing as Ashley was also recently reviewed in CM: Canadian Review of Materials, and asserts that "not unlike her companion novel, Painting Caitlyn, [Peters' latest work] is destined to be a popular pick amongst teen girls and will likely hold great appeal for reluctant readers with its focus on modeling." The main character, Ashley, is seen as "an immediately likable protagonist... [who] will resonate with many readers." For the full review, click here.

They Called Me Red - Christina Kilbourne
The October issue of Quill & Quire includes a rave review of They Called Me Red. Reviewer, Sarah Jessop, notes that the plot "...although fictional, could easily have been plucked from today's headlines. Told with compassion and delicacy, the novel centres on a boy who is changed forever after he's sold into the global sex trade." Regarding the novel's subject matter, Jessop clarifies that "Kilbourne artfully depicts the horrors of forced child prostitution without resorting to disturbing specifics. The plot moves at a heart-pounding pace sure to appeal to young adult readers, and yet Kilbourne manages to imbue her characters with both depth and humanity."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials gave They Called Me Red four out of four stars. The review says that "...the best books deal not just with entertainment, but also education, and this is where Kilbourne stands apart from others... she enlightens her readers on facts of life that, while they could be ignored, are important to deal with in terms of our global community... This is a message of both determination and hope which teens need to hear." For the full review, click here.

Tin Angel - Shannon Cowan
Named one of the "Best Books of the Year" by Quill & Quire in 2007, Tin Angel continues receiving praise! This groundbreaking YA novel has been Shortlisted for the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People. This award, established in memory of the respected historian and children's author, Geoffrey Bilson, is given annually to the Canadian author of an outstanding work of historical fiction for young people. The winner will be chosen on November 9, 2008.

Tin Angel's nomination received mentions in the Vancouver Sun, the Montreal Gazette, and the Parksville Qualicum Beach News (one of B.C.'s daily community newspapers).

Please join us in congratulating these incredibly talented YA authors!

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