Erica

One of my favorite categories of favorite books is this: my favorite books from childhood that shaped me the most as a writer. Even that is hard to choose, because there were so many books that I read and re-read and re-re-read so many times as a kid that they might as well have become part of my very bones—not to mention the bones of every book I’ve written. When I was writing my first book, MIXED-UP FILES was one of several childhood favorites that I re-read to make myself think about what made a great kids book. The word, “adventuress” doesn’t exactly convey the same pizzazz now that it did back in the 1970s when the book was written, and about 90 percent of the main character’s problems would have been solved by owning a cellphone.

So I just moved from the good ol’ Midwest down to Florida, so I thought a check-in from my new state was necessitated. Here’s a shot from the beach the other day: Things have been a bit radio silent around here because life got in the way. But I’m hoping to be back full time now – maybe not quite as much as I used to, but at least a few times a week. Now, I’m completely behind on books – share with me:

Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can’t trust. The only way to get her family back is to travel with Nova to Los Lagos, a land in-between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland…

I know I’m a bit late to the game here, but I’ve been recommending books to my students left and right as we get into the last month of school and some are looking for books to read. But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter Ally Carter is witty and awesome. Girls love this series, and I still love it. I love this series, and even though it’s been out a number of years, it doesn’t cease to be awesome.