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| Young Adult Fiction Discussion forum for YA fiction, such as J K Rowling, Phillip Pullman, Robin McKinley, Tamora Pierce, and Garth Nix. |
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23rd July 2006, 05:54 AM
| #1 (permalink) |
| Ink-stained Wretch  Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California
Posts: 4,564
| Betsy James -- A YA Writer to Watch For I've already mentioned elsewhere that I met author/illustrator Betsy James at BayCon and was so impressed that I asked to interview her for the Chronicles Network. Afterward, when looking up her books online, I realized there was a very good reason that her name sounded vaguely familiar. A number of years ago, I read and liked two of her books. The reason I didn't remember this immediately was because I had given up looking for more by her after searching unsuccessfully for about a year. The books in question,Long Night Dance and Dark Heart, are excellent YA fantasy with an anthropological flavor and a style (but not plot or characters) reminiscent of Ursula K. LeGuin's "Earthsea" trilogy. I was delighted to discover that she has written, and recently published, a sequel, Listening at the Gate, which I had the opportunity to read in June. It was definitely worth the long wait. While it moved the story forward to a satisfying resolution, it also added depth to the characters and the setting. All three books are well worth looking for, and although reading them in order is recommended, it's not absolutely necessary. Listening at the Gate, especially, can be read as a stand-alone, because the early chapters reveal enough about the characters and their situation to bring the reader up to speed. (Look for me to write a review of this book before the end of the summer.) The two older books have recently been reissued in new editions and are readily available. Just this last week, I sent her a page full of questions for the interview -- however, suggestions for further questions about YA and children's fiction in general, and her own work in particular, would be welcome. Here is a link to her website, to give you some idea of who she is and what she writes: http://www.betsyjames.com/pages/books_index.html |
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24th July 2006, 08:27 PM
| #2 (permalink) | ||
| Young at Heart  Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,136
| Re: Betsy James -- A YA Writer to Watch For Not too often do you see an author who not only writes but also illustrates her own literature. To be so talented. Her book list (snagged from her website ~ which I encourage everyone to visit, it's very impressive) http://www.betsyjames.com/pages/comprehensive.html Quote:
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24th July 2006, 09:17 PM
| #3 (permalink) |
| Ink-stained Wretch Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California
Posts: 4,564
| Re: Betsy James -- A YA Writer to Watch For That's quite an impressive list. Thanks for looking up the information, Alia! I don't know who the Voices of Youth Advocates are, but they clearly know a good book when they find one. I should have added up above that Long Night Dance, while a male might read it with pleasure, is probably particularly empowering to young girls (parents of same take note), and I'm not surprised that it won an award. |
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25th August 2006, 05:53 PM
| #4 (permalink) |
| Young at Heart Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,136
| Re: Betsy James -- A YA Writer to Watch For If I ever wanted to win an award for writing I think it would be Voices For Youth Advocates Best Fantasy. That just says a lot about a person right there... I just have note again, that award list is extremely impressive. |
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25th August 2006, 06:16 PM
| #5 (permalink) |
| Ink-stained Wretch Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California
Posts: 4,564
| Re: Betsy James -- A YA Writer to Watch For You can get a glimpse of why her books have impressed so many -- or at least a glimpse into her mind and thought processes -- in my interview with Betsy, which you can find here: http://www.chronicles-network.com/fo...tsy-james.html I tried to coax her into saying more about YA literature in general, but it became clear that she writes what she writes without thinking too much about what age group it's intended for -- just tells the story that she needs to tell, in the way it needs to be told. She had some very interesting things to say, however, and she did give a long list of favorite books for younger readers. (If any parents here are looking for recommendations.) |
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