Dragonsong and Dragonsinger, by Anne McCaffrey, for Retro Friday

I have a slew of books read for the Cybils whimpering to be reviewed, but my brain is fried. So today I offer two books that blew my mind back when I was 12 or so--Dragonsong (1976) and Dragonsinger (1977) by Anne McCaffrey, for Retro Friday.

I will now try to type the first line of Dragonsinger from memory (it's been a number of years since I've re-read it): "When Menolly, daughter of Yanus Seaholder, arrived at the Harper Crafthall, she came in style, aboard a bronze dragon." (I scored 100%)

Menolly lives on the planet of Pern, a place where dragons flame a deadly organism called Thread (nasty stuff, that devours anything organic it touches) from the sky. The seahold (carved out of solid rock, like most Pernese settlements, so as to be safe from Thread) where Menolly grew up had rigid ideas about gender roles. Menolly, wonderfully talented in every aspect of music, was the protegee of the harper, but when he died, her father regarded her as an embarrassment. After her hand is almost crippled by an injury that puts a stop to her playing, she can't stand life in the repressive sea hold and runs away to live by herself.

Happily for Menolly, she isn't lonely for long. The cove where she chooses to live is home to fire lizards, small cousins of the dragons, and she manages to form a psychic bond with nine of fire lizard hatchlings. They are company, but still she longs for music, and dreams of the Harper Hall, Pern's central institute for music.

Through a somewhat complex series of events, Menolly arrives at the great caverns of the Harper Hall (on board a bronze dragon)....and Dragonsinger begins.

Imagine a boarding school book in which all the lessons are about music--instrumental, vocal, composition....Imagine this boarding school is on another planet, with different customs, technology, and dragons (and marvellous, beautiful, firelizards who can share your heart...), and complicated political situations taking place that Menolly only dimly understands, but which provided much depth to the story. And imagine Menolly herself, whisked from cave life into this setting, confused and disoriented...and facing considerable disapprobation from both the pampered girl students, who are ancillary to the central school, and from masters and boys who resent her for being a girl (and for being better than them!). All the while she has to contend with the challenge of her injured hand--will she be able to regain full use of it, and achieve her full potential as an instrumentalist?

Menolly's journey from scared waif to confident musician is a truly enjoyable experience. McCaffery includes such a wealth of detail in her telling that I can hardly think of any other book that is clearer in my mind (although the fact that I've read it c. 100 times might be a factor). I especially love the detailed music-specific bits--what is it like to play in a string quartet, sight-reading the music, with some the best musicians on your planet? And the scene where she chooses a guitar from the instrument store room is the best guitar choosing scene ever.

I do hope that other 11/12 year olds girls are still finding this book...it is so much fun! And even inspirational, although as a cynical adult Menolly's musical wonderfulness grates just a tad (or maybe a bit more that a tad....).

It's interesting to look a my old paperback copy of this. I've read so much modern middle grade fiction recently that the text of this one looks horribly small and dense--it's 240 pages, but it would probably be about 500-600 as a modern hardcover, with curlicue pictures of firelizards in the margins. The modern version on Amazon, with a very different cover, is 320 pages....(I like the covers from my childhood books, shown here, best!)

Note on age--Menolly's an adolescent girl, just beginning, toward the end of Dragonsinger, to think about boys. They are both perfectly clean reads, but fairly sophisticated, language-wise. McCaffery might be writing about a young girl, but she doesn't write down to her audience at all.

I'm interviewed at Children's Books and Reviews!

Aaron at Children's Books and Reviews has honored me with an interview, which is now up and running! Find out which was the first blog post I ever read! See a picture of me, aged 18, on my first dig! And much more.

And if you are coming here for the first time from that interview, welcome!

Kirkus' list of the best of YA sci fi/fantasy from 2010 (replaces old list)

A kind reader pointed out to me that I had missed the full page of YA sci fi/fantasy best of books from Kirkus. Here are Kirkus' Best Books for Teens: Fantasy and Science Fiction (and sorry for my earlier truncated version!):









WHITE CAT, by Holly Black
MOCKINGJAY, by Suzanne Collins
FACTOTUM, by D.M. Cornish
MISTWOOD, by Leah Cypess
INCARCERON, by Catherine Fisher









SAPPHIQUE, by Catherine Fisher
RECKLESS, by Cornelia Funke

GUARDIAN OF THE DEAD by Karen Healey

THE ODYSSEY, by Gareth Hinds
THE GENIUS WARS, by Catherine Jinks









PEGASUS, by Robin McKinley
THE LEGEND OF THE KING, by Gerald Morris
I SHALL WEAR MIDNIGHT, by Terry Pratchett

FEVER CRUMB, by Philip Reeve

THE WHITE HORSE TRICK, by Kate Thompson
A CONSPIRACY OF KINGS, by Megan Whalen Turner
MR. MENDOZA’S PAINTBRUSH, by Luis Alberto Urrea
THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST, by Rick Yancey

(and here's my post about the mg titles!)

New Releases of science fiction and fantasy for kids and teenagers, the second half of Nov. 2010 edition

Here are the new releases of science fiction and fantasy for kids and teens from the second half of November; not a long list, but some good ones...my info. comes as usual from Teens Read Too, with blurbs from Amazon/Goodreads.

Middle Grade:

FAIR WIND TO WIDDERSHINS: SUNDERED LANDS by Allan Frewin Jones
"Hidden deep within the crumbling island city of Widdershins lies the Crown of Iron. It's up to Trundle Boldoak, Jack Nimble and the Roamany Princess Esmeralda Lightfoot to find it. And there's nothing that can stop them! Well, except for Captain Grizzletusk and his pirate hordes, a deadly reef of rocks across their path, and armed guards patrolling the very place they need to search. Still, at least the adventurers have Esmeralda's Aunt Millie, the Roamany Queen, to help them. She'll get them out of trouble ...won't she?"


THE FIEND AND THE FORGE: THE TAPESTRY by Henry H. Neff
Book Three of The Tapestry "... is an unforgettable dystopian adventure across a landscape overrun with goblins and trolls. The world has changed almost beyond recognition, for with the Book of Origins firmly in his possession, the villainous Astaroth now has the power to reshape history at will. Plucking pivotal discoveries from mankind’s past, he has reduced the world to a preindustrial nightmare.

But while most humans toil as slaves within four demonic kingdoms, Astaroth allows those at Rowan to thrive in peaceful isolation. Theirs is a land where magic and nature flourish . . . so long as none dare oppose the new order.

That proves too steep a price for Max McDaniels. Unsure of his place at Rowan, Max sets out to explore the shifting landscape of the world beyond. In the course of his travels, he will become many things: Prisoner. Gladiator. Assassin. But can he become the hero that mankind so desperately needs?"


MOST WANTED by Kate Thompson

(not fantasy, perhaps, but maybe, -ish). "While making his daily deliveries, a baker’s son suddenly finds himself holding a stallion’s golden lead. Soon the boy discovers that this isn’t just any horse, it’s the most powerful creature in all of Rome.

What will the mad emperor do if he finds the boy with his prized horse? Cut off his head? Or worse?"

NIGHT WHISPERS: WARRIORS, OMEN OF THE STARS by Erin Hunter
"The deadly battle between ThunderClan and ShadowClan is over, but the aftermath still echoes around all four Clans. As Dovepaw grapples with the knowledge that there are realms—and cats—her senses cannot reach, Jayfeather and Lionblaze are determined to figure out how StarClan could have allowed this fight to happen. Jayfeather soon finds the answer in the darkest of places, and he and Lionblaze prepare to do whatever they can to staunch the flow of evil into ThunderClan.

The ties that bind the Clans are slowly breaking in the face of the greatest threat that the warriors—and the warrior code—have ever known. As leaf-bare closes its grip upon the territories, Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovepaw realize just how close the battle is, and how far they are from being able to succeed. And before the prey can run again, one more cat will be lost to the fight"

THE STEPS ACROSS THE WATER by Adam Gopnik

"Ten-year-old Rose lives in New York, the city of bright lights and excitement, and a seemingly endless variety of people, architecture, and food--where extraordinary things happen every day on every block. But Rose wasn't born in New York; she was adopted as an infant from a far-away country. Though Rose loves her home and her adopted family, sometimes she can't help but feel different, like she's meant to be somewhere else.

Then one day in Central Park, Rose sees something truly extraordinary: a crystal staircase rising out of the lake, and two small figures climbing the shimmering steps before vanishing like a mirage. Only it's wasn't a mirage. Rose is being watched--recruited--by representatives of U Nork, a hidden city far more spectacular than its sister city New York. In U Nork, Dirigibles and zeppelins skirt dazzling skyscrapers that would dwarf the Crysler building. Impeccably dressed U Norkers glide along the sidewalks in roller skates. Rose can hardly take it all in.

Then she learns the most astonishing thing about U Nork. Its citizens are in danger, and they need Rose's help, and hers alone..."

Young Adult:

THE BACK DOOR OF MIDNIGHT: DARK SECRETS by Elizabeth Chandler
Anna knows her family is crazy. But when she goes to visit her aunt and uncle for the summer and learns that her uncle’s charred body has been found, her life reaches a new level of insanity. Her erratic aunt’s “psychic” abilities are exaggerated by her grief, and have become borderline violent. Alone in an unfamiliar town, Anna struggles to pick up the pieces and establish any sense of normalcy. She desperately wants to trust Zack, the cute boy next door, but even he might know more about the incident than he is letting on.

But when Anna starts feeling an inexplicable pull to the site of her uncle’s murder, she begins to believe that her family’s supernatural gifts are real after all. Torn between loyalty and suspicion, Anna is certain of only one thing: she must discover who killed her uncle or she could be next….

INVISIBLE THINGS by Jenny Davidson
"Sixteen-year-old Sophie knows there is more to the story of her parents' death. And she's on a mission to find the truth. To aid her in solving the decades-old mystery, Sophie has enlisted her best friend, Mikael, whose friendship has turned into something more. It's soon clear that Sophie's future is very much wrapped up in the details of her family's past, and the key lies with information only one man can provide: her parents' former employer, the elusive billionaire Alfred Nobel.

As the threat of war looms in Europe, dangers to Sophie and her loved ones grow. While her determination to solve the mystery doesn't waver, forces beyond her control conspire to keep her from her purpose. Then, news of her great-aunt Tabitha's death sets off a chain of events that leaves Sophie questioning everything.

The more Sophie learns, the more she realizes that nothing—and no one—in her life is what it seems. And coming to terms with the dark secrets she uncovers means imagining a truth that she never dreamed possible. Full of gorgeous settings, thrilling adventure, and romance, invisible things is a novel that dares to ask, what if"

MATCHED by Allyson Condi

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glit

...more
"Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow."

THE NATURE OF WONDER: HATTER M VOL. 3 by Frank Beddor & Liz Cavalier
"In Volume 3, The Nature of Wonder, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan follows the Glow of the setting sun into America's wild west in search of Wonderland's lost princess. Hatter's adventures will include a shamanic vision quest in the Grand Canyon and tracking Black Imagination through San Francisco's Barbary Coast where he discovers an astounding clue to his own haunted past."




NIGHT STAR: THE IMMORTALS by Alyson Noel
Night Star continues the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. In this installment, Ever and Damen face down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears—all in the hope of being together forever.





PATHFINDER by Orson Scott Card
"A powerful secret. A dangerous path.

Rigg is well trained at keeping secrets. Only his father knows the truth about Rigg's strange talent for seeing the paths of people's pasts. But when his father dies, Rigg is stunned to learn just how many secrets Father had kept from him--secrets about Rigg's own past, his identity, and his destiny. And when Rigg discovers that he has the power not only to see the past, but also to change it, his future suddenly becomes anything but certain.

Rigg’s birthright sets him on a path that leaves him caught between two factions, one that wants him crowned and one that wants him dead. He will be forced to question everything he thinks he knows, choose who to trust, and push the limits of his talent…or forfeit control of his destiny."

X RETURNS: EXORSISTAH by Claudia Mair Burney
"Now that Emme Vaughn is finally eighteen, she's ready to strut her devil-whooping diva boots into Saint Dymphna's Psychiatric Hospital and spring her mama out. Only problem is a lady named Jane Doe beat her to it...two years ago. Jane is as mysterious as her name, but she holds the key to saving Emme's mama and revealing exactly how Emme got into this evil-fighting business -- if Emme can find her. To complicate matters, hottie Francis wants her to be his girlfriend, but Emme's not about to come between her man and God's plan. No, the Exorsistah is on a mission that even a scary three-headed demon can't stop (and the Lord knows it is trying). With a lot of prayer, a couple of archangels, and the help of some new soul-friends, X is armed for battle against a malicious force that will do anything to destroy her. But when she needs His Word the most, will she know where to find it?"

Kirkus' Best of -- the sci fi/fantasy section is an interesting mix!

Kirkus has announced its lists of best books for children and teens!

Here are the children's fantasy and science fiction books (Kirkus seems to be defining sff rather broadly....). It's a very nice group of books indeed, and if you click on the links, you can read their Kirkus reviews. (This looks reasonably formated on my computer, but knowing blogger, it might not be on yours. Sorry).









THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA, by Tom Angleberger

KEEPER, by Kathi Appelt

THE MEMORY BANK, by Carolyn Coman

HEREVILLE, by Barry Deutsch

THE SHADOW HUNT, by Katherine Langrish

THE UNSINKABLE WALKER BEAN, by Aaron Renier









SPACEHEADZ, by Jon Scieszka

A WHOLE NOTHER STORY, by Cuthbert Soup

GHOSTOPOLIS by Doug TenNapel

DEPARTURE TIME, by Truus Matti









DRAGONBREATH--Attack of the Ninja Frogs, by Ursula Vernon

CURSE OF THE WERE-WIENER, by Ursula Vernon

THE CROWFIELD CURSE, by Pat Walsh

THE INCORRIGIBLE CHILDREN OF ASHTON PLACE by Maryrose Wood

Here's my post about the YA books.

Black Powder, by Staton Rabin, for Timeslip Tuesday

Black Powder, by Staton Rabin (2005, Margaret K. McElderry Books, YA, 228 pages).

14 year-old Langston is black, and his best friend Neely is white. It hasn't made a difference to them, but it does matter to the leader of Neely's gang. When Neely wants out, after his gang kills a black kid, he himself is shot and killed.

Langston is devastated. When his kooky science teacher invites him over for a demonstration of the time machine she has invented (Langston being something of a science geek), he becomes convinced he's found the way to save his friend's life--simply travel back to the 13th century and keep Roger Bacon from introducing gunpowder to Europe! The time travel part goes smoothly enough, but convincing Bacon to burn his records is harder. Even dvds, showing the terrible trajectory gunpowder would take (brought back along with a portable dvd player) don't convince him. And in the meantime, Bacon has his own enemies...who also want to put a lid on his experiments forever!

Black Powder is a disconcerting mix of serious time travel with hefty moral imperative, almost farcical elements (such as the wacky science teacher, and a bunch of crazed knights, and the antics of the "shell" Langston left behind in his present), and moments of utter implausibility (Langston just happens to meet an African slave girl and help her to freedom! She is is true love! Medieval monks are totally unphased by dvd players! There is a miraculous slice of lemon!). As such, it was something of a roller coaster for me as a reader.

On the plus side, I loved meeting Roger Bacon, and I think Rabin did a fine job bringing him to life. Langston was a passionate and convincing central character, with a great brain and a lot of heart. It was an interesting look at the age old question, can history be changed, and, if so, is it right to try to do so?

On the down side, I was disappointed in Rabin's portrayal of Langston's experience as a black kid in the middle ages. It seemed a situation more worthy of attention than she gave it. And apart from the little dips farce-ward that kept kicking me out of the book (was it necessary for a 13th century Italian to sound like a 20th century caricature?), I kept being disturbed by small details. For instance, Greensleeves might well have a tune older than Henry VIII, but I don't think a medieval monk would have been singing Henry's words. The time of the crusade mentioned is a few years off. In short, it didn't work for me as convincing historical fiction (although I did enjoy the nice long author's note at the end! I had no idea I didn't know so much about Bacon!)

So this was a book I could almost have really liked, but which, even though it was moving at parts, and fascinating at others, didn't work for me. The anti-gun-violence message, although one I am whole-heartedly in sympathy with, meshed uneasily with 13th century England. I do think, though, that this is one a younger teen might enjoy much more than I did. I think a younger reader might appreciate the humor more, and be troubled by disbelief less, than I was!

Thanks to Kate Coombs, aka the Book Aunt, for sending me this one!

Flight of the Outcast (The Academy: Year 1), by Brad Stickland

Flight of the Outcast (The Academy: Year 1), by Brad Stickland is that rather rare thing--pure honest a goodness science fiction for upper middle grade/lower YA readers.

Asteria Locke's story begins on Theron, a remote planet where her father was given a land grant after being grievously wounded in a space battle against the Tetras--vicious aliens who do their utmost to destroy any human ship they come upon. But when Asteria is 13, the farm is attacked by raiders, and her father and cousin (all the family she has left) are killed. Her cousin had been granted admittance to the prestigious Royal Spacefleet Academy; she decides to take his place, and one day revenge herself on the rebels.

For a commoner girl fresh off the farm, the Academy, dominated by scions of the aristocracy, is an alien place. One of the young aristocrats in particular has taken a particular scunner to Asteria, and makes her life miserable. But as the weeks pass at the Academy, Asteria begins to gather pieces of the story of the last battle her father had fought....a story that those in power are determined to keep buried. And in the meantime, the Tetras are moving closer....

The science fiction setting adds great interest to what is, at its heart, a fairly standard boarding school story. Happily, I like boarding school stories, with the petty intrigues, the stock characters (brave girl determined to make good, humorous side-kick, arrogant jerk, tests of skill in which the main character proves to be preternaturally gifted), and so I enjoyed this one plenty. I'm not the first to think "Harry Potter in a sci fi world" (all the reviews I link to mention H.P.) and that's not a bad thing at all.

But I think I'm going to enjoy the next book more, with the promise it holds of more nuance in the characterization, now the stage has been set, more about the intrigues and the machinations of those in power, and more about the sinister Tetras....

Other reviews: Obsessed, Maltby Reads, and Book Aunt.

(read for the Cybils)

Ask Me Everything, from D.K., for Non-fiction Monday

Ask Me Everything: Facts, Stats, Lists, Records, and More (D.K. 2010, 303 pages) is a delightful smorgasbord for the information devourer. 137 questions are answered, ranging from the expected scientific side of things (Why does Saturn have rings? Which animals lived in the Ice Age?) but also moving into geography (Where is the rice bowl of Asia? Can you really ski in Dubai?), Society and Culture (Why do we have myths? When does an animal become a pet?), and History (What was the Scientific Revolution? What is globalization?).

The questions are answered DK style, with double spreads full of information snippets, curious facts (with headings such as "I don't believe it!), and lots of pictures. Obviously, double page spreads, packed as full as only DK packs 'em, still aren't going to be enough to cover these complex topics entirely. But it's a great book to dip into repeatedly; a book that might well whet the appetite for more.

It's not so great to read aloud to two young boys--they will (in my experience) each try to pull the book of their (long-suffering) mother's lap so they can look more closely at the fascinating pictures....or, in trying to look more closely at the pictures (many of which are quite small) they will block their mother's view of the words. It's much more a book to leave lying around (we have mastered this technique in our house), luring them back to graze repeatedly.

The Non-Fiction Monday Round-up is at In Need of Chocolate today!

(disclaimer: review copy received from the publisher)

This Sundays Middle Grade Fantasy and Science Fiction Round-up!

Here's another week of middle grade fantasy and science fiction divertissements! Let me know if I missed your post.

First: I had a question from a blog reader, who was wondering if I could suggest any middle grade science fiction books in which aliens are among us, but more as part of the world than explicitly involved in the Plot. I couldn't--can you?

Second: I got another question I couldn't answer--can any one recommend any good secondary literature on time travel books for kids?

The Reviews:

Archvillain, by Barry Lyga, at Pink Me.

Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld, at The League of Extraordinary Writers and Kids Lit.

The Boneshaker, by Kate Milford, at By Singing Light and at Coffee for the Brain.

The Clockwork Three, by Matthew J. Kirby, at Ms. Yingling Reads (scroll down)

Crossing Over: Suddenly Supernatural #4, by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, at Coffee for the Brain.

The Crowfield Curse, by Pat Walsh, at Books Together.

The Enchanted Castle, by E. Nesbit, at Kaleidoglide.

Enchanted Glass, by Diana Wynne Jones, at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.

The Hole in the Wall, by Lisa Rowe, at Green Bean Teen Queen and The O.W.L.

I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade, by Diane Lee Wilson, at Charlotte's Library.

Keeper, by Kathi Appelt, at Eva's Book Addiction.

The Lost Hero, by Rick Rioradan, at The Bookette.

Magic Below Stairs, by Caroline Stevermer, at Books & Other Thoughts.

The Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle, by Deva Fagan, at Ms. Yingling Reads (scroll down)

Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties: A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate as told to Lesley MM Blume, at books4yourkids.

The Necropolis, by P.J. Hoover, at Jen Robinson's Book Page.

The Night Fairy, by Laura Amy Schlitz, at Oops...Wrong Cookie.

The Nightmarys, by Dan Poblocki, at Ms. Yingling Reads.

43 Old Cemetery Road Book 2: Over My Dead Body, by Kate and M. Sarah Klise, at Coffee for the Brain.

The Red Pyramid, by Rick Riordan, at Reading In Color.

A Tale Dark and Grimm, by Adam Gidwitz, at A Patchwork of Books, Heavy Medal, and a report of taking this book into the classroom at Educating Alice.

Trapped (The Prometheus Project, book 1), by Douglas E. Richards at Pickled Bananas.

Wolven, by Di Toft, at Ms. Yingling Reads.

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, by Alan Garner, at The Book Zone.

Three middle grade zombie books at Cloudy With a Chance of Books.

Here's one that's a bit more than just a book review-- a post by Sherwood Smith over at Book View Cafe about girls and horses, that also takes a look at a book I want more than somewhat--- House of the Star, written by Judith Tarr under the name Caitlin Brennan.

And here's a post at Blue Rose Girls that just goes to show how there can be the right book (in this case Dormia, by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski) waiting out there for the reluctant reader.

News:

Across the pond, The Waterstones Galaxy National Book Award Children's Book of the Year (not sure that's quite how to say it, but whatever) has gone to Zog, by Julia Donaldson. Obviously, it's not middle grade fiction, but fantasy picture books are fine things too. Here's the blurb: "Zog is the keenest dragon in school. He's also the most accident-prone. Luckily, a mysterious little girl always comes by and patches up his bumps and bruises. But will she be able to help him with his toughest test: capturing a princess?" Terry Pratchett was honored with a lifetime achievement award.

Winners of another award have been announced--The Moonbeam Awards are something of a different kettle of fish, in that one pays to have one's book considered. However, this does give small press/self-published/independent books a chance to get some publicity, as is demonstrated by the results for pre-teen fantasy/sci fi:

Gold (tie): Wrush: The Secret Worlds of Tabetha Bright, by The Karakul (Emerald Book Co.) and Merlin's Dragon: Doomraga's Revenge, by T.A. Barron (Philomel/Penguin Group USA)
Silver: Year of the Golden Dragon, by B.L. Sauder (Coteau Books)
Bronze: Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire, by the Miller Brothers (Warner Press)

(here's a link for "The Karakul" in case anyone shares my curiosity)

And just for kicks, the teen sff:

Gold: Dreamfire, by Nicole Luiken (Great Plains Teen Fiction)
Silver (tie): The Purloined Boy, by Mortimus Clay (Finster Press) and The Dragon of Two Hearts, by Donald Samson (Awsna Publications)
Bronze: Kestrel's Midnight Song, by J.R. Parker (Flaming Pen Press)

And here's a chance to be a winner yourself, in a contest of great mg sff relevance: Leila at Bookshelves of Doom has thrown down the gauntlet, viz bad covers, or, to put it more kindly, covers that Don't Quite Work for some mg/young ya books. Prizes are involved.

io9 has an article about books that might or might not be Harry Potter rip-offs, or at least books that rode the H.P. wave. Some of them might, indeed, be rip-offs. Others not so much. But I wouldn't know, because I haven't read most of them. (Does anyone still wonder if things are Lord of the Ring rip-offs? And speaking of which, why did I read the Sword of Shannara twice back when I was very young?)

News that makes me wish I were a teen again (as long as I don't have to read S. of S.):

"Shared Worlds, a non-profit science fiction/fantasy teen writing camp hosted by Wofford College (Spartanburg, South Carolina), has been awarded an Amazon.com grant of $15,000. The Amazon.com grant will help support the 2011 camp in the areas of guest writer invites, awarding scholarships for disadvantaged students, and general operating expenses. Shared Worlds 2011 will be held the last two weeks of July, marking the camp’s fourth year of operation. " More info. here.

Other Good Stuff:

I have an interview with Robin McKinley up this week, that comes with a giveaway of Pegasus, Chalice, and Sunshine!

At GalleyCat, there's an interview with Adam Gidwitz (A Tale Dark and Grimm), about how an elementary school library inspired his book.

Fairytale/folktale Goodness:

Fairytale Reflections #9 is up at Seven Miles of Steel Thistles--this week's featured author is Delia Sherman.

Issue 4 of Enchanted Conversation is up at Diamonds and Toads.

Cindy Pon writes about the Chinese Fox Spirit at The Enchanted Inkpot.

And finally, a video. I don't often embed videos. Only when they really really really tickle me. So please watch it.