Comments on: read the first two chapters of cracked up to be!

By: courtney

courtney — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:40:03 +0000

Aah! Thank you so much, Carol Anne! That is super heartening to know. Especially from one dialogue whore to another!!!

By: Carol Anne

Carol Anne — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:49:04 +0000

Hey Courtney….Luvvv those first two chapters. I’m hooked. Imagining all sorts of scenarios that Parker might/may/will/ find herself in. WOw. The dialogue is completely believable! (I’m a dialogue whore…love it love it)

By: courtney

courtney — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:48:12 +0000

It is the 2nd most commonly challenged/banned YA book out there, you’re right. I read it for that reason too! And WOW, I was so glad I did. It’s my fav book of all time. I too, found it eerily similar to my school experience and the politicking therein, students and teachers a like (I *did* go to Catholic school! Hee–I was having flashbacks, I swear). And you’re so right–the Bible is WAY more violent. I absolutely adore The Chocolate War. All of his books are fantastic. I think Cormier is a genius. Loved hearing your thoughts on it!! Thanks for coming back and sharing!!

By: Bobbie

Bobbie — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:52:00 +0000

I read The Chocolate War b/c it’s the 2nd most commonly (I think that’s right) banned YA book out there and I was curious to know what I was missing. I found it exactly like my experience in high school–minus the Catholic school and the uniforms and the all-boys roster and the Rocky v. Drago bout at the end. But we did have secret sororities that loved making life hell for those of us who didn’t play along and butt-kissing teachers who *did* play along. Ah, memories. Really, though, I loved it (the book, not high school). I get why some parents might object to the book–and that’s their right–but to ban it? Heck, the Bible has more violence than Cormier does. I saw one website where a parent had counted up the number of “vulgar” words used. Really? Was that fun? A good use of time? Titillating? How about insane? I just loved the reality of the book and the message *I* got out of it: stand by while someone’s being bullied and you’re as bad as the bully. I think the lesson has applications well beyond high school. Oh… and the other message: school fundraisers really suck.

By: courtney

courtney — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:58:41 +0000

Thank you so much! On both counts! The YA aisle rocks!! How did you find The Chocolate War? It is one of my favourite books of all time!

By: Bobbie

Bobbie — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:46:30 +0000

Love your voice! Love it. Totally different from the YA I’ve been reading lately (The Chocolate War was today’s treat). Am disappointed I have to wait three months to finish the book, though. And congratulations on a 2nd book sale! I’ll read a “grown-up” book again one of these days, but I’m enjoying my wanderings through the YA aisles until then.

By: courtney

courtney — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:06:43 +0000

Oh yay! Thank you. :)

By: pseudosu

pseudosu — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:04:27 +0000

Just to clarify– I now get that it can totally still be literary, as yours exemplifies wonderfully. I do think I can have a lot of fun in this end of the pool. And thanks for the blog– it’s fun.

By: courtney

courtney — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:30:17 +0000

Ooh! Thank you so much Pseudosu! And definitely when it happens, I have a good feeling that I am going to be the one who is in great company. :) I love YA–and I’m glad you’re embracing it! It can still be literary! And it’s a great genre. I’m sure you have a lot to give to it!!! Yay!!!!!

By: pseudosu

pseudosu — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:27:52 +0000

Hey Courtney– I’m going to have to pick your book up too. Your “voice”, that irreverence reminds me of my own kind of. We could possibly be from the same tribe… Thanks for putting this up.

I only came to the conclusion my story must be YA recently, and to be honest was kind of snobbliy disappointed. I wanted to be “literary”, you know– grown-up. I now see if (no– when!) I ever actually make it I’ll be in great company.