Today at 1pm, teen author panel at NYPL on 42nd with Kim Harrington, Maggie Stiefvater, Robin Wasserman, and moderator David Levithan. More panels/authors all afternoon!
Tomorrow at 1pm, Books of Wonder signing on 18th Street, along with 40-some other teen authors. FUN.
Both events are open to tweens and up and are free.
All the details here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=56488781586&v=info
HELLO READERS! My blog has moved. Get the latest news about my New
York Times bestselling UNWANTEDS series, WAKE trilogy, and more at http://lisamcmann.wordpress.com/
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
TONIGHT! Live video chat online
TONIGHT: I'm live in NYC at S&S studios doing an online video chat, 6pm EST. Discussing Cryer's Cross, The Unwanteds, & more. Tweet questions to #chatss OR go here to RSVP, ask, and watch: http://cot.ag/95Obmu
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
If you missed me on the show SEARCHING FOR... last night
You can catch the rerun on Monday, March 14, 4pm EST on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). Check your local listings for channel and time. It's the "Barbara and Lisa" episode -- I'm on for the last 20 minutes or so.
It's about me trying to find a long lost friend from my childhood because I wanted to let her know how she influenced my books. I hope you watch!
It's about me trying to find a long lost friend from my childhood because I wanted to let her know how she influenced my books. I hope you watch!
Monday, March 07, 2011
I like talking with you. (Also, watch me tonight on OWN.)
I like talking with you a lot. I love it, actually. You make me laugh and you say nice things and you ask important questions.
I'm pretty great (if I do say so myself) at responding to comments on my Facebook Fan Page. Please go 'like' it!
And now there is a BRAND NEW AWESOMELY FUN way to talk to me -- through my VYou.com page. It's the next best thing to being at a book signing.
You don't need a profile to ask a question -- you just type it in and send, and no one will know the question is from you, so don't be shy. A couple times a week I'll answer a bunch of questions via video. How fun is that?
Read more about me + it in a great piece by Jeffrey Trachtenberg right here in the Wall Street Journal. Click on the top article title "Writers Get Close on Web."
And for those of you who are doing book reports on my books -- this is the perfect tool for you! Just look to see if I've addressed your questions already. If I haven't, type in your question and give me a few days to respond (I'm looking at you, procrastinators, lol).
And hey -- let me know if you see me on the show SEARCHING FOR... on OWN. My episode airs Monday, March 7th, 9/8 central.
Thanks for being awesome!
I'm pretty great (if I do say so myself) at responding to comments on my Facebook Fan Page. Please go 'like' it!
And now there is a BRAND NEW AWESOMELY FUN way to talk to me -- through my VYou.com page. It's the next best thing to being at a book signing.
You don't need a profile to ask a question -- you just type it in and send, and no one will know the question is from you, so don't be shy. A couple times a week I'll answer a bunch of questions via video. How fun is that?
Read more about me + it in a great piece by Jeffrey Trachtenberg right here in the Wall Street Journal. Click on the top article title "Writers Get Close on Web."
And for those of you who are doing book reports on my books -- this is the perfect tool for you! Just look to see if I've addressed your questions already. If I haven't, type in your question and give me a few days to respond (I'm looking at you, procrastinators, lol).
And hey -- let me know if you see me on the show SEARCHING FOR... on OWN. My episode airs Monday, March 7th, 9/8 central.
Thanks for being awesome!
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Watch me on TV Monday, March 7, 2011!
I'll be featured in the new docudrama SEARCHING FOR... on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network), Monday, March 7, 9pm Eastern & Pacific, 8pm Central, 10pm Mountain. Check HERE to see if OWN is available in your area and to find the right channel. And check your local listings to make sure the time is correct.
Here's the description of Monday's episode: Searching For...
Barbara & Lisa
Barbara is searching for two of the three children she placed for adoption after her husband left her nearly 50 years ago (<--NOT ME), and bestselling author Lisa (THAT'S ME!) asks Pam Slaton to help her reconnect with a childhood friend.
PG
So basically it's a show about finding people, and there are two 'stories' per hour-long episode. Last year when I heard about this awesome upcoming show, I approached professional genealogist/searcher Pam Slaton to see if she could help me find someone I'd been searching for. Now you can all see what happened!
I'll tell you one thing -- my search has a little something to do with Cabel from the WAKE trilogy. :)
I hope you enjoy the show!
Here's the description of Monday's episode: Searching For...
Barbara & Lisa
Barbara is searching for two of the three children she placed for adoption after her husband left her nearly 50 years ago (<--NOT ME), and bestselling author Lisa (THAT'S ME!) asks Pam Slaton to help her reconnect with a childhood friend.
PG
So basically it's a show about finding people, and there are two 'stories' per hour-long episode. Last year when I heard about this awesome upcoming show, I approached professional genealogist/searcher Pam Slaton to see if she could help me find someone I'd been searching for. Now you can all see what happened!
I'll tell you one thing -- my search has a little something to do with Cabel from the WAKE trilogy. :)
I hope you enjoy the show!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Signing in Scottsdale, AZ, Saturday, 3pm, at The Poisoned Pen!
Local friends and fans, I'll be signing at The Poisoned Pen in old town Scottsdale this Saturday at 3pm. http://www.poisonedpen.com/ Please come! I will be handing out birthday treats.
Friday, February 18, 2011
What is Cryer's Cross about?
I haven't posted a description in a while -- here you go in case you are wondering!
Kendall loves her life in small town Cryer¹s Cross, Montana, but she also longs for something more. She knows the chances of going to school in New York are small, but she's not the type to give up easily. Even though it will mean leaving Nico, the world's sweetest boyfriend, behind.
But when Cryer's Cross is rocked by unspeakable tragedy, Kendall shoves her dreams aside and focuses on just one goal: help find her missing friends. Even if it means spending time with the one boy she shouldn't get close to... the one boy who makes her question everything she feels for Nico.
Determined to help and to stay true to the boy she's always loved, Kendall keeps up the search--and stumbles upon some frightening local history. She knows she can't stop digging, but Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried....
The book is in stores now!
Kendall loves her life in small town Cryer¹s Cross, Montana, but she also longs for something more. She knows the chances of going to school in New York are small, but she's not the type to give up easily. Even though it will mean leaving Nico, the world's sweetest boyfriend, behind.
But when Cryer's Cross is rocked by unspeakable tragedy, Kendall shoves her dreams aside and focuses on just one goal: help find her missing friends. Even if it means spending time with the one boy she shouldn't get close to... the one boy who makes her question everything she feels for Nico.
Determined to help and to stay true to the boy she's always loved, Kendall keeps up the search--and stumbles upon some frightening local history. She knows she can't stop digging, but Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried....
The book is in stores now!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Do you like my new reading glasses?
They look yellow but they are actually green. I got them on tour at University Book Store in Mill Creek, WA.
Here's the rest of my CRYER'S CROSS TOUR:
Sunday, Feb 13, 2011, 3pm (with Caridad Ferrer -- When the Stars Go Blue)
BARNES & NOBLE
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood,WA
Tuesday, Feb 15, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
2825 West Main St.
Bozeman, MT
Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:30pm
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston,TX
Thursday, Feb 17, 7pm
BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP
14532 Memorial Dr.
Houston,TX
NOTE from the bookstore's website: This event is free and open to the public. In order to meet Lisa McMann for book personalization, you must purchase Cryer’s Cross from Blue Willow Bookshop.
A limited number of autographed copies of Lisa’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call us at (281) 497-8675.
Friday, February 18, 2011, 7pm
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road, Fairview, TX 75069
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3pm
BOOK PEOPLE BOOKSTORE
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin,TX
*note from the bookstore: You must purchase a copy of Cryer's Cross from BookPeople in order to get any of your books signed.
Saturday, Feb 26, 2011, 3pm
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Monday, March 7, 2011, 9pm Est / 8pm Central
Watch for me on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network)! I'll be on the show Searching For... and some West Michigan fans just might be too. Hint...My search has *something* to do with Cabel from the WAKE trilogy!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson, AZ
Saturday/Sunday March 19 & 20, 2011
Teen Author Festival NYC
more info to come
Monday, March 21, 2011, 7pm
Little Shop of Stories
133A East Court Square
Decatur,GA
Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE #1955
7660 Northpoint Parkway
Suite 200
Alpharetta,GA
March 23, 2011, 7pm
Indigo - Yorkdale Mall
3401 Dufferin St.
Toronto, ON
(416) 781-6660
Also appearing in 2011 at:
*LA Times Festival of Books Apr 30/May 1
*Phoenix Comicon May 27-29
*more info to come
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Cryer's Cross is in stores! Signings this week:
Tonight (2/9): B&N Oceanside, CA, 7pm, with Kiersten White (Paranormalcy)
Tomorrow (2/10): Mrs. Nelson's in LaVerne, CA, 4pm
Friday (2/11): B&N Santa Monica, CA, 7pm, with Katie Alender (Bad Girls Don't Die)
Saturday (2/12): University Book Store, Mill Creek, WA, 3pm
Sunday, (2/13): B&N Lynnwood, WA, 3pm with Caridad Ferrer (When the Stars Go Blue)
You can currently find signed copies of Cryer's Cross at:
Yellow Book Road in San Diego area
Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego (they ship!)
Next week's signings: Bozeman MT (2/15), then Texas! Find all the details here.
Tomorrow (2/10): Mrs. Nelson's in LaVerne, CA, 4pm
Friday (2/11): B&N Santa Monica, CA, 7pm, with Katie Alender (Bad Girls Don't Die)
Saturday (2/12): University Book Store, Mill Creek, WA, 3pm
Sunday, (2/13): B&N Lynnwood, WA, 3pm with Caridad Ferrer (When the Stars Go Blue)
You can currently find signed copies of Cryer's Cross at:
Yellow Book Road in San Diego area
Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego (they ship!)
Next week's signings: Bozeman MT (2/15), then Texas! Find all the details here.
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Packing for the CRYER'S CROSS TOUR!! Starts Feb 8.
Once again I find myself packing a single carry-on for a long tour. This time it's 14 days. I love the challenge of picking just the right number of essential clothing items to make it through, and planning out the stops where I'll need to do a little laundry.
One reason I decided to do it this way last year is because it's cheaper to pay for a handful of laundry items at a hotel along the way than it is to check a bag for seven flights at $25 a pop.
And then there's the awesome ease of breezing past baggage claim and getting right to my media escort/driver/cab, and not having to worry about lost luggage issues especially with all the crazy storms we've been having around the country lately.
Here's a look at last year's packing for the 12-day GONE tour: http://bit.ly/i2YB0l
And here's my tour schedule! I'm so excited to visit some new cities this time, including Southern California, Seattle area, Bozeman MT (where Cryer's Cross is set), and several stops in Texas. Let your book lover friends know I'll be in town, will you?
Tuesday, Feb 8, 2011, 7pm
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY BOOKS
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #302
San Diego,CA
Wednesday, Feb 9, 2011, 7pm (with NYT bestselling author Kiersten White -- Paranormalcy)
BARNES & NOBLE - OCEANSIDE
2615 Vista Way
Oceanside,CA
Thursday, Feb 10, 2011, 4pm
MRS. NELSON'S TOY AND BOOK SHOP
1030 Bonita Ave.
La Verne,CA
Friday, Feb 11, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
1201 3rd St. Promenade
Santa Monica, CA
Saturday, Feb 12, 2011, 3pm
UNIVERSITY BOOK STORE
15311 Main Street
Mill Creek,WA
Sunday, Feb 13, 2011, 3pm (with Caridad Ferrer -- When the Stars Go Blue)
BARNES & NOBLE
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood,WA
Tuesday, Feb 15, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
2825 West Main St.
Bozeman, MT
Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:30pm
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston,TX
Thursday, Feb 17, 7pm
BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP
14532 Memorial Dr.
Houston,TX
NOTE from the bookstore's website: This event is free and open to the public. In order to meet Lisa McMann for book personalization, you must purchase Cryer’s Cross from Blue Willow Bookshop.
A limited number of autographed copies of Lisa’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call us at (281) 497-8675.
Friday, February 18, 2011, 7pm
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road, Fairview, TX 75069
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3pm
BOOK PEOPLE BOOKSTORE
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin,TX
Saturday, Feb 26, 2011, 3pm
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Monday, March 7, 2011, 9pm Est / 8pm Central
Watch for me on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network)! I'll be on the show Searching For... and some West Michigan fans just might be too.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson, AZ
Saturday/Sunday March 19 & 20, 2011
Teen Author Festival NYC
more info to come
Monday, March 21, 2011, 7pm
Little Shop of Stories
133A East Court Square
Decatur,GA
Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE #1955
7660 Northpoint Parkway
Suite 200
Alpharetta,GA
Plus a stop in Toronto, Wednesday March 23,
more info to come
Also appearing in 2011 at:
*LA Times Festival of Books Apr 30/May 1
*Phoenix Comicon May 27-29
*more info to come
One reason I decided to do it this way last year is because it's cheaper to pay for a handful of laundry items at a hotel along the way than it is to check a bag for seven flights at $25 a pop.
And then there's the awesome ease of breezing past baggage claim and getting right to my media escort/driver/cab, and not having to worry about lost luggage issues especially with all the crazy storms we've been having around the country lately.
Here's a look at last year's packing for the 12-day GONE tour: http://bit.ly/i2YB0l
And here's my tour schedule! I'm so excited to visit some new cities this time, including Southern California, Seattle area, Bozeman MT (where Cryer's Cross is set), and several stops in Texas. Let your book lover friends know I'll be in town, will you?
Tuesday, Feb 8, 2011, 7pm
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY BOOKS
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #302
San Diego,CA
Wednesday, Feb 9, 2011, 7pm (with NYT bestselling author Kiersten White -- Paranormalcy)
BARNES & NOBLE - OCEANSIDE
2615 Vista Way
Oceanside,CA
Thursday, Feb 10, 2011, 4pm
MRS. NELSON'S TOY AND BOOK SHOP
1030 Bonita Ave.
La Verne,CA
Friday, Feb 11, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
1201 3rd St. Promenade
Santa Monica, CA
Saturday, Feb 12, 2011, 3pm
UNIVERSITY BOOK STORE
15311 Main Street
Mill Creek,WA
Sunday, Feb 13, 2011, 3pm (with Caridad Ferrer -- When the Stars Go Blue)
BARNES & NOBLE
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood,WA
Tuesday, Feb 15, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
2825 West Main St.
Bozeman, MT
Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:30pm
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston,TX
Thursday, Feb 17, 7pm
BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP
14532 Memorial Dr.
Houston,TX
NOTE from the bookstore's website: This event is free and open to the public. In order to meet Lisa McMann for book personalization, you must purchase Cryer’s Cross from Blue Willow Bookshop.
A limited number of autographed copies of Lisa’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call us at (281) 497-8675.
Friday, February 18, 2011, 7pm
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road, Fairview, TX 75069
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3pm
BOOK PEOPLE BOOKSTORE
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin,TX
Saturday, Feb 26, 2011, 3pm
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Monday, March 7, 2011, 9pm Est / 8pm Central
Watch for me on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network)! I'll be on the show Searching For... and some West Michigan fans just might be too.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson, AZ
Saturday/Sunday March 19 & 20, 2011
Teen Author Festival NYC
more info to come
Monday, March 21, 2011, 7pm
Little Shop of Stories
133A East Court Square
Decatur,GA
Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE #1955
7660 Northpoint Parkway
Suite 200
Alpharetta,GA
Plus a stop in Toronto, Wednesday March 23,
more info to come
Also appearing in 2011 at:
*LA Times Festival of Books Apr 30/May 1
*Phoenix Comicon May 27-29
*more info to come
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
CRYER'S CROSS TOUR!! Starts Feb 8.
Tuesday, Feb 8, 2011, 7pm
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY BOOKS
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #302
San Diego,CA
Wednesday, Feb 9, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE - OCEANSIDE
2615 Vista Way
Oceanside,CA
Thursday, Feb 10, 2011, 4pm
MRS. NELSON'S TOY AND BOOK SHOP
1030 Bonita Ave.
La Verne,CA
Friday, Feb 11, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
1201 3rd St. Promenade
Santa Monica, CA
Saturday, Feb 12, 2011, 3pm
UNIVERSITY BOOK STORE
15311 Main Street
Mill Creek,WA
Sunday, Feb 13, 2011, 3pm
BARNES & NOBLE
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood,WA
Tuesday, Feb 15, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
2825 West Main St.
Bozeman, MT
Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:30pm
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston,TX
Thursday, Feb 17, 7pm
BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP
14532 Memorial Dr.
Houston,TX
NOTE from the bookstore's website: This event is free and open to the public. In order to meet Lisa McMann for book personalization, you must purchase Cryer’s Cross from Blue Willow Bookshop.
A limited number of autographed copies of Lisa’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call us at (281) 497-8675.
Friday, February 18, 2011, 7pm
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road, Fairview, TX 75069
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3pm
BOOK PEOPLE BOOKSTORE
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin,TX
Saturday, Feb 26, 2011, 3pm
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson, AZ
I'll be making stops in New York, Atlanta, and Toronto in March as well -- no details yet.
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY BOOKS
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #302
San Diego,CA
Wednesday, Feb 9, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE - OCEANSIDE
2615 Vista Way
Oceanside,CA
Thursday, Feb 10, 2011, 4pm
MRS. NELSON'S TOY AND BOOK SHOP
1030 Bonita Ave.
La Verne,CA
Friday, Feb 11, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
1201 3rd St. Promenade
Santa Monica, CA
Saturday, Feb 12, 2011, 3pm
UNIVERSITY BOOK STORE
15311 Main Street
Mill Creek,WA
Sunday, Feb 13, 2011, 3pm
BARNES & NOBLE
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood,WA
Tuesday, Feb 15, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
2825 West Main St.
Bozeman, MT
Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:30pm
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston,TX
Thursday, Feb 17, 7pm
BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP
14532 Memorial Dr.
Houston,TX
NOTE from the bookstore's website: This event is free and open to the public. In order to meet Lisa McMann for book personalization, you must purchase Cryer’s Cross from Blue Willow Bookshop.
A limited number of autographed copies of Lisa’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call us at (281) 497-8675.
Friday, February 18, 2011, 7pm
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road, Fairview, TX 75069
Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3pm
BOOK PEOPLE BOOKSTORE
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin,TX
Saturday, Feb 26, 2011, 3pm
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson, AZ
I'll be making stops in New York, Atlanta, and Toronto in March as well -- no details yet.
Monday, January 17, 2011
No Name Calling Week Jan 24-28
A bunch of authors (including me!) participated in making videos for No Name Calling Week. Check it out here.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Re-post: WAKE is being challenged at Oliver Middle School in Broken Arrow, OK
Please note: this is not a new post. I am re-posting this at the top of my blog because apparently every student in the US is doing a paper about this right now. This is ALL THE INFO I HAVE. Please do not bombard me, my assistant, or my agent with lists of questions to answer for your research paper. Thank you. I will not be answering anyone specifically--I'm working on some pretty strict deadlines and besides...I can't do your homework for you. Thanks for understanding!
FIRST POSTED January 10, 2011.
A parent would like to have WAKE removed from the school because she objects to adult language and feels that WAKE promotes drug use and sexual misconduct.
I believe WAKE shows teens and tweens the dangers and the consequences of drugs in a real setting. Kids are SMART. A mention of drugs does not equal promotion of drug use -- that assertion is absurd. As for the language...anyone who has spent time in middle and high schools knows how kids talk. Authenticity in books important.
The sexual misconduct thing -- I don't understand. There is no sex in WAKE. There are non-graphic sexual dreams which are typical for anyone in puberty or older. Kids deserve to know they are not the only ones having sexual dreams...and that it's okay. Acknowledging reality does not promote sexual misconduct.
But writing a story about a girl whose mother is an alcoholic and whose father is non-existent does bring in a lot of email -- from kids as young as ten who say things like "thank you for writing about Janie. My family is similar. Now I don't feel so alone." I am so sad that this parent wishes to take away the chance for a Broken Arrow middle schooler to feel comforted by the fact that they are not alone.
The complainant felt that reading the book would result in underage use of substances and premature sexual behavior.
I disagree wholeheartedly and I hate that this person is not giving kids any credit for being logical. Knowledge is power. Sheltering kids from things that happen to teens and tweens in real life is NOT doing them any favors. I say it again: kids are smart. They know the difference between somebody saying "Drugs are good for you, try them!" and a scene where students are doing drugs and are then sent to jail. Why do kids understand this when so many parents do not?
I believe that the first meeting regarding banning WAKE from the school is tomorrow (Tuesday). I've provided a letter of response, but I'm sure the principal would like to hear from others who have opinions on the topic of free speech and censorship, as well as specific comments about WAKE. If you feel so inclined as to write a letter in support of WAKE, and maybe sharing some of the benefits you received from reading it and why you think it's important to have books like WAKE available for students, I found the principal's email on the school's website.
Please be polite and professional. I am very thankful for your support.
The school district website can be found here: http://www.baschools.org/ (The link for Oliver M.S. can be reached by clicking on "School Sites" on the left menu.)
FIRST POSTED January 10, 2011.
A parent would like to have WAKE removed from the school because she objects to adult language and feels that WAKE promotes drug use and sexual misconduct.
I believe WAKE shows teens and tweens the dangers and the consequences of drugs in a real setting. Kids are SMART. A mention of drugs does not equal promotion of drug use -- that assertion is absurd. As for the language...anyone who has spent time in middle and high schools knows how kids talk. Authenticity in books important.
The sexual misconduct thing -- I don't understand. There is no sex in WAKE. There are non-graphic sexual dreams which are typical for anyone in puberty or older. Kids deserve to know they are not the only ones having sexual dreams...and that it's okay. Acknowledging reality does not promote sexual misconduct.
But writing a story about a girl whose mother is an alcoholic and whose father is non-existent does bring in a lot of email -- from kids as young as ten who say things like "thank you for writing about Janie. My family is similar. Now I don't feel so alone." I am so sad that this parent wishes to take away the chance for a Broken Arrow middle schooler to feel comforted by the fact that they are not alone.
The complainant felt that reading the book would result in underage use of substances and premature sexual behavior.
I disagree wholeheartedly and I hate that this person is not giving kids any credit for being logical. Knowledge is power. Sheltering kids from things that happen to teens and tweens in real life is NOT doing them any favors. I say it again: kids are smart. They know the difference between somebody saying "Drugs are good for you, try them!" and a scene where students are doing drugs and are then sent to jail. Why do kids understand this when so many parents do not?
I believe that the first meeting regarding banning WAKE from the school is tomorrow (Tuesday). I've provided a letter of response, but I'm sure the principal would like to hear from others who have opinions on the topic of free speech and censorship, as well as specific comments about WAKE. If you feel so inclined as to write a letter in support of WAKE, and maybe sharing some of the benefits you received from reading it and why you think it's important to have books like WAKE available for students, I found the principal's email on the school's website.
Please be polite and professional. I am very thankful for your support.
The school district website can be found here: http://www.baschools.org/ (The link for Oliver M.S. can be reached by clicking on "School Sites" on the left menu.)
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Hope you're having a great holiday!
A little update for your 2011 calendar:
GONE comes out in paperback January 4.
CRYER'S CROSS (teen paranormal) hits US/Canadian bookstore shelves on February 8. You can preorder now from your favorite internet bookstore and/or come see me on tour!
THE UNWANTEDS (dystopian fantasy) comes out September 6. (For those of you who wish my teen paranormals were longer, you will be in for a treat here). I'll have more info on this book in a few months.
You can now grab the Cryer's Cross widget for your site and it will stay quiet for your readers -- they'll just have to click the "play with sound" to hear it.
I have two books to write this year (the 2nd book in THE UNWANTEDS series, and a teen thriller that I haven't figured out yet), so I'm working hard on the first and thinking hard on the second. I want to keep you busy! :)
So that's what's happening here in McMann land. What's new with you?
GONE comes out in paperback January 4.
CRYER'S CROSS (teen paranormal) hits US/Canadian bookstore shelves on February 8. You can preorder now from your favorite internet bookstore and/or come see me on tour!
THE UNWANTEDS (dystopian fantasy) comes out September 6. (For those of you who wish my teen paranormals were longer, you will be in for a treat here). I'll have more info on this book in a few months.
You can now grab the Cryer's Cross widget for your site and it will stay quiet for your readers -- they'll just have to click the "play with sound" to hear it.
I have two books to write this year (the 2nd book in THE UNWANTEDS series, and a teen thriller that I haven't figured out yet), so I'm working hard on the first and thinking hard on the second. I want to keep you busy! :)
So that's what's happening here in McMann land. What's new with you?
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
CRYER'S CROSS - from author Lisa McMann
Here's a little 2-minute interview I did the last time I was in New York.
Monday, December 13, 2010
GONE is up for a Goodreads Choice Award!
Wanna vote for it? It's up to you who wins (and many thanks for the nomination, which was also up to you). Click below to vote!
 | Vote for this book! |
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Cryer's Cross arc contest!
UPDATE: Congrats to winner Alexandra from South Carolina! She has been notified and the arc has been mailed out.
I'll be giving away an ARC of Cryer's Cross in my next (fairly infrequent) newsletter. Sign up here to get the details!
I'll be giving away an ARC of Cryer's Cross in my next (fairly infrequent) newsletter. Sign up here to get the details!
Friday, November 12, 2010
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