Deb Caletti's Blog - Posts Tagged "ya"
STARRED Booklist review for THE LAST FOREVER
Yippee! The first review of THE LAST FOREVER (coming from S&S, April 1) is in, and it's a BEAUTIFUL STARRED REVIEW from BOOKLIST! Check it out:
Can an impromptu road trip heal two broken hearts? It doesn’t seem likely to Tess, who’s lost her mother to cancer and now lives with her pot-smoking, tie-dye-wearing father; he’s well meaning, if immature. But a road trip from San Bernardino to the Grand Canyon it is. Only her father doesn’t stop there, continuing on to Oregon and then north to a small coastal town, home to his mother, Jenny, whom Tess hasn’t seen in 15 years. Her father up and leaves Tess at Jenny’s, off to who-knows-where, and she’s forced to make
sense of how to adjust to her new surroundings, while her heart remains very much at home and with her mother. Along for the ride is a rare plant—a pixiebell—which may be the last of its kind. It’s survived since Tess’s grandfather stole the seed at a party long ago and has moved with her mother through four decades; only now, under Tess’ care, it’s starting to wilt. When she meets Henry at the library, there’s an instant attraction, and together, they work to save the pixiebell. At the start of each chapter is a short, explanatory chapter about a seed, which ties into the novel’s theme of rebirth, healing, and growth. Caletti writes movingly here, particularly as Tess reflects on her mother’s final days, and offers up a surprising story about love, loss, and putting down roots in a world that’s constantly changing.
HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Caletti has a sizable fan base—and they’ll all be waiting.
Can an impromptu road trip heal two broken hearts? It doesn’t seem likely to Tess, who’s lost her mother to cancer and now lives with her pot-smoking, tie-dye-wearing father; he’s well meaning, if immature. But a road trip from San Bernardino to the Grand Canyon it is. Only her father doesn’t stop there, continuing on to Oregon and then north to a small coastal town, home to his mother, Jenny, whom Tess hasn’t seen in 15 years. Her father up and leaves Tess at Jenny’s, off to who-knows-where, and she’s forced to make
sense of how to adjust to her new surroundings, while her heart remains very much at home and with her mother. Along for the ride is a rare plant—a pixiebell—which may be the last of its kind. It’s survived since Tess’s grandfather stole the seed at a party long ago and has moved with her mother through four decades; only now, under Tess’ care, it’s starting to wilt. When she meets Henry at the library, there’s an instant attraction, and together, they work to save the pixiebell. At the start of each chapter is a short, explanatory chapter about a seed, which ties into the novel’s theme of rebirth, healing, and growth. Caletti writes movingly here, particularly as Tess reflects on her mother’s final days, and offers up a surprising story about love, loss, and putting down roots in a world that’s constantly changing.
HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Caletti has a sizable fan base—and they’ll all be waiting.
STARRED REVIEW from Publishers Weekly for THE LAST FOREVER
What's this? A SECOND STARRED REVIEW for THE LAST FOREVER (S&S, April 1!), this time from Publishers Weekly?!?! What a way to start the week! This calls for some still-in-my robe celebrating! Beautiful review, here:
After a trying bout with cancer, Tess’s mother has died, but she’s left behind a one-of-a-kind pixiebell plant. “My mother vowed that the last pixiebell would never die on her watch, and now that I have it, it isn’t going to die on mine, either,” Tess vows. When her impulsive, pot-smoking, less-than-dependable father takes her on an extended road trip to the Grand Canyon, Tess brings the plant with her, but keeping it alive during their journey through the desert is a struggle. Unexpectedly, Tess’s father brings her to the home of his mother, an artist Tess barely remembers. Tess is in for some life-changing lessons about old family grudges and secrets held by new acquaintances, including a boy who makes it his mission to help Tess save the withering pixiebell, and wins her heart in the process. Featuring sharp-witted first-person narration, some fascinating facts about plants and seeds, relatable characters, and evocative settings, Caletti’s (The Story of Us) inspiring novel eloquently depicts the nature of mutability. As with her previous books, this love story reverberates with honesty and emotion. Ages 12–up. (Apr.)
STARRED REVIEW from KIRKUS for THE LAST FOREVER
THE LAST FOREVER gets a STARRED KIRKUS REVIEW! Yes, friends, that's starred review number THREE! Can you tell I'm thrilled?! I don't even know what to do with myself! And, look, it's a beauty:
A despairing father and his 17-year-old daughter take an emotional journey together that brings redemption, hope and healing.
Tessa’s mother has recently died, and the teen is struggling to adjust to life with her loving but irresponsible pot-smoking dad, who is also fighting to right himself. To shake them from their spiritual stupors, her father suggests they take a spontaneous road trip—but there’s a precious reminder of her mother that Tessa can’t leave behind: a rare plant handed down by her grandfather and lovingly cared for by her mother. The trip ends at her grandmother Jenny’s house, but the journey does not. While her father and Jenny try to repair old rifts, Tessa slowly warms, forming a new bond with her grandmother. Enter Henry, a kind, handsome library employee and fellow book geek who seems totally in sync with Tessa, but even as their relationship deepens, he inexplicably keeps her at arm’s length. Meanwhile, Tessa’s plant is withering, and she is desperate to keep it from dying. Henry and the library staff collectively join the frantic research—and the ending is so enchanting it’s certain to reduce readers to bittersweet tears. Caletti’s writing is seamless and fluid, rich with descriptions of Tessa’s physical world as well as her inner ruminations.
A story that proves there can, indeed, be life after death. (Fiction. 12 & up)
A despairing father and his 17-year-old daughter take an emotional journey together that brings redemption, hope and healing.
Tessa’s mother has recently died, and the teen is struggling to adjust to life with her loving but irresponsible pot-smoking dad, who is also fighting to right himself. To shake them from their spiritual stupors, her father suggests they take a spontaneous road trip—but there’s a precious reminder of her mother that Tessa can’t leave behind: a rare plant handed down by her grandfather and lovingly cared for by her mother. The trip ends at her grandmother Jenny’s house, but the journey does not. While her father and Jenny try to repair old rifts, Tessa slowly warms, forming a new bond with her grandmother. Enter Henry, a kind, handsome library employee and fellow book geek who seems totally in sync with Tessa, but even as their relationship deepens, he inexplicably keeps her at arm’s length. Meanwhile, Tessa’s plant is withering, and she is desperate to keep it from dying. Henry and the library staff collectively join the frantic research—and the ending is so enchanting it’s certain to reduce readers to bittersweet tears. Caletti’s writing is seamless and fluid, rich with descriptions of Tessa’s physical world as well as her inner ruminations.
A story that proves there can, indeed, be life after death. (Fiction. 12 & up)
FOURTH starred review for THE LAST FOREVER
THE LAST FOREVER just received it's FOURTH starred review! The Hornbook review joins the ones for Kirkus, PW and Booklist. Yippee!!
ESSENTIAL MAPS FOR THE LOST - PW STAR
Our second review arrived
, and it's another lovely STAR for ESSENTIAL MAPS FOR THE LOST, this time from Publisher's Weekly! I like you, 2016.
Read it here:
Caletti (The Last Forever) returns with a lovely testament to human resiliency and true love. Mads Murray is staying with her aunt and uncle in Seattle while she pursues her realtor’s license in order to work with her mother. It’s not what Mads wants, but guilt and loyalty to her mother have trapped her, causing a spiral into depression. While swimming in Lake Union one morning, she discovers a body. Mads becomes fixated on the dead woman, Anna Youngwolf Floyd, and her son, Billy, who is destroyed by grief and finds comfort in the dogs that he “liberates” from unfit owners, the no-kill shelter where he works, and a map from E.L. Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. When Mads and Billy meet, they are smitten, but Mads is terrified to reveal that she’s the one who found his mother. Billy and Mads’s romance is tender and sweet, and Caletti’s lyrical, sometimes witty narration pulls readers close to both teenagers’ tangled emotions in a complex exploration of grief, mental illness, the redemptive power of storytelling, and the hope found in unexpected places. Ages 14–up.
, and it's another lovely STAR for ESSENTIAL MAPS FOR THE LOST, this time from Publisher's Weekly! I like you, 2016.Read it here:
Caletti (The Last Forever) returns with a lovely testament to human resiliency and true love. Mads Murray is staying with her aunt and uncle in Seattle while she pursues her realtor’s license in order to work with her mother. It’s not what Mads wants, but guilt and loyalty to her mother have trapped her, causing a spiral into depression. While swimming in Lake Union one morning, she discovers a body. Mads becomes fixated on the dead woman, Anna Youngwolf Floyd, and her son, Billy, who is destroyed by grief and finds comfort in the dogs that he “liberates” from unfit owners, the no-kill shelter where he works, and a map from E.L. Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. When Mads and Billy meet, they are smitten, but Mads is terrified to reveal that she’s the one who found his mother. Billy and Mads’s romance is tender and sweet, and Caletti’s lyrical, sometimes witty narration pulls readers close to both teenagers’ tangled emotions in a complex exploration of grief, mental illness, the redemptive power of storytelling, and the hope found in unexpected places. Ages 14–up.
THE LAST FOREVER out in paperback today!
Look what I got! THE LAST FOREVER, which releases in paperback TODAY. Proud of this one, and it's beautiful FOUR starred reviews from Kirkus, PW, Booklist, Horn Book!
⭐"Caletti's writing is seamless and fluid, rich..." --Kirkus, starred review
⭐"Caletti's inspiring novel eloquently depicts the nature of mutability. As with her previous books, this love story reverberates with honesty and emotion." --Publisher's Weekly, starred review
⭐"Caletti writes movingly... A surprising story about love, loss, and putting down roots in a world that's constantly changing." --Booklist starred review
⭐"Wholly absorbing." --Hornbook, starred review
⭐"Caletti's writing is seamless and fluid, rich..." --Kirkus, starred review
⭐"Caletti's inspiring novel eloquently depicts the nature of mutability. As with her previous books, this love story reverberates with honesty and emotion." --Publisher's Weekly, starred review
⭐"Caletti writes movingly... A surprising story about love, loss, and putting down roots in a world that's constantly changing." --Booklist starred review
⭐"Wholly absorbing." --Hornbook, starred review
ESSENTIAL MAPS FOR THE LOST GIVEAWAY and INTERVIEW!
ESSENTIAL MAPS FOR THE LOST releases on APRIL 5, and to kick off the events... A GIVEAWAY and interview over at A Novel Idea. More info. here:
http://suchanovelidea.com/2016/04/ess...
http://suchanovelidea.com/2016/04/ess...
ESSENTIAL MAPS FOR THE LOST released TODAY!
Today, ESSENTIAL MAPS FOR THE LOST, my thirteenth book, is out in the world!
Giveaway
Wow! Simon Teen and Riveted.com are giving away an ENTIRE SIGNED SET
of my books. Head on over to Riveted to enter! http://ow.ly/cmuj303Orbv
of my books. Head on over to Riveted to enter! http://ow.ly/cmuj303Orbv
ESSENTIAL MAPS FOR THE LOST out in paperback today!
ESSENTIAL MAPS FOR THE LOST out in paperback today!
⭐️"A lovely testament to human resiliency and true love... Caletti’s lyrical, sometimes witty narration pulls readers close to both teenagers’ tangled emotions in a complex exploration of grief, mental illness, the redemptive power of storytelling, and the hope found in unexpected places." --Publisher's Weekly, starred review
⭐️"A cleareyed story about love and loss, mental illness, and taking charge of one's own fate." --Kirkus, starred review
⭐️VERDICT: Recommend this tale of overcoming the ogres of depression and loss with the saving graces of sustaining relationships and self-discovery." --School Library Journal, starred review
--"Heady, evocative... This is a powerful, sophisticated love story in which Caletti authoritatively probes the pain of loss, grief, and secrets as well as the idea of fate --Horn Book
--"It’s the details, as with many of Caletti’s other books, that make the novel sing... A moving story about rescuing yourself as well as finally being found." --Booklist
⭐️"A lovely testament to human resiliency and true love... Caletti’s lyrical, sometimes witty narration pulls readers close to both teenagers’ tangled emotions in a complex exploration of grief, mental illness, the redemptive power of storytelling, and the hope found in unexpected places." --Publisher's Weekly, starred review
⭐️"A cleareyed story about love and loss, mental illness, and taking charge of one's own fate." --Kirkus, starred review
⭐️VERDICT: Recommend this tale of overcoming the ogres of depression and loss with the saving graces of sustaining relationships and self-discovery." --School Library Journal, starred review
--"Heady, evocative... This is a powerful, sophisticated love story in which Caletti authoritatively probes the pain of loss, grief, and secrets as well as the idea of fate --Horn Book
--"It’s the details, as with many of Caletti’s other books, that make the novel sing... A moving story about rescuing yourself as well as finally being found." --Booklist
