Author of award-winning, adventurous realistic and historical fiction

book clubs

More news and reviews for Alone in the Woods

Dec 5, 2020 | , , , , , , , ,

Here’s a roundup of some more news and reviews for Alone in the Woods!

The book received great reviews from BCCB and the Midwest Book Review:

Behrens plays fair with both the friendship drama and the survival story, and each protagonist’s voice is astute and true to her own perspective. . . . In the northwoods or the school hallway, most readers will feel they’ve been there.”
—Elizabeth Bush, BCCB, Recommended

A deftly crafted, suspense laden, inherently entertaining, and thoroughly ‘kid friendly’ novel by an author with a remarkable talent for the kind of narrative driven storytelling skills that will keep a young reader’s riveted attention from beginning to cliffhanger ending. . . . [A]n extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to elementary school, middle school, and community library . . . collections.”
—Midwest Book Review read more…

The Disaster Days Virtual Book Club

Mar 26, 2020 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The scariest thing about writing The Disaster Days was realizing how the heightened scenario I put my characters in–which really felt like capital-F Fiction when I started working on the book, despite all that research–was, actually, pretty realistic. Natural disasters do happen, and when they do, they turn our worlds upside down.

As we all understand now, pandemics also happen, and they are just as unsettling and devastating.

Readers have reached out to me over the past couple of weeks to share how The Disaster Days has some new layers of resonance and relatedness now that most of us are hunkered down at home. And I started to think that maybe readers–especially young readers–might enjoy discussing Hannah’s story of resilience right now. But, of course, we all need to practice social distancing! #flattenthecurve

So I’d like to host virtual video book club discussions for any interested readers–of all ages, including kids, educators, and parents–on Google Hangouts. Up to 9 readers* and I will discuss the book for a half hour, and there will be time for an open Q&A. The first is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, at 3:30 PM EST–but I’ll keep scheduling sessions if more readers are interested.

How to join? Send me an email and I’ll add you to the list. You’ll receive an email a few days beforehand to confirm. If you’d like to think up some questions or discussion ideas ahead of time, check out the book club discussion guide and other resources.

Hope to see you there, and be well!

*I think Hangouts can only handle 10 email addresses in one video chat. If I’m wrong and the max is higher, there can be more. And please feel free to attend as families, siblings–whoever is in your shelter-in-place pod!

SUMMER is here (at least in paperback)

May 23, 2017 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It might be a little chilly and gloomy this week, but Summer is finally here–at least in paperback.

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It was a real treat to come home from a great day at #nErDcampNJ last Saturday and find a package with some early copies inside. It’s the same gorgeous art by Robyn Ng and lovely design by Laura Lyn DiSiena, but there is a surprise inside . . .

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A teaser for my next middle-grade novel, The Last Grand Adventure (which is coming in March 2018 from Simon & Schuster).

I was a huge paperback reader as a kid–and still as an adult. Hardcover editions are beautiful, but they are not so easy to put in a bike basket or a beach bag, or to lug on the subway. I’m excited to think of Nell and Ambrose heading off to camps and swim clubs and cabins in the next few months.

And finally, I have winners to announce for the Educator Giveaway! Jennifer Pickrell and Kristy Guerriero won the reading-group sets. You should have received an email from me, and I’ll get those books and guides to you ASAP. Thanks to all who entered!

Mother-Daughter Book Club Guide

May 16, 2015 | , , , ,

My mom and I have been discussing books since I was a kid–not surprising, considering I have always been a reader and she is a former English/Language Arts teacher. Over the years, reading together has helped us understand our own relationship better, see each other as individuals, and find things to talk about other than the piles of dirty clothes on my floor. Now that I live a thousand miles away, we are still using books to connect. We mail each other books after reading and talk about them over the phone. (Some recent shared reads are: The Guernsey Literary and PotaScreen Shot 2015-05-16 at 12.53.03 PMto Peel Society, Gone Girl, A Death-Struck Year, and Wish You Were Italian. She has a copy of All The Light We Cannot See waiting for me.) The fun my mom and I have discussing books inspired me to write a mother-daughter book club discussion guide for When Audrey Met Alice. Sourcebooks made it into a pretty PDF, and you can find it on my Resources page.

Who do you love to talk books with?

 

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