Star girl

I'm never sure about posting these sorts of things because it feels like tooting my own horn, but it also makes me so happy I want to share. Kirkus (a major review publication) reviewed river secrets and gave it a star! Review publications give starred reviews to the books that particularly stand out in their mind, so it's such an honor. Also, Horn Book reviewed river secrets favorably. They've never reviewed one of my books before, so that was also a big deal around here.

I try not to worry about reviews and that sort of thing. I really try to just stay focused on whatever project(s) I'm working on now and let the world take care of what I've already finished. But you can't help it, just a little. And I was really worried about the reactions to this one, so I'm SO relieved! Anyhoo, I'll paste in the Kirkus review below because it doesn't give away spoilers (I grit my teeth when reviews actually tell the ending...that happened a lot with goose girl). But be warned that there are enna burning spoilers.

RIVER SECRETS
«"A character from Goose Girl and Enna Burning takes center stage in this marvelous continuation. Razo becomes part of the Bayern guard that accompanies its ambassador Lady Megina to Tira. The Lady is nearly a hostage, as the mistrust and bitterness of Tirans to Bayern after their war makes for a fragile peace. Razo, 17, quick with a slingshot and with making friends, is surprised to be chosen, but warms to his role as spy. He's glad to be near his friend Enna, who has harnessed her fire-speaking abilities and whose role in the war is hidden from the Tirans. A subversive Tiran movement to rekindle the war catches Bayern's Own in attacks subtle and outright. Through it all, there is Razo's devotion to food and to his friends and his steadfast refusal to recognize his own gifts. Hale makes profound statements about war and peace, friends and strangers, men and women and all the different kinds of battle. Her language glimmers like firelight, like sunshine on water as she propels readers along a river of wonderful writing to the tumultuous and heart-tugging climax. "--Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW, August 15th

Comments

[Marie]

Wow! That's really great! Congrats. I can't wait to read this. :-)

[Katee]

Yay! I'm excited.

[Alauna]

Yea! Yea again!

[Megan Elbow]

That is SO cool! I love the way that they described your writing . . . "glimmers like firelight," "sunshine on water." I love it! I'm so excited!

[Shelley]

Horrah for Shannon & River of Secrets!!!

[Erin]

Congrats! That is SO exciting!

[Diana]

I haven't even read the book, and I couldn't agree more. Although, I think they were trying to out-do Shannon, what with saying her language "glimmers like firelight" and "sunshine on water.' Silly of them. There is no out-doing the kind of wonderful-ness in Shannon Hale books...
I ordered the book off amazon today, and I'm thinking about starting a paper chain to count down. I am so excited.

[Courtney]

That's AWESOME! I must say I am NOT surprised! Bravo!
Ok- question- my Mom is an English teacher and she is trying to come up with a list of books for 6th and 7th graders to read this year. Any ideas? Any of you? Shannon? I already suggested all of your books but any others that stand out? I knew that if anyone could help it would be all of you wonderful people here!!!

[Jaya Lakshmi]

For Shannon- great! Especially since this is the first time one of your books was reviewed in Kirkus. And it got a star!

For Courtney- the post before last had a bunch of comments with recommended reading. But here's what I would suggest for sixth and seventh graders:
Holes by Louis Sachar
The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper.
Selected Magic Shop Books: Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher; Jennifer Murdley's Toad; all are by Bruce Coville
Odder than Ever by Bruce Coville. (Short story collection.)
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Persepolis, Books 1 snd 2 by Marjane Satrapi. (Graphic novels for the seventh graders.)
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Swear to Howdy by Wendelin Van Draanen
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
How I Survived Being a Girl by Wendelin Van Draanen (This is for the sixth-graders.)
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Redwall by Brian Jacques

If you want me to recommend more, just ask.

[Natalie]

Congratulations!! Much deserved I'm sure. I've had the book pre-ordered from Amazon since early July. Can't wait.

[Mads]

Note to self: pre-order River Secrets!
And just because everyone is saying great job, I am going to say something different... how about I am not looking forward to reading it? Just kidding! But seriously, great fantastic job Shannon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nancy]

A starred review! Fantastic! What's next on your list of "things to accomplish"? Pulizter?

[anon]

excellent- This is just the thing, since it does not give everything away, it gives something that makes you interested, but does not drive you crazy with suspense.

[Rujie]

Courtney-
Being one of your mum's students, hehe. I think that whatever she chooses will be wonderful. I would really like her to read Criss Cross, but i can understand if that's not possible.
BRAVO!! I really can't wait for River Secrets now! It's worse than an intense movie!

[Carson]

Oh man, that just made the waiting that much more unbearable.

[asha]

anon, what you said about it not driving you crazy with suspence. THAT IS NOT TRUE!
i'm going crazy! i pre-ordered rs ages ago and i'm counting the days.
i'm so glad that enna's going to be in it, though i really hope ani will be too!
that was a great review, because you were right, shannon, it didn't give anything important away.

[Alauna]

Courtney-
Jaya gave you my best suggestions, but I'll give a plug again for "Flipped," "Ender's Game," "Holes, "Watership Down," and "Jeremy Thatcher: Dragon Hatcher." They are some of the best. (And I'm sure her other suggestions are great, I just haven't gotten around to reading them all myself yet.)
But what about "A Wrinkle in Time" and that whole series by Madeleine L'Engle?
Or "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman?
And don't forget Lloyd Alexander's "Prydain Chronicles" starting with "The Book of Three."
And, always, "Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare (hers are all really good).
Judy Blume's "Fudge" books.
"Dealing With Dragons" etc. by Patricia C. Wrede.
And C.S. Lewis' timeless "'Chronic-what-cles' of Narnia."

[thegirlwhopaintedtrees]

I can't wait to read River Secrets! Congratulations on the review and the star.

[Mads]

By the way, at first when I saw the title of the blog, I thought, hm is she going to do a book review of Stargirl????

[Carl V.]

Congrats! Its only tooting your own horn, in my opinion, if you and only you are saying good things about your work. If you're getting praise from others you should be proud, happy, and share it!

[Diana]

Speaking of book recommendations, how come nobody has brought up Gail Carson Levine? "Ella Enchanted" was my favorite book for a long time (until 'round about my senior year of high school, when "Goose Girl" came out...). "Dave at Night" is another good one, although different. They would both work for sixth/seventh graders.

[Taylor]

Totally! I love Ella Enchanted, it's one of my favorites, right up there with goose girl! But if you like fairy tales, Once upon a Marigold is a great one by Jean Ferris. It's an easier read, but really cute.
P.S. Has anyone ever read Eragon and Eldest by Christopher Paolini?

[Nora]

Congrats!!!! I cant wait to read it!

[Anne Marie]

I loved "Once Upon a Mariogold" too! Ella Enchanted is good, so is Holes, Witch of Blackbird pond, The Outsiders, The Goose Girl, Laura Ingalls Wilder series (they could be read by a 6-7th grader)Chronicles of Narnia are good, and there's more, but I just can't think of all of them right now. I can't wait to read River Secrets.. I'm sure everyone will love it as much as all of her other books! Oh, and great job on getting a star!

[Alauna]

I can't help but think it's awesome that we all seem to read and love the same books. Although, I'm feeling pressure that my brain will explode if I don't get all of everyone else's favorites read RIGHT NOW. But I'm just so excited for River Secrets that I can hardly sit still long enough to read a page of any other book, and I just finished reading "A Tale of Two Cities" which is really good, but not for 6th graders, and took some brain power. So I think I'll go re-read "Goose Girl" and "Enna Burning" again to ease the pains of waiting.

[shannon hale]

Great book suggestions. Off the top of my head, I'd add:
The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin
The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, by Terry Pratchett
Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli

[Mads]

I loved Ella Enchanted, and until I read Shannon's books, it was my favorite! I would suggest that one, Once upon a Marigold, and Love Among the Walnuts is also a good one by jean Ferris. The Westing Game is good also!

[Mads]

I loved Ella Enchanted, and until I read Shannon's books, it was my favorite! I would suggest that one, Once upon a Marigold, and Love Among the Walnuts is also a good one by jean Ferris. The Westing Game is good also!

[Mads]

I loved Ella Enchanted, and until I read Shannon's books, it was my favorite! I would suggest that one, Once upon a Marigold, and Love Among the Walnuts is also a good one by jean Ferris. The Westing Game is good also!

[Somebody]

I just want to drop in and say that if you go online to the library, you can reserve RIVER SECRETS there. Perhaps those who can't afford to buy the book yet, would be interested this. Depending on what number you are, when you reserve it,..... and how many of the book they ordered, you may be the first one to receive RIVER SECRETS.

[Nora]

Hey Taylor I've read Eragon and Eldest I loved them they were really good! (But I still think Shannons were great!) I still can't believe he started writing it when he was 15!!! (sorry to get off the topic Shannon!)

[Sahara]

Congrats Shannon! I can't wait to read it...
For Courtney I'd recommend anything by Karen Cushman. And then for books that are just great, but not particularly for 6th and 7th graders I'd like to recommend Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and the Uglies trilogy by Scott Westerfeld.
I LOVE Ella Enchanted. Although the movie was pretty bad (in my opinion).

[sarah]

Hey!, Well done with the review, it's great! I can't wait to read River Secrets!

[Courtney]

~You guys are awesome! Thank you! That helps a bunch!~

[Jas fr Aus]

wow well done shannon! can't wait to read it!
ps. ITS MY BIRTHDAY! got some books that look awesome, ill let you know if they're any good once im done :)

[Mads]

Happy birthday Jas fr Aus! Keep us posted on the books...

[Megan]

Great job, Shannon! I can't wait to read River Secrets. As for other good books: look at the Newbury Award winners, they are always realy good.
The Giver and it's companion, Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry are two of my favorite books.

[Kildenree]

Whaaaaaa! Whaaaaa! How mean!
I wanna read it now!

I know this lady who has River Secrets and she says that she doesn't have time to read it!

[shannon hale]

Happy birthday, Jas fr Aus!

[Megan-Elbow]

Some other good books: The Good Master and The Singing Tree by Kate Seredy. They're both Newberry Honor books. Also, I like The Great Good Thing by Roderick Townley. It's a very original idea.

[Mads]

Megan-Elbow, what is the great-good thing about? I have had it for awhile, but there is no description on the back!

[Kevin J]

Shannon,

"Her language glimmers like firelight, like sunshine on water..."

Boy, does it ever. But the reviewer missed something about your writing.

Picture this: I'm a 32 year old guy. Rather... husky... yeah, husky. Ex-football player. I'm, as i said before, (overly) university educated and though i love to read, i am a somewhat 'jaded' reader.

One day, my fiance caught me crying (not sobbing, but emotional) while reading Enna Burning. Honestly, i don't remember the exact part of the book i was at but i do remember that it wasn't particularly tear worthy. And when she asked me what was happening that would make me cry i told her 'Nothing.'

So then she asked what made me cry? So i told her.

Your writting.

Shannon, you may not see, or feel it because you are so close to it, but your writing is filled with Grace. And Dignity. And Love. And i don't mean this in terms of subject matter. I mean the writing itself. I feel these things seep into me when i open one of your books. They inhabit every word, page and chapter. They no doubt inhabit you as well and with every word you commit to paper you infuse your story with it. I imagine it would be a wonder to meet you in person, to feel those things surround you. I hope i get a chance someday. And you know those books, the one's that stay with you your whole life, the ones that changed you or touched you in a profound way? Yeah, your books are those books. For me, at least.

Anyway, Kirkus was right. In my opinon, not right enough.

So now that i've sufficiently embarrassed myself, i'll leave you to blush a little. LOL!

Kevin.

[Kevin J]

For all you comic fans, please give Castle Waiting by Linda Medley a try. They've collected the whole series to date. And a new series has just started. If you like Shannon's stuff, you'll like this too. If you don't, i will buy your copy back from you.

This is the link in Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1560977477/sr=1-1/qid=1155438815/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-7665955-1935216?ie=UTF8&s=books

This is Linda's website:

www.studiolio.com/

This is the publisher's link:

http://www.fantagraphics.com/artist/medley/medley.html

GO!

GO NOW!!!!

[Rujie]

Kevin-
I think you put that perfectly. That is exactly what i've been trying to explain to everyone when they ask what makes Shannon's books so great.

[asha]

ditto everything you said, kevin.
except the thing about being a 32 year old guy...

[thegirlwhopaintedtrees]

The Great Good Thing is a good book. I agree with Megan-Elbow that the idea is creative and original. I haven't read it in a while, but plan on reading it aloud to my class this year. From what I remember, the books' characters live in a fairytale and actually have a life while the book is not being read. When someone opens the book, they have to run to place themselves in the illustration. Obviously, that's not a synopsis of the plot, but should give you an inkling of the genre.

Kevin, thank you for finally explaining why I love Shannon's writing so much. Like Rujie, I am not always able to express it in words.

[Courtney]

Well said Kevin! You hit it right on the nose! I couldn't agree more!

[Lauren A.]

Ok, Ok! I am nearly dying of anticipation now, but that's okay, cause I'm enjoying every moment of it. That was a fantastic review of your book.
~Lauren.
P.S. When I read 'star girl' as the title for your blog, I thought you meant the Jerry Spinelli novel (which I didn't really like, although it was interesting.)

[Angela fr aus]

Happy bday to jas (for 2 days ago anyway- i havent been on the net in a while) and asha- you can pre oder river secrets in Australia? thats insane! everywhere i ask they just look at me saying shannon... who? river... what? Yeah so agreeing with jas and asha from before, PLEASE come to Australia! its only fair. Melbournes got really good shopping and coffee and sydney (ima sydneysider myself) is totally awesome. Weve got like everything. The beaches are fantastic and good bands, bookstores and we have the harbour bridge. Seriously, come. I know youll love it. And Max can pat kangaroos? i find it hilarious people think we have them in our backyards. For anyone who does think that, we dont. WE just have bluetongue lizards and kookaburras.

[Jas fr Aus]

thanks for all the happy birthdays :) and yes, we don't have kangaroos in our backyard...although once i told a tourist we had them instead of taxis and we travelled in their pouches and they beleived me!
PS. sorry this post is extremely irrelevant!