KATHRYN ERSKINE, Author
Also known as Kathy, Mrs. Erskine (pronounced ER-skin), Mom, and "that-writer-lady-dude."
July 2008
OK, I finally picked a place to post a blog. Please stop by and visit.
http://kathyerskine.blogspot.com/
The Oak Park, IL library system has put QUAKING on its recommended reading list for those going into 9th grade -- thanks, Oak Park!
VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) has a great article about books on bullying for middle and high school readers. QUAKING is mentioned along with some fabulous books about bullying.
May 2008
QUAKING is now an audio book! I think Rena Strober has done a great job of capturing Matt's voice. Listen to a snippet here!
April 2008
Here's an interview on Second Life TV. Thanks, Jilly Kidd, for interviewing me on your Meet an Author show!
QUAKING is listed in Bank Street's 2008 Best Children's Books of the Year in the 12-up section, "today" category. Thank you, Bank Street Books!
QUAKING is a favorite book of LuvBooks Educational Services, an organization that aims to transform lives through literacy. Go, LuvBooks!
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Support Teen Literature Day is April 17th! If you're a writer or reader of books for teens, check out readergirlz on their blog or MySpace. Teen books are being donated in hospitals, coffee shops and lots of other sites all over the country -- I'm donating my books and I encourage other authors to do the same! |
March 2008
QUAKING is an Accelerated Learning book (8.0 points!).
QUAKING is a "2007 Hall of Fame Title" on the TeensReadToo website! Thanks, guys!
February 2008
QUAKING is on the list of "Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers" by VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates). I'm excited because books were reviewed by middle school readers. Thank you, VOYA Committee!
Here's another interview on Jessica Burkhart's blog. Jess is a really accomplished (and really young!) writer who has a book coming out next year (TAKE THE REINS). Thanks, Jess!
January 2008
Good News! QUAKING is a "TOP TEN" book!
The American Library Association (ALA) put QUAKING in the top ten of its list of "Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers" which means it's a gripping enough story that even those who aren't that into reading can enjoy it. What a great compliment! Thanks, ALA!
Thank you, Cincinnati librarians, for putting QUAKING on your "Best of 2007" list!
November / December News
Check out this great review from Kurtis of boysbloggingbooks.blogspot.com fame!
QUAKING has been nominated for the American Library Association's 2008 List of "Best Books for Young Adults!"
QUAKING is a Gold Star Hall of Fame winner on www.teensreadtoo.com! Read an interview with me here (thanks, Jen!).
And another interview with Joelle Anthony (thanks, Joelle!).
And thanks, Roxyanne, for the recognition on www.smartwriters.com.
I had a wonderful time at the West Virginia Book Faire in Martinsburg, WV, Nov. 2nd & 3rd, and got to talk with great students at Hedgesville Middle School (you rock!) and Musselman Middle School (go Musselman!). Read about it here.
Here's what critics are saying about QUAKING:
"As one of the first, if not the first anti-war novel for this generation, Erskine's story will surely open some minds to the idea that peace is nothing to be ashamed of." Kirkus, 7-07.
"With similarities to Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak -- Matt's sardonic commentary on high school, her wry wordplay ('I am not a Quaker...I am only quaking'), and parallels in storyline -- the novel will appeal to the same audience. When bighearted Sam is in danger, Matt completes her transformation from silent victim to empowered hero in a moving and satisfying ending." Horn Book, 7-07.
"Kathryn Erskine's Matt is a fragile character with a solid core of strength, and this novel beautifully explores her life-saving, life-changing growth." Children's Literature, 6-07.
". . . this is a compelling story, which enfolds the political issues into deeper focus on the characters' personal stories." Booklist, 5-07.
"In the end, the narrator chooses to abandon her restricting and no-longer-needed survival skills to become the hero of her own life." VOYA, 5-07, highlighted review.
And here's what I say:
QUAKING is a story of finding peace, no matter where you've been or where you're going. I hope you enjoy it.
Peace,
Kathy
P.S. Here are some fun reviews a friend of mine found!
I have read "Quaking." Reader, I loved it. -Charlotte Bronte
"Quaking" is a whale of a tale. -Herman Melville
"Quaking" is a wonderful book, full of sense and sensibility. -Jane Austen
I read "Quaking"...I loved it.... And so it goes.... -Kurt Vonnegut
Good Grief! Read "Quaking." That will be 5 cents please. -Charles M. Schulz
"Quaking"...It was the best of books...and I can stop right there. -Charles Dickens
I am certain that you will love "Quaking." You can rely on my recommendation - I know the importance of being earnest. -Oscar Wilde
I have read "Quaking." I would give it an A. -Nathaniel Hawthorne