December 30, 2011 – YA Chit Chat

I love the Hunger Games and I can’t wait for the movie to come out. A year ago, I found the video below of a fan’s take on Rue’s death. I had watched a lot of fan versions of the film but none of them affected me the way this one did. I pray with all my might the official film is this intense and heart-wrenching. In anticipation of the real Hunger Games movie, I had to post this again. After you watch it, please click around on other films these actors put together, including the behind the scenes video. I love seeing young people getting involved in the arts. And to think this video stemmed from a fan’s love of a great literary series. And who says teens don’t read? I can only hope that my book will someday affect someone with such intensity and passion.

I think I have to warn you the video is a little violent and bloody, but so is The Hunger Games. Great tribute to Suzanne Collins.

Today is the final day of the The Class of 2011: YA Superlatives Blogfest, a fun and interactive way to highlight and share your favorite YA novels, covers, characters, and story elements, hosted by Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, Alison Miller, and me. The Class of 2011: YA Superlatives Blogfest spans four days, beginning December 26th and culminating today, December 30th.

And speaking of selections, here are mine for Day Four:

Best in Show

Supernaturally by Kiersten White, Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini; The Secrets of Tamarind by Nadia Aguiar; The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan; Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor; Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres; Divergent by Veronica Roth; Wither by Lauren Destefano; The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson; Across the Universe by Beth Revis; Chime by Franny Billingsley; Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins; Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs; The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler; The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa; The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

And my favorites are:

Favorite Cover – Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Cutest Couple – Lola Nolan and Cricket Bell from Lola and the Boy Next Door

Most Likely to Succeed (Or, pick a Printz Winner) – Chime

Most Likely to Make You Miss Your Bedtime – Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Best Repeat Performance (Favorite sequel or follow-up.) – The Son of Neptune

Pair Most Likely to Stay Best Friends Till They’re 80 – Zuzana and Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

Breakout Novel (Favorite Book by a Debut Author) – Divergent, no questions asked! Amazing.

Best Old-Timer (Favorite read of the year, published BEFORE 2011) – Hunger Games trilogy. I can’t pick just one. It’s been how long since they were released and I’m still thinking about these characters!