Spread the Awesome: Books That Deserve Ten Stars
Welcome to a day of young adult/mid-grade recommended reading! Here’s the complete list of bloggers/books participating in Elana Johnson’s Spread the Awesome. You can also click on the link below to read the next post on the list. Before you go, make sure to enter my contest for your own signed copy of THREE RIVERS RISING.
I have always loved how historical fiction gives a glimpse of everyday lives at a different time. Add to this the mix of natural disaster, a love story, secrets between sisters, a class system thrown off course by tragedy, and a chance at redemption, and you have Jame Richards’s beautiful debut, THREE RIVERS RISING: A NOVEL OF THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD.
Three Rivers Rising: A Novel of the Johnstown Flood, Jame Richards (Knopf 2010)
3RR is a YA historical novel-in-verse. I know a lot of you aren’t familiar with NiVs, so here’s a feel for Jame’s story:
Thunder falls toward us
from high up the mountain pass.
Breath and screams
leave the lungs
all at once.
Fingernails dig into the tree
and my face buries itself
in the wet trunk.
It’s coming.
The water is on its way
and I am already drowning.
From the cover: Sixteen-year-old Clelestia vacations with her family at the elite resort at Lake Conemaugh, a shimmering Allegheny Mountain reservoir held in place by an earthern dam. Tired of the superficial cheer and sly judgments of the society crowd, she much prefers to swim and fish with Peter, the hotel’s hired boy. It’s a friendship she must keep secret — her parents would never approve — and when companionship turns to romance, it’s a love that could get Celestia disowned.
These affairs of the heart become all the more wrenching on a single, tragic day in May 1889. After days of heavy rain, the dam fails, unleashing twenty million tons of water onto Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in the valley below — the town where Peter lives with his father.
Told by multiple narrators, Jame Richards’s searing novel in poems explores a cross-class romance, the random hand of disaster, and a tragic and indelible event in American history.
Not only is Jame’s work remarkable, she is approachable. When I first heard about her novel (thank you, Valerie!), my own historical NiV was on submission. It’s stressful having any book out with editors, but I think there’s a special anxiety for those of us whose work isn’t commerical or cutting edge, or for that matter, written as prose. I emailed Jame, asking about her submission process. She shared with me her experiences and told me there would eventually be an editor who got what I was trying to do. I’ve kept a print out of that email in my calendar ever since. Thank you, Jame, for encouraging me along the way.
If you would like to win a signed copy of Jame’s THREE RIVERS RISING, comment below. This contest is open to all readers (international friends, too) You don’t have to follow my blog to participate. The contest closes Friday, 7 May 6:00pm CDT.
Be sure to read the next recommended book by clicking the link below:
Jackee Alston at Winded Words reviews Elizabeth Bunce (A Curse As Dark As Gold)
Yes I would! It sounds wonderful!
This is me commenting to win a signed copy of THREE RIVERS RISING.
:)
I am finishing my first novel in verse…have read several and they’re all over the map. Excited to check out May B., maybe win Three Rivers.
Best,
a.
Would love a chance to read this book. Thanks for the introducing me to Three Rivers Rising. (Hugs)Indigo
This book sounds wonderful! Please enter me. :D
kghobbs@gmail.com
I’ve only read one NIV. I’d love the chance to read a another, and a historical one too!!! Sounds awesome. Please enter me. : )
That sounds GREAT. I totally want to read it.
Yes please! Since it’s on my list of 5 NiV… might as well see if I can snag a copy from you! :D
Wow… I didn’t even know novels in verse existed. How interesting. I would love to read (and win!) this. :)
I am amazed. Hard enough to write in prose . . . Novels in verse sound fascinating. Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll have to check it out.
This book sounds great and the cover is just gorgeous! I certainly wouldn’t mind winning a copy. :-)
That’s so nice. That she was approachable and that she shared her experience with you. :)
I haven’t read a novel in verse yet. I’m really interested in this one. I’d love to win a copy. It’s been in my wishlist since I found out about it.
Thank you for making this open internationally.
precious_shusky@yahoo.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
Yay! Enter me! And I already follow you!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
The book sounds interesting! I added “Life and Death in Shanghai” to my favorites list recently. Moving account of a woman in China during Mao’s rule.
PS Love your blog picture!
Hi Caroline. The book sounds fascinating. I’d love to enter.
Count me in! This sounds fabu. I’m glad I found your blog!
Count me in! What a great book!
This book sounds absolutely gorgeous, Caroline! I’ve always meant to read a book in verse, I think I’ve now found the one I’ll have to try first (since it sounds right up my alley. Wink, wink.).
Thanks!
This book sounds amazing and Jame (a 2k10er) is fabulous!!!
It sounds very good. Would pull me right in, I’d think. Thank you for the awesome! :)
hello! i wanted to pop by and tell you that i have some awards for your super wonderful blog–awards that i have no idea how to do the links to–i am sorry!
they are at the plum bean project. i am supposed to pass them on to blogs i love!
Sign me up:) This sounds so interesting.
Sign me up, too. Sounds like a fantastic read. And thanks for the recommendation. I love this project!
Nichole
PS Thanks for helping spread the awesome.
What a fascinating concept. I’d love to read that book. Thanks for spotlighting it.
It sounds wonderful! Thanks for the review and the chance to win a copy!
Please enter me in this giveaway.
seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
looks like a great read! thanks!
This blog chain thing is awesome! Enter me please :)
You are awesome! Great review. Sounds like a wonderful book. Count me in to win!
count me in! I haven’t yet read a novel in verse but this one sounds wonderful.
Awesome post and I would love to be entered! Thanks
I’ve read about this book — and that it is indeed awesome. I’m glad you’ve confirmed it. ;) I’m adding it to my (growing!) list…
Great review! I recently got hooked on verse novels thanks to the fabulous Lisa Schroeder, so I will definitely be adding this to my TBR list. Thanks so much for pointing it out. :)
I’d love to win this! Please enter me!
rivkarno1(at)hotmail(dot)com
One of my favorite covers ever. I feel bad that I haven’t picked up the book yet, though. Okay, moving it up on the list, for sure. Thanks for sharing!
First, I’m in awe of authors who can write novels in verse. That alone makes me want to read this book. But Jame’s willingness to encourage you during your submission process endears her to me! Definitely picking up a copy of this one.
Great giveaway, too!!
sounds great!
I’m also in the middle of a book you suggested – The Phantom Toll Booth. Loving it! Great suggestion.
I absolutely LOVE NIV’s! What a great choice for today, Caroline. I’d love to be entered in your contest. :-)
What a great story! I love hearing of authors that encourage others. This business is so fickle and scary and discouraging at times that I need we really need to stick together and boost each other up when we can.
I love historical fiction, although I tend to read fiction that goes way way back historically. But this one sounds fascinating–and in verse, too! So very lyrical and beautiful just this excerpt, and the cover is gorgeous.
Thanks for your recommendation!
Wow, this sounds absolutely amazing. I’m totally adding this book to my radar. Thanks!
I’m adding this to my to-read list. Thanks1
Caroline! I’m so thrilled by the responses! And what a cool project—I can feel the awesome spreading…
Jame
Sounds really interesting. I’ve never read a book in verse – I’d love to give it a try.
I know what a hard sell historical fiction can be, so you know one in verse has to be even awesomer to make it.
I admit, I’ve never read a NiV yet. But it does sound intriguing. I’ll definitely add it to my to-read list. It’ll hit the top, though, if I win your contest. :-D
And good luck with your own NiV submission!!!
This sounds like a fantastic book! I would love to enter the contest please :)
I would love to be entered!! :D Thanks for the giveaway!
Count me in…I love hf! I’m so glad Jame was able to give you some comfort in your writing. :) It’s great to have a mentor…
What a lovely book! I would never had seen this if you hadn’t recommended it. I read nearly all my books based on recommendations.
I’m always looking for great historical YA books (as that’s what I’m writing), so thank you for the recommendation!
This book sounds great. Adding it to my reading list.
I’m a new follower. I’d love to read this book! Thanks!
aikychien at yahoo dot com