Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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Spread the Awesome: Books That Deserve Ten Stars

54 Comments

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

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)

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Filed Under: books and reading, poetry

Comments

  1. Liesl says

    May 3, 2010 at 11:41 am

    Yes I would! It sounds wonderful!

    Reply
  2. Stephanie Cheryl says

    May 3, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    This is me commenting to win a signed copy of THREE RIVERS RISING.

    🙂

    Reply
  3. Amy says

    May 3, 2010 at 1:33 pm

    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.

    Reply
  4. Indigo says

    May 3, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    Would love a chance to read this book. Thanks for the introducing me to Three Rivers Rising. (Hugs)Indigo

    Reply
  5. Kelly says

    May 3, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    This book sounds wonderful! Please enter me. 😀
    kghobbs@gmail.com

    Reply
  6. Casey McCormick says

    May 3, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    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. : )

    Reply
  7. Natalie says

    May 3, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    That sounds GREAT. I totally want to read it.

    Reply
  8. Valerie Geary says

    May 3, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    Yes please! Since it’s on my list of 5 NiV… might as well see if I can snag a copy from you! 😀

    Reply
  9. Abby Stevens says

    May 3, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    Wow… I didn’t even know novels in verse existed. How interesting. I would love to read (and win!) this. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Janet Johnson says

    May 3, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    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.

    Reply
  11. Anna says

    May 3, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    This book sounds great and the cover is just gorgeous! I certainly wouldn’t mind winning a copy. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Precious says

    May 3, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    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

    Reply
  13. Precious says

    May 3, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  14. laurapauling says

    May 3, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    Yay! Enter me! And I already follow you!

    Reply
  15. laurapauling says

    May 3, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    Reply
  16. Taffy says

    May 3, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    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!

    Reply
  17. Elle Strauss says

    May 3, 2010 at 6:06 pm

    Hi Caroline. The book sounds fascinating. I’d love to enter.

    Reply
  18. Suzette Saxton says

    May 3, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    Count me in! This sounds fabu. I’m glad I found your blog!

    Reply
  19. Michelle McLean says

    May 3, 2010 at 6:47 pm

    Count me in! What a great book!

    Reply
  20. Jackee says

    May 3, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    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!

    Reply
  21. Amy Holder says

    May 3, 2010 at 7:27 pm

    This book sounds amazing and Jame (a 2k10er) is fabulous!!!

    Reply
  22. Janna Qualman says

    May 3, 2010 at 7:29 pm

    It sounds very good. Would pull me right in, I’d think. Thank you for the awesome! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Priya Parmar says

    May 3, 2010 at 7:29 pm

    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!

    Reply
  24. Natalie Whipple says

    May 3, 2010 at 7:30 pm

    Sign me up:) This sounds so interesting.

    Reply
  25. Nichole Giles says

    May 3, 2010 at 8:03 pm

    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.

    Reply
  26. Tricia J. O'Brien says

    May 3, 2010 at 8:15 pm

    What a fascinating concept. I’d love to read that book. Thanks for spotlighting it.

    Reply
  27. Yamile says

    May 3, 2010 at 8:21 pm

    It sounds wonderful! Thanks for the review and the chance to win a copy!

    Reply
  28. Judylynn says

    May 3, 2010 at 8:26 pm

    Please enter me in this giveaway.

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  29. C. Michael Fontes says

    May 3, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    looks like a great read! thanks!

    Reply
  30. Solvang Sherrie says

    May 3, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    This blog chain thing is awesome! Enter me please 🙂

    Reply
  31. T. Anne says

    May 3, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    You are awesome! Great review. Sounds like a wonderful book. Count me in to win!

    Reply
  32. Lydia Kang says

    May 3, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    count me in! I haven’t yet read a novel in verse but this one sounds wonderful.

    Reply
  33. Christine Fonseca says

    May 3, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    Awesome post and I would love to be entered! Thanks

    Reply
  34. Kathy McCullough says

    May 3, 2010 at 11:47 pm

    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…

    Reply
  35. Shannon Whitney Messenger says

    May 4, 2010 at 12:30 am

    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. 🙂

    Reply
  36. Rivkie Re says

    May 4, 2010 at 1:02 am

    I’d love to win this! Please enter me!
    rivkarno1(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply
  37. Jonathon Arntson says

    May 4, 2010 at 1:07 am

    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!

    Reply
  38. ~Nicole Ducleroir~ says

    May 4, 2010 at 1:44 am

    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!!

    Reply
  39. TerryLynnJohnson says

    May 4, 2010 at 1:44 am

    sounds great!
    I’m also in the middle of a book you suggested – The Phantom Toll Booth. Loving it! Great suggestion.

    Reply
  40. Shannon O'Donnell says

    May 4, 2010 at 2:38 am

    I absolutely LOVE NIV’s! What a great choice for today, Caroline. I’d love to be entered in your contest. 🙂

    Reply
  41. Carolina Valdez Miller says

    May 4, 2010 at 3:40 am

    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!

    Reply
  42. Elana Johnson says

    May 4, 2010 at 4:56 am

    Wow, this sounds absolutely amazing. I’m totally adding this book to my radar. Thanks!

    Reply
  43. Angie says

    May 4, 2010 at 5:30 am

    I’m adding this to my to-read list. Thanks1

    Reply
  44. Jame says

    May 4, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    Caroline! I’m so thrilled by the responses! And what a cool project—I can feel the awesome spreading…

    Jame

    Reply
  45. Mary Campbell says

    May 4, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    Sounds really interesting. I’ve never read a book in verse – I’d love to give it a try.

    Reply
  46. Serenissima says

    May 4, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    I know what a hard sell historical fiction can be, so you know one in verse has to be even awesomer to make it.

    Reply
  47. Jenn Wilks says

    May 4, 2010 at 6:25 pm

    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. 😀

    And good luck with your own NiV submission!!!

    Reply
  48. Julie Dao says

    May 4, 2010 at 8:39 pm

    This sounds like a fantastic book! I would love to enter the contest please 🙂

    Reply
  49. B.J. Anderson says

    May 4, 2010 at 9:00 pm

    I would love to be entered!! 😀 Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  50. Sharon K. Mayhew says

    May 5, 2010 at 5:24 am

    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…

    Reply
  51. Christina Farley says

    May 5, 2010 at 10:53 am

    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.

    Reply
  52. Liz S says

    May 5, 2010 at 3:31 pm

    I’m always looking for great historical YA books (as that’s what I’m writing), so thank you for the recommendation!

    Reply
  53. SWK says

    May 5, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    This book sounds great. Adding it to my reading list.

    Reply
  54. Aik says

    May 6, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    I’m a new follower. I’d love to read this book! Thanks!

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    Reply

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