IT’S
OUR PROM (SO DEAL WITH IT) (Little,
Brown Books for Young Readers)
April 2012
An American Library Association Rainbow List Selection
Reviews
"It’s
not often that a high school student gets a chance to change the world—even if
it is just her own small corner of it. That is exactly what happens to Azure
when the school principal, seeking to revive the school’s tired, unpopular
prom, gives her permission to organize an alternative prom. She convinces her
two best friends to join the committee, and they do, against their better
judgment. It does not take long before dreams clash with reality as the team
struggles along with no money, no support, and very little time. Told in alternating
voices, this engaging story explores some serious themes, but always with a
light and humorous touch. This book adds a welcome new dimension to the many
prom-themed books that are always popular in the spring.” Voice of Youth Advocates
"A
fun read about a Denver high school whose idea of inclusivity goes beyond the
norm to include all 'geeks, freaks, and uniques.'” School Library Journal
"By
the time the protagonists show up at the prom they have fought for, readers
will be onboard with the resulting over-the-top fun.” Publisher’s Weekly
Reviews from Young Readers
SHE LOVES YOU, SHE LOVES YOU NOT. . . (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2011)
ISBN: 978-0-316-07874-0
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Reviews
"The
story of friends, family, and lovers will pull readers into the deeper themes
of trust, rejection, and intimate secrets revealed." Booklist
"A
warm and substantive character study and a welcome addition to stories about
LGBTQ teens." Kirkus Reviews
"Readers will appreciate Alyssa's honesty as she slowly reveals the
details of her desperate break-up with Sarah.... [and]
will also respect Peters's choice to give Alyssa new
hope." Publishers Weekly
“There’s
something about a Julie Anne Peters’ book that makes you want to read it in one
sitting, start to finish. She Loves You, She Loves You Not… is just such a book. Reminiscent
of Peters’ Keeping You a Secret, one
of my all-time favorite books, sixteen-year-old Alyssa is thrown out of her
Virginia Beach home when her father discovers that she is a lesbian… Alyssa’s
girlfriend in Virginia broke up with her and… although she has sworn off
girlfriends, Alyssa finds herself attracted to Finn, a co-worker at the Egg
Drop-Inn diner… Peters’ characters run the gamut from grouchy Arlo, the owner of the Egg Drop-Inn, to Finn who shies away
from commitment to Carly {Alyssa’s estranged mother} to Alyssa’s understanding
stepmother. They are all credible and some, especially Arlo,
are quite endearing. She Loves You, She
Loves You Not… is told from Alyssa’s point of view, with flashbacks to the
preceding school year when she meets and falls in love with Sarah. You’ll get a
sense of Alyssa, who is positive about her sexual orientation, compared to
Sarah and Finn who are still either searching for the truth or finding the
courage to admit the truth… If you’re into romance or you like Julie Anne
Peters, make sure She Loves You, She
Loves You Not… is on your reading list. Julie Anne Peters will love you for
it, that’s for sure.” Ed Goldberg, Library Thing, 4 stars
Reviews from Young Readers
BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS, I’LL BE DEAD (Hyperion ~ DBG, 2010)
ISBN: 978-142311618-9
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Reviews
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc_c9LLaj38&feature=youtu.be
“Any teen fortunate
enough not to relate to the subject matter should read this book, which turns
the old adage, ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt
me,’ on its ear. Powerfully portrayed in the first person, the protagonist’s
account offers compelling insight into just how spiritually and emotionally
devastating bullying can be. … Anyone who has been the victim of this type of
abuse will not only readily embrace its contents, but also potentially learn
from it.” (Highlighted) Voice of Youth Advocates
“Peters’s spare, terse writing perfectly echoes her
protagonist’s state of mind… Throughout the novel, Peters trusts readers to
recognize Daelyn as an emotionally damaged, single-mindedly unreliable
narrator. The authenticity afforded by the author’s unwavering commitment to
her main character’s often distorted perspective elevates the story above its
morbidly titillating will-she-or-won’t-she element.” The Horn Book
“When
I met the author, Julie Anne Peters, we chatted about how controversial the
context was so jumped on reading the book. The topic is suicide and how the
effect of “bullying” often pushes young adults to their end. Peters is cautious
in telling her story of Daelyn, a girl who has been attempting suicide since
she was ten years old… While planning her end, Daelyn meets Santana, a boy who
unexpectedly befriends her. Daelyn resists all feelings for Santana, but he is
charming and persistent… It is easy to understand why By the Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead is about such a
questionable subject. Society wants its contenders to “think happy and stay
positive,” eliminating the negative. But the negative is real. Life hurts when
a young adult is maturing. This topic is necessary in conjunction with today’s
youth. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among young adults
age 15-24. With books like this one and others by author Ellen Hopkins, people
of all ages can better understand the changes and struggles that face today’s
youth.” Library Thing
“Julie
Anne Peters has written some marvelous books (my favorite is Keeping You a
Secret) and By the Time You Read This, I’ll be Dead is one of them.
It is the powerful story of what will drive a teenager to suicide. Daelyn is an
unforgettable character, one who you will love. Her parents are ignorant about
her life and confused about how to deal with her. (What parent isn’t clueless
about their kids’ lives?) But love, sometimes, just isn’t enough. As Daelyn
purges herself over her 23 remaining days, her story comes out, heart
wrenching. Santana’s story, is equally heart wrenching, but Peters effectively
juxtaposes Santana’s unwavering desire to live with Daelyn’s desire to die.
What Laurie Halse Anderson did regarding eating
disorders in Wintergirls, Julie Anne Peters
has just done with suicide in By the Time You Read This, I’ll be Dead
and that is write a revealing, realistic, absorbing story that is a must read.”
~Ed Goldberg, Young Adult (& Kids) Books Central Blog
“Mysterious and touching. Those two words are one of the best
ways to sum up By
the Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead. Daelyn is a very unique
character and within the first page you start to feel sorry for her. You don’t
want her to kill herself, you just want to see her happy. Seeing inside her
head is a different story, it’s dark and scary at times. Even though it helps
you understand why she wants to end her life, it doesn’t really make it more
acceptable. I could relate to this book in a lot of ways, I saw myself in
Daelyn like I’m sure a lot of people did. This book is not just for teen
audiences, even though that’s where it will get its strength. I took this book with
me on a church trip and within an hour, one of my adult leaders had already
gotten half way through this book. It’s hard to put down By the Time You Read
This, I’ll Be Dead; you actually don’t want to put it down at all.
Daelyn’s story and struggle is just intoxicating.” ~Lexi
Reviews from Young Readers
RAGE: A LOVE STORY (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2009)
ISBN: 978-0-375-85209-1
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Reviews
“Love
hurts. Dependable Johanna is drawn to mercurial Reeve, whose anger-management
issues stem from her abusive home life. To express herself, Reeve hits. Johanna
is thrilled just to be near Reeve in all her temperamental glory, even if it
means alienating her best friend in the process. Reeve eventually turns her
fists on Johanna, who remains loyal, lying and cheating to protect Reeve and
her brother… Any reader who’s ever had a crush, however, will understand
Johanna’s head-over-heels feelings for Reeve. The subjects of sexuality, abuse
and loss are difficult, but the author knows exactly how to move teen
characters through them and toward a hopeful ending. The look at dating
violence in same-sex relationships makes this book one that meets a need.” Kirkus Reviews
“Peters
approaches the difficult subject matter [of dating abuse] with nuance and
insight, and her charismatic but flawed protagonists (Johanna with her savior
complex; Reeve, a product of abuse whose moments of manipulation and rage are
balanced with others of self-awareness and compassion) carry the story,
allowing it to develop naturally and believably… Peters has always steered
clear of making her gay characters model minorities; here, allowing Johanna’s
and Reeve’s personalities a wealth of contradiction and complexity, she creates
a deeply human story of abuse and redemption.” The Horn Book
“Julie Anne Peters’
writing in Rage: A Love Story, true
to form, has produced an engrossing look at [the main character] Johanna’s
dreams and her reality. All the characters are real; characters that readers
will relate to, care about, sympathize with, and like or dislike intensely. As
with many books on this topic, readers will want to figuratively bang Johanna’s
head against the wall (Reeve does it literally) and tell her to wake up and
smell the roses. While the conclusion is bittersweet, it is a viable ending
that readers will accept. Fans of Julie Anne Peters will devour Rage and non-fans will become fans after
reading the book.” ~Ed Goldberg, Young Adult (& Kids) Books Central Blog
“Readers who know
Peters’ books will certainly gravitate to this one as well. They trust her to
tell the difficult truths; and she delivers just that in this novel.” Voice of Youth Advocates
Reviews from Young Readers
GRL2GRL: SHORT FICTIONS (Little, Brown and Co., 2007)
ISBN-10: 0-316-01343-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-316-01343-7
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Reviews
“The author of the
novels Keeping You a Secret (2003)
and Luna (2004) shows she’s an even
better short story writer. Continuing with her themes of coming out and the
experiences of young lesbians, the 10 stories here present different but
equally polished facets of varied experience and emotion… Accessible and
credible, the stories belong in teen collections not only because of their sympathetic
yet clear-eyed depictions of minority sexual orientation but also for their
exemplary crafting.” Booklist
“The short stories in
this collection give voice to ten expressions of lesbian and transgender teen
experience… Peters skillfully varies the subject matter and tone from piece to
piece… Whether readers are looking for reflections of the other or reflections
of themselves, grl2grl presents
plenty of opportunities to find both.” The Horn Book Magazine
“For straight teens,
this collection will be a haunting revelation and a chance to feel someone
else's experience; for gay teens, these tenderly written stories will provide
an emotional lifeline of acceptance.” Voice of Youth Advocates
“Regardless of the intensity of the struggles, girls of any sexual
orientation will feel quickly drawn into the lives glimpsed here… teens
searching for a fast read, especially in an underserved subject, will be
gratified to find this collection.” Publishers Weekly
“The dearth of titles
of lesbian interest gets a respite… In grl2grl,
Peters' stories depict teens and young women grappling with problems
refreshingly unrelated to parents or to coming out… In all, readers have 10
opportunities to revel in the very different stories Peters has created.
Presumably, many of them are based in fact, because she thanks the people who
have shared their stories with her.” Ken Furtado, Echo Magazine
Reviews from Young Readers
BETWEEN MOM AND JO (Little, Brown and Co., 2006)
ISBN 0-316-73906-5
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Reviews
“Nicholas Nathaniel Thomas Tyler has four first
names and two mothers. As the only child in his class with gay parents, he
endures the taunts and prejudices of classmates and adults over the years as
best he can, drawing reassurance and strength from his parents… This novel is a
timely exploration of the struggles faced by same-sex couples and their
children, and while the issues are significant, the story is never overwhelmed
by them… This coming-of-age novel powerfully portrays the universal pain of a
family breakup.” (Starred) School Library Journal
“Peters
again works her writing magic in this perfectly structured and exquisitely
written novel… A child in a family facing divorce hurts-no matter what genders
comprise the parent couple. Because of this family makeup, many librarians will
self-censor the book, doing what Nick's elementary teacher did with his
drawings. But the novel needs to be read. Doing so takes one step toward
helping this kind of family feel less invisible; doing so represents one step
closer to recognizing and supporting their very real existence.” Voice of Youth Advocates
“Nick’s voice is so real that readers, no matter their
home situation, will readily identify. A powerful, moving examination of the
relationships we forge within the family we are given.” The Horn Book Magazine
“Nick's
need for Jo is palpable, despite-or because of-their gruff, unorthodox,
rough-and-tumble love. An un-romanticized look at divorce and parent-child
relationships, as well as an addition to the tiny canon about gay parents.”
Kirkus Reviews
“This
is a smart, well-written book for teens as well as adults that will instill
empathy and compassion, as well as stir emotions—perhaps even bring tears to
readers’ eyes, as it did mine.” Jennifer Miller, Rocky Mountain News
Read Reviews from Young Readers
FAR FROM XANADU (Little, Brown and Co., 2005)
ISBN 0-316-15881-X (HC) : ISBN
0-316-15971-9 (PB)
Reissued
as PRETEND
YOU LOVE ME (Spring 2011)
ISBN 978-0-316-12741-7 (PB)
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Reviews
“Presenting
credible characters in tragic situations, Peters keeps readers turning pages –
and reaching for tissues – late into the night. Better still, she leaves
readers with a greater faith in humanity, family ties, and the power of
community.” Voice of Youth Advocates
“Excellent
characterizations make this piece shine. Mike’s a gritty and absorbing mix of
pain and strength; Peters’s other characters are also
realistically complex…a memorable portrait of this girl and the small town she
calls home.” Kirkus Reviews
“Readers will root for Mike in this heartfelt
coming-of-age story.” School Library Journal
“The author creates a vivid backdrop in rural Coalton, and it’s refreshing that residents accept and even
embrace Mike… Ultimately, readers will root for Mike and will come to
understand her pain and need for love.” Publishers Weekly
"Peters
has established herself not just as a successful gay author who writes
responsible and compelling books for young adults but also as a flat-out good
writer, regardless of her topics.” (4 stars) Romantic
Times
"Far from Xanadu
is a witty and sensitive portrayal of a gay teen that cuts through all the
differences between us to the single life experience that unites us — first
love.” Peggy Tibbetts, www.BookIdeas.com
Reviews from Young Readers
LUNA (Little, Brown and Co., 2004)
ISBN 0-316-73369-5 (HC) : ISBN
0-316—1127-4 (PB)
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Reviews
"Groundbreaking,
finely tuned realism about a transsexual teen. Peters writes her characters
with care and complexity. The first of its kind — well done and essential for
every library serving young adults.” (Starred) Kirkus
Reviews
"This
novel breaks new ground in YA literature with a sensitive and poignant
portrayal of a young man’s determination to live his true identity and his
family’s struggle to accept Luna for who she really is.” School Library
Journal
"Although
the book is about Liam’s struggle with being transgendered, it is really
Regan’s story. If one removed that entire theme, there would still be a great
novel about teenage life, showing the real strength of the writing and the
characters. Peters handles the issue with grace, sympathy, and a huge dose of
reality. This does not scream, “Controversial topic!” Instead it brings up a
sensitive issue and shows it in such a realistic light that the reader will
come away having learned something, and one might hope, with a sympathetic
attitude toward people dealing with gender issues.” Voice
of Youth Advocates
"Peters’
sensitive treatment of the struggles of the transgendered and those who love
them allows readers to see another aspect of the difficult adolescent journey
toward identity and the influence of societal pressure. Peters writes with
great empathy and provides her readers with carefully chosen information about transsexuality and the quest to become whole.” KLIATT
"This
novel breaks new ground in YA literature with a sensitive and poignant
portrayal of a young man’s determination to live his true identity and his family’s
struggle to accept Luna for who she really is.” School Library Journal
"Honest,
heartbreaking, amazing. LUNA makes us ask ourselves,' What does it take
to live an authentic life? What sacrifices will that entail?' To this
mesmerizing drama, Julie Anne Peters brings humor, intensity, and an
overwhelming sense of love and redemption. Required reading for anyone
interested in living a more compassionate life." Jennifer Finney Boylan, author of She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders
“The book is a brilliant exposition of the
conflict, exaltation and terror involved in ‘coming out’ and I recommend it
unreservedly.” Katherine Cummings, author of Katherine’s Diary: The Story of
a Transsexual, winner of the Australian Human Rights Award for Non Fiction
Reviews
from Teen Readers
KEEPING YOU A SECRET (Little, Brown and Co., 2003)
ISBN 0-316-70275-7 (HC) : ISBN
0-316-00985-7 (PB)
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Reviews
"Not
just a gay love story, this book transcends barriers, allowing readers of all
persuasions to revel in its universal truths about self-knowledge, acceptance,
pride, and the hardships of wrestling with the perceptions and comfort of
others...” Voice
of Youth Advocates
"...everyday
reality for Holland and Cece has as much joy as difficulty, and they are far
too practical to succumb to angst and melodrama over their perfectly ordinary,
perfectly wonderful, desire for each other. These are strong, likable young
women; readers will warm to their situation and cheer Holland's breaking
free...” The
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"...Holland’s
experiences will inform readers who are also discovering their sexual identity.
Gay or straight, they’ll identify with the excitement that accompanies that
first love affair. At the heart is the realization that secrecy can damage many
relationships, no matter the connection…” Kirkus
Reviews
"A
lovingly written first-person account of coming out in high school…a teenage
lesbian love story where the main character doesn’t commit suicide is a major
step forward.” The Portland Mercury
"Keeping You a Secret will give you an
updated look at the pressures, emotions and fears that today’s teenagers face
while trying to make sense of their own identities. The love story is a joyful
one, though marked by pain inflicted by the outside world… the main characters
are appropriately complex and convincing, and even the most likable do some
unlikable things. A lesbian love story, a self-discovery narrative and a tale
of two struggles.” Lambda Book Report
Reviews from Young Readers
DEFINE "NORMAL" (Little, Brown and Co., 2000)
ISBN 0-316-70631-0 (HC) : ISBN
0-316-73489-6 (PB)
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Reviews
"Peters mingles humor and pathos in a novel about
two girls on opposite ends of the emotional and financial spectrum. The girls
provide neat foils for one another, and Peters gives them depth and
dimensionality. The narrative is similarly well-constructed and readers will be
surprised by an unanticipated but plausible revelation near the end. Along the
way, the book's radiance comes from the lovable humanity of the nimbly nuanced
characters." Kirkus Reviews
"Peters has a gift for adding some original flavor
to solid school-and-friends dramas, and this gives the
different-as-day-and-night friendship story heart that readers from both sides
of the equation will appreciate." (Recommended)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"...girls will enjoy the appealing main characters
in this after-school-special-style friendship story. A quick, enjoyable read
that will also attract reluctant readers. Booklist
"This believable book is well written and readers
will feel that they know both Jazz and Antonia, and they will want to see them
triumph over the frustrations in their lives. School Library Journal
"Peters develops clear themes here—look beneath the
surface for the real person, appearances may not reflect reality, and everyone
has difficulties… The ending is a hopeful one in which the young women learn to
accept and help each other. Readers who are looking for believable characters
and a good story about friendship, being different, and growing wiser will
appreciate Define "Normal." Voice of Youth Advocates
Reviews from Young Readers
A SNITCH IN THE SNOB SQUAD (Little, Brown and Co., 2001)
ISBN 0-316-70287-0
"This
third installment in the Snob Squad adventures lives up to its predecessors...by
again blending humor with depth... By the close, everyone has learned that
perfection is unattainable, but forgiveness, trust, and loyalty are the
foundation of friendship and family. Eminently readable, it's a story strong in
plot and memorable characters while offering some powerful insights on
sustaining solid relationships." Kirkus
Reviews
"Here
the Snob Squad girls are not only unpopular but also sometimes unlovable, and
that's what gives the story depth. Readers will enjoy the entertaining mystery
about the theft and the cover-up and appreciate the honesty as Jenny wrestles
with issues of friendship, guilt, and loyalty... There's nothing comfortable
about this story, except perhaps the power of forgiveness." Booklist
"Middle
level girls who enjoy Peters's work will want to
continue reading the adventures of the four misfits. Jen, the narrator, is as
caustic as ever as she views life from the fat side. Issues that are important
to young people this age are dealt with realistically, and although there is
not a true happy ending, readers see the girls continuing to change and grow
together as friends and supporters." Voice of Youth Advocates
ROMANCE OF THE SNOB SQUAD (Little, Brown and Co., 1999)
ISBN 0-316-70627-2 (HC) : ISBN
0-14-131015-4 (PB)
"With laughter and tenderness, this sequel to Revenge
of the Snob Squad continues the story of the four sixth-grade misfit girls who
become friends. There is mayhem in the science lab, though some of the best
scenes are with Jenny's dysfunctional family, whose mealtime resembles a silent
battlefield. Even the message is funny: in a wonderful scene, Jenny rages at
herself in the mirror about taking responsibility for her own problem and
asking for help. Many middle-graders will recognize the dreams of glamour and
the painful farce at home and school." Booklist
"The
characters, already solidly realized previously, are even better developed this
time around, while the sweetly awkward first-time alliances with members of the
opposite sex are nicely done. A well-paced novel with many funny moments."
Kirkus Reviews
"Jenny's
snappy asides range from hysterically funny to sadly self-deprecating as she
struggles with her weight and her dysfunctional family." The Horn Book
Magazine
REVENGE OF THE SNOB SQUAD (Little, Brown and Co., 1998)
ISBN 0-316-70603-5 (HC) : ISBN
0-14-130818-4 (PB)
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"Jenny provides a glib, fast-paced first-person
narration, which is peppered with verbal repartee and humorous asides about her
classmates. Peters's writing is smooth and funny page
to page, which makes this an enjoyable read. A great jacket painting of the
four girls will have this jumping off the shelves." Kirkus
Reviews
"Readers will chuckle as they
read each new episode, such as 'Operation Green Hair.' This amusing light read
is sure to be popular with fans of the Babysitters
Club and with readers who have outgrown Ellen Conford's
Jenny Archer. It deals realistically with problems that many youngsters face
and may even allow them to laugh at themselves in the process." School
Library Journal
".
. . this is not a cheerful friendship romp but a dark laugh-out-loud comedy
about four middle-school outcasts who form the Snob Squad to get back at the
bullies who humiliate them. Peters has written a moving story with laughter
that doesn't make the sadness go away but makes it almost bearable." Booklist
". . . full of
gleeful sass and backtalk that young readers will enjoy. The story's style of
goofy exaggeration, reminiscent of Gordon Korman,
isn't usually seen in school stories about middle-schoolers of the female
persuasion, and girls looking for some literary popcorn may relish having a tub
just for them." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
HOW DO YOU SPELL G-E-E-K? (Little, Brown and Co., 1996)
ISBN 0-316-70266-8 (HC) : ISBN
0-380-73053-7 (PB)
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"This is a
funny, wonderfully written tale about friendship and competition, with
secondary messages about parents and families dealing with divorce." Booklist
"A thoughtful,
wry, and very funny look at friendship and fitting in." Kirkus Reviews
"Peters
skillfully interweaves the competition with a story of friendship and shifting
alliances. Believable dialogue testifies to the casual cruelty and stumbling
kindnesses of middle-schoolers, as well as their saving humor." Publishers
Weekly
"Peters
presents a believable story of the competitions, shifting allegiances, and
fragile feelings endemic to adolescence." The Horn Book Magazine
"A clever
title, snappy dialogue, and common middle-school problems make this an
appealing read." School Library Journal
".
. . well-paced and energetic. The characters are nicely individuated . . . a satisfying
entry on the perennially popular topic of not-so-perennial popularity."
(Recommended) The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
".
. . a marvelous find. Besides being a fantastic portrayal of strong female
characters, How Do You Spell G-E-E-K? is also an extremely enjoyable
read. The story is engrossing and funny and at times poignant. I highly
recommend it for." elementary and middle school children The American
Reporter
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Peters
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