It’s YA lucky day! It’s Teen Thursday!

Where we bring you YA news from around the globe and highlights from the
BookPeople Teen Press Corps!

March Buzz Book: We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach

What the Teen Press Corps Is Saying:

“Tommy Wallach does a superb job representing classic young adult figures and joining them into one odd group of friends. The teens are all connected in some special way, by what Andy calls “Karass,” from Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle. It is defined as, “a group of people linked in a cosmically significant manner, even when superficial linkages are not evident.” We All Looked Up is one if the most open-minded and blow-your-hair-back fantastic books of YA literature I have had the opportunity to read. I was not disappointed. I was not able to put the book down. I was not able to comprehend the fact that I had reached the last page! Is this a book that I would recommend to anyone who loves destiny, asteroids, and funny teenager moments? Without hesitation! Anything else Mr. Wallach writes, I will be first in line to purchase. We All Looked Up: enlightening, capturing, and out of this world.”-Adrienne, Teen Press Corps

About the Book:

We All Looked Up
by Tommy Wallach

Four high school seniors put their hopes, hearts, and humanity on the line as an asteroid hurdles toward Earth in this contemporary novel.
They always say that high school is the best time of your life.

Peter, the star basketball player at his school, is worried “they” might actually be right. Meanwhile Eliza can’t wait to escape Seattle—and her reputation—and perfect-on-paper Anita wonders if admission to Princeton is worth the price of abandoning her real dreams. Andy, for his part, doesn’t understand all the fuss about college and career—the future can wait.

Or can it? Because it turns out the future is hurtling through space with the potential to wipe out life on Earth. As these four seniors—along with the rest of the planet—wait to see what damage an asteroid will cause, they must abandon all thoughts of the future and decide how they’re going to spend what remains of the present.

National Buzz:

“In this stunning debut . . . Wallach pierces his darkness with tenderness and humor. A thought-provoking story that will bring out readers’ inner philosophers.”–Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Tommy Wallach’s We All Looked Up is a triumphant debut—this generation’s The Stand. It is at once troubling, uplifting, scary, and heart-wrenching, and written with so much compassion for our fragile hold on the fleeting here and now. A glorious, wonderful, completely unforgettable novel.”–Andrew Smith, author of Winger, Grasshopper Jungle, and 100 Sideways Miles

“The story twists in unexpected ways, making it at times chilling but also hopeful . . . Wallach’s debut is . . . a literary Breakfast Club for a modern generation, and it will surprise readers expecting another clunky dystopian novel with its solid, realistic writing.”–Booklist

“This compelling, well-written narrative, which offers sometimes raw insight into human motivation and behavior, will have readers racing to the final pages and pondering its ideas long after.”–VOYA, STARRED REVIEW

To read more about the author, the movie option, and a We All Looked Up playlist, check out the full article on the Teen Press Corps blog.

Upcoming Events!

The Epic Reads Tour

This cool tour brings four amazing authors to Austin! Come to BookPeople on Thursday, April 9, 7PM to meet Sarah Raasch (Snow Like Ashes), Danielle Page (The Wicked Will Rise), Heather Brewer (The Cemetery Boys), and Victoria Aveyard (The Red Queen, the February 2015 Buzz Book!)

Free & open to the public! More info about this event and how to pre-order a signed book.

Justine Larbalestier and Ally Carter

On Monday, April 13, 7PM, join us at BookPeople to meet Justine Larbalestier and Ally Carter discuss their new books. This is a must-attend event for fans of gritty, action-packed thrillers!

Free & open to the public! More info about this event and how to pre-order a signed book.

UPDATE: We’ve just added DAVID LEVITHAN to this event! He’ll be here with his book, a companion to Will Grayson, Will Grayson, the brand new Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story. 

Neal Shusterman

BookPeople welcomes bestselling author Neal Shusterman on Thursday, April 30, 7PM. He will be talking about and signing his very personal and incredible new book Challenger Deep.

The speaking portion of this event is free. A ticket is required to get a book signed. For more about the book, event, or how to pre-order a signed copy, please see our event page.

Teen Press Corps Reviews!

The teen reporters of our Teen Press Corps have been reading so many books we can hardly keep up with their reviews. You can check out their reviews on the Teen Press Corps blog. A whole bunch of new reviews have been posted since the last installment of Teen Thursday. Here is a sample from the What We’re Reading Right This Minute! article.

EMILY

Sekret by Lindsay Smith
This is an awesome science fiction novel set in Russia during the international space race. Yulia is a psychic who is captured by the KGB. He joins a team of other teenagers with special powers who are charged with protecting the Soviet space program from the CIA. My friend recommended it to me last year, and I’m so glad that I finally got my hands on it!

DAYNE

The Young Elites by Marie Lu
This book is amazing! It comes with all the twists and turns and dark themes that the author does so well. It is worlds away from Marie Lu’s first book but still shares similar excitement, non-stop action, and great characters. A must read for Lu fans.

MACKINSEY

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce
This is one of my favorite books. I have read it ten times, and it’s a book that I love coming back to. Daine can talk to animals, but she always worried about losing herself in a pack or herd of animals. As she leaves home and finds a new family, she has to decide whether she wants to learn about her magic or stay human. It’s so good!!!

Movie News!

Insurgent released the final trailer! Read the book, or get caught up, before you see the movie on March 20!

Paper Towns

No movie update would be complete without the latest news about the Paper Towns movie. The release date has been changed to July 24. After several announced release dates, THIS is the date that should stick. John Green thinks so, too. He has more to say about this an a few travel tips in yesterday’s vlogbrothers video.

If you haven’t read the book Paper Towns, you really should. Just sayin’.

Also, if you just happen to find yourself in New York City on March 18th, make sure you’ve entered the Teen Vogue Paper Towns event. The link includes more about how to enter to win, but it’s somewhat vague (vogue?) on the details of the event. No matter what it is, it will probably be a great event, and make us wish we were there.

Obituaries

YA literature has lost two strong, creative, and unique voices with the passing of Mal Peet and Sir Terry Pratchett.

Peet was a late-comer to YA lit. He didn’t write his first book for children until 2003 (Keeper). Readers were immediately taken with his complex language, engaging characters, and riving plots. His work was critically acclaimed and award-winning. Even though his YA career was short, it left an indelible mark on the genre and readers. His honest view of the world will be missed. Peet died from cancer on March 2. He was 67.
If you want to read something from this eloquent storyteller, BookKids recommends: Life: An Exploded Diagram, and Tamar.
Mal Peet obituary in the Guardian.
Publishing reacts to Peet’s death in Publishers Weekly.

Pratchett, well-known for his Discworld books, also blessed the story-loving world with unforgettable characters, sharp humor, and gripping stories that always entertained, but also made one think. Beloved by many readers of all ages, Pratchett created worlds that were at once astounding and believable, but always with a touch of delightful ridiculousness. Admired and respected by other writers, his close friend, Neil Gaiman posted a short, but personal, entry on his blog today. Pratchett died from Alzheimer’s on March 12. He was 66.
Pratchett obituary from BBC News.
Pratchett’s books are staff favorites here at BookPeople. Here are a few recommendations.
Jan:
Loves everything Pratchett, but when forced to choose: From the Discworld series – Hog Father and Monstrous Regiment.
Raul:
Thinks the best place to start is at the beginning with Color of Magic. Also recommends Night Watch.
Ellen:
Two of the more child/teen-friendly books are Nation (phenomenal! Jan seconds this one) and Wee Free Men.