Annette Curtis Klause
The titles Alien Secrets and The Silver Kiss may sound a little bizarre, but young readers love these books by Annette Curtis Klause. Her first two books have been winning awards, and several of these awards are based on kids voting for their favorite books.
The Silver Kiss (Delacourt, 1990, Ages 12 up,) is a vampire story, but really it is a tale of a young girl coming to grips with her mother's death paralleled with the story of a vampire who has spent his several hundred years trying to avenge his mother's gruesome death. Like many writers, Annette says the idea for her first novel had been floating around in her mind since she was fourteen.
Her path through the publishing world, however, didn't take long and was relatively smooth; her excellent work as a reviewer for SchoolLibrary Journal led to contacts with editors at publishing houses. Annette said that she was "on the ceiling" the day she learned that Delacourt wanted to publish her book. To date, The Silver Kiss has won the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award (students are allowed one vote for a book in three age or grade categories), the South Carolina Young Adult Award, the Sequoiah Young Adult Award, and several others. Quite a feat for a first novel!
Alien Secrets (Delacourt, 1993, Ages 10 up, $14.95) grew out of Annette's love of science fiction and a desire for a strong, young female protagonist. Her heroine is twelve, and according to Annette "much braver than I am." She tackles problems logically, trusts aliens and humans and is an excellent role model of tolerance and self esteem. Alien Secrets has just been selected as an ALA Notable Book and will undoubtedly reap other awards.
Annette's third book, Blood and Chocolate, is a werewolf story. It has been optioned for a movie, but the date has not been set yet. She also writes poetry and short stories, but hasn't published any yet. Her other working hours are spent as a children's librarian at the Aspen Hill Library in Maryland. And in between all of this, she finds time to answer the many letters from her fans.
Reviews
Blood and Chocolate
Annette Curtis Klause
Klause spins a modern day romance with a twist. Like Romeo and Juliette, or Maria and Tony, Vivian and Aiden are forbidden to be lovers, to share their secrets, to enjoy each other. Their backgrounds and family values are diametrically opposed. In sharing her secret with Aiden, that she is a loup-garou, Vivian alters their relationship as well as that of the whole community. Eventually each realizes that they must be with their own kind. The high school crowd will feast on this sensual tale of romance, mystery, and horror. Librarians and media specialists can pair up Klause's tale with Daniel Cohen's 1996 nonfiction book, Werewolves. 1997, Delacorte Press, Ages 14 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner
ISBN: 0-385-32305-0
The Silver Kiss
Annette Curtis Klause
The Silver Kiss is a haunting, tender, and romantic YA novel. While her mother is dying, a grief-stricken Zoe finds comfort in the presence of a pale, mysterious young man, the only one who truly understands the pain she is experiencing. 300 years ago, Simon's mother was murdered by his brother and he is determined to exact revenge from his brother, the personification of evil. All of the universal themes are in this popular book. 1990, Delacorte, Ages 14 and up, $14.95 and $3.99. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman
ISBN: 0-385-30160-X
ISBN: 0-440-21046-0
To learn more about this author, visit The Children's Book Guild.
Added 1998
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If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.