Janette Rallison
Interview with Romantic Comedy Author Janette Rallison
Read one of Janette Rallison's young adult romances, and you'll be transported back to a time when flirting with boys was your favorite subject, bratty siblings publicly humiliated you on a daily basis, and true fame was only one school play away.
Initially starting her career as a romance novelist for adults, Rallison discovered her best talents lay in telling the humorous, poignant, and romantic stories in the lives of teenagers. Since then, she's written many popular books for young adults including Revenge of the Cheerleaders and It's a Mall World After All. Recently, her first fantasy novel, My Fair Godmother, was optioned by Hollywood for a movie.
I interviewed Rallison over the phone and learned first-hand of her skill at multitasking as she managed to answer my questions and fold her laundry at the same time.
Michael Jung: What were some of your favorite children's books growing up?
Janette Rallison: One of my all-time favorites is The Phantom Tollbooth. I read it over and over again. The Princess Bride - loved that one. And yes, I admit I am one of those many bazillion girls who loved Pride and Prejudice. I also liked Winnie the Pooh... do you notice a recurring "P" theme in my favorite books?
MJ: Yes I do! Did you read a lot of romances?
JR: (laughs) It's funny because I was looking at a picture of my bedroom when I was growing up on the shelf there's this entire row of Harlequin Romances. I was like - oh dear, I was as bad as I thought! Yeah, I read a lot of romances.
MJ: One of your writer's blog entries mentions you're bothered by the "excessively turbulent, dark, and angsty" material in a lot of contemporary YA literature - date rape, teen pregnancy, drug use etc. Do you think this is a reflection of the way our own society is getting darker and "angstier"?
JR: I'm not sure - I do see those themes running through a lot of things and it makes me wonder if we've become cynical, bitter, and hurt in our society. So it might be a case where people are feeling more dark and edgy and disillusioned. But it also seems like these are the kinds of books that get a lot of attention from reviewers and librarians because they deal with hard issues. So those are the books that tend to get published.
Now I liked reading when I was a teenager - but if these were the only books they had when I went to the library, I would have stopped reading. I read mostly for entertainment, not to have an outlet for my dark emotions.
I'm not saying there isn't a place for those kinds of books because I do think there should be. But I think we're so saturated with those kinds of books that I'm afraid it's turning some kids off reading.
MJ: Your upcoming book, Just One Wish, contains tragic elements - a character has a brain tumor - yet the book is still a romantic comedy. How difficult is it to find a balance between comedy and tragedy?
JR: It's hard - if you're too light about some things it's like you're making fun of people's pain which you never want to do. But at the same time it's hard to read any book that contains no levity or lighter moments when those are what really get us through life!
MJ: Your novel Revenge of the Cheerleaders is a sequel to your book All's Fair in Love, War, and High School. Will you be writing another sequel to any of your other books?
JR: Probably not. I've never been a big sequel fan. Sequels are so hard to write - or at least hard to write as good as the first book. And with romances it's almost impossible to write a sequel, because once you get the characters together in one book, then the tension is gone. You have to break them up in the next book for there to be more tension - and how many times can you do that?
Learn more about Janette's books by visiting her website.
Michael Jung is the Children's Book Feature Writer for popular online magazine Suite 101. Read more of his author interviews, book reviews, and children's literature articles by visiting him at http://childrensbooks.suite101.com/
Reviews
All's Fair in Love, War, and High School
Janette Rallison
Some people might think Samantha Taylor has it all--she's pretty, she has loyal friends, she's a cheerleader, and she never seems to be at a loss for a date. That is, until her boyfriend breaks up with her right before the prom. To top that off, she did poorly on her SATs and does not know how she will ever get into college with her scores. It is time for some scheming so Samantha plans to run for school president to improve her chances of getting into college. She also plans to win herself a date to the prom with Josh, her classmate's older brother. Amidst all her plans, an old boyfriend bets Samantha that she could not go two weeks without insulting anyone. Sounds easy enough, but sarcastic Samantha finds it more of a challenge than she thought and in the end learns something more important than winning an election or a prom date. 2003, Walker & Company, $16.95. Ages 12 to 16. Reviewer: Jennifer Chambliss Bertman (Children's Literature).
This comedy is a high-spirited and entertaining depiction of high school life that is narrated by Samantha, a popular, self-centered cheerleader. She has little on her mind except her next date and finding fault with those outside her popular clique. After she receives an embarrassing SAT score, she sets out to find other activities that will make colleges interested in her as an applicant. Her ex-boyfriend, Logan, suggests becoming involved in student government, and Samantha begins her campaign. Samantha has no platform or goals, and she cannot stop being sarcastic and impolite to her classmates--not a good strategy to gather enough support to win. Logan bets Samantha that she cannot refrain from her insulting remarks for two weeks. Samantha reluctantly agrees to the wager. Logan tries many dirty tricks to force her into losing the bet, but his constant attention and teasing make her more determined. Samantha must maintain her new disposition even when the election turns dirty and when one of her opponents advertises her miserable SAT scores to the school. Samantha's frustrating dilemma of being cordial to everyone eventually helps her make new friends and see things from a different perspective. She learns about trust and is surprised to discover which boyfriend is the right one for her although readers will already know. Teens will identify with Samantha's sarcastic voice, prom dilemma, quick romances, and the difficulty of trying to stay hip while hiding an embarrassment. They will recognize most of her classmates: the nerds, punks, and chic snobs. Readers who want a light comedy with a little romance will enjoy this novel. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P S (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, Walker, 192p., $16.95. Ages 15 to 18. Reviewer: Eileen Kuhl (VOYA, June 2004 (Vol. 27, No. 2)).
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
ISBN: 0-8027-8874-2
ISBN: 978-0-8027-8874-0
Fame, Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List
Janette Rallison
Rallison's romantic tale is as funny as it is appealing. Jessica is a sixteen-year-old aspiring actress who has big dreams of Hollywood fame. When the gorgeous Jordan Hunter, son of a famous actor, moves to town, a chance encounter brings the two together. Jessica has always had things in life go her way, much to the annoyance of her best friend, Kate, but getting Jordan to forgive her for a mistake that ruins their friendship is not so easy. Her school decides to put on West Side Story, and Jordan wins a main role. A hilarious series of events causes the play to turn into a comedy of errors rather than a tragic musical. The opening night chapter is sure to make anyone laugh. Of course, everything goes wrong, and Jessica is completely caught in the middle. Rallison is the author of other fluffy teen tales, such as Life, Love and the Pursuit of Free Throws (Walker, 2004/VOYA February 2005) and All's Fair in Love, War and High School (2003/VOYA June 2004). Her latest is similar in tone and fare-entertaining and light. Young teens will eat it up and will love the main character. It is not Sense and Sensibility, but the average teen girl will enjoy it and look for more of Rallison's titles. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2005, Walker, 192p., $16.95. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: Victoria Vogel (VOYA, October 2005 (Vol. 28, No. 4)).
Best Books:
ISBN: 0-8027-8991-9
ISBN: 978-0-80278991-4
How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend
Janette Rallison
This is a story without any of the typical trials and tribulations that are most young adult books. Giovanna and her twin brother Dante are recent transplants to Texas where life is slower and people have known each other for generations. Although the twins do not fit into their new Texas life they do have some friends but when Dante decides to run for senior class president Giovanna must choose her boyfriend or brother. The story takes several turns but has a happy ending for both brother and sister. This is a romantic tale of teenage love and sibling relationships. The story is an easy read and would appeal mostly to young women. Category: Romance. 2007, G.P. Putnam's Sons, $15.99. Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer: Robin Burns (Kutztown Book Review, Fall 2008).
Sophomore Giovanna is bothered by the "ruling class" clique running the school which has decided that she is not good enough for her boyfriend Jesse, one of the most popular guys. Giovanna has a reputation at school for being troubled since she was convicted of a crime that she did not commit, but only Jesse believes in her. Her twin brother, Dante, gets into an argument with Wilson, Jesse's best friend, over the election for President of the Student Council and how it should be run to make the school the best it can be for ordinary students. To support her brother's run for office and to retaliate against a seeming betrayal by Jesse, Giovanna publicly dumps her boyfriend and becomes campaign manager for her brother. She learns to regret her rash decision. Giovanna learns some difficult life lessons about appearances and making harsh, prejudicial judgments without knowing all the facts. She is very principled but almost to the point of self righteousness and martyrdom. She must learn to open her mind and perceive some good in people who seem all bad and accept that reconciliation and common ground can be found. This novel is a good choice for readers who like Meg Cabot's books and other chick lit teen fiction. It is more serious in its treatment of issues and meatier than others like it, making it engaging yet an easy fun read that will appeal to many teen girls. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P J S (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2007, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 272p., $15.99. Ages 12 to 18. Reviewer: Karen Sykeny (VOYA, February 2008 (Vol. 30, No. 6)).
Best Books:
ISBN: 978-0-399-24617-3
ISBN: 0-399-24617-7
It's a Mall World After All
Janette Rallison
Charlotte is a smart, pretty high school student who learns more from her time at the mall than her time at school. She loves her part-time job as a perfume spritzer--until she catches sight of her best friend Brianna's boyfriend flirting with another girl. When Charlotte tells Brianna what happened, nobody believes her. The incident sets events in motion as Charlotte learns to negotiate the shifting allegiances and teenage crushes of high school. Later Charlotte's generosity proves as problematic as her honesty when she takes on more than she can handle by helping a child in need. At this point the story falls into caricatures of the rich and the vaguely described struggles of the poor without ever creating a convincing portrait of Charlotte's altruism. The book reads like a future Lindsey Lohan movie. It arrives just in time for the holiday season, with a subplot about Christmas-giving thrown into a plot largely about a girl stumbling towards love. 2006, Walker & Company, $16.95. Ages 12 to 14. Reviewer: Rihoko Ueno (Children's Literature).
Honor student Charlotte's job in the mall as a perfume spritzer earns her money, but it also involves her with a small boy who attempts to shoplift shoes for his mother and enables her to discover that her best friend's boyfriend, Bryant, is dating another girl. She tries to convince the National Honor Society members to do a community service project for Christmas for the children of St. Matthew's Elementary School and attends a high-society party, trying to catch Bryant with the other girl. When she becomes interested in Bryant's best friend, who is also a member of her study group, she has to end her refusal to date boys from her own high school. Charlotte's buying a pair of $70 shoes for Reese, the little boy trying to steal them, is a bit unbelievable, but Charlotte's intentions are good and her willingness to work for the underdogs is evident in her actions. Funny situations abound, such as Charlotte eating the centerpiece at a party, inadvertently telling Reese to throw soda on Bryant, and setting the decorations at the winter dance on fire. As in other books of this type, Charlotte's quest to gain the perfect boyfriend is filled with humor, misunderstandings, and finally success. Although the book is predictable, the writing is readable, and it is nice to have a regular, smart teen with a regular family as the main character. The cover might not entice readers, but girls who like this type of book will find it quite satisfying. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2006, Walker, 240p., $16.95. Ages 11 to 15. Reviewer: Cindy Faughnan (VOYA, April 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 1)).
This book is predictable. The plot seems obvious and lacks surprises. The characters seem overused in teen-girl literature-the smart, pretty girl outwardly hates but internally loves the smart, popular, handsome boy who also secretly loves her. The ending is obvious before reading the second page. But the writing was fluid, and it was not a bad book to read. I would recommend this book to girls who like this genre. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2006, Walker, 240p., $16.95. Ages 11 to 15. Reviewer: Jane Chen, Teen Reviewer (VOYA, April 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 1)).
This novel is full of cliches and a predictable story line. Despite its fluffy and unrealistic plot, there are a couple of believable and likeable characters, but even they seem to follow all the trends and rules of a uniform "girl-meets-boy" story. Better written than most in its genre, this book still has nothing new to offer, is filled with impractical social boundaries, but is overall a fun if not unsurprising read. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2006, Walker, 240p., $16.95. Ages 11 to 15. Reviewer: Ava Donaldson, Teen Reviewer (VOYA, April 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 1))
Best Books:
ISBN: 0-8027-8853-X
ISBN: 978-0-8027-8853-5
Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Free Throws
Janette Rallison
Josie and Cami are best friends who belong to their Arizona school's basketball team. Each girl hopes to be selected team MVP to play with her hero, professional basketball player Rebecca Lobo, at a special halftime exhibition. They both like their classmate Ethan, although Cami hides her feelings. Their differences are subtle. Josie takes advanced science class, effortlessly shoots free throws, and is disorganized. Cami makes lists, understands boys' behavior better, and has to practice basketball skills. She agrees to help Josie attract Ethan in return for free throw lessons. Their friendship goes awry when Ethan expresses interest in Cami and Josie feels betrayed. To complicate matters, Ethan's ex-girlfriend Ashley torments Josie and Cami and interferes with their friendship and basketball aspirations. The girls' outspoken science project partners contribute to character development and plot resolution by helping Josie and Cami understand the importance of teamwork and forgiveness. This novel has hilarious, laugh-aloud scenes, particularly the girls' interactions with siblings. Readers will admire Josie's and Cami's athleticism, determination, resourcefulness, and self-acceptance. Alternating passages, including instant messages, have similar voices for the two main characters that sometimes are difficult to distinguish. Readers who enjoy this book's themes might like Joyce Carol Oates's Big Mouth and Ugly Girl (2002), featuring a high school basketball player's friendship with her male classmate in a hostile school environment. 2004, Walker & Company, $16.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Elizabeth D. Schafer (Children's Literature).
Josie and Cami have been best friends since sixth grade, but as freshmen they discover that each has what the other desires most. Cami loves basketball, and after learning that her team will meet Rebeca Lobo with one player selected to interview and practice with her, she dreams of being chosen although she is an average player. Star athlete Josie cares more about cute Ethan than basketball, but unlike Cami, she is socially awkward and has no idea how to attract him. Josie and her classmates fail to appreciate Frederick, her intelligent and interesting science partner, because of his ordinariness. What are best friends for? Josie gives Cami basketball lessons in exchange for assistance with winning Ethan. The plan seems swell-until Ethan falls for Cami, who hides their relationship from Josie. Predictably Josie discovers the romance and the girls part nastily. Nevertheless friendship runs deep, and while traveling to meet Rebecca Lobo, the girls compare notes, realize that Ethan was using them both to date their class queen, and genuinely apologize. Alternately narrated by Josie and Cami, this plot of best friends fighting over a shallow, popular boy while overlooking kind, quiet ones is nothing new. Events are predictable and exaggerated, especially Josie's repeated physical clumsiness around Ethan, odd for a skilled athlete. The girls' viewpoints are age appropriate and compelling, and the analysis of their actions toward one another provides younger girls with the importance of honesty, character, and balancing friendship and romance-lessons they will soon learn firsthand. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P M (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2004, Walker, 185p., $16.95. Ages 11 to 14. Reviewer: Lisa Hazlett (VOYA, February 2005 (Vol. 27, No. 6)).
This book was so mediocre that it is hard to say anything good or bad about it. The plot was one that everyone and their dog have written a story about. Somewhere out in the world, Rebecca Lobo should be hanging her head in shame. She is constantly mentioned in the story, but one never learns much about her other than that she plays basketball. The author tries too hard to be cutesy, especially in her self-written interview. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P M (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2004, Walker, 185p., $16.95. Ages 11 to 14. Reviewer: Amanda Zalud, Teen Reviewer (VOYA, February 2005 (Vol. 27, No. 6)).
Best Books:
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Best Books:
ISBN: 0-8027-8927-7
ISBN: 978-0-8027-8927-3
My Fair Godmother
Janette Rallison
Sixteen-year-old Savannah's just been dumped by hunky, smart Hunter in favor of Jane, her equally intelligent older sister. As hurt Savannah plots revenge, Chrysanthemum "Chrissy" Evenstar, a teenaged "fair godmother" (because her grades in Fairy Godmother School "were just, you know, fair") in need of an extra-credit project, appears unexpectedly and offers Savannah three wishes. Savannah first wishes "that somehow my life could be like a fairy tale. You know, with a handsome prince waiting for me at the ball, and that somehow when I meet him, everything will work out happily ever after," but Chrissy misinterprets the request, actually turning Savannah into Cinderella and plunging her smack into the old-world milieu of that tale. Savannah's remaining wishes are also misunderstood, and the last drags a fellow student and track team member, Tristan, into the medieval fairy-tale world, where he must be made a prince before he may return to his own place and time. Rallison's writing is zippy and light as well as frequently humorous; Savannah and Tristan are eminently likable and the specific outcomes of their various dilemmas are not always easily foreseen, keeping the details of the plot fresh rather than boringly predictable even as their eventual pairing grants the expected happy ending. Teens looking for a breezy read with a fairy-tale bent will lap this up, and they may gain a little useful perspective on relationships and loyalty at the same time Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2009, Walker, 311p., $16.99. Grades 7-10. Reviewer: Jeannette Hulick (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, February 2009 (Vol. 62, No. 6)).
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9780-3
ISBN: 0-8027-9780-6
Playing the Field
Janette Rallison
Ostensibly about sports, this winning middle-grade novel is really about being 13 years old in America. The lead character, a boy named McKay, lives and dies for baseball, but unless he brings up his algebra grade, his parents will make him quit the team. The best math student he knows might be able to help, but she's female. How can he get help with his algebra without plunging into the scary world of boy-girl relationships? Rallison is wonderful at painting the early-teen universe of "going together" and "breaking up" without the necessity of actual dates. No wonder McKay is more interested in baseball, which at least has specific rules of conduct. Rallison's writing is breezy, but it is also touching and true. She also has the courage to make an unconventional choice. "Everything got so complicated when you started dating," McKay thinks to himself. "I didn't want to get stuck in some note-passing, hallway-glaring, second-guessing junior high melodrama triangle. I wanted things to be the way they were when Serena and I were just goofing around, doing our algebra." Not a bad choice, really, when you have the rest of your life to woo women, but only a few years to be a kid. 2002, Walker & Company, $16.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Donna Freedman (Children's Literature).
Life throws thirteen-year-old McKay Conford a curve when he earns a poor grade in algebra. His parents will not let him play baseball unless he, the most talented guy on a team bound for a championship, can pull his grade up. When his best friend, Tony, suggests that McKay ask pretty, straight-A student Serena to tutor him, the real game begins. Tony puts the moves on Serena's two best friends, foul fielding which lands McKay in the middle. Frustration mounts as he tries to convince his parents to move his five-year-old brother out of their bedroom and change their rule of no dating until sixteen. Trying to impress Serena, he sprains his ankle, further letting down the team. Wondrously, all turns out well. This light, sometimes humorous peek at the life of a young teen discovering that girls are different, privacy is to be relished, and dating can ruin friendships is written in first-person narrative. It is difficult, however, to relate to McKay fretting about the color of bedroom walls or curtains. Moreover, would a teen hide his messy locker from a girl, fearing her disappointment at the sight? Some phrases such as "pretzelized my bike" will make the more mature reader cringe. Even the book cover looks childish, and McKay's life's complications are tame. Although the characters really are not fleshed out, McKay has a good family, and his friends and acquaintances all seem to have idyllic lives. There is just no hook to catch the more mature reader--no angst, no pain, no suffering. A teen read it is not. VOYA CODES: 3Q 1P M (Readable without serious defects; No YA will read unless forced to for assignments; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2002, Walker, 180p, $16.95. Ages 11 to 14. Reviewer: Cheryl Karp Ward (VOYA, June 2002 (Vol. 25, No. 2))
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
ISBN: 0-8027-8804-1
ISBN: 978-0-8027-8804-7
Revenge of the Cheerleaders
Janette Rallison
Chelsea, the book's narrator, has many friends among the cheerleaders, football team and her peers. Her sister Adrian, two years younger, is jealous. She wears black clothing and paints her nails with black polish; her appearance does not help her fit in. The girls' mother is a single parent and depends on Chelsea to help keep an eye on Adrian. Tension between the girls heightens when Chelsea decides she does not like Adrian's "loser" boyfriend. After a bit of sparring, Chelsea enters a talent contest in hopes of winning over Adrian's boyfriend. Unbeknownst to Chelsea, Adrian pulls some dirty tricks on her back-up singers, almost ruining her chances in the contest. As the girls' conflict escalates, Adrian turns to an unlikely ally for help. But whose help does she really need? There are many interesting ups and downs in this book, and the ending is sure to please its readers. 2007, Walker Publishing, $16.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Jennie DeGenaro (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8027-8999-0
ISBN: 0-8027-8999-4
Added 03/27/09
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