Welcome to the Blockbuster-Free Summer Reading Exchange (BFSRE)!

As Kerri described in her blog, we’re dedicating a whole YARN page (or more, if it becomes necessary) to the BFSRE. We’ll recommend some of our favorite YA novels that are NOT blockbusters, which means NO “Hunger Games” [...]

Kerri confesses…

It used to be that I relished the opportunity to write my blog at YARN. Especially in the months after Elena was born, it was the only real writing I was doing. Now that I’m writing a book, however, I have to admit that this blogging thing has become quite a lot more difficult. Not only do I feel like all my words are getting funnelled into TINAWM [...]

When a great debut author writes a great novel, he makes a splash. When a great debut YA author writes a great YA novel, he makes a tidal-wave and rides it with a composure and sense of wonder unmatched. John Corey Whaley is the recipient of both a Morris and Printz award, and the first YA author be selected as one of The National Book Foundation’s 5 under 35 [...]

By Sarah Wilson

The first time I met Sawyer Sharpe I thought he was the strangest, most unnatural boy in the world.

I was seven and busy splattering a rainbow of paint onto my sheet of cardstock. He scrambled onto the stool next to me and told me I wasn’t doing it right. [...]

Thanks for joining us for Part 2 of YARN’s “Year of the Beasts” extravaganza. This time, Nate Powell interviews Cecil Castellucci. But just like last time, we’re featuring not-to-be-seen anywhere else early sketches for the book. It’s not every day you get a glimpse into the minds–and the sketchbook!–of two such amazing and important artists. Enjoy!

By Crystal Schubert

For Older Sisters
The youngest sister //
watches. //

Wide-eyed. //
Breathtaken. //
Waiting for instructions. [...]