The saying is “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but the truth is, we all do—and we’re actually supposed to. Someone designed that cover with specific intentions for you, the reader, to pull the book off the shelf and take a closer look. If I think about it too hard, I realize how shallow and materialistic I am as a reader and how hard a cover has to work just to get me to pick it up. My recent interest in cover design has to do with a challenge I’m undertaking this year to read at least thirty books with a main character who would be classified as a minority in America. Finding books that show this diversity on the cover is actually a lot more difficult than I expected.
Six Books to Read While You Wait for Sleeping in My Jeans
By Jessica DeBolt
Set to publish in Fall 2018, Sleeping in My Jeans follows sixteen-year-old Mattie Rollins as her life gets turned upside down. When Mattie’s mother packs the family and as many clothes as they can carry into their beat-up station wagon, Mattie hopes it’s only for one night. But as the days go on and Mattie’s mother still isn’t able to find them housing, the reality of their situation begins to sink in.
Sleeping in My Jeans will publish fall 2018, but in the meantime check out these similar YA titles. If you enjoy them, you’ll be sure to fall in love with Sleeping in My Jeans.
Creating Contact Lists for The Ocean in My Ears
By Erin Bass
Contact lists are painstakingly cultivated and relentlessly revised until, from the blood, sweat, and tears put into its conception, a list of names, emails, and resources is birthed. This process is exhausting and often seems never-ending for those working on them. Here’s how we made it and what happened after.
The Ocean in My Ears Book Launches with 90s Trivia
By Emily HagenBurger @ehagenburger
A book’s launch party should reflect the content of the book and the personality of its writer; it should be a celebration of all the hard work that went into creating the book and is seen as the culmination of all of that hard work…so, no pressure, right?
Alaska in the 90s: Get Ready to Hear More About THE OCEAN IN MY EARS on Social Media
By Emily HagenBurger @ehagenburger
p>We’re also lucky that the novel itself is a treasure trove of hilarious lines, mostly from its protagonist, 17-year-old Meri Miller. Take this, for example: “Alaska’s like two thousand miles away from anywhere cultured. No offense, Canada.” Keep an eye on Ooligan’s social media profiles this summer and fall to hear more about the upcoming The Ocean in My Ears.
When YA Book Fandom Creates Active & Influential Communities
By Joanna Szabo @Joanna_Shwaba
Fandoms surrounding the favorite books of teenagers have been a prominent part of culture since the Harry Potter books. Now, most well-loved series have some kind of derivative fandom surrounding them, but the Harry Potter fandom is by far the most expansive example of this. Years ago, Harry Potter fans pushed past the creation of art, parody musicals, and actual sports, and they went a step further by channeling their love for the books into the creation of an activist group.