SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: Lovely, Dark, and Deep
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S): Headley, Justina Chen
BIRTHDATE: 4/15/1968
WEBSITE: http://www.justinachenheadley.com/
CITY: Seattle
STATE: WA
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME: SATA 304
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: n 2005015523
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/n2005015523
HEADING: Chen, Justina, 1968-
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670 __ |a The patch, 2006: |b ECIP t.p. (Justina Chen Headley)
670 __ |a Email to pub. 3/01/2005: |b (confirmed form of author’s name as Justina Chen Headley, b. April 15, 1968)
670 __ |a Nothing but the truth, and a few white lies, 2006: |b ECIP t.p. (Justina Chen Headley) copyright statement (Justina Yi-Yen Headley)
670 __ |a Return to me, 2013: |b ECIP t.p. (Justina Chen)
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PERSONAL
Born April 15, 1968, in PA; children: two.
EDUCATION:Stanford University, degree; attended University of Washington.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and communications strategist. Microsoft Corp., Seattle, WA, formerly worked in marketing; editor and publisher of periodicals in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; StrataGem (consultant to nonprofit organizations), Seattle, founder; Chen & Cragen (communications agency), story strategist. Readergirlz (literacy website), cofounder.
AVOCATIONS:Running, walking, reading, yoga.
MEMBER:Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
AWARDS:Asian Pacific American Award for Literature, 2006, and Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults designation, American Library Association (ALA), 2008, both for Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies); Innovations in Reading Prize, National Book Foundation, 2009, for readergirlz website; ALA Amelia Bloomer Book List selection, 2009, for Girl Overboard; Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN), 2010, and ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults designation, 2012, both for North of Beautiful.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
A communications strategist, Justina Chen is the author of several award-winning novels for young adults, among them Girl Overboard and North of Beautiful. Originally publishing her fiction under the name Justina Chen Headley, Chen is also a cofounder of readergirlz, a literacy website that received the Innovations in Reading Prize from the National Book Foundation.
Called an “impressive debut” by a Publishers Weekly contributor, Chen’s young-adult novel Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies) introduces readers to fifteen-year-old Patty Ho. A Taiwanese American, Patty’s effort to fit in with her Caucasian schoolmates while also placating her Old-World relatives is made easier due to her healthy sense of humor. While attending summer math camp at Stanford University, Patty finds herself free from others’ expectations for the first time in her life. A caring aunt and a collection of family photos help the teen make sense of her single mom’s frustration and her feelings regarding her absentee father. During her summer adventure, Patty also becomes best friends with the self-reliant Jasmine, experiences her first kiss with good-looking Stu, and gains a stronger sense of self.
Praising the “creative wordplay” in Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies), the Publishers Weekly critic also cited Chen’s ability to let Patty’s “lively, first-person narrative” track her “emotional maturation during the course of an eventful summer.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor wrote that the novel’s likable narrator “never loses her nervy bounce or her need to tell it all as it’s happening.” Noting Chen’s focus on “those who live between two distinct cultures,” School Library Journal reviewer Amy S. Pattee added that, with its “funny and thoughtful moments,” Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies) introduces “a new and much-needed” talent “that shows great promise.”
In Girl Overboard, Chen “incorporates intergenerational and intercultural conflict into a novel of personal growth and self-discovery,” according to School Library Journal critic Amy S. Pattee. Fifteen-year-old Syrah Cheng, the daughter of a billionaire entrepreneur, seems to have a charmed life, but a failed romance, disputes with her parents and adult half-siblings, and a debilitating injury following a snowboarding accident have left her confused and disheartened. After learning that a classmate’s younger sister needs a bone marrow transplant, Syrah finds an outlet for her frustrations by organizing a fundraiser, in the process drawing closer to her family. In Girl Overboard Chen “offers a stirring, layered novel” about a protagonist who “resolves to use her advantages to create large-scale change,” Gillian Engberg noted in Booklist.
In North of Beautiful high-schooler Terra Cooper carries two large burdens: her right cheek is covered by a port-wine stain, and her father, a disgraced cartographer, relishes the opportunity to remind the young woman of her imperfection on a regular basis. When Terra meets Jacob, a bold and unconventional teen who has been left scarred from cleft-palate surgery, they become good friends. During a trip to Jacob’s native China, both Terra and her reserved mother uncover hidden strengths. North of Beautiful was described as “an artfully written journey of self-discovery, self-actualization, and love” by Booklist contributor Frances Bradburn, while School Library Journal critic Amy J. Chow observed that Chen’s “ambitious novel is written in a beautifully crafted style that flows seamlessly.” “Patient readers will … find emotional food for thought here,” asserted Deborah Stevenson in a review for the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, “and they’ll be inspired by Terra’s mapping of her own life journey.”
Chen’s novel Return to Me centers on Rebecca Muir, a soon-to-be freshman at Columbia University who discovers, much to her dismay, that her family will be moving with her to New York City. Reb’s life takes an even more dramatic turn when her father drops a bombshell that devastates the family. With help from her mother and grandmother, who share the teen’s ability to see the future, she seizes the opportunity to reinvent herself. Debbie Carton praised Return to Me in Booklist, calling it “a satisfying read about family betrayals, ties, and acceptance.”
A heartbroken sixteen-year-old declares an embargo on dating in A Blind Spot for Boys. An aspiring photographer, Shana Wilde plans to spend her summer enhancing her portfolio in preparation for college admissions. During her jaunts around Seattle, she bumps into Quattro, an attractive and engaging young man who piques her interest. When Shana learns that her father is losing his vision, she joins him on a trip to Machu Picchu for a father-and-daughter adventure. To Shana’s great surprise, in the Peruvian Andes she comes face-to-face with Quattro, who is traveling with his dad, and when a natural disaster threatens to ruin the trip, his help causes her to reconsider her “boy moratorium.” A Publishers Weekly critic applauded Chen’s effort in A Blind Spot for Boys, citing “vivid characters and strong emotion” among its highlights.
Geared for younger readers, Chen’s picture book The Patch was inspired by her own daughter’s amblyopia, also known as lazy eye. In a story illustrated by Mitch Vane, five-year-old Becca is diagnosed with an eye problem that requires her to wear eyeglasses as well as a patch over one eye. Facing the other students in her kindergarten class becomes easier when Becca—sporting purple eyewear and a bright pink eye patch—taps her vivid imagination to create a team of alter egos. Calling The Patch “a lovely and surprising story” in which “Becca’s exuberance shines through,” School Library Journal reviewer Genevieve Gallagher predicted that Chen’s picture book would be popular with story-hour fans, while Booklist critic Engberg dubbed it “well-paced, reassuring offering on an unusual topic.”
Lovely, Dark, and Deep is another young-adult novel by Chen, about the day when eighteen-year-old Viola’s life turns upside down, or rather outside in. She is selling red bean baos, a Chinese dessert, at a bake sale and chatting with an attractive boy named Josh when she starts feeling dizzy and soon passes out. When she wakes up at the hospital, she learns she has developed a sudden and acute case of photosensitivity, meaning she must always wear special clothes and a hat, carry an umbrella, and avoid both sunshine and electric lights and video screens. As her condition worsens, the situation makes life stressful not only for Viola but also for her sister and parents. She gets support from Josh as they get to know each other, but the possibility of a long-term romance is uncertain, and meanwhile Viola worries that her dream career as a journalist will never happen.
A Publishers Weekly reviewer remarked that Lovely, Dark, and Deep “convincingly evokes not only Viola’s physical discomfort but also the emotional impact of living with an incurable disease.” A Kirkus Reviews writer, who was engrossed by the conflict between Viola—who is half white, half Chinese—and her overprotective parents, observed that “snarky humor and nontraditional narrative structures (lists, texts, cinematic scenes, etc.) offset an otherwise somber situation.” The writer called Lovely, Dark, and Deep “a strong exploration of resilience in the face of life unpredictable.” The Publishers Weekly reviewer concluded, “No matter the darkness of the subject, Chen provides glimmers of hope.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, February 1, 2006, Gillian Engberg, review of The Patch, p. 55; January 1, 2008, Gillian Engberg, review of Girl Overboard, p. 58; February 15, 2009, Frances Bradburn, review of North of Beautiful, p. 81; January 1, 2013, Debbie Carton, review of Return to Me, p. 112; August 1, 2014, Stacey Comfort, review of A Blind Spot for Boys, p. 15.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, June, 2006, Loretta Gaffney, review of Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies), p. 454; April, 2008, Karen Coats, review of Girl Overboard, p. 335; March, 2009, Deborah Stevenson, review of North of Stevenson, p. 283.
Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2006, review of The Patch, p. 42; March 15, 2006, review of Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies), p. 291; November 15, 2007, review of Girl Overboard; January 15, 2009, review of North of Beautiful; December 1, 2012, review of Return to Me; June 1, 2014, review of A Blind Spot for Boys; May 15, 2018, review of Lovely, Dark, and Deep.
Kliatt, January, 2008, Janis Flint-Ferguson, review of Girl Overboard, p. 8.
Publishers Weekly, January 30, 2006, review of The Patch, p. 69; April 10, 2006, review of Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies), p. 72; December 10, 2007, review of Girl Overboard, p. 56; November 26, 2012, review of Return to Me, p. 55; May 19, 2014, review of A Blind Spot for Boys; p. 69; May 14, 2018, review of Lovely, Dark, and Deep, p. 55.
School Library Journal, February, 2006, Genevieve Gallagher, review of The Patch, p. 103; July, 2006, Amy S. Pattee, review of Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies), p. 104; February, 2008, Amy S. Pattee, review of Girl Overboard, p. 116; February, 2009, Amy J. Chow, review of North of Beautiful, p. 99.
Voice of Youth Advocates, April, 2006, Rebecca C. Moore, review of Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies), p. 46; June, 2009, Mary Arnold, review of North of Beautiful, p. 136; August, 2014, Courtney M. Krieger, review of A Blind Spot for Boys, p. 59.
ONLINE
Cynsations, http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/ (January 4, 2006), Cynthia Leitich Smith, interview with Chen.
Here’s to Happy Endings, http://www.herestohappyendings.com/ (July 31, 2018), review of Lovely, Dark, and Deep.
Justina Chen Website, http://justinachen.com (October 21, 2018).
Storytelling runs in Justina Chen’s blood. After all, her middle name means illuminate, which is what story does: it throws light on a message.
Justina is an award-winning author of six books for young adults. Her most recent novel, LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP, earned a starred review in Booklist. NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL was named one of the Best Books of the Year by Kirkus Reviews and was a finalist of 9 state book awards. And her debut novel, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (AND A FEW WHITE LIES), won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature.
In addition to being a writer, Justina is a story strategist to leaders and co-founder of Chen & Cragen, a boutique communications agency that transforms good executives into extraordinary leaders. Seen as a thought leader in communications, the Rockefeller Foundation invited Justina to be part of their twelve-person convening on storytelling for social good, along with CNN, BBC, NPR, and Google. Translation: she got to spend some quality time with amazing storytellers on the shores of Lake Bellagio.
A passionate advocate of literacy, Justina also co-founded readergirlz, a cutting-edge social media project for teens, which was awarded the National Book Foundation’s Prize for Innovations in Reading. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University where she won the Dean’s Award for Service.
Justina has lived in Sydney and Shanghai, but calls Seattle her home.
That was my official bio. Here’s a little more about me:
I’ve always wanted to write. When I was eight, I penned my first 50-page novella (a young adult novella. Seriously. Even then.).
During my freshmen year at Stanford, a professor dismissed my writing, telling me that I’d never be published. So I stashed away my dream of being an author.
After I had my two kids, I realized I couldn’t allow one person’s opinion to derail my dream. What was I teaching my children? So I hauled myself to a writing course at the University of Washington. On my last day of class, I sold my first book, THE PATCH. My first two novels—NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (AND A FEW WHITE LIES) and GIRL OVERBOARD—were sold a couple of months later at an auction.
Since then, I’ve written a half-dozen novels for young adults, a picture book, a book for leaders, a survival guide for women…and counting.
The lesson: live your best story, no matter what anyone else tells you.
That’s the flag I carry whenever I speak, whether at classrooms, conferences, or companies.
Hi! I’m Justina.
Storytelling runs in my blood. After all, my middle name means illuminate, which is what story does: it throws light on life. I’m honored that my debut novel, Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies), won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Youth Literature, and North of Beautiful was named one of the Best Books of the Year by Kirkus Reviews and was a finalist for nine state book awards. I can’t wait to share my latest novel, Lovely, Dark, and Deepwith you! Other than writing, I’m also the co-founder of the Chen & Cragen and a story strategist to leaders. While my house may be in Seattle, I feel at ease wherever I go so long as I have my coconut black tea, journal, and pen.
Justina Chen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Justina Chen
Born 1968 (age 49–50)
Ridley Park, Pennsylvania
Occupation Novelist, Executive Communications Strategist
Nationality Taiwanese-American
Alma mater Stanford University
Genre Young Adult Fiction
Notable works North of Beautiful, Return to Me, A Blind Spot for Boys
Website
www.justinachen.com
Justina Chen (born 1968 in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania) is a Taiwanese-American[1] fiction writer and executive communications consultant. She is best known for her young-adult fiction, especially North of Beautiful (2009), A Blind Spot for Boys (2014), Girl Overboard (2008), and Nothing but the Truth and a Few White Lies (2006).
Contents
1 Background
2 Writing career
3 Published books
4 References
5 External links
Background
Chen was born in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania in 1968 to Taiwanese-American parents. She later graduated Phi Betta Kappa from Stanford in Economics in only three years, where she also won the Dean's Award for Service.[2][3] After graduating from Stanford, she worked as a marketing executive at Microsoft in Seattle[3][4] before becoming a novelist and story consultant.[4]
Writing career
After leaving Microsoft to pursue her writing career, Chen first wrote her first book, The Patch (2006).[3] Her first Young Adult novel, Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies), won one of the 2007 Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature.[5] From 2007 to 2008, Justina toured across the United States with Olympic Gold medalist Hannah Teter to promote her upcoming book, Girl Overboard, and the "Go Overboard" challenge grants co-sponsored by Youth Venture and Burton Snowboards.[6] North of Beautiful, her next book, won a Kirkus Book of the Year and a Barnes & Noble Book of the Year award and is widely considered her most famous work.[7] Return to Me is said to be based loosely on events that happened to her and her family, and has received positive responses from critics. Her latest young adult book, A Blind Spot For Boys, has received generally positive reviews from critics.[8] Chen also founded Readergirlz, a literary project targeted at girls, which won a National Book Award for innovations in reading.[5]
In 2008, Chen returned to Microsoft as a speechwriter and communications executive for Robert J. Bach, President of Microsoft Entertainment.[3] Four years later, she left Microsoft and returned to novel writing, executive communications and storytelling consulting.[9] She self-published her first business book, The Art of Inspiration: Lead Your Best Story, based on her marketing and storytelling experience.[10] She currently tours the country on a speaking tour with Robert J. Bach, and has been invited to speak at companies including Microsoft, NASDAQ, Mayo Clinic, and Disney.[3]
Published books
The Patch (2006), illustrations by Mitch Vane. Charlesbridge ISBN 1-58089-170-5
Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) (2006), Little-Brown ISBN 0-316-01131-2
Girl Overboard (2008), Little-Brown ISBN 0-316-01129-0
North of Beautiful (2009), Little-Brown ISBN 0-316-02506-2
Return to Me (2013), Little-Brown ISBN 0-316-10255-5
A Blind Spot for Boys (2014), Little-Brown ISBN 9780316102537
The Art of Inspiration: Lead Your Best Story (2016), Sparkline Creative ISBN 0988717417
References
A Book Talk with Justina Chen Headley and Alvina Ling (2006), retrieved August 14, 2006. Archived July 15, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
Chen, Justina. "Justina Chen's Biography". Justina Chen.
"Microsoft Alumni Network - Justina Chen". www.microsoftalumni.com. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
"Taiwanese Women in Publishing". natwa.com. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
Xu, Wenying (2012-04-12). Historical Dictionary of Asian American Literature and Theater. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810873940.
"Go Overboard & Challenge Yourself (and your kids)". MomsRising's Blog. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
"NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL by Justina Chen Headley | Kirkus Reviews". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
"A Blind Spot for Boys - Hachette Book Group". www.hachettebookgroup.com. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
"Justina Chen's Biography | Scholastic.com". Scholastic Teachers. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
"Justina Chen: Master Storyteller". Get Started.
External links
Children and Young Adult Literature portal
Official website
Readergirlz
Interview at Mother Daughter Book Club.com
Interview by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Profile at Amazon.com
Justina Chen at Library of Congress Authorities, with 7 catalog records
Authority control Edit this at Wikidata
WorldCat Identities ISNI: 0000 0003 8301 6237 LCCN: n2005015523 SNAC: w6tq983k VIAF: 267086072
Stub icon 1 Stub icon 2 This article about a novelist of the United States born in the 1960s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
31
JUL
2018
Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Justina Chen – Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway!
Posted in Contemporary, Reviews, Romance, Young Adult |
Book Tour
Book Title: Lovely, Dark, and Deep
Book Author: Justina Chen
Page Count: 352
Publishing Date: July 31st, 2018
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Date Read: August 1st, 2018
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review - Thank you!
View on Goodreads
Purchase on Amazon
View on Barnes and Noble
View on Book Depository
Synopsis
What would you do if the sun became your enemy?
That's exactly what happens to Viola Li after she returns from a trip abroad and develops a sudden and extreme case of photosensitivity -- an inexplicable allergy to sunlight. Thanks to her crisis-manager parents, she doesn't just have to wear layers of clothes and a hat the size of a spaceship. She has to stay away from all hint of light. Say goodbye to windows and running outdoors. Even her phone becomes a threat when its screen burns her.
Viola is determined to maintain a normal life, particularly after she meets Josh. He's a funny, talented Thor look-alike who carries his own mysterious grief. But the intensity of their romance makes her take more and more risks, and when a rebellion against her parents backfires dangerously, she must find her way to a life -- and love -- as deep and lovely as her dreams.
My Review
I knew I was going to enjoy this book when I first read about it – I’m drawn to books that focus on teens dealing with realistic issues, whether they be medical issues, social issues, etc. When I came across Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Christina Chen, I fell in love with the cover, the synopsis, and let’s face it – the super awesome way the pages get darker and darker gradually as the book goes on (it’s really cool – I highly recommend checking the physical edition of this book out). So yes, Lovely, Dark, and Deep not only grabbed my attention due to its physical appeal, but the story itself was completely original, fun to read, and the characters were so easy to develop a kind of connection with.
Lovely, Dark, and Deep not only has a catchy title and an absolutely fantastic synopsis, but the writing within the pages of this book flows perfectly. Justina Chen has such a talent for writing, and while I have to say I haven’t read any of her other books, reading this one has prompted me to have a desire to collect all of her others and read those, as well.
Also, the constant Firefly love in this book had me falling head over heels – I’m a Firefly fan, too (as well as a baking fan), so I felt like I could really connect with the main character – I wanted her as a best friend!
“‘We think we have control over everything, only we don’t. At all.'”
When eighteen year old Viola Li has a strange reaction when she is selling her baked goods to raise money, she isn’t prepared for the news that will follow: she has a type of photosensitivity, which means she is essentially having allergic reactions to the sun. While this type of skin issue isn’t unheard of, it certainly is rare, and it’s about to chance Viola’s life. When she wakes up after passing out, she notices the guy that caught her at the bake sale is still there, waiting to see if she is okay – and her parents are nervous wrecks, trying to figure out what happened and demanding answers.
When they get the answers they need, it turns out they are ones that Viola feels are going to mess up her life plans – going to the college of her dreams and become a journalist – out in the middle of all the action. Since she loved traveling with aunt as a gift for her seventeenth birthday, she can’t wait. Only the medication she took to prevent her from getting malaria might be to blame for her developing her skin condition – no one can be sure, but her parents are being harder on her than ever in an attempt to keep her safe.
When Viola starts to develop a crush, and then a relationship, with the guy who stayed with her when she passed out, it’s difficult – after all, she can’t go outside, and it’s becoming difficult to convince her parents to let her see him, because they believe he is bad for her. So they do what they can – sneaking out at night, talking on the phone, etc.
“What happens when you spend thirteen straight hours in front of a computer and phone and you’ve got a more extreme case of photosensitivity than you, your parents, and the medical community realized? You get burned.'”
Eventually, Viola starts to become burned by screens, as well – meaning she can no longer spend hours browsing the web or watching television or talking on the phone, unless it’s on speaker phone. So her parents limit her screen time as well as changing out the light bulbs, installing screens on the windows, and no longer letting her drive. Viola is, essentially, on lockdown away from the world, away from the guy who she has a connection with who doesn’t feel like she’s a freak.
So Viola retreats into herself, not talking to her aunt, who feels guilty and like it could be her fault Viola has this condition, or her overprotective parents, or her best friends who try to help her. Instead, she wishes she could see Josh, the guy she’s falling for, and she can’t help but feel horrible that all of her life plans might not happen the way she wants them to.
“Maybe we’re all scared of something and just doing our best to live in what feels like a hard, unpredictable, and scary world.”
Through it all, Viola has to come to terms with her skin condition, as well as what it means for her – school, friendships, and dating. It’s difficult for her, of course, but she has to learn that sometimes things change, and while accepting that is often hard, doing so can open you up to a whole new realm of possibilities.
I really loved this book. Like, I haven’t loved a contemporary the way I loved this one in a long time – I was hooked from the first page (I mean, the Firefly references really pulled me in), and I loved the characters. Viola’s character just felt like she was so real and authentic – like nothing about her was forced. Her relationship with Josh was one of those neat relationships that didn’t feel like the characters were pushed together. There was actually chemistry there. I loved that. I loved their relationship. It was so real.
There was a lot of family involvement in this book, too – Viola’s parents, little sister, and aunt had a huge presence in the book and I loved that. I always enjoy a book that has a lot of family involvement, and this one did – even though Viola’s parents seemed a bit overprotective (then again, if Viola were my daughter, I would be, too), they truly cared for her and her well being, and I think that was something that really made this book into something more special than it already was.
Since I honestly didn’t know anything about photosensitivity, I feel like I learned a lot from this book. I actually did some of my own research after reading it, because I was truly curious about it. I highly recommend that to those who are curious, because it’s really eye-opening.
I can’t wait to read some of Justina Chen’s other novels, because I love the way she writes her characters, and the story in Lovely, Dark, and Deep really had a lot of heart. Definitely pick this one up!
“A luminous read that will rekindle your faith in the indomitable human spirit and make you want to spend more time in starlight.” ―Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook and Every Exquisite Thing
“Viola’s story explores one of life’s big questions: are we defined by our losses or will we allow them to lead us into an even more meaningful hero’s journey? In Lovely, Dark, and Deep,Justina Chen has crafted an inspiring, romantic novel full of redemption and hope for teens and adults alike.” ―Mitali Perkins, author of You Bring the Distant Near
Storytelling runs in Justina Chen’s blood. After all, her middle name means illuminate, which is what story does: it throws light on a message.
Justina is an award-winning author of six books for young adults. Her forthcoming novel, Lovely, Dark, and Deep, will be available in Spring, 2018. Her most recent book, A BLIND SPOT FOR BOYS, is on a Booklist Top 10 list. NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL was named one of the Best Books of the Year by Kirkus Reviews and was a finalist of 9 state book awards. And her debut novel, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (AND A FEW WHITE LIES), won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature.
In addition to being a writer, Justina is a story strategist to leaders and co-founder of Chen & Cragen, a boutique communications agency that transforms good executives into extraordinary leaders. Seen as a thought leader in communications, the Rockefeller Foundation invited Justina to be part of their twelve-person convening on storytelling for social good, along with CNN, BBC, NPR, and Google. Translation: she got to spend some quality time with amazing storytellers on the shores of Lake Bellagio.
A passionate advocate of literacy, Justina also co-founded readergirlz, a cutting-edge social media project for teens, which was awarded the National Book Foundation’s Prize for Innovations in Reading. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University where she won the Dean’s Award for Service.
Justina has lived in Sydney and Shanghai, but calls Seattle her home.
PHOTO CONTENT FROM JUSTINA CHEN
Print Marked Items
Chen, Justina: LOVELY, DARK, AND
DEEP
Kirkus Reviews.
(May 15, 2018):
COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Chen, Justina LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP Levine/Scholastic (Young Adult Fiction) $18.99 7, 31 ISBN:
978-1-338-13406-3
Viola Li has her future as a globe-trotting journalist all planned out, but everything comes into question
when her body suddenly betrays her.
Passionate and ambitious, Viola, a biracial (Chinese/white) 18-year-old, is unmoored when her skin begins
to react terribly in the sun and she must curtail her exposure to all light, including computer and phone
screens. As Viola's photosensitivity worsens and her world becomes more restricted (the first page of each
chapter gets progressively darker throughout the book), her only ray of metaphorical light is her burgeoning
relationship with white Thor look-alike Josh Taylor, whom her parents disapprove of. When a romantic
outing becomes life-threatening, its aftermath includes Viola's move into the basement and challenges with
Josh (who has his own issues). It is then that she finally finds the strength to make a new life plan. Much of
the book revolves around the conflict between what Viola's overprotective, crisis-manager parents want for
her and her own acceptance of her condition, and Chen (A Blind Spot for Boys, 2014, etc.) gives readers a
sensitive glimpse into what living with a chronic illness might be like. Snarky humor and nontraditional
narrative structures (lists, texts, cinematic scenes, etc.) offset an otherwise somber situation but may also
prevent readers from fully connecting emotionally. Nevertheless, readers will root for Viola as she searches
for new purpose.
A strong exploration of resilience in the face of life unpredictable. (Fiction. 13-18)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Chen, Justina: LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2018. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A538293924/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=5b0b233d.
Accessed 8 Oct. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A538293924
Lovely, Dark, and Deep
Publishers Weekly.
265.20 (May 14, 2018): p55+.
COPYRIGHT 2018 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Lovely, Dark, and Deep
Justina Chen. Scholastic/Levine, $18.99 (352p) ISBN 978-1-338-13406-3
Everything begins at a bake sale. Viola is peddling red bean baos for a worthy cause, and chatting with an
attractive boy, when she has a dizzy spell and faints. She wakes up in the hospital only to find out she has
contracted a rare case of photosensitivity; her skin can no longer tolerate light. Viola's life literally changes
overnight: her wardrobe is replaced with special UVA protective clothing; she must always wear a hat, and
even more humiliating, carry an umbrella; lights in the house are dimmed and covered. As her condition
worsens, Viola fears her dreams of becoming a journalist and her hopes of pursuing a relationship with Josh,
the boy she met at the bake sale, will dim like a setting sun. In a novel about love, disappointment, and
fighting the odds, Chen (North of Beautiful) convincingly evokes not only Viola's physical discomfort but
also the emotional impact of living with an incurable disease. Viola's parents' despair, her sister's frustration,
and Josh's fear that he will somehow bring harm to Viola are delineated equally well. No matter the
darkness of the subject, Chen provides glimmers of hope as she reveals Viola's battle to reclaim a form of
normalcy. Ages 12-18. (July)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Lovely, Dark, and Deep." Publishers Weekly, 14 May 2018, p. 55+. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A539387480/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=06efed40.
Accessed 8 Oct. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A539387480