Contemporary Authors

• More of Me Amulet (New York, NY), 2017

https://lccn.loc.gov/2017009760 Evans, Kathryn, 1969- More of me / Kathryn Evans. New York : Amulet Books, 2017. pages cm PZ7.1.E87 Mo 2017 ISBN: 9781419723728 (hardback)

• Kathryn Evans - https://kathrynevans.ink/

  Kathryn Evans is the award winning author of More of Me. Kathryn is the first YA author ever to win the Edinburgh International Book Festival First Book Award. More of Me also won the 2017 SCBWI Crystal Kite award for UK and Ireland, was nominated for the 2017 Carnegie Medal and several regional awards and is being translated into multiple languages.

  An accomplished public speaker with a background in theatre, Kathryn is also a woman who likes to be busy. As well as writing YA, she flirts with poetry, fences competitively, bellydances for fun, runs a strawberry farm with her husband on the South Coast of England and volunteers as Co-Regional Advisor for the SCBWI British Isles . Kathryn has two children who are mostly grown up and two cats and an ancient Labrador who are mostly not.

  Kathryn believes you can like pink and still be fierce. She’s prepared to prove it too, that’s her below, in the pink mask (obviously.)

  Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

• Fictionist Magazine - https://fictionistmag.com/interviews/kathryn-evans-on-fencing-acting-strawberries-and-everything-else/

  Kathryn Evans on Fencing, Acting, Strawberries and Everything Else
  by Jackie Peterson on July 26, 2017 in Fiction, Interviews
  Kathryn Evans’ book, More of Me, came out in the U.S. this year. The book follows a young girl who splits in two each year and leaves her younger self at home to hide with the rest of her former selves. Is her predicament real? Is Teva going insane? Read this unique YA thriller to find out. And check out our review for more information!

  This interview is abridged, because Kathryn was such a wonderful interviewee that a 30-minute call turned into an hour and a half. Her funny, insightful answers made the call special, and we hope you enjoy our Q&A below:
  So, I’ve read that you’re a runner, belly dancer, fencer, fruit farmer, you run an online chocolate company, and you write. Am I missing anything?

  [Kathryn laughs.] I have two kids. I just like to be busy. Yesterday, I finished my second book and sent it to my agent, and I thought, “I’ll just take the afternoon off.” Have you read any of Teri Terry’s books? She wrote a series — the first one was called Slated — she writes really pace-y sci-fi thrillers, and she’s got a new book that’s come out called Contagion. So I thought, ‘I’m gonna read Terry’s book and take the afternoon off.’ I read the book, the book was brilliant, and by about 8:00 last night I was itching to do something. I’m not good at sitting still.
  How did you get into fencing?

  I’ve always wanted to fence. I used to be an actor, and in the olden days, you used to have to join equity in order to get any acting work. You’d fill in a form and it has tick-boxes of all of the things you can offer — so, if you can ride horses, or dance, or sing — and one of the boxes is fencing. It’s completely different, actually, to competitive fencing, but I didn’t know that. So, stage fencing. And I love Errol Flynn! The film in which he plays Robin Hood and he’s doing a sword fight going up round this staircase on the inside of this castle wall, and I just thought — “I want to be able to do that. I really want to be able to do that.” And then, just by chance, there’s a fencing club in our town, and they were doing, like, a ‘have a go’ day, and my son was quite young at the time, so he was with me and we had a go. And I thought, ‘I have to do this.’ It was so much fun. But he also loved it, so I had to wait for him to be old enough to stay for the senior session later in the evening before I could start training. So, as soon as he was invited to join the seniors, when he was 11 or 12, so about five years ago, I could do it. I waited, but I absolutely love it.
  How does a writer and actor manage to run a strawberry farm?

  Well, you fall in love with a farmer. I actually met him at university, where I was studying acting and he was studying agriculture. When we left, I had a job at Chichester Festival Theatre — I wasn’t acting, I was working backstage — and he was working in the area, and I had a massive overdraft and couldn’t pay it off working at a theatre, so he got me a job. I was working at the theatre in the evening, and working cutting celery during the day. And I loved it. I really loved it. I kind of had a choice to make — did I want to pursue a theatre career, which would take me away from him, away from this life that I was living that I really loved? And I just didn’t want it enough to leave, so I sort of put it on hold. I never entirely gave up on it, I still did bits and pieces. I did some film work with my kids, with a thing that was filmed locally. They were both… not interested. More interested in the catering wagon, really, than the acting. But yeah. I kind of missed it, but I think some of the stuff I do is really theatrical. And that kind of fills that hole, really, for me.

  [Editor’s note: Kathryn’s husband popped up quietly in the background at this point. Kathryn: “There he is now — there’s the real-life farmer.” We then proceeded to go on a 15-minute tangent about different types of strawberry plants.]
  How long have you wanted to be a published author?

  I started writing seriously, trying to get published, when my daughter was about three or four and she’ll be 23 this year. So it took me about 15 years to get published. I’d always written bits and pieces, but never very seriously. So, when I started, I started trying to write picture books. And they were so awful — I mean, I know that now. At the time, I thought they were fantastic, and it would be a piece of cake, and I’d send the stories to a publisher and they’d snap them up and it would be brilliant. But that isn’t what happened, of course. I was very lucky, because Natascha Biebow, who runs SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) in the U.K., said after I’d sent her about three or four of these terrible manuscripts, “Look, you’re quite funny, and you can write interesting characters, but there’s no story here. If you want to get published, you need to learn what you’re doing.” And she suggested I join SCBWI, which was a tiny organization in the U.K. then — they only had about 30 members. But I did join, and I learned how to write. It just took me a long time. But I don’t regret any of it. I think every manuscript that I’ve written that’s been put in a drawer has contributed to making me a better writer. I’m sure of that. Absolutely sure of that.
  Do you travel much?

  I came (to New York) for the SCBWI conference, but I also met up with my publisher at ABRAMS. It was a nice, serendipitous thing that sort of happened at the same time. It was nice — really nice — and I’d never been in America, ever. So it was really exciting. I got hustled at the airport. I’ve been to Africa a few times, but I wasn’t expecting that at JFK, being hustled the minute I stepped out of the concourse. So, yeah, it was interesting. I loved it. I was really surprised by how much I loved it. I love the way the streets are laid out, because I have no sense of direction. Even I couldn’t get lost in New York, because it’s just numbers. I had the best time. It was fantastic. I walked a lot, because I wanted to see as much as I could and I had so little time. I had one day, basically, to myself. So I went to Ellis Island, and then I walked all the way up to — I got as far as 7th Ave. I had the best day, it was great — and I shopped, yeah.
  What’s the easiest way to brighten your day?

  To brighten my day? Tea. Proper English breakfast tea. Strong. Quite a lot of milk, no sugar. I can’t live without tea. I have about four cups of tea before 8:00 in the morning. That’s bad, isn’t it? I’m drinking one, and I have the kettle on ready to make another one. My ideal day would be time to read — I love to read, and to not feel guilty that I should be doing something else is a big, big treat for me. I still love to read. I think YA is just an explosive, exciting area where fantastic stuff is being written. It just thrills me all the time to be reading what other writers are producing. It’s great. And of course, now, with the book coming out in America, there’s a whole new raft of writers that I’ve never heard of. I met Adam Silvera at this SCBWI party. I didn’t know who he was — I had no idea that he was this very famous writer. He said he had a book coming out in the U.K., and I said ‘Look, if we can do anything to help, just get in touch with me, SCBWI is quite big now in the U.K.” And my friend, afterwards, said, “Did you not know who that was?” And I said, “Yes! It’s Adam! He’s lovely, he’s been showing me pictures of his boyfriend and his boyfriend’s dog, and we had a lovely chat!” And she said, “Yeah, Adam Silvera, New York Times bestseller.” And I went, “Oh.”
  Do you think there’s a bit of a stigma around writing and reading YA?

  I think there’s a huge amount of snobbery. And I think it’s starting to diminish in the U.K. We had Frances Hardinge — whose books, I know, are now out in the states, because she’s published by Abrams as well — she won a really prestigious award in the U.K. out of all of the adult and children’s authors. Her book, The Lie Tree, won the award. And that was a bit of a turning point, I think. People are looking at (YA) in a different light, I think, which is exciting! And my book won the Edinburgh International Book Festival First Book Award — the first YA book ever to have done so — last year, which is absolutely thrilling for me, and I’m delighted to hold up the banner for YA. I do sometimes read grown-up books.

  I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently, especially since I just finished my second book. I think a lot about why I write the way I do, and for me it’s a lot about layers. I think YA writers, we don’t feel bound by genre at all, really. We’ll experiment in all kinds of ways, and that gives you a freedom. To write what you want, how you want, and to give your books depth. I think it’s pretty obvious that More of Me is a n allegory — the book is about identity, but it’s also got this fast-paced, thriller-type sci-fi story over the top of it. I mean, I’m sure there are adult books like that, but I see it so much more in young adult books. So much more.

  You know, Twilight got knocked a lot, for the writing. But I read all of those books. And I was turning those pages. The story just — whoosh — pulls you along. And that’s the other thing I think about YA — you do not get away with padding out your story with prose that doesn’t need to be there. You just don’t get away with it. The pace of most YA novels is exciting, it’s dynamic… but, you know, I’m biased.
  What’s your most fail-safe way to get inspiration?

  Ultimately, I don’t have the luxury of waiting to be inspired. Obviously, I’m busy, so when I’ve got time to write, I need to sit down and write. And I think, usually, you can do that. Even if what you produce isn’t very good. But what I do when I’ve got a problem is, I walk the dog. And always, always, always, it solves the problem. I might have to do several circuits, and now (the dog’s) getting a little bit older, I might have to actually leave him at home if ti takes a very long time, or he’ll just lie down and wait for me to come back. We just go round and round one of the fields. But it’s never failed me yet, just to walk it off. I also have a treadmill in my office, so I don’t know what it is about movement. You can see, I’m standing up now, so I’m just a fidget. Yeah, walking is a great mental un-blocker. There’s some quote, I can’t remember it, but it was something about inspiration being a bit of a luxury — waiting for it to strike. I think you could wait forever, couldn’t you?

  I did a tour in the UK with some other debut authors last year — you probably won’t know them, but they’re all doing quite well in the UK — all of them have got their second books out, and I’ve just finished writing mine. So, I am a bit slow, but I don’t know whether that’s because I fill up my time with other things, or whether I just need that time to think and mull things over, and… [Kathryn looks down] Oh, that’s my dog making a very strange noise. He’s woken up and now he’s making disgusting noises and smells, bless him.
  Do you like doing events, signings and conventions?

  I love doing events. I LOVE it. I do lots and lots of school visits, as much as I can. I mean, I love being around young people. My children are now growing up, so my house is no longer full of young people, and I miss them. My book is dedicated “to all of the honeyz in the hun club,” and that is basically my daughter’s group of friends who were at my house as much as I could have them here. So, getting into school and spending time with kids is great — I love it. And I’m a bit of an over-excitable showoff. I mean, I feel like — I came from, not a tough background, but I went to a school that was a bit rough… it wasn’t a good school. So, I always feel like I have something to say, especially at schools like that, that wherever you start from, you can still achieve things if you’re prepared to work. I really want to share that with people, and I do a lot of talks about it, so yeah, I love it.
  Do you have any events or signings in the works?

  Yeah, I do. I can’t tell you about some of them, because they’re embargoed for a bit. I work with an organization called Authors Abroad, and they organize my school visits, and they’re organizing a tour on the south coast of England, and in October I’m doing a tour in Liverpool, and I think I’m going to Holland on a little tour, and I’ve got some festivals lined up that I’m really excited about, so, yeah, lots of exciting things coming up.
  Have you met any other YA authors that you’ve gotten along well with?

  So many. So many people. So, I joined SCBWI years and years ago, but I am now co-regional adviser. I feel like it’s my time to give something back, because I don’t think I ever would have been published without them. So now, I help Natasha run SCBWI in the UK, so I know huge numbers of writers, and it is such an amazing community of writers. They’re just so friendly. I don’t know whether it’s just children’s writers or whether it’s the same in all areas of writing, or whether it’s because we don’t get out much, so when we do it’s just so nice to see people, but yeah, I’ve got lots of writer friends. I love to see them flourish and do well, and whenever anyone gets a book deal it’s exciting.

  I have a face-to-face (writing) group, and we’re a real mix of published and unpublished writers, and I think that’s really important for me, having spent so long being unpublished. You kind of think you’re not worthy of all of these people who’ve produced lots of books, but it’s really important to remember that at some point along that journey, everybody was an unpublished writer. We’ve all had to learn, we’ve all had to fight our way to get published. There’s two people in the group, my friends Viv and Liz, and they’re just bullies — they bully me. They say, “Just get to writing that book! Stop Skyping!”
  What would you say to someone who doesn’t think adults should read YA?

  Try it yourself, and then tell me that. Because the depth of the subject matter, emotion, the importance of the subject matter being dealt with — everything from terrorism to death to love. I mean, what’s more important than love and relationships and family and all of that? The book I’ve just finished writing — I mean, I don’t know if it’ll ever be published, but — it’s about grief. That’s the center of it, how we deal with grief. I mean, it’s not obvious, it’s another fast-paced sci-fi thriller, but at the heart of it… that’s what’s in common with all good YA. There’s something at the heart of the book that matters. So, in More of Me, that was about identity, about discovering yourself. And I’ve had responses from all sorts of people, not necessarily teenagers — I’ve had responses from transgender people, anyone who went through a difficult time growing up. Yeah, so I’d say try it yourself. I think I’d recommend some books. And that would be quite a long list. I often recommend to people who say, “Oh, I don’t really read” — because I get a lot of that in schools — to try Sarah Crossan’s books. Her book one won the Carnegie last year, and it’s so lightly told, this tale of these Siamese twins. It’s almost like lace, it’s so delicate a story, and it’s written in verse, but you forget about that while you’re reading it. I think anyone who picked it up would race through it, whether you’re a big reader or not. So that would certainly be up at the top of my list. Yeah, I could list a lot of YA books. There’s so many.

  I actually read a really, really great book recently, and I’m not sure where it fits. Because it follows a young protagonist, so you’d think it was middle grade, but it was dealing with teenage pregnancy from the boy’s point of view. It’s an american book, actually, by a guy called Gary D. Schmidt. The book is called Orbiting Jupiter, and it’s beautiful. Beautiful, beautiful book.
  Have you noticed the line between YA and adult blurring at all?

  The only distinction for me is that YA needs a young protagonist. It needs a teenage protagonist. I think as soon as you hit 20, it’s not a YA book anymore. For me. But it’s so arbitrary — how do you define (YA)? I don’t know. It’s such a weird thing in the UK, because I know loads of people who read YA books, and they don’t know that’s what they’re reading.They think some of the stuff they’re reading is for adults, and I think if you told them it was YA, they would be a bit embarrassed. I think there is a lot of snobbery about it in the UK. And we have this culture in schools about “reading up” — I mean, you hear it, actually, in bookshops. Parents saying to kids, ‘Oh, no, that book’s too babyish for you. You should be reading something longer.’ And I’m thinking, ‘You’ve got a child there who wants to read. Don’t embarrass them or humiliate them! Let them read what they want to read!’ It doesn’t really matter what they’re reading, as long as it’s age-appropriate in terms of content, they’ll read up when they’re ready. I think we send out some strange mixed messages in the UK. It’s going to be interesting for me to figure out what kind of readership I have in the USA, when the book comes out. I’m quite excited about it. Really excited.
  Buy More of Me from Book Depository, or check out our review!

• Sophie Hicks Agency - http://www.sophiehicksagency.com/kathrynevans/

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  KATHRYN EVANS
  Agent: Sophie Hicks

  Kathryn Evans lost one mother when she was very young and nearly lost another sometime later. She thinks that’s probably why she fills her life with so much, determined to live every second. As well as writing for young adults, Kathryn runs a strawberry farm with her husband; writes silly poems for The FunEverse; is a competitive fencer and belly dances every week.

  Kathryn is a compulsive blogger, both at www.kathrynevenas.ink and as part of the team at Notes from the Slush Pile, and she volunteers as finance co-ordinator for SCWBI whilst looking after her children Emily and Archie. A complete bibliophile, Kathryn also loves travelling to unusual places and is hugely grateful for the invention of e-readers so the two things can be easily combined.

  Her debut novel, More of Me, was published by Usborne in the UK in 2016 by Abrams in the US in 2017 and has been translated into multiple languages. It won the Edinburgh International Festival First Book Award.

Evans, Kathryn. More of Me
Anne Keller
Voice of Youth Advocates.
40.1 (Apr. 2017): p69+. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2017 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
2Q * 2P * M * J * S
Evans, Kathryn. More of Me. Amulet/Abrams, 2017. 320p. $17.95. 978-1-4197-2372-8.
Teva, sixteen, has a genetic abnormality which causes her to unwillingly clone herself each year when a new replica violently emerges from her body. The new Teva takes over the life of the previous version until the process repeats itself in one year. The younger sister versions, named by their age, live confined to their house where they never grow older. Teva's current boyfriend, Ollie, has no idea that his girlfriend last year was actually Fifteen. Her best friend, Mandy, does not know she has been friends with a different version of Teva every year since childhood. Teva struggles to keep her home life a secret while feeling guilty as she lies to everyone. When the newest clone shows signs of breaking free, Teva decides to finally seek help for her condition, even if it means exposing the truth.
While the storyline may attract readers, the lack of character development, Teva's uneventful life, and the simplistic writing style provide an unremarkable read. Readers wanting to know more about the sister clones will be disappointed. Throughout the novel, readers are waiting for the big reveal regarding the backstory, but it turns out to be anticlimactic. During a major storyline revelation, characters' reactions seem unconvincing and phony. The story is partially redeemed by Fifteen's determination to reclaim Ollie in the name of love which is entertaining and admirable. While the topic could make for an interesting conversation, the novel fails to deliver and should be considered a secondary purchase.--Anne Keller.
QUALITY
5Q Hard to imagine it being better written.
4Q Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses.
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3Q Readable, without serious defects.
2Q Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q.
1Q Hard to understand how it got published, except in relation to its P rating (and not even then sometimes).
POPULARITY
5P Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday.
4P Broad general or genre YA appeal.
3P Will appeal with pushing.
2P For the YA reader with a special interest in the subject.
1P No YA will read unless forced to for assignments.
GRADE LEVEL INTEREST
M Middle School (defined as grades 6-8).
J Junior High (defined as grades 7-9).
S Senior High (defined as grades 10-12).
A/YA Adult-marketed book recommended for YAs.
NA New Adult (defined as college-age).
R Reluctant readers (defined as particularly suited for reluctant readers). (a) Highlighted Reviews Graphic Novel Format
(G) Graphic Novel Format
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Keller, Anne. "Evans, Kathryn. More of Me." Voice of Youth Advocates, Apr. 2017, p. 69+.
PowerSearch, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491949534/GPS?u=schlager& sid=GPS&xid=51d961c6. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A491949534
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More of Me
Publishers Weekly.
264.19 (May 8, 2017): p62. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
More of Me
Kathryn Evans. Amulet, $17.95 (320p) ISBN 978-1-4197-2372-8
Almost every year around her birthday, Teva Webb's cells divide, and an older version of herself emerges, leaving behind a growing trail of dejected younger clones while the new Teva assumes life as usual. In this highly inventive look at the ever-evolving self, Teva's current 16-year-old incarnation is determined to stop the process; she's also dodging her doctor-averse mother and her manipulative 15-year-old self, who is demanding to be released to see their boyfriend (the clones are kept hidden at home to protect Teva's secret). Debut author Evans's visceral descriptions of the new Teva clawing her way out of the old give the physiologically bizarre premise credibility ("There, next to my bandaged little finger, the ring finger was sporting two nails. Nausea swirled through me"), and the tale serves as an allegory for mental illness while challenging social stigmas and bigotry. At its base, though, it's a relatable look at growing up, negotiating changes in one's body and personality, and learning to accept one's present self and honor one's past. Teva just has a more literal view of the subject than most. Ages 13-up. (June)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"More of Me." Publishers Weekly, 8 May 2017, p. 62. PowerSearch, http://link.galegroup.com
/apps/doc/A491949165/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS&xid=802df148. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018. Gale Document Number: GALE|A491949165
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Evans, Kathryn: MORE OF ME
Kirkus Reviews.
(Apr. 1, 2017): From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Evans, Kathryn MORE OF ME Amulet/Abrams (Children's Fiction) $17.95 6, 13 ISBN: 978-1-4197-2372-8
Each year, a new version of Teva grows inside her and forces her way out, leaving her discarded self to join their earlier versions; this Teva, 16, won't let that happen. The blonde, blue-eyed, white Tevas live with their single mother. To maintain the fiction that Mom has just one child, only the latest Teva is permitted to leave the house and attend school. The younger girls are docile, but Fifteen is jealous that her successor has appropriated her South Asian best friend, Maddy, and boyfriend, Ollie, and, furious, schemes to reunite with him. Teva's consumed with guilt at the freedom only she has, while fearful of the time when she too will be displaced. Unlike Fifteen, she's drawn not to Ollie but to Tommo, a classmate whom she tutors in English in return for his help in a textiles project. (Both boys are attractive but racially ambiguous, implying a white default.) Teva researches her condition and, to that end, creates a blog under a fake name, to preserve the secrecy her mother insists on. At the same time, she's haunted by a growing fear that her younger versions might not exist outside her own mind. The promising high concept is hampered by slack pacing, an oddly flat emotional tone (more Gossip Girls than Carrie), and cliched, by-the-numbers romance complete with mean girls, college-application angst, and unwarranted focus on the minutiae of high school routine. The book is a British import, and both language and setting have been Americanized. A nifty premise that falls short of its potential. (Science fiction. 13-16)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Evans, Kathryn: MORE OF ME." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2017. PowerSearch,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A487668528/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=bc92fc87. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A487668528
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More of Me
Caitlin Kling
Booklist.
113.17 (May 1, 2017): p71. From Book Review Index Plus.
COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
More of Me. By Kathryn Evans. June 2017.320p. Abrams/Amulet, $17.95 197814197237281. Gr. 9-12.
Teva has more on her mind than the average 16-year-old. As she explains on her blog, "I've got a condition that doesn't even have a name, but eventually, it'll rob me of my future. Imagine all your friends growing up, moving on, and you being stuck in one year of your life." Each year on her birthday, a genetic anomaly causes Teva's cells to painfully split, producing a clone. But only the new clone ages, so all ofTeva's previous selves live together, resenting each new year's clone who gets to take over as the acting Teva at school. Fifteen is especially angry and will stop at nothing to get her boyfriend back from the new Teva. Evans' neatly packed narrative is unique among science fiction--it is foremost a profound, complex examination of how we relate to our own history. Teva finds accessible truth in the uncanny: we don't need to be defined by our past (or even current) selves, but we can be shaped and changed by them.--Caitlin Kling
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Kling, Caitlin. "More of Me." Booklist, 1 May 2017, p. 71. PowerSearch,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A495035134/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=ca3c9f87. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A495035134
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Evans, Kathryn. More of Me
Nancy Jo Lambert
School Library Journal.
63.5 (May 2017): p102+. From Book Review Index Plus.
COPYRIGHT 2017 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
EVANS, Kathryn. More of Me. 320p. Abrams/ Amulet. Jun. 2017. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781419723728.
Gr 8 Up--Teva is 16 and on the 16th version of herself. Every year, a new and slightly older clone rips out of the previous version. In her house live her younger selves, Twelve, Thirteen, Six, Seven, and Eight. Fifteen was the last one, and she is angry that Teva has taken over her relationship with her boyfriend Ollie and her best friend Maddy. Teva is more than six months from the new iteration, but she is already feeling the new Teva stirring inside. She tries to determine exactly what her genetic abnormality is, find a way to stop it, and keep her teenage social life together. A romantic entanglement arises involving Teva, Fifteen, and Ollie as well as a new love interest. While the plot is engaging and Teva's problem is certainly intriguing, much of the story is wrapped up in the protagonist's social drama instead of in the more sci-fi elements. There are several threads in the narrative, and ultimately it ends satisfactorily. The writing throughout is excellent, and readers will easily be able to take in the story despite the Briticisms. Realistic fiction fans will connect to Teva and will be drawn in enough to want to read the conclusion. VERDICT A solid first purchase for larger collections looking to add a sci-fi tale with realistic fiction elements.--Nancy Jo Lambert, Reedy High School, Frisco, TX
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Lambert, Nancy Jo. "Evans, Kathryn. More of Me." School Library Journal, May 2017, p. 102+.
PowerSearch, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491032162/GPS?u=schlager& sid=GPS&xid=7c2f4517. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A491032162
6 of 8 1/27/18, 9:44 PM

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Evans, Kathryn: More of Me
Sue Polchow
School Librarian.
64.2 (Summer 2016): p118. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2016 The School Library Association http://www.sla.org.uk/school-librarian.php
Full Text:
Evans, Kathryn
More of Me
Usborne, 2016, pp332, 6.99[pounds sterling] 978 1 4749 0302 8
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Teva is running out of time, she is fighting against herself for her future survival. On the surface she appears a normal teen with best friend, school work and a boyfriend, but at home hides an incredible secret. For there are eleven other Tevas living there who each represent one year of her life all hidden by their single Mum. Each year Teva must separate into two as a new Teva that has been growing inside her, fights painfully to break out. The host body Teva then stays at the same age and is forced to become a recluse at home with all the other Teva's in her case watching resentfully whilst the newly hatched Teva takes her identity and her boyfriend. But this time it's different and she will not give her old life up without a fight. Meanwhile the new Teva longs to have a future that lasts more than a year and begins to have career aspirations and looks for answers to what is happening to her. She finally discovers the horrific truth and the traumatic climax does bring about a resolution for her and her family but at a price. This thought provoking novel expertly weaves science fiction and genetics with romance whilst also exploring through strong characterisation of all the past selves what makes us different as we grow from child to teen.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Polchow, Sue. "Evans, Kathryn: More of Me." School Librarian, Summer 2016, p. 118.
PowerSearch, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A457107172/GPS?u=schlager& sid=GPS&xid=0867f608. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018.
7 of 8 1/27/18, 9:44 PM

http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MA...
Gale Document Number: GALE|A457107172
8 of 8 1/27/18, 9:44 PM

Keller, Anne. "Evans, Kathryn. More of Me." Voice of Youth Advocates, Apr. 2017, p. 69+. Book Review Index Plus, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491949534/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS&xid=51d961c6. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018. "More of Me." Publishers Weekly, 8 May 2017, p. 62. Book Review Index Plus, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491949165/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS&xid=802df148. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018. "Evans, Kathryn: MORE OF ME." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2017. Book Review Index Plus, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A487668528/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS&xid=bc92fc87. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018. Kling, Caitlin. "More of Me." Booklist, 1 May 2017, p. 71. Book Review Index Plus, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A495035134/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS&xid=ca3c9f87. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018. Lambert, Nancy Jo. "Evans, Kathryn. More of Me." School Library Journal, May 2017, p. 102+. Book Review Index Plus, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491032162/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS&xid=7c2f4517. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018. Polchow, Sue. "Evans, Kathryn: More of Me." School Librarian, Summer 2016, p. 118. Book Review Index Plus, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A457107172/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS&xid=0867f608. Accessed 27 Jan. 2018.

• The Guardian
  https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/mar/29/more-of-me-kathryn-evans-review
  Word count: 238

  More of Me by Kathryn Evans – review

  ‘This book was really gripping and fast-paced with some unexpected twists’

  That'sMe

  Guardian children's books site young reviewer

  Tue 29 Mar 2016 04.00 EDT
  Last modified on Wed 20 Sep 2017 06.06 EDT

  This book has a really interesting and original concept in that every year the main character, Teva, separates into two. This leads to her being regenerated and having more energy. It may seem like the perfect life. However, at home there are twelve other Tevas stuck at home – one for each year of her life.

  This all becomes very complicated as this means that only one Teva can be with their best friend. The Tevas left at home are hidden away and long for the life that the oldest Teva has. The oldest Teva only has one year before she then will be hidden away. It is crucially important therefore that she makes the most of that one year.
  More of Me

  This book was written really well so I could understand how the characters are feeling even though I have clearly never experienced what they have. This book was really gripping and fast-paced with some unexpected twists.

  I was hooked even after the first paragraph. It is now actually one of my favourite books!

  https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/mar/29/more-of-me-kathryn-evans-review

• The Book Bag
  http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=More_of_Me_by_Kathryn_Evans
  Word count: 623

  More of Me by Kathryn Evans

  More of Me by Kathryn Evans

  Category: Teens
  Rating: 5/5
  Reviewer: Z J Cookson
  Reviewed by Z J Cookson
  Summary: A powerful page-turner based on what is likely to be one of the most original concepts of 2016. A must-read for teens and adults alike.
  Buy? Yes Borrow? Yes
  Pages: 336 Date: February 2016
  Publisher: Usborne
  External links: Author's website
  ISBN: 978-1474903028

  Share on:

  At school, sixteen year old Teva Webb seems normal. But at home Teva's life is about as far from normal as it's possible to get. Locked away in what everyone outside thinks is a haunted house are eleven other Tevas, all different ages. Why? Because every year Teva separates in two with the new Teva going out in the world while the previous Teva is kept inside, trapped as her younger self.

  In the modern book market, a good concept is essential if the story is going to stand out from the crowd. In this area More of Me doesn't just stand out: it's practically on a platform. However, this is more than a book with a great idea – it's perfectly crafted too. I was particularly impressed how debut author Kathryn Evans manages to weave in all the information we need to know about Teva's life while still pushing the narrative forward.

  Written in the first person, we immediately identify with the sixteen year-old Teva. All her other selves are also cleverly characterised: it's easy to believe they're all the same person but they're all sufficiently different to avoid confusion. I especially liked Eight with her obsession with Enid Blyton and the feisty and resentful Fifteen. However, for me, it's best-friend Maddy that really jumps off the page.

  In terms of plot, this is a definite page turner and I read it almost in one sitting. Be warned – this is one of those books that stops time and there is a risk your real life will be put on hold while you follow Teva's story.

  I read most plot-driven books with anticipation, turning those pages while trying to guess what's going to happen next. With More of Me, however, I was reading open-mouthed unable to conceive what could possibly happen next and how the story could ever be resolved. Admittedly, I did suspect the mysterious internet Mr Fixer wasn't who Teva thought he was but I still didn't anticipate his true identity (you'll have to read the book to find out more!).

  On her website author, Kathryn, describes how it has taken a long time for her writing to reach readers. (I couldn't help but smile at the description of her agent in the acknowledgements as the 'Agent of Never Giving Up'). However, there is no doubt that it was worth the wait and I, for one, am hoping I don't have to wait too long for another book by this talented writer.

  This book is so unique it's hard to make a recommendation of something similar. However, my money's on this being one of the hot YA books of 2016, so why not check out some of the best of 2015. Why not try The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson or The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell.

  Buy More of Me by Kathryn Evans at Amazon You can read more book reviews or buy More of Me by Kathryn Evans at Amazon.co.uk.

  Buy More of Me by Kathryn Evans at Amazon You can read more book reviews or buy More of Me by Kathryn Evans at Amazon.com.

• Chron
  http://www.chron.com/entertainment/books/article/More-of-Me-Debut-YA-novel-has-sci-fi-twist-11208339.php
  Word count: 883

  'More of Me': Debut YA novel has 'sci-fi twist and a spoonful of horror'

  By Mike Yawn Updated 12:57 pm, Friday, June 9, 2017

  Before writing her first novel, Kathryn Evans managed a strawberry farm with her husband, fenced competitively and dabbled in poetry. She still does those things, but she is also an award-winning author now that her first book, "More of Me," has won two major awards and racked up impressive sales in England.
  Author Kathryn Evans
  Author Kathryn Evans

  The book comes out Tuesday in the United States, where its themes of identity, change and anxiety are likely to appeal to a cross-section of readers - particularly young adults.

  Q: This is your first book, and it has been a hit in England and other countries. Describe it for the readers in the United States.

  A: It's a contemporary novel with a sci-fi twist and a spoonful of horror. It's about a young girl, Teva, who doesn't grow up like normal people. She replicates once a year, and previous versions of herself still exist, but they are at home, hidden from the public. The world only sees the current version of Teva, and she knows that if she doesn't stop the replication process, she will be supplanted by the new Teva, and that means being shut away at home, losing her friends and her boyfriend. At its heart, the book is about identity, about growing up.

  Q: How did you come up with this idea?

  A: My daughter went to university, and I was missing her. I began looking at photographs of her when she was little, when she was 3, 6 and 12, and I was thinking how I mourned a little for these previous versions of her. And I thought of myself growing up. I had an unhappy childhood, and I thought of previous versions of myself. I knew they were me, but I also felt sorry for them in a kind of disjointed way. From there, it was a tiny step to ask, "What if?" What if those previous versions of me or my daughter actually existed?

  Q: When did you realize that this is the perfect prism through which to look at the teenage years, a way to capture the angst about identity and change?

  A: It was deliberate. Teenagers have difficulties growing up; my daughter certainly did. Indeed, she had mental health issues, and many of her friends have gone through challenging aspects of adolescence. Growing up, I read Kafka's "Metamorphosis," and the idea of using a big image to deal with a difficult topic was something I wanted to do. I have had many people contact me - including transgender people - and say, "It was like I was reading about myself." It's incredibly touching.

  Q: Is it a coincidence that your book is about identity at a time when that is a hot-button issue in today's world?

  A: I don't think it's a coincidence. I have my head up, I read a lot, I am on social media, and I talk to a lot of people. If we're not addressing modern issues when we write, we're kind of failing, especially when writing for young adults.

  Q: How did you capture the language and behavior of teenagers?

  A: I have a daughter and a son. My daughter is 22 now, and my son is 16, so I have always had a house full of teenagers. I also have a background in the theater, so there were many acting techniques I could draw on. It's about observing and being connected to the people you are writing about, and I think it worked.

  Q: Teenagers can be dramatic. How do you capture that without being insensitive?

  A: I read it with my own "alarm bells." I'm aware of my readership, and I think about how people will feel when they read it, and I have a brilliant editor! Also, playing characters is something that comes naturally to me. I go for walks with my dog, and we role-play. He's not great at it, but he's a great listener.

  Q: "More of Me" was your first novel, and you had time to develop the idea and the book. You are now in the process of writing a second book. Is it more difficult to develop ideas, now that the deadline pressures have intensified?

  A: That's a good question, and I think there is something to it. "More of Me" has done very well in the UK, and it has been nominated for quite a few awards. And my agent was keen on me getting my next book done quickly. I rushed it. Fortunately, my agent sat down with me, provided some directions, and I then had time to reflect. I thought I was writing a book about family, but I was actually writing about grief, and I needed space and time to reach that conclusion. Now I think this new book will be what I wanted it to be.
  More Information

  'More Of Me'

  By Kathryn Evans

  Amulet Books, 320 pp., $12.56

Word Count