Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Beast
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: www.briespangler.com
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY: American
http://www.peglegpeke.com/author.html
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.:
n 2004024031
LCCN Permalink:
https://lccn.loc.gov/n2004024031
HEADING:
Spangler, Brie
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PERSONAL
Married, husband’s name Matt.
EDUCATION:Rhode Island School of Design, B.F.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Illustrator and writer.
AVOCATIONS:Cuddling her spouse, clambakes, coffee, baseball, evading sunlight, her dog.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Prior to her debut as an author, Brie Spangler worked primarily in illustration. Her artwork can be seen in print and on screen for several companies, including Scholastic, Knopf, Crayola, and others. Her illustrative work eventually granted her the opportunity to delve into writing professionally. The majority of her works cater to youth of varying age groups.
Peg Leg Peke is Spangler’s first published book. A self-illustrated picture book for children, it centers on a protagonist named Peke. Although Peke is normally energetic, an injury to his leg has slowed him down and dampened his spirits. He ends up finding a new way to play, even while wearing his cast, by imagining himself as a swashbuckling pirate on the high seas. One Kirkus Reviews writer called Peg Leg Peke “a fine offering for the newest reader.” A Publishers Weekly contributor remarked: “Kids, empowered by their role as speaker, should find the drawings sweet and chummy.” In an issue of Children’s Bookwatch, one reviewer stated that the main character’s “thirst for adventure embellishes a funny story of coping and imaginary action.”
Spangler’s second work, The Grumpy Dump Truck, focuses on a dump truck named Bertrand, whose negative attitude starts to cramp the efforts of his coworkers. He finally encounters a porcupine by the name of Tilly, who inadvertently flattens his tires after a scare sends her spines shooting out at his tires. In the process of helping Bertrand patch himself up, Tilly discovers a number of objects plaguing Bertrand’s tires and weighing him down. Their removal also seems to get rid of Bertrand’s funk. A contributor to Kirkus Reviews expressed that the book is able to “point out to children that there is always a reason behind a bad mood.” In Booklist, Shelle Rosenfeld wrote: “The lively cartoon-style art features bold, bright colors and simply drawn, expressive characters.” A Publishers Weekly writer commented that Spangler “knows how to create a compelling comic antihero … and her narrative never slackens.”
Beast is Spangler’s first foray into young-adult fiction. The novel follows Dylan Ingvarsson, a high schooler who feels himself to be cursed by his excessive amount of bodily hair and overwhelming height. These traits have earned him a nickname—”Beast”—and overshadow his academic ambitions. After an incident leads to him fracturing a leg, he winds up in group meetings for youths struggling with self-injury. There he runs into Jamie. Alluring and clever, Jamie is able to see past Dylan’s exterior, and the two form a friendship. Just as feelings begin to develop, however, Dylan chances upon a new piece of information about Jamie that he did not catch the first time around—Jamie’s being transgender. This fact creates turbulence in Jamie and Dylan’s blossoming relationship, and the two of them must figure out how they want to proceed. “Even though Spangler’s tackling a new and different audience with Beast, it reads like an offering from an old pro,” remarked Kristian Wilson, a contributor to the Bustle web site. A Publishers Weekly contributor remarked that Spangler’s characterization provides “piercing insight into the long, painful battle to shatter stereotypes in order to win dignity, love, and acceptance.” BookPage reviewer Sarah Weber commented: “Sometimes touching, often funny, always honest and human, Spangler’s Beast is a powerful debut and a wonderful read.” In comparing the novel to the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, Booklist contributor Karen Ginman felt that Spangler “develops more complex portraits for a modern spin.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, June 1, 2009, Shelle Rosenfeld, review of The Grumpy Dump Truck, p. 72; September 15, 2016, Karen Ginman, review of Beast, p. 61.
BookPage, November, 2016, Sarah Weber, review of Beast, p. 43.
Children’s Bookwatch, August, 2008, review of Peg Leg Peke.
Horn Book, November-December, 2016, Anastasia M. Collins, review of Beast, p. 88.
Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2008, review of Peg Leg Peke; June 15, 2009, review of The Grumpy Dump Truck.
Publishers Weekly, June 16, 2008, review of Peg Leg Peke, p. 47; June 22, 2009, review of The Grumpy Dump Truck, p. 43; August 15, 2016, review of Beast, p. 72; December 2, 2016, review of Beast, p. 92.
ONLINE
Brie Spangler Home Page, https://brie-spangler.squarespace.com (May 28, 2017).
Bustle, https://www.bustle.com/ (February 10, 2016), Kristian Wilson, review of Beast.
Julia Ember Web site, http://julia-ember.com/ (December 20, 2016), “#12DaysofDiversity–5 Questions with Brie Spangler.”
Spokesman-Review Online, http://www.spokesman.com/ (April 7, 2017), Kathryn Smith, review of Beast.
Teenreads, http://www.teenreads.com/ (May 28, 2017), author profile.
Back at it.
After graduating from RISD, I was fortunate to work as a freelance illustrator for several years and built up a great client list. Grosset & Dunlap, Crayola, Stride Rite, Yearling, Dole and several others were wonderful to work with, but working with Knopf was truly awesome because it led to the publication of my two picture books, Peg Leg Peke and The Grumpy Dump Truck. I'm very proud of those two books.
Since taking time off to begin a family, I'm excited to be back in the field and ready to make new work. Represented by Mackenzie Brady of The Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency (SKLA).
Contact Brie
brie_spangler[at]yahoo.com
For book illustration inquiries, please contact: mbw [@] skagency.com
Beast
By BRIE SPANGLER
Category: Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Social Issues
Hardcover (2) –
HardcoverBUY
Oct 11, 2016 | 336 Pages | Young Adult
Hardcover
Ebook +
ABOUT BEAST
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Rainbow Book List selection
A witty, wise, and heart-wrenching reimagining of Beauty and the Beast that will appeal to fans of Rainbow Rowell and David Levithan.
Tall, meaty, muscle-bound, and hairier than most throw rugs, Dylan doesn’t look like your average fifteen-year-old, so, naturally, high school has not been kind to him. To make matters worse, on the day his school bans hats (his preferred camouflage), Dylan goes up on his roof only to fall and wake up in the hospital with a broken leg—and a mandate to attend group therapy for self-harmers.
Dylan vows to say nothing and zones out at therapy—until he meets Jamie. She’s funny, smart, and so stunning, even his womanizing best friend, JP, would be jealous. She’s also the first person to ever call Dylan out on his self-pitying and superficiality.
As Jamie’s humanity and wisdom begin to rub off on Dylan, they become more than just friends. But there is something Dylan doesn’t know about Jamie, something she shared with the group the day he wasn’t listening. Something that shouldn’t change a thing. She is who she’s always been—an amazing photographer and devoted friend, who also happens to be transgender. But will Dylan see it that way?
Praise for Beast:
“Writing smartly in Dylan’s voice, Spangler artfully represents both main characters: the boy who feels like a freak and the witty, imperfect, wise trans girl he loves. Very lightly borrowing on the classic fairy tale, she allows them to fail and succeed without resorting to paper villains or violent plot points to manipulate compassion. A believable and beautiful human story.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred review
“Spangler’s captivating portrayals of Dylan and Jamie offer piercing insight into the long, painful battle to shatter stereotypes in order to win dignity, love, and acceptance.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred review
SEE LESS
PRAISE
“Writing smartly in Dylan’s voice, Spangler artfully represents both main characters: the boy who feels like a freak and the witty, imperfect, wise trans girl he loves. Very lightly borrowing on the classic fairy tale, she allows them to fail and succeed without resorting to paper villains or violent plot points to manipulate compassion. A believable and beautiful human story.”—Kirkus Reviews starred review
“Spangler’s captivating portrayals of Dylan and Jamie offer piercing insight into the long, painful battle to shatter stereotypes in order to win dignity, love, and acceptance.” —Publishers Weekly starred review
SEE LESS
Brie Spangler
Brie Spangler graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and is the author-illustrator of two picture books, PEG LEF PEKE and THE GRUMPY DUMPY TRUCK. She makes her YA debut with BEAST. Learn more about Brie and her books at BrieSpangler.com or on Twitter at @BrieSpangler.
Brie Spangler
Books by Brie Spangler
Beast
by Brie Spangler - Fiction, Gender Studies, Romance, Social Issues
Tall, meaty, muscle-bound and hairier than most throw rugs, Dylan doesn’t look like your average 15-year-old, so, naturally, high school has not been kind to him. To make matters worse, on the day his school bans hats (his preferred camouflage), Dylan goes up on his roof only to fall and wake up in the hospital with a broken leg --- and a mandate to attend group therapy for self-harmers. Dylan vows to say nothing and zones out at therapy --- until he meets Jamie.
#12DaysofDiversity – 5 Questions with Brie Spangler
Posted on December 20, 2016 by Julia Ember
As part of the #12DaysofDiversity Readathon event, I've invited several authors to visit the blog over the next two weeks to talk about their books!
Kicking us off, is Brie Spangler, author of recently published Beast — a contemporary retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a trans love interest. I've heard great things about this book and it's on my reading list for the Readathon!
Questions with Brie …
1) Beast is a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast. What drew you to that story in particular?
Of all the fairytales out there, this is the only one that has captivated me throughout my whole life. Most of them I was like meh, but Beauty and the Beast grabbed me at an early age and never let go.
2) Without giving too many spoilers away, do you think that Beast stays true to the tone and themes present in Beauty in the Beast or does it invert them?
It definitely isn't a faithful retelling. It's more the essence of the story, there's a beast and a beauty and they meet, but that's kindof where it begins and ends. It's Eau de Beauty and the Beast.
3) You've previously published books aimed at much younger audience, what new challenges did writing for teens present?
I actually think writing picture books was harder! It's really hard to put all those feelings and emotions into 32 pages, whereas with a novel you have 300 pages to explore your thoughts and themes. Plus, I remember a lot about high school, so I can draw upon those memories with more ease than I can from when I was very little. I really enjoy the challenges of both picture books and novels, but I feel most passionately for writing YA. Contemporary teens are my jam.
4) Do you have a favourite retelling written by another author?
Most recently I loved AS I DESCENDED by Robin Talley. Loved her Macbeth retelling!
5) What are you working on next?
Working on a story inspired by the time I accidentally won a pageant… excuse me, a scholarship program… in high school.
Posted in Resources for Writers
Brie Spangler
Brie Spangler is an author and illustrator originally from the Boston area. She loves clambakes, baseball, and her own little Pekingese, Lola. Unlike the grumpy dump truck, she calls herself “most definitely an optimist.” Her illustrations have appeared in books published by Knopf, Dutton, Scholastic and Wiley, among others. When not drawing pictures, she can be found avoiding direct sunlight, drinking too much coffee, and snuggling with her husband, Matt.
To learn more about Brie Spangler, please visit http://www.briespangler.com/
Read an interview with Brie Spangler on the blog A Patchwork of Books
Published work
The Grumpy Dump Truck (Knopf, July 2009); Peg Leg Peke (Knopf, June 2008)
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Print Marked Items
Beast
Publishers Weekly.
263.49 (Dec. 2, 2016): p92. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Beast
Brie Spangler. Knopf, $17.99 ISBN 978-1-101-93716-7
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Picture book creator Spangler (Peg Leg Peke) turns to an older audience with a thought-provoking novel about two shunned teens who struggle to make sense of the world and themselves. At nearly six foot four and covered with hair, 15-year-old Dylan Ingvarsson has been nicknamed the Beast, but he doesn't feel like one. Mostly,' he leads a quiet life, earning top grades in his class and supporting his widowed mother. When Dylan breaks his leg falling off a roof, perhaps not entirely accidentally, and ends up in therapy for self-harmers, he meets an intriguing girl named Jamie, a talented photographer, who seems to like Dylan for who he is. For the first time, Dylan finds himself falling in love, but then he learns something he missed while he was zoning out in therapy: Jamie is trans. Sharply drawn relationships and ' true-to-life dialogue make Dylan's interactions with Jamie, his mother, and his friends feel breathtakingly real. Spangler's captivating portrayals of Dylan and Jamie offer piercing insight into the long, painful battle to shatter stereotypes in order to win dignity, love, and acceptance. Ages 12-up.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Beast." Publishers Weekly, 2 Dec. 2016, p. 92. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA475224668&it=r&asid=5e6acee066fa890733009246a49df850. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A475224668
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Beast
Sarah Weber
BookPage.
(Nov. 2016): p43. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2016 BookPage http://bookpage.com/
Full Text:
BEAST
By Brie Spangler Knopf
$17.99, 336 pages ISBN 9781101937167 Audio, eBook available Ages 12 and up
LGBTQ FICTION [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Hairy all over and rapidly approaching seven feet tall, 15-year-old Dylan resents how perfectly he its his nickname: Beast. After a particularly bad first day of sophomore year, Dylan climbs out onto his roof to get some peace and quiet, and wakes up in the hospital. His leg is broken, and he's been enrolled in group therapy for self-harmers. Though he's determined to stay detached in group, to say nothing and hear nothing, he can't help but notice beautiful, confident Jamie--and she notices him, too. The two connect in a way Dylan's never connected with another person before--let alone a girl--but Jamie has a secret. It shouldn't change anything, but it changes everything.
Brie Spangler's young adult debut offers a smart, sensitive approach to finding your place when all you can do is stand out. Dylan and Jamie are both radically different from their high school classmates, but Spangler's just-right touch reveals their complexities as outsiders. Jamie is completely in tune with the challenges she faces as a transgender girl, yet this one aspect of herself does not define her. In the same way, Dylan is much more than his nickname. Both protagonists have a lot to learn from each other about acceptance--of others and of themselves.
Sometimes touching, often funny, always honest and human, Spangler's Beast is a powerful debut and a wonderful read.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
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Weber, Sarah. "Beast." BookPage, Nov. 2016, p. 43. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA469503154&it=r&asid=8194c6d8f8e50e684d6b18b4888ded50. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A469503154
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Beast
Anastasia M. Collins
The Horn Book Magazine.
92.6 (November-December 2016): p88. From Book Review Index Plus.
COPYRIGHT 2016 The Horn Book, Inc.. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Sources, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.hbook.com/magazine/default.asp
Full Text:
Beast
by Brie Spangler
High School Knopf 330 pp.
10/16 978-1-101-93716-7 $17.99 Library ed. 978-1-101-93718-1 $20.99 e-book ed. 978-1-101-93717-4 $10.99 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Fifteen-year-old Dylan is larger than life ... or at least larger than the life he wants. He dreams of being a Rhodes scholar, but at six foot four and covered with embarrassing body hair, people assume he's a brute with a low IQ--hence the nickname Beast. After breaking his leg in what Dylan claims was an accident, he's nevertheless placed in group therapy where he meets other self-harmers, including the extremely attractive Jamie. Jamie seems to have it all: looks, intelligence, passion, and enough snark to call Dylan out even from the depths of his self-pity. Beauty and Beast fall for each other, and for a while things are perfect; but it soon becomes clear that while Jamie has always been open with Dylan about herself, including about her being transgender, Dylan hasn't always been paying attention, absorbed in his own problems. Spangler walks a razor-thin line between portraying Jamie as a manic pixie dream (trans) girl whose main function is to draw out the morose cis boy and a truthful, humanly complex representation of a transgender young woman. She is frequently successful; Jamie matches Dylan flaw-for-flaw as they each try to uncover the best version of themselves and move through their failures and triumphs together.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Collins, Anastasia M. "Beast." The Horn Book Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 2016, p. 88. PowerSearch,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA469755399&it=r&asid=e4dbf6337a2eb5000aed7275f2ec6518. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A469755399
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Spangler, Brie: PEG LEG PEKE
Kirkus Reviews.
(May 15, 2008): From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2008 Kirkus Media LLC http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Spangler, Brie PEG LEG PEKE Knopf (Children's) $15.99 Jun. 10, 2008 ISBN: 978-0-375-84888-9
Even though the sweet Pekingese has a boo-boo, he still has ample use of his imagination. His leg in a stiff blue cast, Peke becomes Peg Leg Peke, no longer an injured pup but a pirate. As his imagination takes over, the beige and white of the first few pages makes way to opaque blues and greens and a brilliant purple treasure chest. Subtle eyebrow movements and wags of the tail let readers take the emotional temperature of their fuzzy white hero. Peke's speech- bubble responses to an offstage, unnamed voice establish a classic preschooler-to-adult relationship, the indulgent grown-up helping to take Peke's mind off his injury. Large typefaces and repeated language couple with humor to make this a fine offering for the newest reader. Pair this with Antoinette Portis's Not a Box (2006) for a look at the fun of creative play to lift anyone's spirit, even someone with a broken paw. (Picture book. 4-7)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Spangler, Brie: PEG LEG PEKE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2008. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA178878196&it=r&asid=aeb1f58d9e14a17501cd698e47597740. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A178878196
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Beast
Karen Ginman
Booklist.
113.2 (Sept. 15, 2016): p61. From Book Review Index Plus.
COPYRIGHT 2016 American Library Association http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
Beast. By Brie Spangler. Oct. 2016. 336p. Knopf, $17.99 (9781101937167); lib. Ed., $20.99 (9781101937181); e book, $17.99 (9781101937174). Gr. 10-12.
Dylan, 6'4" and known as "the Beast," is a brilliant teenager who spends as much time fantasizing about winning a Rhodes scholarship as he thinks about girls. At school, he towers over his sophomore classmates but, thanks to popular best friend JP, is safe from ridicule. But Dylan has an inner world where he feels trapped in a body too big and hairy, one that won't quit growing. A broken leg exposes his need to change his looks and sends him to group therapy for self-harmers, where he meets the smart, confident Jaime. Their passion flourishes except for one misconception: Jaime reveals that she is a trans teen, but Dylan misses it. Spangler uses the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast as a framework for the story but develops more complex portraits for a modern spin. Jaime is independent and complex as she battles with her feelings after Dylan acts horribly, and the reader is rewarded with Dylan's sincere transformation, as he prepares to follow his heart toward Jaime, if she can only forgive him.--Karen Ginman
Ginman, Karen
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Ginman, Karen. "Beast." Booklist, 15 Sept. 2016, p. 61. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA464980978&it=r&asid=fd54ef4e2a72bc933880ba11bd5673ca. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A464980978
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Spangler, Brie: THE GRUMPY DUMP TRUCK
Kirkus Reviews.
(June 15, 2009): From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2009 Kirkus Media LLC http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Spangler, Brie THE GRUMPY DUMP TRUCK Knopf (Children's) $$15.99 Jul. 14, 2009 ISBN: 978-0-375-85839-0
Bertrand is a mean, crabby, grumpy dump truck who sees nothing good about his job. While all the other workers and trucks try to get along and make the best of things, Bertrand just complains and makes their lives more difficult. One day Bertrand surprises Tilly the porcupine, who loses her quills and accidentally pierces Bertrand's tire. Ever friendly and helpful even in the face of Bertrand's rage, Tilly pulls out the quill...and a wrench, screwdriver, level, saw, traffic cone and a hammer. Once unburdened, suddenly Bertrand isn't so grumpy anymore. Spangler's brightly colored digital illustrations are done in a graphic format, with speech bubbles, sound effects and simple pictures that keep the focus on the facial expressions. Construction trucks, equipment and workers are well represented. While slight and with an implausibly pat ending (how'd all that stuff get into his tire in the first place?), this does point out to children that there is always a reason behind a bad mood, although it is rather short on methods of dealing with the grumps--one's own or someone else's. (Picture book. 3-6)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Spangler, Brie: THE GRUMPY DUMP TRUCK." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2009. PowerSearch,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA208113963&it=r&asid=97c9f0679cf4f96445a570bac3db07fb. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A208113963
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The Grumpy Dump Truck
Shelle Rosenfeld
Booklist.
105.19-20 (June 1, 2009): p72. From Book Review Index Plus.
COPYRIGHT 2009 American Library Association http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
The Grumpy Dump Truck.
By Brie Spangler. Illus. by the author.
July 2009.40p. Knopf, $15.99 (9780375858390); lib. ed., $18.99 (9780375958397). PreS--Gr. 2.
Bertrand the dump truck is a hard worker, but his attitude is lousy: he honks and complains, and he is "rude to the backhoe. And a real pain to the crane." Then he startles Tilly, a perky porcupine construction worker, whose flying quills accidentally pierce Bertrand's tire. Bertrand is outraged, but good-natured Tilly removes the quill, as well as plenty of other unwanted objects that Bertrand hadn't realized he was carting around. Feeling better and grateful, Bertrand finds that he enjoys being nice. The lively cartoon-style art features bold, bright colors and simply drawn, expressive characters, including the anthropomorphized construction vehicles and the diverse animal crew, and dialogue balloons enliven and extend the brief, descriptive narrative. The construction details will engage kids curious about the building process, a theme that extends to the blueprint-style endpapers featuring worksite implements. Bertrand's hyperbolic, sometimes silly grumblings ("My axle is itchy") will coax smiles from kids, who will easily pick up the book's messages about the rewards of a positive attitude and the desire to help others.--Shelle Rosenfeld
Rosenfeld, Shelle
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Rosenfeld, Shelle. "The Grumpy Dump Truck." Booklist, 1 June 2009, p. 72. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA202484460&it=r&asid=ecea23a5ae752689a854377a1ebe49c8 Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A202484460
.
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The Grumpy Dump Truck
Publishers Weekly.
256.25 (June 22, 2009): p43. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2009 PWxyz, LLC http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
The Grumpy Dump Truck
Brie Spangler. Knopf, $16.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-375-85839-0
Dump truck Bertrand wears a permanent scowl. He kvetches ("This dirt is too HEAVY?") and treats his co-workers with contempt ("He was rude to the backhoe. And he was a real pain to the crane"). But an accidental encounter with a sweet-natured porcupine construction worker named Tilly reveals that Bertrand isn't misanthropic after all--he's just got a toolbox of pain-causing items caught in his treads ("Oh, owie-ow! I can't believe you did that?" Bertrand yells as the porcupine removes a wrench, screwdriver, hammer, traffic cone and other items from his tire). In her sophomore outing, Spangler's (Peg Leg Peke) bright digital cartooning can border on amateurish, and her wrapup and Bertrand's total 180 ("I want to do something NICE?") are so patly sunny that they take away much of the fun of the preceding pages. But she knows how to create a compelling comic antihero (Bertrand's apostrophe-like eyebrows are particularly expressive, while his whininess should prompt chuckles of recognition), and her narrative never slackens. Ages 3-6. (July)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Grumpy Dump Truck." Publishers Weekly, 22 June 2009, p. 43. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA202488192&it=r&asid=a8742832798dbad53628d33c0e231df7. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A202488192
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Peg Leg Peke
Publishers Weekly.
255.24 (June 16, 2008): p47. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2008 PWxyz, LLC http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Peg Leg Peke Brie Spangler. Knopf, $15.99 (40p)ISBN 978-0-375-84888-9
In this small-format cartooned charmer, a Pekingese learns the value of the value of making lemonade out of lemons-- but not via a moral tale. Spangler frames her first solo picture book as a type of interview, with questions and comments directed at the Peke. Upon discovering that the melancholy dog has a bad "boo-boo"--he's broken his leg and now wears a restricting cast--the unseen speaker smartly suggests, "You could be a pirate. With a peg leg?" "Oh?" replies the dog, as inspiration starts to dawn and his spirits rise. With a little more of such friendly and therapeutic encouragement, Peg Leg Peke is soon forgetting his troubles and embarking on a pretend treasure hunt ("East is this way," the speaker adds helpfully, with a drawing of a compass rose thrown in for good measure). Spangler keeps her pictures simple, with just enough details and splashes of colors to set a scene. Kids, empowered by their role as speaker, should find the drawings sweet and chummy. Ages 3-6. (June)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Peg Leg Peke." Publishers Weekly, 16 June 2008, p. 47. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA180517571&it=r&asid=d61ee4b0c50f95cdb9d42fb5708f7440. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A180517571
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Beast
Publishers Weekly.
263.33 (Aug. 15, 2016): p72. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
* Beast
Brie Spangler. Knopf, $17.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-101-93716-7 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Picture book creator Spangler (Peg Leg Peke) turns to an older audience with a thought-provoking novel about two shunned teens who struggle to make sense of the world and themselves. At nearly six foot four and covered with hair, 15-year-old Dylan Ingvarsson has been nicknamed the Beast, but he doesn't feel like one. Mostly, he leads a quiet life, earning top grades in his class and supporting his widowed mother. When Dylan breaks his leg falling off a roof, perhaps not entirely accidentally, and ends up in therapy for self-harmers, he meets an intriguing girl named Jamie, a talented photographer, who seems to like Dylan for who he is. For the first time, Dylan finds himself falling in love, but then he learns something he missed while he was zoning out in therapy: Jamie is trans. Sharply drawn relationships and true-to-life dialogue make Dylan's interactions with Jamie, his mother, and his friends feel breathtakingly real. Spangler's captivating portrayals of Dylan and Jamie offer piercing insight into the long, painful battle to shatter stereotypes in order to win dignity, love, and acceptance. Ages 12-up. Agent: Mackenzie Brady, New Leaf Literary & Media, (Oct.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Beast." Publishers Weekly, 15 Aug. 2016, p. 72. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA461444612&it=r&asid=3b0ff5f01699d7ffeae6b54e873a7702. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A461444612
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Amazing audiobooks for young adults, 2017
Booklist.
113.13 (Mar. 1, 2017): p21. 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:
The top 10 choices are indicated by a star.
Nonfiction
The Amazing Book Is Not on Fire. By Dan
Howell and Phil Lester. Read by the authors. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $44.
Bujfy the Vampire Slayer, hamsters, anime, cat whiskers--just a few of the obsessions of British YouTube stars danisnotonfire and AmazingPhil. Dan and Phil take this visually amazing book and transform it into an even more amazing audiobook.
Unashamed. By Lecrae. Read by the author. 2016. Christianaudio, CD, $14.98.
Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist Lecrae tells the painful story of his youth, his search for faith, and his successful rise to fame with unflinching honesty and directness. This memoir, narrated by the author and including tracks of his music, is told as only he can tell it.
Fiction
* Anna and the Swallow Man. By Gavriel Savit. Read by Allan Corduner. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $40.
After her father is taken away, Anna and the enigmatic Swallow Man try to survive as the harsh reality of WWII creeps into their lives. Corduner's deep, storyteller voice gives this tale an air of mystery and solemnity. The 2017 Odyssey Award Winner.
* Beast. By Brie Spangler. Read by Andrew Eiden. 2016. Blackstone, CD, $35.95.
In this modern Beauty and the Beast story, hairy and oversize Dylan ends up in therapy, where he meets the smart, funny, and transgender Jamie. Eiden's emotion and nuance capture each characters unique circumstance.
* Gemina. By Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. Read by a full cast. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $60.
When their space station is threatened, the captain's daughter and a mafioso are the best chance for saving the groups new home. The pace never lets up in this full-cast production, which drops the listener into the middle of the action.
* Ghost. By Jason Reynolds. Read by Guy Lockard. 2016. Simon & Schuster Audio, DD, $14.99.
When Castle Crenshaw is selected for a track team, he finds that his budding friendships mean more to him than he thought. Lockard gives this story an authenticity that allows the, listener to hear Castle's struggles and triumphs through a true teen voice. A 2017 Odyssey Honor title.
Grimm's Fairy Tales. By Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm. Read by a full cast. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $19.99. The gruesome tales from the Brothers Grimm are told by some of the biggest names in audiobooks. Every curse, every
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transformation, and every chopped-off appendage are presented with flourish in one convenient place.
Half Lost. By Sally Green. Read by Carl Prekopp. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $50.
In the midst of losing the war against the Council of White Witches, Nathan struggles to deal with having become a killer like his father. In this final volume of the Half Bad trilogy, Prekopp's distinctive accents, with enhanced sound effects, make this a listening adventure.
Highly Illogical Behavior. By John Corey Whaley. Read by Robbie Daymond and Julia Whelan. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $40.
Lisa Praytor wants to earn a psychology scholarship by curing her ex-classmate Sol of his agoraphobia. Daymond and Whelan's emotional intensity builds with each chapter as the characters test the boundaries of their newly formed friendship.
Holding Up the Universe. By Jennifer Niven. Read by Jorjeana Marie and Robbie Daymond. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $50.
In the love story of Jack and Libby, each must overcome obstacles--the least of which are his face blindness and her weight struggles. Marie and Daymond strike the perfect balance between these two teens as they come together.
The Incident on the Bridge. By Laura McNeal. Read by Lincoln Hoppe. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $50.
It seems as though Thisbe jumped to her death, but her sister and friends are determined to find out where she really is. Hoppe deftly captures the personalities of the characters in this story told from multiple perspectives.
The Inquisitor's Tale; or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog. By Adam Gidwitz. Read by a full cast. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $40.
In this story set in medieval France, a la The Canterbury Tales, a white greyhound and three unlikely friends unite to escape prejudice and persecution. A full cast of narrators enhances this lively and miraculous adventure.
Iron Man: The Gauntlet. By Eoin Colfer. Read by Ari Fliakos. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $40.
Iron Man is outwitted by a young Irish girl who hacks into his suit to free her sister from an orphanage where she is being held captive. Fliakos skillfully handles the many accents, while his comedic timing adds a level of fun to the intensity of the story.
* Kill the Boy Band. By Goldy Moldavsky. Read by Barrett Wilbert Weed. 2016. Scholastic Audio, CD, $34.99.
Four fangirls kidnap the least popular member of a famous boy band. Hilarious antics ensue, secrets are revealed, and things that aren't supposed to happen do. Weed's spot-on voices and heartfelt singing make this an outrageously funny listening experience.
A Little in Love. By Susan Fletcher. Read by Melody Grove. 2015. Recorded Books, CD, $66.75.
Fletcher imagines the story of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables from the perspective of Eponine, including her changing relationship with Cosette and her love for Marius. Grove narrates Eponine's story with great perceptiveness and a delightful French accent.
The Memory of Light. By Francisco X. Stork. Read by Frankie Corzo. 2016. Scholastic, CD, $39.99.
Vicky Cruz wakes up in the psychiatric ward after trying to commit suicide. Here she meets new friends who inspire her to find the strength to carry on. Corzo's gentle voice connects listeners to Vicky as she recovers and finds the reasons life is worth living.
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My Lady Jane. By Cynthia Hand and others. Read by Katherine Kellgren. 2016. HarperAudio, DD, $24.99.
In this alternate-historical comic fantasy of Tudor England, Lady Jane Grey is unwillingly married off and unwittingly enmeshed in a conspiracy to control the throne. Kellgren prances through this narration with sparkling wit and theatrical attention to detail.
My Name Is Not Friday. By John Walter. Read by Dion Graham. 2016. Scholastic, DD, $30.
At the end of the Civil War, free black brothers Samuel and Joshua are living in an orphanage until Samuel is sold into slavery, which takes readers on a journey that they will hope leads to freedom once again. Graham's inflection and pacing make this accessible for readers old and young.
* Nimona. By Noelle Stevenson. Read by a full cast. 2016. HarperAudio, DD, $24.99.
Nimona is a shape-shifter and a sidekick to supervillain Lord Blackheart. Mischief escalates into a vicious battle that will expose Nimona's mysterious past as well as the Institution of Heroics. A full cast of narrators and fierce sound effects make this an essential experience. A 2017 Odyssey Honor title.
* Orbiting Jupiter. By Gary D. Schmidt. Read by Christopher Gebauer. 2015. Recorded Books, CD, $30.75.
Fourteen-year-old Joseph's foster family helps him process his traumatic life experiences, including his desire to find the baby daughter he's never met. Gebauer narrates with deeply felt emotion and adroitly handled pacing.
Our Chemical Hearts. By Krystal Sutherland. Read by Robbie Daymond. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $45.
Henry Page is happily sailing through his senior year until broken and mysterious Grace Town is chosen to coedit the school newspaper with him. Daymond's character voices will leave readers laughing and crying, making this a memorable production.
The Red Umbrella. By Christina Diaz Gonzalez. Read by Kyla Garcia. 2016. Dreamscape, CD, $49.99.
As Castro takes power in Cuba in 1961, Lucia and her brother seek asylum in the U.S.. Garcia deftly handles various accents and languages, perfectly capturing the characters' fears and hopes for the future.
* Salt to the Sea. By Ruta Sepetys. Read by Jorjeana Marie and others. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $45.
In 1945, four teenagers from different countries find their paths have ail led to a voyage on the Wilhelm Gustlojf, in this novel based on the true story of history's most deadly maritime disaster. The narrators effectively embody each of their characters, making this historical novel unforgettable.
The Secret Horses of Briar Hill. By Megan Shepherd. Read by Fiona Hardingham. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $30.
Emmaline lives in a house with other children who suffer from the stillwaters (TB) during WWII. Only she can see the winged horses in the mirrors, and one of them desperately needs her help. Hardinghams narration gives this story a hint of childlike wonder mixed with the horror of living with tuberculosis.
The Smell of Other Peoples Houses. By Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock. Read by Jorjeana Marie and others. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $35.
Four lives are woven together during the early years of Alaska's statehood. Ruth, Dora, Alyce, and Hank are all hoping to change their lives and find family along the way, all while living in a place like no other. Multiple narrators allow each character to resonate in his or her own voice.
* Star Wars Ahsoka. By E. K. Johnston. Read by Ashley Eckstein. 2016. Listening Library, DD, $50.
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After leaving the Jedi, Ahsoka begins to quietly live her life as a mechanic. When the Empire invades the new planet she has settled on, she gives them more of a fight than they anticipated. Eckstein's high-energy narration is enhanced by full, movie-like sound effects, making this one out of this world.
Their Fractured Light. By Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. Read by Kim Mai Guest and others. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $70.
Sofia and Gideon want to bring down Laroux Industries and close the rift between their world and that of the Whispers, an alien life form. But to do so, they will have to trust each other as the Starbound Trilogy comes to a satisfying end. Spooky sound effects add to the narrators' solid character portrayals in this space odyssey.
Thieving Weasels. By Billy Taylor. Read by Robbie Daymond. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $35.
Years after Skip escaped his dysfunctional family to attend boarding school, they locate him, dragging him back into their lies and schemes, where he finds himself wrapped in a murderous plot. Daymond's Long Island accents embellish this perfectly campy story.
* Traffick. By Ellen Hopkins. Read by Kirby Heyborne and others. 2015. Simon & Schuster Audio, DD, $17.99.
The sequel to Tricks, this audiobook follows the five teens who have been victimized by the sex trade as they try to face their demons and attempt to change their lives. Multiple narrators give voice to a dark, raw listen that offers a glimmer of hope.
* Wink Poppy Midnight. By April Genevieve Tucholke. Read by Michael Crouch and others. 2016. Listening Library, CD, $35.
In this twisty tale of manipulations, Midnight finds himself caught between two girls--one who is lost, the other who creates her own story. The narrators work together beautifully in this atmospheric mystery, bringing depth to each of the characters.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Amazing audiobooks for young adults, 2017." Booklist, 1 Mar. 2017, p. 21+. PowerSearch,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA488689419&it=r&asid=b4ba6e625fb8037e5d0a5a69a072834e. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A488689419
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Knopf/Random
Children's Bookwatch.
(Aug. 2008): From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2008 Midwest Book Review http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/index.htm
Full Text:
Knopf/Random
c/o Random House Children's Books
1745 Broadway, 10-1, New York, NY 10019 www.randomhouse.com/kids
John Stadler's THE BALLAD OF WILBUR AND THE MOOSE (9780375841743, $14.99) provides an outrageous cowboy lullaby ballad which tells of one Wilbur Little, a pint-sized, lime-juice-drinking, pig-herding cowboy who herds pigs for a living. Wilbur outsmarts villains and pig-rustlers; his antics are hilarious and fun in this rollicking rhyme. Meghan McCarthy's ASTRONAUT HANDBOOK (9780375844591, $16.99) is a tongue-in-cheek, hilarious survey of what it takes to become an astronaut--and how kids can begin. From working in tight quarters to handling stomach upsets, it's a fun story of coping and adaptation that will intrigue any young potential astronaut. Brie Spangler's PEG LEG PEKE (9780375848889, $15.99) tells of a fun Pekinese pup with a missing leg who imagines he's a pirate with a peg leg. His thirst for adventure embellishes a funny story of coping and imaginary action. All will pleasure picturebook purchasers.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Knopf/Random." Children's Bookwatch, Aug. 2008. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA182978417&it=r&asid=e7c1ffd78ec7575bba4405dea387ed9e. Accessed 14 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A182978417
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By KRISTIAN WILSON Feb 10 2016
Children's book author Brie Spangler is set to make her YA debut with Beast: a retelling of you-know-which classic fairytale, but with a unique new spin. I've teamed up with Alfred A. Knopf for an exclusive look at the cover and a chapter excerpt, book and fairy tale nerds, so read on!
Spangler's newest tale centers on Dylan, a burly, hairy loner whose only friend seems like more of a user and abuser than a best buddy. After his school bans hats — his disguise of choice — Dylan falls off a roof and breaks his leg in what appears to be a suicide attempt. He wakes up enrolled in a self-harm prevention class, where he meets Jamie.
Jamie is gorgeous. She challenges him, fascinates him, and — best of all — she isn't afraid of him. But Jamie has a secret that Dylan missed out on hearing. She's trans. It shouldn't matter to anyone, least of all Dylan, and it shouldn't change his opinion of her, but Jamie worries that it might.
Beast is a departure from Spangler's previous books. Both Peg Leg Peke and The Grumpy Dump Truck are picture books. Even though Spangler's tackling a new and different audience with Beast, it reads like an offering from an old pro. Publisher's copy likens the novel to titles from YA titans Rainbow Rowell and David Levithan, and they aren't wrong. And just look at the stunning cover:
Check out an exclusive excerpt from Beast below.
Today didn’t start off as the worst day ever. When I ate a small breakfast of six pancakes, four pieces of toast, and quick fistful of bacon, I thought maybe Mom was onto something when she said, “This is your year, Dylan, I can feel it!” Because, I don’t know, perhaps after this epic crapstorm of foot-long growth spurts and shaving since the sixth grade, sophomore year would be my year. It’d be a nice change. I even saw a good-luck penny lying heads up on the sidewalk on my way to the bus stop. A sign from my dad he was thinking about me. But that false hope of One Good Year shattered when St. Lawrence had to go and ban hats and long hair on guys. The whole entire school turned around and gawked at me.
Every day my hair is the same. Part it down the middle, comb it down so covers as much of my face as possible, put the hat on. Mom hates my hair. It hangs in my face, she says. Hides my eyes. My hair is my thing.
Correction: was my thing.
Madison blurted out, “Oh my god, now we’re going to have to see the Beast’s face every day.” She really did say that. Right in the middle of the school assembly. I sat one row behind her. Of course JP laughed. When Fern Chapman rolled her eyes at Madison and told her to shut up, my chest bounced off the floor like a rubber ball.
Thank you, Fern Chapman. This is why I’m so stupid in love with you.
She’s so pretty, it’s hard to be in the same room as her. The air tightens.
“Take Madison back to your cave first, Beast.” JP elbowed me from his chair and waited for me to laugh. I gave in because, screw it, that’s what you do when the principal is standing on the stage announcing to the world that St. Lawrence Prep is hell-bent on exposing you for the genetic wasteland you are.
Sitting next to my best friend JP only proved my theorem. Not in some crazy quadratic reciprocity way. No, more like: one of JP’s freckles > my entire physical everything. Squared. If we’re going on looks, JP is the gleaming hero in shining armor mounted on an all-white horse, who unleashes his broadsword from its gilded hilt and slays me dead while the townsfolk cheer. Which is pretty much the truth. His motto is “Nunquam ad ianuamSimul adorator,” which if you plugged that into Google Translate, it’d humble-brag: “He is worshiped.” Watching how he gathers up girls like a butterfly collector kills me every time he pins one through the heart.
But in a weird way I love JP because he’s not afraid of me. Making friends was never easy. Mom was always like, “Talk to the other children. Show them your beautiful smile!” (Mom . . .) But when I tried, they ran the other way. Or even worse, pretended I wasn’t there. When I had thirty pounds on every other first grader in town, JP was the only kid who asked, “Wanna play?” Of course my answer was yes. And if he asked me to rough up the occasional somebody here and there, I did it because he wanted me to be his friend. It wasn’t too bad. Usually standing over the kid and staring down did the trick. Besides, hanging out with JP is a badge of honor at St. Lawrence. I’m not about to sacrifice my seat by his side at the lunch table.
He’s the best, except sometimes I hate him. Like right now. If it weren’t for JP, maybe I wouldn’t have gone onto the roof and maybe I’d still have hair. It was JP’s idea to go to the barbershop after school. He said he’d pay and I was like, awesome, because he’s stinking rich and I’m poor as hell. JP must know I’m really down, I thought as I sat in the chair. Nice thing for him to do. So I told the guy I wanted it cut like JP’s, just like JP’s. He tosses it to the side and it always looks perfect. Girls run their fingers through it whenever they get the chance. I want that. I’m telling the barber this and the dude goes and buzzes a strip right down the center of my head. What the hell? I jumped out of the chair, stupid plastic cape and all, and towered over the guy. He cowered, like they always do, and pointed at JP. Told me JP slipped him an extra twenty bucks to buzz it. And right on cue, JP starts laughing. I laughed too, but that’s different. I had to.
So now I have a buzzed skull. I don’t like it. Reminds me too much of chemo. I wonder what my dad thinks about my new haircut? He’d be the expert on this particular hairstyle. If he still does think, that is.
I tried to block out hating my new chemo head, but that only lasted until I got home, took my hat off, and saw my reflection in the hallway mirror. If anyone asks, yeah, the busted glass and dribbled bloody trail leading up to the roof was me. Big deal. I needed some fresh air. I picked up the long-lost football, took a deep breath, slipped, and we both came tumbling down. Perfect end to a perfect day.
If you can bear to wait for more, pick up Beast at your favorite bookstore on October 11.
Images: Courtesy of Alfred A. Knopf
November 2016
BEAST
Standing out and finding where you fit in
BookPage review by Sarah Weber
Hairy all over and rapidly approaching seven feet tall, 15-year-old Dylan resents how perfectly he fits his nickname: Beast. After a particularly bad first day of sophomore year, Dylan climbs out onto his roof to get some peace and quiet, and wakes up in the hospital. His leg is broken, and he’s been enrolled in group therapy for self-harmers. Though he’s determined to stay detached in group, to say nothing and hear nothing, he can’t help but notice beautiful, confident Jamie—and she notices him, too. The two connect in a way Dylan’s never connected with another person before—let alone a girl—but Jamie has a secret. It shouldn’t change anything, but it changes everything.
Brie Spangler’s young adult debut offers a smart, sensitive approach to finding your place when all you can do is stand out. Dylan and Jamie are both radically different from their high school classmates, but Spangler’s just-right touch reveals their complexities as outsiders. Jamie is completely in tune with the challenges she faces as a transgender girl, yet this one aspect of herself does not define her. In the same way, Dylan is much more than his nickname. Both protagonists have a lot to learn from each other about acceptance—of others and of themselves.
Sometimes touching, often funny, always honest and human, Spangler’s Beast is a powerful debut and a wonderful read.
This article was originally published in the November 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.
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‘Unconventional Beauties’: Auntie’s reading brings together three YA authors whose characters go beyond the stereotype
Fri., April 7, 2017, noon
1 / 3
Kris Dinnison. (Photo by Maryellen Cooley / Photo by Maryellen Cooley)
By Kathryn Smith
For The Spokesman-Review
Twitter Facebook Email Reddit
If you go
‘Unconventional Beauties’
What: A reading with Brie Spangler, Whitney Gardner and Kris Dinnison
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave.
Cost: Free
Info:www.auntiesbooks.com or (509) 838-0206
When Spokane author Kris Dinnison wrote her young adult novel “You and Me and Him,” she didn’t set out to write about underrepresented characters.
“I was following the age-old advice authors are always given: write what you know,” Dinnison said.
And sometimes what you know isn’t what society would have you think of as conventional. “I have always struggled with not having an ideal body, with weight and size and how much space I’m allowed to take up in the world. So I knew my main character, Maggie, would struggle with those things too.”
Dinnison is one of three authors who will be at Auntie’s Bookstore at 7 p.m. Saturday to read from their work and discuss the idea of “unconventional beauties” – teen characters who don’t fit traditional molds.
“We hope to cover the wide scope of why these characters aren’t neat pegs in society’s box,” said Portland’s Brie Spangler, author of “Beast,” whose title character earns his nickname for his hairiness and ungainly size.
Dinnison and Spangler will be joined Saturday evening by Portland’s Whitney Gardner, author of “You’re Welcome, Universe,” whose main character is a deaf girl being raised by two moms.
According to Spangler and Dinnison, it was Auntie’s employee Heather Smith who brought these three authors together, but the larger concept of illuminating “unconventional beauties” is on the rise.
“There’s a big movement in children’s and YA lit right now called We Need Diverse Books,” Dinnison said. “The idea is that we need to tell stories about lots of different ways to be a human.” This happens in two main ways: “mirrors” and “windows.” Diverse characters create mirrors “so all kids can see themselves in the stories they read,” and they act as windows as readers “look into lives that are different from our own and understand them better,” Dinnison said.
The three books being presented Saturday offer windows and mirrors in abundance. As Dinnison’s character Maggie struggles with body image, she also navigates the pitfalls of teen friendship and heartache as she and her best friend, who is gay, fall for the same boy.
“I didn’t want it to be a transformation story,” Dinnison said of Maggie. “I didn’t want it to be one of those books where the character loses weight, or gets a makeover, or wears contacts instead of glasses and all of a sudden all the pain and problems go away. I’m not sure I was really trying to say anything important. I think I was sort of sending a love letter back to my teenage self, telling her she didn’t have to worry so much about all the things they tell us we should worry about, because ultimately those aren’t the things that matter the most.”
Gardner’s “You’re Welcome, Universe” centers on Julia, who is artistic, tough, competitive… and also deaf. Gardner’s portrayal shows “challenges I hadn’t considered before,” Dinnison said. “It has an effect on how you deal with how you approach communicating with a deaf person the next time you encounter one.”
And the full scope of Julia’s character reminds readers that people who are differently abled are also 100 percent human. “The stereotype might be that differently abled people are patient and gracious and sort of saintly,” Dinnison said. “But Julia is this wonderful sort of kick-butt character who has no patience for the nonsense she sees around her.”
The title character in “Beast,” Spangler’s novel, “sees himself as unacceptable because he doesn’t look the way the world wants him to,” Dinnison said. “This is a human problem, especially in a world where the media images and messages about how we’re supposed to look and act and be have gotten both noisier and more carefully curated.”
Spangler creates another striking character in Jamie, a transgender girl. “She’s very honest about who she is, and she’s already worked hard on a lot of the really difficult parts of her transition. But she’s also a teenage girl who’s trying to find a guy to connect with. She’s vulnerable to having her heart broken in all the same ways anyone is,” Dinnison said.
Dinnison is looking forward to reading with Spangler and Gardner, but she’s even more excited for the dialogue Saturday’s event has the potential to spark. “I’m just so excited to have a conversation not only about unconventional beauty, but also about the place a person’s beauty should actually hold in our values and conversations,” she said. “I feel like every time we spend energy on comparing and contrasting and critiquing what people appear to be on the outside, we lose energy that can be spent on creating real connections and solutions in the world.”
For Dinnison, Saturday’s event couldn’t come at a more significant time. Topics of diversity are “so important right now as we see people in positions of power giving tacit permission for the country to devalue people who are different,” she said. “I’m thinking of things like the threat of repealing ADA protections for students in public schools, and the famous ‘bathroom laws’ that not only force transgender people into dangerous situations, but also take away penalties for discriminating against LGBT people. I think about the statements some of the most powerful people in our country have made devaluing people for the way they look, or how much they weigh, or what their hair looks like, or what color they are, or what gender they might be. There are so many messages right now that say it’s OK to dehumanize people who don’t fit the mold. And I think that’s dangerous. I think the only way back from that path is to make people see each other as human despite, and because of, their differences. The best way I know how to do that is through stories.”
PUBLISHED: APRIL 7, 2017, NOON
Tags: books, Brie Spangler, fiction, Kris Dinnison, Whitney Gardner, YA