10 Trends for 2013

I recently received an email from a friend over at Scholastic and I couldn't resist sharing what I learned with you guys.  2012 has flown by so quickly and it's been packed full of amazing reads that I couldn't even begin to hope to read them all.  And 2013 is shaping up to be exactly the same.  Over at Scholastic the editors have come up with a little prediction for the forecast of what could be trending in 2013 for Children's Books and here's what they've come up with....what do you guys think?

Trend #1:  Bullying is THE Timely Topic in Kids' Books

The fact is nearly every child will face or witness the effects of bullying at some point in their lives.  Children's authors recognize this as a major concern for kids and have become more adept at weaving bullying themes into storylines, from picture books to young adult titles.  In 2013 look for The Meanest Birthday Girl by Josh Schneider, and the Call of the Bully: A Rodney Rathbone Novel - the sequel to How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying by Scott Starkey.

Trend #2:  '13 Will be a Lucky Number for Science Fiction Fans

While the end of dystopian novels in no-where in sight, fans can expect to see a new theme uncovered, bringing some stellar new titles with a "true" science-fiction edge.  Books to watch for in the New Year include Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles: Scarlet, Enders, the second title in the Starters series by Lissa Price, and Pulse by Patrick Carman.

Trend #3:  Intriguing Nonfiction

Biographies have always been a staple in kids' literature, but fans are going to see even more great ones in 2013.  With the new Common Core State Standards, which are currently adopted in 46 states, the way students learn in school is changing and there is an elevated importance being placed on non-fiction, or "informational texts."  Standouts in 2013 will be Nelson Madela by Kadir Nelson, A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet, and Lincoln's Grave Robbers by Steve Sheinkin.

Trend #4:  Novels-in-Cartoons

With the success of the Bone, Captain Underpants, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, there continues to be an insatiable demand for the "novels-in-cartoon" genre.  The illustrations provide entertainment value and urge kids to continue reading, especially for reluctant readers.  Fans are going to see a great flood of fun, new reads in 2013 such as: Chickenhare by Chris Grine, Stick Dog: A Really Good Story with Kind of Bad Drawings by Tom Watson, Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers and Bad Kitty: School Daze by Nick Bruel.

Trend #5:  Kid Lit on the Screen

In 2013, readers will be seeing the pages out of their favorite books on the big screen!  Get ready to watch the movie versions of Scott Orson Card's Ender's Game the supernatural romance, Beautiful Creatures (based on the 2009 series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl), and the action adventure saga Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (based on the 2008 series by Cassadra Clare).  Middle grade readers will also find the second film from Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series in theaters in late summer: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.

"While there is never a shortage of works about the undead and paranormal in young-adult literature, we've recently seen the release of a wide range of post-apocalyptic novels brimming with action and romance," said Ed Masessa, Senior Manager Product Development for Scholastic Book Fairs and New York Times bestselling children's book author.  "But perhaps the bigger trends are the return to realistic action-packed novels and to books that reinforce the positive messages of tolerance, hope and acceptance.  Regardless of their reading preference, children will find that 2013 is going to be a banner year."

Trend #6:  War

Whenever we reach a historical anniversary, there is an increased interest in books related to the topic.  2013 marks the second year of the American Civil War Sesquicentennial (150th anniversary), so history buffs will see an influx of Civil War titles to read.  Wars in general will be making their way on to the bookshelves in 2013, which is great news for teachers looking for great non-fiction to supplement classroom learning and help kids meet the Common Core State Standards.  Look for a broad selection of Cival War books including I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg by Lauren Tarshis and What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? by Jim O'Connor, John Mantha and James Bennett.

Trend #7:  Tough Girls

Katniss from The Hunger Games is building a legion of strong girl protagonists.  In 2013, readers can expect to be introduced to more powerful female characters that exhibit the willingness to accept challenges.  These characters do not set limits for themselves or take the easy way out - an important lesson for both boys and girls.  Books with exceptionally resourceful lead characters include:  Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, Legend and its sequel Prodigy by Marie Lu, Lawless by debut author Jeffrey Salane.

Trend #8:  Survival Stories

Survival stories have always been popular, but they have become more prominent as a result of popular movies and reality television shows.  Whether the setting is historical as in Finding Zasha by Randi Barrow or contemporary like Stranded by Survivor host Jeff Probst and Chris Tebbetts thrilling page-turners filled with tension and excitement will set their hooks into young readers.

Trend #9:  Spotlight on Diversity

Kids want to see themselves in the novels they read, and publishers are embracing their individuality.  Readers can learn about their families, cultures, and themselves with these books that focus on cultural diversity.  Historical novels like The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine will provide plenty of home and classroom discussion.  Novels with more contemporary settings include Hold Fast by Blue Balliett.

Trend #10:  Nature Runs Amok

From campy, fantastical sci-fi to more realistic eco-thrillers, there is nothing like adventure in the wild.  Readers will come face-to-face with more and more page-turning sci-fi titles that cover the unrealistic to the actual - yet the common theme is that they are focused on ecology and the environment.  Books like Killer Species:  Menace from the Deep by Michael Spradlin, Infestation by Timothy J. Bradley, and Last Dogs:  The Vanishing by Christopher Holt will keep kids reading well into the night.     

All the books listed above will be available through either Scholastic Book Fairs and/or Scholastic Book Clubs and book stores.  I don't know about you guys but after reading the 2013 predictions I can't help but want to add even more titles to my TBR list and begin even more countdowns to bide my time until I can get my hands on a few of these titles for myself.

2012 YA Debut Authors

I know just about everyone is familiar with the Debut Author challenge that Kristi over at The Story Siren hosts each year, and if you're not, go check it out because it's a ton of fun to join in on. But even with knowing and participating in the challenge each year, it still blows my mind how many new authors pop up each and every year, and how wonderful the books they're producing sound, don't you think? I was recently asked to participate in a poll of which debut authors for 2012 were my favorite, and which books I was more anxious to read than others, and I honestly don't know where to begin.

There are just too many authors to choose from, and their books all sound so amazing and interesting that I can't seem to narrow the list down. So knowing me the way you guys do, it seemed like the perfect excuse to create a few posts dedicated to showcasing some of the great new titles that either have hit the bookshelves in bookstores already this year, or titles that are scheduled to come out within the next few months. I tried to scan the list and pick out a few that I haven't already mentioned on the blog, and ones that I hadn't come across before now. Which are you most looking forward to reading? Have you read any titles yet this year from debut authors that really stood out to you? Do share!

Debut Pick #1: Article 5 (Article 5, #1) by Kristen Simmons (01/31/2012)

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Debut Pick #2: The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg (02/21/2012)

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

Debut Pick #3: Starters (Starters, #1) by Lissa Price (03/13/2012)

HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .

Debut Pick #4: The Gatherine Storm (Katerina Trilogy, #1) by Robin Bridges (01/10/2012)

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

Debut Pick #5: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris (04/24/2012)

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.