We'll be chatting live at Twitter #rgz with Elizabeth Scott, our newest readergirlz diva and previous Author-in-Residence, on Monday, May 3rd beginning at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST. We'll be celebrating the release of her newest book, The Unwritten Rule. The chat will last for an hour.
Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee
Meet Maybelline "Maybe" Chestnut - Goth girl and daughter of Chessy Chestnut, owner of the No. 1 (and only) charm school in Kissimmee, Florida. When her mother refuses to protect Maybe from her latest scuzz-ball fiancé, Maybe heads to California to find her biological dad, who doesn't even know she exists.
Accompanied by her friends, budding filmmaker Hollywood, and the irrepressible Ted, Maybe is ready to get on with her life. However, Los Angeles is nothing like she thought it would be. Maybe hadn't counted on being homeless - and finding her father becomes nearly impossible.
"Only Lisa Yee can write a book full of heartbreak -- an alcoholic mom, a quest for a missing father -- and have it be at the same time hilarious. She's a genius at telling stories that are true to life, and somehow, even more intense. Absolutely Maybe is a book that will fill your whole heart." - Martha Brockenbrough, readergirlz diva
"Readers will absolutely enjoy the ride." - Horn Book
"A breezy read populated with friendly characters and sunny serendipity." - Booklist
"Cleverly conceived and executed . . . tragic, comic and heartwarming by turns." - Kirkus
". . . quirky and likable characters, the humor is topnotch." - Teenreads.com
"A funny, tender coming-of-age story." - Bulletin of the Center of Children's Books
Lisa Yee
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at rgz downloads!
On the nightstand:
TV remote, too many books, and See's butterscotch candies
Favorite drink while you write: Diet Coke, and/or Starbucks Mocha Latte, and/or Crystal Light Lemonade
Favorite bookstores:
Vroman's in Pasadena, California
Favorite library:
All of them. If they have books, I'm there!
Pets:
"Puppy," my black Labradoodle
Place to write:
In my cluttered (but creative) office at midnight
Inspiration: My children and my (massive) collection of books
Dream book tour:
Tour of European bookstores with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy as my author escort
Writer buddies:
Elise Broach, Dan Santat, Cecil Castellucci, Jordan Sonnenblick, Julia DeVillers
Cure for writer's block:
Chocolate (and the fear of missing a deadline and being labeled a slacker.)
Favorite outfit:
Crummy old jeans and a worn, soft sweater
Laptop or longhand?
Laptop
Stilettos or Uggs? Uggs
Author idol:
Markus Zusak
Next up:
Bobby the Brave (Sometimes), the sequel to Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally). Also currently working on a YA mystery novel for Arthur A. Levine Books.
Other YA Novels:
Other books include Millicent Min, Girl Genius; Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time; and So Totally Emily Ebers. Short stories include "Everyone But You," which was published in the anthology Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci.
We have not one but two Lisa Yee videos available on rgzTV. In the summer of 2008, shortly before Absolutely Maybe was released, postergirl Little Willow talked to Lisa about the book. Watch the interview.
Discuss
the book with the author herself. Lisa Yee will be chatting live
at the readergirlz
blog on Wednesday, May 19th at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST.
Join us at Twitter #rgz on Monday, May 3rd at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST to chat with Elizabeth Scott, our newest readergirlz diva.
Each chat will last for one hour.
In their own words, 826 National is a nonprofit tutoring, writing, and publishing organization. Kids between 6 and 18 can visit their local 826 chapter for tutoring sessions, writing assistance, free workshops, and more.
The organization also has lots and lots of amazing volunteers who donate their time, energy, and expertise. 826 opened in Valencia in San Francisco's Mission District in California in 2002 and have since added locations in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Michigan, Boston, and Washington, D.C. If you live in or near any of these cities, you should definitely drop by in person and volunteer your time and/or share your writing!
The following
tunes were hand-picked by the author to accompany her book.
Runaway by Cartel
Hollywood by Madonna
Everybody's Trying To Be My Villain by Golden Shoulders
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) by Beyoncé (This is a Ted song!)
I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
Brick By Boring Brick by Paramore
Shake It Off by Krystal Meyers
Daughters by John Mayer
Paradise City by Guns & Angels
Unbreakable by Fireflight
Keep Holding On by Avril Lavigne
Unbearable Pageant by Oh My God
Can't Go Back Now by The Weepies
Discuss the following questions (and more!) with other readers at the readergirlz blog.
1. Maybelline calls herself "Maybe." What would you nickname yourself?
2. Maybe likes to change her hair color. Have you ever done this? Would you?
3. Ted's creative outlet is talking and schmoozing. Hollywood's is making films. Maybe's is making tacos. What's yours?
4. Maybe is picked on at school by the stuck-up, popular girls. Do you think any of them will ever regret being so mean in high school?
5. At one point, Maybe retreats to the library for solace. Where to you go or what do you do when you want to be alone?
6. On the streets and homeless, Maybe hits rock bottom. Where could she have turned for help?
7. If you knew someone who was in an abusive situation, what would you do?
8. Maybe LOVES Mexican food. What's your fave?
9. Maybe hates Willow the first time they meet, but later discovers she's not a total loser. Do you ever judge people too quickly?
10. Ted, Hollywood and Maybe are in a love triangle. Do you know anyone who's been in this situation? Have you?
11. Maybe constantly underestimates herself. What would you tell someone who can't see how wonderful they are?
12. Was it brave or cowardly for Maybe to run away from home?
Planning your own book group get-together? Here are some party ideas from the author.
Invite: Hollywood Walk of Fame stars
Décor: So Cal beach stuff and/or Hollywood
Food:
Tacos, chips and salsa, and hot dogs
Project: Dye your hair with Kool-Aid! (Get permission from your parents!)
Movies:Rebel Without a Cause, Sunset Boulevard and Little Miss Sunshine
Recommended
by postergirlz, the readergirlz advisory council
Fiction
Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta
Beige by Cecil Castellucci
Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn
Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart
Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott
Non-Fiction
Girlwise: How to be Confident, Capable, Cool and in Control by Julia DeVillers
Read ahead! Get ready for our upcoming book discussions:
