Here is the latest author response. This is like Christmas everyday.
As the judges submit their decisions about which books make it to the next round I have been trying to email or Tweet or Facebook the authors to let them know that their book has been nominated to move on. I have had some responses from the authors so far and just thought I would share them with everyone as I am still blown away that we can easily connect with these wonderful people. Nothing is more exciting than hearing back from the authors.
Here is what I have sent them via my message format
Good afternoon, my name is Aaron Maurer and I am a gifted education teacher for Bettendorf Middle School in Bettendorf, Iowa. I have operated a blog now for students for the last two years where I read and review books. This year I was awarded grant money to run a book tournament where students nominated books to be read, we paired them off as judges to read the books, and they had to make a decision as to which book is better and why. You can find all the details on my blog(posted below).
Anyways, I am contacting all authors that I can to let them know when their book makes it to the next round. Your book has passed Round 1 and is now in Round 2. Congratulations to you and your novel.
I also am contacting you for the fun aspect that if you would like for me to add anything on my blog to help promote your book that I would be glad to do so. The students would to have any author participation in any capacity that they can. I am leaving things open as I know that you are probably super busy, but just wanted to make you aware of what some amazing students and staff members are doing in the state of Iowa.
Have a great day.
Hi Aaron,
Thanks for the great review of Side Effects. I scrolled around your site looking for the comparison review, or what it was up against, but I never found that.(I did let her know that the students who chose her book were in the process of writing this up as we speak….or they better be!!!!)
ANYWAY, perhaps your students would like to know that I based Side Effects on my daughter Em’s cancer ordeal. I followed her medical stuff exactly but Izzy’s personality and reactions were not like my daughters. I used my weepy mother (sort of) for Izzy’s mom and Izzy’s best friend Kay was a conglom, as are most characters.
My daughter was 141/2 when she was diagnosed, and is now 21, and healthy as can be. Writing Side Effects was a great way to snark back at the people who said and did really stupid things during that nightmarish time, although no one ever really seems to recognize themselves in fiction.
Thank you so much Amy for responding to my email.
This was a great book! I love that it wasn’t sappy and sentimental, and now I know why. What a thrill to hear from the author.
This was a great book! I love that it wasn’t sappy and sentimental, and now I know why. What a thrill to hear from the author.