_Don't miss the GMB contest at Wattpad's fabulous writers' site HERE!  Win signed copies of GMB, a 25-page editorial review of your manuscript and two of my favorite books on the writing craft!  Adults and teen authors welcome!

AND...these sensational bloggers are making the GIRL MEETS BOY Blog Tour something special!  Be sure to check out their terrific features -- and chances to win signed copies of the book -- via the following links!  Thank you, blog mistresses!  You ROCK!

January 26 -- www.chroniclebooks.com
January 27 -- http://sararyan.com/  -- GMB Contributor!
January 28 -- http://www.rebeccafjellanddavis.blogspot.com -- GMB Contributor!
January 29 -- http://www.teenlibrarianstoolbox.blogspot.com/ -- TEEN CONTEST!
January 30 -- http://www.thestorysiren.com
January 31 -- Http://actinupwithbooks.blogspot.com
February 1 -- www.stilettostorytime.wordpress.com
February 2 -- www.thebookcellarx.com
February 3 -- www.pageturnersblog.com
February 4 -- http://motherdaughterbookclub.com
February 5 -- www.flamingnet.com
February 6 -- http://alifeboundbybooks.blogspot.com/
February 7 -- www.sithereandread.com
February 8 -- http://addicted2novels.blogspot.com
February 9 -- http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/ -- GMB Contributor!
February 10 -- http://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com/
February 11 -- http://365daysofreading.com
February 12 -- http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
February 13 -- www.BethFishReads.com
February 14 -- www.chroniclebooks.com

My friend Lucy Kubo took this photo of the Chronicle Books booth at the American Library Association Midwinter Conference in Dallas, Texas -- January 21, 2012. 

Thank you so much, Lucy!  Thank you so much, Chronicle Books!    So sorry I couldn't make it to Dallas for the research panel as planned.  Next year, I hope.

 On Saturday, January 15, I joined Ellen Hopkins,  Lori Aurelia Williams, Jeff Hirsh, Tim Tingle, Greg Rogers, Beth Fehlbaum and other stellar authors for YAK Fest -- Young Adult Keller Book Festival, in Keller, Texas (near Dallas/Fort Worth).

We had a full day of exciting activities, thanks to the hard work of Lucy Kubo and her energetic team!  And GIRL MEETS BOY was my focus.

Then, on Sunday, January 15, I signed SAVING THE BAGHDAD ZOO at the Dallas World Aquarium at noon, also thanks to Lucy Kubo. 

STARRED REVIEW

This conceptually unique collection of short-story pairings by a constellation of teen-literature stars explores a variety of relationship types as the respective male and female involved in each one experience them.

In the first, a witty teen seeking to stop cheating on his girlfriends is drawn into a messy sexual relationship with a troubled (but hot) girl who is an abuse survivor. In another, a likable, tough girl muscles in on a bully who is harassing the object of her crush. In the third, a gay 17-year-old agrees to an in-person meeting with an online-chat buddy in a tale both sad and sweet. Two separate stories examine the strain felt by couples of different ethnic backgrounds as they struggle with prejudice and familial expectations. Finally, a boy re-encounters someone with whom he’s long been enamored, only to discover she’s undergone a transformation. Common themes—that are less about gender-based perceptions than they are about teens struggling to be seen and loved for who they truly are—knit these stories together. Each of the authors excels at creating vibrant, sympathetic, honest characters with voices that will appeal to older teens, male and female alike.

A superb offering—and therefore a shame that its cover design of a boy and girl in a clinch makes it look like a run-of-the mill romance, which may limit its appeal. (Short stories. 14 & up)

Steffikins won a copy of the GIRL MEETS BOY ARC in a Chronicle Books Twitter give away!  Sure hope she likes it!

Want a sneak preview of Chris Crutcher's story in GIRL MEETS BOY?  Click here for pages 13-17 of "Love or Something Like It."