Author Archives: Victoria Waddle

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About Victoria Waddle

Victoria Waddle is a Pushcart Prize-nominated writer and has been included in Best Short Stories from The Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest. Her books include a collection of feminist short fiction, Acts of Contrition, and a chapbook on grief, The Mortality of Dogs and Humans. Her YA novel about a polygamist cult, Keep Sweet, launches in June 2025. Formerly the managing editor of the journal Inlandia: A Literary Journey and a teacher librarian, she contributes to the Southern California News Group column Literary Journeys. She discusses both writing and library book censorship on her Substack, “Be a Cactus.” Join her there for thoughts on defiant readers and writers as well as for weekly library censorship news.

“I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets”

I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous and Obscure  Could you write a six-word memoir? How do you sum up everything about you in such a compact narrative? SMITH Magazine has published a small book of … Continue reading

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“My Brother’s Voice”

My Brother’s Voice by Stephen Nasser, Holocaust survivor In 1944, the Nazis took 13-year-old Nasser and 21 members of his family to the Auschwitz and Muhldorf Concentration Camps. Pista, as he was known, was the only member of his family … Continue reading

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Human Rights Issues, Multicultural, Non-fiction, Young Adult Literature | 2 Comments

Awesome Highlighter

Try Awesome highlighter. Awesome Highlighter lets you highlight text on web pages and then gives you a small link to the highlighted page.

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“The Wave”

The Wave by Susan Casey Here’s a great human v. nature story, one about the fierce power of gigantic waves and man’s efforts to subdue them. Casey alternates chapters between discussions of scientists who study ‘rogue’ waves—those that are vastly … Continue reading

Posted in Adventure Stories, Environmental Issues, Non-fiction | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Stieg Larsson Books: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

I enjoyed reading all three books in this series. What made me think of them today was something that may seem unconnected: I read an article stating that a new version of the classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by … Continue reading

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Human Rights Issues, Mature Readers, Movie Tie-In, Over 375 pages | Leave a comment

“The Picture of Dorian Gray”

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde As a classic, The Picture of Dorian Gray is summarized and analyzed in many places, and I have nothing to add.* However, as the new semester starts and seniors at both schools … Continue reading

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“The Supernatural”–Book Trailer

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“Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks”

Peace, Love and Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle I bought this book for the library quite a while ago, but didn’t read it myself because, based on the title and cover (I know, I know!), I thought it was mind … Continue reading

Posted in Faith-Based/Religious Element, Family Problems, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Brain Jack”

Brain Jack by Brain Falkner      Sam Wilson is a brilliant teen hacker, able to breach the computer security system of the White House itself. This feat lands him a job in the top tier of the country’s computer system protectors. … Continue reading

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fiction, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“The Red Pyramid”

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan       If you’re already a fan of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, you’re going to love this book. And if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading Riordan yet, start here. … Continue reading

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment