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.

“The Ginger Tree”

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd (294 pp.) When Mary Mackenzie is sailing from Great Britain to China in order to marry her fiancé, she finds herself feeling restless. Her chaperone is too rigid, and Mary must even hide the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Multicultural | Leave a comment

“A Gift of Magic”

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

A Gift of Magic by Lois Duncan (201 pp.) When Nancy’s Grandmother dies, she gives all her gifts to her grandchildren. Kirby, the oldest, gets the gift of dance. Nancy, the second gets the gift of magic and Brendon, who … Continue reading →

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

“The Last Olympian”

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

I have a brand new copy of this latest (and last—5th) installment of the “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series by Rick Riordan. It’s a hardcover format.  I thought it would be fun to give it away to any COHS … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Fiction, Over 375 pages, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Slam”

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

“Slam” by Nick Hornby I finished “Slam” recently, and it’s one of my favorite YA books of all time. The premise and outcome are realistic, but there are some fantasy aspects to Sam’s life that will make this book interesting … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , | 2 Comments

“The Silver Kiss”

Posted on May 19, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

“The Silver Kiss” by Annette C. Klause It’s been a while since I read “The Silver Kiss,” but I want to recommend it to fans of the “Twilight” series. Zoe, coming home from a hospital visit with her mother, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult Literature | Tagged | 2 Comments

“The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood”

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells 356 pp. Sidda Lee Walker, engaged to Connor, is coming to terms with the legacy of her mother, Vivi “Dahlin” Walker. Many years earlier, Vivi had “dropped her basket” and beaten … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Junior Project | Leave a comment

“Hatchet”

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

“Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen 195 pp. Brian’s parents have divorced and he is going to visit his father in Canada, flying in a small Cessna with a middle-age pilot whose name escapes him (Jim or Jake) The trip is alternately … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged | 5 Comments

“The Giver”

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

“The Giver” by Lois Lowry 180 pp. Jonas lives in a future utopia in which everyone seems to behave well and apologizes when they hurt someone’s feelings or do something wrong. In the evenings, families share their days, expressing their … Continue reading →

Posted in "Banned Book", Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | 1 Comment

“Blood and Chocolate”

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause 264 pp. Though “Blood and Chocolate” is a young adult book (that is, it’s meant for a teen audience), it is a very sensuous, even sexual book. Vivian, the she-werewolf, thinks a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Mature Readers, Movie Tie-In, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“Fallen Angels”

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

“Fallen Angels” by Walter Dean Myers 309 pp. Richie Perry is an African-American boy who goes to Vietnam. His experiences there change his perception of the world. On his first day out, another new recruit is blown apart when he … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Junior Project, Multicultural, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment