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.

“Gods of Manhattan”

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

“Gods of Manhattan” by Scott Mebus I’m on a crusade to read more ‘fantasy’ books that appeal to guys as well as girls. “Gods of Manhattan” is one. I had seen it recommended to readers who like the Percy Jackson … Continue reading →

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

“The Alchemist”

Posted on November 20, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho I recently read “The Alchemist” and thought you might enjoy it when a teacher asks you to read a fable, fantasy or fairy tale. This book, published in Brazil in 1988, is not a traditional … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Fiction | Tagged | 8 Comments

“Escape” and “Stolen Innocence”

Posted on November 20, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

“Escape” by Carolyn Jessop and “Stolen Innocence” by Elissa Wall I have to admit that I’ve become somewhat fascinated with polygamists cults in the last few years. As I read headlines about kids being removed from polygamist parents—and given back—I … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Non-fiction | Leave a comment

“Before We Were Free”

Posted on November 18, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

“Before We Were Free” by Julia Alvarez Life under a repressive dictator is hard for some of us to imagine. “Before We Were Free” shows us such a life—in the 1960s Dominican Republic—from the point-of-view of a twelve-year-old girl. Anita … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Multicultural, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged | Leave a comment

“The Body of Christopher Creed”

Posted on November 18, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

“The Body of Christopher Creed” by Carol Plum Ucci “The Body of Christopher Creed” is the story of a guy who doesn’t fit in with any group. After a note is emailed to the school principal—it might be a run-away … Continue reading →

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

“The Wish List”

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

“The Wish List” by Eoin Colfer “The Wish List” is a quick, fun read for anyone looking for fast fantasy fiction. You might recognize the name of the author. He also wrote the “Artemis Fowl” series. Meg Finn is a … Continue reading →

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

“Speak”

Posted on November 12, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson The summer before she starts high school, Melinda goes to a party where she calls the police. Because of her action, she is ostracized when school starts. Without a single friend, she pairs up with … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , | 1 Comment

“The Little Book of Plagiarism”

Posted on October 29, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

The Little Book of Plagiarism by Richard A. Posner This book is literally little—the pages are 4 by 6 inches, and it’s only about 100 pages long. However, its comments on plagiarism—how it is defined (with difficulty) and what it … Continue reading →

Posted in Non-fiction | Leave a comment

“Whirligig”

Posted on October 27, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

Whirligig by Paul Fleishman In trying to kill himself, Brent causes an accident that kills Lea Zamora, a high school senior whose life is very promising. Brent was drunk and had just been humiliated at a party by the girl … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Literary Read Alike, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , | 2 Comments

“Monster”

Posted on October 23, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

Monster by Walter Dean Myers “Lie down with dogs; wake up with fleas.” I remembered reading this ‘aphorism’—a witty little statement by Benjamin Franklin—as I read the novel “Monster.” The main character of the novel, Steve Harmon, is in just … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Multicultural, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , | Leave a comment