Ever since FAKING 19 hit the bookshelves in March '05, I've spent a lot of time in cancer wards, watching too many of my loved ones deal with the disease. And because of that, every time a new book of mine gets released, I donate a copy to the pediatric wing as well. So, I was thrilled when my awesome agent sent me the news about Operation Teen Book DROP (TBD)-- organized by YALSA and readergirlz.
TBD is a massive, coordinated release of 10,000 publisher-donated YA books into the top pediatric hospitals across the country on April 17, 2008, scheduled to coincide with Support Teen Literature Day.
But it's not just the publishers giving away books, as YA authors all around the country (the world!) will be dropping one of their books, somewhere in their community, in a place where teens congregate. I'll be dropping a copy of SAVING ZOE, and while I haven't decided just where I'll be leaving it, if you find a stray copy with the TBD bookplate inside, you're free to take it, read it, and pass it on or keep it-- up to you!
Though it's not limited to just authors and publishers, because anyone who wants to pass on a good teen book is free to participate! Just go HERE to see how it works!
And wait-- that's not all-- after the drop, there'll be an unprecedented online book bash: The TBD Post-Op Party- an online two-hour book party hosted at the readergirlz MySpace forum (http://groups.myspace.com/readergirlz), on April 17th (Support Teen Literature Day), at 6-8pm Pacific/9-11pm Eastern.
Note: you have to have a MySpace account in order to participate. The chat will be in a thread titled "TBD Post Op Party," and the readergirlz divas will be giving away books and prizes, chatting with teens, and offering hope!
I plan to be there-- I hope to see YOU there too!
