title: Dear Author: Letters of Hope Top Young Adult Authors Respond to Kids' Toughest Issues
author: Joan Kaywell
description: Grade 8 UpIf there was ever a book that every young adult librarian and every reading teacher should read, this is it. And the students with whom they work will be clamoring to get their hands on it as well. <i>Dear Author</i> is an astounding compilation of letters from teen readers to writers, and their replies. The letters speak of heartache, abuse, bullying, ostracism, and other issues that these young people have faced. They have written to the authors because they have identified with one or more of their characters. Lois Duncan and John Ritter reply with heartfelt responses, identifying with their readers and encouraging them to be strong. Following the letters are short biographies and bibliographies for each of the authors included. Why is this book so essential? First, it clearly shows what a tremendous impact YA literature has on teens. Second, it is immensely helpful in highlighting titles that just may help students/patrons deal with situations that are looming large in their lives. Whether or not they intended to, these authors have written stories that assist young adults in coping with their own lives. Essential.<i>Delia Carruthers, Sunset Ridge Middle School, West Jordan, UT</i> <br />Copyright  Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
zlib_text: ## About the Author
  
  
  **Lissa Evans** has written books for both adults and children, including
  _Their Finest Hour and a Half_ , longlisted for the Orange Prize, _Small
  Change for Stuart_ , shortlisted for many awards including the Carnegie Medal
  and the Costa Book Awards and _Crooked Heart_ , longlisted for the Baileys
  Women’s Prize for Fiction.
  
  
  ## About the Book
  
  
  **Some are born odd, some achieve oddness, and some are just in the wrong
  place at the wrong time …**
  
  
  The Devon family’s a good example: there’s thirty-nine-year-old Glenn, whose
  main interest in life is rubbish collection; his mother, Bel, who teaches tap
  steps to eight-year-olds but acts as if she’s running the Kirov; and his
  sister, Netta, who spent her early life simply being considered mad by
  association. Which is why she’s dreading six weeks back in their company,
  helping them move house. Also struggling to conform are Paul Gooding, a newly
  qualified doctor with a highly embarrassing past; his flatmate, Armand, wh