Carolyn Mackler

I WANTED TO WRITE A LOVE STORY with a perfect fairy tale ending, says Carolyn Mackler of her latest novel, Guyaholic. But I knew it was going to star V Valentine, who is seventeen, hurt, and terrified of making a commitment even if it is to Prince Charming.
Carolyn Mackler has a knack for getting into the minds of teens, capturing their angst, inserting a dose of irreverent humor, and putting it all in her books. The result has been critical acclaim, literary awards, and most important, the loyal attention of her readers. Guyaholic, a follow-up to Vegan Virgin Valentine, zeroes in on the free-spirited V as she graduates from high school and takes a solo road trip across the country to get away from her family and her boy troubles but inevitably realizes that her real problem is with herself. In telling this story, I had to see how far V would go to find her happily-ever-after, says Carolyn Mackler of her protagonists challenge. The author uses travel as a metaphor for change--change of scenery, change of mind, and changing of old habits. Carolyn Mackler, a regular contributor to Girls Life, developed her passion for stories while growing up in western New York. Her mom read to her constantly, and there was much storytelling in the house. My dad would tell me what he called his roots, the stories of his life, she recalls. As a result, family interactions tend to play a big role in the authors novels, but so does good old-fashioned research. For Guyaholic, Carolyn Mackler consulted approximately thirty to thirty-five people, including agricultural experts, sports trainers, business travelers, and of course, young women to capture the essence of her main characters cross-country experiences. Much of Vs drive is flat and nondescript, she notes. So the interesting challenge of this story was to milk the nondescriptiveness for language that lets the reader see what V is seeing and be in that car with her, but also make it feel poetic and intriguing and all the other spectacular sensations that anyone would feel out there on the open road. As for Carolyn Macklers own journey as an author, it has garnered her continual praise as well as other sorts of attention. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, a novel about a plus-size girl surrounded by her high-achieving family, received a prestigious Michael L. Printz Honor while also earning the number-four spot on the American Library Associations 10 Most Challenged Books of 2006. Vegan Virgin Valentine was chosen as an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. A New York City resident, Carolyn Mackler says that when shes not writing, she likes to walk in Central Park, swim in lakes (not in Central Park!), and continue her search for the best croissant in the city. When people ask her what her ideal job would be, she says its exactly what shes doing.

Photo by Sonia Sones

CONTACT:

Tracy Miracle, Senior Publicist, (617) 588-4404 tracy.miracle@candlewick.com

Behind the Scenes with Candlewick Authors & Illustrators

Praise for The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things
A Michael L. Printz Honor Book An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults An International Reading Association Young Adults Choice A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age An Amelia Bloomer Project Selection A Childrens Literature Choice List Title A Pennsylvania School Librarians' Association Young Adult Top Forty Fiction Title A Michigan Library Association Thumbs Up! Honor Title
Mackler does a fine job of introducing girls to a very cool chick with a little meat on her bones. -The Horn Book Told through first-person narrative, journal entries, and e-mail, Virginias story will interest readers who are looking for . . . teen angst, a bit of romance, and a kid who is a bit like them or their friends. -School Library Journal Mackler writes with such insight and humor that many readers will immediately identify with Virginias longings as well as her fear and loathing. -Booklist The heroines transformation into someone who finds her own style and speaks her own mind is believable--and worthy of applause. -Publishers Weekly The title alone is enough to pull teens in, but the spunky narrator will keep them reading. . . . Funny, touching, and very real. Mackler depicts both the trials and triumphs of adolescence when, like Virginia, we search for, and hopefully find, ourselves. -KLIATT

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

HC: 978-0-7636-1958-9 PB: 978-0-7636-2091-2

Praise for Vegan Virgin Valentine

An American Library Association Quick Pick A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age A TAYSHAS Reading List Selection (Texas)
Warmth and humor suffuse the story of Maras senior-year transformation. . . . Funny and optimistic. -Kirkus Reviews By the books conclusion, Mara is no longer a virgin or a vegan, but her transformation has been entirely credible and, for readers anyway, thoroughly enjoyable. -Booklist While some readers may identify more with rebellious V than with Mara, the two characters begin to deepen and mature through the course of the novel. There are some hilarious moments here too. -Publishers Weekly The sensitive and mature romance makes this additionally appealing, but Mara will be a sympathetic heroine to young adults seeking to define their own paths. -Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books Mackler makes Maras voice feel fresh and believable. -San Francisco Chronicle Dont miss this. -Teen People

Vegan Virgin Valentine

HC: 978-0-7636-2155-1 PB: 978-0-7636-2613-6