Editorial Content for The August 5
Book
Reviewer (text)
Asia., H., Teen Board member
In video game author Jenna Helland’s debut novel, THE AUGUST 5, every citizen on the Seahaven islands are split into two social classes, the Zuftmen and the Cottagers. The Zuftmen are the upper class, the political leaders, engineers and scientists who run the islands. The Cottagers only have one purpose --- to serve the Zuftmen. They are the lower-class beggars, shopkeepers, nannies and servants. Read More
Teaser
Fourteen-year-old Tommy Shore lives a life of privilege. He is the son of the chief administrator of Aeren-the most important man on the islands. Fifteen-year-old Tamsin Henry has grown up knowing only poverty, but she is the daughter of a revolutionary who longs to give her and their people more. Ordinarily, Tommy and Tamsin would never cross paths, but on the day of a violent and deadly revolt, chance brings them together. Now the world waits to hear the fate of the August 5, five men led by, and including, Tamsin's father and captured during the uprising. As tensions between the government and the rebels escalate, Tommy uncovers a brutal truth about his father. How will he ever get Tamsin to trust that he wants to help her cause, when she believes he stands for everything she's fighting against?
Promo
Fourteen-year-old Tommy Shore lives a life of privilege. He is the son of the chief administrator of Aeren-the most important man on the islands. Fifteen-year-old Tamsin Henry has grown up knowing only poverty, but she is the daughter of a revolutionary who longs to give her and their people more. Ordinarily, Tommy and Tamsin would never cross paths, but on the day of a violent and deadly revolt, chance brings them together. Now the world waits to hear the fate of the August 5, five men led by, and including, Tamsin's father and captured during the uprising. As tensions between the government and the rebels escalate, Tommy uncovers a brutal truth about his father. How will he ever get Tamsin to trust that he wants to help her cause, when she believes he stands for everything she's fighting against?
About the Book
Fourteen-year-old Tommy Shore lives a life of privilege. He is the son of the chief administrator of Aeren-the most important man on the islands. Fifteen-year-old Tamsin Henry has grown up knowing only poverty, but she is the daughter of a revolutionary who longs to give her and their people more. Ordinarily, Tommy and Tamsin would never cross paths, but on the day of a violent and deadly revolt, chance brings them together. Now the world waits to hear the fate of the August 5, five men led by, and including, Tamsin's father and captured during the uprising. As tensions between the government and the rebels escalate, Tommy uncovers a brutal truth about his father. How will he ever get Tamsin to trust that he wants to help her cause, when she believes he stands for everything she's fighting against?
A lot of authors have “comfort zones” --- they only write for a particular age group, only craft dark dystopias or light-hearted romances, they live for fast-paced plots or “quiet novels” with richly developed characters.
Howard Shapiro’s comfort zone is graphic novels, but that didn’t prevent him from completely breaking the mold and writing a young adult biography: I WAS PICKED: The John Challis Story (November 10, 2015). Below, he talks about how the book came to be, and the challenges and victories that come with writing something that falls distinctly outside of your repertoire. Check it out, below, and be sure to pick up a copy of the book!
Josh Rushing
In the simple moral maxim the Marine Corps teaches --- do the right thing, for the right reason --- no exception exists that says: unless there's criticism or risk.
Attribution
Josh Rushing
Everyone has a favorite genre. Maybe you're a huge fan of love stories, or fairytale retellings where cyborg princesses or alternate viewpoints add a surprising twist to your favorite classics. You could be into dark and dismal dystopias, or, even though Halloween is over, like reading nail-biting horrors by flashlight.
While Teen Board member Pranshu A. doesn't have a problem with any of these genres, the coveted "favorite" title would have to belong to the espionage/spy/thriller category. Below, she explains why, and suggests some authors you should check out if you're interested in giving this exciting genre a try!
