Anytime is a great time to discover a new novel, but with the start of school and book reports on the horizon, there’s even more incentive to discover a great read.
One way for Young Adult readers to check out the newest literary offerings are the L.A. Teen Author Reading Night held monthly at the Central Library in Downtown LA At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 27. One of the authors is writer and Mount Washington resident Carol Tanzman, who will be reading from her newest YA mystery Circle of Silence, which has been getting great reviews on both Good Reads and Amazon.
Tanzman’s college-bound protagonist Valerie, an aspiring investigative journalist, is also a great role model. “I really wanted to write about a teenager who is both passionate and driven,” said Tanzman via email. “With Valerie working on Campus News, and contemplating a career as a TV news reporter, it was a natural fit to then have her pursue the story of the mysterious MP society that pops up at school.”
The authenticity in Tanzman’s YA novels, including “linked” novel , comes from experience. Tanzman modeled Campus News after the TV news program at Marshall High School in Los Feliz and says that as a drama teacher for LAUSD, “I'm constantly in contact with students who love the arts and I'm able to tap into that for my novels.”
Since it’s unlikely that students will be in a position to investigate a mystery while in school, Tanzman has this advice for junior journalists and wannabe writers. “Join the newspaper or, if your school has a TV program, or literary magazine, join those clubs, take the classes, and submit. Writing about anything, on a deadline, is good practice and a great investment of your time!”
Can’t wait to get your hands on Circle of Silence? Tanzman will also be part of the Bridge to Books YA Rising Stars Panel/Book Signing on September 22 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the , 210 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210
Your next book report? Done.
