Crazy by Han Nolan (Harcourt Children's Books, September 2010).
Summary from publisher:
Fifteen-year-old Jason has fallen upon bad times - his mother has died and his father has succumbed to mental illness. As he tries to hold his crazy father and their crumbling home together, Jason relies on a host of imaginary friends for guidance as he stumbles along, trying not to draw attention to his father's deteriorating condition.
Both heartbreaking and funny, CRAZY lives up to the intense and compelling characters Han Nolan is praised for. As Jason himself teeters on the edge of insanity, Nolan uncovers the clever coping system he develops for himself and throws him a lifeline in the guise of friendship.
I like things that are heartbreaking and funny, so I'm happy to take a look at this one!
Wildthorn by Jane Eagland (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, September 2010).
Summary from publisher:
They strip her naked, of everything—undo her whalebone corset, hook by hook. Locked away in Wildthorn Hall—a madhouse—they take her identity. She is now called Lucy Childs. She has no one; she has nothing. But, she is still seventeen—still Louisa Cosgrove, isn't she? Who has done this unthinkable deed? Louisa must free herself, in more ways than one, and muster up the courage to be her true self, all the while solving her own twisted mystery and falling into an unconventional love . . . Originally published in the UK, this well-paced, provocative romance pushes on boundaries—both literal and figurative—and, do beware: it will bind you, too.
I love the premise - very intriguing - and the cover.
Annnd I also picked up some loot at the aforementioned conference, BUT I'm going to wait and tell you about that in my conference post(s). I will say this: the authors were awesome and there was much love for librarians in that room. I really appreciate the thoughtful and kind inscriptions that the various authors put in the books I had signed! *love*
So, that's my mailbox. How about you? Tell me one book that you got in the mail, bought, or checked out this week that you are most excited about!