Troy High by Shana Norris

Homer’s Iliad, the classic tale of love and revenge, is shrewdly retold for teens in Troy High.
Narrated by Cassie, a shy outsider who fears that an epic high school rivalry is about to go up in flames, the story follows the Trojans and Spartans as they declare war on the football field. After the beautiful Elena—who used to be the captain of the Spartan cheerleaders—transfers to Troy High and falls madly in love with Cassie’s brother Perry, the Spartans vow that the annual homecoming game will never be forgotten. The Trojans and Spartans pull wicked pranks on each other as homecoming approaches. And the Spartans’ wildcard football star, Ackley, promises to take down the Trojans’ offensive line. But the stakes are raised when Cassie is forced to choose between the boy she loves (a Spartan) and loyalty to her family and school. Troy High will seduce readers with its incendiary cast of mythic proportions.
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Troy High was such a fun read. It was based on Homer's Iliad, but even if you are unfamiliar with it you can still follow and enjoy the story. Readers who have already read the classic will still be able to have fun reading this funny, dramatic retelling.

Having not read the Iliad, I can't say how accurate or true to the original Troy High is. However, I don't think it really matters. Shana Norris did get the idea for the main storyline from the Iliad, but she took it and made it into something entirely her own which, in my opinion, is awesome. I think that Troy High will appeal more to teens because of its modern language and setting.

If you're a fan of remakes, you'll be sure to love Troy High.

Teens will be able to relate to all the high school drama and rivalries. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for an interesting, fun read.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Waiting On Wednesday (16)

Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti
Pub. Date: May 13, 2010
Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Sorry, no synopsis. But from the cover, I think you can gather the basics.

I absolutely LOVE the cover. I think that alone would be enough to make me want to pick up this book. I've solidly liked all of Susane Colasanti's previous novels so if that's any indication of how this one will go over, I think it's safe to say that this will be something I'll want to pick up as soon as it's out.

The Waiting On Wednesday feature was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine

Thanks + Giveaway Extension

First off, I want to thank everyone for making Back to School Week a success. Anyone who comments on any of the guest posts or interviews will get an extra entry for the BTSW giveaway of their choice. Please specify which one you'd like the entry to go to in your comment.

Speaking of giveaways, I'm going to be nice and give you an extra week to enter.
All BTSW giveaways will end on September 19.

Links to all the giveaways can be found to the right on the sidebar.

Giveaway: Give Up The Ghost Swag Pack

To Enter: Leave a comment on this post including your email address. If you fail to leave a way to reach you, your entry will not count.

Open to: US or Canada only.

You win: Give Up The Ghost swag pack (including a ghost scent, bookmark, button, sticker set, friendship bracelet, and paper lantern)

For Extra Entries: Please put each thing in a SEPARATE comment!

+1 Follow this blog
+1 Visit Megan Crewe's site and tell me one thing you liked (Bonus +1 if you comment on her blog!)
+2 Link to this contest (sidebars are fine, just tell me what/where you did.)
+3 If you POST about Back to School Week

Author Guest Blog: Megan Crewe

Five great books I read because of school

Time for school! Sure, that means less free time and more work, but it also means a chance to discover some awesome books. While I didn't love every book I read for school, my teachers introduced me to a whole lot of excellent ones. Here are five of my faves (in chronological order):

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl -- This isn't actually my favorite Dahl book (that would be The Witches, followed closely by Danny the Champion of the World and The BFG), but I have to give props to my third grade teacher for reading this book to my class and introducing us to this amazing author.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt -- Both beautiful writing and an intense and moving story, this is one of my favorite books of all time. And who knows if I'd have found it if it wasn't on the grade six reading list?

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee -- A slice of history, a totally authentic voice, and powerful themes of prejudice and judgement. Love it just as much now as when we studied it in high school!

Lord of the Flies by William Golding -- I can still remember the heated classroom debates about the meaning of various symbols and character motivations in this book. Creepy and disturbing but oh so believable.

The Wars by Timothy Findlay -- Reading this book in senior year was, I think, the first time I felt I understood what it was like being in a war. Brutal and vivid and heart-wrenching. I actually studied it twice (in university as well) and never got tired of it.

Author Interview: Heather Davis

1. Tell us a little about your high school experience overall.

High school was ok -- for most of my time there, I was a girl who straddled
various social groups. I was in drama and art classes,but I also turned out for
swimming and diving one year. I did student governmentstuff, but I also was into
going out to underage clubs and hanging with that crowd, too. I was a National Merit
Letter of Commendation winner (the only girl who was in my school that year.) I guess I
was kind of a smarty pants with artsy tendencies. I don't think I ever really fit into
any group all the way, and maybe that, in itself, was kind of hard.
Also, I worked at a fast-food place my junior and senior years and let me tell you,
there is nothing as humiliating as serving a cheeseburger through a drive-thru window
to the boy youhad been crushing on all year. Yikes.

2. What was the best book you've ever read that was assigned reading?

Wow, that's a hard one. I think it may be Moby Dick. That one I had to read twice - once in
school, where I read just enough to write the assigned paper, and once as an adult, when out of guilt I made a point to actually re-read the whole thing. I loved it.

3. Why did you pick werewolves to write about as opposed to, say, vampires or witches?

At the time I wrote the book, there was only one other werewolf book out there that I knew of - Blood and Chocolate, from the 1990's. I really wanted to write another paranormal (I'd just written a ghost manuscript) so werewolves seemed a natural choice. Plus, I love that they are not undead - they are very much alive and human most of the time.

4. Is there a particular teacher you had in school that inspired you?

I had so many, but, I guess I really loved my art teacher Susan Aurand in college. She told me not to be afraid of creating junk, just to create! You can always refine a first draft, afterall. I still live by those words in my life.

5. What's your favorite thing about the fall season?

I love cold, crisp mornings and sunny afternoons. I love the idea of fireplaces and
soup simmering on the stove and curling up with a good book. I love wearing lots of layers
and really great boots. Can't wait!

6. What are you reading right now?

I'm reading a book by Eric Maisel called Creativity for Life. It's about sustaining your
energy as an artist/writer. I just finished Beating Heart by A.M. Jenkins a few weeks
ago -- that was amazing, spare, beautiful writing.

7. What YA fall/winter release are you most looking forward to?

So many, again! Can't wait to read my friend Diana Peterfreund's book Rampant, about killer unicorns.

8. Where is your favorite place to read/write?

This is cliche, but I love my favorite Seattle coffee shop for first drafts. It's
really comfortable for me to use my home office for revisions, but the hard thinking I
do "off-site" with a tall latte. ;)


9. Pick 3 songs you think readers should listen to while reading your novel Never Cry Werewolf.

I will Possess Your Heart by Death Cab for Cutie
The Killing Moon by Echo and The Bunnymen
My Moon My Man by Feist

10. The book you've been dying to read is out in paperback and hardback.Which one do you buy?
If I'm dying to read it - I'm buying it in hardback right when it comes out!
Hope you guys will stop by my blog at www.booksboysbuzz.com for release week, and go
to HarperTeen's site to read an excerpt of the book!!

Giveaway: Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis

Heather Davis has generously donated a signed copy of her YA debut for giveaway!

To Enter: Leave a comment on this post including your email address. If you fail to leave a way to reach you, your entry will not count.

Open to: US or Canada only.

You win: A signed copy of Never Cry Werewolf

For Extra Entries: Please put each thing in a SEPARATE comment!

+1 Follow this blog
+1 Comment on my interview with Heather Davis
+2 Link to this contest (sidebars are fine, just tell me what/where you did.)
+3 If you POST about Back to School Week