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Author Spotlight: Sarah Ockler, TWENTY BOY SUMMER (Giveaway Alert: Now – 08/05/09)

Posted on July 29th, 2009 by Sarah Ockler · Email post Email post · Print Print

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Sarah Ockler

This week, we’re celebrating Sarah Ockler’s debut! Sarah Ockler wrote and illustrated her first book at age six—an adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. Still recovering from her own adolescence, Sarah now writes for young adults. After several years of wandering between New York City and Denver, she and her husband Alex now live in Upstate New York with lots of books and an ever-expanding collection of sea glass. TWENTY BOY SUMMER is Sarah’s first novel. Visit her online at http://www.sarahockler.com.

Here’s a little bit about TWENTY BOY SUMMER (Little, Brown).

While on vacation in California, sixteen-year-old best girlfriends Anna and Frankie conspire to find a boy for Anna’s first summer romance, but Anna harbors a painful secret that threatens their lighthearted plan and their friendship.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER is a debut YA novel that explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler

TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

I would rate TWENTY BOY SUMMER PG-13. The book includes some mature content, including scenes exploring teen sexuality, peer pressure, and underage drinking, but the writing is neither gratuitous nor graphic.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

TWENTY BOY SUMMER primarily explores themes of loss and grief, the changes relationships can endure in the aftermath of a tragedy, and finally, hope. The story was inspired by my previous work with the National Donor Family Council (http://donorfamily.org), which supports families whose loved ones died and donated organs or tissues. Through the Council’s programs and events, I met many teens who’d suffered the death of a sibling or friend. When I started work on TWENTY BOY SUMMER, I wanted to share a little piece of their stories.

Name three examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

Readers who would identify with or particularly enjoy TWENTY BOY SUMMER include teen girls who’ve experienced the death of a loved one or friend; girls who’ve endured changes or breakups with best friends; and anyone who has loved and lost. However, while TWENTY BOY SUMMER deals with the heaviness of loss and grief, there is also the very real story of a summer beach vacation between two best friends, and all that a few weeks on the beach entails, including fun in the sun, sea glass, swimming, and cute boys. Life is never all good or all bad; all happy or all sad. I wanted to reflect that with this story and I hope that readers will enjoy it.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

  • Clove-and-marzipan-frosting mouth
  • Fifth Theorem on Quantum Physics and Beautiful Girls
  • Voodoo magic love spell
  • Anna’s Albatross
  • God of Most Embarrassing Moments
  • cheating on a ghost
  • a lovesick mermaid who cries out pieces of sea glass

Tell us why you think this book is different from the rest.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER is different from other young adult reads in that it marries the fun and frivolity of a light summer beach read with raw, heartfelt emotion and depth. It’s great for teen and mother-daughter book clubs because readers can explore and discuss topics like teen sex, grief and loss, friendship, and choices in the context of two very different characters and how each of them changes and behaves after the death of a loved one.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

  • IF I STAY by Gayle Forman, BEFORE I DIE by Jenny Downham.
  • THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER by Sarah Dessen.
  • THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS series by Ann Brashares.

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

Frankie Perino and I were lucky that day. Lucky to be alive—that’s what everyone said. I got a fractured wrist and banged-up knee, and my best friend Frankie got a fat little scar above her left eye, breaking her eyebrow into two reflective halves. Up one side, down the other. Happy, sad. Shock, awe. Before, after.

Before, all of us were lucky.
After, only me and Frankie.
That’s what everyone said.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

Workshops:

  • Writing Techniques for Teens
  • Our Creative Autobiographies: how do we feel about creative pursuits and how can we incorporate more writing, art, or music into our lives?
  • From Object To Idea: finding writing inspiration in our everyday things, photos, and collectibles.

Presentations & General Discussions:

  • A Writer’s Life: the day-to-days of the publication journey
  • TWENTY BOY SUMMER Book Club Discussion

This concludes our interview with our latest author, SARAH OCKLER. We wish her much success with her debut novel TWENTY BOY SUMMER. To see what Sarah is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.sarahockler.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT*  Sarah is giving away a signed copy of TWENTY BOY SUMMER. Tell your friends and  leave a comment for the author!  Enter by August 5, 2009 11:59 PM CST.

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Categories: Author Spotlight · Contests

About The Author

Sarah Ockler
Sarah Ockler wrote and illustrated her first book at age six-an adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. When she approached her parents about publishing it, they taught her a new phrase-copyright infringement-and encouraged her to pursue original works. Sarah heeded their advice, legitimizing her writing career with the publication of her first short story, “The Crazy Mixed-Up Candy Cane Machine,” in the elementary school paper.  Read more about Sarah Ockler.

Related posts:

  1. TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler
  2. Contest Alert: Win signed ARC of TWENTY BOY SUMMER (now through 2/28)
  3. Contest Alert: Put TWENTY BOY SUMMER on the Map! (now through 6/30/09)
  4. Connect with Sarah Ockler: Sex in YA — Rating the Writing
  5. Author Spotlight: Leigh Brescia, ONE WISH (Giveaway Alert: Now – 06/03/09)

Comments

  • 1 Prodhi // Jul 29, 2009 at 8:50 am

    *Please tell me this is international*
    I’d love to enter…I’d been wanting to read and review this book forever!

  • 2 Prodhi // Jul 29, 2009 at 8:54 am

    And comments for Sarah:
    I’ve heard noting but good about your book! I hope you’re gonna keep writing great books for this genre so that we don’t go starved!
    Love your taste in books BTW:D

  • 3 Deena // Jul 29, 2009 at 6:16 pm

    Ooh! Sign me up! Thanks!

  • 4 Remula // Jul 29, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    oOo, hope I win…! I’ve been wanting to read Twenty Boy Summer for a while! XD

    ~Remula

  • 5 Emily // Jul 29, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    Please sign me up!

  • 6 Shayla // Jul 29, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    Oooh~ Sign me up please =)

  • 7 Cindy S. // Jul 29, 2009 at 8:38 pm

    I love this book. I read it from the library. I was crying when I was reading it. I can’t wait for more books by Sarah

  • 8 Linda Peters // Jul 29, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    would love to read this

  • 9 Amber G // Jul 29, 2009 at 11:10 pm

    Thank you for the interview Sarah – I would just love to win!

  • 10 Mary D // Jul 30, 2009 at 12:22 am

    That is an excellent interview – I would love to have the chance to read Twenty Boy Summer, and I think my daughter would enjoy it as well :)
    Have a wonderful week!

  • 11 Prodhi // Jul 30, 2009 at 3:05 am

    Gosh, I badly want to win this one.

  • 12 Prodhi // Jul 30, 2009 at 3:06 am

    The book looks soooo awesome.

  • 13 Prodhi // Jul 30, 2009 at 3:24 am

    So Sarah, what’s the plan for your next work?

  • 14 Nikki // Jul 30, 2009 at 5:53 am

    Sounds wonderful. I can share it with my niece!

  • 15 Carol Lawrence // Jul 30, 2009 at 6:01 am

    I’m looking forward to the chance to read this book. jelly15301@gmail.com

  • 16 Meg // Jul 30, 2009 at 6:35 am

    I would love love love to win this book. Everyone seems to think it’s great and I can’t wait to read it!

  • 17 david basile // Jul 30, 2009 at 6:54 am

    thanks for the chance

  • 18 Allison // Jul 30, 2009 at 7:37 am

    A friend told me I had to read this ASAP, but haven’t come across it yet.

  • 19 Liyana // Jul 30, 2009 at 7:46 am

    I remember the 20BoySummer Party on Twitter! :D

  • 20 Jill Foltz // Jul 30, 2009 at 7:51 am

    Fingers crossed

  • 21 jennifer cecil // Jul 30, 2009 at 8:14 am

    When will your next book be available and any hints what it’s about?

  • 22 Ann F // Jul 30, 2009 at 8:30 am

    Please enter me in your giveaway.

  • 23 Aimee C // Jul 30, 2009 at 9:44 am

    Sounds like an awesome book. Thanks for the contest!

  • 24 DeeAnn S // Jul 30, 2009 at 11:50 am

    ……a lovesick mermaid who cries out pieces of sea glass. What images this line congers up. I love it! Thanks.

  • 25 Sarah Ockler // Jul 30, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    Thanks for all of the comments and entries! :-)

    My next book will be out some time next year (summer or fall).

    About FIXING DELILAH HANNAFORD:

    Stuck in Vermont all summer with her workaholic mother, a Tarot-card-reading aunt, and a childhood friend who thinks he can fix anything, sixteen-year-old Delilah Hannaford confronts her elusive family history to expose the secrets that have defined and divided the Hannafords for three generations.

  • 26 Alita M // Jul 30, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Sounds like a great book. I can’t wait to read it.

  • 27 mindy // Jul 30, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    this sounds like a fabulous read thanks

  • 28 Stephanie N // Jul 30, 2009 at 8:19 pm

    I have heard about this book and I think it is great that we have an opportunity to win it. Thanks

  • 29 Djp // Jul 30, 2009 at 11:34 pm

    sign me up

  • 30 Melissa D // Jul 31, 2009 at 7:35 am

    I’ve been reading about this book online for months, and I’m dying to read it! Please enter me in the contest. Thanks!

  • 31 Sarah // Jul 31, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    enter me!

  • 32 etirv // Jul 31, 2009 at 5:54 pm

    My teen recently lost her best friend to cancer and I want to win SARAH OCKLER’s book for her!

  • 33 Linda C // Jul 31, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    I hope i win this book.I need a good book to read at the beach.

  • 34 Celia // Jul 31, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    I’d love to be entered to win!

    celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com

  • 35 Ginny // Jul 31, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    This book sounds great, and I’d love to win it!

  • 36 Mozi Esmes Mommy // Aug 1, 2009 at 9:51 am

    I love the idea of using a book like this for mother-daughter clubs…

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

  • 37 austenfan // Aug 1, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Hi! If the contest is international, I’d love to be entered! :D

    The book sounds kinda sad but definitely interesting, I would love to read it! :)

  • 38 James Coyne // Aug 1, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    Enter me please

  • 39 Shawna Phillips // Aug 1, 2009 at 4:48 pm

    OH YES COUNT ME IN THIS IS RIGHT DOWN MY ALLY.
    THANKS SO MUCH ;O)

  • 40 Blair Lewis // Aug 1, 2009 at 4:49 pm

    I would love to win this book thanks for the contest
    blairwlewis@gmail.com

  • 41 Acacia McMurtrey // Aug 1, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win this Great book!!!

    Acacia McMurtrey
    retardeddoglover2@hotmail.com

  • 42 Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug) // Aug 1, 2009 at 10:50 pm

    I’d love to read this :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!

  • 43 Raelena // Aug 2, 2009 at 12:31 am

    I would love to read this! Count me in please!

  • 44 Trisha // Aug 2, 2009 at 11:27 am

    Please sign me up.. :)

  • 45 Shawna Lewis // Aug 2, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    YA I want this book so bad I want in Thanks :o )

    Shawna Lewis
    theblindcupid@gmail.com

  • 46 Alice Hansen // Aug 3, 2009 at 12:03 pm

    Wow thank you for that great review – I’d not heard of this book before. And thanks for the chance!

  • 47 angela xu // Aug 3, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    this looks like such a amazing book i love teenage books where they are dealing with such real life problems thank you for writing twenty boy summer and now giving it away to one luckly reader!

  • 48 Joyce Lansky // Aug 3, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    Sounds good! I’m in. Thanks.

  • 49 Joyce Lansky // Aug 3, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    Sounds like a good read. Please include me in the contest.

  • 50 SGG // Aug 3, 2009 at 8:35 pm

    My daughter is a voracious reader and I know she would love your book. We saw a review on another site about a month ago and she hasn’t forgotten about it.

  • 51 Wanda // Aug 3, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    I loved reading the interview.
    Please add my name to the draw.
    Thanks.
    wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

  • 52 Erma H // Aug 4, 2009 at 6:06 am

    I love to read this.

  • 53 Jason // Aug 4, 2009 at 10:13 am

    I know someone who has really wanted to read this book so it would be a great gift for them. Thanks for the chance

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  • 54 Gabriel J. // Aug 4, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    Great prize!

  • 55 emily l // Aug 4, 2009 at 12:54 pm

    This sounds great! I’d love to read it.

  • 56 Jeanette Jackson // Aug 4, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    I’d like to read this book. Please enter me.

  • 57 Ed Nemmers // Aug 4, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    I am enjoying your creative and descriptive word usage!

  • 58 Jennifer // Aug 4, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    I would like to read this

  • 59 Helen S // Aug 4, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    Sounds like a great book to read!

  • 60 Angela Winesburg // Aug 4, 2009 at 8:48 pm

    I would love to read this, hope I win! Thanks for the chance!

  • 61 Pamela S // Aug 4, 2009 at 10:53 pm

    I have heard GREAT things about this book from some of the book clubs I belong to. I also have a 19 year old daughter who I think would love this book. Thanks so much!!

  • 62 christopher h // Aug 4, 2009 at 11:29 pm

    this sounds really good

  • 63 Molly Capel // Aug 5, 2009 at 1:15 am

    What a great contest! I would love to read this.

  • 64 Kelly F // Aug 5, 2009 at 4:04 am

    This book sounds like it has a story that we can all relate to. A lot of us have loved and lost. Sounds like a great read.

  • 65 Sheila Hickmon // Aug 5, 2009 at 7:15 am

    Great contest!!! Please enter me!

  • 66 Rachel Dollens // Aug 5, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    this was an awesome book! would love to have my own signed copy!!

  • 67 Elizabeth // Aug 5, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    I like collecting sea glass too. Congrats on your debut! I’d love to read it!

  • 68 Marianna // Aug 5, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    I think this sounds like a fantastic book and I really enjoyed the interview! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  • 69 Miranda Allen // Aug 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    sounds like a great read

  • 70 kathy pease // Aug 5, 2009 at 8:29 pm

    Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in :)

  • 71 janet // Aug 5, 2009 at 8:38 pm

    sounds and looks like a great book:)
    Thank you for the awesome review,interview,giveaway and 4 the entry.

  • 72 Jill1 Lund // Aug 5, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    First and last ex: Our family has had multiple losses, the greates loss has been our father. It is not something we will get over any time soon.

  • 73 Gianna // Aug 5, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    Please enter me :)

  • 74 Charlene Kuser // Aug 5, 2009 at 10:29 pm

    I love the beach,my favorite place and I also
    know loss,both of my parents and grandparents
    have passed.This sounds like a wonderful book
    I would love to read.Thanks for the review

  • 75 heather // Aug 5, 2009 at 10:50 pm

    I’ve heard a lot about this book, and it sounds so awesome! I would really love to read it!

  • 76 Lily Kwan // Aug 5, 2009 at 11:00 pm

    Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

  • 77 Sarah Ockler // Aug 10, 2009 at 12:06 am

    Thanks to all who entered the contest! The winner of a signed copy of Twenty Boy Summer is…

    etirv :-)

    I’ve emailed to let her know. For more chances to win, check out the contest page at http://sarahockler.com/contests where new TBS giveaways around the blogosphere are updated weekly. Good luck and thanks again for all of your comments and encouragement!

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