Magical Imperfect

Magical Imperfect

"Highly recommended... Perfect for readers of Wonder and Erin Entrada Kelly's Hello, Universe."-- Booklist magazine, starred review Etan has stopped speaking since his mother left. His father and grandfather don't know how to help him. His friends have given up on him. When Etan is asked to deliver a grocery order to the outskirts of town, he realizes he's at the home of Malia Agbayani, also known as the Creature. Malia stopped going to school when her acute eczema spread to her face, and the bullying became too much. As the two become friends, other kids tease Etan for knowing the Creature. But he believes he might have a cure for Malia's condition, if only he can convince his family and hers to believe it too. Even if it works, will these two outcasts find where they fit in?

The Magical Imperfect

DiVERSE

Bringing together interviews with some of the most highly esteemed verse novelists writing for young adults and children today, DiVERSE develops an understanding of the poetics of the verse novel genre. With poignant conversations with 28 verse novelists illuminating how writers combine elements of poetry and narrative to craft poetic stories, this collection provides the means to appreciate the verse novel's diversity in its many variations and attests to recent shifts in the genre towards inclusive storytelling.Getting into the nuts and bolts of process, inspiration, technique, and the verse novel as a form, the writers discuss themes in their best-loved works such as representation of diverse voices, identities and lived experiences; empowering stories of girls and women; stories of LGBTIQ+, Black, First Nations, People of Colour, Asian, Minoritised Ethnic and people self-identifying as having a disability; body-positive messaging and resilience; and characters between countries, cultures, identities and languages. A reference text and a writing resource, the book also includes lists of must-read verse novels and a broad introduction from editor Linda Weste. Featuring authors from the UK, Australia and the US, the writers interviewed include: * Margarita Engle * Kirli Saunders * Carole Boston Weatherford * Rajani LaRocca * Safia Elhillo * Jasmine Warga * Melanie Crowder * Aida Salazar * Cordelia Jensen * Thanhhà Lai * Dean Atta * Lucy Cuthew * Rukhsanna Guidroz * Mariko Nagai * Ishle Yi Park * Jion Sheibani * Jasminne Mendez * Ann E. Burg * Marilyn Hilton * Reem Faruqi * Sarah Tregay * Holly Thompson * Chris Baron * Stephanie Hemphill * Chun Yu * Leza Lowitz * Helen Frost