Catherine Gilbert Murdock
books and other great stuff
books and other great stuff
The Book of Boy
A young outcast is swept up in a perilous medieval treasure hunt. ★ “Blend epic adventure with gothic good and evil, and add a dash of sly wit for a tale that keeps readers turning the page.” Kirkus (starred review) Even more on The Book of Boy! |
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Dairy Queen
Tongue-tied D.J. Schwenk decides to break out — in more ways than one — and stuns the town of Red Bend, Wisconsin. ★ "A painfully funny novel.” - Kirkus (starred review) |
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The Off Season
D.J.’s season couldn’t be better . . . until everything begins to go horribly wrong, and she discovers she’s stronger than she ever thought. ★“Readers will root for her at every tragicomic turn.” - School Library Journal (starred review) |
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Front and Center
Back in school, D.J. is delighted to fade into the background — but her coach and a certain karaoke-singing junior have other plans. “5 stars.” - teensreadtoo.com |
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Princess Ben
Benevolence of Montagne is plump, stubborn, and heir to the throne – unless the current queen kills her first. Locked in the castle’s highest tower, Ben makes a discovery that will change her life, and her kingdom.
★ “A rip-roaring yarn.”
- Booklist (starred review)
Benevolence of Montagne is plump, stubborn, and heir to the throne – unless the current queen kills her first. Locked in the castle’s highest tower, Ben makes a discovery that will change her life, and her kingdom.
★ “A rip-roaring yarn.”
- Booklist (starred review)
Wisdom’s Kiss
A princess, a kitchen maid, a soldier . . . and an unforgettable cast of oddballs and miscreants in this hilarious and exceptional romantic adventure.
★ “A joyful, timeless fantasy.”
– Booklist (starred review)
A princess, a kitchen maid, a soldier . . . and an unforgettable cast of oddballs and miscreants in this hilarious and exceptional romantic adventure.
★ “A joyful, timeless fantasy.”
– Booklist (starred review)
Heaven is Paved with Oreos
Sarah Zorn is better with numbers than with people. Numbers are rational — unlike her fake-boyfriend Curtis Schwenk, who doesn’t even seem to like her. But not-liking is what she wants . . . isn’t it?
“A sweet story about family and love.”
- Booklist
Sarah Zorn is better with numbers than with people. Numbers are rational — unlike her fake-boyfriend Curtis Schwenk, who doesn’t even seem to like her. But not-liking is what she wants . . . isn’t it?
“A sweet story about family and love.”
- Booklist
Domesticating Drink: Women, Men and Alcohol in Prohibition America
And now for something completely different . . . It’s not fiction and it’s not YA, but Domesticating Drink relates the fascinating history of Prohibition, and the critical role of women — both activists and everyday souls — in the passage and ultimate defeat of this constitutional amendment.
One of The Five Best Books on Alcohol
– Wall Street Journal
And now for something completely different . . . It’s not fiction and it’s not YA, but Domesticating Drink relates the fascinating history of Prohibition, and the critical role of women — both activists and everyday souls — in the passage and ultimate defeat of this constitutional amendment.
One of The Five Best Books on Alcohol
– Wall Street Journal
Other writing
Bonus fiction! “The Dolorous Draper,” a dragon tale.
A faux fairy tale I wrote for Wisdom’s Kiss. Link here >>
“The Adventures of Mommy Buzzkill,” Horn Book 2009
Why do children’s books almost never include mothers? This insightful article explains all. Link here >>
“Magic Books,” Horn Book 2016
Reflections on the magic that books hold for young readers. Link here >>
“How to Write a Fictional Journal: The Real Stories of Fake People,” Children’s Book Review 2013
A narrator’s journal can be a great way (see Dairy Queen) to tell a story. Here are some tips. Link here >>
“So You Want to Read Middle Grade,” Green Bean Teen Queen 2013
Stop categorizing books like mine into smarmy “middle-grade fiction.” Call them what they are: great stories! Link here >>
Bonus fiction! “The Dolorous Draper,” a dragon tale.
A faux fairy tale I wrote for Wisdom’s Kiss. Link here >>
“The Adventures of Mommy Buzzkill,” Horn Book 2009
Why do children’s books almost never include mothers? This insightful article explains all. Link here >>
“Magic Books,” Horn Book 2016
Reflections on the magic that books hold for young readers. Link here >>
“How to Write a Fictional Journal: The Real Stories of Fake People,” Children’s Book Review 2013
A narrator’s journal can be a great way (see Dairy Queen) to tell a story. Here are some tips. Link here >>
“So You Want to Read Middle Grade,” Green Bean Teen Queen 2013
Stop categorizing books like mine into smarmy “middle-grade fiction.” Call them what they are: great stories! Link here >>