david lubar

Hot diggety dog!!

Have I got a book for you.

Put on your flame retardant jumpsuit and sombrero, then let out a big OLÉ, for the master of the macabre and undisputed King of the Weenies, David Lubar, on the official release today of The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies (Starscape, 2009)!!

     THE BATTLE OF THE RED HOT PEPPER WEENIES
       by David Lubar (Starscape, 2009),
       Ages 9-12, 192 pages.

Ay Carumba!!

Si, it’s time for a brand new collection of 35 short stories — strange, weirdo, bizarre little gems that’ll make you laugh and creep you out at the same time. There’s the girl who doesn’t have a date for the school dance, until her father makes her one in his lab. The family who’s enjoying a nice Thanksgiving dinner, until a torrent of turkeys seek revenge. A princess who must face a pea-brained suitor. And, *wait for it*, a scorching battle between two red hot pepper weenies that ends in flames!

Call the fire department!

That David. He’ll do anything for a good story. Yes, this man has a rare, ointment-laced, demented mind. Case in point: three previous collections of wildly popular Weenie stories — In the Land of the Lawn Weenies, Invasion of the Road Weenies, and The Curse of the Campfire Weenies. These books were gobbled up by middle grade readers and left them begging for more. The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies, which includes a Reader’s Guide and David’s comments about what inspired the stories, looks like a sure-fire, made-to-order feast on a bun that will satisfy any craving.

Legions of Lubar fans waiting for him to cut the mustard.
(photo by KS Girl)

Hungry yet?

Sometimes we all need a little freaky fare, and David always delivers. So, grab your biggest spoon, slather yourself with hot sauce, and dive into this bowl of celebration soup (seasoned liberally with red pepper flakes), especially for our favorite book weenie. Come on, all together now: "Señor David, Congratulacion!!"

Today’s Special: Hot Tamale Tomato with a Side of Bourbon
(don’t worry about the fly — he won’t eat much).

To learn more about David and his books, including Hidden Talents (ALA Best Book for Young Adults), visit his website and Live Journal blog , Gadfly in the Ointment (bring your own swatter).

If you’d like the scoop on all the Weenies, click here for "A Guide for the Perplexed" (fully downloadable)!

The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies can be ordered through IndieBound or any of the usual suspects. Relish it!

Shame on you! Don’t even go there!
(photo by grizzly_lightning)

Here are some random tidbits for your picnic basket:

First, thank you thank you thank you to Tarie of Into the Wardrobe for awarding alphabet soup a 2008 Brilliante Weblog Premio! I am humbled and honored to be mentioned in the same list as Just One More Book, Brooklyn Arden, and Bloomabilities.

Have you read Marjorie Coughlan’s fabulous interview with Jen Robinson over at papertigers.org? Lots of insight and inspiration, with Jen explaining why books, reading, and literacy mean so much to her and what she hopes to accomplish with her fabulous blog, Jen Robinson’s Book Page. I am totally blown away by her commitment and dedication.

Make sure to read this post about writing YA by TadMack at Finding Wonderland. You probably know there is a lot of discussion going on in the kidlit blogosphere right now about the stigma YA literature seems to carry in the publishing world. Many bloggers are responding to a recent New York Times article by Margo Rabb, "I’m Y.A., and I’m O.K.," including LJ’s Little Willow and David Lubar.

Colleen Mondor is rounding up other reactions and opinions at Chasing Ray. She has also designated this week as a time for everyone to post about any issues or concerns they have about children’s and young adult publishing, so check back every day for updates.

Interesting discussion about verse novels in the comments of this recent Poetry Friday post by Sara Lewis Holmes (Read*Write*Believe). I especially liked David Elzey’s comment, written from the POV of a 13-year-old boy.

Have a great week!