Stand-Alone Novels
A Message from Wendelin
My stand-alone novels have each come from an idea that gripped me and wouldn't let go. In some cases, the idea shot straight through my heart. When it happens, it's like I have no choice but to face the characters and write their stories.
The characters in my books become real to me. They fill my days and dreams. I become obsessed with them. Some of my happiest days have come from the relief of the final page, where my character's story--which has been in my head and heart, often for years--has made it onto the page and can now be shared with others.
I write stories that I feel would have helped me through my growing years. Ones that would have nudged me into becoming a broader thinker, someone who was more compassionate, someone with enough courage to stand up and be heard. And although my novels usually incorporate serious subjects, my guide for the language and content comes from my view as a parent: If I wouldn't want my tween or teen reading this, why would I put it in one of my books?
Please see descriptions, details, and discussion guides, below.
The characters in my books become real to me. They fill my days and dreams. I become obsessed with them. Some of my happiest days have come from the relief of the final page, where my character's story--which has been in my head and heart, often for years--has made it onto the page and can now be shared with others.
I write stories that I feel would have helped me through my growing years. Ones that would have nudged me into becoming a broader thinker, someone who was more compassionate, someone with enough courage to stand up and be heard. And although my novels usually incorporate serious subjects, my guide for the language and content comes from my view as a parent: If I wouldn't want my tween or teen reading this, why would I put it in one of my books?
Please see descriptions, details, and discussion guides, below.
The Steps
A page-turning thriller that explores the dark consequences
of putting money before friends, family, or love.
From Shelf Awareness: "Van Draanen has had a long and illustrious career in writing books about breaking rules, solving mysteries, and being brave. Many of her titles are funny. But every book she writes is, above all else, full of heart. The Steps incorporates all these qualities, blended into one humdinger of a mystery. Readers--especially those who enjoy Jennifer Lynn Barnes's Inheritance Game series will likely find Ruby irresistible."
Summary: Fourteen-year-old chess whiz Ruby Vossen has become a pawn in her wealthy family’s web of deception. Ever since Ruby’s mother and aunt died in a car wreck, the battle lines drawn within the Vossen clan have ruled her life. Ruby’s father and uncle are now irreparably estranged, and within months, Ruby’s cousin/BFF is banished from her life, her father gets remarried, and Ruby is saddled with a gold-digging stepmom who has two teens of her own—The Steps.
When strange and dangerous things begin happening on the Vossen estate, Ruby sees only one logical explanation: The Steps are scheming to inherit the Vossen fortune, and ending Ruby is in their playbook.
Luckily, Ruby has moves of her own, and she’s not about to go down without a fight. It’s time to check-mate The Steps before they can finish the Vossens off.
Length: 244 pages
Best for 12 and up
Audio: Unabridged audiobook linked here
Buy Links, Book Club and Educator's Guide: linked here
Book Trailer:: Below, and here
Summary: Fourteen-year-old chess whiz Ruby Vossen has become a pawn in her wealthy family’s web of deception. Ever since Ruby’s mother and aunt died in a car wreck, the battle lines drawn within the Vossen clan have ruled her life. Ruby’s father and uncle are now irreparably estranged, and within months, Ruby’s cousin/BFF is banished from her life, her father gets remarried, and Ruby is saddled with a gold-digging stepmom who has two teens of her own—The Steps.
When strange and dangerous things begin happening on the Vossen estate, Ruby sees only one logical explanation: The Steps are scheming to inherit the Vossen fortune, and ending Ruby is in their playbook.
Luckily, Ruby has moves of her own, and she’s not about to go down without a fight. It’s time to check-mate The Steps before they can finish the Vossens off.
Length: 244 pages
Best for 12 and up
Audio: Unabridged audiobook linked here
Buy Links, Book Club and Educator's Guide: linked here
Book Trailer:: Below, and here
The Peach Rebellion
Winner of the Beatty Award
A story of sisterhood, breaking rules, and blossoming courage.
Summary: The Peach Rebellion takes place in the Central Valley of California shortly after WWII and intertwines the lives and loves of three young women from completely different backgrounds who come together to take a stand for each other and for equality.
Best for teens and adults
Audio: Available through Penguin Random House Audio
Buy Links: All outlets linked here
Book Trailer:: Below, and here:
- “Readers will cheer, then weep, as the unlikely trio of Ginny Rose, Peggy, and Lisette sets out to heal a broken family. The time and place are beautifully evoked, but it’s the characters who power this story.”—Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Newbery Honor Winner for The War that Saved My Life and Fighting Words
- “In this story, grit creates not a pearl but the indomitable Ginny Rose, a Dust Bowl Anne of Green Gables. I couldn’t pull myself away.”—Kirby Larson, author of Code Word Courage and Newbery Honor Winner for Hattie Big Sky
- “A beautifully written historical novel about compassion, marginalization and inclusion and, above all, empathy and friendship. Sure to delight and inspire.”—Francisco Jiménez, award winning author of The Circuit, Breaking Through, Reaching Out and Taking Hold
- “The Peach Rebellion is a warm, heart-felt hug of a story. Ginny Rose and Peggy captured my heart from the first pages as they wrestled with friendship, family, fixing old wrongs, and finding their place in 1940s California.”—Rosalyn Eves, author of Beyond the Mapped Stars
Best for teens and adults
Audio: Available through Penguin Random House Audio
Buy Links: All outlets linked here
Book Trailer:: Below, and here:
| book_club_questions_for_the_peach_rebellion.pdf |
EDUCATOR'S GUIDE
| educators_guide_for_the_peach_rebellion.pdf |
Hope in the Mail
Part writing guide and part memoir, this inspiring book is like Bird by Bird for YA readers and writers.
Summary: Non-fiction, biography, writing advice
- ”Of great benefit to newbie writers of any age.” — Booklist, starred
- "From building believable characters to finding an agent to designing a book cover, Van Draanen's guide to becoming a writer has it all." — Kirkus Reviews
- "A must have for all writers.”— Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of V-Wars and Broken Lands
- "A toolbox, a spotlight, and an unstoppable source of renewable energy. If you're a writer, you NEED this book.” --Andrew Smith, multi-award-winning NY Times bestselling author. Grasshopper Jungle, Winger.
- “If content is the king of writing, then Wendelin Van Draanen is the queen of finding it. Read Hope in the Mail and get writing.” — Jack Gantos, Newbery medalist and National Book Award finalist.
- “Fun…practical…useful…a beacon of hope.” — Publisher’s Weekly
- "Will inspire writers of all ages." ---School Library Journal
Length: 285 pages
Best for teens and adults
Audio: Narrated by Wendelin, described as a "fireside chat" by AudioFile Magazine.
A YALSA "Amazing Audiobook" nominee
Buy Links: All outlets linked here
Wild Bird
“Riveting” —Kirkus "Engrossing and inspiring" — Publishers Weekly
“Spellbinding” — Midwest Book Review
Summary: 14-year-old Wren Clemmens is running with a bad crowd and failing in school. I
n a desperate move, her parents force her into wilderness therapy camp where she must face off with the desert and her demons.
------------------------------------Top Honors------------------------------------------------
An American Booksellers Association Indie Next Great Reads selection
An ALA/YALSA Quick Pick Title
An ALA/YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2019 title
An ABA Indie Next Crossover Title recommended for teens and adults
2020 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award nominee (Illinois)
2019-2020 South Carolina Book Award nominee (South Carolina)
2019-2020 Teen Choice Book nominee (South Dakota)
2020 Evergreen Teen Book Award nominee (Washington)
2020 Grand Canyon Tween Reader Award nominee (Arizona)
2019-2020 Golden Sower Award nominee (Nebraska)
2019 Red Dirt Award nominee (Oklahoma)
2018 Lone Star title (Texas)
Winner of the prestigious "Buxtehuder Bulle" Youth German Book Award
(German edition titled "Acht Wochen Wűste".
n a desperate move, her parents force her into wilderness therapy camp where she must face off with the desert and her demons.
------------------------------------Top Honors------------------------------------------------
An American Booksellers Association Indie Next Great Reads selection
An ALA/YALSA Quick Pick Title
An ALA/YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2019 title
An ABA Indie Next Crossover Title recommended for teens and adults
2020 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award nominee (Illinois)
2019-2020 South Carolina Book Award nominee (South Carolina)
2019-2020 Teen Choice Book nominee (South Dakota)
2020 Evergreen Teen Book Award nominee (Washington)
2020 Grand Canyon Tween Reader Award nominee (Arizona)
2019-2020 Golden Sower Award nominee (Nebraska)
2019 Red Dirt Award nominee (Oklahoma)
2018 Lone Star title (Texas)
Winner of the prestigious "Buxtehuder Bulle" Youth German Book Award
(German edition titled "Acht Wochen Wűste".
- Themes: Find Your Spark; Be the Oxygen; Redemption; Second Chances, Living Bravely
- Applications: Great for discussing the importance of defining who you want to be.
Length: 311 pages Best for grades: 6th & up Audio: available through Listening Library
Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
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Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
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The Why behind Wild Bird
An excerpt from Wendelin's blog
Most synopses/reviews of Wild Bird center around Wren being sent against her will to a desert camp for troubled teens and what she has to do to survive. But that's just the setting. The set up. The purpose of the story is to help the reader see that their future is shaped starting now; that it's time to figure out who they want to be. Because everything else--good friendships, true love, career success, a charitable heart, happiness--everything else is the result of figuring that out.
The purpose of Wild Bird is to help teens find courage to be themselves, and fly.
To read the full post, click here.
The purpose of Wild Bird is to help teens find courage to be themselves, and fly.
To read the full post, click here.
Wild Bird book group discussion questions here:
| wild_bird_discussion_questions.pdf |
The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones
“A deep understanding of what’s important about life.” -- Kirkus
“A perfect balance of mirth and poignancy.” — School Library Journal
Summary: Lincoln Jones has a life so secret, only his mother knows where he's from, why they left, or the place he's living now. More importantly, none of the kids in his new 6th grade class know where he goes after school. After all, if they think his "Southern drawl" is funny, imagine what they'd do knowing he hangs out at a memory-care facility where his mother is a caregiver. To escape the real world, Lincoln writes stories in a notebook. Stories about young heroes with courage and power; underdogs who somehow come out on top. Told as a first-person narrative, this is a story of a boy who's closed the world out for so long, he's not sure how to let anyone in.
---------------------------------Top Honors & Awards-------------------------------------------
Winner of Bank Street College of Education's 2017 Josette Frank Award
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Hicklebee's "Best Book of the Year"
ALA/YALSA Quick Pick Title
A Silicon Valley Reads selection
A California Reads Teacher Recommended Book
A Great Stone Face Book Award Nominee (NH)
------------------------------------Of Special Note------------------------------------------------
Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
---------------------------------Top Honors & Awards-------------------------------------------
Winner of Bank Street College of Education's 2017 Josette Frank Award
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Hicklebee's "Best Book of the Year"
ALA/YALSA Quick Pick Title
A Silicon Valley Reads selection
A California Reads Teacher Recommended Book
A Great Stone Face Book Award Nominee (NH)
------------------------------------Of Special Note------------------------------------------------
- Themes: Your Story Matters; Tolerance; Compassion, Aging
- Applications: Encourages writing both fiction and non-fiction
Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
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Lincoln Jones Educators' Guide:
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Book Trailer (has embedded link to Author Interview):
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Flipped
“I was totally knocked out by how Wendelin Van Draanen
was able to capture what it really feels like to fall in love for the first time. "
--Rob Reiner, director of Flipped, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, and other cherished films
Summary: When Bryce Loski moves into the neighborhood, Juli Baker flips. He's the cutest thing she's ever seen. As elementary school gives way to middle school, Juli's crush persists as does Bryce's avoidance of his annoying neighbor. And then they start to see each other for who they truly are. Told in alternating boy/girl chapters, this is a story about passion, perspective, and family, and getting to the heart of what matters.,
---------------------------------Top Honors & Awards--------------------------------------------
An SLJ Top 100 Children's Novels for the 21st Century
An IRA/CBC Children's Choice Book
An IRA/CBC Teacher's Choice Book
Young Reader Medal Winner in: California, Nevada, Virginia
Young Reader Medal Nominee in: TX, VT, NH, OK, IL, SC, GA, ML, NJ, NM, & Pacific NW
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Movie: Became a Rob Reiner directed Castle Rock/Warner Brothers feature film
Anniversary Edition: Includes extras about the movie, fan mail, & thoughts on a sequel
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Length: 212 pages Best for grades: 4th and up Audio: available through Listening Library
Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
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Flipped Discussion Guide --->
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Film director Rob Reiner explains his passion for Flipped.
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The Running Dream
“With deep insight and sensitivity The Running Dream explores
a profoundly human and liberating concept—-to see the person, not the disability.”
— Marianne Leone, actor, author of Knowing Jesse
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Jessica lives to run but when a tragic accident results in her leg being amputated below the knee, her running dreams are shattered. During her recovery she gets to know Rosa—-a girl with cerebral palsy whom she had previously ignored. Rosa helps Jessica believe in a future with unexpected opportunities. With the support of her coach, friends, family and community, Jessica starts to wonder if it is possible not only to walk again, but to run.
---------------------------------Top Honors & Awards--------------------------------------------
Winner of ALA's Schneider Family Award
A YALSA Top 10 BFYA Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Amazon Top Ten Books for 2011
Bank Street Best Book
4 Young Reader Medal Wins: South Carolina (MG), Nebraska, Utah, Vermont
19 Young Reader Medal Nominations: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina (YA) Tennessee (HS), Tennessee (MG), Texas, Washington
Winner of S. Korea's Morning Calm Award
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Length: 332 pages Read by grades: 4th & up Audio: available through Listening Library
Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
---------------------------------Top Honors & Awards--------------------------------------------
Winner of ALA's Schneider Family Award
A YALSA Top 10 BFYA Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Amazon Top Ten Books for 2011
Bank Street Best Book
4 Young Reader Medal Wins: South Carolina (MG), Nebraska, Utah, Vermont
19 Young Reader Medal Nominations: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina (YA) Tennessee (HS), Tennessee (MG), Texas, Washington
Winner of S. Korea's Morning Calm Award
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Length: 332 pages Read by grades: 4th & up Audio: available through Listening Library
Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
Runaway
“Readers won’t look at homeless people in quite the same way after meeting Holly, and will be drawn to the physical and emotional landmines hidden in the ordinariness of everyday life.”
— School Library Journal
Summary: Running away from abusive foster care, 12-year old Holly makes her way with stealth and determination from the Midwest to Los Angeles. She refuses to see herself as homeless, but as a gypsy, stealing food and supplies, hopping on trains, hiding from authorities, and making camp where she can. Meanwhile the English teacher who tried to help her works desperately to discover what’s become of her troubled student.
---------------------------------Top Honors & Awards--------------------------------------------
Young Reader Medal Winner in: Oklahoma & Florida
Young Reader Medal Nominee in: Texas, Iowa, Louisiana, Kentucky
------------------------------------Of Special Note------------------------------------------------
Length: 245 pages Best for grades: 5th and up
Book Trailer: (link below)
Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
---------------------------------Top Honors & Awards--------------------------------------------
Young Reader Medal Winner in: Oklahoma & Florida
Young Reader Medal Nominee in: Texas, Iowa, Louisiana, Kentucky
------------------------------------Of Special Note------------------------------------------------
- Journal format, with some poetry
- Supports poetry units with identified examples of various forms of poetry
- Pairs well w/Sammy Keyes & the Sisters of Mercy, where Holly's character originated.
- Publisher's Discussion Guide: See bottom of page
Length: 245 pages Best for grades: 5th and up
Book Trailer: (link below)
Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
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Runaway Discussion Guide
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Confessions of a Serial Kisser
“A poignant view of a teen unmoored by parental separation.”
— Booklist
Summary: A romantic comedy with substance. When her parents are torn apart by her father’s affair, Evangeline reassesses her life, her look, and her direction. Sure that the perfect kiss will save her, she embarks on a comedic quest to find one, only to ultimately learn that she has to find herself first. When Izzy—the Jerry Garcia throwback at her hangout, Groove Records—makes her strap on an electric guitar and crank up an amplifier, Evangeline discovers a whole new meaning for passion.
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Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
------------------------------------Of Special Note------------------------------------------------
- This title is dedicated to "Fans of Flipped" who have sent letters for years demanding a sequel to Flipped where Bryce and Juli kiss. Confessions is not a sequel, but it gives the reader kissing--lots of kissing, much of it comical. And like Flipped, this title leaves the reader with something to chew on. In this case: Who you should be with will be a mystery until you figure out who you are.
- “Quick paced and compulsively readable.” — Publishers Weekly
- “Not the usual chick-lit fare. This great novel will bring Van Draanen to a whole new legion of fans.” — Voice of Youth Advocates
Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
Swear to Howdy
“Van Draanen’s tale of boyhood antics brings back the spirit of Huck Finn,
and, as in Huck Finn, darker themes lurk beneath the surface.”
Summary: "Like Tom Sawyer, but with consequences." The summer Rusty Cooper moves next door to Joey Banks is one of the best in his life. Joey is a fearless adventurer and a creative prankster, and the two enjoy tormenting their older sisters and covering up their antics to avoid the wrath of Joey’s dad. Starkly contrasting the parenting styles of two families, this is a story of the power of friendship, and what it means to be a true friend.
------------------------------------Of Special Note------------------------------------------------
Length: 126 pages Best for grades: 5th - 8th Audio: available through Recorded Books
Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
------------------------------------Of Special Note------------------------------------------------
- This title's first page presents a great example of foreshadowing, a warning soon forgotten after Joey & Rusty start up with their pranks. Despite it's easy-reader look and length, this title is recommended for 6th grade and up. It makes for a great classroom read, sure to elicit big laughs, loud gasps, and deep discussions.
- Outstanding Achievement Award — Parent's Guide
- A National Council of Teachers of English Notable Children's Book
- “A poignant, thought-provoking novel ”--Midwest Book Review
- Educators' Guide — Included in Lincoln Jones guide at the bottom of this page
Length: 126 pages Best for grades: 5th - 8th Audio: available through Recorded Books
Buy Links: IndieBound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble