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One of the great things about writing for younger readers is the sense of enthusiasm and fun that goes along with the children's and YA book business. I first experienced this among writers, editors, and agents at children's writing conferences and workshops. When Vidalia in Paris was released, though, I discovered an even more exciting world of YA, an online one that's created and controlled by readers. 

Book blogs have become a major feature of the YA landscape in recent years and, in many cases, teen readers are behind them. These teen bloggers write book reviews, interview authors, and engage with readers in lively comments sections. The bloggers are in touch with one another, too, bouncing links and references back and forth, posting to one another's blogs, and sharing customs like the Waiting on Wednesday post in which bloggers list the books they're looking forward to reading. (The WoW posts from Reviewer X are a good example of that trend.) All of this adds up to a culture of interactive reading and a community that sizzles with excitement over books. 

Bloggers have become important members of the book industry, too. One sixteen-year-old blogger named Tirzah who calls herself the Compulsive Reader, described to me how she got her book blog going. "I created the site about a year ago. At first, it was mostly for selfish reasons (I like to hear myself blab), but then it morphed into a discussion outlet. My "discussions" quickly turned into reviews, and when I kept getting great reader responses, I was really motivated to do more."  Since then, Tirzah has drawn industry professionals into her orbit - now publicists send her packages of books and she's asked to judge on book prize panels  - but it started with her simple love of reading and desire to discuss books. 

Other sites go beyond blogging to offer interactive features on YA books and writers. The online magazine Readergirlz,  includes video interviews, online chats with authors, and playlists designed by authors to accompany their books. Another prominent book blogger, The Story Siren, has recently been compiling a list of all the YA book blogs out there. She's up to about 150 right now. Take a look and see just how vibrant this community of readers is. As a writer, I can't think of anything more encouraging and inspiring than seeing all these readers delving into and dishing on books!

 Sasha Watson, Vidalia in Paris, Young Readers, Viking Children's Books, Penguin Books