The Prize: One critique of the first five double-spaced pages of either your middle grade, young adult novel, or picture book.

Jennifer Mattson

The Darer: Jennifer loves picture books that are real, storytime-ready stories (no one-joke tales or mood pieces), and has a particular fondness for stellar easy reader manuscripts in the deadpan tradition of Arnold Lobel. Fables and folktales tend not to be for her. For the older set, she is drawn to richly imagined fantasies that depart from old-hat heroic quests (alternate realities, magical realism, and steam-punk are all styles/premises to have recently caught her notice). She has a special interest in dystopian fiction for middle graders and in sprawling, atmospheric tales with Dickensian twists and satisfying puzzles. But as much as high-concept novels pique her interest, the most mind-blowing premise can’t hide a flat narrative that rarely reaches for unexpected descriptions, fully fleshed characterizations, or a zinging narrative voice.

The Dare: Place a minimum bid of $35 by leaving a comment, then outbid the highest bidder until you win!  Value: Priceless. *All winners must take the solemn critiquee oath.*

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