The Not-So-Great-Depression Giveaway!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the launch party of Amy Goldman Koss’s newest release, The Not-So-Great-Depression.

Here’s what Booklist has to say:

“14-year-old Jacki and her two siblings live a chauffeured, private-school life with their executive mom in a rich Los Angeles neighborhood. Their father is more of a free spirit, and when they visit him, they are inducted into such delightful chores as vegetable gardening. The plot is a simplified version of the effects of the current economy on many households: Jacki’s mother loses her high-powered, high-paying job, and they have to downsize. Jacki embodies a complex of credible traits: she is both spoiled and anxious to please, worried about her friends and family and about her own standing. Koss makes the economic reality accessible while giving readers a character with whom they can either identify or relate to a friend they might know. As ever, Koss’ writing is smooth, and the dialogue keeps things moving briskly.”


The launch was held in the IMIX Bookstore in Los Angeles, a small independent shop whose goal is: “to provide a balancing point of view in our socially-conscious reading material, apparel, and artworks.” In addition to books, they also “provide access to the more lighthearted items, or 'chucherias' found in more traditional Chicano and Latino homes.”

While I schmoozed with Amy, Betty Birney (author of the fabulous Humphrey books), and a debut author whose name has escaped me--but if he’s reading this, I’d appreciate him saying hello--my husband roamed the shelves. And even though they did not have a YA section, per se, was excited to find a copy of our very own Kelly Parra’s Invisible Touch.


Amy was kind enough to sign a book for one of our readers. In order to be entered, please give a suggestion for a family like her main character, Jacki's, that suddenly has to make-do with a restricted budget. For instance, I’d suggest making lunches for school or work and eating “in” whenever possible. What say you?


And check back on Monday to learn our winner!