Myron Levoy’s Award-Winning Young-Adult Novels Are Now Available for the Kindle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New YORK ,New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) January 16, 2011 -- ALAN AND NAOMI

It is 1944 in New York City, and Alan Silverman doesn’t want to give up his afternoon stickball game for anyone—especially not to make friends with crazy-acting Naomi Kirshenbaum. But when he sees Naomi’s haunted face and hears about her horrifying experiences during the war in German-occupied France, Alan changes his mind. Slowly he struggles to make Naomi speak to him, and one day—miraculously—she begins to trust him. Soon they share homework and games, as well as their deepest feelings. Alan finds that Naomi is not only intelligent, but also funny and fun to be with. Alan’s world changes and grows with the friendship. But the scars and fears of the Nazis are still very much with Naomi, and Alan must reach even deeper into himself for understanding.

A National Book Award Finalist

National Awards for Children’s Books: Holland, Austria, and Germany

American Library Association – Best of the Best for Children

“A poignant double portrait of a boy and girl whose lives are changed by the terrible events of the Holocaust. Honest, compassionate writing.”—The New York Times

“Their special friendship is a joy and this warming story, with its ethnic humor, its compassionate families, and its heart-wrenching ending is one of the more honest approaches to the repercussions of World War II.”— School Library Journal

“Levoy’s story cuts through to strong emotions… The impact is powerful, the final chapter despair as aching for the reader as for Alan.”— Booklist


A SHADOW LIKE A LEOPARD

Ramon Santiago, a fourteen-year-old street kid and poet, records his thoughts in a notebook. He is skilled with words and skilled with his knife, when needed. Alone, he wants to join a street gang to be macho, but to prove himself, he must rob an elderly artist down on his luck, Arnold Glasser. Glasser, as desperate as Ramon, is unafraid of Ramon’s knife. From their mutual pain, an unorthodox friendship grows between them. But the gang is just a step behind Ramon, demanding loyalty above all else.

“Tough, candid and perceptive, an unusual story, unusually well told.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Grit, suspense, warmth, and wry humor.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Levoy offers plenty of brisk, varied action…his characters are vibrant and likable…and his careful creation of a stark environment that breeds callousness and violence is shot through with a welcome glimmer… of hope”—Booklist

THREE FRIENDS

Three classmates—Joshua, a chess prodigy; Karen, a feminist; and Lori, a sensitive artist–start an unusual friendship, forming a clique of their own. Other kids may think they’re weird, their parents may not understand them, but they have each other. It’s movies and pizzas and dances until their perfect trio is nearly shattered by the crosscurrents of love and jealousy, of self-doubt and deep pain. What follows is a test of their strengths as young adults, as friends, and as lovers as well. And it very nearly ends in great tragedy.

“An illuminating account of the thoughts and feelings of three unusual teenagers.” —The Horn Book

“Interesting and well-defined characters, believable and vivid.”—Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books.”

“A good story, well told.”—School Library Journal

PICTURES OF ADAM

Fourteen-year-old Adam seems strange to Lisa; he claims to be an alien from planet Vega-X. When Adam invites Lisa to his mountaintop home to see the space capsule that brought him to earth, Lisa is intrigued. A budding photojournalist, Lisa sees beauty in his ramshackle cabin and his family’s primitive way of life. Their odd friendship grows into love, but Adam’s painful past, and his need to escape from reality, challenges their relationship.

“Strong, vivid characters combined with humor and poignancy create an unforgettable love story, to be read and re-read.” —Publishers Weekly

“A haunting portrait of human nature.”—The Horn Book, starred review

“The relationship between the young people is compelling.”—School Library Journal

KELLY ’N’ ME

Anthony Milano, fifteen, lives with his mother, a has-been actress, in a run-down New York City apartment. To help pay the bills, he plays guitar in Central Park. One day he meets Kelly Callahan, a beautiful girl with a gorgeous voice, and they decide to work up an act together. First they become successful street singers—then they fall in love. But Kelly is not who she pretends to be. When she reveals her true life, their friendship is severely tested.

“The complex characters and powerfully drawn setting command attention.”—Kirkus Review

“Easy to read and lots of fun.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“A great deal of action. Will appeal to thoughtful teens.”—School Library Journal

About the Author:
Myron Levoy, a former engineer who has worked on projects for power systems and aerospace, including a manned mission to Mars, was born and raised in New York City, where many of his stories take place. His young adult novels frequently depict, often wit

Alan and Naomi     Myron Levoy     national book award     young adult fiction