Edited to add:

Bibliography: Nayeri, Daniel.  (2011). Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow.  Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763655266

Plot Summary:  Four novellas representing four different genres.  Toy Farm is a western unlike any other–a farm that grows living toys and a ranch the grows empty people.  Our Lady of Villains is science fiction, looking at how the near future morphs into the faraway future with the help of technology.  Wish Police is a police procedural about a team that locks up wishes that can’t or shouldn’t or won’t come true.  Doom with a View is a romance, if Death were in charge of the world.  So everyone dies in the end but love conquers all.

Critical Analysis:  Nayeri has written two previous books with his sister Dina, Another Faust and Another Pan.  Both were sort of retellings, or more re imaginings of classic tales and full of action, suspense and dread.  With these novellas. Nayeri wanted to do something a little different.  He decided to write stories that would appeal to boys and girls.  That would introduce readers to different kinds of stories that they didn’t realize they would enjoy.  According to his author’s note, he wrote all of them on his iPhone.

The sampler I have included the story Doom with a View.  I have to admit, it did take me a minute to get into the right frame of mind.  (The mention of The Princess Bride in the note should have been a clue.)  Nayeri has taken several age old tropes and turned them sideways.  Two families feuding but over the interior decorating world?  Two children destined to be together but they don’t even speak the same language?  One beautiful girl who Death takes by mistake is stuck in limbo, not waiting for the kiss of a prince, but for the paperwork and bureaucracy to clear up and return her to her life.  So so so funny!  I would have to say that this is unlike anything else being published for teens these days, and I only hope it is a sign that Nayeri has more in store, whether solo or with his sister.  I for one can’t wait.

There are some great commercials for the novels that I hope you will enjoy.

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow – Our Lady of Villains Commercial from Candlewick Press on Vimeo.

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow – Wish Police Commercial from Candlewick Press on Vimeo.

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow – Doom With a View Commercial from Candlewick Press on Vimeo.

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow – Toy Farm Commercial from Candlewick Press on Vimeo.

Also, you can download Toy Farm (Straw House) for free from Amazon for your own sample of these novellas.  And last, but certainly not least, the good folks at Candlewick are providing a copy for me to giveaway.  Just leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win!  Contest closes Saturday, October 29.

Review Excerpts: “[The] novellas riff on influences as varied as The Wizard of Oz, Mad Max, and the sardonic Death of Pratchett’s Discworld…Strong and assured, these stories seamlessly merge different styles, teasing out and playing with readers’ assumptions about how westerns, fantasy and fairy tales work…provocative and deeply satisfying.”–Kirkus Reviews

Reviewed from publisher provided advanced copy.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

The contest is now over.  Thanks to all who entered.  I enjoyed reading your comments.  Beth and Candice, please e-mail your mailing address to susan at readspace dot com

#21 Beth Dailey

The best summer ever? Lots of time to enjoy my passions of reading and floating in the pool, celebrating events (and non-events) with friends. Visting my family. Watching my flowers grow. Celebrating another summer has come.

#34 Candice M.

Thanks so much for your generous giveaway! Being able to buy a place with central air conditioning would make this the best summer ever! It gets HOT HOT HOT out in the San Fernando Valley!!!

Thanks to the generous people at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers I have not one, but two advanced copies of a recent favorite to give away: Twenty Boy Summer.  To make things interesting, I will also throw in another recent book from my stash.  In the book, Frankie and Anna vow to have the Absolutely Best Summer Ever!  To enter to win, leave a comment below telling me what would make this summer the best ever.  Winners will be randomly selected from all comments, and you have till Wednesday, June 3 at 6:00 p.m. (EST) to leave a comment and be eligible for the drawing.

You can see a video of Sarah Ockler talking about her book, or check out her personal site for more about the book, other debut authors, and a ton of other contests.