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I was away this weekend and I think I forgot to post this Q&A with the marvelous Teenreads.com, who I’m sure you all know but if you DON’T is a wonderful resource for teen literary anything. I’ll talk boys if you talk NED KELLY AND THE KINGDOM OF BEES:

TRC: Most of the titles in SHELF DISCOVERY feature female characters learning about themselves and their world. Do you think girls have a different relationship to books than boys? Can you recommend a “books for boys” equivalent to your book?

LS: I do think that for the most part girls become dedicated readers a bit earlier, so it’s not surprising that they’re the most active readers for teen books. (Or any other books around.) And women writers have often been shuttled into the YA or midlist market, which is more interested in girls’ and womens’ stories, and those books garner far fewer prizes, get less attention and have a shorter shelf life. When I started this column, I wasn’t really thinking boys/girls — I was writing about the books that were important to me. But I’m surprised at how many people seem to think it’s my responsibility to throw in some boys! When the publishing world starts to be ruled by books for and about women, I’ll be happy to throw them a bone. For now, any reviewer who thinks I’ve neglected boys or books for boys is totally welcome to get to work on a book like this for boys, which would be great, I think. (And did I mention NED KELLY AND THE KINGDOM OF BEES? I, ROBOT? Also, A LONG DAY IN WINTER, or A LIGHT IN THE FOREST…. Oh, maybe I should just do one for boys.)