Readergirlz!

Well, I kinda missed the boat on this one and was going to help announce the readergirlz press release last Thursday (March 1) when they launched their site, but in my fever and delirium I missed it (yes, I'm blaming everything on my sickness!). But check out the Readergirlz Issue #2. Not only do they have a kick-ass soundtrack (I'm addicted to KT Tunstall's Suddenly I See), but they introduce a Gutsy Girl, librarian Josie Watanabe who was the inspiration behind readergirlz, and also celebrate Justina Chen Headley's first novel Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies), which, if you're a regular Blue Rose Girls reader (or Bloomabilities reader), you know is near and dear to my heart. Here's a sneak peak at the site:

Happy National Women's History Month!

Truth: March is the perfect time to launch readergirlz, because today's girls will make tomorrow's history.

Truth: Our world needs more gutsy girls.

Truth: Last spring on her book tour, readergirlz diva Justina Chen Headley made a special effort to visit urban areas that couldn't otherwise afford to bring in authors. One particular afternoon in Seattle's International District left a profound impact on Justina . . . and inspired readergirlz!

Truth: It took 9 months, 3 additional readergirlz divas (YA authors Dia Calhoun, Janet Lee Carey & Lorie Ann Grover), 1 superstar webdiva nicknamed Little Willow, and the advice of countless children's lit librarians and bloggers to create readergirlz.

It a wonderful site with a wonderful purpose. Here is their manifesta:

So here's our official readergirlz Manifesta: what we stand for, what we believe, what we promise YOU:

* Readergirlz is about having serious fun while talking about books with the author and your friends!

* Readergirlz is about getting the inside scoop about why the novel was written, the tears and joys and real-world angst that the author has lived and layered into her story.

* Readergirlz is about reading great books to get to know yourself, your friends, and yes, even your mother, better.

* Readergirlz is about celebrating strong girls in books who've got the guts to dream.

* Readergirlz is about reaching out to others based on what you've read.

* And most of all, readergirlz is about inspiring girls to make history of their own!

Check them out at www.readergirlz.com.