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About "Brain Camp": A few years ago, we were at a party where we met an eight-year-old girl, the daughter of an acquaintance and the only kid present. She solemnly told us about the science camp she was attending, which had made her very knowledgeable about levers, pulleys, and chemical reactions. At our suggestion, the three of us filched lollipops from the kitchen: she was thrilled not only by the candy but by the subversive nature of the foray. Then we heard her mother yelling at her later, "We don't eat sugar! And certainly not between meals!" We flashed back to our own childhoods, where during grown-up parties, kids trampolined on guests' coats piled on the bed before retiring to the den to watch TV, play cards, and fight. We attended rustic, unstructured, and vaguely feral summer camps, and were generally left alone by our parents to be bored, messy, and creative. We thought today's parenting could be the subject of a horror novel. About "City of Spies": Susan Kim and I had an elderly friend who, as a little girl, chased imaginary Nazi spies in NYC during WWII. As she told us, the years disappeared and, in her face, we saw the child, having this adventure. We thought: what if there had been spies? And she’d caught them? And thwarted the Nazis’ nuclear plans? It was a story so big, so heightened, it could be a graphic novel, a Hitchcock movie for kids. Our friend didn’t live to see “City of Spies,” but we take comfort in knowing, in our book at least, forever, she helped win the war. |
My WorksBRAIN CAMP
First Second Graphic Novel August 2010 Junior Library Guild Selection Scholastic Book Fair Selection Chosen One of 2010's Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens by the American Library Association Chosen One of 2010's Best New Comics for Teens by Good Comics for Kids blog at School Library Journal Chosen for the Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List by the Texas Library Association "Smart, disgusting fun...sly social commentary with a fizzy dash of stomach-lurching horror." --Kirkus Reviews "A throwback to the kind of paranoia that 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'The Stepford Wives' capitalized on...Kim and Klavan, who balanced adventure and kid's social issues so well in City of Spies (2010), do the same in another well-rounded adventure here, as the far-out (and kind of gross) climax mixes with genuine insight into dealing with parents, fitting into a new crowd, and handling the pressures of performance." --Booklist "A quick and quirky graphic novel...A fun story--illustrated with excellent full-color artwork." --School Library Journal "An undeniable nudge (resounding smack?) at all the preposterous things parents are willing to do to give their children any small step up on the ever-ridiculous road to so-called achievement..." --Book Dragon blog "This book would be an excellent, unqualified recommendation for anyone who wants to get a young person into comics... [B]ut it still has the power to entertain the older and more jaded among us. That's the kids' book's secret weapon: everybody was a kid once." --ifanboy.com "It’s a fast read, slick and enjoyable, and when I was twelve I would have carried it around in my arms like a teddy bear...If 'Brain Camp'’s for kids, kids got cooler while I was away.” - Matt Brown, Tederick.com. "For any parent, teacher, or librarian who has ever wanted to recommend a graphic novel to a unique and exceptional student who stands out from the crowd, Brain Camp might just be your best bet." --Katie's Korner, Graphic Novel Reviews for Schools and Libraries "Deliciously gross. Reminiscent of those scary stories you like to share around the bonfire, you can't go wrong with this sweetly sadistic summer camp chiller." --ReadingRants.org "An appealing graphic novel, with good, anti-heroic protagonists and engaging artwork...Fun, if creepy." --ReadThatAgain.com "It's creepy stuff, made all the more chilling by tapping into those teenage fears that the world is out to get you, and authority figures—including parents—don’t have your best interests at heart...A compelling story that manages to tap into our memories of teen angst, and probably even strikes a nerve with actual teens today." --Indiepulp.blogspot.com "It's a good briskly-paced read and I think Hicks' art is a great complement to the writing. Think of it as a "popcorn" movie -- a wacky, kind of scary thriller." --Comixtalk.com "Creepy and enjoyable. I had a great read with it and like any good Twilight Zone episode it has an ending with a twist." -Novels-now.net "Lots of fun..The words and art work together perfectly to tell a really good story." --Stackedbooks.blogspot.com "It’s a great treat of a story...The teen leads are very likable and this should be a popular pick for teen librarians to show to readers..." --Good Comics for Kids blog (School Library Journal) "Wonderfully creepy story...A perfect entrance point to the world of comics and graphic novels." --Outfromthecomicshop.com "I love BRAIN CAMP...Complete with camp antics, a wee bit of romance, conspiring adults and plenty of aliens, BRAIN CAMP is a fun, quick read." --ekristinaanderson.com "Utterly and wonderfully bizarre...This book is really funny with just the right amount of creepy. It keeps you guessing and confused up until, you know, your mind is blown...The artwork is fantastic...This is a perfect summer read and I highly recommend checking it out." --YAwesome.org "[A]terrifying take on everyone's favorite school break." --RT Book Reviews CITY OF SPIES
First Second Books Graphic Novel May 2010 One of the Best Books of the Year for Children-- Scripps Howard News Service Chosen for the Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List by the Texas Library Association "A terrific adventure story...Rip-roaring fun." --Publishers Weekly (starred) "Told with seat-of-the-pants, graphic-novel immediacy, [this] is an artful melding of jewel-box illustration with noir atmosphere--Tintin directed by Hitchcock. Still, the story's slant is all its own...The snappy, uncluttered tale has a rousing visual flow and plot depth on a variety of fronts. Plus, the Nazis wind up swimming with the fishes. Pow! Pow! Pow!" --Kirkus Reviews "A sophisticated spin on classic boys' adventure...A tale filled not only with a thrilling sense of excitement but also with a child's longing for a grown-up to believe in." --Booklist (Starred) "A strong book...The plot is engaging...the tale has an authentic feel." --School Library Journal "A story with a lot more depth and emotion than I expected or even imagined...It's truly a beautiful, moving book. For both Young Adults and old ones. And it's got tons of super-heroics and spy smashing, too." --ComicBook Resources.com "[A] very winning graphic novel...A most satisfying read that I hope receives many accolades as the year continues." --Bookslut.com "Kim and Klavan's story is thrilling, while the illustrations by Pascal Dizin (Hilary Sycamore added the color) pay wonderful homage to Herge's "Tintin" books." --Seattle Times "An exciting story in which two kids' spunk and ingenuity triumph over the adult bad guys...I look forward to seeing this team together again." --Detroit News "[An] excellent graphic novel—it has a great plot, interesting characters and fantastic artwork." --Wired.com "It is hard to know which to praise more in 'City of Spies,' the grand, old-fashioned story crafted by Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan, or the enchanting artwork by Pascal Dizin...The tale of Nazi spies in New York is full of a Golden-Age Hollywood ambiance, like some lost Hitchcock or Hawks film. Mixing romance, humor, suspense, and pathos, this graphic novel should be handed out to every young reader you know—after you’ve enjoyed it yourself." --Asimov's Science Fiction "[A] charming yarn...Dizin's bright, clean palette pops in this pitch-perfect portrait of wartime Gotham." --AM New York "Page-turning entertainment...A pleasant surprise." --100 Scope Notes blog "A winner...solid thrills...The book really worked on all levels for me." --Comics Waiting Room 4.0 blog "[A] wonderful story that brings back the olden days of comics...Recommended..." --Chapters.Indigo.ca blog THE CUTTING ROOM
Ballantine Hardcover February 2004 Ballantine Paperback February 2005 Available as an Audiobook from Sound Library "A witty spoof...Klavan gleefully slices and dices every known speciman of the Hollywood film trade...Worth its weight in popcorn." --Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review "Highly entertaining...Klavan knows his turf...Sure to put a smile on any movie buff's lips." --Leonard Maltin "Brimming with engaging tidbits of movie trivia...This tongue-in-cheek whodunit marks the long overdue second coming of a gifted novelist." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A lightning-paced, high-concept thriller...Astonishingly inventive...One of the best mysteries of the year!" --Tess Gerritsen "Something completely different...What a relief to read a murder mystery that does not feature a bullet-munching, tough-as-nails cop or private detective and a dame to kill for..." --Cleveland Plain Dealer THE SHOOTING SCRIPT
Ballantine Hardcover March 2005 Ballantine Paperback May 2006 Available as an Audiobook from Sound Library "Hilarious...[A] wholly entertaining sequel: a frenzied encore for suspense fans and an edifying indulgence for seasoned film buffs." --Publishers Weekly "Hard-boiled nerd Roy Milano is back in another screwball adventure...Enough delightful insanity to please fans of silly suspense (from Jonathan Lethem to Kinky Friedman.)" --Booklist "Another madcap adventure for the self-described 'trivial man'...Very funny...with a cast and crew of zanies." --Kirkus Reviews "Movie buffs will absolutely gorge on this smorgasbord of arcane silver screen trivia; THE SHOOTING SCRIPT is a sparkling, fast-paced jewel of a novel." --Katherine Neville, author of The Eight "Great fun and full of movie trivia...Klavan should have an endless supply of material for novels to come." --Mystery Scene "Fast action...Fun to read...Second in an up-and-coming mystery series tailor-made for film history buffs and movie lovers alike. Milano is a comic cross between a Dashiell Hammett gumshoe and a Woody Allen schlemiel." --The Strand magazine "Packed with old-movie references, this sequel to 'The Cutting Room' is a delicious read for movie and mystery fans." --Chronogram magazine "A cast of oddball characters scramble to get their hands on a copy of a lost Jerry Lewis film...The action moves at a crazy clip from New York City to L.A. to Amsterdam to upstate New York, with stops in Maine and Philadelphia. The digs at Hollywood are fun, and the hero's habit of reciting movie trivia when he's nervous is not only endearing, it's informative." --Romantic Times magazine BED AND SOFA
Premiered at New York's Vineyard Theater Winner of two Obie Awards, and Seven Drama Desk nominations including Best Book and Lyrics to a Musical, A Second-Place Best Musical nod from the New York Drama Critics Circle, and an Outer Critics Circle nomination for Best Musical Produced by Philadephia's Wilma Theater: Winner of two Barrymore Awards Published by Dramatists Play Service Recorded by Fynesworth Alley Produced by London's Finborough Theatre 2011: Nominated for Five Offie (Off West End) Awards, including Best Production "A delight! First-rate! A classy treat! A new work that both honors the original and gives it a sternly funny stage life of its own." --The New York Times "Wonderful! A must-see! So perfectly done it is almost unfair to the rackety hacks who infest our musical theater." --Michael Feingold, Village Voice "Enchanting! Exquisite! A wholly original piece of musical theater!" --Linda Winer, Newsday "Fresh and endearing! As original as it is impudent! The show has jaunty music by Polly Pen and a jazzy text by Laurence Klavan." --John Simon, New York Magazine "An evening to treasure--a funny, touching, musically sumptuous jewel that speaks with equal ease to mind and heart." --Philadelphia Inquirer “This enchanting, boutique chamber musical is in every way a winner, not to be missed. It’s glorious theater and glorious music.” --San Diego North County Times "An absolute charmer...Entices from the first note." --Denver Post "Whether you are a fan of Soviet satire and Soviet films of the 20s or not matters not a bit to delight in Polly Pen and Laurence Klavan's faithful but oh so witty rendering of 'Bed and Sofa'...A shower of five stars for all." --British Theatre Guide "A startlingly honest and wonderfully expressive musical version of a lost art form..." --London Fringe Review "Polly Pen and Laurence Klavan’s quirky show is both original and unusual." --Daily Express (UK) EMBARRASSMENTS
Premiered at Philadelphia's Wilma Theater Published by Dramatists Play Service "A lively, funny, and very smart musical...Klavan's clever book is well matched by Pen's music." --Variety "An inventive musical...features Pen's explosive score and Klavan's exceptional book..." --Philadelphia Weekly "An offbeat, original, and enjoyable musical...[A] witty and knowing book...concise and imaginative songs." --Philadelphia Inquirer "A breathtaking 90-minute chamber musical...Cannot help but redefine the artistic boundaries of the musical theater." --Reading Eagle THE MAGIC ACT
Premiered at New York's Ensemble Studio Theatre Produced by Texas' Renaissance Guild Theater Published by Dramatists Play Service "Positively off-the-wall...Bizarre, funny...[A] surreal comedy lampooning fairy-tale-perfect love and the mindless hype of TV news...[A] mad, manic slap at hype." --San Antonio Express-News SLEEPING BEAUTY
Premiered at New York's Manhattan Punch Line Theater Produced by Philadelphia's People's Light and Theater Co. Published by Dramatists Play Service "A wonderful example of the one-act breed." --The New York Times "Slapstick, verbal burlesque." --Village Voice THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Premiered at New York's Manhattan Punch Line Theater Published by Dramatists Play Service "A wonderful piece for actors." --New York Daily News "A very funny and astute parable about the inability to break out of humdrum routine." --The Bergen Record IF WALLS COULD TALK
Premiered at New York's Manhattan Punch Line Theater Produced by New York's American Jewish Theater Published by Dramatists Play Service "Very funny lines...We learn that dying is no excuse to stop laughing." --D. J. R. Bruckner, The New York Times "Most entertaining...The ghosts...are a mischievious band." --Mel Gussow, The New York Times "Charm and dizzy surrealism." --Back Stage GORGO'S MOTHER
Premiered at New York's Manhattan Punch Line Theater Published by Dramatists Play Service "A stunning forty-five minute version of LA RONDE...[An]affecting melding of slyness and conviction...Each time they open their mouths, the characters reveal themselves, each with a poetic idiom of longing and cynicism." --Village Voice NO TIME
Premiered at Philadelphia's Festival Theater for New Plays Produced by New York's Working Theater Published by Dramatists Play Service "Hilarious." --Variety |
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