Hold Still
AuthorNina LaCour
LanguageEnglish
SubjectMental health, Photography, Suicide
PublisherDutton Children's Books
Publication date
October 20, 2009
Media typePrint
Pages230
ISBN9780525421559

Hold Still is a young adult novel by Nina LaCour, published October 20, 2009, by Dutton Children's Books.

Backstory

Hold Still was written to complete LaCour's requirements of her master of fine arts degree from Mills College.[1]

LaCour has stated that she pulled inspiration from the book from her personal life, noting that when she was in ninth grade, two people she knew killed themselves, a teacher and a classmate.[2] LaCour's decision to add photography into the novel stemmed from a photograph she found, taken by one of her mother's high-school-aged students.[2] The photo focused on "a girl's bare stomach with the words 'fat, ugly, stupid' carved into the skin."[2] The girl in the photo served as the inspiration for Ingrid, whereas the person who took the photo became the inspiration for Caitlin.[2]

Reception

Hold Still received a starred review from Publishers Weekly,[3] as well as positive reviews from Kirkus[4] and The Horn Book.[5] The book is a Junior Library Guild selection.[5]

Publishers Weekly called the novel "an impressive debut with an emotionally charged young adult novel about friendship and loss."[3]

The Horn Book called it "a fresh take on a well-worn subject and a passionate argument for creativity as a vehicle for healing."[5] The Junior Library Guild echoed the sentiment, stating, "The book is invested in the creative process and shows that there are multiple steps involved in moving from inspiration to finished art."[5]

The Junior Library Guild further noted that LaCour's "[c]haracters are detailed and feel refreshingly contemporary," providing a "[c]ompelling depiction of friendship."[5]

Booklist provided a mixed review, stating that "this first novel may try to cover too much," while noting that the "immediate, present-tense, first-person narrative stays true to a teen’s daily experience, and ... the metaphors of loss and recovery are rooted in the surprising dramas of daily life."[6]

Accolades for Hold Still
Year Accolade Result Ref.
2009 Publishers Weekly Flying Start Selection [2]
2010 American Library Association's Best Books for Young Adults Selection [7]
William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist [8][9]
2011 Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee [10]
TAYSHAS Reading List Selection [11]

References

  1. ↑ "About Nina". Nina LaCour. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Comerford, Lynda Brill (December 21, 2009). "Fall 2009 Flying Starts: Nina LaCour". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Pick of the Week Book Review: Hold Still by Nina LaCour, Author, Mia Nolting, Illustrator . Dutton $17.99 (229p) ISBN 978-0-525-42155-9". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Hold Stil". Kirkus Reviews. May 10, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Hold Still by Nina LaCour". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  6. ↑ Rochman, Hazel (October 15, 2009). Hold Still. Retrieved January 2, 2022 – via Booklist.
  7. ↑ "Hold Still | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. January 21, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  8. ↑ "hold still | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. January 18, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  9. ↑ "YALSA's 2010 Literary Award Winners". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 13, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  10. ↑ "2011 Nominees | Rhode Island Teen Book Award". Rhode Island Teen Book Award. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  11. ↑ "2011 TAYSHAS Readings List" (PDF). Texas Library Association. November 15, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2022.


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