Girls dressing like boys

I started reading the Alanna books recently, by Tamora Pierce.

I remember reading the first book when I was a tween (or so), and I remember liking it, but also, the only thing I could remember was that she was dressed like a boy, and couldn’t go swimming with the other boys, and also, when she “becomes a woman” things get awkward.

But I’m reading them again now on the insistence of a reader friend of mine, who recently handed me an oversized gift bag filled with Tamora Pierce books for 12-year-olds. But we like them because of their strong female protagonists, who make smart, level-headed decisions.

Anyway, I just wanted to point out that the illustrator for this edition of these books does a great job getting in the feeling of the book, the horse, the cat, the purple fog that is her magic, whatever – but CANNOT seem to capture a facial expression.

Behold:

This just cracks me up. I have to get Drew to make the face on the cover of the third book, and get a picture of it. It’s perfect.

I also noticed that they’ve redone the books (a couple times) with more badass covers. Like so:

Darker, and “cooler,” and possibly more representative of the actual feel of the books. I guess maybe I’m paying more attention to stuff like this, as I get more comfortable and familiar with my job.

Got a great YA novel recommendation? Leave it here for me! (It definitely doesn’t have to be fantasy.)