I Can Fly! Part 1
People often say they’re tired of the body part thing on book covers. But here’s a cropping I find kind of fun. There’s an energy in these asymmetrical covers that seems to carry into the arrangement of the title text. These almost make you hold your breath, waiting for the subject to come back to earth. A suspense is created – something we like when we read.
Great sense of movement on these: Solving Zoe by Barbara Dee (Simon & Schuster 2009), The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading by Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance (Simon & Schuster 2009), Jumper: Griffin’s Story by Steven Gould (Tom Doherty 2007), and Soccer Chick Rules by Dawn FitzGerald (Roaring Brook 2006).
Part 2 will be covers with feet (legs, etc.) hanging from the sky – that are not so successful.
Solving Zoe: Zoe’s sixth-grade year at a Brooklyn school for gifted students is marked by changing relationships with her fellow students and teachers, recognition of her talent for cryptography, and a greater awareness of her passion. Ages 8-12. Reviews 1, 2, 3, 4.
Geek Girl’s Guide: Ages 14+. Reviews 1, 2, 3, 4.
Jumper: Ages . Reviews 1, 2, 3, 4. Book trailer.
Soccer Chick: While trying to focus on a winning soccer season, thirteen-year-old Tess becomes involved in local politics when she learns that all sports programs at her school will be stopped unless a tax levy is passed. Ages 10-14. Reviews 1, 2, 3.
August 18, 2009 at 9:30 am
I think you’re absolutely right and that the pictured “leap” gives a sense of excitement and anticipation to the cover. It makes me want to find out why they took that leap and what’ll happen when they finally come down! I really like the cover that looks like the girl may have leaped away from the lizard…
August 27, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Hey, thanks so much for featuring Geek Girl, especially in the successful category.