JacketFlap connects you to the work of more than 200,000 authors, illustrators, publishers and other creators of books for Children and Young Adults. The site is updated daily with information about every book, author, illustrator, and publisher in the children's / young adult book industry. Members include published authors and illustrators, librarians, agents, editors, publicists, booksellers, publishers and fans. Join now (it's free).
Login or Register for free to create your own customized page of blog posts from your favorite blogs. You can also add blogs by clicking the "Add to MyJacketFlap" links next to the blog name in each post.
Viewing: Blog Posts from the Librarian category, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 45,951 - 45,975 of 77,817
How to use this Page
You are viewing the most recent posts from blogs in the Librarian category in the JacketFlap blog reader. These posts are sorted by date, with the most recent posts at the top of the page. There are hundreds of new posts here every day on a variety of topics related to children's publishing. Scroll down through the list of Recent Posts in the left column and click on a post title that sounds interesting. Click a tag in the right column to view posts about that topic. You can view all posts from a specific blog by clicking the Blog name in the right column, or you can click a 'More Posts from this Blog' link in any individual post.
The 15thanniversary edition ofIt’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health Written by Robie Harris • Illustrated by Michael Emberley • September 2009 • Candlewick Press • Non-fiction • Ages 10 and up “A book about sex that manages to be honest without losing its sense of humor.”– The New York Times Book Review Story: The Birds and the Bees: There comes a day in every parent’s life when you and your child must have “the talk.”You know the one; it goes something along the lines of, “Well… we do need to…talk about…I need to talk to you… about…sex… But before you launch into the business of the birds and bees, make sure you haveIt’s Perfectly Normalby your side – you know, for those moments when you’re at a loss for words.
Considered the definitive book on kids’ sexual health,It’s Perfectly Normalprovides accurate, unbiased answers to nearly every imaginable question, from conception and puberty to birth control andHIV/AIDS.This 15thanniversary edition has beencompletelyupdated for the 21stcentury, including new information on the HPV vaccine anda brand new chapter about staying healthy and safe on the Internet. Says Robie, “When my editor and I discussed that It’s Perfectly Normal would soon be fifteen years old and the way to celebrate would be to publish a 15th anniversary edition, I realized that there was one topic that was not in the book—the Internet. While I knew a lot about the Internet, I didn’t know enough to write a responsible new chapter. So yet again, I went back to many of the experts I had gone to in the past—parents, younger teens, teachers, school principals, librarians, health professionals, clergy, and some new experts, including Internet experts. Once again, I learned a lot, especially from the kids I interviewed. The title of this new chapter is: HELPFUL, FUN, CREEPY, DANGEROUS—Getting Information and Staying Safe On The Internet.”<?xml:namespace prefix = o />
Click here for tips on how to use all three books in Harris’ and Emberley’s FAMILY LIBRARY: It’s Perfectly Normal, as well asIt’s So Amazing!andIt’s NOT the Stork!with your children and teens.
The Story Behind the Birds and the Bees: Some giggle, some gasp, but most are charmed and fascinated when they open up the book –that’s perfectly normal.
Sex is a complicated subject, not easy talk or write about or illustrate in an age-appropriate and comfortable manner for kids, teens, and their families. But since its publication in 1994,over one and one-half million copies ofIt’s Perfectly Normalhave been sold, testifying to the fact that so many families, schools, libraries, and health organizations in this country and around the world have found this book helpful in providing the information our pre-teens and teens need to have to stay healthy. And yet,It’s Perfectly Normalhas been no stranger to controversy, due to the efforts ofsomegroups andsomeindividuals who feel that our kids and teens should not have access to the information that is provided inIt’s Perfectly Normal.That’s why, despite its numerous awards, this book has landed on ALA’s top ten banned book list. While no book is a perfect fit for every child or family, both Robie and Michael strongly believe that those kids and families who choose to read their book have the right to do so—so that they may have access to the most up-to-date and accurate science facts about reproduction, puberty, and sexual health.
Says Robie, “One of my core values when it comes to talking to kids and teens – and talking is what I do in my books – is to be honest. For if we are not honest or leave out information our kids and teens have a right to have, then what we say or what we write about in a book will have no credibility.
If you are someone who disagrees with my values, I have the highest respect for your right to disagree with what I have written. That’s why as an author I would never, ever say that my books should be in every home, every school, or every library or bookstore in America. But I would say that in our democracy, any person, any family, school, library, organization, health professional, or clergy member who chooses to have my books should have the right to do so, and that right needs to be respected and protected as well."
A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR
A BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK AWARD WINNER
AN AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR
5 STARRED REVIEWS (BOOKLIST, KIRKUS, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY)
Online Course Registration! You have just one week left to register for YALSA’s fall session of online courses! YALSA’s online courses include AIMing at Tweens: Advising, Involving, and Motivating, taught by Teri Lesesne; Graphic Novels and Teen Readers: The Basics and Beyond, taught by Francisca Goldsmith; and Reaching Teens with Gaming, taught by Beth Gallaway. Courses start at $135 for YALSA members. Courses begin Oct. 5. Details and registration can be found at www.ala.org/yalsa/onlinecourses.
Symposium Proposals Due Next Week! Want to present at YALSA’s 2010 Young Adult Literature Symposium? Proposals for a preconference, 90-minute program sessions, and paper presentations must be turned into YALSA by Oct. 1. Application forms can be found online at www.ala.org/yalitsymposium. Contact Nichole Gilbert at [email protected] with any questions.
Last Chance for Bundled Registration! Planning to attend both Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference in 2010? Be sure to sign up for ALA’s bundled registration, which ends Sept. 30. Bundled registration saves members 20% over advanced registration fees for each individual event. Starting Oct. 1, you can add registration for YALSA’s Midwinter Institute, “Libraries 3.0: Teen Edition” and YALSA’s Midwinter Social Event, “Games, Gadgets & Gurus.”
Edit YALSA’s Research Journal! Applications to edit YALSA’s upcoming quarterly online research journal are due by Sept. 30. Take a look at the duties and qualifications; applications must be sent to me at [email protected] by Sept. 30.
That’s it for this week’s update! To stay up to date on the latest from the YALSA Office, sign up to follow YALSA on Twitter or become a fan of YALSA on Facebook!
Tricia (The Miss Rumphius Effect) challenged us to write haiku riddles based on the book If Not for the Catby Jack Prelutsky. I shared that book on this blog a while back.
Here are two I wrote this week:
thin spaghetti legs
neck, limber long gathers fish
graceful in flight
grey scarf of dawn
weaves diamond dewdrops in, out
top fir boughs vanish
Do you know what they are? Did you guess Blue Heronand Fog? Lots of great poetry can be found at Susan Taylor Brown.
Happy Reading.
MsMac
0 Comments on Poetry Friday: Haiku Riddles as of 1/1/1900
Do you have a teen that loved, loved, loved the Twilight series? Are you looking for something to keep them reading? Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater, will hook them with its longing and romance. But I would save this for teens - the physical yearning and sexual situations would make me keep this in our middle school library, and not recommend it for 4th and 5th graders.
Shiver is a bittersweet love story, with longing and forbidden love, but set in a werewolf story. Grace has always loved the wolves that live behind her house, especially the one with the yellow eyes, but she's never really sure why they fascinate her so much. All she knows is that when she was a little girl the wolves attacked her but didn't kill her. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives, one as a yellow-eyed wolf who watches over Grace each summer, and the other as a solemn boy who lives with his pack, afraid to connect to the rest of the world. Each year, he gets less and less time as a human, and this year might be his last.
When one of Grace's classmates is killed by wolves, armed townsmen head into the woods to get rid of the wolves once and for all. Grace throws her self into their line of fire in an attempt to save her wolf. Imagine her surprise when a bullet grazes the animal and he turns into a stunning young man named Sam right before her eyes. She acts quickly, saving his life as he saved hers all those years ago, and soon a passionate romance blossoms between them.
Teens will be hooked by Grace's strong character and Sam's sensitive but strong, protective nature. Stiefvater does an excellent job of describing their longing for each other, the way they wrestle with wanting to be careful and take things slowly, but being overpowered by their yearning to be close. Teens will have fun with the werewolf story, seeing how the wolf side takes over. I enjoyed this book, but found the mystery a little obvious. But then, I'm not a teen. A better indication - when I added this to our middle school library, it was snapped up in 10 minutes of hitting the shelves.
Want a taste? Listen to the author reading the first two chapters aloud here.
The passion between Sam and Grace does become physical. They clearly have sex, although the consumation happens when the chapter ends. I would not recommend this for 5th and 6th graders.
Drop by your local independent bookstore - I'm sure they'll have it. Or you can find it at your local public library, or on Amazon.
1 Comments on Shiver, a teen romance for Twilight fans, last added: 9/28/2009
In light of the raging health care debate over public options and the recent Philadelphia Free Library scare, this piece from the San Francisco Chronicle hits home in the best possible way.
Yet, do these libertines of literature let you choose any book you want, anytime you want it? No. Have you ever tried to get the latest best-seller at a public library? They put you on a waiting list for that, my friend. And if you do ask these government apparatchiks a question about a book, they start talking your ear off, and pretty soon they're telling you what to read. —The Menace of the Public Option
Meanwhile, it's National Library Card Sign-Up Month for five more days. If you've recently moved to a new city, get your rear to your local library for a new card; some good books, music, and movies; and, with any luck, some fun schwag!
(Thanks, M., for the editorial link!)
0 Comments on Libraries: Even More Socialist Than We Thought as of 1/1/1900
This book was so unexpectedly cool! And believe me, I mean that in the best of ways possible. I expected a typical "magic" book, with spells, magicians, etc, which is definitely a large part of the plot, but the Patricia C. Wrede included a really cool dynamic with the time period being placed during Western expansion in the U.S. and a frontier lifestyle. A very interesting mix that really worked.
Jacket Description:
"Eff was born a thirteenth child. Her twin brother, Lan, is the seventh son of a seventh son. This means he's supposed to possess amazing talent-and she's supposed to bring doom to everyone around her. Undeterred, her family moves to the frontier, where her father will be a professor of magic at a school perilously close to the magical divide that protects settlers from the beasts of the wilderness.
Eff and Lan do not know what awaits them in such an unknown place. There are steam dragons that hover in the sk, and strange creatures that could undermine the homesteaders' very existence. Eff is allowed ot leave magic with the other students-but there's always the threat of it going horribly wrong. As a thirteenth child, Eff always feels one short step away from complete ruin.
As Eff and Lan grow older, they face challenges they never could have dreamed of. And then their magic is put to the test in a standoff that will alter their live forever."
I can definitely see a family reading this out loud together before bedtime each night. Nothing is too scary for little ears and the flow of the plot give a nice, homey feel. A comforting feeling. Is that strange?
There isn't anything overly exciting in any of the "action" scenes, but sometimes we need a book that isn't all thrills and chills. We so rarely just get a story anymore that has almost an old-fashioned vibe to it. Like a modern Little House on the Prairie. With dragons and magicians.
I did feel the book was long, probably too long for the upper-elementary age group it seems to target. 50-100 pages could be taken out and I would be ok with that. Some of the back stories on family members could easily be eliminated without harming the true plot of the book.
Thanks to Scholastic for the review copy :)
To learn more or to purchase, click on the book cover above to link to Amazon.
Thirteenth Child Patricia C. Wrede 344 pages Middle Grade Scholastic Press 9780545033428 April 2009
4 Comments on Thirteenth Child (mg review), last added: 9/28/2009
I've got a copy of this one at home. Patricia Wrede was one of the author's at my table for the YA Coffee Klatch at ALA and she talked about this book. It looks like a weird mix. Great review!
I have this down as a book to order from the Scholastic book orders for my classrom. I feel more confident buying it now! Thanks for the review. I'm happy to see more MG reviews and not just all YA/teen.
This one generated a huge, huge, huge amount of controversy when it came out, because it an American Western Expansion saga in which there are no Native Americans--they are totally wiped away. This made it hard for me to recommend the book, as Native Americans have historically been subjected to so much silencing, and so many attempts to wipe them away.
But I know what you mean about the old fashined appeal--I felt that too!
Today's poem is a song written by Philip Cunningham, who was an American student studying in Beijing during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. He includes the song in the prologue of his memoir, which I review below. Round up is over at Susan Writes!
Midnight moon of Tiannamen, When will I see you again? Looking for you everywhere, Going in circles around the Square... Riding with you down Chang’an Jie, Memories I'd like to share... Shadows dancing in the dark, Lovers talking in the park... Follow you here, Follow you there, Bathing in your Sweet moonlight everywhere... Midnight moon of Tiananmen, When will I see you again?
Here's one that doesn't count for my China Challenge because I started it in August, but it is one that could count for your China Challenge reading, and it is one that I recommend.
Cunningham was in a unique position in the spring of 1989. He was an American studying in Beijing. His role as a student gave him many Chinese friends and acquaintances who were caught up in the student movement and Cunningham was caught up in it to. His skills in Chinese language and his knowledge of Beijing made him a valuable asset for the BBC and he started freelancing for them. Cunningham was then caught in this odd in-between of participant and observer.
The book he wrote, nearly twenty years after the fact, isn't a book about what happened and why although we get some glimpses of that. It isn't history. It is a deeply personal memoir about one man's experiences with being a foreigner in Beijing in the late 80s, and his experiences marching, protesting, and dodging bullets. It's a look at the pitfalls of international news. It's a book where one man tries to make sense of what he saw and what he did and what it meant. Along the way, he offers great insight into what happened from the point of view of the people on the ground, the ones who made it happen. We have so many books from the prospective of the historian, and even a few from the prospective of the government official, but we don't have many from the point of view of the students who were involved, especially the ones who weren't part of central command or in leadership. The fact that Cunningham is American helps him explain it to a Western reader.
James, Syrie. 2009. The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte. HarperCollins. 512 pages.
I have received a proposal of marriage.
I can't promise you that you'll love this one, but I think that if you're a fan of the Brontes (Charlotte, Emily, or Anne) you owe it to yourself to at least try this one. As for myself, I tended to love it.
This "diary" is based (mostly) on fact. The author included a long explanation in the back of the book explaining what's true, what's thought to be true, and what's conjectured for the sake of moving the story along.
The book has a unique structure, a clever one. And for the most part, I think this works really well. It isn't a straightforward plot. Instead, Charlotte reveals the past bit by bit by bit. Out of order, in a way, and yet in a way that thematically works. As she 'chooses' to share it with the reader. The framework of this one, in a way, is her relationship with her father's curate, Arthur Bell Nicholls. Her story starts with the revelation that he's proposed. She then takes us back to where she first met him (it didn't go well on her part). And the narrative builds from there. Until slowly but surely, we get the details of that proposal (and wow, what a proposal!) and subsequent courtship (the road to love was not that smooth for this couple). But this book isn't just about that romance. Far from it. Yes, it serves as the frame. But the picture within that frame, if you will, is the dynamic relationships of the Bronte family. Patrick Bronte, the blind (for the most part) clergy man, Branwell Bronte, the alcoholic brother, and the three remaining Bronte sisters: Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. (Did you know that there were other Bronte sisters who (tragically) died?) More specifically, it deals with the passionate determination of all three sisters to write--both poetry and novels. Yes, the heart and soul of this one in many ways is the writing life itself. What were these women authors really like?
I learned so much from reading this one. Am I the only one who was so clueless? Did you know that Charlotte Bronte was married? Did you know that her father outlived all three Bronte sisters?
The book is engaging and compelling. It made me want to read more. Yes, I've read Jane Eyre. Yes, I've read Wuthering Heights. But now, I want to read more. How many Brontes have you read? Do you have a favorite sister? Which book would you recommend I read next?
Well, since you have already read Charlotte ("Jane Eyre") and Emily ("Wuthering Heights"), I would suggest giving Anne a try. "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" is pretty good and I have also heard good reports about "Agnes Gray". TTOWH is not quite as Gothic as Charlotte or Emily's works and has other various weaknesses, but I still enjoyed it.
Incidentally, I am getting ready to read "Villette" one of Charlotte's later works. Really looking forward to it. I LOVE the Brontes!
I recently watched the movie Devotion on Turner Classic Movies, which detailed the lives of the Brontes. So I knew about Charlotte's marriage, and then I read up more on Wikipedia. Sadly, she and her unborn child died shortly after getting married. The history of the Bronte sisters is a sad one. I will keep an eye out for this book!
Anonymous said, on 9/25/2009 6:45:00 PM
This sounds like a lovely book! And really respectful of Charlotte and her family.
Yes, I knew all those things - but then I'd read Elizabeth Gaskell's "The Life of Charlotte Brontë" - which was really good. As for your next book, it would depend on your mood, I think. "Shirley" is my next favourite Charlotte - Anne's "Agnes Grey" and "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" are both good, but very different from each other... L.
You know, I didn't really want to read this but I have seen a lot of reviews of it lately and they all seem positive. I think I am going to have to check it out before long!
October is National Arts and Humanities Month, just a few days away. The Americans for the Arts description of National Arts and Humanities Month from their web site: National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM) is a coast-to-coast collective celebration of culture in America. Held every October and coordinated by Americans for the Arts, it is the largest annual celebration of the arts and humanities in the nation. From arts center open houses to mayoral proclamations to banners and media coverage, communities across the United States join together to recognize the importance of arts and culture in our daily lives.
This week, the Americans for the Arts Artblog is hosting an Arts Education Salon: More than 20 guest bloggers will be contributing to this national dialogue through timely and thought-provoking entries on the best way to provide children an arts education. We invite our readers to follow these posts and continue the conversation through your ideas, comments, and personal stories.
Insteadofjumping on my soapbox today, I invite you to visit the Arts Education Salon and read all the thought provoking and insightful blog posts by respected leaders in the Art Education Advocacy world.
Just reaching up and grabbing a few books in my collection of books supporting arts in the schools, here's just a few:
There are many, many more books on the subject in my personal bookshelves. I guess I have a little problem. Whenever I go to an art museum, my favorite part is the bookstore.
Love to hear what books on Art Education others highly recommend! Happy Arts and Humanities Month!
0 Comments on National Arts and Humanities Month as of 1/1/1900
By popular request (well… one request, but how can I say no?) here is my recipe for a clone of Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale. I researched just about every THA recipe out there to come up with this.
The decision to stay with Centennial all the way through appears correct, despite the recipes that sneak in a little this or that. I was quite radical and did not “secondary” the ale (transfer it–known as “racking”–to another container for clearing), simply dry-hopping in primary, though I will the next time so that it is clear enough to enter in the Queen of Beer competition or similar events.
Brew Type: Partial Mash Date: 8/15/2009
Style: American IPA Brewer: K.G. Schneider
Batch Size: 2.50 gal Assistant Brewer: Emma and Dot
Boil Volume: 2.75 gal Boil Time: 60 min
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00 % Equipment: PM Half-batch Equipment
Actual Efficiency: 65.83 %
Taste Rating (50 possible points): 45.0
Note: Partial-mash clone of Bell’s wonderful Two-Hearted Ale. Can substitute WLP051.
Ingredients Amount Item Type % or IBU
2.25 lb Pale Liquid Extract (8.0 SRM) Extract 40.91 % [note: late extract addition, at 15 min.]
1.50 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 27.27 %
1.25 lb Vienna Malt (3.5 SRM) Grain 22.73 %
0.25 lb Caramel Pils Malt (3.0 SRM) Grain 4.55 %
0.25 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt – 20L (20.0 SRM) Grain 4.55 %
0.66 oz Centennial [8.00 %] (60 min) Hops 30.1 IBU
0.33 oz Centennial [8.00 %] (Dry Hop 3 days) Hops -
0.33 oz Centennial [8.00 %] (15 min) Hops 7.5 IBU
0.33 oz Centennial [8.00 %] (5 min) Hops 3.0 IBU
0.33 oz Centennial [8.00 %] (1 min) Hops 0.6 IBU
1 Pkgs California Ale (White Labs #WLP001) [Starter 35 ml] Yeast-Ale
Beer Profile Estimated Original Gravity: 1.065 SG (1.056-1.075 SG) Measured Original Gravity: 1.063 SG
Estimated Final Gravity: 1.015 SG (1.010-1.018 SG) Measured Final Gravity: 1.011 SG
Estimated Color: 8.4 SRM (6.0-15.0 SRM) Color [Color]
Bitterness: 41.3 IBU (40.0-70.0 IBU) Alpha Acid Units: 7.9 AAU [believe the IBUs are higher, due to late extract addition not noted by Beersmith]
Estimated Alcohol by Volume: 6.58 % (5.50-7.50 %) Actual Alcohol by Volume: 6.79 %
Actual Calories: 281 cal/pint
Mash Profile Name: Temperature Mash, 1 Step, Full Body Mash Tun Weight: 4.50 lb
Mash Grain Weight: 3.25 lb Mash PH: 5.4 PH
Grain Temperature: 72.0 F Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F
Sparge Water: 0.67 gal Adjust Temp for Equipment: FALSE
Name Description Step Temp Step Time
Saccharification Add 4.88 qt of water at 159.5 F 150.0 F 40 min
Mash Out Heat to 168.0 F over 10 min 168.0 F 10 min [didn't actually do this]
Notes
Due to accident (tipped LME all over floor) went slightly beyond 60 min and am a little unsure how much LME is in there. However, I had boiled off enough that I was well over target, so I brought it up to about 2 gallons. 9/7/09: bottled. Delicious flat, warm, and green! 9/21/09: hazy, but delicious. Fresh hops flavor, no off-flavors, great mouthfeel–not quite a dead ringer, but very close, with lovely color. Had to force myself not to go back for “seconds”!
Bookmark to:
0 Comments on Recipe: Big-Hearted Gal (clone of Two-Hearted Ale) as of 1/1/1900
The Plot: Prince Aleksander, 15, is the only child of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie. He is awaken in the middle of the night and flees the palace; his parents have been murdered and, while he is not a direct heir, his life is in danger. Alek is a "clanker" -- part of the world that is all about machines.
Deryn Sharp, also 15, is pretending to be a boy named Dylan to get a chance to fly with the British Air Service. But she's not learning how to fly machines. Deryn is a "Darwinist" -- the part of the world that has created living creatures to fly, to use for messages, as pets.
The assassination of Alek's parents starts a World War. As Alek runs for his life, and Deryn finds danger and adventure on the flying living ship Leviathan, their paths grow closer and closer.
The Good: If you know what "steampunk" is, skip forward in the review. If you don't, here it is, quickly: alternate universe science fiction, set in the past, with fantastical machines; a glorified Victorian age, as it were. OK, yes, I'm sure others have better explanations but that is my quick one. The ARC of Leviathan provides a definition; and while it may just be there for reviewers like me, I hope it stays for readers who may not have heard of "steampunk" and just need that brief explanation. From the ARC: "Steampunk is a genre of science fiction set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used -- usually the nineteenth century, and often set in Victorian-era England -- but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions."
I know what steampunk is; but I haven't really read much of it. For someone like me -- so, I assume, many kids and teens -- this works as a great introduction into steampunk. And if you want to recommend some other steampunk titles to me, please do so.
Westerfeld uses two types of technological inventions. In the Austro-Hungary Empire/Germany, it's about mechanics and machines, all more developed and different from what was in our timeline. For example, instead of tanks with tractor treads there are "walkers", fortified tank-like structures that "walk". In the British Empire and France, instead of mechanical technology, it's scientific technology, with Darwin not being the father of evolution but the father of DNA manipulation, the creation of entirely new creatures for things such as flying airships and messenger lizards and attack bats. One can quickly see that philosophy is involved here, also; making with ones hands versus playing with life.
What also works well is Thompson's illustrations. Both the clankers and Darwinists have machines and creatures we've never heard of; instead of Westerfeld wasting words with trying to describe them (and losing people like me who would be all "um. ok. let's skip to action and dialogue, ok?") we get to actually see what these machines look like (OH, we think, that's how big it is, there are the turrets, that is how it works).
Alek may be a Prince; he may be rich; but right now he's a teenager on the run, and because his father married someone beneath him, Alek cannot inherit. That doesn't mean Alek is ignored with his father's death. Far from it, which is why right now he's adjusting to life without servants. Alek is always sympathetic, even as he does impulsive things. With Alek, we are hunted, staying one step ahead of bigger ships, plunging through forests in a sweaty, noisy walker.
Meanwhile, Deryn is full of adventures, trying so hard to be the boy she pretends to be. She embraces it, charging into danger, having to be the best. We are flying in the sky, enjoying the freedoms, trying not to let it slip that she's a girl, thrilling to battles with aeroplanes.
Alek and Deryn are on two distinct adventures; the reader knows that ultimately they will overlap, because hello, we cannot have two heroes in one book who never meet! It's not till the book is halfway through that we get that meet and greet; before then, we get to know and sympathize with two very different people (and look forward to the meeting.) And yes, the meeting is everything a reader wants. By that point, we are cheering both teens, sympathize with both the clankers and the Darwinists, and wonder how the heck two such opposites can get along.
Westerfeld's end note explains some of the historical changes in this alternate history; for example, that Franz Ferdinand and Sophie didn't leave behind a fifteen year old son named Aleksander. They did leave behind three young children, Sophie, Maximilian, and Ernst; and according to Wikipedia, in the 1930s they were living in Austria, opposed the Nazis, and ended up in Dachau. I cannot find much more than that online; except all three survived. If anyone can recommend a book that covers this in more detail, I'd appreciate it.
Back on topic.
A great adventure pick; and a great book for science fiction readers who don't want fantasy (i.e., unicorns and elves), thank you very much. If a dragon shows up here, it's going to be man-made and engineered. This is book for younger teens; but older teens will enjoy it, also.
Why younger teens? Easy. When a teenage girl is pretending to be a boy and never worries about her period? It's a book that is being marketed to the younger set.
I also wonder about girls who want to do what Deryn/Dylan/Jack do but have shapes and figures that no amount of binding or clothing can hide. But that's another post.
I've been looking forward to this for months - have you seen the fantastic trailer for the book? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYiw5vkQFPw
re: other steampunk recommendations, I don't know if you've read Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines quartet (Fevre Crumb, a prequel, was published this summer)? Brilliant steampunk YA about moving predatory cities.
It's not really steampunk, since it's set in the future, but Neil Stephenson's "The Diamond Age" is largely about neo-Victorians. It's one of my favorites.
Steam punk. I'd heard that word. Now I have a better idea what it means. Thanks, Georgia! Leviathan sounds like a wild action adventure. Anytime a prince flees for his life in the night-time it's usually a sign of exciting things to come (at least in fiction :).) I'll have to read it.
I had every intention of getting my last Librarian Preview recap done in time for today. Then I got home from an event last night around 10:3...
Read the rest of this post
0 Comments on Fusenews: Love That Photoshop as of 1/1/1900
Artemis Fowl by Irish author Eoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) is an impressive series of books that is a mash-up of fantasy, science fiction and spy novels with a twelve-year old genius at it's heart. And, amidst all the spectacular weaponry, reconnaissance gizmos, fairies, trolls, dwarves and centaurs, the characters are truly the heart of the books. Colfer takes such care and precision with the
0 Comments on Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, 278 pp, RL 5 as of 9/25/2009 7:38:00 AM
There’s nothing wrong with shooting for timeless. While most books seek to appeal to the here and now, sometimes you come across a book that looks like it’s reaching for more. Only a Witch Can Fly gives off this vibe. Although it sacrifices some child appeal through its poetic text, the simple story still comes through with the help of lovely illustration.
In this Halloween-themed story, the action begins after the trick-or-treating is over. After changing out of her witch costume and heading to bed, a dark haired girl is struck by an urge – to see if she can fly as real witches do. Grabbing her broomstick and heading outside with little brother and black cat following, the girl tries her luck. After a stumble, and some encouragement from her brother, the witch-in-training gets it right, flying into the night sky and leaving her father gaping at the window.
Call it lyrical, call it rhythmic – few things can split a picture book crowd like poetic text. Where do you stand? I tend to see it as a great way to expose young readers to the beauty of language, although I have to admit that occasionally, poetic text can be a barrier to entry for some kids. Here McGhee utilizes a 12th century French poetic form known as sestina. The results may be too abstract for some young readers to tackle by themselves. While repetition is present (a good thing for kids), there are poetic flourishes that may be lost on a few youngsters.
Taeeun Yoo’s beautiful linoleum block illustrations help make the story accessible. I challenge you to find these images as anything less than amazing. In a way, block print is the opposite of drawing. Where artists usually draw lines first and fill them in, block prints color in and leave the lines invisible. Yoo works with green, orange, brown, and black, to create spread after spread of memorable images.
Review copy provided by publisher.
Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.
0 Comments on Book Review: Only a Witch Can Fly as of 1/1/1900
Yes, it's true - there are issues in the world, and those of us who write for children are faced with wondering how (or sometimes if) we should address them. And which issues, as you can't address them all.
Luckily, many smart minds think about this... and I can link you into a couple conversations to hope that you'll add your voice to the conversation.
To start with, over at Chasing Ray, Collen has put up part 7 of her What a Girl Wants series. This post is called Because We Are Not All Rich Girls. It's thought provoking and full of great comments already.
Over at author Mitali Perkin's blog, she approaches a related issue in a post about Consumerism and the YA Novel. Mitali's blog is full or wonderful posts about many topics, by the way, including many about race and culture and writing.
Banned Book Week beings on Saturday... and recently, New York Times bestselling YA author Ellen Hopkins found her books pulled from a school and her school visit canceled. You can read about the situation on her blog, starting here. In a touch of irony, Ellen had penned a poem for Banned Book Week called Manifesto.
There are so many more issues out there we should all be thinking about... and I hope one of these three resonates enough with you to get you to share your thoughts, too.
Last year my children fell hard for The Mammoth Academy, by Neal Layton. It is a perfect book for the young reader venturing into "real" books-- simple but substantial text, lots of pictures, and a fun story involving a school for mammoths and other prehistoric creatures and their encounter with primitive humans.
So there were excited noises from both of them when I presented them with The Mammoth Academy in Trouble (Henry Holt, 2007 in the UK, 2009 here, early middle grade, 141 pp). In this sequel, we meet again the young mammoths Oscar and Arabella as they arrive at the Academy for a new semester, looking forward to taking part in the Founder's Fiesta! But their spirits are damped by the sinister graffiti on the school walls--"We is gonna git you!!"
The humans are back, and closing in on the school. Inside, preparations for the Fiesta move on apace, but outside winter blizzards are brewing. The students are trapped inside by the fierce snows, and the humans are preparing to attack....
Will Arabella's smarts and Oscar's ingenuity be enough to save the pupils of the Academy from the bellies of the hungry savages?
I love the Mammoth Academy. Here's their science lesson:
"And now, start mixing things in test tubes..."
Fox's test tube turned brown.
Oscar's test tube turned orange.
But Arabella's test tube started to fizz and spit little silver sparks all over the place, finally going POOF! in a cloud of thick green smoke.
"Fascinating!" said Dr. Van Der Graph. "I think you have just made a scientific discovery!" (page 35)
And I love the dance class, where the mammoths are told to "imagine you are tine feathers floating on the breeze...." (page 37)
Adventure, humor, funny and engrossing drawings, and charming characters...what's not to like. I recommend them very, very, enthusiastically to the five or six year old who loves the Ice Age movies, and the parent reading this out loud, or the older kid just becoming an independent reader of longer books.
There are two more chapter books out in the UK--they would make such lovely Christmas presents for my six year old that I might not be able for them to come out over here. I am also very tempted by another of his books, The Story of Everything...
0 Comments on The Mammoth Academy in Trouble as of 1/1/1900
Hello all in "The Land of Blog," tis I, Capt'n Blackheart Bill. It is time again to talk about some some good reads. But first something completely different:
Mrs. Yingling had this to say about our recent review of "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins (to see the review clickHere): "It was with great reluctance that I turned over Catching Fire to one of my students before I read it. Maybe he'll turn it in late on Friday afternoon and I can take it home for the weekend..." Well, Mrs. Yingling, I hope you get hold of it soon because dare I say, I do, I do, it may be even better than the first book!!!!!!!
G-Man: Learning to Fly by Chris Giarruss -They're superhero friends (all kids also) such as Billy Demon, Tan Man, Sparky among many others. Also in this Graphic Novel are special appearances by "The Mighty Skullboy Army," Santa Claus, a Psychotic Christmas Tree, "The Savage Dragon" and more. Enjoy such epic storylines as the Origin Stories of G-Man and Great Man and The Crisis of Multiple Dimensions. This is definitely one of the most fun Graphic Novels dealing with Superheroes I have read in a long time. The artwork is too cool and the stories are hilarious so you really need to check this book out (literally)!!!! As a side not I met Mr. Giarruss at Heroes Con this summer and he drew me this great picture of Spider-Boy (from Mini Marvels) who both fights crime and delivers papers and you would be surprised at the challenges posed by both occupations. Great stuff from a great guy!!!!!!
Amulet (Book 2): The Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi -This is the second book in the Amulet Graphic Novel Series (The first: Amulet: Book One, The StonekeeperI reviewed on this blogs 3/27/2008 posting -Click Here to see that review. This Graphic Novel has brother and sister Navin and Emily continuing on their quest to save their sick mother. At the start of this book the elves are in hot pursuit of the new Stonekeeper (Emily), who must travel via walking house to the city of Kanalis (where people are cursed to slowly turn into animals but they do retain their intelligence and ability to speak). In this city they pickup an ally in the swashbuckling fox Leon Redbeard. When they find a doctor in the city, he tells them that the only way their poisoned mother can be saved is through the fruit of the Gadoba Tree which grows at the peak of Damon's Mountain. The only problem with this is that anyone who has taken this journey has never returned from it. Also Emily finds the Magical Stone that grants her magical abilities trying very hard to take control of her. Leon Redbeard offers to train her how to use the Magic Stone, but can she trust this mysterious mercenary? The artwork and story in this Graphic Novel are breathtaking. You really should tag along in this great quest full of action, strange machines, stranger creatures and all manner of good and evil characters. Highly Recommended!!!!!!!
Artemis Fowl, The Graphic Novel: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin and Giovanni Rigano -In three simple words: Artemis Fowl Rules!!!!!!!!!! This is the second Graphic Novel adaption of the second book (duh....am I stating the obvious????) "The Arctic Incident." The highest praise I can give to this Graphic Novel is that it is just as good as the book (which is excellent)!!!! The story starts with Artemis discovering that his father who he thought was dead showing up alive, but there is one small catch. He is being held hostage by the Russian Mafia. While this is happening underground where the creatures of fairy live an uprising is taking place in the form of a goblin revolution. Through a misunderstanding Artemis (a teenage criminal genius) and his bodyguard Butler are arrested by Captain Holly Short (an elf) of the LEPrecon fairy police. After the misunderstanding is cleared up Commander Root (a cigar smoking, short tempered elf), head of the LEPrecon fairy police, and Holly agree to help Artemis and Butler rescue his father. Things quickly go from bad to worse for Artemis and company, as soon as the reach Russia, Commander Root is betrayed by a disgraced former associate and ally Cudgeon (an elf) and the brilliant, but not very stable scientist Opal Koboi (a Pixie). Let's just say things really just go to heck from there. This Graphic Novel is a great read so what are you waiting for???? Read it already!!!!!! Oh I just remembered that although I did not review it, I also read the first Artemis Fowl Graphic Novel that deals with his first encounter with the fairy folk that you should definitely cheek out also. Artemis Fowl Rules!!!!!!
Well that's all for now yea scallywags!!!!
Until next time this is Blackheart Bill saying,
Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
0 Comments on Graphic Novels, Pirates, Princesses and GOOF OFF Day; AAArrrhhh!! as of 1/1/1900
You may have read recently about a recent announcement from the Egyptian ministry of culture, permitting translations of works by two of Israel’s leading writers, Amos Oz and David Grossman. Now, the Guardian has a great article about Andalus Books, based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Andalus translates Arabic-language books about “social, cultural and political issues as expressed through Arabic literary, poetic and expository writings.” Small steps in a larger journey towards greater understanding, but still. A story to warm your heart on a chilly autumn day.
0 Comments on Israeli publisher closing gaps between Hebrew and Arabic literatures as of 9/24/2009 7:32:00 PM
This sounds great! I'm going to add it to my to-read list right now.