By: Anne Bustard,
on 12/30/2009
Tiger Woods, athlete
Dec. 30, 1975-
Tiger Woods by David R. Collins, illustrated by Larry Nolte (Pelican, 1999)
Tiger Woods, the gifted young African American golfer, faced prejudice with positive character and determination as a child and as an adult. He won his first U.S. Amateur Championship at the age of 19.
Visit the Tiger Woods Official Website to learn more about this great golfer.
Posted on 11/21/2009
I'll be in conversation with Austrian author Josef Haslinger at the Austrian Cultural Forum in New York on Tuesday, 24 November (at 18:30), with John Cullen reading from his (unpublished) translation of Haslinger's Phi Phi Island, describing his experiences during the tsunami of 2004.
Maria Simma interviewed him for Transforum, and we'll certainly be covering some of that ground, too.
(The film version of Haslinger's Das Vaterspiel is also set to premiere (in Germany and Austria) next week; the English title is, apparently, Kill Daddy Good Night (which can't hurt at the box office ...).)
By: Alyssa F.,
on 11/20/2009
It seems like I've been apologizing a lot for being absent from the blog lately. Kind of a bummer, since I hate it when life gets in the way. And although I've been kind of boring lately, I will make it up to you in December. Promise.
Anyway, don't have much to talk about tonight, but I am cleaning out my bookshelves again. It's that time of year again when I go through all the books I have and reorganize, reshuffle and decide which books I maybe can live without.
Which is really kind of hard for me, but maybe great news for some of you, especially if you're participating in one of the upcoming swaps. I guess I need to look at it as making room for all those wonderful new books I'll (hopefully) get for Christmas.
Meanwhile, don't forget about my Design a Button contest. You'll get a book of your choice if you win...
Now I'm off to go organize shelves. I'll come back when maybe I have some pictures.
Posted on 11/20/2009
Sorting for the reading of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in our Lily and Stag Inn Reading Group forums has been opened over on the Leaky Lounge. Our Reading Groups offer Lounge members an intimate environment in which in-depth discussions about the Harry Potters novels take place with your fellow group members. For the Half-Blood Prince reading group, members will travel along with H... Read the rest of this post
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By: Jay Asher,
on 11/21/2009
My Philadelphia visit has to be cut short a few days, but I thought I'd quickly share some of the fun times and cool people that made these two days so special.
On Thursday, I gave two library presentations where several high schools sent students. Every student had been given a copy of Thirteen Reasons Why before their visit, which always makes the Q&A much more interesting. And I finally autographed a book for someone with the title "Sister"!
On Friday morning, at the National Council of Teachers of English conference, I was on a panel with David Levithan and Lauren Myracle to discuss intellectual freedom. I'd never met Lauren before and had only caught a glimpse of David in the past, so I was really looking forward to this panel. We've all had different experiences with our books being banned or challenged, so hearing their thoughts was fascinating. But beyond what they had to say about tampons, thongs, erections, and the word %$@&, they both seemed like genuinely wonderful people.
After I signed books on the conference floor, I grabbed some autographs and photos of my own. As many of you know, Gordon Korman is a rock star to me. When he offered a blurb for my book, I was in heaven. But I actually haven't seen him in person since before I'd even finished writing Thirteen Reasons Why. So it was great to catch up!
I love Gene Luen Yang's Printz Award winning graphic novel, American Born Chinese. Though I already have a copy back home, when I saw that he was signing books, I had to buy another so I could have it autographed.
Of course, when I heard that Sandy Asher was nearby, I had to finally meet her. But no, we aren't related...though we tried to find some distant relative in common.
Though I've seen Laurie Halse Anderson at a few writing events, chatted with her briefly a couple times (and sent her a gushing fan letter for Chains), I've never had the pleasure to actually hang out with her. Suddenly, I'm sitting behind a table with her at a booksigning! For this event, with Laurie and Lauren, I temporarily changed my name to Laurel. So here's Laurel Asher, Laurie Halse Anderson, and Lauren Myracle...
The people who showed up were brilliant! They had such amazing questions. In this photo, I think Lauren's showing the crowd how she can make her hand disintegrate...
And in case you were wondering, yes, of course I devoured a Philly cheesesteak during my visit!
photo by ahisgett www.flickr.com
Chinese New Year
February 14, 2010
*Picture book for preschoolers through second graders, contemporary, multicultural
*Young girl as main character
*A Gift is a good introduction to the Chinese New Year for young children with wonderful illustrations and a nice family message!
Short, short summary:
A Gift by Yong Chen tells the story of Amy, whose Mom is missing her relatives back home in China around the Chinese New Year. Soon a package arrives for Mom and Amy. Inside the package is a letter from Amy’s aunt (Mom’s sister) about a rock that Uncle Zhong found in his fields in China and how Uncle Ming turned it into a necklace for Amy for the Chinese New Year. At the end of A Gift, Yong Chen explains more about the Chinese New Year and the symbol of the dragon.
So, what do I do with this book?
1. In 2010, the Chinese New Year will be on February 14. (To see dates for other years, click here.) Make some Chinese New Year recipes with your class or at home with your children. In art, make dragons. Ask students to find a few facts about the Chinese New Year through their own research. You can also make a Chinese New Year information bulletin board. Invite a native from China to be a guest speaker about celebrations and customs for the Chinese New Year.
2. Amy has never met her relatives in China, but she knows all about them from her mom. You may have students in your family who have never met some of their relatives; or if you are at home with your children, you may have relatives living overseas whom your child has not met. Use A Gift by Yong Chen to start a discussion with your children or your class about these relatives. If you are a teacher, ask students to bring in a photograph of a relative they have never met–they can also bring in an old photo of a deceased relative if necessary. Ask the students to share some information about the person in the photo by interviewing their parents.
3. Ask students to draw or write (depending on their age and ability level) about a special gift they have received, what it was, and why it was special.
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By: Hannah Christenson,
on 11/20/2009
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By: Cheryl Rainfield,
on 11/20/2009
They’ll be featuring her book Pioneer Thanksgiving, A: A Story of Harvest Celebrations in 1841
By: Amy Schimler,
on 11/20/2009
Didja ever go out to a restaurant
And eat more than you should?
If so, you know just how I feel:
Stuffed, and not too good.
Could not resist the nachos,
Ate more than twice my share;
The margarita went down smooth –
I didn’t even care.
The quesadilla melted
Like queso in the sun.
I gobbled it and with each bite,
I’d only just begun.
Fajitas followed quickly;
They sizzled and they sputtered.
The meat wrapped in tortillas –
My stomach getting cluttered.
The meal was sadly finished,
But not, alas, complete;
For when I got home I did crave
A taste of something sweet.
So even though I barely
Could sustain another bite,
I scarfed a mini-Almond Joy,
A Halloween delight.
And now I pay the piper:
My jeans I must unzip;
But now that I am comfortable,
Please pass me one last chip!
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By: Mary,
on 11/20/2009
I can hear Truffaut laughing in his grave….
Close Encounters of the Redneck Kind from Marc Bullard on Vimeo. Thanks to Neatorama for the link!
By: Gail Gauthier,
on 11/20/2009
Check out Marc Tyler Nobleman's blog post about the Connecticut Children's Book Fair. Be sure to scroll down to the photographs that look as if they were taken at a crime scene.
By the time all this was going down, I was back from my trip to the ER, had finished my calm down reading, and was asleep. It's probably a toss up as to who got more sleep that night.
| On November 19th, 2009 Victor R. Volkman and Irene Watson interviewed media release guru Paul Krupin about whether Press Releases are still revelant to marketing your books in 2009. Krupin is the author of numerous books about publicity, search engines, and other topics. His latest book Trash Proof News Releases is also available as a free eBook download. We covered a wide-range of talking points, including |
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By: Kristin Nelson,
on 11/20/2009
STATUS: I’m done for the night.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? LANDSLIDE by Dixie Chicks
Considering all the chatter over the last two days, today has been relatively quiet. SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America) did issue a statement. You can find that here.
Also, the Ashley Grayson agency blogged with their response.
On a wholly different note, I have a Friday funny—sort of. Do you remember my blogging about an Eddie Murphy movie being shot on our street about two summers ago? For two days in a row they had the extras and the movie crew filming. Sara and I remember it vividly as a car alarm kept going off incessantly. With our windows open on a nice summer day, it was all we could hear for two days running.
Can’t imagine why if you don’t remember. That was a year and a half or two years ago. I only remembered a couple of weeks ago when my husband said he caught the film while on an airplane trip.
The movie is called IMAGINE THAT and no, neither Chutney or I are in the film. In fact, I can’t imagine what they were doing on our street for all that time because in the film itself, there is a brief flash of the front façade of our office in the SH Supply Company building in the scene where Eddie Murphy is fumbling in his briefcase for something while driving. About 10 seconds later, the car drives down the alley behind the building.
Exciting stuff I’m telling you. Grin.
There is one big scene where Mr. Murphy dances on a concrete wall and there is a beautiful lit up staircase behind him. This leads to the bridge that goes over the railroad tracks and into lower downtown. Very noticeable by the bridge support which looks like a ship’s mast. (You can actually see that scene in the movie trailer.)
Well, that takes place right in front of the Platte River Park where Chutney and I often go walking on nice days.
Anyway, highly amusing to watch a movie set in Denver and in Lodo where our office is located.
I’m out. Have a great weekend.
By: Minh,
on 11/20/2009
Aaron Reynolds and Neil Numberman are stopping by today for a visit to promote their clever new book, Joey Fly Private Eye. (Da-da-DAA!)
They've prepared a really cool packet of stuff to go with it... but my slow internet connection wouldn't let me load all of it (it's a conspiracy, a cover up, I tell ya!). But for now we've got a cool video...
and cutout paper dolls...
Until next time...
I was looking over my bookshelves today, trying to find something to read. It’s kind of like trying to find the right outfit for your brain.
No, not that, I can’t be sad today.
No, not that, I don’t want to pay that much attention.
Maybe that one, it’s funny and makes my butt look smaller.
What?
I stood there for a while, trying to talk myself out of reading anything speculative. It’s been a long time since I’ve read anything “traditional” and it’s been a REALLY long time since I’ve read anything written for adults. But as I looked over the books, nothing jumped out at me. I think the reason why is because I read to escape. There are too many things going on in my life right now and it’s nice to be able to sit down and travel to a new world. I don’t want to read about moms juggling a bunch of kids. I don’t want to read about health care reform. I don’t want to read about families in crisis, even if the characters are well-rounded and the language is well done. I even tried to watch thirtysomething and I just couldn’t do it. It was too real – not an escape, not fun to watch.
But then, I started to think about the speculative books I’ve read recently. Catching Fire, Going Bovine, The Maze Runner. These are not necessarily uplifting books! They deal with family issues, crises, conspiracies, the end of the world, even health care (sort of). So what makes it bearable to read when it’s speculative, but not bearable when it’s “traditional”? And where can a girl find some new, funny, science fiction? Is that an oxymoron?
What do you guys think? How is it that the imaginary worlds (or the fantastical happenings) of speculative fiction make real life issues so much more… entertaining? Why is it not a drag to read about life and death angst when it comes from a maze, but is almost unbearable for me to read about in a contemporary setting?
I know I’m not alone here, so I’m calling you out! Let’s talk about why speculative fiction pushes our buttons without, you know, pushing our buttons.
Kari is grouchy that there’s nothing to wear in her brain closet.
Thanks to Charley Parker of the blog Lines and Colors for his thoughtful review of Imaginative Realism.
Lines and Colors is an art blog that I check out every day, and it has led me to many discoveries that have changed my thinking about making pictures.
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Posted on 11/20/2009
rgz LIVE!
We will have not one, not two, but three live events at the readergirlz blog this month.
By: Dudel,
on 11/20/2009
Even though these days a lot of people might think Hamlet is what you call a small side of pork, The Shakespeare Quartos Archive and we readers know better. I must say, however, “hamlet” would be a great name for a deli sandwich, that is if you are into eating animals. It just wouldn’t work in vegan/vegetarian world. Anyway, if you long to see what a pre-1642 quarto of Hamlet looks like (the play not the pork variety), click on the link above. You can choose your edition and digitally page through it. The paging goes a little slow, but it really is cool.
And see, I’m studying digital libraries and technology in library school so I can be involved with projects like this. I suppose I’d have to have special clearance and some kind of archival certification to be able to work with Shakespeare quartos, but there are plenty of other cool things to turn digital. And who knows what the future will bring? Lordy, how I’d love to get my mitts on the Emerson archive at Harvard.
Off to have a date night. We’ve got the new Star Trek to watch and my Bookman made some sort of surprise dessert. All I know about it is that it’s chocolately. Yum!
Have a great weekend!
Posted in Books, Library
I thought Chewbacca would be happier with his good buddy Han Solo. Quick sketch from today :)
By: Ted Dawson,
on 11/20/2009
It's a little tricky, for me, to get proper values & contrast when working in color. I'm essentially a lazy artist, but have been making an effort to work out more problems like this ahead of time. This is for a picture book proposal (Jump).
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By: Diane Sammet,
on 11/20/2009
Triscuit is nearly done and ready for a new friend. Soon a new armature will start growing on my drafting table and soon after that Small Dog himself will be born. Triscuit has taught me a lot about making felted poseable critters. More importantly he sits quietly from his cracker box and reminds me that no matter the complexity of life, Dianeville is merely a choice away.
Our sale is still ongoing....my sale, really, even though I have some helpers. I have moved 6,000 books at least 3 times each.
Library book sales are frustrating things. The preview night is horribly stressful, for small sales like ours--we need the dealers to come, since they are the biggest spenders, but they can be very hard to deal with, making nasty remarks about the quality of the books offered, leaving messy piles for us to put away, and generally being demanding. They weren't bad this time around, but, on the other hand, they weren't buying many books. Sigh.
And the local newspaper put in wrong information about the days the sale was open, just saying Monday, instead of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so business is way down. A couple of people have said to me that they think the newspaper did it on purpose, because (they say) the paper supports the other, bigger, library, which is located in the more affluent part of town, and, they say, that library wants our library to close so they can have the totality of the town library budget (which might well be true). I really, really, don't want to think that the newspaper would be so mean, but I am pretty sad.
On a lighter note, a copy of Twilight showed up in the donations for the First Time! Harry Potters showed up within months of their releases, so I guess the people of my town love Bella more, in that they are so unwilling to part with her...
And I did already get to spend $350 of the dollars buying legos for the library's new lego club, which was fun.
But still. I am thinking of making my oldest dress in a book costume and dance at the intersection tomorrow, to bring in more traffic. If only I had a book costume on hand...Ninja, yes, but that is not Useful...
By: Roz Fulcher,
on 11/20/2009
YAY! The day is finally here. Emily and I took a ditch day to see it , hoping to miss the lines and the plan worked. I did schedule a dental appointment to at least validate a day off of school but really it was a ditch day all the same. =o)
If you are a Twilight fan you will enjoy it, regardless of the poor acting (no worse than the last one but still very much the same level as a soap opera- not to be mean- still loved it). Plus, they stayed true to the book again which is always great.
What made the first movie really work for me was the soundtrack so I was praying they'd pull it off again with this one, and they did for the most part. Not as much of a moody, ethereal style that appealed to me in the first but enough to make me want to get the soundtrack.
Anyway, it was a fun girls day out for sure!!!!
* OH! Don't know if any of you have read, "The Lovely Bones" but I was so surprised and excited to see that it has been made into a movie (they showed previews today). I enjoyed the book -except one area that I thought was totally unnecessary and took away from the story for me personally- but I'm hoping they'll omit it from the film version.
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