When Harper Lee was asked what advice she’d give a young writer, she wrote: “Well, the first advice I would give is this: hope for the best and expect nothing. Then you won’t be disappointed.” And she went on to say: “You must come to terms with yourself about writing. You must not write “for” something, you must not write with definite hopes of reward. People who write for reward by way of
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Blog: wordswimmer (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: coming to terms with yourself, writing process, Kerry Madden, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee, Southern writers, Add a tag
Blog: Galley Cat (Mediabistro) (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Children's Books, Susan Patron, mail, Adam Rex, Lemony Snicket, Rebecca Stead, Kerry Madden, letters, Letter Writing, Daniel Handler, Natalie Standiford, Cecil Castelluci, the rumpus, Add a tag
Over at The Rumpus, middle-grade author Cecil Castelluci will coordinate the new Letters For Kids program–a subscription service giving readers mail from authors who write for kids.
According to the launch page, participants will receive “two letters a month written by middle-grade authors like Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler, Adam Rex, Kerry Madden, Natalie Standiford, Susan Patron, Rebecca Stead, Cecil Castelluci, and more.” The service will cost $4.50 per month for U.S. readers, and $9 international readers. The project will expand upon The Rumpus’ Letters in the Mail program for adults. Check it out:
Some of the letters will be illustrated. Some will be written by hand. It’s hard to say! We’ll copy the letters, fold them, put them in an envelope, put a first class stamp on the envelope, and send the letters to you (or your child) … Six is pretty much the perfect age to start checking your mailbox for actual letters. And if you’ve waited until you were ten, well, you’re four years behind but still, it’s not too late. And if you’re sixteen, that’s OK, there’s still something of the kid left. And if you’re sixty, well… OK. You’re young at heart.
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
Add a CommentBlog: Barbara O'Connor (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Kerry Madden, kimberly willis holt, kathi appelt, readers theater, arkansas, a lafaye, Add a tag
Kimberly Willis Holt (left) and Alexandria LaFaye, rehearsing:
PowerPoint slide of all of the books performed:
(l to r) Kathi, Kimberly, Cynthia, Alexandria, Kerry:
Phew! We did it! After the performance with Cynthia:
Blog: Cynthia's Attic Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kerry madden, to kill a mockingbird, harper lee, Add a tag
When I discovered that Kerry Madden was writing a biography about Harper Lee, I knew I had to read it. After all, it would be about my absolute favorite author and my all-time favorite book. Without fail, I devour every single word spoken by narrator, Scout, each time (I've lost count) I read To Kill A Mockingbird. Add one of the most talented and delightful authors, Kerry Madden, to the mix and it's a sure winner.
The young adult author of Gentle's Holler, Jesse's Mountain, and Louisiana Song, the Maggie Valley Trilogy set in 1960s North Carolina, has written the story of Nelle (pronounced Nail in her South Alabama hometown, Monroeville) Harper Lee with loving warmth. I have an idea how much the "Mockingbird" author means to Madden because detailed research and interviews leave no stone unturned.
Nelle, was as much a tomboy as narrator, Scout. This is probably one of the reasons I so identify with the book. Jane Hybart, a childhood friend writes that, during a softball game, she intercepted a ground ball hit by Nelle and was set to tag her out at first base. Instead of letting that happen, Nelle plowed right over Jane, knocking her flat. "Like a freight train," Jane recalled. Nelle was also wild about football, and played center on her hometown 4th grade football team and had no problem. My kinda gal!
I found Harper Lee's insecurity about her writing, refreshing. Reading through the early years of her life, it was easy to see the huge influence played by her supportive father; even if he did think giving up law school to move to New York to write, was an "unpractical profession." He thought she'd be much happier staying in Alabama writing for the Monroeville Journal. Had it not been for the encouragement of an old friend, Truman Capote, perhaps she would've backed out and the world might never have read, "He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning."
I hesitate to give away anymore tidbits about the life of Nelle Harper Lee, her family and friends, because you need to read and savor this bio for yourself. Although she was turned down by Ms. Lee to be interviewed for the book, as has everyone else wanting to chronicle her life, Madden barely misses a beat in Harper Lee (Up Close).
Blog: jama rattigan's alphabet soup (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kerry madden, soup of the day, Add a tag
graphics by goldtrout
Break out the ham, grits, and pecan pie.
Don your prettiest orange and white.
It's time to waltz around the Tennessee ballroom, because THE book I've been dying to read ever since I first heard about it back in 2007, is finally out today!! Let's hear it for Live Journal's favorite Knoxville girl, Kerry Madden, on the official release of Harper Lee (Up Close) (Viking, 2009)!!
HARPER LEE (UP CLOSE) by Kerry Madden,
(Viking, 2009), Ages 12+, 224 pp.
*cartwheels* *backflips* *wild cheering and moonpie munching*
I absolutely adore Kerry's writing. You probably know her Maggie Valley trilogy: Gentle's Holler, Louisiana's Song, and Jessie's Mountain -- all written in beautiful, lyrical prose that sings of family life in the hills of Appalachia with so much heart and passion. Now she's written a biography of Harper Lee, whose book, To Kill a Mockingbird, is probably my favorite novel of all time. *swoons*
As Kerry mentions in her book's Foreword, Harper Lee (who goes by her first name, "Nelle"), is a fiercely private individual, who doesn't believe in biographies of those still living. Her sometimes reply to interview requests is, "Hell no." Undaunted, Kerry respectfully undertook the challenge of unearthing details about Nelle's life by visiting Monroeville, Alabama, several times to dig through courthouse archives and interview friends, colleagues, and town residents.
Aside from its powerful and enduring message of truth, justice and tolerance, To Kill a Mockingbird has always resonated with Kerry on a very personal level. Growing up as the daughter of a football coach in the South and Midwest meant that she often moved from place to place. "Each time I reread the book or showed my own children the film, I found home all over again. I could roam the streets of Harper Lee’s 'Maycomb' and hear the voices of Jem and Scout and Dill calling to each other. I had a cousin just like sniveling cousin Francis. I beat up a boy like Cecil Jacobs."
So far, it looks like Kerry's created a real winner -- Harper Lee (Up Close) recently received a starred review from Kirkus:
A narrative both well paced and richly detailed-even reproducing two of Lee's stories for her college literary magazine and excerpting a recent letter to O magazine, not included in Charles Shields's excellent I Am Scout (2008)-this biography will appeal to fans of the novel and to newcomers. Readers will find a fascinating portrait of an independent young woman stubbornly going her own way to become the one thing she wanted to be: a writer. Extensive source notes and an excellent bibliography round out this superb biography, one of the best in the Up Close series.
To Kill a Mockingbird has sold over 30 million copies to date, and is standard reading in English classes across the country. A biography written especially for young people about the woman who wrote this beloved classic will prove invaluable in countless ways. Thank you, Kerry, for all your work in completing this book. Today, we congratulate you on a stunning accomplishment. Bravo!!
Before I run out to purchase my copy (as you should, too), let's slurp deep (with great feeling and gusto), some of this celebration soup prepared especially in Kerry's honor:
Today's Special: Nelle Harper Lee Green Pea (one bowl to last a lifetime).
And, there's nothing like a little MoonPie ala Madden:
photo by lla
For more about Kerry and her books, visit her official website and Live Journal blog, Mountain Mist.
She posted the book's Foreword on her blog recently, and it can be found here, along with this post and this one, detailing more about her research trips to Monroeville, Alabama.
Check out this review by Julie M. Prince at YA (and Kids) Book Central.
Okay now, run out to your local indie, or click through to your fave online bookseller and order Harper Lee (Up Close)!!
*Photo of Nelle Harper Lee from Johnny Quixote's photostream.
Blog: World of Words (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: poetry, Malaysia, kerry madden, Steve Jenkins, Hollins, Thailand, memoir mondays, francelia butler conference, Add a tag
On Friday I posted about reading at the Francelia Butler Conference at Hollins University. It was the first time I shared my poem publicly. I know, I know, I post poems here all the time. BUT there is a net of safety there. I don't have to see your faces when you read my poetry. I don't hear your comments like "She thinks she's a POET?!" And of course, I share my poetry with all of my fourth graders all of the time. But once again, there is a net of safety there. They think everything I write is wonderful, which is probably why I've continued to write poetry all of this time.
This summer I have been writing poems, not just for me, but I got brave enough to share with other people. I grew up overseas and the collection of poems I'm working on is based on some of my experiences trying to fit in and be comfortable in multiple cultures, yet still be who I am. The poems are set in Salem, Virginia, ChiangMai, Thailand, and Penang, Malaysia--three places I have spent significant time.
A few weeks ago I submitted some of these poems for consideration in the Francelia Butler Conference. My poems were chosen, which meant that I would be one of seven people with creative submissions to read aloud at the conference. Seven critical papers were chosen also.
I was a bundle of nerves because I knew there were poets in the audience, and I wondered if they would know I didn't know what I was doing.
This year's theme was a Dr. Seuss theme, because Philip Nel, author of The Annotated Cat:Under the Hats of Seuss and His Cats and Dr. Suess: American Icon, was the keynote speaker. Fellow students performed a Suessical Musical between readings, and it kept the day lively and fun. There was a silent auction, in which I won three things: a picture from The Tale of Despereaux, a lovely photograph of a clemetis donated by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, and a book of poetry by Billy Collins.
There is always a winner for each category: creative, critical, and art. After listening to the amazing stories crafted by my six other fellow readers, I knew I didn't stand a chance of winning. That's what's so amazing about Hollins--being in the company of so many good writers that you admire. I am always very impressed at how much good writing is produced in such a small group.
But when the winners were announced, they called my name! Yes, I won the Shirley Henn Award for Creative Scholarship. Wow! I was humbled and surprised!
Even if I hadn't won, this reading gave me a chance to share my work publicly. Several people came up to me during the break and shared how much they liked it. Two people introduced themselves: one is from Taiwan, and one lived in Malaysia, and both said they related to my poems. What a huge compliment. That's what I was hoping for. Other people were kind enough to just give me words of encouragement. Thank you! Thank you!
Hollins students are the ones who actually narrow down all of the submissions to a list of finalists. Then other writers actually judge the finalists. When I read the list of judges, I was so excited. The judges were: Bruce Coville, Steve Jenkins, Kerry Madden, Claudia Mills, and Janet Wong. I'm fans of all of their work, and it was an honor just to have them take the time to read something I had written.
The Memoir Monday prompt was to write about something that you did that you didn't think was possible. Believe it or not, this was it. I really never imagined I would share my poetry with anyone but my students. Now, thanks to a lot of encouragement from my friends at Hollins, I have the courage to share it with others.
Blog: The Well-Read Child (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: middle grade fiction, kerry madden, maggie valley trilogy, louisiana's song, viking juvenile, Add a tag
Louisiana's Song by Kerry Madden
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Viking Juvenile (May 17, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0670061530
ISBN-13: 978-0670061532
Source of book: Bought it
Louisiana's Song , the second book in the Maggie Valley trilogy takes place a few months after Daddy's accident that occurred in Gentle's Holler (my review here). Daddy's back home, but the brain injury has left him with amnesia and short-term memory loss. He can't play his banjo and can't keep the names of all of the children straight. As the narrator, Livy Two, struggles with the fact that the father she knew and loved is "lost," her super shy sister Louisiana, or Louise, struggles with a growth-spurt that has left her very tall and the target of the school bully's jokes. But Louise has a special talent at art that the stern school teacher, Mr. Pickle, realizes and encourages her to develop. With Daddy unable to work and money tighter than ever, the family continues to struggle to make ends meet, and if things don't look better soon, they may have to move out of their beloved Maggie Valley and move into Grandma Horace's house in "Enka-Stinka."
In Louisiana's Song , Kerry Madden delves deeper into the characters, and I enjoyed learning more about some of the Weems' siblings. Through older sister Becksie's campaign to be "Maggie Queen," it is evident that she is desperately trying to be "normal" and to fit in with the other kids despite her family's extreme poverty. It's the same with Emmett who tries to impress his family with stories about how he's a gunslinger at "Ghost Town in the Sky," the attraction where he now works. While Louisiana is an exceptional artist, she is extremely shy and mostly wants to keep to herself. We also see the twins' Cyrus and Caroline's personality start to come out. We also see Livy Two start to grow up as she deals with all of the upheaval in her life.
While the family's situation is serious and there are sad moments, Kerry Madden does a great job of weaving in humor and demonstrating the love between the family members as she did in Gentle's Holler. For example, Daddy's brain injury is heartbreaking and not a laughing matter, but there are times when he says and does funny things. Once he wanders off to town in his bathroom and ends up at the pancake house. When Livy Two and her Mama find them, Daddy is happy to see them and offers Livy Two some pancakes:
"'Hungry?' He pushes his plate toward me, and I take a bite of his mountain blackberry pancakes swimming in maple syrup. Pure heaven on earth.
When I take a second bit, he says, 'Give it back now.'
'Okay, Daddy.' I push his plate of pancakes back toward him, and he keeps eating like a house on fire." (pp. 101-102).
When you read Louisiana's Song, you'll laugh and you'll cry. You'll want to listen to mountain music that will take you back to Maggie Valley. But overall, you'll care about the Weems family and truly hope that things will get better for them. This family will stick with me for a long time.
What Other Blogger's Are Saying:
Shelf Elf: "Louisiana’s Song is one beautiful book." (read more...)
Blog: Barbara O'Connor (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Books I love, Kerry Madden, Add a tag
Kerry Madden and I have a lot in common.
We write children's books.
We love the Smoky Mountains.
We have been to the Cross Garden in Prattville, Alabama.
I loved the first two books in her Smoky Mountain (Maggie Valley) trilogy: Gentle's Holler and Louisiana's Song.
I just finished the third and (sniff sniff) last book of the trilogy: Jessie's Mountain.
Honestly, it was like visiting an old friend. I have grown to love and adore the Weems family of Maggie Valley. Kerry is a master of characterization - each and every member of that family is unique - from annoying little Jitters to grumpy old Grandma Horace to my favorite: the ever resourceful Livy Two.
I love Livy's feisty spirit and her observations about the people she encounters on her trip to Nashville to pursue her dream and save her family: the woe-is-me lady, Mr. Fancy Mustache Clerk, the devil-dog man.
Kerry's love of the mountains and her respect and admiration of the good-hearted mountain people is evident. She draws on her personal experience in her beloved mountains and takes us right along with her in her stories.
AND, you gotta love an author who writes this in her Acknowledgments:
When I first began to write Gentle's Holler, the first three Smoky Mountain books, I wrote it snappy, sappy, and sent it out lightning speed, hoping for a book deal yesterday.
Don't you just love that?
Now we gotta all start nagging Kerry to write more stories about the Weems.
You can find out more about Kerry here.
Blog: Kate's Book Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kerry madden, keeping score, flying pig books, contest, cybils, laurie halse anderson, kerry madden, jim murphy, jim murphy, keeping score, flying pig books, Add a tag
Sometimes I try to make soup out of all the leftovers in the refrigerator. Today's post is blog soup -- all the little notes I've been meaning to mention but haven't had time.
One of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Books in Shelburne, VT, was nominated for the Lucille Micheels Pannell Award honoring bookstores that "excel at inspiring the interest of young people in books and reading." If you've ever been to see Josie & Elizabeth at Flying Pig, you know their children's section is fabulous, and they have a steady stream of guest authors (I'll be there on April 5th!). The nomination is a well-earned honor! (Congrats are also in order for winning stores, Books & Books of Coral Gables, FL and Wonderland Books of Rockford, IL. The descriptions of these stores make me want to visit them all.)
Laurie Halse Anderson (halseanderson ) and her husband are training tirelessly for the Lake Placid Half Marathon. They're running with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training to raise money for cancer research. Even if you only run when being chased, you can click here to contribute to their efforts.
I've been waiting and waiting and waiting...and this Thursday, the Cybils Award Winners will be announced. I served as a panelist for MG fiction, and I can't wait to see what one of our eight finalists the judges choose.
Kerry Madden (mountainmist) is having a cool school picture contest on her blog, and she's giving away signed copies of Jessie's Mountain. Here's your opportunity to profit from that 3rd grade school photo where your collar was tucked in and your hair looked like devil horns.
Speaking of contests, don't forget that I'm giving away a signed ARC of Linda Sue Park's Keeping Score. Check out this post for the details. You have until 6pm EST on Wednesday to enter. The winner will be announced on Valentine's Day.
And finally, have you checked out Nonfiction Mondays? I love the idea of a blogging day devoted to nonfiction. I missed today's roundup, but I'll be participating next Monday. I hope you'll stop by to check out my interview with Jim Murphy, award-winning author of fantastic non-fiction titles like The Great Fire, Blizzard, An American Plague, and most recently, The Real Benedict Arnold.
Blog: Deliciously Clean Reads (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: tween, teen, Kerry Madden, family, historical, review by Joyce Moyer Hostetter, Fablehaven, Gentle's Holler, teen, Kerry Madden, Gentle's Holler, tween, review by Joyce Moyer Hostetter, Fablehaven, Add a tag
HEALING WATER (Spring 2008)
BLUE (2006)-See the review here.
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER (1995)
Twelve year-old Livy Two lives a hardscrabble yet gentle existence. It’s gentle, because her large mostly happy family lives in slow-paced, beautiful Maggie Valley, NC. It’s hard, because Daddy doesn’t work a regular job. Daddy is a musician with a song in his pocket, a banjo in hand, and a plan to make it big one day. Since Livy Two writes lyrics also, she believes in her daddy’s dreams. And she has dreams of her own.
“…I want to see the world beyond the Smokies and I aim to bring my guitar with me when I do.
One day, I’d like to stroll along the Great Wall of China, ride me a camel in Egypt , swim in the Ganges River way over in India , and sip a cup of tea with the queen of England .”
Livy also dreams of helping her sister Gentle (whose eyes don’t work right) to learn Braille. Otherwise they might send Gentle to the school for the blind over in Raleigh . So with the help of the lady from the lending library truck, Livy Two gets a Braille book and begins to learn. Keeping the family together is a high priority for her!
But Daddy comes and goes on his quest to make it big. Mama is weary of his search for fame. She just wants him to feed his family. Grandma Horace with her glass eye (actually, a collection of them in different colors which she wears according to her mood) moves in to help out. And she’s is not the kind of grandmother who makes you feel better because she has arrived.
To make things worse Livy’s brother, Emmett gets fed up with daddy’s dreams and takes off for Ghost Town in the Sky to earn some money. Then tragedy strikes at another level, rearranging the family’s future even more dramatically.
And also leaving room for a sequel.
Fortunately, Gentle’s Holler (2005) is just the first in a trilogy that takes place during the 1960’s. Louisiana’s Song (2007) and Jessie’s Mountain (2008) continue the Weem’s family story. Author Kerry Madden infuses her stories with love of family and an at-home feeling for the Smoky Mountains . These books are populated with distinctive and quirky characters, unforgettable names, and much warmth. They are wholesome, funny, and heartwarming!
Visit Kerry on the web at http://www.kerrymadden.com/
Blog: AmoxCalli (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: YA fiction, london, victorian, detectives, Sherlock Holmes, casebooks, Tracy Mack, Add a tag
Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars: The Fall of the Amazing Zalindas
Authors: Tracy Mack and Michael Citrin
Illustrator: Greg Ruth
Publisher: Orchard Books
ISBN-10: 0439828368
ISBN-13: 978-0439828369
The Fall of the Amazing Zalindas is the first in the proposed Baker Street Irregulars new series from Scholastic and I think it’s a great start. It begins with three tightrope walkers falling to their deaths in a London Circus and introduces the gang of street urchins that helps the great Sherlock Holmes in his crime solving.
Holmes has another case involving a missing and very valuable book and while he and Watson are solving other leads, the Irregulars, led by Wiggins and Ozzie get down to business with the circus folk.
The boys are all interesting and colorful characters with different stories and strengths. Ozzie in particular has quite a bit of depth and color. He’s the sick one of the bunch and very frail but has a razor sharp memory and an uncanny ability for copying documents. Wiggins is the leader and he’s the protective papa of the bunch always looking out for the others. I expect we'll find out more about the others in future books.
Besides the boys, there is the wonderful character of Pilar whom they meet in the circus. Pilar is a Spanish gypsy girl (fortune-tellers daughter) and seems to be able to genuinely see the future while going into a trance. She adds a dash of spice to the gaggle of boys.
The Fall of the Amazing Zalindas is full of details, reads like a casebook and has fine illustrations which give the book a good flavor. There’s Cockney slang, a glimpse of what life was like for the poor children of that time. It has a old style Victorian feel to it which gives the book a sense of authenticity.
Both boys and girls will love the book for its sense of fun and adventure. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
That sounds like a fabulous read about one of our country's most remarkable authors. Thank you, Mary, for sharing this with us and I'll look forward to getting my hands on a copy soon!
Thanks, Eileen. I'd highly recommend this book! Very well-written, informative and entertaining.
Thank you for such a lovely review, Mary. I so appreciate it.
All best
Kerry