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Monday Artday has been chosen as Monday's
Blogs of Note Blog of the Day!

Yep. Famed Blogger Buzz's Blog of the Day chose this little site for August 31st, 2009. Why? Well, because of YOU, of course! The fantastic artists that contribute and the viewers who come to be inspired. Never underestimate the power of art to move and inspire. This blog is made up of the talent and creativity of hundreds of contributors, fine artists and illustrators that generously share their creations with the world here, taking up challenges to inspire us all. So, THANK YOU ARTISTS! And stand up and take a bow.

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Blog of the Day: Amy McAuley's LiveJournal

About the Blogger: McAuley wrote the Over and Over You, a fabulous book about reincarnation, and about being both trapped by choices and being able to break free from old patterns. Also, I have to note, McAuley is very similar to Cawley (my Irish relatives are all Cawley, Maloney, Sullivan). So, I'm sure that if you go back, like, 1,000 years or so, we're related.

About the Blog: I have McAuley's LJ on my sidebar; more info on the author is at her website, including news of upcoming projects (but I can't find an RSS feed for it, darn it). And a cat that has my name! Her LJ has a mix of personal news, writing updates, and memes.

Blog of the Day: AmoXcalli

About the Blogger: Gina MarySol Ruiz. Ruiz is active in the kidlitosphere; she was on the nominating panel for GNs for Cybils; and hosts the "Reviewing the Classics of Kidlit" series. She also contributes to La Bloga. I'm way jealous because she went to Comic Con. I know!

About the Blog: AmoXcalli is "library" in Nahuatl, the language of Ruiz's ancestors. Ruiz blogs about "Chicano/Latino lit, YA & Children's literature, poetry and great books in general."

Blog of the Day: American Indians in Children's Literature

About the Blogger: From the blog: "Debbie Reese, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, US. I am tribally enrolled at Nambe Pueblo, in northern New Mexico. A former school teacher, I'm currently teaching in American Indian Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign."

About the Blog: Again, from the blog: "Critical discussion of American Indians in children's books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society-at-large."

Whether you're a reader, a teacher, a parent, a librarian, this is a must read blog. Debbie Reese discusses everything from Native poets to the American Girl Doll industry. She also reviews books (or, with permission, includes reviews by others.) Don't forget to click over and look at her other blog, Images of Indians in Children's Books.

Blog of the Day: Amelia's Passion

About the Blogger: Amelia describes herself as "I'm a transplanted God-loving New Yorker sweating her way through desert life. I'm obsessed with books - reading, buying, discovering new authors, etc."

About the Blog: One of the things I like about doing my Blog of the Day* posts is that it makes me go to the original blog. Most blogs I read strictly thru RSS feeds at Bloglines, going to the actual site only to comment or read comments. As I stroll leisurely thru my blogroll, I get to revisit the actual Blog, the art, the sidebars. Or, as here, sometimes see that it's been a bit since the blogger blogged, something that I don't notice via Bloglines.

And you know what? So what? That's why I like Bloglines; once Amelia starts posting again, I'll be reading it. She hasn't lost me as a reader.

Back to Amelia's Passion; I like that it's a mix of books, old, new, kids, adult, manga. I especially like her reviews of grown up books. The blog has been around since 2005, so while you're waiting for a new post, explore the archives.

*Yes, I know it's been a good three weeks since the last BotD post. Oh well.

Blog of the Day: Ally's Diary

About the Blogger: Ally Carter, author of the card books (for grown ups) and the Gallagher Girl books (for teens).

About the Blog: True Confession: while I read an author's blog when I review their book, I don't always add it to my blogroll, or keep reading after I've posted the review. But Ally -- she's as funny in her blog as she is on paper. I had to keep reading her. Ally writes about writing and revising and promotion, for both her "grown up" books and "teen" books. And she has great taste in TV.

Blog of the Day: Alex Richards

About the Blogger: Alex is a writer; her first book, Back Talk, will be available this summer. Like some of the other blogs I'm highlighting, I've only just begun reading hers so let's go to Alex's own "About Me"* section: she also dabbles in photography, film, theater, television; and makes no budget horror films.

About the Blog: Alex's blog is a chatty mix of what's happening in her life; one day, it's about a new film she saw, another about her bridal shower. She's got a great voice; when describing a dress that her mother bought her as a present, Alex writes that it made her look like "an Amish prostitute."

*I'm flirting with the idea of adding some type of About section here. Or perhaps putting it in my not really used wiki. Wow, even when I'm talking about someone else's blog I still make it all about me.

Blog of the Day: Adventures in Daily Living

About the Blogger: Since Adventures is brand new to me (just found out about it yesterday), I'm going mainly by the info on the blog: Suzanne is married and she and her husband are parents to two children who they adopted less than a year ago; she is a college English teacher.

About the Blog: I was feeling guilty about how far from "of the Day" I was when Adventures joined in Poetry Friday yesterday; now, had I been better about "of the Day" I would have been way past the A's and then would have had to obsess about how to handle adding Adventures. Do I stray from alphabetical order? Anyway. Enough of me, let's go to the blog! And once again I go by what the blog says since this is a new to me blog: Suzanne blogs about children, adoption, books, pets, "and whatever else strikes my fancy." (I have to love a blog mission statement that includes the "and anything else I want to write about" clause.)

Blog of the Day: 2nd Storye Window

About the Blogger: Elaine is a "wife, mother, teacher, writer." And like me she has left her 30s behind. 2nd Storye is not only a new blog on my sidebar; Elaine's blog is just a month old.

About the Blog: While just a month old, 2nd Storye already has an array of posts and touches on both the personal and the professional -- both teaching and writing. Elaine has a fresh voice and I'm interested in reading more about her classes and what books her students enjoy. Remember your first month of blogging? Why not go over and say "hi" to 2nd Storye!

Blog of the Day: The YA Novel And Me

About the Blogger: Gail Giles. She writes YA books; a mix of suspense and mystery; they make you think; and her endings... oh my her endings!

About the Blog: Gail Giles blogs about everything: the books she reads, her pets, writing... just about everything.

Blog of the Day: Words, Words, Words

About the Blogger: Suzi reads and reviews YA lit.

About the Blog: Blogs* like Suzi's are why I am an advocate of reading blogs via aggregators such as bloglines or Google Reader. Suzi has a strong voice and does great reviews on a wide assortment of books. But, she doesn't post that frequently. If you're a reader who is only going to the actual blog site to read, that lack of frequency can be frustrating. But, move over to an aggregator** where you get notified when there is something new, and bingo! It doesn't matter. Frequency is no longer important; only quality; and Suzi has a ton of quality.

*I know some people make a distinction between LiveJournal and blogs, but to me, they are the same. Just different vendors. Also, I have to say that Suzi is the wonderful person who put up my LiveJournal feed.

**Let me know in the comments if you all want more info or "how to" on reading blogs via aggregators. In the "real world" I teach workshops on blogging and aggregators. As with anything, it takes time to figure all this stuff out.

Blog of the Day: Walter the Giant Storyteller

About the Blogger: He's Walter! The GIANT Storyteller! Seriously, folks, when Walter M. Mayes says he is a "performer, writer, children's literacy advocate, educator" he's not being modest. You can read his book, Valerie & Walter's Best Books For Children: A Lively, Opinionated Guide, and don't you love someone who says right up front, yes, I'm opinionated? Should you ever have the chance to attend one of his workshops, do so.

About the Blog: Actually, a website with info about Walter, his book, workshops, etc. His blog is here.

Blog of the Day: Something Different Every Day

About the Blogger: Susan Dove Lempke; a public librarian who reviews for the Horn Book Magazine.

About the Blog: Blogs about childrens books, libraries, reviews. Some recent posts range from the difference between selection and censorship to what makes a great library trustee.

Blog of the Day: Richie's Picks: Great Books for Children and Young Adults

About the Blogger: Richie Partington; he's worked in bookstores, classrooms, and is currently getting his MLIS. He's served on BBYA and is on the Spring 2007 American Library Association ballot as a candidate for the Newbery committee. (and cause it is still about me, let me remind you all that I'm on the ballot as a candidate for the Printz committee!)

About the Blog: Richie's reviews are very well known; if he reviews it, it should be added to your TBR pile. The books are a mix of works already published and those yet to be published. Richie's reviews usually include the following: lyrics that bring out some point about the book; long quotes from the book so that you can get a feel for the language and writing; and a mix of the personal (noting his own personal experiences as they relate to the subject of the book) and universal (why you, your students, and the kids coming to the library would enjoy and get something out of the book.)

Blog of the Day: I'm A Reading Fool

About the Blogger: A public librarian writes about the books she is reading.

About the Blog: Reading Fool adopts the Voya system, rating both quality and popularity on a scale of 1 to 5, and noting age range. I especially like RF's original titles for each book review (To Sing or Not To Sing? That is the Question for Diva) and her musings.

Blog of the Day: Reading Rants! Out of the Ordinary Teen Booklists!*

About the Blogger: Jennifer Hubert is a middle school librarian; she is the author of Reading Rants! A Guide to Books That Rock

About the Blog: Hubert reads a lot; and takes what she's read to create fun booklists. According to her FAQ, the site is updated about every two months. She's been doing this awhile; the copyright notice starts in 1998. An example of what makes Hubert's booklists fabulous, and, as advertised, out of the ordinary: Virgin Run: Books About Falling in Love and First Times for Teens; "Home Fries": Country-fied Fiction for Teens; and The Coolest Classics You Never Even Heard Of!

*Note this is an updated link, so if you had the old one saved, use either the above link or www.readingrants.org

Blog of the Day: Patrick Jones (actually, that's his website)

About the Blogger: If you have anything to do with teens and libraries, PatrickJones is a must-know. And yes, he's one of those people where the first name and last name run together into one name: PatrickJones. He's a librarian; he's written several professional books about teens and libraries; and he is now writing fiction for teens.

About the Blog: Or, rather, website. Find out about all the stuff PatrickJones does: his books, his presentations, and the like. While he is now concentrating on fiction, his books about teens and libraries are must reads. PatrickJones respects teens; and respects all teens. Fastest way to tell a kid that they are not welcome at a library? Sneer at their reading selections; tell them that's not "real reading." While non-librarians may be thinking "so what," if you are interested in what it means to be teen librarian; or interested in what teens are reading and why; pick up one of his books. Any library should have them, tho chances are even if it's "checked in" it's actually on a librarian's desk, annotated with post-its. PatrickJones also has a blog, which needs to be updated. And a MySpace page.

Blog of the Day: Original Content

About the Blogger: Gail Gauthier writes books for children and teens.

About the Blog: Gail's observations about children's literature are a must-read, whether they are personal (about writing and selling and marketing) or are about the books that she is reading or the latest news. I love that Gail is unafraid to say exactly what she thinks; and she is funny; and she is blunt. And she makes me think.

Blog of the Day: The New Misrule Blog

About the Blogger: Judith Ridge knows a lot about children's literature. She writes, she teaches, she edits, she does it all.

About the Blog: The blog gets its name from a classic children's book; an Australian book, which I have never read.* Judith is from Australia and I am the best. person. ever because I am resisting any and all Australia-type jokes such as .... Ha. Not even doing THAT. Given that Australian YA authors are amazing and keep winning Printz Honors, anyone reading kids and teens books should be keeping an eye on what is getting published in Australia. And one way to do that is thru Judith's blog, despite the frustration of hearing about a book that isn't out in the US yet. Oh, and another thing? Judith is a fan of Good TV (Buffy, Veronica Mars, etc.)

* But I just found it at Amazon so I'm adding it to my Wish List.

Blog of the Day: Marlene Perez's LiveJournal

About the Blogger: Marlene Perez is a YA author (the first book I blogged about was Unexpected Development by Marlene).

About the Blog: About writing; upcoming books; TV shows, including Veronica Mars (and what's with naming that guy Piz anyway? That name alone is reason to dislike him); and various and sundry things.

Blog of the Day: Mad Chatter

About the Blogger: Dr. Ruth Cox Clark, YA and Children's Literature professor

About the Blog: A great combination blog; while it's mostly blogging about books, posts also cover plays, movies, and life in general. One recent post included a new grandchild, a performance of The Vagina Monologues, and some buzz on an upcoming YA book, My Desperate Love Journey .

Blog of the Day: Librarina's Blurty

About the Blogger: Chrissie Morrison is a Tween Librarian. (BTW, how cool is that? Not Youth Services that happens to include teens;, not Teen that happens to also do Tween -- Tween.)

About the Blog: Chrissie discusses the books she's been reading (mostly tween books), along with audiobooks, tween waiting list, and what she has pre-ordered. Chrissie is someone I've "met" online, on the adbooks discussion list.

Blog* of the Day: Leda Schubert Website

About the Blogger: Schubert is the author of children's books; her most recent is Ballet of the Elephants.

About the Blog: Information about Schubert's books; a Q&A, including her middle name, and while I love her middle name, combined with her first name it is almost a tongue twister; and a "Just for Kids" section that gives additional information on her work.

*Blog, Website, does it really matter?

Blog of the Day: Interactivereader

About the Blogger: Jackie is a librarian; and, like me, involved in the Cybils. (Jackie was on the YA panel that had to read the loooong list; I'm on the shortlist panel.)

About the Blog: Jackie reviews and discusses books and book news; it's mostly teen, but not always; and she also compiled some interesting Cybil stats.

Blog* of the Day: The Flying Pig Bookstore

About the Blogger: An independent bookstore in Vermont.

About the Blog: These people know their stuff, especially children's books. Based on this website and bookstore alone, I want to go to Vermont. But, until then, I enjoy seeing what books they review and highlight. (And yes, you can buy online from them.)

*Today, not a blog. But remember, we're just going with the flow.