Title: Burn Baby BurnAuthor: Meg Medina
Published: 2016
Source: NetGalley
Summary: In the muggy summer of 1977, 17-year-old Nora struggles with family drama and her own choices about what to do with the rest of her life. Meanwhile, New York City is terrorized by the serial killer Son of Sam, overwhelming heat, and power outages.
First Impressions: I normally hate near-past stories but this one had a reason to happen where it did. Compelling.
Later On: One of the reasons I don't like near-past stories is because they seem like the author just wanted to write about their own teenage years without bothering to research the Youth of Today. This one is different because Medina draws on a specific time and place, and the events that go along with it, to underpin her story of a confusing, terrifying time of changes for her protagonist.
Nora is scared of becoming another of Son of Sam's victims, but she's equally frightened of her brother's violent outbursts. When the massive 1977 power outage hits New York, it affects her job and her relationships. She feels oppressed by the social mores of the day, but she also feels oppressed by her mother's specific translating needs and the pressure to be a good Latina daughter who ignores her brother's violence. The personal blends with the cultural blends with the social until everything is indistinguishable - they're all equal pressures that impact Nora's life.
I also really appreciated the way the author touched on social issues and movements of the day and didn't idealize them. She discusses feminism and the rush that Nora gets from it, but makes sure to mention that it's mostly white middle class feminism, that doesn't do much for working class Latinas and black women - a problem that still persists today.
More: Bookshelves of Doom for Kirkus
Our favorite books this July include the final Elephant and Piggie book. a book to inspire community engagement and creativity, the story of one of your kids’ favorite summertime toys, a captivating novel for animal lovers and a smart and suspenseful novel for mature readers.
Read on to see all the great stories our book experts can’t get enough of this month!
For Pre-K –K (Ages 3-6):
The Thank You Book (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems
The 25th and final Elephant and Piggie book will warm the hearts of grown-ups and have kids in stitches! It makes a perfect gift for a friend, a teacher, or anyone to whom you want to say, “Thank you.”’
For 1st and 2nd Grade (Ages 6-8):
Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy
“Beautiful” describes both the art and the story in this wonderful picture book (inspired by real events!) about the power of art, creativity, and community engagement. It may invite readers to see the potential for creative change in their own neighborhoods.
For 3rd & 4th grade (Ages 8-10):
Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton
Kids will be fascinated to learn how their favorite toy was invented. This lively and interesting biography shows the importance of persistence, passion, and problem solving. It’s perfect for budding scientists and engineers!
For 5th & 6th grade (Ages 10-12):
A Dog’s Way Home by Bobbie Pyron
Kids (and adults!) will be utterly won over by this terrific, captivating novel. A deeply moving story of a girl separated from her beloved dog, it’s a true “must read” for any animal lover!
Grades 7 & up (Ages 13+):
Burn, Baby, Burn by Meg Medina
We love author Meg Medina! Smart and suspenseful, her powerful new novel is a great story of personal strength and family loyalty set in NYC during one tension-filled summer. A great choice for mature teens, it’s sure to prompt dynamic discussions about past and current events.
The post Monthly Book List: Our Five Favorite Books this July appeared first on First Book Blog.
Teen had just put ramen into the microwave when I asked Teen to listen to a few paragraphs of a new chapter I was writing. In it, some cookies have been left in the oven too long and caught on fire. I read Teen the section about the acrid smoke and the smoke alarm. Teen goes back into kitchen and says, "Hm, it smells kind of smoky in here."
Teen had left the crucial ingredient out of the ramen: water.
Now if I need to summon up the sights and smells, the coughing and watering eyes - why, all I need to do is step outside my office. In fact, I don't really need to do that. We've got all the doors open and the fans going and it's still pretty bad.
Note to self: must right about winning lottery immediately.
Usually publicists stick to email extolling a books' virtues, or they send little bribes, or something to attract your attention, like a cheesy faux parchement scroll, or maybe a really glossy press packet.
Now Publishers Weekly reports that an in-house publicist mailed a one-page, seemingly handwritten letter to book review editors and members of the press last Friday. Written on paper decorated with roses and butterflies addresses a Mr. Pulsifer, and implores him to "burn down Edith Wharton's house." The note, signed "Sincerely, Beatrice Hutchins, Lenox, MA," makes no mention of a book, publisher or publicity effort, nor that Pulsifer and Hutchins are characters from a novel.
Full disclosure: I didn't get the letter.
Full disclosure number 2: I think it would kind of freak me out if I had.
Taking a tip from the Cartoon Network, they were trying to create buzz for Brock Clarke's September novel, An Arsonist's Guide to Writers Homes in New England.
Only in this case PW contacted the Wharton House, who called police.
Oopsy.
Algonquin felt the book deserved a particularly innovative promotional effort. "The mailing campaign, which will continue with two more letters this week—also done in character and threatening the homes of two other deceased, iconic New England writers—will culminate with a galley of the book."
"When asked if the house had any concerns that the letter might alarm its recipients, Algonquin publicity director Michael Taeckens and Algonquin associate publisher Ina Stern said the intention was to provoke, not scare. A statement from the house noted, "[the letters] are clearly fictitious and written in an over-the-top, playful manner—and refer to events that never happened, including, as the opening of each letter refers to, the burning down of Emily Dickinson's house.""
Full disclosure #3: I don't think these men have every gotten letters from really crazy people, because they are over the top and DO reference things that never happened.
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