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It's the beginning of summer vacation and Natalie Wallis is already bored. She decides to give herself an assignment to pass the time. Her task is to clock how fast that she can ride around her block. It doesn't hurt that riding around the block means passing Steven Redding's house. Natalie thinks that Steven is the cutest, sweetest boy in the whole school and she has been secretly in love with him for three years now. But it's not Steven who Natalie runs into.

Instead, there is a small, skinny boy standing in Natalie's path. "I'm gonna tell you a secret," the boy says.

Well, Natalie comes to find out that this boy isn't a boy after all, but a girl named Annie. Annie has lots of secrets, and she wants to find out more. Annie and Natalie (code names Elvis and Olive) start their secret club that day. Their task is to find out the secrets of all of the people in their neighbourhood. Natalie assures Annie that the block is boring, but Annie knows that the most seemingly normal folks, tend to have a secret or two ripe for spying.

Natalie likes being around Annie even though she knows that Annie is a liar. Annie is not like the other girls in her private school. She is brave and a little dangerous too. Before too long it becomes apparent that some things are secret for a reason, and that while spying is fun, being spied on is not.

Stephanie Watson has written a gem of a story about friendship, truth, family and trust. Annie is a character who is flawed all over the place, yet likable just the same. Readers get to watch Natalie become braver, which is always a fun thing to do! This is the kind of story, however, that gives me the after-school special feeling in my stomach...you know when you see something bad coming, and you are yelling at the character on the television not to do what you know they are going to do? Watson really does have you wanting it all to be okay.

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Julia Gillian is accomplished at many things including the art of papier mache mask making, spreading her gum across her top teeth, and knowing exactly what her dog Bigfoot is thinking. She is still trying to master the claw machine at her Minneapolis neighbourhood hardware store. She has been trying for 3 years to get the meerkat perched inside. Julia Gillian is also good at the Art of Knowing. For example, in the morning, she's knows exactly when her mother will butter her toast, and what plate she will put her toast on.

But this summer, her Art of Knowing is letting her in on the fact that things change. Her parents haven't been taking her for picnics, or really spending any time with her at all. They are busy taking double load grad school courses. And they keep sending her out for walks in the 9 block area she is allowed in her neighbourhood. That's not exactly fun. She still has her green book to finish and she is just certain that it is going to have a sad ending. She tries talking to her babysitter and neighbour Enzo about everything, but Enzo is a woman of few words. Thank goodness Julia Gillian can put on her raccoon mask when she needs a bit more courage to head out the door.

Alison McGhee has written a sweet "moment in time" story about Julia Gillian's summer. She is growing up, and fighting parts of it. Black and white illustrations by Drazen Kozjan perfectly compliment the story. Julia Gillian is a great read for fans of Ivy and Bean, Clementine, and those who have outgrown Amber Brown.

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I love A Little Friendly Advice. I've given the book to teens who also loved it, so it's not odd at all to hear someone come into my store and declare, "I heart ALFA." I enjoyed the book for a million different reasons: the writing, the storytelling, the characters, everything that spun together like cotton candy to make for a sweet, memorable book. Even the cover is fantastic - and it's also true to the story, but more about that later.

I also enjoy the storyteller. Whether we're talking about literature or food, little things or big coincidences, Siobhan Vivian never fails to crack me up. It is my absolute pleasure to present An Interview with -

Wait. Okay, first of all, for people out there who have difficulties pronouncing Siobhan, I'm going to sound it out: Shove-on.

Now we can move on. (But no pushing!)

Which came first, the title or the main plotline?

The title came first . . . though it was not originally A Little Friendly Advice.

I had been strolling through the big Diane Arbus exhibition at LACMA on Easter Sunday 2003. I remember the day exactly, because the museum was totally empty and I could get up close to all the pictures.

One photo in particular caught my eye, and I stared for at least 20 minutes. It was of a tough-looking girl wearing a jean jacket covered in little buttons. I couldn’t exactly make out what was written on them, but one looked to say something like Lost Daddy's Love...

The story exploded into my head right then and there. I ran outside and scribbled a rough plot down on my museum map, and Lost Daddy's Love became the working title.

At the very start of the story, Ruby gets a Polaroid camera for her sixteenth birthday, which she uses to take pictures of her friends. Those pictures grace the cover of the book - and I think they're pretty darn accurate.

Aren't they awesome?!

Did you have any say in the cover design and the text typesetting?

I didn't go to the actual model casting, but Scholastic asked me to provide some short-hand descriptions of the four main characters and how I might like to see them posed. They followed my suggestions to the letter! I think my favorite thing about the photography is that the girls look like real girls. They’re not overly styled or airbrushed.

As for cover design, my editor David originally pitched the concept of four Polaroids, with one word from the title written in marker on each picture. I loved the idea, though in execution it was kind of hard to read. So we went with the masking tape as a back-up. I’m so happy with the result.

Shortly after Ruby takes up photography, she befriends the quirky Charlie, who makes equally quirky pins. What made you equip your main characters with such cool hobbies?

I have always been attracted to people who make stuff. And not just because they tend to give awesome presents!

I feel like creative people are adventuresome by nature. They're not afraid to mess up. In fact . . . they often embrace their mistakes. They're more romantic. They’re more passionate. Those were all traits I wanted Charlie and Ruby to eventually connect on. So giving them each a creative outlet made sense.

I really enjoyed all of your supporting characters, especially Ruby's parents. Each had their own personality and stumbling blocks.

Oh, thank you!

You're welcome. Do either of the parents in the book or their tones echo anything from your own household?

There's nothing too literal, thankfully, but there are definite similarities in how Ruby learns to communicate with both her Mom and Dad.

It's such a strange thing when you know someone means well, but they still fall way short of your expectations. I think that's a hard thing for anyone to come to terms with, and something I've certainly struggled with as my parents have become more like "real people" to me.

Ruby's best friend Beth is also friends with Maria and Katherine. Ruby gets along with Maria, but she would gladly do without Katherine. You captured that weird feeling that comes about when your friend has a friend who is not YOUR friend. Did that happen to you in high school?

Mm-hmm. It makes for a really strange dynamic, doesn't it? You'd think that if two people were connected by a common friend, there’d be a really high probability that they'd get along themselves. Ha. If only!

You have co-written a picture book with J. Otto Seibold called Vunce Upon a Time. How did that come to pass, and when will it be available?

I met Jimmy while living in Los Angeles. We had always talked about doing a book together, and worked on a TV idea that never took off. Life got in the way after that, and when I moved back to NYC, we lost touch. Then we reconnected last year and shortly thereafter, Vunce was born! It’s a sweet story and the art is really rad. I'm very proud of it. It will be published by Chronicle and will be available this Halloween! (insert spooky "OooOOoo!" sound here)

When I'm home, I'm always listening to music or to a program or film on TV - unless I'm writing something. In that case, I have to turn off the TV (too distracting) and listen only to music. Do you have any writing rituals?

Buy a fancy coffee, set iTunes to play dedicated music for a particular chapter/character, and turn my internet off. Having no web access is essential to having a productive writing day.

You have a background in film and television.

My undergraduate degree was in Writing for Film and Television. After graduation, I moved to Los Angeles and worked in kids television for a few years, in jobs ranging from being the assistant to a network head, working as a literary scout for an independent animation company, and doing PA work on a few shows. I've even had my hand up inside some Muppets!

Are you still involved in the entertainment industry?

I'm still semi-involved with that industry. This past year, I worked as a staff writer for a preschool show on The Disney Channel. I'd love to do more work in that field. It's a lot of fun, and a nice change of pace from writing books.

Would you ever develop your books into screenplays?

I would absolutely d-i-e if someone wanted to make ALFA into a film, but I'm not sure how involved I'd want to be in the process. I think I might be a little too close to the material to make the changes necessary for adaptation. Just give me a cameo and one of those folding chairs with my name on the back and I'd be set.

Care to give readers A Little Friendly Advice about...

... taking Polaroid pictures?

Outkast lied to you! No shaking allowed.

... writing a novel?

Have a high threshold for pain.

... dealing with school?

Create something for yourself outside of the realm of high school -- be it taking a pre-college class, starting a band, writing a book, doing an internship. A little perspective on how awesome life will be like once high school is over goes a long way. At least, it did for me.

What are you working on now?

My next book is called Same Difference. It will be out in Spring 2009.

It's the story of a girl named Emily who lives in beautiful suburbia and just "gets by" in terms of friends and popularity. She's totally skilled at flying under the radar.

During the summer before her junior year, Emily starts commuting everyday to a fine art program in Philly. While there, she makes a whole new set of friends who are waaay different from the kinds of people she’s friends with back home.

Emily finds herself becoming a different person, depending on whether she is at home or in Philly. Eventually, those two worlds collide, leaving Emily to figure out who she really is.

And, of course, there is a cute boy to crush on, a first tattoo with a fake ID, thrift store shopping and the stealing of booze from fancy galleries.

Fun stuff!

Good times! Last but not least, what are ten of your favorite books?

Hard to choose! But here goes from the top of my head . . .

Blankets by Craig Thomspon
Ghost World by Daniel Clowns
absolutely anything by Adrian Tomine
Rabbit, Run by John Updike (and the other three novels as well)
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Boy Proof by Cecil Castellucci
Tyrell by Coe Booth
Paranoid Park by Blake Nelson

Hmmm . . . I clearly have a thing for outsider characters.

Many, many thanks to Siobhan for the conversation, the laughter, and the pins. You rock, lady!

Read my review of A Little Friendly Advice by Siobhan Vivian.

Drop by her website and LiveJournal. Siobhan is also a member of The Longstockings.

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How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! by Barbara Kerley illustrated by Edwin Fotherignham Scholastic 2008 Yes, a picture book biography about Teddy Roosevelt's tomboy daughter "running riot" in and out of the White House around the turn of the century. “I can be president of the United States, or I can control Alice." And so it is that while

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The 2008 Push Novel Contest:

"Now's the time to enter the PUSH Novel Contest for 2008. Your submission must contain at least three and no more than five chapters from an original novel (excerpt minimum 15 pages, maximum 50 pages), as well as an outline/summary of the rest of the book, not to exceed two pages in length. [ . . . ] This contest is only open to students in grades 7 through 12. Submissions cannot be emailed, and will not be returned. The gold medal winner will win a Scholastic Art & Writing Award, and the manuscript will be worked on with PUSH editorial staff, with the hope of eventual publication in PUSH."

All entries must be postmarked by March 14th, 2008.

Entry form
Rules and regulations
thisisPUSH

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Welcome to the Hopewell Hotel. We offer clean suites, delicious food (sometimes burnt), free entertainment (that the owners don't know about), and service with a smile.

This novel has family values. Rather, it values family: The Hopewell has been passed down through the Martin family for generations. The current owners are struggling to keep it going, and their children readily pitch in to help. Well, "readily" is relative - no pun intended. There's Spencer, the oldest at nineteen, an actor skilled at comedy and pratfalls; Lola, a recent high school graduate whose rich boyfriend can give her everything she wants - except that which matters most; Scarlett, the Suite's sweet protagonist; and Marlene, the youngest, who has no problem saying what she likes and what she doesn't. On his or her fifteenth birthday, each Martin gets a suite to care for. The book begins with Scarlett turning fifteen, getting assigned the Empire Suite, and finding out just how tight things are getting in the hotel. "We'll get by," her father says. "We always do."

And they do. I really enjoyed the family dynamic in this book. Spencer and Scarlett are close, as are Marlene and Lola. They all get along, but Scarlett's bond with her brother is stronger than that with either of her sisters. Thus, a large part of Scarlett's story also belongs to Spencer. He put a culinary scholarship on hold to pursue his acting, and his parents gave him a year to become a working actor or buckle down for school. With that year almost up, Spencer is anxious for something to come his way that pays him (to make his parents happy) and challenges him (to make him happy), so he's thrilled to when he gets the opportunity to be in a production of Hamlet. Spencer has such a good heart. You'll want him to succeed, and you'll wish he was your older brother too.

Meanwhile, while all of Scarlett's friends are off having summer adventures, Scarlett works at home. The Empire Suite is occupied by an aging actress named Mrs. Amberson who has money to spare and opinions to share. This woman is a true character. You never know what she's going to do next. Instead of bossing her new assistant around with barking commands and snapping fingers, she becomes an odd sort of confidante for the girl, and her eccentric ways become endearing.

Before long, Scarlett finds her summer schedule pretty full. In addition to dealing with Mrs. Amberson's antics and helping out with Spencer's show, she's also crushing on Spencer's scene partner Eric. She tries to re-connect with each of her sisters. Marlene's coddled for a reason - something I won't reveal here - and sophisticated Lola's apparent happiness may be more of an act than her family knows.

Maureen Johnson's sixth novel - and Scholastic debut - is not to be missed. Johnson's trademark wit is here ("Before, liking Eric was like a mirror - it was just a shiny thing, and it only went one way") as is her ability to capture simple truths. There are many truths to be told here about families, first loves, careers, living in New York City, and simply growing up.

It's refreshing to read a story with a well-adjusted leading character who actually acts her age and likes her family. Watching Scarlett takes in everything around her is a real treat. She's content to be in the middle of her family, in the middle of her teen years, but she's also realizing how many wonderful possibilities are out there for her and for the ones she loves. You know that whatever she does now or when she grows up, she'll do it well.

Check into the Hopewell today. I hope - I know - you'll enjoy your stay.

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson will be available in bookstores in May.

Related Posts: Author Spotlight: Maureen Johnson, Interview: Maureen Johnson

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Every time I get a Scholastic book, I feel like a kid again. In elementary school, I declared Scholastic to be my favorite publisher because it gave me The Baby-Sitters Club. Now I'm an adult, and I still love Scholastic. Its various imprints include:

Candy Apple - Cute, quick reads for ages 8 to 12, mostly appealing to girls. Here's the Candy Apple line-up so far.

Graphix - The person who hired Raina Telgemeier to illustrate The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels should get a raise - and so should Raina - for introducing the stories to a whole new generation!

Klutz - I remember when Klutz books first started to come out. I was given the juggling book and squares. (They weren't round.) Now there are a countless number of crafty and creative do-it-yourself books and kits. Aren't the gift certificates cool? Also check out the Build-a-Book Literacy Event.

Point - In the nineties, you gave me horror titles by the likes of Richie Tankersley Cusick, Caroline B. Cooney, R.L. Stine, and Diane Hoh. You also gave me Missing Since Monday by Ann M. Martin. Now you give me Suite Scarlett by the fantabulous Maureen Johnson. (Review coming soon.) THANK YOU!

PUSH - Praise to David Levithan. Lots and lots of praise.

Scholastic Reference - Informative for all and attractive to kids.

... as well as Arthur A. Levine Books, The Chicken House, Scholastic en Español, and more!

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This is the latest book I've illustrated, called A Friend for Mr. Granville by Gillian Richardson, published by Scholastic Canada. My copy from the publisher arrived amidst all the busyness of December and I've been showing it to friends but am just getting around to posting it here. I'm quite proud of this book, I really loved the story and I enjoyed working on the illustrations. There were 24 greyscale illustrations to do for the inside as well as the colour cover.

This book was first published in 1997. My edition is a levelled reader (called Moving up with Literacy Place) to be sold to schools. This means you can't buy this edition in a bookstore, which is something I still aspire to.

Here are some more of the illustrations: The story is about a boy who visits a senior's home with his class. He notices one man who is always sitting looking out the window on his own and only lights up one day when he sees a family playing with a dog outside. The boy decides to try to arrange for this man to have a dog of his own. Of course it doesn't happen easily, the boy and his friends do extra chores to try to earn the money for the dog, only to find out that the senior's home won't take him!I tried to make the dog the kids chose look as lovable as possible. Who wouldn't want this dog??And here's a detail of the cover. For me, finally seeing printed copies of books I've illustrated is one of the best parts of being an illustrator. My other thrill is getting new projects to work on and knowing I'll be busy. I just found out this week that I have another project coming my way from one of my favourite clients which made me feel cheerful about the new year (although very busy because I'm still working on another book while we're trying to assemble our IKEA kitchen!). Starting out as a freelance illustrator a couple of years ago turned out to be my most difficult "new job" experience ever, but definitely the most rewarding.

Thanks for reading!

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Ok, not me. You don't have to start referring to me as "Lady Littman" or "Baroness Saraclaradara" or anything quote so formal.

It's actually my BOOK that finally has the new title. Yes, The Novel Formerly Known As Ketchup on My Cucumbers shall henceforth be known as PURGE, and will be available from Scholastic in Spring 2009.

And public props Robin Friedman for her blessing in using this awesome title.

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Robert's Snow auction week two

Here is another chance to own unique pieces of artwork created by children's illustrators. All the proceeds got to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Happy bidding: Robert's Snow

Things have been pretty quiet around here - lot's and lot's of work to do. Lately, I have been listening to Librivox while I paint. Volunteers have recorded books for your listening pleasure. I get completely transported while I paint. So far, I have got through Jane Eyre, Little Women and The Secret Garden. Some books are read by just one person and others can have each chapter read by a different person, so it can make for entertaining listening.

In between work, I have been trying to do a little Christmas shopping on Etsy. I haven't got time to make any of my own gifts this year or to go shopping. There is such a wide of variety of unique and lovely things to choose from, and I can browse while I am sitting in my cosy house. I just have to remember that I am shopping for other people and not for myself!

And it was exciting to see our book in the Scholastic flyer today!

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Lucky Bird, indeed, and some lucky bird out there is going to own their very own copy of Bird on a snowflake! Yes, today I have the great fortune of presenting Jeremy Tankard's snowflake for Robert's Snow, made even more special by the fact that Jeremy generously donated his time to answer some questions and provide artwork from his sketchbook! To see any of the illustrations in a larger (or

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Hugo lives in the train station in Paris, and is the time-keeper. The only thing is, nobody knows. After his own clockmaker father died in a tragic fire, Hugo's gruff Uncle pulled him out of school, and made Hugo his own time-keeper apprentice. Hugo's uncle starts disappearing for longer and longer stretches of time, until one day, he doesn't come home at all.

What can Hugo do, but continue setting the clocks, and living in Uncle's tiny apartment in the station? He collects Uncle's paycheques so that the Station Inspector is none-the-wiser to the situation.

Everything changes for Hugo when one day, while stealing a wind-up mouse from the toy booth, he is caught. The man who runs the toy booth threatens to call the Station Inspector and takes from Hugo the one thing that he has left from his father - his notebook with the illustrations of the automaton that his father found in the museum attic. The man who runs the toy booth, and Hugo, are connected in a way that neither could fathom. With twists and turns too intricate to describe, Selznik takes readers on a journey about history, cinema, and the meaning of family.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret looks like a daunting book. It is as thick as J.K Rowling's works. The pages of Hugo, however, are filled with Selznick's amazing illustrations that call to mind the work of Chris Van Allsburg. Part of the story is actually told through the illustrations, quickening the pace of reading considerably. A beautiful and enchanting story that is destined to become a classic.

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Shaun Tan Arthur A. Levine / Scholastic 2007 Okay: wow. I have this feeling everyone is going to fall all over this book (if they haven't already) for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that Tan put four years into researching and preparing this book and every minute of every day of those four years is visible on the page. In his wordless tale of the immigrant experience

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Fun Facts That Happen Every 60 Seconds Steve Murrie and Matthew Murrie illustrated by Mary Anne Lloyd Scholastic 2007 Yes, another book of lists, this one with a fact per page illuminating some aspect of things that take place on the planet each minute. Did you know that Americans are drinking 208,333 cups of coffer per minute? That's a lot of java, and someone has to be picking up my slack

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by Alice Hoffman Scholastic 2002 Boy, was I in some sort of mood when I wrote the following incoherent mess: Simplistic and predictable, it reads more like an outline for a larger, deeper, more satisfying book. While it's a quick and easy read it isn't really enough to make a mediocre TV movie out of. Too bad. You wait for it to get good and it speeds right to the end. Hm. I wonder how I

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Kaitlyn, Maggie and Liesel are best friends. They have lived in Marshfield Lake forever, and each are known for something special. Maggie is a super athlete, Liesel is a great artist, and Kaitlyn is a fantastic babysitter, who just happens to have a bit of a competitive streak.

One day at lunch, Maggie invites new girl Nola over to their lunch table. Nola's from L.A. and you can definitely tell. Her clothes are always perfect and there is something competitive about her that Kaitlyn doesn't like.

Kaitlyn definitely decides that Nola is not to be liked when she not only starts taking over Kaitlyn's babysitting gigs, but is also seen nose to nose with resident hottie Topher Walker.

How far will Kaitlyn go to one-up Nola? How long can her friends stand her blowing them off in the name of competition?

This is a super cutie patootie title that is a breeze to read. It's chock full of tween girl issues like crushes, being grounded, and friendship. Candy Apple seems to be Scholastic's latest tween series. And with a cover like this, how can it miss? Each title is written by a different author. This one is by Mimi McCoy, and there are others by Laura Dower, Francesco Sedita, Lisa Papdemetriou, and Lara Bergen. Perhaps you've heard of a couple of them?

I know come the fall, these will be in the hands for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders at my school.

Yay.

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Some (Very Exciting!) Harry Pottery Stuff in the News...

Interesting piece in the PW Daily today about Scholastic's investigation of Deepdiscount.com who apparently shipped copies of HP#7 to some 1,200 buyers--and the books began arriving yesterday. So PW is talking about investigating for breach of contract and asking readers who have gotten the books early to not open them until July 21 at 12:01 along with everyone else caught up in the Potteracious frenzy.

The kicker (and this is not mentioned in the Publishers Weekly piece) is that one of the guys who got his copy early (and apparently alerted the media) sold his book on eBay for $250 plus shipping to (wait for it)... Publishers Weekly. What fun!

I'm very amused by all of this--all the hyping and the party planning and speculating and counting down and the breaching of contracts. It's refreshing and wonderful that a book can cause so much commotion when it has absolutely nothing to do with Oprah. Perhaps one day, in a world free of Harry-hype, I will finally crack open book one and see if I can finally understand all the fuss.

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Yes, I was supposed to be gone for a month, but my flight got cancelled, so I'm here for 2 more days (until I can catch the next flight out). That's another mess. In the meantime, I have been browsing the blogosphere.

The Washington Post has an interesting article about Harry Potter's editor Arthur Levine. It gives a little bit of background about how Scholastic obtained Harry Potter and Levine does a litle promo of some of his other authors.

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as in "I feel Good...dadadadada...like I knew that I would now".

It's been a really long and arduous three and a half years (well, actually more like closer to nine years - but who's counting?) but these days I find myself walking around humming James Brown. We moved into our new house a week ago today and I've already unpacked most of my books and arranged them on my brand new bookshelves, made with tremendous skill and speed by wonderful carpenter Scott Hayward. There's something about being surrounded by my beloved books that makes me feel like it's really home.

My study is looking awesome - with the slight problem that the desk and filing cabinets I ordered aren't scheduled to arrive for another 6 weeks. (!!) Still, the books are on the shelves, so I'm going to put up a little bridge table and settle down to writing something other than checks. I'll post some before and after pictures when I get a chance, as well as some photos of our new digs.

The best thing of all is living in a real neighborhood. I lived in my old house 8 years and saw my neighbors once. Now there are kids running in and out of my house constantly. G and A, who live behind us, brought me over a plate of cookies the other day as a welcome present. Two other neighbors gave us plants.

My friend Miriam has been giving me a bottle of champagne each year for the last three years, and I kept saving them for a happy occasion - "when I finally get divorced"..."when I sell my second book" etc. Well, on Saturday I had an impromptu barbecue and finally popped the corks of some rather lovely Tattinger and Pol Roger. The kids were running from my house to next door, where the neighbors were making Smores. I'm so happy with our new home; even the Webmeister, who's not into all that airy fairy stuff, said that the energy in the new house is better than in the old house.

And speaking of the Webmeister, I'd like to give him some public kudos for helping me to get the Airport Express I bought yesterday set up to work as a network extender, so I now have a good wireless signal in my bedroom. I'd been on the phone with Apple Customer support for 20 minutes unable to solve the problem - they had to transfer me to an expert specialist and there was at least an additional 15 minutes wait on hold. About 10 minutes into the 15 minutes, I got disconnected (scream!) and when I called back I got the "it's past office hours" recording. (Double scream!) I called the Webmeister in dismay, and within 5 minutes he'd got the problem sorted. "That's why you should call me first," he told me.

Lesson learned. Next time I will. And now that I've got Bedroom Wireless I'll hopefully be able to keep up with my blogging a bit better.

What else? Well, today I had lunch with my new editors at the House of Clifford, David Levithan and Jen Rees. I love them both, and I'm so excited about working with them. So I still don't know the new title of the book, but the tentative pub is early spring 2009. I'm looking forward to getting stuck back into writing again after weeks of packing - and then unpacking - boxes.

Last but not least, a funny anecdote. My fourth grader neighbor, J, is convinced that I'm a really famous author, despite me saying, "Actually J, I'm not *that* famous" on more than one occasion. The other day he asked me, "Do you go places in a limousine?" Hahahahahahahah! He must have me mistaken for Nora Roberts or something. I go places in a dented, dirty Mom- Mobile.

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Pretty risque title for children's non-fiction title, but that's what it said on the outside of the box of galleys from Scholastic. Sadly, the galley's correct title appeared on the cover: The Many Rides of Paul Revere. The cover says it's illustrated with archival art and new illustrations but when you look at the title page and it says "Illustrated with Archival Photographs." Hmm. That

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"I still can't believe I am an author."

It hits me everyday. At every book sale or kid's letter to me, or new review (this one is my favorite of all times I think).

But what has really made me smile in that 1o year old, beaming-proudly way is this: I am part of the SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIRS. I still remember getting those wonderful newsprint sheets that get sent home so we can check the little boxes next to the books we'll get. I remember it all - the joy of choosing my own books, the anticipation... and then getting the books handed out and then rushed home to be devoured.

I'm now on that sheet of newsprint. And the kid in me can't wait to get home and tell me all about it - hoping beyond hope to check as many boxes as I want!

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by Rafe Martin
illustrated by David Shannon
Scholastic / Arthur A. Levine Books 2001

In this adaptation of a native tale from Hawaii, two children, a boy and a girl, find a shark tangled in netting on the shore. Their attempts to get adults to help them are met with derision so the decide to free the shark themselves. The shark can sense the children mean to help and once freed gives them a bit of a nod of thanks before disappearing into the ocean.

Jubilant at their rescue, the children run through the edges of the jungle, stumbling on the king's sacred drum. In their excitement they long to sound the drum, to announce their achievement to the world, but to do so would be kapu (forbidden). But they're kids, they lightly tap the drum anyway, under the watchful smirk of the king who sees it all. Having waited until they have hit the drum the king then calls out his guards to seize the children and have them held for punishment.

Their parents plea to the king, hoping to appeal to his softer side, but his heart has grown cold to the entreaties of his people. Likewise, appeals to the other members of the community are cold and the parents decide that they must make their case elsewhere.

Seeking out the cave of the Shark God they place their lives on the line as the mountain-sized god swoops them up for a snack. After hearing their story the Shark God agrees to help and sends the parents home with instructions to prepare a canoe filled with goods and to wait for a sign.

The Shark God brings about a massive wave that floods the village and frees the children from their cells. The parents, having seen the sign they were waiting for, launched their canoe before the wave hit and were well at sea when their old village was destroyed. They quickly found their children (with the aid of a friendly shark) and the king's drum and with it sail to anew island where they hoped to find (or start) a new community, one with an open heart.

The author points out in an afterword the differences between the original folk tale and the modifications made for this version. The differences mentioned appear slight and motivational and make a good case for maintaining the essence of the original. A little casual Internet research shows that this story has many variations across the South Pacific and not all of them pleasant. In one, "Kauhuhu, The Shark God of Molokai," the children belong to a priest and they are killed for beating on the drums when the chief is away, no mention of freeing a shark. There are greater details about the ordeal necessary for avenging the children's deaths and the wave brings a hoard of sharks who feast on the cold-hearted villagers.

So on the one hand we have these tales collected by a couple of German brothers that are filled with all sorts of strange dismemberings and transformations and gore, and despite there being no solid evidence they were meant for children we consider them as such. On the other hand when we get a story from a non-Western culture we see a need to make it more palatable and perhaps soften the rougher edges? True, many a Grimm tale are themselves softened to the point of innocence though they are far from their original spirit and, for the most part, have been co-opted by Disnefication. But where we have the original tales in translation for ready comparison such isn't always the case and a lesser-known tale like The Shark God, without research, becomes practically gutted and filleted from the original to a piece of nicely presented same at a sushi bar.

In the end, I'm not taking a stand on this book either way. No, really. I read it knowing nothing about its origin and enjoyed it. Had there not be the author's afterword I might not have gone searching for the original story and not known what had been changed. I think I would prefer that when we introduce stories from another culture to children -- especially if there is little to suggest they will one day be taught it's true origins -- then I guess I'd like that "one shot" to be an accurate one. I wouldn't want any child drawing all their knowledge of ancient Egypt from watching mummy movies and don't like the thought of children learning about the culture of our island state in such a sanitized manner.

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For those of you who have had to listen to my incessant whining and insecurity about being a "One Not-Even-A-Big-Hit Wonder" over the last few years, it's safe to pick up the phone when you see me on caller ID. Because as of this afternoon, the Super Secret Agent has given me permission to spill the good news that I've been bursting with all weekend to all and sundry...my second book is Officially Sold!!!

The Novel Formerly Known as Ketchup on My Cucumbers went to David Levithan at Scholastic. I'm beside myself with excitement to be able to work with David, for whom I have tremendous respect both as an editor and an author. Not only that, he's great fun, as I can attest from my sporadic attendance at TADN (Teen Author Drinks Night).

I just ordered the MacBook I'd promised myself as a treat when I sold my second book.

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by Natalie Babbitt
MDC/Scholastic 2007

Set on the island of Jamaica in the 1720's, Natalie Babbitt's first new book in a quarter century is the story of a former pirate looking for a new vocation after getting kicked off his ship for not being pirate enough. Jack doesn't have the stomach to plunder or rattle swords and would rather cook soup and keeps his fellows company, and for a while the crew of the Avarice were fine with the arrangement. But times for pirating were lean and Jack was set ashore with his belongings and enough florins to get him set up on land.

Checking into a local boarding house his charm wins him an audience among the borders who are slightly excited to have a reformed pirate in their midst. Daily Jack sets about with the landlord's daughter to find suitable work but each day encounters a problem that prevents him from taking on the enterprise. At the end of each day when the members of the boarding house sit down to sup Jack recounts a story relevant to why this job or that isn't suited to him, thus justifying his inability to find employment.

These tales all center around the things he's seen during his days as a pirate, tall tales for the most part of the kind that make for good nautical folklore: The sailor that takes the shape of an octopus during the full moon; The man who bakes a cake to successfully woo a mermaid; The sailor whose prize possession of a mummified hand of king lures a ghost to the ship. There are also the less supernatural yarns, of alligator charmers and gold-fever, and a sailor so enamored of his beard he refuses to cut it off despite having a dead crab lodged within it. Each of the stories ends with a short discussion by the boarding house audience and an agreement that after hearing such a tale Jack's aversion to a particular vocation is justified.

(Non-spoiler alert: I'm not giving away the ending, though I think it can be easily guessed.)

In the end Jack realizes he can no longer afford to stay at the boarding house, but the answer has been staring them in the face the entire time. Arrangements are made and Jack manages to stay, utilizing his skills to the fullest.

In the same vain as a shaggy dog or campfire story, Babbitt's stories don't really justify Jack's inability to find work so much as link a fanciful hornpipe of nautical tales. It's clear from the start that Jack is a master of avoiding work and his amiable ways are what keeps him in good company, if not fed, housed and clothed. When the landlord suggests "Stories aren't much, of course, but on the other hand, they're not so little, either" it echoes an old expression I've often seen credited to Barry Lopez but heard comes from the old Yiddish saying that "people need stories as much as food." It's that hunger for the spirit that comes alive in the telling, the ability to be transported to another place, see through another's eyes, experience adventure.

There's the odd sense I had while reading these tales, a feeling of displacement. Not quite ghost stories, they have that feel of a collection of supernatural tales that would be better suited for Halloween. Not quite campfire stories, because of their nautical settings, they beg to be told by an old salt on the docks of a fishing village to the kids who congregate there, not the parlor setting of Jamaica in the 1720s. To be as genteel about this as possible: the pirate setting almost feels calculated to ride the recent wave of popularity in all things pirate.

As a collection, the stories vary only slightly in quality from one another, and the exercise as a whole feels about three stories too long (there are eight stories total) and we could argue which three could go. (If anyone who has read the book feels so inclined to list their three least favorites in the comments I'll check in with mine). Overall, a not unpleasant option for teachers and the lovers of tall tales, or as an alternative to usual tales told in October. Just not stellar.

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