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Labor Day reminds me of the end of summer, maybe a new school uniform instead of a hand-me-down, and the possibility of liking my teacher. Which didn't happen often.
Let's wave the flag for all of us who labor so hard on jobs we like and even jobs we hate. And to those who teach our children, keep us in good health and risk their lives to keep us safe, a very special thank you.
Many books have been written about the Beatles and their journey to become the iconic band 0f the Golden Age of Rock and Roll. What is remarkable about Susanna Reich's book “Fab Four Friends, the Boys Who Became the BEATLES,” is how she weaves the stories of Paul, George, John and Ringo and their childhood friendships and how they were molded into a band. Susanna tells the story of the boys' many family trials and personal hardships growing up in post-war England, and how they found salvation in their music. Though the boys' experiences were somewhat atypical, any child can relate to hanging out in one’s bedroom listening and enjoying the music of their era. Adam Gustavson's fabulous illustrations depicts the bandmates' childhoods with joy and action. This is the premier book for kids on how a bunch of determined teens grew into the greatest rock band in history: the BEATLES.
What great books have you read lately? Here are some of my recent favorites:
Novels: THE CROSSOVER, by Kwame Alexander, who many of us were lucky enough to hear give an extraordinary speech at the SCBWI Summer Conference, delivers his Newbery-winner about a basketball phenom in rap-tinged verse. The story is extremely readable—the verse makes it flow quickly, and for me as a writer I was able to think about structure, using each of his poems as building blocks. (YA)
THE IRON TRIAL, Book One in the MAGISTERIUM series, by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare, is strong, well-written mid-grade fantasy. I suppose my biggest issue with mid-grade is when the voice doesn’t sound authentic, and instead of getting swept away I can picture an adult trying to sound like a kid. This series (which includes the second installment, The Copper Gauntlet, due out in September) has a voice that sounds just right for the material. And it’s exciting material—Callum Hunt is a dorky misfit who tries to hide his magic, but the powers that be find out and send him to magician school, where he gets into all kinds of trouble. Really strong MG fantasy here! (MG)
Okay, so I read two more books in the Bloody Jack series, VIVA JACQUELINA! and BOSTON JACKY, by L. A. MEYER. Just when I thought I had had enough, these two were like visiting a good old friend—not much felt surprising, but the usual twists and turns of the writing, and Jacky’s voice and over-the-top antics will always entertain. And the Boston Jacky one has a fabulous ending, setting us up for the series finale, which I need to get to—immediately! (YA)
Picture Books: In BOATS FOR PAPA, by Jessixa Bagley, Buckley crafts small boats out of driftwood, and uses them to send notes to his father, who is absent from the story. This pitch-perfect book is not preachy in any way. The delicate, expressive ink and watercolor paintings will pull young readers in, and the author/illustrator uses every opportunity, including the endpapers, to add depth. It’s a most impressive debut!
Another impressive picture book debut is HOME, by Carson Ellis. Lyrical text describing different kinds of homes becomes interactive as the artist addresses her audience. She even shares a view of her own home and asks kids to share theirs. The strong gouache and ink paintings with hand lettering are each gorgeous enough to frame and hang on a wall.
I YAM A DONKEY, story, pictures, and bad grammar by CeCe Bell, is kind of a “who’s on first” routine—yes, about bad grammar-- told entirely in dialog. China markers and acrylic on vellum serve the story well. It’s funny!
Today my Writing Tip of the Day is from my good buddy Barbara Bietz. We've been in the same writers' group since 1994, and I value her precise critiquing, good humor and hand-holding over the years. Not only has she published a successful middle grade novel, Like a Maccabee (Yaldah, 2006), she was on the committee of the Sydney Taylor Book Awards and has a popular blog, Jewish Books for Children. I give you Barbara Bietz's Writing Tip of the Day.
Barbara says:
“Voice” is an illusive concept, difficult for most of us to define. Over the years I have formed ideas about voice that help keep me from getting stuck.
I think of voice as an extension of the adage, “write what you know.” When a writer is immersed in a world that feels natural and comfortable, the voice will come organically.
When a story is forced or stiff, it is likely lacking the depth needed for the voice to be authentic. If I don’t know anything about boats or the ocean, it’s not likely I can create a believable character who wants to sail around the world.
Voice is not simply the dialogue or a catch phrase the character uses. It is the heart and soul of the character as shown through gestures, actions, thoughts, behaviors, and overall personality. A character must feel real, with strengths, weaknesses, and layers in between.
Creating a unique voice is not like solving a math problem. There is not one right answer or one right way. It can help to read a lot of books in the genre you write. If a story works, and pulls you in emotionally, it’s likely the voice is strong. Take note of specific elements in the story that make the voice unique and meaningful to you as a reader.
Finally, write, write, write. The more you write, the better you know your character and the stronger the voice!
Our August Book Pick is ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES, by Jennifer Niven.
I found this wonderful story to be uplifting and heartbreaking in equal measure. What was most striking to me about it is the contrasting trajectories of the two main characters, Violet and Finch. They first meet upon the ledge of a bell tower, each of them contemplating a jump. Finch, as is clear pretty early on, is bipolar, and Violet is the survivor of a car accident that killed her older sister.
In one of his "awake" phases, Finch does his best to charm Violet (of course he has a crooked smile!) and he eventually succeeds. Through his attention and energy, he allows Violet to begin to live again--to break out of her self-imposed stasis and mourning and realize she will not be betraying the beloved sister who cannot grow with her. Finch, meanwhile, becomes more and more unpredictable as he senses himself moving towards a "sleep" period. He eventually takes to his closet to wait out this inevitable dark time, beyond the reach of anything Violet can do for him.
Above all, Niven's portrayal of mental illness rings true. Her high school setting and supporting characters worked for me, as well as the plot device of exploring the great state of Indiana for a social studies class.
I just read this week that this book will be made into a feature film.
Have you read ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES, by Jennifer Niven?
.I have known René Colato Laínez for many years. I am impressed with his lyrical writing and his personal insight into the immigrant experience. I am also honored to have produced two of his book trailers. From North to South is the touching story of José missing his mamá after she has been deported. José visits her in Tijuana where she waits for her proper papers. René is donating a portion of his royalties to El Centro Madre Assumte, a safe house for immigrant women and children.
Novels: GONE CRAZY IN ALABAMA, by Rita Williams-Garcia, is the third installment of the trilogy which began with Newbery Honor book, One Crazy Summer. It features the irrepressible sisters Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern, now off to visit Big Mama in Alabama. A strong finish to the series. (MG)
IREMONGER BOOK ONE: HEAP HOUSE, by Edward Carey, is terrific and bizarre. It feels pretty Dickensian, but the magic of the Birth Objects takes it well into the realm of fantasy. Wholly original, and well and creepily told, I can't wait to read volume 2! (Upper MG/YA)
And at last--a new Penderwicks story!! THE PENDERWICKS IN SPRING, by Jeanne Birdsall, is another delightful romp with the Penderwick family, whose original book was a National Book Award winner. This time we are mostly following Batty, who is now in fifth grade. Rosalind is off in college, and Skye and Jane busy with high school friends, which leaves Ben (third grade) and new sister Lydia to help with the adventures of a new dog walking business and secret-keeping. Delightful stuff, as always. (MG)
Picture Books: SIDEWALK FLOWERS is a wordless story written by poet JonArno Lawson and illustrated by Sydney Smith. A young child, accompanying her distracted father around town, picks and distributes flowers, which helps to bring her world alive. The art uses comic book-style panels and full page spreads to tell this story, as well as the deliberate addition of color to show the effect that a little bit of care and attention can bring.
MAPLE is a debut, written and illustrated by Lori Nichols. It's the story of young Maple, so named after her parents plant a tree in her honor. The text is lovely, the illustrations are lovely, but what stood out to me is how the two entwine. This book is just the right amount of sweet.
WHEN THE WIND BLOWS, by Linda Booth Sweeney, wonderfully illustrated by Jana Christy, is a lyrical journey thorough a windy afternoon. The rhyming verse seems effortlessly done. If you want to write in rhyme, give this one a look!
July's Book Pick is this year's Caldecott winner, THE ADVENTURES OF BEEKLE, THE UNIMAGINARY FRIEND, by Dan Santat.
I think this is a beautiful piece of bookmaking. From the charming dustcover with raised type for the title, to the different yet coordinated cover underneath (apparently called the "case cover") on the book itself, to the thick paper the story was printed on, readers will likely feel, before they even begin reading. that this experience is going to be special.
And it is. The endpapers let us know right away that poor Beekle is alone. The other imaginary friends are each happily paired off with his or her own person. Contrast that with the closing endpaper, where Beekle proudly stands with his new name and very own child. Kids will love looking for that on repeated reads. And once the story starts, the gorgeous full color art tells a wonderful tale that enriches the text. Neither is as good alone, just like Alice and Beekle.
I love the pages with the whales, and also the spread of the harbor, as Beekle's ocean journey winds down.
Though I haven't shared this with any (younger) kids myself, I have to think they are loving this timeless and uplifting tale of adventure and friendship.
Did you enjoy THE ADVENTURES OF BEEKLE, THE UNIMAGINARY FRIEND? Have you read it with any children? What are your favorite details in the story?
Novels: CARTWHEELING IN THUNDERSTORMS, by Katherine Rundell, relates the journey of Willhemina Silver, from beloved farm where she was born in the wilds of Africa, to boarding school in stiff, crusty England following the death of her father. It's an exuberant, beautifully told tale.It's the 2015 Boston Globe/Horn Book Fiction Award winner. (MG)
ECHO, by Pam Munos Ryan, is another well-crafted piece of writing. This one blends three very different stories of children who are connected, through time and their love of music, by a mysterious, melodious harmonica, one which has been touched by magic and a prophecy. Each story is compelling in its own right, but taken together we get an intricately woven, ambitious novel for young people. (MG)
NIGHTBIRD, by Alice Hoffman, features still more gorgeous kiddie lit prose, this time telling the story of Twig Fowler, who lives in Sidwell, Massachusetts, a town where fairy tales may well be real. There is a curse on Twig's family, and she and her mom keep mostly to themselves. But when a new family moves in next door, descended from the witch who first spelled Twig's ancestors, things begin to change. (Upper MG/YA)
And PRAIRIE FIRE, by E. K. Johnston, is an engrossing follow-up to the author's most excellent debut, THE STORY OF OWEN, DRAGON SLAYER OF TRONDHEIM. In an alternate Canada, dragons are abundant and threatening, necessitating the creation of the Oil Watch, a service trained to protect both citizens and industry from death by dragon flames. This story, like the first, is narrated by musical talent Sioban McQuaid, bard to the young dragon slayer Owen Thorskgaard. (YA)
Picture Books: In THE NEW SMALL PERSON, by Lauren Child, Elmore Green "start[s] off life as an only child, as many people do." He could have things exactly his way, and everyone thought he was the bee's knees. But, then, along comes the new small person, and everything changes. The author/illustrator's mixed media collages support and further the engaging text.
NO NAP, YES NAP! written by Margie Palatino and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, uses rollicking, rhythmic language to describe repeated attempts by a harried mom to get her rambunctious toddler to take a nap. The spare text is successfully paired with stylish illustrations. It's fun!
I have known Greg Trine for many years. Not only is he the author of the popular Melvin Beederman and The Adventures of Joe Schmo series, he and his wife Juanita have been part of my entourage for the past few costume balls at the SCBWI Summer conference. Not surprising, Greg's tip has to do with writing humor.
June's Book Pick is the 2015 Printz Award winner, I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN, by Jandy Nelson. It's her second book, after THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE, which was an amazing debut for her.
Interestingly, I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN is told in the alternating POVs of a pair of twins: Noah at age 13, and his sister Jude at 16. We quickly become aware that Noah's part of the story occurs before whatever monumental events and betrayals come together to break apart this family, with Jude's part of the story taking place after.
At the outset, Noah is a sensitive, artistic kid, passionate about his art, and beginning to fall in love with the boy next door. Jude is the wild twin, surfing, cliff-diving, and wearing her dresses as short as possible. When their mom decides that they should both apply to a prestigious local arts high school, jealousy and competition begin to sour the close relationship these two have always shared. By the time Jude's narration takes place, Noah has stifled all of his artistic inclinations, and is living a lie as a popular jock with Jude's former in-crowd friends. And Jude is hiding in skull caps and lumpy clothes, filling her pockets with good luck charms, and making clay sculptures that are broken, each and every time, by her mother's ghost (she is absolutely sure of this).
This is a powerful story about love and expectations, competition, and jealousy, and about taking responsibility--in short, about typical family dynamics--but pushed to the limits before any redemption occurs. It's a tale that is wildly exhilarating and deeply despairing, and ultimately full of love. Ha--can you tell how much I enjoyed reading this one?
The way the author weaves these two threads is seamless, as the story evolves from two directions at once. Both halves are equally compelling and the mystery of the divide is constantly hanging over the reader. I would love to know how this story came to be told this way--at what point did she decide to construct it this way?
Have you read I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN? What are your thoughts on the story? the writing?
Can it be that 100 SIDEWAYS MILES is Andrew Smith actually being vaguely lighthearted? Playful even? Maybe not, but I loved this book (tho he says he hated writing it!) because it has his signature way of weaving elements from start to finish into a cohesive and intriguing whole, his offbeat sense of humor, and a highly improbable, but still completely accessible, plot. When Finn Easton was four, a dead horse fell from a bridge onto him and his mother, causing her death and his epilepsy. His dad made him into a character in a bestselling science fiction book, which leads to some interesting encounters. And he sees the ghosts of two little girls who died in a flood near his house a century ago. Pretty normal stuff! This whacky but heartfelt novel goes on the road when Finn's girlfriend moves back to Chicago, and he and his best friend set out to visit a college in Oklahoma. (YA) In FISH IN A TREE, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, sixth grader Ally has been fooling everyone for years. To hide the fact that she can't read, she acts out and plays dumb. Actually, Ally is anything but dumb. She's a gifted artist who has moved around a lot, attending seven schools in seven years, and she's got dyslexia. It takes a substitute teacher and some unexpected friends to break through and help Ally celebrate who she really is. Ally is a likable character and readers will root for her all the way. (MG)
And BLACK SPRING, by Alison Croggin, is a dark, strange retelling of Wuthering Heights that somehow feels like it could only have been published by Candlewick, the people who brought us last year's Printz Honor book, the dark and strange story called The Kingdom of Little Wounds. And I mean it in the very best way. I love these quirky offerings that seem to straddle the YA/adult markets, and serve as literary offerings for interested (and intense?) high schoolers. Lina is born a witch in a violent, stormy land. Daughter of the village lord, her fate becomes entwined with that of Damek, a bastard son of the king. The story follows the pattern of the first part of Wuthering Heights, mercifully ending where the movie does. Really enjoyable--I read it at night and had very strange dreams. (YA)
Picture Books:
WOLFIE THE BUNNY, written by Ame Dyckman (Boy and Bot) and illustrated by Zachariah OHora, has uber-appealing cover art which features a wolf (eating a carrot) in a pink bunny suit. Inside, we find that when the Bunny family comes home to find a baby wolf in a basket outside their door, Mama and Papa are too smitten to think of anything else. But Dot recognizes that a wolf living in a family of rabbits might actually be a little dangerous. OHora's illustrations, from cover to cover, including endpapers and the alternate painting underneath the dust jacket, bring this smart story of family dynamics to life.
RAINDROPS ROLL, by April Pulley Sayre, features a poetic text, illustrated with breathtaking photographs by the author. Inviting us along on the journey of a rain shower, told in the most descriptive of ways, this book also has plenty of scientific back matter. It's a rich, rewarding, and versatile experience.
FOX'S GARDEN, by Princesse CamCam, is a wordless picture book, published by Enchanted Lion Books as part of their wonderful Stories Without Words series. In this one, a fox becomes lost in the snow, and is shooed away by the villagers. She takes refuge in a greenhouse, where a young boy brings her a basket of food. This book is magical and inspiring, and the art is lovely, made of layered 3-D paper constructions, as far as I can tell. No words, but a full story unfolds here.
From the very beginning, from the birth of our nation, men and women have gone forth to serve our country. They go, they sacrifice...and some never return.
Today we remember them.
Today we thank them.
And today we pray, for those who continue to serve in the most dangerous of places, a safe journey home.
Sketch book drawings are the purest form of art for art sake. A quick impression of life on the run. Just instincts, a flick of the wrist and sometimes a lot of nerve.
During a guided tour of the Versailles I was powered walked through by Attila the Hun guide and was not allowed time to stop and sketch. I wanted to draw the famous Hall of Mirrors, so I hung way way back and blended into the Japanese tour group behind. Being 5 foot one, this wasn't very difficult. After taking a few photos with my new best friends, I quick penciled a sketch of the room and planned to water color later at the hotel.
Eventually, the tour guide Babette, hunted me down and scolded me in french. I smiled and pretended to be dumb American.
May's Book Pick is the National Book Award winner and Newbery Honor book, BROWN GIRL DREAMING, by Jacqueline Woodson, a memoir in verse.
The author has roots in Ohio, in South Carolina, and then later in New York City. Her story tells of growing up in the 1960s and 70s, of learning the ways of the world and the wonder of storytelling.
In the most elegant yet accessible language, Woodson plants her narrative firmly in history: her place in the broader history of American race relations, as well as in the more personal history of her extended family. Both histories figure prominently in how she makes sense of her world and they provide a firm base for her to come into her own.
I'm in awe of the seamless way she weaves her way through her childhood, as she figures out her place in the past, in the present, and with hints of the future to come.
What do you think (or not) makes this such a memorable story?
What have you been reading lately? Here's my list:
Novels:
2015 SCBWI Sid Fleischman Humor Award winner, EVIL LIBRARIAN, by Michelle Knudson, is funny! Also a bit creepy, with plenty of high school romance thrown in to make a thoroughly enjoyable read. Cyn's best friend, Annie, falls in love with the new librarian at school, but he turns out to be a demon. Luckily Cyn's crush, Ryan, is on board with trying to rid the school of anything not entirely human. Warning: there may be sequels. (YA)
THE TAPPER TWINS GO TO WAR (with each other), by Geoff Rodkey, is a good example of an engaging story told through interviews, text messages, photos, and screenshots. It describes a war between twins Claudia and Reese that begins with a misunderstanding (who really ate that last toaster pastry??) and escalates into a series of embarrassing pranks (cyber and otherwise) played out in front of their Upper West Side prep school's sixth grade class. The characters are well-defined and the format makes this a light, enjoyable read with heart. First in a series. (MG)
SHADOW SCALE, by Rachel Hartman, is a worthy follow up to her Morris Award-winnning debut, Seraphina, This sequel continues the exploration of a fantastic world where dragons, saints, and humans collide. The book picks up just as an uneasy peace existing between dragons and humans for the last 40 years is broken. Rebel dragons have poisoned the Queen, and Seraphina must hit the road to find the handful of other half-dragons who may be able to put things right. Brilliant world-building, epic plot. (YA)
Picture Books:
Caldecott honor book NANA IN THE CITY, by Lauren Castillo, tells how one little boy, initially afraid of the city, overcomes his fear with the help of his nana and her gift. The story is simply and effectively written, and the illustrations incorporate strong elements of color and layout.
THE PROMISE, by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Laura Carlin, was a recent New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book. In a hard world, a young girl lives by stealing from all the other hard people, until she tries to take a bag from an old lady who insists on a promise. And then everything changes. Like Nana in the City, the gorgeous illustrations use color to bring the story into focus. Beginning with greyed-out blues and browns, the world slowly bursts into color as the girl fulfills her promise. With its thick matte paper, this is a beautiful product from Candlewick Press.
DRAW! by Raul Colon, may be wordless, but there is plenty of story here. A boy is home in bed, reading about Africa, until he draws himself on safari there. The ochre and blue illustrations have Colon's signature texture, and the dynamic layouts and strong technique add to this distinctive and imaginative picture book.
I am one lucky author. When my former editor left Dutton in 2006 I was assigned the wonderful Steve Meltzer. Over the years Steve has become one of my good buddies as well as my outstanding editor. Generous to a fault, he always takes my calls, was game to be interviewed for my blog tour and endures my requests for a Writing Tip of the Day every time I see him. Today's Tip is about submitting.
This month's Book Pick is the Newbery Honor book, EL DEAFO, by Cece Bell.
EL DEAFO is a graphic novel memoir based on Cece's experiences growing up deaf (she contracted meningitis at age four and it left her without the ability to hear). She's horrified by the large and obvious Phonic Ear device she has to wear at school, which marks her as unmistakably different from everyone else. Lonely and alienated, Cece has trouble speaking up for herself. She creates an alter ego, El Deafo, who is powerful enough to say what Cece cannot, but for the most part El Deafo's assertiveness remains in Cece's mind (and is contained in comic strip thought bubbles).
Cece's troubles are not so different from those of any other kid who feels different while growing up. Basically, she wants a good friend who really "gets" her. Unfortunately, many of the friends she makes along the way do not, but that's a pretty typical childhood thing. Cece develops a crush when a new boy moves onto her block and, with love in the picture, she finds a way to use her Phonic Ear to great advantage.
Cece's journey to self- and social acceptance, along with the graphic novel format, make this a top choice for its target audience. The rabbit characters are a terrific design choice--distinctive, not too cute, and very expressive with their long limbs and human clothing. The character development, plot, and execution felt strong to me, and there was plenty of humor arising from Cece's take on her situation.
I was thrilled that it took a Newbery honor, since it was one of my favorites from last year.
Here are some of the best books I managed to read in February:
Novels:
ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES, by Jennifer Niven, gives readers a compelling look at depression and bipolar disorder through the eyes of two extremely engaging characters. We first meet Violet, less than fully functional and considering all options after the death of her sister, and Finch, obsessed with death but talking Violet into living again. These two make a connection and we join them on an exploration of life (and their home state of Iowa). It's charming, funny, sad, and a terrific read. YA
RAIN REIGN, by Ann M. Martin, shares the journey of Rose Howard, a girl on the autism spectrum who is obsessed with homonyms. Life isn't easy with a dad who doesn't understand her and classmates who are less than kind, but luckily Rose gets strong support from her uncle and her beloved dog, Rain. When a storm hits and Rain goes missing, events spiral out of control. Through it all, though, Rose stays true to herself and to her principles. This is one of a number of middle grade books with autistic girls as protagonists, along with Counting by 7s and The Categorical Universe of Candace Phee. All three are strong choices. MG
THE WINNER'S CURSE, by Maria Rutkoski, is one of those books that feels overly familiar but is still a good read. Our main characters are strong, beautiful Kestral, the General's daughter, and her strong, secretive slave Arin. They become involved, but war is coming. What part will each of them play? The best part of this book, first in a trilogy, is the strong writing of Rutkowski, who also wrote the excellent mid-grade Kronos Chronicles trilogy. (YA)
Picture Books:
YOU ARE (NOT) SMALL, by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyent, won the 2015 Geisel Award recently. It demonstrates, in a clear, fun way, the relativity of size--that how big you are depends on who you are being compared to. The bold, cartoony art does a good job of supporting the text.
THE BEAR ATE YOUR SANDWICH, by Julia Sarcone-Roach, features the title bear addressing readers directly, by telling them exactly what has happened to said sandwich. But wait--there's a twist!! The illustrations are distinctive--painterly and fun, with lots going on. And it's not everyone who can pull off a second-person picture book with an unreliable narrator!
SUPERTRUCK, by Steven Savage, features bold graphic artwork telling a simple, effective, story. While the other trucks seem to have more glamorous jobs, the mild-mannered garbage truck goes about his business of collecting the trash. But when the other trucks are caught in a blizzard, here comes Supertruck to save the day!
My good friend, the talented author Alexis O'Neill, just released her new picture book from Boyds Mill Press, The Kite That Bridged Two Nations. The book is getting raved reviews...
“Memorable and dramatic.” -- Kirkus Reviews
“The style lends itself to a terrific read-aloud. Teachers can use this book to make curriculum connections in science, social studies and expressing emotion in narrative writing, to name a few.” -- Bookitkids, Amazon Reviewer
This week Alexis has her book launch at Niagra Falls, where the story originally took place, but I recently attended her local book launch in Ventura, California at a kite flying party with other kidlit authors. Alexis, Barbara Bietz, Mary Ann Fraser, Yuki Yoshino and I participated.
Not only did we have a hoot of a time flying kites, this photo made it into Publisher's Weekly!
Alexis's book is taking the kidlit world by storm, and her much aclaimed book trailer is drawing a lot of attention. I must say I am as pleased as punch to have produced it. Congrats to Alexis. She is an inspiration to all, and I know I am not alone when I say she deserves every success for her hard work and generousity to many in the Kid Lit and the SCBWI community.
March's Book Pick is WEST OF THE MOON, by Margi Preus. This beautiful story elegantly blends Norwegian folklore into a historical fiction plot line. It's a lovely edition put out by Abrams/Amulet, with evocative jacket art and carefully chosen typefaces and interior art.
When Astri's aunt sells her to an odious goatman for two silver pieces and a package of meat, Astri bides her time until she can escape. Spring comes and the goatman means to marry her, but Astri runs away, taking with her a strange girl who spins wool into fine yarn, and all the "treasures" she can find in the goatman's house. She grabs the sister she was forced to leave behind at her aunt's, and the three girls head for the harbor and a ship that's waiting to take them to their father in America. Astri spins stories as they go, until their journey resembles a valiant quest to find a white bear (really a prince) in a legendary castle, aided by spells, curses, and a magical hairbrush.
WEST OF THE MOON was originally inspired by a few lines from the diary of the author's great-great-grandmother Linka, about a "pretty farmer girl" that Linka Preus and her new husband, Herman, engaged while on a boat sailing from Norway to America. As the author describes in her extensive back matter, the story itself is fictional, but it's deeply rooted in historical reality.
Margi Preus previously gave us the Newbery honor book Heart of a Samarai, and the artist for WEST OF THE MOON is Lilli Carre, who did Tippy and the Night Parade, a graphic novel for younger readers published by TOON Books.
THE IMPOSSIBLE KNIFE OF MEMORY, by Laurie Halse Anderson. For years, Hayley Kincain has been on the road with her dad, trying to outrun his PTSD and lose his memories of the war in drugs and alcohol. But when Hayley is a high school senior, the pair settle down in what was Hayley's grandmother's house, trying to find a bit of normal. Spoiler alert: It won't be easy. This YA reaches out and grabs you right in.
GLORY O'BRIEN'S HISTORY OF THE FUTURE, is another winner by A. S. King. Using her flair for inserting an element of fantasy into her realistic novels, this time she has Glory drink a potion made from desiccated bat, which gives her the ability to see into the future. For Glory, whose mother committed suicide when Glory was four and who doesn't know whether or not she will follow in her mom's footsteps, the question is whether she herself has a place in this future she is seeing. Not as gloomy as it sounds! This could pair well with Andrew Smith's Grasshopper Jungle, showing a similar epic scope, but told from a female point of view. (YA)
And for something completely different: Jasper FForde's THE EYE OF ZOLTAR. Third book in his excellent Chronicles of Kazam, this is a terrific romp with sixteen-year-old Jennifer Strange, magician Perkins, and Crown Princess Shazza Blossom Hadridd Snodd (in her servant's body), as they journey from the Kingdom of Snodd through the neighboring Cambrian Empire in search of Sky Pirate Wolff, who was last seen with the Eye of Kazam around her neck. Which the Mighty Shandar wants in exchange for letting the dragons live. Jennifer Strange is a terrific character, as are all of her supporting cast. Go with it and you will be amused!
For picture books, I read HERE COMES THE EASTER CAT, by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Claudia Rueda, and it's quite long for a picture book. It features a very personable cat who is grumpy because he is jealous of the Easter Bunny. Lots of fun, and a quick read despite the 80 pages.
THE LION AND THE BIRD, by Marianne Dubuc, is another long picture book. It's 64 pages and there is minimal text, but the illustrations tell a complex and heartfelt story. When a lion finds an injured bird in his yard, he brings it inside to care for it, and the two become the best of friends. In spring, the bird rejoins his flock and the lion is left alone. But in fall. . . . The illustrations are delicate and lovely.
And finally THE BABY TREE, by Sophie Blackall, is a terrific story about a kid who wants to know where babies come from. The answers he gets are pretty confusing, but once his parents explain, he sees that (except for grandpa) each person has given him a piece of the truth. It's actually quite informative and very well done!
Joan Brandsfield Graham is one of my favorite people. Her new book The Poem That Will Not End is a fabulous book. Here is the book trailer that I produced for the book.
February's Book Pick is WE WERE LIARS, by E. Lockhart. She has done it again. Author of 2008's wonderful The Disreputable History of Frankie-Landau Banks, WE WERE LIARS is a gem of a novel.
Seventeen year old Cadence Sinclair, of the rich and beautiful Sinclair family, has been through a terrible trauma. When the novel opens, she is in awful shape. She takes lots of pills for her crippling headaches, she keeps her blond hair dyed black, and she is in the process of giving away all of her earthly possessions. She hasn't been to her family's private island since her mysterious accident the summer she and the other Liars were fifteen. Until then, the four Liars had spent their summers together, running wild and forging deep bonds of friendship. And love--Cady and Gat have fallen in love. But there is more to life than this idyllic little island. Gat isn't one of the Beautiful Sinclairs, and the eventually the Liars begin to see that all things in this world must come to an end. When Cady returns to the island to piece together the mysteries of her past, the Liars spend one last bittersweet summer together.
I think this book has everything--a well-written plot with a lurking mystery that keeps you reading on and on, interesting characters, a fairly exotic setting, gorgeous tone, language, and structure, and a heck of a twist for its ending. I was loving this book even before I caught up with what was going on, and once I got there I realized that this was one of those truly special, standout books. Rereading it to see where all the clues are placed, I fell in love all over again with the language, the style, the cadence of the writing. And the plot doesn't suffer the second time around from the reveal, either. Wonderful stuff!
Labor Day reminds me of the end of summer, maybe a new school uniform instead of a hand-me-down, and the possibility of liking my teacher. Which didn't happen often.
This week is the Fourth of July.
Sketch book drawings are the purest form of art for art sake. A quick impression of life on the run. Just instincts, a flick of the wrist and sometimes a lot of nerve.