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Hang-wringing complete. It’s time for the quarterly look at upcoming releases I’m calling 10 to Note.
What follows are the 10 titles set to hit shelves in March, April, and May that had me most saying “Yeah, boiiiii!” (or something along those lines). Not a guarantee of quality, but a subjective list of books that struck my fancy as a K-6th grade elementary school librarian.
Middle Grade Fiction
The Trouble with Chickens by Doreen Cronin; illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Mar. 1, 2011 | Balzer + Bray | Grades 2-5
Diary of a Worm and Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type have made Doreen Cronin a well known figure in children’s lit. With The Trouble with Chickens, Cronin tries something she has never done – a middle grade novel. A mystery about a search-and-rescue dog (J.J. Tully) pulled out of retirement to crack a case of missing chicks, laughs are likely. And the “A J.J. Tully Mystery” tag on the front ensures more adventures to come. I’m anxious to see how this one turns out.
Invisible Inkling by Emily Jenkins; illustrated by Harry Bliss
Apr. 26, 2011 | Balzer + Bray | Grades 2-4
And hey, speaking of Diary of a Worm, the illustrator of that book, Harry Bliss, is handling the artwork for Invisible Inkling, written by Emily Jenkins. I love the premise of a boy with an invisible (I repeat: invisible – not imaginary) friend. When I hear the phrase “in the vein of Clementine”, my ears perk up, and that what the publisher is touting this middle grade title as.
Tales for Very Picky Eaters by Josh Schneider
May 2, 2011 | Clarion | Grades 2-4
No matter how many funny books come out, there will always be a clamoring mass of young readers ready for one more. This story about the lengths a father goes to to get his son to try new foods looks promising on the comedy front. A book that may speak to the scores of, ahem, selective eaters out there.
Nonfiction Picture Books
Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, Civil War Hero by Marissa Moss; illustrated by John Hendrix
Mar. 1, 2011 | Abrams | Grades 2-4
Have you heard of Sarah Edmonds? This woman who disguised herself as a man to fight in the civil war isn’t a household name, especially with kids. This picture book biography by Marissa Moss and John Hendrix should help bring Edmonds’ story to younger readers. Is it okay for me to have favorites? I’m not sure how that works since I review books and all. Alright, I’m just gonna say it – I’m a big John Hendrix fan. Big. Fan. If you know his work from When Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creekor the more recent
0 Comments on 10 to Note: Spring Preview 2011 as of 1/1/1900
We’re thrilled to show you the first in a brand new series of videos from Kevin Henkes today! Here, he lets us inside of his gorgeous studio to see him at work creating his latest picture book LITTLE WHITE RABBIT. The book will be available Tuesday, January 25th, and we’ll be posting more fantastic videos from Kevin Henkes in the coming months. (Spoiler alert: In one of the videos, we’ll get to watch him draw Lilly!)
Next Tuesday, January 25th is the on-sale date of Kevin Henkes’ newest picture book LITTLE WHITE RABBIT!
We recently traveled to Madison, WI to film a series of videos with Kevin Henkes in his studio, and we can’t wait to show you the first video featuring the making of LITTLE WHITE RABBIT in full this Thursday, January 2oth, on our blog.
In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek of what you have to look forward to:
Kevin draws Little White Rabbit
The finished book!
Kevin, Greenwillow publisher Virginia Duncan, and Patty Rosati set up the next shot.
Check back here for more news about LITTLE WHITE RABBIT and Kevin’s soon-to-be-launched brand-new website. And be sure to stop by Under the Green Willow for all-things-Kevin and to hear more about Greenwillow Books!
by James Stevenson
Greenwillow 2002
In 1937 Hubie the mouse and his family go to the movies where they see a horror film typical of the day: The Island of No Return. Although the young mouse is clearly freaked out by the movie's tidal waves and volcanoes, Hubie tries to play it cool. At home, a postcard arrives from Aunt Ella vacationing on Barabooda Island, which gives Hubie's family the idea
0 Comments on The Castaway as of 4/28/2010 7:49:00 AM
The Plot: Sophos is the unlikely heir to the King of Sounis. He knows he's not really fit to be heir; he actually hopes his uncle marries and has a child so that Sophos no longer has to worry about disappointing his family, his country, his friends.
Unfortunately, other people have plans for Sophos. Wars have made the country and and its governance unstable, so rebels plot to kidnap Sophis and make him a puppet king. Things don't go quite as planned and Sophos finds himself somewhere he never thought he'd be. Can he ever be more than a pawn in a conspiracy of kings?
To those who have not yet read this series: please do. You will not be disappointed. The characters are rich and fully drawn; the plotting is exquisite; the themes are serious; there is humor, adventure, love, and serious questions about politics, war, loyalty.
And, also? There will be spoilers in this review for the prior three books. So if you haven't read those three books and not being spoiled matters to you (and it doesn't to some readers), stop reading. And seriously, folks, I've been asking you for months to read the first three. So no excuses.
Turner continues to both deliver what fans expect (Eugenides, plot twists, Gen, characters who are three steps ahead of everyone, Gen) and also to do what is unexpected, keeping the series and her writing fresh. Here, after giving us a glimpse of what we want (Gen! Gen! Gen!) we are instead given Sophos. It's his story; and half the time he tells it, directly, first person; and part of the time, it's third person. The switch affects the reading, from automatic sympathy with Sophos to being a bit more removed, a bit more objective.
Remember how in The King of Attolia we were told that Sophos had disappeared after having been abducted by rebels? In A Conspiracy of Kings, we find out what happened to Sophos and why it takes him so long to reappear.
And reappe
5 Comments on A Conspiracy of Kings, last added: 3/11/2010
The Plot: Eunice "Bug" Smoot is struggling, pay check to pay check. She is fiercely, aggressively independent, working, paying bills, paying rent, no food stamps or government money for her. Her father was never in the picture; her mother died when she was little, followed by her aunt a few years. Most recently, her grandfather "Papa C" died, leaving her nothing except a 1958 Cadillac Biarritz.
It turns out Bug's grandfather also left her a heap of trouble. The car is about to be repossessed -- by a demon. Not only did Papa C sell his soul to buy the car -- he skipped out on the bargain, hiding post-death from the repo demons just like he hid from bill collectors while alive. As Bug argues the car is HERS, thankyouverymuch, she gets even worse news. Seems like Papa C promised additional collateral - Bug's soul.
The Good: Bug is fierce and independent, has a mouth on her, isn't afraid to stand up for herself. "Diplomatic" is not in her vocabulary. During high school, her aggression and drive found a use on the basketball court; now, she drives fast delivering pizzas. What is great about Bug's whole in-your-face persona? She's going to need it to take on the demon Mr. Beals. Playing nice, being quiet, being soft isn't going to save your soul. Literally.
Soul Enchilada is a perfect mix of humor and supernatural. The chapter headings are fun, and the supernatural world Gill has built manages to both scare you and make you laugh at loud. The threat from Mr. Beals and Scratch (the Devil) is very, very real. But you also have djinn hunters who track djinn and their visas (that is the ISIS, International Supernatural Immigration Service) and quick jokes such Judge Hathorne, whose "family has a long history of presiding fairly and objectively" over contests between the Devil and humans.
ISIS; right there, you know that Gill hasn't just decided to use traditional stories about the Devil, demons, djinn and the deals for souls. He's taken those traditions and added new, invigorating, original twists.
Bug starts the book alone, but as she discovers the supernatural world lurking beneath the real one she not only assembles a team, she becomes part of a family, including Pesto, the cute guy at the carwash who turns out to know all about djinn and demons; his mother, Mrs. Valenci, who opens her heart and home to Bug; Castor and Pollux, arguing ISIS agents. Part of Bug's aloneness is not just the loss of her loved ones. Her mother, Mita, was Latina; her father black. Bug is a mix of cultures, feeling not quite welcome in either, saying "I don't speak Spanish" when any Spanish is spoken around her.
The cast in Soul Enchilada (set in El Paso, Texas) is a diverse mix. Readers wanting action, horror, a smart story, and
3 Comments on Soul Enchilada, last added: 1/27/2010
This looks great! I think I would read it based just on the cover alone. It's also nice to see something original and not all about the typical subjects of late. Great review!
Sometimes I can get to books on my tbr pile quicker when I listen to them. This was the case with Soul Enchilada. I just loved the voice of the narrator. It was a wild ride. And, you're right, it would be fun to revisit Pesto (great name) and Bug in a sequel.
My nonspoiler teaser. Which, really, is just me telling you: these books are fabulous on every level: plotting, characterization, setting, theme, writing. I say "sequence" because I will argue until hoarse that A Conspiracy of Kings sufficiently stands alone to be considered for those prizes and awards that demand a book not be dependent on other media, including previous books. Yet, while arguing that, I would advise those who have not yet read these books that they are best read in order. It is a deeper, richer, reading experience.
Turner's sequence of books is set in a fantasy world, influenced by Greek mythology, landscapes, and history and set during a time where battles are with swords, pikes, crossbows; guns and cannon exist, but do not really rule the battlefield. Gods exist; but in an almost magical realism, in your dreams type of way. In other words, "but I don't like fantasy" doesn't really work as an excuse here -- no dragons, no spells, no Mary Sues. It's more of a historical fiction series set in an alternate Greece.
Three countries are at the forefront of these books: Sounis, Attolia, Eddis. In the first, a thief in one country (Sounis) is recruited to steal something of political importance from a second country (Attolia) to help the king of the first force the ruler of a third (Eddis) into an alliance. The second, third, and now fourth book continues to look at the politics and machinations as three independent countries compete for power and dominance while at the same time fighting against a third country, the Mede Empire.
Nothing in politics or war is straightforward or easy; and so, too, nothing in these books is simple or to be taken at face value. Part of the joy of the later books is trying to anticipate the intrigue, the plotting, the machinations, and Turner being such a gifted author that she is always one (or two or three) steps ahead of you.
The fourth book, A Conspiracy of Kings, comes to bookstores and libraries in April. More than enough time for you to read (or reread) the first three books.
What age group is this for? It's marketed for young adults; the first one was a Newbery Honor book. The complex story telling, full of shades of gray and no easy answers, will appeal to adults making this an idea "crossover" title. The main chara
7 Comments on Teaser: A Conspiracy of Kings, last added: 12/20/2009
I'm not going to read the spoilery parts of this review but having seen you gush about all of these books (both here and on twitter) I'm definitely going to add them to my wishlist.
I'm reading my galley right now, trying (and failing) to force myself to slow down & savor it, but the plot is so fast-moving! I look forward to re-reading it, to seeing how everything fits together according to--I assume--Gen's master plan. A most worthy book boyfriend!
Michelle, the spoilers are in the reviews for the 2nd and 3rd book. Basically, the plot description itself for the 3rd book gives away some of what happens in book 2. Though none are overspoilery for what happens in book 1.
Jane said, on 12/17/2009 6:22:00 PM
April!?! How can I wait that long? And probably longer to get here (NZ) unless I shell out for postage from Amazon. Sigh...
I got distracted halfway through the first book about a year ago. Usually, I love this genre but Gen wasn't doing it for me. I guess I should try it again when uninterrupted.
A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild Westby Sid FleischmanGreenwillow / HarperCollins 2008Mark Twain was a self-made man. Fleishman acknowledges this when he beings this biography of the writer's early years by laying his birth date as some time in the fall of 1865. This, of course, is around the time that the man from Hannibal, Missouri officially used the pen name Mark Twain while writing
0 Comments on The Trouble Begins at 8 as of 1/1/1900
Jody was on her way to a school visit and feeling in a bit of a whirl from her busy personal life and recent book promotion events which have offered numerous travel opportunities.
As we munched on our Asian-flavored entrees, I asked if she knew that THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES was being considered for the YALSA list.
“I had no idea,” she said. “The book is listed by my publisher for ages 10-14. I guess that makes it borderline young adult.” She explained that she’d been in total shock for at least 10 minutes when she first heard the news.
“How has your life changed since your book has come out?” I asked.
“I’ve not been able to write,” she said immediately. “I’ve been spending more time on publicity, but I’m really looking forward to getting back to writing.” She told me of her new plan to write every morning and leave her afternoons open for publicity work.
When I asked her what had been the most fun and exciting part of her book’s release, Jody said, “Being here and seeing it all happen—the whole bundle of going through what a regular author does. Holding the book in my hand. Getting that connection with the kids. The sense of fulfillment.”
Jody has waited a long time for her well-deserved fulfillment. The idea for THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES first entered her mind nearly 20 years ago as she overheard an unhappy child in the school library trying to find another book with the same feel as Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. She became determined to create a book for adventure-minded young readers. Readers who like puzzles and games and quick-witted contests.
THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES’ journey to print was itself a great adventure—not for the weak of heart. Jody wrote and rewrote the story; she submitted it and received rejection after rejection. She put the story away for a long time, until finally she joined an online writers’ group and began revamping the story yet again. When she finally found an interested agent, Jennie Dunham of Dunham Literary, Jody still had to wait another three years before an editor, Virginia Duncan, at HarperCollins’ Greenwillow imprint ultimately perceived THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES’ great potential and helped Jody shape it into the amazing story it is today.
Currently, Jody is working on a new middle grade/young adult book with another seventh-grade boy main character. The book will border on the fantastical—“like you might experience in dreams,” she said.
As we wrapped up our lunch, I asked, ”What advice do you have for writers?”
“If you don’t really, really want to do it (write), don’t do it! Find something else.” She explained how determined writers have to be. “Willing to get down on their knees and scrub the floor sometimes”—knowing that there will be lots of hard work involved in the publishing process. It’s not the glamorous lifestyle so often portrayed in the media.
“And a writer needs to be open to knowledge from wherever you can get it,” Jody said. She likes to listen to kids and adults, to those who like and don’t like her stories. She explained that using all this information can help her write a better story.
I said my goodbyes to Jody as she refilled her to-go cup, fueling up for her school visit in just 15 minutes. She seemed a bit harried but quite happy with her new role as successful children’s author.
0 Comments on Interview with JODY FELDMAN as of 1/1/1990
Uncle Shelby's Zoo: Don't Bump the Glump! and Other Fantasies
by Shel Silverstein
originally published by HMH Publications Inc. (Playboy) 1963
HarperCollins 2008
My Dog May Be a Genius
by Jack Prelutsky
HarperCollins / Greenwillow 2008
In these waning days of his tenure as Children's Poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky and his publishers (who also happen to be Silverstien's
2 Comments on A Joker and a Jack, last added: 4/12/2008
Heh. You crack me up. I would personally vote for"A bear likes BEING bare."
a. fortis said, on 4/12/2008 12:05:00 AM
Oh. And maybe the Slithergadee sounds familiar because it's very like the "Oh heck, it's up to my neck...oh dread, it's up to my mMmppgpghhh" poem?
eisha said, on 4/13/2008 9:20:00 PM
You really DO know an awful lot about Shel.
virtual T said, on 4/17/2008 3:22:00 AM
Hello David. This blog looks fantastic. Where you get the energy for this is a mystery to me. The inspiration, I get that. Hope you and all are well as spring unfolds on the east coast.Tania
“Hey LadyStar readers! Acey here. Z-bot just reworked the comic page a bit and re-added the Buzzcomix button. It’s below the panels on every page. If you click that button you can vote for my pals over on Buzzcomix, so jump on over there and give us a thumbs up! Acey out.”
“And you haven’t seen either of them since yesterday?”
“No, Alanna-sama. We haven’t seen anyone. Leila-sama, Talitha-chan and now Shannon-sama are all missing and nobody has heard from them at all.”
“Here comes Yorozu, maybe she’s heard something.”
“We got trouble, boss. I checked the band room, and Goofy called everyone last night. Now it’s all three of them, and we haven’t seen Little Bit yet today.”
“We have to find her. She’s the only one left with an Ajan Treasure. We have to check her school first. Come on.”
“Ranko-chan, what do you think is going on?”
“I think it’s that Sorcerer Dude, and our biggest problem is the Professor had one of our only two treasures, so we’ve got to stay frosty and be ready for anything. I hope we can find Little Bit. Let’s go.”
“Shannon-sama! Looky! We gots another question from my Jessie’s Letters page!”
“It’s hard work to keep up with all the e-mail.”
“It sure is! This one’s about your book Call of the Huntress. It’s from ‘Sirea’ and they said ‘are we gonna put the whole story of Call of the Huntress online cause they really wanna know what happens next!’”
“We sure are! Call of the Huntress is the third book in the Ajan Warriors Series and it’s the sequel to Palace in the Sky, so we sorta have to continue the story, right?”
“Yeah, ’cause I wanna meet your big magical kitty-kat, cause I’ve never seen a midnight cougar with blue eyes before!”
“Well, I just might be able to arrange that after I get my treasure back and learn my powers as an Ajan Warrior.”
“Arigato Shannon-sama! If you gots a question or a comment or just wanna say “Hi Jessie and Shannon-sama!’ you can send an e-mail to meeeeeeee on my super-neat super-sugoi best on the whoooooole site Jessie’s Letters page. Ja ne minna-san!”
“Okay boys and girls, it’s voting time again. Professor Planet over here has installed a new poll and this one should be interesting. Right over there on the left side of every page: crimson background, nice, gold lettering, nice. Buttons for each answer and a button to vote.”
“Ooh, there’s seven answers. Let’s see, there’s a message board, and a shoutbox, and more blog comments.”
“What’s a shout box?”
“That’s a little window where anyone can type a short message any time they want. It’s really simple and fast.”
“We should bring back the Character Book. That thing rocked. We had like 500 signatures or something.”
“Alanna-sama’s the Winterdancer, ’cause that’s her title of lore when she gets all her neat powers. Did you know the Warrior of the River’s powers are all from snow and ice? It even says so on her warrior page! Looky!”
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we were told that Sophos had disappeared after having been abducted by rebels? In A Conspiracy of Kings, we find out what happened to Sophos and why it takes him so long to reappear.
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Oh, I absolutely CANNOT WAIT to read this book! Loved your review, it has pumped me up even more!
I skimmed your review after you said how well done the characters are-I will see if my library has this series.
Sigh. It's finally almost out. I can't wait for everyone to be able to read it!
Sigh. Still waiting impatiently for this one. Of course, I'm also still waiting to reread it right before it comes out. That would be now.
i really, really, REALLY want that on a shirt!