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Remember when you were a kid and getting new crayons was a big deal? Getting new books holds the same kind of magic for some of us big kids. Every week on Sunday, I post what's new in our box. I think crayons is a pretty cool metaphor for multicultural lit. Every week we receive a book is a good week.

Color Online staff and I have had a good week. Check out our bounty:

Me-
Brown Eyes, Brown Skin by Cherly Willis Hudson and Bernette G. Ford, illustrated by George Ford. When Cheryl commented at RAWW, I recognized her name but couldn't remember why. Then I visited the link she provided, saw this book and I broke out in a wide grin. This was one of my youngest daughter's early books. Cheryl sent several children's books. Some will be listed others will be set aside for donations.

Cheryl had very kind words to say about us. Let's hope she shows up soon.

One Million Men and Me by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Peter Ambush. Kelly is an active member and supporter here. See her wwoc profile and do check out her work. She sent several titles including The Rock and The River by Kekla Magoon. Thank you. Adding these to our Prize Bucket.


One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. Elyse at Harper Collins discovered Color Online via Mitali Perkins. I have been wanting to read this so you know I was glad to receive this unexpected gift. See Doret's review here
and Ari's at Reading In Color.

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China
Retold by: Ai-Ling Louie
Illustrated by: Ed Young
Philomel Books
1982
For ages 4-8
32 pgs.
Reviewer: Tarie


The story of Yeh-Shen, one of the oldest versions of Cinderella, dates from the T'ang dynasty in China (618-907 A.D.). It even predates the oldest European version of Cinderella, which is an Italian story from 1634.

Yeh-Shen is an orphan who lives with her stepmother and stepsister. She is given the heaviest and most unpleasant chores and not enough food to eat because her stepmother resents how Yeh-Shen is much more beautiful than her own daughter. Yeh-Shen's only friend is a fish in a pond. Her stepmother kills the fish and cooks it for dinner. An old sage reveals to Yeh-Shen that the bones of the fish are filled with a powerful spirit. Whenever Yeh-Shen is in serious need, she can kneel before the fish bones and they will grant her heart's desire.

One year, Yeh-Shen longs to go to the village spring festival, but her stepmother will not allow her. Yeh-Shen kneels before the fish bones and wishes to go to the festival. Immediately she finds herself in an azure blue gown, kingfisher feather cloak, and gold slippers. At the festival, people wonder who Yeh-Shen is. She is so beautiful that she seems like a heavenly being. When her stepsister sees her, Yeh-Shen runs home and loses one of her gold slippers along the way.

A villager finds the slipper and sells it to a merchant who in turn gives it to a king. The king is so fascinated by the tiny slipper that he searches for its owner. The slipper is placed in a pavilion by the road and many women, including Yeh-Shen's stepmother and stepsister, try it on in the hopes of claiming it. Yeh-Shen doesn't go to the pavilion until very late at night and when she takes the slipper, at first the king thinks that she is a thief. Then he notices that Yeh-Shen is beautiful and has the tiniest feet he has ever seen. He follows Yeh-Shen home and asks her to put on the slippers. As soon as Yeh-Shen is wearing the slippers, she once again finds herself in an azure blue gown and a kingfisher feather cloak. The king falls in love with her and they live happily ever after.

Yeh-Shen's story may seem even more fantastical than the Disney version of Cinderella, but because of Ai-Ling Louie's prose and storytelling skills and Ed Young's illustrations, readers young and young at heart will eat this book up. The watercolor and colored pencil illustrations are uncannily both detailed and impressionistic. They are sublime, as per usual with Young's illustrations.

What I found most interesting about Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China is how it depicts certain elements of ancient Chinese culture: the desirability of tiny feet on a woman and the association of fish with good fortune.

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story f

Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat
Edited by Nikki Giovanni
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
2008
Reviewer: Tari

I wish Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat had been around when I was in elementary school. For most of my life I had a blind spot when it came to poetry, because nobody, not even a teacher or a librarian, introduced me to good poetry. If I had been introduced to poetry through Hip Hop Speaks to Children as a child, I know I would have been made a poetry lover much earlier in life.

Hip Hop Speaks to Children is an amazing collection of more than 50 poems and songs by poets and artists like Jacqueline Woodson, Gwendolyn Brooks, A Tribe Called Quest, Gary Soto, Kanye West, Langston Hughes, Queen Latifah, Mos Def, Charles R. Smith Jr., Maya Angelou, Walter Dean Myers, Lauryn Hill, James Berry, and W.E.B. Du Bois. These poems and songs with great rhythm come with an introduction by the book's editor, Nikki Giovanni - an introduction that really opened my eyes to the history and significance of hip hop.

It's not just the literature in the book that has fine beats. The book design, from the different fonts to the different layouts, and the illustrations by Kristen Balouch, Michele Noiset, Jeremy Tugeau, Alicia Vergel de Dios, Damian Ward, and Caroline Wolf are all fresh, colorful, and alive. The book also comes with an audio CD of more than 30 performances of the poems and songs.

I highly recommend this book, especially for children who are reluctant poetry readers. (I should know, I used to be one of them!) Hip Hop Speaks to Children makes poetry fun, incredibly accessible, and meaningful to children.

Link love: Doret's review at TheHappyNappyBookseller

Tarie is a reader, graduate student, editor, and English teacher in the Philippines. She blogs about literature for the young and young at heart at Into the Wardrobe and Asia in The Heart, World On The Mind.

So we get a new cover from Bloomsbury. Do we get an end to an ugly practice? We need to demonstrate that POC titles have wide appeal so blog brown, people. Several months ago we began a challenge to champion reading and blogging brown.

This year, I'm participating in Women Unbound, South Asian Authors, GLBT: The Challenge that Dare Not Speak It's Name, Social Justice and Young Adult Challenge. And thanks to Pam, we have the POC Challenge.

Now for our featured reviews:


Wanting Mor by Rukhsana Khan. I reviewed this title at Black-Eyed Susan's.
Zetta questions why women willingly embrace restrictions placed on them by their religion and culture. Like Zetta, I’m very interested to learn how teen girls would interpret this story. There are great comments and observations at Fledgling. Do check them out.

I read this and like Doret, I see Jameela in the context of her circumstances and culture. I think the writer gives an honest and realistic, and in a modern setting by the way a view of how some Muslim women see themselves.

Ali writes "Best Kept Secrets" at Worducopia. In anticipation of first-time readers here, I'm cheating a bit and featuring links to posts that highlight multiple books. I want to take away the excuse that you don't know how to find good multicultural lit.
When the Black Girl Sings, by Bil Wr

Blessing's Bead

One Crazy Summer
Rita Williams-Garcia
Amistad
January 2010
reviewer: Doret

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia It's 1968, three sisters, 11-year-old Delphine, 9-year-old Vonetta and 7-year-old Fern will be spending the summer with their mother in Oakland, CA. They live in Brooklyn, NY, their dad and grandmother, Big Ma. Their dad decided it was time they got to know their mother. I loved these girls voices. They rang true and familiar.

The sisters call their mother by her first name, Cecile. She left right after Fern was born. The girls quickly realize they will have to keep themselves occupied for the summer. Cecile is a poet and not maternal. The kitchen is her workspace and it's off limits to the girls.

At night they eat takeout on the living room floor. In the mornings, the sisters go to the People's Center, for the free breakfast provided by the Black Panther's. They stay for the program, which is taught by Sister Mukumbu. The author gives glimpses into lessons being taught at the center, though it's really from the girls' actions that we understand the impact the Black Panthers have on them.

Marc Just Couldnt' Sleep
Gabriela Keselman
Illustrated by Noemí Villamuza
Kane/Miller Book Publishers
2004
Reviewer: Tarie

Marc Just Couldn't Sleep is a whimsical picture book for children ages 3 to 5. Marc can't fall asleep because he is worried and scared of just about everything. He is worried a giant mosquito will fly into his room and bite him. So his mom makes him a pair of mosquito-proof pajamas. He is also worried that the moon will melt and the world will go dark. His mom gives him a pair of glasses with glow in the dark lenses and writes the moon a letter warning it not to melt. But even after his mom shoos away monsters, witches, nightmares, and ghosts, Marc is still scared and can't fall asleep! The final solution to help Marc fall asleep warmly shows the love between mother and child.

Both the illustrations and the text of Marc Just Couldn't Sleep highlight an incredibly endearing and adorable little boy and the strong, patient, playful mother who would do anything for him. This story will deeply touch children's hearts and stir their imaginations. Reading Marc Just Couldn't Sleep can easily become a new favorite bedtime ritual for the family.

Marc Just Couldn't Sleep was originally published in Spain by Editorial Kókinos in 2001.
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Tarie is a reader, graduate student, editor, and English teacher in the Philippines. She blogs about literature for the young and young at heart at Into the Wardrobe.

Remember when you were a kid and getting new crayons was a big deal? Getting new books holds the same kind of magic for some of us big kids. Every week on Sunday, I post what's new in our box. I think crayons is a pretty cool metaphor for multicultural lit. Every week we receive a book is a good week.

Sad news, Lerner Publications sent us something, but because we have a PO box, UPS wouldn't deliver it and since my work days are long, I didn't get to the post office until Saturday to find a note saying I needed to pick up the package in person by Saturday. If anyone from Lerner's or the author knows about the package, please contact me so I can provide my personal address.

Despite the missed package, I do have items to share. This week's goodies:

The Bum Magnet by K.L. Brady. The author sent two copies and you know how we do here. We share. Leave a comment here if you'd like to win a copy. Extra 2+ entries if you indicate you're willing to review the title. I'll post a giveaway post later but for your convenience, you may enter here. The other copy will be shelved at our library.
...is a woefully delicious tale of the worst and best, but mostly worst kind of men any single woman could come across. And darn it if the author doesn’t try her utmost to warn the female population – her intended audience – against these deviants, highlighting ways to recognize these charlattans. Once we do recognize them, run straight for them hills. Read full review at Long Live Chick-Lit.

Miracle Boys by Jacqueline Woodson. Got this gem on trade at Paperback Swap. You all know by now that I'm Woodson's number #1 fan. Looking forward to reading this. When I'm done, it'll go on our shelf at the library. Any active member here may borrow the book. See our book loan program for details. Check out Ana's review at things mean a lot.
What I liked the most about Miracle’s Boys was the depth of the characterization. The characters are all so human – they're not perfect, but they're never vilified either, despite the mistakes they make.

The Kayla Chronicles by Sherri Winston. Got this on trade as well. This is our second copy so I'm going to add it to our Prize Bucket. It is gently used so if you don't mind that you might want to select this goodie when you win a prize. You can read my reaction at Black-Eyed Susan's and Doret's review at HappyNappy Bookseller and Ari's review at Reading In Color.

What did you get in the mailbox, at the bookstore or the library?

Remember when you were a kid and getting new crayons was a big deal? Getting new books holds the same kind of magic for some of us big kids. Every week on Sunday, I post what's new in our box. I think crayons is a pretty cool metaphor for multicultural lit. Every week we receive a book is a good week.

This week was exceptionally bountiful. Thanks to Ari, Justine and Bloomsbury Publishing, our friends at Lee & Low and author Breena Clark. Here's a short list of what's new on our shelves:

Stand The Storm by Breena Clark. Ms. Clark sent us two of her titles. If you're willing to review this title for us, write me and you may keep the copy. How cool is that?
Breena Clarke's Stand the Storm centers on the story of "Sewing Annie" Coats and her son, Gabriel, expert tailors who manage to purchase their freedom at the cost of entering a less than lucrative business arrangement with their former owner. Nonetheless, hard work and thriftiness allow them to purchase Ellen (Annie's equally talented daughter) and her daughter, Delia. Prosperity reigns but the clan is happy for only a short while.

When I was a Soldier by Valerie Zenatti. Thanks to the folks at Bloomsbury we have this memoir. Participate in our quizzes or Diversity Roll Call and this could be yours.
When we first meet Valerie she is preoccupied with the final preparations for her bac exams, working after school at Extrapharm, wrapping perfumes and stacking shelves, hanging out with her close girlfriends, Russian immigrants Yulia and Rahel, and nursing a broken heart after being phased out by her boyfriend Jean-David. She is in many ways an ordinary girl with recognisable concerns and a modern, western lifestyle."Here," she writes, "the army is part of lives. Soldiers — boys and girls — are the heroes of the past."

Liar by Justine Larbalestier. Oh, imagine me doing the happy dance. My daughter and I will be reading this together. May be too much mother-daughter time for her but I'm sure the story will hook her. When we're done, one copy goes on the shelf and one goes in the Prize Bucket. I'm hoping the kidlet will review this. This doesn't need an synopsis but do check out Justine's blog. And for those who don't know, check out Zetta's review:
There are definite traces of Octavia Butler in this book, which is one of the highest compliments I can bestow; Larbalestier handles race, sex, and *community* in a very similar, direct way.


Tofu Quilt by Ching Yeung Russell
In her first collection of poems, Ching Yeung Russell captures elements of her youth in rich, vivid snapshots and authentic detail. Readers of all backgrounds will relate to spirited Yeung Ying, her dynamic family, and her courage in the face of life’s obstacles.

I and I by Tony Medina. Thanks to Hannah at Lee & Low we have this lovely title. I'm pretty sure it's going in the Prize Bucket. If you're willing to review it, it's yours.
Brimming with imagination and insight, I and I Bob Marley, is a multifaceted tribute befitting this international musical legend. Soulful, sun-drenched paintings transport readers to Bob Marley’s Jamaica, while uniquely perceptive poems bring to life his fascinating journey from boy to icon.

What did you get in the mail this week, at the library or the bookstore? What's better than another book to read? Until next week, happy reading.

To close out our month long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we're focusing on the guys. Here are four title from two prolific reviewers, Doret from Happy Nappy Bookseller and Ari from Reading in Color. Comment and recommend.

Ari:
Marcelo In The Real World by Francisco X. Stork. There’s so much you can say about this amazing, wonderful, beautiful, tremendous, stupendous novel, but at the same time I don’t feel that I can adequately express how much impact this novel had on me. It blew me away. It’s so powerful. It’s ultimately about the loss of innocence and how we can fight injustice. It also made me think about why God allows suffering? Read full review here.






Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann.
One of the things that drew me to this story (besides the fact that I wanted to learn more about Pinochet and Chile) was what life is like after torture. Many fictional books about activists, skip the details of the torture or their characters miraculously escape that fate. Gringolandia offers a very detailed, no-holds barred look not just at what happens to a person after they've been tortured but the effect on family members. Daniel's father (Marcelo) has been imprisoned for six years (arrested in 1980 and released in 1986). See full review here.

Doret:

Mexican White Boy by Matt De la Pena
Baseball is a small part of this book. Its more so about Danny coming to terms with who he is and who is dad was. In Danny's actions and few chosen words, I could see how much he missed having his dad around. Throughout the book Danny writes his dad letters about what's going on in this life in hopes that maybe one will make him come back. Everything Danny writes is a colorful untruth, instead of running a summer hustle with Uno, Danny's an ace for a traveling team. It isn't until the end that Danny learns the truth and there is no way his dad can come back. See review here.

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez.
When 11yr old Tyler Paquette returns home to the family farm, he discovers his parents have hired Mexican workers. Before Tyler went to visit family in Boston, is father had a farming accident. Tyler's parents crunched the numbers, the only way they could afford to keep the farm was to hire undocumented Mexican workers. They hired three brothers. See review here.

Whatcha think? What would you like to see next?

I Wanna Be Your Shoebox
Christina Garcia
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
2008
Reviewer: Doret

I loved this book. Yumi Ruiz Hirsch is Cuban, Jewish and Japanese. She's also surfer/skater boarder, classical clarinetist, who loves good rock ( Ramones), and she plays a decent bass guitar. Garcia refused to limit who Yumi was and who she could become. The summer is over, Yumi is returning from Surfer's camp, she'll be entering the 8th grade. Yumi's lives with her mother. Her parents have been divorced since she was one. Yumi is very close to Saul her Jewish grandfather. Saul is ninety-two and dying of cancer. Yumi asks Saul to tell his story and he does. The story alternates between Yumi's everyday life and visiting Saul.

Much is going on in Yumi's life. Her mom is dating for the first time in years and due to a lack of funds, the school orchestra is being discontinued. To save the orchestra, the members decide to put on a rock concert with classical instruments. Yumi is one of the students who takes charge. It was her idea.

How about a fund raising concert? I suggest. Maybe an all girl punk band. Dad says you can play punk with three chords and lots of attitude, so how hard could it be? I figure we could cover a couple of great Ramones songs, maybe write one of our own. In less than five minutes everyone is already fighting over a name for our nonexistent band. I'm in favor of Don't Call Me Miss. the other contenders are Testosterone Free Zone (TFZ), The Anastasia's, Kisses for a Dollar, the Neo-Cramps, and Nasty Girl. Quincy complains that boys shouldn't be excluded from the band and says he'll play in drag if he has to. Believe me, at six foot two and one hundred seventy pounds, that would not be a pretty sight.

I loved this book from the beginning. Garcia's created a wonderful character in Yumi. The ending reminded me of another book I loved Kephart's, House of Dance. I knew Saul was going to die, but it's still sad. The authors don't want the readers to linger on death but to look forward and they look to dance as a way to embrace life. This book came out in 2008, I only just heard about it last recently. I Wanna be Your Shoebox is a book diamond. I loved this book so much I will be reading Garcia's adult novelDreaming in Cuban, next. I don't usually read two books by an author so close together but I Wanna be Your Shoebox was so good I am making an exception. Ages 9 up. I highly recommend it. An excellent book club selection. I read the hardcover edition but I like the look of the QP better so that's the one I used. The paperback will be released on Sept 22. though this book is hardcover worthy. Or simply check your local library. Read an excerpt. As an added bonus here's Dreaming in Cuban Google Preview.

If you're thinking, "Oh my an added bonus, I've never seen that before. This book must be extra special," You would be correct. So go get your hands on a copy of I Wanna Be Your Shoebox.
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Doret knows YA. She's bookseller, reader and reviewer. When she's not helping me with lists and "What Do I Read Next?" and any number of other features here at Color Online, Doret blogs at Happy Nappy Bookseller. Check her out.

Does My Head Look Big In This?
Randa Abdel-Fattah
Orchard Books
2007
Reviewer: Allison

16-year-old Amal is a pretty typical teenager--she stresses over school, has crushes on boys, and loves her friends. When she decides to wear the hijab (Muslim head scarf) full-time, she begins an emotional and spiritual journey where she discovers a lot about who she is, what she believes in, and what it means to her. Despite criticism and assumptions from many people around her, she has made her choice and plans to stick to it.

I really enjoyed this book! Amal is a very likable and realistic person. She is smart, strong, funny, and she knows what is important to her and tries her best to stick to it. However, she can be immature and let her emotions get the best of her at times--just like anyone can. Her first-person narration felt smooth and natural; I found this book hard to put down once I got going!

The other characters in the book are very diverse and realistic as well. Amal has her school friends, Muslim friends, her parents, extended family, her cranky old neighbor... they all make for interesting conflicts and a dynamic story. Although this book is ultimately about Amal, it touches on many other issues from eating disorders and self-image to a friend's traditional mother trying to force her daughter into marriage. Also, I absolutely loved Amal's Greek-Orthodox neighbor, Ms. Vaselli, and the major impact Amal had on her.

When the book touched on Islam or Amal's choices, it wasn't in an overly preachy style. Instead, it explained what was going on--traditions, holidays, language--so that the reader could understand something they might have not otherwise. Still, when Amal would mention that people couldn't see that her hijab was just a piece of material I was a little thrown off. I don't mean that I thought the people should make a big deal out of her hijab, but it's not the fact that it's a piece of material as much as it's what it represents to her, right?

I think the part of the book that will always stand out most to me is at the beginning when Amal first wears the hijab to school. As she's arguing with the principal, she tells him that making the choice was personal. He replies by saying that it's obviously not, and it's actually a rather public choice. I thought it was really interesting to think about--it's a personal decision that's important to her, but at the same time, that personal decision is on display for everyone to see.

All in all, I loved this book! I think it's an important read, especially because this is such an underrepresented topic in YA fiction. Four and a half stars!
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My name is Allison. People make fun of me for bringing a book everywhere (and I do mean everywhere) I go, but it’s totally worth it. I’m a reader, a blogger, and I know someday I’ll be an author. For now, I’m just looking forward to graduating high school and seeing more of the world!
Read more of Allison's reviews at Read Into This!

Remember when you were a kid and getting new crayons was a big deal? Getting new books holds the same kind of magic for some of us big kids. Every week on Sunday, I post what's new in our box. I think crayons is a pretty cool metaphor for multicultural lit. Every week we receive a book is a good week.

Here's what's new on our shelves:

The Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara with Susan McClelland. My daughter starts high school this year. This was on freshman's summer reading list. Looking forward to it. My daughter shrugged and was already talking about homecoming. But when 12-year-old Mariatu set out for a neighboring village, she never arrived. Heavily armed rebel soldiers, many no older than children themselves, attacked and tortured Mariatu. During this brutal act of senseless violence they cut off both her hands. Read full synopsis at Annick.


Ash by Malinda Lo. Thanks to Steph from Steph Su Reads. I could not get my hands on a copy. The unemployed cannot buy a book simply because she wants it. The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash's capacity for love-and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love. Read a full review at Frentic Reader.


Paula by Isabel Allende. Doing some shifting in our library. Pulled this from the shelf and brought it home. We have a few Allende titles. Let me know if you'd like to borrow this. In December 1991, Isabel Allende's daughter Paula, aged 26 fell gravely ill and sank into a coma. This book was written during the interminable hours the novelist spent in the corridors of the Madrid hospital, in her hotel room and beside Paula's bed during the summer and autumn of 1992. Fantastic Fiction.


Broken China by Lori Aurelia Williams. The writing is poetic and poignant in When Kambia Elaine Flew In From Neptune by this author. I am so impressed with her work, I got this based on my first book by her. It's available for loan as well. Her story centers on 14-year-old China Cup Cameron (named by a physician's assistant since, at the time, her teen mother 'could care less'), who herself became a mother at 12. But in the first chapter, China's two-year-old daughter dies, and she takes on an enormous debt to pay for an elaborate funeral service. See review at Powell's.

My Two Grannies byFloella Benjamin . This is on our wish list. Very happy to a new book about mixed-race familes. [A]ppealing story about a mixed-race family learning to accept different traditions and customs. Alvina has two grannies: Grannie Vero from Trinidad and Grannie Rose from England. When Alvina’s parents go on vacation, both grannies arrive to look after Alvina. But the two grannies have two very different ideas about what to eat, what to play, even what stories to tell. Rainbow Book Cooperative.

What did you get this week from the library, the bookstore or in the mail? Drop us a link. Happy reading.

Blog name: Shen's Books Blog

Blogger: Renee Ting

Blog Origination date: August, 2006

Focus: Books published by Shen's Books and Multicultural Children's Literature

Regular features: News about our books, Shen's author events, and book reviews of multicultural children's books (published by other companies)



Your 2009 short list:
Multicultural Picture book: Tsunami! by Kimiko Kajikawa, illustrated by Ed Young
Multicultural Novel: Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It by Sundee T. Frazier
Shen's Books title: Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina Lazo Gilmore, illustrated by Kristi Valiant
General Middle Reader: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
General YA: Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

How frequently do you update your blog? At least once a week

Post of note, something in particular you want readers to check out: I just started a new series of short videos called "The Multicultural Minute," in which I discuss multicultural children's books, publishing, and ideas in one minute! The first episode is on our blog here.

50 words or less how would you describe your blog: Shen's Blog is not only where you'll find the latest information about Shen's Books, but it’s the place to go to read about all multicultural children's literature. At Shen’s Blog, you’ll find a world of information about multicultural issues, literature, authors, and illustrators.

What do you hope readers will gain, find or enjoy because they’ve visited your blog? Mostly, I would like to introduce readers to more great multicultural books that they ever knew were available, and keep them updated on what Shen's Books has been doing, and how our books have been doing.

Thanks, Renee.

COLA- Color Online Love Alert. Find links to blogs, books and articles written by women of color or news about awards and articles celebrating the work of women of color writers, poets, artists and activists. We'll also feature multicultural publishers. Check the sidebar regularly for new COLA links.

Remember when you were a kid and getting new crayons was a big deal? Getting new books holds the same kind of magic for some of us big kids. Every week on Sunday, I post what's new in our box. I think crayons is a pretty cool metaphor for multicultural lit. Every week we receive a book is a good week.

Special thanks to Colleen from Chasing Ray and Shalonda for sending us some fantastic new editions for our library. Here's what's new on our shelves:


Bitter Sweets by Roopa Farooki. Saw this at Happy Nappy Bookseller. We featured it for our quiz. Got a great copy from Paperbackswap. Looking forward to reading this.
Rashid Karim and his parents think they found the perfect bride in Henna. On their wedding night Rashid who goes Ricky when at the University, discovers that his new wife is not 17 and well educated but 13 and illiterate. Henna agreed to help her baba deceive the Karim's in hopes of avoiding school and moving to Calcutta to become a movie star. This is a family saga that begins with a lie. Read Doret's review.

Breathing Room by Patricia Elam. Honestly can't remember how I got this but Publisher's review has me interested.
The evolving relationship between two African-American women forms the centerpiece of this spirited, fluidly written debut novel set in contemporary Washington, D.C. Norma Simmons-Greer and Moxie Dillard have been friends since student days at Howard University. When the stress of being a good mother is exacerbated by the emotional withdrawal of her husband, Lawrence, Norma seeks comfort in her photography studio, where she meets and begins an affair with a white professor. Divorced Moxie, meanwhile, is raising her teenage daughter, Zadi, with the same zeal she puts into her work as a probation officer for adolescents. She is firm on discipline, and vocally supports black issues at the predominantly white private school where Zadi's father sends the girl. When Moxie learns of Norma's interracial affair, she is deeply offended and the women become estranged.

Girl In The Arena by Lise Haines. Way out my normal reading. Interested to see if our girls will check this out.
Sypnopsis
Lyn is a modern gladiator's daughter, and the rules of the sport are second nature to her family. However, the rules turn against the family after a gifted young fighter kills Lyn's father and captures Lyn's dowry bracelet--which means Lyn must marry him. To win her freedom, she must face her father's killer in mortal combat.

How To Salsa In A Sari by Dona Sarkar
Sarkar breathes a new and vivacious life into this classic plot. Issa is a smart and dynamite character, and the diverse cast will appeal greatly to what is becoming an equally diverse teenage audience. It is their intense humanity and their conflicts that stand out in this novel. Throw in a carefully measured dose of materialism and those miserable, honest mess-ups that are part of the package of growing up, all wrapped up with the perfect imperfect ending, and you’ll find that How to Salsa in a Sari is a stellar, vibrant, and beguiling read that you won’t want to let go of. Read the Compulsive Reader's review.

Taneesha: Never Disparaging by LaVora Perry. Received this for review. Ms. Perry is a new writer.
M. Lavora Perry's newest has much to recommend it for elementary library collections. Taneesha, whose family is Buddhist, is a 5th grader who is conflicted about her friends, her faith, and her role in her society. Her best friend nominates her for class president, and she is not sure that she wants to run. At the same time, a girl starts bullying the two friends after school. Read Ms. Yingling's review.


What did you get in the mail, at the bookstore or from your library? Drop us a link.

Secret Keeper
Mitali Perkins
Random House Children's Books
2009
"...set in India 1970's. Asha's father has lost his job, he heads to NYC in search of new opportunities. Asha, her older sister Reet and mother will go live with their father's brother and his family in Calcutta. Asha is the athlete, Reet is the beautiful one. Asha is continually being put down for being too dark. The sisters don't let how others see them effect their relationship." ~Doret at HappyNappy Bookseller



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Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story
Paula Yoo, illustrated by Lin Wang
Lee and Low Books
2009

"I never thought about the first Asian movie star in Hollywood. Though Anna May story is eerily familiar to first African American movie stars. Being forced to take on stereotypical roles that portray her people in a negative light". See full review at The HappyNappy Bookseller.



Shades of Love- created to promote books we want to share with you.

These are not reviews but profiles. Leave a comment or send us a review. If we publish your review, your name will be entered in a monthly drawing to win a book from our Prize Bucket.

Hip Hop Speaks to Children
Nikki Giovanni
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
2008

I haven't read this but I was excited when I read Adromeda's review. Have you read it? Is it on your wish list? It's National Poetry Month. I thought this title was a great way to kick off the celebration.

I am glad they get the chance to hear the included works by Eloise Greenfield, Jacqueline Woodson, A Tribe Called Quest, Gary Soto, Kanye West, Sugarhill Gang, Queen Latifah, Oscar Brown, Jr., Walter Dean Meyers, and Paul Laurence Dunbar among others. ~Andromeda

Listen to Nikki Giovanni talk about the importance of this text.

Shades of Love
Leave a comment or send us a review. If we publish your review, your name will be entered in a monthly drawing to win a book from our Prize Bucket. If you want us to feature a book, send us your recommendation. Send reviews, questions and recommendations to [email protected].

Contrary to popular belief not every parent of a an African American kid gets hip hop. I do get the rough times of being a tween, the challenges of being in foster care and what it means to have friends. Three girls lose some of their innocence of childhood but discover their strengths and the power of friendship. This book introduced me to the hip hop culture, a culture I knew little about. I understand now why so many young people from kids to twenty-somethings identify strongly with this artist. Good read.





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Leave a comment or send us a review. If we publish your review, your name will be entered in a monthly drawing to win a book from our Prize Bucket. If you want us to feature a book, send us your recommendation. Send recommendations, reviews and questions to [email protected]