The sound of paddling pools, ice-cream vans, and sizzling barbecues means but one thing: summer is finally here. We caught up with four of Oxford University Press' most seasoned travelers to see which books they recommend for trips to Thailand, Cambodia, Germany, India, and France.
The post A summer reading list appeared first on OUPblog.
A message from Alma Flor Ada
Dear friends:
It is a joy to welcome Love, Amalia (also in Spanish, Con cariño, Amalia) co-written with my son Gabriel Zubizarreta, in my collection of realistic fiction with Latino characters, which also includes last year’s Dancing Home (Nacer bailando) and the re-released My Name is Maria Isabel (Me llamo Maria Isabel). A story about a young girl dealing with loss, Booklist says that Love, Amalia “charmingly emphasizes the importance of both friendship and intergenerational relationships.” Kirkus writes, “The authors tackle issues of love, loss and familial ties with a sympathetic, light hand and blend Spanish words and Latino music and recipes into Amalia’s tale.”
You can find Reading Guides on the corresponding book pages in my website www.almaflorada.com or in:
You may want to take advantages of the suggestions and links to a series of resources that include free downloads listed in the attached document “Resources” and the list of Celebrations and Festivities found in my books. Many teachers have found them useful.
Books are available through your local bookstore or amazon.com. For more personalized attention, order through Del Sol Books by contacting [email protected]
To stay up to date with all things Alma Flor Ada, including new books, awards, and giveaways, ‘like’ my fan page at www.facebook.com/almaflorada or follow me on twitter (@almaflorada).
May you continue to receive great joy seeing your efforts bloom. Whether you inspire your students to discover “the joy of learning”, facilitate the “magical encounter” between children and books, or advocate for equality, social justice and peace, you are contributing to make the world a better place with your example.
Alma Flor Ada
I wanted to post this today because Carolyn Mackler is on my mind. Today I had a lovely discussion with a couple librarians in the booth at Midwinter – they were very interested in TANGLED, Carolyn’s realistic YA fiction book with HarperTeen.
We contrasted and compared Carolyn’s books and I told them about TANGLED, which they hadn’t had the chance to read yet. It’s a story told in the various viewpoints of four teenagers stuck in Paradise, a Caribbean resort. Dakota, Jena, Skye, and Owen soon find that their lives intersect in unexpected ways and they’re surprised to find out that they have much more in common than they thought.
Carolyn Mackler recently decided to take on our grueling interrogation because that’s the sort of daring, feisty woman she is. Here is what she told us:
What time is your alarm clock set for?
I wish! My children are my alarm clock. The baby babbles from his crib, so we grab him. Once he’s in our bed, my first-grader comes tumbling in full of 6am energy. And suddenly our bed feels really small. And I need coffee.
Favorite book from childhood?
FOREVER by Judy Blume. Hands down. It was sexy. It was real. It was heartbreaking. I felt like I knew Katherine and Michael. Sometimes I’m still curious how they’re doing.
If you weren’t an author/illustrator, what job would you like to have?
Stand-up comedian. My husbands jokes that I’ve watched Funny People way too many times. I even have the soundtrack on my iPod. Some combination of career envy and a celebrity crush on Adam Sandler.
How many stamps are in your passport?
Four? Five? It’s my new passport. I traveled much more before I had kids. No one tells you that international travel isn’t quite as glamorous when you’re schlepping car seats, a pack-n-play, and jet-lagged angry children. My husband and I are determined to go somewhere next year where we have to cross an ocean. Grandparents, did you hear that?
Favorite word?
Sleep. Bath. Massage. Coffee. Clean clothes. Okay, that’s six words.
What are you reading right now?
The New Yorker.
Finish this sentence: “I always smile when…”
M
Today I want to tell you a little bit about Alan Gratz, the author of Something Wicked:
Alan Gratz is the author of the historical young adult novel Samurai Shortstop (Dial 2006), which was named one of the American Library Association's 2007 Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults. His second book, a young adult murder mystery based on "Hamlet" called Something Rotten (Dial 2007), was named an ALA 2008 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, and a sequel based on "Macbeth, " Something Wicked (Dial 2008), is on sale now. He is also the author of the forthcoming novels The Brooklyn Nine (Dial 2009), and Nemo (Knopf TBA). A former bookseller, librarian, eighth grade English teacher, and TV and radio scriptwriter, Alan is now a full time novelist for young readers. He lives with his wife and daughter in Penland, North Carolina.
If you would like to read one of Alan's books you can of course go to a bookshop or the library to get a copy. You can also go to his website where there is a complete copy of his book Something Rotten for you to read. There are also reader's guides for both Something Rotten and Something Wicked. These guides will really enhance your reading experience of both books.
Please visit the other blogs that are participating in this tour:
the 160acrewoods, A Christian Worldview of Fiction, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Book Review Maniac, Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Hyperbole, KidzBookBuzz.com, Looking Glass Reviews, Maggie Reads, Never Jam Today, Reading is My
By: DanP,
on 7/28/2016
By: Rene Colato Lainez,
on 10/16/2012
By: Laura,
on 1/8/2011
By: Marya Jansen-Gruber,
on 10/29/2008
