My Most Excellent Year
A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park, by Steve Kluger
Augie and T.C. have been brothers--best friends really--since they were in first grade when T.C.'s mother died. Now they're in high school and, for a school assignment, writing about their freshman year in a series of letters supplemented with letters by Ale and a few others. And what a year it was--their lives would never be the same after meeting Hucky, a deaf boy who just needs a friend and, in T.C., Augie and Ale, he gets that and more. In the course of just a year, the three freshmen discover romance, learn sign language and meet Julie Andrews. Touching, funny, and incredibly original--I loved this book and didn't want it to end. On sale March 18, 2008.

My Favorites--2007

My Favorite Books This Year

The True Meaning of Smekday, by Adam Rex

I loved this laugh out loud funny book about Tip; her alien friend, J. Lo; and her mom saving the earth from being destroyed by alien invaders.

An Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

Based on Sherman Alexie's own life, this National Book Award winner will make you laugh and cry as you follow Arnold Spirit Jr.'s journey through adolescence.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick

Is it a picture book? A graphic novel? A chapter book? Or a combination of all three? The most inventive book I've read in a long time, this almost cinegraphic story of a boy living in the Paris underground is captivating.

The Apple Pie That Papa Baked, by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Jonathan Bean

A cumulative tale with beautiful nostalgic illustrations reminiscent of Wanda Gag.

Orange Pear Apple Bear, by Emily Gravett

Four words and illustrations showing seemingly endless combinations of them. Beautiful and innovative.

Make Your Own Mythology Day

Gods of Manhattan by Scott Mebus
What if overlaying modern day Manhattan is a centuries old place called Mannahatta peopled by the immortal Gods of Manhattan, including Babe Ruth, Alexander Hamilton, Peter Stuyvesant and a host of lesser warriors and other beings? That is the premise of this story. Most people can't see them but one day Rory sees a cockroach riding a rat and then a rat and squirrel fighting each other kung fu style. It turns out Rory is a "Light" and a needed warrior in the fight to right a great wrong from Mannahatta's past. The book is full of suspense and ends on an up note with the whiff of a sequel in the air.

Available April 17, 2008.

Shakespeare Redux

Something Rotten, by Alan Gratz, is available now. It's a retelling of Hamlet, set in the town of Denmark, Tennessee at the family owned Elsinore Paper. A clever environmental mystery with general appeal is made even more fun by all the references to Hamlet. Alan Gratz calls it "Pulp Shakespeare" or "Hardboiled Hamlet." It made me want to watch the movie Strange Brew.

Saving Juliet, by Suzanne Selfors, won't be out until February. But it's worth the wait. Mimi is tired of acting but willing to go through with one more run of Romeo and Juliet to pacify her mother, a former actress and now the owner of a theater. After a bout of stage fright, Mimi opens the backdoor of the theater for some air and finds herself stepping straight into Shakespeare's story.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
Based on Sherman Alexie's own childhood this story is both touching and funny. When Arnold Spirit Jr. opens his math book on the first day of school and discovers his own mother's name written in it from when she was a student at the very same school, he is incited to action. Transferring from the school on the Indian reservation to the public school in a nearby farmtown is the beginning of a new life for Junior. Feeling like he doesn't belong anywhere--the students at his new school ignore him, almost everyone on the res gives him the cold shoulder when he transfers--slowly changes to a realization that you can belong to more than the tribe you are born into. By the end of the book, Junior embraces his membership in the tribe of bookworms, basketball players, Spokane Indians, and more.

Sherman Alexie has been nominated for the National Book Award for this title. See the article below:

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=alexie11&date=20071011&query=sherman+alexie+national+book+award

CONFIDENTIAL or Top Secret Notebooks

"Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It" is the name of Brendan's top secret notebook full of questions about life. Brendan is a scientist, a tae kwon do afficionado and a young man of color. All of these things are important to his story. It starts out innocently enough with a trip to the mall when there is a rock and mineral display. While he's there he meets the white grandfather he's never known. His mother won't talk about her father at all, so Brendan tracks him down on his own and begins to get to know him, sneaking around to do so. The events that transpire are often described using the metaphors of Brendan's hobbies: science, geology, and tae kwon do, making this a powerful story. In the end, Brendan has learned something about rocks, proved himself to ready for a new tae kwon do belt, and brought his family closer together.

Poetry Even When It's Not Poetry Month

I just learned about a new (new to me, that is) form of poetry. It's called sijo. It's from Korea and is similar to haiku in that you count syllables. But in sijo each line has a specific purpose too--the first line introduces the topic, the second further develops the idea and the third contains a twist of some kind. Here's an example from Linda Sue Park's terrific book, Tap Dancing on the Roof:

Breakfast

For this meal, people like what they like, the same every morning.

Toast and coffee. Bagel and juice. Cornflakes and milk in a white bowl.

Or--warm, soft, and delicious--a few extra minutes in bed.

Book Heaven or Why I Love Trade Shows

I was just at the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Tradeshow (try saying that five times fast) and came home with four (yes, FOUR!) bags full of books. You know that feeling when you can't find anything you want to read? Shouldn't be my problem for a few weeks at least.

One of the great things about PNBA is author breakfasts. You sit and eat a lovely breakfast someone else has cooked and authors entertain you. Friday morning, I introduced myself to my next door neighbor at the table and it was Liz Gallagher. Liz is awaiting the publication of her first book, The Opposite of Invisible. So as soon as the show was over, I sat down to read her book. Ooh, I loved it. Alice lives in Seattle (which for some reason the jacket copy describes as "quirky") and it is fun to recognize the places she goes--the Pike Place Market and Fremont troll, for example. Over the course of the book, she gains the confidence to be herself--to be the opposite of invisible. She gains and loses her first boyfriend, makes new friends and finds a new medium to explore artistically.

You can visit her website at http://www.lizgallagher.com/. Look for more about the books I picked up at PNBA in the next few weeks!

Not One Word Too Many

First the Egg, by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

First the egg, then the chicken.

First the tadpole, then the frog.

First the word, then the story.

A wonderful simple story that flows off the tongue. Perfect for discussing change and growth. A great writing model. The pictures complement the text perfectly with cutouts displaying just a part of the next page. Poetic and wonderful.

School Has Started

It's Not About the Accent, by Caridad Ferrer

When Caro goes off to college, she is determined to be a new and more interesting person. Taking her cue from her grandmother's Cuban roots, she creates an alter ego called Carolina whose clothing is exotic and whose speech is littered with Spanish phrases. Pretending to be something she isn't does not turn out the way she hopes, but in the second half of the book her fascination with her grandmother's past becomes even more important to her. Caro's journey of discovery bears fruit personally, academically and for her family.

A note for sensitive readers--there is some drug use and an attempted rape.

Before I Die or Another Story Where the Hero Dies

Before I Die, by Jenny Downham
I can't say that the genre of books where the main character dies has ever had huge appeal for me. I think it's nice to end a book on a more hopeful looking to the future note. In fact, funny books are really my favorite. But that didn't stop me from enjoying Before I Die. The story begins with Tessa knowing her leukemia has reached the point where her death will be sooner rather than later and so she starts making a list of the things she wants to do before she dies. Her list is not for the faint of heart and includes having sex, breaking the law and spending the day answering every question, "Yes!" She is not an especially likeable character at the beginning of the story but even in the face of death, she grows as a person. A beautiful book whose characters will continue to live in your heart.

Spud

Spud by John Van De Ruit is a novel set in South Africa in 1990 at a boys boarding school. The first copy that came my way, I passed by. The topic sounded too dreary for words. But then I kept hearing more about it and finally I decided to give Spud a try. And now I'm in mourning because I've finished the book and I miss the main character whose nickname is Spud.

The setting makes it sound like a political book but politics make only a brief appearance in Spud's saga. Really it's the story of his first year at boarding school: the peculiar boys he boards with, the pangs of first love, his crazy family and his joy in being chosen for the school play. I lost track of how many times I laughed out loud while I was reading. People looked at me oddly in public places but I couldn't stop reading.

This is definitely a book for older readers--14 and up, maybe 12 or 13 for mature readers. Or just read it for yourself. You won't be sorry.

Smekday or Why I Love Science Fiction

The True Meaning of Smekday, by Adam Rex

In a world full of books about wizards and magic (not that there's anything wrong with that), it is refreshing to read some true science fiction--funny science fiction, at that. Smekday used to be called Christmas but was renamed when earth was conquered. Gratuity, Tip to her friends, is asked to write a school essay about the true meaning of this holiday and the book starts with her first version and then her second and then her full account of the year after earth is invaded. Truly inventive, funny and illustrated with cool pencil drawings, this was everything you could want in a science fiction novel. There was even a battle or two, cross-cultural miscommunication and cool technology. But at its heart is Tip's coming of age story. Here's a link to Adam Rex's Smekday website:

http://www.smekday.com/

Coming in September.

The House that Jack Built, revisited

The Apple Pie that Papa Baked, by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Jonathan Bean starts with "the pie, warm and sweet, that Papa baked" and travels outward to "the world, blooming with life" by way of the sky, clouds, rain, roots, the tree and its apples. As fun as this book is to read aloud, it is the pictures that take my breath away. This is Jonathan Bean's first book, not that you would ever guess. His artwork was inspired by Wanda Gag and Virginia Lee Burton and the gold, black and red pictures have an old-fashioned picture book feel. A Caldecott contendor is the consensus here at Children's.

Hell Week

Hell Week, by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Maggie, smart, snarky, psychic and independent, decides to go through rush in order to write an expose for the newspaper. While she learns about the Greek system she uncovers a magic plot to further the financial, social and political interests of the members of one of the sororities on campus. Although she starts out feeling superior to the girls who take rush seriously, she begins to make friends with some of them and finds herself being sucked into the system she originally despised.

Sports books

I don't usually read a lot of sports books nor do I follow football, but this year I've read two different books about football. Mike Lupica's Comeback Kids: Two-Minute Drill
is a middle grade reader about a smart kid who loves football but can't seem to do anything but kick. He teams up with the star of the sixth grade team--Scott provides tutoring and Chris provides football coaching. Of course both succeed. But the real heart of the story is about how even though you may love the game, it may not love you back and how you have to keep trying even when things get difficult--in school, sports and life.

The other football book is Deadline by Chris Crutcher, a young adult book about a boy who finds out he has incurable cancer and decides to live his last year to the fullest. Even though he's small, he goes out for the football team and plays his heart out. The football writing kept me on the edge of my seat as did the rest of the story.

Both books will be available in September.

July 9, 2007

The Aurora County All Stars, by Deborah Wiles

I've been reading this out loud to my kids. She writes so well for that. The words want to be spoken out loud. Every once in a while I think "Good garden of peas!" to myself, an expression from her book Love, Ruby Lavender. No particular phrase is sticking in my mind from this book but the characters are well drawn. There is a mystery about an old man's past. And suspense--will the Aurora County All Stars get to play their traditional 4th of July baseball game (the only game they play all year) or will the whole team have to participate in the pageant commemorating the founding of Aurora County? Baseball, over the top theatricality and southern charm are all there in equal parts. Good garden of peas, it's a good read.

July 5, 2007

Originally I planned to blog about all the children's books I read but that really hasn't happened. I wanted to wait until they were published before I blogged about them and usually I read advanced readers copies the publisher sends before the books are published. But then by the time the books are available, they aren't so fresh in my mind. So no more waiting!

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period, by Gennifer Choldenko is the last book I finished. It was wonderful. A book about race, being fat and, most of all, friendship in middle school. Kirsten can't wait for school to start to see her friend Rory again after a summer where Rory has been to camps and vacations. But strangely Rory doesn't seem as excited to see Kirsten. In fact, Rory is busy courting the popular girls to find a way into their group. Rory's actions make Kirsten question what she knows about friendship and herself and she finds a place for herself with a diverse group scorned by the queen bees but infinitely more accepting and interesting. By the end of the book she has learned a great deal about her family and herself--including the fact that finding the answers is not always easy.

June 21, 2007

Not sure what you want to read this summer? Well, I can recommend Book Crush by Nancy Pearl. It's Nancy's bookpicks for kids of all ages, arranged by topic like "Not Your Parents' Comic Books"; "Other Times, Other Places"; "Dragon Tales" and "Grin and Bear It". Each title has a brief description. I found myself wanting to reread old favorites, seek out some new titles and send Nancy an email with some titles I thought she'd enjoy. I read it in bits and pieces on a trip to Portland but it would be great to just have on your bookshelf for when you need a little inspiration.

June 5, 2007

I never read comic books as a kid but I'm a new fan of graphic novels which are basically highbrow comic books. My latest favorite is The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci. After a bomb explodes in the big city she lives in, Jane's parents move the family to suburbia to feel safe. She feels stifled by her new life and bands together with Jayne, Polly Jane and another Jane to form P.L.A.I.N.--People Loving Art In Neighborhoods, a sort of guerilla art movement. Jane's pain is the pain of every smart high school girl and I was easily swept up in her decision to make a statement of hope in a world full of adult paranoia and teen peer pressure.

May 22, 2007

I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean, by Kevin Sherry

I am in love with this oversize picture book about a squid who brags and brags about being the biggest thing in the ocean. He's bigger than shrimp, bigger than clams, bigger than turtles, bigger than everything. Everything except the whale he doesn't see right behind him. Illustrated in blue and green with a little red in an appealing cartoon style that is a perfect match for the story. Perfect for story time.

May 19, 2007

I heard a story about the Cannes film festival as I was driving into work today and it put me in mind of a great book: The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick. It's set in the Paris Metro station and Hugo maintains all the station clocks even though he is just a boy. What really fascinates him though is creating his own machines and so he is in the habit of pilfering small mechanical toys from a stall in the station. This leads him to make friends and solve a mystery involving the early days of silent film.

The book is an amazing combination of pictures and words. Whole sections are told in black and white drawings, mostly wordless and interspersed are more traditional sections of text. The story is wonderful in and of itself but what really sets this book apart is the marriage of text and pictures to tell the story. A classic.

What does Young Adult mean?

I just read an advanced readers copy of The Spell Book of Listen Taylor, by Jaclyn Moriarty. It was fabulous--quirky characters, a family mystery, both funny and tender, but who was it written for? The book cover says its for 14 and up yet all the main characters but one are adults with adult concerns. Let's face it, no 14 year old is that interested in a list of "Irritating Things About My Husband", are they? Maybe I'm wrong about other 14 year olds, but I would not have cared for that at 14 or 16 or even 18. Listen Taylor (and isn't that a great name?) is 12 but I don't think she's the main character, but merely part of a large ensemble cast who work together to tell the story of the spell book and how it came to be. She's the one who works the spells but not the reason the book exists or even more than peripherally involved in the family mystery. So, although I loved this book, I won't be buying it for the store, because where would it get shelved? We have no spot for it.

But that doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it, just not for teens. Watch for it, it comes out in September and I'd be happy to order a copy for you if your interested.

Similes

May 8, 2007

My original plan was to post every day but I seem to be averaging once a week. Maybe I will be more prolific as time goes on but for now, no excuses will you hear from me but I will try to post a bit more often.

I'm working with a small group at my children's school doing some creative writing on Friday afternoons. This week we're going to talk about similes and I can't wait to share my new favorite book with them: My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks, by Hanoch Piven. For each member of the narrator's family is a whole list of similes describing them accompanied by a picture made of found objects. For example, Dad is as stubborn as a knot in a rope and the picture has a knotted rope for Dad's mouth.

May 1, 2007

One last poem to remember poetry month....

Book Crooks
They stole my pants,
Th y st le her purse.
T ey stol some let ers
From th s verse.

from Bing Bang Boing, by Douglas Florian

ZUCCHINI

April 24, 2007

ZUCCHINI

Zucchini
meeny
miney
moe.
Plant a seed
and watch it grow.

Eeny meeny
makes a lot.
Like a magic
cooking pot.

Eeny
meeny
munch a lot.
Zucchini every meal—
you’ve got:

Zucchini bread.
Zucchini spread.
Zucchini casseroles.

Zucchini pies.
Zucchini fries.
Zucchini dinner rolls.

Zucchini juice.
Zucchini mousse.
Zucchini jam and scone.

Zucchini hash
and succotash.
Zucchini
meeny
miney

MOAN.

from Busy in the Garden, by George Shannon.

Ready to plant some zucchini? Maybe next month.