Archive for December, 2011

Author Interview: Kimberly Derting

December 30, 2011 · Filed under Author Interview, Dystopia, High School, Novels, Romance · Tagged , , , , ,

I am so pleased to introduce another one of my favorite authors, Kimberly Derting! Yesterday I reviewed her recent release The Pledge—you can check out my review here.

Kimberly Derting began her publishing career in the Seattle area by making homemade coloring books, and then going door-to-door to sell them. Unfortunately she was forced to seek her fortunes elsewhere. In 7th grade she chose Journalism as an elective, and she fell in love with writing. She moved on to become copy editor of the high school yearbook, where she enjoyed correcting other people’s writing mistakes. On she went to college where she majored in Biology. She was really good at it, taking classes like Cellular Biology and Calculus. Instead of becoming a doctor (as she originally planned), she went back to writing.

Kim is now the published author of The Body Finder series (with Book 3: The Last Echo coming out April 17, 2012 and Book 4: In Progress) and The Pledge series (with Book 2: In progress). Currently Kim still resides in the Pacific Northwest, but now with her husband and three beautiful (mouthy) children. If you would like to learn more about Kimberly, please check our her blog where she discusses event happenings, mascara options, and how her husband is the sweetest person ever (he really is! Look what he got her for their anniversary!)

For those readers who have not read The Pledge yet, could you please give a 15 word teaser (or less) of why they should read this book?

Dark and dangerous, The Pledge is filled with secrets, deception, and war. And kissing too. (15 words exactly!)

In the acknowledgements of The Pledge you mention Marie Lucas, and how she inspired the beginnings of your amazing book. Can you give anymore information on what motivated you to write such a gripping story? Also, can you tell us a little bit about the timeline of writing The Pledge?

Unlike The Body Finder, which came to me all at once, the original idea for The Pledge came in pieces…more like a puzzle.  The first piece was just a simple question: “What would it be like if someone could understand all languages?” But I definitely wanted the story itself to be bigger than just that component.  I spent a lot of time—over a year—thinking about how Charlie’s ability would work, what kind of world she would live in, and creating the monarchies and her friends and family, before I’d ever written a single word.

I talk more about how I got the idea here .

I was really impressed on how you intertwined language and social classes. It made this novel seem more historical than any dystopian novel I have ever read. Can you give anymore insight into how you came up with focusing on the power of language?

Maybe it’s the writer in me, but I’m fascinated by language on so many levels.  Not just how it can be used as a weapon—or a divisor—as in The Pledge, but also how it can be used as a tool to bring people together.  And people will often use language to judge others and/or make assumptions based on their grammar, idioms, or dialect.  Often times, language is one of the first impressions we make on someone else.

I read The Pledge in two separate sittings, and I have to say I was holding my breath through a lot of it. There were so many gripping twists and turns that really kept me on my toes. I loved it! How do you keep track of all the elements that you include in a story? Do you use a storyboard or do you write extensive notes on each character/event?

I don’t usually make many notes during a first draft; mostly I just plow through to make sure I have the plot (and all the major plot points) down.  It’s usually during the second draft that I have to make some sort of timeline and start making elaborate notes about the characters so I don’t mix up the details.  Because I’m fairly visual, I keep a giant whiteboard in my office to keep track of running details, and it will have notes on it like:  “Make the queen meaner” or “Brooklynn’s father is a neglectful fool.”  And, of course, I count on my editor to catch any glaring errors I might have made!

In your previous series, The Body Finder, you introduced us to one of my favorite male characters of all time: Jay. Max in The Pledge is starting to trump Jay as far as my fictional boyfriends (But I still adore Jay very much). How did you come up with the character of Max and how were you able to make him so appealing to female fans? Is he based on anyone in particular?

I’m sure in some ways, all of the male characters have traits that I crush after. With Jay, I hadn’t planned on making him such an important character, he was just the best friend Violet was going to start having feelings for. But the more I wrote him, the more I liked him, so his role kept expanding.  With Max, I knew what I wanted from him from the start—and who he was going to be.  So I was careful in crafting him since he needed to keep his secrets, but he couldn’t be a total jerk either.  I mean, I wanted Charlie to like him…just not too easily.

If your fans could take away one emotion, theme, or idea from The Pledge, what would you want it to be?

Tolerance. Definitely.

The Pledge is going to be a series (which I am so excited about). Can you give us any teasers of what will happen next for Charlie and Max? By the way..the cliffhanger at the end of The Pledge is driving me nuts (in a good way)!

There is definitely going to be a lot more Sabara in book two. And Charlie is not very happy about that.

If The Pledge was turned into a film (which I hope happens) who would you cast as Charlie, Max, Angelina, Xander, Brooklynn, The Queen, etc?

I’m afraid to answer because I’m really bad at this game!  But, since you asked, I guess I could see one of the Fanning girls (Dakota or Elle) playing Charlie.  I’m sure it has to do with their hair…very Charlie-esque, don’t you think?  Other than that, I have a hard time picturing who would play the other roles.  I’d be an awful casting director.

Are you working on any projects right now, besides The Pledge 2? Could you reveal any tidbits to your fans?

I’m actually working on the fourth Body Finder book at the same time that I’m revising the second Pledge. Thankfully I really like all of these characters!

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

The greatest compliment is easy, it’s when a reader tells me that they normally don’t like to read, but that they couldn’t put my book down.  As the mother of a child who wasn’t a reader, I get how tough it is to find something for some kids to connect with. The fact that I can—in some small way—do that, is sort of incredible.

The toughest criticism?  I actually had a review that used the word “barfalicious”.  On the positive side, one half of that word is “delicious”, right?  :)   Sometimes I like to use a line from a bad review, when I give school presentations, to show teens the darker side of being an author. The kids always get a kick out of that!

Seriously though, I generally try not to get too caught up in harsh criticisms.  I much prefer the constructive ones that come from my agent and editors.

Do you have any preferred writing habits or routines you would like to share (creating a playlist, etc)?

I don’t have any weird quirks if that’s what you’re asking. Unless you count consuming mind-boggling amounts of tea as a quirk.  That, and Pinterest.com, which I totally use to save visual images for inspiration.  Nothing gets my creative juices flowing like a great picture.  And tea.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book, The Pledge?

I’m not really the kind of person to look back and second-guess myself.  There’s no point worrying over what should’ve been when it’s too late to change something.

According to your website..you are always on the search for the perfect mascara. I am too, and I was curious if you had any suggestions in this area?

I’ve recently been using Bare Escentuals.  I like that it’s very non-clumping, and that the tube has lasted me a couple of months now.  (A lot of the bargain ones starting clumping after a couple of weeks!)  Of course, I’m always open to suggestions!

What’s a completely random fact about you that most people don’t know? Any fun facts will do!

Some of these are on my website, but I’ll share anyway: I can’t touch my toes (well, I can, but not when I bend over), I hate being barefoot, I love bubblegum (I once had a 20# box of Nerds gumballs delivered to the house), I’m a closet Kardashian junkie (okay, not so closet any more, I guess), Target is my favorite store, and my husband and I have been together for 20 years.

If you were a flower, which one would you be and why?

I think I sort of have to say Violet…you know, because she’s a character in my book (The Body Finder series)!

Thank you so much for doing this interview Kim! We really appreciate your thoughtful answers, and cannot wait for The Last Echo and The Pledge: Book 2 to come out!

Blogger:  Kristin J.

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Book Review: The Pledge

December 29, 2011 · Filed under Dystopia, Fantasy, Fiction, Grade Levels, High School, Mackin Picks, Magic, Novels, Reviews, Romance · Tagged , ,

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting. 2011.

In the country of Ludania, the language you speak determines your social class. If you forget your place, you will be harshly punished—or even killed. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie) has spent her life trying to hide the fact that she can understand all languages. One false move could send her to her fate, which is why she must keep her ability a secret. Her life hangs in the balance the night she meets a mysterious boy named Max. He speaks a language she has never heard before..and she answers him.

The Pledge was one of those novels that really stayed with me long after I finished it. Partly it was the ending, because it left me hanging (and is meant to, because it is the first in a series). The other part was because the story in itself blew me away. I had never read anything like this before, and I was hooked from the very first page! Derting really made me feel as if I was a part of the story and that I had immediate connections to the cast of characters that she had created. Her gift of writing is spectacular as she brings small moments, specific emotions, and unique relationships to the written page.

One of the many fascinating elements of this novel is the Queen of Ludania. I have always been a fan of queens, especially evil ones! The Queen is dying, but she has magical powers that allow her to do many implausible things. I won’t go any further than that, since I want you to get the full story yourself. I will tell you that the prologue for this novel is one of my favorite introductions ever! Don’t miss it!

Max is one of the other characters that is a favorite of mine. Derting does a wonderful job of conjuring up the perfect male counterpart, and Max is definitely in my top five. I really enjoyed how he wasn’t your typical broody Edward-esque character that you usually see in YA literature. He is honest and sensitive, and he will do anything to protect those he cares about. One of the moments in the book that solidified my faith in him was when he left a note for Charlie that said: I pledge to keep you safe. Definitely a positive male character for teen girls to swoon over!

The Pledge is a novel that is unlike anything you have ever read. Derting manages to combine elements of fantasy, dystopia, history, and romance that will have you begging for more. She has also devised a futuristic twist on the fairy tale that is spellbinding yet utterly original. You are going to love it (because you know I did)!

Please tune in tomorrow to see my exclusive interview with the fabulous Kimberly Derting!

Kristin J.

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A Dozen (or so) Great Picture Books, 2011

December 27, 2011 · Filed under Picture Books, Primary (K-2) · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I just spent another agonizing day of narrowing a list of great books down into a manageable, bloggable list.  This time I started with over 50 wonderful picture books, and I tried my best to get it down to ten—or even a dozen—but 14 is my minimum.  After checking these out, you tell me which ones I could have cut!

Boy Wonders by Calef Brown

As a mom and a former teacher and daycare provider, I’ve heard many questions that made me laugh or think, and Boy Wonders brings back many memories.  A boy’s curiosity results in many questions which lead to more questions.  This book is great for lessons in idioms, vocabulary, and assonance and consonance, and the wordplay and tongue twisters will provide lots of laughs.

Dog Breath by Carolyn Beck (illus. by Brooke Kerrigan)

A child reminisces about the good—and the aggravating—things about the family dog.  Most books dealing with the death of a pet are tear-jerkers, especially the ones with dogs, but it feels like the memories in this book are a bit removed in time—and the child’s voice is more wistful than sad—so remembering brings smiles and even some laughs…for the most part.

A Dog Is a Dog by Stephen Shaskan

Whether it’s naughty or nice, or skinny or fat, a dog is a dog.  Unless, of course, it’s a…  Shaskan keeps readers guessing in this great rhyming picture book, and the last surprise is sure to bring on the laughs.  A Dog Is a Dog is easy enough for early readers to read to their preschool siblings.

The Haunted Hamburger and Other Ghostly Stories by David LaRochelle (illus. by Paul Meisel)

When his children beg for a scary bedtime story, Father Ghost tells these three stories about some of their family members.  Uncle Ned winds up in a baby’s diaper, boastful Cousin Nell meets up with a haunted hamburger, and Big Bad Granny gives lipstick-stained kisses.  These silly stories will have kids hooting with laughter.

Max’s Castle by Kate Banks (illus. by Boris Kulikov)

After Max finds a bunch of old alphabet blocks under his bed, he and his brothers use their imaginations to go on an adventure full of wordplay and fun.  Scenes change from castles and pirates to dungeons and dragons, with just a few twists and turns of the blocks.  In addition to just plain fun, this book can be a catalyst for a writing class.

My Name Is Elizabeth! by Annika Dunklee (illus. by Matthew Forsythe)

Elizabeth just loves her name (there is even a queen named after her!) but she hates what other people do to it.  Family and friends call her “Lizzy,” “Liz,” or—good heavens!—“Betsy,” but she insists that everyone call her “Elizabeth.”  Everyone, that is, except for her baby brother, who can only manage “Wizabef.”  Sweet!

My Side of the Car by Kate Feiffer (illus. by Jules Feiffer)

Something always comes up to interfere when Sadie’s family plans to go the zoo, but today she is finally going with her father.  But on the way there, it starts to rain.  Sadie, however, can’t see any rain through her window; in fact, people are wearing sunglasses and watering their lawns on her side of the car.  Sadie’s optimism never lets up, and her father’s patience never wears thin.  Kate Feiffer based this story on her days with her own father.

Oh, Harry! by Maxine Kumin (illus. by Barry Moser)

Harry is a mellow old horse whose job is to calm the skittish show horses in the stable.  He is great at his job, until the owner’s grandson comes for a visit.  Six-year-old Algernon’s loud voice and hi-jinks startle the horses and cause havoc in the barn, until the boy gets locked in a grain bin, and Harry must come to the rescue.  I just loved Harry’s expressive features and his sneaky glances at the reader.

Red Sled by Lita Judge

A group of animals borrow a child’s red sled for a nighttime adventure in this almost wordless book.  The expressions of absolute terror and joy on the faces of the animals are priceless, and the creative sound effects (“fluooomp…ft!”) make it a great read-aloud.  Click here to read Kristin’s review.

Rosie Sprout’s Time to Shine by Allison Wortche (illus. by Patrice Barton)

Rosie wants to show off her true talent, but that’s not easy to do when Violet always hogs the spotlight in school.  When each student is given a pea plant to grow, Rosie tends hers carefully, but Violet again uses her plant as just another way to get attention.  Upset, Rosie sabotages Violet’s plant, but then feels bad; and when she finds out that Violet will be absent from school with chicken pox,  Rosie takes care of both plants.

These next three titles will be excellent for social studies:

All the Way to America : The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel by Dan Yaccarino

The author traces his ancestry back to Italy, using the story of a family heirloom—a little shovel—that came with his ancestors who immigrated to America.  He tells how the shovel has been used as it was passed down through several generations.  Use this charming book when discussing family history, and your students might want to share about their own family heirlooms.

Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg

Annie Edson Taylor was 62 years old, a retired schoolteacher, and in need of money to fund her retirement.  She lived near Niagara Falls and knew of its attraction to tourists, so she decided that she would try to go over the falls in a barrel.  She became the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel…and survive.  Van Allsburg’s biography of this unlikely daredevil will keep kids turning the pages, and his illustrations are astounding.

Wagons Ho! by George Hallowell & Joan Holub (illus. by Lynne Avril)

Follow two young girls and their families as they move from Missouri to Oregon—one in 1846 and the other in 2011. Though both families take the same route, the trip in the covered wagon takes five months, while the trip in the car takes only five days.  This entertaining picture book shows how moving and traveling have changed—and remains the same.

And the final picture book can be used in science and language arts classes:

Swirl by Swirl : Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman (illus. by Beth Krommes)

Tons of picture books give examples of circles, squares, triangles, and other simple shapes, but Sidman’s latest gives examples of spirals in nature, from snail shells and flower beds to tornadoes and galaxies.  Swirl by Swirl can be used to teach science or poetry, or as a read-aloud.

I hope you have enjoyed our selections this past year; we have certainly enjoyed writing about them.   We have new ideas in store for next year, as well as more great new books.  Happy New Year!

Blogger:  Tracey L.

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Tracey’s Top 10 (or so) Books of 2011

December 26, 2011 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Novel in Verse, Novels · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

One of my nieces not only loves to read, but she loves to TALK about reading. (Hi Stephanie!  I hope you like the books I sent!)  I visited my sister and her family in Michigan a few years ago when Stephanie was ten, and we talked books all the time.  On one of my last nights there, I was reading on the couch when Stephanie plopped herself down by me and said, “So, Aunt Tracey, what’s your FAVORITE book ever?”

Now I don’t know about all you readers out there, but, to me, that is the most difficult question ever.  Maybe when I was ten, like Stephanie, I might have had one favorite.  But after a few more decades of reading, there is no way I can choose just one. When Stephanie lobbed that question at me, I think I compromised by telling her my favorite genre.

So when one of my fellow bloggers came up with this great idea to post our ten favorite books of 2011, I was a bit worried—but then I figured that we could pick TEN books from just ONE year, so that should be easy, right?  And I would schedule my list for last, so I would have plenty of time to whittle my list down.  But now it’s midnight on Christmas night, and I still have to cut six titles…and my list posts in the morning!

So I’m going to cheat at bit.

  • Since several of the titles on my list are also on my fellow bloggers’ lists, I won’t talk about them, but just list them at the end.
  • And I’m ignoring picture books entirely…until tomorrow, which is when I will post a list of my favorite picture books.

So here are my top 10 (or so) books from 2011 (alphabetically by author):

How They Croaked : The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg (ill. Kevin O’Malley).  While most books about famous people give plenty of information about their lives, they do not give much detail about their deaths.  This book changes all that, highlighting the interesting and often disgusting ways in which 19 famous historical people, from King Tut to Albert Einstein, spent their final days.  (Gr 5-8)

The Trouble with Chickens : A J.J. Tully Mystery by Doreen Cronin.  J.J. Tully has just retired from seven years as a search and rescue dog, and wants only to have a quiet life in the country…until a mother hen shows up, begging for his help in finding her two lost chicks.  Retirement is neither relaxing or simple as J.J. Tully realizes that there is fowl play involved.  (Gr 3-5)

Requiem : Poems of the Terezin Ghetto by Paul B. Janeczko.  The Nazis promoted Terezin as a haven for artistic Jews, but in reality it was merely a lay-over for those headed to the extermination camps.  In this free verse novel, Janeczko gives voice to all the players—the imprisoned Jews, the commandant and his soldiers, and the townspeople.  The poems are illustrated with artwork by the Jewish artists, found after the war. Both words and pictures are stunning and chilling.  (Gr  7-12)

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy.   This exciting historical fantasy fiction adventure follows a young American girl whose family has fled the U.S. during the McCarthy era, and the son of a London apothecary who wants to become a spy.  These two end up in grave danger when they discover that the apothecary is much more than he seems, and they must help to save the world from destruction. (Gr 5-8)

Secrets at Sea by Richard Peck.  When the upstairs Cranston family travels across the ocean to try to find a husband in Europe for their older daughter, the downstairs Cranston family (four mice siblings) stow away to help. This story is complete with adventure, perils, romance, surprises, and lots of humor. (Gr 3-5)

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt.  OK, Schmidt’s latest book is also on Kristin’s list, but I just couldn’t leave it off mine.  Okay for Now is my most favorite book of 2011, and several mock Newbery groups have given high praise to it as well.  Click here to read my full review. (Gr 5-9)

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater.  This is a great horse race story and a wonderful romance combined with folk tale creatures that I had never heard about before.  Click here to read my full review.  (Gr 9-12)

Hound Dog True by Linda Urban.  Mattie and her mother have just moved—again!—and she must start a new school.  But this time they have moved in with Uncle Potluck, who is the school custodian.  Mattie hopes that if she helps him out, he will let her be his apprentice during lunch hours and recesses…because those are the hardest times during the school day for a painfully shy new girl.  (Gr 3-6)

The Watch That Ends the Night : Voices from the Titanic by Allan Wolf.  The 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic is coming up in April, and this novel in poems tells the story of the Titanic, giving voice to 24 people and objects that were affected by this terrible tragedy. Click here to read my full review. (Gr 9-12)

Science Ink : Tattoos of the Scientifically Obsessed by Carl Zimmer.  Many people are passionate about tattoos, but when I think tattoos, I don’t necessarily think of scientists.  (In fact, I shocked nearly all of my friends when I got my first tattoo.)  Science Ink shows how scientists from all areas have creatively used tattoos to express their passion and dedication.  The tats are beautiful (and totally appropriate), and Zimmer’s essays are fascinating.  (Gr 10-Adult)

And, as promised, here is the list of my favorites that were duplicates:

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. (read full review) (Gr 7-12)

Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin. (Gr 5-7)

The Cheshire Cheese Cat : A Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright. (Gr 5-8)

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. (read full review) (Gr 7-12)

Sparrow Road by Sheila O’Connor. (read full review) (Gr 5-8)

Blogger:  Tracey L.

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Lindsey’s Top 10* of 2011

December 22, 2011 · Filed under Fiction, Grade Levels, High School, Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Primary (K-2) · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2011 has been a great year for Children’s and Young Adult Literature!!  It was painful to narrow down all the wonderful books I read down to my top ten for the year.  But after hours of internal debate, here are my top ten of 2011. (You’ll notice that I’ve already blogged about most of the books, but hey, we only review the best!)

Picture Books

Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes.  This has got to be one the the most darling picture books I’ve ever read.  I loved how little white rabbit’s imagination ran away with him.  Also the illustrations were soft yet engaging.  I can’t imagine a child not liking this book…or an adult for that matter!  To see this book and more picture books about imagination, check out my review.

Franklin and Winston:  A Christmas that Changed the World by Douglas Wood.  Illustrations by Barry Moser.  In 1941, two world leaders came together to share a holiday and change the world.  Winston Churchill visited Roosevelt in the White House over Christmas.  Together the two leaders worked on a war strategy as they celebrated the holidays.  Wood and Moser depict serious moments such as Churchill addressing the nation while mixing in some humor, such as when Roosevelt barged into Churchill’s room as he was getting out of the bath!  The stunning illustrations and wonderful narrative make this title one of my favorites!

Elementary/Lower Middle School Fiction

The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy & Randall Wright.  Drawings by Barry Moser.  “He was the best of toms.  He was the worst of toms.”  This clever Dickensian novel has it all.  A cat who can’t stand the taste of mice and prefers cheese, a mouse who befriends the cat and knows how to read and write, a Queen’s raven, and another cat bent on revenge.  Even though I’m not much of a cat person, I couldn’t resist the cover and decided to read it.  I loved everything about it, especially the parts with Charles Dickens.  And when the Queen comes to visit the Ye Old Cheshire Cheese Inn, you won’t be able to hold in your laughter!  This title will please children and adults alike, and the wonderful language begs to be read aloud.

Sparrow Road by Sheila O’Connor.  A young ambitious writer, a artist’s retreat filled with eccentric characters, and several secrets make this title one of the best of the year.  Raine is an endearing character, and I loved reading her coming of age story.  For more about this title, check out my full review.

Upper Middle/High School Fiction

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull.  I didn’t think Mull could top his Fablehaven series, but he surpasses it with this new series.  What’s not to like about a boy sliding through a hippopotamus’ mouth into a new world where danger and adventure lay at every turn?  As I said in my full review, Mull creates wonderful characters, vivid landscapes, and unique creatures that will have readers rushing through to the end.  And don’t miss the second book in the series, Seeds of Rebellion, coming out in March!

Entwined by Heather Dixon.  The twelve dancing princesses is one of my favorite fairy-tales, and Entwined is my favorite adaptation.  Dixon weaves dancing, magic, and danger into a enchanting tale.  This is one title I know I will read again and again.  To see my full review, click here.

Legend by Marie Lu.  I thought I was tired of dystopias, but Legend has me craving for more!  This book is so good that it went through four of my teens from church in one week!  And they all asked me the same question…when’s the next one coming out?!  June and Day create wonderful tension as they meet and discover secrets of the Republic.  To read more about this fantastic title, click here.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys.  This book gets my vote for the most emotionally packed novel of the year.  You can’t read this without tissues…lots and lots of tissues.  Even though I read this last winter, the horrors Lina faced in the books are still vivid in my memory.  And the fact that Sepetys based the events on her own family’s history makes the story all the more powerful and heart wrenching.  To find out more about this title, check out my full review.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.  If I was forced to pick my most favorite title of 2011, this would be it!  Morgenstern’s story is magic itself as the reader is carried away into a magical circus with an ice garden, cloud maze, and wishing tree.  This book was so good, it made me forget my seasickness when I went whale watching in Washington!!  Check out my review if you want more info about this incredible book.

Nonfiction

Digging for Troy: From Homer to Hisarlik by Jill Rubalcaba & Eric H. Cline.  Everything about mythology fascinates me and this book was no exception.  Blending myth with archaeologist’s research, Rubalcaba and Cline created the perfect book about the Trojan War.  If you love Greek mythology or know someone who does, this book is a must!  Check out my full review here.

In the Garden of Beasts:  Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin by Erik Larson.  Whenever I find out Erik Larson is coming out with a new book, I squirm with excitement (because that’s what we bookworms do).  His latest entry deserves high praise.  Larson focuses on William E. Dodd, American Ambassador to Germany, in the 1930s, and Dodd’s observations of the conditions in Germany and their impact on America.  I don’t read nonfiction a lot, but Larson’s engaging narrative practically reads like fiction, except it’s a true story!  Check out my review to find out more info about this wonderful title.

*Okay okay…it’s actually 11 titles, but I couldn’t possibly narrow it down any further!!

What were your favorite books from 2011?

Lindsey L.

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Mindy’s Top 10 of 2011

December 19, 2011 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Intermediate (3-5), Nonfiction, Novels, Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Realistic · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Narrowing my favorite books down to just ten titles is a daunting task.  In an attempt to represent the wide variety of book I’ve read this year, I’ve broken my picks into categories.

Books I’ve enjoyed with my preschool age daughter:

Shoe-la-la  

  • Monday is One Day by Arthur Levine – As a working mom, I appreciated this book for its countdown of the days until the parent and child could spend the day together, but it is also a great book for talking about diversity in family structure.
  • Shoe-la-la by Karen Beaumont – This one has also been on the blog before, in Read-alouds for Your Littlest Listeners.  It came out in January, and it is still in regular rotation at my house.
  • Red Sled by Lita Judge – Kristin included this one in her recent post featuring Wintery Picture Books, and it is my choice for celebrating the magic of winter here in Minnesota.  My kiddo’s delighted gasp at the end of the book was enough for it to earn a place on my year-end favorite list.  :)

Fascinating nonfiction:

 Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin'

My favorite fiction:

     

  • Sparrow Road by Sheila O’Connor – Lindsey reviewed this title, and I mentioned it in this post about connecting fiction to the curriculum. I can’t recommend it enough!
  • Summer Before Boys by Nora Raleigh Baskin – I’ve been recommending this book to my adult friends as well as to tween girls for its authentic portrayal of the complexities of female friendship.  I mentioned it in my post about connecting fiction to the curriculum along with Sparrow Road.
  • Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin – I have a review of this middle grade novel all written and ready to post in January, but don’t wait til then to read this small but powerful novel.
  • Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O’Roark Dowell – I wrote about how I was bound to love this book in my review last March, and here it is on my Top 10 list.  :)
  • How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr – Sara Zarr is certainly proving herself as an author to watch in teen contemporary realistic fiction.  This novel authentically explores the emotional territory of family.  It is one of many books  I’ve read recently that made me cry on my bus commute home from Mackin.

Blogger: Mindy R.

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Kristin’s Top Ten of 2011

December 15, 2011 · Filed under Dystopia, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, High School, Horror, Magic, Middle School (6-8), Paranormal, Romance · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As 2011 draws to a close, I would like to share my favorite titles from this busy year! As per usual, the main problem of making my “Top Ten” list was trying to narrow down all of the titles. But as you can see, I did cheat a little (I have 11 rather than 10). So without further ado..here are my fabulous picks!


A Monster Calls: Inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd by Patrick Ness and Jim Kay. 2011.
This title was recommended by Lindsey, who did a wonderful review of this deeply moving story of a boy whose mother is very ill. One of the many twists in the story is that an unexpected monstrous visitor comes to him every night at seven minutes past midnight. I was hesitant about this title at first, because I didn’t know what to expect. The cover initially reminded me of Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories books, but this story is very different from that. This story is intense, touching, and ultimately unforgettable. To get the true effect of this title, you must read it for yourself.

Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol. 2011.
Many graphic novels pass by my desk everyday, but Anya’s Ghost was one of the few that really intrigued me this year. Anya is a freshman who is embarrassed by her immigrant past. Her family came to the United States from Russia when she was very young, and she has worked very hard to fit in as an American teen. Little does she know that her life will dramatically change when she falls down a well and encounters a ghost from 1918 named Emily. An entertaining read that was even endorsed by Neil Gaiman: “Anya’s Ghost is a masterpiece, of YA literature and of comics.” I couldn’t have said it better myself!

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick. 2011.
Being a huge fan of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, I had no doubt I would love Wonderstruck. Selznick is amazing, there is no doubt about it! I adored this book, especially because of how intricately the two stories are woven together. His glorious artwork amazes me again and again with the detail, especially when it comes to eyes. I like how he depicts the eyes as having their own story just like in the silent films, where the performers told stories with them. There are so many more things I could say about this lovely book, but I will let you read Tracey’s review instead. An amazing book meant to read again and again!

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. 2011.
I listened to the audiobook version of this title, and was excited to find out that it was narrated by the author herself! Talk about a tongue-in-cheek read, that will also keep you on the edge of your seat! The book begins with a small group of beauty pageant contestants fending for themselves on a remote desert island. Miss Texas (Taylor) leads the group (and on the audiobook, Libba gives her an amazing southern drawl) and wants them to continue practicing for the Miss Teen Dream pageant, despite everything. If you enjoy handsome pirates, lip gloss, mystery, and cynicism, Beauty Queens is a must-read for you!

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt. 2011.
Tracey recommended Okay for Now to me, and I am ever so grateful to her for introducing me to Gary Schmidt. I loved the character of Doug, and how he tried to stay optimistic despite his difficult circumstances. The scenes that especially captured my interest were when Doug would compare people to Audubon’s paintings: “Her blue coat was spread out, and it covered them both like wide wings…” Schmidt truly has a gift for authentic dialogue and engaging the reader. I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next!

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. 2011.
I adored this book! Laini Taylor does a sensational job of drawing you into the story with her prose that is tantalizing and filled with vivid imagery. Magical tattoos, fiery handprints and mythical beasts will make you want to learn more about blue-haired Karou’s fascinating world. An otherworldly romance was also a nice added touch (especially for me), check out my full review here.

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff. 2011.
Brenna Yovanoff’s depiction of heaven, hell and everything in between was unlike anything I have ever read before. I enjoyed how twisted, yet strangely beautiful the world of Pandemonium was. The tone of the writing also captivated me, along with many stunning twists and turns. A striking novel that just might have you sympathizing with a demon girl (I know I did)! To read a full review please click here. To read my exciting author interview with Brenna Yovanoff, click here.

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton. 2011.
Romance, magic, murder, and the quest for immortality are all spellbinding elements in Tessa Gratton’s debut novel Blood Magic. Trust me, you will never look at blood the same way again! I also enjoyed the alternating points of view that started each chapter because they made me feel really connected to the characters of Silla, Nick, and even Josephine Darly. In terms of paranormal fiction, Gratton’s Blood Magic is one that really stands out from the pack! Read my full review here, and be sure to stay tuned for an author interview with Tessa Gratton!

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting. 2011.
This is the best dystopian novel that I have read thus far. Derting, also known for her Body Finder series, does a magnificent job of luring you into the world of Ludania. We meet Charlaina (Charlie) who lives in a society where the language you speak determines your social class. Charlie can understand all languages and must hide this ability in order to avoid punishment or death. Throw in an evil queen, an intense romance, fascinating side characters, as well as many secrets..and you have The Pledge! Look for my review at the end of this month, as well as an author interview with Kimberly Derting!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. 2011.
“I’ve been locked up for 264 days“ is how debut author Tahereh Mafi begins the intriguing story of Juliette. The Reestablishment has locked Juliette up for a murder she didn’t mean to commit. Her touch is lethal, and the people who have imprisoned her have plans to use her to their advantage. As a weapon. An amazing debut that will lead you on many plot twists, and leave you wanting more. Look for a more in-depth review by me in January!

*Bonus*: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. 2012.
Although this is my Top Ten of 2011 list, I figured I could add in my first pick for my 2012 list (because it is that amazing of a novel). It was featured as our very first Promising Bloom, and rightfully so! This was my first introduction to John Green and I was not disappointed. His characters are so authentic and expressive, that it made me feel as if I really knew Hazel and Augustus. The Fault in Our Stars is an insightful story that will hit your funny bone and tug at your heart strings.

Thanks so much for following our blog this past year. We really appreciate all of your support, and hope that you will continue to enjoy our blog in 2012 and beyond (‘to infinity and beyond!’) Have a wonderful holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you again next year!

Kristin J.

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Book Review: Dead End in Norvelt

December 12, 2011 · Filed under Fiction, Historical, Humor, Middle School (6-8), Novels, Reviews · Tagged , , ,

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. 2011.

In this wacky mix of memoir and fiction, Jack Gantos—who is both the author and the protagonist—starts out by saying, “School was finally out and I was standing on a picnic table in our backyard getting ready for a great summer vacation when my mother walked up to me and ruined it.”  And of course, what could ruin a summer more than having to get up early and going to work.

Jack’s elderly neighbor, Miss Volker, writes the obituaries for all of the original founders of Norvelt, a cooperative community established during the Great Depression and praised by Eleanor Roosevelt.  However, Miss Volker’s arthritis has become so bad that she cannot write any more—in fact, she can’t do many things unless she first soaks her hands in melted wax to loosen them up and ease the pain.  So Jack’s job is to take notes and then type up the obituary and get it to the newspaper office in time for printing.   Miss Volker’s obituaries are great—quirky facts about the deceased combined with somewhat pertinent town history and world events.

But now, in 1962, there aren’t many original Norvelt residents left, just a few old ladies, and after they are gone, Miss Volker plans to move to Florida to live with her sister.  But when they start dying off rather quickly, some people start to wonder if Miss Volker might just be a little too anxious to get out of Norvelt.

But Jack believes that Miss Volker is guilt-free.  After all, she helped fix his nose—which always tends to spew blood whenever he is surprised, nervous, or scared.  So, despite his being “grounded for life,” he sets out to prove her innocence—and ends up trying to figure out if Girl Scout cookies, a homemade airplane, a man who rides a tricycle, a funeral home, Hell’s Angels, and rat poison have anything to do with the deaths.

One of the best things about Dead End in Norvelt is the book’s language, which is full of humor and satire.  Both the character Jack and Miss Volker reflect on everything from gossip to Inca gold to the place of history in the present, and their musings are often hilarious (“His idea of a revolution is coloring outside the lines.”)

The characters in the book were well-described and, as in real life, are quirky and unpredictable.  And Jack’s character grows significantly throughout the book. Though he is easily frightened and hesitant about seeing or doing anything remotely dangerous, he finds the courage to do what he is afraid of…even while his nose bleeds and though he might faint afterwards.  I personally felt very drawn to Jack and his “nose problem”—especially since I had the same issue with my nose when I was growing up.

In an interview at the end of the audiobook edition, Jack Gantos (the author) talks about what is real and what is fiction in the book.  The town of Norvelt and its history are real as described in the book, and Miss Volker was a real character, though Gantos changed her name.  His descriptions of Jack’s parents were spot-on, and as a youngster, Gantos really did have horrible nosebleeds, “vicious splashy nosebleeds which I was kind of famous for with big wads of paper sticking out of my nose.”

Give this book to kids who like history or mystery, especially those who enjoy getting grossed out with descriptions of copious amounts of blood.

Blogger:  Tracey L.

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Author Interview: Jessica Day George

December 8, 2011 · Filed under Author Interview, Fantasy, Fiction, High School, Middle School (6-8) · Tagged , ,

Today I’m excited to introduce Jessica Day George, one of my favorite authors!  I’ve mentioned before how I can’t resist a good fairytale story and Jessica writes some of the best!

Jessica earned her BA in Humanities/Comparative Literature from Brigham Young University.  She also studied German and Norwegian and enjoys reading Viking sagas in their original Old Norse language.  When she’s not reading or writing, she knits like a maniac, plays piano and viola and travels.  Her most recent book is Tuesdays at the Castle (for a full review click here).  Her other works include Princess of the Midnight Ball, Princess of Glass, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, and the Dragon Slippers Trilogy.  

What gave you the idea of a castle with a mind of its own?

It just popped into my head one night as I got into bed!

Tell us a little about Tuesdays at the Castle‘s heroine, Celie, and how she came into existence.

Celie is the youngest (and I’m the youngest in my family).  She wants desperately to be grown up, so she’s trying to make a career for herself mapping the Castle, which no one has ever done before.  She also just popped into my head!

Do you put any of yourself or other people in your life into your characters?

Usually no.  The events of my books are usually so far removed from my life (dragon wars, living castles, etc) that the characters end up being truly unique to that culture, that situation.  I have no idea how I would react to a talking dragon!

When did you start writing?

I was five.  I wrote a story about how my sister always wore her red bathrobe around the house.  It was fully illustrated.  She was not amused.

Do you have any writing rituals?

I like to snack, which is a terrible thing, but still . . . Mama needs her licorice or she can’t think!

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

You need to write every day, and you need read every day, especially books outside of the genre you’re writing in, so that you stay “fresh.”

Can you tell us about the best and/or worst experience you’ve had since getting published?

Worst?  I’d, er, rather not.  Best?  Just seeing my books on the shelves at bookstores and libraries is the best feeling in the world, no matter how often it happens!

What do you do when you’re not writing?

Sleep.  Maybe pay attention to my children.

What’s the one book you could never live without?

Just one?!

If you were a flower, what flower would you be?

I would like to be a really brightly colored rose!

Thanks again to Jessica for her great interview!

Jessica’s Bibliography

Dragon Slippers (2007)

Dragon Flight (2008)

Dragon Spear (2009)

Princess of the Midnight Ball  (2009)

Princess of Glass (2010)

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow (2008)

Tuesdays at the Castle (2011)

Lindsey L.

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Connecting Fiction to the Curriculum

December 5, 2011 · Filed under Fiction, Middle School (6-8), Novels, Realistic · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

So much inspiration at this year’s AASL conference!  My last post expanded on a session I attended about character education and picture books.  This post I’d like to explore a statement I heard from a presenter in a session about using literature to meet standards.  She said, “You don’t always have to read nonfiction to get to nonfiction.”

Well, you don’t have to start with nonfiction anyway.

The session focused on how to help students make connections between the literature they read for class and the world around them.  I’m a fiction lover myself, so I appreciated the idea that we can build on stories and tie them in to our students’ education.  That got me to thinking about the connections to nonfiction I could make with some of the novels I’ve been reading lately.

One of my favorite recent novels is The Summer Before Boys by Nora Raleigh Baskin.  In this tween novel, Julia is sent to stay with family for the summer when her mother is deployed to Iraq. This means spending the summer with her niece Eliza, who is more like a cousin since the girls are the same age.  The two girls have grown up together as good friends with their make-believe games, but this summer things are different.  Julia finds herself more interested in boys while Eliza still wants to play and be a kid.  In addition to tween friendship and coming of age, this novel would be a great opportunity to talk about the war in Iraq and what it is like to have a parent in the armed forces.  Students can explore more about what it means to have a parent involved in a war with Deborah Ellis’ book, Off to War: Voices of Soldiers’ Children, which presents true accounts of children and teens whose parents are serving in Iraq.

Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri was inspired by the real black horsemen of Philadelphia, who use horses as a way to keep young men off the street.  In Neri’s novel, Cole is surprised to find the dad he has never known in a stable full of horses in the middle of the city  He doesn’t quite know what to make of the situation, but he reluctantly finds himself drawn in to the community of the stable just when it seems the city might be shutting it down.  This is urban fiction that will appeal to middle school readers, reluctant and otherwise.  The author’s note gives more information about the truth behind the story:

“The New York guys run the Federation of Black Cowboys, while the folks on Fletcher Street in Philly continue their battles against the city.  Both use horses to keep young men off the streets.  Both fight to maintain a tradition that has gone on for generations.  But their doing it their way, the Cowboy Way.”

Kids who read Cole’s story just may be inspired to do some research of their own which can connect to language arts or social studies standards.

Lindsey blogged about Sparrow Road by Sheila O’Connor back in May, and I must agree with her that it is “perfect for Language Arts classes.”  It is the story of Raine, who finds her life uprooted when her mother suddenly takes a job at an artist’s colony for the summer.  At first it’s hard to spend the day in silence with no other kids around, while the eccentric group of artists work.  But she finds that there are stories to be told and secrets to uncover about the history of the estate that used to be an orphanage–and about her own family.  This is a lovely novel perfect for young writers looking to find their voice.  Help your students find their own inspiration with Picture Yourself Writing Fiction: Using Photographs to Inspire Writing, which is part of the “See It, Write It” series.  Each book is highly browse-able and full of great writing guidance and ideas.

These are just a few possibilities for connection between fiction and nonfiction.   I’ll be looking for more now that I’m inspired!

Bibliography:

Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri. Candlewick. August 2011.

Off to War: Voices of Solder’s Children by Deborah Ellis. Groundwood Books. 2010.

Picture Yourself Writing Fiction: Using Photographs to Inspire Writing by Sheila Griffin Llanas. Capstone Press. August 2011.

Sparrow Road by Sheila O’Connor. Putnam. May 2011.

The Summer Before Boys by Nora Raleigh Baskin. Simon & Schuster. May 2011.

Blogger: Mindy R.

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