THE FIRST PART LAST by Angela Johnson (0-689-84922-2)
With all of the awards this book has won, including the Coretta Scott King and the Printz, it is not surprising to hear that I loved it!
This is the story of Bobby, who decides to keep his baby daughter Feather rather than giving her up for adoption. It is written with poetry and strength. Images here will stay with you long after you finish. Bravery is captured here, as is shame and heartbreak and hope. It is simply a lovely book.
The cover is one of the best I have seen and will help the book circulate well. Teens of both sexes will enjoy it immensely. And even better than enjoying it, they will come away with insight that they did not have.
Wonderful! My only regret is that I cannot read it for the first time all over again.
Month: February 2004
Teens at the Library
PACKETONLINE News Classifieds Entertainment Business – Princeton and Central New Jersey
I love it when libraries write about their successful partnerships with teens in their communities. One of the best programs I was ever involved in was creating a positive place for teens at a library. Even the ones that are handfuls have a heart of gold. Now years later when I don’t miss my coworkers or the library any more, I still miss those kids.
Alex Rider Movie
Isle of Man Online
The Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, about a teen who gets involved with MI6, is going to be made into a movie. The studio has optioned all three books in the series.
New Liaden Novel
Writers target older children
“Balance of Trade” is the new book in the Liaden Universe series by Steve Miller and Sharon Lee. This brief article talks about its appeal to teen readers.
2004 Schneider Awards
Schneider Family Book Award recipients named
The winners of the new Schneider Family Book Award have been announced. The award, donated by Dr. Katherine Schneider, honors a book that “embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.” The award is given to three books a year, one for grade school age, one for middle school and one for teens.
The picture book winner is Looking Out for Sarah by Glenna Lang.
A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass won the middle school category.
The teen winner is Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements.
Buddha Boy
Buddha Boy by Kathe Koja (0-374-30998-1)
Buddha Boy, whose real name is Jinsen, is a misfit in his new school. He doesn’t wear a coat even in winter and keeps his head shaved. He has no friends until Justin discovers Jinsen’s artistic talent and a friendship slowly emerges. Justin must decide whether to start standing up for Jinsen as he is tormented by the other kids.
This short YA novel is written in a rather jarring style that doesn’t use traditional punctuation or paragraph form. Luckily, it enhances rather than detracts from one of the main themes of the book: being different is not only OK but has power. And so does this unique writing style.
Another Celebrity Author
Whoopi Goldberg Signs Multi Book Deal
Whoopi Goldberg has signed a multi-book deal with Jump at the Sun, an imprint of Hyperion Books for Children that specializes in African-American books. The first of the books will be available in the fall of 2005.
Popular Paperbacks
Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
YALSA asks for your nominations for each year for popular paperbacks in specific categories. This year’s categories are Fairy Tales, Heartbreak, Horror , and Oddballs. You can also see the past selections and categories.
Jan Brett
Boston.com — For this children’s author, pet hedgehog says it all
A charming piece on author Jan Brett that gives us a glimpse into her life filled with animals, travel and no TV.
Via ACHOCKABLOG.
Waking Brain Cells 