Parents Aware
Sigh. This site is one designed to warn people away from books that they consider “bad” for children and teens. Obviously from the lists they have, the teen books are the ones that really alarm them. Sadly, books are on the list solely for having gay characters or covering topics like self-mutilation.
Truly I think that there is a place for lists like this. They are not trying to remove books from libraries, but guide parents to books that fit their values. I have no problem with that. But then, provide a really complete and wonderful list of recommended titles. They only have 9 recommended titles for teens, and of those, I have many of them shelved in the children’s section.
Month: May 2004
Summer Reading
reviewjournal.com — Living: Children benefit from an early start with books
Nice article on the importance of summer reading for children. They even have quotes recommending going to the library to get a large variety of books for kids to choose from.
Ghost Girl
Ghost Girl by Delia Ray (0-618-33377-0)
In the remote Blue Ridge Mountains, April, called Ghost Girl because she is so blonde and skinny, lives with her parents. Her entire family is still grieving the death of her younger brother. When President Herbert Hoover builds a school for the children in her area, April desperately wants to attend, but her mother refuses. Luckily, April’s grandmother, Aunt Birdy, steps in and convinces her mother to let her attend. This is the first step in a series of changes in April’s life and future.
When I started this book, I had expected the normal poor girl off to school story, but this becomes something different part-way through. It becomes a story of courage, of individualism, and of honesty. The story has its own rhythm that is very natural and unforced. When picking it up again, it is like returning home. Lovely writing combined with interesting characters and a plot that has nice pacing, makes this a great book to recommend to kids. I only wish the cover was a bit more kid-friendly. It will take a bit of pushing to get kids to try this, but I expect that they too will tumble happily into April’s world.
Shadowmancer Interview
NPR : ‘Shadowmancer’ Touted as ‘Hotter than Potter’
Listen to the audio from NPR (you can listen using Windows Media Player or Real Audio) of an interview with G. P. Taylor, author of Shadowmancer. Added to the interview is a critic’s take on the book.
Nina Crews
Nina Crews
Official site for this author of picture books, including the new Neighborhood Mother Goose.
2004 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards
2004 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards
And the winners are:
For Picture Book: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
For Fiction: The Fire-Eaters by David Almond
For Non-Fiction: An American Plague by Jim Murphy
The link above will also lead you to the list of honor books which include one of my favorite picture books of the last year, Snow Music, a perfect read-aloud here in Wisconsin.
Billy Joel Writing Children's Books
Joel writing children’s books
Well, now Billy Joel is getting into the business of writing children’s books. It is interesting to see that his books will be based on his songs, with the first one being released in September.
New Competencies from YALSA
ALA | Professsional Development Center
YALSA has released its new competencies for people serving young adults. The ten core values now reflected in the competencies are:
Developmental needs
Youth development
Youth advocacy
Youth participation
Collaboration
Information literacy
Adolescent literacy
Learning and achievement
Equity of access and intellectual freedom
Bravo! I especially appreciate the core values, since they are a great way to communicate with library boards the changing role of libraries with regard to teens.
Son of the Mob
Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman (0-8072-0971-6)
Son of the Mob is the story of Vince Luca, mob prince, who is just trying to live life separate from his father’s business. But every time he thinks he has completely become free of the business, he gets dragged back in. What made this book really work was the witty writing and one-liners continually used by Vince. The rhythm and pacing of the novel were wonderful, truly capturing the wild ride of the book.
I listened to the Random House Audio version of this one in my car and really loved it! This is one of those audio books where the reader really enhances the book. The perfect mobster accent by Max Casella made the whole book sing. Marvelous.
Recommend this one to older elementary kids and teens. Kids of both sexes will be caught up in the genuine tone of Vince and his family and friends. Even better, at the heart of this book is a love story told from the point of view of a teen boy. A great read, especially for those Soprano fans out there.
Waking Brain Cells 