ALA has released their list of the best GLBTQ books for children and teens: The Rainbow Books.
Several of the books were marked as exceptional:
Daddy, Papa and Me by Leslea Newman
Mommy, Mama and Me by Leslea Newman
How Beautiful the Ordinary: Twelve Stories of Identity
Ash by Malinda Lo
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea
Thanks to The Goddess of YA Literature for the link.
YALSA has announced their picks for the top graphic novels of the year for 12-18 year olds. There are 73 titles on the list and the committee selected a Top Ten:
The Helm by Jim Hardison and Bart Sears
Children of the Sea, Vol. 1 by Daisuke Igarashi
Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer by Van Jenson and Dusty Higgins
I Kill Giants by Joe Kelly and J.M. Ken Nimura
Omega the Unknown by Jonathan Lethem and Farel Dalrymple
Bayou by Jeremy Love
A.D.: New Orleans after the Deluge by Josh Neufeld
Gunnerkrigg Court, Vol. 1: Orientation by Tom Siddell
Pluto by Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki
Ooku: The Inner Chambers, Vol. 1 by Fumi Yoshinaga
The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Tim Ladwig
Weatherford has taken Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and created a poem that follows African-American history from slavery through to the election of Barack Obama. The poem affirms that God has been with people even in slavery, during the Civil War, during the civil rights movement, and continues to be with them now. Readers will discover historical figures from various times in the book, including Rosa Parks, Emmett Till, Ruby Bridges and Martin Luther King, Jr. There are a wealth of heroes here, all surrounded by the strength of faith.
Weatherford’s words are strong and ringing. They both celebrate and mourn, moving ever onward to a brighter future. The book shines with a beautiful combination of faith and history. Ladwig’s illustrations add to that shine with strong people shown in moments of strength. Many of his paintings have interesting perspectives that make the book even more lovely.
Highly recommended, this is a book that truly captures the strength of a people. Appropriate for ages 6-10.
Reviewed from copy received from publisher.
Visit Carole Boston Weatherford’s website and Tim Ladwig’s website.
Shake, Rattle & Turn That Noise Down!: How Elvis Shook Up Music, Me & Mom by Mark Alan Stamaty
When Mark Alan Stamaty’s parents gave him his own radio at age eight, they thought he’d be listening to the gentle popular music of the time. But one evening, Elvis and “Hound Dog” blasted from the radio and everything changed with rock and roll. Mark’s mother was alarmed at this new music and forbade him from buying any of Elvis’ records. Mark was still able to read about Elvis in magazines, listen to him on the radio, and even see him on TV. Eventually, Mark’s mother gave up and gave in and he was able to buy Elvis records. Mark changed the way he did his hair into an Elvis pompadour, helped the other boys in his class get the same look, and when his school picture was taken everyone thought he looked just like Elvis. So it was natural when the Cub Scout talent show came along that Mark impersonate Elvis, but how would his mother react?
Stamaty is a cartoonist and that shows in this book. Filled with the frames of cartoons, speech bubbles and caption, the book has its own rocking and rolling feel. His illustrations show a delightful mix of vintage and modern that echoes the feel of Elvis too. This book will not work well as a read-aloud because of the graphic novel format, but individuals will enjoy it immensely. The final pages of the book are a real treat as readers get to see the famous Elvis school picture and a snapshot of Mark performing in the Cub Scout event. There is also information on Mark performing as Elvis for President Clinton.
A humorous look at a moment in history, this picture book will be most appreciated by slightly older children who can identify with growing up and having preferences of one’s own. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
Reviewed from copy received from publisher.
Check out Linda Davick’s interview with Mark Alan Stamaty as well as Stamaty’s own website.
Waking Brain Cells 