Author: Tasha

2019 Locus Award Finalists

| Tasha

The Locus Science Fiction Foundation has announced the 2019 finalists for the Locus Awards. The winners will be announced in late June at the Locus Awards Weekend. There is one category that covers young adult fiction. Here are the finalists in that category:

YOUNG ADULT BOOK FINALISTS

The Agony House by Cherie Priest and Tara O’Connor

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

Cross Fire by Fonda Lee

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

The Gone Away Place by Christopher Barzak

Half-Witch by John Schoffstall

Impostors by Scott Westerfeld

Mapping the Bones by Jane Yolen

Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

 

Review: With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

| Tasha

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo (9780062662835)

In her second novel, Acevedo cements her place as a master author for teen readers. Emoni’s life has not been easy, getting pregnant as a freshman in high school was not part of her plan. Now as a senior, her life is filled with work, caring for her daughter, and taking care of her Abuela. There is room too for her love of cooking, but not enough room for big dreams for her future. When a culinary class is offered for the first time at her school, Emoni hesitates to apply even though she longs to. The class includes a trip to Spain, which Emoni knows she will not be able to afford, nor could she leave her daughter or ask that of her grandmother. Still, she signs up for the class. It’s not easy, learning to not improvise in the kitchen but follow the rules and recipes. She can’t add the small touches that make her cooking magic. As Emoni opens herself up to new experiences, her life begins to open in other ways too, allowing herself to find romance and new connections.

In this novel, Acevedo gifts us with a story in prose where you can see her skill as a poet shining through often, taking words and making them dazzling. The fierceness of her first book is still here, with some of the short chapters taking on issues like racism and poverty. The entire work is such an incredible read. Emoni takes up a place in your heart and mind, insisting on being heard and believed.

The portrayal of a young mother who is ferociously caring and loving of her daughter, is something not seem often in our society. Emoni stands as a character speaking for women, a teen caring not only for her daughter but also standing alongside her grandmother as they care for one another. Throughout the book, there is a strong sense of community and extended family that are supportive of Emoni and her dreams.

A stellar and important read, let’s hope this one wins more awards and attention for Acevedo. Appropriate for ages 16-18.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by HarperTeen.

Review: Inside Outside by Anne-Margot Ramstein

| Tasha

Inside Outside by Anne-Margot Ramstein

Inside Outside by Anne-Margot Ramstein and Matthias Aregui (9781536205978)

This visually stunning book is the return of the creators of Before After. This book focuses on the opposites of inside and outside and also on the relationship between the two. Using only images, the book explores what it means to be “inside” and what it means to be “outside.” At times the book will fool the reader, allowing them to think they are outside when they are actual in, something revealed by the next picture in the pair. Images of a submarine window, which is on the cover of the book, reveal a pairing of the outside really being the vast ocean not the peek through the window. A setting in a snow globe may feel outdoors, but it’s actually caught inside the dome of the globe. These are just a few of the exciting opposites shared here.

So gorgeously designed, the modern illustrations in this book have a harmonious feel to them as readers progress through boats caught in storms, ocean life, and even pounding hearts. Each turn of the page is a delight and a surprise as readers try to figure out which is inside or outside and why. The art is filled with sharp lines, bright deep colors, and offers interesting perspectives on the subject matter just to fool the eye.

A brilliant wordless book meant to exploration. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy provided by Candlewick.

 

Review: I Love My Colorful Nails by Alicia Acosta and Luis Amavisca

| Tasha

I Love My Colorful Nails by Alicia Acosta and Luis Amavisca

I Love My Colorful Nails by Alicia Acosta and Luis Amavisca, illustrated by Gusti (9788417123598)

Ben loves to paint his nails in cheery colors. He loves looking at the bright colors on his hands. His mother shares her nail polish and so does his friend Margarita, they both have large collections of colors. One morning, as Ben headed to school with red nails, two boys started teasing him, telling him that nail polish is for girls. Ben felt very sad and a few days later, he told his parents about it. His father immediately asked for orange nail polish for his own nails. At school though, more boys started to tease him. Soon Ben was only wearing nail polish on the weekends, removing it for school. His dad though, wore bright nail polish every day, even when he picked Ben up from school. As Ben’s birthday arrives, he gets the best present ever! What could it be?

This picture book offers a very approachable way to talk about gender expectations and how even small expressions of difference are important. The parents in the book are both tremendously warm and encouraging of their son, but the book accurately shows how school can be very different for children who are not conforming to societal norms. The use of nail polish is clever, adding a colorful element to the tale as well as something that Ben’s father can embrace himself.

Gusti’s illustrations are marvelous. Filled with warmth and humor, they celebrate the bright colors of nail polish on each page. Ben’s emotions are shown through the set of his shoulders and his entire posture. When he is sad, he droops over and when he’s happy he bounces on the page.

A great book about gender nonconforming behavior in children and how a school can be a place of safety. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy provided by Nubeocho.

PW’s Best Books Summer 2019

| Tasha

Here are the books for youth that Publisher’s Weekly has chosen as the best books for this summer.

PICTURE BOOKS

Daniel’s Good Day by Micha Archer

Hum and Swish by Matt Myers

 

The Last Peach by Gus Gordon

Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Heather Fox

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Pena

Vroom! by Barbara McClintock

You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks by Evan Turk

 

MIDDLE GRADE

All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura Tucker

Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel Jose Older

Knights vs. Monsters by Matt Phelan

Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse by Susan Vaught

My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi

Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Up for Air by Laurie Morrison

 

YOUNG ADULT

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Brave Face: A Memoir by Shaun David Hutchinson

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell

Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson

The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

 

Review: Extraordinary Birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis

| Tasha

Extraordinary Birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis

Extraordinary Birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis (9781547601004)

11-year-old December has moved from one foster family to another over the past several years. As she moves, she has learned not to have many possessions, enough that she can carry them in a couple of bags. One item she brings with her every move is her biography, a book that reminds her why she is special and different from those around her. With her large scar on her back, December believes that she was raised as partially a bird and will eventually have her wings and feathers and be able to take flight. But when she jumps from a tree, she is moved to another foster family. This time, she is taken in by Eleanor, a women with a large garden, bird feeders, bird baths, and who works in an animal rehabilitation center. Eleanor’s quiet and loving approach starts to work on December, much as it does on her wounded birds. As December starts to trust, her desire to be separate from humans and different from them ebbs away. But could she ever give up her desire to fly?

Stark-McGinnis has written a startling debut novel for middle graders. December’s belief that she is a bird is at first alarming as she jumps from a tree, then rather odd, but the author leads readers to deeply understand the injury and damage done to December by first her mother’s violence and then her foster parents. It is a slow and haunting journey as December begins to trust others. Tying her own personal journey to that of a wounded hawk relearning to fly, the book creates a path for December to come alive again.

The journey to trust also includes a wonderful secondary character, Cheryllynn, a transgender classmate of December’s. As both girls steadily learn to stand up to the class bullies, they also learn that doing it together is easier and has a bigger impact. The two girls accept one another exactly as they are, something one doesn’t see enough in books about young girls and their friendships.

A heart-wrenching novel of abuse, recovery and learning to fly. Appropriate for ages 9-12.

Reviewed from ARC provided by Bloomsbury.

2019 Australian Book Industry Awards

| Tasha

The Australian Book Industry Awards give awards across a wide variety of ages and subjects. Here are this year’s winners for the juvenile categories.

BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR OLDER CHILDREN

Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds by Jeremy Lachlan

 

BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN

The 104-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

 

CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR

All the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys (Coming to the United States in September 2019)

 

SMALL PUBLISHER’S CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR

Whisper by Lynette Noni

2019 Indies Choice Book Award Winners

| Tasha

The 2019 Indies Choice Book Award winners were announced this week. Voted on by booksellers at American Booksellers Association member stores across the country, the awards are given in a variety of categories, including several for young readers. Here are the winners in those categories:

YOUNG ADULT

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

 

THE E.B. WHITE READ-ALOUD AWARD FOR PICTURE BOOKS

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

 

THE E.B. WHITE READ-ALOUD AWARD FOR MIDDLE READERS

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

 

PICTURE BOOK HALL OF FAME WINNERS

Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen

Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

This Week Tweets

| Tasha

Here are the items I shared on Twitter this week:

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

15 Of The Absolute Best Podcasts for Children’s Books buff.ly/2IK4Pwm #kidlit

A is for Activist: why children’s books are getting political buff.ly/2UU1KeD #kidlit

Baltimore Mayor Resigns in Wake of Children’s Book Scandal – https://t.co/VZiFq4w4Da

Five questions for Raúl the Third — The Horn Book buff.ly/2V0P8qY #kidlitart

Minneapolis writer Pete Hautman wins Edgar for best juvenile novel buff.ly/2VrPcQ8 #kidlit

Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep by Traci Sorell buff.ly/2J2tLym #kidlit

Onjali Rauf: ‘My mother said publishing was a white world, but I should always try’ buff.ly/2V4nhX3 #kidlit

PW – Now You See Me, Now You Don’t – a story of soft censorship buff.ly/2Pu1YIq #kidlit

Read Rare Classic Children’s Books for Free Through the Library of Congress buff.ly/2ZQ9Ybu #kidlit

What Happens When a Young Syrian Refugee Ends Up in Cincinnati? – https://t.co/kqAaBW0IPB

Where Were The Girls Like Me In All The Horse Books I Read As A Kid? buff.ly/2Y4AKep #kidlit

Who Wet This Interview? Bob Shea and Zachariah OHora Fess Up —

@fuseeight  A Fuse #8 Production buff.ly/2IMOGWH #kidlit

LIBRARIES

14 of the World’s Most Charming Libraries buff.ly/2PvxQfL #libraries

“The American Library”: stunning installation by Yinka Shonibare, at Speed Museum Louisville KY. Remarkable statement on immigration, colonialism, diversity, libraries. speedmuseum.org/exhibitions/yi…

Halifax Public Libraries cooks up new approach to tackle food insecurity | CBC News buff.ly/2J7vVwD #libraries

No One Reads On The Job — And 6 Other Things I Learned Working In A Library buff.ly/2UHSxpx #libraries

YA LIT

Behind the Design: ‘With the Fire on High’ by Elizabeth Acevedo buff.ly/2vpJCio #yalit

Controversial YA Novel Pulled by Author to Be Published This Fall buff.ly/2XO0JGW #YAlit

Q & A with Elizabeth Acevedo buff.ly/2vrF779 #YAlit