Author: Tasha

2017 National Book Award Longlist

| Tasha

The longlist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature has been announced. The list will be narrowed to five finalists on October 4th and the winner will be announced on November 15.

Here is the longlist:

All the Wind in the World American Street

All the Wind in the World by Samantha Mabry

American Street by Ibi Zoboi

Clayton Byrd Goes Underground Far from the Tree

Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia

Far from the Tree by Robin Benway

The Hate U Give I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez

Long Way Down Orphan Island

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder

What Girls Are Made Of You Bring the Distant Near

What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold

You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins

3 Scary-Good Picture Books

| Tasha

 

Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds

Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown (9781442402980)

Jasper returns for a second gently-scary story. In this picture book, Jasper needs some new underwear. He decides to get one pair of green creepy underwear, because he is big enough for them. When he wears them to bed, he finds out that they glow with a green light. Jasper quickly changes to plain white underwear, hiding the creepy underwear in the bottom of the hamper. Waking up the next morning, he realizes that he has the creepy underwear on! Jasper tries all sorts of things to get rid of the underwear, from mailing it to China to cutting it into bits, but the underwear keeps on coming back. What is a bunny to do? This picture book is a delightful mix of funny and scary with echoes of classic monster movies. Exactly the right pick for Halloween reading. Appropriate for ages 4-6. (Review copy provided by Simon & Schuster.)

The Pomegranate Witch by Denise Doyen

The Pomegranate Witch by Denise Doyen, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler (9781452145891)

Deftly written in rhyme, this picture book features a mouthwatering pomegranate tree that is watched over by a witch. Still, the children of the town desperately want a pomegranate from the tree and are willing to go to war with the witch to get one. The children tried again and again, but the witch stopped them with water cannons and rolling walnuts. In the end though, the children got one delectable pomegranate to split among themselves. The next day, the tree was picked bare and the war was over. It was time for Halloween where a Kindly Lady gladly shared out pomegranates from her home. A lady that looks a lot like the glimpses readers get of the witch.

Doyen’s writing is spooky and rich. This is not a picture book for preschoolers, since the writing demands a longer attention span. Elementary classes would enjoy it or it could be added to a read aloud for older children on Halloween. Perhaps with pomegranate seeds to try. Appropriate for ages 5-7. (Review copy provided by Chronicle Books.)

The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea

The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea (9781484730461)

A spooky ghost lives by a frightening dark forest in this picture book. The ghost is the one who is scared, asking the reader to keep on checking on what is happening in the forest. But the forest isn’t nearly as scary as the ghost expects, which adds a zingy humor to this story. The tone of the book is deftly handled, walking a line between shivery ghost story and Halloween party for friends. It’s a book that will invite children to be just as scared as they might like, but also enjoy doughnuts and some costumes too. The art is lovely and graphic, filled with zaps of bright color emphasized by white and black. A great read aloud for slightly older children. Appropriate for ages 5-8. (Reviewed from library copy.)

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart

| Tasha

Genuine Fraud by E Lockhart

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart (9780385744775)

Written by a master YA novelist, this book is deliciously dark, wonderfully deceptive and completely intoxicating. Imogen is an heiress, adopted as a child from poverty into New York money. She lives a life that is glamorous, easy and often nasty. Jule is Imogen’s friend, who trails along with Imogen as she heads around the world. But the police are onto Jule, who knows she can stay one step ahead of them as she runs from her past. Jule longs to stay in the bubble of wealth that Imogen lives in, but it’s not easy particularly when Imogen disappears. As the story unwinds and unravels, there is blood and murder revealed.

Lockhart writes an almost-classic tale here that will enthrall teen readers. Carefully crafted with a series of reveals that steadily expose the truth, the book is completely captivating. Readers will attempt to unravel what has happened, but Lockhart writes with a control that is exceptional, holding the story and her readers right where she wants them.

While Imogen lives a charmed life, it is the character of Jule who is impressively drawn on the page. She is complicated and calculating and still somehow, even though readers will have mixed feelings about her throughout the book, she is a heroine. She is a girl who flees her past, creates her own present and plans for a new future. She is not waiting to be handed things, but taking them. Fearless, hardened and fantastic.

Get this into the hands of those who loved We Were Liars as Lockhart takes readers on another amazing ride of a read. Appropriate for ages 14-18.

Reviewed from ARC received from Delacorte Press.

This Week’s Tweets, Pins and Tumbls

| Tasha

Here are some cool links I shared on my Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr accounts in the last couple of weeks:

 

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Ben Hatke on Visual Storytelling, Fairytales, and Genre-Blending | Bookish

Fall 2017’s Best Children’s and Middle Grade Books |

Noteworthy Fall 2017 Picture Books – #2017

Picture Books That Teach Mindfulness via

‘The Snowy Day,’ first picture book with black child as hero, marks 50 years

Why This Book About A Proud Muslim Family Is A Must-Read For The 2017 School Year

LIBRARIES

When Christian lost his home, he needed a place where he could find order and opportunity during the day.

TEEN LIT

34 of our most anticipated September YA books.

E. Lockhart on Antiheroes, Action Movies, and ‘Genuine Fraud’ |

How Tanith Lee’s YA fantasy heroine Claidi led Sandra Gisi to Alanna of Trebond and Aerin Dragon-Killer:

3 Great New Graphic Novel Fantasies for Kids

| Tasha

Here are my favorite fantasy graphic novels coming out in September. So very different from one another, each one is a separate world between two covers!

Castle in the Stars The Space Race of 1869 by Alex Alice

Castle in the Stars: The Space Race of 1869 by Alex Alice (9781626724938)

Released September 12, 2017.

Translated from the original French, this graphic novel explores an alternative history where the mysterious element of aether is being quested for in the heights of the atmosphere by going up in balloons. Seraphin’s mother was lost after such a quest. Now Seraphin and his father are invited to build a gigantic balloon vessel to continue her search. Told in beautiful watercolor images with fine details and nods to Japanese manga, this large graphic novel invites readers into a new world. With a dynamic mix of historical detail, science and steampunk, this graphic novel is exceptional.

The Dam Keeper by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi

The Dam Keeper by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi (9781626724266)

Released September 26, 2017.

Pig lives in the dam that holds back the darkness. It was built and designed by his father who taught Pig to maintain the dam. Then he disappeared, going through the forbidden door and out into the darkness. Now it is up to Pig to continue maintaining the dam even as the rest of Sunrise Valley ignores the threat of the darkness. As the darkness begins to behave differently, Pig and two of his friends are swept into the world outside of the dam and must figure out how to survive before the darkness claims them too. With unique and fabulous artwork, this graphic novel is based on the Oscar-nominated film.

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King by Ben Hatke

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King by Ben Hatke (9781626722668)

Mighty Jack returns in his second book from the author of Zita the Spacegirl. Jack must venture into the world of the monsters who have taken his younger sister. He is joined by Lily, a neighbor girl who has been trained in fighting with swords and has trained Jack as well. The two of them are soon separated from one another and each take a very different path to the final battle. One becomes Goblin King along the way and the other battles rats and is helped by strange creatures living in the plumbing. As always, Hatke surprises and delights this time as he twists the classic Jack and Beanstalk into a tale with dragons and goblins along with the giants!

(Review copies provided by First Second)

 

Human Protagonists & Moral Impact

| Tasha

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A study from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) looked at the effect of human vs. animal protagonists. In the study, researchers read one of three stories to almost 100 four to six year olds. One book was a control book about seeds, the other two taught that sharing makes you feel good and one had human protagonists and one had animal protagonists.

The children were offered 10 stickers before they were read the story and were told that an anonymous child would not receive any. It was suggested that they could share the stickers by putting them in the envelope after the story. The children who were read the story with the human characters were more generous with their stickers. There was no difference between the effects of the control book and the animal protagonists.

From The Guardian:

Ganea said that while “a growing body of research has shown that young children more readily apply what they’ve learned from stories that are realistic … this is the first time we found something similar for social behaviours”.

“The finding is surprising given that many stories for young children have human-like animals,” said Ganea.

I’m fascinated by this study given that so many picture book for children this age have animal characters. Then you have Charlotte’s Web and other books for older children with animals as the characters too. While this is one study and needs to be duplicated, I do think it’s an interesting piece of information to keep in mind for educators and librarians.

 

5 Brilliant Board Books (Plus a Bonus Book!)

| Tasha

Looking for some great new board books for your library or classroom? Here are some of the best of the new ones:

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Flora and the Ostrich by Molly Idle (9781452146584)

This board book pairs Flora with an ostrich to demonstrate opposites. With fold-out pages, there is plenty for small hands to explore here. The unfolding pages add to the feel of dance and movement that are present in all of the Flora books. Expect the youngest Flora fans to adore this one. The flaps are sturdily made and should withstand library and classroom use. (Review copy provided by Chronicle Books.)

Hello Humpback!

Hello Humpback by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd (9781550177992)

This board book is a glorious look at the West Coast shown through the eyes of a First Nations artist. The illustrations glow with light, whether it is dawn appearing through the pine trees with a bear nearby, an eagle on a branch silhouetted against the setting sun, or an orca breaching into a rainbow sky. The animals and trees are done in raised ink on the page, so little hands can explore the book in a tactile way as well. This is an exceptional board book that belongs in all public libraries. (Reviewed from library copy.)

Lines

Lines by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustrated by Melinda Beck (9781481490740)

Lines combine on the page to form squares and circles. Then children can locate those shapes in the town and on the road. The book then swoops outward, showing how entire cities and roads are created from these building block shapes until readers are finally looking at the solar system going round and round in circles. A simple concept book about shapes that shows how our entire universe features squares and circles. (Review copy provided by Simon and Schuster.)

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Motor Mix by Emily Snape and Rilla Alexander (9781452148380 & 9781452148397)

These two books in a new series offer flaps that let young readers mix and match their vehicles into crazy new ones. As the vehicles change, so does the text of the book, allowing them to explore different regions, make different noises and use different verbs to describe what they are doing. It’s great fun and just right for little vehicle lovers. These are sturdy enough to stand up to public libraries and classrooms. (Review copies provided by Chronicle Books.)

BONUS BOOK! This picture book is just right for the toddler crowd too!

I See a Cat

I See a Cat by Paul Meisel (9780823436804)

Told in the simplest of text, this book invites children to enjoy a dog’s day as he looks out the window. He gets intrigued when he sees a cat and then a bird, lazily looks at a fly and a bee. But when a squirrel passes the door, he gets very very excited! The day goes by with rounds of wild barking and calm sleepiness until the dog’s boy returns home and they can go outside together. And there’s a squirrel out there!

This picture book from a Geisel Honor winner shows a clarity and understanding of children’s sense of humor. The book reads aloud wonderfully and the pace changes swiftly adding to the fun. Share this with toddlers who will join in barking at the squirrels. (Review copy provided by Holiday House.)

 

 

 

This Week’s Tweets, Pins and Tumbls

| Tasha

Here are some cool links I shared on my Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr accounts in the last couple of weeks:

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

100 MUST-READ MIDDLE GRADE FANTASY BOOKS FROM THE LAST 10 YEARS via

Back-to-School Wisdom From the Creators of Your Favorite Children’s Books

Children’s Books That Show Kids the Goodness in Stories: https://t.co/0ASGyYXOsh

How to get kids to look away from their screens and take pleasure in books

An Ode to Reading Kids’ Books Out Loud

Research shows the importance of parents reading with children – even after children can read

Robert E. Lee is also placed on a pedestal in children’s books

A Trio of Fall Titles Celebrates Virginia Lee Burton’s Rich Legacy

Victoria Jamieson on the Ren Faire + finding her way to graphic novels

LIBRARIES

Library of Congress: Alexander Hamilton Papers Now Available Online in their Original Format

Madison library brings drag queen, children together for story time

Most Americans say libraries can help them find reliable, trustworthy information | Pew Research Center – https://t.co/uuGYNeMDPB

Public libraries can (literally) serve as a shelter from the storm

Texas Libraries Hit Hard by Hurricane Harvey

The two slain Clovis staff are Youth Services Librarian Krissie Carter and Circulation Assistant Wanda Walters:

West Chicago Public Library denies request to remove gay pride book

What’s the worth of your public library?

TEEN LIT

. writing new fantasy trilogy set in the world! Learn more about Threads of Power:

12 Mythology-Inspired Young Adult Novels – https://t.co/Zztq1EXKMo

17 Must-Read YA Books of Fall 2017 |

Cassandra Clare interview: Fascism, demons, diversity, and maintaining her empire without a drop of coffee

John Smelcer dropped from YA award amid ‘concerns’ over integrity – https://t.co/3v5buNWv4h

Leigh Bardugo on Wonder Woman: ‘I Just Want to See Her Smash the Patriarchy’ |

Usborne apologises for puberty book that says breasts exist to make girls ‘look grown-up and attractive’

Flowers for Sarajevo by John McCutcheon

| Tasha

Flowers for Sarajevo by John McCutcheon

Flowers for Sarajevo by John McCutcheon, illustrated by Kristy Caldwell (9781561459438, Amazon)

Drasko sells flowers with his father in the marketplace in Sarajevo. They sell the best roses in the entire city. But when war came, Drasko’s father leaves to fight and Drasko is alone selling flowers. He is pushed out of their usual spot to one at the edge of the market. The only good thing is that he can now hear the symphony playing. Suddenly, the market is hit by a mortar and 22 people are killed. Drasko returns to the market the next day, but all is silent and empty. Then a man with a cello enters the square and sits down to play. For 22 days, he plays, once for each person who died. Around him, the market returns and Drasko works to find a way that he too can be courageous each day.

Based on the true story of Vedran Smailovic, the cellist who played, this picture book focuses on the impact of the bombing and the bravery of the cellist on one boy. Readers will realize that Drasko is brave from his approach to his father leaving and his returning day after day to sell flowers. The power of the music and the musician though brings that bravery into the light and shows how it’s important to be visibly brave for others too.

The illustrations by Caldwell are layered and misleadingly simple. They show Drasko’s loneliness but also his discovery of a community around him that will support him. The illustrations have inset pieces with frames that shatter with the mortar shell and then return to being whole as the story progresses.

A look at war and acts of bravery and art. Appropriate for ages 6-8.

Reviewed from library copy.