On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis

April 11, 2016March 30, 2016 | Tasha

On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis (InfoSoup)

The author of Otherbound returns with a stunning science fiction novel for teens. Denise and her mother are ready to leave their apartment, but her mother won’t move fast enough. She is trying to wait for Denise’s sister, Iris. Now they are not going to reach the shelter in time and that means that they probably won’t survive the comet hitting Earth. As they drive the empty streets to their temporary shelter, desperately late, a chance encounter leads them on another path. Instead of a temporary shelter, they are offered shelter in a generation ship that will wait out the comet hit and then leave earth. Now it is up to Denise to figure out how to fix everything, to find her sister in destroyed and flooded Amsterdam, and even more importantly get them all a spot on the generation ship before it takes off. But who is going to take Denise who is autistic and her mother who struggles with drug addiction?

Duyvis set this book in her native Amsterdam and throughout the novel, one can see her love for her nation and her city. Yes, she destroys much of it, but the spirit of the people is clear on the page as is the beauty of the city even through its destruction. The science here is done just right, with a clear connection to today’s technology but also taking it leaps ahead, allowing readers to truly believe it is 2035. This book is not afraid of asking difficult questions about disabilities and addiction and whether only the perfect deserve to survive in this situation.

The book is beautifully written, with an impressive protagonist who shows that disabilities are no reason that you can’t be a survivor and even more so, a heroine. Denise is a beautiful mixture of autistic behaviors when she is pushed but also bravery and resilience. The book is an intelligent mix of adventure and survival with a compelling question of what could make Denise worthy enough to stay. There are additional ethical questions throughout, including how far one would go to save a loved one.

A brilliant science fiction novel that offers diversity and a powerful story. Appropriate for ages 12-15.

Reviewed from ARC received from Abrams.

2016 Children’s Choice Book Awards

April 11, 2016April 8, 2016 | Tasha

The nominees for the 2016 Children’s Choice Book Awards have been announced and the website is now open for children to vote on their own or with classrooms or librarians. Voting is open until April 25. Winners will be announced during Children’s Book Week, May 2-8.

K-2nd Grade Book of the Year Nominees

Clark the Shark Afraid of the Dark by Bruce Hale, illustrated by Guy Francis

The Little Shop of Monsters by R. L. Stine, illustrated by Marc Brown

Sick Simon by Dan Krall

Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

To the Sea by Cale Atkinson

3rd – 4th Grade Book of the Year Nominees

Fort by Cynthia DeFelice

Funny Bones by Duncan Tonatiuh

I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton

Monkey and Elephant and a Secret Birthday Surprise by Carole Lexa Schaefer, illustrated by Galia Bernstein

Nnewts: Escape from the Lizzarks by Doug TenNapel

5th – 6th Grade Book of the Year Nominees

Backlash by Sarah Darer Littman

Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick

Saved by the Bell by Joelle Sellner, illustrated by Chynna Clugston Flores and Tim Fish

The Terrible Two by Jory John and Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell

Tom Gates: Everything’s Amazing [sort of] by Liz Pichon

Children’s Choice Debut Author Finalists

George by Alex Gino

The Question of Miracles be Elana K. Arnold

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

The Thing about Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones

Children’s Choice Illustrator Finalists

Little Elliot, Big Family by Mike Curato

The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton

The Red Hat by David Teague, illustrated by Antoinette Portis

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower by Greg Pizzoli

Horrible Bear! by Ame Dyckman

April 8, 2016April 8, 2016 | Tasha

Horrible Bear! by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Zachariah OHora (InfoSoup)

A little girl is flying a kite when her string breaks and the kite lands in a cave. When she heads into the cave to get her kite, there is a big bear in there who rolls over in his sleep and breaks her kite. The little girl gets very angry and yells at the bear, “Horrible Bear!” She stomps away to her home. Bear was very upset too. After all, he isn’t a horrible bear at all. But then he had a horrible idea of his own. He practiced barging in, making lots of noise and waking someone out and then headed down to her house. Meanwhile though, the girl was figuring out exactly how rude she had been. Now an apologetic little girl is all set for a run in with a bear ready to be horrible!

Dyckman has created a book that simply must be shared aloud. From the refrain of “Horrible Bear!” as the girl storms off to the roaring bear as he is being horrible, the entire book is filled with ways for children to participate. This book is about the importance of apologizing for bad behavior and mistakes and the way that apologies can completely change a situation. I particularly enjoyed the clever interplay of a grumpy girl and a mellow bear that then switch roles. It also shows that each of us have different aspects to our personality and that we can decide to change our moods.

OHora’s illustrations are wonderfully large and bold, adding to the appeal of the book for group sharing. With a dynamic mix of panels and other images that span both pages, the book makes turning pages fun and interesting. The orange bear pops on the page as does the red-headed little girl. The two convey their emotions clearly which makes it easy for children to understand as their moods change.

A wonderful picture book that is just right for sharing aloud with a group. Expect lots of chants of Horrible Bear from preschool audiences. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from library copy.

This Week’s Tweets, Pins & Tumbls

April 8, 2016 | Tasha

Here are the links I shared on my Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr accounts this week that I think are cool:

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

13 Books That Teach Body Positivity To Kids http://buff.ly/1RLFBa9 #kidlit

13 Children’s Books That Will Make Any Mom Laugh http://buff.ly/1S5geWi #kidlit

Authors of Kid’s Books Seek Repeal of North Carolina Law http://buff.ly/1qnNPii #kidlit

How Much Money Would Harry Potter Owe Hogwarts in Damages? | Nerdist http://buff.ly/2359Bsg #kidlit

How To Get Kids Hooked On Books? ‘Use Poetry. It Is A Surefire Way’ http://buff.ly/231MsqP #kidlit

Kids’ book author Beverly Cleary’s formative year as a librarian in Yakima http://buff.ly/1YbdEwv #kidlit #librarians

The next World of Warcraft spinoff is a children’s book series http://buff.ly/2002uvS #kidlit #gaming

LIBRARIES

Flint Public Library & StoryCorps Join Forces to Archive 1st Person Accounts of the City’s Water Crisis http://buff.ly/1UZvoxe #libraries

Philadelphia libraries to get $600 million makeover courtesy of Mayor Kenney’s new plan http://buff.ly/1SQhLMR #libraries

Philly’s Paschalville Library has a new collection: Neckties http://buff.ly/200Hcyj #libraries

Providing Calm in the Chaos | American Libraries Magazine http://buff.ly/1XjumcU #libraries

READING

The Impact of a Single Book http://buff.ly/1S2O4vg #art #books #reading

International Children’s Book Day Quotes: 20 Sayings About Reading To Share With Lit Lovers http://buff.ly/1q0h3D2 #reading

TEEN READS

Lumberjanes Wins GLAAD Media Award For Outstanding Comic – http://buff.ly/1qka5tk #yalit

Bunches of Board Books

April 7, 2016 | Tasha

Here are some of my favorite board books that I discovered this spring:

Hello, World! is a new series of board books that look at nonfiction topics in a way that is suitable for the youngest of children. I appreciate that the two books take very different approaches to their subjects. Solar System offers information about each of the planets in our solar system, naming them in order and giving a little fact about each one. Weather takes a more child-focused approach showing the types of clothes a child would wear for each kind of weather. Each book offers bright-colored illustrations that are playful and inviting.

Reviewed from copies received from Doubleday.

My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Julie Flett

This gorgeous board book looks at the various things in a little girl’s life that make her happy. From smelling bannock in the oven to singing and dancing. The book also includes lots of being outdoors, such as walking in the grass barefoot and feeling the sun on your face. Though the experiences are universal, the book focuses on a Native American little girl and her family. The illustrations are simply superb. They exude a gentleness and depict a loving family experiencing happy moments together.

Reviewed from library copy.

Shhh! I’m Sleeping by Dorothee de Monfried

Eight dogs are asleep in bunk beds until Popov starts snoring. Two of the dogs wake up and turn on their lights. They agree that Misha will read a story. Steadily, one dog after another awakens and soon they all have things they need to do. One needs a toy, another a drink of water, another wants to switch beds. In the end, everyone but Popov makes their way up to Misha’s bed for a story and fall asleep together. Then it is Popov’s turn to wake up. Cleverly done, the thin and tall format works particularly well with the subject matter, offering a perspective just right for very tall bunk beds. The timing is also nicely done with each page turn showing a new dog waking up. The ending too is satisfying with just the right amount of gentle humor. A great bedtime (or morning) pick.

Reviewed from copy received from Gecko Press.

The BFG – The Movie Trailer

April 7, 2016April 5, 2016 | Tasha

Roald Dahl directed by Steven Spielberg. Looks amazing! It’s released on July 1st.

The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks

April 6, 2016March 29, 2016 | Tasha

The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks (InfoSoup)

Kaidu has moved to the City, a city with no name because every time it is invaded it gets a new name. For those who are native to the city, they survive by not getting involved and living their lives despite those who rule them. Kaidu is one of the Dao, the current occupiers of the City. He is training to be a warrior, hoping to get to know the man who is his father. Kaidu loves the City and finds himself exploring its streets alone despite the rules forbidding it. It is in the City that Kaidu meets Rat, a girl who can dash along the rooftops of the city, make amazing leaps across space, and who lives on the streets. The two become friends slowly, first with Rat training Kaidu to run while Kaidu brings her food. Soon the two unlikely friends must decide whose side they are on as war and murder approach them and the City they love.

Hicks is the author of Friends with Boys and Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong, both wonderful graphic novels. In this new book, she moves into historical fantasy where she has created a city at the center of warring nations. The world building here is exceptional, the entire city feels vibrant and alive as the characters move through it. Readers get to feel the same wonder as Kaidu as they explore the city and see the amazing Hole in the Sky that leads in. Hicks has a great sense of timing in the book, allowing moments to stretch and grow while others rush past in bursts of adventure and action.

The art is gorgeous as well. The two main characters play against each other visually, both of their races different but not clearly defined. This is a very important piece of the story, a decision that makes the book work on an entirely different level. It’s smart and sophisticated building of a society on a visual level.

The first book in a new series, I look forward to seeing where these dynamic characters take us next. Appropriate for ages 9-12.

Reviewed from copy received from First Second.

Meg Rosoff Wins Astrid Lindgren Award

April 6, 2016April 5, 2016 | Tasha

‘Oh my God, that’s amazing’ ... Meg Rosoff.

Meg Rosoff, the author of How I Live Now, has won the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award with its £430,000 prize, the richest prize for children’s literature in the world. Nominees for the award come from around the world with 215 candidates this year from 59 countries.

“Each novel is a little masterpiece,” said chair of the jury Boel Westin. “She says so much in each of them. We’re looking for a writer with the humanistic values of Astrid Lindgren, and Meg Rosoff fulfils that criteria – she has respect for her protagonists and for her readers, she’s discussing how the world can change, but she also gives hope, which I think is important.”