Fish • Middle-grade fiction

Fish
by Gregory Mone
Available now • Scholastic • Ages 9 and up
Story:  Maurice Reidy -- nicknamed "Fish" because of his incredible swimming abilities -- is sent to work as a courier to help support his struggling family.  Entrusted with a mysterious package of coins, fish is waylaid by pirates who abscond with his delivery.  But he's determined to get the coins back by joining the crew:  some of the wiliest (and smelliest -- something those reluctant readers will love!) pirates on the high seas.
On board the pirate ship, Fish learns two things:  that the strange coins could be the key to finding a fabulous treasure, and that the nasty first mate, Scab, could be planning a mutiny.  Can Fish retrieve the coins, find the treasure, save his family, and thwart Scab's dastardly plans? 
Story behind the story:  As a contributing editor at POPULAR SCIENCE and freelance magazine writer, Gregory Mone has written articles about intelligent robots, Irish mythology, cartoons, and alternative energy for many publications.  The author of two books, FISH is his first novel for kids and I asked him to tell us a bit about how it came to be:  "I’m tempted to greet you with an emphatic “argghhh,” but the pirates in FISH don’t speak that way", says Mone. "They’re a bit more articulate, and odd. The story, written under strict orders from my nieces and nephews, is packed with adventures and centered around a brain-teasing treasure hunt. As a reader, though, I’ve always been drawn to characters first, so I worked for years to come up with a unique crew of rogues, including a gourmand (based on my mechanic), a gargantuan scholar, a songwriter, some delightfully nasty villains, and Fish himself, a boy who loves to swim and hates to fight.

I’ve seen how boys (yes, they read!) and girls are responding to FISH, and I’d love to visit more libraries and schools or hear what you think of the book. Email me - greg [at] fishthepirate.com - to discuss a visit."

PS:  Some details (per Gregory's website) in FISH were borrowed from family history. Maurice "Fish" Reidy was named for Gregory's grandfather, and though the real Maurice wasn't much of a swimmer, he did cross the ocean on a boat when he immigrated to the United States from Ireland. Gregory's grandmother Brigid was forced to leave her family farm when their horse, Shamrock, died. She, too, came to America and, like Fish, had to send money back home to support her family.  Gregory IS quite passionate about swimming; he was a nationally ranked competitive swimmer.

Lots of info on the author's website where you can "Meet the Pirates" and read sample chapters -- plus a Booktalk at Scholastic's site.

Thematic connections: 
Courage and Honor, Determination and Perseverance, Growing Up

WHAT'S THE TALK ABOUT FISH?:
"Chock full of real historic curiosities about pirates, sly humor for grownups, excellent action scenes and general quantities of swash and buckle, Fish is a great, self-contained addition to the canon of fun pirate fiction. Perfect for young readers, even better for reading aloud at bed-time, thanks to the plentiful cliff-hangers." -- Cory Doctorow's review on boingboing

"...an entertaining, rollicking read that challenges as well captivates...full of humor, quick-witted dialogue, well-disguised lessons in initiative and hard work with clever pirating lore and grand treasure dreams. Girls and boys alike will enjoy this book, which has a cliff-hanger of an ending begging for a sequel."
– Winston-Salem Journal:

"Inducted into the knavish crew of the sloop Scurvy Mistress, young Fish finds himself involved both in piecing together baroque clues to the location of a fabulous golden treasure known as the Chain of Chuaca[r] and in protecting the gentlemanly but naive Captain Cobb from brutal mutineers and rival treasure hunters...His pacifism adds an unusual element for stories of this ilk, too."
– Kirkus Reviews:

"This page-turner might keep you and your family up late reading."
– Meridian Magazine


Order your reviewer's copy now.

Need some ideas? Kidsbookclubbing's got 'em!

The latest issue of Kidsbookclubbing features giveaways and behind-the-scenes stories from these top kids' authors:

- Printz Honor Award winner Ellen Wittlinger as she broaches the topic of war in THIS MEANS WAR!, a work of fiction for middle-graders

- debut writer Inara Scott who mixes superpowers and friendships in a boarding school setting in her teen novel DELCROIX ACADEMY, BOOK ONE: THE CANDIDATES

 - Julie Berry, author of THE SPLURCH ACADEMY BOOKS, a new comic novel series for reluctant readers and disruptive kids (do you know any of those?!)

...and Chelsea Rae Swiggett who shares her un-put-downable and brave teen memoir, RAE:  MY TRUE STORY OF FEAR, ANXIETY, AND SOCIAL PHOBIA 

Check 'em out here, ask for a freebie, and maybe invite the author to visit your book club?!  Happy reading!

Crow • Picture book

Crow

written and illustrated by Leo Timmers

September 2010 • Clavis Books • Ages 3-5

Be yourself! A tragicomic story about four birds under high voltage.

Story: Crow is black.  Pitch-black.  Everyone is afraid of him.  So Crow devises a plan to fit in by painting his feathers multicolored in order to look more like the other birds, but the plan backfires and he ends up scaring everyone away. This beautifully illustrated tale shows young children the importance of acceptance and “not to judge a book by its cover.”

Story behind the story:  Author-illustrator Leo Timmers lives in Belgium and is the recipient of the Book Feather Award as well as three-time winner of the Children’s and Youth Jury Award.  His Deep Sea Doctor Dean has been translated into twelve languages; other titles include Brum!, I Am the King, and Vroom! Leo’s style is immediately recognizable by its clear shapes, color and humor.  All of his illustrations are painted by hand in acrylic paint.

ADVANCE PRAISE:

“Thoughtful…Timmers tells this be-yourself story with disciplined visual clarity…polish and style.”  – Publishers Weekly, boxed review

I found a video of Leo Timmers and, though it's in Dutch, it's fun to take a peek nonetheless as you can get a sense of his studio and style. This video below, though, is wordless, and a wonderful trip through the artist's sketchbook.  You'll see some pencil sketches of CROW, too:

Publisher Clavis Books believes in "raising readers by publishing books for children of all ages that stimulate their imaginations"; take a peek at their latest catalog to see more books by Leo Timmers and the rest of their publishing line-up.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say.

Ruby's School Walk • Picture book

Ruby's School Walk
by Kathryn White  • illustrated by Miriam Latimer
August 2010  • Barefoot Books  • Ages 4 - 7
Will Ruby find the courage to reach her classroom?
Story:  Ruby's morning walk with her mom is far from ordinary.  On their way, Ruby experiences a world her mother cannot see, and imaginative dangers in her path.  With a tiger on the prowl and mighty beasts that loom and lurk, getting to school seems an impossible task. Young readers will enjoy joining Ruby as she faces her fears and learns how to keep them in check.  "A cheery reminder of the fun to be had—and fears overcome—with a little imagination…" writes Publishers Weekly in a review of Ruby's School Walk.
Story behind the story: Kathryn White wrote the book Ruby's School Walk based on her own experiences starting school."Every child experiences some trepidation about starting a new chapter of their lives, and beginning school is no exception," says Kathryn White. "When you encourage children to use their imaginations to face their fears, they can overcome them and look forward to a new adventure, such as starting school." 

Publisher Barefoot Books has created a book discussion guide to help parents encourage their child's independence and send them off to school with confidence.  Kids will enjoy the downloadable Barefoot maze activity sheet, while you'll enjoy meeting author Kathryn White and illustrator Miriam Latimer as they give us a behind-the-scenes look at creating Ruby's School Walk in this video:

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say.

Playing Time: What Kids Really Think About Kids' Sports • YA nonfiction

Playing Time: What Kids Really Think About Kids' Sports
by Quinn Cotter
Just out! • Apprentice House •Young Adult nonfiction
By the age of 13, 73% of kids drop out of youth sports. Teenage author, Quinn Cotter, will help kids play better, play longer and have more fun!
Story:  Somewhere between The Bad News Bears and Field of Dreams, the realities of being a young athlete play out every day on fields across America. Almost everyone has experienced scoring the game winner, riding the pine, struggling with peer - as well as coach - and parent - pressure.
Young writer Quinn Cotter explores the dynamics of school and athletics, but from the unique perspective of the student-athlete. Playing Time: What Kids Really Think About Kids’ Sports returns focus to the players themselves. Cotter exposes the issues and adult behaviors that trouble kids and cause them to quit playing altogether. Playing Time helps adults lighten up; in return, kids will “play better, play longer, and smile more.”

“Quinn will teach you, provoke you, challenge you, and guide you to become a better parent, coach, teammate—even a better sports fan,” said former Orioles ace and Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer. “And he’ll make you laugh at familiar situations.”

Cotter touches all the bases. For coaches he warns that when they lose their temper, they also lose their players’ respect. Regarding parents, over-zealous folks should leave their own dreams of longed-for glory at home. And players themselves are advised to keep their priorities straight: school before sports.

“When parents get too involved, they reveal a lack of confidence in their kid, both on and off the field,” said Cotter. More than fifty million children participate in some form of youth sport, but nearly 73% will drop out by the time they are thirteen years old. “Any parent, coach, fan, or participant in youth sports should have this book in their library,” said Bob Bowlsby, Athletic Director at Stanford University. “Quinn’s real life experiences establish the foundation from which every youth sports program should be evaluated.”

Story-behind-the-story: Cotter wrote the first draft of Playing Time when he was just fifteen years old, but with ten years of experience as a student-athlete behind him. Now a seventeen-year-old senior at the Gilman School in Baltimore, Cotter plays varsity and Metro League baseball.

For years, Quinn would come home from games and practices with a lot on his mind. His mom gave him a shoebox and a pack of index cards and told him to jot down his thoughts and feelings. His dad said, “Quinn, you ought to write a book.” So he did.

By Christmas 2008, the note cards in the shoebox had become a manuscript. Proudly protected in Santa Claus wrapping paper, Quinn placed his manuscript under the tree as a Christmas gift for his parents.


Who is Quinn Cotter and what are his credentials?  The author explains:  "I've ridden the bench so the coach's klutzy kid could play and I've been a star. I have struck out with the bases loaded in the last inning and I have won a homerun derby. I have missed free throws that would have won a basketball game and pitched a two-hit shutout against one of the best teams in the country with Cal Ripken, Jr. watching in the stands. I've gotten home after practice at 9:30 pm and had to face four hours of homework. I have been abandoned by jealous friends. I have been cheered for my accomplishments and cursed out and called foul names by coaches. Kids may be inexperienced in sports and life, but we're not stupid. I've learned a lot from what I've seen and done in kids'sports."

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Quinn Cotter Video: Game Winning Hit

Quinn Cotter media links: video, radio and print
http://quinncotter.com/id55.html

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say.

Zebrafish • Middle-grade fiction (illustrated), Graphic novel

Zebrafish

by FableVision • Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

May 2010 • Atheneum Books for Young Readers / Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing • Ages 10 - 14

How do five kids with nothing in common make it better? A vibrant and slyly witty graphic novel about how a small group of kids can make a big difference.
Story: Purple-haired singing queen Vita has big plans for her rock group, Zebrafish. Luckily, her new-found bandmates have some unique talents. But when Tanya starts missing a lot of rehearsals, Vita realizes that the band has a new goal for their upcoming concert: it’ll be a fundraiser to help support Tanya’s battle with leukemia. As the kids band together, they realize that it truly is possible to “get by with a little help from my friends” (to quote the Beatles).
Story Behind the Story: This line from the book trailer says it all:  "The start of something big usually starts out of something small." A portion of the proceeds from this book goes to Children’s Hospital Boston. Peter H. Reynolds includes an inspiring endnote to get readers involved in making a difference. The listed website features games, webisodes, and stories of hope and action. Plus here's a reading group guide.

ZEBRAFISH will rock your world.  Check out this inspiring video:

Take a peek, too, at this video with illustrator Peter Reynolds as he talks about working with Children's Hospital Boston.


PRAISE FOR ZEBRAFISH:
"This book will speak to children about fighting for a cure/treatment for cancer and shows the value of involvement in this important issue."–School Library Journal 

Let's change the world! 

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say.

Scream Street: Fang of the Vampire • Middle-grade fiction

Scream Street: Fang of the Vampire
by Tommy Donbavand
Just out! August 2009 • Candlewick Press • Ages 8-10
Welcome to Scream Street – a hilarious middle-grade series that will spook kids silly.
Story:  When Luke Watson turns into a werewolf for the third time, the Government Housing of Unusual Lifeforms (G.H.O.U.L.) moves his family to Scream Street – a frightful community of vampires, zombies, witches, and sundry undead. Though Luke quickly makes friends, he vows to find a way to take his terrified parents home. The secret to opening the exit, he learns, is collecting six powerful relics the founding fathers left behind. But with a sinister landlord determined to thwart Luke at every turn, will he even get past the first hurdle alive?
Story behind the story:  To celebrate the publication of books five and six of the Scream Street series (Skull of the Skeleton and Claw of the Werewolf), author Tommy Donbavand is embarking on a virtual tour of the United States – Skyping with one school in each of the 50 states for free! Schools from Colorado, Massachusetts, Missouri, Virginia and Wisconsin have already signed up. Each school will get a free 15-20 minute session in which he introduces the series and then students and teachers can ask him any questions they have about the series.

Tommy’s already been doing this successfully with schools in his home country of England. To see a video of his Skype session, visit his website. If you’d like him to Skype your class, email Tommy.

Praise for Scream Street:
“Exactly the sort of grisly, gross and hilarious stuff that kids will love!” – Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl series

“Lighting-paced, blood-curdling fun. I wish I’d been able to visit Scream Street as a kid!” – Darren Shan, author of Cirque Du Freak series

“Gags, gore, guffing goblins – Scream Street’s got the lot! Grab onto your gizzard, you’re in for a wild ride.” – Sam Enthoven, author of The Black Tattoo

Click here to download an Activity Kit, view an inside spread, or watch the Scream Street trailer. Visit www.screamstreet.com for even more fun stuff.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say.

WHEN I WAS JOE Young adult fiction

When I Was Joe

By Keren David

JUST OUT! September 2010 Frances Lincoln Publishers Ages 12 and up

A completely irresistible YA thriller that explores youth crime and the nature of identity.

Story: When 14-year-old Ty witnesses the knife murder of another teen, he identifies some very dangerous people as the culprits. The police put him and his mother into a witness protection program, telling Ty that, to protect his identity, he must now go by the name “Joe.” Shy loner Ty gets a new name, a new look and a cool new image – life as “Joe” is good. But the criminals will stop at nothing to silence him. And as details of the crime he witnessed begin to emerge, we wonder just how innocent Ty really is. But though flawed, Ty is an enormously appealing character who faces his changed life with anger and sadness, as well as a degree of wit and intelligence.

Story Behind the Story: Debut British novelist Keren David asks what does a name mean? And if you change everything about yourself – your hair, color of your eyes, even your name – do you become a different person? What happens to your ‘self’ and how do you stop lying? David brings the world of East London to life in the book The Daily Telegraph called “an ice-cold thriller about identity, pain and veracity.”  But you need not be an Anglophile to understand and appreciate the bustling, working class setting in which the story takes place. The characters and their emotions are real and relatable, even if the subject matter is both brooding and intense. A great choice for advanced middle school as well as mid-level high school readers, When I Was Joe is a fast-paced novel your students won’t likely be able to put down.

Want to know more?  Read these author interviews:

Jewish Chronicle

Absolute Vanilla 

Click here for more reviews.  

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say.

Extraordinary • YA fiction

Extraordinary

by Nancy Werlin

Coming September 7th! • Dial / Penguin • Ages 12 and up

What does it mean to be extraordinary?  Find out in National Book Award Finalist Nancy Werlin's new book.

 Story: Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange and secretive new kid in school. Soon the two girls are as close as sisters . . . until Mallory’s magnetic older brother, Ryland, appears. Ryland has an immediate, exciting hold on Phoebe—but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself.

Soon she’ll discover the shocking, fantastical truth about Ryland and Mallory, and about an age-old debt they expect Phoebe to pay. Will she be strong enough to resist? Will she be special enough to save herself?

In the vein of Nancy Werlin’s previous novel Impossible (featured here at the Picnic Basket), Extraordinary is a tale of friendship, romance, and the faerie realm.

Story behind the story:  Author Nancy Werlin shares the behind-the-scenes of how Extraordinary came to be:  "So, there I was, watching  the musical Wicked, and we’d gotten to the final scene where the two witches sing their goodbye duet to each: 

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

By the time they got to “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good,” I was in tears. In my life, I too have experienced that hugely important friendship, and so I knew that I was witnessing that aim of all art: emotional truth.

But I left the theater also wondering why it was that so few books talk about women’s relationships and friendships in this way, acknowledging their developmental and emotional importance. I thought of how many books that are ostensibly for girls and women are really about their relationships with boys and men, and can’t even pass the Bechtel Test:

1.  It has to have at least two women in it

2.  Who talk to each other

3.  About something besides a man.

And I knew I wanted to try to write a book about an enormously important friendship between two girls, a friendship that would test them both to the very limits of themselves, and that would force them to grow, not just into maturity, but into a better version of themselves than they could ever have imagined, or achieved, on their own."  All I can say is, WOW!

Nancy's been good enough to supply us with additional resources such as:

- the lyrics of “For Good"

- a video of a rehearsal of “For Good,” from a PBS documentary about Wicked, with Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth.  Take a peek here:

 

- a link to more information about The Bechtel Test

- a reader's guide to EXTRAORDINARY 
- and a fascinating article on the behind-the-scenes of how book covers are designed.

ADVANCE PRAISE: 
A Top Ten IndieNext Pick, Autumn, 2010

·    "Medieval Jewish history, ethical questions, faeries, modern romance. Whew! In the hands of a less-talented author, this would be a hot mess. Happily, Werlin crafts her characters so deftly and unrolls the story so cleverly that readers will be under the spell till the end.” – Ilene Cooper, Booklist

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say.

Buddy Zooka: In the French Quarter and Beyond • Fiction

Buddy Zooka: In the French Quarter And Beyond

by Tracey Tangerine

Just out!  June 2010  • A Broken Levee Books title from Chin Music Press • Ages 11 and up

"Dedicated to Mother Earth and all her keepers," Buddy’s story is both zany and contemplative, and the lessons learned are profound ones that resonate in New Orleans like nowhere else.

Story: Buddy Zooka brings the New Orleans French Quarter to life like no one since Ignatius Reilly.  Buddy is a happy-go-lucky young musician. But one day he goes fishing and catches an alligator, Mardi Gator, who quickly decides to take up residence in Buddy’s giant top hat. Thrown off his usual carefree routine, Buddy loses his smile and begins to take a closer look at his world, learning about humanity’s often-destructive effects on the environment. Buddy’s journey then turns inwards, as a colorful cast of characters show him how the secret to saving both his community and the planet resides within each of us.
Adding to the incredible storytelling, the book itself is beautifully designed to resemble a Ragtime-era paperback, complete with fake advertisements and French flaps. From the moment you pick it up, you know that you're in for something special. 

Story behind the story:  Author Tracey Tangerine is a singer, visual artist, author, and performer who has spent much of her time teaching in schools on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Tracey left New Orleans with her family the day before the levees broke on August 29, 2005, and settled briefly in Hillsboro, OR, where she began to write Buddy Zooka. She continued to write throughout her visit to Seattle, WA, relocation to Lafayette, LA, and upon her return to the Crescent City.  Tracey now teaches at Edna Karr High School in the Algiers Point neighborhood of New Orleans.


This September, the entire student body at Edna Karr High School will read Buddy Zooka together, and stage a musical based on the novel.

Tracey is available for readings and events in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast area.

PRAISE FOR BUDDY ZOOKA: 
Bookslut recently reviewed Buddy Zooka “because mind-blowing originality is such a precious commodity in the YA world in particular that it must be celebrated whenever a reviewer comes across it.” Reviewer Colleen Mondor continues, “this book is a wake-up call about the environment. But it never preaches or becomes didactic, and Tangerine clearly is more determined to paint an accurate picture of her home city’s quirkiness than anything else… Listed as “a novel for all ages,” it’s hard to know just exactly who is the best audience for Buddy Zooka, as it’s more about the reader then their age. You have to like your stories offbeat, and your characters larger than life, but even with those caveats, this is a very charming novel with an element of sweetness tempered by humor and occasional silliness (the hot sauce incident) that makes it broadly appealing. The design is also impressive -- Chin Music has gone out its way to give the book a vintage feel with everything from the cover illustration to end papers to closing “advertisements.” To say that Buddy Zooka will stand out on the shelves is an understatement, and further proof of just what an indie press has to offer that the big publishers (so fond of their black and purple photo illustrated covers) have yet to embrace.”

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say.

Scumble • Middle-grade fiction

Scumble
by Ingrid Law
Coming soon - August 17th! • Dial Books for Young Readers • Ages 8-12
The companion to the Newbery Honor winner and New York Times Bestseller SAVVY!
Story:  A fantastic, All-American tall tale, SAVVY was a hit with audiences everywhere.  Ingrid Law's debut novel received a Newbery Honor and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, was selected as an Al Roker's Book club title, and has appeared on 18 state award master lists (and still counting).  Now, the saga of the special-powered Beaumont clan continues in SCUMBLE.  In this family, every kid gets a special gift on their thirteenth birthday, and Ledger Kale comes into his right before the family reunion, but he isn't so certain that he likes his gift.  He wanted to have a savvy for speed, but Ledger's talent is a bit more unusual...and he can't go home until he learns to "scumble" with savvy.  Here, Law delivers another great homespun adventure and a magical read.
About the author: Ingrid Law has sold shoes, worked in a bookstore, helped other people get jobs, and assembled boxes for frozen eggplant burgers. She and her twelve-year-old daughter live in Boulder, Colorado, in a lovely old mobile home that they like to believe is a cross between a spaceship and a shoe box. They enjoy writing on its walls and painting on its ceiling, and have two harps, a flute, and a ukulele, as well as a fondness for muffins.

I think you'll find SCUMBLE an excellent choice for literature circle discussions, cross curricular learning and journaling prompts,  discussion guide.

If SCUMBLE interests you as much as I think it will, here are a few web extras:  discussion guide for both SCUMBLE and SAVVY featuring discussion questions, a Q&A with Ingrid Law, ideas on how to use the books in language arts classrooms and more; and a little video with Ingrid on WHY SHE LOVES MIDDLE GRADE.  Plus, maybe you'll get a chance to meet her when she visits CO, TX, OR and GA this fall.

ADVANCE PRAISE 
★"This companion to Newbery Honor Book Savvy (2008) provides the same high level of satisfying plot, delightful characters, alliterative language, and rich imagery....While adult readers will see this all as a beautiful conceptualization of the drama and metamorphosis of adolescence, younger readers will delight in the tall-tale tropes and Ledge’s authentic physical, emotional, and artistic challenges." -- Booklist, starred review


FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say.

The Basilik's Lair (Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist, Book Two) • Middle-grade fiction

The Basilisk's Lair

by R. L. LaFevers • illustrated by Kelly Murphy

Just out! • June 2010 • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt• Ages 7 - 11

Pack your goggles, rue, and an extra pair of gloves and join Nate on another unbelievable adventure—there’s no rest for the world’s youngest beastologist-in-training!

Story:  Nate Fludd, Beastologist, is back in the camel saddle in hot pursuit of a missing, deadly Basilisk—the King of Serpents. As if saving an entire Dhughani village from the Basilisk’s poisonous gaze isn’t difficult enough, Nate and Aunt Phil must begin to piece together the mystery of his parents’ disappearance and protect the lone copy of the Fludd Book of Beasts from a sinister man who always seem to be one step ahead of them.  There's no rest for the world's youngest beastologist-in-training!

Story behind the story:  Last month, author R.L. LaFevers was in town and I had the chance to sit down with her AND illustrator Kelly Murphy AND their editor, Kate O'Sullivan AND their publicist, Jennifer Taber.  What a group.  Who better to give you the story behind the story than those involved in the creation of the book?!  Over to them, but first a photo from the lunch that Houghton hosted to bring everyone together:

OK, so Kate and Kelly aren't in the pic, sorry!, but from left to right: librarian and Everyday Reading blogger Janssen; Jennifer Taber; author R.L. La Fevers, and Margaret Aldrich from Wellesley Booksmith). Here goes on the story: Kate O'Sullivan, Senior Editor, Houghton Mifflin: "When Robin first told me about her idea for the Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series, it was so genius, so irresistible and perfect for emerging readers who were hungry for fantasy but not quite ready for longer books, that I was surprised that no one had beaten her to the punch. I love how Nate’s far-flung adventures are easy to read and to follow, with pacing that makes the story zip right along. 

The stories begged to be illustrated and it happens that one of my favorite parts about my job is matching artists to projects. I knew that Kelly Murphy would be the dream illustrator to work on the Nate series, and she has brought such visual warmth and charm to the books—as only the best artists can do. Robin and Kelly are an unstoppable team, and their Nate collaborations are some of my very favorite books. I especially like how this series has a nicely underscored message of conservation. It’s wrapped up in a delicious fantasy adventure about magical beasts, but I don’t think readers will miss the call to value life of all species, magical or not."

Author R. L. LaFevers : "When Kate first sent me the names of a few illustrators to consider for Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, it was pretty much love at first site with Kelly Murphy [in this photo, Kelly's on the left]. For one, the home page of her old website was a map, and Nate Fludd came from a long line of cartographers and explorers, so I felt kismet was at work right from the beginning. But when I read that her favorite reading material was atlases? I KNEW we had found the person meant to illustrate these books.

That feeling only grew as Kelly worked on the project. When I saw her first sketches of Nate, I was completely bowled over. She had captured every bit of his uncertainty and vulnerability. It was as if she had reached inside my brain and snatched my own mental images of him right from my head. Her uncanny ability to do that continued with nearly every drawing she did.
 

I also remember early on, visiting her blog when she’d posted some of her initial sketches. When she talked about the books, she said, “I could not have written a story myself that includes all of the things I love: birds (dodos!), atlases, explorers, sketchbooks, compasses, dirigibles, Bedouin, post World War One era...” And I remember thinking how unbelievably lucky I was that we share such similar interests. If I hadn’t been convinced before, I was then: My editor to had found the single most perfect person to illustrate these books!"

Illustrator Kelly Murphy: "I think every illustrator loves the opportunity for the freedom of creativity. But to have that freedom combined with a variety of character, location (which is my favorite), and beasts is an absolute dream project. Ever since I was very young, I would treasure the family subscription to National Geographic. Each month brought new animals, new cultures, and new ideas I had not seen yet. Another childhood favorite of mine was the giant sized National Geographic Atlas my father received as a present on Christmas. I would spend HOURS laying on the floor, thinking of what this distant lands might look like. As time passed, these volumes became stacked in the basement, not knowing how or where to put them. 

Eventually, when it became time to move, these treasures were almost lost. Thank goodness I had the sense to grab them all (and they were heavy), protect them in a plastic storage box, and wait till one day I had an apartment with some bookshelves to use them. Literally, a month before receiving Robin's text from Kate... I finally dusted off National Geographic and displayed them on my own shelves. They have been such an amazing resource while making these illustrations. The way Robin describes the settings, I truly thought they were magical. I am astounded when I get to do my own research that they are all based on real places."

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Praise for the series:

“A solid start to a new series. . . . A quick and enticing read that will appeal to a wide variety of children.” -School Library Journal

“A fastpaced story that successfully combines fantasy and history into an entertaining, believable world.”  -Booklist

“Straightforward sentences, chronological narrative, short chapters, and Murphy’s plentiful black-and-white illustrations make this appropriate for middle-grade readers looking for a series to grow with.” -Kirkus Reviews

“LaFevers gets the Nathanial Fludd, Beastologist series off to a sprightly start with this wry story. . . [a] quick-paced adventure, which should entice kids to return for Nate’s next escapade.” -Publishers Weekly

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say. 

SONIA SOTOMAYOR: A JUDGE GROWS IN THE BRONX • Picture book biography

SONIA SOTOMAYOR:  A JUDGE GROWS IN THE BRONX   

LA JUEZ QUE CRECIO EN EL BRONX

By Jonah Winter • illustrated by Edel Rodriguez

Available now  • Atheneum / Simon & Schuster  • Ages 4-8

You never know what can happen.

Uno nunca sabe lo que puede suceder.

Story:  Before Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor took her seat in our nation’s highest court, she was just a little girl in the South Bronx.  Justice Sotomayor didn’t have a lot growing up, but she had what she needed – her mother’s love, a will to learn, and her own determination.  With bravery she became the person she wanted to be.  With hard work she succeeded.  With little sunlight and only a modest plot from which to grow, Justice Sotomayor bloomed for the whole world to see.

This picture book is written in both English and Spanish – every part of it:  from the flap copy to the Author’s Note.  Author Jonah Winter is the New York Times bestselling author of many books for children, including Barack (about President Obama), Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude (about Gertrude Stein) and The Fabulous Feud of Gilbert and Sullivan, to name a few.  Edel Rodriguez was born in Havana and is the creator of Sergio Makes a Splash! and Sergio Saves the Game!, as well as the illustrator for Mama Does the Mambo and Float Like a Butterfly.

Story behind the story:  In his author's note, Jonah Winter explains: “In America, we like to believe that anyone – regardless of their background – can achieve great things.  It’s called the American Dream, and Sonia Sotomayor is a wonderful example of it, rising from humble beginnings to become the first Latin-American Supreme Court justice….Not only is she the first Latin American to have a seat in America’s highest court, she also came to the position with more legal experience as a federal judge than any current Supreme Court justice at the time of their nominations.  Pretty impressive!”  Did you also know, Winter adds, that “some things haven't changed since her childhood in the South Bronx.  She still takes shots for her diabetes every day, and she still goes to see her beloved New York Yankees.  She still likes to listen to meringue music, and she still loves her family more than anything in the world.”'

A Children's Book-of-the-Month Featured Selection

Americas Award Commended Title

"Sotomayor's story can inspire children of all ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds to work hard and pursue educational and professional success." -- School Library Journal

"Although I grew up in very modest and challenging circumstances, I consider my life to be immeasurably rich." -- Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor "Aunque me crié en circunstancias muy humildes y desafiantes, considero que mi vida es inmensamente rica". -- Magistrada de la Corte Suprema Sonia Sotomayor

"[A]s impressive and meaningful as Judge Sotomayor's sterling credentials in the law is her own extraordinary journey." -- President Barack Obama
"Tan impresionante y significativa como las credenciales legales de la juez Sotomayor es su extraordinaria jornada". -- Presidente Barack Obama

"This is an important book because it teaches us that no matter what our race is, we can still make a difference.I would recommend this book to anyone. -- reviewed by Grace, De Anza Elementary, Baldwin Park -- via the Los Angeles Times

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say. 

Summer spice

Need some new reads to spice up your summer?  Looking to meet some new authors and possibly win free books?  This week's KidsBuzz introduces you to some new authors and one you might know from The Picnic Basket:

Mitali Perkins (@mitaliperkins) says this about her just-released novel BAMBOO PEOPLE, for kids 11-14: "I hope this novel opens a window into modern-day Burma while mirroring the power of courage and compassion. That's why I was thrilled when Publishers Weekly starred it as "a graceful exploration of the redemptive power of love, family, and friendship." 

"He spends a lot of time looking out the window," read one of my seventh grade report cards," says author Robert L.Forbes.  " I still do.  And I have a feeling I'm not alone. (I wonder if my favorites Silverstein, Gorey, Nash, and Lear didn't spend time daydreaming by the window a bit?)."  Find out more and get a chance to win a signed copy of this collection of poetry for kids of all ages, illustrated by New Yorker artist Ronald Searle.

Author Sarah Albee (@sarahalbee) asks readers, "Ever wonder how a knight in armor went to the bathroom? What about a lady wearing a hoop dress as wide as your teacher's desk? How does an astronaut "go"?"  She knows that kids are curious and includes all sorts of disgusting facts and more in POOP HAPPENED!  A HISTORY OF THE WORLD FROM THE BOTTOM UP, for children ages 8 and up.

Sandra Alonzo (@sandyalonzo) tells us that her "unique YA novel is written in journal format in the voice of Yancy Aparicio, a 15 year old boy who runs away on his horse to escape his mentally disturbed brother. The story is partly told through illustrations and comic panels, drawn by Nathan Huang, a fabulous illustrator. Kids are connecting to Riding Invisible because it's a fast read and pretty much 'speaks' to them through the contemporary format, language, subject matter, and very cool art."  

So drop by KidsBuzz.  There's still time to enter to win free books and arrange for the authors to speak with your classes, book groups, and more.

Trickster: Native American Tales, a Graphic Collection

Trickster: Native American Tales, a Graphic Collection

Edited by Matt Dembicki

Available now  • Fulcrum Publishing  • Ages 10 and up

Featuring more than 20 tales by Native American storytellers illustrated by various artists, this graphic collection is the first of its kind.

Story: From the co-founder of the DC Conspiracy,this extraordinary graphic collection has received starred reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus and Booklist, and was featured in a segment on NPR's Weekend Edition. It's "a graphic novel anthology collecting tales of North America's first adventure heroes -- trickster figures like Coyote, Raven, and other "animal humans," who both transformed the world around them, and were often transformed by it (in spite of themselves).... The book pairs up Native American storytellers with comics artists, and provides a great batch of reading that is, well, both thrilling and yes, transformative. As you'd demand from any encounter with a trickster!"(Guys Lit Wire)

Story behind the story:  I've been reading and listening to some really interesting interviews about graphic novels and why this collection. Dembicki told NPR that "he collected tales from Native American storytellers and matched them with illustrators. It was an intense project. 'It's rather easy to put together a comics anthology if you're working with people who are familiar with comics,' he says. But the storytellers were skeptical. 'It wasn't easy convincing everybody,' Dembicki says. 'Some people really couldn't see it being done this way. Other people had some cultural issues. They were very adamant — these were mostly oral stories; they were told orally, and they should be told orally.' Some storytellers went to their tribe and got approval. 'With all the competing media for people's attention, I think they felt they were losing a hold of their storytelling tradition, and they wanted to preserve some of these stories in a different format. 'It wasn't the ideal format for them, but they wanted to make sure that it was there to preserve for their own children, and for everyone else as well.'"  Listen to the entire interview at NPR's Weekend Edition or read more about the making of the collection at Washington City Paper, and Guys Lit Wire.

PS: Last night, I mentioned on Twitter that I'd be writing about this book and I got the following response from @moonb2 (Barbara Moon, Youth Services Library Consultant, Suffolk County Library System, NY):  "Trickster has been earning high marks! Nominated YALSA Great Graphic Novel. Author @ ALA. I LOVE this book Glad U R featuring."  And, she added in another tweet: "Voice of each Nat Am storytellr effectively paired with unique art equals a stellar showcase of Nat Amer culture!"  I agree.  Can't wait to hear if you do, too...

STARRED REVIEWS FOR TRICKSTER:

★"Realistic, impressionistic, painterly, and cartoon styles of art are employed to echo and announce the tone of each tale and telling style, making this a rich visual treasure as well as cultural trove. Contributors include well-known author Joseph Bruchac, Pueblo storyteller Eldrena Douma, cartoonist and Smithsonian Institution employee Evan Keeling, and many who have not worked in comics heretofore as well as cartoonists with no previous allegiance to telling Native stories with their art. The total package is accessible, entertaining, educational, inspiring, and a must-have for all collections." -- School Library Journal, starred review

★"This graphic-format collection of Native American tales featuring an old folk favorite—the trickster—hits an impressive trifecta of achievements. First, it’s a wildly successful platform for indie-comic creators and an excellent showcase for their distinctive styles. From David Smith and Jerry Carr’s heroic, animation-inspired “Trickster and the Great Chief” to the Looney Toons zaniness of “Rabbit’s Chocktaw Tail Tale,” by Tim Tingle and Pat Lewis, there’s a bit of visual panache here for every taste. Second, this is one of the very infrequent graphic novels to focus on Native American themes and events, a surprising absence that this book—along with Shannon and Dean Hale’s Calamity Jack (2010)—remedies with respect and imagination. Lastly, as Native American folklore is so directly tied to the culture’s spirituality, this proves the rare graphic novel that handles such issues without specifically attaching them to standard religious practices. With stories that vary in emotional tone, matching the ever-shifting appearance and character of the trickster himself and the lessons he teaches and learns, this collection is an ideal choice for dipping into over and over. A dandy read for those interested in history, folklore, adventure, humor, or the arts, and a unique contribution to the form". -- Booklist, starred review

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say. 

The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams • Middle-grade fiction

THE WITCHY WORRIES OF ABBIE ADAMS

by Rhonda Hayter 

Just out! • Dial Books for Young Readers • Ages 8 - 12

“Don’t think that it didn’t cross my mind to cast a little spell or two to get me out of trouble, because it did.”

Story:  Abbie Adams and her family come from a long line of witches, and she’s having a tough time keeping it a secret from her best friend and the rest of her school.  Especially the day her little brother morphs into a wolf and tries to eat his teacher. 

That’s also the day her father brings home a kitten.  Abbie’s been begging for a cat for months, and she falls in love with that fluffy fuzzball right away.  But there’s something peculiar about this kitten, and it just might take a witch like Abbie to figure out what it is.
Story behind the story:  "When I was a kid," says author Rhonda Hayter, "I hated when somebody tried to teach me something in a book. I wanted to read for fun, I didn’t want education.  I got enough of that in school! When I wrote The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams, I made it a funny, breezy read. So nobody minds when they learn about a great American, pick up interesting vocabulary and get introduced to other books.  That’s because I snuck it all into a fast-paced romp about a normal fifth grader who happens to be a witch, with problems like a little brother who melts down, turns into a werewolf and tries to eat his teacher."

Praise: Kirkus calls it “light as cotton candy and just as tasty.”  Library Media Connection says, “a humorous book with lots of excitement”.

Rhonda Hayter was an actress and now works as a story analyst for a famous movie producer.  When she and her husband found themselves with two little boys, one of whom morphed into a werewolf one day, The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams was born.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say. 

Time to meet the authors...

This week, 5 new books from KidsBuzz.  Meet the authors and enter to win free books -- and even a free custom surfboard (I'm not kidding, a real surfboard!). This week, books about telling stories and new siblings, asking questions, magic and possibilities, action adventure, and the drama and trauma of high school, from Sarah Sullivan (ONCE UPON A BABY BROTHER, ages 5-8), Deborah Hopkinson (THE HUMBLEBEE HUNTER, ages 4-8), Jennifer Cervantes (TORTILLA SUN, ages 8-12), Sue Wyshynski, (POSER, ages 12 and up), and Charlie Higson, (THE ENEMY, ages 14 and up). Surf's up anyone?

Katie Helps Mom / Kevin Helps Dad • Picture books

Katie Helps Mom and Kevin Helps Dad

written and illustrated by Liesbet Slegers

Just out! Spring 2010 • Published by Clavis Books / distributed by IPG •   Ages 3-6
Stories for children ages 30 months and up about special days and helping others -- with a special focus on the child's world.

Story:  On their special day home alone together, Katie and her mother have many things planned:  washing the windows, lunching in the garden, buying new shoes. Katie is so grateful that she makes her mother a beautiful drawing. Kevin and his dad spend the day together using the drill, washing the car, making dinner for mother, and taking time to play together with Kevin’s toys.With fun and colorful illustrations, children will share the excitement that a day home alone with a parent can bring. 

That these books are so seemingly simple is just right for the kindergarten and under set.  Katie and Kevin's activities (helping around the house, for instance) are perfect for young children:  they mirror their world as they take steps to be independent and "do it" themselves.  Perhaps these stories could be used to prompt kids to think about and share what they would do to help their teacher, neighbor, friend, sister/brother, grandparent? Or what they would like to do if they had special time with a special someone?

Story behind the story:  Based in Belgium, Clavis Books is an independent children's book publisher that has been publishing books for kids (and only kids) for over thirty years.  They believe "the world of tomorrow will resemble the dreams of today's children" and so they "owe it to the future generation to do their best to provide today's children with an imaginative, stimulating and safe environment.  Books that are close to kids and their emotions are a perfect tool to achieve this goal and this mission informs everything we publish."  While they've sold books internationally for many years (and many of their authors and illustrators have been published in the US before), Clavis has just started to release their titles here and looks forward to hearing from school and library professionals.  Feel free to share your thoughts (and keep up with special promotions from the publisher) by following them on Twitter (@clavisbooks).

Liesbet Slegers is a graphic designer, a children's book illustrator, and the author of Guess What I'm Doing, Guess Where I Am, Katie Moves, Kevin Discovers Spring, and Kevin Goes to School, among many others.  Here she's painting a mural of another of her characters at a local school.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please check back on the "comments" link to read what your colleagues have to say.