Chantel's Quest for the Enchanted Medallion •

Chantel's Quest for the Enchanted Medallion

by Oliver Neubert

To be published September 2009 • Simply Read Books • Ages 8 - 12

Explore the worlds of Imagination, Friendship, Enemies and Hope with Book Two in the fantasy series about Chantel, who must brave evil-doers and muster her courage to defeat an evil power that's killing nature and corrupting minds.

Story: In this second book in the widely praised fantasy series, a mysterious vengeful spirit threatens the Four Lands and twelve-year-old Chantel must recover four ancient relics in order to stop it. Her quest for the second relic, the Enchanted Medallion, takes her into the unforgiving desert, where the Warlord of the South is waiting to capture her. Will Chantel outwit this Warlord, save the Wise One of the South, and fine the elusive Etam Luos, who can reveal the hiding spot of the Medallion? Meanwhile, Chantel’s toughest battle lies within herself, as she discovers a secret ability that tempts her to stray to the side of the evil spirit. Luckily, her old loyal companions, a warrior mouse and a fox bat, as well as some new friends, help her on this daring adventure.

Story behind the story: Picnic Basket readers found much to like in the first book in the series, Chantel's Quest for the Golden Sword, as did their kid readers. Highly recommended by Curriculum Materials magazine, teachers planned on using Book One for prediction activities, to help students examine their worlds -- as well as the world of fiction; the female protagonist was a plus, and they felt it was full of suspense and excitement. Students were lined up to read Chantel's Quest for the Golden Sword -- and those who did need not wait much longer (Sept.) for this next adventure.

Order your reviewer's copy now.

Owly Books • Graphic novels

Owly: A Time to be Brave
Owly: Tiny Tales
by Andy Runton
Spring 2009 • Top Shelf • All ages
"One of the best comics for kids around. Period."
-- Wired.com
"Charming ... reminiscent of children’s literature in the style of Frog and Toad, or Winnie the Pooh and Piglet."
-- Publishers Weekly

Story: Owly is a kind, yet lonely, little owl who knows what it means to be human. Relying on a mixture of symbols and expressions, Andy Runton's animated and heartwarming style makes Owly a perfect read for everyone.

Story behind the story: I'm going to cut right to the chase and let OWLY creator Andy Runton give you the OWLY background as well as some info on how the books are being used:

Hello there. I wanted to tell you a little bit about the Owly books I write and illustrate, and how they help promote literacy.

Owly is a kind little owl who knows what it means to be human. Introduced to comics readers in 2004, his adventures are narrated in the nearly wordless Owly series of graphic novels. Owly has become incredibly popular in schools, libraries, and homes throughout the country and around the world. Non-violent subject matter, natural settings, straightforward yet emotionally complex stories, and endearing characters appeal to many different readers and makes this series the perfect choice for students of all ages. Because there are very few words, younger readers can read Owly books without being overwhelmed by text. This can spark an interest in books, instill cognitive and comprehensive skills at an even earlier age, and motivate students to move comfortably toward more advanced reading. In addition, more advanced readers can digest the Owly stories quickly, absorbing the subtextual plots easily without realizing that they are learning. They can enjoy a wonderful change in perspective that can facilitate more interest in education.

It may seem that a student could read a wordless comic quickly (and without much effort). One soon realizes, however, that he or she must apply further evaluation and observation skills to be able to follow the story line. This helps develop strong visual skills as the student has to carefully examine the panels in order to understand what is happening, rather than just quickly skip over them and only read word bubbles. The Owly books are primarily wordless and, while the ability to create a story without text is challenging, the resulting books appeal to all ages and all reading proficiencies, including reluctant and challenged readers. Learning accelerates as readers pick up the books without being told to do so, and their confidence grows with each story.

The Owly books rely on the characters’ facial expressions, actions, and gestures in addition to the background setting depicted in each panel to explain what is happening. Speech and thought balloons convey additional messages to assist with understanding. Unknowingly, the students begin to realize the significance of symbols, reading the book in a traditional style and following the panels in order to determine the story‘s progression and meaning.

Although Owly is a series, each book is self-contained and all-ages friendly. While there is the portrayal of emotion and action, the books are devoid of anger or violence, making them suitable for even the most timid or sensitive student. Reading Owly aloud in a classroom setting requires a slightly different approach. When you’re reading Owly, be sure to identify the animal and say the character’s name. For instance, when Owly interacts with his worm friend, ask the students what type of animal it is and state the character’s name: “Wormy.” Additionally, when Owly says something, translate the symbols into words based on the context of the action (for example, a simple “!” may become a “Thanks!” or a “Be Careful!”). You can also ask the students what they think the characters are doing, saying, or feeling to help get them more involved. Owly lets readers comprehend a story without requiring that they understand text. Language skills are developed through visual observation that provides clues to the meaning of words. Struggling students can develop confidence in their abilities when they are able to read the Owly books without help.

We've even provided a whole assortment of free lesson plans to help give teachers ideas and help them in their efforts.

Thank you for your support! Owly and I really appreciate it.

Take care,
Andy :)

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Escape Under the Forever Sky • Middle-grade fiction

Escape Under the Forever Sky
by Eve Yohalem
Spring 2009 • Chronicle Books • ages 10 and up
You'd think that being the daughter of the American ambassador to Ethiopia would be one adventure after another, right? Wrong.
Story: Thirteen-year-old Lucy Hoffman never gets to see anything beyond the walls of the embassy compound. All she can do is read about the exotic and exciting world outside and imagine what it would be like to be part of it. Until she gets kidnapped. All alone in the Ethiopian wild, Lucy has to use her knowledge of African animal life along with her inventiveness, will, and courage to escape and find her way to freedom.
Story behind the story: Eve Yohalem explains how she got the idea for ESCAPE UNDER THE FOREVER SKY: "... from a news story I found online when I was staying up way past a decent bedtime, surfing aimlessly. There I was, hunched at my desk in tattered old pajamas, slack-jawed, eyes glazed over (you know the look), when I saw this news headline: “Ethiopian Girl Kidnapped, Saved by Wild Lions.” From that moment on, I was possessed. It didn’t matter that I knew nothing about Ethiopia or lions or how to survive alone in the bush with no food and an injured foot. I heard Lucy’s voice in my head everywhere I went and I had to bring her to life on the page." She adds that "the girl was saved and returned to her family, but beyond that I don’t know. The news article never gave her name or even the name of the village where she lived."

Watch/share this trailer to get the sense of what Lucy was feeling, seeing, hearing, while alone in the African wild.

"Teens itching to read about life on another continent will relish Yohalem’s exciting debut novel set in Africa.... Yohalem’s tale weaves together the beauty of the African wildlife with the harsh realities of a poor and unstable region. Scenes depicting Lucy’s resourcefulness are riveting, and the author’s descriptions of Ethiopian culture will pique young readers’ curiosity about life abroad."... -- Booklist

"Lucy's past and present are gracefully woven together, through well-integrated flashbacks, into a powerful picture of the life of a foreigner in Ethiopia. The story should appeal to all with a sense of adventure."-- Publishers Weekly

"Yohalem effectively conveys the immediacy of Lucy's terror and fear as well as her deep love for the natural beauty around her. How stalwart Lucy escapes and survives makes this an engrossing journey from innocence to experience."-- Kirkus Reviews

Order your reviewer's copy now.

Connected Wisdom: Living Stories About Living Systems • Anthology

Connected Wisdom: Living Stories About Living Systems

by Linda Booth Sweeney • illustrated by Guy Billout

designed by Milton Glaser

Just out! published by SEED • distributed by Chelsea Green

The ancients understood sustainability -- a new illustrated book reveals the lessons of living systems through folktales.
Connected Wisdom gathers twelve stories from different cultures that each reveal a unique example of a living system and an approach to problem solving that focuses on interconnections, rather than on parts in isolation. A Balinese folktale tells the story of a gecko who cannot sleep because of the sparks from a firefly. He traces the cause of his complaint from one animal to another to the mosquitoes he depends on for his survival. Like this gecko, young readers will understand that all life is inter-related, and will be able to grasp the concept of the living system of "interdependence." In a Burmese folktale, a king spills a drop of honey on his windowsill, too little to bother cleaning up. Yet the drop draws a fly, which attracts a lizard, which is followed by a cat, then a dog, and the owners of the cat and the dog, each armed with a stick. When civil war erupts, the king and readers understand the living system of "linearity," in which an effect is disproportionate to its cause.

Says author Linda Booth Sweeney, "If kids understand living systems, they're more likely to think and act in informed ways and less likely to jump to blame a single cause for the challenges they encounter. As kids appreciate and learn about living systems, they see that connections in nature, people, problems and events bind us all."

"The moment you touch and open this book, its wisdom is evident. This is the wisdom of wholes, of belonging, and connecting the dots to see the richer tapestry of life." —Raffi, singer and author

"Wow! I love how [Linda Booth Sweeney] talks about each concept and uses the folktales to illustrate/expand. The book could easily be used as the basis for a curriculum on the interconnected-ness of our world (in a variety of content areas from science to social studies)--the concepts can be talked about and applied at so many different levels. I feel like it could be adapted and used in the whole range of grade levels--kindergarten through high school."
—Rachel Rosner, Professional Educator

"Beautiful…The writing so seamlessly tied together [the author's] ecological concepts with the stories … chosen. And such handsome bookmaking! I am doing a keynote on tales of kindness for the National Storytelling Network Conference in Hawaii and will add this to my bibliography."
—Margaret Read MacDonald, Author and storyteller

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Recommendations from local booksellers

We know what you in the school and library community are recommending thanks to the comments posted beneath each book featured here at the Picnic Basket (plus you can also check reviews from your colleagues by genre, just scroll down in the sidebar to search).


But what are independent booksellers suggesting to their customers? The Summer '09 Indie Next Children's List is out, so take a peek to find "inspired recommendations for kids from indie booksellers." You'll see a few familiar faces:

(PS: THE CHOSEN ONE is in the top 10!) Plenty of other books to discover for summer reading -- and if you've read any of the books on the Indie Next list that are not Picnic Basket books, please tell us what you think of them, too. Enjoy the long weekend everyone.

Denied, Detained, Deported • Nonfiction

Denied, Detained, Deported: Stories from the Dark Side of American Immigration
by Ann Bausum • with a poem foreword by Naomi Shihab Nye
April 2009 • National Geographic Kids • Ages 10 and up
With painstaking research, an unerring eye for just the right illustration, and her unique narrative style, Bausum makes the history of immigration in American come alive for young people.
Story: The patriotic stories of hope that shape most immigration books are supplemented here by the lesser-known stories of those denied, detained, and deported. Ann Bausum's compelling book presents a revealing series of snapshots from the dark side of immigration history. The St. Louis, a ship filled with Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany sought refuge in American ports and was turned away, condemning many of its passengers to ultimately perish in the Holocaust. Japanese-Americans were rounded up during World War II and placed in detention centers—regardless of their patriotism—for security reasons. Emma Goldman was branded a dangerous extremist and sent back to Russia in 1919, after living 30 years in the United States. These are must-hear stories -- and Naomi Shihab Nye's poem -- "Statue of Liberty Dreams of Emma Lazarus, Awakens with Tears on Her Cheeks -- might just leave you with tears on your cheeks.
Includes more than 75 archival photos and illustrations; extensive back matter, including a comprehensive time line of U.S. immigration history; research notes; citations; resource guide; bibliography; and index.
Story behind the story: Author Ann Bausum, daughter of a history professor, grew up with a love for American history and a passion for research, and she explains the story of this book in this letter:

Dear Reader:

Denied, Detained, Deported confronts the dark side of U.S. immigration. The United States has rightly earned praise for welcoming immigrants to her shores, but plenty of mistakes have been made along the way, too. We’ve learned by trial and error—and are still learning today—when to tighten our borders, who to exclude, how to handle suspicions of disloyalty, and who to send away. These are the stories of the denied, detained, and deported.

I have chosen to put a human face on this topic. The three title chapters of the book look at individuals and their families as they coped with immigration policy gone wrong, whether because of racism, concerns over national security, political posturing, or economic anxiety. Readers can better identify with the challenges created during these periods of history when they become emotionally invested in individuals who lived through the times.

One thing that fascinates me about history is the way it echoes and repeats itself. That vibrancy helps make history relevant to young people today. We can read about the 19th-century exclusion of Chinese from citizenship and employment and thus bring greater appreciation to the complexity of contemporary immigration debates. We can study the fears that accompanied past threats to national security and thus measure current events with greater sophistication. We can humanize the impact of immigration policy by looking at individual stories and thus have greater compassion for immigrants everywhere.

I wonder if one reason young people aren’t more engaged in studying history is that we may focus more on teaching facts while forgetting that the word “story” is embedded in the term history. Stories are most engaging when they have dimension, villains, heroes, challenges, surprises, and dramatic outcomes. Our nation’s history is rich with just those qualities, and these are the stories I love to research and present to young people.

I wrote this book because I am an optimist. I believe that if we know more, try harder, and educate better, we will become a stronger nation and a happier people. By writing about the dark side of history, I hope to inspire young people to set a higher bar for their own generation. I hope that by embracing our past, by championing what we’ve done well, and by learning from what could have been done differently, we will live better as individuals and as a nation.

Best wishes for happy reading,
Ann Bausum

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

The Horse Crazy Books • Chapter books (illustrated)

Horse Crazy

by Alison Lester illustrated by Roland Harvey

January 2009 • Chronicle Books • Ages 5-8
Bonnie and Sam (short for Samantha) are best friends, and they're horse crazy.

Story: They know every horse in Currawong Creek -- and there are a lot! When Bonnie whispers to horses, they listen, and Sam always knows how a horse is feeling. The girls ride together whenever they can, and they have the best adventures.Discover the charm and adventure of a small town in the Australian bush in the HORSE CRAZY books.

THE SILVER HORSE SWITCH (1): When Sam's dad's horse Drover disappears and a wild horse from the hills appears in her place -- a horse that could be Drover's twin -- the girls have to figure out how the switch was made...and how to keep the new horse's secret!

THE CIRCUS HORSE (2): The circus comes to town the same week as the talent show -- the talent show Bonnie and Sam can't be in. At least they get to make a new friend -- a trick rider their age who performs in the circus. Bonnie and Sam may still get to show off their talents -- if they can be ready in time!

Story behind the story: Alison Lester grew up on a farm in Australia with lots of horses and cows and dogs and cats. The first time she rode a horse she was a baby in her father's arms, and she cried when she had to get off. The horses and ponies in the Horse Crazy books are all based on horses she has ridden at one time or another. She still lives in the country and rides her horse, Woollyfoot, whenever she can. Roland Harvey did not grow up on a farm. He has discovered that horses are easier to ride and draw from a distance, because as soon as they know what you're up to they deliberately stand in funny ways. Roland would quite like to be a horse when he grows up, as long as he's a big one. He lives in the city but spends as much time as he can outdoors.

Lester explains, in Publishers Weekly's Children's Bookshelf, that "the idea for Horse Crazy came to her some years ago. “I was a horse-crazy little girl and have always had horses in my life,” she says. “For a long time I thought about setting a story in a small country town and that idea stayed in my head.” She decided to act on the idea after her friend Harvey sent her a card featuring a drawing of a horse. “I looked at that horse and told Roland he should do a book with horse illustrations, and he told me I should write a book for him to illustrate. And that’s how the series got started.”

Click here to watch a video and hear Alison and Roland talk about the series. Also, download a decoder activity sheet (pdf) or Download poster (pdf).

Order your reviewer's copy now.

New York Times Book Review picks a few Picnic Basket titles

Some of our Picnic Basket selections/authors found friends with the book editors and reviewers from today's New York Times Book Review. Bruce Barcott calls Deborah Heiligman's CHARLES AND EMMA "a delightful book about the question at the heart of the Darwin's marriage" in the cover piece to the children's book section. Plus, did you know that Amy Krouse Rosenthal of LITTLE OINK and DUCK! RABBIT! fame has published four books between February and May of this year? Read about these two and the others in Bruce Handy's review. Plus there are reviews of the latest book by Laurie Halse Anderson, (author of CHAINS, which so many of you reviewed here), WINTERGIRLS, a novel about how "anorexia holds a young woman in a deadly grip." Lastly, take a peek at Lisa Von Drasek's take on Bird, Butterfly, Eel by the ever-interesting James Prosek. (OK, I have yet to feature James' work here at the Picnic Basket, but I find him so talented and I so like this book, I just had to add it in!). All of you helped get the conversation on these books and authors started; it's been wonderful reading your views of these titles and I'm thrilled that the talk continues in today's book section. Here's to even more!

Duck! Rabbit! • Picture book

Duck! Rabbit!

by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld

Just out! • April 2009 • Chronicle Books • Picture books • Ages 3 and up

From the author of Little Oink comes a clever take on the age-old optical illusion: is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it.

Story: Readers will find more than just Amy Krouse Rosenthal's signature humor here—there's also a subtle lesson for kids who don't know when to let go of an argument. A smart, simple story that will make readers of all ages eager to take a side, Duck! Rabbit! makes it easy to agree on one thing—reading it again! Talk about fun!

Story behind the story: Editor Victoria Rock explains why Duck! Rabbit! is so special: "How often do you receive a picture book whose concept is rooted in a 19th century psychological drawing used to discuss issues of perception and reality (and the philosophy of Descartes)? Even more importantly, how often do you receive such a book that actually works as a children's picture book? Pretty much never, I am willing to wager. And yet, here is precisely that book. And whether you see a duck, a rabbit, an anteater, a braciosaurus, a zebra...or something else, entirely, I am willing to make another wager: I bet you'll enjoy it." (Purely a gentlewoman's bet. No money involved).

Do YOU see a duck or a rabbit? Take the quiz, vote for what you see, and then find out what it reveals about you. There are also e-postcards, a video, a teacher's guide and more.

Order your reviewer's copy now.

Dessert First • Middle-grade fiction (illustrated)

Dessert First
by Hallie Durand • illustrated by Christine Davenier
May 19, 2009 • Atheneum Books for Young Readers • Middle-grade fiction (illustrated) • Ages 7 - 10
Life is sweet....Well, almost. Dessert Schneider has her very own personal style. For starters, she always signs her name with a drawing of a Maraschino cherry after the "t" at the end.
Story: Because all you really need in the world is a Maraschino cherry....Plus something to put it on top of, like a hot-fudge sundae or a corn-flake-cream-cheese cookie or a banana split. But sometimes walking to the beat of her own drum means walking right into a heap of mischief, especially when it comes to the legendary family recipe for Grandma Reine's Double-Decker Bars. As the oldest in a rambunctious, restaurant-owning family, with a four-year-old sister who is going through a "phase" and two little brothers called "the Beasties," Dessert seems to be better at getting into trouble than getting out of it. And that's because for this eight-year-old, saying sorry is definitely not a piece o'cake!
Story behind the story: Debut author Hallie Durand says "I guess it's fair to say that Dessert is a little bit like me (and I'm not always especially proud of that!). She's a little sneaky, she usually gets caught, and, she grows up a little more every time she has to say she's sorry. Dessert First sprang from delicious food and real friendship, two things that are very important to me." Librarians and teachers play an important part in Durand's life: "In large part, I owe my love of reading to Mrs. Carrier, my elementary school librarian. You see, in third grade, I was still carrying around Madeline. I had memorized Madeline. And one day I walked into the library and Mrs. Carrier said, 'I think I found a book you might like.' And she took my hand and led me over to Holly in the Snow, by Eleanor Francis Lattimore. And I took the book home, and I devoured it....Mrs. Carrier, with one small act of attention and kindness, changed my life.

Mrs. Howdy Doody, the teacher in Dessert First who walks around in slippers and who is someone who didn’t worry about what anybody else thought was inspired by a teacher I love, Mrs. Normana Schaaf. Mrs. Schaaf teaches the two year olds at a coop at which parents are helpers on a regular basis. I’m not somebody who fits into groups very well and I’m not an ideal “helping parent” either, but Mrs. Schaaf said to me when she met me, “You can do nothing wrong and your children can do nothing wrong.” Of course I liked this but more than that I love her passion and...that...she loves my children with such unbridled, unconditional passion. Mrs. Normana Schaaf marches to her own drummer, whether she is wearing her pajamas to school, or trying to teach two year olds how to make apple crisp."

Hallie Durand's favorite dessert is vanilla ice cream drowned in hot-fudge sauce. Illustrator Christine Davenier's favorite dessert is profiterole au chocolat. She is the illustrator of many books for children, including the Iris and Walter series by Elissa Haden Guest and The First Thing My Mama Told Me by Susan Marie Swanson, which received a New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award. She lives in Paris.
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

The Pet Sitter Books • Middle-grade fiction (illustrated)

The Pet Sitter: Tiger Taming
The Pet Sitter: Dixie in Danger
By Julie Sykes • Illustrated by Nathan Reed
March 2009 • Kingfisher • Middle grade fiction (illustrated) • Ages 7-10
Introducing Max, the pint-sized hero of a brand new series for pet lovers everywhere.
Story: Tiger Taming: Max thinks he’s going to love his new job as a pet sitter, but his first client, Miss W. Itchy, seems a little odd. His instincts prove him right when it turns out that her cat, Tiger, can talk. It’s not long before Tiger is ordering Max around, demanding bat juice and hogging the TV. But when Miss Itchy’s archenemy kidnaps Tiger, Max has to prove just what kind of pet sitter he really is.
Story: Dixie in Danger: Max is minding his own business when he receives a call from Ivor Gadget, a famous inventor who needs Max to pet sit his dormouse, Dixie. How hard could it be? thinks Max. Ivor is hardly out the door when Dixie escapes from her cage and runs through the invention-filled house. Little does Max know that the chase will land him 2,000 years back in time.
Story behind the story: Julie Sykes is the author of more than 20 books for children. Nathan Reed has illustrated many children’s books, including Kingfisher’s I Am Reading: Hocus-Pocus Hound. If you want a preview before you get your sample copy, take a sneak peek at first chapter excerpts at http://www.kingfisherpublications.com/. Plus, Kingfisher, the publisher of the PET SITTER books, has created some widgets for Dixie in Danger and Tiger Taming for your websites and blogs.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Little Oink • Picture book

Little Oink
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace
Spring 2009 • Chronicle Books • Picture book • Ages 3 and up
"When I grow up, I'm going to let my kids clean up their rooms as much as they want."
Story: From the creators of Little Pea and Little Hoot comes this tidy tale of a decidedly different pig. Little Oink is a neat little fellow. Clean, clean, clean, that's all he wants to do. But Mama and Papa won't have it! They say in order to be a respectable pig, he has to learn to make a proper mess. "Don't come out until your room is a pigsty," they chide. A humorous twist on a universal dilemma.
Story behind the story: Amy's sister, Beth, came up with the idea for the story -- and her daughter wrote the book's last line (SPOILER ALERT: "And they all lived hap-pig-ly ever after.") When asked if there was anything she disliked as a child that her parents insisted on, Amy replied: "As a kid, I always hated getting presents. My parents would insist on getting me all these great presents on my birthday every year. Can you believe that? Oh, wait. I totally loved that. It was going to the doctor that I hated. Sorry about the mix-up." Oh, and in the random information department, illustrator Jen Corace is a master at bumper cars but is unable to properly operate any other type of licensed vehicle.

The author, illustrator and publisher have created loads of downloads for your classroom or library including an event kit (with masks, pun activities, a Pin the tail on Oink game and more), a Little Oink song, poster, super cute video for “Little Oink” (narrated by the author's nephew) and video of the author on tour!

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Max Quigley, Technically NOT a Bully • Middle-grade fiction

Max Quigley, Technically NOT a Bully
by James Roy
Just out! • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt • Middle-grade fiction • Ages 8 - 12
"Technically, I'm not actually a bully. Bullies wait behind lunch sheds and steal kids' Twinkies. I've never stolen anything in my life. Bullies beat people up. I've never actually punched anyone in my entire life...."
Story: Max Quigley is no angel; in fact one might call him a bully. But even as he taunts "wimpy Nerdstrom," he also begins to understand him. A most unlikely friendship grows. In the end, Max wins readers over, keeps them laughing, shows he is capable of change, and ultimately, brings us to a better understanding of boy dynamics.
Story behind the story: James Roy explains how this book came to be: "Many of my middle-grade books have featured bullies…but always from the point-of-view of the victim. How I came to use this as a theme isn't worth exploring in too much more detail than this: when I was a kid, I grew up for several years in the Pacific Islands (Fiji and Papua New Guinea) and when I returned to Australia I was socially... well, behind. And as a result I got bullied. Now, in saying that, I'm not trying to illicit any kind of sympathy or pity - it's just how it was, and I'm certain that living in those places and the bullying that followed helped form me as a writer. But that has underpinned my interest in bullying as a recurring theme in my writing.

Then came something of an epiphany - the recognition that the bully has a story as well. To regard the bully as a cardboard cutout character is a simple but common mistake. As I say in my author talk in schools, the kid who steals your lunch money every day is rarely doing it because they need more lunch money. It's almost always because their sense of power is lacking, usually stemming from issues that begin long before they get on the bus to come to school, and as a result they need to improve their position of power....So I asked myself, 'What is the bully's story?' And at that moment Max Quigley emerged into my world."

MAX QUIGLEY is funny, and so I asked the author spoke to the humor element as well: "It's all well and good to write a book that makes kids think, but if they aren't engaged enough to get to the payoff at the end, the whole exercise is pointless. Hence the humour. I wanted kids to read Max's unreliable (and self-justified) recount of the events and initially find them funny, and to side entirely with the diabolical Max. But then, as the story went on, I wanted them to begin to squirm a little, and to recognize that Max's actions were causing real pain to his victim, all the while wondering whether redemption might come to Max. I had such fun writing this book, and I really hope that young readers everywhere love it too."

What some early reviewers have to say:

"Roy has a . . . substantive story to tell . . . Max’s small but accumulating steps toward reformation are believable as he becomes more aware of his effect on others—especially a wannabe-bully first grader who seems destined to follow in Max’s footsteps and whom Max has been training in 'leadership skills.'" —Horn Book

"Roy gives the . . . genuine growth in Max’s humanity a light touch and some realistic stumbling blocks, in a not unsympathetic look at bullying from the other side."—Kirkus Reviews

"This Australian import looks at bullying from the inside. Max tells his story in the first person, illustrating it with occasional line drawings on notebook paper. His self-justifying voice is convincing; readers will be sucked into going along with his worldview and just as surprised as he is when playful fighting becomes real. Straightforward chronology, believable dialogue, self-contained chapters, and plenty of humor make this accessible to reluctant readers and particularly appealing to boys who may see a bit of themselves in this realistic school story."—Booklist
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

The Sisters Club: Rule of Three • Middle-grade fiction

The Sisters Club: Rule of Three
by Megan McDonald
August 2009 • Candlewick Press • Middle-grade fiction • Ages 9 - 12
A brand-new book in the Sisters Club series from best-selling author Megan McDonald!
Story: Alex has always been the Actor-with-a-capital-A in the Reel family, and middle-sister Stevie has always been content to stay behind the scenes. But when auditions for the school musical are announced, Stevie decides that maybe she’s tired of being the Sensible One. Maybe, for once, she’d like to be the one in the spotlight.
Story behind the story: The Sisters Club is the perfect series for readers who love Megan’s laugh-out-loud humor, but are looking to transition from Judy Moody to older chapter books. Megan McDonald is also the youngest of five sisters. She knows a thing or two about the ups and downs of sisterhood.
A special announcement: Drum roll, please. Candlewick is thrilled to announce a better-than-best-ever e-newsletter for teachers: Megan McDonald’s Totally RARE Teachers’ Club! Sign up today for:

• behind the scenes with Megan McDonald


• classroom activities and downloadable materials


• advance announcement of upcoming contests and giveaway


• and, the chance to exchange ideas with other teachers on using Megan’s books in your curriculum!

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

The Baseball Card Kid • Middle grade fiction (illustrated)

The Baseball Card Kid

by Adam Osterweil • illustrated by Craig Smith

March 2009 • Front Street, an Imprint of Boyds Mills Press • Middle grade fiction (illustrated)

A valuable baseball card, a sinking ship, a distant planet, and vampire tales fill this fast-paced time-travel story.

Story: When an advertisement for a TimeQuest 2 comic suddenly attracts Paul and Brian, their only question is: How do you mail something to the year 100,000? Question answered, they begin a quest to replace a Honus Wagner card that Brian accidentally destroyed when he was younger. To find it, all they have to do is warp the space-time continuum to the year 1912, board the Titanic, and find Brian’s great-great-uncle Sean. No problem. As the TimeQuest 2 Comic magically chronicles their travels, the boys discover that their actions have doomed all of humankind. Now they must travel back to the distant reaches of the universe and darkest Transylvania to set things right again. Can they fix the world and make it home with the million-dollar baseball card before it’s too late?
Story behind the story: Adam Osterweil, teaches junior high English at Springs School in Springs, New York, and tries to make reading fun and relevant for reluctant readers by writing fast-paced action-packed adventure stories about topics that kids enjoy -- baseball being an obvious choice. Here's some interesting info on Honus Wagner, one of the greatest players of all time and his baseball card: .327 lifetime batting average, known also known for his playing career with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1900-1917, and as a coach thereafter. Osterweil explains a bit about the card: "The T206 Honus Wagner card was released in 1909, but very few cards were distributed to the public (estimates placed the number in circulation at 50-200). Rumors abound about the reasons for the small number of printed cards, but their scarcity has made it the most coveted baseball card in history. One specimen in 8.0 condition (10.0 being the highest) recently sold for 2.8 million dollars. Even a lesser card in 3.0 condition recently sold for $791,000."

Osterweil and Smith's first book -- The Comic Book Kid (2001) -- was named a “Best Book of the Year” in 2002 by Bank Street College of Education, and won a Walt Disney Children’s Choice award for Best Adventure Book in 2002.

Early praise for The Baseball Card Kid:

“The slapstick time-travel antics continue in this sequel to The Comic Book Kid…Osterweil laces his narrative with middle-grade-style yuks and injects frequent reviews of events into his breathlessly paced tale. Smith punches up the short chapters further with frequent scenes of frantic-looking young folk in bizarre situations.” -- Kirkus Reviews

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

We love librarians. What about you?

Let's hear it for librarians! In honor of National Library Week (April 12-18, 2009), an annual celebration of the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians, I've asked some author friends to share a few words:

Amy Hest, author of Little Chick

(and a former New York City public librarian):

"I will never forget the day I got my first library card -- it was green -- and the thrill of signing my name -- oh, so carefully -- at that tall (and scary) desk as the librarian looked on, and my mother. Doors were opening ..."

Carolyn MacCullough, author of Once A Witch (September 2009):
"My first job that came with a real paycheck was in the town library. I was a shelver. For four hours a day, three times a week, I made an endless loop of the shelves where I tucked books back into their proper home. If I could empty a cart in less than fifteen minutes, I let myself have five minutes to duck down in some semi lit corner and dive deep into whatever book I was reading at the time. Surrounded by the smell of ink, and the rustle of thousands and thousands of pages, it was then that I decided librarians were some of the luckiest people on earth."

G. Neri, author of Surf Mules (June 2009):

"When I first moved to Temple Terrace, Florida from Los Angeles 6 years ago, the local library was the first place that made me feel things were going to be alright. They had a great collection and super friendly people, and after I learned how to order from the Hillsborough County’s online catalogue, I found I could get virtually any book, DVD, or CD my heart desired, no matter how obscure. As I got to know the people who worked at my branch, they knew of me not as the author, but as the guy who had the most interesting holds waiting for him. Since then, they’ve come to know me as a writer and the guy who has 20-40 books and DVDs checked out at any given time. I love my library."

Mitali Perkins, author of Secret Keeper:

"I’ll never forget my first jaw-dropping visit to the Public Library in Flushing, Queens. I was seven years old and a newcomer to America, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. All of these books, for me, for free? My sister took me back every Saturday, without fail, so that I could hunt down and consume story after story — a habit that helped me survive life as an immigrant kid, and still keeps me sane to this day."

Anyone else? Come on... share stories of your favorite librarian or library or library experience with us!

Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Fabulous Life • Middle-grade fiction

by Rachel Renee Russell
June 2009 • Aladdin Paperbacks/Simon & Schuster • Ages 9-13
It's THE DIARY OF A WIMPY KID for girls in a hilarious new novel.
Story: Join Nikki Maxwell in her personal chronicle about life as a new kid, aspiring artist and librarian shelving assistant. Dork Diaries follows this eighth grader as she chronicles through text and sketches her move to a snooty new school; her epic battle with her mom for an iPhone, her enthusiasm for drawing and art; and a love/hate fascination with the new school's queen bee. Nikki writes about friendships, crushes, popularity and family with a unique and fresh voice that still conveys a universal authenticity.
Story behind the story: April 12 - 18 is National Library Week and I'm thrilled that we can offer preview copies of Dork Diaries at this time. While adjusting to life at Westchester Country Day, Nikki becomes a Library Shelving Assistant (LSA) and much of the story takes place in the school library. The librarian, Mrs. Peach, is planning a trip to NYC for National Library Week to take some of her LSAs to a "Meet-N-Greet" with authors at the renowned New York Public Library. So here's to lots of stories taking place in school (and public) libraries everywhere, to Meeting-N-Greeting authors and illustrators galore, and to all the Mrs. Peach's who inspire kids to enjoy the power of stories - and libraries.
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say. Know that the publisher was having some email issues and some of you may have received error messages, but they've informed me that all emails were indeed received and they've fulfilled the requests on a first-come, first-served basis. Thanks for your patience!

The Chosen One • Young adult fiction

The Chosen One

by Carol Lynch Williams

May 12, 2009 • St. Martin's Griffin • YA fiction • Ages 12 and up

Family or freedom? She must choose.

Story: Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters. Or at least without questioning them much -- if you don't count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her sixty-year-old uncle -- who already has six wives -- Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family.
Story behind the story: Carol Lynch Williams tells us a bit about the idea behind The Chosen One: "Many years ago I heard of a young woman who ran from her polygamist community. She was dragged home, beaten and yet she ran again. I knew at that moment -- at least a decade ago -- that I would write this novel.

One of my goals in writing this book was to show the difference between polygamist groups and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of which I am a member. Some people still think that most men in Utah have more than one wife. Polygamists are not Latter-day Saints.

I did a huge amount of research before and during the writing. There are many different kinds of polygamist groups around the world. So while this book is grounded in fact, it is still fiction. I looked up everything I could online. This was a few years back, before the Warren Jeffs arrest. And it was kind of weird, because when I knew I was ready to start writing, it suddenly seemed that TV was full of stories of polygamists. I watched several nationwide news programs, read many newspaper articles, and read both positive and negative accounts of polygamy."

Fellow authors offer their praise for The Chosen One:

"The Chosen One makes the heart race, the teeth grind, and the brow bead up in sweat...I could choose no other book or newspaper until I had finished the final page." -- Gregory Maguire, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked and A Lion Among Men

"A powerful and heartbreaking novel of love and hope. One girl's poignant journey as she struggles to find herself and, ultimately, the truth." -- Meg Cabot, New York Times bestselling author of The Princess Diaries and Airhead

"Imagine Anna Quindlen or Sue Miller writing a young adult novel...Spare, direct, and startling, Kyra Leigh's story is one every young woman should hear. Be forewarned; this book is a compulsive read." -- Audrey Couloumbis, author of the 2000 Newbury Honor Book Getting Near to Baby

"In this extraordinary novel, Carol Lynch Williams probes the deepest wells of the heart. Against the intertwining prism of faith and love she gives us Kyra, a young woman who meets head-on the power of both to simultaneously buoy and corrupt the human spirit. The Chosen One is brave, its plumb is true, it's a masterpiece." -- Kathi Appelt, author of The Underneath, Finalist for the 2008 National Book Award for Young People's Literature

Many more authors, educators, librarians and bloggers have chimed in. See the Facebook page for even more praise. What's important, though, is what YOU have to say about The Chosen One.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Little Chick • Picture book

Little Chick

by Amy Hest and illustrated by Anita Jeram • March 2009 • Candlewick Press • Picture Book • Ages 2 and up
What if you are a good and patient gardener but simply can’t wait for your carrot to grow tall? What if you skip like a pro but still can’t lift your kite in the air? Or if you’re a really good stretcher but can’t reach your favorite star?
Story: The creators of the New York Times bestselling Kiss Good Night share gentle tales about a special intergenerational bond. With affection and humor, Amy Hest offers three vignettes about a curious chick and a loving auntie who knows how to soften disappointments by keeping the spark of wonder alive. And the incomparable Anita Jeram renders Little Chick’s gestures and movements with a mastery that captures the spirit of every young child.
Story behind the story: Long ago, when Amy Hest was just a little chick herself, she had a teeny little carrot garden behind her house. She waited and waited, but nothing grew. Then one day, lo and behold, a CARROT!! And a very large carrot at that! She was so proud of herself!

Years later, she discovered that her mom, feeling so sad for her, took a carrot from the refrigerator and put it in the garden.

“To this day, I am NO gardener,” says Amy. “Hence, I live in New York City, where thankfully gardening is not required.”

★“Infused with tenderness… Light humor and visual charm.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Kahani magazine • A Literary Magazine for Children

Kahani magazine • A Literary Magazine for Children • Ages 6-11
No advertising • Published quarterly by Kahani Media
This Parents' Choice award-winning literary magazine for children “…reflects unique life experiences from which each of us can learn.” – Parents’ Choice Foundation
Story: Kahani is an award-winning children’s literary magazine illuminating the richness and diversity that South Asian cultures bring to North America. Completely ad-free, full of great contemporary stories, art, activities, and fun facts, Kahani is a must-have for any family, school, or library seeking to empower and educate global citizens. So far, the Picnic Basket has focused only on books for children, but why not a magazine? Kahani is an eclectic collection that blends together original storytelling with relevant, real life articles. It is told from the unique perspective of a child of South Asian descent growing up in North America. As a secular and nonpartisan magazine, Kahani welcomes readers of all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Story behind the story: As the founder of Kahani, Monika Jain struggled to come up with a pithy name for the magazine. English or Hindi? One word or many? Noun and/or adjective? Now living in the United States, but born in India and raised in Japan, she needed a title that captured the essence of the magazine, anybody could pronounce, and was short.

Talking on the phone long-distance with her mother one day, she explained the problem. "Without hesitation, my mother's answer bounded through the miles of ocean and time separating us: “kahani.” It clicked. It was perfect," Jain relates. "You see, in Hindi, kahani means story."

But while Kahani, the magazine, highlights the cultures and traditions of countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, it’s still an American story. Barack Obama put it best.

“Our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness,” Mr. Obama said not long ago in his inauguration speech. “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.”

Jain started Kahani all those years ago to give her young daughter a reading experience where she could see her multicultural life reflected. Today, the magazine reflects the American experience – an America that is not just white or black, but everything in between. Kahani is truly the story of all those children in between.

Kahani has won a handful of national awards including the just announced 2009 Parents’ Choice Recommended Award and 2008/2007 Parents’ Choice Approved Awards.

Here’s the buzz:
“An enriching, empowering, and entertaining publication…” – Curriculum Connections

“With colorful graphics and kid-friendly design, Kahani bridges any potential cultural divide.”

– The School Library Journal


“…reflects unique life experiences from which each of us can learn.” – Parents’ Choice Foundation

FYI: all the review copies for this wonderful magazine have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

A Song for Cambodia • Picture book (nonfiction)

A Song for Cambodia
by Michelle Lord
Illustrated by Shino Arihara
Spring 2008 • Lee & Low Books • Nonfiction picture book
The true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, Cambodian American musician and human rights activist, who survived the Khmer Rouge work camps by learning to play a musical instrument.
Story: When Arn was a young boy in Cambodia, his days were filled with love, laughter, and the sweet sounds of music. That all changed suddenly in 1975 when Arn’s village was invaded by Khmer Rouge soldiers and his family was torn apart. Arn was taken to a children’s work camp, where he labored long hours in the rice fields under the glaring eyes of threatening soldiers. Overworked, underfed, and in constant fear for his life, Arn had to find a way to survive. When guards asked for volunteers to play music one day, Arn bravely raised his hand—taking a chance that would change the course of his life.
Story Behind the Story: Author Michelle Lord first learned about Arn Chorn-Pond while watching a documentary, and wanted to share his incredible story with young readers. Arn Chorn-Pond spent four years in a Khmer Rouge labor camp before escaping to a refugee camp in Thailand at the age of 12. Eventually he was adopted by one of the volunteers at the camp, who brought Arn to live in the United States.

Years later, Arn (pictured in photo) founded the Children of War Organization and in 1988 received the Reebok Human Rights award for his work with survivors of war. He also created the Cambodian Living Arts program to support Cambodian artists and musicians who had been left in poverty after the Pol Pot regime.

A Song for Cambodia was named an honor book in Social Studies by the Society of School Librarians International (SSLI).

“Amazing and inspiring, this biography is an excellent choice for multicultural studies.”
—Booklist

“A sensitive reconstruction . . . effectively captures the terror and tension of life under the Pol Pot regime. Arihara crafts somber scenes in broad brushstrokes to illustrate this important story of devastation and rebuilding in Southeast Asia.”
—Kirkus Reviews

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Bring an author to your school or library (and no travel expenses!)

So, your class or book group is reading a book and you'd like your students/readers to be able to meet and talk with that author, but the author's not nearby or his/her travel schedule just doesn't allow for that in-person visit. Not to worry: you can still give your readers face-time with the author via virtual author visits. I've been thinking about them a good deal as I hear of more and more teachers using Skype and smartboards in their classrooms. Children's and teen authors and illustrators offer a variety of virtual programs via internet connections to fit your needs - and a variety of prices (some no cost at all). Worth exploring?

Middle school teacher and children's book author Kate Messner recently did a virtual visit with author Laurie Halse Anderson and provided a thorough explanation of the process in her blog post, Virtual Author Visits: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, & the Awesome. Messner includes photos of the set-up, details of what worked, what she'd do differently next time, and a how-to for those looking to set up a Skype virtual author visit. Definitely worth a peek for those looking for how-to advice. So, while I have virtual author visits on the brain, thought I'd share info on a few authors who are available to do just that:

Kate Messner is an author and National Board Certified middle school English teacher. Her titles include THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z (Walker Books, September 2009), MARTY MCGUIRE, FROG PRINCESS (Scholastic, 2010), and OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW (Chronicle, 2010) as well as two regional historical novels set on Lake Champlain, both available now from North Country Books. Kate offers virtual visits for kids in grades 3-8. They range from brief Q and A sessions that allow students to talk with her about specific books and her writing process to full-length presentations that tie in with your school's curriculum for English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. To contact Kate about a virtual visit, please visit her website and click on the Email link. Also, www.twitter.com/kmessner.

CHAI and CHAT with Mitali Perkins! The author of SECRET KEEPER enjoys talking to middle-schoolers and high-schoolers about the life-changing power of story. She breaks the ice by sharing a few memories, some funny and some poignant, about growing up “between cultures” with traditional Bengali parents in an all-white suburb. Her goal is to create an atmosphere of hospitality during a virtual chat so that kids feel comfortable to ask questions about writing, publishing, or anything that comes to mind about her books. Brew up the tea, break out the biscuits, and invite your students to enjoy an inspiring, face-to-face conversation with the author of RICKSHAW GIRL, MONSOON SUMMER, and other novels for young readers. To book a virtual author visit with Mitali, visit her website or www.twitter.com/mitaliperkins.

Have racial tensions all gone away? Is race an issue anymore in our friendships? In our schools? In our elections? How is your world different from or similar to the characters' in MORNING IN A DIFFERENT PLACE? Former teacher and National Book Award finalist-author Mary Ann McGuigan discusses peer pressure in school. McGuigan says: "In my book, Fiona responds to pressure to behave like the popular group in school, even though she clearly finds the things that entertain them unappealing: their TV shows, their stiff parties, their music. In society, we all conform to different norms in the groups we want to be part of. It's crucial for us to recognize when the mandate of the group violates our fundamental beliefs--our understanding of what's right and wrong." Email Mary Ann or see her website for more info on virtual visits for 7th grade and up.

Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia • Picture book

Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia
By Ted and Betsy Lewin
Spring 2008 • Lee & Low Books • Picture Book
Caldecott winners Ted and Betsy Lewin take readers to Mongolia for the incredible Naadam festival, where young jockeys race half-wild horses across the open steppes.
Story:“Giingooo! Giiiingoooooo!” Tamir and the other young jockeys sing to their horses in wailing, high-pitched voices. They are getting ready to ride in the Naadam, the Mongolian summer festival. Tamir is one of many boys and girls who will race half-wild horses across the open desert for honor and glory. It is these legendary child jockeys that Ted and Betsy Lewin have traveled to Mongolia to see. Who will emerge as the winner as the shimmering dust cloud of riders approaches the finish line?

Story behind the story: Before writing Horse Song, Ted and Betsy Lewin traveled to Mongolia to experience the Naadam festival firsthand. "We had read several articles about the Nadaam and it seemed to us that the story of the child jockeys would make a wonderful picture book," they said. "What interested us most was the fact that the jockeys are traditionally children from as young as seven years old. We were amazed at their skill and endurance."

In Mongolia, the Lewins stayed with a nomadic family so that they could see how horses and riders get ready for the race. While traveling, the couple kept daily journals and took hundreds of rolls of pictures in preparation for writing and illustrating the book. The main character, Tamir, is a combination of many of the young jockeys they met in Mongolia during their trip.

Horse Song was recently named an ALA Notable Children’s Book and a Parents’ Choice Recommended Winner for 2008. In a starred review, Booklist calls it “a handsome, heartfelt glimpse of a rarely explored culture.”

Check out an interview with Ted and Betsy.
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Charles and Emma: The Darwin's Leap of Faith • Nonfiction

Charles and Emma: The Darwin's Leap of Faith
by Deborah Heiligman
Just out! • Henry Holt • YA fiction • Ages 12 and up
A portrait of a brilliant man, a radical science, and a great love. Story: Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species, his revolutionary treatise on evolution in 1859. Even today, the theory of evolution creates tension between the scientific and religious communities. This same debate raged within Darwin himself and played an important part in his marriage: Emma's faith gave Charles a lot to think about as he worked on his controversial theory. This biography takes a personal look at the man behind evolutionary theory. His children doubled as scientific specimens, and his wife's religious convictions made him rethink how the world would receive his ideas.

Story behind the story: Deborah Heiligman writes: "My new book is the true story of Charles Darwin's marriage. In 33 chapters and an epilogue I tell the story, letting it unfold so the reader can see how Darwin's marriage played a huge part in his scientific work. He had a close and devoted relationship with Emma [his first cousin], and she adored him. But Emma was religious, and Charles Darwin was working on a theory that would rock the religious and social world. It pained Emma to think that she and Charles might not be together for eternity. The Darwins' marriage, and how they coped with this gulf between them, even in the face of heartbreaking tragedy, is a real and poignant love story. For me, writing this book was a labor of love. I hope you enjoy it."

Charles and Emma has received starred reviews from School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Horn Book and The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books! - click here to read them!

Plus Deborah Heiligman's website has a wealth of information so you can:

• read The Darwins' marriage of science and religion, an article written for the Los Angeles Times.
• listen to an interview from NPR.
• learn about writing and researching the book
• explore a Time Line of Darwin's life
• and "Meet the Darwins: An Interview with Deborah Heiligman" printed in School Library Journal; read it here.

"Heiligman's writing is so good -- so rooted in particulars of time, place an Darwin's scientific thought, yet so light and full of drama -- that readers will care about Charles and Emma and their love story. The debate between science and religion continues today, but the relationship of Charles and Emma Darwin demonstrates that science and religion are not incompatible." -- BookPage

In the foreword, Jonathan Weiner, Pulitzer prize-winning author of The Beak of the Finch writes: "Authors by the hundreds have written about Darwin's genius and the way his ideas transformed the world....But as far as I know, this is the first book to focus on the adventure that began when Darwin, home from his voyage, took out a piece of scrap paper and made himself a quirky, funny, very candid list of the pros and cons of settling down....How Charles and Emma ... made a successful marriage of science and religion is the story told in this book. Reading it helps us understand in the most vivid, intimate, and personal way how shocking Darwin's ideas were for the people of his time.... Charles and Emma were the best of friends, and their story is an inspiration....one feels that their love story was one of the most significant adventures and greatest masterpieces of Darwin's life."

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Secret Keeper • Young Adult Fiction

Secret Keeper
by Mitali Perkins
Just out! • Delacorte Press/Random House • YA fiction • Ages 12 and up
One girl's struggle, within the constraints of tradition, to establish her identity and claim her future.
Story: When her father leaves India to look for work in America, Asha Gupta, her older sister, Reet, and their mother must wait with Baba’s family in Calcutta. Asha’s solace is her rooftop hideaway, where she pours her heart out in her diary, and begins a clandestine friendship with Jay Sen, the boy next door. Then news arrives about Baba ... and Asha must make a choice that will change their lives forever. Set in the mid-1970s, a time of Indian political turmoil, Mitali Perkins probes the relationships between sisters, mothers and daughters, women and men.
Story behind the story: Mitali Perkins (whose first name means "friendly" in Bangla) was born in Kolkata. She shares this story about SECRET KEEPER: "The character of Jay in SECRET KEEPER came to mind when my mother told me one of her secrets. She was a teenager growing up in Kolkata, India, much like Asha and Reet, and they had moved to a similar house with extended family.

One afternoon, Ma went on the rooftop to let her long hair dry in the sun. A window next door flew open, and a neighbor guy started a conversation. It was sweet, innocent by Western standards, but flirtatious nonetheless, and risky for a girl and boy who could never marry for love. They spoke a few more times, and soon it was clear: he liked her, and she liked him.

Somehow, my grandmother found out. Next thing my mother knew, the servants had boarded up the door to the roof, and my grandmother was issuing a stern diatribe about shaming the entire family.

My own parents' marriage was arranged shortly after that. They saw each other briefly before their wedding in front of the extended family, and Ma served Baba tea, but they first spoke to each other on their wedding night. The good news is that Ma did get her happy ending, as I trust Reet and Asha both will in SECRET KEEPER: my parents (see photo) have been married for over fifty years now, and they adore each other."

Here's what the reviewers are saying about SECRET KEEPER:
"Well-developed characters, funny dialogue, and the authentic depiction of spunky Asha’s longing for romance and female self-determination, set in a culture that restrains women’s choices, make this book an attractive pick for teenage girls."— School Library Journal

"In an intimate and absorbing drama about a displaced Indian family in the 1970s, Perkins (Monsoon Summer) vividly highlights the conflict between traditional Indian values and feminist ideals....Besides offering insight into Indian culture, Perkins offers a moving portrait of a rebellious teen who relies on ingenuity rather than charm to prove her worth."— Publisher's Weekly

"I could practically smell and taste Calcutta in the 1970's, and I loved the characters, especially Asha. "— Jen Robinson, JKR Books

"The characters drew a hole in my heart from how life-like they were and how the ending wasn't exactly what I wanted. It was still amazing. If you want to discover a book that will pull your heart strings and make you wonder... How much would you sacrifice to save someone that you loved?"— Sarah Woodard, Sarah's Random Musings

"Asha, her older sister Reet, their mother, and the rest of their family, who take them in when Asha’s father leaves to find an engineering job in America, all leap off the pages. In most scenes, you can hear the music of Bengali accents, and the swishing of the cloth of brightly colored saris ... the book is compelling enough for adults to read as well as the younger readers being targeted." — Melissa A. Bartell, All Things Girl

Watch a book trailer. Join the ongoing conversation on books between cultures at Mitali's blog.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Tweet Me!

Twitter. What's it all about? I know that some of you are already on Twitter and are enjoying the connections you've made with fellow teachers and librarians near and far; I know I have. But I know others are asking what Twitter's all about. With just a few words and the touch of a button, I can ask questions and share information (for instance: Do you use Smartboards in your classroom? or Have any of you participated in virtual author visits with your bookgroups/classes?) and get immediate feedback. This couldn't have happened without the immediacy and openness of Twitter. When a school librarian I follow mentioned that she was giving a presentation on Twitter for her district, I invited her to share her thoughts on the all-abuzz-biz with Picnic Basket readers.

So over to Norah Connolly, a Librarian at W. S. Parker Middle School in Reading, MA:

"Tweet me!" "Find me on Twitter!" "She's following me on Twitter!" Have you heard people talking about Twitter lately? I don't know if it's because I'm now an avid Twitter user or if I happened to jump on the bandwagon with everyone else, but I feel like Twitter is everywhere these days: The Grammy's announcer encouraged people to find them on Twitter, NPR advertises its Twitter names, the morning news anchors talk about updates from Twitter followers. Twitter seems to be all around. I freely admit that it took me about two months to truly get what Twitter is all about. But I can say that now that I get it, I don't quite know what I did without it. Twitter has opened up a world for me that I now rely on for support, ideas, links, news, communication, and connections with the walls beyond the school in which I teach.

What is Twitter? According to Twitternet: "Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows you answer the question, 'What are you doing?' by sending short text messages 140 characters in length, called 'tweets', to your friends, or 'followers'." Here are a few of my favorite top ten "Twitter To-Dos" by yours truly and various Twitter friends:

1. You won't really understand until you try it for yourself. Twitter is difficult to explain and understand in words. So, start an account now!
2. Decide how you want to use Twitter. Do you want a professional resource, a personal tool, or a mix of both? Don't be afraid to let your human side show. Which leads to....
3. Especially for professional use, use your full name in your username. People will take you seriously if they know who you are.
4. Build a bio that includes information about what you do professionally and what makes you who you are.
5. Use Titter tips from @AngelaMaiers, especially her Twitter Engagement Formula.
6. Download TweetDeck. Updates will become overwhelming without this nifty desk top application.
7. Build your network! Use the mosaics on people's Twitter pages to follow paths to interesting people.
8. Twitter is give and take, so engage in it daily. Try to send an update at least once a day.
9. Be patient. It's not going to come alive instantly. Building a network takes a little time. But do know that it's worth the effort once the ball is rolling.
10. Visit a few links to learn more: Tools, Resources, and Apps for using TWITTER!; So You Want to Try Twitter; The 10 Commandments of Twitter

No matter how you end up using Twitter, have fun. It's a resource, a support system, and just a great way to start each day. It's very uplifting to have a bunch of publishing houses, teachers, and librarians from across the country and the world greet me as I arrive to work each day. I now know the power and strength of professional learning networks and am so very glad to have found my own. -- Norah Connolly

Follow Norah on Twitter @nconnolly.
Follow me on Twitter @dsloanandco. Here's a partial screenshot of my profile page:

Plus, here are a few people I follow: @abowllan (blogger for School Library Journal and teacher); @mitaliperkins (children's book author extraordinaire); @angelamaiers (educational consultant and Edublog Award Winner 2008); @coolcatteacher (Edublog Award Winner 2008); @writereader (reading teacher/book blogger); @loonyhiker (educational consultant); @c_spaghetti (children's lit. blogger); @bookavore (indie bookseller/Twitter guru). This is just a start: there are so many more wonderful resources out there - and I'll be mentioning more of my favorites each Friday in a "Follow Friday" tweet. I'd love to add YOU to the list!

Every Human Has Rights: A Photographic Declaration for Kids • Nonfiction

Every Human Has Rights: A Photographic Declaration for Kids
Foreword by Mary Robinson, Former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Fall 2008 • National Geographic Children’s Books • Ages 10 and up • Nonfiction
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights isn't a law and it isn't a treaty and not everyone agrees with it or follows its rules. It's a document translated into over 330 languages that calls on all of us to work as hard as we can to guarantee a world of freedom and peace.
Story: Compiled after the horrors of World War II, the declaration’s purpose was to state and protect the rights of all people. The 30 rights set down in 1948 are incredibly powerful. According to the U.N., every human – just by virtue of being human – is entitled to freedom, a fair government, a decent standard of living, work, play, and education, freedom to come and go as we please and to associate with anyone we please, and the right to express ourselves freely. Every Human Has Rights: A Photographic Declaration for Kids offers kids an accessibly written list of these rights, commentary–much of it deeply emotional–by other kids, and richly evocative photography illustrating each right.

The foreword by Mary Robinson, Former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, gives perspective on one of the most important documents of human history. At the end of this deceptively simple book, kids will know – and feel – that regardless of individual differences and circumstances, each person is valuable and worthy of respect.

Story behind the story: Nancy Laties Feresten, VP and Editor in Chief at National Geographic Children’s Books, shares the fascinating story behind this book's publication:

Dear Picnic Basket Readers,

Deborah asked me to write to you about the making of Every Human Has Rights. Where should I start? This book has so many facets and is so different from any other book I’ve worked on. I guess the beginning is always a safe place.

For the past couple of years, National Geographic has been working with the Elders, an incredibly inspirational group of elder statesmen (and women) that advocate global respect for human rights. This group, including Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Kofi Annan, decided to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights with an on-line drive to get people around the world to sign the declaration, vowing to uphold human rights. They called this effort Every Human Has Rights.

When I learned about the Elders, I was eager to do something to support their work -- but then I read the Declaration! It was so dense, so legalistic, so difficult even for an educated adult. My goal was to take these very abstract ideas and make them concrete so that kids could incorporate them not only intellectually but emotionally.

The key – as it turned out – was ePals. I don’t know how many of you are familiar with ePals, but if you’re not, you should check them out. ePals is a safe social networking site that kids in classrooms around the world use to connect to one another, often doing joint projects. But what intrigued me most as a publisher was the possibility of harnessing those kids to demonstrate the emotional side of human rights.

National Geographic ran a contest in conjunction with ePals. Teachers who wanted to participate taught a lesson on human rights to their classes, using a children’s version of the declaration that I wrote to make the rights as clear as possible. Then each kid in the class wrote a short piece responding to one of the rights. The kids got the entry signed by a parent, and the teacher sent them to us. The entries were great, and we were able to include 16 of the entries in the book.

In addition to the list of rights and the kids poems, we wanted evocative photos that pulled no punches but didn’t leave the reader depressed either, captions that added additional information, and an edgy design that would convey the layered nature of the book. It was our mission that kids from late elementary school right through high school could connect with this book — information and emotion woven seamlessly together.

We showed the layout to Mary Robinson, former UN Commissioner for Human Rights, former President of Ireland, and one of the Elders, and we were honored when she agreed to write our foreword.

School Library Journal’s recent starred review sums it up best: “Speaking to children with the notion that learning means understanding rather than memorizing, this book impresses on students that they should always be searching for the definition of freedom, and what human rights really mean to everyone.”

So that’s it. The next step is yours. I know Deborah is offering some copies for you to read and blog about. I can’t wait to see what you think. If you like it, tell a lot of people. Wouldn’t it be something if we could raise a generation of kids who worked to make sure that everyone everywhere had their human rights recognized? If you have questions for me, I’d be delighted to answer them. Just let Deborah know, and she’ll get them to me.

Best,

Nancy

Nancy Laties Feresten
VP, Editor in Chief
National Geographic Children’s Books

Curriculum Standards: Social Studies: People, Places, & Environments, Individuals, Groups, & Institutions, Power, Authority, & Governance, Culture FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Chantel's Quest for the Golden Sword • Middle-grade fiction (fantasy)

Chantel's Quest for the Golden Sword

by Oliver Neubert

Just out! • Simply Read Books • Ages 8 -12 • Paperback original

Fantasy, adventure, magic, myths, heroes, a quest. Reluctant readers? Every reader.

Story: A vengeful spirit is destroying nature and corrupting minds. Chantel, the Princess of Freedom, is the only one who can save the world from the evil unleashed by the spirit— but only if she successfully retrieves four ancient relics. With the help of a warrior mouse and a fox bat, Chantel begins her quest in the Land of the North, where she must find the powerful Golden Sword. However, someone else is determined to locate the sword first: the Snow Walker, the evil spirit’s brutal warlord. As she struggles through icy, unfamiliar territory to unearth the magical relic, Chantel makes an amazing discovery that holds the key to the planet's future. But is it too late?

Story behind the story: Author Oliver Neubert shares this story of the book's beginnings: "Chantel’s Quest began when my daughter...asked me to tell her a story. At that time, I knew the song of 'We are going on a bear hunt, we are going to get a big one.' So that is what I told her and we were acting out the story as I was telling it. I was a horse or an eagle and Chantel would sit on my back while we were riding through grassland, through large forests, through deep mud, through a cold river and then finally up the mountain, until we would stand in front of a huge cave. Suddenly the big, angry bear would come out and roar at us. Chantel and I became very frightened and ran back down the mountain, through the river, through the mud, through the forest and through the grassland. Chantel would fall off my back several times and had to climb back on it again. Back at home we would hide below blankets and wait until everything became quiet again....The stories became longer and more interesting, sometimes more scary. We continued with this until Chantel was 5 and I had to find a chiropractor to realign my back from all the horseback riding and flying."

"This fast-paced hero quest is guaranteed to please any adventure reader. Author Oliver Neubert provides an exciting plot. His characters are interesting and endearing. Using a simple writing style, Neubert's Chantel's Quest: The Golden Sword appeals to reluctant readers. This novel would make an excellent choice for a classroom novel set." -- Resource Links

"Oliver Neubert has created an intriguing world, full of interesting creatures and beings. Neubert has managed to create a wide variety of creatures and beings without resorting to the stereotypes of the genre. There are Winged Ones and Rock Climbers rather than elves and dwarfs. Although there is magic, there are no witches and wizards. Rather, there are Wise Ones who have functions and abilities beyond the use of magic. Neubert's creativity adds to the depth of his work and leaves the reader curious about what creatures and beings they may meet.

In many fantasy books, the events being described are often the results of plans and other events from hundreds or thousands of years before. In Chantel's Quest, the current events were only set in motion 85 years before, a much more manageable time frame for younger readers. The short time span also reduces the amount of historical background needed to understand the events and keeps the story moving along at a relatively steady pace.

Oliver Neubert has created an engaging first book about the Four Lands, with fantastic characters and a solid story." -- CM (Curriculum Materials) magazine

The author lives in Vancouver, but will be in New York end of May and available for school/library/bookstore visits.

Thematic Links: Fantasy; Adventure; Magic; Myths; Heroes; Quests

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Morning in a Different Place • Young adult fiction

Morning in a Different Place
by Mary Ann McGuigan
Just out! February 2009 • Front Street Books/an imprint of Boyds Mills Press, Inc. • Young adult fiction
A National Book Award finalist’s latest novel renders a time of change.

Why does this friendship get everyone so upset? Because Fiona is white and Yolanda is black and in the Bronx in the 1960s, that's not the way it's supposed to be.

Story: Mary Ann McGuigan’s novel Where You Belong was named a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature (1997). Now McGuigan brings her talent for emotional authenticity to its stand-alone sequel to follow best friends Fiona, the daughter of Irish immigrants, and Yolanda, an African-American girl, into eighth grade—and a world forever changed.
In 1963, with social upheaval all around her, Fiona faces her own moral crossroads. Her family’s escape from her abusive, alcoholic father turns out to be as fleeting as his sobriety. At school in the Bronx, the popular girls ignore Fiona. But soon her friendship with David, a boy they like, grants her invitations to parties and a chance to be part of the in crowd. Though desperate for acceptance, Fiona doesn’t want to lose Yolanda’s friendship in the process. Yet the popular girls are not about to include a “negro” in their circle. Despite the challenge to their friendship, Yolanda urges Fiona to follow the example of the courage of the Civil Rights leaders, who stood up to fire hoses and police dogs, and put a stop to her father’s abuse once and for all. Set during the Civil Rights movement, in the final weeks before the assassination of JFK, Morning in a Different Place renders a time of change.
Story behind the story: Mary Ann McGuigan notes that “in the first book, Fiona and Yolanda bond in an urgent and intense way. They become each other’s safe harbor. In Morning in a Different Place, I wanted to take a closer look at those pressures—not only the pressures from family and friends and society but also the pressures from within the relationship itself. Fiona and Yolanda get tripped up by their own insecurity and need to belong. I wanted to see whether they could navigate those stormy waters without losing their way.” About students' reactions to her work, the author adds: "Students who talked to me about the book fully understood what I was saying in it. They were able to articulate Fiona's anguish in terms of their own daily lives. The anguish is not in the past for them. They face it every day."

“McGuigan is as adept at evoking the class consciousness and racial politics of '60s New York as she is the horrors of adolescence, including insecurity and helplessness. With the twin evils of domestic violence and President Kennedy's assassination looming in the background, the author's portrait of the chameleonic nature of teenage girls builds aggressively to a powerful finale.”—Kirkus Reviews

“The stage is set for a classic moral battle, but the results are never didactic. McGuigan’s writing is spare and low-key, and her metaphors are acute…. History buffs will appreciate the visceral reminder of how much Kennedy’s beliefs meant to the black community, and how devastating was his death.”
—Booklist

Hear the author speak about and read from the book.

Have racial tensions all gone away? Is race an issue anymore in our friendships? In our schools? In our elections? How is your students' world different from Fiona and Yolanda's? Mary Ann McGuigan is available for video chats and phone visits (and, if she can steal away from her day job in publishing, in person) with classes and book groups, with teachers and librarians. To schedule a time for her to visit with yours, contact the author directly.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Afghan Dreams: Young Voices of Afghanistan • Nonfiction (illustrated)

Afghan Dreams: Young Voices of Afghanistan

by Tony O'Brien and Mike Sullivan • photographs by Tony O'Brien

October 2008 • Bloomsbury Children's Books • Nonfiction (illustrated)

If the stories that come out of Afghanistan are ever to contain hope for the future, then the young people in these pages are that hope.

Story: Award-winning photographer Tony O'Brien and filmmaker Mike Sullivan went to Afghanistan to interview and photograph children of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, and with very different daily lives. As each one tells his or her story, the reader is placed in the middle of everyday life as it is lived by the children of one of the world's most enduringly conflict-ridden countries. From street workers to female students in newly formed academies, from children who work in family businesses to pickpockets who steal from visiting photographers, these are the faces of young Afghans who wish for peace in their neighborhoods, in their country, and in their lifetimes.

Story behind the story: Tony O'Brien's work has appeared in many publications including Time, Life and Newsweek; he is currently the head of the Documentary Studies program at the College of Santa Fe. Mike Sullivan is a bush pilot and filmmaker who spent years working with Jacques Cousteau and has done humanitarian and environmental work all over the world. Here they tell the story of Afghanistan through the eyes of her children: "We asked the children we met about their past, their families, their present lives, and their hopes for the future....Often we told the children the story of Aladdin and his magic lamp and asked what their three wishes would be. At times we sensed that the answers were influenced by the fact that they were addressing outsiders, foreigners. But the overwhelming desire for education was genuine. Children who had been denied school for so many years had a burning desire for education and peace. Muktar, our translator, explained that education if truly their dream, although for many it is out of their reach. Their reality is this poverty-stricken, war-torn country."

Some of their stories:

Ayisha Hasea Qadir, age 14, Kabul, Freedom Afghanistan Girls' School

"I want to be a journalist and travel all over, to America, Australia, and India, as well as Afghanistan. I want to talk to the sick people, the poor people, and bring their words back here to put on the news. If there is a need for me to have a family I will marry, but if there is no need, then I won't. When I am a journalist I will take care of myself. I will marry my profession."

Wahaab, age 10, Kabul, marketplace

"I have been working as a thief for twenty days, stealing from people's pockets. I've done it ten times, it's true, ten times in twenty days. I want my real father to come back, I want my sisters and brothers, and I want a house."

Bibi Aisha, age 11, Sutir Faridah, Lelandar

"I have never been out of Lelandar....I would love to believe in a magic carpet -- I would use it to fly home from school. It takes me one hour to walk; I could fly in five minutes. But I wouldn't want to go on a flying camel. We don't have one of those. It is an old name Sutir Faridah. Maybe there were flying camels then."

Najmudin, age 13, Bamian

"I hope to be a teacher, to bring the light to other children. I want to be a teacher of teachers."

★"The goofy grin of 13-year-old Najmudin in the final photo lightens the solemnity but strengthens the overall message that these resilient young folk haven’t lost their hope of better things to come.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"The book provides a sensitive, poignant, and respectful look at the lives of these young people. …This is a timely, relevant, and well-executed offering.”—School Library Journal

Now that you've had glimpse into these young people's lives, you need to see their faces, so full of hope, so inspiring.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

After Gandhi: One Hundred Years of Nonviolent Resistance • Middle-grade non-fiction (illustrated)

After Gandhi: One Hundred Years of Nonviolent Resistance
by Anne Sibley O’Brien and Perry Edmond O’Brien • illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien
February 2009 • Charlesbridge Publishing • Middle Grade non-fiction (illustrated)
Highlighting a variety of causes, cultures, and time periods, AFTER GANDHI profiles some of the major figures of nonviolent resistance from around the world to inform and inspire a new generation of activist citizens.
Story: Over the last century brave people across the world have taken a stand against violence and oppression. Against all odds their actions have toppled governments, challenged unjust laws, and rebuilt societies. This is the power of nonviolent resistance. This is the legacy of Gandhi. After Gandhi explores the work of Mohandas Gandhi and his legacy through fifteen profiles of activists (ex. Muhammed Ali, whose refusal to be drafted helped galvanize US resistance to the Vietnam War; Argentina's Mothers of the Disappeared, whose courageous vigits for their missing children contributed to the fall of the military government responsible for the kidnappings, to name just a few) who chose nonviolent resistance as the path to change.

The story behind the story: Annie O’Brien has long been an activist for peace and justice. Her son Perry’s experience as an army medic serving in Afghanistan and receiving an honorable discharge as a conscientious objector inspired the two to work together on this book, which highlights examples of how humans can work together to resolve conflict and establish justice peacefully.

Visit www.charlesbridge.com/client/aftergandhi.htm for an excerpt, posters, discussion/activity guide, and video trailer.

PASS THE PEACE: Inspired by After Gandhi, the Pass the Peace campaign is an effort to promote worldwide peace, tolerance, and nonviolent forms of protest. Charlesbridge Publishing has distributed posters to local companies, started a blog chain with a Pass the Peace widget, and donated money to Wangari Maathai's organization, The Greenbelt Movement, to spread the messages of the peacemakers profiled in the book. Feel free to post this widget to your blog, website, or social networking site, and forward it to others who may also wish to be involved.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

What are YOU doing on Valentine's Day?

If you live in ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, NY, or RI (or you know people who do), this is for you: February 14 is Kids ♥ Authors Day in New England. Show your support for Main Street and for the arts and head to your community independent bookstore on Saturday, February 14th. This Valentine’s Day, from 10 a.m. to noon, over 40 independent bookstores will host more than 170 (!) illustrators and authors of books for kids and teens, kicking off a new tradition of signed literary valentines. According to author Mitali Perkins, Kids ♥ Authors Day founder, “Independent bookstores are an irreplaceable part of our small towns and of our family traditions. We hope many families will visit local shops and leave with a signed book or two -- and a great memory.”


It’s for the community and the kids. Let’s spread some literary love. To find out about what’s happening in your town, visit www.kidsheartauthors.com. (Plus, I've found the site a great resource when looking for what kids' books to read next: so much to choose from. My night table overfloweth!).

From Russia with Lunch: A Chet Gecko Mystery • Middle-grade fiction

From Russia with Lunch: A Chet Gecko Mystery
written and illustrated by Bruce Hale
Just out! • Houghton Mifflin Books for Children • Ages 8-12
What do you get when you cross Raymond Chandler with the Marx Brothers? Chet Gecko, a wisecracking fourth-grade detective from Emerson Hicky Elementary.
Story: The 14th book in the popular mystery series begins when Chet’s favorite teacher is fired, only to be replaced by the mechanical invention of Dr. Tanya Lightov—a mysterious Russian scientist. Suddenly, the school seems possessed by forces that are upsetting the natural order of things: Kindergartners are beating up sixth graders; teachers’ pets are talking back; and worst of all, Chet’s faithful partner and best friend, Natalie Attired, has abandoned him in his hour of need. Will Chet be able to restore his friendship with Natalie and bring Emerson Hicky back to normal? One thing’s for certain: The crazy, mixed-up mastermind behind this case will be the last creature anyone expects.
Story behind the story: Where did the idea for the gecko private eye come from? "I was doing some free writing – writing without any kind of plan - and I knew I wanted to write a mystery, so I was just playing around with the detective’s narration," says Bruce Hale. "All of a sudden, it was like I could hear this voice in my head saying: 'Who am I? Chet Gecko, Private Eye. I go to fourth grade at Emerson Hicky Elementary. I’m a lizard.' I trusted the voice and went from there." Kids, teachers, and librarians have trusted it too -- this is book #14 in the popular mystery series!

Hale's website is chock-full of goodies that you and the kids will love:

• Integrate the Chet Gecko books into your classroom curriculum with the Chet Gecko Activity Booklet.

• Test your Gecko knowledge - take the Chet Gecko quiz!

• Check out detective tips from Chet Gecko’s Detective Handbook (and Cookbook) -- and the Chet Gecko Case File revealing his favorite foods, dislikes, likes, little-known facts, hobbies and more.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Gooney Bird is So Absurd • Early reader

Gooney Bird is So Absurd
by Lois Lowry • illustrated by Middy Thomas
March 2009 • Houghton Mifflin Books for Children • Ages 6-10
From the Newbery Award winning author of the popular Anastasia Kupnik series and best-selling novel THE GIVER comes the fourth hilarious title in the popular Gooney Bird series.
Story: It’s January at the Watertower Elementary School--the perfect weather for Gooney Bird Greene to break out her special brain-warming hat. Gooney Bird's brain will need to be as warm as possible this month, because Mrs. Pidgeon is teaching her class about poetry. Who knew there could be so many different ways to write a poem? Haikus, couplets, limericks—Mrs. Pidgeon’s students soon find that writing good poetry takes a lot of hard work and creative thinking. Gooney Bird and her classmates are up to the challenge. But just when things are going well, the kids get some terrible news. Gooney Bird will need all the inspiration her brain can muster to organize the most important poem the class has ever written.

Story behind the story: Since the publication of the first Gooney Bird Greene book in 2002, students, teachers, librarians and parents have embraced the feisty, inspiring character and she's graced countless summer reading and elementary school suggested reading lists. Here's a taste of what the critics have to say:

Praise for the Gooney Bird books:

"A laugh-out-loud chapter book." — Booklist

"Irrepressible Gooney Bird is that rare bird in children's fiction: one that instantly becomes an amusing and popular favorite." — Kirkus Reviews

"Lowry's masterful writing style reaches directly into her audience, managing both to appeal to young listeners and to engage readers." — The Bulletin

"Lowry displays a keen understanding of how second-grade classrooms operate . . . [Gooney Bird's] a fine storyteller and her message to classmates—that they too have stories to share—is a good one." — Horn Book

Now it's YOUR turn to tell us what YOU think!
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

The Milo & Jazz Mysteries: The Case of the Stinky Socks (Book 1) • Chapter book

The Milo & Jazz Mysteries: The Case of the Stinky Socks (Book 1)
by Lewis B. Montgomery • illustrated by Amy Wummer
Spring 2009 • The Kane Press • Chapter book
Ages 7-11
Milo and Jazz team up to solve their very first mystery! The Wildcats’ star pitcher is missing his lucky socks, and his pitching is going to pieces. Can detective duo Milo and Jazz find the thief—before the big game?
Story: Milo and Jazz are real detectives—in training, that is! And they’re determined to find the star pitcher’s lucky socks and save the day. There’s just one problem. Who would steal a pair of stinky socks? Could it be the jealous team mascot? The conceited tennis champ? A player from the rival team? Milo and Jazz are on the case! With a little help from world-famous private eye Dash Marlowe, the two friends track down clues, stake out suspects, and become top-notch super sleuths.
Story behind the story: Written for kids ages 7–11, the Milo and Jazz Mysteries are "clever, entry-level mysteries ... true-page turners, zooming along at skateboard speed to solutions that are never obvious. And -- they're funny!" (Stephanie Spinner, author of Aliens for Breakfast). Readers will enjoy the ride as Milo and Jazz hone their detecting skills (like observing, thinking logically, and looking for patterns) and pick up new ones along the way. Super Sleuthing Puzzles (Spot the Clue, Hidden Picture, and more) at the end of each book add to the fun. And don’t miss Milo & Jazz’s second mystery: The Case of the Poisoned Pig.

Early praise for the Milo & Jazz Mysteries:
"The Milo & Jazz Mysteries are a perfect blend of humor and suspense. Realistic characters and kid-friendly mysteries will make this series a favorite among young readers. Very refreshing! -- Marcia Thornton Jones, author of the Adventures of the Bailey School Kids Series.

"The combination of humor and skillful detecting work well together. The stories move fast and make kids think and reason while having fun reading." -- Madeline Gilbert, librarian/teacher, Mamaroneck Avenue School, Mamaroneck, NY

FYI: all the review copies for this title are being sent (Kane Press is working to catch up with the requests which came in while they were moving!) and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Lincoln Through the Lens • Non-fiction (middle-grade/YA)

Lincoln Through the Lens: How Photography Revealed and Shared an Extraordinary Life

by Martin W. Sandler

Fall 2008 • Walker & Company • Non-fiction (middle-grade/YA)

A stunning photo-essay that celebrates the remarkable life of an American original.

Story: More than one hundred images of Lincoln’s life and times provide a complete portrait of our most revered president, and the events that defined him. From the only confirmed existing picture of Lincoln before the historic Gettysburg Address to his second inauguration—where he is unknowingly surrounded by John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators—to the execution of his murderers, this eye-opening, inspiring visual journey provides a fresh take on one of the most documented and beloved figures in American history.

Story behind the story: Martin Sandler is the author of more than sixty books, two of which have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Among his other books are The Story of American Photography, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book; he's also a respected television writer/producer with five Emmy Awards to his credit and has taught American history and American Studies at the University of MA and Smith College. He says, "When photography first burst upon the scene in 1839, it was regarded as a miracle. Never before had it been possible to record things exactly as they were. Most important, human likenesses could be recorded." And adds, "By the time Abraham Lincoln reached the White House, he had learned to use photographers and their cameras to his own advantage....At the beginning of his political career he had often deliberately mussed his hair before allowing his photographic portrait to be taken, so that the folks from the frontier who saw the picture would understand he was one of them." That bit of info, coupled with a look at some of the book's photographs, can stir up some interesting class conversations, no?

★ "Although it’s the pictures that provide the “wow factor,” Sandler’s perceptive words have their own elegance. Well sourced and offering numerous ways to learn more, this will be an excellent tool for history classes; and browsers, too, will be caught up in Lincoln’s story.”—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

Lincoln Through the Lens includes information about places to visit with special exhibits and programs of special interest to young readers, suggested further reading and surfing, and source materials. See the online reading group guide offering tips on holding a mock election, staging a debate, creating presidential posters story webs and much more.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

The Oscars of Children's Literature

This morning, the American Library Association announced their annual picks for best children's and young adult books, videos, and films for a variety of awards and two (and perhaps many more) of this year's winners will be familiar to you Picnic Basket followers. May I have a round of applause for the Andersons!

Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Chains which so many of you sampled and wrote about here, received the Margaret Edwards award for "significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens" for her books Speak, Catalyst and Twisted, among many others. This award "recognizes an author's work in helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world." FYI, she's got a new book for teen readers out mid-March called WINTERGIRLS.

M.T. Anderson (no relationship to Laurie) received a Printz Honor Award for The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves, "a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature." Yes, indeed, and so many Picnic Basket reviewers seem to agree.

Congratulations to both authors. For the full list of award winners, see the American Library Association website.

Since I wasn't in Denver to be at the press conference, I had Twitter up and running to get instant reports. (I know, there are so many deserving books for kids and teens as we well know... this is but one list of awards, but still, it's our Academy Awards and I'm always a-twitter announcement morning to see what committee members select). How many of YOU followed the ALA's Youth Awards Twitter messages? How many of you are Twitter users? Your thoughts on this year's awards? Either comment here or send me a tweet at www.twitter.com/dsloanandco.

What an exciting Monday morning! - Deborah

Our White House • Anthology

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out
by the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance • September 2008 • Candlewick Press • All Ages
A creative tour-de-force that’s history in the making.
Story: The wonderful thing about Our White House is that it has more than just a single story to tell. In fact, over 100 award-wining authors and illustrators – people like M.T. Anderson, Kate DiCamillo, Brian Selznick, Peter Sis – donated their talents to create this incomparable collection of essays, personal accounts, historical fiction, and poetry about America’s history through the prism of the White House. You’re guaranteed to find a story you love within its pages.
Story behind the story: When the extraordinarily talented David Macaulay drafted the cover for Our White House, one of his sketches looked very much like the final cover – the White House looming large in the background, people on the lawn, the gate closed, and ladders pushed up on the fence. Nothing too subversive, right? But with the right amount of imagination and mischief, the reader can imagine those folks carrying ladders to the locked gate, climbing over the fence, and now standing on the front lawn of the White House. Oh no, they’re trespassing!!

Thankfully, McCauley opened the gate and the people are law-abiding visitors (not trespassers). It’s funny what a little thing like that can do. And even though us everyday folk aren’t exactly allowed on the lawn – except perhaps if there’s an Easter Egg roll – at least it captures the idea that The White House is Our House, too.

To listen to conversation with Our White House contributors, click here. History resources, too.

★“Powerful…. Fascinating…. Challenging.” – School Library Journal, starred review
★“A blue-ribbon choice for family sharing during an election year.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review
★“Unique bits and pieces . . . create a browser’s dream as readers explore the nooks and crannies of American history.” – School Library Journal, starred review
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Revelations • Young Adult Fiction

Revelations: A Blue Bloods Novel
by Melissa De La Cruz
October 2008 • Disney-Hyperion • YA Fiction • Ages 12 and up.
Romance, glamour, and vampire lore collide in the highly anticipated third book in best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz’s Blue Bloods series.
Story: Have you ever wondered what secrets lurk behind the closed doors of New York City’s wealthiest families? They're powerful, they're famous... they're undead. Schuyler Van Alen’s blood legacy is questioned—is the young vampire a Blue Blood, or does sinister Silver Blood running through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force.When one of the Gates of Hell is breached by Silver Bloods in Rio de Janeiro, the Blue Bloods will need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high; the battle is bloody; and through it all, Carnavale rages on. And in the end, one vampire’s secret identity will be exposed in a revelation that shocks everyone.
Story Behind the Story: Melissa De La Cruz shares one of her writing secrets—“How do you write a page-turner? By making each chapter end with a cliffhanger. What’s a cliffhanger? A cliffhanger is when the action reaches a feverish pitch and then the chapter ends with the protagonist hanging on a limb or about to kiss the boy or about to open the secret safe—but not revealing what is inside. It has to keep people reading to find out WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.” For more of Melissa’s advice to young writers, visit her hilarious blog.
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent/are being sent -- and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Chasing Lincoln's Killer • Non-fiction

Chasing Lincoln's Killer: The Search for John Wilkes Booth

by James Swanson

February 2009 • Scholastic • YA fiction • Ages 12 and up

From the New York Times bestselling author of Manhunt comes a fast-paced nonfiction thriller about the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth.

Story: Based on rare archival material, obscure trial manuscripts, and interviews with relatives of the conspirators and the manhunters, Chasing Lincoln's Killer presents the wild twelve-day chase to find the killer of the 16th President of the United States. "This story is true. All the characters are real and were alive during the great manhunt of April 1865. Their words are authentic....What happened in Washington, DC, in the spring of 1865, and in the swamps and rivers, forests, and field of Maryland and Virginia... is far too incredible to have been made up." -- author James L. Swanson.

Story behind the story: "Born on February 12, Abraham Lincoln's birthday, my fascination with our 16th president began when I was a young boy. On my tenth birthday, my grandmother gave me an unusual present: an engraving of the Deringer pistol John Wilkes Booth used to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, framed by a newspaper article published on the day after the assassination. The newspaper article described some aspects of the assassination, but was cut off before the end of the story. I knew I had to find the rest of the story. This book is my way of doing that."

The publisher, Scholastic, provides terrific materials to supplement class discussions and/or those interested in learning more: Q&A with the author, poster, and a map showing Booth's escape route. Plus, watch this video of the author speaking about chasing Lincoln's killer.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Lincoln and His Boys • Middle-grade fiction

Lincoln and His Boys
by Rosemary Wells • illustrated by P.J. Lynch
January 2009 • Candlewick Press • Middle-grade fiction
Historians claim him as one of America’s most revered presidents. But to his rambunctious sons, Abraham Lincoln was above all a playful and loving father.
Story: Here is Lincoln as seen by two of his boys: Willie, thrilled to be on his first train trip when Lincoln was deciding to run for president; Willie and Tad barging into Cabinet meetings to lift Lincoln’s spirits in the early days of the Civil War, Tad accompanying him to Richmond just after the South’s defeat. With the war raging and the Union under siege, we see history unfolding through Willie’s eyes and then through Tad’s -- and we see Lincoln rising above his own inborn sadness and personal tragedy through his devotion to his sons.
Story behind the story: While researching Red Moon at Sharpsburg, a historical novel about the Civil War, award-winning author Rosemary Wells came upon a 200-word fragment by Willie Lincoln about a trip taken with this father; this was the beginning of Lincoln and His Boys. To illustrate the book, award-winning artist P.J. Lynch traveled with Wells to the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, IL and assembled hundreds of contemporary images of Lincoln. "It was great to see the exact carpet or curtains or wallpaper that Lincoln and his family knew. Unfortunately the fashion then was for very garish colours and extravagant patterning," says Lynch. "I was able to do lots of other really useful research, including a visit to the Railway Depot that has been preserved as it was the day that Lincoln and his family departed Springfield for Washington." See PJ Lynch's blog for more about the making of the book and how his thoughts about how it relates to the current President-elect.
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Abe's Honest Words • Nonfiction picture book

Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln
by Doreen Rappaport • illustrated by Kadir Nelson

October 2008 • Disney-Hyperion • Nonfiction picture Book • Ages 8 and up

Caldecott Honor winner and New York Times best-selling illustrator Kadir Nelson brings his talents to this stunning biography of Abraham Lincoln, the next biography in Doreen Rappaport's inspiring "Big Words" series.
Story: CELEBRATE LINCOLN’S 200TH BIRTHDAY IN 2009. Two hundred years after Lincoln’s birth, the story of his humble beginnings, tenacity, honesty, compassion and incredible vision remains as inspiring and timely as ever.

Story behind the story: The passion for humanity that defined Lincoln’s life shines through in this momentous follow-up to Doreen Rappaport's Martin’s Big Words and John’s Secret Dreams. Told in Rappaport’s accessible, absorbing prose, and brought to life in powerful illustrations by Kadir Nelson, Abe’s Honest Words is an epic portrait of a truly great American president. "'I went on a pilgrimage to step into Lincoln's shoes,' says Nelson, 34, who traveled to the 16th president's home state of Illinois and to Washington, D.C., to prepare to illustrate the book. 'I wanted to get a feel of the path he traveled, to paint this great American journey. I wanted to humanize him but still pay homage to him as an icon....It comes down to the pursuit of truth,' Nelson says. 'That's why I love history.' Nelson's work has amassed a formidable following. Both Spike Lee and Will Smith have collaborated with Nelson on children's books. Collectors of his paintings, which sell for up to $30,000 each, include Denzel Washington, Queen Latifah, Shaquille O'Neal and Venus Williams. " (USA TODAY)

Author Doreen Rappaport "has long been interested in history and its effects on individuals and groups, especially children. 'History is as exciting as fiction,' she says, 'and it can open a child's eyes to the drama in their own lives as well as the lives of their ancestors.'" (BOOKPAGE). Her books have been named to the New York Times and American Library Association Notable lists, and have received awards from the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English, among many others. To help teachers and readers, Rappaport provides a learning guide with suggested questions, vocabulary, and research info.

★ “This collaboration between Rappaport and Nelson provides a sweeping arc of Lincoln’s life, jumping from his humble beginnings and his early political career through his struggles to preserve the union and to help abolish slavery. Rappaport writes in a very free verse, and on each page echoes her narrative with prescient samplings of Lincoln’s words.. This exceptional art, along with Rappaport’s and Lincoln’s words, makes this a fine celebration of a man who needs little introduction.” --Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below for reviews from your colleagues.

Our Abe Lincoln • Picture Book

Our Abe Lincoln: An Old Tune with New Lyrics

by Jim Aylesworth • illustrated by Barbara McClintock

January 2009 • Scholastic • Picture book
As the curtain rises in a school auditorium, the audience waits with excited anticipation. Soon a cast of spirited schoolchildren will portray the life of Abraham Lincoln through a simple, delightful musical biography.

Story: Wise Abe Lincoln said, "No More!" to slavery/"No More!" to slavery/"No More!" to slavery/Wise Abe Lincoln said, "No More!" to slavery/Many brave days ago. Aylesworth adapted a song used during Lincoln's president campaign to the tune of "The Old Grey Mare" to tell Lincoln's story to the very youngest readers. Includes musical score. Be prepared for lots of singing along! Author's note provides facts/timeline of Lincoln's life.

Story behind the story: Jim Aylesworth is the well-loved author of more than 30 books for children -- and his 25 years as a first-grade teacher have taught him exactly what children love best in a book. Aylesworth tells his stories with generous doses of loud sounds, rhythms and rhymes. Barbara McClintock -- honored four times by The New York Times for Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year -- got her inspiration for these 19th-century style illustrations from her costume and set designs for the Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company.

★"With a fresh approach to Lincoln that is both delightful and accurate, Aylesworth sets history to the tune of “The Old Gray Mare” and the derivative song “Our Abe Lincoln Came Out of the Wilderness,” which was popular during the 16th president’s campaign. Lincoln’s life is depicted in the singsong verse through the framing devise of students performing a grade-school play....McClintock captures the exuberance with charming visuals that outline significant aspects of the leader’s life and lore. As an introduction for young children, this is a perfect resource, for the engaging images and catchy phrasing as well as for the larger story that it so deftly summarizes." -- School Library Journal, starred review

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

It's all about Lincoln this week...

Given the buzz about Lincoln's 200th birthday next month and the new titles being published for children of all ages, this week it's all about Abe. Today we're featuring two new picture books and tomorrow two books for older readers that explore aspects of the 16th president's life. Plenty of Lincoln literature to go around for teachers of all grade levels and both children's and young adult librarians. Enjoy! -- Deborah

Listen, Listen • Lap board book

Listen, Listen
by Phillis Gershator • illustrated by Alison Jay

November 2008 • Barefoot Books • Board Book

"Listen, listen...what’s that sound?”
Story: Take a seat, lay this big board book across your lap, and explore a bounty of telltale sights and sounds that mark the seasons. From summer’s sizzling sun to winter’s crackling snow, prepare for senses to be teased by Phillis Gershator’s lively rhyming words and Alison’s Jays lavish illustrations. Locate the ‘can you see’ pages at the back of the book and search for the animals, insects, flowers, and trees that are the harbingers of each season.

★ "Jay’s stylized pictures, with the texture of ancient frescos, are a window into a world in which the buzz of an insect and the whoosh of the wind lend surprising emotion. Illustrations filled with snowmen, anthropomorphized animals, and people running through a leaf-swept field will make children long to discover what is just over a hill or around the next bend. Capturing a summer idyll reading in a hammock with the same care as a warm evening by the fireplace, Jay invests each image with both joy and melancholy. This jewel of a book will draw children back again and again"—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

"In this ode to the seasons, the sights and sounds of a picturesque country village are artfully evoked. Under the summer sun, 'Leaves rustle, hammocks sway. Splish, splash, children play.' In autumn, 'Pumpkins ripen, quick, quick. Apples, corn—pick, pick.' During winter, 'Crunch, crunch, boots clomp. Grown-ups shovel, children romp./Skaters spin, skiers glide. Zip, zoom, slip, slide.' When spring arrives, 'Pop, pop, bulbs sprout. Leaves grow, flowers shout.' Jay's crackled-varnish paintings have a nostalgic, folk-art quality. The rhyming, onomatopoeic text wraps around the busy scenes, and the words and art together provide a smooth transition between the seasons: 'summer's gone' is illustrated with a swarm of insects buzzing off the page. An appended 'can you see' game encourages close examination of the changing landscapes. Children will be inspired to 'listen, listen' in their own environments."—School Library Journal
Story behind the story: Listen, Listen marks the launch of the lap board book format for Barefoot Books. Meant for young children who are just learning the love of reading with their parent or teacher, the thicker pages of this edition allow small hands to grasp and turn them.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below for reviews to date from your colleagues.

The Red Shoes • Picture Book

The Red Shoes

by Eleri Glass illustrated by Ashley Spires

2008 • Simply Read Books • Picture Book
"The red shoes are happy apples waiting to be picked.'The red ones Mom.'"

Story: A little girl needs new shoes. There are hundreds of pairs of shoes in the shoe store, but they're all the same dull brown or grey — all except one pair. They’re red. Bright red. Fire engine red! And they’re exactly what the little girl wants. But how can she convince her mother and the skeptical sales clerk? Simple, lyrical text and charming watercolor illustrations combine to create a picture book that shows how bright, colorful things can lift one’s spirits. Set in the 1960s, this book also shows young readers the fashions of the era.

Story behind the story: Haven't red ruby slippers always been alluring? What child (or adult) hasn't wanted that special something that was "just out of reach"? The Red Shoes presents a story we can all relate to as evidenced by this early praise:

"This text would be a perfect accompaniment to a writing invitation for children. The descriptive language of the text conjures up images that allow the reader to imagine the tiny ruby gems as something more than just ordinary shoes. They may wonder what kinds of adventures the little girl will go on with her new shoes. Or they may name the character and create their own story about the girl with the red shoes. Children may also have a connection with the character as they think of something that they desire." -- CM Magazine.

"Spare text and 1960s fashions lend a subtle sophistication of bygone days when shopping trips required white gloves and dresses. Any child who's ever begged for the least sensible shoes in the store (and later worn them to bed) will definitely relate." -- Publishers Weekly

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

The Hunger Games • YA fiction

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
October 2008 • Scholastic • YA fiction • Ages 12 and up
Each year in the ruins of North America, 24 teenagers are forced to enter the Hunger Games. Only the winner survives. Every moment is televised.
Story: Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone watching you? Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
Story behind the story: When I received this book I was warned: be sure to have time to read it in one sitting. Who hasn't heard that before, but believe me, make the time to do just that. Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight series, took it to a dinner party so she could keep reading it under the table!

"It's hard to choose one element that inspired The Hunger Games," says Suzanne Collins, New York Times bestselling author of the Underland Chronicles for middle grade readers. "Probably the first seeds were planted when, as an eight-year-old with a mythology obsession, I read the story of Theseus...and even as a third grader I could appreciate the ruthlessness of this message. 'Mess with us and we'll do something worse than kill you. We'll kill your children.'....But it wasn't until the much more recent experience of channel surfing between reality TV programming and actual war coverage that the story for this series came to me."

Since it's publication in October, it's landed on the NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestseller lists, been named a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S Best Book of the Year and a NEW YORK TIMES Notable Children's Book, is #1 ON CHILDREN'S INDIE NEXT LIST, and has received starred reviews from many journals/publications.

You may have heard the buzz about it, but have you read it? Here's the first chapter and, also, a discussion guide which includes discussion questions, suggestions for further reading, and connections to classic literature (The Grapes of Wrath, Nineteen Eighty-Four, among others) that are part of high school students' curriculum.

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

The Big Bell and The Little Bell • Picture book with audio CD

The Big Bell and The Little Bell

by Martin Kalmanoff • illustrated by Alastair Graham

November 2008 • Boxer Books (US sales/distribution via Sterling Publishing) • Picture book with audio CD

Read and sing along with the classic song!

Story: The classic 1950s song ‘The Big Bell and the Little Bell’ is brought to life in pictures, words and music and tells the tale of a King who has to decide which bell—large or small, loud or soft—he wants to ring out on his wedding day. The big bell makes a mighty “bong!” while the little bell just makes a tiny “bing!” In this beautifully illustrated picture book, kids will discover that big isn't always better -- sometimes the little one wins the day! Complete with audio CD for a full visual and auditory experience.
Story behind the story: Martin Kalmanoff wrote many hit songs, some performed by Dean Martin and Elvis Presley, and his “The Big Bell and the Little Bell”— became a family favorite when it was first released in 1954. Boxer Books created the CD to include both Julius La Rosa singing the original 1950s track, and a spectacular new recording by the London Crouch End Festival Chorus.

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

The World That Loved Books • Picture Book

The World That Loved Books

written and illustrated by Stephen Parlato

November • Simply Read Books • Picture Book

"There once was a world where everyone loved books, even the animals. Everyone loved to read so much that when they read their books, they became what they read."

Story: Imagine a world where everyone loves books, and where people become what they read. And then... when the book is done, they become themselves again, only smarter. This is the world Stephen Parlato creates in The World That Loved Books, a world where even the animals love to read. Illustrated with gorgeous, intricately detailed collages, this dazzling picture book conveys a sense of joy and wonder about the natural world. It’s also a powerful fable about reading books and how they change the reader in marvelous and unexpected ways.

Story behind the story: Interviewed by Oprah Winfrey for his unique teaching methods with specially gifted inner city high school students (he works as a counselor with mentally challenged young adults in Baltimore), Stephen Parlato describes his work as “visual puns” with a “double identity of forms”. Images constructed of bits and pieces of the familiar are meticulously rearranged into strange, exotic and marvelous new creatures. Language arts and art teachers will have much to talk about.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Waggit's Tale; Waggit Again • Middle grade fiction (illustrated)

Waggit's Tale and Waggit Again

By Peter Howe • Illustrated by Omar Rayyan
Waggit's Tale, July 2008 • Waggit Again, May 2009 • HarperCollins Children’s Books • Middle grade fiction (illustrated)
A young dog lost--an unexpected family found.
Story: When a small pup is abandoned by his owner in the city park, he meets a team of mutts who name him Waggit, for his powerful wagging tail. Waggit soon learns the lingo of his new friends and the dangers and hardships of life in the wild. But Waggit is sharp, and he becomes the best hunter and tracker in his group. Still, he remembers and longs for the comforts of home.
Story behind the story: Peter Howe got the idea for Waggit when he and his wife were living near Central Park. They were walking in the park when they found a puppy, about six-months old, who’d been badly abused. They took him home, planning to take him to a shelter after the weekend. He was so bouncy, they named him Roo, after the character in Winnie-the-Pooh. That weekend stretched into 14 years, and Roo lived a full and happy life with them. Peter often saw dogs, clearly wild, running around the woods in Central Park. They gave him the idea for the pack that Waggit meets and joins.

After Roo died, Peter and his wife adopted another rescued dog, who loves to come with him on school visits. If you’d like to have Peter visit your school or library, please contact authorvisits@harpercollins.com.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below for reviews from your colleagues.

Up and Down the Andes: A Peruvian Festival Tale • Illustrated Young Reader

Up and Down the Andes:
A Peruvian Festival Tale

Written by Laurie Krebs • Illustrated by Aurélia Fronty Publication: November 2008 • Barefoot Books • Illustrated Young Reader

"Up and Down the Andes, there are children just like me."

Story: Join the young narrator and six other children, each carrying a special item, as they descend from all parts of Peru to Cusco to celebrate Inti Raymi – the Festival of the Sun. Readers’ curiosity will be piqued at the mention of several parts of Peru from Lima and Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu’s ancient sites, Arequipa, and Puno. Extensive educational footnotes -- plus a map and a "Did You Know?" section -- satisfy inquiring minds about Peru’s history, terrain, peoples, and festivals.
"Peruvian children in colorful native garb make their way to a winter solstice celebration in this glowingly illustrated book. Krebs's rhyming couplets build anticipation as each of six young travelers uses different means of transport (bus, pack animal, etc.) to arrive at the ancient Incan festival of Inti Raymi, honoring the Sun God. .” Fronty's paintings, in a warm, vibrant palette, are contemporary in their compositions but recall folk art in their flat planes and use of patterns. Tile roofs, costumes and the sun's rays incorporate repeated geometric motifs. Meaty endnotes highlight Peru's history, geography and people." -Publisher’s Weekly

Story behind the story: Up and Down the Andes is the sixth title in the Barefoot Books World Travel Series, written by intrepid traveler and former elementary school teacher Laurie Krebs. Other books in the series introduce the young armchair traveler to Egypt, Mexico, the Galapagos Islands, Tanzania, and the Silk Road. Stay tuned to see where Laurie travels next...

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about it -- plus more to come!

Bugged! • Early reader

Bugged!
by Michelle Knudsen • illustrated by Blanche Sims • 2008 • Kane Press • Early reader
Bzzz! The mosquitoes are attacking, and Riley’s on the run! Can he find a way to make himself bug-proof---once and for all?
Story: Poor Riley. He’s tried just about everything to ward off those pesky mosquitoes. Even his “mosquito dance” doesn’t work. To make matters worse, the pesky insects would rather bite him than his friends, Steve and Lara. There’s just got to be something Riley can do before he bugs out!
Story behind the story: From the author of Library Lion (New York Times bestseller and School Library Journal Best Book of the Year list, among many other accolades) and the illustrator of the ever-popular "Kids of the Polk Street School" books, this early reader for children in grades 1-3 is one of the titles in Kane Press' "Science Solves It!" series. The books in the series merge fiction and content in storylines to intrigue youngsters and encourage them to observe, investigate, predict, experiment, compare, and draw conclusions. Kids will be inspired by the characters in each story, as they solve kid-size mysteries and dilemmas. Bugged!, along with the other books in the series, can be enjoyed by independent readers and also read aloud to younger children.
"An excellent book for the school classroom or library.... an engaging story that also helps introduce key elements for critical thinking." Read more of the review at The Reading Tub.
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below for reviews from your colleagues.

It's That Best Books Lists Time of Year...

Three Picnic Basket titles were named to Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year list:

• The Day Leo Said "I Hate You!" written by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Molly Bang (Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers)


• The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. II: The Kingdom on the Waves by M. T. Anderson (Candlewick Press)


• Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Congratulations to the authors, illustrators and publishers!

Ratha's Courage • Young Adult fiction (fantasy)

Ratha’s Courage: The Fifth Book of the Named
by Clare Bell
October, 2008 • Imaginator Press • YA Fiction
The return of Ratha: kept alive by fans, the critically acclaimed teen fantasy series returns after 14 years.
Story: Ratha, the fiery female leader of the sentient prehistoric cat clan called the Named, continues her story in this new novel. In Ratha's Courage, the Named attempts to share the gift of fire with the mammoth-hunting clan introduced in Ratha’s Challenge, but the contrasting values of two very different cultures lead to misunderstanding, tragedy, and war. Ratha learns that reaching out to others, especially when the chasm is so wide, takes true courage.
Story behind the story: Clare Bell’s first book, Ratha’s Creature, was published in 1983, with help and encouragement from science fiction writer Andre Norton and legendary editor Margaret K. McElderry. Ratha’s Creature garnered an International Reading Association award, a Pen Center award, a Booklist starred review, and a place on the American Library Association's Best Books for Young People list. Three more books about Ratha followed between 1984 and 1993, two of which were also on the ALA Best Books for Young People list.

The series eventually went out of print, and Clare stopped writing, but a base core of fans kept the series alive and Firebird Books resurrected the series last year, reprinting the four original books in 2007 with new cover art. Now, Imaginator Press is publishing Ratha’s Courage, the first new book in the series in fourteen years. In its electronic newsletter, Horn Book magazine recently recommended the series for older Warriors fans looking for new books. With romance, friendship, epic battles, and thought-provoking themes, the Named series is loaded with teen appeal.
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about it -- plus more to come!

Over 210 reviews! Plus newly named National Book Award finalist Laurie Halse Anderson coming to a city near you?

The Picnic Basket is now home to more than 200 reviews, so two shouts of thanks: to the generous participating publishers who provide us with the review copies and to all of you, who are considering these books for your schools and libraries, for your feedback. Your words have been read by the 1900+ unique site visitors ... and beyond as links to Picnic Basket reviews have been popping up on websites everywhere. Keep 'em coming!
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When I read CHAINS by Laurie Halse Anderson, I fell immediately into Isabel's world and was so taken with Laurie's words, her creation of characters, and ability to make me feel like I was right there in the center of the action. Many of you have read and written about CHAINS and feel it's an absolute must read -- and you're not alone: the National Book Award committee agrees and, this week, named CHAINS a National Book Award Finalist in the Young People's Literature category (winner to be announced November 19th). As Laurie will be going on tour to talk about CHAINS next week, I thought you'd like to know where and when just in case you're in the area and can meet up with her. One children's literature consultant told me she heard her speak at a conference and those ten minutes changed her life!

That Book Woman • Picture Book

That Book Woman
by Heather Henson • Illustrated by David Small

October 2008 • Atheneum Books for Young Readers • Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing • Picture Book

A Tribute to Teachers and Librarians . . .
Story: Cal is not the readin' type. Living way high up in the Appalachian Mountains, he'd rather help Pap plow or go out after wandering sheep than try some book learning. Nope. Cal does not want to sit stony-still reading some chicken scratch. But that Book Woman keeps coming just the same. She comes in the rain. She comes in the snow. She comes right up the side of the mountain, and Cal knows that's not easy riding. And all just to lend his sister some books. Why, that woman must be plain foolish — or is she braver than he ever thought? That Book Woman is a rare and moving tale that honors a special part of American history —the Pack Horse Librarians, who helped untold numbers of children see the stories amid the chicken scratch, and thus made them into lifetime readers.
Story behind the story: David Small writes, “That wonderful book woman goes about her lonely, possibly futile mission with the determination and bravery born of the convition that what she is doing is right. To me, as I worked on the pictures for this book, she became a symbol of my own sometimes lonely work in the studio, and of the mission of all of us who worked on this project: to keep books alive and available in the face of tremendous odds.”

Keep an eye for the That Book Woman reading group guide which will be posted shortly on SimonSaysTEACH.com!

Amadi's Snowman • Picture Books

Amadi's Snowman
by Katia Novet Saint-Lot • Illustrated by Dimitrea Tokunbo
Newly released • Tilbury House, Publishers • Picture Book
Why does Amadi's mother insist he learn to read words when he is going to be a great businessman?
Story: Amadi, a mischievous young boy in Nigeria, believes he can become a successful businessman without learning to read. But one day, after running away to the market, he spots an older boy reading about a strange white creature with a carrot for a nose. Amadi soon realizes that learning to read will open up new worlds for him, and introduce him to places and ideas he never knew existed outside his village.
Story behind the story: Author Katia Novet Saint-Lot will be doing a virtual tour next month so be sure to check Tilbury House, Publishers for a full schedule as well as suggestions on how to incorporate this topic into a classroom lesson with lots of links on websites to explore for info about Nigeria, related reading titles, activities and much more. Until then, you might be interested in what a few children's industry folk have to say:

"Amadi's Snowman is a beautiful tribute to the power of reading and one boy's journey of self-discovery through books. Dimitrea Tokunbo's evocative illustrations underscore the loving interchange between a mother and son. The richly hued paintings invite us to enjoy Nigeria's many splendors and provide the perfect stage for Katia Novet Saint-Lot's imaginative story." —Andrea Davis Pinkney, Coretta Scott King Honor Author of Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters

"Amadi's first-ever glimpse at a snowman—one depicted in the pages of a book—inspires him to transform from a resistant to an enthusiastic student of reading. Children will identify with Amadi's initial reluctance, his mixed feelings about a new challenge, and his attempts to rationalize staying the same. Yet they also will likely be inspired, as Amadi is, by the possibilities of reading, the way it can fill one's heart and shine a light on the unknown." —Cynthia Leitich Smith, Children's Book Author

-- plus check out an interview with Katia on The Writing Wild Life blog, read some of the wonderful reviews to date from ForeWord magazine as well as The Bees Knees Review.
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about it and be sure to come back as there are more to come!

Arthur of Albion • Illustrated Young Reader

Arthur of Albion
by John Matthews • Illustrated by Pavel Tatarnikov
October 2008 • Barefoot Books • Illustrated Young Reader
"A king shall come who shall rule over these lands and as far afield as Rome herself, and his name shall be Arthur."
Story: Compiled by world-renowned Arthurian expert John Matthews, this Barefoot anthology is a comprehensive collection of the many legends that make up the realm of King Arthur. Stories include: The Boy Who Became King, The Ladies of the Lake: How King Arthur Came by the Sword Excalibur, Merlin the Wise, Knights, Their Horses, Weapons, and Armor: The Adventures of Sir Lancelot, The Grail, and more. Includes removable, fold-out map of Albion.
Story behind the story: There are many of us who know and love the tales that make up Arthurian Legend, but not necessarily how they are all related. Barefoot Books co-founder, Tessa Strickland, is amongst those for whom the threads connecting each story remained hidden. So, she asked good friend, Barefoot Books author, librarian, and Arthurian scholar John Matthews if he would compile a collection of the more renowned tales, revealing the weave that binds them. John was more than happy to comply and, along with the mystical, Klimt-like art of first-time Barefoot illustrator Pavel Tatarnikov, we have what is sure to be a definitive Arthurian anthology for young and old alike.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; just click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about it -- more in the works, too!

Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One Before • YA fiction

Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One Before
by David Yoo
Brand New! September 2008 • Disney Hyperion Books • YA Fiction
A hilarious new YA novel from the author of Girls for Breakfast.
Story: In this desperately funny novel, David Yoo tells an authentic story of first love, and therein captures the agony, the mania, the kicking and screaming that define teenage existence.
Story behind the story: David Yoo writes, “I had a tendency, growing up, of falling for girls who shortly thereafter got back together with their ex-boyfriends, thereby instantly transforming me from a good friend into a third wheel. I’ve always wanted to write about that. And one summer in high school I had an incredibly dull job at a golf course, where on my lunch breaks I’d head over to this pond on the 9th hole and throw rocks at these huge frogs that lazed around the edge—my only respite from the boredom. The frogs were only twenty feet away, and yet day after day, for an entire summer, I could never hit a single one. I’ve always wanted to write about that, too.”
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below for reviews to date from your colleagues.

Chains • Middle-grade fiction

Chains
by Laurie Halse Anderson
October 2008 • Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers • Middle-grade fiction

Freedom. In 1776 New England, that word is on everyone's lips. But for thirteen-year-old Isabel the word holds a different meaning...

Story: Equal parts political thriller and coming of age story, Chains is an impeccably researched story of a young woman's quest for freedom that brings the American Revolution to life in all its grand and conflicted glory. After the death of the only mistress she has ever known, Isabel and her younger sister, Ruth, are sold to a wealthy New York family even though their former owner had promised them their freedom. As Isabel tries to work freedom for herself and her sister, alliances are made and promises are broken and Isabel learns the hard way that the "freedom" she's being asked to spy for does not and may never extend to her. Faced with the choice of working for or against the British, Isabel chooses to side with herself and work with anyone who can help her.

"Laurie Halse Anderson's CHAINS is searing and has so many brilliant sparks I became lost in it. Isabel's harrowing journey into a nightmare realm of slavery, betrayal, loss and ultimately hope quite literally had me sobbing."

-- Three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Michael L. Printz Award winner, Angela Johnson
Story behind the story: About the inspiration for Chains, Anderson says: "A decade ago, while researching Fever 1793, I came across facts that shocked me: that Benjamin Franklin owned slaves, that twenty percent of New York City in 1776 was in bondage, and that the Revolution was not fought for the freedom of all Americans. These surprises led me to a deep investigation of our history . . . . Slavery affects all Americans, regardless of ethnic background, or how long our families have lived here. Slavery is the elephant in our country’s living room. It won’t go away until we acknowledge, understand, and deal with it. I hope Isabel’s story will help young readers break free of the chains of ignorance and misunderstanding. Maybe they will be strong enough to move our country forward to empathy and healing, and finally allow America to fulfill the dream of liberty and justice for all."
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about it -- plus more to come!

The Day Leo Said "I Hate You!" • Picture Book

The Day Leo Said “I Hate You!”
by Robie H. Harris • Illustrated by Molly Bang
September 2008 • Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers •
Picture Book
A family book about what it feels like to say--and hear--those other three words.
Story: In a reassuring manner, Robie H. Harris and Molly Bang portray what happens when a little boy feels SO frustrated and SO mad at a parent who has said NO all day long. Together, Harris and Bang delicately navigate not only the momentary angry feelings and outbursts of young children, but also the most profound bonds between a parent and a child.
Story behind the story: This book has been in the works ever since Robie and the previous publisher of Little, Brown, David Ford, ran into each other at the 2002 American Library Association convention. Both commented on the fact that there were so many “I LOVE YOU!” picture books on display, many overly sentimental and vapid. They surmised that this was most likely an empathic response to 9/11 — a way to reassure our young children. Together, they wondered if anyone had ever written a picture book about three equally powerful words — “I HATE YOU!” David’s response was, “I'd like to publish that book and you could write it!” Robie has spent much of her career writing about young children’s powerful emotions. So it is no surprise that after many years, she was able to successfully craft the compelling and reassuring story of Leo and his Mommy.

Here’s a little taste of the three starred reviews (!!) received so far:

“Must have reading for many a parent and child.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Harris’s wisdom and sense of humor regarding early childhood behavior complement Bang’s depictions of a little boy’s strong emotions…. Children will delight in the realism of the collage elements (cloud-covered sheets, shaggy stuffed animals, exploding broccoli spears) and relate to the intensity of the scenes in which Leo struggles with his rage and lack of power. It may dawn on parents that sometimes playing is better than getting another thing done.” -- Wendy Lukehart, School Library Journal

“Harris and Bang are so simpatico that it’s almost surprising that no one thought of bringing them together sooner…. booksellers might actually want to consider filing copies of this book in the parenting section.” – Publishers Weekly
(For the complete reviews, see: the Kirkus starred review; the School Library Journal starred review; and the Publishers Weekly starred, boxed review.)

You might also be interested in reading excerpts from a presentation Robie gave at the Reach Out and Read of Greater New York Conference entitled "Young Children's Deepest Thoughts and Strongest Feelings" as she talks about picture books, young children's powerful feelings, reassurance -- and how Molly Bang became the artist for this book.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and Picnic Basket reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about it!

The Brothers Torres • YA fiction

The Brothers Torres
by Coert Vorrhes
Spring 2008 • Disney – Hyperion Books • YA fiction
The provocative story of a Mexican-American teenager's coming of age in the southwest.
Story: Frankie Towers looks up to his older brother Steve, who always gets what he wants: girls, a soccer scholarship, and--lately--street cred. But Frankie has reservations about Steve's crusade to win the respect of the local cholos. He may have to choose between respecting his brother and respecting himself.
Story behind the story: Debut author Coert Voorhees will be featured at this year’s National Council of Teachers of English annual convention and the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents workshop. Born and raised in New Mexico, Voorhees states, “When I was growing up, I received so much conflicting information about my role in the world as a man. I questioned how to act, and wondered who to emulate. During my time as a high school and junior high teacher, I had the opportunity to see this paradox with two viewpoints: through the conflicted and sometimes tortured eyes of a teenager and with the wizened eyes of someone who has made it through. That experience helped to inform my writing of The Brothers Torres.” Voorhees was interviewed for School Library Journal’s The Debut.
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below for reviews to date from your colleagues.

Fabulous Terrible: The Adventures of You • YA fiction

Fabulous Terrible: The Adventures of You
by Sophie Talbot
Just out! • Chooseco • YA fiction
In six short months, your entire life has gone into turnaround...
Story: Fabulous Terrible: The Adventures of You, a brand new novel for teen girls from the creators of the classic best-selling “Choose Your Own Adventure” series, puts YOU at an elite girls’ boarding school where you face a complicated social scene, super competitive classmates and … elements of magic. As if your new life in the fast lane isn’t enough, what’s with your sudden psychic talents?
Story behind the story: "We understand that when teens girls read, they want to have a deep unique experience with the characters -- they want to form relationships with them," says Chooseco publisher Shannon Gilligan. "Fabulous Terrible is “chick lit” geared around info that YOU and your friends can find in the book and online. Girls like to try on personas and writing the book in the 2nd person point-of-view, true to classic Choose Your Own Adventure style, allows readers to learn about themselves as they read the book. Fabulous Terrible is about an orphan with a lot of strikes against her. She's grappling with growing up (who isn't?), there's a really strong geek girl character, and an additional element of magic thrown in." See the Which FABULOUS TERRIBLE Girl Are You? Facebook quiz.

“This fantasy novel is different than any book I have ever read....What makes this book different is the main character, it is you.…make[s] you want the sequel, Fabulous Terrible: The Adventures of You: Chloe to come out sooner than October. I definitely recommend this book to those out there who love chick-lit with a fantasy twist or those looking for a good light read.”
– Sarah Bourg, YA librarian, Lebanon Public Library, Lebanon, IN (yasarah.blogspot.com)

“Fabulous Terrible is the perfect choice for any and every reader. The combination of mystery, friendship and secrets makes it hard not to love. No matter when or where you read it you’ll immediately be hooked. 4.5 Stars! (P.S. For those still not convinced, think A Great and Terrible Beauty meets Private.)” -- ChickLitTeens (chicklitteens.blogspot.com)

25 copies available. Order your reviewer's copy now.

Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World • Middle-grade non-fiction (illustrated)

Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World
by Jane Yolen • illustrated by Christine Joy Pratt
July 2008 • Charlesbridge • Middle-grade non-fiction (illustrated)
"Young pirate princesses (and princes) will be dazzled." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred)
Story: Throughout the ages, women from all classes and walks of life turned to pirating out of necessity, desperation, or greed. Acclaimed author Jane Yolen examines the contradictions of these bold women’s lives and times. Meet Artemisia, the admiral-queen of Persia in 500 BC; Grania O’Malley, the Irish “pirate queen” who challenged Queen Elizabeth I’s British ships; Madame Ching, who sailed the South China Sea in the early 1800’s; and ten other female pirates on their ships, in battle, and in disguise.
The Story behind the story:
Jane Yolen writes: "I have been one of those 'pirate addled' readers since I first encountered Anne Bonney and Mary Read in seventh grade. When I wrote an earlier book on women pirates, there was little easily obtained information about them. I didn’t know then about Grania O’Malley, or Artemisia, or Teuta. In the over forty years since publication of that book, Pirates in Petticoats, scholars have done much work on the subject of women pirates. This book uses a lot of that new material." Just for fun: International Talk Like a Pirate Day is September 19th.
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.

Keesha's Bright Idea! • Early Reader

Keesha's Bright Idea!
by Eleanor May • illustrated by Amy Wummer

July 2008 • Kane Press • Early reader

Will Keesha’s plan for an Earth Day project get in the way of her brother’s band rehearsals?

Story: Uh-oh. Eddie’s little sister gets a “bright idea” just days before the Battle of the Bands. Now Eddie has to write a new song, practice with his band, and help Keesha save energy—all at the same time! Can he do it?

Story behind the story: This early reader for students grades 1-3 is part of Kane Press' "Social Studies Connects" program which combines characters and plots with social studies concepts -- here, the environment, saving energy, and making thoughtful decisions -- that relate to kids' everyday lives and supports/reinforces social studies vocabulary. Keesha's Bright Idea!, along with the other books in the series, can be enjoyed by independent readers and also read aloud to younger children.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below for reviews from your colleagues.

The Dog Who Belonged to No One • Picture Book

The Dog Who Belonged to No One<
by Amy Hest • Illustrated by Amy Bates
September 2008 • Abrams Books for Young Readers • Picture Book
A timeless tale of friendship by New York Times bestselling author Amy Hest!
Story: No one takes notice of a small dog with crooked ears who doesn’t have a home. He explores the narrow streets and wide boulevards every day, while across town a little girl named Lia pedals on her bicycle alone, delivering breads and cakes. Both dream of finding a friend, until fate brings them together.
Story behind the story: Amy Hest, multi-time winner of the Christopher Medal, says that “the dog in this story reminds me a lot of a dog I know called Billy. They both try SO hard. They both mean SO well. And in the end, they both want to be loved SO much.” The love-fest for Hest’s and Bates’ timeless characters is beginning thanks to starred reviews in both Booklist (“…the lesson, that you may not know you’re missing something until you find it, makes this simple and eloquent story especially suitable for children who hold out hope for the day when that perfect dog will cross their paths and warm their own homes") and School Library Journal (“Lia in her blue dress, pinafore, and jaunty cap and the bright-eyed little dog evoke tender sympathy.”).
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about it and be sure to come back as there are more to come!

Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing • Middle grade fiction (illustrated)

Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing
by Gue Yue and Clare Farrow • Illustrated by Helen Cann
Just out! • Barefoot Books • Middle grade fiction (illustrated)
Wouldn’t you rather be free, for just a day, than spend a lifetime in a cage?
Story: Eight-year-old Little Leap is growing up during China’s Cultural Revolution. He loves to spend his days flying kites, playing games with his friends, and practicing his flute. One day, he catches a songbird—but she refuses to sing as soon he places her in a cage. Little Leap Forward cannot understand why....Then Mao’s Red Guards arrive and everyone’s lives change as even the littlest freedoms are restricted. Little Leap comes to terms with these changes as he decides whether he can hold onto the beautiful bird who will not sing, or should return her to her freedom.
Story behind the story: The launch title in Barefoot Books’ New Young Fiction list for readers ages 9-12, Little Leap Forward is based upon the real-life experiences of accomplished musician Guo Yue. Born in Beijing in 1958, the year of Mao's Great Leap Forward, his name is a revolutionary one: Guo meaning Kingdom, Yue meaning Leap Forward. His family lived in a traditional courtyard in the maze of old alleys known as the Hutongs, between the beautiful Drum and Bell Towers and the river where he played as a child. His courtyard housed the families of five traditional musicians, mostly from the countryside. From these musicians he learned how to put not just his breath but his whole body into playing the flute. In 1982 Yue left China for England with the help of his sister who lived there. He studied flute at the Guildhall School of Music. Yue now plays 15 different bamboo flutes and records on Peter Gabriel’s Real World label. He has worked on the soundtracks of several international films, including Bertolluci's Oscar-winning 'The Last Emperor' and 'The Killing Fields'. An accomplished cook, Yue has also written, with his wife Clare Farrow, Music, Food and Love.
"I have heard Guo Yue play his music, I have eaten his food, and can guarantee he delivers in a magical way." Peter Gabriel
“This is a story that deepens with each rereading…. The authors thread together themes of music, freedom and friendship so subtly that children will hardly detect the shifts going on within Leap Forward until he takes Little Cloud to the riverside. By ending the novel before the worst tragedies befall his family, Guo and Farrow suggest that Leap Forward has gained the inner strength he needs to get through whatever lies ahead.”—Jennifer M. Brown, Shelf Awareness

Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing has been selected by Anokaberry as one the the top 20 Best Books of 2008 for Middle Grade Readers.

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and some reviews are in, and more in the works; please click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about this book and be sure to come back as there are more reviews to come!

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. II: The Kingdom on the Waves • YA fiction

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. II: The Kingdom on the Waves

by M. T. Anderson
October 2008 • Candlewick Press • YA fiction

Follow Octavian to Virginia as he allies with the British, lured by the promise of freedom.
Story: Fleeing from a death sentence, Octavian and his tutor, Dr. Trefusis, escape to British-occupied Boston. Sundered from all he knows, Octavian hopes to find safe harbor. Instead, he learns of Lord Dunmore's proclamation offering freedom to slaves who join the counterrevolutionary forces.
Seeking the truth of his past and hope for his future, he encounters generous thieves, pious carpenters, delicate lords, noble cowherds, bedazzled scientists, and murderous rebels — as this astonishing narrative escalates to its startling, deeply satisfying climax.
Story behind the story: No one can articulate the story behind Octavian better than the man himself. In his interview with Ingram Library Services at ALA Annual, author M.T. Anderson talks about writing this epic tale that “fascinates, appalls, condemns, and enthralls.”
“Viewed through historical hindsight, Octavian’s final, wounded optimism (‘No other human generation hath done other than despoil, perhaps we shall be the first’) will resonate strongly with contemporary teens.” – Booklist, starred review
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about it -- plus more to come!

Judy Moody Goes to College • Middle-grade fiction (illustratedO

Judy Moody Goes to College
by Megan McDonald • illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Just out! • Candlewick Press • Middle grade fiction

It’s her funniest adventure yet! A few sessions with a college-age math tutor turn Judy into a jargon-spouting polygon princess. Crucial!
Story: The substitute teacher in Class 3T thinks Judy’s math skills need improving. So Judy has to start meeting with a math tutor. Does this mean flash cards? Does this mean school on weekends? But when Judy meets her tutor—a college student with an uber-funky sense of style—and gets a glimpse of college life, Judy’s bad math-i-tude turns into a radical glad-i-tude. Pretty soon, Judy’s not only acing her math class; she’s owning it.
Story behind the story: Charlie Schroder, Candlewick's Vice President at Large, Licensing and Development, laughed out loud as she read the manuscript for Judy Moody Goes to College. And while typically this wouldn’t have been a problem, at the time Charlie was in the quiet car of the train headed to New York City and she was subsequently kicked out for her uncontrollable laughter. So just a warning – don’t read Judy Moody Goes to College in the quiet car of the train, or any place where quiet is strictly enforced.
Learn more about Judy Moody and her “bother” Stink at http://www.judymoody.com/.
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about it and be sure to come back as there are more to come!

Vibes • YA fiction

Vibes

by Amy Kathleen Ryan

October 2008 • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt • YA fiction

Be careful what you are thinking -- Kristi Carmichael can read minds. Or can she?

Story: Lovably snarky teenager Kristi is convinced she has ESP, but recent events have proved her perception skills to be a bit off. Maybe her friend Jacob isn’t always thinking about her breasts. Maybe her mother didn’t chase her father away. And maybe, just maybe, hot guy Gusty doesn’t think she’s disgusting. In this bitingly funny but utterly sweet novel, Amy Kathleen Ryan has created one of the most vivid, deliciously disdainful teen voices in contemporary YA fiction.

Story behind the story: Teens are already embracing Kristi! Here are some quotes from enthusiastic advance readers:
“It doesn’t take a teenage psychic to realize that this story holds a shockingly real outlook on high school life.”—Cara, 14, Glastonbury CT
“An absolutely fantastic book..” —BookChic.com, 18 Lynchburg VA
"Hilarious, supernatural, original, and witty. Vibes will now be considered a must read in my book.” —Hilary 16, Columbus OH

"If you ever thought reading people’s minds would make it easier to understand other people, Amy Kathleen Ryan is here to tell you that you’re dead wrong. Funny, fresh, and heartfelt, Vibes zigs when you expect it to zag, and will have you laughing out loud.”—Barry Lyga, author of The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl and Boy Toy.

FYI: all the review copies have been sent. To hear what your colleagues have to say about VIBES, click on the "comments" link below.

Bad Rats • Picture Book with Audio CD

Bad Rats

By Eric Drachman • Illustrated by James Muscarello

Just out! • Kidwick Books • Picture Book with Audio CD

Follow along as Josiah and several other inspired rats teach their professor the value of creativity.

Story: Josiah was a rat. He was a bad rat..... or so he was told. In fact, Josiah and his friends are aspiring artists, and for a rat, painting outside the box like that just won't do.

Story behind the story: Narrated by the author and featuring his young nephew among other voices, the companion book-on-CD includes audible page turns to help children follow along as they learn to read. Hear what author Eric Drachman has to say about creating Bad Rats in this podcast with Ingram Library Services and in this interview with California Readers. Also, check out the Bad Rats audio slideshow to see and hear the book in its entirety, for free (and feel free to link your site/blog/newsletter to the show so your readers can see and hear it too!).

FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent; please click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about it and be sure to come back as there are more to come!

Meet the Hippos • Board Books

Hip Hippos • One Hippo Hops • Sad, Mad, Glad Hippos
By Jane Yolen • Illustrated by Vlasta van Kampen
Just out! • Key Porter Books • board books
Meet the hippos – a lovely, zany crew ready to take the youngest reader on a rollicking ride through the world of numbers, colors and feelings.
Story behind the story: Jane Yolen has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America. She and her impressive number of children’s books have been recognized by some of the most prestigious awards given from librarians, booksellers, teachers, children and parents, including the Caldecott and Christopher Medals, countless state children’s book awards, a National Book Award nomination and Jewish Book Award, among many others. She has proven herself a true storyteller for all ages as evidenced by the tremendous sales and reception to her entire body of work. Vlasta van Kampen has won the Governor General's Award, the Graphic Arts Illustrator Award and the Blue Spruce Award.
FYI: all the review copies for these titles have been sent and reviews are in the works; please click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say about them and be sure to come back as there are more to come!