First, in non-interweb-related news, I bought plane tickets to NYC for BEA and I just want to squee about it. *Squee!!* Will Betsy still be around? Can we convince her to organize a KidLit Drink Night??? Who else is going to BEA this year?
Well, the Cybils finalists were announced (just in case you were, y'know, under a rock or something). And the lists instantly inspired some debate over at Black-Eyed Susan's. What about recognition for non-historical books about African-Americans? Be sure to check out the comments. To shed some light on the subject, Charlotte looks at the books in her category (Middle Grade Sci-Fi/Fantasy) over at Charlotte's Library. Thanks to the Cybils blog for the link.
In other maybe-you-were-under-a-rock news, Katherine Paterson has been named the next Ambassador for Young People's Literature! The torch has been passed.
Award alert! The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan (you might know him as the illustrator of the Newbery-award-winning The Higher Power of Lucky) has won the 2010 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Thanks to Read Roger for the link.
Just in case you need something to do during this cold and snowy month, Betsy has announced the Top 100 Children's Fictional Chapter Books Poll. Put your thinking cap on and weigh in by January 31. This should definitely be interesting...!
Speaking of things to do in January, join the 2010 Comment Challenge, hosted by MotherReader and Lee Wind. Starting TODAY, Pam and Lee challenge you to leave five comments a day for the next 21 days. You'll make new friends! You'll add to the conversation! You'll promote your blog! And hey, you might win a prize.
Also, this weekend is Bloggiesta, hosted by Natasha at Maw Books Blog. If you've got some catching up to go, blog-wise, why not do it in the company of others (and also maybe win prizes!)?
That's all I got for ya this week. Happy surfing!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Audiobook Effects: Good and Bad
First, the good:
Feed by M.T. Anderson, read by David Aaron Baker. (Grades 9+) Listening Library, 2008. Copy provided by my local library.
Okay, so not only is this an awesome, intense, well-written book, but the audiobook is really fantastic.
Abridged summary from publisher:
"We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck." So says Titus, a teenager whose ability to read, write, and even think for himself has been almost completely obliterated by his "feed", a transmitter implanted directly into his brain... But then Titus meets Violet, a girl who cares about what's happening to the world and challenges everything that Titus and his friends hold dear. A girl who decides to fight the feed."
Narrator David Aaron Baker does a great job with the voices, capturing the cadence of teen speech. That's essential because it's one thing that makes the story so great - it's set in the future and the kids deal with unique problems, but they still sound like teens. They act like teens. The characters felt completely real, even though they are traveling in flying cars and chatting with each other using the internet inside their brains.
The "special effects" in the recording were great, too, and really added to the listener's understanding. There's a slight echo effect when the characters are chatting each other, giving the voices a kind of tinny quality to differentiate from when they're speaking out loud. And throughout the book, you're periodically interrupted by snippets of commercials, "TV" shows, and news reports (just like you actually had a feed sending you constant information). These snippets sound like actual commercials and news reports. They're very, very well done and add to the overall atmosphere of the book.
The Feed makes a GREAT audiobook and I can't recommend it enough for teens and adults looking for a good listen. (Fair warning, there is a fair amount of foul language.)
(Many, many thanks to Kelly at Stacked for recommending it!!)
Now, for the bad:
The Giver by Lois Lowry, read by Ron Rifkin. (Grades 5-8.) Listening Library, 2001. Copy provided by my local library.
The Giver is one of my favorite books of all time, so I was excited to revisit it on a recent car trip.
Jonas lives in a future where people have embraced Sameness. At the age of 12, everyone is assigned a career by the panel of Elders that guides their community. When Jonas is assigned the most prestigious career, Receiver of Memories, he discovers the cracks in his Utopian community.
Ron Rifkin does a great job narrating the story. Characters have voices that are subtly different, enough so that you can tell them apart.
The problem here is that whenever something strange and "magical" happens (like the transferring of memories), there is this terrible, distracting music playing. I get that it's intended to set apart the special events, but I just found it distracting. I wished that the music would stop so I could listen to Rifkin's excellent narration. And the worst thing is that the scenes with the music are some of the most emotionally moving scenes in the book. Since I was already familiar with the story, I'd gear myself up for the big reveals, only to be totally annoyed by the swelling music.
Maybe someone who wasn't familiar with the story might find it useful, but I think Rifkin's narration would have been just fine alone. I'd definitely recommend picking up The Giver, but I'm afraid I can't wholeheartedly recommend the audiobook.
So there you have two different examples of audiobook effects - one greatly contributing to the experience and one greatly detracting from the experience. Can you think of any audiobooks with particularly good - or particularly bad - effects? Put 'em in the comments!
Feed by M.T. Anderson, read by David Aaron Baker. (Grades 9+) Listening Library, 2008. Copy provided by my local library.Okay, so not only is this an awesome, intense, well-written book, but the audiobook is really fantastic.
Abridged summary from publisher:
"We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck." So says Titus, a teenager whose ability to read, write, and even think for himself has been almost completely obliterated by his "feed", a transmitter implanted directly into his brain... But then Titus meets Violet, a girl who cares about what's happening to the world and challenges everything that Titus and his friends hold dear. A girl who decides to fight the feed."
Narrator David Aaron Baker does a great job with the voices, capturing the cadence of teen speech. That's essential because it's one thing that makes the story so great - it's set in the future and the kids deal with unique problems, but they still sound like teens. They act like teens. The characters felt completely real, even though they are traveling in flying cars and chatting with each other using the internet inside their brains.
The "special effects" in the recording were great, too, and really added to the listener's understanding. There's a slight echo effect when the characters are chatting each other, giving the voices a kind of tinny quality to differentiate from when they're speaking out loud. And throughout the book, you're periodically interrupted by snippets of commercials, "TV" shows, and news reports (just like you actually had a feed sending you constant information). These snippets sound like actual commercials and news reports. They're very, very well done and add to the overall atmosphere of the book.
The Feed makes a GREAT audiobook and I can't recommend it enough for teens and adults looking for a good listen. (Fair warning, there is a fair amount of foul language.)
(Many, many thanks to Kelly at Stacked for recommending it!!)
Now, for the bad:
The Giver by Lois Lowry, read by Ron Rifkin. (Grades 5-8.) Listening Library, 2001. Copy provided by my local library.The Giver is one of my favorite books of all time, so I was excited to revisit it on a recent car trip.
Jonas lives in a future where people have embraced Sameness. At the age of 12, everyone is assigned a career by the panel of Elders that guides their community. When Jonas is assigned the most prestigious career, Receiver of Memories, he discovers the cracks in his Utopian community.
Ron Rifkin does a great job narrating the story. Characters have voices that are subtly different, enough so that you can tell them apart.
The problem here is that whenever something strange and "magical" happens (like the transferring of memories), there is this terrible, distracting music playing. I get that it's intended to set apart the special events, but I just found it distracting. I wished that the music would stop so I could listen to Rifkin's excellent narration. And the worst thing is that the scenes with the music are some of the most emotionally moving scenes in the book. Since I was already familiar with the story, I'd gear myself up for the big reveals, only to be totally annoyed by the swelling music.
Maybe someone who wasn't familiar with the story might find it useful, but I think Rifkin's narration would have been just fine alone. I'd definitely recommend picking up The Giver, but I'm afraid I can't wholeheartedly recommend the audiobook.
So there you have two different examples of audiobook effects - one greatly contributing to the experience and one greatly detracting from the experience. Can you think of any audiobooks with particularly good - or particularly bad - effects? Put 'em in the comments!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
My question of the evening...
Who would win in a fight between Edward Cullen and Patch Cipriano (of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick)?
Book Review: I'm a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President
I'm a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb. (Grades 6-8.) Razorbill, October 2009. Reviewed from ARC provided by publisher.Oliver Watson is an evil genius and he will stop at nothing to win the election for 7th-grade class president. And when I say "Nothing", I mean it. Due to his intellectual genius, Oliver has riches beyond belief and commands a huge staff equipped with the latest technology (much of it invented by Oliver himself). Of course, it's all secret and Oliver pretends to be slow at school and at home, so no one suspects. Buckle up. You're in for a wild ride with Oliver Watson, evil genius.
I mean, with a title like that, do you even need a review? Kids will pick it up.
The good? It's funny. Oliver's got a very dry humor and he has the means to get back at bullies like we all dreamed of when we were in middle school. His classmates, teachers, and parents never suspect that Oliver is a secret billionaire with the power to get literally anything he wants. This makes for a very funny premise.
The bad? The humor and premise that originally hooked me got tiresome long before the book ended and then I realized that not a whole lot was happening. The plot moves slowly for all the secret lairs, crazy technology, and evil genius-ing.
That said, this book isn't for every kid, but for some kids it will be a great fit. Betsy suggests that it's perfect for Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans (read her review at A Fuse #8 Production) and goodness knows we have enough of those around... You can find more reviews at Frenetic Reader and Enchanting YA Reviews.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Book Review: The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don't Mind
The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don't Mind by Kirstin Cronn-Mills. Grades 9-12. Flux, September 2009. Review copy provided by publisher.Kirstin Cronn-Mills, I have a bone to pick with you. I picked up The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don't Mind as I lay in bed, just intending to read the first couple of chapters before going to sleep. But Morgan's voice drew me in so completely that I couldn't put it down and ended up staying up way past my bedtime.
I was tired the next day. But it was so worth it.
This is one you won't want to miss, folks.
Morgan lives in Central Nowhere, Nebraska. When life's too much for her, she drives out into the hills and screams her troubles into the sky. This year, her junior year, she's got a lot to think about. Her alcoholic dad verbally abuses her and her brothers. She's got a major crush on a gorgeous guy she works with (despite the fact that she's in a long-term relationship with a football player). Oh, yeah, and her next-door neighbor Tessa kissed her a couple nights ago. And she thinks she liked it.
The Sky Always Hears Me is a book about gray areas. There are no easy decisions here, which is one of the things I loved best about this book. Morgan's figuring out that things aren't always cut-and-dry. She cares about her boyfriend, but she's attracted to another guy. And there's Tessa - Morgan doesn't think she's gay (and it would be really hard to be gay, she admits, in a small conservative town), but she kind of can't stop thinking about Tessa's kiss.
Then there's her family. Morgan's dad is an alcoholic and her step-mom is a pushover. Morgan has two younger brothers whom she loves, but the only adult family member who sticks up for her is her grandmother. But over the course of the book, Morgan discovers some unsavory truths about the woman she cares so much about. Morgan will find, once again, that there are gray areas here.
Morgan's voice was the first thing that drew me into the story. She's got a very dry humor and she's kind of dripping with angst, but not in an annoying way. She can't wait to get out of her small town, away from her dead-end job bagging groceries. And that's why she goes out into the middle of nowhere and screams her angst into the hills.
Here's a little sampling of her voice:
Mrs. Anderson stalks away, glaring at me after our little exchange about the price of a gallon of milk. Yes, it's more expensive than it was in 1968, when the store opened. Yes, the price is correct. No, I don't put the extra money in my pocket. I smile as she throws me one more daggered look over her shoulder, because I maintain an air of professionalism at all times. But I imagine myself ramming a full grocery cart into her car. If I did it right - with the correct angle, enough space, and repeated rammings - I could scratch my initials in her door. (pg6)
I did feel like the novel dragged near the end, and Morgan's voice disappears a little bit, but this was a minor flaw in an otherwise stellar book. Highly recommended.
Read the Cynsations interview with Kirstin Cronn-Mills and more reviews at Book-Lover Carol, Books for Breakfast, Frenetic Reader, and Steph Su Reads.
Monday, January 4, 2010
So, Jon Scieszka
In January 2008, the Library of Congress Center for the Book and Children's Book Council named Jon Scieszka as our country's first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.
Scieszka is the author of wonderful books, including Knucklehead, the Time Warp Trio series (I am quite partial to the audio recording), the Truck Town books, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, and, of course, The Stinky Cheese Man. Basically, if you have a boy reluctant to read, grab ye some Scieszka.
In fact, Scieszka is so passionate about getting kids to read (and particularly boys), that he created Guys Read, a website dedicated to recommending books to boys.
It's hard to imagine a better choice for our first National Ambassador.
Scieszka has been talking on NPR, talking to Martha Stewart about books, recommending books for your kids, and appearing at events like Children's Book Week. What's he been talking about? How to get our kids to read, what books kids will like, and why children's literature is awesome.
Last month, Scieszka gave a report on the state of children's literature during his term as Ambassador. It starts thusly:
As our first national ambassador of young people's literature, I am pleased to report that the world of children's books is rocking.
Thanks, Jon, for all your hard work as our National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. And for more on Ambassador Scieszka, head on over to A Year of Reading where Franki and Mary Lee will be rounding up posts from around the kidlitosphere.
Book Review: Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life
Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life: A Story of Sustainable Farming by Jan Reynolds. (Grades 3-5.) Lee & Low Books, May 2009. Copy provided by my local library.For thousands of years, the rice farmers of Bali grew rice in a traditional, sustainable way, based on the water cycle. Because Bali only gets fresh water from the rain that falls on the island, there was an established system for sharing the water and routing it through the different farms on the island. When the Indonesian government insisted that the farmers try to increase productivity by planting genetically engineered rice, the system collapsed and so did Bali's rice production.
Reynolds starts by describing the water cycle and the irrigation system on the island. Then she moves into a clear, detailed description of Bali's farming cycle and why it works so well. The cycle of rice was not just a farming tool for the people of Bali. Religious leaders met with farmers and they divided up the water and created a schedule for sharing the water. They all worked together to devise the schedule each year, which brought them together as a community. So, when the farming cycle broke down, it hurt more than just the rice productivity. It threatened the very fabric of Balinese society.
Reynolds presents all of this in an accessible way with beautiful photographs illustrating the information. There is a strong emphasis placed on sustainability, which makes this title an interesting addition to units on ecology and the environment.
An author's note urges readers to consider eating locally and organically in order to protect the environment. A map of Bali and a glossary are included.
Take a gander at some of Jan Reynolds's photos and read an interview with her at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Apparently there was a Cycle of Rice blog tour in April, so I'll point you to the review at Paper Tigers which includes links to the other posts at the bottom.
Happy Nonfiction Monday! Anastasia's got this week's round-up (and she's also put the call out for hosts) over at Picture Book of the Day!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Is Jason Chan a Juno fan?
Lisa Mantchev shared the (gorgeous!) cover of her upcoming sequel, Perchance to Dream and I had an immediate thought when I saw it:
Is it just me or does Bertie look like Ellen Page?
I'm guessing Jason Chan liked Juno. (Not that there's anything wrong with that... Ellen Page is really pretty!)
Is it just me or does Bertie look like Ellen Page?
Your Post-Cybils Middle Grade Reading List
Cybils time is an intense time, I know. For the past three months, you've been reading nothing but what's nominated in your category. Well, now the Cybils shortlists have been posted and you can relax and possibly pick up, say, a Middle Grade Fiction title. Of course, you should check out the shortlist we came up with - seven absolutely fabulous books - but it's no easy task to narrow the 100+ nominees down to a handful. So I'd like to highlight a few more middle-grade books for your post-Cybils TBR lists.
Also Known as Harper by Ann Haywood Leal. Harper Lee Morgan loves words. It's a love she inherited from her mama, a lady so in love with To Kill a Mockingbird that she's read it at least 36 times and named her firstborn child after its author. Yes, Harper loves words, and she's certain that she's going to win her school's poetry contest. The only problem is that she and her mama and her little brother Hemingway have been evicted from their house, so getting to school has become a problem. But Harper's determined to get to school for the poetry reading, just as determined as she is to rid herself of any memory of her whiskey-soaked daddy who told her that her words weren't worth anything.
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look. Alvin Ho is back and this time he's facing something even scarier than school: camping. Do you know what could happen to you when you're camping? You could be attacked by bears! You could get lost in the woods! There could be a tornado or an earthquake or a flood! So Alvin had better be prepared...
Bobby Versus Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee. Bobby Ellis-Chan and Holly Harper have been secret best friends since they were little kids. Why secret best friends? Because at their school, boys and girls do NOT hang out together. It's never been a problem for them, but lately Holly's been acting weird. She's been acting like... well, like a girl. And it's kind of driving Bobby crazy. Still, he never meant to start a battle of the sexes... it just kind of happened. And now Bobby's got to figure out how to make it right.
Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma. Although Dani's dealing with situations that have been done (divorce, changes in friendship, etc.), it all feels fresh because Dani's seeing it through this film noir lens and comparing her own life to the movies she loves. It puts a fresh spin on things and adds a lot to the story. It made me want to watch all of Dani's favorite movies, too.
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane. I wasn't expecting the magic of the writing. Yes, the book is slim, but the writing demands that you slow down and savor it. I was intrigued by the plot and interested in the characters, but it was the writing they kept surprising me (in a good way).
The Kind of Friends We Used to Be by Frances O'Roark Dowell. Kate and Marylin had been best friends since preschool until they had a falling out last year in sixth grade. Now Marylin's a middle school cheerleader and Kate is writing songs to play on her guitar. The two of them are in a strange place, not enemies but not all-the-time friends either. As they navigate the strange waters of seventh grade, both girls will start the arduous process of figuring out her place in the world.
Neil Armstrong is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me by Nan Marino. It's the summer of 1969 and the whole world is waiting to watch Neil Armstrong take the first steps on the moon. Tamara is gritting her teeth and dealing with Douglas "Muscle Man" McGinty, the wimpy new foster kid who's replaced Tamara's best friend Kebsie down the street. He thinks he's so great, but Tamara can see straight through his lies. He's not training for the Olympics. And Neil Armstrong is not his uncle, no matter what the wormy kid says. Why can't Muscle Man go away and send Kebsie back? Why can't everything go back to the way it was before?
The Year of the Bomb by Ronald Kidd. This is one of my favorite historical periods to read about and Ronald Kidd really brought it to life. Gone was the cohesion and can-do attitude of early 1940s America. Suddenly there was this bomb, this terrible weapon unleashed on the world, and no one was sure what was going to happen. The paranoia of the time is evident throughout the book.
Also Known as Harper by Ann Haywood Leal. Harper Lee Morgan loves words. It's a love she inherited from her mama, a lady so in love with To Kill a Mockingbird that she's read it at least 36 times and named her firstborn child after its author. Yes, Harper loves words, and she's certain that she's going to win her school's poetry contest. The only problem is that she and her mama and her little brother Hemingway have been evicted from their house, so getting to school has become a problem. But Harper's determined to get to school for the poetry reading, just as determined as she is to rid herself of any memory of her whiskey-soaked daddy who told her that her words weren't worth anything.
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look. Alvin Ho is back and this time he's facing something even scarier than school: camping. Do you know what could happen to you when you're camping? You could be attacked by bears! You could get lost in the woods! There could be a tornado or an earthquake or a flood! So Alvin had better be prepared...
Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma. Although Dani's dealing with situations that have been done (divorce, changes in friendship, etc.), it all feels fresh because Dani's seeing it through this film noir lens and comparing her own life to the movies she loves. It puts a fresh spin on things and adds a lot to the story. It made me want to watch all of Dani's favorite movies, too.
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane. I wasn't expecting the magic of the writing. Yes, the book is slim, but the writing demands that you slow down and savor it. I was intrigued by the plot and interested in the characters, but it was the writing they kept surprising me (in a good way).
The Kind of Friends We Used to Be by Frances O'Roark Dowell. Kate and Marylin had been best friends since preschool until they had a falling out last year in sixth grade. Now Marylin's a middle school cheerleader and Kate is writing songs to play on her guitar. The two of them are in a strange place, not enemies but not all-the-time friends either. As they navigate the strange waters of seventh grade, both girls will start the arduous process of figuring out her place in the world.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Cybils shortlist!
Oh, yeah. Not only is it New Year's Day, but it's Cybils Shortlist Day! We've been working hard on your Middle Grade Fiction Shortlist, so I hope you enjoy! And, of course, check out the rest of the 2009 Cybils shortlists. These books combine literary merit with kid appeal, so they make a great resource for readers' advisory.
Even though he's smart and capable, Newt is the neglected younger brother of a high school football star, mostly content with sliding through the cracks of life. Then a couple of events--his older brother ends up in a coma the night of the Big Game and Newt is forced to improvise a Halloween costume--coincide to spur the creation of a new superhero: Captain Nobody. Newt finds that he feels different when in his costume: stronger, more outgoing, more able to handle...well, everything (within reason, of course) that's thrown his way. Hilarious, fun, and completely charming, this is one superhero that the world can't do without.
--Melissa Fox
Chains
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Simon & Schuster
Nominated by: melissa
Anderson has taken the historical facts of the American Revolution and given us a new perspective. Chains is told through the eyes of Isabel, a slave girl. Sold after her master dies, Isabel is thrust into the middle of the war where both sides claim they want what is best for her. She passes along messages to the Loyalists only to learn that the only one she can trust to help her gain her freedom is herself. Anderson has presented a story that with the proper foundation can be read, enjoyed and understood by the youngest to the oldest middle-grade student. War is always a tough topic but the details were intricately woven into Isabel's life. It can be read as a stand-alone book and yet Anderson has left it open enough for a sequel.
--Sandra Stiles, Musings of a Book Addict
Anything But Typical
by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Simon & Schuster
Nominated by: Pam W Coughlan
There is much to love in Nora Raleigh Baskin's Anything But Typical. The writing--in particular the narrative voice--feels so genuine: vulnerable and heartfelt; simple yet beautiful. Almost poetic. The book stars Jason Blake, an autistic hero, who loves to write stories and participate in online forums. When his parents surprise him with a trip to the Storyboard writing convention, you might think he'd be happy instead of terrified. But for Jason the thought of meeting his online friend, PhoenixBird, in real life causes nothing but anxiety. Everyone has moments of insecurity and doubt, and to see these reflected so honestly in Jason feels more than right.
--Becky Laney
Heart of a Shepherd
by Rosanne Parry
Random House Children's Books
Nominated by: jone
Twelve-year-old Ignatius Alderman discovers the "heart of a shepherd" as he helps his grandparents take care of the family ranch when his father is deployed to Iraq. Nicknamed "Brother," Ignatius is the youngest of five brothers, named for St. Ignatius, and searching for his own gifts, talents and career path. He's not sure that ranching or military service, the two traditions that dominate his family, are truly his gifts. And although he learns to live up to his responsibilities, it will take a major crisis for Brother to find his own right road to maturity.
The book is rather quiet, the pacing slow and deliberate, like Brother himself. Even when the crisis comes, it sneaks up on the reader rather than announcing itself with trumpets. In addition to its coming-of-age theme, Heart of a Shepherd also has lots of little details about ranching life and rural Oregon and the life of a soldier in Iraq and even about chess. These will capture the young reader who's interested in any of those subjects and make him pay attention to the larger themes in the book. This debut novel by author Roseanne Parry is a treat to be savored.
--Sherry Early
All The Broken Pieces
by Ann Burg
Scholastic
Nominated by: Laurie Schneider
Matt Pin is haunted by his memories of Vietnam. He was born a bui doi, the dust of life -- son of an American GI and Vietnamese mother during the Vietnam War. He was airlifted out of Vietnam at ten years old, leaving behind his mother and brother. Through the course of this verse novel, Matt is forced to come to terms with his with his horrifying past and his American present.
The spare, poetic format of the story allows the reader to feel like they have entered Matt's head and heart. All the Broken Pieces is a gorgeous novel that captures the emotional and physical rubble left in the aftermath of a war. The free verse is incredibly well-written and not a single word is used when it isn't necessary. This powerful novel will satisfy even the most anti-poetry readers but many of the verses will remain in the heart and mind of the reader for days afterward.
--Sarah Mulhern
Operation Yes
by Sara Lewis Holmes
Arthur A Levine
Nominated by: Laura Purdie Salas
Operation Yes is a story that revolves around cousins Bo and Gari. Bo's father is in charge of a military base in the south and Gariâ's mother is deployed to Afghanistan; so Gari must relocate from Seattle to live with her cousin. They are both in the same sixth grade class and their teacher teaches in a box about the importance of life outside the box. What makes this story a standout is how kids can overcome tough times and show adults what they are capable of when they work together.
--Kyle Kimmal
Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis, The
by Barbara O'Connor
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Nominated by: Augusta Scattergood
Popeye is dreading the boring summer that stretches out before him...until Elvis arrives in a broken-down motor home and the two boys start exploring the back woods, investigating the mysterious Yoo-Hoo boats that come floating down the creek. Barbara O'Connor's book manages to be laugh-out-loud funny and still deal with more serious subject matter without veering into Depressing. This is a rather quiet book for anyone who's been bored and dreams of having small adventures.
--Abby Johnson
--Melissa Fox
Chainsby Laurie Halse Anderson
Simon & Schuster
Nominated by: melissa
Anderson has taken the historical facts of the American Revolution and given us a new perspective. Chains is told through the eyes of Isabel, a slave girl. Sold after her master dies, Isabel is thrust into the middle of the war where both sides claim they want what is best for her. She passes along messages to the Loyalists only to learn that the only one she can trust to help her gain her freedom is herself. Anderson has presented a story that with the proper foundation can be read, enjoyed and understood by the youngest to the oldest middle-grade student. War is always a tough topic but the details were intricately woven into Isabel's life. It can be read as a stand-alone book and yet Anderson has left it open enough for a sequel.
--Sandra Stiles, Musings of a Book Addict
Anything But Typicalby Nora Raleigh Baskin
Simon & Schuster
Nominated by: Pam W Coughlan
There is much to love in Nora Raleigh Baskin's Anything But Typical. The writing--in particular the narrative voice--feels so genuine: vulnerable and heartfelt; simple yet beautiful. Almost poetic. The book stars Jason Blake, an autistic hero, who loves to write stories and participate in online forums. When his parents surprise him with a trip to the Storyboard writing convention, you might think he'd be happy instead of terrified. But for Jason the thought of meeting his online friend, PhoenixBird, in real life causes nothing but anxiety. Everyone has moments of insecurity and doubt, and to see these reflected so honestly in Jason feels more than right.
--Becky Laney
Heart of a Shepherdby Rosanne Parry
Random House Children's Books
Nominated by: jone
Twelve-year-old Ignatius Alderman discovers the "heart of a shepherd" as he helps his grandparents take care of the family ranch when his father is deployed to Iraq. Nicknamed "Brother," Ignatius is the youngest of five brothers, named for St. Ignatius, and searching for his own gifts, talents and career path. He's not sure that ranching or military service, the two traditions that dominate his family, are truly his gifts. And although he learns to live up to his responsibilities, it will take a major crisis for Brother to find his own right road to maturity.
The book is rather quiet, the pacing slow and deliberate, like Brother himself. Even when the crisis comes, it sneaks up on the reader rather than announcing itself with trumpets. In addition to its coming-of-age theme, Heart of a Shepherd also has lots of little details about ranching life and rural Oregon and the life of a soldier in Iraq and even about chess. These will capture the young reader who's interested in any of those subjects and make him pay attention to the larger themes in the book. This debut novel by author Roseanne Parry is a treat to be savored.
--Sherry Early
All The Broken Piecesby Ann Burg
Scholastic
Nominated by: Laurie Schneider
Matt Pin is haunted by his memories of Vietnam. He was born a bui doi, the dust of life -- son of an American GI and Vietnamese mother during the Vietnam War. He was airlifted out of Vietnam at ten years old, leaving behind his mother and brother. Through the course of this verse novel, Matt is forced to come to terms with his with his horrifying past and his American present.
The spare, poetic format of the story allows the reader to feel like they have entered Matt's head and heart. All the Broken Pieces is a gorgeous novel that captures the emotional and physical rubble left in the aftermath of a war. The free verse is incredibly well-written and not a single word is used when it isn't necessary. This powerful novel will satisfy even the most anti-poetry readers but many of the verses will remain in the heart and mind of the reader for days afterward.
--Sarah Mulhern
Operation Yesby Sara Lewis Holmes
Arthur A Levine
Nominated by: Laura Purdie Salas
Operation Yes is a story that revolves around cousins Bo and Gari. Bo's father is in charge of a military base in the south and Gariâ's mother is deployed to Afghanistan; so Gari must relocate from Seattle to live with her cousin. They are both in the same sixth grade class and their teacher teaches in a box about the importance of life outside the box. What makes this story a standout is how kids can overcome tough times and show adults what they are capable of when they work together.
--Kyle Kimmal
Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis, Theby Barbara O'Connor
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Nominated by: Augusta Scattergood
Popeye is dreading the boring summer that stretches out before him...until Elvis arrives in a broken-down motor home and the two boys start exploring the back woods, investigating the mysterious Yoo-Hoo boats that come floating down the creek. Barbara O'Connor's book manages to be laugh-out-loud funny and still deal with more serious subject matter without veering into Depressing. This is a rather quiet book for anyone who's been bored and dreams of having small adventures.
--Abby Johnson
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