Meeting the 2010 Newberry & Caldecott Winners

2010 Newberry Award

When You Reach Me

By Rebecca Stead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmnfO7QDPr0&feature=related

http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/

2010 Caldecott Award

The Lion & The Mouse

By Jerry Pinckney

http://www.jerrypinkneystudio.com/frameset.html

I was so excited to go to the 2010 Newberry/Caldecott Award dinner at ALA this past summer. The recipients of the 2010 awards were nothing short of outstanding. Not to say that past recipients weren’t outstanding. It was incredible meeting these two wonderful, talented, humble, warm, and creative author/artists, each with their individual and fascinating tales to tell of how they approach their craft. I knew when I first picked up Rebecca Stead’s book When You Reach Me that it was really, REALLY special. And when I read it, I knew it was an award winner. The same was true of Jerry Pinckney’s book. When you can pick up a children’s picture book and the art literally speaks to you from the page, you know that it stands out from the crowd. That’s why books like Brian Selznick’s Hugo Cabaret won the award and so many books by David Wiesner.

When You Reach Me is a journey through self-discovery. It’s laden with mystery and puzzles. It’s filled with the everyday challenges of life that normal young people face and yet Rebecca Stead brings it to us in a story that is written in such a lyrical poetic way with fabulous characters, intrigue and suspense. It is a “smart girl” book. One to challenge, sink your teeth into and have fun with curled up in a cozy chair. I am torn between using this book and Going Bovine for the next Book Cart Drill Team theme…If I can convince enough willing PA librarians to join me in New Orleans for the competition!

The Lion & The Mouse is literally a work of unbelievable art. I was able to hear Jerry speak multiple times over the conference about the book and his art. The book was created from studies of actual lions and African animals of the savannah. That is how he was able to create such lifelike illustrations. The front cover has a lion and the back has a Mouse and the title is on the spine. You don’t realize that you are able to articulate the title purely from pictures. We are so familiar with the old fable that it’s possible to “tell” the story without” words. In fact, the book has very few. Jerry grew up living with dyslexia. Today we have better supports in our school systems, but that wasn’t true even 20 years ago let alone in Jerry’s day. He was labeled early on and struggled to read. He did well despite the disability but still struggles to read and write even today. He went to art school in Philadelphia and found his true calling – illustration. On his website, he talks about learning disabilities and I loved this quote of encouragement;

"For the young person who is struggling in school, never forget there are many different ways to learn. Be curious. Do not be afraid to try. Do not be disappointed when making mistakes. You will discover your own unique way of understanding the things being taught. Learn from mistakes. Everything that happens to you will frame who you are, and who you will become. Your path to success will follow."

As a teacher librarian, I truly feel that it is my role to reach out to all students and help them find their path to success. My hope for all children is that they are able to find the skills and love of learning while in our school system so that when they are out there on their own they are able to find the right information, the right resources, the right people, to pursue their dreams and passions and lead happy fulfilled lives.

So who’s it gonna be in 2011…? Wiesner is definitely a strong contender with Art & Max for another Caldecott. And the Newberry? Hmmmmmm…gotta sleep on that one…

I finally met Scott Westerfeld!

Leviathan

Behemoth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYiw5vkQFPw

Uglies/Pretties/Extras/Specials

Scott Westerfeld

http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/

I am a HUGE Scott Westerfeld fan. I first read one of Scott’s books during my Young Adult class while at Pitt. I had Uglies on my “to read” list but was excited when it was actually assigned as homework for class. I do have to admit that when I initially saw the title to the book, Uglies sort of threw me for a loop. Let’s admit it; one has to wonder a bit what a book entitled “Uglies” would have of value for young adults. Alas, when I picked up the book and opened it’s cover, I discovered the beginning of a dystopia that is one of the most thought provoking, well-written series I’ve read to date. Scott’s characters are strong, emotional, and complex. They draw you in and lead you through his stories making you crave more. They are books you can sink your teeth into -- books for thinkers.

Once I finished the Uglies series, I went on to read other Westerfeld books including So Yesterday and Peeps. I loved both of them as well, so when Leviathan came out, I was definitely in for buying it. Unfortunately, I was in my last stretch of grad school and didn’t get a chance to read Leviathan until the release of Behemoth. I was lucky enough, however, to meet Scott on the release date for Behemoth.

Scott is a fantastic speaker. He has so much to add to the background behind his writing, the history, the research, the writing process, and the visuals he uses in creating a book. In the Leviathan series, Scott has moved in a different direction toward a genre called steam punk. He has created an “alternate history.” What if history were affected by changes in science and technology? What if events were different? He also uses illustration. As a librarian and a U of D grad with a minor in fine arts, I have a real appreciation for the reappearance of illustration in books. For all of those that think books will disappear and become digital, it is the graphic artists and illustrators that will save us from the plight by bringing visual art back into literature. Don’t get me wrong, e-books have their place. But I also like my hardbound BOOKS.

The storyline in Leviathan then continued in Behemoth is completely different from anything else Scott has written and every bit as compelling. Deryn Sharp, a young girl, dresses as a boy to serve in the British Navy. Young Prince Alek is on the run and under disguise from his own people. The Clankers are at war against the Darwinists and the time period is just around just around WWI. This is an alternative history of epic proportions and right on level for bright middle school kids all the way up through adults. There will be a third book in the series out next year and I’m sure it will be just as good as the first two!

Beautiful Creatures By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Darkness (Oct. 2010)

By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrVl6pq1gNE

http://media.barnesandnoble.com/index.jsp?fr_chl=bf959b72587c3a9b94da6cf24804619fdda4731e&cds2Pid=26721&linkid=1331414

The titles of these two popular YA novels were a little deceptive. I have to admit, my initial draw was actually the stark but absolutely beautiful cover of the book. I know there is that whole silly thing about not judging a book by its cover, but we all know that every single one of us does it -- at least at first. It's one of the reasons librarians weed through collections and find updated versions of classics. At any rate, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect initially given the title, but Garcia & Stohl have delivered an interesting mixture of fantasy, gothic, and historical fiction and melded it into the supernatural world. Toss in a librarian and I was hooked! I couldn’t put down the first book, Beautiful Creatures, and was lucky enough to have an advanced copy of Beautiful Darkness from ALA. I loved both of them and can’t wait for more from Garcia & Stohl! I'm also looking forward to one day meeting them as they have certainly created a fan out of me!

I hate to give too much away about plot, but the basic story involves teen Lena Duchannes who moves to her grandfather’s mansion in the small southern town of Gatlin and starts to stir things up unknowingly. She has an instant connection with local teen Ethan Wate and interesting things start to happen…Mystery abounds as the story unfolds and a supernatural world in Gatlin that has been hidden for centuries is revealed.

Picture The Dead By Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown

I happened upon this little book just because I was in Children’s Book World the day before the authors were due in for a book signing. I read the book almost overnight and discovered a delightful little treat. Lovers of paranormal romance, ghost stories, graphic novels, and historical fiction can get all of that wrapped up in one with this little book. These two crafty women teamed up to create this novel about a young woman waiting for her love to return from the civil war only to find out he has died on the battlefield. His brother returns home and a mystery ensues. Clues unfold in pictures and within the story. It is a clever and fun read! very appropriate for early middle school and above.

http://www.picturethedead.com/

Books By Jordan Sonnenblick dealing with Cancer...in memory of Donna and the battle thousands fight everyday

Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw8c-K0_9Z0

After Ever After

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJQtUE6e0Kg&feature=related

By Jordan Sonnenblick

http://www.jordansonnenblick.com/

Cancer

My Chemical Romance (available on iTunes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq7gJ_55-Jc

Turn away,

If you could get me a drink

Of water 'cause my lips are

chapped and faded

Call my aunt Marie

Help her gather all my things

And bury me in all my favorite colors

My sisters and my brothers, still

I will not kiss you,

'Cause the hardest part of this

Is leaving you.

Now turn away,

'Cause I'm awful just to see

'Cause all my hair's

abandoned all my body,

Oh my agony

Know that I will never marry,

Baby, I'm just soggy from the chemo

But counting down the days to go.

It just ain't livin'.

And I just hope you know

That if you say

Good-bye today

I'd ask you to be true

'Cause the hardest part of this

is leaving you...

'Cause the hardest part of this

is leaving you...

Cancer. We all seem to be touched by it these days. Family members, friends, loved ones…in some way we all seem to know someone who has either survived cancer, is fighting cancer, or has died of cancer. This week, my friend Donna died of cancer. She was 45. She won’t be able to see her son grow up. My friend Drew lost his wife, his son Josiah, 11, lost his mom. Cancer shows no discretion, rhyme, or reason, and is completely unfair. But we live with it and the devastation it leaves in its path.

Jordan Sonneblick’s YA novels Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie and After Ever After are two beautifully written books that look at trudging through the day to day turmoil cancer bestows upon families through the eyes of two eighth graders. The first book is through the eyes of Steven, big brother to cancer patient Jeffrey, who is five. The second book is written from Jeffrey’s perspective as an eighth grader – as a cancer survivor.

What I like best about Sonnenblick’s books is that they show the real emotions that cancer inflicts upon families. It is a long, drawn-out, tortuous disease and the effects are also long, drawn-out, and often tortuous. Describing cancer as a battle is spot on. Those who have the disease are warriors and those in their everyday support are also warriors.

If you or someone you know if fighting the battle, Sonnenblick’s books will be a wonderful comfort. While it’s written for the middle YA age group, older kids will appreciate it too. I wish I’d given them to my stepdaughter 6 months ago to comfort her as she’s dealt with her own role supporting her younger sister’s battle with cancer. She’ll be getting them for Christmas!

On a final note, I have to publicly thank Jordan Sonnenblick for a) writing such wonderful YA literature and b) being so incredibly kind as to sign multiple copies for me at PSLA as well as mailed copies of Drums. He is a thoughtful and caring man.

2010 Printz Awards

Me & Libba Bray

Going Bovine

By Libba Bray

2010 Printz Award

Libba Bray first captivated me with her books Rebel Angels and The Sweet Far Thing. Teen girls everywhere fell in love with her smart, witty female characters. I was quite surprised when Going Bovine came out and the main character was male…but the book has become one of my all-time favorites! Going Bovine is jam-packed with so much adventure and a wacky yet sad sense of humor. It’s like a mad-capped trip through a teenaged Wonderland as Cameron discovers who he is and what life is really all about. Libba has written a book I know I’ll be reading over and over again for years to come and recommending to friends and students as well. It’s sure to become an enduring classic, displaying its well-earned Printz Award on its front cover.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Libba Bray at ALA this past summer when she officially received the Printz Award for Going Bovine. She gave an incredible speech and is one of the most entertaining and hilarious authors I have ever heard speak. She has one of those personalities where she just sparkles from the stage and you feel like you could just sit down and have a cup of coffee and a lot of laughs with her. She’s a true rockstar! In fact, little did I know, but Libba can actually rock out as well and if you look her up on YouTube, you’ll find the evidence of her singing talent. I expect we’ll be hearing quite a bit more from this very talented author.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KloEAoKvBqA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=segA4JzQnKs&feature=related

http://libbabray.com/

Tales of A Madman Underground

By John Barnes

Printz Honor Award Winner

John Barnes’ cast of characters has everyone rooting for the underdog in this tale destined to become a favorite among readers. In some ways, the main character Karl Shoemaker is reminiscent of Catcher in the Rye’s Holden Caulfield, but written for a new generation. And yet he is so different. Barnes’ has developed characters and delved into the complexities of relationships in a novel that you won’t soon forget and will having you rethinking who the real heroes are in the world. It's a novel about friendship, relationships, and coming of age with a quirky but loveable set of characters with real depth. This isn't the Beverly Hills 90120 set but but a group more like the other 80% of the nations' population.

I got to meet John Barnes personally at ALA after the Printz Awards (during which he gave a terrific speech about writing today and the state of the modern novel). I hadn’t had time for him to sign my book during the conference and was out for a late night drink with a friend after the Printz reception. We couldn’t find a bar open in Washington and ended up stumbling upon the only bar that seemed to be open at about 1:30 am only to “crash” the authors’ party. I have to say they were all incredibly gracious toward us. As we were heading out for the night I asked John if he’d mind signing my book for me and he nicely did so – “For Melissa, Who has been drinking and does it well!” Thanks again John!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ejpANO7xA8

The Monstrumologist

By Rick Yancy

Printz Honor Award Winner

Rick Yancy’s book had been on my “to read” list since the day the preview came out, but being bogged down with grad school, I still hadn’t gotten around to reading it. After hearing his speech at ALA, it automatically got moved up in the priority list. The idea of Yancy scaring himself while writing his own book…well that just had me intrigued. I had to find out what it was about this book that was going to scare the bejeezus out of all of the kids in my school once I was teaching full-time.

I have to say that as intrigued as I was by the previews, the book is even better than I thought it would be. From the picture on the front cover to the very last word, this is an incredible read. Yancy may very well be our modern day Edgar Allen Poe. This tale is finely crafted and filled with horrific detail. Lovers of the obscure will delight in every spine tingling turn of the page. It is not a book for the faint of heart and will undoubtedly make you wary of things that go bump in the night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCzqKrAsVwM