A Visitor In the Library January 25, 2012

I’m sitting at my desk looking at a four-foot alligator. A real one. Her name is Berkley, and luckily she is being held quite securely by Karen, a woman from Boston’s Museum of Science. Berkley is participating in a program about the life cycles of reptiles which is taking place as I write this. I’m learning a lot about alligators, but what stands out is that it is illegal to have an alligator as a pet. In fact, Berkley was rescued from someone’s home who clearly didn’t read that part of the Massachusetts law. Karen is telling us that Berkley and her fellow gators pretty much eat anything put in front of them, including people. She also has really cool pictures of baby alligators being protected by staying in their mother’s mouth. I’m staying right here at my desk looking at our collection of books about alligators and crocodiles.

If you have a child interested in learning more, I would recommend a trip to the Museum of Science or checking out one of these titles. All of them are terrific introductions to alligators and crocodiles for kids between the ages of 6 and 9.

Crocodiles & Alligators by Seymour Simon

Alligators and Crocodiles by Gail Gibbons

Alligators and Crocodiles! Strange and Wonderful by Laurence Pringle

Who Lives in an Alligator Hole? by Anne Rockwell

By the way, in case you’re wondering what happens when Berkley gets larger and can no longer visit school children…she will be safely returned to a refuge in Florida where she can watch tourists taking pictures of her!

2012 Caldecott and Newbery Winners… January 23, 2012

Today was the day!  The winners of the big children’s book prizes were announced at the American Library Association meeting this morning.

Here’s the link to the ALA’s press release:

http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/ala/american-library-association-announces-2012-youth-media-award-winners

So  many great winners, but I was especially happy to see that Blackout, the picture book by John Rocco, was named a Caldecott Honor Book.  The Newbery winner, Jack Gantos’ Dead End in Norvelt, has just moved to the top of my to-read pile!

NPR’s All Things Considered featured a short interview with Chris Raschka, the winner of the Caldecott Award. If you want to listen, click here:

http://www.npr.org/2012/01/23/145656652/caldecott-winner-chris-raschka-discusses-his-book

An Award and a New Book January 20, 2012

When the representative of the Sydney Taylor Book Award called to tell me that Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg is a 2012 Honor Book, it took me a minute to fully “get it.” For years, I have eagerly read the list of the winners of this award, along with the other children’s book awards announced each January. It never occurred to me that my book would join the respected list of authors and illustrators who receive Sydney Taylor Awards.  

The first thing I did after hearing the news was to purchase a hard cover copy of Sydney Taylor’s classic novel, All-of-a-Kind Family. Of course, I read the book as a young girl, long before I anticipated any association with Sydney Taylor.  Published in 1951, Taylor’s book (and its four sequels), follow the adventures of five Jewish sisters and their parents living in New York City during the early 1900s.  I don’t recall the details and am looking forwared to re-reading it, but I can remember the peek into another world that Taylor’s books provided and looking for pictures of  New York City after reading them. Taylor’s world was “foreign” and exciting  - in the same way as Laura’s life on the prairie. I grew up in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio and, quite frankly, many of the people I knew shared common backgrounds and beliefs.  I didn’t visit New York until I was an adult, but Taylor’s books were one of my first literary experiences of that city.

Like the family in Taylor’s novels, I grew up with sisters and books with families of girls had special appeal. Little Women, The Little House books, and Sydney Taylor’s All-of-a-Kind Family.  These stories were my gateway into other worlds and inspired my life-long love of reading. I’m going to curl up soon with Taylor’s novel – the real book, not an e-book. When I read the books for the first time in the 1970s, a Nook was something you ”sat in.” When I revisit Ella and her sisters, I want to read it the same way I read it the first time.

Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg Selected as a Sydney Taylor Honor Book! January 18, 2012

2012 Sydney Taylor Book Awards Announced Press Release

Association of Jewish Libraries Selects Best Jewish Books for Children and Teens

Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg is a Sydney Taylor Honor Book!  Here’s the official press release about the three winners – and the eight (including Hank) Honor Books…………………………  Michael J. Rosen and Robert Sabuda, author and artist of Chanukah Lights, Susan Goldman Rubin, author of Music Was It: Young Leonard Bernstein, and Robert Sharenow, author of The Berlin Boxing Club,are the 2012 winners of the prestigious Sydney Taylor Book Award. The awards were announced at the mid-winter meeting of the School, Synagogue and Community Center Division of the Association of Jewish Libraries.   The Sydney Taylor Book Award honors new books for children and teens that exemplify the highest literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience. The award memorializes Sydney Taylor, author of the classic All-of-a-Kind Family series. The winners will receive their awards at the Association of Jewish Libraries convention in Pasadena,California this June.    For Younger Readers Rosen and Sabuda will receive the 2012 gold medal in the Sydney Taylor Book Award’s Younger Readers Category for Chanukah Lights,published by Candlewick Press.This exquisite bookcelebrates Jewish history by pairing poetic prose with intricate paper cut pop-up art. Barbara Bietz, Chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee, said: “From the shtetl to skyscrapers, the white pop-up scenes against a background of deep rainbow colors illuminate Jewish life for the eight nights of Chanukah. Together, children and adults will marvel at the stunning scenes that magically unfold with each turn of the page.”     For Older Readers The gold medal in the Sydney Taylor Book Award’s Older Readers Category will be presented to Susan Goldman Rubin for Music Was It: Young Leonard Bernstein,published by Charlesbridge Publishing. This biography shares the inspiring story of the young musician and his commitment to succeed in spite of his family’s opposition.Through hard work, determination and a spirit that won’t quit, Bernstein’s dream is realized as he takes the stage as a conductor at Carnegie Hall. Numerous photos help bring Bernstein’s journey to life. Committee member Barbara Krasner commented: “Music Was It shows the struggle between the old and new worlds – the immigrant generation and the American generation. Susan Goldman Rubin’s well-researched and polished narrative was filled with tension that today’s kids can relate to.” In 2000, Goldman Rubin received theSydney Taylor Honor Award for Fireflies in the Dark: The Story of Friedl Dicker-Brandeis. Her book, The Cat with the Yellow Star: Coming of Age in Terezin, was a 2006 Sydney Taylor Honor Book.    For Teen Readers Robert Sharenow will receive the 2012 gold medal in the Sydney Taylor Book Award’s Teen Readers Category for The Berlin Boxing Club, published by HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing. This historical novel reveals the history of Nazi Germany through the eyes of Karl Stern, a typical 14-year-old German boy. Karl never gave much thought to being Jewish and had little connection with any religious life. When classmates bully Karl, he is forced to face the dangers in his own community. Given the opportunity to learn boxing from German champion Max Schmeling, Karl jumps at the chance. He grows strong and learns to defend himself. But as the Nazi’s gain power and his family is in peril, Karl questions who he can trust. Aimee Lurie, incoming Chair of the Award Committee noted: “The superb writing, meticulous research, and dramatic look into the world of boxing pack a punch that will leave teens mesmerized! Readers will be captivated and inspired by Karl’s transformation from being the victim of anti-semitic violence to a strong, confident young man who is able to protect his family.”   Honor Books & Notable Books Eight Sydney Taylor Honor Books were named for 2012.   Naamah and the Ark at Night by Susan Campbell Bartoletti with illustrations by Holly Meade (Candlewick Press) and Around the World in One Shabbat written and illustrated by Durga Yael Bernhard (Jewish Lights Publishing) are recognized in the Younger Readers Category.   Sydney Taylor Honor Books for Older Readers include: Lily Renee, Escape Artist: from Holocaust Survivor to Comic Book Pioneer by Trina Robbins with illustrations by Anne Timmons and Mo Oh (Graphic Universe, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.), Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg: Baseball Pioneer by Shelley Sommer (Calkins Creek, an imprint Boyds Mills Press), and Irena’s Jars of Secrets by Marcia Vaughan with illustrations by Ron Mazellan (Lee & Low Books). For teen readers, the Honor Books are Then by Morris Gleitzman (Henry Holt and Company) and The Blood Lie by Shirley Reva Vernick (Cinco Puntos Press).

Early Chapter Books for Global Citizens January 16, 2012

Inly’s students are about half-way through their 2011-21012 world tour. They’ve read about foreign capitals, tried new foods and used the magic of technology to see how kids live in every corner of the globe. Of course, we’ve also read lots of stories.  During each library class, the read-aloud selection is a story that takes place somewhere outside of the United States. Julia Donaldson’s popular British picture book, The Gruffalo, has been the most popular choice so far. I even ordered a copy of The Gruffalo’s Child so we could continue the adventures of the smart mouse and the monster.

There is no shortage of “international” picture books. We could meet through the summer and still not read all of the wonderful stories available to American readers. But, here’s where things got tricky. We thought it would be fun for our large group of new readers to select a beginning “chapter book” written by a foreign author. That proved a bit more challenging, but it can be done.  The teachers asked me to suggest a few titles for their 1st through 3rd grade students – and here they are…

Medusa Jones by Ross Collins (Collins is from Scotland – and this is a really fun story about a girl living in Ancient Greece. As you might expect, Medusa has snakes coming out of her head!)

Babe and Lady Lollipop and The Nine Lives of Aristotle – all by British author Dick King-Smith (King-Smith has written so many sweet early chapter books – these are just a few titles to get you started. Don’t forget A Mouse Called Wolf about a music-loving mouse!)

The Akimbo series by Alexander McCall Smith (McCall Smith was born in what is now Zimbabwe and now lives in Scotland. Akimbo lives on an African game reserve with his parents – his dad is a park ranger.  This series is a guaranteed hit – animals, adventure, a likeable hero)

The Anna Hibiscus series by Atinuke (Atinuke is from Nigeria – the books are about a little girl living in “Africa – amazing Africa.”)

Younguncle Comes to Town by Vandana Singh (Singh was born in India, where this story about three children and their eccentric uncle takes place)

The Lotta series and Pippi Longstocking by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren (Lotta on Troublemaker Street is about Lotta’s too-scratchy sweater, a challenge most kids face at one point or another – unless they live in Florida!)

And Roald Dahl!  So many choices for new readers – before they read The BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Suggest The Enormous Crocodile, George’s Marvelous Medicine, or The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me.

The Whole Megillah January 11, 2012

Thanks to Barbara Krasner at The Whole Megillah for her support of my book, Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg: Baseball Pioneer. The Whole Megillah is a website totally devoted to Jewish-themed books for children. Recently, Barbara asked Carolyn Yoder (my editor) and me to answer a few questions about Hank Greenberg.

Here’s the link:

http://thewholemegillah.wordpress.com/

You Have to See This! January 10, 2012

My son just showed me the coolest YouTube video.

It only takes 2 minutes to watch – and it will be the happiest 2 minutes of your day!

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKVcQnyEIT8

Turning Emotion Into Art January 8, 2012

We were in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago, and while we were there, we visited an old U.S. Mint Building which is now the Louisiana State Museum.  One of the cool things about it is that it’s the only building in America to serve as both a Confederate and United States mint. They had lots of exhibits about money and coins, and quite honestly, while I loved the building, I’m not that interested in money – except as a means to acquire books and keep my Starbucks card loaded.

What interested me the most about our visit was a quote I read. While my husband and son were walking around checking out the old coins, I began to wander.  I’m glad I did because I came to a wall that had these words engraved on it:

“The object of art

is to crystallize emotion

into thought, and fix it in form.”

I just looked it up, and the quote is attributed to Francois Delsarte, a 19^th century French musician.  I know nothing about Delsarte, but I really like this quote and keep thinking about how it applies to books. Books crystallize emotion, don’t they?  They certainly “fix it in form.”  The form may be the screen or a piece of paper, but that’s still “form.” 

This weekend I began reading The Submission by Amy Waldman. Talking about giving form to emotion! I’m not far enough along to write too much about it, but after reading the first 50 pages, I am kind of stunned by how much Waldman has taken on: the post-September 11 world, the purpose of art, patriotism and the ways we tell our own stories.  As you may know from all of the attention Waldman’s book has received, the novel is about the impact of selecting a Muslim architect to design a monument to September 11. It’s one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read, and I’m just glad to be reading it for a book club. It’s definitely a book that initiates discussion.

News From the Children’s Book World… January 6, 2012

On January 10, Walter Dean Myers will become the new national ambassador for young people’s literature. The award-winning author of many books for children and young adults, Myers is best known for his novels about urban life.  When I read the news in the New York Times (link below), I thought of all of my middle school students who have read and loved Myers’ novels.  He’s one of those authors that I “go to” when a student tells me they don’t like to read. After they read Monster or Fallen Angels, I have no doubt that they will ask for another one.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/books/walter-dean-myers-ambassador-for-young-peoples-literature.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=walter%20dean%20myers&st=cse

In other news, I was sad to read about the death of Simms Taback, the Caldecott-winning illustrator of Joseph Had a Little Overcoat.  I remember how excited I was twelve years ago when they announced that Joseph had won the 2000 Caldecott medal.  The colorful, folk-art like illustrations are so appealing that I flip through the book every time I reshelve it.  Taback was also the illustrator of a funny version of the folk tale, There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly - a story time favorite!

Here’s the link to the article about Taback:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/books/simms-taback-writer-and-illustrator-of-childrens-books-dies-at-79.html

I have a pile of new books to look through so I’ll be sure to post a review of my weekend reading…

A New Year of Reading Begins January 3, 2012

Sorry about that. I truly meant to post on the first day of the new year – 3 days ago. I had no shortage of ideas, just a shortage of time. So…here we are. A new year. Lots of new books ahead.

I read a lot during the holidays. As much as I love reading books with my classes, it was nice to read whatever captured my interest.  I read four books…

Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods (a young adult book about a boy and his best friend, a stray dog named Shadow, living in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. The coolest part of reading this book is that I actually read it in New Orleans. I don’t usually go to such extremes to get into the setting of a book, but it was great!)

The Sense of An Ending by Julian Barnes (this year’s Booker Prize winner – a compelling and intense examination of aging and all of the questions and doubts that go along with it. I’m still thinking about it and am tempted to go back to page one and read it again.)

The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie by Wendy McClure  (a must read for fans of the Little House books. Part memoir, part analysis of American girlhood and part attempt to understand our tendency to romanticize the past. After reading this, I’ve added the entire Little House series to my 2012 reading list – it’s been too long, and McClure gave me so much to think about.)

Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin (I loved this book about a young boy’s devotion to Stalin and Communism – until his life begins to unravel – this one will be on the middle school’s summer reading list.)

I was just getting on a roll when I heard the school bell ringing from a few miles away. Luckily, my husband gave me two books of essays for Christmas which are perfect for the evenings when the school work is done before bedtime!