My Hopes and Wishes for the 2015 ALA Youth Media Awards

This Monday, February 2nd, the 2015 ALA Youth Media Award winners will be announced. The past two years I watched the live webcast but this year, I am so excited that I will be attending the event in person. This is definitely a bucket list item for me. If you can't be there for the announcements in-person though, watching the live webcast is the next best thing.

Last year I wrote a post about my predictions, but this year, predictions have been replaced with hopes and wishes.


Schneider Family Book Award Hopes and Wishes

This award honors the books (one picture book, middle grade, and young adult) that portray people with disabilities in a positive light. These are the two main books I hope get some love on Monday:


When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds
Jason Reynolds' debut novel does something that not many YA novels do: shows a positive, counter-narrative portrayal of contemporary African American teens.  So in that regard, I hope that this book is also given a Coretta Scott King nod. In addition, there is a character in this book who has Tourette Syndrome and is one of the most memorable, loveable characters in the entire novel.

El Deafo by Cece Bell
Cece Bell has done something extraordinary with El Deafo: she has shown young kids that you can turn a disability into a superpower. I can't think of a more beautiful message than that.


Printz Award Hopes and Wishes


Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
Noggin by John Corey Whaley
 These books are both funny and poignant and in my opinion represent how interesting, innovative, and literary young adult literature can be.


Caldecott Award Hopes and Wishes





Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales
The addition of the photographer as one of the illustrators might complicate things and prevent the committee from choosing Viva Frida as a Caldecott medalist. Or they might set a new precedent. I just know that Viva Frida is one of the most lovely, innovate, and unique picture books I've ever laid eyes on. I'd love the committee to recognize that, especially since it would be a step in the right direction for bringing greater diversity into the list of Caldecott winners. At the very least, I hope it wins a Pura Belpre award, but I'd love to see it take the ultimate prize of the Caldecott medal.

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
In my mind Dan Santat is kind of the class clown of illustrators. His picture books are always lighthearted and/or funny. The Adventures of Beekle, however, is totally different. It is sentimental, heartfelt, and tugs at your heartstrings.

The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee
Speaking of tugging at your heartstrings, this wordless picture books is one of the most sweet and tender picture books I have ever laid eyes on. I wasn't able to put my finger on just what made The Farmer and the Clown so special until I read Dylan Teut's blog post connecting this story to the recent passing of his sister and his attempt to find closure.

Extraordinary Jane by Hannah E. Harrison
This book is a total long shot because I haven't heard anyone else besides me talk about it as a possibility, but Extraordinary Jane is really special to me. The illustrations are some of the most endearing I have ever laid eyes on and they tell more of the story than the words do. By the time I got to the last page I was weeping. Up until this point, the only other picture book illustrator whose art has made me cry is Kadir Nelson.


Newbery Award Hopes and Wishes

My head tells me this book will win:

and that would be a good thing. 

...but my heart really wants this book to win:

Almost a year ago, I reviewed A Snicker of Magic on Nerdy Book Club. Even that early in the year I made the declaration that this was the book I wanted to win the Newbery award. I still feel that way. Though I'm feeling less certain that is going to happen. Still, I am holding out hope.


Another book my heart would be happy to see win:

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
The rhythm, pacing, and heart of this novel in verse makes it probably the best I've ever read of this format. It's one of those books I am kicking myself for not having read sooner. I know everyone is giving much love to Brown Girl Dreaming, and rightly so, but honestly, this is my favorite book in verse of 2014.

So what are your choices for the ALA Youth Media Awards?

It's Monday! What are you reading? 1-26-15

Originally hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers also host a kidlit version of It's Monday! What are You Reading?

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.


Last week I reviewed:

Demon Derby by Carrie Harris


Favorite picture books from last week:


My Blue is Happy by Jessica Young, illustrated by Catia Chien
Carrie Gelson was absolutely right: this book is a writing lesson waiting to happen. Love how Jessica Young takes our normal perception of colors (blue is sad, red is angry, yellow is cheerful) and turns it on its head. 

Creature Features: Twenty-Five Animals Explain Why They Look the Way They Do by Steve Jenkins 
I continue to marvel at the amazing paper collage artwork of Steve Jenkins, but what I especially love about Creature Features is the conversational nature of the text with a jovial question and answer format. It's definitely a fun AND educational book for kids.


Currently Reading:

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley


Currently reading with my ears:

Positive: A Memoir by Paige Rawl   

Demon Derby by Carrie Harris

Casey Kent is a teenage cancer survivor and hates being seen by her friends and family as fragile. So when she tries out for the local roller derby team, many are hesitant to allow her to do so -- especially the team captain, who seems to want to do nothing but make her life miserable. But Casey soon finds out that cancer was a walk in the park compared to the new demons she must fight: well, that's because they're actual demons.

Carrie Harris's novels are perfect to give to readers like me who don't particularly like paranormal stories that involve zombies, werewolves, demons, and the like because there is always an element of comedy in her writing. Laughter and smart-assery are Carrie's M.O. in her writing and in her life -- and no doubt Carrie will read that statement as a badge of honor, as she should.

In Demon Derby, the comedy is toned down more so than it was in her first two books, Bad Taste in Boys and Bad Hair Day, but it's still there. However, what Harris adds to this narrative is a greater purpose than her previous books. You see, this book is dedicated to her husband Andy who is a cancer survivor -- and having heard Andy's harrowing story from Carrie herself, I see where those personal moments are inserted into the narrative. Despite the fact that Harris's writing never takes itself too seriously, there is definitely an underlying gravitas happening beneath the surface. The fact that the paranormal beings Harris's protagonist must fight are demons rather than zombies, werewolves, vampires or any other paranormal being, is clearly symbolically intentional: because cancer is a demon that survivors must fight in myriad ways.

Don't miss the acknowledgements as well as the Q & A with Carrie at the end of the book to learn more about the inspiration for this story. It will make you read it in a whole different light.


Demon Derby by Carrie Harris
Published: July 8, 2014
Publisher: Delacorte
Pages: 294
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Audience: Young Adult
Disclosure: Purchased Copy
 
If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

Participate in the National Readathon Day: January 24, 2015

Penguin Random House, the National Book Foundation, Goodreads, and Mashable are sponsoring this Saturday's National Readathon Day. To learn more about the readathon, visit Penguin Random House's webpage, and also follow along with the #timetoread hashtag.

It's Monday! What are you reading? 1-19-15

Originally hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers also host a kidlit version of It's Monday! What are You Reading?

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.


Last week I reviewed:

The Little Chapel That Stood by A.B. Curtiss, illustrated by Mirto Golino


Current Giveaway:

Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little


Last week I finished reading with my ears:

In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis
I would compare In a Handful of Dust to a YA version of The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Talk about intense. Even more so than Not a Drop to Drink. 


Currently (still) reading: 

Demon Derby by Carrie Harris
I'm enjoying this one, but I've just been super busy this past week. I'm hoping I'll have this finished before the end of the week.


Currently reading with my ears:

Unstoppable Octobia May by Sharon G. Flake
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Bahni Turpin is the narrator of this audiobook, which immediately got me excited because she is my favorite audiobook narrator of all time. I'm not that far into this story though so I'm not sure how I feel about it yet.

Dreaming of Books Blog Hop: Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little

For my portion of the blog hop, I am giving away a copy of:

Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little
Format: Hardcover
Published: November 4, 2014
Publisher: Harper
Pages: 397
Genre: Romance
Audience: Young Adult

Goodreads Summary:
In the unforgiving Mesopotamian desert where Jayden’s tribe lives, betrothal celebrations abound, and tonight it is Jayden’s turn to be honored. But while this union with Horeb, the son of her tribe’s leader, will bring a life of riches and restore her family’s position within the tribe, it will come at the price of Jayden’s heart.

Then a shadowy boy from the Southern Lands appears. Handsome and mysterious, Kadesh fills Jayden’s heart with a passion she never knew possible. But with Horeb’s increasingly violent threats haunting Jayden’s every move, she knows she must find a way to escape—or die trying.

With a forbidden romance blossoming in her heart and her family’s survival on the line, Jayden must embark on a deadly journey to save the ones she loves—and find a true love for herself.

Set against the brilliant backdrop of the sprawling desert, the story of Jayden and Kadesh will leave readers absolutely breathless as they defy the odds and risk it all to be together.


Terms and conditions:
Must be 13 or older to enter and have a U.S. mailing address
One winner will be selected
Use the Rafflecopter widget to enter

The Little Chapel That Stood by A.B. Curtiss, illustrated by Mirto Golino

Around the Chapel
     of Old St. Paul
Blow the dancing leaves
     of the coming Fall.
In the morning breeze
     they leap and fly
Beneath the towers
     that scrape the sky.

The Little Chapel That Stood is an illustrated poem about St. Paul's Chapel in lower Manhattan, which was built in 1766 and is less than 100 yards from where the Twin Towers once stood. Miraculously, on that fateful day in September of 2001, St. Paul's was left unscathed. Even the fragile chandeliers that had once been packed away during two world wars never wavered. The firemen who valiantly risked their lives to rush into the World Trade Center in an attempt to save lives, hastily left their shoes on the iron fence as they laced up their boots and went to work.

After the events of 9-11, St. Paul's became a meeting place, a place of solace, a place of hope, and a place to grieve those who lost their lives. This beautiful, moving poem is a tribute to unwavering strength, faith and the search for a symbol of hope in a time of such tragedy.

It's nice to be big

     and it's nice

     to be tall.

But, sometimes, 

     being little

Doesn't mean

     being small.

 
The Little Chapel That Stood, while written shortly after September 11, 2001, stands the test of time and is a text that will undoubtedly be read and studied now that we are viewing 9-11 more as a moment in history rather than as part of the raw wounds of the present.


The Little Chapel That Stood by A.B. Curtiss, illustrated by Mirto Golino
Published: July 1, 2003
Publisher: OldCastle Publishing
Pages: 40
Genre: Picture Book/Poetry
Audience: Primary/Middle Grade/Young Adult
Disclosure: Library Copy

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 1-12-15

Originally hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers also host a kidlit version of It's Monday! What are You Reading?

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.


Books I reviewed last week:
 

 

Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Anthony
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson
The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye


I finished reading:

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
The rhythm, pacing, and heart of this novel in verse makes it probably the best I've ever read of this format. It's one of those books I am kicking myself for not having read sooner. Would be a good book for a a middle school class read aloud. 


Favorite picture books from last week:

The Little Chapel That Stood by A.B. Curtiss, illustrated by Mirto Golino
Review of this one is forthcoming. This beautiful, moving poem is a tribute to unwavering strength, faith and the search for a symbol of hope in a time of such tragedy. 


The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey
Morbid, disturbing, subversive, and... delightful? I can't even pin down an audience for this book. It is incredibly strange and disturbingly endearing (there's an oxymoron for you). Despite the fact that it's an ABC book about how young children perished, it has a pleasant and lilting rhyme scheme. I kind of compare it to the song "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People -- its incredibly disturbing lyrics were first overlooked by its toe-tapping beat and upbeat melody. The Gashlycrumb Tinies kind of has the opposite effect: at first you are horrified by the fact that this is a book about the demise of young children, but then the musical rhyme scheme takes over your good sense. 


Currently reading: 

Demon Derby by Carrie Harris


Currently reading with my ears:

In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis

Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Anthony

A sullen panda asks his animal friends if they would like a doughtnut. But each time, the animal Mr. Panda approaches demands a doughnut rather than requests it politely. So each time, Mr. Panda changes his mind and walks away, leaving each animal without a doughnut.

On the surface, Please, Mr. Panda appears to be a book about manners. Approaching it as a way to teach kids a lesson about politeness might be the wrong way to go about it since Mr. Panda was a curmudgeon and not very polite himself. So I chose to perceive this story as more complex than just a simple, didactic book about saying please and thank you.

I tried to approach reading Please, Mr. Panda more the way I would a book like I Want My Hat Back or Ugly Fish than trying to make it a simple book that teaches a black and white lesson. I think Steve Anthony was trying to be more subversive than didactic. As a result, I could see this book being a good conversation to have with kids about flawed/unreliable narrators. A couple questions I might ask would be, was the panda's behavior justified in trying to get a polite response from the other animals? Was Mr. Panda being a hypocrite to ask for the other animals to be polite when he was rather rude himself? Better yet, rather than asking those questions, let kids come to those conclusions on their own. You'd be surprised at the insights kids can glean from stories without such leading questions from adults. For that reason, I could see this book sparking lots of interesting discussion.


Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Anthony
Published: December 30, 2014
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 32
Genre: Picture Book
Audience: Primary
Disclosure: Library Copy

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

CJ and his nana ride the bus together on Sundays but CJ wishes they had a car instead. That is, until Nana points out why riding the bus is so much better.

Last Stop on Market Street is simply enchanting. It is filled with musical and sensory language, as evidenced by my favorite line: "Sometimes when you're surrounded by dirt, CJ, you're a better witness for what's beautiful." I loved the childlike yet poignant illustrations by Christian Robinson and I especially loved this illustration of a little babushka who is sitting next to an imposing (but also endearing) tattooed dude on the bus.



Fans of Lauren Castillo's Nana in the City will also be delighted by Last Stop on Market Street.  


Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Published: January 8, 2015
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 32
Genre: Picture Books
Audience: Primary
Disclosure: Finished copy provided by publisher

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye

Goodreads Summary:
Aref Al-Amri says good-bye to everything and everyone he loves in his hometown of Muscat, Oman, as his family prepares to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan. This is Naomi Shihab Nye s first novel set in the Middle East since her acclaimed Habibi.Aref Al-Amri does not want to leave Oman. He does not want to leave his elementary school, his friends, or his beloved grandfather, Siddi. He does not want to live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where his parents will go to graduate school. His mother is desperate for him to pack his suitcase but he refuses. Finally, she calls Siddi for help. But rather than pack, Aref and Siddi go on a series of adventures. They visit the camp of a thousand stars deep in the desert, they sleep on Siddi s roof, they fish in the Gulf of Oman and dream about going to India, they travel to the nature reserve to watch the sea turtles. At each stop, Siddi finds a small stone that he later slips into Aref's suitcase mementos of home.

The Turtle of Oman is a lovely, gentle story. The main character Aref's quiet innocence puts me in mind of The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes. I have to say though, I was bummed that none of this story actually takes place in Michigan. When it said that Aref was moving to Ann Arbor, I was excited at the prospect of reading a story in one of my favorite towns, but this book is only about Aref's preparation to move, not about the move itself. Having said that, even though I was bummed that this story doesn't actually take place in Ann Arbor, I'm equally happy that it's a quiet, peaceful story that takes place in a Middle Eastern country. Too often we perceive the Middle East as one big conflict zone, but here you have a young protagonist who loves his home and doesn't want to leave it. So in that regard, this is a great book to give to young people to help change their perceptions and prejudices. I could see this book being a sleeper Newbery honor in February.


The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye
Published: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Greenwillow
Pages: 320
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Audience: Middle Grade
Disclosure: Audiobook provided by publisher

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 1-5-15

Originally hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers also host a kidlit version of It's Monday! What are You Reading?

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.

Well how about that? It's 2015 already.  Last week I posted my 14 favorite books of 2014 and I made a glaring error when I left out El Deafo by Cece Bell as one of my favorite books of 2015. So I'm singling it out here because I feel terrible that I didn't remember it as one of my favorites.


Last week I reviewed:

When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds
Blackbird by Anna Carey


I finished reading:

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate
The Way to Stay in Destiny by Augusta Scattergood
I really enjoyed both of these novels. I'm looking forward to talking to people about The Way to Stay in Destiny. I have some questions about it that I'm anxious to talk to readers about.


Favorite picture books from last week:

Is There a Dog in This Book? by Viviane Schwarz
Shooting at the Stars: The Christmas Truce of 1914 by John Hendrix


Currently reading:

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
This is one of those books I am kicking myself about not having read sooner. It takes novels in verse to a whole other level.


Still reading with my ears:

The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye