Kellee – Page 236 – Unleashing Readers

How To Speak Dolphin by Ginny Rorby

December 21, 2015February 6, 2015 by Kellee

How to Speak Dolphin
Author: Ginny Rorby
Expected Publication May 26th, 2015 by Scholastic Press
(Though available in Spring Scholastic Book Fairs)

Goodreads Summary: Schneider Family Book Award-winning author Ginny Rorby has created an irresistible dolphin story about a girl’s struggle to help her autistic brother and herself.

Lily loves her half-brother, Adam, but she has always struggled with him, too. He’s definitely on the autism spectrum–though her step-father, Don, can barely bring himself to admit it–and caring for him has forced Lily to become as much mother as sister. All Lily wants is for her step-father to acknowledge that Adam has a real issue, that they need to find some kind of program that can help him. Then maybe she can have a life of her own.

Adam’s always loved dolphins, so when Don, an oncologist, hears about a young dolphin with cancer, he offers to help. He brings Lily and Adam along, and Adam and the dolphin–Nori–bond instantly.

But though Lily sees how much Adam loves Nori, she also sees that the dolphin shouldn’t spend the rest of her life in captivity, away from her family. Can Adam find real help somewhere else? And can Lily help Nori regain her freedom without betraying her family?

My Review: How to Speak Dolphin is a tale that looks at the struggles and triumphs of growing up with an autistic family member. Lily has lost her mom and is still mourning when we meet her, yet she is being expected to pretty much be her brother Adam’s caretaker. Because of this, Lily has very few friends and finds herself lonely and sad often. Her stepfather is lost in fantasy thinking that Adam is less work and less autistic than he really is. Lily is lost and tired though knows something needs to be done. She just wants her brother to be taken care of correctly, and she needs her stepfather to see it as well. It is through Lily’s guiding, and a bit of help from Adam’s new caretaker Suzanne, that Don finally seeks getting treatment for Adam through DAT, dolphin-assisted therapy, with a young dolphin named Nori recovering from cancer. During Lily’s journey through helping her brother (and herself), she becomes friends with Zoe, a young girl who lost her sight due to retinoblastoma, who also helps her realize that her life may not be what she’d expected, but it can still be good. This book, like all of Ginny’s, is quite a ride and makes the reader think about animal and human issues that are often ignored. Ginny Rorby has done it again.

Teachers’ Tools For Navigation: There are many books that look at autism or animal rights. I can definitely see this book being in a lit circle set (with the titles listed below) where students in groups can each read a book about the topic then share what they have learned from their book at the end. This could be done beautifully with most of Ginny’s titles (Hurt Go Happy, Outside of a Horse, and Dolphin Sky) because they each look at a human and animal struggle. Additionally, this book is going to be loved by students who love Rules, Out of My Mind, Wonder, and other books that look at overcoming differences.

I could also see inquiry projects blossoming out of the lit circles or a whole-class read of How to Speak Dolphin. In Dolphin alone, students could find themselves questioning animal captivity, DAT, autism, retinoblastoma, sign language, oil spill, and more.

Discussion Questions: Do you agree with the choice that is made with Nori at the end of the book?; Zoe was quite pushy with Lily when they disagree. Do you agree with how Zoe dealt with the situation?; Do you think it was Lily’s responsibility to care for Adam after her mother died?; Practice walking using echoing like Zoe does. How easy/hard is it?; Zoe is a very positive person. How does how she is dealing with her blindness help Lily be more optimistic about Adam and her life?; Why do you think Don had such a hard time admitting to himself that Adam may need help outside what he and Lily could give?

We Flagged: “Don holds Adam pressed to his chest, one arm around his legs and the other pinning his arms to his sides as I test the water temerature and start filling the tub. Don’s eyes are closed. I think from the pain of Adam’s screaming in his ear, but decided maybe it’s because his heart is broken. I was seven and a half when Mom and Don found out she was pregnant and that the baby would be a boy. Don was so over-the-top thrilled that Mom looked at me and said she’d wanted another girl. She was trying to make sure my feelings weren’t hurt, but it made me wonder if my real father had wished fora boy, too.” (p. 8)

Read This If You Loved: Rules by Cynthia Lord, Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin, Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine, Dolphin Sky by Ginny Rorby, Wonder by RJ Palacio, Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby

Recommended For:

2015 Mock Sibert: Considered Nonfiction Picture Book Titles

February 4, 2015 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and was started to help promote the reading of nonfiction texts. Most Wednesdays, we will be participating and will review a nonfiction text (though it may not always be a picture book).
Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other nonfiction books are shared this week!

First, I want to share my excitement for The Right Word, our Mock Sibert winner, becoming the actual Sibert winner! So ecstatic that we got it right! Also, Neighborhood Sharks was honored which makes me super happy because it might have been my favorite.

Part of hosting the Mock Sibert is reading as many nonfiction books (we focus on nonfiction picture books and children’s books) as possible. Today I wanted to share with you some of the amazing titles that we considered for the Mock Sibert, but that I hadn’t been able to post about yet. They may not have been in my top 5, but were definitely some of the best nonfiction titles I read in 2014.

A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz
Published May 6th, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

I loved loved loved this book. The messages about animals and human are the same: all living things should be respected. I am so glad that the Schneider committee recognized the power of this book.

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos
Published October 14th, 2014 by Roaring Brook Press

Carl Sagan is such an inspirational person, and this book is the perfect introduction to him. I really loved how this author tied Dr. Sagan’s childhood of curiosity and exploration to his success as a scientist. He is such an inspiring man and his story shows how anyone can build a repertoire of knowledge and grow up to make a difference.

Born in the Wild: Baby Mammals and Their Parents by Lita Judge
Published October 21st, 2014 by Roaring Brook Press

A beautifully illustrated picture book that focuses on what each baby needs to thrive.

Chasing Cheetahs: The Race to Save Africa’s Fastest Cats by Sy Mongomery
Published April 1st, 2014 by HMH Books for Young Readers

Beetle Busters: A Rogue Insect and the People Who Track It by Loree Griffin Burns
Published October 7th, 2014 by HMH Books for Young Readers

These were my first two “Scientists in the Field” books I’ve read after years of people suggesting them to me. I now know why everyone likes this series. They are interesting, have phenomenal illustrations, and makes the stories they are sharing accessible to their readers.

The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats: A Scientific Mystery by Sandra Markle
Published September 1st, 2014 by Millbrook Press

This book takes the reader through the scientific inquiry process while the scientists work to figure out the mystery of the bats. Quite an adventure!!

When Lunch Fights Back: Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses by Rebecca Johnson
Published September 1st, 2014 by Millbrook Press

This book talks about some truly strange, fascinating, and cool animal defenses on the planet. The illustrations are amazing, and this book is going to definitely be a kid magnet.

We also considered The Noisy Paintbox, Gravity, and A Home for Mr. Emerson, but I have already reviewed them. Click on the book covers to read my review of these titles.

Also, check out my Mock Sibert partners’ lists of favorite 2014 nonfiction books (Alyson Part 1 Part 2 | Carrie) to see other titles that are must reads!

What were your favorite NF books from 2014?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 2/2/15

July 27, 2015February 2, 2015 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

CONGRATULATIONS,
CASSIE LARSON
for winning the Candlewick Giveaway of 6 YA novels!

Last Week’s Posts

Tuesday: Top Ten Books We’d Love to Read With Our Book Club (If WeHad A Book Club)

Wednesday: Mock Sibert Winner Announced!

Sunday: Guest Post: “Beyond Setting: A Couple of Thoughts and Some Fun Writing Prompts” by Tricia Springstubb, author of Moonpenny Island

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: This week I was able to get some more reading in which really does make my week better! I finished John David Anderson’s The Dungeoneers, and it is EPIC! You’ll want to read it; I promise. Part of the problem with reading an ARC, though, is I now have to wait even longer for the sequel. I also read Bob Shea’s new early reader Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret which was such a great, funny book. Elephant and Piggie fans will definitely like this one. Trent and I struggled a bit with finding reading time every day this week. He loves books and flips through them and plays with them often, but this week we had trouble with sitting down before bedtime and reading because of business. However, this week we did read a DK ABC Baseball book and a Thomas the Tank Engine book (which was perfect because this weekend, My Gym had the electronic Thomas out!).

Ricki: I finished Audacity by Melanie Crowder. It is an inspirational book in verse based on the true story of Clara Lemleich. She was a Russian Jewish immigrant who was forced to work in horrible factory conditions in the early 1900s. Clara stood up for her rights and fought with the union. I will provide a full review soon, and I absolutely recommend it.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I am still listening to Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick. It is such a tough book, but I am sucked in! I also hope to read A Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters and/or Girls Like Us by Gail Giles. With Trent, I hope to make sure to have more time to read to him this week.

Ricki: I am excited to start The Secret Hum of Daisy by Tracy Holczer. I know many of you have read it, and I have heard it is wonderful! I also have to read half of a book on coding. Jealous? 🙂

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten Graphic Novels We Can’t Believe We Haven’t Read

Wednesday: More Great Nonfiction from 2014

So, what are you reading?

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

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Author Guest Post!: “Beyond Setting: A Couple of Thoughts and Some Fun Writing Prompts” by Tricia Springstubb, Author of Moonpenny Island

February 1, 2015 by Kellee

Beyond Setting: A Couple of Thoughts and Some Fun Writing Prompts

Setting: the time and place where the story happens. Yawn. Compared to characters and plot, setting can be a snoozefest. What happens next? That’s what most readers, young or old, want to know.

But here’s what genius writer Katherine Paterson has to say on the subject: “Setting for me is not a background against which a story is played out, but the very stuff with which the story is woven. The characters will not determine the setting, but the setting to a great extent will determine both what they will be like and how they will act.”

Think of “Bridge to Terabithia” and you’ll immediately understand what she means. Could that miraculous, heart-wrenching story be set anywhere but the kingdom Jess and Leslie create together? Not only is that place enchanted, it’s secret, a spot where they feel all-powerful and safe from the real world–which of course makes the book’s tragedy all the more devastating.

Setting can be a catalyst. It can make things happen. Stanley Yelnats gets sent to Camp Green Lake where, instead of a lovely lake, he finds a desert full of strange holes, and the die is cast. (“Holes”, by Louis Sachar). Ditto what happens when Brian Robeson’s plane goes down not on the edge of a corn field, but in the middle of the Canadian wilderness (“Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen).

Full confession: sense of place is all important in my work. “What Happened on Fox Street” pivots on how much Mo Wren loves her home. Everything she treasures is there–her friends, her secret hide-out, her fox-quest and her memories of her mother. The discovery that her adored father means to move away makes her furious and sets the rest of the story in motion.

In “Mo Wren Lost and Found”, Mo has had to move away after all. Here the setting reflects and enhances her feelings of confusion and lonesomeness. “East 213^th . Their new street didn’t even have a name. Just a number. That was only the beginning of how different it was. Being a dead end, where Fox Street began and where it stopped were perfectly clear. Once Upon a Time and The End. But if East 213^th was a story, it’d say To be continued…with those three dots that mean anything might happen.”

My newest book, “Moonpenny Island”, is about how living on a small lump of limestone surrounded by water is paradise for some, prison for others. The very stuff of the story!

I always encourage young writers to think about setting. Think, I tell them, how important place is to “Harry Potter”, “Percy Jackson” or “The Giver”. Think how much you love stepping into a story’s new, amazing and compelling world. Experiencing a great setting is the closest we can come to teleportation. When you’re a writer, you have the power to build a world!

Below are some writing exercises to help kids understand the power of setting–and have fun too!

Take a familiar story and set it in another place or time. What if Little Red Riding Hood lived in New York City? How would the plot change if Cinderella was set in the present day?
Without naming it, describe some place you know as fully as you can. Use all five senses. Trade descriptions with someone else, and use each other’s place as the setting for a new story.
Draw a map of an imaginary place. Go wild! Use it as the setting for a story.
Describe the room you’re in right now. Just the facts please. Messy classroom desks, windows onto the street, one kid asleep in the corner.
Now describe the room through the eyes of a fictional character. A shy, nervous new kid entering for the first time. An ant on the floor. A girl with a crush on the boy sitting next to her. An alien whose saucer has just landed outside. (It’s up to you. Remember, when you’re a writer, you’re the boss of your story!) Will they all see the same setting? How will past experiences and present feelings influence the way each of them perceives the room?

Tricia Springstubb is a frequent speaker in schools and libraries. When she can’t get there in person, she enjoys doing Skype visits. Her new middle grade novel, “Moonpenny Island”, publishes with HarperCollins on February 10. “Cody and the Fountain of Happiness”, the first book in her new series for readers ages 7-10, publishes with Candlewick in April.

Tricia lives and writes in good old Cleveland. You can learn more about her and her books at triciaspringstubb.com

Moonpenny Island Summary: Moonpenny is a tiny island in a great lake. When the summer people leave and the ferries stop running, just the tried-and-true islanders are left behind. Flor and her best, her perfect friend, Sylvie, are the only eleven-year-olds for miles and miles—and Flor couldn’t be happier.

But come the end of summer, unthinkable things begin to happen. Sylvie is suddenly, mysteriously whisked away to school on the mainland. Flor’s mother leaves to take care of Flor’s sick grandmother and doesn’t come back. Her big sister has a secret, and Flor fears it’s a dangerous one.

Meanwhile, a geologist and his peculiar daughter arrive to excavate prehistoric trilobites, one of the first creatures to develop sight. Soon Flor is helping them. As her own ability to see her life on this little lump of limestone evolves, she faces truths about those she loves—and about herself—she never imagined.

Tricia Springstubb tells a warm and deeply affecting story about what it means to see, and why the biggest feat of all may be seeing through someone else’s eyes.

Cody and the Fountain of Happiness Summary: For whimsical Cody, many things are beautiful, especially ants who say hello by rubbing feelers. But nothing is as beautiful as the first day of summer vacation, and Cody doesn’t want to waste one minute of it. Meanwhile, teenage brother Wyatt is moping over a girl, Mom is stressed about her new job as Head of Shoes, Dad is off hauling chairs in his long-distance truck, and even camp has been closed for the summer. What to do? Just when all seems lost, Cody bumps into a neighborhood boy named Spencer who is looking for a runaway cat. With a new friend and a soon-to-be-found cat, Cody is on her way to the fountain of happiness.

Thank you so much to Tricia for being our special guest this Sunday!

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YALSA Morris Finalists’ Blog Hop: Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

May 2, 2015January 29, 2015 by Kellee

Gabi, A Girl in Pieces
Author: Isabel Quintero
Published October 14th, 2014 by Cinco Puntos Press

Goodreads Summary: For all the gorditas, flaquitas, and in-between girls trying to make their space in the world. Don’t worry, you got this.

Gabi Hernandez chronicles her last year in high school in her diary: college applications, Cindy’s pregnancy, Sebastian’s coming out, the cute boys, her father’s meth habit, and the food she craves. And best of all, the poetry that helps forge her identity.

Author Bio: Isabel Quintero is a library technician in the Inland Empire. She is also the events coordinator for Orange Monkey and helps edit the poetry journal Tin Cannon. Gabi is her debut novel.

Kellee’s Review: What I found in this book was a book of truth. While I normally find a book that has so many topics in it to be cumbersome (just some of the topics hit were: pregnancy, abortion, meth, family, religion, ethnicity, school, homosexuality, sex, death, poetry, college, rape, and gender expectations), I felt that Gabi was just truthful. Her story was just a story full of real life which just happens to be messy. I enjoyed the unique format, the diversity (not just race/ethnicity, but lbgt, body size, class, ELL, etc.), and the amazing cast of characters. Gabi’s voice rang true throughout, and even got stronger as she became more independent within the story. Well done.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: Parts of Gabi’s story could easily be pulled out to be a mentor text for many different literary elements; however, I feel like one of the best ways it could be used is to have students emulate Gabi’s writing. For example, Gabi writes letters to her father sharing how she really feels. Students could write to someone sharing something with them that they are keeping from them. You could also use Gabi’s magazine and poetry the same way. Gabi’s writing is very raw, and I think that students will definitely connect with it.

Discussion Questions: Gabi makes a choice towards the end of the book that makes Cindy be upset with Gabi. Do you agree with what Gabi did?; Gabi’s mother is very protective of her. Why do you think she is so hard on Gabi?; Gabi deals with body issues throughout the book. How do you think our society affects how she pictures herself?; Sebastian and Cindy’s parents are both disappointed in their kids for different reasons and deal differently with their disappointment. Do you agree with how they treat their children?

We Flagged: “My brother is fifteen. He knows many things. He knows how to make a pipe out of an apple, and he knows how to make beautiful murals on public property. He likes wresting and biking and skateboarding but doesn’t like school because school doesn’t understand kids like us. My brother–the brat, the crybaby, the quite one, the brown one, Mami’s favorite: where will he go? I ask myself the question over and over. Y no se. I don’t know where he will go, but I hope wherever it is it’s better than here.” (p. 94)

Read This If You Loved: Yaqui Delgado Wants To Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina, Jumped In by Patrick Flores-Scott, What Can(t) Wait by Ashley Hope Perez, Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia MacCall, Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding

Recommended For:

Make sure to stop by Cinco Puntos Press blog to see the other stops on the tour!

**A special thank you to Jessica Powers at Cinco Puntos Press for organizing this blog hop!**

2015 Mock Sibert Award Winner! Hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy, Unleashing Readers, and There Is A Book For That

January 28, 2015 by Kellee

It is just days until we learn what book takes home the coveted Sibert Award, but today is the day here on Unleashing Readers and over on Kid Lit Frenzy and There Is A Book For That where we find out who won our Mock Sibert Award!!!

*drum roll*

AND THE WINNER IS…..

What a phenomenal choice!
Now we just have to wait until next week to find out if the Sibert committee agrees.

We are also happy to announce our giveaway winner.
Congratulations to
Cathy Ballou Mealey
for winning a book of her choice from our nominees.

I had such a blast hosting the Mock Sibert with Alyson and Carrie!
Thank you to all who participated and cannot wait to see who wins the Sibert and the rest of the awards!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? and Candlewick Press Giveaway 1/26/15

July 27, 2015January 26, 2015 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Congratulations to
KATIE from THE LOGONAUTS
for winning a copy of Emmanuel’s Dream

Last Week’s Posts

Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Feature Characters Who Show Resilience Despite Disabilities

Wednesday: Great Picture Books Kellee Has Read Recently

Friday: National Readathon Day Overview

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I finished 3 new picture books with Trent this week: This is Silly! by Gary Taxali, Pete the Cat and the New Guy by James Dean, and Baby Bear’s Books by Jane Yolen. This is Silly is quite an odd book, but has some wonderful illustrations; Pete the Cat and the New Guy has a good lesson, but isn’t as good as the other Pete books; and Baby Bear’s Books is about a young bears love of books. I did start reading The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson and listening to Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick, but I wasn’t able to finish them.

Ricki: I started back in school this week. I am in my fourth semester of the Ph.D. program, and it is getting tougher as each semester goes on. I will be sure to keep up with my reading though—it makes me feel alive! I did a lot of reading in a grant proposal book, so I am a bit behind in my pleasure reading. I did read three great picture books. My favorite this week was Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell (a great book to teach bullying). But I also very much enjoyed Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell and Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I hope to finished The Dungeoneers and Never Fall Down. The Dungeoneers is really starting to get good! It is about a young boy who, in place of a punishment for pick-pocketting, is asked to join a guild. He is currently being tested to see how good he is. Loving the characters! Never Fall Down, on the other hand, is not an especially fun book, but it is eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and gripping. I never want to stop listening once I start. Hopefully I have enough time this week to listen to a good chunk.

Ricki: I know I will finish Audacity by Melanie Crowder this week. It is a beautiful book in verse, and I absolutely love it. I almost finished it the other night, but an amazing, incredible, (teething,) baby woke up and needed his mama.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten Books We’d Love to Read With Our Book Club (If WeHad A Book Club)

Wednesday: Mock Sibert Winner Announced!

Sunday: Guest Post: “Beyond Setting: A Couple of Thoughts and Some Fun Writing Prompts” by Tricia Springstubb, author of Moonpenny Island

So, what are you reading?

GIVEAWAY!
We are also happy to be able to offer an amazing giveaway from Candlewick Press:

TIME MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES TOP 100 YOUNG ADULT AND CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF ALL-TIME

CANDLEWICK PRESS EARNS 10 “BEST OF” NODS IN THE DISTINGUISHED RANKINGS

One of the most prominent news magazines in the U.S., TIME magazine, has declared we are living in a “golden age” of children’s and young adult books. A claim supported by ongoing sales reports that books for young readers and teens continue to dominate the bestseller charts and lead industry growth as they find wide audiences beyond their intended age demographics.

With the assistance of industry experts, reviewers, and major literacy non-profits, TIME has compiled a list to honor the all-time classics, both old and new.

Candlewick Press, a leading independent children’s book publisher based near Boston, Massachusetts, is proud to announce ten titles from its publishing list have been selected for inclusion – all remarkable works of writing and illustrating – that have established themselves as enduring favorites via critical and commercial success. Both National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Kate DiCamillo, and celebrated novelist, Patrick Ness, have the remarkable achievement of having two of their works selected. Candlewick’s titles include:

YA/Novels:

Feed by M. T. Anderson

Anderson takes on consumerism in this smart, savage satire that has captivated readers with its view of an imagined future that veers unnervingly close to the here and now.

* A National Book Award finalist

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo , illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

Kate DiCamillo takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. Along the way, we are shown a miracle — that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again.

Note: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is in the Top 25 to be voted on for Best of the Best ranking by reader vote: http://time.com/100-best-young-adult-books/

Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

Rob, sickly and devastated by the death of his mother, moves to a hotel with his father for a new start. But after he comes across a caged tiger in the woods outside the motel, the unexpected find helps him overcome his sadness and open up to a new friend.

*A National Book Award finalist

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay

An unflinching, darkly funny, and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor.

* Soon to be a major motion picture

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

A dystopian thriller follows a boy and girl on the run from a town where all thoughts can be heard — and the passage to manhood embodies a horrible secret.

Boy Proof by Cecil Castellucci

An unforgettable debut novel that follows an antisocial cinephile as she meets a quick-witted artist who’s savvy enough to see through her sci-fi disguise.

* Celebrating 10^th anniversary in February 2015

Children’s/Picture Books:

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor– and winks at the reader with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in on the joke.

Note: I Want My Hat Back is in their Top 25 to be voted on for Best of the Best ranking by popular reader vote: http://time.com/100-best-childrens-books/

Journey by Aaron Becker

Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination — and unexpected friendship.

* A Caldecott Honor Book

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Michelle Knudsen’s disarming story, illustrated by the matchless Kevin Hawkes in an expressive timeless style, will win over even the most ardent of rule keepers. An affectionate storybook tribute to that truly wonderful place: the library.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Imagine the fun of going on a bear hunt-through tall, wavy grass (SWISHY SWISHY!); swampy mud (SQUELCH SQUELCH!); and a swirling whirling snowstorm (HOOOO WOOOO!) – only to find a “real” bear waiting at the end of the trail! For brave hunters and bear lovers, a classic chant-aloud.

ABOUT CANDLEWICK PRESS
Candlewick Press is an independent, employee-owned publisher based in Somerville, Massachusetts. For over twenty years, Candlewick has published outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages, including books by award-winning authors and illustrators such as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Kate DiCamillo, M. T. Anderson, Jon Klassen, and Laura Amy Schlitz; the widely acclaimed Judy Moody, Mercy Watson, and ’Ology series; and favorites such as Guess How Much I Love You, Where’s Waldo?, and Maisy. Candlewick is part of the Walker Books Group, together with Walker Books UK in London and Walker Books Australia, based in Sydney and Auckland. Visit Candlewick online at www.candlewick.com

Twitter – @Candlewick
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CandlewickPressBooks
Instagram – http://instagram.com/candlewickpress
Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/candlewickpress/
E-Volt Twitter – @evoltbooks
E-Volt Tumblr – http://e-volt.tumblr.com/

To celebrate, Candlewick would like to offer a complete set of the chosen YA books to one lucky winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

and