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Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: Small Steps by Louis Sachar

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Sofia is an 9-year-old brilliant reader who aspires to be a book reviewer. On select Saturdays, Sofia shares her favorite books with kids! She is one of the most well-read elementary schoolers that we know, so she is highly qualified for this role!

Dear readers,

I just finished reading this amazing book called Small Steps by Louis Sachar and I can’t wait to tell you about it! This book is the second book in a series and the first book is called Holes. You don’t have to have read Holes to understand this book. This book is recommended for ages 12+ by Amazon.

Armpit (his real name is Theodore) has just been released from a Juvenile Correctional Facility called Camp Green Lake. He gets a job digging and gets paid a pretty good amount of money for it. But when Armpit’s friend called X-ray, who he met when he was at Camp Green Lake, gets in the picture things turn a bit bad for Armpit. Armpit makes some pretty bad choices like when X-ray tells him they can get extra money by scalping tickets to Kaira DeLeon’s show. Armpit makes the bad choice of saying yes. Armpit is not bad and he only got sent to Camp Green Lake because of a bowl of popcorn. Armpit also has a nine year old friend named Ginny and she is handicapped and she helps Armpit out with some of his decisions. She is his best friend.

Kaira DeLeon eventually becomes friends with Armpit. Kaira has all kinds of things going on, like her not getting paid as much as other people, having a bodyguard and most of all, her manager, El Genius. El Genius is Kaira’s step-father but Kaira just thinks he married her mom because he wanted to kill Kaira.

I love this book because of the way the author wrote it. What I mean is that the author keeps on switching points of view from Armpit to Kaira so you don’t miss anything and you know how different characters feel about the same thing. I also love this book because of the amazing suspense which made me finish it in two days! Enjoy!

If you love this book and want to know a bit more about The Juvenile Correctional Facility, then check out Holes by Louis Sachar. It is the first book in the series and I read it and loved it. By the way, if you like Holes, there’s a movie about it!

**Thanks so much to Sofia for this terrific review!**

Don’t Judge Me by Lisa Schroeder

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Don’t Judge Me
Author: Lisa Schroeder
Publication Date: November 10, 2020 by Scholastic

Summary: Inspired by a true story of girl empowerment, acclaimed author Lisa Schroeder’s new novel explores trust, self-worth, and speaking up — especially when you’re told to keep quiet.

Hazel doesn’t like to make waves. Middle school is hard enough without causing more trouble, right? She’s happy just eating lunch in the library with her BFF, writing secret haikus, and taking care of an adorable rescue tortoise.

But then Hazel discovers a list that rates the girls at her middle school based on their looks — started by her best friend’s older brother. She knows she has to do something, and she can’t do it alone. The wave she’ll be making might turn into a tsunami, but if Hazel can find the courage to speak up, she might just change everything.

About the Author: Once upon a time, Lisa Schroeder wanted to join Encyclopedia Brown on his fun adventures. Since that didn’t work out, she decided to be an author instead. Lisa’s written over twenty books for kids and teens including the popular verse novels for teens I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME and CHASING BROOKLYN, and her most recent YA novels, THE BRIDGE FROM ME TO YOU and ALL WE HAVE IS NOW. She’s also the author of the middle grade novels IT’S RAINING CUPCAKES, MY SECRET GUIDE TO PARIS, SEE YOU ON A STARRY NIGHT and WISH ON ALL THE STARS. Her books have been translated into foreign languages and have been selected for state reading lists. Lisa is a native Oregonian and lives with her family outside of Portland.

Review: This book is so timely and important! My county just changed their dress code, and it was introduced by a board member in our local newspaper with the title “Good riddance to dress code that singles out girls,” and there are groups of girls fighting for less discrimination in school all over the nation. Don’t Judge Me is based off an event in 2019 where a group of girls in Bethesda, Maryland fought back about the toxic culture in their school.

But don’t worry–the book is not didactic, though it definitely does teach a lesson; instead, you get a book with a topic that is so important, combined with a engaging story with not only main characters who I ended up loving but also well constructed and detailed secondary characters, including parents! Oh, and a tortoise! I loved watching Hazel find her voice, Tori find her confidence, Dion find his friends, and Pip find his home!

Another thing I really liked about Schroeder’s story is she showed that kids can make a difference. She used Hazel to show that it doesn’t take radical insubordination to make that difference. Instead it takes a purpose, a plan, support, and execution. Hazel was awesome!

Discussion Questions: 

  • Do you think Hazel did the right thing the notebook?
  • Why do you think popularity was so important to Tori?
  • How is Mr. Buck an example of one of the problems presented in the novel?
  • Why do you think the author included Dion in the story?
  • What is a safe place for you like the library was for Hazel, Dion, and Tori?
  • What do you think the author hopes you take from this book?
  • Do you think that Hazel dealt with meeting with admin well?
  • What is toxic masculinity and how can we fight it in our schools and community?

Flagged Passages: [Hazel just entered the library during the first week of school during lunch]

As I started to unpack my lunch, I heard snifling.

I turned around and saw a boy curled up, arms hugging his knees, against the shelf of picture books that some of the Language Arts teachers like to use in their class. His face was buried in his arms so all I could see was his curly, black hair. I looked at Tori, hoping she’d run over to ask the boy what was wrong. I know I could have done it, but I’m not every good at that kind of thing…

‘What’s wrong?’ Tori asked. ‘Do you need help with something?’

He wiped his face across the sleeve of his shirt, then shook his head ducking back into his arms.

‘Come on,’ Tori said. We want to help. Can you talk to us? Please? We’re super nice, honest. Oh, and I’m Tori and this is Hazel. What’s your name?’

He raised his head and sniffled. ‘Dion. And don’t y’all go and tell people you saw me crying. It’ll justm ake things worse.’

‘We won’t,’ I said. ‘We’d never do that.’

‘My moms say boys should cry more often,’ Tori said matter-of-factly. ‘That the world needs more sensitive men. Or something like that.’

Dion sniffled again. ‘Tell that to the bullies of the world.’ (Chapter 11)

Read This If You Love: Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee, Nat Enough series by Maria Scrivan, Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya, The Usual Suspects by Maurice Broaddus, Here We Are edited by Kelly Jensen

Recommended For: 

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**Thank you to Lisa for providing a copy for review!**

Authors Interview with Philippe Cousteau and Austin Aslan, Authors of The Endangereds

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The Endangereds
Authors: Philippe Cousteau and Austin Aslan
Published September 29th, 2020 by HarperCollins

Summary: It’s time for animals to take fate into their own paws! The Endangereds is the first book in a thrilling new adventure series by world-renowned environmentalist and Emmy-nominated host of Xploration Awesome Planet Philippe Cousteau and award-winning TURBO Racers author Austin Aslan.

Innocent animals are in trouble: temperatures are climbing, tides are rising, and nature is suffering. Someone needs to step in to rescue animals from extinction. Someone needs to turn this mess around, before it’s too late.

And that someone is . . . the Endangereds, the unlikeliest heroes you’ll ever meet—a superstrong polar bear, a pangolin with a genius for engineering, an extremely sarcastic narwhal, and an orangutan with a big dream.

Together, these four daredevils are determined to save endangered species across the globe, no matter what the risk. Rappelling into an underground cavern to save the day? No problem. Looping video footage to sneak through buildings unnoticed? Got it covered. Opening a doorknob? Okay, pretty hard without thumbs. But don’t worry. No matter what it takes, the Endangereds will get the job done.

But when two of their friends get kidnapped by a villain with a dastardly agenda, the team finds themselves up to their snouts in trouble. Can the Endangereds save the day? Or will this villain put humans and animals alike on the extinction list?

The A-Team meets the animal kingdom in the first book in the thrilling new adventure series from the host of Xploration Awesome Planet Philippe Cousteau and award-winning author Austin Aslan.

About the Authors: 

Philippe Cousteau is a multi-Emmy-nominated TV host, author, speaker, and social entrepreneur.  He has hosted numerous TV programs for Discovery, BBC, CNN, Travel Channel and more.  Currently he is the host of the syndicated television show Xploration Awesome Planet and producer/narrator of a new Virtual Reality experience Drop in the Ocean.  Philippe is the author of several award-winning books and is a sought-after speaker having keynoted events for the United Nations, Harvard University, and more. In 2004 he founded EarthEcho International; the leading environmental education organization dedicated to inspiring youth to take action for a sustainable planet. Philippe and his wife, fellow explorer and TV host Ashlan Gorse-Cousteau, reside in Los Angeles.

Austin Aslan is the author of the TURBO Racers series and the Islands at the End of the World series. A National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, he can often be found camping in a tent on a punctured air mattress. In other lives, Austin drove ambulances way too fast, served as an ecotourism Peace Corps volunteer in a Honduran cloud forest, and managed a variety of campaigns. He lives in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Interview: 

Philippe Cousteau is a world-renowned environmental advocate, filmmaker and explorer. Austin Aslan’s debut novel, The Islands at the End of the World, was named a Best Book of 2014 by Kirkus Reviews. It was ranked by The Guardian as a top-ten climate fiction read. Together, they’re the authors of The Endangereds, the first book in a new science-backed, high action middle grade series.

AUSTIN: Philippe, it’s always an honor to wrap back around with you to discuss The Endangereds! The collaborative process of writing the first two books in the series has been a career highlight for me and a wonderful, thrilling ride. It’s great to be here with you on the Unleashing Readers blog for this guest Q&A. Readers should know that we both thought it would be fun to engage in a bit of a back-and-forth with each other to share with you some of the insights we’ve gathered along the way. Philippe, I’ll go ahead and get us started with a question about the “sausage-making” process for designing an action-packed book that intentionally includes some educational components, as well as a message or two. I’ve heard you repeat in the past that your grandfather always used to say to you, “Before we can talk about the environment, we must talk about education.” That sounds totally on point to me! But I’m curious, tell us more about your vision for this series as a mix of swashbuckling entertainment and environmental activism.

PHILIPPE: That’s a good question as the idea of creating a book that is first and foremost fun and exciting but also educational has been the central driving challenge of The Endangereds. For several years through my non-profit EarthEcho International, we have focused on education, channeling my grandfather’s advice to me, but we realized pretty early on that we couldn’t just focus on education in the traditional sense.  We also have to find ways of reaching people through other means. I have always been interested in fiction and how we can leverage fictional stories to tell important truths like the fact that biodiversity on earth is declining and hundreds of species go extinct every year.  The Endangereds was our way to do that because we know that young people are already interested in animals and that many of them are also clued in to the problems nature faces today but what they need is some inspiration to get them engaging in actively solving the problems we face. What better way to do that then create a team of inspiring heroes who are overcoming adversity to solve problems and help nature?

AUSTIN: I’ll never forget that first moment when I was approached by you and our editor about teaming up to make this idea a reality. The concept just sparkled for me, right away. I was electrified. I know my mind raced with ideas. The connection to the A-Team was obvious from the title alone. But you and our editor, David Linker at HarperCollins, had already zeroed in on the four main characters (and one of them shared a name with an A-Team member): A polar bear, an orangutan, a narwhal, and a pangolin! What a fabulous line up. What inspired this particular combination of species, do you think? I’ll say that I particularly gravitated toward the idea of including the narwhal, named Murdock. What’s not to like about narwhals? Also: from the “sausage-making” angle, I personally loved the challenge of including a two-ton marine mammal as part of the team. The possibilities and the potential humor of it fascinated me. And indeed, Murdock turned out to be one of my favorite characters. So, why these four animals in particular, and not, say, the lion, giraffe, hippo, and zebra from the Madagascar movies, if you know what I mean? Oh, also: I grew up watching the A-Team, and I believe you did too. What’s the role of our generation’s nostalgia for 80’s entertainment in The Endangereds’ success?

PHILIPPE: Good questions, as we were coming up with the animals I wanted to focus on some that where familiar, like a Polar Bear and mix in some that were not so familiar, like a Pangolin, as a way to provide comfort to readers but also introduce them to a new species.  Pangolins are arguably one of the most endangered animals on earth, and they are just cool looking with their claws, scales, and powerful tail.  I also chose Arief because of an experience I had filming with CNN about 6 years ago in Sumatra at an Orangutan rehabilitation facility.  They take Orangutans that have been illegally caught and sold into the pet trade and re-introduce them into the wild.  Orangutans are also highly endangered, especially Sumatran ones, and so I wanted to tell that story, and of course, like you said, Narwhals are just cool!  Because this book has a purpose—to entertain and educate—we really wanted to be able to highlight animals that could embody the main issues facing endangered species, like habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade, climate change etc.  As for the A-Team, as you’ll attest Austin, we agreed early on that we wanted to have some easter eggs for the adults who might be reading this book to their children to enjoy and who doesn’t like the A-Team?

AUSTIN: Did I say Murdock the narwhal was “one” of my favorites? They’re all my favorites! Seriously, I even love the mystery animal villains we’re crafting for the series. Without giving too much away, I wanted to spend a minute talking about who the “bad guys” are in these stories. While the world’s present biodiversity threats are mostly human-caused, I think it’s too easy and too obvious, from a storytelling perspective, to just throw humans under the bus all the time. The reality is that a lot of people care about biodiversity and would join the Endangereds in their missions if they could. The rancher in the Four Corners area where our first book takes place, for example, isn’t the nefarious environmental destructor he’s taken for at first. He may even prove to be an ally to the black-footed ferrets our E-Team is deployed to protect! Philippe, can you say a few words about the buzz-term of environmental justice, and how important that concept is to understand in terms of our collective ability to arrive at real solutions?

PHILIPPE: I remember our long conversations about this, and our agreement that, as you said, it would be too easy to make humans the villains.  A theme that I really love in the series is one of balance; Arief, the Orangutan leader, talks about it a lot. The idea that the Endangereds exist because the world is out of balance, and since the Endangereds are really a proxy for humanity, diving into this world was really important.  But we didn’t want to make shallow evil characters; in a way, we wanted to be able to sympathize with them a little bit, they have motivations that aren’t hard to understand, they have been wronged like the E-Team, but have taken a different path. For me, it’s a metaphor for the choices we make as people—do we want to be positive and solve problems or be negative and cause them. Obviously, our message to youth is that the best way forward is to work together to solve problems. Austin, I know we are wrapping this up but before we do, I have a question for you.  What was the biggest challenge in writing this book and how did you overcome it?

AUSTIN: In terms of “sausage making” there were several challenges, as with any book. But I find that a story’s biggest potential rewards lie where the difficulties are. That’s where things get interesting…and fun! But rather than dwell on the craft elements that kept me up at night while drafting, I’d like to focus on the challenge of overcoming doubt and allowing myself to feel worthy of the aspirations of this series—and our partnership. We’re out to save the world, after all, through inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards to take up the mantle of a great cause. That’s a tall order. It feels like a lot of responsibility! Was I out of my league? Should I have stepped aside?

I think we all struggle with “impostor syndrome” in our various professions. The key breakthrough is realizing that, in this life, we’re all in it together! And that we’re all human and that means we’re each a package-deal full of talent and shortcomings. If we each defer to someone in the shadows to eventually come forward and do the work that needs to be done…none of us will ever get anywhere. And that’s one of the core messages of the book, ironically! Our animal heroes aren’t demigods. They’re not perfect angels sent from on high. They’re flawed, they’re uncertain, they’re scared. But they’re the ones who came forward and answered the call. I think that’s what kids need to take away most of all, and I like to think that we’re practicing what we preach by putting ourselves out there to pull these stories off.

That’s enough out of me (for now)! Philippe, any closing thoughts?

PHILIPPE: I think you said it perfectly. I just want to add that as part of The Endangereds, we have partnered with my non-profit EarthEcho International, World Wildlife Fund, and Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants to offer several live webinars where I will sit down with experts who work every day to protect these animals in the wild. Young people who join us will have a chance to ask me and the experts questions and hear stories about what wildlife conservation is like in the real world.  Go to www.TheEndangereds.com to register for FREE to join us.

Thank you, Phillipe and Austin, for being a guest on Unleashing Readers! Your focus on environmentalism is so important, and we are so glad that this book is out there for kids!

Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi

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Sofia is an 9-year-old brilliant reader who aspires to be a book reviewer. On select Saturdays, Sofia shares her favorite books with kids! She is one of the most well-read elementary schoolers that we know, so she is highly qualified for this role!

 

Dear readers,

If you are a dragon lover like my friend who recommended this book to me or love a kindhearted tale this would be your book: Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi! This book is recommended for ages 8-12.

Kenny is a little rabbit who always has his head stuck in a book. One day, Kenny’s father rushes into the kitchen all out of  breath. He tells his family to move out straight away but the Mom sits him down for dinner and then tells him to explain. The father says that a Dragon lives on the hill next to their farm and Kenny, the bookworm, obviously wants to see the dragon. The mom protests but the father says he can go but he has to be careful. Kenny quickly goes upstairs and covers himself in pots and pans like a knight and takes a benastary (a book of beasts) with him. Once Kenny gets up on the hill and sees the dragon he gets very scared. Once Kenny meets the dragon he becomes best friends with him. Kenny’s parents think that they should meet the dragon, whose name is Grahame, so they go over to Grahame’s house and have a cup of tea. Later Kenny goes to the village to meet his friend George who lends him books. Kenny discovers that George is assigned to kill Grahame! Will Kenny be able to explain to George that this monstrous but kind beast is his friend before it is too late?

I love this book so much because of its kindness and how it proves the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”. It warms my heart when I see how the two companions work together to stop Grahame (the dragon) from getting hurt. I also love this book because of the cute pencil drawings and the great words that express the story. For example, this is how the book starts: ”Many years ago . . . Hold on, I know what you are thinking. You’re thinking a book about a dragon should start with “Once upon a time.” But this one doesn’t because frankly, I don’t really know what “Once upon a time” means.” Ha ha ha by now you must be laughing! Now you can see how the whole book is told in an exciting way. I hope this book captures your heart and your imagination. Either way HAVE FUN!!!

Discussion questions

  • If you were Kenny would you go up to a mountain that your father tells you has a dragon in it?
  • When Kenny decides to help his friend Grahame do you think that was the right thing to do? Why?
  • Which character is like you the most? What do you have in common?
  • Which of Kenny’s actions surprised you and why did they surprise you?

If this book got the action in you going or you just liked it then be sure to check out The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi. I have not read it yet but have watched the movie twice and can’t wait to get my hands on that book!

**We feel so lucky to have Sofia.**

 

Interview with Lamar Giles, Author of The Last Mirror on the Left

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A Legendary Alston Boys Adventure: The Last Mirror on the Left
Author: Lamar Giles
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Pulication Date: October 20th, 2020 from Versify

Summary: In this new Legendary Alston Boys adventure from Edgar-nominated author Lamar Giles, Otto and Sheed must embark on their most dangerous journey yet, bringing a fugitive to justice in a world that mirrors their own but has its own rules to play by.

Unlike the majority of Logan County’s residents, Missus Nedraw of the Rorrim Mirror Emporium remembers the time freeze from The Last Last-Day-of-Summer, and how Otto and Sheed took her mirrors without permission in order to fix their mess. Usually that’s an unforgivable offense, punishable by a million-year sentence. However, she’s willing to overlook the cousins’ misdeeds if they help her with a problem of her own. One of her worst prisoners has escaped, and only the Legendary Alston Boys of Logan County can help bring the fugitive to justice.

This funny and off-the-wall adventure is perfect for readers of Jonathan Auxier and Lemony Snicket.

Praise: 

“A fantastic second addition to an already-acclaimed series.” – Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“An emotionally resonant and action-packed sequel that manages to be an even greater adventure than its predecessor.“ – Booklist (Starred Review)

“A complex and exciting fantasy adventure that encourages readers to question what they know about incarceration, justice, laws, and the people who enforce them.“ – School Library Journal (Starred Review)

Learn about the first Alston Boy adventure, The Last Last-Day-of-Summer, HERE.

About the Author: Lamar Giles is a well-published author and a founding member of We Need Diverse Books. Lamar has two novels forthcoming in 2020: NOT SO PURE AND SIMPLE his first Contemporary Coming-of-Age Story (HarperTeen/HarperCollins) and THE LAST MIRROR ON THE LEFT (Versify/HMH), the sequel to his 2019 hit THE LAST LAST-DAY-OF-SUMMER.

Lamar is a two-time Edgar Award finalist in the YA category, for his debut YA thriller FAKE ID (HarperCollins, 2014), and his second YA thriller, ENDANGERED (HarperCollins, 2015). His third and fourth YA thrillers, OVERTURNED (Scholastic, 2017) and SPIN (Scholastic, 2019), as well as his middle-grade debut THE LAST LAST-DAY-OF-SUMMER received glowing New York Times reviews, and was named to multiple Best Of lists, including Time Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, and Amazon. FAKE ID has been optioned by Sony Pictures.

Lamar is the editor of the We Need Diverse Books YA short story anthology FRESH INK (Random House, 2018), and a contributor to many YA and middle-grade anthologies including THREE SIDES OF A HEART (HarperCollins, 2017), BLACK ENOUGH: STORIES OF BEING YOUNG & BLACK IN AMERICA (HarperCollins / Balzer & Bray, 2019), THE HERO NEXT DOOR (Random House, 2019), HIS HIDEOUS HEART (Flatiron Books, 2019) and SUPER PUZZLETASTIC MYSTERIES (HarperCollins, 2020). He has published several short stories for adults.  You can see tv interviews with Lamar here, and here, and here, and in a truly fun “Fun Facts” short interview, created by HarperCollins.

Interview:

Unleashing Readers: What have you been most excited about when it comes to the reception of The Last-Last-Day-of-Summer?

Lamar Giles: The most exciting thing was hearing from parents, or sometimes the readers themselves, how much they enjoyed Otto and Sheed and all the other fun characters in Logan County. The reviews and recognition are great, don’t get me wrong, but when the readers are happy, I’m happy.

UR: You have written both YA and MG novels; which do you prefer creating?

LG: No preference, honestly. I’m actually writing YA a book in the mornings, and an MG book in the afternoon right now. I think they allow me to divide up the subject matter I want to discuss, though. I save the most grim stuff for my YA, and reserve my fun & zany for MG. The two age groups allow me to really explore a range of topics and tone. 

UR: As a founding member of We Need Diverse Books, how does it feel to see an idea turn to reality and have such an impact?

LG: It’s amazing to see the work WNDB did was received so well by people all up and down the publishing ladder.  As many people know, the organization was the brainchild of author Ellen Oh, and she invited me along on a journey none of us could’ve imagined. That it’s six years later and the organization is still doing great work beyond what its founding members could’ve ever dreamed (I stepped down from my leadership role back in 2018) is exactly what we wanted and hoped for.

UR: Otto and Sheed went from normal kids to heroes. Did that change them?

LG: I don’t think so. Otto and Sheed understand what they are to Logan County and the town of Fry, and I think they recognize if they let that go to their head, or became some else entirely, they might not be so different from the threats they often face down. Otto and Sheed (and Wiki and Leen, let’s not forget them) are heroes because their mission and attitudes don’t change. They’re here to do what’s right.

UR: If there is one thing you want readers to get from your books, specifically Otto and Sheed’s stories?

LG: I really want readers to recognize that Otto and Sheed don’t back down when they see injustice. That’s something that can make anybody into a hero. Let’s all be like Otto and Sheed.

UR: What’s next in your book world?

LG: Next up, another Logan County adventure. I don’t know how much I’m allowed to say just yet, but trust me–we’re only just getting started! 

Hear more from Lamar by listening to him on on the Literaticast podcast!

Thank you to Lamar Giles for taking part in the interview with us, and we cannot wait to go on another adventure with the Alston Boys!

Sofia’s Kids’ Corner: The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate

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Sofia is an 8-year-old brilliant reader who aspires to be a book reviewer. On select Saturdays, Sofia will share her favorite books with kids! She is one of the most well-read elementary schoolers that we know, so she is highly qualified for this role!

Dear readers,

If you are looking for two books about kindness and bravery then these books would be those books. Drumroll please… The One and Only Ivan and the sequel The One and Only Bob by Kathrine Applegate!!! These books are totally recommended for read aloud! If you want any of these books for read aloud I would say they are appropriate for second grade and above. These books are recommended for ages 8-12 if you read them yourself.

The One and Only Ivan

Ivan is a big and kind gorilla. He lives at a mall owned by a person called Mack. Mack makes shows to attract more people to his mall and Ivan and some of his friends are in it. Ivan makes some friends at the mall like an old circus elephant named Stella, Julia who is Mack’s daughter and later on a young elephant named Ruby who was taken away from her family when she was very young. They are trapped in big cages made of glass so the people can see the animals when they walk past the cages. Mack is very harsh when the animals don’t follow his directions and sometimes he even takes out a whip! Will Ivan and his friends be able to escape Mack’s mall without being harmed?

The One and Only Bob

Bob is a dog. He got taken away from his mom when he was little. He got dropped off in the road and became a street dog searching through garbage cans for as much food as he could find.  When Bob meets Ivan in the first book they become best buddies and they also become friends with Ruby, the elephant that lives at the mall with Ivan. As you will know if you have read The One and Only Ivan Bob eventually goes to stay with Julia, Mack’s daughter. Bob visits his friends every day. But one time there is a big storm and Julia loses Bob in the middle of a monstrous flood! Will he make it out alive?

I love both of these books because they really make me feel like I am actually there and witnessing the event, like all good books do. I also love these books because they are a bit silly because the stories are told from an animal’s point of view. The animals say a lot of weird things about us because they don’t really understand our ways. For example, the book says “I have learned to understand human words over the years, but understanding human speech is not the same as understanding humans. Humans speak too much. They chatter like chimps, crowding the world with their noise even when they have nothing to say.” I am sure any reader would have fun with this so ENJOY!!!

If you loved these books then you might want to read Crenshaw By Katharine Applegate. Crenshaw is a cat. I have not read it yet but it sounds very interesting!

**Thank you, Sofia, for your continued brilliance. You inspire us!**

 

Author Guest Post: “Literary Pilgrimages and Armchair Pilgrimages Today!” by Kath Rothschild and the Class of 2K20 Books

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“Literary Pilgrimages and Armchair Pilgrimages Today!”

With students, authors, and readers stuck near home for the foreseeable future, the debut author group, Class of 2K20 Books, decided to share some of our favorite memories of our literary pilgrimages, and share some literary pilgrimages you can take from home!

MASQUERADE: AMPTHILL, ENGLAND

One of the most celebrated children’s books of all time is the mystical, beautifully-rendered mystery of Jack Hare, Masquerade, published in 1979 by Kit Williams. The book, a gloriously illustrated riddle, purported to lead to a treasure for the person who could solve the book’s mystery—a golden jeweled hare. After a bit of a scandal involving cheating, two British teachers solved the location of the jeweled hare. But, the lasting legacy of the book, other than its enjoyment as a beautifully illustrated book, is its contribution to children’s literature. The book created a sub-genre of writing, called “The Armchair Treasure Hunt Book,” which author Kit Rosewater, of THE DERBY DAREDEVILS series, wrote about in her masters thesis. When Rosewater sent a copy of her thesis to Masquerade author Kit Williams, he invited her “to an art show at his home in a tiny town in the UK. The art show was only three weeks after I got the invitation, but I was able to find cheap airline tickets and fly myself to and from London to meet him.” She attests that this literary pilgrimage was one of the absolute highlights of her life.

Armchair Travel: Ampthill, England!

From home, you can take a literary pilgrimage through the story of Jack Hare, and the real adventures of those treasure-hunt-obsessed locals through this BBC article, which shows both images of the book, and tells the story of the real-life frenzy of the treasure hunt. You can see the original gold and jewel encrusted hare in several images, and pictures of the location in England where the treasure was found, in Ampthill, and of the author unveiling the treasure. When you’re done traveling through the world of Masquerade, perhaps it will inspire a treasure hunt of your own!

ENGLAND, JANE AUSTEN and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

England has many sites of literature. KayLynn Flanders, author of SHIELDED, went out of her way to find “the statue of Hodge, Samuel Johnson’s cat.” She also visited “Platform 9 3/4 and the Globe Theater, and the British Library, with its Gutenberg Bible.” But perhaps the most famous British literary adventures involve a love of Jane Austen, and locations visited by the writer herself, as well as the many locations where films were made of her many books. Amanda Sellet, author of BY THE BOOK: A NOVEL OF PROSE AND CONS, worked in England as a nanny, and “had a chance to wander around Bath and Lyme Regis like an Austen heroine.” There is no substitute for being in the moors and crossing muddy grounds in heavy skirts, but Sellet helps us imagine it. “Feeling that windblown sogginess first-hand helped me understand why everyone was so moody and also prone to taking to their beds at the first sniffle!”

Armchair Travel: Jane Austen’s England!

One way to immerse yourself in Austen’s world—perhaps in a cozy armchair with a just-poured cup of tea—is to virtually visit her home, which is now a museum. If you click on “explore” then on “the collection” you can find images from many of the precious items in the house, including the Clementi piano, the “Chawton leaf” wallpapered room, and the dining room fireplace and iron-forged grate. There are also images of the first editions of many books, of personal letters, and of Jane Austen’s jewelry.

NEW YORK CITY and DASH & LILY’S BOOK OF DARES

New York City, arguably the center of the publishing world, has long been a mecca for literary pilgrimages. Chumley’s in Greenwich Village—a forge turned speakeasy—was a gathering spot for many famous authors, including Willa Cather and Edna St. Vincent Millay. And the New York Public Library is one of the most famous libraries in America, with copies of many famous first editions. But there are some secret literary spots as well. “When my family visited New York City, my teenage daughter and I insisted on visiting The Strand, the bookstore where Dash finds Lily’s journal in Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan,” says Amy Noelle Parks, author of THE QUANTUM WEIRDNESS OF THE ALMOST KISS. And Kath Rothschild, author of the forthcoming WIDER THAN THE SKY, visited the Muppet Workshop at FAO Schwartz with her three-year-old to commemorate the location where each Dash and Lily make their own Muppets on their quest to get through the book of dares—and find one another.

Armchair Travel: New York City!

In addition to a virtual visit to The Strand, another famous literary bookstore in New York is Books of Wonder, a children’s literature bookstore, has an extensive online presence, with links to their artwork—one of the most special things about the actual location. In the actual Books of Wonder, the back of the shop has many amazing children’s books illustrations on display—but you can admire and discuss many through their website as well. And, although the FAO Schwartz and the Muppet Whatnot Workshop have closed, you can still create a Muppet through this blog: https://theawesomer.com/make-your-own-muppet/93745/, that shares the templates used by the original workshop. A fun activity to do with kids, cutouts of these eyes, noses, and make myriad different Muppets of your favorite literary characters.

NEW ORLEANS, GHOSTS, VAMPIRES, and WITCHES

Ghosts and writers are equally abundant in New Orleans. An evocative place for a literary pilgrimage, New Orleans was home to Anne Rice, best known for Interview with a Vampire and The Witching Hour, and other Southern authors, like Tennessee Williams. It is a landmark for literature—from the hole-in-the-wall bookstore Faulkner House Books, in Pirate’s Alley in the French Quarter to the resting place of the famous voodoo priestess and midwife, Marie Laveau in the Garden District’s Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, referenced in many books and films. Haunted New Orleans is also the location for the third season of American Horror Story, which was filmed in the French Quarter and at one of the most famous haunted houses, the LaLaurie Mansion (1114 Royal Street). Rothschild visits the city that inspired so much literature annually. “There is nothing like walking through the streets of New Orleans. You can feel the history, the ghosts, pressing in on you. I listen and always find a story.”

Armchair Travel: New Orleans!

Today, you can take a visual tour of Anne Rice’s old New Orleans home, and imagine the ghosts that the touched-up photos hide. Two locations feature images of the interior and grounds of her old home, here and here.

And, a short video brings you to the LaLaurie Mansion, to imagine the ghost stories it inspires even today.

Enjoy your armchair pilgrimages!

To find out more about the debut middle grade and young adult books in the Class of 2k20 books, visit https://classof2k20books.com/, Twitter @Class2k20Books; Instagram @class2k20books.

Thank you, Barbara, for writing about this for middle schoolers! It is a topic that needs to be talked about; we’re glad this book exists!