Unleashing Readers

Author Guest Post!: “An Enterprising Young Reader” by Steve Hockensmith, Co-Author of Nick and Tesla’s Solar-Powered Showdown

July 10, 2016 by Kellee

“An Enterprising Young Reader”

Throughout the 1970s, every polyester-clad television program director in Evansville, Indiana, did me a huge favor: They chose not to show Star Trek on their channel. At the time, this seemed like a gross injustice to me – the kind of thing that would (and did) make a budding young nerdling (which is what I was) shake a flabby fist at the heavens and cry “Why, God, why?” But looking back, I can see that my hometown TV stations, by choosing The Beverly Hillbillies and Mr. Ed over Star Trek, where steering me away from TV and toward my destiny.

Books.

I discovered Star Trek during a visit with my grandparents in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville seemed to get all the cool shows Evansville didn’t: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, Wild Wild West, etc. etc. Which was why I had to be pried from the TV set kicking and screaming for every family meal.

My kicking and screaming was loudest for Star Trek, the coolest of the cool. Trek was different for a few reasons. First off, it was objectively good (most of the time, anyway), something that couldn’t be said of monster-of-the-week silliness like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. And second, even though this was in the days before DVDs or even VCRS, I could take Trek home with me.

My grandmother, you see, in addition to having access to way cooler adventure shows (not that she cared), was also a bargain hound. And in one of her many garage sale sorties she bought (for reasons I never learned) a battered old copy of Star Trek 3 by James Blish. Star Trek 3 has nothing to do with the movie Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. The film would come later. Star Trek 3 is a collection of short story adaptations of Trek scripts. So while it would be years before I actually got to see classic episodes like “The Trouble with Tribbles” and “The Doomsday Machine” on TV, I could see them in my mind’s eye whenever I opened the book.

Thanks to Star Trek 3, I knew Trek could always be found on the greatest TV station around: my brain. So I began to explore strange new bookstores. Seek out new libraries and new yard sales. To boldly go where every Trekkie in Evansville had to go: to books.

From 1977-ish to 1985-ish, I read a lot of Star Trek novels. And I got more out of them than a mental rerun of a favorite show. I got adventure and escape. I got a respect for science and teamwork and diversity. I got new ideas and new hope. And I got a doorway.

My interest in Star Trek led to an interest in science fiction in general. Which led to an interest in novels in general. Which led to an interest in writing in general. Which led a career in writing.

Which led to here: me promoting (in an incredibly roundabout way) my new science-based middle grade mystery by reminding teachers that inspiration can come in surprising packages.

How many librarians rolled their eyes when I asked if there were any Star Trek books to check out? How many teachers shook their heads when I said I wanted to skip the pre-approved “classic” and do my book report on science fiction fare like The Adventures of the Stainless Steel Rat or Dune Messiah?

I’ll tell you how many. None. I was never discouraged from reading Star Trek tie-in books or SF novels. Or comic books, for that matter. Back in the day, all three were the Rodney Dangerfields of the library – no respect! – yet they opened up new worlds for me. Thank god no one told me they shouldn’t.

What are today’s literary Dangerfields? Manga? Twilight-inspired YA? Online fan fiction? Romance novels? I hope students are being encouraged to boldly pursue whichever might strike their fancy. The results could be out of this world.

Nick and Tesla’s Solar-Powered Showdown: A Mystery with Sun-Powered Gadgets You Can Build Yourself
Authors: Steve Hockensmith and Bob Pflugfelder
Published May 10th, 2016 by Quirk Books

About the Book: Kid inventors Nick and Tesla Holt have outsmarted crooks, spies, and kidnappers. Now they have to crack their biggest mystery yet: Where the heck are their parents? To outwit the criminal mastermind who’s holding their parents hostage, the twins will need all their brainpower, the help of their eccentric Uncle Newt, and an assortment of homemade solar gadgets. Will the Holt family be reunited? Or will a hijacked solar satellite beam down doom from the skies? This adventure – the sixth in the exciting and unique “Nick and Tesla” series – includes instructions for creating a solar-powered hot-dog cooker, alarm, secret listening device, and model car, plus a nighttime signal cannon that fires illuminated ping-pong balls.

About the Author: Steve Hockensmith is a New York Times best-selling author and an Edgar Award finalist. His books include Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls, The White Magic Five and Dime, Holmes on the Range and six “Nick and Tesla” middle-grade mysteries. His coauthor for the “Nick and Tesla” books, “Science Bob” Pflugfelder, is an elementary school teacher in Newton, Massachusetts. A fan of science since the age of six, he promotes Random Acts of Science through instructional videos, public presentations, workshops, and appearances on national televisions shows including Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Dr. Oz Show, and Live! with Kelly & Michael.

Thank you, Steve, for your reminder that there are many different ways to find your passion!

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Kellee’s Recently Loved Picture Books: The Knowing Book by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer, Hoot and Peep by Lita Judge, & A Big Surprise for Little Card by Charise Mericle Harper

July 9, 2016July 8, 2016 by Kellee

Here are three picture books I’ve recently read and loved so much I wanted to share them a bit more in depth than just a IMWAYR post:

The Knowing Book
Author: Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Published February 23rd, 2016 by Boyds Mills Press

Summary: Inspiring and wise, this story begins and ends with the sky that is always above you. In between, a young rabbit travels through the wide world, experiencing joy and sorrow and all the wonder that the world has to offer. Along the way he chooses a path, explores the unknown, and ventures along trails on and off the map. And at the end of the journey, braver and more confident, he returns home, the place he can always count on and will always know. This beautiful celebration of life is the perfect gift to mark any milestone in a child’s life from birth to graduation.

My Thoughts: What an all star team of author/illustrator! This celebration of life and our world will make the reader think about their priorities, choices, identity, and nature. It is definitely going to be a book that is given as a gift or a read aloud to inspire and celebrate.

Daniel Finds a Poem
Author and Illustrator: Micha Archer
Published February 16th, 2016 by Nancy Paulsen Books

Summary: What is poetry? Is it glistening morning dew? Spider thinks so. Is it crisp leaves crunching? That’s what Squirrel says. Could it be a cool pond, sun-warmed sand, or moonlight on the grass? Maybe poetry is all of these things, as it is something special for everyone—you just have to take the time to really look and listen. The magical thing is that poetry is in everyone, and Daniel is on his way to discovering a poem of his own after spending time with his animal friends. What is poetry? If you look and listen, it’s all around you!

My Thoughts: This book is beautiful on so many levels. First, Micha Archer is a brilliant artist. I was lucky enough to receive a packet called “My Collage Techniques” along with a copy of the book. It chronicles the steps that go into making the art found within these pages. It consists of making her own stamps, stamping with cloth and acrylics, screeding (pulling a thin layer of pain across a colored piece of paper), laying tissue paper, punching/cutting holes, painting with water based oils, cutting and adjusting, and finally laying and gluing everything. And voila! A beautiful illustration. Second, I love that it focuses on different aspects of nature. Micha Archer’s artwork shines light on a spider and its web, a squirrel and its tree, chipmunk and its home, and other animals and aspects of nature in Daniel’s park. In addition to the artwork, the poetic words pay homage to all sorts of beauty in nature. Finally, the writing and poetry in the book add to the beauty of the artwork.

Stop by http://artmicha.com/ to view some of the beautiful spreads within the book.

Hoot and Peep
Author and Illustrator: Lita Judge
Published March 1st, 2016 by Dial Books

Summary: In the night skies above Paris, an adorable young owl teaches her older brother about the power of imagination—and the unconditional love between siblings.

Hoot the owl is very excited for his little sister, Peep, to join him on the cathedral rooftops. She’s finally old enough to learn all his big brother owly wisdom: First, owls say hooo. Second, they always say hooo. Lastly, they ONLY say hooo! But why would Peep say hooo when she could say schweeepty peep or dingity dong? Why would she speak when she could sing? As she explores the breathtaking Parisian cityscape, Peep discovers so many inspiring sights and sounds—the ring of cathedral bells, the slap of waves on stone—that she can’t help but be swept up in the magic of it all. Hoot doesn’t understand Peep’s awe, until he takes a pause to listen . . . and realizes that you’re never too old to learn a little something new.

From the beloved author/illustrator of the classic picture book Red Sled, this gorgeous read aloud celebrates the wonder found in little things—and in the hearts of dreamers, young and old.

My Thoughts: I love Lita Judge! She finds a way to focus on the unique and fun parts of a character’s personality and highlight the way that being different makes us all better. This one also specifically looks at sibling rivalry because Hoot is perfect and Peep wants to be just like him, and Hoot wants Peep to be just like him, but she just isn’t. It is important for both of them to realize that it is these differences that make each of them who they are. In addition, the book takes the reader on a journey through Paris which makes the adventure even more fun.

A Big Surprise for Little Card
Author: Charise Mericle Harper
Illustrator: Anna Raff
Published February 9th, 2016 by Candlewick Press

Summary: Fall in love with a disarming picture-book hero in this quirky ode to spirit, identity, and the joy of having (or being) a library card.

In the world of cards, each one has a special job to do. Big Card keeps important papers in order. Tiny Card can be exchanged for a prize in an arcade. Round Card hangs out in a glamorous boutique. But is any card as lucky as Little Card? He’s going to school to become a birthday card — in other words, to sing, play games, eat cake, and be happy all day long. But wait! On the day he’s supposed to take his talents into the world, Long Card tells him there’s been a mix-up and they need to trade jobs. How can Little Card bring his exuberance into a library, a quiet place of books and rules and hushing? Offbeat and utterly endearing, this tale of a little guy who gives it all he’s got is complete with a sweet twist and a surprise ending.

My Thoughts: I wish I had waited to get Trent a library card, so I could read this to him before we went to get his first one! I love that idea of a bunch of cards waiting around to be assigned to their destiny. Little Card is such an excitable character who just wants to know what he was made for. Although the book is about a library card, he could definitely symbolize kids figuring out what they want to be when they grow up and the journey to getting there. I also love the illustrations that are full of character, light in tone but loud in their meaning.

**Thank you to Penguin Young Readers, Candlewick Press, and Boyds Mills Press for providing copies of the books!**

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

July 7, 2016July 7, 2016 by Ricki

All American Boys
Authors: Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Published: September 29, 2015 byAtheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

GoodReads Summary: Rashad is absent again today.

That’s the sidewalk graffiti that started it all…

Well, no, actually, a lady tripping over Rashad at the store, making him drop a bag of chips, was what started it all. Because it didn’t matter what Rashad said next—that it was an accident, that he wasn’t stealing—the cop just kept pounding him. Over and over, pummeling him into the pavement. So then Rashad, an ROTC kid with mad art skills, was absent again…and again…stuck in a hospital room. Why? Because it looked like he was stealing. And he was a black kid in baggy clothes. So he must have been stealing.

And that’s how it started.

And that’s what Quinn, a white kid, saw. He saw his best friend’s older brother beating the daylights out of a classmate. At first Quinn doesn’t tell a soul…He’s not even sure he understands it. And does it matter? The whole thing was caught on camera, anyway. But when the school—and nation—start to divide on what happens, blame spreads like wildfire fed by ugly words like “racism” and “police brutality.” Quinn realizes he’sgot to understand it, because, bystander or not, he’s a part of history. He just has to figure out what side of history that will be.

Rashad and Quinn—one black, one white, both American—face the unspeakable truth that racism and prejudice didn’t die after the civil rights movement. There’s a future at stake, a future where no one else will have to be absent because of police brutality. They just have to risk everything to change the world.

Cuz that’s how it can end.

Ricki’s Review: I read this book a few months ago, and frankly, I can’t stop thinking about how important this story is. We read so many books in our lifetimes, and some just take our breath away. This is one of those books. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I believe it belongs in every classroom. The strength of the two voices in this book is remarkable, and it makes for an excellent teaching tool—about heroism; about doing what is right and true; and about being a good, decent human being. The acts within this book are all-to-common, and I believe this book promotes genuine change. The book is literary at the same time that it is engaging. It will pull (and has pulled) readers of all ages and backgrounds. I typically don’t review books long after they have been published, but this book feels too important to leave out. If you haven’t read it already, I recommend it move to the top of your TBR list. It’s and incredible story.

Kellee’s Review: I too read this book a few months ago. It was a choice for our Faculty Book Club, and it was a perfect book to discuss with a bunch of educators. All American Boys is a book that is going to be a classic because it highlights modern history in a thoughtful and truthful way. This is a book that I would recommend to everyone to read. It is a perfect jumping off point to discuss race relations, Black Lives Matter, and We Need Diverse Books. The way the book is set up, with two voices, will help readers have permission to talk about what is happening in our country, the Civil Rights movement and its tie into modern times, and the racial tension currently happening in our country.

I’d like to also add that I recently was lucky enough to see Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely accept their Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award at the ALA Annual Conference here in Orlando, and they both moved me to tears. Jason actually gave two speeches since he won an honor for All American Boys and Boy in the Black Suit. His second speech was a brilliant advocacy poem titled Machetes which can be viewed here or read here. His first speech and Brendan’s speech are not available yet. Brendan says School Library Journal will be publishing his, and I am not sure about Jason’s; however, I did tweet some quotes as I sat and listened:

I hope The Boy in the Black Suit gives young men permission to feel and be human and sometimes need a hug. – Jason Reynolds
Memory in of itself is life. -Jason Reynolds
If you are doing this work, this award is yours too. -Jason Reynolds
Jason Reynolds talking about his mama made me cry. I hope my son’s love can be as true as his is.
There are bodies missing, and I cannot bring them back. It is time for action. -Brendan Kiely
Revolution begins in the heart. -Brendan Kiely
Love is art. Love is education. Love is accountability. And it needs repeating love is love is love is love. -Brendan Kiely
I want to reckon w whiteness…speak truth to myself. -Brendan Kiely

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This book begs to be taught in classrooms. If I was still teaching it would be the first book that I would request to be added to curriculum. I think it would be particularly fascinating to use this book as a read-aloud while simultaneously doing literature circles with X by Ilyassah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon, The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon, and How it Went Down by Kekla Magoon. These books all deal with civil rights issues, as well, and it would be interesting to look at civil rights across time and history and also within other relevant contexts.

The Simon & Schuster Reading Group Guide gives some discussion questions, journal responses, and research ideas.

Discussion Questions: How do Rashad’s and Quinn’s voices shine differently in the text?; Did Quinn do the right thing? Would you have done the same?; What would you have done if you had been in Rashad’s circumstance? Would you have done anything differently?; How is racism present both in obvious and nuanced ways in the plot events of this text?

Flagged Passage: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

Read This If You Loved: X by Ilyassah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon; The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon; How it Went Down by Kekla Magoon; Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles; Audacity by Melanie Crowder; The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds

Recommended For:

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Animal Planet’s Animal Atlas

July 6, 2016 by Kellee

Nonfiction Wednesday

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!

Animal Atlas
Published May 24th, 2016 by Animal Planet

Goodreads Summary: Animal Planet’s definitive atlas of animal life takes readers on a continent-by-continent and habitat-by-habitat passport to adventure!

What is a habitat? How is the North Pole’s animal life different from the South Pole’s? How and why do animals adapt to their environment? Is a food web different from a food chain? Animal Planet Animal Atlas answers all of these questions and many more. Through detailed maps, fun infographics, simple charts, and Find It! Fact boxes readers can track their favorite animals across the globe, learning about how animal habitats are affected by climate, food and water availability, migration, and human environmental impact.

Kellee’s Review: Nonfiction informational texts are really stepping up their game! Over the last few months, we’ve been sharing a lot of Animal Planet and National Geographic texts, but it is because they are worth sharing! This text is filled with such a wealth of information. First and foremost, I see it as a beautiful atlas. It focuses on not only the different continents and oceans, but it teaches about the biomes within the world also. Within each biome in each continent, animals who lie and thrive are shared along with interesting information about the animals. Some of my favorite parts though are the “Animal Close Up” sections which focus on one animal, where it lives, why it lives there, and what it eats and the animal travel guides who pop up within each continent and give out tidbits of information. This plethora of information combined with breathtaking photographs allows this book to take you on a journey all around the world!

Ricki’s Review: I loved this book. My toddler and I probably spent 45 minutes reading it, and we didn’t even read all of the facts! There is so much information in this book, and it is all incredibly fascinating. I think we are going to enjoy this text for a long time yet! My favorite part about it was the way the book was divided up by continent and then further by biomes. My son and I were able to talk about the similarities between the animals and insects within biomes and why that might be. When we reached each new continent, we flipped back to the big atlas to talk about where that continent was in comparison to our home. I also loved the sections that compared the animals to humans. It was neat to talk about our similarities and differences. I’d highly recommend this text for any child of any age. I think it would appeal to all ages and interest levels!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This is such a beautiful text that begs to be used cross curricularly. In Florida, 6th grade learns about life science and one of the unites focuses on habitats and biomes. This book would be an asset either in the science classroom or in an ELA classroom supporting the science standards. Also, in late elementary school this text would be a perfect way to combine science, social studies, reading, and writing.

Discussion Questions: Which biome is the hardest for animals to live in?; Which continent has the least amount of animals?; What are the differences between the different biomes?; Which animal/habitat/continent would you like to learn more about?

We Flagged:

animal atlas spread — (c) 2016, Animal Planet

Read This If You Loved: National Geographic titles such as Awesome 8 or National Parks USA Guide, Animal Planets Animal Bites series, Seymour Simon’s animal books or Extreme Oceans

Recommended For:

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Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books We Enjoyed That Have Under 1000 Ratings On Goodreads

August 4, 2016July 5, 2016 by Ricki

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

Today’s Topic: Ten Books We Enjoyed That Have Under 1000 Ratings On Goodreads

Ricki

I avoided new releases because I suspect they will get more ratings!

1. The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by Anna Llenas (57 Ratings)

Every time I read this book, I am impressed by it. This is my favorite pop-up book of all time (and I read a lot of pop-up books!). I love the way Llenas captures emotions so vividly, and it is really helping my son learn about all of the different emotions he experiences.

2. The House of Purples Cedar by Tim Tingle (139 Ratings)

This book is an epic. I felt like I’d lived another life after I finished it. It is beautifully written and was life-changing for me. Tim Tingle is one of the best authors out there today, in my humble opinion.

3. Thrice Told Tales: Three Mice Full of Writing Advice by Catherine Lewis (140 Ratings)

This book is an English language arts teacher’s dream. Each page features a hysterical rendition of a literary term. I wish I had known about this book when I was teaching.

4. The Racecar Alphabet by Brian Floca (175 Ratings)

I am stunned that this book doesn’t have more ratings. Everyone I know loves it! This book has accompanied my son to bed (in the bed) for the past year. He won’t sleep without it by his side. The rhymes are very fun, and the racecar pictures are awesome!

5. Quicksilver by Stephanie Spinner (539 Ratings)

This is an older book (2006) that I would still recommend highly to teachers. Whenever I book-talked this book, I only had to read the first page to get a line of readers. It is told from the perspective of Hermes, and the book is hilarious. It teaches mythology through the story. If you love the Riordan books, I promise you will love this one (and the others written by Spinner). She’s awesome.

Kellee

As I was scrolling through my Goodreads READ list, I didn’t even make it to books with over 100 ratings because I found these and was so shocked that not more people have read/rated them!
P.S. I decided to focus on books published before 2015 & 2016 because with those books it may be more about time they’ve been out than anything.

1. Dolphin Sky by Ginny Rorby (42 ratings)

I cannot believe that any book written by Rorby doesn’t have thousands of ratings. I love everything she writes!

2. Star Challengers: Moonbase Crisis by Rebecca Moesta and Kevin J. Anderson (10 ratings)

I love the science mixed in with the fiction! It is written by a widow of a Challenger astronaut and hopes to keep kids interested in space exploration and the sciences.

3. How Fast Can You Go? by Kate Riggs (17 ratings)

Trent loved this board book that we checked out from the library! It is a perfect mix of fun illustrations and vehicles.

4. Be a Changemaker: How to Start Something that Matters by Laurie Ann Thompson (80 ratings)

This book is a book that all middle grade kids should read. It build empathy, passion, and leadership. I am so surprised more kids and adults haven’t found this amazing resource.

5. Mira’s Diary series by Marissa Moss (#1 301 ratings, #2 91 ratings, #3 37 ratings)

I love this series! It is a wonderful mix of history and science fiction! Mira’s adventures keep you reading, but I personally love all of the history you learn during her journeys.

Which underrated books have you enjoyed?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 7/4/16

July 6, 2016July 4, 2016 by Kellee

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

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 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!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, 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
Jana E.
for winning a copy of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day!!

Last Week’s Posts

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

Tuesday: Jobs for People Who Love Books

Wednesday: National Geographic’s Awesome 8

Thursday: Burning by Danielle Rollins

Friday: Whose Story Is This Anyway? by Mike Flaherty

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “When You’re Not ‘The Pretty One'” by Rose Mannering, Author of Roses: The Tales Trilogy, Book 1

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

First, I must talk about the American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition. As you all may know, I am a faithful attender of the NCTE conference and ALAN workshop in November; however, I have never been to another big conference until ALA which was held this year here in Orlando from June 23rd-June 28th. Because I am not a librarian and I could only attend on the weekends, I only had the exhibitors pass as well tickets to the Coretta Scott King breakfast and the Newbery, Caldecott, and Wilder banquet. Having an exhibitor pass meant that I was able to hang around all day and just meet authors, get books, and hear about new books. I was in heaven! At NCTE, I am usually pretty busy, so I spend only a couple of hours there a day; however, at ALA, I was there for 6 or so hours each day! Here are some collages of the authors I saw:

Authors/Illustrators: Meg Medina, Matt de la Pena, Tim Federle, Ben Clanton, G. Neri, Jenni Holm, Adele Griffin, Fred Koehler, Ben Hatke, EM Kokie, Dana Simpson, Bryan Hollier, Mo Willems, Laurie Keller, Dan Santat, Augusta Scattergood, Mike Maihack, Kate Messner, Jon Klassen, Don Tate, Chris Barton, Bill Konigsberg, Alex Gino, Kevin Henkes, Laura Dronzek, Kwame Alexander, Christian Robinson, Sean Qualls, Rita Williams-Garcia, Duncan Tonatiuh, Tom Angleberger, Cece Bell, Rafael Lopez, Jon Klassen, Raina Telgemeier, Grace Lin, Kwame Alexander, Jordan Sonnenblick, Donalyn Miller with Travis Jonker, Adam Gidwitz, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, & Ben Clanton

I also had the amazing opportunity to attend the Coretta Scott King & Virginia Hamilton Award breakfast and the Newbery, Caldecott, & Wilder Award banquet where I heard some of the most powerful speeches I’ve ever heard. Christian Robinson, Ilyasah Shabazz, Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely, Rita Williams-Garcia, Jerry Pinkney, Sophie Blackall, and Matt de la Pena touched my heart and soul through their beautiful words. I cannot even start to share all the amazing quotes and speeches, but there are some different ways to see them. First, on Twitter search #csk16, #alaac16, and you will find quotes. Also, you can access some of the speeches here or here.

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Now to what I’ve read over the last two weeks!

Probably one of the most anticipated picture book releases of the year, We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen is the finale of his Hat Trilogy and is just perfect. I am not going to spoil anything, but I really think that Hat fans will love this one just as much.

I love these stories of strong young ladies going after their passion no matter what! I love powerful girl books, and these both definitely fit that bill!

I read The Great Greene Heist because it was on my #mustread list; however, after finishing, I couldn’t let go of Jackson Greene and his antics, so I grabbed the sequel right away. I love Gang Greene. They are smart and thoughtful, but I am also really happy they are not my students.

Gracefully Grayson is another #mustread book, I devoured it in one sitting. I love this story of identity, truth, friendship, fear, and love. I did find it interesting that it and George both had theater as part of their story. Also, I found the adult reactions so interesting in both!

Although I find Dave Barry very funny, I think I am definitely not the demographic for this one. It was a bit over the top and far fetched. I also had trouble with some of the stereotypical descriptions and assumptions within the story. However, it is on our state list for this upcoming school year and I plan on reading all 15, so I look forward to discussing this with my students.

As soon as I got this, I just couldn’t help myself! I love Sharon Creech’s work, and this is no exception. It all revolves around a cow. An ornery, wonderful cow that helps a girl find home, a woman find closure, a boy share a passion, and a family settle down. Fans of any Creech work, though especially Love that Dog, will love her word play and imagery in this novel in verse/vignettes.

Ricki

I finished reading Jonathan Todre and Sarah Higinbotham’s Human Rights in Children’s Literature for a review for an academic journal. It is a fascinating text that integrates human rights law and children’s rights with children’s literature. It inspired me to want to do more research in the field of human rights.

I also read Maria E. Andreu’s The Secret Side of Empty. It is a book about a senior in high school who has grown up in America her whole life and has hidden the fact she is an undocumented immigrant. I learned so much about the struggles that undocumented immigrants face. It is a great read.

Ah-Choo is a cute picture book by Lana Wayne Koehler and Gloria G. Adams. It is about a boy who wants to find a pet that won’t make his sister sneeze!

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee

I have so many books to choose from!

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier was one of my most exciting acquisitions from ALA, so I definitely am going to read it. Other than that, I am going to pull from my bag of #mustread books, ALA books, and my stat list books depending on how I am feeling.

I am also working on an NCTE presentation with Ricki, and I am using Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine as an example text, so I plan on rereading it this week and working on the presentation.

Ricki

I am working on a new project, which involves me reading a few dozen books that feature Muslim/Islamic teenagers. I am not sure which book I will start first, but I am excited to begin!

On a side note, I am looking for recently published books (or soon to be published books) that promote themes of advocacy and activism. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Ten Books We Enjoyed That Have Under 1000 Ratings On Goodreads

Wednesday: Animal Planet Animal Atlas

Thursday: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Friday: Recently Loved Picture Books: The Knowing Book by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer, Hoot and Peep by Lita Judge, & A Big Surprise for Little Card by Charise Mericle Harper

Sunday: Author Guest Post!

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Author Guest Post!: “When You’re Not ‘The Pretty One'” by Rose Mannering, Author of Roses: The Tales Trilogy, Book 1

July 3, 2016 by Ricki

When You’re Not “The Pretty One”

Fairy tales are full of beautiful maidens and handsome princes. There’s something whimsical, charming and a bit boring about this. I suspect that most of us don’t feel drop dead gorgeous one hundred percent of the time in our day-to-day lives and these fairy tale princesses and princes can therefore seem unrelateable and a bit annoying.

In my YA fantasy series, The Tales Trilogy, I set out to invert this. I wanted my fairy-tale-inspired characters to be unusually featured – they are clever and kind (sometimes) – but outcasts because of the way they look. I wanted them to embody how we often feel inside: that we are strange and different to everyone else.

In the first book in the series, Roses, Beauty is cruelly named because she is, in fact, not beautiful. With white hair and silver skin, she is freakish-looking and an oddity. Unlike the Beauty from Beauty and the Beast, the appearance of the main character of Roses causes strangers to scream (and not in a good way). Making Beauty not classically beautiful allowed me to bring depth to her character in other ways (she’s independent, prickly and defensive) and, I think, it makes her much more accessible and understandable to the reader.

Similarly, in the second book in the series, Feathers, my main character, Ode, is not particularly handsome. He has a big nose which he inherited from his father and is overall quite plain-looking. Feathers is a retelling of Swan Lake which originated from Russian folklore, and the main character, Ode, is a shape shifter who can transform into a swan. However, this is far from a good thing and alienates him from the rest of his tribe (who do not trust Magic). Ode’s physicality is a source of frustration and shame and I think that sadly, this is a universal feeling. However, my hope is that Ode’s acceptance of his gift and the way that he looks, will encourage readers to feel the same way. Like Beauty, Ode is not ‘the pretty one’ but it certainly doesn’t hold him back.

My favorite characters in literature are also not ‘the pretty’ ones. That’s not to say that they are ugly, which is subjective anyway, but I rarely have a character that I like and empathize with, who is ‘the pretty one’ in a story. Lizzie Benet in Pride and Prejudice, for example, is the second-class beauty to her sister, Jane, who everyone deems to be the real stunner. In I Capture the Castle, it is the narrator, Cassandra, who I really love and again, she is the plainer counter-part to her sister, Rose, who has the male leads chasing her for affection. Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird is also not the primed, beautiful Southern Belle that she is expected to be, but a spikey tomboy and engaging because of it.

I love that the worth of these characters is not reliant on their physical appearance – they are interesting and endearing because of who they are rather than what they look like. In my own work I have tried to emulate this and the third and last in The Tales Trilogy will be no different!

Roses: The Tales Trilogy, Book 1

About the Book: A dark rendition of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast!

She bears no name. Her silvery appearance is freakish to the numerous inhabitants of Sago, the cosmopolitan capital of Pevorocco in a fantasy realm. With her mother vanishing at the instance of her birth, she is sent to live with the cruel, rich Ma Dane, where she is punished daily for something, though she knows not what. Tauntingly named Beauty, she flees Sago in a violent uprising that sets out to massacre all Magics and journeys to the furthest point of the country.

But Beauty cannot hide in the grassy Hillands forever. Before long, the State officials find her and threaten to take her back to war-torn Sago where death surely awaits. In a midnight blizzard she escapes them, running into a deep, enchanted forest to a great and terrible beast who will bargain for her life.

But can Beauty accept Beast? Eternity is a long time.

Feathers: The Tales Trilogy, Book 2 will be coming out July 5, 2016!

About the Author: Rose Mannering has been writing ever since she can remember. Diagnosed with dyslexia aged eight, she never let it stand in the way of her love for books. She signed her first publishing contract when she was nineteen and she writes under the names Rose Mannering and G.R Manneirng. She currently resides in the UK and her favourite things in life are books, dogs and tea.

Thank you to Rose for this wonderful post.

Thank you to Cheryl at Skyhorse Publishing for connecting us with Rose!

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