Librarian’s Corner Guest Post by Frances Lee Hall: Let the Summertime Reading Hoopla Begin!

Posted on 05/17/2015

Summertime awaits! And for many living with extreme weather conditions this past year, books and summer are a welcomed relief. Look up in the sky. Yes, that’s blue sky peeking through hazy clouds. Flip-flops become the standard, and cool drinks the rage. And these three books make perfect lazy-afternoon companions.

In the fourth novel of the Anna Wang series, Andrea Cheng’s The Year of the Three Sisters reminds me of summer, a time when out-of-town guests and relatives visit our homes and upturn our daily routines- for better or worse!

year of the three sistersThrough a cultural exchange program, seventh grader Anna Wang and her friend Audee invite Fan to come visit them in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fan is Anna’s waitress friend from Beijing who will attend Fenwick High and stay with Audee’s family. Anna can hardly believe Fan is with them, but worries how Fan and Audee will get along, given their different backgrounds. Fan lives in an alleyway with other migrant families who cook on electric hot plates, while Andee lives with her well-to-do family in a large house with a six-burner stove.

This threesome’s friendship feels both complicated and endearing with communication mishaps, cultural differences, homesickness, and unmet, early teen expectations. As Fan begins to open up and share her migrant life, understanding between the three starts to bloom. And a true sisterhood is born.

Speaking of sisterhood, a most endearing one is at the heart of Jen White’s debut novel, Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave, due out in June. It’s a summertime road trip gone terribly wrong. Twelve-year-old Liberty and her sister Billie are left behind at the Jiffy Co. Gas Station, while traveling with their father to Four Corners, USA. In addition to grieving their mom’s death, Liberty must now find their father, and hope against hope, that he didn’t leave them on purpose.

Luckily, Liberty is a budding scientist. And her notebook, filled with pages of animal facts, calms and guides her with survival strategies. Fight or Flight. Camouflage. Breathe. But the stress of being abandoned proves overwhelming, and Liberty can’t panic for Billie’s sake. They embark on a journey, sneaking a ride in the Lavender Lady’s car, swimming like sea turtles in a hotel pool to bathe, or phoning their mom’s friend for help at every chance they get. Liberty is determined to get her sister home, with or without their dad.


 el deafoAnother heart-warmer for cool summer nights is Cece Bell‘s Newbery Honor graphic memoir, El Deafo. Cece recalls being an everyday kid, growing up with her siblings and playing with friends. Until, at four years old, she contracts meningitis that leads to her loss of hearing. Throughout her school years, Cece must learn to navigate her silent world among the hearing. And vice versa. Friends often misunderstand or treat her in weird ways, her mom enrolls her in sign language class, and lip reading doesn’t work in the dark or when people turn their heads.

To cope, Cece imagines herself as El Deafo, a superhero not afraid to speak her mind. As she begins to make true friends and settle in, she discovers cool things, too. Like how her Phonic Ear, worn during school, often lets in some humorous teacher secrets. How El Deafo could really use a sidekick. Or how, no matter what she wears in her ears, the glow of her first crush feels spectacular. Told with humor and honest vulnerability, Cece’s memoir will resonant with anyone who feels different, faces challenges of any kind, and longs to be a superhero.

Happy Summer, all you Superheroes!

Frances Lee Hall earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of LILY LO AND THE WONTON MAKER. Find her at www.francesleehall.com and on Twitter @fleehall

Librarian’s Corner Guest Post: Megan Fink’s Fun Summer Reading Picks

Posted on 05/13/2015

For the youngest readers:

I’m My Own Dog by David Ezra Stein, 978-0763661397

The little bulldog in this picture book tells a story of his independence until a human follows him home one day.  David E. Stein spins a story full of humor and a twist on canine companionship from the dog’s perspective. With humorous pages like, “I work like a dog all day,” showing the bulldog digging in the yard, or “I fetch my own slippers,” Stein renders the dog’s-eye-view of life.  Portraying the joys of owning a dog, Stein shows why a dog can be your best friend if you let him.

For transitioning readers:Monkey and Elephant

Monkey and Elephant and a Secret Birthday Surprise by Carole Lexa Schaefer and Illustrated by Galia Bernstein, 9780763661311

Monkey has a secret, please don’t tell anyone!  Today is his birthday and he doesn’t want anyone to know about it.  Elephant is his best friend but this could cause problems since he’s terrible at keeping secrets.  The round-robin story follows both Elephant and Monkey as they try to honor their word.  Kids will enjoy the lush, tropical illustrations that capture the animals’ personalities with deft touches. Such as Elephant’s face peering out his window when he’s trying to keep Monkey’s birthday a secret and avoid meeting anyone.  Then there’s Clever Rat who’s brightly colored party hats make a festive background for the “It’s-Not-My-Birthday cake.” This is a tale of friendship that’s great for beginning chapter book readers.

For older readers:Family-Ties-350x500

Family Ties by Gary Paulsen, 978-0385373807

Kevin is proud of his new girlfriend Tina and sets out to impress her with his ability to help his family plan a backyard wedding in Family Ties.  Nothing could possibly go wrong with thirteen people sleeping in their house, a dog with a weak bladder, an alarming list of “to-dos” like baking the wedding cake and don’t forget school projects all due this week, right? Kevin handles the family stress with humor and with a desire to please that is hilarious to read!  Anyone who has helped organize a family celebration where mishaps ensue will appreciate Kevin’s wacky family.

Megan Poynter Fink is a middle school librarian at Charlotte Country Day School. She began her career working in publishing and for the New York Public Library. She is an active member of YALSA and has served on YALSA’s Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, Teen Read Week and Best Books for Young Adults committees. Megan has written for VOYA and BOOKLINKS magazines. She enjoys cooking, Zumba classes and city adventures in Charlotte, NC.

Librarian’s Corner Guest Post: Melissa Buron’s Summer Read Picks!

Posted on 05/10/2015

It was 88 degrees today according to my car thermometer and it is only the beginning of May. The grass, wild flowers and neighborhood children are all growing like crazy. And to call my students squirmy would be an understatement. All signs point to a long, hot summer and I couldn’t be happier. Summer is reading time for me. Be it at the local pool or a distant beach, books are always a big part of summer. The following books promise to entertain and delight wherever you happen to be summering.

For the youngest readers:

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli. Finally an answer to the question of almost every child on the planet has asked at least one time or another. “If you swallow a seed, will a plant grown in your stomach?” The story follows the trials and tribulations of a crocodile who accidentally swallows a watermelon seed. The poor animal is convinced that a huge plant will grow in its stomach until a lucky belch ejects the seed in question. Readers will love the expressive illustrations and simple text that makes this book a great read for even the youngest of readers

nugget and fangNugget and Fang, Friends Forever–Or Snack Time? by Tammi Sauer and Michael Slack. Nugget the Minnow and Fang the Shark are best friends until Nugget learns at fish school that sharks eat minnows. What follows is a hilarious attempt by Fang the Shark to convince his friend that all the minnow propaganda doesn’t apply to him. This is a great book to share with kids to open a discussion about individual differences.

For transitioning readers:3 ninja pigs

The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat, and Little Red Hot by Eric A. Kimmel and Laura Huliska-Beith.little red hotThese two new versions of The Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood will have readers cheering. In The Three Ninja Pigs, three pigs must prepare to battle the Big Bad Wolf but only one pig has the patience to complete her training. In Little Red Hot, Little Red Riding Hood is transformed into a hot sauce swilling cowgirl that saves her grandmother from the Big Bad Wolf and a nasty head cold through her spicy cooking. A great activity to combat summer brain drain is to compare and contrast the newer versions with the traditional ones.

For older readers:Middle school princess

From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess by Meg Cabot. Younger readers will rejoice to find a Princess Diaries story especially for them. A horrible day of a thoroughly average 12 year old Olivia Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison transforms into the stuff of fairy tales when Olivia discovers that she is part of the royal family of Genovia. Adorable black and white illustrations by the author make this Meg Cabot romp especially accessible to a younger audience than the usual Princess Diaries storylines.

What are you excited to read during the sunny days ahead? Feel free to drop me a line or tweet at me your suggestions!

For the past twenty years Melissa Buron has worked as a librarian and teacher for young people in Africa, Europe and the United States. In addition, she is an author, blogger and journalist. You can find her at here, or on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (@melissaburon). Contact her with your favorite mystery/adventure books or just to say “hi!”

A perfect middle grade summer series

Posted on 05/06/2015

Summer is the perfect time for young readers to sink into a book. Even in year-round schools, it’s the longest time they have off during the school year. The only thing better than one book is two books about the same characters. Better yet, three books! A series … now, that’s a satisfying summertime experience. Readers who tend toward realistic fiction will be able to make new friends and follow them as they move from the fourth grade to the sixth, grappling with issues such as friendship, identity, and family, in the series written by Andrea Cheng and illustrated by Patrice Barton. The first book, The Year of the Book, introduces Anna Weng, a fourth grader with a Chinese-born mother who isn’t sure how to make friends or what to do when an old friend grows away from her. In The Year of the Baby, Anna learns how to make room in her heart, and her family, when they adopt a baby from China. The Year of the Fortune Cookie has Anna in the 6th grade, where she faces the adjustment of middle school and becomes uncertain as to where she fits in – is she Chinese or American?

The fourth and newest book is The Year of the Sisters. In it, a young Chinese waitress who Anna met during her trip there comes for a six-month visit through a cultural exchange program. Anna is so excited to welcome Fen to the United States and introduce her to her school and friends. But when Fen fails to adapt and becomes unhappy, Anna and her friends have to learn about the challenges of facing, and overcoming, cultural differences.

In all of the books, Cheng’s present tense sentences written in a simple, direct style, make them easy reading for readers of every level. Anna, Camille, and Andee, as well as all of the other girls in the books, feel real and familiar. The stories present them with honest hurdles and sometimes painful realities. But Anna always prevails and grows kinder and more mature in the process. Here’s hoping many young readers discover Anna Weng this summer, and that a fifth book is in the works!

THE LITTLE BLACK FISH and other delights from Persia

Posted on 05/03/2015

I share with you a treasure. As part of encouraging young readers to keep reaching for that next book all summer, hand that reader a copy of THE LITTLE BLACK FISH.  This book is newly out by the brand new children’s picture book publisher, Tiny Owl. Their 2015 “first books out,” present some of the best stories and best illustrators from Persia. What a variety – from Rumi’s fables to contemporary stories. The images, by Samad Behrangi, are colorful, engaging and exquisite. Already many of the books are winning international awards – because they are BEAUTIFUL and they are GOOD.

THE LITTLE BLACK FISH was written by Samad Behrangi, one of Iran’s most influential authors and teachers. andersen_02His tragic death, rumored to have been ordered by the Iranian government, has given him legendary status. This book, THE LITTLE BLACK FISH, has garnered its own equally legendary status. It was first published in 1968 and promptly banned in Iran. The book then became the winner of the highest book award in the world – the Hans Christian Andersen Award.

Wolf-1-150x150Every year International Children’s Book Day is celebrated on April 2nd, inspiring parents and children to pick up a book and get reading! April the 2nd was chosen because it celebrates Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, the author of many wonderful books, such as The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.

Organized by the International Board on Books For Young People, or IBBY, the aim is toworld colored-150x150 promote books and reading to young people.  To find out more about the day, visit International Childrens Book Day website and even though May is one month late – pick up a book today!

To find out more about THE LITTLE BLACK FISH or THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF, another delightful and surprising book by Tiny Owl, go to your favorite online or “real” independent books store – or Tiny Owl Publishing – and request a copy. And then you will want another to give as a special gift to a child or grown-up who needs a good book for summer reading.

“Tiny Owl books are beautiful….”  David Almond

Moving On, Moving Up

Posted on 04/30/2015

This time of year brings graduations and with it, thoughts of moving up and on. Families finalize summer plans and kids prepare to say goodbye to friends they may not see until school opens in the fall.

“When it’s time for a journey, to learn and to grow,
roads guide your footsteps wherever you go.
Roads give you chances to seek and explore.
Want an adventure?

Just open your door.”

Wherever You Go by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler is the adventure you’ll want to share as your students and children close out the school year and move into summer. A lilting, rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations follow rabbit and owl as they journey over hill and dale, past cities, across bridges, down small winding roads, and wide, well-traveled ones.

Which path should you choose?
That’s easy to see.
The one that will take you
where you wish to be.

Take a peek at the book trailer and then head over to your favorite bookstore and pick up this gorgeous new classic to share with your favorite child or as a lovely end-of-the year gift for your child’s hardworking teacher!

An Embarrassment of Riches: Poetry Anthologies

Posted on 04/28/2015

In a recent blog post, poet Janet Wong wrote:

Find your voice, people say. Your voice, as if you have only one. The problem with most writers is that we have several voices shouting in our heads. The silly voice? The sad voice? Dr. Seuss or Sylvia Plath? Which one to choose?

For a writer who is starting a new project—any kind of writer and any kind of project—I suggest finding a voice in an anthology. Spend five minutes flipping through a thick book of poems quickly, as if you were scanning the room at a cocktail party to decide which group to join.

I love this idea. Not only because I’m a writer who loves poetry, but also because I think poetry anthologies can be especially easy and effective resources for parents, teachers, and librarians looking for ways to introduce students to the topic of “Voice.”

Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations

Start off with a new favorite, The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations, compiled by Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell. Then move on to three “old favorites” – collections I return to over and over:

Talking Like the Rain: A Read-to-Me Book of Poems selected by X. J. Kennedy and Dorothy M. Kennedy, illustrated by Jane Dyer.

From the description: “This fine collection includes over one hundred classic children’s poems, all divided into familiar subjects such as “Birds and Beasts,” “Wind and Weather,” and “Just for Fun.” With soft, cheery watercolor illustrations by Jane Dyer, Talking Like the Rain is the perfect way to introduce even the youngest of readers to the art of poetry, and is sure to be treasured by families for years to come.”

Sharing the Seasons, selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by David Diaz

Sharing the seasons: A Book of Poems Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by David Diaz

From the flap copy: “In this sparkling collection of classic quotations and forty-eight poems – twelve for each of the four seasons – readers will view the year in ways they never thought of before…

In addition to poems by masters such as Carl Sandburg, Richard Brautigan, Joseph Bruchac, and Karla Kuskin, twenty-nine poems have been specially commissioned from a host of contemporary poets…”

The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury, selected by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Meilo So The 20th Century Children’s Poetry Treasury, selected by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Meilo So

From the flap: “Here in one gloriously illustrated volume are 211 wonderful poems that represent the best of the twentieth century. From sibling rivalry, school, monsters, food, and just plain silliness to such ageless themes as the seasons, Who am I?, and the many moods of childhood, this is a collection that begs to be read aloud and shared with the whole family. The poems, from every decade of the last century, showcase 137 famous poets…”

What are some of your favorite poetry anthologies?