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Through NetGalley, I had the opportunity to read The Thing About Jellyfish, by Ali Benjamin, a middle grade book that will debut mid-September 2015. In this book, Suzy Swanson processes the death of her old friend Franny and the end of a friendship. She grieves the way that she and Franny grew apart before Franny drowned. Suzy’s way of making sense of this loss is to fixate on jellyfish: she reads about them and believes that Franny must have drowned after being stung by a jellyfish because otherwise Franny’s death makes no sense.
When I worked in children’s publishing many years ago, I remember that we had specific educational books and then we had fiction. Years after I left that industry, I learned that even fiction books need some kind of educational component in order to sell them to the school and library market…I say that to say that this book has a lot of educational material. The author really packs in the scientific info and uses a science teacher’s explanation of the scientific method to introduce each chapter. This is not a bad thing but it is noticeable. When you choose fiction do you consider its academic as well as its storytelling merits?
At the end of the book, the author explained how the book began with the copious research she did for a different project that was rejected. She repurposed that research to create Suzy, a character who finds subjects she is passionate about but misses the social cues that would tell her when others may not be quite a interested as she is.
As a reader, I came to feel a lot of compassion for Suzy because she is so lost. The first half of the book alternates between the present and Suzy slowly narrating just how she and Franny went from young BFFs to sitting at separate lunch tables and no longer hanging out in middle school. As a parent, the book is a reminder of a child’s rich inner life: you just can’t know all your child is going through. Suzy’s well-meaning parents put her in therapy and try their best but they aren’t really reaching her.
The tone of the book changes when Suzy decides to embark on a trip to see the one person she thinks will understand her interest in jellyfish. While I’m not one who believes that every wring must be severely punished, I was surprised at the lack of consequences in this book. Suzy steals significant amounts of money from family members but I guess they feel that she has been through enough so they don’t address the theft in a punitive way.
Towards the end of the book Suzy finally reveals her rather disturbing actions that may have done away with any chance that Franny would reach out to her again. Suzy is never found out and doesn’t get to speak to Franny again before Franny dies but clearly Suzy feels a lot of guilt, which can be its own punishment.
Shoshana has written up an excellent recap of last night’s goings-on at the Cambridge Public Library. I’ll just add my thanks to the panelists, who were all engaged, enthusiastic, and nice to me and each other. (Jeanne Birdsall brought along a belt for me to use if things got out of hand, but luckily I did not need to employ it. Jeanne, what would Pére Penderwick say?) And the evening gave me a prompt for my November editorial, so I’m grateful for that.
Cambridge Public Library is telling me they expect to run out of room at Middle Grade Madness, tonight at the Main Library at 6:00PM; show up early to be guaranteed admission. Youth services director Julie Roach is legendary for the ease with which she firmly shuts the door on even the most well-connected mom trying to get her kids into a full story hour, so don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Next Monday, September 28th, I’ll be moderating a panel of five middle-grade Random House authors at the Cambridge Public Library at 6:00PM. Participating authors include:
–Jeanne Birdsall, talking about THE PENDERWICKS IN SPRING
–Bruce Coville, DIARY OF A MAD BROWNIE
–Alice Hoffman, NIGHTBIRD
–R.J. Palacio, AUGIE & ME
–Rebecca Stead, GOODBYE STRANGER
Quite the lineup, no? We will have fun (I insist) and the authors will be autographing after the program, with books sold on site by the wonderful Porter Square Books. The library is at 449 Broadway in Cambridge, and the event will be held in the auditorium downstairs. Hope to see you there!
My guest today is children's author Annie Tipton. She's here today to talk about the inspiration behind her middle-grade series, Diary of a Real Payne. She's currently touring the blogosphere with the National Writing for Children Center. Please give her a warm welcome!
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I always knew I’d write a book someday. I just didn’t know this is how it would come about.
I didn’t have a manuscript that I’d been polishing since I first penned it in college. I hadn’t gone through rounds and rounds of rejection letters from agents and publishers. No, what happened was that my boss came up with the concept of a series for 8–12-year-olds staring a lovable character named EJ Payne who lives in a small town but dreams of bigger and better things—Diary of a Real Payne, she called it. (Side note: I guess I can’t chalk the whole thing up entirely to fate. After all, I do work in the editorial department at a book publisher.) And when she pitched the idea in a meeting, I heard myself volunteering to write it. “Give me a chance,” I said. “I would love this opportunity.”
And she said yes.
So EJ and the rest of the Payne family started taking shape. And I knew they would be a family that looked a lot like mine: loving parents who “get” their kids; (mostly) good-natured sibling rivalry between EJ and her younger brother, Isaac; a deeply rooted faith that is the foundation on which the family to loves, lives, and grows. From the older sister/younger brother dynamic to the everyday antics of a girl who has such a vivid imagination that sometimes she doesn’t know what’s actually going on right in front of her, the stories are a slice-of-life that sometimes looks a lot like photos from my family albums.
There’s something so refreshing and so encouraging about a family dynamic that, though not perfect, is good and bursting with love. I know I am blessed to count those things as a part of my upbringing, and it’s an important part of what I hope to leave with readers of the Diary of a Real Payne series.
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Title: Diary of a Real Payne Book 2: Church Camp Chaos
ABOUT THE BOOK:In this second fabulous release in the Diary of a Real Payne series for 8- to 12-year-old girls, young readers will find themselves ROTFL as EJ ismore than ready to be done with Ms. “Picky” Pickerington, CoraLee McCallister, and fourth grade in general. Hello sunshine, hello 11th birthday party, hello free time, hello. . .CAMP! It’s EJ’s first summer to spend an entire week at Camp Christian: friends, swimming, bunk beds, games, campfires, s’mores, hiking, and even a gigantic zip line. In classic EJ form, she dreams up even more fantastic adventures for herself. It’s colossal fun and Church Camp Chaos for EJ fans!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Award-winning author Annie Tipton made up her first story at the ripe old age of two when she asked her mom to write it down for her. (Hey, she was just two—she didn’t know how to make letters yet!) Since then she has read and written many words as a student, newspaper reporter, author, and editor. A native of Wooster, Ohio, Tipton received a bachelor’s degree in Communications at Milligan College in Northeast Tennessee. She currently resides in New Philadelphia, Ohio.
I have a special book to share with you today for chapter book/middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12 or so) titled, A Cat Named Mouse: The Miracle of Answered Prayer. This book is inspirational or Christian fiction for kids with a heavy emphasis on prayer and Bible verses. It would be perfect for a homeschool family or group, parent/child book club, or a Christian school. Parents who are wanting to introduce or emphasize how prayer is answered and how Bible verses can be applied to our lives would also find this book helpful for their children to read or to read with their children. It has several illustrations. AND THE BEST NEWS OF ALL: I HAVE A COPY TO GIVEAWAY! IF you would like to enter the giveaway, please go below to the Rafflecopter form and do the tasks that you are interested in doing. Each task you do gives you more entries into the giveaway contest, which closes at the end of February. I’m using the Rafflecopter system because it is an easy way to keep track of entries! Thanks for trying it out with me.
A Cat Named Mouse: The Miracle of Unanswered Prayer is. . .
*A chapter book/young middle-grade realistic, inspirational fiction (based on a true story) for kids ages 8 to 12
*12-year-old girl as the main character (and a cat named Mouse!)
*Rating: A Cat Named Mouse is an enjoyable and fast read, perfect for a parent to read with a child. This book is important to discuss with children–there are a lot of Christian concepts and ideas!
Short, short summary: After being introduced to Annie and her family and their cats (as well as some neat practices they have such as their TALK UP tradition), Mouse, one of their cats, goes missing when a large animal tears down a window screen, scaring the cat who likes to sleep on the windowsill. The cat either falls out the window or jumps out the open window and goes missing. During this time, Annie and her family come up with many different ideas to get the cat back–one of them being prayer, another discussing how God has a plan. They also make signs and look for the cat. So, since it’s a children’s book, you can probably figure out what happens in the end–but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone! Annie is a wonderful main character with very loving parents.
So what do I do with this book?
1. It’s important to discuss the concepts with children that are presented in the book. One of the main things to focus on is that Annie and her parents use prayer to help find Mouse, but they don’t just sit by and hope God finds the cat. They are proactive also. Asking children to respond in a journal after reading a section will give them a chance to reflect on what happened before the discussion.
2. This is a great book to compare a personal story to what happens in the story. Children can either discuss something their family prayed for and the prayer was answered or a time something important to them was lost and then found with God’s help. If they think about this time in their own lives, they will understand the feelings Annie is having, too.
3. If you are reading this post between Feb. 18, 2013 and Feb. 28, 2013, then enter the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win a copy. (United States and/or Canada mailing addresses only please) If you have any problems, leave a comment or e-mail me at margo (at) margodill.com. Depending on your Internet browser, you may have to click the blue underlined words that say: RAFFLECOPTER in order to see the form and enter the contest! Remember if you enter a comment, make sure you check the box in the RAFFLECOPTER FORM, so you are entered to win. EVERYBODY who checks the free entry gets two free entries into the contest without having to do anything else.
“A fact-packed, thrilling ride. Rick Riordan fans will love it.” –Booklist (on the second book in the trilogy)
Story: As the world awaits the outcome of the Mayan Prophecy calling for the end of the world on December 21st, 2012, what better way to spend ones time than reading? And what better series to delve into than The Jaguar Stones by J&P Voelkel?Featuring 14-year-old Max Murphy from Boston, and Lola, the quick-witted Maya girl who teaches him to survive in the perilous rainforest, this nail-biting, middle-grade adventure introduces readers to Central American culture, history and so much more, all in a fun engaging manner. As we all await that looming date three months from now, Max and Lola must find the five legendary Jaguar Stones that gave ancient Maya kings their power-and save the world from the evil, cheating Lords of Death.
Story behind the story: As entertaining as the Jaguar Stones books are, so too are their creators, Jon and Pam Voelkel. Check out their web site for loads of interactive activities for the classroom—educational fun that will have students clamoring for more information as they countdown to the (possible) end of the world.
While Jon Voelkel was growing up in South and Central America, his wife-to-be, Pamela, had an altogether tamer childhood in England. They met while working at an advertising agency in London (The Financial Times named him one of the top fifty creative minds in Britain) and now live in Vermont. To research the Jaguar Stones books, the Voelkels and their three children have explored over forty Maya sites in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico; canoed down underground rivers; tracked howler monkeys in the jungle; and learned to make tortillas on an open fire. Jon’s most frightening experience was being lost in a pitch-black labyrinth under a Maya pyramid. Pamela’s most frightening experience was being interviewed by Al Roker on the Today show.
The Jaguar Stones by J&P Voelkel (Egmont Publishing)
Book 1: Middleworld: In The Jaguar Stones, Book One, Max leaves his comfortable life in Boston far behind and heads for Central America in search of his archaeologist parents who have gone missing on a dig. Set against a backdrop of haunted temples, underground rivers and Maya magic, The New England Booksellers Council called Middleworld “funny, fast paced and entirely original.”
ISBN: 978-1-60684-179-2 (pb)
Book 2: The End of the World Club: In The Jaguar Stones, Book Two, the action moves from Central America to Spain, as Max and Lola set off on the trail of the conquistadors. As the rest of the world panics about the end of the Maya Calendar, only Max and Lola can avert the coming doomsday as they continue their battle against the Maya Lords of Death. ISBN: 978-1-60684-307-9 (pb)
“A fact-packed, thrilling ride. Rick Riordan fans will love it.” –Booklist
Book 3: The River of No Return: In The Jaguar Stones, Book Three, Max and Lola are back in the jungles of the Maya and the Death Lords are on the warpath. Can video-gaming, pizza-loving Max Murphy and Lola, his modern Maya sidekick, save the world one more time? Not if they can’t get past the zombie army, the mutant-cave spiders, the subterranean hotel, and some very dark family secrets.
ISBN: 978-1-60684-073-3 (hc)
Order your reviewer's copy now. We can't wait to hear what you have to share...
0 Comments on The Jaguar Stones Trilogy ▪ Middle-grade fiction as of 9/25/2012 1:43:00 AM
Wendy Hue, illustrated y Zara Slattery, Tópé Arrives
AuthorHouse, 2011.
Ages 8-11
When ten-year-old Tópé’s parents are killed in a road accident, his Uncle and Aunty come to Nigeria to take him back to England to live with them and their nine-year-old son Femi and baby daughter Happy. It’s tough having to choose what to take with him and what has to stay behind but his beloved football (soccer ball) is an essential, and at the last minute he manages to squeeze his special wooden boat into his baggage. It’s harder still having to adjust to a totally new life while grieving for his parents. As time goes by, though, he begins to settle into his new school. Being good at football helps, especially when he’s picked for the team in an inter-school championship, but it also causes friction, especially with Joe, who until Tópé’s arrival had been the star player.
As Tópé negotiates his new home, he begins to note similarities as well as differences with his earlier childhood in Nigeria, and the wooden boat is an important tangible link with his past. The story follows him as he makes friends, enjoys Femi’s birthday party, goes on a sleepover that turns into a big adventure, and beats off summer vacation boredom by putting together an act for a local “Star Youth Academy” show. In a sense this performance that draws the book to a satisfying conclusion is what really marks Tópé’s arrival – he’s made it through his first few months in England; he’s joined on stage by Femi and some good friends, including Joe; and they are playing the Nigerian dundun drums that belong to his uncle and whose sound links him to Nigeria and to his father and grandfather especially.
Wendy Hue has created an engaging story that will appeal particularly to boys, who will empathise with the different dynamics in the relationships portrayed; and Zara Slattery’s black-and-white illustrations add atmosphere. TópéArrives is also the perfect middle-grade read for any young person who finds themselves thrown into new surroundings, for whatever reason, especially though not exclusively anyone adjusting to life in the UK. Hue’s sensitive awareness of Tópé’s experience, for example, includes such details as his discomfort at having to wear a thick jacket for the English climate. As well as the realistically portrayed hurly burly of school, the adults depicted in the story are reassuring and kind. The reader also shares in some of Tópé’s quieter moments, and indeed Tópé Arrives also has the potential to be of comfort to a young reader mourning a loved one.
Tópé Arrives would make a welcome addition to any middle-grade book shelf, and we look forward to more writing from Wendy Hue in the future.
0 Comments on Week-end Book Review: Tópé Arrives by Wendy Hue as of 1/1/1900
Is it too early to get excited about the Summer Olympics? I’m not really a sports person, but I do get excited about my two favorite events: the 400 meter Drool-Over-Michael-Phelps relay and women’s gymnastics.
I was eleven years old when the Magnificent 7 dominated the 1996 summer games—the perfect age to marvel over the mysterious creatures that are competitive gymnasts. So tiny. So powerful. So much glitter hairspray. My favorite Olympian was thirteen-year-old Dominique Moceanu. I read and re-read her autobiography (Dominique Moceanu: An American Champion) so many times that I ran my paperback copy quite ragged.
Lucky for young fans, Moceanu is back in the book business with a new middle-grade series, The Go-for-Gold Gymnasts (Disney-Hyperion, April), co-written with Alicia Thompson. Seemingly created specifically for eleven-year-old me, this series follows four young gymnasts who train together at a fictional elite gym in Texas, with each girl taking turns as protagonist, Babysitter’s Club style. In the first title, Winning Team, Britt is the new girl at the gym. Her new teammates give her the cold shoulder because she is a show-off with a perfect full double-twisting somersault—don’t you hate those? But with life lessons gleaned from To Kill a Mockingbird, Britt avoids becoming the Boo Radley of the Texas Twisters by taming her sassy, self-centered ways.
Along with the inner emotional struggles of tweendom, Winning Team also reveals those coveted details of gymnast-life that only Moceanu could provide: the superhuman training schedules, the bizarre and disgusting athletic rituals, the catty in-fighting. The characters also speak in thick gymnast-dialect—you might need to spend some time on YouTube learning the difference between a “full-in” and a “half-in, half-out”. And let’s not forget the requisite eating disorder plotline! Don’t worry: by the end of the book, everyone has regained health and attained a sense of team spirit, and you’ll be more than prepared to cheer on the newest pack of little 2012 USA competitors this summer.
Prequels are trending, especially those that take readers back to the childhoods of established characters: Alice McKinley, the Baby-Sitters Club girls, Bartimaeus, even James Bond and Carrie Bradshaw. Now Alexander McCall Smith has jumped on the bandwagon (or should I say tiny white van?) with an early chapter book featuring a young and pre–traditionally built Precious Ramotswe, star of the bestselling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency mystery series for adults.
Now, I doubt there are many second graders out there clamoring for a book of their own about the estimable Mma Ramotswe: The Great Cake Mystery (Anchor Books, April) is being released at the same time as the latest No. 1 Detective Agency novel, and it will likely be purchased by series fans with young readers in their lives quicker’n you can say “mother-daughter book group.”
Fortunately, The Great Cake Mystery transcends such cynicism. The mystery Precious solves—who is behind the spate of thefts on the school playground?—is audience-appropriate; the prose style is welcoming and intimate (“What would you do if you found yourself face to face with a great lion?”); the Botswana village setting is evoked clearly but simply; the page design is generous and inviting, with wide margins and plentiful spot illustrations. The book’s provenance is unusual (it was originally published in a Scots-language edition), and the plot borrows liberally from “Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby” (with a bit of Caps for Sale thrown in), but the qualities that make the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series so popular and beloved are much in evidence here. Readers should take great pleasure in joining Precious as she solves her Very First Case.
0 Comments on Have your cake and read it, too as of 1/1/1900
About eleven years ago, I fell in love with Miss Agnes. Kirkpatrick Hill’s The Year of Miss Agnes is one of my first-weeks-of-school read-aloud books. Miss Agnes’s loving but no-nonsense teaching methods inspire me every time I read it, which is just about every year. Now, more than a decade since that book was published, readers can see how Miss Agnes’s second year at the one-room schoolhouse in rural Alaska turns out.
Having spent the summer in her native England, Miss Agnes returns, this time with a ginger cat. Miss Agnes and the Ginger Tom (CreateSpace, December) is also told in eleven-year-old Fred’s straightforward prose, so again we see the school year through her eyes. This year, the focus is not the fear that Miss Agnes will leave the community and never return. The children and parents have another worry: will the gifted Jimmy Sam pass the challenging entrance test to a boarding school that will allow him to use these intellectual gifts?
This sequel will appeal most to people like me: people who loved the community and characters of the first book. The first installment painted a marvelous picture of life in the fish and hunting camps and gave a peek at the challenges of life in post-WWII Alaska, and this offering provides more of the same. There is a fair amount of repeating the life stories of the children, because, like life in rural Alaska, little changes in a few months.
I don’t know very much about the publishing industry or why this little volume is self-published. I wish it had had the tender touch of an editor who would have tightened it up, fixed the typos, and added characters and some plot twists to help keep young readers engaged. I was hoping that someone new would move in or Miss Agnes might have a love interest or the community might face threat from weather or encroaching development… Something. But no matter. I still loved reading more about these children on the Koyukuk River. And I love sharing the lives of Fred and Jimmy—and even the surprising ginger tomcat—with their modern counterparts.
Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham, illustrated by Michael Foreman, Painting out the Stars
Walker Books, 2011.
Ages 8-11
Three magical stories make up this beautifully presented middle-grade book: “The Mysterious Traveller”, “Night Sky Dragons”, and “Cloud Tea Monkeys”, from which the collection takes its name. Set in unspecified times and countries, they transport readers to the desert, the steppe and a tea plantation respectively. What links them is that they all hinge on inter-generational relationships that will resonate with today’s young readers.
“There were five riders but six camels, travelling fast. Desperately fast.” So opens the first story, “The Mysterious Traveller”. The sixth camel and his precious cargo, a baby girl with a mysterious necklace, are the only survivors following a sandstorm. She is found and adopted by Issa, the most respected guide locally, who calls her Mariamma and teaches her all he knows. The years pass and Issa goes blind, but is still the best guide in the area, with Mariamma’s help. Their lives could have continued along this path, had not some strangers required a guide to take them safely over the mountains…
In “Night Sky Dragons”, young Yazul would rather make kites with his grandfather than follow the path of travel and trade, business and money that his father advocates. He is fond of mischief too, and one day his antics cause untold, if unintentional damage. Yazul despairs that not only will his father never love him, but he’ll never again feel the happiness of flying kites – but when bandits lay siege to their fortified han, Yazul has an idea to save them that could just reconcile both…
In the last of the three stories, a tea-picker falls ill. Her daughter Tashi understands the grinding wheel of poverty: no work, no money, no medicine. “The problem went round and round. It was like a snake with its tail in its mouth and Tashi was frightened by it.” She tries unsuccessfully to pick the tea herself. Despairing, she seeks out the shady spot where she has always shared her lunch with a large monkey family, little realising that they will now repay her kindness and friendship in the most extraordinary way…
It is perhaps no surprise that “Cloud Tea Monkeys” has previously been published as an acclaimed picture-book (illustrated by Jean Wijngaard), and that there are similar plans for the other two stories. Michael Foreman’s black and white illustrations accompanying this edition are charming and add atmosphere, deftly conveying the atmosphere of each story, including the underlying humor in “Cloud Tea Monkeys”. Readers of these great stories will find themselves cheering on the protagonists, while feeling complicit in the storyline by being able to anticipate enough, though not all, of each ending. While the atmospheric description and details beg to be read aloud, the depth of characterisation and the relationships explored make this just the kind of book that independent readers will want to pick up again and again.
Marjorie Coughlan
December 2011
0 Comments on Week-end Book Review: Painting out the Stars by Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham, illustrated by Michael Foreman as of 1/1/1900
Shogo Oketani, translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa, J-Boys: Kazuo’s World, Tokyo, 1965
Stone Bridge Press, 2011.
Ages 9-12
J-Boys describes the life a Japanese boy, Kazuo Nakamoto, living in Tokyo in the mid-1960s. The book is laid out in chronological segments over a year starting in October. Kazuo is nine years old and lives with his brother Yasuo and his parents in West Ito, a district in Shinagawa Ward in Tokyo. Set in an interesting period in Japan’s more recent past, this account of a boy’s life in mid-’60s Japan touches on a wide range of social topics relevant to the time. For example, the book discusses the issue of migrant labor used to develop the rapidly growing city of Tokyo, the racism against resident Koreans, and pervasive American cultural influences present on TV and in music.
There is nostalgia for this lost world prevalent in Japan at the moment – a period roughly corresponding to the latter part of the Showa era; and J-Boys is really a book that celebrates that Japan from a child’s perspective. But at the same time as the book is nostalgic, it also explains the culture of the day to an English-reading audience. Alongside the main text are side-boxes explaining cultural items such as the names of foods, or the terms of reference for certain holidays or traditional art forms, which help contextualize Kazuo’s world for the reader. I found these more or less helpful; with a book like this, it’s always difficult to ascertain what or what not to include as extra information for the reader. However, using the side-boxes I think was a good device.
J-Boys is a great read that brings a certain slice of Japanese life to life, without making the culture seem like an artifact. Yes, this is an account of a Japan of the past, but of a recent past that contains many elements of interest to readers, from the once ubiquitous urban phenomenon of the bath house to the gathering spot of Kazuo’s friends in the empty lot. I appreciated the fact that this book is a translation of a Japanese author, Shogo Oketani, who lived through the period described. Stone Bridge Press and translator Avery Udagawa should be credited for taking on a book like this to give young readers an insightful look into Japanese society from the perspective of a young boy growing up in the ’60s. Alongside the book, one can consult the very helpful J-Boys website for information on the author and on Japan, as well as resources for teachers.
Sally Ito
October 2011
0 Comments on Week-end Book Review – J-Boys: Kazuo’s World, Tokyo, 1965 by Shogo Oketani, translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa as of 1/1/1900
by Katie Davies• illustrated by Hannah Shaw Available now • Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers • Ages 8 - 12 "A top pick for slow or reluctant readers" (Kirkus) and "the first in a series t
2 Comments on The Great Hamster Massacre • Middle-grade fiction, last added: 10/2/2011
What is it about hamsters that are just so funny? Even the word is hilarious. Three cheers for more books about hamsters! Hamster lovers also see: Donna Gephart's MG novel: How to Survive Middle School, which features a hamster that sings.
The Search for Wondla written and illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi Available now • Simon and Schuster• Ages 10 and up The New York Times bestseller from the fantastical imagination that brought you The Spiderwick Chronicles. Story: When a marauder destroys the underground sanctuary that Eva Nine was raised in by the robot Muthr, the twelve-year-year-old girl is forced to flee aboveground. Eva Nine is searching for anyone else like her, for she knows that other humans exist, because of an item she treasures—a scrap of cardboard on which is depicted a young girl, an adult, and a robot, with the strange word, "WondLa." Tony DiTerlizzi honors traditional children's literature in this totally original space age adventure: one that is as complex as an alien planet, but as simple as a child's wish for a place to belong.
Breathtaking two-color illustrations throughout reveal another dimension of Tony DiTerlizzi's vision, and, for those readers with a webcam, the book also features Augmented Reality in several places, revealing additional information about Eva Nine's world.
Story behind the story: Tony diTerlizzi writes about the power of place, character, and adventure: "As a kid who loved classics like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan and Wendy, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, I wondered why it was that I returned to these timeless tales again and again throughout my life. The answer is easy: There lies magic between those pages, places I loved visiting when I was ten years-old that I still love returning to today.
What if I could conjure up a story in the same spirit? A story that the ten-year-old Tony would have loved and that the forty-year-old Tony has the ability to create?
First, I’d make the hero a heroine—a strong and clev
0 Comments on Search for Wondla • Middle-grade fiction as of 1/1/1900
Silly question. I know that, if you're coming to The Picnic Basket, you're a book lover, a book devourer, an I-want-to-know-everything-I-can-about-kids-books kind of person. For me, I love hearing the stories-behind-the-story directly from the authors. I mean, who knows their books better than they do? This week, you can meet -- and win FREE books from:
Lita Judge, author and illustrator of BORN TO BE GIANTS: HOW BABY DINOSAURS GREW TO RULE THE WORLD. She tells readers that "as a kid I ... was obsessed with dinosaurs. My grandparents were scientists who studied birds of prey, and as a youngster I imagined I was feeding a baby dinosaur when I helped care for baby hawks and eagles. By the time I was fifteen, I got myself a job on a dinosaur dig and spent three summers digging fossils for the Tyrrell Museum in Canada." Read more here or email the author for your chance to win.
J.M. deMatteis, author of IMAGINALIS. He tells us that "as someone who struggled (mightily!) as a student—and was saved by some exceptional teachers who saw past the surface to who I really was—the world of books provided an entrance to endless universes that stimulated both mind and spirit." You can win a signed bookor arrange to Skype with the author. Read more from J.M. here.
So, what are you waiting for?
0 Comments on Love books and want to meet some authors? as of 11/4/2010 6:06:00 PM
“Ice cream warms the heart, no matter what the weather.”
Story: That's the Dobson family motto. When things get tough, they break out the ice cream. The road has been especially rocky lately for Tess and her deaf little brother, Jordan. Then Ma abruptly moves the family from Texas to snowy Schenectady, NY, where she uses the last of their savings to open an ice cream shop in the dead of winter. How will they ever survive?
This moving story of family and community proves that, with a little help from family and friends, life can be sweet —and a little nutty—just like Rocky Road.
Story behind the story: Author Rose Kent shares this with us: "Did you know that rocky road ice cream was created during the Great Depression just so folks would have something to smile about?
Rocky road is Tess Dobson’s favorite ice cream. It also describes what life has served up, between her family’s money troubles and Ma’s mood illness that leaves her in bed for days. Then Ma uproots the family to snowy upstate NY, to buy an ice cream shop with the last of their savings. How will they survive?
Why did I set the book in Schenectady, NY? Because I've learned through travels and reader emails that, while New York City is famous and vividly imagined, even by those who have never been, the same can't be said about other parts of New York State. Schenectady is a vintage old city and I thought many kids might appreciate learning its history. I also thought they might have their own version of a vintage old city nearby that they could relate to.
Why ice cream? I can recall the many times my family visited an ice cream shop to celebrate or commiserate an event. When my son hit the home run. When my daughter didn't get the part in the play. When someone got potty trained. That sort of thing. Like the Dobson family motto in ROCKY ROAD, I tru
0 Comments on Rocky Road • Middle-grade fiction as of 1/1/1900
Scumble by Ingrid Law Coming soon - August 17th!• Dial Books for Young Readers • Ages 8-12 The companion to the Newbery Honor winner and New York Times Bestseller SAVVY! Story: A fantastic, All-American tall tale, SAVVY was a hit with audiences everywhere. Ingrid Law's debut novel received a Newbery Honor and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, was selected as an Al Roker's Book club title, and has appeared on 18 state award master lists (and still counting). Now, the saga of the special-powered Beaumont clan continues in SCUMBLE. In this family, every kid gets a special gift on their thirteenth birthday, and Ledger Kale comes into his right before the family reunion, but he isn't so certain that he likes his gift. He wanted to have a savvy for speed, but Ledger's talent is a bit more unusual...and he can't go home until he learns to "scumble" with savvy. Here, Law delivers another great homespun adventure and a magical read. About the author: Ingrid Law has sold shoes, worked in a bookstore, helped other people get jobs, and assembled boxes for frozen eggplant burgers. She and her twelve-year-old daughter live in Boulder, Colorado, in a lovely old mobile home that they like to believe is a cross between a spaceship and a shoe box. They enjoy writing on its walls and painting on its ceiling, and have two harps, a flute, and a ukulele, as well as a fondness for muffins.
I think you'll find SCUMBLE an excellent choice for literature circle discussions, cross curricular learning and journaling prompts, discussion guide.
If SCUMBLE interests you as much as I think it will, here are a few web extras: discussion guide for both SCUMBLE and SAVVY featuring discussion questions, a Q&A with Ingrid Law, ideas on how to use the books in language arts classrooms and more; and a little video with Ingrid on WHY SHE LOVES MIDDLE GRADE. Plus, maybe you'll get a chance to meet her when she visits CO, TX, OR and GA this fall.
ADVANCE PRAISE ★"This companion to Newbery Honor Book Savvy (2008) provides the same high level of satisfying plot, delightful characters, alliterative language, and rich imagery....While adult readers will see this all as a beautiful conceptualization of the drama and metamorphosis of adolescence, younger readers will delight in the tall-tale tropes and Ledge’s authentic physical, emotional, and artistic challenges." -- Booklist, starred review
Just out! • June 2010 • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt• Ages 7 - 11
Pack your goggles, rue, and an extra pair of gloves and join Nate on another unbelievable adventure—there’s no rest for the world’s youngest beastologist-in-training!
Story: Nate Fludd, Beastologist, is back in the camel saddle in hot pursuit of a missing, deadly Basilisk—the King of Serpents. As if saving an entire Dhughani village from the Basilisk’s poisonous gaze isn’t difficult enough, Nate and Aunt Phil must begin to piece together the mystery of his parents’ disappearance and protect the lone copy of the Fludd Book of Beasts from a sinister man who always seem to be one step ahead of them. There's no rest for the world's youngest beastologist-in-training!
Story behind the story: Last month, author R.L. LaFevers was in town and I had the chance to sit down with her AND illustrator Kelly Murphy AND their editor, Kate O'Sullivan AND their publicist, Jennifer Taber. What a group. Who better to give you the story behind the story than those involved in the creation of the book?! Over to them, but first a photo from the lunch that Houghton hosted to bring everyone together:
OK, so Kate and Kelly aren't in the pic, sorry!, but from left to right: librarian and Everyday Reading blogger Janssen; Jennifer Taber; author R.L. La Fevers, and Margaret Aldrich from Wellesley Booksmith). Here g
1 Comments on The Basilik's Lair (Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist, Book Two) • Middle-grade fiction, last added: 7/14/2010
“Don’t think that it didn’t cross my mind to cast a little spell or two to get me out of trouble, because it did.”
Story: Abbie Adams and her family come from a long line of witches, and she’s having a tough time keeping it a secret from her best friend and the rest of her school. Especially the day her little brother morphs into a wolf and tries to eat his teacher.
That’s also the day her father brings home a kitten. Abbie’s been begging for a cat for months, and she falls in love with that fluffy fuzzball right away. But there’s something peculiar about this kitten, and it just might take a witch like Abbie to figure out what it is. Story behind the story: "When I was a kid," says author Rhonda Hayter, "I hated when somebody tried to teach me something in a book. I wanted to read for fun, I didn’t want education.I got enough of that in school!When I wrote The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams, I made it a funny, breezy read. So nobody minds when they learn about a great American, pick up interesting vocabulary and get introduced to other books.That’s because I snuck it all into a fast-paced romp about a normal fifth grader who happens to be a witch, with problems like a little brother who melts down, turns into a werewolf and tries to eat his teacher."
2 Comments on The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams • Middle-grade fiction, last added: 6/14/2010
Just out! April 20, 2010 • Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers• Ages 10 - 14
From an award-winning author, a powerful coming-of-age story that brings a tumultuous time in American history vividly to life.
Story: It's the end of summer October 1962. Julie Klostermeyer's world is turning upside down. All she hears from her parents and teachers and on the news is the Russian threat and the Cuban Missile Crisis. And things aren't much better at home. Her best friend doesn't seem interested in being her friend anymore -- he'd rather hang out with the new boys instead. When Patsy moves in, things are looking up. Patsy is fearless, and she challenges the neighborhood boys to see who's better, strong, faster: a war between the boys and the girls.
All this talk of war makes Juliet uneasy. As the challenges become more and more dangerous, Juliet has to decide what she stands for -- and what's worth fighting for.
Story behind the story: Best to hear it straight from the source, so I give you Printz Honor (for Hard Love) award-winning author (and former librarian!) Ellen Wittlinger:
"Juliet lives in a small town in a house attached to the grocery store her parents own. Just like I did. I was fourteen in 1962 when President Kennedy went on television one October evening to announce that the United States was on the brink of nuclear war. For a week we were terrified, listening for approaching bombers, crawling under desks at school, wondering if those families with bomb shelters would live while the rest of us died.
In This Means War! The Cuban Missile Crisis is the background for a smaller neighborhood war--one between the boys and the girls to prove which group is stronger, faster, braver. As with the larger crisis, the neighborhood tests soon get out of hand, progressing from foot races and Twist contests to dangerous challenges. Where is the line between bravery and foolishness? What does it mean to be a hero?
1 Comments on This Means War! • Historical fiction, last added: 5/12/2010
In Ellen Wittlinger's gripping middle school novel, the subject of "boys against the girls" is played out in front of a dramatic historical backdrop. With the United States and Cuba locked in a nuclear stare-down, 4 girls and 4 boys in Wisdom Hill, a Southern Air Force town bearing the troubling signs of a military build-up, challenge each other to a series of "tests" to prove, once and for all, who is the best--boys or girls. Children's literature is no stranger to the battle of the sexes: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's multi-volume "Boys against Girls" series is full of fun and pranks, and Andrew Clements' "No Talking" elevates a stubborn battle of wills into a constructive social exercise. In "This Means War!" however, there is no doubt that the stakes in this battle are high, as the childrens game becomes complicated by a maelstrom of pre-teen disorientation, confused loyalties, and the escalating anxiety concerning the Cuban missile crisis.
There were times when this was a stressful book to read. I know how the Cuban Missile Crisis was eventually resolved, so the stress did not originate from the historical context of the book. Instead, the activity of the children, seen through the eyes of protagonist Juliet Klostermeyer, is fraught with peril. Each team is goaded on by a leader who simply cannot be seen to be weak or less than the best: Bruce Wagner is a juvenile delinquent in the making who is reduced to hanging out with children much younger than himself because he has been forced to repeat grades in school. He is a loud-mouthed bully that the younger boys don't know how to rid themselves of, despite the fact that he upsets and scares them. Patsy Osborne is a bold and confident girl whose fiercely competitive streak is antagonized by contemporary attitudes about girls. Bruce is the obvious villain, but Patsy is the danger you suddenly realize has been present all along and is consequently harder to contain.
This is a thought-provoking book about the fears of children, and the lengths to which they will go to face, combat, or mask those fears. If Juliet were not already distressed about a domestic situation in which her mother is too busy to spend time with her, her father's business is threatened by larger competition, her older sister thinks she is a nuisance, and her best friend (who happens to be a boy) is suddenly ignoring her, the news about the missle crisis might have remained just that--news. But as Juliet sees chinks in her localized support system, there is space for larger concerns to creep in and threaten her.
Just as the Cuban Missile Crisis dictates the fear factor in this story, so does its end project a sense a optimism on the book's finale. After an intense week that has seen both the larger and the local world teeter on the brink of disaster, Juliet and her friends are afforded respite, redemption and the luxury to reflect on their experience. The war, as it were, is over, and it is time to start the reconstruction. This is a book which will resonate with its core audience--preteens living in an uncertain world, where the meanings of bravery, fear, and loyalty are questioned everyday.
Fairies, magic, and friendships old and new are woven together in this sparkling new adventure from the creator of Emily Windsnap!
Story: Philippa Fisher is trying to have a good time on vacation with her parents, but she’s feeling lonely. When she meets Robyn, a girl with sad eyes and a strict father, she enjoys the company, but can’t help wondering what Robyn and her dad might be hiding. Meanwhile, Daisy, Philippa’s best friend (and fairy godsister), sneaks into her former charge’s room for a visit, but now has a furtive new mission and must dash away. Philippa longs to uncover the reasons behind her friends’ odd behavior, but friendships can be tricky when there are secrets – and unexpected danger – involved!
Story behind the story: “Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker’s Daughter might be the best book I’ve written so far,” Liz says. “All my family and friends have cried when they read it — which I always think is a good sign.”So dear reader, make sure to keep a box of tissue near by!
Praise for Philippa Fisher’s Fairy Godsister:
“Upbeat, middle-grade fantasy. Philippa is believable as a middle-schooler navigating difficult friendships and embarrassing parents, and the message of being careful what you wish for is delivered with a light touch.” – Booklist
“Charming… The gentle storytelling and theme of finding oneself will resonate with girls going through their own emotional awakenings.” – School Library Journal
“Light tone, imaginative incorporation of fairy-world details …and gentle development of the theme of empathy all work well together to make this a realistic school story with a magical twist.” – The Horn Book
“The elaborate fairy world, complete with amiable characters, creatively reinterpreted bureaucracy, and clever rules about fairy presence among humans, is memorable in both the amount of detail included and in the unusual perspective on fairies.” – The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker’s Daughter by Liz Kessler was a wonderful book. If you weren’t quite sure fairies existed then this book will make you a believer. Philippa Fisher has a fairy god-sister named Daisy. The problem is she can’t tell anyone. She’s already lost her best friend Charlotte by letting her know she believes in fairies. When Philippa wins vacation tickets for herself and her parents she has no idea that the fairies are directing her path. As they are trying to decide where to go on vacation a butterfly lands on the map and does a little dance. They decide this is an omen and head off on their vacation.
Robyn Fairweather’s father runs a used book store. Robyn and Philippa meet in the local ceramic shop. Annie, the shop owner orchestrated their meeting. However, Robyn’s father catches her there and orders her home. Annie had been the best friend of Robyn’s deceased mother. Since her mother’s death, Annie’s father wants nothing to do with her and doesn’t want her daughter around her. Secrets are keeping friends apart and tearing a family apart. Can Philippa’s fairy help bring them all together? This was a wonderful book. I cried near the end when I found out some of the secrets. I can’t wait for my students to get their hands on this book. I gave it a 5 out of 5 rating.
Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker's Daughter was a book I liked and did not think at first I would. It is the second book in a series, and having not read the first I was not sure how it would go. I quickly fell into the characters and plot and could not put it down. I enjoyed the friendship that developed between Philippa and Robyn, even though at times it was strained and complicated, but that only added to the suspension in the plot. I was not sure about the idea of faries, but was able to get past that because it did not overwhelm the entire plot of the story. Daisy was a very believeable character. I think preteens will enjoy the relationship that Philippa has with her parents. Even though many might find them strange, and she knows it, she still loves and needs to know they are there for her. Kids will think some of the things they do are funny and are sure to relate. The climax of the book is fantastic, when it is reveled that Robyn's father knows and understands the world of faries very well and has been up to no good in certain areas. He has been doing some "Dream Catching" that he should certainly not be doing. My students are going to love this book, or I should say my female students. I don't know how many boys are going to pick it as a choice for them, but the girls will love it. Easily a 5 out of 5 rating.
Julia Pitau said, on 8/9/2009 9:26:00 PM
Even though Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker's Daughter is a sequel, I believe it is written well enough for readers to understand without having read the first book. The cover is very appealing to the eye with the "glitter" and beautiful colors. I wish the illustrations inside the book were as appealing. For me, the writing was a bit choppy, not flowing well from sentence to sentence throughout the book. However, there is enough kid attraction features to the storyline that I believe students (especially girls) will enjoy this book. I give this book a picnic rating of 2 1/2.
Denair Charter Academy Denair, CA
Barbara said, on 8/9/2009 9:32:00 PM
This is a book written for middle school girls, combining a strong sense of BFF and low fantasy. Liz Kessler makes it easy for her readers to believe in fairies and ATC...but her portrayal of the adults seems an unnecessarily forced caricature. Phillipa's parents are "hopelessly hippie", a lifestyle not easily understood by today's pre-teens, especially with references to Greenpeace, Che Guevara, and lentil bake. Robyn's father seems too melodramatic and withdrawn from reality to care for anyone.
This is a light read, not one that encourages further discussion. It does provide non-threatening escape and entertainment, along with a predictably positive resolution.
Last month, my daughter and I read THE TAIL OF EMILY WINDSNAP by Liz Kessler for our Mother-Daughter Book Club. Not only did all of the girls in our group absolutely adore this story, but I thought it was pretty terrific too. We all agreed that it was a good thing that THE TAIL OF EMILY WINDSNAP was the first book in a series because we could read more about Emily and her family.
So you can probably guess how excited I was to find that Ms. Kessler has written another series for middle-grade girls. I just finished reading PHILIPPA FISHER AND THE DREAM-MAKER'S DAUGHTER, which is actually the second book in this Philippa Fisher series; and I think I enjoyed it as much as the Emily Windsnap book. The only issue I had with the book is that I wanted to get my hands on the other books in the series right away.
When my daughter and I discovered that there was a prequel to this book, I immediately tried to request it from the library. Unfortunately, our local branch doesn't carry any of the books in this series -- I think I'll be having a little chat with the children's librarian next time I'm there! I want to mention that PHILIPPA FISHER AND THE DREAM-MAKER'S DAUGHTER definitely can be read and appreciated as a stand-alone book. I thought the author did a great job of giving hints about what occurred in the first book; however, I just like to read a series in order!
All of the things that I enjoyed so much in EMILY WINDSNAP were definitely in the PHILIPPA FISHER book -- the beautiful imagery, the fantasy, the wonderful characters, and so many terrific messages. I just flat out enjoyed this story and I have a feeling that young girls are going to love it too. I think Ms. Fisher's books are a wonderful blend of fantasy and reality; and the characters are all so memorable. I would be remiss not to mention how much I enjoy all of the beautiful descriptions -- I could picture the story as I read it. Plus, there are a few illustrations scattered throughout the pages which definitely enhanced the story.
As a mother, I absolutely adored all of the messages and lessons that were in this book. I loved the character of Philippa -- she has so many terrific character traits. I thought it was precious how she appreciates her parents even when they act a little goofy; and I thought she was the perfect image of a good friend. There were so many reminders of what makes a good friendship in this book; however, there were also some deeper messages about love and loss. I thought this book did a good job with the way it handled grief as well as the mourning process. PHILIPPA FISHER AND THE DREAM-MAKER'S DAUGHTER would be a fantastic book for a mother-daughter book club to read or even a book to co-read with your daughter!
Ms. Kessler has a truly beautiful website that you should really visit. I had so much fun just scrolling my mouse over the page and discovering all the little tidbits on the site. I especially enjoyed visiting the secret area where you could unlock "secrets" about the books by answering some questions.
Rating: 4 out of 5
dmuldawer said, on 8/11/2009 8:14:00 AM
What a wonderful book! Even though there are magical creatures in the book, Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Makers Daughter is not a fantasy. Instead, it is about relationships and the complexities of the human heart.
It is especially apt that a dream catcher is at the center of the story. In fact, webs, cocoons, and the idea of struggle and transformation are prevalent throughout the book.
While Philippa's relationship with her hippie parents is easy-going and tolerant, there are allusions to the first book that suggests a transformation took place. And Robyn, Annie, and Martin, Robyn's father, are caught in a triangle of pain, the meaning of which doesn't become apparent until the end of the story.
The reader leaves this story with an understanding of the depth and desperation of love, friendship, and sacrifice.
This is definitely a girls' book and one that will be gobbled up in classrooms and libraries. Judging from my challenge in getting a copy of the first book, this series has already taken the pre-teen world by storm and I expect that the sequel will be equally sucessful.
As I started Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker’s Daughter, I was unsure if I would like it. It seemed fairly predictable and standard. As the book progressed, I was impressed by the twists and turns; I actually did not see some of them coming. I had not read the first book, but it was easy to get into this one. I easily came to like Philippa and her parents and appreciated the new characters. It is a quick read and one that I am sure most young girls would like. The fairy concept is fun and creative.
Escape Under the Forever Sky by Eve Yohalem Spring 2009 • Chronicle Books • ages 10 and up You'd think that being the daughter of the American ambassador to Ethiopia would be one adventure after another, right? Wrong. Story: Thirteen-year-old Lucy Hoffman never gets to see anything beyond the walls of the embassy compound. All she can do is read about the exotic and exciting world outside and imagine what it would be like to be part of it. Until she gets kidnapped. All alone in the Ethiopian wild, Lucy has to use her knowledge of African animal life along with her inventiveness, will, and courage to escape and find her way to freedom. Story behind the story: Eve Yohalem explains how she got the idea for ESCAPE UNDER THE FOREVER SKY: "... from a news story I found online when I was staying up way past a decent bedtime, surfing aimlessly. There I was, hunched at my desk in tattered old pajamas, slack-jawed, eyes glazed over (you know the look), when I saw this news headline: “Ethiopian Girl Kidnapped, Saved by Wild Lions.” From that moment on, I was possessed. It didn’t matter that I knew nothing about Ethiopia or lions or how to survive alone in the bush with no food and an injured foot. I heard Lucy’s voice in my head everywhere I went and I had to bring her to life on the page." She adds that "the girl was saved and returned to her family, but beyond that I don’t know. The news article never gave her name or even the name of the village where she lived."
Watch/share this trailer to get the sense of what Lucy was feeling, seeing, hearing, while alone in the African wild.
"Teens itching to read about life on another continent will relish Yohalem’s exciting debut novel set in Africa.... Yohalem’s tale weaves together the beauty of the African wildlife with the harsh realities of a poor and unstable region. Scenes depicting Lucy’s resourcefulness are riveting, and the author’s descriptions of Ethiopian culture will pique young readers’ curiosity about life abroad."... -- Booklist
"Lucy's past and present are gracefully woven together, through well-integrated flashbacks, into a powerful picture of the life of a foreigner in Ethiopia. The story should appeal to all with a sense of adventure."-- Publishers Weekly
"Yohalem effectively conveys the immediacy of Lucy's terror and fear as well as her deep love for the natural beauty around her. How stalwart Lucy escapes and survives makes this an engrossing journey from innocence to experience."-- Kirkus Reviews
The reviewer's link doesn't work for me. I'm interested in a reviewer's copy of Escape Under the Forever Sky----Margo Jantz Cub Run Elementary Library 1451 S. Montevideo Circle Penn Laird, VA 22846
Me, too. I feel like an idiot because I just sent the same email three times and I was worrying that someone was going to get 3 emails from me. I'm glad I checked the comments!
Could I please get a copy to read and review at my summer address?
It's: Pamela Kramer 242 Elm Court Northbrook, IL 60062
Escape Under the Forever Sky was the first book I have read, in quite a long time, that I had to sit down and read. The information about Africa was intriguing and the fact that it was based on a true story added to the appeal. I was drawn to Lucy, the main character. She seemed rather old for her age, but perhaps living in various countries would do that. I think 5th grade and up would be intrigued by the quick read. I give it a 5.
The UPS man just delivered this book yesterday, which I received via the Picnic Basket, and since I was just finishing a book up, it came at the perfect time. Eve Yohalem's first novel is set in Ethiopia, featuring Lucy, the US Ambassador's thirteen year old daughter. Lucy and her mother live in a residence inside the US compound in Ethiopia. Lucy feels like her mother is too overprotective - she isn't allowed to do anything fun while they are living in this beautiful country. Lucy is especially attracted to the interesting wildlife- lions, monkeys, hyenas - that all live in Ethiopia, but her mother refuses to let her go on trips to the bush as she wishes. Finally Lucy convinces one of their domestics that he does not need to wait at her friend's house during a visit and can just return after a few hours to pick her up. Lucy and Tana, her friend, then go to the mall by themselves. It is on this trip that Lucy is kidnapped. The entire time she is held captive only spans a few days, but Lucy is especially disheartened to find out that the embassy is unwilling to negotiate with her captors. After hearing this Lucy realizes she must take things into her own hands. Despite the wildlife, weather, and other dangerous aspects of being alone in remote Ethiopia, Lucy feels as though her best chance at survival is to escape and attempt to find her way to some civilization. Her voyage is full of suspense as well as interesting tidbits about life in Ethiopia.
This is a great suspense filled realistic fiction book for tweens. I was especially interested because the story features a child of US Ambassador. One of my uncles works for the US Embassy and my cousin, much like Lucy in this story, has spent his entire childhood abroad. And, just as in this story, my uncle was also stationed in Africa at one point. He has wonderful stories about the animals and way of life I have enjoyed listening to. I give this one a 5.
Elizabeth said, on 6/27/2009 5:33:00 PM
Escape Under the Forever Sky was a great book. The information about the climate and parts of Ethopia were informative. To think that that write just took a story about a girl kidnapped from her village researched Ethopia and then created a work of fiction was amazing. The fictionalized book version was more interesting as Lucy isn't rescued by the police but continues on her journey to escape from her captors. The flashbacks help give insight into Lucy's frame of mind as she is held captive and how her experiences in the end help her on her journey. I can't wait for my daughter to read this book. I would give it a 5.
Barbara said, on 6/29/2009 5:55:00 PM
Escape Under the Forever Sky was a quick and intriguing read. It combined the familiar "suffering" of teenage girls everywhere with the unfamiliar background of Ethiopia. In this story, the author was able to weave elements of environmental concerns, politics, drug trafficking, and poverty at a level that could be understood by middle schoolers. The text was never preachy, but was informative. It also held just the right amount of suspense to keep it a page turner. The universal caring of mothers (a caring that does not always require shared language) was also portrayed in an amazingly non-gushy way. I think middle school girls would enjoy and identify with aspects of Lucy's character and the changes she is able to go through. Rating: 5
Danielle said, on 7/1/2009 9:07:00 PM
I wasn't sure about the story for the first chapter or so, but it kept getting better and better. Lucy's personality shone through and the descriptions in her flashbacks and of her current circumstances were well written. I particularly enjoyed the cultural information that was blended into the story. Eve Yohalem did a great job on her first novel. I give it a 5.
julie said, on 7/4/2009 1:50:00 PM
Escape Under the Forever Sky is a slow starter. It took a few chapters for me to really get into it. But, once I did I enjoyed the book very much. If you can get a student to give it a chance, it will be a good read. I recommend it for 5th grade and up. Rating - 4 out of 5.
StacyB said, on 7/5/2009 11:42:00 AM
"Escape Under the Forever Sky" is quick suspenseful read in which I cheered for Lucy and came away learning some new information afterwards too! I would highly recommend this book for your middle school classroom library and I plan on passing it along to my summer reading club as well. The author combines all the elements of a terrific book by using flashbacks, character development, fight or flight and wraps the story up nicely. Thanks for a terrific summer read!
The Sisters Club: Rule of Three by Megan McDonald August 2009 • Candlewick Press • Middle-grade fiction • Ages 9 - 12 A brand-new book in the Sisters Club series from best-selling author Megan McDonald! Story: Alex has always been the Actor-with-a-capital-A in the Reel family, and middle-sister Stevie has always been content to stay behind the scenes. But when auditions for the school musical are announced, Stevie decides that maybe she’s tired of being the Sensible One. Maybe, for once, she’d like to be the one in the spotlight. Story behind the story: The Sisters Club is the perfect series for readers who love Megan’s laugh-out-loud humor, but are looking to transition from Judy Moody to older chapter books. Megan McDonald is also the youngest of five sisters. She knows a thing or two about the ups and downs of sisterhood. A special announcement: Drum roll, please. Candlewick is thrilled to announce a better-than-best-ever e-newsletter for teachers: Megan McDonald’s Totally RARE Teachers’ Club! Sign uptoday for:
behind the scenes with Megan McDonald
classroom activities and downloadable materials
advance announcement of upcoming contests and giveaway
and, the chance to exchange ideas with other teachers on using Megan’s books in your curriculum!
FYI: all the review copies for this title have been sent and reviews are in the works; please check back and click on the "comments" link below to read what your colleagues have to say.
9 Comments on The Sisters Club: Rule of Three • Middle-grade fiction, last added: 5/17/2009
I enjoyed this book more than I expected I would. The narrator is instantly likeable - not perfect, but trying her best. She's a good role model because she doesn't try to hide her intelligence.
The few things I didn't like included an overuse of slang, and the characters' disrespectful attitude toward their parents (though that improves somewhat by the end of the book). The "notebook" pages that appear between chapters were a little distracting, but fun and sometimes essential to the plot. The junior-high drama (mostly regarding boys and teen-magazine quizzes) may not be relevant to some readers in the target age range, and the plot could go on just fine without these minor parts.
Lots of descriptive detail made this interesting to read and easy to get lost in. All of the literary references were fun for me, and dropped in very naturally so readers won't feel like they're studying. The chapters are a very easy length, not at all intimidating for young readers, even those in the target range who are below their grade-level. It looks like it's going to be a pretty hefty hardcover, so I hope kids will open it up to see that the inside is something they can definitely handle.
The plot is fairly simple but not lacking, and develops at a good pace that makes you want to find out what happens next. The message of sisterly love and forgiveness is clear without being preachy, and Sock Monkey acting as Alex's conscience is especially well done.
I give this book a 4 for the older end of the target age range (11-12), but a 3 for the younger end (8-9).
Rule of Three by Megan McDonald is a book that I would have loved to read in my own middle grade years. I enjoyed the story between three sisters: Alex, Stevie, and Joey. Each sister is unique and has their own set of talents. When Stevie decides to try out for a play, something Alex is known as having talent for, she doesn't tell anyone of her plans at first. Both sisters want the lead in the musical....without giving away the ending, I will say that I was pleased by the way this was resolved and with the maturity and reasoning the characters show. Maybe some middle grade readers will benefit from this example of maturity and good decision making. I think that readers will enjoy the notebook page additions between chapters and little quizzes that are included more than I did. While some of them were necessary to the plot because they revealed a different voice, being narrated by a different sister, they also confused me from time to time as I would forget who was narrating. I am not sure kids who read these would pay attention enough to pick that up. McDonald's references to Louisa May Alcott, Little Women and other "school things" like the name for groups of animals all help to make this book educational without feeling that way at all. I look forward to another addition to this new Sisters Club series by McDonald.
Although the plot line is fairly predictable, the pages that contain other characters' thoughts and feelings add a great deal to this book. The pages that look like those out of a notebook are so cute and add a great deal to the speed with which I read the book. These pages gave insightful information and truly helped propel the book forward. Not to be forgotten are the literary references - much about Alcott and Shakespeare. These were fun and helpful. It really was a quick read and I think would be appealing to later elementary girls especially. The cover is extremely eye catching and fun. I enjoyed that each girl had a specific talent and never appeared weak. It denotes great "girl power". A sweet story with many feel good moments. I give it a 3.5.
I was so excited when I received THE SISTERS CLUB: RULE OF THREE by Megan McDonald to read and review. My initial thoughts were that the book sounded like something Booking Daughter would love; and then I saw the adorable cover I knew this book was going to be a winner with middle grade girls. In fact, the girls at my daughter's school were all over this book. I guess what surprised me was how much I actually enjoyed the story.
I think this book is just precious! I absolutely fell in love with the characters in this story -- both the three sisters as well as their parents. I thought Ms. McDonald captured the feel of this family and made their relationships very realistic (especially the fights between the sisters.) I also really liked the humor that Ms. McDonald incorporated into this book. Both Booking Daughter and I were laughing a lot when we read RULE OF THREE!
I liked that Stevie (the middle sister) was the narrator for a lot of this story because her thoughts about life were so insightful; however, I also liked that the reader got glimpses of Alex and Joey through some of the other chapters. Mixed into the narrative are other entertaining sections -- like conversations Alex has with her sock monkey, various quizzes, and Joey's adorable drawings and obsession with the book LITTLE WOMEN.
As a mother, I really liked the overall messages in this book. Of course the main idea was that sisters stand by each other no matter what. Despite all of the competition and fighting that took place between Alex and Stevie, they ultimately decided to support each other because their relationship was so important to both of them. Some of the other messages that I liked in this story were the importance of honesty, forgiveness and self-confidence -- I think kids need to hear these concepts all the time. And, I really liked how the author conveyed the need for children to discover and nurture their own special talents.
Megan McDonald is a well known name in our household because she is the author of the Judy Moody and Stink books. A few years ago, I'm pretty sure that my daughter read every Judy Moody and Stink book that were available. I remember that she really liked the books and laughed a lot while reading them. I think both of the series are terrific for children who are ready to read chapter books because they have great characters and keep the kids' interest. Make sure you check out Ms. McDonald's website because there are lots of goodies for kids as well as writers and teachers.
RULE OF THREE is the second book in The Sisters Club Series. The minute Booking Daughter finished this book, I had to run to the library to get the first one. I couldn't believe how much she loved these books. She read through THE SISTERS CLUB as quickly as she read RULE OF THREE, and I'm sure that she's going to read every book in this series as it comes out. Not only did she love the stories, but she absolutely adored the three sisters! Instead of trying to describe her thoughts to you, I'll let you read them for yourself:
I think THE SISTERS CLUB: RULE OF THREE was really good. I liked it better than the first book. It is definitely in my top five favorite books ever. I liked the message and that the sisters did everything for each other. I also liked how Alex talks to sock monkey. Sock monkey is funny. I really liked the characters in the story. There were funny and changed feelings throughout the story.
I can see how this book would work as one idea in a series. That would be helpful in feeling attached enough to the characters, to forgo some action. It felt natural to reflect upon the relationship of the three sisters. Being the first Sister Club book I have read, I felt some disconnect to who the characters really were. What did not work for me was, the changing of the narrator by adding in some journal pages and other additives that were narrated by a different character. I often couldn't follow who was actually talking at particular times. If this was a format that was throughout a series, it would make more sense.
I loved the idea of the sisters trying out for the same play and it was very much realistic to think about middle school kids in this sort of friendly competition. I do wish the author focused more on the tryouts and the play, although I liked how she weaved in the baking contest and the younger sister flip flopping between the two sisters. The sisters were believable...I just wanted more of them. I wanted to feel more attached then I was. I will say that this book's ending made up for the slow start, and in the end I did want to know more about the sisters and their lives.
The voice of all three of the sisters came through strongly. The notebook page entries added humor and helped the reader better understand the inner workings of the adolescent mind! The ending was satisfying and showed maturity. They're growing up! I rate this book a 4 out of 5. Laura Backman Reading Specialist Author of "Lemon the Duck" http:/lemontheduck.com
Previous reviews are very accurate, so let me take another route in reviewing. This book is a great springboard for in class activities. It works well as a read-aloud to grades 3-5. Have students read the dialogue/script pages like a play when you reach those pages. Have them take the quizzes interspersed throughout. Have them research some of the allusions such as Mr. Bean, Sock Monkey, Pickwick Club, meerkats...make up your own lists as you pre-read the book so they can report when you read get to the allusion. To coordinate with music, have them listen to the song list on page 82. Have them write a poem "I Wanna Go to..." like on page 218. To coordinate with social studies,research and write a list of state facts like page 163. Have a cupcake decorating contest referring to something in the book. I wish the book gave recipes seeing it was such a major plot element.
The book ruins the plot of Alcott's Little Women, so if you have advanced readers, you could recommend them to read the classic first. Anyone who likes the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series would like this book, especially girls to have the female narrator. Overall I would give this a solid 3 rating.
Anonymous said, on 5/14/2009 9:06:00 AM
The Sisters Club: Rule of Three-I rate a 4 out of 5. I was drawn into this story in a personal way being one of four sisters and having two daughters myself. My one daughter prefers this style layout of notebook entries. This is a good story and great characters to become attached to in a way of commitment to continue with the series.
Julia Pitau said, on 5/14/2009 10:04:00 AM
After requesting The Sisters Club: Rule of Three, I ran out and bought the first book The Sisters Club and fell in love with the three sisters: Alex, Stevie, and Joey. These characters were very endearing to me, especially growing up with three other sisters myself. I would have to say the sequel is every bit as good as the first book. I could relate with each situation the girls went through from the green-eyed monster of jealousy to being protective of the youngest in not wanting her to have to experience sadness when one of her favorite characters in Little Women dies.
Already being requested, I believe this book will be a hit and I give it a Picnic Rating of 4.5!
Shall we expect a third round from Megan McDonald? I think so, if as Stevie says, "...things are better when they come in threes."
Through NetGalley, I had the opportunity to read The Thing About Jellyfish, by Ali Benjamin, a middle grade book that will debut mid-September 2015. In this book, Suzy Swanson processes the death of her old friend Franny and the end of a friendship. She grieves the way that she and Franny grew apart before Franny drowned. Suzy’s way of making sense of this loss is to fixate on jellyfish: she reads about them and believes that Franny must have drowned after being stung by a jellyfish because otherwise Franny’s death makes no sense.
EVERYBODY who checks the free entry gets two free entries into the contest without having to do anything else. 
Wendy Hue, illustrated y Zara Slattery,
Is it too early to get excited about the Summer Olympics? I’m not really a sports person, but I do get excited about my two favorite events: the 400 meter Drool-Over-Michael-Phelps relay and women’s gymnastics.
Lucky for young fans, Moceanu is back in the book business with a new middle-grade series, The Go-for-Gold Gymnasts (Disney-Hyperion, April), co-written with Alicia Thompson. Seemingly created specifically for eleven-year-old me, this series follows four young gymnasts who train together at a fictional elite gym in Texas, with each girl taking turns as protagonist, Babysitter’s Club style. In the first title, Winning Team, Britt is the new girl at the gym. Her new teammates give her the cold shoulder because she is a show-off with a perfect full double-twisting somersault—don’t you hate those? But with life lessons gleaned from To Kill a Mockingbird, Britt avoids becoming the Boo Radley of the Texas Twisters by taming her sassy, self-centered ways.
Prequels are trending, especially those that take readers back to the childhoods of established characters: Alice McKinley, the Baby-Sitters Club girls, Bartimaeus, even James Bond and Carrie Bradshaw. Now Alexander McCall Smith has jumped on the bandwagon (or should I say tiny white van?) with an early chapter book featuring a young and pre–traditionally built Precious Ramotswe, star of the bestselling 
About eleven years ago, I fell in love with Miss Agnes. Kirkpatrick Hill’s The Year of Miss Agnes is one of my first-weeks-of-school read-aloud books. Miss Agnes’s loving but no-nonsense teaching methods inspire me every time I read it, which is just about every year. Now, more than a decade since that book was published, readers can see how Miss Agnes’s second year at the one-room schoolhouse in rural Alaska turns out.
Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham, illustrated by Michael Foreman,
What is it about hamsters that are just so funny? Even the word is hilarious. Three cheers for more books about hamsters! Hamster lovers also see: Donna Gephart's MG novel: How to Survive Middle School, which features a hamster that sings.
Thanks for the review. I'll look for this one for my daughter.