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By: Monica Zepeda,
on 6/1/2014
Title: Peanut Author: Ayun Halliday Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Publication Date: December 26, 2012 ISBN-13: 978-0375865909 216 pp. ARC provided by publisher Peanut by Ayun Halliday is a graphic novel about a girl transferring to a new high school and who decides to fake a peanut allergy. Why? Because she's the new girl. Again. And a lie gives Sadie a chance to create a persona that fits in
By: Betsy Bird,
on 8/9/2012
I apologize for the recent radio silence, folks. There’s something goofy in the state of Fuse 8. For one thing, I can’t seem to comment on my own posts. Most peculiar. I will assume that this is just a passing fancy of the blog and that all will be well and good from this day forward. Onward then!
This year, as some of you may know, I eschewed plastering myself with fake tattoos in favor of instead impaling myself with Shrinky Dinks at the Newbery/Caldecott Banquet. Shrinky Dinks: The classy choice. I did this because I was tired of picking clumps of multicolored skin off of my arms in airports, but if we want to get to the real reason behind the reason I can sum it up in three words: Becky Quiroga Curtis. More specifically, Becky Quiroga Curtis, the Children’s Book Buyer and Event Coordinator of Books & Books (also known as one of the only reasons to visit Miami). This is a woman who takes her love of children’s books and turns it hardcore. Oh, you think you love picture books? Really? Enough to have them tattooed onto your arm?!?! Just one arm, mind you. In any case, you can see how she convinces artists to draw on her arm here and you can see a feature on her at the Scholastic blog On Our Minds here and an older PW article on her here. You can also enjoy a slew of posts showing the tattoos if you follow the Becky’s Arm tag. Hard. Core.
By: Betsy Bird,
on 11/6/2011
If you’ve read my blog in the last year you may have heard me mention a little something called the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. Said aloud it sounds like The 92nd Newbery Film Festival (which is not too far off since 2012 will be the 90th Newbery Award). However the entire premise was this: Kids from around the world (yes world) filmed 90-second or so versions of various Newbery Award and Honor books. They sent these books to YA author James Kennedy (of The Order of Odd-Fish) and he collected, curated, organized, tightened, and generally got them into working order. Now James received more than 100 entries, so those were culled down to a select few that he is showing in three theatrical showings. Here in New York our film festival this past Saturday was the first and played in the main branch of the library system. Subsequent showings will be held in Chicago and Portland, Oregon.
For this performance, James had a difficult job ahead of him. Essentially he had to take the best aspects of what you get at your average school play and avoid the pitfalls such performances normally contain. He also had to wrangle some special guests and actors because a festival of just films might be fine, but it wouldn’t be kickin’.
So it was that co-master of ceremonies Jon Scieszka, Newbery Award winner Rebecca Stead, author Ayun Halliday, her hugely talented children India and Milo, and the kids of Writopia Labs all gathered together to put on what I can only call a helluva show.
My job in all of this was simple: Bring water to performers. Keep the calm. Don’t panic. Don’t let the auditorium fill to above capacity.
Well, three out of four ain’t bad, right? Turns out that while I excelled in the calm/no panic/water area, I had a hard time coming down on the auditorium rule. How could I help it? James’s show was clearly a hit. Here’s what it looked like before the latecomers started sneaking in:
I would have been displeased if I hadn’t been so thrilled.
The show started off with a bang. Scieszka and Kennedy brought to mind the old vaudeville acts of old. In their pseudo-tuxes the two managed on the spot to create two characters out of thin air. Jon, the gleeful worldly New Yorker with a gleam in his eye. James, the hardworking up-and-comer form Chicago with a chip on his shoulder in the face of Jon’s smugness.
The show began with James’s version of A Wrinkle in Time, that magnificent video that went viral (90,400 views of it on Vimeo alone). After it ended James reminded everyone that this is going to be an annual film festival. “So if you’re inclined, start thinking about what 90-second Newbery films you might want to do for next year’s film festival. You’ll be thinking, ‘I can do that, but a million times better.’ DO! You don’t have to have a dance party at the end.”
5 Comments on The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival: New York Style, last added: 11/7/2011
By: Katie B.,
on 9/9/2009
Check out First Book staffer (and well-known children’s author) Erica Perl as she takes a stroll through New York City and Washington, DC, rapping about her love for reading. Her cohorts include fellow children’s author Ayun Halliday, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Jon Scieszka, esteemed children’s librarian and School Library Journal blogger, Elizabeth “Fuse # 8” Bird, and enthusiastic readers, ages 7 to 97. Fun — guaranteed!
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0 Comments on Fusenews: Look for the Girl with the Caterpillar Tattoo and She’s Gone as of 8/9/2012 11:16:00 PM
Thanks for the fantastic recap and pictures! Sounds like it was a blast. We’re hoping to make it to the Chicago showing… Can’t wait!
Thank you so much, Betsy, for making all of this possible! (And thanks especially for writing this masterful recap!)
I’m still sad that I never finished my family’s version of Frog and Toad. That’s what having a baby will get you. Any rumors on whether there will be another festival next year?
Waaa, all the videos are being blocked by my overprotective school district. I will need to wait until I get home. Thanks for sharing this, but I wish I was there.
@Brooke There will be another festival next year for sure! Looking forward to your FROG AND TOAD!