Probably the most painful, revealing and impactive film I’ve seen in awhile on girls and race I found on Mitali’s Fire Escape today. Watch this, think about it, blog about it… I have so many thoughts I can’t even express them yet. Wow.
Additions: This film was publicized on NPR’s Talk of the Nation last October, and Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts responded to the film last September.
…that this month’s The Edge of the Forest is up! I was cheered to read Bruce Black’s positive review of All of the Above (by Shelley Pearsall, which is in my bedside stack), and the funny feature piece on good old Judy Blume by Adrienne, plus lots of great interviews, Kid’s Picks, Sounds from the Forest, and A Day in the Life (of a writer more organized than me).
Great work, Foresters!
If you can’t find the book you want, write the book you need.
That’s what Bay Area women Sonali Herrera and Sheetal Singhal did to begin Meera Masi, a tiny Bay Area publishing company highlighting Indian language and culture books for kids. The Chronicle reports that as the Bay Area Indian population has reached about 150,000 strong, and especially as some Indian families object to the information found in textbooks about their people and ancient culture (fearing that the focus on caste and poverty is limited and will make their own children feel uncomfortable with who they are), the move toward creating books of their own which teach the language and focus on creating curiosity about the Indian culture is a positive thing. Though the books are geared toward Indian children, their audience is intended to be broader. The books have already been read at storytime in local public libraries. ¡Vivos los libros multicultural!
Growing up, we lived in an unincorporated part of the county, so we had a Bookmobile come out from the public library once a week. It was a treat to walk down the block to where the huge trailer was parked and return books and check out new ones; I was kind of sad when they created an actual library in our part of the county, since having our own neighborhood librarian was special. One of my Mills alums has shared the opportunity to assist with another bookmobile in a very unincorporated part of the world — Kenya. And the mobile… well, it’s a camel mobile for the Garissa Provincial Library! Masha Hamilton’s novel based on this massive undertaking is coming out from Harper Collins this year, but the true story behind the story that she experienced is compelling. Watch this little video, and get the early scoop on what it’s all about; look at the kids waiting for books to be unloaded, carefully choosing one, and opening the gift of another world…
The program has huge needs, and wishlist organizer Susan can answer your questions. If you can do anything to help – thank-you, from one bibliophile to another.
Tick… tick… time is counting down for the Cybils; stay tuned for the winners to be announced on Wednesday, February 14th!
I have to admit that I’m becoming somewhat of a picture book fan (which may be a bit odd for a YA person, but I do odd pretty well). Though the refrain for years has been that the picture book market is all but gone, critical acclaim for works such as Caldecott winner Flotsam, the rise of graphic novels and avid interest in manga may be turning that around. Into that hopefulness enters fabulous illustrator Brian Selznick with another unique and interesting book. NPR reports on the beautifully cinematic The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and reveals the inspiration behind it as silent film genius George Méliès. Selznick is an avid researcher and a history buff, and it shows in his fascinating work.
Meanwhile, the Guardian is just a tad bit snide about this latest round of Harry Potter and the Dratted Publicity. Hee! Admittedly, though, it is a bit much that a BOOK has been written about the final book – before the final book has been read. Huh?
The ALA’s adult-books-for-teens list has some intriguing titles, and since adults read YA, the cross-over now is moving the other direction.
Intriguing question of the day is on gifts – when do you give your agent or editor a gift? I just got lovely handmade stationery from my agent as a sort of ‘hurrah!’ for closing a deal. Do I reciprocate, or just send the ubiquitous ‘thanks-and-good-wishes’ note? Where’s Miss Manners when you need her!?
Ooh! Via Cybil Sister Little Willow, Oxford-educated Michelle of Scholar’s Blog has started an online book discussion group. Pop over to see what’s on the reading list – some really good ones, and quite a few I’m dying to read! The stack next to the bed is getting taller!!
I have appreciated the work of Debbie Ridpath Ohi since she was a major contributer and the heart and soul of the now defunct 
Inkspot, the online writing mag which was sadly (and stupidly!) shut down in 2001 in a buy – and – break deal. I am glad to discover Debbie again, and appreciate her pointers and commentary even more at Inky Girl: Daily Diversions for the Writer. Her cartoon strip Will Write for Chocolate is updated every Wednesday is always good for a laugh when you need it! Visit and enjoy!
The UK Guardian predicts an ePublishing revolution by way of …MySpace, and a British publisher called Social Disease… also by way of LW, this tidbit of interest from Garrett Freymann Weyr:
“Houghton (my publisher) has asked me to draw up a list of questions for a reader’s guide. They/We are thinking of marketing the novel to mother-daughter book clubs. Obviously, I know the book ridiculously well, and can think of my own questions. But any from the outside would be greatly appreciated. I do worry that perhaps reader’s guides are for people too stupid to think, but hey, I need to be more proactive about reaching readers. I may be too shy and socially retarded to join a book club, but for perfectly normal people who think perfectly well, a reader’s guide may be perfectly normal. Fire away. Or, just let there be a thundering silence.”
Admittedly, I’ve never used a reader’s guide in my life, but I do imagine that it would come in handy in a mother/daughter book club where not all of the mothers/daughters could be counted on in any way to open up and talk — and this is a book that could be the perfect springboard for some intense, revealing discussions. Anyway, you know we don’t do silence around here, so if you’ve read and enjoyed the book, head on over!
Ooh! Via Cybil Sister Little Willow, Oxford-educated Michelle of Scholar’s Blog has started an online book discussion group. Pop over to see what’s on the reading list – some really good ones, and quite a few I’m dying to read! The stack next to the bed is getting taller!!
I have appreciated the work of Debbie Ridpath Ohi since she was a major contributer and the heart and soul of the now defunct Inkspot, the online writing mag which was sadly (and stupidly!) shut down in 2001 in a buy – and – break deal. I am glad to discover Debbie again, and appreciate her pointers and commentary even more at Inky Girl: Daily Diversions for the Writer. Her cartoon strip Will Write for Chocolate is updated every Wednesday is always good for a laugh when you need it! Visit and enjoy!
The UK Guardian predicts an ePublishing revolution by way of …MySpace, and a British publisher called Social Disease… also by way of LW, this tidbit of interest from Garrett Freymann Weyr:
“Houghton (my publisher) has asked me to draw up a list of questions for a reader’s guide. They/We are thinking of marketing the novel to mother-daughter book clubs. Obviously, I know the book ridiculously well, and can think of my own questions. But any from the outside would be greatly appreciated. I do worry that perhaps reader’s guides are for people too stupid to think, but hey, I need to be more proactive about reaching readers. I may be too shy and socially retarded to join a book club, but for perfectly normal people who think perfectly well, a reader’s guide may be perfectly normal. Fire away. Or, just let there be a thundering silence.”
Admittedly, I’ve never used a reader’s guide in my life, but I do imagine that it would come in handy in a mother/daughter book club where not all of the mothers/daughters could be counted on in any way to open up and talk — and this is a book that could be the perfect springboard for some intense, revealing discussions. Anyway, you know we don’t do silence around here, so if you’ve read and enjoyed the book, head on over!
You know you have to focus when someone says BOOK giveaway!
It’s time once again for the The Best Chronicle Children’s Books of the Year Contest. You have read many of the books already — many of them are Publisher’s Weekly Starred books, and several were nominated for the Cybils Picture Book Award, so they’ll be very familiar. The great thing about this contest is a chance to simply have great books — just for entering their drawing!
How do you enter?
* Click on the e-mail link below.
* Write Best Books in the subject line of your e-mail. If you are not already a subscriber to the Chroniclekids monthly e-mail bookblast, you will be signed up automatically.
* You will be entered automatically. Winners will be notified by March 15th!
Enter now! Send an e-mail to Kids@ChronicleBooks.com
Not one in the genre particularly, but perchance of interest nonetheless: author and blogger Karen Scott is conducting a survey on racism in publishing. She is looking for African American or black authors who have been published for at least a year. In all, there are twenty questions in the survey, and all that she asks is that people be as honest as possible. Confidentiality is assured if requested, but for the findings to yield more weight, she would request that she be granted permission to directly quote from the answers given by the authors.
She’s hoping to poll at least 100 AA authors, in an effort to ensure that a fair representation is achieved. Interested parties e-mail Karen at hairylemony@gmail dotcom with the subject header ‘Please send me the survey.’
The deadline for the survey to be completed and returned to Karen is March 1st 2007
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Ah, graduate school, and the days of completely tearing apart literature until it is but shredded rags within your all-knowing hands. Via GalleyCat, another take on the racism of Curious George, although this one goes further than I’d ever heard. I already thought it was weird that the man in the yellow hat takes a child-monkey from its home and just … takes him, but I hadn’t thought of it as an allegory of the slave trade…? Hm… In honor of the Super Bowl I give you another sports celebrity book, from NY Yankee great “A-Rod” — no comparisons to the …surprising effort by the fist-fighting, spitting, brawling, childhood role model Terrell Owens…
Via the PW Newsletter the 21-and-below-set can win a free mint condition X-Men Comic, or various iPods in “The Third Thing” Essay Contest, which is, of course, related to the very cool Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl. It’s a great time to be a young adult who can read and write!
I TOTALLY blew it!!!!!! First it was Jane Eyre, and then it was the one I was really waiting for: Philip Pullman’s The Ruby in the Smoke, the first title in his Sally Lockhart Mysteries quartet, which was adapted for television by the BBC (from whence all good things flow). It was broadcast on PBS as part of Masterpiece Theatre on Sunday, and even had Billie Piper from Dr. Who, and I cannot believe that I missed it. But, the joys of Bay Area living have saved me again… we have four public TV stations, and so tonight – well, let’s just say I don’t plan to answer the phone for awhile.
Hope you’re enjoying your week as well!
As one who has read many of the Potter books in ebook form (AFTER having read them at least once each in their tome-esque glory, please note), I was mildly surprised that the latest release from The Rowling Empire, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will not be released in ebook form. And then I read the rest of the article, and realized every ebook copy I’ve read has been… illegally pirated!? Oh. Wow. And to think I’ve felt quite righteous in only buying the books from independent booksellers. Ouch.
A fun factoid from the UK Guardian is a look at the various languages the Potter books come in — sometimes, due to familiarity and language issues, Professor Snape becomes Professor Sneep… but never mind, you’d recognize his sneer in any language.
You’ve no doubt heard of The Class of 2k7, a group of first-time children’s and YA authors with debut books coming out in 2007 who hope to promote each other’s books with a joint website, blog, newsletter, forum, chat room, and brochure. While it’s a great idea, it begs the question (at least to me) of what people do when this year’s “class” graduates. Are there plans for a Class of ’08, or is the newness of the idea played out?
I had a chuckle last week, having just read a note from Ursula LeGuin on how smart writers ought not depend on the connections of other writers they meet to promote them (a VAST paraphrase, read the whole piece here), A few weeks ago, one of my Cybils Sisters met Justina Chen Headley for the first time, and she briefly lost the power of coherent speech, and grinned a lot. Now, I ask you, WHO are the people who, when meeting an author, decide that they simply must shove their manuscript into their hands? Who has that kind of …nerve?! It still galls me that I ghosted around a Conference where two of my favorite authors were speaking and I could not do so much as meet their eyes. I guess I’d definitely rather be ridiculously awe-struck than ridiculously forward, though.
I have neither seen the Bollywood version of Pride & Prejudice nor seen the latest installment of it which starred Keira Knightly (I’m a BBC/Colin Firth fan, thank you very much), but I have, of course, read the ORIGINAL, and also read Enthusiasm, so I well knew that 2006 was very much the Year of Our Jane. Now, I find I was early with that idea — THIS year is ostensibly 
being dedicated to all things Austen. Methinks 2007 is the year of Jane Austen OVERKILL — as publishers and filmmakers rush to reshape her work for teen audiences. And here we’d thought Jane had already done that herself! And may I just share Bookslut contributer Jessica Crispin’s ire regarding the UK Telegraph’s use of the word ‘spinster’ in regards to Ms. Austen!? Sigh…
Well, we book purists have either swooned or shuddered over the impending Pan Scarlet sequel currently being penned by Geraldine McCaughrean — latest details on the the newest Neverland tale, here.
I’ve just got new running/walking/theoretically-moving-quickly shoes. Don’t you think this great tee would go well with them? You can purchase this fab shirt at AnneBLevy’s Gallery at Zazzle in any of 250 lovely styles and colors, as a tee, a hoodie, or a tank. You know you want one: it’ll pair nicely with your ratty Sunday shorts and the ALA bracelet about banned books. Support your reading habit!
I can’t keep up.
This is thought that is mostly rambling and unfinished, but it’s something I think about often: Those of us in Children’s lit kvetch about the small amount of notice children and young adult literature gets from the outside media (unless it’s a Potter book), but it still seems to me that there are so many awards given out that I can’t keep up. I know about the Scott O’dell, because I’ve seen the stickers on books, and I know that award goes to an historical fiction novel like Island of the Blue Dolphins, the work of historical fiction by Scott O’Dell. I know the ALA has an award for a work by a person of Latin ancestry, the Pura Belpré, although I’ve yet to see that as a sticker on a book. (And that could just be what books I read).
Since grad school, my awareness of awards has increased. Or, it seems the list of awards has grown… A Whitbread (now Costa) Book Award. The Bank Street Books. The Boston Globe- Horn Book Award, umpteen-hundred regional book awards, and now the Waterstone Children’s Book Prize, which is meant to recognize new authors and alert young people to new books.
Um. Aren’t all awards meant to do that?
In all likelihood, I’ve never heard of the Waterstone’s ‘s because it’s a UK award, as is the Nestlé Children’s Book Prize. Probably me having heard of it isn’t the point anyway — As long as it’s an award and someone can win a bit of recognition from their peers… (at Nestlé?), maybe that’s all that matters. Certainly writers can’t be looking for actual deep meaning in winning an award… or, rather I should say, no deep meaning other than “these six people really loved your book.” As I learned so well doing the Cybils, awards are based on the opinion of ONE group of people, not the value of your work as decided by all people. (I know I said that badly, but I’m sick of trying to parse that sentence correctly. Moving on.) The nominations we received were wildly varying — from books that I felt had little or no value, to multiple books having so much value that it was well nigh impossible to narrow the list down and say “THIS ONE is best.” (And again, good luck with that, Cybils Judges! Feb. 14th is approaching at a fast clip!) Perhaps in the end it comes down to the old argument about myriad award stickers on a book that makes it a worthy read to someone else… Sticker = Shiny Gold Seal of Approval (from someone, anyway) = more readers. Understand I have nothing but positive feelings toward book award winners, but I do think that win or lose, the awards are based on the opinions of a just one group. It’s impossible to determine absolute value of one’s writing from an award…
Via Cynsations, read a piece by Institute of Children’s Lit writer Jan Fields on how to maintain tension in a story, and not write in a way that can be described as “slight.” That’s not a criticism I’ve ever heard, but if you find that you or your character is avoiding conflict, the word ‘slight’ can be very apt!
I’ve just discovered Wordy Girls, the blog of four women, one of whose award-winning book, Hugging the Rock is sitting on my bedside table. It’s nice to discover the blogs of writers and to know that often, all of us waste time most shockingly. (Not referring to Wordy Girls in particular at all, please note.) So, I close with the writing blogger’s creed du jour:
“As a writer, I need an enormous amount of time alone. Writing is 90 percent procrastination: reading magazines, eating cereal out of the box, watching infomercials. It’s a matter of doing everything you can to avoid writing, until it is about four in the morning and you reach the point where you have to write. Having anybody watching that or attempting to share it with me would be grisly.”
~ Paul Rudnick
Back to staring at my keyboard.