Eariler this week, Bloomsbury USA ignited a furvor of controversy over the choice of a cover model for the YA fantasy, Magic Under Glass. In my post, Two Steps Backward, I shared my thoughts of how kids and teens of color need to see themselves reflected on books covers and in novels. The blogosphere took Bloomsbury to task and the negative coverage affected the author, Jaclyn Dolamore, whose debut novel was now connected to this mess. Instead of being excited about her work being in the … [Read more...]
2010 ALA Winners
January 18, 2010 Read Comments
Earlier this morning at the ALA Midwinter Conference in Boston, the 2010 ALSC media award winners were announced. The Lion and the Mouse illustrated (and written) by Jerry Pinkney won the Caldecott medal, which is given to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. This book was a stand-out favorite, but what is so special is that Pinkney is the first African-American individual to win this award so this is fantastic! When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead … [Read more...]
2009 Favorite Books – Part 3 of 3
December 30, 2009 Leave a Comment
Here's part three of my 2009 Favorite Books. You can also look at my favorite choices in the first and second part of this blog series. These are the books for kids and teens that resonated with me. I'll also share from a writer's perspective what I learned from this books as well. Here's the third and final batch of books: The Forest of Hands of Teeth by Carrie Ryan I actually had to drop the author a note on how this book gave me nightmares. And for me that is a compliment. Mary … [Read more...]
2009 Favorite Books – Part 2 of 3
December 29, 2009 Read Comments
Here's my part two of 2009 Favorite Books series. You can look at my other favorite choices in the first part. These are the books for kids and teens that resonated with me. I'll also share from a writer's perspective what I learned from the books as well. Here's the second batch of books: Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott Although the subject matter of this book is highly disturbing, Scott gives us a heart-wrenching and haunting portrayal of "Alice," a girl who's been abducted … [Read more...]
