There's a great play-by-play of a teacher reading Blueberries for Sal to a class of well-informed third graders over at the mesmerizingly named Derfwad Manor.  I was particularly fond of the moment when a child commented, "I think Sal is a goner."  The kid has reason to be wary.  Bears are, after all, godless killing machines.  J.L. Bell takes it one step farther to discuss ...Read More

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Some of the picture books I read make me wish I were a better reviewer. I know my history of the art form. I know what makes one book a stronger better read than another. I can sense when ...Read More

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That was nice. The New York Times traipsed on in a week or so ago and so we spoke about the new children's room.  Interviews are funny things.  You'll mention something entirely off-the-cuff one moment and see it blazing in black and white ink the next.  Serves me right, says you?  Touche.  But of all the things I mentioned why did the writer choose to pick up on my Pete Seeger comment?  On the other hand, my mama informs me that if you are ever mentioned in the Times they'll do your obituary.  Woot!  I'm in, bab...Read More

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Each year I stave off the hoards of wonderful teen and YA novels published in a given year so as to read instead the works of the good children's novelists and non-fiction writers.  However, it is always an excellent idea to read one YA work, particularly when it is talked about to excess.  From what I can gather, these six titles were most definitely for the over 12 set and were discussed ad nauseum all year long:

Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan
Graceling Kristin Cashore
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Paper Towns by John Green
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

So which one do I choose?  Last year the vote went to Sherman Alexie's ...Read More

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As with every month I like to offer a couple ARCs to those who want them.  And with the new year right around the corner, why not get in on a little 2009 action?  So I'll do something a little different today.  Here are the three books you could win in the giveaway.  I get a lot of duplicates, and these all fell into my lap more than once.  Let me know which of these three you would like to win if lady luck is on your side.  You can do that by emailing me (and my email is found by clicking on my name at the beginning of this post).  You have until the end of today (Monday) to email me your choice.  Otherwise, no booksy book for you.  And I've written the blurbs that come with each of these books since I assume that most of you have not heard of them.  The first two are middle grade.&nbs...Read More

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Dark Fiddler: The Life and Legend of Nicolo Paganini
By Aaron Frisch
Illustrated by Gary Kelley
Creative Editions
$17.95
ISBN: 978-1-56846-200-4
Ages 8-12?
On shelves now

The picture book biographer is often a limited soul. If you are churning out biography after biography for a large c...Read More

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