BEA 2011: SLJ's Special Assignment Librarian Covers Star-Studded Kids' Breakfast Program
RSSBy Sue Bartle
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 I've worked in public, academic, and school libraries for over 20 years, and now I'm director of the Erie 2 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES School Library System in Western New York. Each year, I look forward to attending Book Expo America (BEA)—it's the place that helps me remember why I'm a librarian. So when School Library Journal asked me to go on special assignment to cover BEA from a librarian's perspective, I jumped at the chance. Here are my top five picks—and tips—for Day 1. I've also added a little bonus: my four questions with William Joyce down below. 1. The Children's Book & Author Breakfast: This was one of the best children's breakfast programs I've attended in the last five years. This year's lineup included Sarah Dessen, Kevin Henkes, Katherine Paterson, and Brian Selznick, and was hosted by actress Julianne Moore. Caldecott-winning Selznick read from his long-awaited Wonderstruck (2011), which takes readers on the separate journeys of Ben and Rose, who live 50 years apart and secretly wish life were different. With Ben's story told in words and Rose's in pictures, the tale moves back and forth to create a balance of experiences. Selznick shared slides of some of the book's more than 460 pages of original artwork and extensive drawings from Rose's story as she conveys her terror as she searches for clues to the missing part of her life. Henkes provided an extra special treat by showing a slide presentation featuring his latest picture book, Little White Rabbit (2011), about a small bunny with a big imagination. When little white rabbit wonders what it would be like to be different, the visual experience for the reader creates a "what-if" scenerio, which includes what if little white rabbit is green, what if little white rabbit is as tall as a fir tree, what if little white rabbit could not move like a rock, and so on. Henkes also spoke about his new middle reader, Junonia (2011, both Greenwillow), about nine-year-old Alice's annual vacation to Florida with her family and what goes through the girl's head when things don't go as expected. Remember, you don't go to the children's breakfast for breakfast, you go for the program. It's well worth getting up early and standing in line. 2. A word of advice: You need to have strong shoulders to carry all the great books you're going to pick up at BEA. On this trip, I created my own version of a soft shoulder cushion by altering a promotion bag I received. I added a difference handle strap, which has a shoulder cushion, and this created a much-needed rest for my shoulders. Sometimes it's the simple things in life that help make your day successful. This retooled tote bag is one of these examples. 3. Preregister for children's speed dating: I was introduced to 19 authors in 90 minutes. This program is presented by the ABC Children's Group at the American Booksellers Association and the Children's Book Council. I had only spoken to one of these authors previously. It was a stimulating experience and gave me the opportunity to meet several first-time authors, such as Tahereh Mafi, Jeff Hirsch, and Laura Lee Gulledge. Mafi's new book, Shatter Me (HarperTeen, 2011) tells the story of Juliette, a 17-year-old girl who's been imprisoned for a dangerous and powerful ability she can't control. She's neither seen, spoken to—or touched—another human being in 264 days. Mafi describes her book as X-men meet Hunger Games. Shatter Me will be available this November. Hirsch's, The Eleventh Plague (Scholastic, 2011), is about a 15-year-old boy who lives in the time after the collapse of civilization as we know it. The boy ends up alone trying to survive and comes across a town from pre-collapse America. Plot twists and turns, with the added bonus of a Suzanne Collins book blurb, are sure to make this a must read this fall. Gulledge's graphic novel, Page by Paige (Abrams, 2011), provides readers with a new twist on what happens when your family moves. Paige puts her artistic abilities to work while she copes with her family's relocation to New York City. The bonus of speed dating is that oftentimes, copies of the author's books are available for free. In most cases, if the book isn't available, the publisher offers to send an advanced reader's copy to each attendee. 4. Be sure to check out the Library Journal/School Library Journal librarians' lounge, sponsored by Baker & Taylor, Junior Library Guild, The Horn Book, John Wiley & Sons, and Unshelved. This is the place to rest for a few minutes, grab a cold beverage, and speak to colleagues from all over the country. (Disclaimer: SLJ did not ask me to mention this as part of my BEA coverage for them). This lounge is a great service strictly for librarians (name badges are checked), and you should take advantage of it. I stopped by throughout the day and found some great snacks to reenergize myself as I continued on my quest to find the best and brightest new books. 5. Say this three times: Autographs! Autographs! Autographs! Boy, did I score big time with signatures from Jan Brett for her picture book Home for Christmas (Putnam, 2011), Moore for Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever, R.L. Stine for It's the First Day of School...Forever (Feiwel & Friends, 2011), Selznick for Wonderstruck, and Gail Carson Levine for A Tale of Two Castles (HarperCollins, 2011). You'll find two types of autographing sessions at BEA. An area in the exhibit hall is set aside for table autographing during certain times and at specific tables. Check out the BEA website for complete schedules. The high-interest author events will actually require tickets to attend. You don't pay extra for these tickets, but you must have them to get in the signing line. Where do you get these tickets? You have three ways to get them. You can preregister by providing a contribution to the Book Industry Foundation. A Gold Pass allows you to preselect tickets, as well as to stop by and pick up your preselected tickets. A Platinum Pass allows you to have your preselected tickets mailed to you in advance. Your last option is to wait until you get to BEA and head over to the ticket booth, but you must get there early, when the booth usually opens, between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. The tickets go fast, so don't hit the snooze alarm. An added bonus: my four questions for William Joyce Simon & Schuster's Atheneum imprint will publish a new series of 13 books by William Joyce called "The Guardians of Childhood," which consists of seven chapter books and six pictures books. The series presents the histories of childhood icons, which include Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and the Easter Bunny. The first two titles were introduced Monday night at a local lounge, which was decked out with the artwork featured in the first two books. Joyce took a few minutes out from his busy evening to answer a few of my questions. Nook or Kindle? Joyce: Neither but if pressed to answer—iPad. Book or eReader? Joyce: Book Which literary villain would you accept a Facebook friend request from? Joyce: Even though he's not a literary character, I would accept a friend request from Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers. Which literacy character would you follow on Twitter? Joyce: Reginald Jeeves or Jake from The Great Gatsby Check out Joyce's website, which features another great Joyce project that will energize the way everyone looks at books. Coming to an iPad near you very soon: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Next up: BEA, Day 2: Tips on transporting large bags of books. Yours Truly, Susan M. Bartle, Precision Planning Diva of Library & Travel Events, and School Library System Coordinator for the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES.
Author William Joyce at BEA
Paterson, the current National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, who also gave a wonderful talk about her latest book, The Flint Heart (Candlewick, 2011), at SLJ's Day of Dialog on Monday, began the morning event with a few words of support for books and reading. Paterson's most noted sound bite included the fact that no one has ever tweeted their way to wisdom—and encouraged attendees to read, listen, and think.
Moore gave us some background into her childhood, saying she was the kind of kid who stayed inside reading while other children were out playing. "Books are gateways to the rest of your life," says Moore, whose latest picture book, Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever (Bloomsbury USA, 2011), is about a girl who has a hard time making friends. Moore hopes this book conveys the message that even though it's not easy being different, everyone should know they're not alone and there's always someone you can relate to.
Dessen accidentally fell into YA writing when her agent, sensing that her second novel had a strong teen voice, sent it off to Orchard books—and they bought it. Dessen, who wanted to become a writer ever since taking a creative writing class during her freshman year at the University of North Carolina, spoke about her tenth and latest book, What Happened to Goodbye? (Viking, 2011), which tells the story of a bitter divorce that leaves Mclean and her dad moving from town to town, giving the teen a chance to try out a new persona each time.
