I was listening to NPR, and I heard a review of Carolina Clay [The Life and Legend of Slave Potter Dave] by Leonard Todd. I thought, this is just an incredible story. It’s hard for me to know why it affected me so much, but my daughter’s a potter, and I’ve worked with clay all my life. He was a writer and I’m a writer, but I’m not heroic like Dave.

What made him heroic?

He dared to write on pots at a time when he could have been killed for that, and he signed his name. That’s just an amazingly courageous act—and subversive. But it’s also quiet, because he wasn’t saying anything—he was writing it. His ability and his talent gave him that kind of confidence and power, because he knew that if he was killed, who was going to make the 40-gallon jars?

You grew up in Cincinnati during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Did that help draw you to Dave’s story?

Oh, absolutely. I grew up in a neighborhood where I still live, close to downtown Cincinnati, which was predominantly African American at the time. All my friends were African American. We all remember the race riots, which happened about a block away from where we lived. I remember hearing things breaking and being with my African-American friends, and their parents being super-nervous and coming out all the time and telling us to stay on the grass and not to leave the yard.

Not much is known about Dave. How’d you find so many details about him?

It’s funny, I was talking to a friend of mine who writes biographies, and she doesn’t put anything in them that isn’t a fact. My biography really crosses that line and some people may not consider it a biography, which is fine with me.

The Library of Congress calls it a biography.

I couldn’t write the story of Dave without putting in things that I didn’t know he said or anyone else said, because there isn’t any record of that. There isn’t really another way to write the story, because all you have are bills of sale [of slaves] and these cryptic couplets [that he etched] on pots.

Your book feels so incredibly personal.

It’s interesting that you said that. When I worked on this book, I spent a lot of time feeling choked up and I couldn’t talk, or if the phone rang, I choked up.

What touched you the most?

It was the separation, the scenes where people are separated from people they love.

So many children and spouses—including Dave’s—were sold at the drop of a hat, and they never saw one another again.

That’s what really choked me up more than any sort of physical violence.

Do today’s kids understand how dehumanizing slavery is?

In a lot of ways, we’re failing our kids. Just recently, I went to a school to talk to a group of fourth graders, and one asked what I was working on.

I told her a little bit about Dave, and I showed her a slide of the woodcut of him on the auction block that’s in the book, and she said, “You mean he was being sold?” They’d done a whole unit on slavery, but she didn’t know that. And I said, “Yeah, slaves were bought and sold,” and she was stunned. Then she looked at me, and said, “Well, I hope the people that bought him were nice.”

What do you hope kids take away from the book?

I just want kids to realize there are a lot of ways to do what you believe is the right thing to do, and it doesn’t have to be screaming and yelling and fighting, or in any way violent.

There’s a woman who saved my mother during the Holocaust. She was a very quiet person and nobody’s ever heard of her. If I had to pick somebody, she’s the hero of my life. But she did what she did because she thought it was the most ordinary thing to do.

It’s very ordinary to want to write and read and express yourself. But because of the times, Dave couldn’t do that. So he became a quiet hero. If more kids knew about things like that, maybe they’d feel stronger themselves—and they could also do the right thing.

To read a starred review of Etched in Clay (Lee & Low), turn to page 117.

The couple’s single-family home in Minnetonka, MN, was in flames at 10:30 p.m. Friday, according to news sources, including the Minneapolis/St. Paul TV network KARE 11. No official cause of the blaze has been released.

Humphrey was the author of nine books, all of which focused on “young people thinking and talking about important social and moral issues,” according to her website.

She was an avid user of Twitter (@sandra305) with close to 2,300 followers and over 18,000 tweets. Her most recent book, They Stood Alone!: 25 Men and Women Who Made a Difference (Prometheus, 2011), was published last November. The book profiles 25 individuals, including Nicolaus Copernicus and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who Humphrey hoped would inspire children to believe in themselves.

Her book Dare To Dream!: 25 Extraordinary Lives (Prometheus, 2005) featured biographical sketches of 20th-century individuals from Albert Einstein to Sammy Sosa. A School Library Journal review said of the book, “Although the group is eclectic, the individuals all have one thing in common: they became successful in the face of adversity and therefore are great candidates to become heroes for today’s youth.”

Humphrey explained on her website that she wrote Dare To Dream! after observing that many students she met during school visits had given up on their dreams and had no defined aspirations. “They were willing to settle for ‘just getting by’ and weren’t particularly interested in discovering their passions,” she wrote.

Humphrey’s book Hot Issues, Cool Choices: Facing Bullies, Peer Pressure, Popularity, and Put-downs (Prometheus, 2007) is included on many anti-bullying booklists, including The Berkshire (MA) District Attorney’s Bully Prevention Lending Library and the Aurora (CO) Public Schools Bully Prevention Resource List.

Hot Issues, Cool Choices features a collection of 26 vignettes depicting various forms of bullying and questions for discussion. The book received a 2008 Mom’s Choice Gold Award, a 2009 Young Voices Foundation Silver Award, and a 2009 Readers Favorite gold medal.

Humphrey received many other honors, including the 2005 Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Literature from the Church & Synagogue Library Association (CSLA) and the 2012 American Authors Association Golden Quill Award.

Humphrey was also a retired clinical psychologist with over 35 years of experience working with young people, and a consultant for the Heroes & Dreams Foundation, which provides education materials to schools K-8 throughout the United States and Canada, according to her website.

The Humphreys are survived by three adult children.

Readers of this season’s biographies can expect to travel through time to meet characters from long ago, investigate various careers by meeting stars of today, and be inspired to invent and create. They’ll be able to imagine starting a new country with the founding fathers, swinging with jazz greats, becoming modern business entrepreneurs, or performing with some of the most popular acting and musical icons of today. There’s something in these sets for a wide range of readers.

Preschool-Grade 4

DOOLING, Sandra. James Madison. map. ISBN 978-1-4488-7898-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-8058-4. LC 2011048409.
GOULD, Jane H. Alexander Hamilton. map. ISBN 978-1-4488-7895-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-8055-3. LC 2011048472.
–––– . Benjamin Franklin. ISBN 978-1-4488-7896-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-8056-0. LC 2011048438.
–––– . John Adams. ISBN 978-1-4488-7899-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-8059-1. LC 2011049786.
PELLESCHI, Andrea. George Washington. ISBN 978-1-4488-7897-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-8057-7. LC 2011048469.
–––– . Thomas Jefferson. ISBN 978-1-4488-7900-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-8060-7. LC 2011048460.
ea vol: illus. by Planman Technologies. 24p. (Jr. Graphic Founding Fathers Series). chron. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2012. PLB $25.25; ebook $25.25.
Gr 2-5–These volumes all begin with short introductions and helpful lists of “Main Characters,” setting the stage for interesting stories about America’s founding fathers. The main texts hit the highlights of the subjects’ lives, mostly ignoring negative or controversial aspects. The language is simple, but rather stilted, with invented dialogue a necessary evil of the graphic-novel-style format. The layout is simple and easy to follow. The glossy illustrations are true to the time periods, but are otherwise unremarkable.

SANDLER, Michael. John Cena. map. ISBN 978-1-61772-573-9; ISBN 978-1-61772-640-8. LC 2012003325.
–––– . Randy Orton. ISBN 978-1-61772-572-2; ISBN 978-1-61772-639-2. LC 2012007275.
–––– . The Rock. map. ISBN 978-1-61772-574-6; ISBN 978-1-61772-641-5. LC 2012014766.
–––– . Triple H. map. ISBN 978-1-61772-575-3; ISBN 978-1-61772-642-2. LC 2012010034.
ea vol: 24p. (Wrestling’s Tough Guys Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Bearport. 2012. PLB $23.93; ebook $30.60.
Gr 3-5–Beginning with curiosity-piquing openers, these flashy biographies will grab and hold readers’ attention. Writing with classic, dramatic sports jargon, Sandler covers the subjects’ childhoods to present careers and includes information about their schooling and other accomplishments. The captioned color photos are clear, action-filled, and eye-catching. The layout is well balanced, with additional interesting factoids or definitions included in text boxes. Words in bold type are defined in the glossaries. However, there is no mention of the staging involved in professional wrestling, leading readers to believe that the sport is all about physical skill. The violence inherent in the sport is depicted and described. Stats and “Fun Facts” are listed.

Grades 5 & Up

ARETHA, David. Awesome African-American Rock and Soul Musicians. ISBN 978-1-59845-140-5. LC 2011019956.
FEINSTEIN, Stephen. Incredible African-American Jazz Musicians. ISBN 978-1-59845-137-5. LC 2010025167.
–––– . Inspiring African-American Civil Right Leaders. ISBN 978-1-59845-136-8. LC 2011019952.
GRAHAM, Amy. Celebrated African-American Novelists. ISBN 978-1-59845-138-2. LC 2011019953.
NEIS, Therese. Extraordinary African-American Poets. ISBN 978-1-59845-139-9. LC 2011019954.
YOUNG, Jeff C. Amazing African-American Actors. ISBN 978-1-59845-135-1. LC 2011019951.
ea vol: 112p. (African-American Collective Biographies Series). photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. websites. CIP. Enslow. 2012. PLB $31.93.
Gr 5-9–These volumes illuminate 8 to 10 notable individuals from various categories. Featured subjects are chosen from various time periods, beginning with earlier figures and working up to the present day. For example, Actors covers Paul Robeson (1898-1976) to Halle Berry (1966). An introductory chapter places the individuals’ lives in historical, social, and political context, and then devotes one chapter for each subject. The people profiled range from little known to well known (e.g., Novelists explores the life and work of both Harriet Adams Wilson and Toni Morrison). Each book is attractively laid out and organized. The texts flow well, and color and black-and-white photos are pleasingly reproduced.

BERNARD, Jan. Daniel Radcliffe. ISBN 978-16147-32907. LC 2012933676.
–––– . Justin Bieber. ISBN 978-16147-32914. LC 2012933680.
–––– . Katy Perry. ISBN 978-16147-32938. LC 2012933734.
–––– . Selena Gomez. ISBN 978-16147-32952. LC 2012933736.
BRYAN, Dale-Marie. Anne Hathaway. ISBN 978-16147-32860. LC 2012933678.
–––– . Emma Watson. ISBN 978-16147-32891. LC 2012933679.
–––– . Johnny Depp. ISBN 978-16147-32884. LC 2012933677.
–––– . William and Kate. ISBN 978-16147-32877. LC 2012933739.
SHAFFER, Jody Jensen. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. ISBN 978-16147-32921. LC 2012933663.
–––– . Lea Michele. ISBN 978-16147-32945. LC 2012933735.
–––– . Taylor Lautner. ISBN 978-16147-32969. LC 2012933737.
–––– . Taylor Swift. ISBN 978-16147-32976. LC 2012933738.
ea vol: 32p. (Stars of Today Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. websites. The Child’s World. 2012. PLB $28.50.
Gr 3-8–Starting with attractive, clear, close-ups on the covers and catchy opening paragraphs, these biographies are solid, but unexceptional. The clean layout includes plenty of white space around simple, direct text presented in a large font and short sentences and chapters. Subject matter is limited, briefly covering the featured celebrities’ paths to stardom from childhood to the present day, but short text boxes add additional information. The profiled personalities might make this set attractive to hi/lo and reluctant readers, with different volumes appealing to different ages. Every spread sports a captioned color photograph, though some are rather grainy.

BOONE, Mary. Dizzy Gillespie. ISBN 978-1-61228-272-5; ISBN 978-1-61228-348-7. LC 2012008630.
MATTERN, Joanne. Benny Goodman. ISBN 978-1-61228-269-5; ISBN 978-1-61228-345-6. LC 2012008483.
ORR, Tamra. Louis Armstrong. ISBN 978-1-61228-264-0; ISBN 978-1-61228-340-1. LC 2012008631.
–––– . Miles Davis. ISBN 978-1-61228-265-7; ISBN 978-1-61228-341-8. LC 2012008632.
RICE, Earle, Jr. Charlie Parker. ISBN 978-1-61228-266-4; ISBN 978-1-61228-342-5. LC 2012008628.
ROBERTS, Russell. Scott Joplin. ISBN 978-1-61228-273-2; ISBN 978-1-61228-349-4. LC 2012008633.
ea vol: 48p. (American Jazz Series). photos. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. discography. websites. CIP. Mitchell Lane. 2012. PLB $29.95; ebook $29.95.
Gr 6-9–This attractive, well-researched series is written in sophisticated language, with the more difficult vocabulary and musical terms defined within the text. Information about the subjects’ childhoods and preparation for their musical careers is included, as are the positive and negative aspects of their adult lives. Their contributions to the world of jazz are thoroughly explored. Sidebars in every volume expand the main texts, and quotes from other biographers add authenticity. Well-captioned color and black-and-white photos are cleanly reproduced, and the layout of text, photos, captions, and sidebars is bright and pleasing.

EARL, C. F. Black Eyed Peas. ISBN 978-1-4222-2511-0; ISBN 978-1-4222-9213-6. LC 2011005426.
–––– . Dr. Dre. ISBN 978-1-4222-2517-2; ISBN 978-1-4222-9219-8. LC 2011005428.
–––– . Rihanna. ISBN 978-1-4222-2526-4; ISBN 978-1-4222-9228-0. LC 2011020113.
–––– . Timbaland. ISBN 978-1-4222-2528-8; ISBN 978-1-4222-9230-3. LC 2011020117.
HILL, Z. B. Eminem. ISBN 978-1-4222-2518-9; ISBN 978-1-4222-9220-4. LC 2011005800.
–––– . LL Cool J. ISBN 978-1-4222-2522-6; ISBN 978-1-4222-9224-2. LC 2011019647.
–––– . Sean “Diddy” Combs. ISBN 978-1-4222-2514-1; ISBN 978-1-4222-9216-7. LC 2011019652.
–––– . Usher. ISBN 978-1-4222-2531-8; ISBN 978-1-4222-9233-4. LC 2011019650.
ea vol: 48p. (Superstars of Hip-Hop Series). photos. chron. further reading. index. discography. websites. CIP. Mason Crest. 2012. PLB $19.95; ebook $24.95.
Gr 5-8–Dark, almost foreboding-looking covers set the mood for this series. The inside images, which are unfortunately very grainy and unfocused color photographs, continue to emphasize the gritty aspects of hip-hop. Chapters include a look at the artists’ childhoods and how they shaped their lives. Subsequent sections cover their career development, lives today, and impacts on the music scene. Each chapter begins with a helpful “Hip-Hop lingo” text box that defines industry terms and vocabulary, but usually only as they relate to music; e.g., “auditioned” is described as “A person who auditioned sang or performed for someone to see if that person liked his work and wanted to give him a job.” Defined terms are in bold type throughout the texts. The writing is rather poor with short, choppy sentences, and the editing can be sloppy.

ETINGOFF, Kim. Harry Truman: From Farmer to President. map. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-2482-3 ; 978-1-4222-9364-5 . LC 2011020320.
–––– . James Cameron: From Truck Driver to Director. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-2481-6; 978-1-4222-9356-0. LC 2011020319.
–––– . Jennifer Aniston: From Friends to Films. map. ISBN 978-1-4222-2480-9; 978-1-4222-9353-9. LC 2011020321.
HILL, Z. B. Mark Zuckerberg: From Facebook to Famous. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4222-2303-1; 978-1-4222-9365-2. LC 2011023726.
SEBA, Jaime. Steve Jobs: From Apples to Apps. ISBN 978-1-4222-2299-7; 978-1-4222-9360-7. LC 2011029218.
ea vol: 64p. (Extraordinary Success with a High School Diploma or Less Series). chart. photos. further reading. index. websites. CIP. Mason Crest. 2012. PLB $22.95; ebook $28.95.
Gr 5-8–Each title begins with the same introduction explaining that it isn’t necessary to have a college degree to be an achiever; motivation, hard work, and a dream are enough. Then subsequent chapters follow their subjects from their early to present lives (or deaths), without avoiding the darker facts. What isn’t stressed is that most of these individuals did attend college for some time and/or were trained in their fields. Further complicating the point, each book ends with a chart of the highest-paying jobs that don’t require a college career, but the authors don’t mention that various positions require specialized training. Chapters begin with valuable “Words to Know” sections, but the layout is text-heavy and uninviting. These titles are poorly written and, at times, inaccurate.

FERTIG, Dennis. Mark Zuckerberg. chart. ISBN 978-1-4329-6426-9; ISBN 978-1-4329-6433-7. LC 2011050749.
–––– . Richard Branson. map. ISBN 978-1-4329-6429-0; ISBN 978-1-4329-6436-8. LC 2011050756.
–––– . Rupert Murdoch. maps. ISBN 978-1-4329-6431-3; ISBN 978-1-4329-6438-2. LC 2011050760.
SPILSBURY, Richard. Jay-Z. ISBN 978-1-4329-6430-6; ISBN 978-1-4329-6437-5. LC 2011050758.
–––– . Simon Cowell. chart. map. ISBN 978-1-4329-6427-6; ISBN 978-1-4329-6434-4. LC 2011050750.
ea vol: 48p. (Titans of Business Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Heinemann. 2012. PLB $32; pap. $8.99.
Gr 4-7–This series is written in a lively fashion, beginning with the table-of-contents pages that contain text boxes with blurbs about what readers can expect to learn in the subsequent sections (“Find out what you need to do to have a successful career like Jay-Z.”). Captioned photos, sidebars, and off-set quotes make for an interesting layout. The various fonts and black-and-white borders are reminiscent of a computer screen, adding to the idea that the individuals are cutting edge in their fields. The volumes span the subjects’ entire lives, but hone in on their careers. Controversies are noted, but downplayed. For example, Zuckerberg’s legal issues are given little space, and Jay-Z’s hustling past is rationalized (“At first, the only way Shawn could see to make money for himself and his family was to become a hustler…”) and accompanied by a photo of a crack addict using drugs. Each title concludes with a “How to Become an Entrepreneur” chapter, recapping how the subjects achieved their wealth.

GOGERLY, Liz. Justin Bieber. ISBN 978-1-59771-415-0. LC 2012002537.
–––– . Taylor Momsen. ISBN 978-1-59771-418-1. LC 2012002539.
HIBBERT, Clare. Dakota Fanning. ISBN 978-1-59771-413-6. LC 2012002535.
–––– . Jaden Smith. ISBN 978-1-59771-414-3. LC 2012002536.
VAUGHAN, Jenny. Selena Gomez. ISBN 978-1-59771-417-4. LC 2012002538.
ea vol: 32p. (Teen Stars Series). photos. chron. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Sea-to-Sea. 2012. PLB $28.50.
Gr 3-6–Despite the fact that most of the subjects in this series are already covered in other sets, these volumes will prove popular (particularly with hi/lo readers) because of the pop culture topics, pleasing layouts, large font, and well-captioned, color photos. Quotes appear in offset boxes and words in bold are defined in the glossaries. Unfortunately, the writing is choppy and sources for quotes are not noted. The books conclude with “Fan Guide” sections, which include Web resources and time lines.

HIGGINS, Nadia. Bruno Mars: Pop Singer and Producer. ISBN 978-0-7613-4144-4; ISBN 978-1-4677-0235-5; ISBN 978-1-4677-0163-1. LC 2012006518.
–––– . Justin Bieber: Pop and R & B Idol. ISBN 978-1-4677-0294-2; ISBN 978-1-4677-0295-9; ISBN 978-1-4677-0296-6. LC 2011051068.
–––– . Katy Perry: From Gospel Singer to Pop Star. ISBN 978-0-7613-4145-1; ISBN 978-1-4677-0236-2; ISBN 978-1-4677-0164-8. LC 2012004577.
LANDAU, Elaine. Beyoncé: R & B Superstar. ISBN 978-0-7613-4147-5; ISBN 978-1-4677-0234-8; ISBN 978-1-4677-0166-2. LC 2012000144.
LUSTED, Marcia Amidon. One Direction: Breakout Boy Band. ISBN 978-1-4677-0877-7; ISBN 978-1-4677-0879-1; ISBN 978-1-4677-0878-4. LC 2012014921.
NELSON, Robin. Selena Gomez: Pop Star and Actress. ISBN 978-0-7613-4142-0; ISBN 978-1-4677-0238-6; ISBN 978-1-4677-0097-9. LC 2011044683.
–––– . Taylor Swift: Country Pop Hit Maker. ISBN 978-0-7613-4143-7; ISBN 978-1-46770-0239-3; ISBN 978-1-4677-0098-6. LC 2011052631.
ea vol: 32p. (Pop Culture Bios: Super Singers Series). photos. further reading. index. notes. websites. CIP. Lerner. 2012. PLB $26.60; pap. $7.95; ebook $19.95.
Gr 4-6–These crowd-pleasing titles will fly off the shelves. Written in shorts chapters and sentences, with easy font size, and filled with well-captioned, eye-popping photographs, they will draw in readers. Each title has a pleasing layout, trivia boxes, and sidebars of additional information, including definitions of more complex terms. Stars’ quotes are in bold type and easily identifiable. Each book begins with an introduction, followed by sections on childhood, early career years, and current stardom and the qualities that make each individual unique, and concludes with more photos. The authors point out their subjects’ artistic accomplishments as well as any social contributions they offer, but they also relay information about controversial aspects of their lives. The writing style is engaging throughout. At times, the slang is a bit jarring (e.g., the word “sucktastic” is used to describe Katy Perry’s office job in a music company) and will date the books at some point.

These sets are varied in subjects, time periods, and careers, as well as quality. Bold colors, intriguing photos, and fresh layouts make attractive and informative appearances, while the storytelling quality of most of the books makes for interesting reading. Lerner’s “Pop Culture Bios: Super Singers” hits the mark on all of those characteristics. Well researched and attractively put together, Mitchell Lane’s “American Jazz” is worth acquiring. The graphic-novel format works well for introducing historic figures in PowerKids’s “Jr. Graphic Founding Fathers,” while Heinemann’s “Titans of Business” offers several inspiring profiles. Mason Crest’s “Superstars of Hip-Hop” and Bearport’s “Wrestling’s Tough Guys” might best be suited to mature hi/lo readers.

What made you want to write a picture book about the life of John Coltrane?

When I was 17, I bought my first Coltrane record and was moved by the heartfelt quality of his sound. I had heard about his addiction history and knew he was great player, but only years later—as I listened to WBGO, the great jazz station—did I become really familiar with his depth and range. Some time after I’d finished writing my first picture book, Jimi: Sounds Like A Rainbow (Clarion, 2010), I heard a Coltrane birthday broadcast…and it was my mother’s birthday, as well. Because of that, I felt inspired to delve into the man’s life, and again, it was the qualities of heart and tenderness—in his story and in his music—that convinced me to write about him.

Coltrane had a complicated life and your book deals with some serious topics like drug abuse and alcoholism. Did you feel they were essential to the story, and did you have difficulty addressing those issues with a young audience?

I tried to discuss those topics in a way that would lessen some of the mystery often attached to them. As a therapist myself, I know that drug use is just a side-effect of difficult things that happen or exist in a person’s life, whether it’s poverty, trauma, the loss of a parent or someone close, and various kinds of abuse. People use drugs and alcohol to try and balance out feelings of sadness, pain, lack of confidence, or confusion. It’s never really about the substances, but always about what’s underneath. For John, the loss of all the men in his life (father, grandfather, uncle), at an early age, left him vulnerable to a certain loneliness—even emptiness—that was temporarily relieved by alcohol and drugs, despite his spiritual nature or maybe even because of it. He was a very sensitive teen—like many of the kids I work with today—and the power of his story lies in the fact that it’s a very human tale, about losing one’s way and finding it again. Kids can understand these things if we’re honest and straightforward in our talking or writing about them.

Tell us about the research you did for the book? What surprised you most about Coltrane?

I did a lot of reading about Coltrane’s life, from a variety of sources. This wasn’t simply to understand the arc of his life, but to benefit from different perspectives on the man and insights into his character. What surprised me most about Coltrane’s life were the details about his childhood. He was deeply affected by his father’s and grandfather’s deaths, and suffered panic attacks, tremendous self-doubt and grief because he lost his footing, part of his emotional foundation, at the age of 12/13. And of course, this was only intensified by living in the Jim Crow South. As a child, I experienced some emotional challenges of my own, and I still marvel at how people survive such powerful—and seemingly destructive—forces.

Spirit Seeker deals with spirituality. Are you spiritual yourself or did you include it because it was a big part of Coltrane’s life?

I’ve always been very drawn to the spiritual side of things, from my early exposure to Christianity to a deep interest in Eastern philosophies—Buddhism and Taoism—as a teenager and adult. I also nearly died as a result of an accident when I was 24 years old, and that experience changed my life in profound ways. It was a spiritual moment for me, and became a touchstone of sorts for everything that followed. Coltrane had a similar experience when he decided to stop using drugs—he experienced a revelation—and it put him on a new path, one that led to his work with Thelonius Monk, his reunion with Miles Davis, and his development as a band leader and composer. A Love Supreme is really all about his spiritual transformation, his rebirth, and the gratitude that he felt for being able to use and develop his talents. It’s a jazz lovesong, and you can hear Coltrane himself speaking the words “A Love Supreme, A Love Supreme,” over and over. It’s also about a personal approach to the Divine, and how each of us interprets that connection.
You’re a clinical social worker and psychotherapist who works with kids and teen on issues like addiction. How does it influence you as a writer?

Don’t tell anyone, but I’m really still 16 (though my wife might put the number considerably younger than that). I love teenagers because I tune into that age frequency, which is filled with longing and hopefulness, a search for the ideal. Teens want so much to believe in the goodness of the world, but they’re easily disappointed and often have trouble sustaining confidence in themselves, or faith in other people. And who can blame them? Which is why they need to be given inspiring examples—like John Coltrane—in books and movies. Teens are very susceptible to inspiration.

What do you think is the appropriate age that parents should start telling their kids about substance abuse?

So many parents I know—well-meaning parents—send mixed messages to their kids about substance use, and especially about drinking. Sure, it’s funny to see Cheech and Chong carrying a three-foot joint, but when adults start telling “war stories” about their adventures at Woodstock or Bonnaroo, we can’t blame kids for wanting to experiment. And teenagers will experiment—they want to learn about life on their own—but if we talk to them while keeping a cool head, the lines of communication can remain open. Teenagers also have advanced B.S. detectors, so if we say one thing and do another (like get drunk at a party or smoke a joint in the basement), then they feel there’s a double standard. Most of all, kids want adults to be consistent, honest, and reliable, and while none of us is perfect, it’s important to match our words to our behaviors as parent, caregiver, teacher or mentor. There’s really no perfect age for discussing substance use with kids, because every child has different needs and experiences. Ideally, it should be an ongoing conversation.

What do you hope kids take away from Spirit Seeker?

The book isn’t didactic, just a story of one person’s persistence, a desire to do the best he can with what he’s been given. Everyone’s best is different, of course, and we may feel that some people fall short of what they could accomplish. But life is more subtle and rich than that—things aren’t always so simple—and we can never say where someone will end up, given sufficient support and encouragement. Coltrane would have been the first person to thank all those—musicians, family, and friends—who helped him along the way, all of whom he saw as embodying Spirit in one form or another. We’re very much interdependent on one another.

You’ve also written books about Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan. Can you explain your fascination with musicians?

Music and musicians are fascinating! I love music and can never really get enough of it, given my taste for just about every genre: world music, jazz, pop, blues, symphonic, rock, folk, country, bluegrass and electronic. John Cage, Eminem, Bessie Smith, Bartok—I could go on forever—they’re all fair game, depending on the mood I’m in. Only problem is, if I listen to something intently and repeatedly during the day, I hear it all night in my sleep!

How does Rudy Gutierrez’s illustrations enhance your words and how closely did you collaborate?

I wish I could take credit for choosing Rudy, but that honor goes to my beloved editor, Lynne Polvino, of Clarion. She has a great talent for pairing picture book authors with illustrators, and even though she graciously asks my opinion, it’s not really the author’s call. Picture book authors and illustrators are pretty much kept apart (for their own good and the sake of the book!), but Rudy asked that I be present when he brought in his paintings/illustrations. So the folks at Clarion had his paintings—some of which were 5 feet high by 3 feet wide—set up around a large conference room when I arrived, and one look took my breath away. At that moment, I realized that the book wasn’t about me, or Rudy, or maybe even about John Coltrane, but about the themes of Art and Spirit that are at its core. I’ll also say that Rudy has a big heart, full of Spirit, and his sincere dedication to Coltrane’s story and music shows in those incredible images.

What are you working on now? Maybe something on Billie Holiday? I know my kids would love that.

Funny you should say that, because I always wanted to do a picture book on Billie but never found a way that made sense. Fortunately, Carole Boston Weatherford did write about her—for a teen audience—with Becoming Billie Holiday, a powerful, beautiful book. As for my present projects, I recently sold a picture book text called Bird & Diz, about the creators/creation of Bebop, and also finished a picture book text on Charlie Chaplin, another fascinating subject. See—I don’t just do musicians!

WHEELER, Lisa. Dino-Football. illus. by Barry Gott. Carolrhoda. 2012. ISBN 978076136394. JLG Level: SE: Sports Elementary (Grades 2-6)

For a fun look at sports for the younger set, try Dino-Football. This rhyming tale of the plant-eating Greenblade Snackers (appropriately dressed in green and gold) versus the carnivorous Redscales pulls readers straight onto the field of action. Full of sports terms and nail-biting plays, one can only guess the outcome of the big game. Pair this with this team’s Dino-Soccer (Carolrhoda, 2009) for a solid double header.

BOELTS, Maribeth. Happy Like Soccer. illus. by Lauren Castillo. Candlewick. 2012. ISBN 9780763646165. JLG Level: SE: Sports Elementary (Grades 2-6)

“Nothing makes me happy like soccer- picked for this new team, with these shiny girls…But nothing makes me sad like soccer, too, because the restaurant where my auntie works is busy on Saturdays and she can’t take time off for something like a soccer game.” Sierra never complains that she is the only girl who has no one watching her play. Though she usually keeps her sadness to herself, a postponed game causes Sierra to speak up with a solution. Her courage will remind even adults to think outside the box- even when they feel “low around the edges.” A must-read.

Readers may also enjoy Madlenka Soccer Star by Peter Sis.

HOLM, Jennifer L. & Matthew Holm. Squish: Captain Disaster. Random. Sept. 2012. ISBN 9780375937866. SE: Sports Elementary (Grades 2-6)

The team that brought us “Babymouse” (Random) is back with the fourth book in the “Squish” graphic novel series. Squish is the new captain of the soccer team. While playing soccer is supposed to be fun, losing is not. When Squish finds the key to winning, he forgets that it’s supposed to be fun. Fans of graphic novels and sports fans alike will be satisfied with the amoeba’s latest adventures.

Kids may also like Soccer Sabotage: A Graphic Guide Adventure by Liam O’Donnell or Goal!: The Fire and Fury of Soccer’s Greatest Moment by Mark Stewart.

SANDLER, Michael. Eli Manning and the New York Giants: Super Bowl XLVI. Bearport. 2012. ISBN 9781617725784. JLG Level: SE: Sports Elementary (Grades 2-6)

For your nonfiction sports fans, Bearport releases a new biography in their “Super Bowl Superstars” series. Down two points with less than four minutes in the game, Manning needs to lead his team down the field to score a win. Knowing the outcome takes away some of the suspense, but readers will enjoy the large photographs sprinkled with informative caption boxes. Additional chapters give the Manning family’s background history and illuminate Eli’s path to professional football.

Fans may want to also pick up Goal Line by Tiki Barber or Able to Play. (Good Sports Series) by Glenn Stout.

STOUT, Glenn. Against All Odds. (Good Sports Series). Houghton Harcourt/Sandpiper. 2012. ISBN 9780544051201. JLG Level: E: Sports Elementary (Grades 2-6)

Stout tells the story of five comeback events from 1929 to 2011. These sports heroes were on the brink of defeat, but didn’t give up and led their teams to victory. Illustrated with black and white photographs, these short stories will be just the ticket for your sports readers. Interestingly enough, Glenn Stout is the author of 39 sports biographies- under the name of Matt Christopher.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.