A Work of Art Questions Parental Honesty and One Daughter’s Loyalty What if the one who should protect you is the one who betrays you most of all? Tera looks up to her famous artist father. With a scholarship to a top-notch art school in France, she hopes to impress the man who's been her role model all her life. But when police arrest her dad for an unspeakable crime, Tera's hopes for the future explode, and she gives up her studies abroad to pay for his defense. Melody Maysonet's debut young adult novel, A Work of Art (Merit Press, 2015, ages 14+), is a deeply felt and beautifully written story about self-image, self-deception, and the difficulty we all experience when we have to face the whole truth about the myths of our childhoods. Five lucky winners will receive a copy of A Work of Art; to enter, please send an email with your name, library, and mailing address. Emails must be received by midnight (EDT) on March 18, 2015. Winners will be selected in a random drawing and notified via email. One entry per person, prizes will only be shipped to U.S. addresses. Find out more about Melody Maysonet. International Reading Association Evolves into International Literacy Association Change came to the International Reading Association (IRA) in a big way this year. Not only were the dates of the annual conference shifted from April to July, IRA has also undergone a name change. IRA is now ILA—the International Literacy Association. The change was made to reflect the broader set of skills required in our fast-changing world that are needed to be truly literate. You can be sure this will be quite the buzz at the annual conference, July 18–20 in St. Louis, MO, which will feature over 300 workshops and programs, and 120 plus exhibitors. For more information about the conference and the name change, visit ILA’s brand new website. Fantastic Spring Giveaways from Chronicle Books Paddle Against the Flow by Huck (Age 12 & Up) Nas on language, Cat Power on looking inward, Spike Jonze on loving what you do, and Kim Gordon on feeling the flow. These are just a few of the surprising insights collected in this gorgeous book by Huck magazine. Bringing together the best insights from over 60 indie stars of the most inspiring people Huck has spoken to over the years, this book presents a diverse range of truths, creative wisdom, and life lessons from those who paddle against the flow. To request a finished book, please fill out this Google Form. Funny on Purpose: The Definitive Guide to an Unpredictable Career in Comedy Standup + Improv + Sketch + TV + Writing + Directing + YouTube by Joe Randazzo, foreword by John Hodgman (Age 14 & Up) It takes guts to be a comedian, and it takes smarts to make a living off it. In this insider's guide, former Onion editor Joe Randazzo delivers a funny and insightful blueprint for those looking to turn their sense of humor into a vocation. Explaining how it works and how to break in, Joe provides tips and guidance, outlines successful career paths, and solicits advice and stories from the likes of Judd Apatow, Jack Handey, Tim & Eric, and more. To request an ARC, please fill out this Google Form.