Kit Pearson and Ken Oppel are coming to Victoria

A special event is coming to Victoria hosted by Munro's Books. Kit Pearson and Ken Oppel will be reading from new works on Friday October 12th at 7:30 at The Conference Centre. It will be very cool. I will be introducing Kit and Grenfell Featherstone, a freelance editor and one of Ken's former high school teachers, will be introducing Ken. You won't want to miss these two fabulous writers. Hurry Hurry Hurry, tickets won't last long and are available at:
MUNRO’S BOOKS
1108 Government Street, Victoria BC V8W 1Y2
www.munrobooks.com
phone (250) 382-2464 fax (250) 382-2832

Ken and Kit will be reading from their new books followed by a signing. Tickets are available at the store for $5.00 and can be used toward the purchase of Darkwing or A Perfect Gentle Knight (one ticket per book). Don’t delay as we expect this event to sell out quickly!

The Cybils Awards

Sorry, no review today. It's Saturday almost afternoon, and I've spent the morning in bed reading. After a day of anxiety over the near loss of all my email files, I deserve it! I'm part way through a Michael Morpurgo title, which I will report on soon. Tomorrow the Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable (which I chair) will be voting on our pick for the Information Book Award. Our votes will be pooled with votes from other Roundtable votes from across Canada, and will be announced in November. I have held off reviewing any of those titles but will do once our votes are in. As well, I confess to having been distracted by Kathy Reichs Break No Bones. Yes, I have an addiction to forensic type murder mysteries, and Reich's Temple mysteries are a favourite. But, soon I'll be back to reading kids books.

In the meantime, the Cybils Blogger Children's and YA Literary Awards for 2007 are in the works. The organizers are in search of bloggers to read read read, so if you are over 13, are a kid's book lover, and are a blogger, check them out. Alas, I'm too busy with other things at the moment so can't participate. I will definitely read the books on the short-list though.

Madeleine L'Engle will be missed.

Sadly, Madeleine L'Engle died yesterday. She was the author of more than 60 books, some of which have been my all time favourites. She was 88. Here is the link to her obituary in the New York Time. She will be missed by so many fans.

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

So, if you happen to be looking for a nice light read, and enjoy both teen and spy novels, you’re in luck. I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter has just hit the press, and it is a total hoot. Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy For Exceptional Young Women. While the name implies the epitome of snooty girls’ private school, it is anything but. Not only are the girls all geniuses, the Academy is a covert operation for young female spies in training. The girls get extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. PE involves advanced martial arts. And science class teaches the latest in chemical warfare. All the training in the world doesn’t help Cammie when it comes to dating though. She may be able to speak fourteen languages, kill a man seven different ways with her bare hands, or follow him without detection, but she gets weak in the knees when it comes to ordinary boys, especially one by the name of Josh Abrams. Of course any self-respecting spy is aware of the danger of infiltration, so Cammie’s friends decide to check Cammie’s potential new boyfriend out just to be on the safe side. Breaking into his house, hacking into his computer, and checking out the family trash are just a few of the tactics hilariously employed.

Carter’s book is a blast. She’s obviously has a solid handle on the James Bond variety of spy fiction as well as her target audience. This was a fun read, which has, by the way been optioned by Walt Disney so don’t be surprised when it arrives at a movie theatre near you. In the meantime though, Ms. Carter is working on a sequel, Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy. I can’t wait to read Cammie’s further adventures with her friends, with boys, and with the whatever mission Gallagher Academy For Exceptional Young Women or life throws her way.

Potter Puppet Pals in

For those of you who love Harry Potter, have already read the 7th book, and are up for a chuckle, check out "The Mysterious Ticking Noise."

Canadian Flyer Adventures

Canadian Flyer Adventures is a cool new historical adventure series put out by Maple Tree Press. The books are written by Frieda Wishinsky, and wonderfully illustrated by Dean Griffins.

This weekend, the last before school started up again and sadly a rainy one, I read two of the four now available, Crazy for Gold and Beware Pirates. The series is aimed at grade two or perhaps grade three, and each title is a stand-alone, content driven historical adventure designed to inform as well as entice. The stories feature Emily Bing and her new friend Matt Martinez . Together they discover a magical sled in the attic of the house Emily's parents have inherited from her Great Aunt Miranda. Time travel adventures quickly ensue. The first book in the series involves an encounter with one of Queen Elizabeth's privateers, Martin Frobisher and his search for the fabled Northwest Passage. The children find themselves on his ship, are ordered to swab the decks. Instead, they befriend a native, visit his home, witness a kidnapping, carry out a rescue, and make it back to the safety of Emily's attic. Another of the adventures finds the children Klondike bound. They face hunger, bitter cold, the grueling climb to the Chilkoot Pass summit and a dangerous trip through rapids before reaching the gold fields. They even meet Samuel Steele, one of the first to join The Northwest Mounted Police, who kept the peace through the gold-frenzied rush.

One of the features of the series that will appeal to both kids and teachers is the information section at the back of the book. It is cleverly divided into "Emily's Top Ten Facts", "Matt's Top Ten Facts", and "So You Want to Know: from Author Freida Wishinsky". To find out more about other titles in the series, visit the Canadian Flyer Website.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

I’d heard of Looking for Alaska by John Green from my daughter, Ali who was working in a bookstore when it came out. I had it on my must-read-one-of-these-days list long before I heard John Green speak at the SCBWI conference in LA this summer. It was his speech, which blurred the line of truths, lies and fiction which made me move it up to the top of my ever growing pile. I finished it last night, and know that it will stay with me for a long time to come.

The story begins with Miles, a sixteen-year old Florida boy about to leave for boarding school. At his mother’s insistence, Miles endures a going away party where, as he expects, almost no one shows up. Obsessed with last words, this only confirms his need to leave his lonely and uneventful life behind to pursue what Rabelais called “The Great Perhaps.” Of course, Miles is also hoping that he’ll meet friends and even have adventures at Culver Creek Boarding School.

He is as unprepared for the Alabama heat as for what lay in store. First, there is his new roommate, the five-foot nothing Chip Martin. Known as The Colonel, he renames Miles, smokes like a fiend; drinks vodka mixed will milk, and memorizes the names and capitals of countries. A middle of the night brush with another group of boarders called Weekend Warriors firmly establishes a friendship between The Colonel and Miles AKA Pudge. Friendships with Takumi, a Japanese-American who is clever with a rap, but hopeless at pre-calculus and the sweet Romanian-born Lara with whom Pudge has a short-lived romance follow. But, it is Alaska who is the glue that holds them all together. She is equal parts gorgeous, well read, and self-destructive. Of course Pudge is smitten with “her eyes that predisposed you to supporting her every endeavor.”

Looking for Alaska is a rich stew of characters brimming with energy intensity. Green serves up their stories with such potency that once you have a taste of these kid’s lives, you’ll want more. I expected great writing. After all, Looking for Alaska won the Michael L. Printz Award for Young Adult Literature. I expected subtle wit and a certain amount of well-drawn teenage angst. What I didn’t expect was to be thrown into the emotional minefield of adolescence. What I didn’t expect was to care so very much about Pudge, The Colonel, and Alaska, the girl they knew, and the one they never could. What I didn’t expect was that a lie could feel, and taste and smell so very real.

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

When I attended the annual SCBWI conference in LA recently, by way of a quick introduction, each presenter characterized themselves with a single word. Some of the words were in keeping with what one might expect from coming from children's book writers, illustrators and publishers; words like poetry, inspire stubborn, and possibilities. Others came up with creative solutions to the one word dilemma (torture for writers who love language) by banding together to come up with statements. Still others like Ellen Wittlinger's word, "basement," and Walter Dean Myers "details" simply served to pique our interest for a later session. Myers keynote addressed the idea that the details you include in a story must be the ones that speak the truth about the character, a truth the reader will follow. In her keynote Wittlinger explained the word basement as one's innermost place, and spoke about how a writer must speak from their own inner most place, especially if writing for teens. This is something that Wittlinger does extremely well. Anyone who has read Hard Love, would agree, and it remains one of my all time favourite YA titles.

The word that received the most enthusiastic response though was "scrotum". If you have followed the news over the last few months, you will be correct in suspecting that this word was spoken by Susan Patron, author of The Higher Power of Lucky, winner of the 2007 Newbery Medal and one of the most hotly debated titles of recent years. And yes, the censorship debate rests on that one word which appears on the first page of the book and again near it's end.

It is sad to imagine that some could not travel beyond that one word to follow the extraordinary adventures of ten year old Lucky and her quest to find her higher power. They will never have met the spunky and creative Lucky, nor the other 42 people who inhabit Hard Pan, California. They will miss the opportunity to meet Lucky's guardian, Britgitt, who left France temporarily to look after Lucky as a favour to her ex-husband when Lucky's mother dies. They will miss the fear of abandonment Lucky faces each time Bridgitt gets homesick. They will never know Lucky's friend Lincoln, future U.S. president (if his mother has any say in the matter) and a knot obsessed member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers. They will not have gotten to know five year old Miles who is addicted to cookies and a book called Are You My Mother? They will have missed eavesdropping on the twelve-step anonymous programs where Lucky first hears about higher powers and where she learns the secrets of many of the towns inhabitants. Worst of all, they will not get to run away with Lucky and her dog HMS Beagle to the old mine shafts in the desert outside of town where she saves Miles, finds her higher power and where Bridgitt and the whole community of Hard Pan show Lucky just how loved and how lucky she truly is.

Not Afraid of Dogs by Susanna Pitzer, illustrated by Larry Day

Not Afraid of Dogs by Susanna Pitzer with Illustrations by Larry Day is a perfect primary and preschool book to help children not just with the fear of dogs, but with fear in general. It's hero, Daniel, is a very brave little boy indeed. He isn't afraid of spiders or snakes or even thunderstorms. But, like all of us, he is afraid of something, and that fear is largely based on the unknown. Dogs are scary to Daniel. However much he refuses to own up to his fear, it continues to plague him. Usually, Daniel avoids dogs (often in hilarious ways). His dog phobia begins to pose serious constraints when his family offers to look after his Aunt's sweet little dog, Bandit. Fortunately for Daniel, the dog isn't shy about his own fear of thunderstorms. Once Daniel realizes that Bandit is even more afraid than he is, he forgets his own fears and comforts the terrified dog during a late night thunderstorm. By forgetting his fears to comfort another, he soon realizes how groundless they were. The is a gem of a picture book that would be perfect both at home and in schools and preschools. The text is simple yet rich in the emotional landscape it evokes. Dialogue effectively moves the story along reducing the need for extensive narrative. As well, the illustrations truly enrich the text making for a perfect marriage between text and illustrations. For example, Daniel's chair at the dinner table is empty while he is still insisting (from off the page) that he isn't afraid. The empty chair with Bandit sitting next to it says it all. And this is not just my opinion. This delightful book took home the Golden Kite Book Award this year for best illustrated picture book published.

Stuart's Cape and Stuart Goes to School by Sara Pennypacker

I love Stuart. I can't believe that Sara Pennypacker's cape-creating, glasses-wearing, cutest ever worry-wart of a kid got nixed after only two books. Stuart, who began his short life is Stuart's Cape, was partly base on one of Pennypacker's nephews. Pennypacker's imagination filled in the blanks and what wonderful and wacky adventures she created. Stuart is as insecure as any kid who has just moved and whose best stuff got accidentally mistaken for a box of garbage. No wonder Stuart is a worrier. School is still weeks away, he has no friends, and he is bored. A superhero cape, he decides, is just the thing. He staples together his father's tossed off ties and adds a secret pocket made out of sock and and he has it, the perfect cape. How could it not be magical! Dinosaurs jumping on his bed, eating lighter than air sponge cake that floats him up up up, and growing giant toast are a few of the weird and wonderful adventures Stuart has when he's wearing his cape. Of course, magical capes can get you into trouble if you're the least bit careless. But I don't want to give it all away. Pick up a either Stuart's Cape or Stuart Goes to School, and I'll bet you'll be writing to publishers writing demanding more of Stuart's adventures.

Cornellia Funke is driving me crazy

On another note, Cornellia Funke is driving me crazy. I have just finished Inkspell, the second in the triology in which characters and stories come to life. Although it is 600 plus pages, Funke leaves you wanting more. Now I have to go out and buy next book in the series because I HAVE to find out what is going to happen to Meggie and her parents not to mention if the infamous Dustfinger is going to stay dead and whether the newly arrived Orpheus, with "the voice of heaven" and the conceit of the devil will will do more damage than good since he's been read into the story by Meggie. And of course, I can't help but wonder if there is a future for the love Funke has kindled between Meggie in a world where immortality has just been granted to a tyrant who hangs musicians and works peasants to dead in his silver mines. Oh it's all too much. I'll just have to get cracking and read more. Sheryl

The Smell of Paint is on the list for the Butler Book Prize and Corn

It's been a while since I've posted, but life has been busy and yes, I've been a bit lazy. Not so much about reading, but about reviewing. One of these days I'll get around to posting more reviews as I have about a dozen books I've been meaning to write about.

In the meantime, a good bit of news came my way on the weekend. My novel, The Smell of Paint, has made the long list for The Butler Book Prize, in the Young Readers' Category. It was in good company alongside books by Andrea Spalding, Dede Crane, Laura Langston, Diane Swanson and Nikki Tate to name a few. Will have to wait two months to see who makes the short-list of five though. I have my fingers crossed.

What a busy few months it's been. Lots of travel back and forth to Vancouver for book-related activities and in helping my daughter search for an affordable condo. Did finally find her a place, although I'd hardly call it affordable. Sigh...I suppose affordable is a relative term these days.

Went to a fantastic Young Authors forum the other day with good friend and fellow author Linda Bailey. Met up with several other author friends, Normal Charles, Irene Watts, Ellen Schwartz, and Debbie Hodge which was also fun. The forum featured fantastic writers like Susan Jube, Dennis Foon, Shelley Hrdlitschka, John Burns and Kit Pearson not to mention Bob Tyrrell from Orca Book Publishers, Ken Setterington, the library's Youth advocate from Toronto, Allison Taylor-McBryde from North Van. library who also chairs the YA reader's choice book awards in BC, etc. The topics included writing for reluctant readers, censorship in YA books, fantasy, historical fiction, and humour. Of course the titles were far more clever and literary, but you get the gist. The format included two presenters per topic speaking for about 10 minutes each, followed by a panel discussion with moderator Phyllis Simon from Vancouver Kid's Books posing questions. Then the audience was invited to ask questions too. So so good.

Sadly, not as much writing getting done as I had hoped though, although plenty of thinking about writing which we all need to do on occasion. For example, Alison Taylor McBride pleaded for more books which reflect average teen concerns as opposed to the extremely brutal talley she's seen come across her desk recently while Orca Bob explained how their edgy reluctant teen series has coped with censorship issues in the US. There was plenty more insight as well as suggestions to mull over while I painted walls at my daughter's place that evening.

When Max Became a Mom by Tracey Kuffner

I'm not usually a big fan of self-published books given they often need a good editor, but I quite enjoyed When Max Became a Mom by Tracey Kuffner. Kuffner is both the author and illustrator but her illustration style is totally unique; they are created with felt.

Tracey started out as a felt artist who raises sheep, dyes the wool and creates beautiful clothing. She is full of stories though, and so far two have spilled out. This one is her first, and like many good story tellers, she's dug into her own experiences to create this one. Felt is about layering raw wool in different directions, and this story mimics that process. Max lives on a sheep farm and when he discovers that one of the twin lambs isn't thriving he decides take matters into his own hands. Max has a hard road ahead of him though since bottle-fed lambs have to be fed often and at inconvenient times. Max sticks with it though and the payoff comes in an unexpected form when Max's lamb becomes a mom herself. Friendship and responsibility lay at the heart of this lovely story, but Kuffner is wise enough not to hit her readers over the head with it. It's a gentle story, and having recently met Max (and his little sister Isabelle) I could see why exactly where the story's sensibility came from. Kuffner clearly gets that story is about character. You'll enjoy meeting Max, if it's between the pages of a book.

Kuffner's whimsical illustrations ,while limited in scope, are as charming as this tale is well told. You can check out both of Kuffner's books at Woolmine Publishing

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Ok, I admit it. I hadn't read Cornilia Funke. Hard to believe I know considering that her books have been wildly popular. But then, I'm not a huge fantansy fan, although once I discover a fantasy author that I like, I generally read everything they write and pick up their new books fairly quickly. It happened though that we were speaking at the same conference recently (she being one of the big draws, me being local small pototatoes) and she was an extremely compelling speaker, so I picked up a couple of her books including Inkheart. Here she is signing books. I totally loved Inkheart, especially the premise that characters from a book come to life. The good versus evil theme was very well handled, and I particularly like the lack of sugar coating; people die, bad things happen. In fact, Funke is a real marvel at upping the ante, something that new writers may want to consider when tackling a novel. Her characters are compelling enough to make me want to read more, and I wasn't at all displeased to find the first chapter of book II conveniently located at the end. Wise publisher!

I might also mention that Cornelia's translator was at the same conference. If you are ever privileged enough to hear Anthea Bell speak, don't pass up the chance. She is one of those incredible throw-backs to the past...ie a real scholar who is as thoughtful as she is learned. I totally loved her. One of the best things about that conference (Serendipty put on by the Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable by the also wonderful Dr. Ron Jobe) was the dialogue that translator and author engaged in after their respective talks. The two spoke back and forth as well as answered questions from the audience and it was so informative in terms of the play between art and craft and language.

More later. Sheryl

Great YA book reveiw site

I know that it's been ages since I've posted, but here is a really cool link I've discovered to more great reviews, bios and book excepts not to mention a great place to win book prizes, so check it out. http://www.yabookscentral.com/ Sheryl.

Put an end to name fumbling with the help of Jon Scieszka

Children's Literature Roundtables are truly wonderful, and so are young teachers. Colleen Eckardt and Bridget Hearsey, two new teachers in the Victoria district, gave a fabulous presentation at our last Roundtable on using literature to inspire young readers. They hauled in a huge stack of books (including some of my all time favourites as well as some I hadn't heard of previously) and spoke about how they can be used in various learning environmentst. A total bonus was that they turned us all on to a very cool article by Jon Schiska that you just have to read if you have ever stumbled over someone's name. It is a characteristic piece that no self-respecting Schiska fan will want to miss. Here is the link. More reviews coming. I promise. Sheryl

His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass - Official Teaser

I totally loved Philip Pullman's Dark Materials Trilogy. Now The Golden Compass is coming out in as a film, and staring one of my favourite actors, Nicole Kidman. I can hardly wait!

Blogger award for kid's books

Just wanted to let everyone know who doesn't already that bloggers give out awards too! Check out http://dadtalk.typepad.com/cybils/2007/02/the_2006_cybils.htmlto find out about the best of the best in kids' books according to us regular folk. Hey, a Canadian book even made the list; Melanie Watt has won for fiction picture books for her book Scaredy Squirrel published by Kids Can Press. Later, Sheryl

The 25 Pains of Kennedy Baines by Dede Crane

The 25 Pains of Kennedy Baines by Dede Crane surprised me. Crane, who is new to writing, started off with an adult novel, Sympathy. Although Sympathy garnered a great deal of praise, I admit that I haven't yet finished it. The writing was good, but the subject matter of losing a husband and child in a car accident and the main character's tenuous grip on sanity was something you have to be up for and I just wasn't. So, I expected Crane's first YA novel be as grueling. Not so. It was fresh and easy to read and was about as true to the ups and downs of teenage life as you can get. I enjoyed the way Crane wove threads from the classic Pride and Prejudice, Kennedy's favourtie book, throughout the structure of her novel. There is modern day version of Austen's flashy Wickham character, Colin, the handsome yet sleazy son of Kennedy's mother's university friend. Colin is unappealing to all except Kennedy and her inexperienced friends. His counter is Eliot, an ethnic version of Mr. Darcey, who is every bit the gentle, learned soul. Like Elizabeth, Kennedy finally figures it all out in the end, but not before a sexual encounter heats things up. This scene was my only problem with the book and my discomfort had nothing to do sex. I just found that Colin stepped too far out of character to make it believable. Still, The 25 Pains of Kennedy Baines is a great teen read and I'd definitely recommend it. In fact, giving a young reader both would be a perfect way to introduce a classic, and it may just help to keep the door to discussions about sex open.