Read It Forward and . . . Change the World

I LOVE when enthusiastic school librarians come up with nifty ideas to get kids jazzed about reading.

Kay Hawkins, a Texas middle school librarian, is putting 70-80 copies of a certain book around her school.  (Hint:  It has to do with a hamster, Jewish apple cake and The Daily Show's Jon Stewart.)  The students are encouraged to find a book, read it, sign their name in the front cover and leave it for another student to find.

Random acts of reading!   Who doesn't love that?

To culminate the reading adventure, Kay has invited me to do an author visit at her school and another school in the area.  Whoopee!

But does she stop there?  Nope.  Because uber-librarians never stop there.

She's put QR Codes on the books, then taught the students -- during morning announcements -- to scan the codes to be directed to my Web site or to this video trailer that she created:




I love this video.  I love Kay's enthusiasm and the Read It Forward program.  Can't wait to meet Kay and visit the kids.  And it has nothing to do with the fact that she promised me good food and bowling while I'm there.  Who doesn't love good food and bowling? 

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And one more great idea to make this planet a better place (Thanks, Marsha!) . . .

Okay, young people, here's your chance to CHANGE THE WORLD (or at least your corner of it):

Youth Service America Invites Young Change-Makers to Apply for Disney Friends for Change Grants.  Youth Service America and Disney are accepting applications for its Disney Friends for Change Grants program.  This program offers young change-makers in the United States funding to help make a lasting, positive change in their communities and the world.  Youth between the ages of 5 and 18 in all fifty states and the District of Columbia are eligible to lead a project and apply for a $1,000 grant.  (Applicants younger than 13 years of age must have an older person submit the application on their behalf.)
For complete program guidelines, the eligibility quiz, and the application form, as well as information on previous grant recipients, visit the YSA Web site.
http://www.ysa.org/grants/disney-friends-change-grants.
Deadline:  February 29

A Few Fantastic Resources and Some Super News . . .

There are two things I look forward to on Wednesdays -- a new Modern Family episode and a fresh podcast from Katie Davis's Brain Burps About Books.  Episodes provide industry information, book reviews, marketing tips from Dianne de Las Casas and enough inspiration that I feel like I've attended a mini-conference.

So far in 2012, I've learned about Julie Hedlund's blog, Write Up My Life, and her innovative picture book challenge 12x12 in 2012.  (Have you written your January picture book?  I have!)

I learned about creating picture books from editor, Emma Dryden.  Oh, and check out the popovers the size of one's head! 

In a previous episode, I discovered a new favorite author -- Erica Perl -- and her hilarious book, When Life Gives You O.J.

From Katie's weekly podcast, I also learned how much author Nancy Werlin makes per year.  There was the interview with Newbery winners Linda Sue Park and Rebecca Stead.  Let's not forget the episodes about school visit tips, how to make a book trailer and Bruce Coville's harrowing escape from Egypt.

2.  Did you read this interview with Marla Frazee?  She's one of my favorite illustrators.  And Mrs. Biddlebox is one of my favorite books that she illustrated.  (She mentions it during the interview.)

In the interview, Ms. Frazee shares hard-earned wisdom that applies to both illustrators and writers.

3.  Agent Jill Corcoran offers rock-solid advice in her blog post:  What Makes a Book Sell?.  This post offers a great reminder of what we need to keep in mind when we write the next book . . . and how to begin writing the next book.  Thanks, Jill!

Onto the super news . . .

1.  In addition to the starred Kirkus review for Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen:  “This tale will have readers cheering for the resilient, resourceful Olivia,” Publisher's Weekly just released a fabulous review of Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen:  ". . . this tender, triumphant novel . . ."

With these lovely reviews coming in, Ken Jennings' blurb on the back cover and my Jeopardy!-obsessed, 84-year-old dad's whole-hearted endorsement, I can't wait for Olivia to make her way into the world on March 13th!

2.  On Goodreads, a school librarian in Illinois, Mrs. B, posted this review of How to Survive Middle School:  "I definitely expect this to appear on the Rebecca Caudill list in the next 2-3 years . . .  I read it because a 6th grade girl brought it back in and said it was the best book she ever read."

Well, a few days ago, an e-mail (that landed in my spam folder!) began with one of my favorite words:  "Congratulations!" 

The e-mail went on:  "I am pleased to inform you that How to Survive Middle School is among the 20 books on the Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award shortlist for 2013."

The Illinois State Reading List for grades 4-8!  Could you hear me whooping and hollering at your house?  I sure was loud enough.  Our dogs heard me!

Five years worth of books are considered for this list.  A dedicated committee of hard-working professionals narrow the choices down to 50 books.  Finally, the committee meets at the end of January and selects the 20 books that will appear on the list.

Mrs. B, from Goodreads, I'm so glad your sweet prediction for my book came true.

I leave you with a quote from the late author Rebecca Caudill, for whom the award is named:

“The first essential in any book is that it have something significant to say --a book that leaves the reader with bigger ideas than when he began reading - that stimulates his thinking, stretches his mind, deepens his feelings. A good book sticks to your ribs.”  -- Rebecca Caudill

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

What dogs think about . . .

1.  Walking
2.  Sniffing
3.  Eating
4.  Pooping
5.  Scratching


What cats think about . . .

1.  World domination
2.  Catnip

Book Twins . . . Again

I've discovered two books with very similar covers.  If you read my blog, you know this has happened before.

I guess it's bound to occur occasionally, with hundreds and hundreds of books being published each year.

Here are the latest book twins:

 

And just for fun, check out this link -- 24 Books That Actually Got Published.

ALA Youth Media Awards . . .

This morning, I watched the Youth Media Awards live via Webcast.  For those who are not children's book junkies, these awards are akin to the Academy Awards for film, and people in the industry get very excited about it.

If you want to skip my commentary and go right to the awards, click here.

I'm delighted with the winner of the Newbery Medal:  Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos because it's FUNNY!  The first scene was so outrageously hilarious, I had to read it to Hubby then reread it myself a few times. 

It's fun to check the Amazon ranking of the winning book when the award is first announced (27,051) and the ranking as I write this (45).  Yeah, a little thing like winning the Newbery has a tendency to do that to a book's ranking. 

I love Jack Gantos' books from Rotten Ralph to the Joey Pigza books to A Hole in My Life.  And I'm delighted that his novel Dead End in Norvelt won the 2012 Newbery.  (I'll bet his speech this summer will be wildly entertaining.)

Here he is at the 2011 National Book Festival (being wildly entertaining) . . .

The two Newbery honor books were Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin (an absolutely terrific book that's highly illustrated) and Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai (which also WON the National Book Award).

John Corey Whaley won the William C. Morris Award for a first-time author writing a debut book for teens for his novel, Where Things Come Back.  This novel also won the Printz Award for excellence in literature for young adults.  Can't wait to get my hands on this one . . .

This from Kirkus Reviews:  "This extraordinary tale from a rare literary voice finds wonder in the ordinary and illuminates the hope of second chances."

I was so happy to see Wendelin Van Draanen's The Running Dream win a Schneider Family Book Award -- books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.  Wendelin's novel kept me up late one night because I had to keep reading to find out what happened next.  A beautiful book.

And fellow Florida writer, Greg Neri, snagged an Odyssey Award for best audio book for his terrific, highly illustrated book -- Ghetto Cowboy.  (Illustrations by Jesse Joshua Watson.)  Neri's dramatic story illuminates a part of Philadelphia's history I knew nothing about, despite being a native.  Neri's books fill a need.  They should get in the hands of as many young readers as possible.

There were many other awards announced and many exciting books to explore further.  You'll find the whole list here.

Now, I can get back to writing my own books . . . as visions of the awards dance in my head.

Basketball Season . . .

Our son loves playing basketball.

For years, he's played in the driveway with Dad, at neighborhood courts and at school. 

Here's Jake two years ago, when Dad was still able to beat him . . .

This year, Jake joined the inaugural class at a most amazing high school -- Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches.  Not only does the school provide exceptional educators and support staff, healthful meals and snacks, the latest in technology, a caring community and amazing opportunities -- like the chance to meet and interact with scientists, astronauts and Holocaust survivors -- they offer tons of sports, including the one Jake has enjoyed for years -- basketball.

Last night was the team's final home game of the season . . .

I'm happy to say they ended the game with a win.  Go, Thunderwolves!

It's not a game until the uber-talented Allison Taylor belts out her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.   Allie has a superstar voice!

Here's Jake and Allie after the game . . .

And here's Jake with his wonderful coach -- Dwayne McClain (who played on Villanova's National Championship team in 1985).

Can't wait for tonight's game -- an away game -- the final one for the season.  Looking forward to celebrating with the team and their families afterward.  What a great community.  What a great school.  Thank you, Oxbridge Academy!

Want to Write a Picture Book in 2012?

How about 12 picture books?

The inspiring Julie Hedlund has created a vibrant community of writers pledging to write 12 picture books -- one per month -- in 2012.

12x12 in '12

There will be an industry professional blogging at the beginning of each month, offering information and inspiration.  There will be giveaways that will help us reach our goals.  There is an active Facebook page.   A Twitter group. 

Want to join the fun?

Check out the F.A.Q. of 12x12 in 2012 to join.  And be sure to do it by January 29th so you will be eligible to win the great prizes.

How did I hear about this very cool community?  On Katie Davis's Brain Burps Podcast about Children's Literature, of course.

FL SCBWI Conference in Miami

One-word description:  Inspiring.

A few more words:  Even though I've attended the FL SCBWI Conference nearly each of the last eleven years, this year I hesitated.  Do I have the time?  Money?  Then I remembered that at one of the conferences, instead of taking notes during a speech, I began scribbling ideas that became my novel, HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

When my good buddy Jill said she'd drive, I was in!

To say that speeches by Lin Oliver, E.B. Lewis, Greg Neri and others inspired me would be a vast understatement.

There's something magical about the energy created by a room full of creative people.  I knew a quarter way in it was clearly worth the time and money. 

The Editors Panel Discussion

Sometime during Lin Oliver's amazing speech, while I was taking notes so fast my hand hurt, it happened again.  IT HAPPENED AGAIN!  I scribbled an idea I think will be my next middle grade novel.

Thank you Linda Bernfeld and the many hard-working, dedicated volunteers (I'm talking to you, Laurie Taddonio!) who helped make the magic happen for the 11th year in a row!