Ruta Sepetys Rocks Books and Books . . .

Last week, I had the great pleasure of hearing author Ruta Sepetys give a talk at Books & Books.

Hubby and I drove two hours through rush hour traffic on a weeknight to be there.

Why?

A little more than a year ago, Steve Watkins, Julia Durango and I judged the Golden Kite Awards.  We read through 450 books . . .

And ultimately chose Ruta's Between Shades of Gray as the winner of the Golden Kite Award. 

Not to be confused with that masterpiece of literature, Fifty Shades of Gray.  Even though Ruta's book does start with:  They took me in my nightgown.

Here's a blurb about the book:  Fifteen-year-old Lina Vilkas is arrested by the Soviet secret police and deported to Siberia with her mother and younger brother. Lina fights for her life, vowing that if she survives she will honor her family and the thousands like hers by burying her complete story in a jar on Lithuanian soil. Lina’s writings chronicle her experience, her struggle to accept help from a kind Soviet guard she’s supposed to hate, and retain her dignity without losing faith in mankind.

Between Shades of Gray has been published in 41 countries.

So, when Ruta's follow up, Out of the Easy, came out, I had to get it.

And when I found out Ruta would be at Books & Books at the beginning of her 10-week tour, I had to get there.

She was worth the trip!

Ruta gave the best author/book talk I've heard at a bookstore.  Her stories were fascinating, funny and harrowing.  They involved American idol, being in a prison camp and spending a day with a mafia boss.  Her personality is warm and genuine.  And she stayed until every last question was answered and every book signed.

I'm an even bigger fan now!

Donna & Ruta Sepetys at Books and Books

Ruta's tour will take her to many places in the United States, London, Paris, several locations in Lithuania and she will be speaking to the European Parliament! 

Here's her touring schedule.  If you get a chance to see Ruta speak, don't miss it!

KIDS SAY (AND CREATE) THE DARNDEST THINGS . . .

One of the joys of my work is the creative response from kids. 

1)  This web site for How to Survive Middle School was created, I assume, by a student:  http://htsms.weebly.com/index.html.  To say I was impressed by the effort would be an understatement.

2)  Found out How to Survive Middle School is on the Battle of the Books list for Chicago Public Schools, grades 4-6.  Love how educators make reading fun with events like Battle of the Books. 

Here are some of the things kids have said about the Battle of the Books in Chicago:

"We all felt so excited that we almost fainted!" 

"All the books I read helped me understand more about the world."

"I came to the U.S. two years ago.  I was a very slow English reader.  Now I can read a book in a day!"

3)  And the extraordinary educator, Deb Tyo from Ohio, sent me this video invitation created entirely by her 6th grade students.

To fully appreciate this short video, you need to know four quick things:

• When I graduated elementary school, the math award I received was a dictionary (that I still use today).
• There is "an unfortunate hula hoop incident" in my book, Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen.
• The upcoming title for my 2014 middle grade novel is Death by Toilet Paper
• To celebrate World Read Aloud Day, an annual event created by LitWorld, I will be one of many authors Skyping into classrooms to read and interact and have some fun.  For a list of authors available to Skype with students on WRAD, check out Kate Messner's blog post.

Now, onto the FUNtastic video, created by Deb Tyo's inventive students:

What do you think?  Should I Skype with these kids on WRAD?  You betcha!  And I think I'd better bring my hula hoop, too.

See You Later, Alligator

When my friend, Kim . . .

Kim, trying out her new kayak

 . . . told me about canoeing recently through Riverbend Park and coming face to face with a wide-mouthed, hissing alligator and accidentally paddling the wrong way -- closer to the alligator's open jaws -- I wasn't scared.

I was terrified!

So I did what any normal person would.  I joined Kim for a kayak adventure through those same waters.

Here's why . . .

Kayaking through Riverbend Park

Isn't it gorgeous?  The way Florida used to be before we paved paradise and put up a parking lot.  Or, in our case, filled in the swamps and put up gated housing communities, shopping malls and several rodent-inspired amusement parks.

It's such a treat to get out in the wilderness, get an upper body workout and enjoy nature.

Heron and I having a staring contest.  The heron won.

There was also this little fellow . . .

Limpkin

We saw hawks and turtles, both large and tiny, spiders and then we saw this . . .

"While canoeing this river you will encounter alligators."

Kim and I noticed the sign didsn't say "May encounter alligators" or "There's a tiny chance you'll encounter alligators."  The sign said "While Canoeing this river you WILL encounter alligators."

Well, we fooled them because we weren't canoeing.  We were kayaking.  Entirely different.  Right?

But then, what is that on the bank . . .

Alligator on the bank.  Notice how he blends into the surroundings, looking more like a log than a gator.

Fortunately, he stayed put and we didn't.  "Paddle faster, Kim!"

"Just a minute.  I'm taking a photo."

(Notice it's not a closeup.  I have smart friends.)

Thanks to Kim for shlepping her kayaks to Riverbend Park for our morning adventure.  And to her hubby, Brian, for lending me his kayak.  And to the powers that be that let this part of South Florida be.

Beautiful.

American Library Association Announces 2013 Youth Media Award Winners

It's that time again:  the Oscars of children's literature.  

A most exciting hour of announcements for a book nerd like me!  I couldn't have been happier with the choices.

And the winners are . . .

SEATTLE — The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, video and audiobooks for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its Midwinter Meeting in Seattle.
A list of all the 2013 award winners follows:
John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:
“The One and Only Ivan,” written by Katherine Applegate, is the 2013 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers.
Three Newbery Honor Books also were named: “Splendors and Glooms” by Laura Amy Schlitz and published by Candlewick Press; “Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon” by Steve Sheinkin and published by Flash Point, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press; and “Three Times Lucky” by Sheila Turnage and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group.
Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
“This Is Not My Hat,” illustrated and written by Jon Klassen, is the 2013 Caldecott Medal winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.
Five Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Creepy Carrots!” illustrated by Peter Brown, written by Aaron Reynolds and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division; “Extra Yarn,” illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of
HarperCollins Publishers; “Green,” illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger and published by Neal Porter Books, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press; “One Cool Friend,” illustrated by David Small, written by Toni Buzzeo and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group; “Sleep Like a Tiger,” illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Mary Logue and published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
“Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America,” written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney is the King Author Book winner. The book is published by Disney/Jump at the Sun Books, an imprint of Disney Book Group.
Two King Author Honor Books were selected: “Each Kindness” by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group; and “No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller” by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and published by Carolrhoda Lab, an imprint of Carolrhoda Books, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:
“I, Too, Am America,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book is written by Langston Hughes and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.
Three King Illustrator Honor Books were selected: “H. O. R. S. E.,” illustrated and written by Christopher Myers, and published by Egmont USA; “Ellen’s Broom,” illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group; and “I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr.” illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Martin Luther King, Jr. and published by Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
“In Darkness,” written by Nick Lake, is the 2013 Printz Award winner. The book is published by Bloomsbury Books for Young Readers.
Four Printz Honor Books also were named: “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division; “Code Name Verity” by Elizabeth Wein, published by Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group; “Dodger” by Terry Pratchett, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers; “The White Bicycle” by Beverley Brenna, published by Red Deer Press.
Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:
“Back to Front and Upside Down!” written and illustrated by Claire Alexander and published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., wins the award for children ages 0 to 10.
“A Dog Called Homeless” written by Sarah Lean and published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, is the winner of the middle-school (ages 11-13) award.
The teen (ages 13-18) award winner is “Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am,” written by Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.
Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:
“Caring is Creepy,” by David Zimmerman, published by Soho Press, Inc.
“Girlchild,” by Tupelo Hassman, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
“Juvenile in Justice,” by Richard Ross, published by Richard Ross
“Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore,” by Robin Sloan, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
“My Friend Dahmer,” by Derf Backderf, published by Abrams ComicArts, an imprint of Abrams
“One Shot at Forever,” by Chris Ballard, published by Hyperion
“Pure,” by Julianna Baggott, published by Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
“The Round House,” by Louise Erdrich, published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
“Tell the Wolves I’m Home,” by Carol Rifka Brunt, published by Dial Press, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.
“Where’d You Go, Bernadette?,” by Maria Semple, published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children's video:
Katja Torneman, producer of “Anna, Emma and the Condors,” is the Carnegie Medal winner.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. The 2013 winner is Katherine Paterson. Paterson was born in China in 1932 to missionary parents and grew up in the American South, moving eighteen times before she was 18. After graduating from King College in Bristol, Tennessee, she herself became a missionary in Japan. She returned to the U.S. to attend the Union Theological Seminary in New York, where she met and married John Paterson, a Presbyterian minister. Her first book, “The Sign of the Chrysanthemum,” was published in 1973. Katherine Paterson currently lives in Barre, Vermont.
Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement: Demetria Tucker is the 2013 recipient. Tucker has served as youth services coordinator within the Roanoke (Va.) Public Library System and library media specialist at the Forest Park Elementary School, where she was selected 2007 Teacher of the Year. As family and youth services librarian for the Pearl Bailey Library, a branch of the Newport News (Va.) Public Library System, Tucker now coordinates a youth leadership program, a teen urban literature club and many other programs that support the youth of her community.
Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults:
Tamora Pierce is the 2013 Edwards Award winner. Pierce was born in rural Western Pennsylvania in 1954. She knew from a young age she liked stories and writing, and in 1983, she published her first book, Song of the Lioness. She continues to write and even record her own audiobooks. She currently lives with her husband (spouse-creature) and a myriad of animals in Syracuse, New York.
May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award recognizing an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children's literature, who then presents a lecture at a winning host site.

Andrea Davis Pinkney will deliver the 2014 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. Andrea Davis Pinkney is a New York Times best-selling writer of more than 20 books for children and young adults including picture books, novels and nonfiction. During the course of her career, Pinkney has launched many high-profile publishing and entertainment entities, including Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Publishing’s Jump at the Sun imprint, the first African American children’s book imprint at a major publishing company.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an outstanding children's book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States:
“My Family for the War” is the 2013 Batchelder Award winner. Originally published in Germany in 2007 as “Liverpool Street,” the book was written by Anne C. Voorhoeve, translated by Tammi Reichel and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Two Batchelder Honor Books also were selected: “A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return,” written and illustrated by Zeina Abirached, translated by Edward Gauvin and published by Graphic Universe, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.; and “Son of a Gun,” written and translated by Anne de Graaf, and published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States:
“The Fault in Our Stars,” produced by Brilliance Audio, is the 2013 Odyssey Award winner. The book is written by John Green and narrated by Kate Rudd.
Three Odyssey Honor Audiobooks also were selected: “Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian,” produced by Listening Library, written by Eoin Colfer and narrated by Nathaniel Parker; “Ghost Knight,” produced by Listening Library, written by Cornelia Funke and narrated by Elliot Hill; and “Monstrous Beauty,” produced by Macmillian Audio, written by Elizabeth Fama and narrated by Katherine Kellgren.
Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:
“Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert,” illustrated by David Diaz, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book was written by Gary D. Schmidt and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

No Belpré Illustrator Honor Books were selected this year.

Pura Belpré (Author) Award:
“Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, is the Belpré Author Award winner. The book is published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.
One Belpré Author Honor Book was named: “The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano” by Sonia Manzano, published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children:
“Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon,” written by Steve Sheinkin, is the Sibert Award winner. The book is published by Flash Point, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press.
Three Sibert Honor Books were named: “Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin,” written and illustrated by Robert Byrd and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group; “Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95,” written by Phillip M. Hoose and published by Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers; and “Titanic: Voices from the Disaster,” written by Deborah Hopkinson and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience:
“Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, is the Stonewall Award winner.
Four Stonewall Honor Books were selected: “Drama,” written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier and published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.; “Gone, Gone, Gone,” written by Hannah Moskowitz and published by Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division; “October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard,” written by Lesléa Newman and published by Candlewick Press; and “Sparks: The Epic, Completely True Blue, (Almost) Holy Quest of Debbie,” written by S. J. Adams and published by Flux, an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book:
“Up, Tall and High!” written and illustrated by Ethan Long is the Seuss Award winner. The book is published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group.
Three Geisel Honor Books were named: “Let’s Go for a Drive!” written and illustrated by Mo Willems, and published by Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group; “Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons” by Eric Litwin, created and illustrated by James Dean and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers; and “Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover,” written and illustrated by Cece Bell and published by Candlewick Press.
William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens:
“Seraphina,” written by Rachel Hartman, is the 2013 Morris Award winner. The book is published by Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Four other books were finalists for the award: “Wonder Show,” written by Hannah Barnaby, published by Houghton Mifflin, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers; “Love and Other Perishable Items,” written by Laura Buzo, published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.; “After the Snow,” written by S. D. Crockett, published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; and “The Miseducation of Cameron Post,” written by emily m. danforth, published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults:

“Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon,” written by Steve Sheinkin, is the 2013 Excellence winner. The book is published by Flash Point/Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.

Four other books were finalists for the award: “Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different,” written by Karen Blumenthal, published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; “Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95,” written by Phillip Hoose, published by Farrar Straus Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; “Titanic: Voices from the Disaster,” written by Deborah Hopkinson, published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic; and “We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March,” written by Cynthia Levinson, published by Peachtree Publishers.
Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by judging committees of librarians and other children’s literature experts, the awards encourage original and creative work.  For more information on the ALA youth media awards and notables, please visit www.ala.org/yma .
 

It's Okay to Be Chicken . . .

especially when you're at the amazing 2013 Florida SCBWI Conference in Miami.

For example, I'm sure the five people speaking on the "First Books" panel (Laen Ghiloni, Shannon Hitchcock, Nicole Lataif, Rob Sanders and Jessica Souders) were chicken, but they got up and made inspiring speeches anyway about the experience of publishing their first books.

Shannon Hitchcock telling the touching story of why she dedicated THE BALLAD OF JESSIE PEARL to her son, Alex

Then we were off to Books and Books in Coral Gables where being chicken wasn't an option.  I thanked owner, Mitchell Kaplan, for his wonderful store and for being so supportive of authors.  I met with writers/illustrators/editors, etc.

Becky and Aaron from Books and Books operated the bookstore at our conference.

Aaron and Becky from Books and Books.  This photo was stolen from Augusta Scattergood's blog.

Saturday was filled with wise words from authors, illustrators, editors and agents.  We had the pleasure of hearing Bruce Coville, Rubin Pfeffer, Michael Sterns, Toni Buzzeo, Ellen Hopkins, etc.

Here's Bruce Coville, talking about the ripples that extend from what we do.  What a wise and witty speaker!

The evening found us at the Barnyard Stomp.  We were dressed as hillbillies, farm animals and even Honey Boo Boo Child. 

Becca Puglisi, Stacie Ramey, Me, Jill Nadler

Jill Nadler, Fred Koehler and me!

Sunday workshops included a workshop by Becca Puglisi, who, along with Angela Ackerman, are the authors of The Emotion Thesaurus.

One of the highlights of the excellent workshop was connecting with Augusta Scattergood, author of the highly acclaimed novel, Glory Be.

Augusta Scattergood and me, after a long, wonderful conference

As always, the conference tired me out and energized me.  It was GREAT to connect with old friends and make some fine new ones.  THANK YOU to Linda Bernfeld and all the people who worked so hard to make this conference so memorable.

My life is far richer for our Florida chidren's literature community!

THE NAKED POST

What does "NAKED" have to do with writing for children?

Apparently, a lot . .

1.  Let's start with Robin LaFever's post, "Embrace the Naked" for Writer Unboxed. 

Here's a peek from her excellent essay:  "Writing is about being brave, taking risks, accepting and embracing our essential humanness; it is not about being comfortable or safe or a way to stay invisible.  Accept that."

Robin Lafevers

  
2.  While you're reading Robin's wise words, enjoy a few handfuls of BEAR NAKED GRANOLA.  Seriously, this stuff is delicious!

Bear Naked Granola

3.  Check out this kerfuffle as Maurice Sendak tells Martha Stewart how IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN shocked people because of the illustration of a naked boy.  Seriously?!

In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak

4.  There's more NAKED news in the world of children's books.

Michael Ian Black teams up with Debbie Ridpath Ohi for a new picture book called:  NAKED!  It tells the story of a young boy who refuses to wear clothes after his bath.  You can read more about it here. 

Why is this exciting news?  Have you read their recent collaboration, I'M BORED?  If not, I'll wait.



Done yet? 

It's great, right?  How could it be bad when it involves a potato, a girl and a flamingo? 

Simply brilliant!

I'M BORED BY MICHAEL IAN BLACK, ILLUSTRATED BY DEBBIE RIDPATH OHI

Debbie Ridpath Ohi created one of the first e-zines for writers in early '95.  I wrote for her e-zine, INKSPOT, about creating greeting cards.  I connected with the awesome Lee Wardlaw, who was writing for INKSPOT about writing for children.

It's with great pleasure that I watched Debbie's career morph into one of a successful illustrator of picture books, thanks in part to opportunities provided by S.C.B.W.I.  (Yay, S.C.B.W.I.!)

5.   Too much NAKED talk?  Do you want to wash your hands of it all?

Go right ahead . . .  with NAKED LADY NATURAL SOAPS, a great local company that has a fascinating story about how they began in their kitchen with a science project. 

NAKED LADY -- Lavender Mint Oatmeal -- my favorite

2012 -- ALL BOOKED UP!

Here's the annual list of books I read in 2012 (with occasional comments).

(An asterisk denotes titles intended for adult readers.)

I'd love to hear about YOUR favorite 2012 reads in the comments section.

Let the BOOKFEST begin . . .

1.  Breaking Stalin's Nose --  Eugene Yelchin  (This is an exceptional book that looks deceptively simple, but tells a powerful story from the viewpoint of a young boy.)
2.  Hidden -- Helen Frost
3.  Everything I Was --  Corinne Demas
4.  The Fourth Stall --  Chris Rylander  (This was so funny it won the Sid Fleischman Award.  Middle grade mafia.  Need I say more?)
5.  Illegal -- Bettina Restrepo  (Gripping.  Puts a face/heart to people who come here from other countries.)
6.  Bluefish -- Pat Schmatz  (Thoroughly enjoyed this.)
7.  Kick -- Walter Dean Myers & Ross Workman (Interesting collaboration between a well-established author and a young fan.  Read more about it here.)
8.  She Love You, She Loves You Not -- Julie Anne Peters  (Huge fan of her work.)
9.  The Day Before -- Lisa Schroeder  (Made me a fan of Lisa Schroeder's work.)
10. Words in the Dust -- Trent Reedy  (How did an American man get into the mind and heart of a girl from Afghanistan?  His military background?  His writer's heart?  However he did it, this story is SO GOOD!  It would make a great movie.)
11. Inside Out and Back Again -- Thanhha Lai
12. Zane's Trace -- Allan Wolf
13.  Hound Dog True -- Linda Urban
14. Dear Mr. Henshaw -- Beverly Cleary
15. * Orange Is the New Black -- My Year in a Women's Prison -- Piper Kerman (Very interesting.)
16.  Beneath a Meth Moon -- Jacqueline Woodson  (Does Ms. Woodson write anything that isn't gripping/moving/wonderful?  My favorite of her books so far is If You Come Softly.  A certain scene in that book slayed me.)
17.  Wonder -- R.J. Palacio  (This is the middle grade book you must read.  You will be richer for having met Auggie Pullman.  The author did everything right from exploring an experience that left an impression on her heart to using multiple viewpoints.  It's my pick for this year's Newbery.)
18. Orchards -- Holly Thompson  (Great book in verse.  Like visiting Japan.)
19.  Black Box -- Julie Schumaker
20.  The One and Only Ivan -- Katherine Applegate (This book made an impression on my heart.  Told from the viewpoint of a Silverback Gorilla in captivity and how he attempts to rescue a young elephant.  Told with so much heart.  I pick this for a Newbery Honor.)
21.  Paper Covers Rock -- Jenny Hubbard
22.  Dying to Meet You (43 Old Cemetery Road) -- Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise (I loved this book for younger readers.  Such fun word play to complement a solid, fun ghost story.)
23.  The Big Crunch -- Pete Hautman
24.  Where Things Come Back -- John Corey Waley
25.  Drawing from Memory -- Allen Say
26.  Curveball:  The Year I Lost My Grip --  Jordan Sonnenblick  (The characters stayed with me long after I closed the book.)
27.  * Seriously, I'm Kidding -- Ellen Degeneres
28.  A Monster Calls -- Patrick Ness  (READ.  THIS.  BOOK.)
29.  See You at Harry's -- Jo Knowles  (A three-hanky read.  Loved it.)
30. Just Write.  Here's How.  -- Walter Dean Myers.  (When the master talks, I listen.)
31. The 13 Clocks -- James Thurber  (Read this while living in the Thurber House this summer.)
32. Keeping the Night Watch -- Hope Anita Smith
33. Monster -- Walter Dean Myers
34.  Please Ignore Vera Deitz -- A.S. King  (Glad to be introduced to this interesting writer.  One of the characters we hear from in this novel is a pagoda.  For an illuminating interview with the author by Sara Zarr, check out This Creative Life podcast.
35. Stolen -- Lucy Christopher  (A page-turner.)
36. The Night She Disappeared -- April Henry (I like April Henry.  I love her books.  They're thoroughly gripping.  This one kept me turning the pages late into the night.)
37. A Tale Dark and Grimm -- Adam Gidwitz (This book surprised and delighted me.  What a fun/gory/inventive take on these tales.  Loved it and can't wait to read the next one, In a Glass Grimmly.)
38. My Life in Dog Year -- Gary Paulsen  (I'm a big fan of Gary Paulesen's books.  This one is a touching collection of his true dog stories.  Really good!)
39. The Laura Line (pub date: 4/23/13) -- Crystal Allen  (Had the pleasure of reading this in manuscript form and offering a blurb.  If you haven't read Allen's first book, treat yourself to a heartfelt laughfest with How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy.  Unique and hilarious voice.)
40. * The Things That Keep Us Here -- Carla Buckley (Oh. My. Gosh!  Stephen King, move over.  Small community.  BIG story.  I will tell you nothing, except GO READ THIS!  Some of the scenes still haunt me, months after reading it.)
41. * The Solitude of Prime Numbers -- Paolo Giordano  (Depressing.)
42. The Classroom -- Robin Mellom
43. Belle Pratter's Boy -- Ruth White
44. * Life Is So Good -- George Dawson and Richard Glaubman (True story of a man who learns to read at 98 and shares his fascinating life.)
45. Drama -- Raina Telgemeier  (Also enjoyed her first graphic novel, Smile.)
46. Small as an Elephant -- Jennifer Richard Jacobson  (A boy goes camping with his mom in Acadia National Park.  In the morning, he wakes to find his Mom's tent gone . . . and his mom gone.  He has to figure out what happened and how to get home.  Wholly in the head of the young boy.  This novel surprised me with its excellence, and I highly recommend it!  A gem!)
47. Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies -- Andrea Beaty (I met Andrea when we were speaking at the same conference.  I found her to be fun, funny and smart -- just like her book!)
48. Never Fall Down -- Patricia McCormick  (Ms. McCormick is a treasure.  Her books bring you face to face with difficult realities in the most intimate way.  They are researched meticulously and wrought beautifully.  Read her other books as well, then watch the documentary, Half the Sky:  Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, which shows some of the things Ms. McCormick writes about so well.)
49. No Crystal Stair: A documentary novel of the life and work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem bookseller -- Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (Very interesting.  I learned a lot.)
50. Secrets of the Cicada Summer -- Andrea Beaty  (A solid mystery/friendship/family/tragedy story for younger middle grade.)
51. The Fault in Our Stars -- John Green (Come on.  Could this get any more heartbreaking?  LOVED.  EVERY.  PAGE.)
52. * The Buddha in the Attic -- Julie Otsuka (Have you ever read a novel written in third person plural?  The whole thing?  Me neither.  But it worked.  And I learned a lot about those women who came over from Japan, looking for a better life, but finding mostly hard work and disappointments large and larger.)
53.  Boy 21 -- Matthew Quick (Okay, my husband loved reading The Silver Linings Playbook, and we all loved the movie -- Philadelphia references were a big bonus for us.  So I discovered Matthew Quick has written three YA novels.  Boy 21 is terrific!  Basketball, young love, the Irish mafia.  That man can write.  Just ordered Sorta Like a Rockstar and can't wait to devour it.  For an interview with Matthew Quick, check out Sara Zarr's This Creative Life podcast.)

Please leave a comment about your favorite 2012 reads . . .

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Almost every day, I wake and do some kind of writing. 

Eight days during the holidays, I did not.

It was WONDERFUL!

Friday, December 21st, I closed my computer mid-day and boarded a Southwest plane with my family.  (Love Southwest.  Love my family.)

We landed in Philadelphia and it took me 2.3 minutes to buy a soft pretzel and slather it with mustard.  Yum!

We stayed at Kimpton's Monaco Hotel.  LOVED THIS BOUTIQUE HOTEL!!!

Our view was . . .

Independence Hall

 And . . .

The Liberty Bell

That night, we had dinner with my Aunt Iris (Mom's sister) and my sister, Ellen, at The Dining Car -- a local landmark, where we used to live.

 The BIG SURPRISE happened Saturday.  We showed up at my husband's family holiday party.  Hubby hadn't seen his family in over two years.  No one knew we were coming.

"SURPRISE!"

It was wonderful.  Got to spend time with brothers-in-law, sisters-in-laws, nieces and nephews and their babies.

And, of course, Rose . . .

Sunday, hubby and I hiked across the city of brotherly love to meet our niece, Nicole, for brunch at Sabrina's Cafe.  Holy moly, the food was spectacular.  But the company was even better . . .

Then I finally got a tour of my cousin's bagel shop/restaurant -- BAGEL BOARD at 31 Bellevue Avenue in Penndel.  If you live in or around Philadelphia, you've got to grab breakfast or brunch there.  So yummy!  And check out their YouTube video and see Buddy, the Dancing Bagel.  Seriously.  A  dancing bagel . . .

Had a great time visiting my Aunt Marcia and Uncle Jordan and seeing my cousins Joel, Sharon and Brian and Brian's beautiful daughters, who I haven't seen in years. 

Here I am with my cousin, Joel, who owns Bagel Board . . .

And here's my Uncle Jordan in front of the shop . . .

The visit was over in a blink.  It was sooooo good to spend time with family and friends.

On Christmas, 2/3 of our California family visited.  Wonderful to see my sister Sherry and nephew, Ethan. 

We took Dad to Green Cay Nature Center to watch the sun go down over the edge of the Everglades. 

Dad, Hubby and Ethan

Green Cay

The next day, Hubby and I enjoyed an 11-mile bike ride at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.  We also climbed their lookout tower -- the highest point above sea level for miles -- at a whopping 86 feet. 

In addition to seeing family and amazing sunsets and the interior of many parks and bookstores, I read, napped and watched lots of movies in theaters and on Netflix (Silver Lining Playbook, Argo, 50/50, World's Greatest Dad, etc.)

IT WAS GREAT! 

Now, I have renewed energy to continue writing DEATH BY TOILET PAPER -- such fun to create!

Hope your holidays were happy and that you're feeling hope-filled and peace-filled for a remarkable 2013!