NYPL Blogs: Children's Literature @ NYPL

Fiction Atlas: Brooklyn in Children's Fiction and Picture Books (Part I)

Stephanie Whelan, Seward Park Library — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:34:07 -0400

Where in the world are you reading about? Fiction finds its settings in all corners of the world (and some places only imagined in our minds) but there's something special about fiction set in a familiar city or neighborhood. Let's take a trip out of Manhattan for now, and into the lively borough of Brooklyn! This is one of the most storied areas that make up New York City.

Settlers from the Dutch West India Company first founded the Village of Bruckelen in 1646, though the Lenape Native Americans had lived on the land that makes up the county for hundreds of years before that. The Battle of Brooklyn was first major battle of the American Revolutionary war after independence was declared and while Washington did not win that battle, his strategic withdrawal of troops and supplies across the East River is still seen as one of his triumphs in the war.

Brooklyn remained a singular city and county until it voted in 1896 to merge with the other four boroughs and become what we know today as New York City. From the streets of Park Slope, to the homes Red Hook, to the amusements of Coney Island, there's a varied landscape and rich history in Brooklyn. A melting pot of cultures and ethnicities in one community that continues to be home to new immigrants, artists, authors, and lately hipsters. In the past decade, Brooklyn has become the "go to" destination for individuals who want to be where things are "happening." A borough with a reputation for being tough, rough and with an unapolagetic personality all its own.

With such a rich trove of books to choose from, I'm breaking this list into two parts. Part I will feature Picture books and Part II will feature chapter books.

B is for Brooklyn by Selina Alko (Henry Holt, 2012)

Let's kick off with an alphabet book! While not every letter features something undeniably from Brooklyn, this lovely collage art picture book showcases many of the sights, sounds and tastes of the borough. Great for parents who want to introduce their children to a book that expresses so much of their neighborhood. Ages 0-5.

Brooklyn Pops Up by Brooklyn Public Library, Pamela Thomas, David Carter (Little Simon, 2000)

Yes folks, there is an actual pop-up book for Brooklyn—and it's a good one! A marvelous visual feast of a pop-up book with contributions by some amazing artists and paper engineers. Includes Maurice Sendak, David A. Carter, Robert Sabuda and many more. A real treat for booklovers that showcases Brooklyn in spectacular dimensional detail. Ages 4 and up.

Flying Over Brooklyn by Myron Uhlberg, illustrated by Gerald Fitzgerald (Peachtree Publishers, 1999)

A young boy who yearns to fly finds the wind lifting him up over the snowfall in Brooklyn. He flies around the borough, visiting many of the notable landmarks (Ebbets Field, Coney Island, etc.) He wakes to wonder if his magical flight over the city was just a dream... and finds there has been a huge snowfall! The author based the book in part on his own memories of the Blizzard of 1947—when Brooklyn was buried in snowdrifts 7 to 8 feet high. A great winter weather read, and a magical journey that might be worth pairing with Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold. Ages 4-8.

Didi and Daddy on the Promenade by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Mary-Louise Gay (Clarion, 2001)

Didi can't wait to take her father to one of her favorite places—the Brooklyn Promenade! A great father-daughter book as the two share an outing together along a busy promenade. The cheerful illustrations and the bouncy prose make this a good choice for sharing with younger readers and giving them a taste of Brooklyn. Ages 2-6

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems (Hyperion, 2004)

I'm guessing a lot of people will recognize the title, the author or both. Mo Willems has certainly made a name for himself in children's literature in the the last decade. Knuffle Bunny is delightful simply as the story of a toddler who loses her favorite toy but can't communicate the loss to her father. The award-winning combination of drawn illustrations with photographic backgrounds makes it a particularly notable book. The reason it's on my list here, however, is that all those photographs were taken in Brooklyn neighborhoods. Our entire adventure takes place on the streets of Brooklyn, even if the place is never formally mentioned. Knuffle Bunny won a Caldecott honor for 2005. Be sure to check out Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity (Hyperion, 2004) which also uses photographs of Brooklyn as its background. The third book: Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion (Hyperion, 2010) doesn't take place in Brooklyn, but if you read the first two, it's worth checking out the third. Ages 0-6.

In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak (HarperCollins, c1970)

This Caldecott Honor 1971 book tales a very symbolic and surreal tale of Mickey who falls out of his bed and into a bakery. There he has to convince the bakers that he's not milk, and helps them get milk for the morning cake. Like Mo Willems, Sendak never actually mentions Brooklyn in the book, but the illustrated landscapes bear a marked resemblance to Brooklyn neighborhoods and buildings. Ages 4-8.

Mermaids on Parade by Melanie Hope Greenberg (Putnam, 2008)

Who doesn't think of Coney Island when you mention Brooklyn? This book not only features an iconic location, but one of it's most notable annual events, the Mermaid Parade. Combining a sense of old carnival sparkle with kid friendly vividness and heart, Melanie Hope Greenberg brings the parade to life. A young girl can't wait to dress up like mermaid and join in the celebration at the annual parade. The book gives readers a tour of the Cony Island Park along the parade route (although recent renovations may change some parts of the park) and also includes some of the traditions and history of the mermaid parade. A great book for mermaid and Coney Island fans alike! Ages 2-8.

Other Coney Island picture books include: Hattie and the Wild Waves by Barbara Cooney (Viking, 1990) A turn of the century story of a German immigrant girl pursuing her dreams of painting. Custard and Mustard: Carlos in Coney Island by Maureen Sullivan, illustrated by Alison Josephs (Mojo Inkworks, 2009) Carlos, the French Bulldog takes the subway to Coney Island for a sensory adventure! The Rose Horse by Deborah Lee Rose, illustrated by Greg Shed (Harcourt, 1995) Turn of the century picture book about a Jewish immigrant family living on Coney Island with a carousel horse woodcarver. Feivel's Flying Horses by Heidi Smith Hyde, illustrated by Johanna Van der Sterre (Kar-Ben, 2010) Set in the 1880s, an immigrant woodcarver makes horses for the carousel.

Dad, Jackie and Me by Myron Uhlberg, illustrated by Colin Bootman (Peachtree, 2005)

It's the Summer of 1947 in Brooklyn. The Dodgers have just signed a new first baseman, Jackie Robinson, and baseball history is about to be made! Ebbets Field, the Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie Robinson are all an intrinsic part of Brooklyn's past, and there are a handful of picture books that set out to capture that past. This title by Myron Uhlberg pulls on his own past memories of growing up in Brooklyn. A boy sparks up a new relationship with his deaf father over love of baseball and Jackie Robinson. It's a touching and heartfelt story that does more than detail nonfiction facts, it plucks at the heartstrings and hums with memories. A great book for the Brooklyn baseball fan. Ages 5-12.

Other Dodger titles for Brooklyn baseball fans include: Brooklyn Dodger Days by Richard Rosenblum (Atheneum, 1991). This book vividly describes a baseball game from the Summer of 1946 between the Dodgers and the Giants. Play Ball, Jackie! by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Joe Morse (Millbrook, 2011) A boy in the stands wonders why there is so much anger and controversy around Jackie Robinson. Jackie's Bat by Marybeth Lorbiecki, illustrated by Brian Pinkney (Simon and Schuster, 2006). Here we can read a fictionalized account of how Jackie Robinson broke through professional baseball's color barrier. The Shot Heard Round the World by Phil Bildner (Simon and Schuster, 2005) It's the Summer of 1951, the Dodgers vs. the Giants for the pennant! This picture book recounts one of the most exhilarating games in history.

Twenty-One Elephants by Phil Bildner, illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Simon and Schuster, 2004)

We certainly can't forget the Brooklyn Bridge! One of the most famous events in the bridge history is when an enterprising P.T. Barnum had an idea how to get some publicity, and assure the public the Brooklyn Bridge was safe to cross. In this fictionalized account, a young girl named Hannah figures out the way to convince people the bridge is safe with Barnum's help. For another picture book on the same topic, be sure to check out Twenty-one Elephants and Still Standing by April Jones Prince (Houghton Mifflin, 2005).

The Honeybee Man by Lela Nargi and Kyrsten Brooker (Schwartz and Wade, 2011)

Oh the characters you'll meet in Brooklyn! Lela Nargi brings us the story of a Brooklyn beekeeper and his bee family. Every morning Fred climbs the three flights of stairs to his apartment rooftop to care for his bees. The surrounding community loves Fred's local honey and look forward to tasting the new batch. A great way to talk about some unusual careers in the city. Stop down at a local Greenmarket and you're sure to find some actual city beekeepers in your neighborhood! Ages 4-12.

Tales of a Gambling Grandma by Dayul Kaur Khalsa (Tundra Books, 1986)

I suspect most grandmothers don't teach their granddaughters how to play poker. But in this story of an eccentric Jewish Grandmother is a marvelous tale of a little girl's best friend and the time they spend with each other in Brooklyn. An off-beat story of family and friendship that is sure to charm adult readers as well as children. Ages 9-12

Some other characters you'll meet in Brooklyn include: Beautiful Yetta by Daniel Pinkwater, illustrated by Jill Pinkwater (Feiwel & Friends, 2010) A Yiddish speaking chicken gets lost in Brooklyn until some spanish speaking parrots befriend her and help her out. The Seltzer Man by Ken Rush (MacMillan, 1993) Two girls get a chance to learn about another time in Brooklyn when they encounter a Seltzer man on his last rounds before he retires. We'll Ride Elephants Through Brooklyn by Susan L. Roth (Farrar Straus Giroux, 1989) A girl describes an special, over the top celebration she'll have for her Grandfather when he gets better. And Fancy Aunt Jess by Amy Hest (Morrow Books, 1990) A young girl enjoys the day on an outing with her Aunt Jess in Brooklyn.

I'm certain there are plenty of Brooklyn picture books I haven't mentioned here! What are some of your favorites? Please share!

Booktalking "Our Library" by Eve Bunting

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:32:01 -0400

When the librarian told the kids that the library was slated to close because it was in a state of disrepair, the kids brainstormed about how to help the library. In fact, at each step of the way, not surprisingly, they read books to educate themselves about the logistics of their ideas and to flesh them out.

When they learned about the walls that were in need of painting and the bad roof, they read books about painting and laying a roof. Then they painted and laid the roof themselves.

They made the library look lovely, but the librarian said that that was not enough. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of money to run a library. The kids read books about fund raising, then they sold cookies, art and candy.

The children of the village were worried that they would become ignorant without books. They wondered how they would be able to learn without a library. They read about the possibility of relocating the library to Buttercup Meadow. Luckily, they were able to get approval, and they pushed it over there themselves on wheels.

The kids love the library because it is a cozy place to be on rainy days, and they read outside underneath the tree on sunny days. Story hour goes on, there are many books on a variety of subjects, and young kids use the books in the library to learn how to read. The library is a place where learning reigns supreme.

Our Library by Eve Bunting, 2008

I thought that the subject of this book is terrific because it underscores the importance of the services that the public libraries provide to their communities, and how much we depend on community support in order to continue providing those services. This book was a great story about how members of the community can help save the library. We always seem to be facing budget cuts, particularly around the commencement of the new fiscal year, which begins July 1st every year. The letter-writing campaign that the library launches, and the fact that so many people support the library by signing the letters and writing to their City Council members ensures that we can continue to provide services to customers of all ages, including adult literacy help, job seeking assistance, and story hours for kids.

Booktalking "Wild About Books" by Judy Sierra

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:07:33 -0400

One day, librarian Molly decided to drive her mobile library van into the zoo, and all of the animals were flummoxed! She read from Dr. Seuss and the zoo animals were drawn toward her. They were fascinated by reading, and went wild over the many different kinds of books that the library van displayed. The animals read together or alone or while eating lunch, and some, unfortunately, had overdue books.

Tasmanian devils, pythons, penguins and porcupines decided to write their own stories after reading so many written by other authors. In fact, a hippo's memoir, Mud in My Blood, was given the Zoolitzer Prize.

The animals liked the library so much that Molly the librarian hired animals to build a library in the zoo, christened Zoobrary! All of the animals in the zoo are happily reading.

Wild About Books by Judy Sierra, 2004

The author, Judy Sierra, has a Ph.D. in folklore. I love the rhyme of the lines and the action-filled illustrations in this book. One of her books, The Flannel Board Storytelling Book was referred to in the children's services training that I received in the library. Another of her works, Antarctic Antics, was made into an ebook that may be featured on one of our children's ebook databases such as Bookflix or TumbleBooks.

Dark, Creepy, Scary, Spooky Crossover Books

Andrea Lipinski, Kingsbridge Library — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:44:22 -0400

One of the most common questions we get from our young readers is "Where are your scary books?" Unfortunately, books for children and teens that will keep readers on the edge of their seats are usually mixed in with the rest of the fiction section, so they can be a little tricky to find… until now.

Here is a list of twenty-five great crossover books (that is, for older children and younger teens) about lots of scary subjects. Sure, there will be plenty of vampires, ghosts, and even zombies. But there will also be nightmares, mysterious phone calls, dark whispers, and other things that will give you goosebumps and make your hair stand on end!

You'll be able to find some of these books in our children's collections (CR), some in our young adult collections (YA), and some in both collections (CR & YA).

Wolf Rider by Avi is the story of a boy named Andy who gets a phone call that changes his life. The person on the other end of the line confesses that he's just killed someone, and Andy has no idea what to do. But he never imagines that when he asks his friends and family for help, that no one will believe him. (CR & YA)

iDrakula by Bekka Black takes the classic Dracula novel by Bram Stoker and brings it into our century by reimagining the story and retelling it through text messages, emails, websites, and photos. (YA)

Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer begins a series of books about a boy who is trying his best to act like a normal middle school student, even though he's half vampire and half human. His major challenges include learning how to use his powers, keeping his appetite under control, and getting Meredith to notice him. (YA)

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol is a graphic novel about a girl who has trouble fitting in and making friends. But then one day she falls down a well, finds a skeleton, and meets the ghost of a girl who changes her life. (YA)

Notes From a Totally Lame Vampire: Because the Undead Have Feelings Too! by Tim Collins is a great book to share with fans of Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, because it has a very similar cartoony look and feel. This book is written as a diary by a boy named Nigel who is almost 100 years old but who will always look and sound fifteen. Nigel's diary is mostly humorous, but there are some gruesome elements, too. (CR)

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney is the story of Thomas Ward, the seventh son of a seventh son. This means that he is eligible to be chosen as the Spook's apprentice, where he will learn to protect farms and villages from ghouls, witches, ghosts, and other wicked things. (CR & YA)

Scream Street: Fang of the Vampire by Tommy Donbavand is about a boy named Luke who happens to be a werewolf. When he and his family move to Scream Street, their neighbors include vampires, poltergeists, zombies, mummies, and other creepy creatures. (CR)

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz is a great read for fans of scary books as well as fans of fairy tales. The hilarious narrator escorts you through different fairy tales, each more gruesome and surprising than the last. And by the end of this book, you'll see Hansel and Gretel in a whole new light. (CR)

What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles tells the story of a girl who wakes up to discover that she's been buried alive. She doesn't know where she is, what time it is, or what day it is. But most importantly, she doesn't know WHY someone would do this to her. (YA)

Lovecraft Middle School: Professor Gargoyle by Charles Gilman is an excellent choice for fans of scary books, especially if you enjoy being scared by things like hideous monsters, ancient evil, and rats. Lots and LOTS of rats. (CR)

Coraline by Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite scary stories of all time. It is dark, and deliberate, and poetic, and chilling. A girl named Coraline discovers a doorway to a world where everything seems just like it is at home … but not quite. She also learns that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you enjoy this story, you should know that this excellent book was also made into a really good movie! (CR & YA)

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman blurs the line between reality and fantasy. A little boy's parents are murdered, but before the murderer can find him the boy crawls out of his crib and finds his way into a nearby graveyard. There he finds the ghosts who will take care of him, become his new family, and name him "Nobody." (CR & YA)

Closed For the Season: A Mystery Story by Mary Downing Hahn tells the story of a boy named Logan and his new friend Arthur who try to solve a cold case -- the mystery of someone who was murdered in Logan's house three years earlier. (CR)

Legend of the Ghost Dog by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel is the story of a girl named Tee who goes with her father and brother to the end of the earth (also known as Nome, Alaska). When Tee goes exploring in the woods she feels herself being observed by something that she can't quite see, and soon she learns that there's a local legend about a ghostly creature named Shadow. (CR)

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry is on the one hand a zombie novel, but on the other hand an emotional rollercoaster of a story. It's the story of a boy named Benny Imura who survived a zombie apocalypse when he was just a baby. Now that he's fifteen it's time for him to get a job, which means leaving the safety of his town and learning from his older brother how to kill zombies for a living. (YA)

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead kicks off a VERY popular series that tells a vampire story with all the drama of a soap opera. Our protagonist/hero is Rose, who is a Dhampir (vampire/human hybrid). She attends a secret boarding school called St. Vladimir's Academy where she trains to become a bodyguard to protect the Moroi (living, magic-using vampires) from the Strigoi (evil, undead vampires). (YA)

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a hauntingly illustrated book that tells the story of a boy named Conor who keeps having the same nightmare over and over again. But then one night, he wakes up from that nightmare to hear a strange voice calling his name, and discovers that there's a monster waiting for him outside. (CR & YA)

Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck is the story of a girl named Kerry who has no idea why she's suddenly befriended by three of the coolest and most popular girls in school. Little by little, she discovers that these girls are not exactly what they seem, and that they have an agenda of their own. (YA)

Dead City by James Ponti is about a girl named Molly who is following in her mother's footsteps. But since her mother was one of the most famous zombie hunters in history, those footsteps are pretty dangerous to follow. This adventure takes place all over New York City, from the sewers to the skyscrapers, and readers will get a kick out of all the New York locations and landmarks in this book. (CR)

Case File 13: Zombie Kid by J. Scott Savage begins the story of Nick, Carter, and Angelo, three boys who are obsessed with monsters. This book tells the first of their weird, hilarious, gruesome, and amazing stories. (CR)

Guys Read: Thriller edited by Jon Scieszka is a collection of suspenseful short stories featuring guys as protagonists. Some stories have supernatural themes while others feature real-life dramatic situations, but all of them are page-turners! (CR)

Zom-B by Darren Shan opens with a zombie outbreak that begins in an Irish village. Soon it begins to spread, putting more and more people at risk. When the zombies attack a high school, a group of teens try to fight back and escape with their brains intact. This novel is the start of what is expected to be a 12-book series. (YA)

The Boy Who Couldn't Die by William Sleator is about a boy who is obsessed with death after his best friend dies in a plane crash, so he pays money to have his soul taken away so that he can never die. But unfortunately, he never imagined that there was a downside to being immortal. (YA)

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow features one of my favorite heroines EVER. Dru's father was always the one to fight ghosts, zombies, and other monsters and Dru took care of him when he came home. But when he is killed by one of those monsters, Dru has to use her own powers to take his place and seek revenge. (YA)

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow by Katy Towell is about three peculiar girls who try to untangle a curse and discover why people in their town have been mysteriously disappearing. (CR)

Booktalking "Vegan is Love" by Ruby Roth

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Wed, 01 May 2013 06:49:36 -0400

Some animals in the world are treated badly, and vegans do not want to be a part of that. They do not use animals for food, clothing or fun. This is good for the animals, our health, and the environment.

Vegans are vegetarians. Some vegetarians eat cheese, eggs, honey, and drink milk. Vegans eschew all animal products.

However, vegans like plant-based foods, such as fresh vegetables, beans, grains such as rice, fruits and nuts. There is some delicious vegetarian fare out there, in restaurants and supermarkets, just waiting to be sampled.

Vegan is Love: Having Heart and Taking Action written and illustrated by Ruby Roth, 2011

Clothing - Fur, feathers, scales and animal skins are beautiful on the animals that they belong to.

Animal testing - You can buy cleaning materials that were not tested on animals and contain no animal ingredients. Animals that are used to test shampoos, soaps, etc. oftentimes get sick and die.

Zoos can be boring places for animals that do not truly replicate the experience of living in the wild.

Marine parks - Whales are social animals who live in pods in the wild. Living in captivity can be an isolating experience for them.

Circus - In the circus, animals often spend most of their lives in small cages, and they may be beaten into doing tricks.

Racing - Many animals are injured or killed in this sport. The training of race horses begins before their bones are sufficiently developed to withstand the stress of the strenuous workouts.

Hunting - There is nothing brave about slaughtering animals for fun.

Bullfights and Rodeos - People should not use animals as toys. It hurts horses to have painfully tight bucking straps on them, in more ways than one. They think that cougars may have jumped on their backs and are attempting to kill them. That is why the horses continue bucking even after the cowboys have fallen off.

Health - Most animals on the Earth are herbivores. We can be healthy and strong by eating plants. Vegans do not want to kill animals for food.

Pollution - Animal farms create much pollution. Pesticides can make us sick, and they can kill other animals as well when they leak into the water supply.

Organics is more sustainable method of agriculture for us.

World Hunger - Feeding grain to animals that are to be killed for food is grain that is not utilized to feed the people of the world.

Forests - Trees can be cut down to create cattle farms, which also decimates the wildlife that lived in the forests.

Oceans - Fishing has killed many of the fish in the sea.

Arctic - A cooler and less polluted planet will cause the ice in the Arctic and its wildlife to stay.

What We Can Do

Adopt a pet from a shelter, not a breeder or pet store.
Write letters to businesses and politicians to protect animals.
Recycle plastics, reuse materials, and reduce the amount of waste that you produce.
Donate or collect money to support saving the environment and animals.
Do not buy clothing made from animals, eat animal products or pay for animal entertainment.

I was inspired to write this blog by my brother, who recently created a fantabulous vegan web site, VeganDandy.com.

This book is beautifully illustrated by the author, with a different color scheme for each subject. However, she does tend to anthropomorphize the animals a bit. Many nonhuman animals do not have as many facial muscles as humans, and her animals have surprisingly human-like facial expressions.

Booktalking "Human Footprint" by Ellen Kirk

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:30:25 -0400

People may not be aware of how much they eat, wear, buy and throw out in their lifetimes. This book brings in the numbers.

In your lifetime, you will drive 627,000 miles in a car, eat enough bread to equal your body weight every three years, take 28,433 showers, and eat 12,888 oranges. You will spend $52,972 on clothes, and you will likely own 12 cars.

Americans throw away 694 plastic bottles every second. Be a part of the solution: recycle plastic bottles, newspapers and aluminum cans.

People can also go clothes shopping at thrift stores, buy products in larger containers to minimize waste, and not waste food that will end up in landfills. They can buy energy-efficient light bulbs.

Human Footprint: Everything You Will Eat, Use, Wear, Buy, and Throw Out in Your Lifetime by Ellen Kirk, 2011

I am a naturalist. I enjoy many trail rides each year in Pelham Bay Park, and the litter we observe there is simply a detraction from nature's beauty. Preserving the Earth for ourselves and future generations is an attractive proposition.

Booktalking "Side by Side/Lado a lado" by Monica Brown

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:04:54 -0400

Dolores came from a privileged family, and she grew up to be a teacher. Cesar's family were migrant laborers and they worked under harsh conditions. One day, the two met, and they agreed to work together for better living and working conditions for farm employees. They organized the workers and urged them to fight for justice.

Dolores and Cesar convinced people to boycott buying grapes from California because growers utilized pesticides that made the workers sick. This led to workers getting safer working conditions, and the grapes were also healthier for people to consume. They also were involved with a 340-mile march to demand better living wages for workers. On April 10, Dolores' birthday, the workers won their battle! Their pay increased due to their perseverance and passion.

Dolores and Cesar did not have much money, and they both had many mouths to feed, but they believed in their cause. They wanted to make the lives of workers better. Cesar even went on a hunger strike for 36 days to demand better working conditions for the people. Dolores galvanized the workers to believe that change was possible.

For thirty years, Dolores and Cesar worked together. They supported the passing of the Immigration Act of 1986 to help immigrants become US citizens. Unfortunately, Cesar died in 1993, but Dolores continued working for the betterment of the people.

Side by Side: the Story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez/Lado a lado: la historia de Dolores Huerta y Cesar Chavez by Monica Brown, 2010

I loved the fact that the book was bilingual. We have many customers coming into the library requesting English/Spanish bilingual books. I also liked the way that the book alternately talked about Cesar Chavez's and Dolores Huerta's accomplishments. The picture book was beautifully illustrated, and it was inspiring.

Author Interview with Jeff Stone

Ryan P. Donovan, Mid-Manhattan Library — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:46:11 -0400

Jeff Stone is one busy guy. A Detroit native, he is an avid mountain biker and martial artist in addition to being an author of several children's books. I read his latest book last year, the first in a new series, and throughly enjoyed it. I had a few questions for Mr. Stone about most recent work, his diverse cast of characters, and what's next for him. I thought it was only fair to share his amazing responses with all of you.

I think one of the things I liked best about Phoenix (Five Ancestors: Out of the Ashes #1) were the characters. I especially liked Hu Die, who seemed very no-nonsense and courageous almost to a fault. While developing the story, did you have a favorite character in particular? Or were they all fun to write equally? My favorite part of writing is creating new characters, which is one of the main reasons all of my books are told from a different main character’s point of view. So, yeah, the characters in PHOENIX were all equally fun to write—but never at the same time! Phoenix would be my favorite for a week or two, then Hu Die would stomp on him and become my favorite, until Phoenix would do something to one-up her and take the top slot again. I thrive on competition. I really liked the descriptions of Phoenix's journey to China and what he saw when he got there. Have you been to China? Did you base those descriptions on your own experiences? I’ve been to China a bunch of times, and, yep, many of those descriptions came from firsthand observations. My wife is from Hong Kong, and we had a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony there many years ago. I’ve also traveled to mainland China twice for book research. In 2005, I spent 15 days criss-crossing China with several dozen kung fu black belts. We visited locations that are of historic martial arts significance, such as the village where Tai Chi originated; a legendary bandit stronghold like the one featured in my book, SNAKE; and multiple Shaolin Temples, including the largest and most famous one in Henan Province that welcomes millions of visitors each year. I had the huge honor of testing for my black belt in Shaolin-do kung fu at the main Shaolin Temple. The Shaolin monks don’t issue black belts, but the Grandmaster of Shaolin-do style kung fu does. He was leading our trip, and he has a great relationship with the monks. They allowed me and a young woman named Cassie to take our tests on their sacred grounds. It still blows my mind. Most of the descriptions of China in PHOENIX came from that epic kung fu trip. I also traveled solo to Shanghai a few months ago to do research for Five Ancestors: Out of the Ashes Book #3 JACKAL (to be published Sept. 2014). During the trip, I visited with students from Shanghai American School. It was a riot. There are some sweet pics on my Facebook page.

I think it's very interesting that you decided to set your new series of books as a modernized, present day version of your last book series. What gave you that idea? Do you plan on making more references to the original series in future books?

The idea for a modern-day version of the Five Ancestors came from my latest obsession—cycling. I bought a road bike while writing DRAGON (the last book in the original Five Ancestors series), and I signed up for three months of training at a local bike shop. I quickly found out that half of the training was actually off of the bike. The riders did yoga to develop core strength. I was okay on the bike, but much better off of it because even though I’d never done yoga before, yoga is very similar to kung fu. I realized that if a kid did kung fu from age 4 to age 12 or 14—and then raced a bike—s/he would totally rock because that kid would have developed core strength well beyond that of most other kids. Also, a kung fu-practicing kid would have outstanding endurance and fantastic balance, plus s/he could throw an elbow or kick while riding if someone was messing with her or him. This concept fascinated me, and I pitched it as a modern-day story idea to my editor at Random House. He liked it so much, he said, “How about a trilogy?” Book #1 PHOENIX combines kung fu with two kinds of cycling: mountain biking and cyclocross. Book #2 LION combines kung fu and road bike racing, while Book #3 features kung fu and various types of BMX riding and racing. I love bikes, and I’m hoping these books will expose kids to everything that cycling has to offer. As for future books making more references to the original Five Ancestors series, just wait until LION comes out this September! There’s a pretty big surprise in that one. Can you give us any hints as to what's in store for Phoenix Collins and his grandfather? Will we be meeting any fun, new characters in upcoming books? Phoenix and his grandfather are going to have to take a bit of a back seat. Hu Die, too. As with the original Five Ancestors series, the remaining Out of the Ashes books will each feature a different main character’s point of view (POV). Book #2 LION follows Ryan’s first-person POV, while Book #3 JACKAL follows Jake’s first-person POV. Of course, Phoenix and Hu Die will still need to bust a few kung fu moves to keep Ryan and Jake out of trouble, and Phoenix and Hu Die might even have to teach Ryan and Jake some kung fu. There are indeed some very cool new characters to come, such as Ryan’s para-cycling cousin Peter in LION. Also, a few surprise old-timers resurface. I’m talking REALLY old timers! I’m hopeful that readers who enjoyed the original Five Ancestors series will appreciate the way I worked some of those characters into the new series. I’m also hopeful that people who’ve only read the Five Ancestors: Out of the Ashes might pick up the original Five Ancestors series and find those books equally fun and engaging.

Booktalking "A Light in the Attic" by Shel Silverstein

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:36:43 -0400

Shel Silverstein's poems are humorous; no one can deny this.

In "How Not to Have to Dry the Dishes," kids learn how to avoid this onerous chore. Silverstein's advice? Drop one onto the floor. The illustration includes a huge dish that is covering a girl's entire body.

The poem about babysitter, "The Sitter" is quite unexpected.

Mrs. McTwitter the baby-sitter

I think she's a little bit crazy.

She thinks a baby-sitter's supposed

To sit upon the baby.

"Rock N' Roll Band" is about all of the things you do in a rock band: wear spangly things, be cheered by a crowd, sign autographs, have long hair, and simply enjoy the fame.

Librarians and bibliophiles everywhere will love the poem: "Blame." A goat ate the book that I wrote for you, so I wrote another one. If you do not like it, it is the goat's fault. There is an illustration of a goat seated in front of a book with a bite taken out of it, looking so happy.

"Snake problem." There is one word for this poem: priceless.

It's not that I don't care for snakes

But oh what do you do

When a 24-foot python says...

I love you?

"Bear in There" is about a polar bear who likes to be in the Frigidaire because it is cold.

He's nibbling the noodles

He's munching the rice

He's slurping the soda.

He's licking the ice.

"Overdues" is about a library book that is 42 years overdue and the elderly borrower cannot pay the fine. The old man is illustrated clutching a library book to his chest, looking anxious and stressed-out.

"Tired" is about working hard, not having enough time to accomplish what you want to, supervising the work of arts, catching your own food, and breathing—exhausting!

"Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony" is a tale true to my own heart. I totally know what this poem is about because I was horse-crazy as a kid, and I still am.

And her parents said,

"Well, you can't have a pony

But you can have a nice butter pecan

Ice cream cone when we get home."

Well, young Abigail DID die of a broken heart when her parents did not buy her a pony. This is a cautionary tale to parents everywhere who deny their kids what they desire.

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein, 1974

I was introduced to the work of Shel Silverstein by my mother when I was a kid because she was such a big fan of his. When I showed the kids in the summer camp his books last year, they were enthralled. I opened the book and flipped through the pages, and the kids told me which poems they would like me to read based on the illustrations, which Shel Silverstein drew. They immediately became excited and happy about the poetry, and it was great to see kids get engaged with literature.

Booktalking "Cat Poems" by Dave Crawley

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:06:01 -0400

I love the cat breed illustrations on the inside of the front and back covers of this book. All of the cats look so happy! The book is full of poems that indicate the nature of cats, and anyone who has experience with cats or who has lived with cats knows exactly what Crawley is talking about in these cat poems.

In the poem "Brand X," a cat was acting for a commercial for cat food. Wouldn't you know it? When asked to choose between the brand the manufacturers were selling and the "other brand," the independent-thinking cat chose the "other brand!" I do not know how much name-brand cat food that cat will sell!

In the poem "Sleeper," readers see cats sleeping in multiple locations in almost any position (they are so flexible!) Cats sleep sixteen hours a day: twice as much as human beings! No wonder they seem lazy to us. They are not lazy; they are simply predators, and they can afford to sleep so much in the wild because not many animals are hunting them. However, prey animals such as horses sleep very little since they need to keep alert to avoid being eaten; horses sleep only two hours per day.

The poem "Grocery Store Cat" delighted me. I am always amazed by the laid-back city cats that seem so at ease amongst strangers in the city streets. Once, on my way to work, I saw a beautiful long-haired gray kitten who was so friendly that she let me pet her! Adorable!

The poem "Seventeen Cats" is about a cat-loving boy. Honestly, everyone was calling me a cat lady when I had seven cats (but it was really more like four cats and a few fur balls). I was simply cat sitting for a feline family until the kittens stopped nursing and I could find them homes. It was definitely a lot of work to take care of them... but fun, too!

Cat Poems by Dave Crawley, 2005

Fiction Atlas: Harlem in Children's Fiction and Picture Books

Stephanie Whelan, Seward Park Library — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 06:57:08 -0400

Where in the world are you reading about? Fiction finds its settings in all corners of the world (and some places only imagined in our minds) but there's something special about fiction set in a familiar city or neighborhood. This week I thought I'd tackle another famous neighborhood of Manhattan, but now we're traveling uptown to Harlem.

Originally founded by the Dutch in 1658, it was named after a Netherlands village (Haarlem). The character of this stretch of Northern Manhattan, however is most known as a center of African-American commerce and art and residence. Harlem has its share of troubles, and the decades since the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s have seen many shifts in the community and the economic prosperity of those who live and work there. Despite gentrification, Harlem still remains a vivid neighborhood with significant landmarks that are a part of history. Harlem's story is one told in music and struggle and living in the urban jungle and the stories connected with the area reflect that.

Harlem: A Poem by Walter Dean Myers, Pictures by Christopher Myers (Scholastic Press, 1997)

April is poetry month, so it is fitting that the first title on my list is a collection of poetry. There can be no debate that out of the authors on my list, Walter Dean Myers is one of the most prolific and powerful. Myers grew up in Harlem and has never forgotten his roots in this iconic neighborhood. He paints vivid images with his words that describe the world he grew up in. The people, the places, the experience of growing up black in the city are all a part of the poetry in this amazing book. This book was a Caldecott Honor (1998) and a Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrator Honor (1998). Myers is an extremely prolific author with books for both children and teens — this list represents just a few of his titles, all of them set in Harlem. The Young Landlords (1979), The Dream Bearer (2003), The Cruisers (2010) The Cruisers: Checkmate (2011) and 145th Street (2012). Find out more about this amazing writer and Ambassador for Young Peoples' Literature. Ages 9 and up.

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold (Crown Books, 1991)

There are a handful of picture books I've discovered that are set in Harlem. This particular title is one of two that remains among the most well-known and lauded. Tar Beach is a favorite for teacher reading lists and book lists featuring New York City. Cassie Louise Lightfoot is a an eight-year-old living in 1939 Harlem. She dreams of flying around her neighborhood, including her own rooftop (the "tar beach" of the title). This lushly illustrated picture book captures not only the whimsical elements of a child's dreams, but touches on the more earthly realities of African-American struggles in a society where her father cannot join the union and struggles to find work. This book is a Caldecott Honor book (1992), a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrator (1992) and the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award for New Writer (1993). Faith Ringgold created a companion picture book to her original story: Cassie's Word Quilt (2002), where our young protagonist from Tar Beach takes readers on a tour of her apartment and neighborhood in Harlem. (Ages 4 and Up). Check out Faith Ringgold's blog.

Uptown by Bryan Collier (Henry Holt and Co., 2000)

This is the other picture book that has remained popular and a regular "go-to" book for teachers and librarians looking for New York City books. For a gorgeous picture book tour of Harlem, look no further than Collier's Uptown. Readers are shown around the neighborhood by a young boy narrator who describes different places, sights and sounds that are a part of his daily life. The brownstones, the Harlem River, and the Harlem boys' choir are just a few of the elements. Boldly illustrated in the artist's notable watercolor and collage artwork. If you need a picture book encapsulating this neighborhood, this just might be the best selection for a young audience read-aloud. Uptown is a winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award (2001). Ages 4-8. Look for Collier's artistic touch in other books, including Visiting Langston by Willie Perdomo (2002). Check out Bryan Collier's website.

A Song for Harlem by Pat McKissack (Viking, 2007)

It's 1928 and Lilly Belle Turner finds herself transported from rural Tennessee to urban Harlem when she wins a writing contest. Participating in a young writer's program run by Zora Neale Hurston, Lily Belle comes to appreciate the deeper power of words. As she struggles to acclimate herself to the sights and sounds of the city, readers get to experience 1920's Harlem in the heyday of the Harlem Renaissance. Ages 9-12. Similar in theme is Celeste's Harlem Renaissance by Eleanora Tate (Little Brown and Company, 2007). A country girl sent to the big city to live with her actress aunt, Celeste experiences both the splendor and grit of Harlem in 1921. Ages 9-12.

Jazmin's Notebook by Nikki Grimes (Dial, 1998)

Moving a little farther up in time, we find a similar cover composition but a dramatically different set of events. In 1960's Harlem, Jazmin and her older sister Cece have been through a lot in life already. Jazmin finds way to stay strong through her writing, using it as an outlet to deal with her grief over her father's death and her feelings regarding the crime and drugs running rampant through her neighborhood. Sitting on her stoop in Harlem she experiences it all and records it in her notebook. A year in the life of a girl who finds a way to survive along with her sister and finds the words to express it. A Coretta Scott King Honor Book (1999). Ages 9-12. Check out Nikki Grimes' website.

Sweet Music in Harlem by Debbie A. Taylor (Lee and Low, 2004)

This charming picture book is inspired by an actual iconic jazz photo taken in Harlem in 1958. A young boy is searching Harlem for his Uncle Click's famous hat — because his uncle is about to get photographed for a newspaper. His search inadvertantly leads to a gathering of musicians for one remarkable photo. Along the way, CJ manages to give readers a visual tour of 1950s Harlem. Ages 4 and up.

Happy Feet: The Savoy Ballroom Lindy Hoppers and Me by Richard Michelson (Harcourt, 2006)

Happy's favorite story is how the Savoy ballroom was opened on the night he was born: March 12, 1926. He loves to hear his father talk about the dancing and music at the iconic Harlem landmark and dreams of one day being able to dance at the Savoy himself. Ages 5-12.

My Feet are Laughing by Lissette Norman, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006)

A more modern look at Harlem through poetry. Written in the voice of Sadie, a young Dominican American girl growing up in Harlem with her mother and sister, Sadie describes her life and interests and her dreams of being a poet someday. Lively poems paired with dynamic paintings give this book quite a special touch. Sadie has lots to say about her life and her home in Harlem. A 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. Ages 9-12.

Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Plum Fantastic! by Whoopi Goldberg and Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Nancy Cato and Maryn Roos (Jump at the Sun, 2008)

This modern series of stories for young readers is centered around a ballet school in Harlem. In the first book, Alexandrea Petrokova Johnson does not want to leave her friends or go to ballet school. But her ballet-minded mother goes ahead and enrolls her at the Nutcracker School of Ballet in Harlem despite Al's feelings on the subject. Now Al is the new ballerina on the block and has to learn how to cope with her new home in the city and while making new friends. There are six books out in this series to date: Toeshoe Trouble (2009), Perfectly Prima (2010), Terrible Terrel (2010), Sugar Plums to the Rescue (2011) and Dancing Diva (2012). Ages 5-12.

The Steel Pan Man of Harlem by Colin Bootman (Carolrhoda Books, 2009)

Not currently in our collections, but we're hoping to remedy that! I couldn't resist including this little fantasy picture book set in Harlem. Essentially, this is the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, only set in 1930s Harlem. A delightfully different take on a story that's well-known — but not quite like this! Ages 5 and Up.

That's a wrap! What other children's books can you think of that take place in Harlem? Please share them in the comments!

Booktalking "Bats at the Library" by Brian Lies

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:06:21 -0400

This is a story about bats taking over the library at night when it is closed: "Bat night at the library." What could be better? It is a bat holiday that bats wait for all year, like Christmas.

These bats are quite a literary group. They talk about the books that they have read. They create shapes in the light of the projector to make images on the wall. They photocopy themselves, play in the water fountain, look at pop-up books. They get into all types of trouble. Basically, these bats treat the library as if it were their cave.

However, the bats love their books, and they do not want to leave the library when the time comes to go. They wish that a librarian would leave a window open at night so that they could come to the library more often.

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies, 2008

I love the rhyming poetry in this book. It took on a certain rhythm when I read it to first- and second-graders last summer during camp at the library. The kids also thought that the idea of having bats in the library was awesome. I did see a bat in the Bronx Library Center during a wildlife program there for teens. Their cute faces are so adorable.

Booktalking "Llama Llama Mad at Mama" by Anna Dewdney

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:46:53 -0400

A shopping trip with mama and baby. But Llama Llama is disappointed because he wants to play. Countless other types of animals also shop at the Shop-O-Rama. Llama Llama does not like shopping for clothes... or food.

He is tired of sitting in the shopping cart, and he wants to go home! Llama Llama has a tantrum and throws all of the contents of the shopping cart onto the aisle. Llama Mama tells Llama Llama to stop the "llama drama." She does not enjoy shopping either, but she loves spending time with him. They clean up the items, and place them in a shopping cart: "Llama Llama loves his mama."

The surly expression on Llama Llama's face when he becomes exasperated with shopping is priceless. It is as if he is saying, "That's it! I don't care whether I get Cheesy Crunchies or Oatsie Oats for breakfast. I'm tired of shopping!!!"

Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney, 2007

The illustrations are gorgeous, especially the ones of Llama Llama's stuffed animal llama. The author utilized different colors on the words to emphasize them, which is reminiscent of how different words online are colored in order to indicate that one can link to another web site by clicking on them.

I have to admit it: I have been stuck by the Llama Mama children's books ever since my mother started using the words in her email address. In addition, one of my uncles volunteers on a llama farm, so I have had the opportunity to handle them. They are noble creatures who are interested in their environments. They are somewhat like rabbits; they are not completely domesticated. They do love to have the underside of their necks petted, and some of them like to be brushed. Going to the llama farm in upstate New York is always an experience! They have miniature horses, mini donkeys, a duck, goats, etc., as well!

Booktalking "The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse" by Eric Carle

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:20:23 -0400

Ever wanted a yellow cow? How about a green salamander? Or a turquoise frog? You will not find any salamanders or frogs in this book. And if you did, they would not be green or blue. However, the yellow cow is a winner in this tale.

This book enlists kids to use their imaginations when considering how to draw and color animals in perhaps different colors from those which adorn them in nature. A lovely blue horse appears on the cover. A kid uses a varied color palette from which to paint animals. Lovely double-page spreads are reserved for each animal. The red crocodile is ferocious. A purple fox traverses the landscape on another spread. Even a polka-dotted donkey hangs out in the book.

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle, 2011

Eric Carle has lovely illustrations in his works that look like paper machete creations. Often, he uses much white space in his drawings. In addition to the ever-famous The Very Hungry Caterpillar, he has many other literary works including From Head to Toe. A brilliant children's librarian taught me how to use that book for fantabulous story times by acting out the book. He touched the different body parts as they were described in the book while displaying Eric Carle's illustrations to the kids. He invited the kids to join in and gesture with him, which got the kids up, active and really engaged with reading.

Picture books are invaluable for the development of early literacy skills. Eric Carle is over 80 years old now, but he is still going strong with the birth of this book and hopefully more like it. I love many of his books; they are very thoughtful and thought-provoking.

Booktalking "The Peanut-Free Cafe" by Gloria Koster

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:25:24 -0400

Simon loved peanut butter and only three other foods. Like many kids, it was hard for him to break his eating routine. Luckily for him, peanut butter was plentiful at Nutley School. The principal was named Mrs. Filbert (a type of nut), and the school had teachers called Mrs. Hazel and Mr. Almond. Havoc almost erupted when new student Grant arrived. Grant was on a peanut-free diet. Eating even a single peanut could make him very sick, so it was extremely important for him to avoid any contact with peanuts.

Grant told everyone at Nutley School that peanuts had not been allowed at his old school. However, kids and staff alike at Nutley School loved nuts, so one teacher decided to convert a corner of the school cafeteria into a "Peanut-free Café." Kids could eat pizza, or other foods, as long as they did not contain peanuts, and watch fun movies there, such as Dirt-Bike Rodent.

Simon was quite ambivalent about ever giving up peanuts and sitting in the peanut-free café. Many of his friends were sitting in the cafe. He struggled with the notion of not eating peanuts during the school day. However, his beloved peanut butter was always just waiting to entice him when he is at home.

The Peanut-Free Café by Gloria Koster, 2006

A jar of "SO GOOD Peanut Butter" decorates the title page of this book. I know the feeling. Soon after starting my gluten-free diet, I had dreams about bread and the bakery aisle in grocery stores. I loved bread, but I have since found other foods with different nutrients that I enjoy eating. I broadened my horizons with grains such as millet, buckwheat (gluten-free and does not contain wheat), oats and brown rice. Wheat is in so many foods, but I think that it is better to eat a variety of grains.

Booktalking "Ballet for Martha" by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:22:58 -0400

I was struck by the gorgeous, exalted look of the dancers in the illustration on the cover of this book. Isamu Noguchi, an artist, made the stage set for the ballet, Martha Graham was the choreographer, and Aaron Copland was the American composer who helped create the ballet Appalachian Spring. The first performance of this classic ballet was on October 30, 1944 at the Library of Congress. The three created a dance about America, a story communicated through movement. Martha creates unusual dance moves, and her choreography is not always popular. As she says:

"My dancers never fall to simply fall. They fall to rise."

The ballet is a story set in Pennsylvania. A farmer and his wife celebrate their wedding day. The choreography, music and set were created via trial and error. Martha gave Copland instructions, he checked back with her and revised the music. The same with the artist Noguchi. He was given instructions, then checked back with Graham and made revisions. Eventually, it came together and they turned their art into a classic ballet that has been performed countless times in front of different audiences.

The ballet begins when the bride and groom walk onto the stage. The preacher joins the couple in marriage, the couple dances together, and it ends when the couple enters their new house. I had a chance to watch a performance of the ballet on YouTube, and the characters' leaps of joy and happy dancing completely told the story of their wedding ceremony and it was terrific to watch the dancers' artistry.

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, 2010

Jerome Robbins Dance Division of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Books on ballet

Fiction Atlas: The Lower East Side in Children's Fiction and Picture Books

Stephanie Whelan, Seward Park Library — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 08:00:24 -0400

Where in the world are you reading about? Fiction finds its settings in all corners of the world (and some places only imagined in our minds) but there's something special about fiction set in a familiar city or neighborhood. I thought it might be useful to kick this series of posts off with a very local list. Working here at Seward Park Library, nestled on the Lower East Side, I get to experience the neighborhood first hand, and see it changing around me. The rich history and long memories of those who grew up on these streets has been the inspiration behind any number of books, including children's books to stage their stories here.

From picture books to middle grade chapter books — the main feature all these books share is their setting!

Same Sun Here by Silas House and Neela Vaswani (Candlewick, 2012)

Listed in the Children's Books 2012: 100 Books for Reading and Sharing! River, a Kentucky coal miner's son and Meena, and immigrant girl in New York City become penpals. Meena lives on the Lower East Side and the Seward Park Library plays a part, especially the Center for Reading and Writing! Delancy street's F train subway platform also gets a fantastic scene. Ages 9-12.

Dave at Night by Gail Carson Levine (HarperCollins, 1999)

Historical fiction set in 1926. A Lower East Side orphan gets sent to the Hebrew Home for Boys, but does his best to escape the home at night. This particular book features both the Lower East Side and Harlem for Dave's adventures. A great choice for MG readers needing a historical fiction piece and interested in this orphan Annie style of story, only with a boy for the protagonist. Ages 9-12.

The Doll Shop Downstairs by Zeldis Yona McDonough (Viking, 2009)

Historical fiction, just prior to WWI. Nine year old Anna helps her family come up with a way to save their Lower East Side doll repair shop when times get rough. Loosely based on the Madame Alexander doll history. The family's story continues in The Cats in the Doll Shop (Viking, 2011). Great stories for 7-9 years.

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor (Yearling, 1951)

Quite possibly the most well-known historical fiction series that features the Lower East Side! In this first story, our family of all girls goes through their day-to-day life with all the typical family struggles and issues of the time. The library mentioned here isn't Seward Park — but a lot of readers associate our building with the books! The first volume is still readily available, but the other titles: All-of-a-Kind Family Downtown, More All-of-a-Kind Family, All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown, and Ella of All-of-a-Kind Family — these can be harder to find! Ages 9-12.

City of Orphans by Avi (Atheneum, 2011)

It's 1893, times are hard, especially if you are a poor immigrant family living in the tenements on the Lower East Side. Thirteen-year-old Maks is a newsboy who's just trying to take care of his family and help his new friend Willa. But when his sister is framed for a crime, it's up to him to play sleuth and find the true culprit. Delightfully vivid! Readers will recognize familiar streets and iconic places. Ages 9-12.

What Zeesie Saw on Delancey Street by Elsa Okon Rael (Simon & Schuster, 1996)

Historical fiction picture book, taking place during the 1930s. Seven-year-old Zeesie is attending her first Package Party with her parents. She's incredibly excited and curious about all the goings on. But some of her discoveries bring her to consider the value of giving and receiving. A marvelous window into LES Jewish society at that point in history with lively illustrations. This author also has written two other picture books set in historical LES history: Rivka's First Thanksgiving and When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street. (Ages 5-9)

Immigrant Girl: Becky of Eldridge Street by Brett Harvey, illustrated by Brenda Kogan Ray (Holiday House, 1987)

Becky is a new immigrant from Russian in 1910. This book chronicles her family's experiences in their new life on the Lower East Side. I've included this book for the sake of being thorough, but the massive blocks of text and lack of compelling artwork make this a less than desirable picture book for anything but the history of the area it presents. Ages 9-12.

The Castle on Hester Street by Linda Heller, illustrated by Boris Kulikov (Simon & Schuster, 1982)

A delightfully wrought picture book that juxtaposes a grandfather's fabulous tall tales with the no-nonsense truth from the child's grandmother. The differences between the two stories is marked, but also touching. A great introductory book for children learning about the immigrant history in general and LES history in particular. Ages 5-7.

The Inquisitor's Apprentice by Chris Moriarty (Harcourt, 2011)

And now for something completely different. Alternate historical fantasy. This middle grade story is set in an alternate version of New York City at the turn of the century (20th century). Sacha Kessler is a nice Jewish boy growing up on the LES, but his inborn ability to see magic forces him to become an apprentice to the city's inquisitor. While Moriarty has included some changes and fabulous storylines involving magic, she has a sharp understanding of what historical New York City was like at that time and has done a decent job of being accurate about the placement of streets and landmarks of the time. The second book in this series, The Watcher in the Shadows is due out this May! (Ages 9-14)

What other children's books can you think of that take place on the Lower East Side? Please share them in the comments!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Tiffany James, Mosholu Library — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:11:47 -0500

As many gear up to celebrate the life and works of Dr. Seuss, we here at the Mosholu Library will remember the great children's writer and illustrator with a special Dr. Seuss Storytime on Saturday, March 16th.

Dr. Seuss was born Theodore Seuss Geisel on March 2, 1904. He was born in Springfield Massachusetts and later moved to New York City working on his writing and drawing. He started writing and cartooning for adults in papers and magazines but eventually went on to try his hand at children's books.

His first children's book was And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street in 1937. And the rest as they say is history. In memoriam here are some classic and favorite lines from some of his books. And don't forget to join us for Dr. Seuss stories and crafts for children on March 16th at 1:30 p.m.

"A person's a person, no matter how small" (From Horton Hears a Who!, 1954)

"Maybe Christmas he thought doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more." (From How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, 1957)

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better. It's not." (From The Lorax, 1971)

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose." (From Oh, the Places You'll Go!, 1990 )

"If we didn't have birthdays, you wouldn't be you.
If you'd never been born, well then what would you do?"
"I am what I am! That's a great thing to be!
If I say so myself, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!" (From Happy Birthday to You!, 1959)

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss, may we never lose the power of imagination and heart.

Booktalking "A Young Dancer: the Life of an Ailey Student" by Valerie Gladstone

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 06:40:07 -0500

Four hours of homework a night, dance three times a week... and school. But it is worth it for one thirteen-year-old dancer who has been dancing since she was four. Dancing makes her feel free, and she loves expressing her emotions through movement. Her Ailey friends keep her company in the dance studio, and she chats with another set of friends at school. She loves being in the dance studio, and she may become a professional dancer one day.

It took years for the girl to get all of the way down to the floor in a split, and she stretches every night to retain her flexibility. She studies ballet, jazz, modern, West African, Horton dance (named for Lester Horton, Alvin Ailey's mentor), and Limon dance (named for choreographer Jose Limon).

When not in the dance studio, she studies Greek mythology in school and the violin at home. Playing the violin helps her understand the music that she dances to in ballet since it is written by the same composers. She is excited to advance to the next level in dance and expand her kinesthetic skills.

A Young Dancer: the Life of an Ailey Student by Valerie Gladstone, 2009

I was very surprised and delighted to find this book on the shelves of the Grand Concourse Library children's room while browsing for books about dance. Who knew that I could find a book about a dancer who is enrolled in the Alvin Ailey dance school, which is affiliated with The Ailey Extension, my new dance studio!? I love the feel of that dance facility; everyone is nice and polite and excited about dance.

Alvin Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in 1958, which is an African American dance troupe, and he founded The Ailey School in 1969. In 2004, the dance company moved to The Joan Weill Center for Dance at 405 W. 55th Street (at 9th Avenue), which is the largest building devoted entirely to dance in the United States. Their web site features art and design similar to that which adorns the outside and inside of the building, and it gives customers the same feeling that they get when they walk into the building.

I took an amazing West African dance class on Saturday morning, and I have discovered a love that I did not know that I harbor for African dance. I love the jumping, enthusiasm and energy incumbent in that style of dance. It is active, but not exhausting. I find it to be very fun and exhilarating. With West African dance, it seems that most everything involves jumping. I am interested in trying their Samba/Afro-Brazilian classes, as well. Many of the instructors at The Ailey Extension are former professional dancers.

Children's Literary Salon in Retrospect: Middle Grade Fiction on February 2, 2013

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 10:17:34 -0500

To be honest, I have been puzzling over the meaning of the title of this panel (Middle Grade Fiction: Surviving the YA Onslaught) from the time I heard about it until I saw the "It's a Children's Book (Not Young Adult)" blog on the projected screen of the South Court Auditorium where this Children's Literary Salon occurred in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. The fact that these salons explore areas that I was not previously aware of is precisely why I love these lit salons so much. Also, there was a synergy that evolved between the panelists of this middle grade salon. There was a refreshing energy in the air that sparked intriguing conversation.

Lost Between Kids and Teens? The panelists for this program are all authors of middle grade fiction, which is sometimes misclassified as young adult literature. At NYPL, we classify children's literature as grades 0-6 or kids aged 0-11 years old. Young adult materials are defined as serving 7th through 12th grades or kids 12-18 years of age.

Betsy Bird, Youth Materials Specialist at NYPL, hosted this Kid Lit Salon. First she introduced the panelists. Rebecca Stead is a NYC native and a former public defender. She started off writing "Very Serious Stories," but now she writes books for kids. Adam Gidwitz is a schoolteacher, and he was fascinated by the Grimm tales. While he was reading one of the stories, the kids begged him to "put that in a book." He stated that it was already in a book, but their comments and urging lingered within him until he eventually did put that into a book, and the result was A Tale Dark and Grimm. He has the kids to thank for that. He has a very good web site; the colors and illustrations all are similar to the cover art on his stories. His photo gallery is revealing, and he also posts reviews of his books and information about upcoming events, such as this lit salon. Jeanne Birdsall is a photographer, and she has information about current and former pets on her web site, including a snail. (I am an animal lover, so I was delighted by that part.) N.D. Wilson writes fantasy novels for children.

Middle Grade Versus Young Adult Fiction: Bird's first question was concerning the fact that YA (young adult) is very hot these days and pop culture wants to call all middle grade fiction YA. She asked what distinguishes YA from middle grade fiction, if there is a distinction at all.

Birdsall mentioned that she considered voice to distinguish middle grade from young adult fiction. She mentioned that the four panelists came from diverse perspectives. Gidwitz seems to be saying to the reader that the book will be scary, and the very fact that he is telling the reader lets the reader know that it will not be that bad. Stead works in the first person, but her books always include a trusted adult figure, which balances the scary factor. The classic way to write middle grade novel is in the third person, which is how she and Wilson write. All of the panelists are writing middle grade fiction that lets kids know that they will not be faced with something awful.

Wilson said that there is a period of tension in his books that eventually breaks. There is also lots of weirdness and insecurity. He said that he is not sure if he provides security for his readers.

Birdsall commented that she believes that he does provide security for his readers.

Gidwitz said that hopefully if people are designating works as middle grade fiction, kids will be taken care of in the books.

Turning Young Adult Books into Films: Bird commented that nowadays many young adult books are being transformed into films. She asked if the panelists were worried that because mainstream culture is embracing young adult books that kids will rush into YA rather than read middle grade fiction. She mentioned that Stead has a fifth-grade son who was reading The Hunger Games.

Stead said that The Hunger Games was a phenomenon about a year ago since the film was coming out and many fifth- and sixth-grade kids were reading the book. There may be some pressure for kids to turn to YA books when they are 10 or 11 years old. She finds middle grade fiction to be very nuanced, complex, interesting books about internal experiences in which she learns about herself.

Birdsall mentioned that if she thought kids were jumping to YA, she would be worried. She hopes that kids are reading both. You want a safe message to be communicated in middle grade fiction. When there is a conflation of YA and middle grade fiction (when the two are smashed together), that is problematic.

Gidwitz thought that The Hunger Games was classified as a YA novel due to the brutal and relentless violence within. However, some fifth- and sixth-graders have already seen much worse. In his reading of one book, a giant has sex with a dwarf, and then a court jester rapes a dwarf. This is the kind of stuff that would be really upsetting and destabilizing to little kids. The last book in a trilogy tends to be upsetting. It always seems that someone is dying. Distinctions between YA and middle grade novels are not always so clear; some middle graders will read certain books that other middle graders will put down. Sometimes it depends on the individual interests of particular kids in terms of which literature they will choose.

Wilson opined that The Hunger Games was classified as YA not for its violence but for the deep ethical problems that are left unresolved in the book. For example, there was no discussion about whether the killing in the book was self-defense or not; it was left somewhat ambiguous. There is so much complexity that kids at younger ages might barge through to get to the action and violence. The Hunger Games does read like middle grade fiction, but the bigger issues are not addressed. It is a page-turner. Another example of a big issue left undeveloped is why the kids form a suicide pact. 10- or 11-year-old kids might ask themselves incredulously why they would form a suicide pact in an attempt to beat a game. Some kids believe that YA is a reading level in that it is comprised of more difficult vocabulary versus containing deeper issues. Middle grade fiction is seen as less sophisticated and is somewhat "dumbed down" in that respect.

School Leveling Changing Kids' Reading Behavior?: Bird mentioned that leveling with kids in the schools influences their reading behavior. Kids tend to want to read on the levels that they are assigned in school rather than for content and issues.

Gidwitz stated that kids will read on level D or C. He mentioned that he went to another state in the US and kids are awarded points based on what they read. His books were assigned seven points each, and other authors' books have more pointed associated with their works. He is not sure how their points system works.

Stead mentioned that her son read many books over the summer, and books over 400 pages long counted as two books. Bird said that someone characterized the purpose of children's fiction in the following manner: Picture books tell kids what the world is like, middle grade fiction let kids know that the world is unfair, and YA books lead to self-discovery. She asked the panelists if they agreed with that assessment and there was a resounding "No." in response. The authors of books for children of all levels all have varying perspectives and information to communicate to kids in a variety of ways, with text, art and now with the animation of electronic books.

Stead mentioned that different books accomplish different things. Middle grade fiction for kids leads a kid to truth by leading them to assess their own psychologies.

Birdsall mentioned that truth had been discussed twice already; middle grade fiction is about telling emotional truths. She said that the middle grades are a lovely period of time where kids are learning to be individuals and the entire world is open to them.

Stead has read interviews that say that women write from the heart, and men write another way. Authorship is also about moral complexity. There is more pressure nowadays for kids to act older than they are. Sometimes tweens (10-12 year-olds) are being marketed to as if they are already teenagers.

Bird mentioned that Scholastic did a research study and found that kids like ebooks because other people cannot tell what they are reading from their computers or nooks. Kids might be embarrassed about reading books at a different level than is expected of their age group.

Stead commented that some adults are embarrassed about reading romance novels on the train when people can see the covers, but not when they read them on e-readers or other electronic devices. Not to romanticize, but she thinks that kids' brains are opening up like landscapes. They want to suck down these worlds. She sort of feels like we should give it to them.

Wilson said that writers of middle grade fiction use all of the intelligence but none of the hormones. They are not in a social sphere that is a pressure cooker. Some people think that middle grade is less intelligent, but it is not.

Bird stated that three of the four panelists have been called middle school writers. Schools tend to have fiction for kids and literature for teens. She asked where middle school literature fits into this scheme of things.

Gidwitz classified the reactions of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders to his school visits in the following manner. The seventh-graders always seem to make snarky comments about things such as his tie. The eighth-graders think that they are already in high school, so he really has to convince the kids that his work is still relevant to their lives. The sixth-graders are just very excited to meet an author.

Wilson mentioned a time when he wanted to throw his homework in the trash. He was also pulled off the roof at school. He was tired of schoolwork, and he simply wanted to be done with it. This all happened during a two-week period when he was in fifth grade. When he tells this story to third- and fourth-graders, they become very nervous about him. However, the middle schoolers are really okay with this information, since it happened in a grade that they have long since passed and they are removed from that reality. Writers have to discover what clicks with kids at different ages.

Birdsall mentioned that a high school actually invited her to speak to kids. The kids were mainly interested in learning how to get published, and she told them that they were too young for that.

Want to Write a Teen Book?: Bird asked the panelists if they were interested in writing YA books.

Birdsall does not understand YA as a category, which was not in existence when she was a child. To her understanding, YA is a book published by a children's department that adults are willing to read. Like teens, YA books are somehow a hybrid of child and adult interests.

Bird said that what Birdsall described is basically what the term "new adult" means. "New adult" fiction is geared towards teens and young adults, aged 18 to 30 years.

Wilson stated that some of his work is branded as YA. Regardless, he enjoys what he is writing, and he would still be writing the same stuff whether it is labeled YA or middle grade fiction.

Bird mentioned that some people will label any book YA that has a protagonist teenager.

I know the feeling. I read a book called A Horse For Mandy, which seemed to read like a chapter book, in terms of vocabulary. Even the emotional issues explored in the book did not seem that complex, which kids younger than teens could definitely relate to. However, the girl protagonist was 13 years old. In our catalog, the audience is described as for "ages 8 and up."

Bird asked the panelists what they projects they were working on now.

Birdsall said that she was writing her fourth Penderwicks book. She plans to write five books in that series total.

Gidwitz is currently writing his third Grimm book.

Wilson is working on a magically realistic tale.

Stead is working on a middle grade book.

Bird then opened the floor for audience questions.

Writing for Girls Versus Boys: An audience member thought that the panelists discussed middle grade readers as though they were genderless. He wondered if each of the panelists could say something about the differences between writing for boys and writing for girls.

Wilson has stereotypes in his own mind about gender as it relates to his books. He is writing for the kid that he was in fifth grade when he wanted to throw away his homework because he would rather run in the wheat fields and climb in the barn. His female readers are much more versatile, while the boys seem to be more staunchly prejudicial. Kids want to be aspiring to get to the next level, so they prefer to read books in which the protagonist is one or two years older than them. In this day of social networking interactivity and video gaming, kids want to have active engagement with the books. They make choices and decisions at each moment, so they will critique his books and tell authors what they think should happen at different spots in his works. It is his impression that boys are reading more actively.

Birdsall writes for herself, in particular what she wanted to read and love during her second half of fifth grade. During the 1990s, there was a lot of talk about getting boys engaged with reading, but she thought that girls needed to read as well. She decided to simply allow her literature be for girls and not feel bad about it. Boys do read her books, but they are in the minority. Usually, those boys are from large families, and they can relate to the relationships inherent in her books.

Gidwitz said that he consciously uses a girl and a boy in each of his books, and the girl is at least as bad-ass as the boy, if not more so. To his surprise, the girls are just as enthusiastic about the bloody parts as the boys. Girls like horror, too, and they talk to him about the latest scary movies that they watch. However, Gidwitz likes to scare other people, not be scared himself.

Stead does not think about writing for boys versus girls.

Making Kids Feel Safe: Another audience member asked how the panelists ensure that kids feel safe while reading the books yet still have suspense in the books.

Gidwitz contemplates this point often. While writing, he thinks about the kids that he knows and how they will react to what he is writing. In one of his books, a frog lost a leg. After the first print run, he had kids emailing him saying that it was not okay to hurt animals. Before the next print run, he actually changed that scene; luckily, the editor agreed to do so. So, in some books, he misses a step and does not always connect with kids as he had hoped.

Birdsall said that she is definitely a person who cannot stand to see animals hurt, but she knew that Gidwitz would take care of the frog in that book.

Wilson mentioned that if his book is in a pressure-cooker state, he is always looking for a rest or regroup, which often involves food or some sort of sustenance. When things get really bad, his characters tend to get hungry. Sometimes, characters are expecting things to be bad and something upbeat happens. He attempts to keep the balance between suspense and rest.

Birdsall said that she tries to keep her books honest and not too scary.

Stead mentioned that her books are pretty quiet. She never worries that her pacing is too intense. She is always trying to hook the reader to the emotion of her characters. There are always emotions running underground which are not secret. Then you have power or a high point (climax). When the emotions surface, you get powerful moments where you recognize your own emotions.

After the program, I asked Gidwitz if kids contact him on Facebook. He said that sixth- and seventh-graders love to talk to him on Facebook all of the time. However, the older kids (eighth-graders) tend to contact him less often. Kids also tag him.

Thanks to Betsy Bird, host of the Kid Lit Salons, and the panelists for coming to NYPL to share their perspectives as authors of middle grade fiction for kids that is sometimes mislabeled young adult literature.

Future Children's Literary Salons
Saturday, March 2
2 p.m.-3 p.m.
Diversity and the State of the Children's Book
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building ("the library with the lions")
Margaret Berger Forum (Room 227)