The Brain Lair

Brain Lair Blog moving

2018-04-12T11:02:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone,

Until my new combined website is ready, thebrainlair will be posting at:

https://www.brainlairbooks.com/thebrainlair

This week we will have a

guest post by author, Angie Smibert (Bone's Gift, 2018) about the folklore featured in the book.
my review of the book
recap of Kwame Alexander's visit to South Bend
the possibility of ordering books through the Brain Lair Bookstore!

Join us!

Personalized Subscription Boxes

2017-08-06T14:18:00.002-04:00

What do you think of personalized subscription boxes?

The boxes would be available in 1, 3, 6, or 12 mos increments and include 1 or 2 books.

Subscribers would receive a survey to complete for the initial box.

Subsequent boxes will be refined based on feedback from recipient. Boxes may include a few book-related goodies.

These carefully curated boxes could be for personal use or sent to someone as a gift.

Thoughts?

The Brain Lair Bookstore - Kickstarter ( cancelled)

2017-07-23T22:31:00.002-04:00

#BuildABookstore #SaveALife

Kickstarter cancelled for now:

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for your support! In about 3 weeks, we raised over $11,000! That is amazing and we should be super proud of ourselves! During those three weeks, I’d done more research and had been updating and revising the Bookstore Kickstarter but could not keep up with the feedback. I’d also been in touch with two mentors who have experience with the Kickstarter platform. It was suggested that I cancel the kickstarter, and work with one of the mentors on revising it with a stronger, more cohesive message.

The research shows that successful crowdfunding campaigns have usually raised 1/3 of what they need within the first 15 days. Since the funding is all or nothing - I would hate to continue and then we don’t fund the project. This will give me time to do more research, reach out to more people in my community, and find a potential space.

All of your pledges will be returned. But don’t spend the money just yet! I plan on opening a new kickstarter in a few months. As backers, we can still communicate through this platform. I will keep you informed every step of the way. As soon as the new Brain Lair Bookstore Kickstarter is open - you will receive a link.

Again, I thank all of you for your tweets, posts, blogs, and just loving encouragement. The “crowd” part of this crowdfunding has just been phenomenal. My heart is full.

Kathy AKA The Brain Lair.

Gratitude - One Word #SOL17

2017-03-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

My One Word for 2017 is Gratitude.

It was tough to settle on a word this year. Not because one didn't come to me but because Gratitude sounds HARD! I'd had a tough year, I was not feeling really grateful. Which is how I knew this was my word.

It's March and I'm finally finishing this post. I'm looking at this as a reminder to think intentionally about my life, especially all the ways I can express my gratitude for the joy in my life.

Right now?

I'm grateful to be on the 2018 Printz Committee! There are so many books we are reading, though I can't discuss them with you just yet! 😉

I'm grateful for my voxer group who share my zeal for connecting books and readers. 📚

I'm grateful for my daughters Jessica (my heart daughter) and Elizabeth (my soul daughter) who are thoughtful, kind, and hardworking. And good-looking! 👸🙌

Thank you #Bravery

2016-12-31T18:59:00.000-05:00

My One Word for 2016 was bravery.

Without "BRAVERY"which is what I named my iphone, I would not have been able to kickoff the NerdTalks at NerdCampMI in July 2016.

Without "BRAVERY", I would not have been able to make a quick trip to Toronto and hang out with my best daughter.

Without "BRAVERY", and a huge push from Sherry Gick, I would not have gone back to Sharjah UAE and would have missed out on some great sessions and meeting up with some great people.

Doing these things has made me want to do more. Esse Quam Videri- that's our school motto, and now mine. I don't know what my word for 2017 will be but I can't wait to find out!

Happy New Year, friends! And in the words of Neil Gaiman:

Batty About Books - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

2016-12-07T19:06:00.000-05:00

In light of the recent election, Maria and I have been jolted out of our comfort zones and have been trying to take action in our respective states.

The appointments over the last month have reminded me of several dystopian novels, including Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and 1984 by George Orwell. Maria was reminded of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and The Gate To Women's Country by Sheri S Tepper.

As we decide how we want to read and discuss these books - under the regime of the president-elect - we thought we would repost our original thoughts on F451. I thought it fit with the president-elect stating he does not read. (here and here)

This week we look back at our posting from 2012 when Bradbury died.

In tribute to Ray Bradbury, who died June 5, 2012, Maria and I decided to read Fahrenheit 451 one week and watch the movie the next week.

We read the book in its entirety then shared our thoughts. It was a powerful book and it elicited some powerful responses.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS MARIA'S THOUGHTS OVER ON MARIA'S MELANGE. I'M TELLING YOU, IT'S GOOD STUFF!

Batty About

Fahrenheit 451

Part 1 - Hearths and Salamanders
This part is all about light and darkness and the pursuit of happiness. In the very first pages I love how Bradbury invokes fire/light by introducing the symbols of the phoenix and the salamander. I also love the various ways he describes light: “the hysterical light of electricity”, “comfortable and rare and gently flattering light of the candle”. There is also much darkness - the bedroom, the time of the fires, the Hound. And the realization that noise and action and ignorance does not make you happy. In just 68 pages he introduces you to everything he’s going to discuss later. You start to slow down and pay attention and listen. Something the people in Fahrenheit rarely do.
Maria: I also commented on the imagery and symbolism in his description of light and fire. I found it breathtaking. I kept speeding up to read more, then slowing down and rereading so I could savor it.

Part 2 - The Sand and The Sieve

“Nobody listens anymore. I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough, it'll make sense.”(82)

Having a hard time articulating how this makes me feel. I feel like this sometimes - when I’m puzzling out a problem and If I just keep repeating it, the pieces will come together. Also, though, it reminds me of how our society uses social media. We have this stream of followers/friends but is anyone really listening? We want to be heard. Desperately sometimes. So we keep talking. And we RT things, and we share, and we like, and we comment. And all the while we are hoping that we get this same courtesy in return. We want to be heard.
Maria: Yes! I mention this when I discuss how prophetic he sounds in this book. I’ve found my voice online. Yes, many times I’m talking to hear myself talk (or tweet) but I’ve found so many more like minded souls online than I could ever find in person near my house. I want to be heard, so I try to also remember to hear others... and talk back to them the way I want them to talk back to me.

Also, though, it’s what I fear will happen to us if we continue spending so much time in front of the computer instead of with actual people. Will we be able to communicate - which goes both ways? Are we just putting things out there and not really listening? We can’t see a person’s body language, we can’t read their sarcasm or their levels of joy or pain - because we have levels. It’s like Montag mentions - the sand and the sieve, you keep putting it out there but it seems to just fall through the holes.
Maria: Yes, this is a legitimate fear. This is why we can’t live our lives just behind a screen. And it’s why I think people also love things like Skype. It gives us a better glimpse into the mind of those across the screen from us. I loved that image of the sand and the sieve. So powerful.

Part 3 - Burning Bright
Here we are at the end. This part was a little confusing. A little sad.

I was a little confused about Beatty and his wanting to die. His quoting of books - though it kinda reminds me of the extreme radical “christians” who use obscure and out of context quotes from the bible to justify their actions - he’d obviously been reading, but why was he still in charge (disregarding the afterwords). Did he want to die because people he knew were now getting hurt? Did he want to die because he saw what the lack of real knowledge was doing to the people? This scares me because I see it so much today. People argue online with no real knowledge of the underlying issues. They often are just responding to something without looking into themselves. There used to be “reliable” sources to turn to. Now you turn to Google and, depending on the metrics they are using for their search engine, they return the search they want you to see or that someone paid to have come to the top. And it’s the same for all search engines. We don’t know who the experts are anymore because anyone can publish a book or create a webpage. And we have books! Imagine if we didn’t. BTW, have you read FEED by MT Anderson?
Maria: Okay, can I just say how wonderful it is how deep this book pushed us? That didn’t happen with World Without Heroes or Dragon Castle. And yes, I agree with you so completely here, too. I feel like I never know enough about an issue to really push back and people or argue a point, but I’m in the minority. People can twist and turn any words to fit their own preconceived notions. Yet I wonder if relying on “experts” is always that much better? Yes, at least in the past people generally had to prove some level of knowledge before they were published... but there was still a lot of wrongheaded crap published, right? (and still manages to get published now.. And no we shouldn’t just rely on “experts”. That leads to a different level of trouble!)
And no, I haven’t read FEED. I’d love to hear about it! (Remarkable YA SF read about a future where chips are implanted. They “feed” us advertising, shopping, school, etc. A definite one for us to read!)

“But that’s the wonderful thing about man; he never gets so discouraged or disgusted that he gives up doing it all over again because he knows very well it is important and worth the doing.” (153)
It saddens me that this is the attitude, albeit a good one. We will do it again. But the underlying meaning for me was we will screw it up again. We will fight again. We will destroy again.
Maria: Hmmm... love this quote, but I both agree and disagree with it. SOME of mankind keeps the hope alive, and some gives up. I guess that’s like in the Dark Ages. Sometimes the struggle to survive is all, but there are always some who keep that fire burning for us. Thankfully.

Yes, we WILL screw up again. Destroy again - and then build again. Have you watched any Battlestar Galatica? That is the underlying theme of that tale. “It has all happened before, and it will all happen again”. We can only hope that each time we rise a little higher, and don’t dip quite as low.
(I just started watching the new (2004-2009) Battlestar Galactica! And this was going through my mind. )

On the other hand, I like that they were each books, or poems, or essays. That you could meet with someone and they could recite something to you. That it could all be captured again. But, that is because they took the time to learn the knowledge. This makes me want to read more classics and history books. Who is the keeper of the knowledge right now? I was going to discuss reading habits but decided that’s a rant I want to do some other time. I’m bookmarking some studies though!
Maria: Yes! This is a point I intended to make but didn’t bring up. We can’t rely on the internet being our “keepers of knowledge”. Yet we can’t ignore the new knowledge either.

Overall
You can’t read this book too many times. I do think you can be introduced to this book too young though. Bradbury switches around in the book between thoughts and actions and characters quickly and you must be paying attention. Maria: Yes, yes! I think if you are too young when reading this book, it just won’t “click” for you. There’s not enough action to hold a very young reader, I don’t think. High school or college is perfect. It’s not a hard read, but you really need some life experience to appreciate it. I’ll tell you what, I want to go roll in the grass right now (but it’s dark and raining). Your wrap up sounds an awful lot like mine did.
Which, is part of the overall message I took from the book. Slow down. Pay attention. Listen. Remember. Be present above all - turn off the computer/television/smartphone and be in this moment.

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Story Behind Write This Down - Guest Post

2016-10-01T11:26:00.000-04:00

Mills, Claudia. Write This Down. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR, Macmillan), 2016. 256 pages. $15.99. 978-0-37430-1644.

Affiliate Links: Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository

Read my review - Write This Down Blog Tour

Read on to find out how Claudia Mills learned from her character, Autumn Granger, as well as her own life to pen Write This Down.

The Story Behind the Story

Most authors get their ideas in some way from their own lives. I know I do. I draw on childhood memories of growing up in New Jersey with my sister; I steal incidents my two sons brought home from elementary and middle school; when I do author visits at schools around the country, I think of myself as an undercover agent, there to scout for something wonderful to write about.

But when stories are inspired by real life, authors face tough ethical questions. Do we have the right to borrow material from other people’s lives? What if the stories we use are embarrassing or painful (which, after all, tend to be the best ones!)? But if we decide that we shouldn’t draw on real life, how on earth are we going to write stories that have that deep believability, that essence of truth?

The desire to explore this ethical dilemma was the impetus for Write This Down. At first I knew only that I wanted to tell the story of a girl who loves to write, who yearns to be published, and who faces a wrenching choice when she finally has the chance to achieve her dream, but at the cost of exposing something intensely personal about someone she loves. I figured that as my character wrestled with what she should do, it would help clarify my own deliberations. I tend to write the books that I most need to read.

I wanted to make things as hard as possible for my character, Autumn Granger; we authors have to harden our hearts to amp up the difficulty of any choice a character needs to make. So I thought. . . what if one of the main reasons Autumn is so determined to be published is to impress her idolized older brother, Hunter, who used to be her chief protector, but now openly mocks her writing? What form of mockery would be most painful? Ooh, what if he takes a secret poem she’s written to her crush, and reads it to his friends, who include the crush’s older brother? I saved notebooks filled with love poems I wrote in junior high to various boys with whom I fell in and out of love. I copied one of them, almost verbatim, to be the poem Hunter mocks in the book.

Still brainstorming, I asked myself: what if Autumn has the chance to be published by writing something about that very brother? What if her essay reveals what she herself discovers in the course of the book: the reason why her brother has changed so much toward her, a reason that has to do with Hunter’s own past heartbreak, his own inner demons?

Autumn and Hunter are both fictional characters, of course. I had a younger sister, not an older brother. (I wrote about that relationship in an early book of mine, The One and Only Cynthia Jane Thornton, about a girl who tries to distinguish herself from her one-year-younger sister, Lucy. After reading it, my sister said she now planned to publish her own book called Cynthia and Lucy, The Real Story: At Last It Can Be Told.) But as an aspiring writer, Autumn is nonetheless like me in so many ways. Certainly she smarts under rejections just as I did at her age, and still do. In fact, the program Autumn attends at the public library, where two literary agents scathingly critique attendees’ manuscripts on the spot, was inspired by a similar program I attended recently. Even as the author of almost 60 published books, I left close to tears at the reaction my work received.

I wasn’t sure until I got to the conclusion of the book what I would have Autumn decide about her ethical dilemma. In the end, I felt as if I were merely scribbling down what transpired as Autumn made her own choice, as characters tend to do. But watching Autumn weigh the joys of publication against its costs and betrayals helped me sort through these issues.

We base our characters on ourselves. But we end up learning from them, too.

Write This Down by Claudia Mills - Blog Tour

2016-10-01T10:17:00.003-04:00

Mills, Claudia. Write This Down. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR, Macmillan), 2016. 256 pages. $15.99. 978-0-37430-1644.

Affiliate Links: Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository

Genre: Realistic, Writing, School Story
Cover Appeal: It's eye-catching but I wonder if students would recognize the almost quote. Will need some book-talking

Immediately After
I know just the 5th graders who will love this.

Autumn is obsessed with two things; writing and Cameron Miller. Her writing is not going as well as she would like and her relationship with Cameron is only in her head. Meanwhile her brother Hunter has changed. He's no longer the loving supportive brother she can talk to, instead he makes fun of her writing and her crush! To his band! Which includes Cameron's brother!

Write This Down has a lot going for it including, a great friendship, loving parents, and a teacher who cares. Autumn and Kylee support each other even if they don't agree. They look out for each other and have more friends than each other. Autumn is well-rounded and makes mistakes. She also cares about her family - even when Hunter doesn't return the affection. I enjoyed seeing her and Cameron's "relationship" evolve. Her obsession blinds her to some of what's going on around her but she knows she only has herself to blame.

Overall
This is a good middle grades read. The relationships were plausible, including the loved teacher and the parents doing whatever it takes to get their son back on track. A few writing scenarios seemed contrived and a tiny bit repetitive. The resolution was satisfying and had a little bit of a surprise. Loved the dilemma of who your story belongs to if you include other recognizable people. I give this a 3 out of 4. Will definitely purchase for the LS library.

More
Book Excerpt
Claudia Mills online Author Page | Blog | Twitter

Read The Story Behind "Write This Down" - A Guest Post by Claudia Mills

Blog Tour Stops

September 27: Ruth at ruth ayers writes

September 28: Cindy at Charting By the Stars

September 29: Melanie at Two Writing Teachers

September 30: Niki at Daydream Reader

October 1: Kathy at The Brain Lair

October 2: Maria at Maria's Mélange

Paths and Portals by Gene Luen Yang - Blog Tour

2016-09-22T09:42:00.001-04:00

Yang, Gene Luen. Paths and Portals (Secret Coders, 2). First Second (Macmillan), 2016. 96 pages. $10.99. 978-1-62672-0763.

Affiliate Links: Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository

Genre: Fantasy, Graphic Novel
Cover Appeal: It's not as bright as other graphic novel series, the red is pretty faded looking. Kids who loved Secret Coders, 1 will definitely be looking for this but others will need a bit of convincing.

Immediately After

WHAT??!! And the next book doesn't release until 2017??!! ARGH!

Paths and Portals picks up right where book 1 left off, with the answer to the code! We jump in with Eni (must be named for the ENIAC right?) and Hopper (Grace Hopper, computer programmer) are joined by Josh and start writing code using Logo. The coding will lead them to solve the mystery of Stately Academy. We know it involves Principal Dean, with the help of the rugby team, but what do they want?

Layout

The novel itself is two color - green and black. Because this is a graphic novel that is also teaching you programming, many of the pages have side by side panels of Hopper thinking and the robot turtle moving in accordance with her thoughts, which will help students "see" her thoughts in action.

There are also full-sized pages where students can write in their solutions to the given coding problem.

Don't miss more inside shots at Macmillan's Path and Portals page!

Overall

These books score on both the story and the coding activity. The activities are woven naturally into the book and will not push you out of the action. Each book in the series, so far, seem to stick to one narrative so they are straightforward. The books, however, are super short. You barely get into the story before you are left with a giant cliffhanger. This would not be so bad if the books were being released shortly after one another. With a count of less than 100 pages though, it seems unnecessary. I give this a 3.5 out of 4 copies. I would buy it for both my LS and MS libraries as well as the coding option classroom.

Want more Secret Coders? Check these places out!

A special short comic story featuring Eni, Hopper and Josh! Lost and Found (scroll down and don't miss any pages!)

Five Reasons You Should Be Reading Secret Coders from WIRED Magazine

Gene Yang online: Blog | Twitter | Secret Coders (lots of fun activities and programming!)

Mike Holmes' online: Blog | Twitter |

Macmillan Gene Yang page.

Visit other great tour stops below!

READING WITHOUT WALLS BLOG TOUR

August 31: Colby at Sharp Read

September 1: Jess at Reading Nook Reviews
September 2: Samantha at Forest of Words and Pages

September 5: Jennifer at YA Book Nerd

September 6: Maria at Maria's Mélange

September 7: Gigi at Late Bloomer's Book Blog

September 8: Jen at Starry Eyed Revue

September 9: Cheyenne at The Hollow Cupboards

September 12: Anya at On Starships and Dragonwings

September 13: April at Good Books and Good Wine

September 14: Cindy at Charting by the Stars

September 15: Erica at The Book Cellar

September 16: Sandie at Teen Lit Rocks

September 19: Asheley at Into the Hall of Books

September 20: Daphne at Gone Pecan

September 21: Mary Ann at Great Kids Books

September 22: Kathy at The Brain Lair

September 23: Michelle & Leslie at Undeniably (Book) Nerdy

September 26: Laurie at Reader Girls

September 27: Margie at Librarian's Quest

September 28: Victoria at Art, Books, & Coffee

September 29: Cee at The Novel Hermit

September 30: Amanda at Forever Young Adult

Playing for the Devil's Fire by Phillippe Diederich - Review

2016-09-05T09:42:00.001-04:00

Playing for the Devil's Fire
by Phillippe Diederich
Cinco Punta Press
Audience: Middle School and above
Mexico City * Lucha Libra * Drugs * Poverty

IndieBound | Amazon | Book Depository

"I guess that's what I always liked about these movies. They weren't about heroes with supernatural powers. They were about real people. They gave me the feeling that I too could be like..."

Fourteen year-old Liberio's, aka Boli, daily struggles include his love for the much older Ximena (19) and trying to pull together enough money to see one of his favorite luchadors, El Hijo del Santo, wrestle in the upcoming fair.

Mosca and Boli spend most of their afternoons in the plaza and around the City of Izayoc shining shoes and playing marbles. Then someone discovers the head of el profe Quintanilla and, not long after, the body of Rocio Morales. Troubles seemed to have arrived with the appearance of Joaquin Carrillo. Soon many of the stores in Izayoc start shutting down and people close to Boli start disappearing. Can Boli and, a down on his luck lucho libre, Chicano find out what's happening without putting themselves or anyone else in danger?

The mystery of Playing for the Devil's Fire sucks you in slowly. As Boli's fear for his life and those of his loved ones increases, so does the readers fear. You want to warn him. As the true motivations of the characters are revealed, Boli's innocence is threatened as he doesn't know who to trust. The love of money changes almost everyone but has a deep and dark influence over the law enforcement. No one is trying to help, believing they will be the next to lose their businesses or their lives.

There were a couple of times I wondered how old Boli and his sister were, based on their actions as well as the celebrities mentioned (Pancho Villa, El Chavo di ocho, and the calendar of Tania Rincon). Gaby is seventeen but doesn't go to school. She practically runs the bakery and enters into a contract.

Overall, it was an exciting window into another culture. Since there is a glossary in the back, Diederich doesn't stop the story to translate any words or phrases, many of which you can glean from context clues. He lays out the varying levels of poverty and how each affects character. The ending is quick and leaves you wondering about Boli and his future.

About The Author

Phillippe Diederich is a Haitian-American writer. Born in the Dominican Republic, he was raised in Mexico City and Miami. His parents were kicked out of Haiti by the dictatorship of Papa Doc Duvalier in 1963. He spent his youth listening to his parents and friends talking politics and nostalgically dreaming of the day they would return to Haiti. In 1980, the family moved to Miami, where they joined a community of exiles from all parts of Latin America—Cuba, Chile, Argentina, Nicaragua, El Salvador. Like other children of exiles, Diederich grew up without his relatives—grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts. Diederich traveled repeatedly to Cuba as a photojournalist throughout the 1990s. He has an MFA in creative writing from the University of South Florida and lives in Florida.

Blog Tour

August 31: Rich in Color review (http://richincolor.com)
Sept 1: The Pirate Tree review & interview (http://www.thepiratetree.com)
Sept 4: Guest Post for Clear Eyes, Full Shelves (www.cleareyesfullshelves.com)
Sept 5: Review, The Brain Lair (http://www.thebrainlair.com)
Sept 6: Rich in Color author interview (http://richincolor.com)
September 7: Edi Campbell CrazyquiltEdi review (https://campbele.wordpress.com)
September 8: Anastasia Suen, #KidLitBookoftheday (asuen.com)
September 9: Reading Through Life author highlight plus links to blog tour (http://readingtl.blogspot.com)
Sept 9: Guest Post, The Brain Lair (http://www.thebrainlair.com)
September 12: Linda Washington (https://lmarie7b.wordpress.com/ )
September 13: Excerpt, Review, and Guest Post at Mom Read it (https://momreadit.wordpress.com)

NerdCampMI - Recap

2016-07-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

Kups for Kathy courtesy LB

NerdCampMI - Since the Summer of 2013, I've trekked to MI to attend NerdCamp! So proud to be a part of this group!

This year I couldn't wait to drive up on for the pre-game at Olive Garden with my Voxer pals and some friendly authors. Such great conversations are had during this visit!

The Voxers surprised me with Kups for Kathy (short version - I collect mugs, longer version - I told them I stole them)! I'll post them on Insta as I use each one!

The next day was the official start of nErDCampMI! We started the day with 6 NerdTalks from me, Teri Lesesne (author of Reading Ladders), Donalyn Miller (author of The Book Whisperer), Pernille Ripp (creator of Global Read Aloud), Raina Telgemeier (author of Smile), and surprise Kate DiCamillo (author of all the books)!!! Can you imagine how nervous I was! I was so happy to be first but very very nervous! Can't thank my friends enough for their continued encouragement and support.

NerdTalks courtesy Justin

Me and Debbie Ridpath Ohi courtesy Justin

On the first day, after the NerdTalks, there are several sessions you can attend. I decided to sit out the first session and relax with a cup of coffee. After all the sessions were over we went to the Nerdy Dinner where I met Tracey Baptiste!!!! Sadly, I did not take pictures or have someone take pictures but it was truly a dream come true.

On Day 2, people sign up to either teach something, learn something or collaborate on something. One of my favorite sessions was with Tony Keefer. He shared with us the history of March Book Madness and we chose a theme and started gathering possible titles. It was such a fun time.

Throughout the 2 days there were author/illustrator signings and chatting. BookBug was there selling books! I picked up the Mitzi Tulane book and several others.

Like any great conference, the best part are the connections you make! It brings me joy to see my favorite voices in person. I always have fun hanging with this crazy crew and hope we find more times to be together.

The Voxers! courtesy Justin

#WNDB - A Raisin in The Sun

2016-07-06T11:10:00.001-04:00

A Raisin in the Sun
by Lorraine Hansberry
Vintage (November 29, 2004)
Audience: Teens to Adults
Drama * African-American Life * Poverty
IndieBound | Amazon | Book Depository

For the first time in forever, I watched the entire Tony Awards show on June 12, 2016. The next morning, after spending several hours trying and failing to get tickets to Hamilton, I ran to Barnes and Noble and bought the book. Not the Ron Chernow Alexander Hamilton biography but the Lin-Manual Miranda Hamilton: The Revolution hardcover of awesome. And, of course, the soundtrack.

On my way to the register, I saw a table of High School Summer Reading List selections and A Raisin in the Sun caught my eye. I've always loved the poem*, A Dream Deferred, and had seen snippets of the televised version of the play.

I didn't think anything of it, just put the books on my ever-expanding TBR ~~pile~~ ~~hill~~ ~~mountain~~, mountain range...

A week and 1/2 later, I go to ALA Orlando (pics coming soon) and finally get a copy of The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon, which I rave about here. And guess what play consumes the mc's father? Yep! He loves the character of Walter Lee Younger, whose life mimics what he sees as his own circumstances. Serendipity?

Lorraine Hansberry was the youngest person (only 29), first female, and first African-American to have a play produced on Broadway. This story of how poverty eats at your will and limits your ability to rise up still resonates today.

The Evolution of A Raisin in the Sun

*What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore—

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over—

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

I woke up in the middle of the night to find yet another African American killed by police officers and I am afraid that the last line is what we have coming. We cannot deny that #BlackLivesMatter but we also need to show it. #AltonSterling - Here's a great article about the pushing down that is sure to come to no good end, called Heavy Load, that also references A Dream Deferred and A Raisin in the Sun!

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? July 4, 2016

2016-07-04T08:45:00.000-04:00

What I Purchased/Borrowed
Zeroes (Zeroes, 1) by Scott Westerfeld, audiobook, borrowed
In Twenty Years by Allison Winn Scotch
Tiny Pretty Things by Sonia Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton
The Princess Saves Herself In This One by Amanda Lovelace
Lady Susan by Jane Austen
Half Wild (Half Bad, 2) by Sally Green, borrowed

What I Read
The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon, ARC
A Study in Charlotte (Charlotte Holmes, 1) by Brittany Cavallaro, borrowed
Haters by Jesse Andrews, audiobook, borrowed
Spaced Out (Moon Base Alpha, 2) by Stuart Gibbs, borrowed
Heartless by Marissa Meyer, Edelweiss

Highlight

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon (11/1/2016) - Ever since I read Everything, Everything (Yoon, 9/15) I've been waiting for the next book by Yoon. And also dreading it, because that book was, well, everything!

And now we have this. It was beautiful and heartfelt. Daniel and Natasha are on fate's rollercoaster and can't get the ride to stop. Daniel is destined to go to Yale and eventually become a doctor while Natasha's family is being deported. Tonight!

Following a series of signs, they meet. Combine this with The New York Times's quiz, The 36 Questions That Lead to Love (which you can try here). Add in alternating chapters, some fully realized secondary characters, and a strong sense of place and wow, Yoon has done it again!

Find Nicola Yoon on the internet:
Website - www.nicolayoon.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/NicolaYoon
Tumblr - http://nicolayoon.tumblr.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nicolayoon/

I say pre-order this one for your middle school and high school libraries.

Want more reading ideas this week? Check out:

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? - June 20, 2016

2016-06-20T09:28:00.004-04:00

We bring you this special edition of It's Monday, What Are You Reading! Today I want to look at what my K-4 students have checked out this past school year.

The Top Ten Circulated Books

10. Cabin Fever (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, 6) by Jeff Kinney, 978-1419-70223-5.

Cabin Fever Event Guide

9. Fish in A Tree by Linda Mullaly Hunt, 978-03991-6259-6

Educator's Guide

8. The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin, 978-17435-3987-3

The Thing About Jellyfish Educator's Guide

7. A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord, 978-05457-0027-6

A Handful of Stars Educator's Guide

6. The LEGO book by Daniel Lipkowitz, 978-07566-6693-4

5. Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate, 978-12500-4323-8

Crenshaw Educator's Guide

4. Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel, 978-05452-1028-7

3. Cardboard by Doug TenNapel, 978-05454-1873-7

2. Sisters by Raina Telgemeier, 978-05451-3206-0

1. Smile by Raina Telgemeier, 978-05455-4060-5

Here's a great

Guide to Using Graphic Novels with Children and Teens

from Scholastic.

Any surprises?

I'm happy that chapter books made the list! After the Mock Newbery Club ended, I booktalked some of our reads to the 3rd and 4th graders. I'm hoping there's a direct correlation! I am pained with the lack of diversity on the list! Definitely a goal for Fall 2016.

Check out Daydream Reader (@NikiOhsBarnes) for more ideas of what the K-4 crowd is reading. We've got some books in common!

Stepping Into Digital Literacy

2015-11-27T11:46:00.000-05:00

Recently I was honored to present at the 34th Annual Sharjah International Book Fair in Sharjah UAE. This was the second annual American Library Association (ALA) Library Conference. It was a an incredible experience.

My presentation was on my starting to integrate Digital Literacy into the library curriculum. It's truly a work in progress and I'll update as I learn more!

Slides

Fair Pictures

Showing the route from DC to Dubai UAE

Fair welcome

Students were everywhere at the fair!

Loved the variety in book covers

Presentation tweets

Answering questions about access

Had a great time learning with other school librarians at the fair! Thank you to ALA for such a wonderful and fulfilling opportunity.

Voyagers Series Giveaway

2015-11-10T17:25:00.002-05:00

Samples and prizing are provided by Random House Children’s Books

#VoyagersHQ - check out the site!
All right science fiction fans, there's a new series that already has two books out for you!

Part sci-fi, part eco-mystery, all action-adventure.

As the young heroes in VOYAGERS journey into outer space to save planet Earth, you are invited to become part of the story by joining the crew through the multi-platform, VOYAGERS HQ.

The HQ extends the adventure beyond the page, unlocking games and activities on your device!

Each book has clues and codes that lead to world extensions to be explored, played, and shared. Your online profile tracks your progress through the VOYAGERS universe, and gives you rewards, ranking and virtual currency for each product code redeemed.

You can create your own custom VOYAGERS character, follow the team and experience this space adventure through the eyes of your own virtual droid.

Book 1 - Project Alpha by DJ MacHale

Synopsis
Earth is in danger! Without a renewable source of clean energy, our planet will be toast in less than a year. There are 6 essential elements that, when properly combined, create a new power source. But the elements are scattered throughout the galaxy. And only a spaceship piloted by children can reach it and return to Earth safely. First the ideal team of four 12-year-olds must be chosen, and then the first element must be retrieved. There is not a mistake to be made, or a moment to lose. The source is out there. Voyagers is blasting off in 3, 2,1!

Credit: Gayle Goodrich

About the Author
D.J. MacHale is the author of the bestselling book series Pendragon, Morpheus Road, the SYLO Chronicles. He has written, directed and produced numerous award-winning television series and movies for young people including Are You Afraid of the Dark?; Flight 29 Down and Tower of Terror. D.J. lives with his family in Southern California.

Website: DJ MacHale Books
Twitter: @DJMacHale
Facebook: Author DJ MacHale

Book 2 - Game of Flames by Robin Wasserman

Synopsis
The Alpha team has been chosen and they've already snagged the first element on planet J-16. The second is hidden on Meta-Prime, a planet filled with metal mazes, catapults of fire, and warring alien robots. But what our Voyagers don't know is that there is another ship, the Omega team, following hot on their trail...

About the Author

Credit: Sonya Sones

Robin Wasserman is the author of several acclaimed books for children and young adults, including The Waking Dark, The Book of Blood and Shadow, Hacking Harvard, the Cold Awakening Trilogy, and the Chasing Yesterday Trilogy. A former children's book editor, she lives and writes (and frequently procrastinates) in Brooklyn, New York.

Website: Robin Wasserman
Twitter: @RobinWasserman
Facebook: Robin Wasserman

The Giveaway

Get both books in the series AND a special prize pack: A branded iphone 6 case with a home GadgetGrip button! Open to US addresses only. Giveaway closes Wednesday November 18, 2015, 11:59 pm.

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Library Update - Part 3

2015-10-20T20:17:00.000-04:00

Taking the atelier apart in preparation for the renovation. Sinks have been removed!

Library Update - Part 2

2015-10-15T11:56:00.001-04:00

At the end of the school year, the Head of School gathered a bunch of volunteers to pack up the library. That was good and bad. The good was I had a lot of volunteers. The bad was I couldn't control HOW things were packed nor where they were placed nor how they were LABELED! Also, since our update has been delayed, I've had to dig through boxes time and time again to try to find books. Students also only had access to books on a cart.

Book Box Surprise!

Books to be weeded

Finding books to checkout

Library Update - Part 1

2015-10-13T19:58:00.001-04:00

Fall of 2014, I moved to The Stanley Clark School in South Bend. It's a small private school serving students from PreK-8. I would oversee 4 small libraries: Main (all ages but mostly 1-4), Fannin (PreK-K,) The Tigers Den (5-8 fiction only) and The HPL (professional library). The one thing I knew going in was the main library and the Fannin Hall library would be combining into a remodeled space.

Here is what the space, known as the atelier, looked like:

Downstairs - kdg lunchroom

Stairs

Upstairs - 4/5 Lunchroom

Here's the original Main Library:

Here's the original Fannin Hall - I don't have many pictures inside. It was so small, we would sit in the hall and rotate inside!

So we will see how we will combine the two libraries and also include space for making and legos. Stay tuned!

Fable Comcs Blog Tour - 5 Questions with Ulises Farinas

2015-10-10T07:41:00.001-04:00

Various authors. Fable Comics. Macmillan (First Second Books). 2015. 128 pg. 978-1626721074. $19.99

From the publisher:

From classics like “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Grasshopper and the Ants” to obscure gems like “The Frogs Who Desired a King,” Fable Comics has something to offer every reader. Twenty-eight fables from different cultures and traditions are wonderfully adapted and illustrated in comics format by twenty-six different cartoonists. Edited by New York Times bestselling Fairy Tale Comics’ Chris Duffy, this jacketed hardcover is a beautiful gift and an instant classic.

What a great way to study fables in the classroom. These interpretatins are not only graphic but may provide a twist teachrs and students hadn't expected! Read on as Ulises Farinas answers 5 Questions on The Great Weasel War - his interpretation of The Mice and the Weasel.

1. When researching The Mice and The Weasel - I came across several versions. Which did you use and how did you choose it?
We didn't stick to any single version, we tried to distill the moral into a fun new concept, while still maintaining the essence of the original fable.

2. Greatness carries its own penalties is one moral of this fable. Agree or disagree? How did you translate this to your version?

When the moral is placed within the context of war, its warning is much more against foolhardy endeavors than greatness in itself. Recognizing your own limitations and preparing properly is something too many people fail to do when confronting their obstacles. When they are defeated, only then it is obvious which mistakes they've maken.

3. Am I detecting a sense of the absurd/humor in your version?

Of course, War is absurd, it is a hysteria that overwhelms people and rids them of their common sense. The original fable had them wearing ornate head-dresses, on mice. I think the absurdity is intended in the original fable as well.

4. I see you are working with Freitas on this story and also on a recently released Godzilla title. How do you two know each other and what’s your working process?

Erick Freitas and I work together on all our titles that we write. Usually we go over an idea together on the phone, afterwards he or I write an outline of what should happen, and Erick writes a script based on that. Then we go back and forth finessing it til it's where we want it.

We've known each other since we were 11 years old.

5. So, what’s next for you?
Erick and I are currently writing Judge Dredd for IDW, and our anthology series Amazing Forest is being published by IDW as well.

You will find many of your favorite authors and illustrators in Fable Comics:

Fable Comics is:

James Kochalka and ‘The Fox and the Grapes’
Tom Gauld and ‘The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse’
George O’Connor and the ‘Hermes’ fables
Sophie Goldstein and ‘Leopard Drums Up Dinner’
Charise Harper and ‘The Belly and the Body Members’
R. Sikoryak and ‘Lion + Mouse’
Jennifer L. Meyer and ‘Fox and Crow’
Eleanor Davis and ‘The Old Man and Death’
Jaime Hernandez and ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’
Simone Lia and ‘The Crow and the Pitcher’
Graham Chaffee and ‘The Dog and His Reflection’
Maris Wicks and ‘The Dolphins, The Whales, and The Sprat’
Vera Brosgol and ‘The Hare and the Pig’
Kenny Widjaja and ‘The Demon, The Thief, and the Hermit’
Corinne Mucha and ‘The Elephant in Favor’
Liniers and ‘The Mouse Council’
Mark Newgarten and ‘Man and Wart’
Israel Sanchez and ‘The Milkmaid and Her Pail’
Ulises Farinas and ‘The Great Weasel War’
R.O. Blechman and ‘The Sun and the Wind’
Graham Annable and ‘The Hare and the Tortoise’
John Kerschbaum and ‘The Grasshopper and the Ants’
Braden Lamb and Shelli Paroline and ‘The Thief and the Watchdog’
Gregory Benton and ‘The Hen and the Mountain Turtle’
Roger Langridge and ‘Demades and His Fable’

SLJ Good Comics for Kids features Fable Comics editor Chris Duffy, 9/21http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/

Charlotte’s Library features James Kochalka and ‘The Fox and the Grapes,’ 9/22http://charlotteslibrary.blogspot.com/

Musings of a Librarian features Tom Gauld and ‘The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse,’ 9/23 http://musingsoflibrarian.blogspot.com/

Sharp Reads features George O’Connor and the ‘Hermes’ fables, 9/24https://sharpread.wordpress.com/

Fly to Fiction features Sophie Goldstein an ‘Leopard Drums Up Dinner,’ 9/25http://flytofiction.blogspot.com/

Supernatural Snark features Charise Harper and ‘The Belly and the Body Members,’ 9/26 http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com/

It’s All Comic to Me features R. Sikoryak and ‘Lion + Mouse,’ 9/27 http://itsallcomictome.blogspot.com/

Ex Libris Kate features Jennifer L. Meyer and ‘Fox and Crow,’ 9/28http://exlibriskate.com/

The Roarbots features Eleanor Davis and ‘The Old Man and Death,’ 9/29http://theroarbots.com/

Fleen features Jaime Hernandez and ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf,’ 9/30 http://fleen.com/

The Book Monsters features Simone Lia and ‘The Crow and the Pitcher,’ 10/1http://thebookmonsters.com/

The Brain Lair features Graham Chaffee and ‘The Dog and His Reflection,’ 10/2http://www.thebrainlair.com/

Librarian in Cute Shoes features Maris Wicks and ‘The Dolphins, The Whales, and The Sprat,’ 10/3 http://librarianincuteshoes.blogspot.com/

Women Write About Comics features Vera Brosgol and ‘The Hare and the Pig,’ 10/4http://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/

The Busy Librarian features Kenny Widjaja and ‘The Demon, The Thief, and the Hermit,’ 10/5 http://www.busylibrarian.com/

The Book Rat features Corinne Mucha and ‘The Elephant in Favor,’ 10/6http://www.thebookrat.com/

Read. Watch. Connect features Liniers and ‘The Mouse Council,’ 10/7http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/

Cherry Blossoms and Maple Syrup features Mark Newgarten and ‘Man and Wart,’ 10/8https://innocencewalker.wordpress.com/

Jenuine Cupcakes features Israel Sanchez and ‘The Milkmaid and Her Pail,’ 10/9http://jenuinecupcakes.blogspot.com/

Bumbles & Fairy Tales features Ulises Farinas and ‘The Great Weasel War,’ 10/10http://bumblesandfairytales.blogspot.com/

Graphic Policy features R.O. Blechman and ‘The Sun and the Wind,’ 10/11http://graphicpolicy.com/

The Book Wars features Graham Annable and ‘The Hare and the Tortoise,’ 10/12https://thebookwars.wordpress.com/

Sturdy for Common Things features John Kerschbaum and ‘The Grasshopper and the Ants,’ 10/13 http://www.sturdyforcommonthings.com/

Kid Lit Frenzy features Braden Lamb and Shelli Paroline and ‘The Thief and the Watchdog,’ 10/14 http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/

Maria’s Melange features Gregory Benton and ‘The Hen and the Mountain Turtle,’ 10/15http://www.mariaselke.com/

Read Write Reflect features Roger Langridge and ‘Demades and His Fable,’ 10/16http://readwriteandreflect.blogspot.com/

Batty About Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older - Part 1

2015-08-02T16:37:00.003-04:00

Batty About Books

presents

Shadowshaper

by Daniel Jose Older
(@djolder, ghoststar.net)

Join us as we read and discuss Shadowshaper. My (@thebrainlair) comments are in blue and Maria's (@mariaselke, Maria's Melange) are in purple.

Schedule
Cover Appeal
Today - pgs. 1 - 140
Saturday, August 8th - pgs. 141 - end.

First Half Discussion - I decided to look mostly at the characters in this first half. These are the things that stuck out for me as I was reading.

Sierra Santiago

Love Older’s description of his main character - her wild fro, combat boots, and sense of style. Sierra’s style extends to her murals, which I wish I could see. I can picture the huge, shiny dragon climbing the side of the Tower. Sierra alternates between knowing who she is and questioning how others see her.

“Sierra felt an invisible thread of possibility hanging between them...” 67

I identify strongly with Sierra. Even though we are culturally different. Even though her artistic skills are something I will never have. There’s something about her struggle to become herself that rings true to my own memories of adolescence.

Robbie

What to think? On the one hand, he appears to be new to the scene, “..who had shown up midyear” (9) and introduced himself to Sierra at the party but later her brother, who’s always traveling, says he always thought Robbie was weird and Robbie himself mentions working with Papa Acevedo since he was twelve. He knows about the Shadowshapers but disappears twice when Sierra needs him. Is that significant or a red herring?

Yes! I want to like Robbie. I want to cheer for him. I do like the mystery of his true motivations, though. I want to know what the resolution for this character will be. I missed the bit about him showing up mid-year, myself. That makes it even stranger that he’s claiming to have worked with Papa for so long… hmmm…

Abuelo Lazaro and Professor Wick

Hmm are they friends or enemies? Wick’s notes states he loves the power of the culture behind the shadowshapers but he also seems to want to help by getting Lucera to return. Something profound has happened to Lazaro and his moments of lucidity hold powerful clues. I expected Sierra to pay more attention to him. I have my doubts about Wick’s power because that seems too easy but I will wait to discuss them after the second half so I don’t spoil much. What really happened between Lazaro and Lucera? How does one have a disagreement with a spirit?

The bits with Wick toward the end of this section were the exact spot when my interest in the overall storyline became to intensify. I liked the characters from the start - but trying to figure out what’s going on with Wick and the creepy shadows makes me want to dive back into the book and find out what happens next.

I’m also getting more suspicious about Abuelo’s health problems. I’m wondering now if it wasn’t entirely natural..

Other characters

I want to know about Sierra’s godfather, Neville. He seemed like a cool guy who knows what’s going on. He also helped her get into Columbia’s library. What does her mother know and why doesn’t she want to speak of it? Was Lazaro hesitant to pass his gift to her because she was female? Is that why she pretends not to know anything? What role will Manny play as the story moves forward? He knows something. What families were torn apart? (75)

where lonely women go to dance

come to the crossroads, to the crossroads come

where the powers converge and become one

I’m just going to leave that right there for now.

Yes! The fact that the rest of the family clearly has information that they aren’t sharing with Sierra is intriguing. What, exactly, are they hiding? I will admit to being a bit angry with the family once I realized that BOTH of her brothers had information and NO ONE told Sierra anything. I was also quite amused with Neville’s antics in getting her into the library. I liked how he was willing to play off of the assumptions people make of him. People want to assume he’s a danger? Fine… he’ll use that. But just how dangerous is he really?

Shadowshaper/Sorrows

The magic is interesting. Throughout this first half, Robbie and Sierra seem to attract random shadows but Robbie mentioned using specific ones for murals. I wonder how he called them? The name Sorrows doesn’t seem Golden to me.

Agreed! That difference in terminology (Golden vs. Sorrows) is so odd. What, exactly, is going on here? Is Wick combining the spirits from different cultures? It sounded like his “Sorrows” were from a research trip that was earlier than the one he did in this city.

Overall

When I first read this part, I was confused and I felt the story was jumbled but going back to re-read, I was able to pick up so much more. I was able to get more into the story and can’t wait to read the second half as I have many questions about Shadowshaping and Robbie and how it all fits together.

Come over to our Batty About Books Facebook page and tell us what you thought of the first half of Shadowshaper. What stood out for you?

Maria has a fascinating look at the book through the windows and mirrors frame of diversity. Please stop by Maria's Melange and read her thoughts.

Affiliate Link: Shadowshaper (Amazon)

Batty About Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older - Cover Appeal

2015-07-25T20:57:00.000-04:00

Batty About Books

presents

Shadowshaper

by Daniel Jose Older
(@djolder, ghoststar.net)

Join us as we read and discuss Shadowshaper over the next two weeks.

Schedule
Today, July 25th - Cover Appeal
Saturday, August 1st - pgs. 1 - 140
Saturday, August 8th - pgs. 141 - end.

Be sure to check out our Batty About Books facebook page or tweet with the hashtags #BattyAboutBooks and #Shadowshaper as you talk about the book.

Cover Appeal - I did a quick inventory with my 19-year-old daughter, Jessica, about the cover and here are her thoughts:

I love it.
It's eye-catching,
Her hair looks like mine.
The colors draw you in and make you want to know what they mean.
She looks scared - her eyes are very expressive.
She looks like she is staring something or someone down.
I like her skin color - is she mixed race? (my daughter is, btw)

Like Jessica, I was drawn to this cover. I like how the city is superimposed on the main character and that she is a beautiful young lady who looks powerful but afraid. Not so much that she's afraid of someone but of her own strength instead.

What kind of battle did she start? Does she do graffiti? I can't wait to learn more!

Check out Maria's thoughts on Maria's Melange!

We are also on Twitter - Maria (@mariaselke) and Kathy (@thebrainlair)

Happy Reading!

Affiliate Link: Shadowshaper (Amazon)

Movie Magic by Julie Mata - Guest Post and Giveaway - May 2015

2015-05-28T06:30:00.000-04:00

Mata, Julie. Kate Walden Directs: Bride of Slug Man. Disney-Hyperion, 2015. 288p. $16.99. 9781423194606.

from Goodreads:

After her huge success with her first feature-length movie, seventh-grader Kate Walden is eager to start on her next film, a sci-fi romance called Bride of Slug Man. When a new kid comes to town from New York City, Kate thinks she might have a new found film buddy-someone to share her interest with. And it doesn't hurt that he's pretty cute. But it turns out that Tristan is making his own movie, and now the classmates Kate thought were eager to join her cast and crew are divided.

With rumors spreading in school and between sets, Kate finds herself juggling more than just call times and rewrites. And judging from the whispers Kate hears about Tristan Kingsley,she suspects that he isn't interested in having a fellow film-buff friend; he just wants to prove himself as the best filmmaker in school by winning the Big Picture Film Festival. Kate vows to enter too, and tries to focus on just making the best movie she can.

But between the cutthroat popularity contest, a bully situation that goes from bad to worse, and several on-set mishaps, Kate is going to need all the movie magic she can get to make sure Bride of Slug Man hits the big-screen

Read on to find out what Julie Mata has learned about director's tips and how she incorporated those into the Kate Walden series.

Movie Magic

in

Kate Walden Directs: Bride of Slug Man

By Julie Mata

In the movie Super 8, there’s a moment when a band of kids is shooting a movie scene at a train depot late at night. Suddenly, a real train hurtles out of the darkness toward them. The director, a kid named Charles, shouts “Production Value!” and feverishly tries to film while the train is passing by. This scene makes me laugh because it’s so true. Directors will do almost anything to add extra sizzle—also known as production value—to their movies.

In Kate Walden Directs: Bride of Slug Man, twelve-year-old Kate is dying to make a science fiction movie but her best friend longs to star in a romance. In Kate’s mind, flying saucers and aliens add sizzle. Romance does not. Throughout the story, she bounces between wanting to keep her friends happy and trying to make the epic sci-fi flick of her dreams.

One of the great parts of writing about a character who makes movies is that I get to research all kinds of fun filmmaking facts. To get ideas for a flying saucer, I laughed through the epically bungling movie Plan Nine from Outer Space, which won director Ed Wood the dubious title of Worst Ever Movie Director. Ed didn’t have a budget for fancy special effects so he tied fishing line to a toy UFO and dangled it in front of the camera. In an homage to Wood, and because it’s exactly what a twelve-year-old would do (sorry, Ed), Kate gets her UFO shots the same way.

Kate even uses a technique called forced perspective to make her flying saucer look life size. It’s all about putting small objects close to the camera lens to make them look huge, and placing people far off in the distance to make them look small. Kate feels pretty pro when she learns that Steven Spielberg used the same technique in Close Encounters of the Third Kind to make a model ship tanker look real. (And I felt pretty pro writing about it.)

Of course, some of the lessons Kate learns can’t be found in a moviemaking how-to manual. She learns the hard way that you don’t have to be a big-time Hollywood director to end up with a big-time Hollywood ego. She also struggles with bullies, friendship dramas, and wardrobe malfunctions while trying to finish her movie.

Writing about Kate has allowed me to combine two of my passions—moviemaking and writing. I’m no Spielberg but I did write and direct a short film once called Bus Driver. You can check it out on YouTube but be warned, it doesn’t have cool flying saucers or alien creatures from Mars. I guess I was out-sizzled by my own MC.

About the Author

Julie Mata grew up outside Chicago and currently lives in Wisconsin, where she owns a video production business with her husband.. She loves movies and once wrote and directed her own short film. She also loves traveling, gardening, and reading a really good book. Her first book was Kate Walden Directs: Night of the Zombie Chickens. For more information, including a downloadable curriculum guide and a filmmaking tip of the month, visit her website: juliemata.com.

Find Julie on Twitter: @juliehmata

Kate Walden Directs: Bride of Slug Man - Book Trailer

Find more Kate Walden videos on her YouTube Channel!

You can receive a copy of BOTH Kate Walden Directs: Night of the Zombie Chickens and Kate Walden Directs: Bride of Slug Man! US Only. One entry per person/email. Ends 6/4/15 11:59 pm.

Stops on the Blog Tour

Monday, May 18	GreenBeanTeenQueen	http://www.greenbeanteenqueen.com/
Wed. May 20	Once Upon a Story	http://mariaburel.com/
Thurs, May 21	Read Now, Sleep Later	http://www.readnowsleeplater.org/
Fri, May 22	Curling Up with a Good Book	http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.blogspot.com/
Tues, May 26	The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia	http://hauntedorchid.blogspot.com/
Wed, May 27	BookHounds YA	http://www.bookhoundsya.net/
Thurs, May 28	The Brain Lair	http://www.thebrainlair.com/
Fri, May 29	Kid Lit Frenzy	http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/

Top Ten Graphic Novels - #FreeComicBookDay

2015-05-02T10:48:00.000-04:00

Woot! Today is Free Comic Book Day! Use FreeComicBookDay.com's store locator to find a store near you!

If you are looking for some graphic novels to buy, here are the Top Ten Graphic Novels checked out by The Stanley Clark School students (summaries from Goodreads):

Bake Sale by Sara Varon

Cupcake’s life is pretty good. He’s got his bakery, and his band, and his best friend, Eggplant. His days are full of cooking, socializing, and playing music. But lately, Cupcake has been struggling in the kitchen. He’s sure the solution to all his problems is out there somewhere. But maybe that solution is hiding closer to home.

Cardboard by Doug TenNapel

When cardboard creatures come magically to life, a boy must save his town from disaster.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

From the artist of BSC Graphix comes this humorous coming-of-age true story about the dental drama that ensues after a trip-and-fall mishap.

The Amulet Series by Kazu Kibiushi

Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a giant robot---and two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission.

The Bone Series by Jeff Smith

After being run out of Boneville, the three Bone cousins, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone, are separated and lost in a vast uncharted desert.

El Deafo by CeCe Bell

2015 Newbery Honor. Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece's class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends.

Bad Island by Doug TenNapel

Something on this island is up to no good . . .

Dumbest Idea Ever by Jimmy Gownley

Jimmy Gownley's graphic novel memoir about the "dumb" idea that changed his life forever!

Naruto series by Masashi Kishimoto

Naruto is a ninja-in-training with a need for attention, a knack for mischief and, sealed within him, a strange, formidable power. (technically manga but they love it.)

Trickster: Native American Tales edited by Matt Dembicki

Meet the Trickster, a crafty creature or being who disrupts the order of things, often humiliating others and sometimes himself in the process. Whether a coyote or rabbit, raccoon or raven, Tricksters use cunning to get food, steal precious possessions, or simply cause mischief.

Today is also Independent Bookstore day! So find your local independent bookseller here and go shopping!

Take 5 for Kids Comics Joey Weiser - Blog Tour

2015-04-29T22:42:00.001-04:00

Celebrate kids comics with Q&As with fantastic children’s cartoonists for Children’s Book Week! Join us as great authors talk about their own creative work and the graphic novel industry throughout April and May. Comics for kids are reaching a time of unprecedented acceptance in the American literary scene, and it’s now true that there are comics for everyone. All interviews are conducted by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado (Dragons Beware!).

RAFAEL/JORGE: Hi, Joey, thanks for

answering our questions. We're both fans of Mermin the Merman from Mer, which incidentally, is a fun thing to say. Mermin the Merman from Mer. Mermin the Merman from Mer. Okay, and now for the questions...

QUESTION: We like this quote of yours from an FCBD Interview, "Each book I do is a reaction to the one before it. They use things I’ve learned from the previous experience, building on positives and negatives that I see when analyzing the book I just completed." What did you learn from "The Ride Home" that informed the Mermin series? And what are you learning from Mermin, that's informing your next work?

Joey Weiser: The Ride Home was pretty straight-forward, following a single character from point A to B to C. With my next book, Cavemen in Space, I played around with having a big cast of characters and watching their storylines intersect. Mermin is a little of both: There is one central character, but the supporting characters have large roles, especially as the series progresses.

The biggest difference in Mermin might be that it’s a series. I’m enjoying being able to spend a lot of time developing the characters over multiple volumes, and learning a lot from that experience, but I’m also looking forward to returning to a single-volume graphic novel after I come to a stopping point with Mermin. I think I’ll try to put as much character development, action, and fun into my next book as I can!

QUESTION (FROM JORGE): You went to Savannah College of Art & Design. My nephew is going to start going there this Fall. What advice do you have for young artists going to art school? What should they be focus on while at school so they can make a living working in the arts once they graduate?

Joey Weiser: I think that a lot of people know that both your professors and your fellow students are great resources to learn from and grow while in college. However, I think it should be stressed that it’s up to YOU to push yourself as hard as you can, make the decisions to take the hard classes that may seem like a pain but will ultimately help you the most, and do the absolute best on your work that you can.

QUESTION: What comic would you recommend to a kid starting to read graphic novels today?

Joey Weiser: The first book that comes to mind is Jeff Smith’s Bone. It’s absolutely one of my favorite comics of all time, great for kids, and made me the cartoonist I am today.

QUESTION: What are you working on now?

Joey Weiser: I am finishing up my next Mermin graphic novel, Mermin Book 4: Into Atlantis. After the events of the last book, we get to explore Atlantis, the other undersea kingdom besides Mer! Look for it this Fall!

Besides that I do fairly regular work for SpongeBob Comics, and other things here and there. I’m also in the middle of a giant sketch project, Daily Dragon Ball, where I am drawing just about every character from Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball in order of appearance. You can follow that at http://dailydragonball.tumblr.com/

QUESTION: What's on your nightstand?

Joey Weiser: I’ve just begun reading Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters, a biography/photo book of the man behind the special effects for classic Japanese monster movies and television like Godzilla and Ultraman. I love that stuff!

Wait - there's more! Check out this schedule!

Monday, April 27
Cece Bell interviewed at Sturdy for Common Things

Tuesday, April 28
Kazu Kibuishi interviewed at Geek Dad

Wednesday, April 29
Joey Weiser interviewed at The Brain Lair

Thursday, April 30
James Kochalka interviewed at Bumbles & Fairy Tales

Friday, May 1
Mariko Tamaki interviewed at A Book and a Latte

Saturday, May 2
Jorge Aguirre interviewed at The Windy Pages

Sunday, May 3
Luke Pearson interviewed at Mr. Schu Reads

Monday, May 4
Jeffrey Brown interviewed at For Books’ Sake

Tuesday, May 5
Cecil Castellucci interviewed at WinterHaven Books

Wednesday, May 6
Frank Cammuso interviewed at Reading with ABC

Thursday, May 7
Hope Larson interviewed at The Book Wars