Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Broke Your Heart A Little

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish:

1. Touching Snow by M. Sindy Felin: A heartbreaking tale of a Haitian immigrant family living in New York told from sixth-grader Karina’s perspective. Karina’s father abuses Karina, her sisters and her mother. School Library Journals says, “The author writes with insight about the realities of immigrant life, Haitian American culture, and the double worlds inhabited by many first-generation Americans like Karina. Readers can see the compromises that family members make in the name of survival and the stresses that drive the stepfather’s rage, while still holding to the truth that these girls and their mother deserve a life without violence. Although the resolution is brutal, this story is a compelling read from an important and much-needed new voice.” Read my review of Touching Snow.
2. The Devil’s Paintbox by Victoria McKernan: This book has not received much attention but it is in my top 100 YA books list (see the full list). Life on the Oregon Trail is difficult and character’s I cared about were injured, infected, or died along the way but one death (and I won’t spoil it) shook me to the core. I just didn’t see it coming. And yes, life (and the book) went on but my heart was a little broken. Read my review of The Devil’s Paintbox.
3. Grandpa Green by Lane Smith: I was in tears over this beautiful picture book. It won a well-deserved Caldecott honor this year!
4. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness: I sobbed and sobbed. Full on. Just one of the most poignant children’s books I’ve ever read.
5. Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin: A book about verbal abuse that was so so horrible. There is a scene in which the mother drives recklessly with her kids in the car… chills. Chills. My heart broke for those kids.
6. Everything is Fine by Ann Ellis: Read my review of Everything is Fine.
7. The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochran: Themes of death and abandonment, grief and alienation, discrimination and friendship set against a baseball backdrop. Just lovely. Read my review of The Girl Who Threw Butterflies.
8. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: I cried and cried and cried.
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling: The water works started when Hedwig was killed and I flooded the room when Fred died. Just thinking about this book brings tears to my eyes. I was in love with Fred. LOVE, people. And now he’s dead.
10. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson: I did not see the ending coming at all. The movie version of this film is one of the best book adaptations ever.

Mock Newbery 2012 Discussion

Five Ocean County Librarians and one retired OCL Librarian met to determine our Mock Newbery and Mock Caldecott titles. Here are some snippets of the confabulation.

Priscilla commented, “When I’m reading, I’m thinking what will the committee vote for versus what will I vote for.” I took the moment to remind folks this is our opportunity to decide what we would select if we were the committee. Still, I understood where she was coming from.

Regarding Okay For Now by Gary Schmidt, what makes it distinguished? Kristen answered immediately: “Its characters.” Does it tie itself up too neatly? Kristen said, “It needs to tie up neatly with all the over-the-top stuff, though some of that stuff might have been needless…. But it ends with a sense that we’re okay for now but not necessarily forever.” That’s what made it okay in Okay For Now.”

Then we mused on how willing we are to suspend disbelief when reading a children’s book. Did the ending in Okay For Now seem too implausible? Does it even matter? Kristen, who will attend the 2012 ALSC Morris seminar at ALA mid-winter, shared an article that stressed the importance of looking at a book’s strengths within its genre and evaluating it on those strengths, not its weaknesses. What does it contribute to that genre? (Which means more support for Okay For Now from my perspective!) Interesting.

So what about the Audubon art? Does it serve the message? Priscilla was skeptical. My arguments: the art resonates with Doug. He’s illiterate. Learning through pictures isn’t threatening. “But why the lessons?” Priscilla countered. First, Doug wouldn’t talk about the pictures to begin with. He learns because the Librarian leaves some paper and a pencil by the prints. So Doug wants to learn. And when have you known a Librarian to pass up the opportunity to impart a lesson? It’s in my (our?) nature to teach! Kristen added, ” It gave him something to be successful at.” Elise chimed in, “He’s getting acknowledge and support from an adult.”

Amanda pointed out, “The children in each of these books (meaning Dead End in Norvelt, Okay for Now, and Hound Dog True) are learning something. Mattie is learning to trust. Doug is learning about art. Jack is learning about writing. Priscilla argued learning to write in Dead End was more important than Doug learning art in Okay For Now.

Kristen predicts A Monster Calls will win saying, “It doesn’t do character as well as Okay for Now but it does plot and language better.” Elise wanted Okay For Now to be tighter, more spare. She though Norvelt was streamlined and macabre but very funny.

What do we do with Wonderstruck? Even if it is included in the Newbery committee’s discussion, we did not think the text strong enough to contend with our other titles.

We’re all very sad The Girl Who Circumnavigated the World is ineligible.

And finally, we voted.

After the first round, we had four clear frontrunners. A second round of voting showed a clear favorite with a majority of #1 votes. Okay For Now by Gary Schmidt is our 2012 Mock Newbery winner.

Our three honor books are much loved reads. With the strongest showing of the three, Hound Dog True by Linda Urban (it also received a first place vote in the final round) is our first honor book. With an equal number of points, we added Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos (which also received one first place vote in the final round) and A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.

Our Caldecott winner was Me… Jane by Patrick McDonnell!

Overall it was a tight race. We selected three honor books. I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen was a tight tight second place. It had equally as many first place votes as Me… Jane. Coming in on their heels were Grandapa Green by Lane Smith and Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick.

Top 10 Books I’ve Read in 2011

Confessions of a Bookaholic is hosting a Top 10 of 2011 event. Today, a look back at the top ten books I’ve read in 2011. These are the books that I find myself revisiting months after I’ve read them. I find myself rereading bits of them and pondering them. I find myself sharing them with strangers! That’s good stuff.

1. Stick by Andrew Smith: I was enthralled by this book. Completely. I read it in one sitting. (Read my review of Stick.)
2. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: The story bends and overlaps and stretches until you have lost your sense of direction just as a circus patron feels skewed upon entering one of the circus tents. But this topsy-turvy feeling is fleeting because what you find inside these black and white pages has captivated you. (Read my review of The Night Circus.)
3. The Isle of Blood by Rick Yancey: Yancey, once again, delivers a riveting story full of horror, suspense, and excellent character development, as well as an exploration of the human psyche. (Read my review of The Isle of Blood.)
4. Grandpa Green by Lane Smith: A gorgeously illustrated, clever, humourous, multigenerational, sparsely worded but perfectly paced and poignant picture book. (Read my review of Grandpa Green.)
5. Hound Dog True by Linda Urban: A slender book that tackles mother/daughter relationships, bullying, early adolescent worries, the art of  story through writing/drawing, and (a hint of) romance with elegance and brevity. (Read my review of Hound Dog True.)
6. A Song of Fire and Ice – A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin: It’s a race to the dragons in this lengthy but thrilling tome. (Read my review of A Dance with Dragons.)
7. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys: Gripping from the outset and fluid in its telling, I couldn’t put this one down. (read my review of Between Shades of Gray.) 
8. Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt:  Layered and subtle with excellent writing and a realistic, fresh protagonist. (Read my review of Okay for Now.)
9. Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett: With her trademark sparsity and gorgeous illustrations, Gravett has created another picture book with depth and humor. (Read my review of Blue Chameleon.)
10. Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos: Brilliantly written, hilarious, and efficient. (Read my review of Dead End in Norvelt.)

Check out some other 2011 book lists:

Amazon’s Best Books of 2011
David Levithan’s Favorite Reads of 2011
GoodReads 2011 Choice Awards
Horn Book Fanfare
Kirkus Best Books of 2011
Los Angeles Public Library Teen
Los Angeles Public Library Children’s
The Ten Best Books fo 2011 by The New York Times
NPR Best Books of 2011
Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of 2011
School Library Journal

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Want To Give As Gifts

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. Those folks like lists and so do I. This week, it’s the Top Ten Books I Want To Give As Gifts (and to who). I am taking a rather abstract approach to the “who” part of this TTT. I’m not going to name names but rather, give you a general idea. I also linked to my reviews below. 

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern : Give to someone who appreciated Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell by Suzanna Clarke. I loved it!
2. Women Work and the Art of Savoir Faire by Mareille Guiliano : Every professional female should read this.
3. Good Boss, Bad Boss by Robert Sutton : Give to all library directors.
4. Grandpa Green by Lane Smith: Give this to your dad (or grandpa)… I have a copy for my dad ready to go for Christmas.
5. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys : For anyone who has read and enjoyed Number the Stars and other emotionally moving, well-written war-time novels.
6. The Boss Baby as Himself by Marla Frazee : The perfect gift for a new parent.
7. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy : One of my favorite classics. It is perfect for fans of the latest Three Musketeers movie because it’s clever and action packed.
8. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte : My favorite book. I would give a copy to everyone if I could.
9. Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai : Give this National Book Award winner to a any girl who has had to move to a completely new place. For a boy, go with All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg.
10. Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan : Give to a 4th/5th/6th grade teacher because it is the perfect read-aloud.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting On Wednesday: Monster Mash by David Catrow (July 2012)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. It is a time to highlight forthcoming books you are excited to get your hands on.

David Catrow is one of my favorite picture book illustrators. Halloween is my favorite holiday. So you can image my excitement when I learned, at the Baker & Taylor Winter/Spring preview, of Catrow’s next picture book, Monster Mash. The “Monster Mash” was a grave yard smash and now it’s a picture book.

Read an article in the Columbas Dispatch about Mr. Catrow and his latest picture book called “Drawn to Books.”

Monster Mash | David Catrow | Grades 1-2 | Hard cover | ISBN 978-0545214797 | $16.99

Grandpa Green by Lane Smith (2011)

In the fourth grade
he got chicken pox.*
                                                                     *Not from the chickens.

Few picture books touch me as deeply as Grandpa Green by Lane Smith. It is gorgeously illustrated, clever, humourous, multigenerational, sparsely worded but perfectly paced, and poignant. I simply adore it.  It’s at the top of my mock Caldecott 2012 list.

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (2011)

My hat is gone.
I want it back.

Bear’s hat is missing. Being very fond of his hat, he searches for it. He asks each animal he passes, “Have you seen my hat?” Each replies differently but always in the negative. Until he realizes he has seen his hat! He rushes to confront the thief. Things do not end well for the thief.

Slick and simple illustrations accompany sparse wording to perfectly convey tone. I enjoyed this book so much, I ordered a copy for my personal library.

This book has me thinking. At ALA Annual 2010, I attended a session called “Purple Crayons, Random Dots, and Peanut Butter Sandwiches: Using Children’s Picture Books to Spark Creativity in the Work Place” (view my summary). I found the idea of using children’s picture books to address creativity interesting.

Then I came across Boss Baby by Marla Frazee (read my review) and I thought, “This is a metaphor for workplace managers.” Yet talking about management within an organization (especially problems with management) can be difficult. Wouldn’t picture books be a gentle method of starting discussions?

So now I’m rethinking many picture books, seeing them as gentle segues into conversations about people, organizational structure and processes.

I Want My Hat is ripe for discussing individual communication, motivation, emotions and the behaviour of our colleagues. Read a great blog post from Publisher’s Weekly.

Now I’m off to put together a staff training (and I use the word ‘training’ loosely) based on my epiphany. Cross your fingers. I hope someone is interested in supporting it! ha ha.

Library copy | September 27, 2011 | Candlewick Press | Pre-K | ISBN 978-0763655983 | $15.99

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick (9/13/2011)

Outside, the wind picked up and rustled through the leaves on the giant trees surrounding the house. Voices droned from Robby’s CB radio, which he insisted stay on all night. It didn’t bother Ben that much. Being deaf in one ear had it’s advantages: he could sleep with his good ear on the pillow to block out all the noise. Ben used a similar trick in school. He’d lean his good ear on his hand when he wanted to tune out his teacher or his classmates. It made it easier to read the books about outer space that he hid in his desk (p 17).

Brian Selznick’s follow up to the convention-defying The Invention of Hugo Cabret (which went on to win the 2008 Caldecott medal) is another novel told in words and pictures.

Two stories, set 50 years apart unfold. In words, we meet Ben Wilson, an orphan living in Gunflint Lake, Minnesota in 1977. A book called Wonderstruck and a book mark are the only clues that might lead to his father, a man his beloved mother could never bring herself to talk about.

Set 50 years prior and told through pictures, we learn about Rose, an isolated, lonely girl who dreams of New York, visible to her from her bedroom window on the other side of the Hudson River. As both stories unfold and settings overlap, readers begin to see the connection between these two curious, courageous young people.

Those who loved The Invention of Hugo Cabret (and really, who didn’t love it?) will not be disappointed. Wonderstruck is every bit as amazing as Hugo Cabret. Even better. Selznick does his research. His illustrations are beautiful. His story is tight.

Finally, I’ll have something to hand patrons who ask for something “just like” Hugo Cabret! Relief! Can we consider this for a Newbery, please? We could get to work on correcting this. You can read a bit more and see an illustration at GalleyCat.

Read Nina Lindsay’s take on Wonderstruck‘s Newbery/Caldecott chances or head over to Fuse #8 for a great review. Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly gave it a starred review.

Advance Reader Copy | September 13, 2011 | Scholastic | 640 pages | ISBN 978-0-545-02789-2 | $29.99

Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett (2011)

Blue Chameleon is lonely. If only he had a friend. He says “Hi” to Yellow banana and ”Hello Hello Hello” to Pink cockatoo, among others, as he imitates them in clever, beautiful ways. But none seem interested in befriending him so he fades to white, blending in with the page.

Then… “Hello?” A colorful friend appears.

With her trademark sparsity and gorgeous illustrations, Gravett has created another picture book with depth and humor. I have two copies, because this will make a great gift down the road.

Spring is Here! by Will Hillenbrand (2011)

Spring has arrived. Excited, Mole rushes to tell his friend Bear but the hibernating Bear does not wake easily. Tap, tap, tapping at his window does not wake him. Knocking at his door does not wake him.

Clever Mole decides to wake Bear with a made-from-scratch breakfast served in bed. It’s no surprise Bear wakes up when the delicious aroma reaches his nose, but all that hard work has made Mole drowsy.

A delightful tale with illustrations that immediately caught and soothed the eye, this combines two of my favorite story book elements: bears and baking. This was an immediate story time success. I’ve ordered myself a copy from Baker & Taylor