One of the highlights of the International Literacy Association Conference is the opportunity to hear authors of children’s and young adult literature discuss their creative process. In this week’s book column, members of the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group highlight a few of the books written by authors/illustrators who will be at the ILA Conference.
Ages 4–8
Bad Kitty–10th Anniversary Edition. Nick Bruel. 2015. Neal Porter/Roaring Brook.
Can you believe that Bad Kitty is 56 years old (in cat years)? Nick Bruel’s humorous and mischievous cat celebrates its 10th year in publication. The repackaged edition includes a full-size poster of Kitty. Readers will enjoy all of Bad Kitty’s antics in the Bad Kitty series.
Nick Bruel will be speaking at the Book and Author Luncheon Monday, July 20. Tickets are required for this event.
Bulldozer’s Big Day. Candace Fleming. 2015. Ill. Eric Rohmann. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Bulldozer is very excited to celebrate his birthday with his friends, but they seem preoccupied with their construction site duties of scooping and digging. To Bulldozer’s surprise, his friends, through a chorus of celebratory sounds, planned a special celebration just for him. This warmhearted story, with its playful onomatopoeia and charming illustrations, make it perfect for young readers.
Candace Fleming will be at the sold-out Author Meetup Sunday, July 18 and present as part of the panel “Authors Whose Nonfiction Books and Biographies Transform Readers: Informing, Engaging and Inspiring” Monday, July 20.
Stormy Night. Salina Yoon. 2015. Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
Readers who are familiar with Yoon’s Found will be pleased to find another story about Bear. The cover shows Bear’s scared disposition while grasping tightly to his favorite stuffed toy, Floppy, as they peer out the window. Readers soon learn that the storm is making it very difficult for Bear and Floppy to sleep. As the thunder booms, Mama and Papa Bear use different ways to keep Bear calm as the refrain, “Bear felt better” offers reassurance to young readers. Yoon’s descriptive text coupled with bright and bold digitized illustrations are a perfect match to share on those stormy nights.
Salina Yoon will be presenting as part of the panel “Authors Whose Books Transform and Engage Readers: Connecting Readers With Characters and Book Series” Sunday, July 19.
Ages 9–11
Billy’s Booger: A Memoir. William Joyce. 2015. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Readers will applaud William Joyce’s creative storytelling in his latest picture book (part memoir). Joyce recalls his fourth-grade elementary school experience, where his principal described him as “his most challenging student.” Flashback to Billy’s childhood, a time with black-and-white TV and limited stations, he recalls how doodes on his homework were not appreciated. Until, one day, the school librarian announced a schoolwide book contest. Billy could not contain his excitement, and he borrowed books on many subjects. The book-making contest fueled Billy’s creative juices, and he wrote “Billy’s Booger: The memoir of a little green nose buddy.” Even though he did not win the prize, he learned that his book was the most popular with the students at his school. The rest is history! William Joyce has shared his creative spirit, talent, and humor with countless readers over the years. His latest book includes stellar illustrations, with nods to his past works (Dinosaur Bob and The Mischievians). Readers will find a miniature reproduction of Billy’s ‘booger’ story, complete with inventiveness, comic elements, and humor.
William Joyce will be speaking at the Primary Literature Luncheon: It All Starts With Books, Darn It Saturday, July 18. Tickets are required for this event.
Octopuses! Laurence Pringle. 2015. Ill. Meryl Henderson. Boyds Mills.
In the latest installment of the Strange and Wonderful series, Pringle offers readers engaging information about the octopus. With direct and interesting writing, Pringle shares facts about these shape-changing masters of camouflage. Information about its habitat, survival techniques, and lifespan grace the pages. Readers will learn new vocabulary and terms, such as octopodes (not octopi) when referring to more than one octopus. Each page includes Henderson’s detailed watercolor illustrations. There is a glossary, index, suggestions for further reading, and online sources to stimulate further inquiry.
Laurence Pringle will be speaking at the Putting Books to Work (Early Childhood/Primary) session and at an Author Panel Saturday, July 18.
Women Who Broke The Rules: Judy Blume. Kathleen Krull. 2015. Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
In Kathleen Krull’s Women Who Broke the Rules series, she shares her art of blending story with facts about famous women, including Judy Blume, Sonia Sotomayor, and Dolley Madison. In the page-turning biography about Judy Blume, readers will learn a great deal about her early life, her foray into writing, and her commitment to portraying honest and realistic characters. Judy Blume remains an inspiration to many writers. Her commitment to intellectual freedom advocacy efforts is also highlighted in this well-written biography.
Kathleen Krull will be at the sold-out Author Meetup Sunday, July 18 and presenting as part of the panel entitled “Authors Whose Nonfiction Books and Biographies Transform Readers: Informing, Engaging and Inspiring” Monday, July 20.
Ages 12–14
The Friendship Riddle. Megan Frazer Blakemore. 2015. Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
In a small town in Maine, Ruth is trying to adjust to middle school. Her childhood best friend, Charlotte, is now part of the popular crowd. Ruth’s parents (Mom and Mum) and Charlotte’s dads were friends, so they spent a lot of time together as kids. But as they grow apart, Ruth finds it awkward to socialize with Charlotte. Ruth finds solace reading books in the library, noting, “Books can be such faithful friends.” Things start to change when she finds a mysterious riddle inside a library book and begins to search for additional clues. As Ruth collects clues, she realizes that she needs the help of others, including Charlotte. Blakemore masterfully creates distinct characters with interesting personalities. The novel presents middle school dynamics in an honest way while inserting clues to bring a cast of characters together. Readers who like friendship stories will certainly enjoy this middle-grade novel.
Megan Frazer Blakemore will be participating as part of the Putting Books to Work (Middle Grades) session and “Revision Revealed: Transforming Student Writers Through Author Partnerships” Sunday, July 19.
From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess. Meg Cabot. 2015. Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan.
For 12-year-old Oliva Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison, things are completely average until she discovers that she is the half-sister of Princess Mia Thermopolis of Genovia. Olivia had been living with her aunt and uncle since her mom died in a jet-skiing accident. Olivia, an aspiring wildlife artist, wasn’t allowed to have a cell phone, use the computer, or have pets. Olivia’s world changes after Princess Mia appears at her private school just in time to save her from an unwarranted confrontation with her nemesis, Annabelle. Olivia meets her father and her grandmother, who wastes no time sharing proper etiquette and fashion advice. Olivia’s road to royalty has an unfortunate snag but, in the end, she lands in Genovia with her furry dog. Olivia gets to live with her father and her best friend gets to spend the summer in Genovia. Plus, they both get to be bridesmaids in Princess Mia’s wedding. Text message exchanges between Olivia and her friend and black-and-white cartoons bring Olivia’s adventures to light.
Meg Cabot will be speaking at the Young Adult Literature Luncheon–Find Your Inner Princess on Sunday, July 19. Tickets are required for this event.
Stella by Starlight. Sharon Draper. 2015. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Draper’s poignant historical fiction novel tells the story of Stella Mills and her family during the Depression era (1930s) in segregated North Carolina. Stella and her younger brother Jojo witness the Ku Klux Klan burn a cross in the middle of the night, an act that signals trouble and concern for the community. They find strength as they face the injustices all around them. Stella’s teacher asks her class to record their thoughts in a journal. Stella initially struggles to write, but after some encouragement, she slowly finds courage and self-confidence to share her stories. Inspired from her grandmother’s journal, Draper’s middle-grade novel weaves cultural and historic details that will appeal to readers. It’s also available as an audiobook.
Sharon Draper will be presenting at the Putting Books to Work (Middle Grades) session on Sunday, July 19 as part of the Special Interest Group Network on Adolescent Literature panel entitled “Game Changers: Using Sports and the Power of Adolescent Literature to Transform the World” Monday, July 20.
Mary Napoli is an associate professor of reading at Penn State Harrisburg where she teaches literacy courses.
Members of the Children's Literature Special Interest Group's Notable Books for a Global Society (NBGS) committee will welcome author Sonia Manzano and share the 2015 Notable Books for a Global Society selections for grades K–12 on Sunday, July 19.