I can tell time by events going on in the literary world. For example, Halloween falls smack in the middle of The Brown Bookshelf’s call for nominations (September 30th) and YALSA’s Teen Read Week (October 19-24th). So I always know when to go out and buy my candy! Every year, Readergirlz goes full out for [ Read the full article… ]

The Writers Against Racism series is running fast and furious. Our very own Kelly Starling Lyons was Saturday’s feature. If you missed it (like I did!), check it out now. An excerpt: In elementary school, I remember reading just one children’s book featuring African-American characters — Mildred D. Taylor’s Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. [ Read the full article… ]

The Brown Bookshelf’s own Paula Chase-Hyman is featured in Amy Bowllan’s wonderful Writers Against Racism series. Read her interview here. Here’s a peek: “I’ve always lived in color. So, I tend to create worlds that mirror the one I was brought up in. Those worlds aren’t devoid of racism or ignorance, by any means, but [ Read the full article… ]

Congratulations to our very own, Varian Johnson. Per Publisher’s Weekly: Children’s Young Adult: Varian Johnson’s UNTITLED companion novel to the forthcoming SAVING MADDIE, again to Stephanie Elliott at Delacorte, by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger, NA That calls for a Woo and a Hoo! Despite rumors of publishing’s imminent demise, books continue to be acquired. [ Read the full article… ]

When you think about Mount Everest, what do you see? Some may envision the splendor of the world’s highest mountain. Others may picture climbers or snow-capped peaks. Christine Taylor-Butler gives us a new and important view. Her acclaimed book, Sacred Mountain: Everest (Lee & Low, 2009), puts the Sherpa — unsung heroes of the majestic mountain — center stage. Author of more than [ Read the full article… ]

Series like NEATE and Kid Caramel published by Just Us Books and Hyperion’s Willimena Rules! by Valerie Wilson Wesley helped open the door for more chapter book diversity. Today, more publishers are responding to the need. The offerings include series created by celebrities — Whoopi Goldberg’s Sugarplum Ballerinas and Amy Hodgepodge by Kim Wayans & Kevin Knotts — and [ Read the full article… ]

If you haven’t been following Amy Bowllan’s Writers Against Racism series, catch up. I’m behind and shame on me because I missed Varian’s day. But it’s never too late. Check him out.

Here’s my sure-fire way to test if a new picture book sings. I read it to my daughter. She’s a tell-it-like-it-is sort of girl. If it’s boring, she’ll let me know flat out before moving on to other things. When Olu’s Dream (HarperCollins, 2009) arrived, she excitedly checked out the cover. She flipped through the pages. “Can [ Read the full article… ]