Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story Written by Janet Halfmann Illustrated by Duane Smith Published by Lee & Low Books, 2008 After I read Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story (Lee & Low Books, 2008), I knew I wanted to talk it up here at the Brown Bookshelf. But then I [ Read the full article… ]
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Real Talk With Independent Bookstores – July 23
A few years ago, the lingo “indie bookstore” would have gone right over my head. As an avid reader, all I knew was I liked books and I’d get them anywhere I could – my local library or the nearest bookstore. But as an author, I realized that the business of writing was much more [ Read the full article… ]
Book report: Donavan’s Double Trouble
Donavan’s Double Trouble Written by Monalisa DeGross Illustrated by Amy Bates Published by HarperCollins, 2008 Donavan’s friends say he has a math block. They say no matter what he does or how hard he tries, he won’t understand until he has some sort of a math breakthrough. Donavan knows his friends are right, but he [ Read the full article… ]
A new series for African American girls
Sorry I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had time to make a post. But I did want to pop in and share an article that ran in the Kansas City Star earlier this week. It’s about a new series of books, for young African American girls, written by Derrick Barnes. Ruby and the Booker Boys [ Read the full article… ]
Middle Grade Book Review: Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It
Author Sundee T. Frazier’s debut novel Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything In It is the tale of a bi-racial boy in search of answers. Brendan is a 10 year old scientist who has questions about everything in his universe. Thanks to his science teacher Mr. Harrison, Brendan has learned the scientific method and seeks to [ Read the full article… ]
Wait…there’s more!
Agent Jen Carlson stopped by the Brown Bookshelf forum and answered questions about how the economy may be affecting those writing for children, what’s hot in kiddie lit and more. Check out her answers. But wait…if you didn’t get to ask a question or jump in the discussion, agent Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency [ Read the full article… ]
What’s The State of Children’s Literature?
Is the children’s market in a boom period or declining? What are agents and editors looking for when it comes to books for young readers? Do cycles matter? Or when it comes to the highs and lows of the publishing industry do writer’s simply have to step up their game during the tough times? If [ Read the full article… ]