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… ]
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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… ]
YA Book Review: Sunrise Over Fallujah
Last weekend I participated in Mother Reader’s 48 Hour Reading Challenge. Participants get 48 hours to read and review books of at least a fifth grade reading level. This was right up my alley and I was able to read so many great books by familiar and unfamiliar authors. African American author Walter Dean Myers’ [ Read the full article… ]
Priscilla and the Hollyhocks
Priscilla and the Hollyhocks Written by Anne Broyles Illustrated by Anna Alter Published by Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc., 2008 Priscilla dreamed of freedom, a dream to be fulfilled, but only after the loss of her mother, and after toiling through the life of a slave. When Priscilla was very young, her mother was sold away, “like [ Read the full article… ]