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April 13, 2004
In this issue:
Jeremy Jackson, April 28 & 29.
A list of new books.
Another list of new books.
Greetings:
We are starting to get books in about the LAST day of school. Can you
believe it? Better hurry. You don't have much time left. But no pressure.
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We are very excited about the author we have coming on April 29. Jeremy
Jackson, author of "Life at These Speeds," will join us for our Literary
Feast at 6:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. he will read from and sign his latest
novel, "In Summer." I highly recommend both of these novels. Though they
are written for adults, "Life at These Speeds" is appropriate for teens from
middle school and up; "In Summer" would appeal to mature high school
readers. And I think Jeremy Jackson in person will appeal to everyone.
In addition to being a novelist, Jeremy cooks. He has written two
cookbooks--"The Cornbread Book" and "Desserts That Have Killed Better Men
Than Me"--which are entertaining to read even if you never make it to the
kitchen with them. He is a very funny guy. Jeremy will be at Watermark on
Wednesday, April 28 (night before the reading) at 7:00 p.m. for a cooking
demonstration and signing. Food and laughs. Can't go wrong.
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Yesterday we had boxes and boxes of new books come in that I have to tell
you about, but of course I haven't read them all. So I'll just give you a
list. We all like lists, don't we?
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For the older readers:
"Chu Ju's House" by Gloria Whelan. Fourteen-year-old Chu Ju, in order to
prevent her parents from sending her baby sister away to comply with the
Chinese law that states that each family is permitted only two children, and
the tradition that dictates that every family should have a boy, decides
that she must be the one to leave. This is the story of her remarkable
journey. Gloria Whelan is the National Book Award-winning author of
"Homeless Bird" and a wonderful storyteller. (ages 10 and up)
In "Leaving Protection" Will Hobbs has combined his own experiences as a
deckhand aboard a salmon troller in southeast Alaska with his longtime
interest in Russian history to bring us this high seas adventure complete
with a dark mystery, violent storm and an unsavory captain. (ages 10 and
up)
Reality meets fantasy and magic in Zilpha Keatley Snyder's new book "The
Unseen." Twelve-year-old Xandra finds a wounded bird and becomes convinced
that the single glowing feather it leaves behind is magical and is a key to
something. But to what? As Xandra tries to solve the mystery of the "key"
she unlocks phantom creatures and unspeakable evil. But there might be a
way to turn this key into a gift, not a curse. (ages 10 and up)
Ben Mikaelsen's new novel, "Tree Girl," is based on a true story told to him
by the real Tree Girl in a safe house in Guatemala. After witnessing the
massacre of the people of her village and losing her family, Tree Girl joins
a throng of refugees fleeing the guerrilla warfare that is ravaging their
country. Traveling over hundreds of dangerous miles and months of hunger,
Tree Girl's only hope is to find her youngest sister and start a new life in
Mexico. (ages 12 and up)
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Picture Books:
I have a theory about trying to find self-esteem in a book, but you probably
don't want to hear it. My theory aside, "I Like Myself!" by Karen Beaumont
is just too cute to pass up. Written in rhyme and accompanied by David
Catrow's hilarious illustrations a la "Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon," this
book may not help a child's self-esteem but it surely will make him smile.
(ages 3-7)
Harriet Ziefert's new concept book "Rockheads" introduces counting, basic
addition and vocabulary for talking about quantities through the antics of
Todd McKie's zany rockhead characters. Get our your rocks and glue and
paint... your kids will want to make their own after they see these guys.
(ages 4-7)
"When It's the Last Day of School" by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by
Hanako Wakiyama is an ode to that glorious day full of anticipation and
promise. This story is a perfect way to keep kids quiet on that last day
for, oh, five minutes. (ages 5-7)
"My Teacher Likes to Say" by Denise Brennan-Nelson and illustrated by Jane
Monroe Donovan is a visual interpretation of many of the maxims, idioms,
proverbs, and clichés that pepper our English language and often confuse
children. This book would be a good springboard for having kids make up
their own phrases. Have fun. (ages 5-8)
Leslie Connor pays tribute to the millions of immigrants who have settled
America in "Miss Bridie Chose a Shovel", about one woman who brings her
shovel to her new home. That shovel serves her well as it supports her on
the deck of the ship that bears her across the ocean; allows her to plant a
garden behind the shop where she finds work and a room to rent; enables her
to dig fence post holes on the land cleared by she and her new husband; and
on and on until, as an old woman, Miss Bridie plants a tree in memory of her
husband who has recently died. Beautiful woodcuts by Caldecott medallist
Mary Azarian accompany this tender story full of hope and determination.
(ages 4-7)
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OK, so it was an annotated list. I got carried away, but are you surprised?
I know this is later than usual, but I've had a crazy day. I know you've
had those. Now I'm leaving to go to a track meet. I'm the only mom who
shows up with a book. Have a good week.
Carolyn
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