Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Tina's Top Book Picks - Al Capone Shines My Shoes

One of my favorite books of all time is Gennifer Chodenko's Newbery honor winner, Al Capone Does My Shirts.  For many years I hoped for a sequel, and this year I got it. Al Capone Shines My Shoes is a masterful sequel.

The story picks up where the first one left off, when twelve year old Moose Flannagan asked a favor of one of the most deadly gangsters of all time, Al Capone, who is incarcerated in the prison at Alcatraz where Moose's father is a guard. In the first book, Al helped Moose's autistic sister get into a very prestigious school for the learning impaired--and now he wants payback.

The sequel begins with another note from Al sent to Moose in his laundry: "your turn then we're square." This sets up a series of crazy events for Moose as he tries to keep the note secret, deal with his friends and pay back Capone.

Tina's Top Book Picks

As If Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President. I love this book! It made me laugh out loud. No wonder it won the Sid Fleischman Humor Award last Summer.  It is hilarious.

Vanessa has a crush on the wrong guy, she's praying for the Boob Fairy to come, and she hates having a secret service agent following her every move at school. Most of all, she hates that her mother, who is Governor of Florida, is running for president.

Resentful of her mom being on the campaign trail, Vanessa devises a plan to make her mother quit. But her plan backfires, and Vanessa has more to deal with than she bargained for.

The book has a surprise ending and left me wanting more. I love this kid!

Holiday book picks

It is true that I know both these authors well, but I love these holiday books.  "Like a Maccabee" is Barbara Bietz's award winning middle grade novel, a Hanukkah story now in paperback about a boy who finds the true meaning of Hanukkah through his grandfather, who has just moved in with the family.  Author/illustrator Carol Heyer's "Humphrey's First Christmas" is the  beautifully illustrated picture book and funny story of Humphrey, a camel who carries one of the Wise Men to see the baby Jesus on Christmas Day.

Non-Fiction Monday - Kidlitosphere

Today I am hosting Kidlitosphere  Non-Fiction Monday. Kidlit bloggers and others will offer their best posts for nonfiction. Keep checking the comments as I update links all day.

 Paula Willey is getting a jump on the week by pre-writing her review of The Vermeer Interviews: Conversations with Seven Works of Art by Bob Raczka. It'll be up on Pink Me (http://pinkme.typepad.com)

Buy a Book, Save the World!

Kid Lit authors are taking matters into their own hands again this year with a program called Buy a Book, Save the World!

With the holidays upon us, these authors are reminding the world that it's just as easy to buy a kid a book as it is to buy a toy.  It's great to know that children's authors are not going to take this downturn in the economy lying down.

Today is National Bookstore Day.  So go out and buy books for gifts and save the world in the process.

First Book - What book got you hooked?

I love this charity. They give kid's book to the needy and promote literacy. Last year they ran a campaign to invite readers to share the first book that made a difference in their lives. The state that gets the most stories will win 50,000 books! So write on!

A book lovers’ campaign created by First Book to bring thousands of new books to kids in need. I'm writing to let you know that this campaign is back again this summer!
 
Now through September 30, readers everywhere are invited to visit www.firstbook.org/whatbook <http://www.firstbook.org/whatbook>  and share the first book that made reading fun for them, then help get more kids hooked by voting for the state to receive 50,000 new books for low-income youth. The results will be announced online shortly after the voting closes.
 

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games has picked up a ton of awards, including the National Book Award honor, and with good reason. It is one of the best books of the year. It is a fasten-your-seat-belt wild ride that I had to finish in one sitting. I had heard much buzz about this book, but I wasn't prepared for the richness, suspense and emotion of this dark sci-fi/fantasy story. If science fiction isn't your thing, read it anyway. I guarantee you will love it.

The Pocket Guide to Mischief - Bart King

The Pocket Guide to Mischief is Bart King's hilarious how to drive everyone mad with your antics book.  From rubber band duels to mischievous foods, the Pocket Guide is loaded with clever, witty and very naughty fun.  Bart talks directly to the reader as he explains harmless pranks, amusing slights and friendly jabs. 

The Arrival - Shaun Tan

Sometimes I come across a book that blows my mind. Such is the case with the beautiful wordless graphic novel,The Arrival. From the concept to the quality of the art and design, this is a masterpiece. Opening with twelve square, sepia toned drawings of the home interior and objects of a very poor but loving family, Shaun sets the stage for a story of immigration, longing, and amazement in a strange new land.

Non-Fiction Monday Roundup

Today I am hosting posts for Kidlitosphere on Non-Fiction Monday.  Kidlit bloggers and others will offer their best posts for non-fiction. Keep checking back as I update posts all day.

Mary Farrell at StoryForce http://storyforce-storyforce.blogspot.com reviews Matthew Henson, Polar Explorer, a forceful biography by Carole Boston Weatherford and Illustrated by Eric Velasquez.

Brooklyn Bridge - Karen Hesse - Sydney Taylor Book Award

A new book by Karen Hesse is like a gourmet meal waiting to be devoured, and her Sydney Taylor Book Award winner, Brooklyn Bridge, is a banquet. It is everything I adore in a middle grade novel: family, history and hope.

Set in Brooklyn during 1903, the story features fourteen year old Joseph, the son of Russian immigrants, who finds his life turned upside down when his parents develop a little stuffed bear toy in honor of the president, Teddy Roosevelt.

The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman - Newbery Winner 2009

  One of my favorite books of the year won the Newbery this week.  I saw Neil Gaiman speak at the BEA authors' breakfast last year.  He talked about The Graveyard Book, the story of a boy raised by ghosts.  The idea fascinated me and I picked up a copy, but I wasn't prepared for the roller coaster, seat of your pants, wild ride I got.  I had to read it in one sitting.  Buy, borrow or check out this fabulous story.

The book opens with the murder of a family.  The assassin frets, unable to find the one member who got away, a toddler.  As he searches in a dense fog, the baby climbs into a graveyard.  The ghosts of the graveyard protect the baby from the murderer and then agree to raise him.  They give him the freedom of the graveyard and name him Nobody.

Sydney Taylor Book Awards - Blog Tour 09 - Ron Mazellan

I am honored to be part of the Sydney Taylor Book Awards Blog Tour 09.  These are some of the most prestigious awards in Jewish children's publishing.  Check out their main site for  additional information. Today my interview is with Ron Mazellan, illustrator of A is for Abraham, Sydney Taylor Honor Book in the Younger Readers Category. You can also read the interview with the author of this book, Richard Michelson, on the blog The Well Read Child. I am so please to host Ron Mazellan on my blog.

What does it personally mean to you that “A is for Abraham” won the silver medal for the Sydney Taylor Book Awards young readers category?

Whenever anyone takes notice of your artistic effort, it is humbling to reflect upon the honor, especially when you consider the talent level of other illustrators.  I also realize the honor is always shared even though I am the only one painting the pictures.

Paper Towns - John Green

I am a big fan of John Green the author and John Green the person.  He was kind enough to give me an interview after he won the Printz award, which I'll always be grateful for, and he is published by our mutual house, Dutton. I enjoyed John's first two novels, Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines.  I REALLY enjoyed his new, very different novel, Paper Towns.  John  tends to challenge my logic and intellect  with his eccentric characters, but I could relate to practically the whole cast in Paper Towns.  John captured the loyalties, desires, friendships and intense emotions that envelop teenagers in high school.

Sydney Taylor Book Awards

Congratulations to my good buddy, Barbara Bietz, and the other members of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee.  After much hard work and deliberation, today they announced The Sydney Taylor Book Awards.  Check out the winners on Barbara Bietz's Blog, Jewish Books for Children.

First Book - Holiday book drive

I am a big fan of the charity FIRST BOOK. This great organization is dedicated to putting children's books into the hands of needy kids.  During this holiday season, up to December 31st, Random House will match, book-for-book, every donation to FIRST BOOK.  Check out the following information and see if you can contribute.

At First Book, every $2.50 donation funds one new book for a child in need. For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can introduce a child to the joy of books and reading.

Chains - Laurie Halse Anderson

I have seen Laurie Halse Anderson speak on several occasions.  Not only is she an inspiring speaker, she is a masterful storyteller.  I was so pleased to pick up an advance copy of her new book, Chains, at BEA this year.  I was even more pleased to find out this fabulous book has been nominated for the National Book Award.

In this day and age it is hard to imagine slavery.  Chains tells the story of the injustice suffered by thirteen year old Isabel and her little sister Ruth at the start of the Revolutionary War.

Home of the Brave - Kathrine Applegate

The SCBWI Golden Kite award winner for fiction in 2008 is Kathrine Applegate's "Home of the Brave."  I was lucky enough to be at the award luncheon and to hear Kathrine speak.  The idea of these Sudanese immigrants being transplanted to a Minnesota town fascinated me.  What I didn't expect was to read one of the best books of the year. Told by Kek, a young boy from Sudan, who saw the murders of most of his family, Kek is separated from his probably dead mother and his relief to be in Minnesota with his aunt and cousin. It was so easy to love upbeat Kek and his utter confusion of his new life in America.

California Reading Association - The Worst Best Friend

A big congratulations to my good buddy author Alexis O'Neill and illustrator Laura Huliska-Beith.  Their new picture book made the cover of the California Reading Association.  This is their second collaboration.  Alexis and Laura were partners on the wildly successful "The Recess Queen."

First Book - Bonnie Johnson

I met a ton of nice folks at BEA.  One of them was Bonnie Johnson from First Book, a charitable organization dedicated to giving kids books to disadvantaged children. I am so pleased that Bonnie agreed to talk about First Book for the blog.

Tell me about First Book.

First Book provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books.

Edward Eyes

In the early nineties when I first attended the SCBWI National Conference, I was fortunate enough to hear Patricia MacLachlan speak.  She was funny, inspiring and a joy to talk to.  Patricia mentioned one of her story ideas, about a boy looking to find the donor that was given his dead brother's eyes.  Twelve years later, I was happy to read this tale, EDWARDS EYES. 

First Book - What Book got you hooked?

  I met Bonnie Johnson of First Book at BEA.  First Book is a charity that puts children's books into under privilege kids hands.  Bonnie alerted me that First Book is running a promotion right now.  It’s called “What book Got You Hooked?” (www.firstbook.org/whatbook) - - and it caters to all avid readers (including blog readers) and book lovers alike.   "First Book is inviting readers everywhere to name the first book from childhood that made reading fun.  Those who submit what book got them hooked on the website then vote for any state of their choice to receive 50,000 new books for low-income youth.

Goodbye to Adventures for Kids

Today many of us gathered at the closing party for children's book store, Adventures for Kids.  It was a sad occasion, as authors and illustrators reminisced about book launches, parties and SCBWI critiquenics that were held at this book store for over the past thirty years.  Thanks to Jody Ficks-Shapiro and Barbara O'Grady for their dedication to children's literature and their friendship to us all.

My first BEA

I was lucky that BEA came to Los Angeles last week.  Tons of my author buddies were there as well as legends in the business.  Here is my You Tube presentation of "Tina's First BEA."

BEA - Jon Scieszka

 My first BEA was a blast this week.  The Master of Ceremonies, Jon Scieszka, set the tone and the speakers at the children's authors breakfast, Sherman Alexie, Judy Blume, Neil Gaiman and Eoin Colfer were hilarious.  The two days I attended were full of books, fun, old SCBWI friends and lifetime heroes.  I felt like a groupie and could barely talk when I met Jan Brett, Lawrence Yep and Rick Riordan. Also I ached like a mule as I lugged around free books that nearly broke my back.  I plan to YouTube a slide show of this BEA soon.

Elijah of Buxton

I can't read a Christopher Paul Curtis book without thinking Newbery.  His latest, Elijah of Buxton, won a Newbery Honor this year.  Being a nut for historical fiction, this was a story for me.  It educated me about a free township started by a white minister for runaway slaves in Canada during the 1850s.
   

Book of a Thousand Days

I love anything written by SHANNON HALE.  I knew, I was in for a treat with her new fantasy tale, BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS.  This story was set in an Asia like Mongolia.  A servant girl, Dashti, swore an oath to her new mistress of one day, Lady Sarren, to stay with her no matter what.  Dashti, is told by Lady Sarren's father, that his daughter was to be locked up in a tower for a 1000 days for her refusal to marry.  Dashti, stood by her oath to serve her new mistress and was bricked up in the prison, to starve, to freeze and to go crazy with wimpy, needy, Lady Sarren.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Okay, I know this book has won every award, including the National Book Award, but I just had to give my two cents.
The Absolutely  True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is great. What a masterpiece Sherman Alexie wrote. The art, by Ellen Forney, wonderfully captures Junior's cartoons. This is one of the best books I have ever read, but have a BIG box of Kleenex ready, the last half of the story nearly broke my heart.

Big Fat Manifesto

Sometimes my local independent book seller, Barbara O'Grady, will give me advance copies of a "must read" and this is one.
Big Fat Manifesto by Susan Vaught is fabulous.

Jamie Carcaterra educates us on the ups and downs  prejudices of being a fat teenage girl.  But she is no victim, she is an outgoing, opinionated, activist that you gotta love, right down to her school column "Fat Girl." Her problem comes when her boyfriend Burke decides to get bariatric surgery that staples his stomach so he can lose a 100 lbs.

East - Edith Pattou

Rose  never  fit in with her other six sisters.  Always  different,  Rosa is a wanderer and not a homebody like the rest  of  her family.   When an enormous white bear  arrives one day ,  Rose  makes a deal to  leave with the  bear in exchange for health and prosperity for her family.  In this wild  fantasy,  Rose  eventually  discovers the  true  identity  of the bear and her  place  in  a prophecy .  Through wild ice kingdoms, Rose takes enormous risks to help the bear and herself. What  a great  story.  This  book was put into my hand and now  I put it in many others.  A must read fantasy.

Mississippi Jack - A Bloody Jack adventure

I am a  huge  fan of  the Jacky Farber series.  These are the most action packed, rich with texture, sumptuous stories.  L. A. Meyer is a master story teller and keeps me at the edge of my seat. In the 5th book of the series, the sixteen year old irascible mid-shipman Jacky Farber is still being chased by the Royal Navy for piracy.  This time she heads out to American's frontier during the ealry 1800's, where danger and adventure are around every corner.
L.A. Meyer paint a vivid tale on the Mississippi, where Jacky commandeers a barge and with a motley bunch of crew turns it into a showboat/battle ship.

The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan

Take a dyslexia kid, Greek Gods, Summer Camp and a few deadly monster or two, mix them up together with a universe saving quest and you have the The Lightning Thief trilogy. These are the hilarious adventures of Percy Jackson who finally figured out why he's been kicked out of 6 schools in 6 years...it turns out his dad is a Greek God! I laughed, I cheered, I couldn't put these books down.  Hooray to Rick Riordan for such an enjoyable ride.

Greg Trine - Melvin Beederman # 5

Congrats to my buddy, Greg Trine, on the launch of number 5 in the Melvin Beederman Superhero series.
The Fake Cape Caper,  finds Melvin leaving L.A. in the hands his side kick, Candance, as he attends a Superhero Convention in Las Vegas, but there is trouble brewing in both towns!  Rhode Montijo did a bang up job on the art as usual.  The Fake Cape Caper  is a hilarious story in this wonderful chapter book series.  A great gift for boys and girls alike!

Dutton Writers' Room

My editor, Steve, asked me to announce their new writer friendly website. The Dutton Writers' Room is one of the most amazing sites that I have seen for children's book authors.  Editor bios, writing tips, submission guidelines, author interviews and books.  It is the most open  "We're looking for new talent," warm and fuzzy site.  In a industry that seems to have more and more closed houses it wonderful to see one that embraces us writers.

Bread and Roses Too - Katherine Paterson

Any new book from  Katherine Paterson is a guaranteed marvelous read. Bread and  Roses is  a wonderful story about the new immigrant society of  early industrial  America.  Set during winter in a Vermont  mill town, Katherine  creates  an  atmosphere  of  extreme  cold,  neighborhoods separated by old world nationality and united by the unjust working conditions of the wool mill. 

George Did it - Suzanne Tripp Jurmain/Larry Day

History tends to be boring to some, but I am fascinated by it.  That is why it spills into my writing.  It is a challenge to make a picture book that is fun, informative and accurate.  But Suzanne Tripp Jurmain succeeded with George Did It.

Swan Maiden Book Launch

Last week, Adventure for Kids bookstore in Ventura, launched my buddy Heather Tomlinson YA novel Swan Maiden.  Family, friends and fans came to celebrate this wonderful story.  On the right, Adventures for Kids owner, Barbara O'Grady introduced Heather to the crowd.

Sold - Patricia McCormick

This was a difficult book to pick up because I knew that the subject was harsh and edgy.  But I am so glad I did.
Patricia McCormick weaves a sensitive tale, in a series of vignettes, of 13 year-old Lakshmi living in dire poverty in Nepal.  The family is so desperately poor that, when their small farm's crops are washed away, she is told she must travel to the city to work as a maid.  But when she arrives, Lakshmi realizes she has been sold into prostitution.

Montemorency Series - Eleanor Updale

I highly recommend the Montmorency series by Eleanor Updale.  These are wonderful Young Adult crossovers.  Eleanor paints a rich picture of life in nineteenth century London through the eyes and action of a petty thief who turns gentleman, Montmorency. 

The Astonishing life of Octavian Nothing - M.T. Anderson

This year's Printz winner is The Astonishing life of Octavian Nothing.  I must admit it was a heavy read.  The language was so weighty I almost didn't finish it, but I'm glad I did.  We are introduced to Octavian, who leads a life of a privilege son of a princess.  Brought up and classically educated by a group of philosophers, we learn everything about Octavian, except one astonishing secret. 

Richard Peck-On the Wings of Heroes

Whenever a new Richard Peck book comes out I know I'm in for a treat.  On the Wings of Heroes, is more of a banquet.  Mr. Peck describes a patriotic town dedicated to helping the war effort in any way they can.   

It is the touching story of young Davy Bowman growing up in world that has been turned upside down after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. 

"Smile Principessa" book Launch

Today I attended the book launch for "Smile Principessa," written by my good friends and critique group buddies, Stephanie Gordon Jacobs and Judy Ross Enderle.  The event was held at Adventures for Kids bookstore.  It is always a thrill to see a manuscript from my critique group become a book.  Judy and Steph are legends in my area with the SCBWI.  They are generous, supportive and fun, so I wasn't surprised to see many other writer's attendance.

Harry Potter - No Spoilers

I want to build a shrine to J. K. Rowling.  No spoilers here, just one exhausted reader who spent the last two nights devouring the Deathly Hallows and one early morning rereading the last 100 pages.
I laughed, I cried, I cheered and choked up.  What a satisfying book to end a marvelous series.  Three Cheers to J.K. !!!!!

Jacky Farber series

Being a huge fan of Patrick O'Brian, who wrote a series on the Royal Navy in the early 1800's,  I was delighted when one of my writers group authors, Stephanie Jacob Gordon, shoved a book in my hand to read:  Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Farber, ship's boy.  This is a fabulous four book series about a girl who is mistakenly taken as a boy to serve in the Royal Navy.  Love, love, love these books.   I highly recommend them.  At one time I had all four, but they left the house borrowed never to return.  I will have to either track down the people who have them or hie myself back to the bookstore. I really want to read them all again!

Cinco de Mayo

In Los Angeles, but not in Mexico, "Cinco de Mayo" (the 5th of May) is celebrated.  It is an American version of the Mexican Independence, sort of like an American version of Mexican food.   But basically it's more of an excuse to drink Margaritas, eat tamales and party away.

My grandparents, Francisco and Regina, came over around 1917 to save the life of their 4th child.  The other three children had died at a young age.  My Uncle Carly  thrived and grew.  They  moved down to Los Angeles and had five daughters, Annie, Helen (the nun), Carmen (my mom,) Theresa and Josephine.  We were never taught Spanish or to cook Mexican food.   We are sort of Hispanic lite.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I recommend a great children's book on Mexico: Esperenza's Rising by Pam Munzo Ryan.  A wonderful story of a girl going from a rich rancher's daughter in Mexico to a poor farmer worker in California.

Happy Easter

For Easter I thought I'd recommend a book that has a bunny in it. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by the talented Kate Dicamillo, is a wonderful story of a spoiled toy rabbit whose attitudes are changed by the love of a sick child.  This is one of the most beautifully illustrated books by Bargram Ibatouline and the binding is fabulous.
I lent this one out and never got it back.  I guess I'll have to just go out and get another copy for my library.

Theodosia's Launch

Last Thursday, Houghton Mifflin and Storyopolis, kicked off the release of Robin L. LaFever's new book, Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, with a launch party.  Family, friends and colleagues were there to cheer Robin and her fabulous illustrator, Yoko Tanaka, as they signed books for us all.

Here's Robin with her Houghton Mifflin publicist Jennifer Taber.   Robin thanked her publishers for all the love and support.  Jennifer told the story of how everyone in the publishing company passed the book around as a must read. 

Art for cash sake/Aussie books

Art for cash sake is just what it is.  Art that I have made dough with.


This illustration was for a travel magazine on Australia.  It made me think of all the fabulous children's authors coming out of that continent.

Australian Markus Zusak wrote the amazing story The Book Thief.  It is narrated by death who tells the tale of the regular Christian Germans who were bullied into submission by the Nazis.  One girl survives this ordeal by stealing books for comfort.  She takes them from a graveyard, library and a smoldering book burning pile.  It is an crossover from adult and is quite an edgy YA.  Markus breaks every rule of writing and makes it work in this story.  Have a box of Kleenex near when reading this.

Hoot

Several times in my life, knowledge that I gained from children's books has help me out.  As I was walking my dog a few months ago through the dunes on the beach I noticed a small bird on the ground that looked surprisingly like an owl. Then I remembered "Hoot" by Carl  Hiaasen.  The story of three middle grade kids saving burrowing owls from a housing project in Florida.   Sure enough in Calfornia we have burrowing owls.  I  am now monitoring a  pair for the California Burrowing Owl Project.  These are my owls. The top picture is George and bottom one is Gracie. I am told they might just be wintering here, but if they stay through the spring that is big news.  They live in seperate burrows that ground squirrels abandoned.  George has been enlarging several new burrows in hopes of attracting Gracie to his side of the dunes.  Spring is in the air!

Higher Power of Lucky

With all the fuss over that one word, Scrotum, I was expecting quite an edgy middle grade.  What I found was a sweet heart warming story of Lucky yearning to belong to someone.  I love this book on several levels.  First, the people of this town of 45 are very poor.  With all the materials things that kids need to have today it is wonderful to see how Susan brought in these happy kids that are poor as dirt and live off government hand outs of old food.
It reminded me of how kids take care of each other through tough times.  The ending, that I didn’t see coming, made me weep.  Buy this book not only to take the stand against censorship, but because it is a wonderful heartwarming story.  Those judges on the Newbery committee knew what they were doing.