Tales from the Rushmore Kid

How I spent my summer...Rushmore!

I made a promise to myself when my manuscript for Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose was acquired in 2005 that I wouldn't go to Rushmore again without the book in my hand.  Here I am this summer on Mount Rushmore, promise kept!
I was in South Dakota doing book signings at and near the memorial.  It was a magical, fun time and a thrill to see the mountain again.  All the years of wanting to tell this story has finally come true.  This picture might look like I photoshopped the presidents in, but I am thrilled to say I didn't--they are the real thing.   I plan to go back for signings at least once every year!

Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose - Book Trailer Number 1

While I waited for the publication of my first picture book, I learned how to do book trailers. So far, I have completed three for Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose. This is number one.

Booklist review of Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose..

I am loving this published author thing.  Dutton/Dial has had my book for seven years and now I get to enjoy the release.  Here's a brief quote from the Booklist review from Daniel Krauss...okay, I am squealing!

"...the step-by-step (it was a long process) descriptions of planning and dynamiting are fascinating, and Comport’s realistic illustrations of the various bridges and slings built all along the famous sculptures are eye-opening and reveal the project’s dizzying scope. Perfect for history units, this is a great piece of work about a great piece of work."

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

The Newberys always deserve a read and a rave.  The committee surprised and pleased me with their 2010 choice of honor book, The Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. This story has the feel of a Chinese folk tale. We are introduced to Minli, who lives with her parents in a very poor village in the very poor countryside. While her father finds joy in living, her mother is filled with bitterness. When Minli buys a gold fish with one of her two coins, and is ridiculed by her mother for the purchase, Minli leaves, hoping that she will find the luck that her family is missing with the Man in the Moon.

Tina's Top Book Picks - A True Princess - Diane Zahler

I have found that most of the books I receive to review from the big publishing houses deserve a read and sometimes a rave.

Such is the case with the fantasy middle grade novel A True Princess by Diane Zahler, (Harper - February 2011.)  I was expecting the usual princess, knights and fairy kind of fantasy; what I got was an action adventure that never stopped and was so well written that I had to read it in one sitting.

This is a GREAT book.

It opens with the almost thirteen year old Lilia, a servant girl, overhearing plans to sell her to a miller in the village.

Blast from the Past Interview- Neil Gaiman

Here is a past interview that I was lucky enough to get. I heard Neil Gaiman speak at the BEA authors' breakfast in 2008. He was paneled with Jon Scieszka, Judy Blume, Sherman Alexie and Eoin Colfer. Anyone who was there will tell you that it was one of the most hilarious mornings of BEA. It is also where I picked up an advance copy of The Graveyard Book. I adore this book and I was so happy that the Newbery committee thought it was worthy of their award.  I contacted Mr. Gaiman soon after The Graveyard Book won the Newbery, and he was gracious enough to grant me an interview. I am thrilled to have this year's Newbery winner, author and screenwriter Neil Gaiman, give us his insights for the blog.

When and why did you start writing for children?

My first book was for children. I was 21, and when it was finished I sent it to a publisher and it came back with an encouraging rejection slip. 23 years later, after CORALINE and WOLVES IN THE WALLS, I found the ms. in a tub in the attic, and read it, at bedtime, to my daughter Maddy.

Moon Over Manifest - Newbery Winner 2011

Newbery winner, Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool, a historical fiction middle grade novel, the story is told by twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker. It starts in May 1936 in Southeast Kansas, but Vanderpool masterfully flips the story back to 1918.

It’s the heart of the Depression, and for many years Abilene and her Dad have been traveling the rails, looking for work and living in shantytowns. But after an accident, Abilene is left in the only town in which her Dad has long ago connections, Manifest, Kansas.

Sherry Shahan - Purple Daze

I have known prolific author Sherry Shahan for many years. Sherry is funny and generous! She is represented by my good buddy, agent Jill Corcoran. Sherry's new novel, Purple Daze, is getting rave reviews. I was so pleased when she agreed to give us an interview.

When and why did you start writing for children?

I began writing as a hobby when my two daughters were quite young. Back then, it was something to do to keep my brain from turning into strained carrots.

One Crazy Summer - Rita Williams-Garcia

One Crazy Summer won all sorts of awards, including a Newbery honor. It is my kind of middle grade, historical fiction.

By 1968, life had changed for all African Americans. Some were comfortable demanding their civil rights and some where stuck in the status-quo. But twelve year old Delphine reminded me of how few Black role models were on TV at the time, how none were part of the local police departments and even how her little sister Fern could have only a White baby doll. 

Delphine and her two younger sisters are sent by their father across the country to Oakland to spend a month with their mother, who had abandoned them years before. The girls, disappointed that their mother doesn't want them there, are even more shocked that their mother is a Black Panther.

The Mysterious Benedict Society - Trenton Lee Stewart

This is one of those books I had heard of for years and meant to read. When I downloaded it on my Kindle, I thought it was about a group of monks. I was surprised and delighted to find it was a boarding school fantasy about four orphans that was full of action and adventure. Of course their assignment was no less than saving the world. The entire series--I had to read the other two in the trilogy immediately--is masterfully written and full of creative twists, secrets and heartfelt realizations. I LOVED these books and I was sad when the character's adventures ended.

"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" When the ad appears in a local paper, orphan Reynie Muldoon takes and passes mind-bending tests to gain a place at what he thinks is a school. As it turns out, only four children, all orphans, pass the test--and the school is not about getting an education but pursuing a secret mission.

Hey Diddle Diddle - Eve Bunting & Mary Ann Fraser

What a delight to find a book in the mail written by a legend and illustrated by a buddy. Award winning author Eve Bunting and acclaimed artist Mary Ann Fraser have collaborated on a charming tale for the very young reader.

Hey Diddle Diddle starts out with what I thought was going to be the traditional tale, but it soon took an interesting twist. From a cow playing trombone to a mouse playing  harp, a pig on piano and a horse on guitar, I soon found myself in the midst of an animal orchestra.

Mary Ann Fraser's colorful illustrations play across each page, adding whimsy to the words, and Eve Bunting strings us along a familiar path until the end…then a surprise.

This is an enchanting story that toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy.

The Big Book of Spy Stuff - Bart King

Boy, oh boy, do I LOVE Bart King's books! Over the years I have had the pleasure of reviewing many, from The Pocket Guide to Mischief to The Big Book of Gross Stuff. Bart's books always make me laugh out loud. Reading his work has become as much a staple at our family gatherings as eating the mashed potatoes!  When I arrive, I am jumped by adults and kids alike, looking for the latest. I can't wait to show them The Big Book of Spy Stuff. Only Bart could make the creepy world of spying so hilarious. 

Bart begins with a spy scanning the reader's eye to see if he or she is cleared to continue reading. (No one is, which means every kid will keep on going.) The first chapter ends by pointing out that the really good spies are the ones you never hear about!

Tina Top Book Picks - How the Moon Regained Her Shape

This picture book showed up in my mailbox one day not long ago. What a delight!  How the Moon Regained Her Shape is a darling picture book by Janet Ruth Heller and Illustrated by Ben Hodson.

The retelling of an American Indian folk tale, Janet Heller's story is also a practical lesson in how to deal with a bully.

The moon loves to dance across the sky. But one day she dances across the sun and blocks his light.

Allen Zadoff - Sid Fleischman Humor Award 2010

When I go to the Summer SCBWI Conference I always make it a point to pick up the latest winner of the Sid Fleischman Humor Award.  These award winning books are always filled with belly laughs and a good time.

I was not disappointed this past year with Allen Zadoff's Food, Girls and Other Things I Can't Have.  This is the hilarious story of a fat teenage boy whose dreams come true when he gets on the football team and starts dating a cheerleader.  Then the dream turns into a nightmare as he questions his so-called success.  As soon as I finished the book, I immediately contacted the author, Allen Zadoff, for an interview.  I give you Allen Zadoff.

 When and why did you start writing for children?

I never intended to write for teens.  In the year I was waiting for my first book, a memoir called HUNGRY, to come out, I sat down and wrote a novel.  I'd written many other things before that--screenplays, sitcoms, personal essays--but none of them had the voice that emerged when I started writing fiction. It was the story of a twelve-year-old boy competing with his brother to win his father's love.

Tina's Top Book Picks - The Adoration of Jenna Fox - Mary E. Pearson

I had heard that The Adoration of Jenna Fox was a great book but nothing else about it.  When I finally downloaded it to my Kindle and started reading, I was pleasantly pleased that not only was it a great story, it was masterfully written. 

The Adoration of Jenna Fox turned out to be one of those all nighters (when a book is so good you can't put it down and stay up all night to finish it). Mary E. Pearson paints a tale of courage and enlightenment in this story about a girl waking up after being in a coma for a year. The tale starts innocently enough, but there are things Jenna can't remember from her past, and the revealing of those secrets keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Tina Top Book Picks - Good Night Little Sea Otter

What a sweet bedtime tale this is!

Good Night Little Sea Otter by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by Wish Williams, tells the story of a little sea otter who does not want to go to bed. He first wants to say good night to the harbor seals, then the sea lions and the seagulls, and then the entire ocean.  Finally mama sea otter rolls her little otter in kelp and tucks him in, and he says a final good night to the stars.

With gorgeous illustrations and a lyrical text, this is a darling bedtime story.

My Life with the Lincolns - Gayle Brandeis

Books to review come to me in many ways.  The best way is word of mouth. One of my writing buddies, who is on a prestigious awards committee, called me one day last month to say she had just read the best book and I should buy it. At the time I was leaving town and taking my e-reader with me, and lucky for me the book was available. I haven't read all the books up for the Newbery, but I will say this one should be in contention.
My Life with the Lincolns, by Gayle Brandeis, is a hilarious middle grade novel that should rack up tons of awards.

Told in the first person and set during the civil rights activities of 1966, the book chronicles a year in the life of twelve year old Mina, who believes that her family is the reincarnation of Abraham Lincoln and his family. She is the middle child, Tad. Mina is so convinced that she has her dad name his furniture store Honest Abe's Furniture and she writes a newsletter for the store with little tidbits about Abraham Lincoln. Mina is also a hypochondriac, so sure that she has all sorts of ailments, that she is on a first name basis with the local pharmacist.

Rosa's Bus - Jo S. Kittinger - Steven Walker

Books to review come to me in different ways: sometimes from the author, sometimes from a librarian and sometimes from the publishing house.  That is what happened here when Calkin Creek sent me this book. I was tickled when I opened the envelope and found not only a great picture book, but saw that it was written by one of my SCBWI buddies, Jo S. Kittinger. Just when I thought there was no way to give the story of Rosa Parks a fresh new twist, Jo came up with one.

Rosa's Bus tells the tale of bus number 2857: how it rolled off the assembly line in 1948 and made it down to Montgomery, Alabama around the time the civil rights movement started. The bus had a moveable sign on the seats that indicated where colored people could sit; f they did not obey the bus rules, they could be arrested.

Z is for Zombie - Merrily Kunter

My buddy Merrily Kunter writes the funniest picture books.  Her latest paperback is a great gift for Halloween.  With illustrations by John Manders, Z is for Zombie is a wonderful spooky romp.  Merrily uses every scary monster and makes up a few of her own to complete the alphabet, from A ("Alien beings without a face land in ships from outer space") to Z ("From the earth the Zombies rise.  Walking corpses terrorize") This is not for the really little ones but more for those reluctant reader boys who love anything scary or gross.

Cleopatra Rules - The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen

As you have read, I am a nut for nonfiction and I had been waiting for the release of Cleopatra Rules!  The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen for some time.  Fellow blogger Vicky Alvear Shecter took bits of boring history and wove it into an exciting book about Cleopatra. I have been to Egypt more than once and consider myself an amateur historian of the pharaohs, but Vicky surprised me again and again with new information and tells her story with such humor that both kids and adults will love this book.

On a Windy Night - Nancy Raines Day

It's that time of year for Halloween books. There are juicy pickings this year, and On a Windy Night is one of them.  Keeping it spooky but humorous as well, Nancy Raines Day spins a tale of a boy on his way home alone from trick-or-treating. With lyrical words, delightfully illustrated by George Bates, Nancy tells the story of a boy seeing and hearing skeletons and ghosts around every corner...until the end, where all is revealed. A great Halloween gift for a young reader's library. Much better than candy!

Animal House - Candace Ryan & Nathan Hale

I had been waiting to see this book for years, and it didn't disappoint. Candace Ryan spins a darling tale of a house and furniture that come alive, and Nathan Hale's terrific illustrations make the story complete.

Jeremy is a typical kid, but when his homework is destroyed, his teacher, Mrs. Nuddles, is not happy about the excuse he uses. It seems Jeremy's furniture has been eating many of his school projects. Finally Mrs. Nuddles has had enough and schedules a home visit. She is shocked to discover that Jeremy isn't making things up--he lives in a gorvilla and all his furniture is alive!

Warriors in the Crossfire - Nancy Bo Flood

Warriors in the Crossfire by Nancy Bo Flood was sent to me by a writing buddy who raved about it. Boy, was she right. I love historical fiction and I adore this book. I cried when it was over and am happy to hear a sequel is planned.

Set in Japanese-occupied Saipan toward the end of World War II, Warriors in the Crossfire is told in the voice of the young islander Joseph and his cousin, half-Japanese Kento.  The two are close like brothers and share a fear and a hatred of the Japanese soldiers.

Joseph teaches Kento the ways of the island warrior to help him protect himself from a possible invasion of the dreaded Americans--who, they've been told, eat babies for dinner.

A Season of Gifts - Richard Peck

My editor, Steve Meltzer, and I have similar tastes in books.  When I had lunch with Steve in New York last year he gave me a copy of a new Richard Peck book, A Season of Gifts. I love anything by Richard Peck, and I was delighted to spend time again with his character Grandma Dowdel.

It is 1958. Bob Barnhart is the son of the new preacher in town. Bob's teenage sister, Phyllis, is running wild and his little sister, Ruth Ann, is fascinated by the broken down house next door.  Bob himself is hounded by bullies--but what scares him more is their next door neighbor, Mrs. Dowdel. She's as big as a house and as old as the hills, and she carries a shot gun.

Kick the Cowboy - Tina Top Book Pick

Now that the blog is well established I have been contacted by publishing houses and authors alike to review their books. My blog policy is that I only review the books I like. Kick the Cowboy came to me from Pelican Publishing. I love this picture book. Joe Gribnau tells a wonderful tale and his story is complemented by Adrian Tans' beautiful and fun illustrations. This is a great boy book for young readers.

Kick was the greatest cowboy that Texas every saw. He was also the grumpiest. He was so mean that rattlesnakes steered clear.

"Happy Birthday": The Story of the World's Most Popular Song

It is true that I'm a nut for non-fiction--especially creative non-fiction that is kid-friendly. "Happy Birthday": The Story of the World's Most Popular Song, is just that. Nancy Kelly Allen tells this tale, with illustrations by Gary Undercuffler, of the Hill family living in Louisville, Kentucky over 100 years ago. The parents were unique for the time. The mother gave her four girls and two boys creative freedom to become who they were, and the father thought even the girls deserved a college education to support themselves. The family members also spent time with their piano to feed their soul.

The Big Book of Gross Stuff - Bart King

Anything Bart King writes I have to read. His new book, The Big Book of Gross Stuff, is a hilarious journey into the the world of the weird, sick and creepy.  I passed this gem around at a family gathering recently and all the boys from ages 8 to 80 ate it up!  If you have a boy who is a reluctant reader buy him this book.

Bart opens the book with a dedication to "your digestive mucus. (After all, no one ever gives it a proper "Thank-you"!)  And it only gets grosser.

Charlie Russell, Tale-Telling Cowboy Artist

I love, love, love this picture book!  Charlie Russell, Tale-Telling Cowboy Artist is a fabulous example of creative, interesting non-fiction for kids.  Author Lois V. Harris weaves a tale of Charles Russell, who was born during the civil war and grew up on the frontier. A self taught artist, Charles Russell was always drawing or molding a piece of clay.