Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Lee Wind - Blogging Tip of the Day

Lee Wind is one of the great new forces in children's literature. He has been part of the SCBWI blogging team  the last few years. His blog, "I'm Here. I'm Queer. What the Hell do I Read?" was voted Best GLBT Book  Review Blog, BBAW 2009.  His new blog, The Zen of Blogging is great. Today I debut his second episode: "1 minute to Blogging Greatness, Episode #2: Twitter For  Bloggers - The Top 3 Things You Can Do!"
I give you Lee Wind.

My Boyfriend's Dogs - YA novel - Dandi Daley Mackall

This book trailer has a special place in my heart. First, I love the book. Second, Dandi had already had a book trailer made for it and hated it. She was torn about purchasing another trailer. We spoke on the phone several times, and I assured her if she didn't like it she didn't have to buy it. Not only did she love it, it went around her house, Dutton, and my house too, which led to an offer to produce another trailer. Thanks, Dandi!

Susan Patron - Editorial - Saving the L.A. Public Library

Libraries across the country are under siege from budget cuts.  This week in Los Angeles the city council will talk about funding and the future of the L.A. Public Library.  You can help.  Go to Save the Library http://savethelibrary.org 

I asked former Los Angeles Librarian and 2007 Newbery winner Susan Patron to write an editorial on the subject.  The topic being near and dear to her heart, Susan graciously agreed.

When he was president of the Board of Library Commissioners of the Los Angeles Public Library, Gary Ross made an apt analogy about ways our government enables us to travel.  You apply to the feds, he pointed out, to get your passport.  You apply to the state to get your driver's license.  But if you want to travel the universe itself, you apply to the city for a library card.

Book Blips - Class of 2K10 - Freaksville - Kitty Keswick

Kitty Keswick is another debut novelist and co-president of the class of 2K10. Her YA romance novel, Freaksville (Book One) has just been released by Leap Books. I asked her to give us a summary of the book and talk about what inspired her to write it.

A  group of teenagers, trapped in a haunted theater on the night of a full moon,  find out that ghosts are the least of their worries…

Every woman in the Maxwell family has the gift of sight. A talent sixteen-year-old Kasey would gladly give up. All she wants is a normal life.

Sid Fleischman 1920-2010

Today I mourn a legend.  I met Sid Fleischman several times over the years and attended many of his workshops at the Summer Conferences.  He was warm, funny, generous and kind, and also immensely talented. In his honor I am rerunning this post from August 2007.  Good-Bye Sid, we'll all miss you.

Talk about inspirations...you're looking at them.  Three Newberys. Three!

Newbery winners Susan Patron, Sid Fleischman and Linda Sue Park have written some of my favorite children's stories, The Higher Power of Lucky, The Whipping Boy and A Single Shard.  So pushy little me saw them talking at the SCBWI National and asked for a photo. They were so gracious. Susan and Linda Sue agreed to be interviewed for the blog later. I didn't have the nerve to ask Sid, but I will. I printed out this photo and stuck it next to my computer with the phrase, "Dream Big!"

I'm sorry to say that I never got that interview with Sid, but my buddy Barbara Bietz did interview him last year. Check it out today at her blog, (http://www.barbarabbookblog.blogspot.com/

Anastasia Suen - Cyber Tip of the Day

I've heard it said that Anastasia Suen has enough energy to power a city, and I have to agree. She is also funny, kind, warm, and a clear, precise teacher. Her workshops at the SCBWI Cyber Promotion Retreat in January were a pleasure. Here she shares some interesting Cyber tips for our benefit.

Blog Tour - My Shoes and I - Rene' Colato Lainez

I have known Rene' Colato Lainez for years.  We met in a writing class and I was struck by his kindness and his sensitive writing on the immigrant experience. His many published stories detail this and fill a void for all the children who come to this country with their parents looking for a better life. His new book, My Shoes and I, tell the scary and wondrous tale of Marco on his journey to the United States. I asked Rene' a few questions about the book.

What inspired you to write a story about immigration?

My own personal journey from El Salvador to the United States inspired me to write MY SHOES AND I. In 1985, my father and I left El Salvador early in the morning.

Tina Top Book Pick - Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

 

Last year was a good year for sequels. Catching Fire is the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy, and Suzanne Collins gave us another fabulous story.

The heroine, Katniss, is back in District 12 after her and Peeta's victory in the Hunger Games--and their victory over the oppressive government in the Capitol. There is little for Katniss to be grateful for as she relives the brutality of the games in nightmares, except that her family is now rich and she can share the wealth with the villagers.

Then during the Victory Tour of all the districts, Katniss and Peeta notice the discontent of the people and witness some shocking violence toward the citizens.

Esther Hershenhorn - Writing Tip of the Day

I met Esther Hershenhorn many years ago and I had the pleasure of getting to know her better at the SCBWI Winter Conference in New York. She is charming, smart and an excellent writing teacher. She is also part of a wonderful group blog with fellow writers at Teaching Authors.  Esther was shy about speaking to the camera, but I am delighted that you can clearly see her sparky self.