It’s the end of the semester for my MLIS program and my eyes are weary from reading so much dense text. Graphic novels are the perfect way for me to wind down in the evenings, and I recently hit on a series that is not to be missed. The 5 Worlds face extinction unless five ancient and mysterious beacons are lit. It’s up to three … Continue reading Featured: Graphic Novel series 5 WORLDS
Know any budding graphic novelists or writers? SHARE YOUR SMILE is exactly the book to put in their hands. Telgemeier breaks the creation process down into easily understood chunks from inspiration to finished drawings. She takes you through the research and drawing process, using her popular graphic novels SMILE, SISTERS, DRAMA, and GHOSTS as examples. SHARE YOUR SMILE is filled with writing prompts and exercises, giving … Continue reading Featured: Graphic Novel SHARE YOUR SMILE
I loved Illuminae, also written by this dynamic author duo, as well as LIFEL1K3, which Jay Kristoff wrote on his own, and Unearthed, which Amie Kaufman wrote with Meagan Spooner. So when I saw Aurora Rising, I was interested…more so when I read the book description. After reading the book, I’d say Aurora Rising is… Continue reading Recommended: AURORA RISING by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
The New England SCBWI conference is fast approaching, and Loretta Jo Kapinos, one of the conference co-directors took a few minutes out of her busy prep-work to give us the behind-the-scenes scoop on the conference. Welcome, Loretta! Continue reading A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the 2019 New England SCBWI Conference with Loretta Jo Kapinos
Today we are thanking our lucky stars to have landed an interview with the elusive Zeno Alexander, author of a new middle-grade fantasy adventure that will speak to the hearts of librarians and all who love books and information. THE LIBRARY OF EVER Eleven-year-old Lenora escapes from her inattentive nanny through a secret portal at an arch in her local library and lands in the … Continue reading THE LIBRARY OF EVER: Author Interview with Zeno Alexander
I recently had the pleasure of hanging out with author Bea Birdsong at the Whirlikids Festival at McIntyre’s Books and was thrilled to get a sneak peek of her debut picture book, I WILL BE FIERCE!, releasing on 4/23/19. Here’s the publisher’s description: It’s a brand-new day, and a young girl decides to take on the world like a brave explorer heading off on an epic fairytale quest. … Continue reading Interview with Bea Birdsong, author of I WILL BE FIERCE!
We’re reviewing an upcoming middle-grade release today, CATERPILLAR SUMMER by debut author Gillian McDunn, perfect for fans of THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH and FISH IN A TREE. With an overworked widowed mom and a rambunctious special-needs brother, twelve-year-old Cat barely has any time to be a kid. Ever since their dad died of cancer, Cat has been dedicated to helping her brother, Chicken, navigate perils and find … Continue reading Interview with Gillian McDunn, author of Caterpillar Summer
Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring MANUELITO, written by Elisa Amado and illustrated by Abraham Urias. Kids hear adults talking all the time about the refugee crisis, families seeking asylum, ICE, deportation, and problems at our borders. It must be confusing … Continue reading Featured: Graphic Novel MANUELITO, a refugee story
We’ve all heard that writers are introverts. Maybe it’s because we spend so much time working alone, or because we’re always in our heads thinking, developing, and writing stories. Some writers know how to get out of their own minds and socialize when at conferences. Others do not. I fall into the DO NOT category. But let me explain. Not only am I constantly writing … Continue reading Tales From an Introvert: My Experience at the SCBWI Winter Conference 2019
Serving as a judge for the CYBILS Book Awards provided me with the opportunity to discuss 7 great stories with fellow book nerds. I read the spec fic category, which includes fantasy, sci fi, magical realism, and alternate history – all genres with lots of world building and action! If this is the type of story you enjoy, you should check out these short-listed books. It was hard to pick a winner! Continue reading The CYBILS Award YA Speculative Fiction Short List – A Wrap-up
Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. This week we are featuring WATCH US RISE by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan. Chelsea and Jasmine grow frustrated with the way girls are treated at their supposedly progressive New York City high school– body shaming, stereotyping, and unapproved … Continue reading Featured: WATCH US RISE by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan
Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. This week we are featuring The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away by Ronald L. Smith. I have been wanting to read The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away since before I knew the title! Ronald. L. … Continue reading Featured: The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away by Ronald L. Smith
