SECRETS TOLD AND UNTOLD: A CLNE Colloquy

I am one of those CLNErs. That is, starting in 1999 (relatively recent compared to those who were involved many, many years before me) I began attending the annual summer institute of Children’s Literature New England.  I hadn’t intended to make it an annual thing, but like many others, once I started I couldn’t stop.

These institutes were extraordinary.  There were required readings, some quite dense, lectures, small group discussions, poetry, singing, talks of a caliber quite remarkable.  And those who gave the lectures and talks!  Katherine Paterson, Susan Cooper, Tim Wynne-Jones, Virginia Euwer Wolff, Diana Wynne Jones, Brian Selznick, M. T. Anderson, Alan Garner, Elizabeth Partridge, Neil Gaiman, Jill Paton Walsh, and so many more.  The directors were and are Gregory Maguire (yes, that Gregory Maguire) and Barbara Harrison. The other attendees were incredible too:  writers, editors, librarians, educators, booksellers, and every sort of person who was besotted with children’s literature. In 2005 I was honored to be a speaker and in 2006 to be a discussion leader.  Sadly, that was the final institute.

Now there are bi-yearly colloquy. The first was “The Opening Page” in May 2007 and the next, “Secrets Told and Untold” will be this coming May 6-9 at the Essex in Vermont.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend as it is the same weekend as my nephew’s college graduation.  Believe me, otherwise I would definitely be there.   Yes, as Pam Munoz Ryan joked in 2007, there is a bit of a cult quality to CLNE (e,g, I can’t hear “Wild Mountain Thyme” without choking up), but it is a good sort of cult —one of devotees to children’s literature, who love to read, talk, and think about it in a myriad of ways.  I will miss profoundly my CLNE friends this coming May and will be thinking about all the special experiences I will have to miss this time.

But you don’t have to. I highly recommend this quite remarkable weekend. I mean, check out the speakers:  Ashley Bryan, Nikki Grimes, K. T. Horning, Joanna Rudge Long, Elizabeth Partridge, Peter Sis, Virginia Euwer Wolff, and Tim Wynne-Jones. But those are just the speakers — so many other luminaries are bound to be there as well, just as participants.  Again, if it weren’t for my nephew whom I adore, I would absolutely be there.

I’m Back in the World of Sounis, Attolia, and Eddis (not to worry, no spoilage in this post)…

and before too long you will be too.

Yes, ARCs for Megan Whalen Turner’s A Conspiracy of Kings were indeed available at NCTE.  But silly-in-need-of-instant-gratification-me was unable to wait till then and so last Thursday, after getting word that they were “in the building,” I nipped over to HarperCollins for my copy while my class was in PE (fortunately there is a convenient subway line that made it possible for me to do this).  I’m now about half way through and have to say I’m not rushing because I want to savor it (and, let me tell you, it is worth savoring).

Smart Kid Reviews: First in a Series

I started a Book Bloggers Club this year for kids who had blogs with me when they were in 4th grade. So far I’ve got six 6th grade girls in the club (one brings a friend who brings a friend, etc) and we are all enjoying it very much. One of our first events, as some of you know, was to see and review the Where the Wild Things Are movie.  They are also reading and reviewing other new and forthcoming books.  Here are links to some of their reviews:

C16km thinks Kate DiCamillo’s The Magician’s Elephant is a, “a very haunting but amusing read…” Read her full review here.

C16bf thinks Suzanne LeFleur’s Love, Aubrey, “…is an amazing book, and it pulls you through the pages.”  Read her full review here.

C16lw thinks Hilari Bell’s Player’s Ruse is “…extremely suspenseful and makes you want to just keep on reading it.” Read her review here.

C16rc is a huge fan of Lisa Graf’s Umbrella Summer. Read her review here. here

Not-a-romance-reader C16uw reviews Tera Lynn Childs’s forthcoming Forgive My Fins here.

 

Yes!! Claudette Colvin Wins Young People’s National Book Award

Congratulations to all involved in the creation of this year’s young people’s winner of the National Book Award, especially author Phillip Hoose, editor Melanie Kroupa, and Claudette Colvin herself.  As I think I made clear in this post, Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice is one of my favorite books of the year.  Hurray!

I’m a big fan of the runners-up too:

Deborah Heiligman, Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith
(Henry Holt)
David Small, Stitches (W. W. Norton & Co.)
Laini Taylor, Lips Touch: Three Times (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic)
Rita Williams-Garcia, Jumped (HarperTeen/HarperCollins)

A Blog After My Own Inappropriate Heart

Philip Nel just pointed out to me that Lane Smith and Bob Shea had scooped me on the “Andy Warhol, Children’s Illustrator” post with an actual picture book the wiggy guy did.  More importantly it is on their blog, Curious Pages: Recommended Inappropriate Books for Kids.   A blog I didn’t know about till Phil told me about it a few minutes ago.  A blog full of my favorite snarky, subversive, weird, dotty, bizarre, clever, and not-your-usual children’s book books.  They’ve got stuff by Gorey, Hoffmann, Belloc, and a whole bunch more.

Megan Whalen Turner on Jewel Boxes, Writing Advice, and Sulky Characters

All I can say is that endings are very important to me as a reader and so they are important to me as a writer. I really resent stories without endings. I was once very flattered to be lumped in the same category as Frank Stockton, but that’s because of The Griffin and the Minor Cannon. Don’t get me started on “The Lady or the Tiger?” (Megan Whalen Turner)

For those eagerly waiting for A Conspiracy of Kings, check out HipWriterMama’s excellent interview with she-who-stays-out-of-sight-much-of-the-time, Megan Whalen Turner.

Andy Warhol, Children’s Illustrator

253. WARHOL, Andy (1928 – 1987) Best in Children’s Books Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1957-1959. Small 8vo. Volumes 5, 15, 27 and 33. Condition: dust jackets lightly worn with some minor chips.
Early in his career, the Pop Art icon Andy Warhol illustrated several volumes of the popular series Best in Children’s Books issued by the Doubleday Book Club between 1957 and 1961. But these light, childlike pictures are generally unknown to admirers of his famous pictures of Campbell’s Soup Cans and Marilyn Monroe. (4)

est. $500 – $600

While I knew Warhol had done commercial work (his shoes are fantastic) I don’t think I knew he’d done anything related to children’s books. So how fun to find this tidbit at that previously mentioned truly phenomenal auction.

NCTE: Old Books — New Journeys

The theme of the conference, “Once and Future Classics: Reading Between the Lines,” is designed to inspire courageous conversations about traditional and contemporary literature and foster lively discussions of how we teach as well as what we teach.

from Program Chair Carol Jago’s NCTE Convention Welcome

A big fan of classical literature in the classroom (I’ve even written a book about it), I was delighted when this was announced as the convention theme and can’t wait to see what will be said on this topic.  And if you are interested in what I have to say, come by next Saturday (2:45 -4:00 Marriott/Franklin 12 4th floor) as I’ll be presenting along with one of my terrific 4th grade colleagues Lesley Younge and Waller Hastings of Rutgers University about some old books.  Here’s a preview to whet your appetites.

• I will be focusing on my favorites: Charlotte’s Web, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and The Wizard of Oz. Among other things I’ll talk about close reading with kids, Charlotte’s Wikipedia, Alice in Comic Land, and debating Oz.
• Lesley will focus on how she connects old stories with our grade-wide study of immigration.  In particular she will talk about some fabulous work she is doing with Brer Rabbit and journeys her students take into Narnia, Wonderland, and Oz.
• Waller will wrap things up with a look at the historical context of these books.

We are planning on a good time and hope some of you join us.

Hurray!

Peace Corps Returns to Sierra Leone

Freetown

Date: November 2, 2009
Contact: PAO Danna Van Brandt
Tel: 022-515-000 or 076-515-000

November 2, 2009 – United States and Sierra Leone government officials signed an agreement to reestablish a Peace Corps program in Sierra Leone after a 16 year absence. Glenn Fedzer, the Chargé d’Affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura, signed an agreement to officially re-establish Peace Corps/Sierra Leone at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Freetown. Mr. Fedzer was accompanied by Lynn Foden, Peace Corps’ acting regional director for Africa.

“We are delighted that the government of Sierra Leone has invited Peace Corps volunteers to return and work shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sierra Leone,” said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. “The partnership between Peace Corps and Sierra Leone was established in the era of President Kennedy, and it is an honor and a privilege for us to have the opportunity to work with the communities of Sierra Leone once again.”

The first group of approximately 40 Peace Corps volunteers is scheduled to arrive in Sierra Leone in June, with additional Peace Corps Response Volunteers also arriving in 2010. The volunteers will focus on secondary education in public schools and work together with communities on grassroots initiatives and community development throughout the country.

“On behalf of Ambassador June Carter Perry, I am honored to participate in the signing of this agreement welcoming the Peace Corps back to Sierra Leone,” said Chargé d’Affaires Glenn Fedzer. “This ceremony is the culmination of the dedication of dozens of Americans and Sierra Leoneans, including President Ernest Bai Koroma, U.S. State Department and Peace Corps officials, and many former Peace Corps volunteers who continue to serve the people of Sierra Leone long after their return to the United States.”

Ambassador Perry has been involved with Peace Corps for 40 years and handled the celebration of Peace Corps’ 20th anniversary for national and international media as Public Affairs Director in Washington.  She stated, “We congratulate both the Government of Sierra Leone and the Peace Corps leadership for this enormous step in our bilateral relationship and in the education of Sierra Leone’s youth.’”  Her predecessor in Freetown, Ambassador Thomas Hull, a former Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone, also worked closely to ensure that the United States Government would realize this day.

Peace Corps/Sierra Leone was first established in 1962 when 37 Americans volunteered to serve as secondary school teachers. Since 1962, more than 3,400 Americans have served as Peace Corps volunteers in Sierra Leone.

As Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world with 7,671 volunteers serving in 75 host countries. Historically, nearly 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. To learn more about the Peace Corps, please visit our website: www.peacecorps.gov.

In the Classroom: Independent Reading and Nonfiction

“I like adventures. Not atlases!” was my 11-year-old nephew’s reaction to recent probing by this auntie of his reading habits.

I should have known better. Anthony Horowitz warned in a recent interview about the perils of “auntie’s choice” when it comes to what kids read: “Children choose the books they want to read. Children’s books belong to children; they’re not something that your auntie picks out for you at Christmas any more.”

And of course said nephew is a big Alex Rider fan. But perhaps I could persuade him to broaden out into the world of non-fiction if Anthony Horowitz follows through on a suggestion that came up at the Battle of Ideas festival. When an audience member raised the question of non-fiction for children, Anthony responded that he had long considered writing something for children about the Trojan wars or perhaps even biography. Excited by the prospect? You betcha. And it brought back all the non-fiction books which formed part of my childhood reading.

That is the beginning of Shirley Dent’s lovely recollection of her own childhood reading of nonfiction and fiction.  I have to confess to having been a narrative girl — be it Helen Keller’s autobiography, a book on Albert Schweitzer, or one of those Childhood of Famous Americans (don’t worry, I know they are faction) — I liked my facts presented as story.  I can’t remember any books of the sort Shirley describes, but I suspect I read them too just as she did, right next to the stories I was also reading.

These days my students, like the above-referenced-nephew, gravitate to fiction, but I do see them with nonfiction as well  — biographies of real-life folks that interest them (sports, entertainment, and history personalities),  weird fact collections, and quirky books of all sorts.  A couple of years ago I had a student who read avidly only the Horrible Histories books. And this year the compendium book Show Off is captivating them.  Yesterday one of my 4th grade boys took it home for the weekend. For two 6th grade girls’ take go here and here.