I heard Linda Sue Park speak at the Kansas City, KS SCBWI conference a few weeks ago. A Long Walk to Water is a great example of how great children’s literature changes lives. Beyond a moving story (about which I knew almost nothing–and I consider myself well-versed in current events), Linda Sue Park’s novel does an incredible job weaving together two separate story strands. Here’s her book trailer:
History
For Kids Who Love History (or Wish they Could Fly)
Race for the Sky: The Kitty Hawk Diaries of Johnny Moore (Simon and Schuster, 2003) is middle-grade historical fiction as it should be. Author Dan Gutman takes the facts about Kitty Hawk and the Wright Brothers’ first flight, and weaves them into the journal entries of Johnny Moore, a boy who lived in Nags Head at the time and actually witnessed the first flight. Through Johnny’s journal we learn all kinds of interesting details...
Belated President’s Day: George Washington’s Teeth
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” A fire fighter, an Olympic speed skater, a veterinarian, maybe president of the United States? So You Want to be President? written by Judith St. George and illustrated by David Small (Penguin) gives the real scoop about being president. There are good things about being president: a big white mansion, a swimming pool, a bowling alley, and a movie theatre in your house. There are bad things about being...
Famous First Daughters – What to Do about Alice?
Guaranteed, Malia and Sasha Obama are going to be famous first daughters. But long before Malia and Sasha made the White House their home, long before Jenna and Barbara, Chelsea or Amy, was Alice Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt’s oldest daughter and perhaps the most famous and celebrated first daughter ever. What to Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! by Barbara Kerley and illustrated by...
Books Reviewed:
2012 Children’s Choice Awards
