Greenglass House
Kate Milford
The Pines run a historic inn known as Greenglass House, which is perched on a cliff overlooking a river famous for local smugglers. Young Milo Pine was looking forward to Christmas with his (adoptive) parents. Normally, they have the place to themselves Continue reading Greenglass House
Here are three books that celebrate and explore culture and differences. In One Crazy Summer, three girls trade east coast for west coast in order to spend time with their mother. Set in the 70’s, there are many references to the Civil Rights movement. Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear is about a Chinese family that’s moved to America. Everyone’s a gifted musician except Yingtao, who’d really like to trade his violin for a baseball glove. And Save Me a Seat alternates perspectives between an American boy named Joe and Ravi, who’s recently arrived from India. Definitely one of my favorite books so far this year!
For your Bookshelf. Nothing encourages kids to read and reread a series like having copies on your home bookshelves. The award-winning Byways Books are available as both paperbacks and hardcover library editions. (Contact CJ via email if you’re interested in ordering author-signed copies.)
The Dagger Quick
Brian Eames
Until the day Captain William Quick arrives at port in Kitto’s hometown, the boy has no idea that his hard-working cooper father (that’s a barrel-maker, by the by) had ever done anything more interesting than turn staves into barrels. Continue reading The Dagger Quick
Sees Behind Trees was a surprise favorite for the year, the story of a Native American boy who’s limited by severe nearsightedness, yet can do things no other person in their tribe can accomplish. Homer Price is a childhood favorite that was fun to reread. I’d forgotten most details, but I definitely remembered that doughnut machine! And We the Children kicks off a serial tale (told in parts). Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School is shaping up to be a contemporary quest & a historical mystery involving secret societies and sailing ships.
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Every one of the Byways Books includes beautiful full-color art by my illustrator, Hannah Christenson. Here’s a sampling from Book #10, Back on Track: A Ganix Johns Adventure.
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Alcatraz, #1
Gennifer Choldenko
Moose’s family has moved to Alcatraz, where his father works as a prison guard, in hopes of enrolling his sister Natalie in a special school in San Francisco. Continue reading Al Capone Does My Shirts
This set makes it obvious that I’d been tackling the more challenging letters for an A-Z Reading Challenge. Zinnia and the Bees is mostly about family and friendships … and anger and isolation … and not giving up. Oh, and yarn-bombing! The Year of the Book is a slice-of-life story about Anna, who is ABC (American-born Chinese), shy, bookish, and a little embarrassed by her mother. The Queen’s Nose (set in England) is about a girl, her uncle, and a magical coin that grants wishes. All you have to do is rub … the queen’s nose.
I’m back with another peek behind the scenes on the Byways book covers. One of the unchanging features on the header is the circle of stars that surrounds the volume number. If you take a quick tally, you’ll find there are thirteen stars. It’s a nod to the original thirteen colonies. The thirteen stars also show up on the cloak pins worn by Liberty’s rangers.
This time around, I’m letting you see more of the huge griffin that’s partly obscured by the header on Byways #4, Up the Mountain: A Ganix Johns Adventure. Continue reading BYWAYS: Behind the Header
