Sumi misses her mother, who is in the Army, but she still has Harmuny (grandmother). They sit on Sumi’s favorite rock and ‘ at the sound of a train whistle ‘ Harmuny recalls when she and Sumi’s mother escaped war in Seoul, Korea on the roof of a peacebound train. A touching treatment of the effects of war on a family.
Haemi Balgassi is the author of two award-winning books: PEACEBOUND TRAINS, illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet (Clarion, 1996), a picture chapter book, and TAE’S SONATA (Clarion, 1997), a novel for young adults. This interview was conducted via email in June 2000.
Your first book, PEACEBOUND TRAINS, is centered around Korean characters caught in the turmoil of the Korean war.
Continue Reading Interview: Children’s Author Haemi Balgassi »
Author Haemi Balgassi has a new blog. Haemi is the first real friend I made in children’s books, and I love her wholeheartedly. Surf over to check it out, then stop over to her Web site, and if you haven’t already, pick up copies of Peacebound Trains and Tae’s Sonata.
Today we are celebrating Linda Sue Park’s initiative to bring together and highlight Korean American children’s book creators on her kiBooka website. Linda Sue will talk about the site’s inception, and we’ll hear from creators Janet Wong, Marie Myung-Ok Lee, Paula Yoo,
Continue Reading Interview with Linda Sue Park & kiBooka Authors & Illustrators »
This bibliography is drawn from books published between 1995 and 2020. While some award-winners and bestsellers are included, part of the goal is to feature underappreciated gems. For more recent titles, visit Cynsations.
ARTURO AND THE NAVIDAD BIRDS by Anne Broyles, illustrated by K.E. Lewis, translated by Gust Soanish (Pelican, 2013). It’s time for Arturo and his Central American grandmother,
This bibliography is drawn from books published between 1995 and 2020. While some award-winners and bestsellers are included, part of the goal is to feature underappreciated gems. For more recent titles, visit Cynsations.
BECOMING NAOMI LEON by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic, 2004). Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw has had a lot to contend with in her young life,
Continue Reading Interracial Middle Grade and Young Adult Books: Novels »
Author Kittens and Dawgs from Maryrose Wood, author of Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love (Delacorte, 2006)(excerpt). From there, go visit my kittens, Bashi and Boo, and check out their picks in Kit Lit.
Hamline University seeks assistant professor of creative writing.
I had the honor of leading a workshop with author Liza Ketchum in conjunction with the Vermont College MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults this past month. The following titles arose during our discussions with students during the sessions:
The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy,
Continue Reading Vermont College MFA Ketchum-Smith Workshop Bibliography »
The Boyfriend List (15 guys, 11 shrink appointments, 4 ceramic frogs and me, ruby oliver) by E. Lockhart (Delacorte, 2005)(Listening Library, 2005). Everybody’s dumped Ruby–her boyfriend, her best friend, and all of the rest of her friends. She’s a leper at Tate Prep and the subject of unflattering scribbles on the bathroom wall. After a few panic attacks,
Continue Reading Author Interview: E. Lockhart on The Boyfriend List »
Picture books should be as long as they need to be. That every-word-perfect standard is high.
Traditionally, the core market audience for picture books is 4 to 7. However, picture books are increasingly used with older kids, even teenagers; ie: In fact, Kelly Milner Halls’ Albino Animals was both a YALSA Quick Pick and BBYA this past year.