I’m embarassed to admit that I haven’t read the book CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGER DRAMA QUEEN by Dyan Sheldon, though I did just watch the movie on DVD. As always, I’m betting the book is better (author loyalty and all), but the film is light and entertaining and stars Lindsay Lohan (from the recent “Freaky Friday” remake). For me,
Continue Reading Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen (the movie, not the book) »
Stumbled upon a backlist book, EL CHINO by Allen Say (Houghton Mifflin, 1990) at Terra Toys. Actually, it was Greg who picked it up as Say is probably his fave author/illustrator.
It’s a picture book biography about the first Chinese American bullfighter–beautifully illustrated (no big surprise there) and definitely stereotype busting. My only complaint is with the flap copy,
“I’d hate to try to learn the craft on a novel. Novels take so very long to write, and one inevitably learns so much from the act of writing. But you can learn those same things a lot faster from the short story.” – Sharelle Byars Moranville
This quote was used this week in the e-newsletter of the Institute of Children’s Literature (so I’m not all that original of a thinker).
Just finished THE ORDER OF THE POISON OAK by Brent Hartinger (Harper, February 2005)–can you believe it’s time for 05 ARCs already?–which was his sequel to GEOGRAPHY CLUB, one of my fave YA novels of all time.
Fans of the first book should definitely pick up this follow-up, which I notice wasn’t coyly (is that a word?) labeled a “companion book.”
“Wave the wheat” is an expression used by Kansas Jayhawks to explain why we’re swinging our arms back and forth over our heads at sporting events.
In an effort to be a healthier person, I’ve switched to whole wheats and whole grains and brown rice, which really are my preference anyway but often a challenge to find at restaurants.
Today’s mail brings SEPTEMBER ROSES by Jeanette Winter (Frances Foster/FSG, 2004), a tribute to an act of kindness in the wake of 9/11/01.
Sashimi last night. Friends spoiling me this week, very attentive. Planning to spa Friday. Mercury (growling) and Bashi (cowering) to the vet today for annual check up. Mercury is down to 18 pounds.
Today’s mail brings a review copy of THE SORCERER’S COMPANION: A GUIDE TO THE MAGICAL WORLD OF HARRY POTTER by Allan Zola Kronzek & Elizabeth Kronzek (Broadway Books/Random House, 2004); “now fully updated to include HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX.” Essentially, this guide offers historical insights into the literary and mythological inspiration of Potter’s magic.
My dad died on the 13th of this month, and I’ve been busy with the logistical fallout. Forgive me if the posts are a bit sporadic for a while. This is an excerpt from the eulogy I gave:
“Bud Smith was a gentleman and a gentle man with a quiet strength—dependable and reassuring. He was protective of his family and welcoming to his friends.
Continue Reading The Great Circle (Which Doesn’t Always Feel So Great) »
Bill Martin Jr., the author of hundreds of popular children’s books, including BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE?, died recently after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Like me, Martin had Kansas, Chicago, and Texas ties. He was born in Hiawatha, Kan., received his doctorate from Northwestern in Chicago, and lived in Commerce, Tex. (about an hour outside of Dallas).
Blogging. Everyone’s doing it. Some new author/book hot spots…
Bill Crider: http://billcrider.blogspot.com/
D.L. Garfinkle: http://dlgarfinkle.com/ — visit the blog
Janni Lee Simner: http://www.simner.com/desertdispatches/
Sarah Dessen: http://www.livejournal.com/users/writergrl/
Linda Joy Singleton: http://www.lindajoysingleton.com/ — visit the blog
Surfnet Kids Journal: http://blog.surfnetkids.com/