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READING STYLE GUIDE

Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day

4/29/2016

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​“Consumers control the marketplace by deciding where to spend their money. If what a bookstore offers matters to you, then shop at a bookstore. If you feel that the experience of reading a book is valuable, then read the book. This is how we change the world: we grab hold of it. We change ourselves.”

― Ann Patchett, bestselling author and co-owner of Parnassus Books
Saturday is the day to celebrate the important part that bookstores play in our communities. Visit your local bookstore. Many have special events throughout the day, including author appearances. Use the interactive map to locate a store near you. If you can't make it "in person" consider making an online purchase to support local bookstores. Indiebound is an online tool which can be used to make online purchases from independent bookstores.
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This all day celebration includes exclusive merchandise created for Independent Bookstore Day. There are some real gems here! I am drooling over several of them.  Can't wait to head to an independent bookstore to check them out. Details here.
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Join the Party!

Companion Post

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In Praise of Bookstores: November 2015 


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Robots Unboxed

4/25/2016

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The Wild Robot
​by Peter Brown

Little Robot
​by Ben Hatke

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Similarities between Little Robot and The Wild Robot are easy to find. Both begin with a robot sealed inside a shipping crate which accidentally falls into the water and eventually lands in a remote area. In this most unlikely setting, the robot escapes the packing crate, explores its surroundings and eventually begins to form relationships.
Both stories are testaments to the power of kindness and friendship. They poignantly illustrate that the capacity to care and make meaningful contributions to the wellbeing of others is limited only by one's willingness to try.
For me the similarity reaches beyond the books themselves and extends to authors Peter Brown and Ben Hatke. Each has consistently created an exceptional body of work which I deeply admire.
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New Directions: Stepping out

Reading both books resulted in an "ah ha" moment for me. Here are my conclusions:
I have always referred to Peter Brown as a children's book illustrator and Ben Hatke as a comic book creator. With the publication of The Wild Robot and Little Robot I have found myself rethinking my original descriptions of each.
Is Peter Brown a children's book illustrator who wrote a novel for young readers? Is Ben Hatke a comic creator who has also created some picture books? Or was it more than that?
Was I restricting my thinking? Was I inadvertently putting both of these creators in little self-contained boxes?
I have experienced a huge shift in my perceptions.
Both of these storytellers are first and foremost creators who search for interesting ways in which to share their stories. Perhaps the story comes first, and then a method for telling the story follows. Or maybe at times a method of storytelling is selected and then a story is created to fit that method. I don't know. But whatever the method, whatever the format, the stories are genuine, fresh, and totally captivating.
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I expect that both of these creators' ongoing work will continue to expand and evolve. Each will find new and interesting ways to explore ideas, worlds, and forms of expression.
I am officially removing the self-imposed boxes in which I placed Brown and Hatke.
For me they are creators, storytellers extraordinaire. I can't wait to experience what is yet to be.
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100 Years of American Splendor

4/18/2016

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National Park Service Centennial

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The National Park Service turns 100 on August 25, 2016.  This year-long celebration is marked by opportunities to experience the variety of park explorations available to all.  Find a park near you. Discover the grandeur of nature. Learn lessons from our past.  Be inspired.
Find Your Park
Use this site to search for parks to visit. You can search by state or by the type of experience you would like to have, park name, or a zip code. 
The large interactive U.S. map assists in locating sites found in a particular area.
Check out the spotlighted parks. Download free National Parks Owner's Guides.
Who knew that there were so many different types of national parks?
Visit a Park
On these dates in 2016 
all National Park Service sites that charge an admission fee will offer free admission to everyone.
  • April 16-24 National Park Week
  • August 25-28 National Park Service Birthday
  • September 24 National Public Lands Day
  • November 11 Veterans Day
Share Your Story
Share your park experience. It can be a story, a poem, a song, a painting, photos or video of your park experience.
This collection of shared experiences is searchable by social media.
Upload your story here.
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National Geographic The National Parks:
​An Illustrated History
by Kim Heacox

We always called it the "Magical Geographic". Every month the bright yellow cover would arrive. We spent hours poring over the pages, picking out images we found captivating as well as photos of places we wanted to visit. We especially we delighted in pointing out the striking and unusual scenes and exclaiming to our siblings "You've gotta look at this!!!"

With the publication of this commemorative volume, Heacox shares a vision of the National Park splendor. This historical perspective opens with a poignant recounting of John Muir's efforts to preserve the Hecht Hetchy Valley and creation of the first National Parks. Subsequent chapters chronicle the development of the National Park Service and the establishment of parks throughout the United States.
The entire book is lavishly illustrated with stunning full page photographs that feature images from many of the more than 400 National Parks in the United States.  This tribute to the National Parks is enhanced with infographics, timelines, personal stories, and well-chosen quotations. This volume serves as a vivid reminder of the important role that the National Park Service plays in preserving our nation's natural and historic treasures.
A splendid addition to personal, school, and public libraries.

Companion Books

National Geographic has published some spiffy new and updated books to celebrate the National Park Service centennial. The updated Guide to National Parks is a handy resource. National Geographic Kids titles include a National Parks Guide U.S.A., Junior Ranger Activity Book, and Buddy Bison's Yellowstone Adventure.
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A Story of You. A Story of Me.

4/12/2016

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This is the Story of You by Beth Kephart

There is a quality to Beth Kephart's witing that completely envelopes me. I feel the embrace of each sensory image pulling me not only into the story, but recalling my own experiences with the sea, with storms, with friendship, with family, and with facing the unknown. The richness of the prose and the careful unfolding of the narrative bring me back again and again. To the story. To the exquisite language. To reflecting on my own life.

One of my favorite quotes about the significance of literature rings true to me and especially for Kephart's books.
"A great book illuminates your life and your life illuminates a great book."
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Here are a few of my life illuminations from This is the Story of You.
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The color blue is a recurring image.
  • "I thought blue was mine, and that we were each ourselves, and that some things could not be stolen."
  • ​"The atmosphere zinged with blue."
  • "Skies so sweet and so Berry Blast Blue..."
  • "One blue Slurpee. Two blue Slurpees. Three blue Slurpees."
  • "We walked until our feet felt like a color- blue."
  • "Open your eyes...They were bluer than the sea in the shining of the sun, bluer than a bucket. They were blue..."
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Ebb and Flow: The ocean, the island, and Mira's life will always be in a state of change.
  • "The sea comes and the sea goes."
  • "Eva, who saw things nobody could see, who chose Vanishing Cities as her Project Flow...Everything was submerged or on the verge of going under."
  • "The only thing certain is the past, and even that past is up for grabs - both the textbook variety and the personal kind..."​
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Life is a collection of lost, saved, and found.
  • "She'd lost the big things in life. A brother first (Afghanistan) and then a father (hole in the heart)."
  • "Every creature, every thing, like Dad always said, is a candidate for saving."
  • "I remembered the things I'd saved: Sand with the socks. Soldiers with the sweaters. Bangles with the underwear. Mickey's quilt folded. Safe. Dry."
  • "A storm is the universe speaking. A storm is science. A storm takes everything away."
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Haven: Place of refuge. MIra finds sanctuary in her home, her memories, her family and the things she holds dear.
  • ​"We were us. We were before."
  • "'You're the luck part of my life.' he said. 'You and Mickey and Haven.'"
  • "Only thing not replaceable is people. Order. Family. Genus. Species. We were the kingdom unto Haven."
  • ​"We make our own order."​
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The Great Blue Heron
"The Bird will make sure that all things are put in their proper places on earth." 
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A Book of My Own

4/7/2016

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"I am already in Chapter 6." student

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Take a glance at this stack of delicious looking books. Every one is a gem. As I examined the titles, I felt that these wonderful stories deserved to be in the hands of some very special kids.

Fortunately I recently found the perfect little hands, hearts, and minds for these treasures: A class of third grade students were designated by the school as "economically disadvantaged". Sadly, their family finances mean that book ownership is a luxury.
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I contacted a wonderful teacher who wanted to bring more books into the lives of her students. On a bright Tuesday morning, I traveled across town to visit this teacher's school.
​You have no idea how thrilling it was to meet with this excited group of youngsters and inform them that today they were going to get a book of their very own.  A book to keep. A book that each could write his or her name in. A book that would never ever be due back to any school or library.
They broke into huge smiles. Their faces were glowing.
I placed the gift books on a nearby table, and briefly described each one. Then small groups of children were invited to peruse the book display and choose a book. They looked over the selection carefully, whispering to themselves and each other. When the choice was made, they quickly returned to their seats, anxious to open this book. Their very own book. A book to keep and treasure.
Eventually they wanted to write and draw pictures about their personal books. The photos below show some of their responses.  Their teacher reported that it was very difficult for the students to stay away from the books for the remainder of the day. The children didn't want to put them down. 
Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for bringing so much joy to a special group of children.

"Finally, I get to have a book at home."  student 

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"Our tale is not yet told"

4/6/2016

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Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard by Jonathan Auxier

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"Worlds and everything in them are made real by the stories that inhabit them."
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Twelve year old Sophie Quire, working from her father's bookshop, spends her days lovingly mending books. Her life dramatically changes when she becomes the owner of a curious book that possesses magical properties. This volume is one of four books. She learns that the combined quartet contains the entire world's magic. She also discovers her true identity. She is Daughter of Coriander Quire, Bookmender of Bustleburgh, Keeper of Stories, Protector of the Four Questions, and The Last Storyguard.
Sophie undertakes a dangerous mission: to obtain all four books, learn the fate of her mother, and save her world from a massive book burning. A monumental task for one young girl!
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Auxier skillfully weaves a spell of words that captures the imagination and delights the ears of readers. Consider places such as the city of Bustleburgh, the forests of Grimmwald and the abyss known as The Uncannyon. And of course, The Last Resort, where the precarious Battle of the Last Resort takes place.
Character names are equally intriguing. Readers meet Professor Cake, Inspector Prigg, and an important figure which goes by the name Taro and just happens to be a mandrake. Isn't the name Torvald Knucklemeat the best ever for a villain's henchman? I love the shadrach charm: a very powerful spell which makes the object impervious to flame.
Careful reading finds several veiled references to other works. One of my favorites "The task must have chosen Sophie, but now Sophie must choose the task." pays homage to Garth Nix's Sabriel "Does the walker choose the path or the path the walker?"
Readers will revel in the wordsmithing. Auxier knows how to turn a phrase, twist a word, and place a description in order to extract every ounce of meaning from the narrative,

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Ultimately it is the heart of each character which breathe life into the book. Two of my favorite scenes are Sir Tode urging on Peter Nimble when his doubts overtake him during a moment of crisis and Sophie finally attempting to ring the bell charm hanging around her neck. Such poignant vignettes demonstrate the power of love to overcome all obstacles.
"There are moments in life - rare for most people- when you suddenly realize that the tapestry of the world is grander and more intricately woven than you had ever imagined."

Companion books

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes introduces characters who figure prominently in Sophie's story. If you haven't read Peter Nimble, it makes a great follow up read.
The Night Gardener is a stand alone. Its fantasy that is a bit darker, but certainly equally compelling. 
​Highly recommend both.
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Bonus: As the author's inscription promises, there will be more adventures for the most nimble Peter and a storyguard named Sophie.
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    Barbara Moon

    I like talking about books and  interesting ideas. I like thinking about how books affect my life. Not particularly interested in giving out stars or in rating books. 

    Audio Publishers Association
    2013, - present  Audies judge 
    American Library Association Book Awards and Lists 
    ​2017 YALSA Award Nominating Committee
    2016 Excellence in Nonfiction 
    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
    2009, 2010, 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

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