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READING STYLE GUIDE

Crowning Glory

6/12/2018

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My Hair is a Garden by Cozbil A. Cabrera

My hair is a garden, and I give it love.
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For as long as she can remember, MacKenzie has been the object of ridicule at her school. Students constantly tease her about her hair. She tries ignoring their taunts. That doesn't work. She takes to wearing a hat to cover her head. That doesn't help.
Finally she flees to the home of her neighbor Miss Tillie, who lives in a warm and welcoming home. MacKenzie pours her heart to her compassionate friend.
"I need help with my hair. Folks have been poking fun of my hair since I was little...Mama tried to fix it, but the truth is, she doesn’t know what to do with it."
Following a gentle shampoo and careful combing, Miss Tillie invites her young guest outside to enjoy her garden. Years of thoughtful planning, cultivation, and nurturing have resulted in a retreat that is a filled with a variety of lush and vibrant landscaping.  
MacKenzie discovers the similarities between caring for a garden and caring for her crowning glory.
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​Cozbi A. Cabrera has created a lovely picture book celebrating the magnificence of natural black hair. In addition to the narrative, she thoughtfully includes helpful hair care tips, along with suggestions for self-improvement and personal development.
​Recipes for Herbal infusion Rinse and Moisturizing Shea Butter include directions on proper application.
My Hair is a Garden is more than a story of self-acceptance, more than a set of platitudes. It offers a positive approach and realistic advice. When hair receives attentive care, it is indeed "beauty wrapped in a song."
My hair is a garden and I take care of it.
My words and thoughts are like seeds that I plant.
I say and I think beautiful.

For the Love of Hair

Picture books celebrating the glories of natural black hair.
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Bonus

Cozbi A. Cabrera's creative talents are not limited to artistry with words and pictures.  She is a very talented seamstress, doll maker, and fashion designer. 
​Take a look at some of her creations.
Be sure to view her beautiful handcrafted dolls, featured in Country Living.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: April 1, 2018  Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company  ISBN: 978-0807509234
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Travels with Bicycle

6/5/2018

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The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle by Christina Uss

You never know what's around the next corner,or across the next state line, right?
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Sister Wanda discovers something unusual amid the  Mostly Silent Monastery construction clutter: a silent little girl with no name and no past.  Wearing a shirt emblazoned with the word BICYCLE, she is appropriately given the name Bicycle.  Our young heroine takes to the monastic life, spending her days intently listening and studying.  Her fortune changes the day that she accompanies the monks into town and discovers her namesake, a discarded bike. Scraping together all her loose change, Bicycle becomes the proud owner of the two-wheeler, christened Clunk.
Sister Wanda is concerned because her young charge lacks youthful companions and enrolls Bicycle in the Friendship Factory’s camp. Determined to escape from the well-meaning intentions of Sister Wanda, Bicycle decides to bike from Washington D.C to San Francisco to meet her cycling hero Zbig.
...you can take heart. It gets easier. And its's worth the effort.
Her epic cycling journey west is replete with ups and downs: a herd of stampeding pigs in Missouri, heat exhaustion in the Nevada desert, and the arduous scaling of the Rocky Mountains. Along the way she encounters the ghost of a young man killed in the Civil War who longs to return to his hometown of Green Marsh, a race horse named Cannibal, and the inventor of Wheels of Fortune 713-J, a fantastic bike equipped with everything from a climate-controlled tent to missile launchers. 
​​I won't give up hope without a dozen-cookie consideration first.
There is a lot of food in this book.  A cookie lady dispenses quantities of cookies along with sage advice. Paradise Pies features a constantly changing variety of hand-held pastry pockets encasing fillings such as tapioca muffin and chicken noodle.  SlowDown Cafe invites guests to travel by horse or bicycle and enjoy regional fare such as rainbow trout spaghetti, tumbleweed lasagna, and elk chops
The fertile imagination of Uss is a wonder.  Who would dream of a ghost from the Civil War, inhabiting a bicycle and entertaining his traveling companion with Stephan Foster melodies?  Who would have envisioned a bike with a sophisticated artificial intelligence system that can dispense restorative care to the rider and print cash?  
​​I've paddled as hard as I can in the river of luck.
Bicycle is a sparkling young protagonist, filled with equal parts, determination, imagination, and fear.
​​I still have my chance to do this my way...3,720 to 1 though it may be.
Several underlying themes are woven throughout the narrative: the part that luck plays in our lives, the importance of staying the course when the odds are stacked against you, and the need to find one's own way even when it goes against prevailing wisdom.
Cookies do help put a sweeter perspective on things.
The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle is an inventive and heart-warming novel for middle grade readers that is not-to-be-missed. A Sunflower Seed Burger to Christina Uss for this stellar debut. A scoop of Praline Scramble ice cream to Margaret Ferguson on the publication of her maiden novel for her new Holiday House imprint.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: June 5, 2018  Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books  ISBN: 978-0823440078
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Brave Little Dove

5/29/2018

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Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring
​by Angela Cervantes

"You’re like a true-blue Fridanista!”
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Paloma Marque is spending the month of June in Mexico City. While her mother pursues advanced studies, she can become acquainted with the city, language, and culture of her deceased father. Initially she is reluctant to leave behind her US friends, but she soon becomes captivated with her father’s native city, a handsome boy, the art of Frida Kahlo, and the mysterious disappearance of a jeweled ring.
With the help of two friends, Paloma goes in search of the missing ring. She finds herself caught up in a series of dangerous situations involving some nefarious individuals. Paloma summons up the deductive skills and courage of her favorite fictional detective Lulu Pennywhistle. She plots a strategy to recover the missing ring and return it to its rightful owner.
”Okay,”  Paloma said to herself. “I just need to Lulu up and do this.”
Spanish phrases, art history, and Mexican culture are seamlessly woven into the adventure. The narrative often provides context clues, rather than direct English translations for these phrases.
Danger, hidden identities, and a secret system for passing information heighten the suspense. Angela Cervantes includes enough red herrings and plot twists to keep readers guessing. ​It’s easy be intrigued with this young sleuth’s escapades. Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring is a delicious blend of adventure and mystery. Let's hope that this sassy, savvy young Lantina detective will return with more puzzles to solve and secrets to uncover.

Faces of Frida: "​I paint myself"

Frida was famous for her self portraits. She once said she painted self-portraits because she knew berself best.
Paloma is fascinated with the number of Kahlo self-portraits and wonders why the artist chose to use herself as a subject in much of her work.  
In response to her daughter's observation, mom points out that these paintings might be considered the equivalent to today's selfies.
A large percentage of Frida's portraits portray her with hair tightly braided and pinned on top of her head. I like the paintings featuring her hair unbound and flowing free. I see her natural unaffected face in these images.

La Casa Azul

Explore La Casa Azul (The Blue House) with a virtual tour The Faces of Frida ​online collection available via Google Arts & Culture allows visitors to experience a unique perspective into the life and work of Frida Kahlo. It is possible to view a sweeping panorama or to zoom in and examine small details of three spaces from her home in Coyoacán​.
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View studio, dining room, or garden.
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Review copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: March 27, 2018   Publisher: Scholastic Press   ISBN: ​978-1338159318
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Soul of Invention

5/15/2018

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Calling All Minds ​​by Temple Grandin with Betsy Lerner

How to Think and Create Like an Inventor

"if you want to create, you need to take things apart and put them back together with your own hands."
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Calling All Minds is an intriguing mix of inventor mini-biographies, images of registered inventions from the U.S. Patent office, and step-by step project instructions for youngsters.  Grandin frames all these elements within a running narrative describing her personal journey of discovery.  She introduces readers to her thinking process, her experiments with various concepts, and schematic drawings of her creations. 
"There is no better way to start than by making things of your own design. All the projects I made when I was young contributed to the inventions I've made throughout my life. And they have given my life meaning. I hope these projects and the ones you create will do the same for you."
The book is organized into five general sections: "Things Made of Paper," "Levers and Pulleys," "Things Made of Wood," "Things That Fly", and "Optical Illusions." Each section includes a cornucopia of material that is loosely connected. Like the discovery process, they do not flow in a strict linear fashion, instead inviting moments of serendipity along the way.
"Things Made of Paper" chapter callout boxes contain a plethora of STEM-related components. Readers will find brief introductions to the history of these inventions: moveable type, the typewriter, Liquid Paper, scissors, and Crayola crayons. Bonus material includes an explanation of the term QWERTY and a discussion of the Fibonacci "golden ratio."  Makers are treated to directions for creating Handmade Paper, Paper Snowflakes, a Crystal Snowflake, a Kaleidoscope, and Water Bombs.
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A treasure trove for the curious, creatives, tinkerers, inventors, makers and problem-solvers.  It will find a place in libraries, classrooms, after school programs, summer camps, scout troops, homeschool curriculum, professional development collections, as well as personal and family bookshelves. 
"I observed a situation that needed to be fixed...I could see in my mind how to do that. Then I learned how to draft and communicate my ideas. And that, as far as I can tell is the soul of invention."
Review based on copy provided by the publisher.
​Pub date: May 15,  2018       Publisher: Philomel Books    ISBN: 978-1524738204
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Bold and Brave

5/8/2018

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Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

"I thought hope had vanished. But hope was a tricky thing."
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Amal, oldest daughter of a Pakistani farmer who raises sugar cane and oranges, loves school and dreams of becoming a teacher. She is a bold young girl and one day makes the fatal mistake of publicly defying Jawad Sahib,son of the village's powerful landlord.
He extracts his vengeance. Amal is removed from her home and family and is impressed into indentured servitude. She becomes the personal servant to Nasreen Baji, wife of overlord Khan Sahib and mother of the man she boldly withstood in the marketplace.
She learns of dark secrets hidden within the walls of the Sahib residence. With careful, deliberate planning, she is exposes the landlord and his son without endangering herself or any of the household servants.
Her courage saves the lives and fortunes of those closest to her and impacts the surrounding communities.
Aisha Saeed's eye-opening story of one girl's fight for justice and equality is stunning.
"No one would ever know it was a girl who helped save our villages.
​But I knew."

Additional Resources

Let’s Hear It for the Girls

"change, no matter how good and necessary,
​came with a price."
A terrific fiction/nonfiction book pairing is Amal Unbound  ​and I Am Malala. Like Amal, Malala Yousafzai was attacked as a young girl living in Pakistan. After she recovered from a gunshot wound, she began her tireless efforts to build schools and advocate for peace. She is the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. 
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Poetry

"Pakistan was founded by the dreams of poets."
Amal loves books and especially enjoys poetry. She treasures the works of Hafiz, a fourteenth century Persian poet.  Many of his poems explore the essence of love.  His poetic expressions are often quoted and frequently appear as proverbs. Here a few quotes on display in Etsy shops.
Review based on uncorrected text copy.
​Pub date: May 8, 2018  Publisher: ​Nancy Paulsen Books  ISBN: 978-0399544682
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The Music in Me

5/1/2018

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All Summer Long by Hope Larson

”For the weirdos and the part time punks”
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Thirteen-year-old Bina is devastated when her best friend Austin decides to spend a month at summer soccer camp. She wonders: What will become of her? Will there be no fun adventures for her this summer?
With mom and dad away at work, Bina descends into a funk. Austin is pursuing his passion for soccer. Her two older brothers have moved on and created independent meaningful lives, including the imminent arrival of a birth to bless the family. Not Bina. She feels trapped.
A chance encounter sets her off in a new direction. She begins to hang out with Austin's older sister Charlie. Initially they connect because they share a love of music. Charlie needs someone to help with some chores and babysitting jobs. Bina is happy to be noticed by older-sister Charlie and begins to tag along. Eventually she determines that Charlie may be using her. Bina must decide what she want she is willing to do to maintain the relationship.
Bina wants a friend. She also must to be true to herself. The month becomes one of self-realization.
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Characters are presented with a deft hand.  Each is fleshed out with a distinct personality. Readers can readily identify with each one.  There are no "good guys" or "bad guys," just real people in real life struggling to define themselves.
"Lots of people spend forever looking for something they care about. Sometimes they never find it. But you already have, and you're doing it, and you're gonna be great."
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"You're more you every day."
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Many of Larson’s books have a mystical element and so I expected a bit of magic in this graphic novel.  All Summer Long offers a magical scene, but with a distinct difference. Readers witness Bina's transformation as she responds to music. It's subtle, but her joyful rapture is evident. 
​Bonus: Larson uses fingering for guitar chord progressions to signal the beginning of each new chapter. Clever touch.
Savor the delights of coming-of-age in this touching homage to power of family, friends, and music. 

Weird and Wondrous

Hope Larson conjures up more stories featuring phenomenal adventures for young girls.
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Mercury
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A Wrinkle in Time
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Who is AC?
​Review based on an electronic copy.
Pub date: May 1,  2018       Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux    ISBN: 978-0374304850
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What About Bob?

4/26/2018

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Bob by Wendy Mass & Rebecca Stead ill Nicholas Gannon

"You have a gift!  I think you're ...magic!"
  • Mass and Stead have taken the most ordinary of names and created an extraordinary character with a story premise that is intriguing. Bob is the magical tale of ten-year-old Olivia's return visit to her grandmother in Australia. It's been five years since her last stay with Gran. Known as Livy, she struggles to remember people and events from so long ago. There are people and places that seem familiar. Livy wonders how and why she has retained these fleeting impressions. Gradually, with the help of Bob, she pieces together significant bits of information from the past. 
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Who is Bob?
  • Bob is ten years old. He has always been ten.
  • Bob is short.
  • Bob has smooth skin.
  • Bob is skinny with knobby knees.
  • Bob is green, like the inside of an avocado.
  • Bob wears a chicken suit, with feathers that are falling off.
What's with Bob, anyway?
  • ​Bob lives inside the closet of Gran's upstairs bedroom.
  • Bob occupies his time with things located inside the closet: a Lego pirate ship and the dictionary.
  • Bob knows how to play chess.
  • Bob is a friend of Livy's.
  • Bob has been waiting five years for Livy to return.
  • Bob hopes that Livy will keep the promise that she made to him long ago.
I'm putting two and two together, as Dad says.
​Except it's more like trying to add the square root of seven and thirty-one to the fifth power.
In one sense this is a book like others by Stead: seemingly random pieces fit together in the most ingenious way. Words that are glossed over on first reading take on added significance when delving further into the narrative. Here are a few of the phrases that reveal key parts of the story.
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"But chess is not about luck," Bob says. "It's about recognizing the strength of the little guy."
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"Treats are always better when you save them," 
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"The small pieces are really easy to lose," he mumbles.
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The door swings open, and there is Bob, arms crossed tightly over his narrow chest. He is wearing my old tutu.
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"She put a book under her pillow...She said it helped her dream."
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I am going to have to think of something else. I sit down hard on the Sylvester rock. It wobbles a little.
This is a quick read. But don't let the scant page count fool you. It is brimming with charm and grace, humor and longing. And the ending. Ah, the ending. The final page totally melted me. Oh Bob, I love you so.
Review based on uncorrected text copy.
​Pub date: May 1,  2018       Publisher: Feiwel & Friends    ISBN: 978-1250166623
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Into the Woods

4/24/2018

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Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

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It begins with the cover. All the trauma, drama, insecurities of summer camp are perfectly captured in this image. She’s got the gear, all the gear. She’s got the uniform with requisite badges. She’s got the wilderness setting, complete with flags and tents and little critters.

​But wait.  She's got a look that seems to cry out "Help!"
​This is NOT at all what she signed up for. Not. At. All.
Vera had heard the stories of camp and was sure that a summer experience was what she desperately needed. With a great deal of coaxing, her mother relented and signed Vera and brother up for Russian camp. Certain that this would be the experience she envisioned, she set off with high hopes.
In a strange twist of fate, her brother who initially protested the idea of summer camp, instantly took to the experience and dived right in.  Vera, on the other hand was having a miserable experience. No friends, mean girls, unfamiliar routines: this just wasn't working out. Unfortunately, it is too late. Mom has deposited the siblings and Vera is stuck at a summer camp for children of Russian heritage.
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Anyone who has experienced the unique challenge of using the camp "facilities" will appreciate Vera's first encounter with the outhouse, known to these campers as "Hollywood." A midnight trek to the primitive, odiferous, and generally repugnant latrine is a never-to-be forgotten encounter.
Exploring camp, Vera finds a directional sign for Hollywood.
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Further investigation brings her to the horrifying conclusion: a
​visit to Hollywood is a dreaded necessity.
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Look at her face. It captures the range of her emotions and sensations.
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Kudos to Brosgol for predominantly featuring Russian culture. From occasionally use of Cyrillic alphabet, depictions of Russian Orthodox services and icons, and traditional foods, she brings her heritage to the forefront.
It was a little pocket of Russia, a familiar place in a strange land.
Russian camp setting notwithstanding, this dramatic recreation of real-life youth camp transcends a specific culture. Vera's story will resonate with all youngsters who feel different but want to be accepted and included. 
So you're making some friends, huh?
​...be careful how you make them.
​Vera Brosgol distills her memories as a novice camper in this engaging, visually arresting, emotionally riveting graphic novel for middle grade readers.
Come summer, tuck this book, along with a package of Skittles into the backpack of every young camper you know. Camp will be ever-so-much better when kids know how to Be Prepared.

Graphic Novels Go Camping

Gather round the campfire with these graphic novels.
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Brain Camp by Susan Kim, Lawrence  
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Camp Midnight by Steven T. Seagle Jason Adam Katzenstein
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Chiggers by Hope Larson
Review based on copy provided by the publisher.
Pub date: April 24, 2018       Publisher: ​First Second   ISBN: 978-1626724440
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What a Heroine Looks Like

3/27/2018

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Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

”Who are you?”
“Your worst nightmare. We're the Pandavas.”
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Full disclosure. I resisted reading this book. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed Riordan’s the Olympians series. But if this was another "child of a mythological god" wanna be, I wasn’t interested. Eventually I picked up the volume, started to read, and instantly realized that I was wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. The first few pages convinced me. This is no weak Percy Jackson remake.
​Roshani Chokshi has taken the concept, turned it inside out, ripped out the old construction, removed the fabric, woven a new tapestry and created something fresh and sparkling. She has breathed new life into a mythological adventure for middle grade readers. ​After the first chapter, I could not stop reading. I skipped meals and didn’t want to put the book down to search for food. Reading was more important than a growling stomach. This book is that good! Here some of the reasons why Aru Shah and the End of Time captivated me:
  • The setting. India's mythology is a rich source of fascinating lore that is less familiar to me. Twelve-year-old Aru and her mother live in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture. Her life is steeped in Indian stories and artifacts, from the giant stone elephant she passes each day to 400-year-old sea dragon statue where she hides her candy stash, Aru lives in a world that promises magic. Readers are introduced to a cast of exotic gods and goddesses. Fortunately, Chokshi includes a helpful glossary. It is possible to enjoy the tale without referring to this back matter. Usually I would wait until I came to a stopping place to use the glossary. I didn't like to disrupt the flow of the story.
  • Humor. Chokshi peppers her narrative with liberal doses of pop culture. Aru, dressed in her Spider-Man pajamas, travels to the Court of the Sky, visits the Pool of the Past, and seeks the Kingdom of Death. Her trip to Costco resembles my ventures into the massive warehouse and at the same time is unlike any shopping trip that I have experienced. It's a place of industrial concrete, frigid temperatures, and massive lines of people.  Aru and Mini head down the aisle of frozen foods seeing "black bean soup, lunch rolls, pizza, bagels, pizza bagels, tripe, codfish, catfish, I-can't-believe-it's-not-fish fish.....frozen waffles, frozen pancakes, frozen stars, frozen wings, ...frozen prophecies, frozen orrereis, frozen gold, frozen..." you get the idea. Did I mention the chapter headings? They are so clever and snarky. It’s fun to read chapter headings such as: "#1 on Mini's Top Ten Ways I Don't Want to Die List: Death by Halitosis" "Bring on the Next Demon! Wait, Maybe Not..."
  • Parents are not perfect. Aru lives with a mother who is away from home. A. Lot. Her father, who has been absent from her life ,makes a startling entrance. He is the Sleeper. The bad guy. How could this man be her father? How could her mother have fallen in love with him? Why has her mother kept her parentage a secret?
This is a heroic tale. Aru learns that she is the spirit daughter of Indra, king of the heavens, god of thunder and lightning. Together with her newly discovered spirit-related sister Mini, she must defeat the Sleeper. If she fails to succeed, the Sleeper will reach the Lord of Destruction and time will end. The two sisters take upon themselves the monumental tasks of locating celestial weapons and thwarting the Sleeper's plans. Yes, there is plenty of action, adventure, and magic. But it’s basically a story of a girl who understands that she makes mistakes and that she is not perfect. Nonetheless, deep inside her are the qualities of a hero. Make that heroine.
To all those Rick Riodan fans who know every single character in the Percy Jackson series and can answer a bazillion Olympians trivia questions, meet a new heroine. Her name is Aru Shah and she has more exciting adventures in the heavens and earth than you could possibly dream. (Paraphrasing Shakespeare) Bonus: Aru has another book coming soon. Look for Aru Shah and the Song of Death.
”You will never be hero. You were never meant to be a hero.​”
“I already am. And it's not hero...It's heroine.”
Review based on uncorrected text copy.
Pub date: March 27, 2018       Publisher: ​Rick Riordan Presents     ISBN: 978-1368012355
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Creatures Great & Small

3/23/2018

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The Creature of the Pines by Adam Gidwitz ill Hatem Aly

Created by Jesse Casey, Adam Gidwitz, and Chris Smith

Can we start with the ring?
This ring is the finger adornment that dreams are made of. 
     Defende Fabulos Defend the Imaginary
     Potege Mythica​ Protect the Mythical
Just think of it. ​It is noble. It speaks of grandeur.  This is one amazingly cool ring.
​I understand that it may only be worn by members of the Unicorn Rescue Society.
​​Professor Fauna, sign me up now. Please.
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It's Elliot Eisner's first day at a new school and already he's feeling more than a little uneasy. The day is starting with a field trip. Boarding a bus with students he doesn't know, supervised by a teacher he has never met, and heading into the Pine Barrens of New Jersey does not appear to be a promising start.  Elliot and his new-found friend Uchenna Devereaux soon learn that this field trip will not be like any other school excursion they have experienced. 
A very strange-looking man, with hair that "stood up from his scalp like he was in the habit of kissing electric eels" introduces himself to the busload of students as Professor Fauna and promises them a dangerous expedition. "Indeed. Danger is the greatest teacher."
Then it happens. Elliot and Uchenna encounter a small furry blue creature, shaped like deer, with claws on its two front  feet and red bat-like wings.  It is a Jersey Devil, resident of the Pine Barrens.  Not only do they see this mythical creature, they carefully hide it in Uchenna's backpack. 
It will take quick thinking, skillful maneuvering, and an enormous quantity of courage to protect the Jersey Devil from danger.   One constant threat to any mythical creature is the nefarious Schmoke Brothers, of Schmoke Industries. Their motto is "Making the World the Way We Want It to Be." They will stop at nothing to track down and capture mythical beasts.
Gidwitz's storytelling skills shine throughout the tale. He immediately takes readers into his confidence, sharing Elliot's thoughts as he boards the bus "They think I'm a weirdo." He mocks the eccentricities of adults. Miss Vole spoke to the students “like they were in kindergarten… if her voice got any higher, only dogs would be able to hear her. “ He keeps the action moving along, with plenty of hints suggesting possible peril. Short snappy sections are delicious little morsels, enticing readers on to the next page, paragraph, chapter.
Hatem Aly's black and white line drawings match character descriptions. Yes, Miss Vole does indeed resemble a vole.  The imposing figure of Professor Fauna completely towers over the children with eyes that look "like death."  Elliot and Uchenna have over-sized heads, giving them a slightly cartoonish quality.  It's like watching TV, only better.
My advice for libraries: begin clearing a shelf for this series. I worked with a group of youngsters last summer who could not get enough stories about Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster. Mythical creatures fascinated them. The Creature of the Pines is the first in a series that has the potential to be a sure-fire hit.
One final note about the end papers. The decision to show the "Official World Map" with edited improvements by Elliot and Uchenna is clever.  Let's hope that this map will evolve as the series progresses. 

Stay Connected to the Society

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The Unicorn Rescue Society Book Tour with Adam Gidwitz
  • April 7 Book Launch 4-6 pm @ Brooklyn Pubic Library, Central Library, Dweck Center 
  • April 19 California 4 PM @ Copperfield's Books, Petaluma 
  • April 21 Cavalcade of Authors Washington State University, Tricities
  • May 21 Chicago 4:30 PM @ The Book Stall, Winnetka
  • June 28 Follett's Reading Con, Northern Illinois University Conference Center,Naperville
  • July 13 BYU Books for Young Readers  @Provo City Library at Academy Square, Provo
Meet Mr.Gidwitz
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Join the Unicorn Rescue Society
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Get Ready for a New Adventure
Review, images, and text based on uncorrected copy.
Pub date: April 10, 2018       Publisher: ​Dutton Books for Young Readers      ISBN: 978-0735231702
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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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