Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes Greenwillow Books, 2003 217 pages If you've visited your local library or bookstore this week, you may have seen a display commemorating Banned Books Week. Sponsored by a variety of national organizations, Banned Books Week is an annual campaign to draw attention to literary censorship and other First Amendment issues … Continue reading Banned Books Week: Olive’s Ocean
Girl Sleuths and the Boys Who Appreciate Them
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stuart; ill. by Carson Ellis Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2007 485 pages As a girl, I loved mysteries, and I especially loved Nancy Drew. Most of the mystery stories and TV shows of my childhood starred heroes, not heroines (think Columbo, Encyclopedia Brown, and Magnum). But … Continue reading Girl Sleuths and the Boys Who Appreciate Them
Popularity vs. Purpose
Babymouse: Queen of the World! by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm Random House, 2005 96 pages Think of comics, and what comes to mind? Superheroes? The Sunday paper? What about serious literature? Unless you're a librarian, or maybe a bookseller or critic, probably not. But, if you know where to look, you can find … Continue reading Popularity vs. Purpose
Read Like a Girl 