My Dad's a Birdman by David Almond; ill. by Polly Dunbar Candlewick Press, 2008 128 pages David Almond is something of a Renaissance author. He does it all: plays, novels for adults, novels for teens, short stories. Across these genres and age groups, he's known for an eerie brand of supernatural realism that seamlessly blends … Continue reading Poetry in Motion
Courage: It’s not just for boys anymore
The Adventures of Isabel by Ogden Nash, ill. by Bridget Starr Taylor Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2008 32 pages Some of the best, most enduring stories in kid lit started out as improv. The Hobbit, for instance, started out as a bedtime story for J. R. R. Tolkien's children. Peter Rabbit first appeared in a letter Beatrix … Continue reading Courage: It’s not just for boys anymore
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 