"Arrrrggghhh! A top ten list is impossible to pin down. As the saying goes, it's like trying to nail Jello to a wall. It's just so effing subjective." - Grier Jewell
That scream of pain was pretty typical of the emails I got when I conducted this poll. It's true too. On today's list you're going to see two titles that were not the first in their fantasy series. Is this a problem? Is it okay? Judge for yourself. You will see from the number of votes received, however, that even the second or last book in a series might be well-written enough for somebody somewhere to put it on their Top Ten.
It wasn't enough that I said to you, "Tell me the books that changed your life" was it? No, it was worse than that. When I asked you to send me your top ten children's novels of all time, I also wanted you to organize your adoration. I was saying, "Tell me how much they influenced you. What made the biggest impact? The second biggest?"
In short, rate your love for me.
So as we embark on this massive countdown, I would like to remind all of you that there will be many emotional humps and surprises along the way. There are heroes and villains here. I guarantee the in the course of the countdown you will see one book that makes you boo, and another that makes you cheer, perh...Read More
You know, under normal circumstances I don't lead off with a book trailer. But first off, I missed this one when it debuted in October. Second, it's just so darn professional. You could tell me that this was a Saturday morning cartoon series and I'd believe you. Is that Flash? Because it's darn good. My complimen...Read More
My prayers have been answered. If by "prayers" I mean "my desire to see out-of-print books rolling off the presses once more". And I do. Oh, how I do. The other day I happened to mention that The Cow Who Sneezed, a Jim Flora classic, will be seeing the light of day once more when Enchanted Lion Press reprints it. On my old blog is a sidebar that lists three books I would like to see in print again....Read More
In spite of having a poet for a mother (or perhaps because of it) I have never come to terms with poetry. Which is not to say that I didn't try. As a...Read More
Today, I compile the votes for the 100 Best Children's Novels List! I do, I do! That means I need to put up a l'il ole press release for an upcoming program in lieu of posting. *sigh* C'est la vie. Fortunately, it sounds like a pip. Please to note the following . . .
The Children’s Literary Café of the New York Public Library Children’s Center at 42 nd Street is pleased to announce our event on Saturday, February 6th at 2:00 p.m.:
Book Jackets: Conversations with the Artist and Art Director
They say not to judge a book by its cover but some people work hard to create those covers in the first place. How do they come about? What goes into the process? Who's behind them?
...Read More
Years ago there was a fantastic article in a children's literary periodical (Bookbird, maybe?) about the various translations of Hans Christian Andersen and how they affect your reading of the text. It really made me think about how we translate our children's literature. Unfortunately, I've never found the piece again. The next best thing? Book Aunt recently had up a very cool blog post called ...Read More
When I heard that author Rita Williams-Garcia had written a middle grade novel for kids I wasn't moved one way or another. I don't read teen books and that's most of her fare. Couldn't say I knew much of the woman's work. When I heard that her book was about the Black Panthers, however, ...Read More
The die is cast, polls closed, and the day is done.
And the votes? Not so much with the tabulated yet. In the past week I would get close, and then a new classroom of kids would flood me with titles. So I am afraid, my dears, that you will have to wait a couple days while I get these votes in order before I begin the official countdown. I know what the Top 10 are at this point, but everything below that is shifting like some crazy sea.
I can say that there will be surprises on this list. I can say too that each and every one of you will find your beloveds and also at least one title to which you cry, "OH, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS RIGHT AND GOOD IN THE WORLD WHAT IS THAT DOING THERE?" The finest proof that I have not tampered with yo...Read More
Crafting a Career as a Children's or Young Adult Author—Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
When: Monday, February 8 Where: Cervantes Institute, 211 East 49th St., New York City What time: 7 p.m.
With Brian Floca, Richard Peck, Jane O'Connor, and Marilyn Singer; moderated by David Levithan
Free and open to the public
What was it like to begin a career as a children's or young adult author 20 or 30 years ago, and what challenges do young authors and aspiring writers face today? A panel of distinguished authors will discuss issues of subject matter, book censorship, access to publishers, and book promotion. How did writers confront these issues in ...Read More
That, in case it is unclear, is Wes Anderson's acceptance speech given when he won the Special Filmmaking Achievement Award from the National Board of Review for the film Fantastic Mr. Fox. In the event that he wins Best Animated Film at the Oscars, one hopes for something similar. Thanks to ...Read More
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