21
Jun
Review: The Cats of Tanglewod Forest
The Cats of Tanglewood Forest
by Charles De Lint, illustrated by Charles Vess
Find it at: Your Library | Amazon | Indiebound
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (March 5, 2013)
Recommended reading age: 8 & up
In a nutshell: Take a glance at the cover of this book. Multiple cats, a fox, and something slightly magical about the glow coming from the forest and the reflection of the girl in the pond. Technically you’re not suppose to judge a book by it’s cover, but the cover of The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by Charles De Lint, illustrated by Charles Vess, won me over with a few of my favorite things.
“The magic is all around you, if only you open your eyes….”
Lillian Kindred lives on a farm with her aunt surrounded by a lush forest. During the day, in her time between chores Lillian runs through the forest to try and snatch a glimpse of the fairies she believes lives there. She also is sure to leave a saucer for all the stray cats that seem to hover around the farm and a piece of her breakfast biscuit for the Apple Tree Man, a mysterious old apple tree that she is certain s has a spirit.
One particular morning while wandering through the forest, Lillian finds a deer that she suddenly feels inclined to chase through the forest. After a long run she falls asleep under a beech tree that also happens to be occupied by a deadly snake that bites her while she slumbers. It would have been the end of Lillian (but it’s only the beginning of the story!), when the stray cats come to her attention. In her deathly delirium, she hears the cats arguing about whether or not to save her and when they agree to before it was too late Lillian is revived, but not as a girl. As a kitten.
Confused and upset, Lillian sets out to find a way to transform into a human again. Along the way she meets T.H. Reynolds (T.H. stands for “Truthful” and “Handsome”), a fox who agrees to help her. But what Lillian does not know is that to reverse her destiny means she will have to endure the consequences of her alternate destiny. A new path that could be devastating that would launch her into a new magical journey of reversing the fates.
The style in which The Cats of Tanglewood Forest is written, it could have been plucked off a dusty bookshelf of old fairy tales and folk tales. There is a timelessness that is captivating and effortless to read. Charles De Lint has previously paired up with illustrator Charles Vess for many books, including A Circle of Cats, a picture book almost identical to The Cats of Tanglewood story released several years ago.
The book I read was an advanced reader copy, so I wasn’t able to enjoy the illuminating illustrations by Charles Vess until I happened to come across the book again at my local bookstore after it was released. It reminded me of how much I enjoy color illustrations in middle grade novels, which seems to be rare and old-fashioned.
My first Charles De Lint reading experience and certainly not my last. The Cats of Tanglewood Forest is a novel that would work wonderfully as a read aloud or as an independent afternoon read outside under a shady beech tree.
Just be sure to watch for snakes.
Don’t take my word for it: “Charles De Lint’s The Cats of Tanglewood Forest is an unforgettable folklore brimming with magic, extraordinary creatures, and filled with adventure.” – review from Mundie Kids
Extras: For more information on Charles De Lint and the books he has written can be found on his website. To view more of Charles Vess’ illustrations, check out the Little. Brown Books for Young Readers pinboard.
Source of book reviewed: Advanced Reader Copy provided by the publisher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
image sources: book illustrations from abingdon360
30
May
Reading Together
***Reading Together is a sampling of books I’m currently reading aloud to L, my toddler daughter. Since I work in the children’s room of a public library, I’m always bringing home stacks and stacks of books to share together. Old and new. These are our favorites. Some of which have been read over and over and over again…. Times thirty. To the tenth power.***
This most recent list of favorite books we’re reading together is a doozy! And it doesn’t even include L’s recent fascination with ballet (which I’ve decided to clump together in a separate post). Themes this go around include, but are not limited to; whales, dinosaurs, primates, the night sky, and the act of being and the act of becoming friends. Don’t forget to share what you’ve been reading together in the comments below!
Here we go!!
If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Hands down my favorite picture book of the year so far. This duo always seems to make the most lovely books when paired together. Absolutely gorgeous prose and stunning illustrations! It’s been a regular in our reading rotation and will continue to be until we absolutely must return it back to the library for other children to enjoy.
Tea Rex by Molly Idle
We’re big fans of Molly Idle in our house! Flora and the Flamingo was so much fun, so I made sure our library ordered her newest book, Tea Rex, a book about sister and a brother and their especially extraordinary tea party guest. We’ve had it checked out ever since it came in. It also opened the door to L’s new “dinosaur phase”.
Dinosaur Countdown by Nicholas Oldland
As noted above, we’ve been checking out a few dinosaur books recently and came across this newbie. It’s a fun and simple countdown from 10-to-0, dinosaur style.
One Gorilla: A Counting Book by Anthony Brown
One Gorilla opened a huge can of worms. Or, well, primates. L is infatuated with monkeys after reading this book. Even more so than dinosaurs. After reading it a few times she was able to name the different types of primates depicted and can point them out outside of reading the book. The illustrations are stunning and I’m so happy it has come into our lives.
Monkeys, a Dorling Kindersley Reader
DK Readers are great! Since L is interested in monkeys, I purchased this book for a recent trip we went on. Great photographs and fun facts young readers will enjoy.
Monkey Colors by Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Particia J. Wynne
A simple book exploring the many different colors of monkeys.
Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett
Emily Gravett does wonderful job making books for preschool age children. This sing-song book about a little girl and her stuffed animal monkey has been read so often that L has committed it entirely to memory. Also makes an excellent storytime book!
Red Hat by Lita Judge
Red Sled was such a hit in our house ever since it’s release. I also shared it with my storytimers and it was excellent as a read aloud. When I heard of Lita Judge’s new book with the same cast of characters, I put an book request order in that day. Red Hat is set up in the same story style of Red Sled consisting entirely of onomatopoeia, and is about few curious forest creatures and their tussle over a red hat left out on the wash line. L prefers Red Sled to Red Hat, but I think they are both clever and fun.
The Gentleman Bug by Julian Hector
A darling story about a bug and his quest for true love which inevitable is found in a library. I personally adore this book.
Bunny Days by Tao Nyeu
A daydream-like book with a bunch of mischievous bunnies, a couple goats, and a bear brought to you by the author/illustrator of Squid and Octopus and Wonder Bear.
Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack
A darling story about a boy who wants to give his mother a birthday present, but everything he finds she already has. So, the farm animals convince him to go, “Ask Mr. Bear”.
Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books by Mary Blair
We’re HUGE fans of Mary Blair’s work, especially her concept artwork for Disney. I’m debating whether or not to purchase this book it’s so well put together. Highlights include her famous I Can Fly, Baby’s House, and illustrated depictions of timeless young people’s songs would compliment any child’s library.
Dream Friends by You Byun
Just by looking at the cover of this books, you can expect an exploration of fantastical color schemes and lots of them! A young girl has no friends, except for in her dreams. Can she open up and allow others to also be entertained by what she sees only in her dreams?
The Big Dipper by Franklyn M. Branley, illustrated by Molly Coxe
A very basic introduction to the stars above for preschool children and beginning readers.
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
A childhood favorite of mine. Hermit Crab searches and searches to make his shell home to his liking throughout the year until one day and many additions later he has grown and it’s time to move on. A fantastic story about working hard to get what you want and being able to give it all up when it’s time.
Play With Me by Marie Hall Ets
L loves this story and it’s also a storytime favorite of my fellow children’s librarians. One girl wants to play, but none of the animals she comes across seem to want to play in return. With a bit of patience and by sitting very still, the animal kingdom decides to open up to her before her eyes.
Trixie Ten by Sarah Massini
Another favorite of L’s, Trixie Ten is an wonderful way to get kids counting.
Moongame and Mooncake by Frank Asch
Also an old childhood favorites of mine, these two Frank Asch classics have been read a lot in the recent months. This is especially so for Moongame (which L prefers), although Mooncake is my reading preference. In Moongame, bear plays hide and seek with the moon. In Mookcake, he is curious what the moon tastes like, so he decides to build a rocket ship to see for himself.
The Little Rabbit by Pheobe Dunn
For some reason we are hitting a bunch of books I used to read as a girl. Like mother, like daughter? The Phoebe Dunn books feature photographs of the birth and life as a baby animal. This one is about about… well… a little rabbit.
Millie’s Marvellous Hat by Satoshi Kitamura
I brought this home with the intention of using it for library storytime during the spring, but ran out of time. Instead we’ve been having fun with this imaginative story at home! Millie walks into a hat shop and wants to purchase a hat she’s been admiring in the window. But there is one problem… She doesn’t have any money. So, the hat shop keeper comes up with a way Millie can wear the most marvelous hat of all.
Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni
A smart inchworm tricks a robin into not eating him by proving how useful he is for measuring things in one of Leo Lionni’s most popular picture books.
Hello Kitty What Will You Be A to Z? by Higashi Glaser
I have to admit… I’m not the biggest Hello Kitty fan. But L is, so we end up checking out quite a lot of Hello Kitty books from the library. This is the first one I’ve actually enjoyed reading with her. Hello Kitty explores different occupations by choosing one per letter in the alphabet. From artist to doctor to librarian to queen!
The Duchess Bakes a Cake by Virginia Kahl
Full of rhyme and silliness! We love the story of how one day a duchess decides to bake a cake.
If Anything Ever Goes Wrong at the Zoo by Mary Jean Hendrick, illustrated by Jane Dyer
A great read for a rainy day! A young girl tells the zoo keepers at the zoo that if anything ever goes wrong that the animals can stay with her. Well, when the zoo is flooded some familiar animals appear at her home.
Puffin Peter by Petr Horacek
The illustrations in this book are lovely and it’s a sweet story for preschool age children. Puffin Peter gets lost in a storm and a friendly whale helps him find his way back.
A Big Guy Took My Ball by Mo Williems
A new Elephant & Piggie book! Need I say more? A big guy takes a ball that Piggie found, and Gerald seeks retribution.
Ribbit! By Rodrigo Folgueira, illustrated by Poly Bernatene
A group of frogs are baffled to find a pig in their pond that acts like a frog. What could it mean? The frogs and other forest animals soon find out it is all an act of friendship.
The Great Lollipop Caper by Dan Krall
I was worried that this book would be a little over L’s head, but she loves it! Caper is loved by adults, but he wants children to like him just as much as lollipop. So, caper devises a plan to woo kids to his sour ways.
And that’s our abbreviated list! Don’t forget to leave in the comments what you’ve been reading together!!
10
May
Review: Genie Wishes
Genie Wishes
by Elisabeth Dahl
Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound
Published: Amulet Books (April 2, 2013)
Recommended reading age: 8 & up
In a nutshell: I’m 29-years-old and I love blogging. If blogging was around when I was in 5th grade I probably would have been all about it then, too. When I was in 7th grade I created by own zine called Yummy Fiction and Poetry. Lame, I would publish my own poems and poems of other girls may age as well as include book reviews. Lame, I know, but I loved it. You could say I’ve been attracted to editorial work and the art of sharing from a very young age. So, when I first heard of Genie Wishes, a middle grade fiction book about a girl who is chosen to be the class blogger, it caught my attention immediately.
Genie Knuckle is a smart, quiet 10-year-old girl who keeps to herself and enjoys hanging out with her best friend, Sarah. Little does Genie know that with the start of 5th grade, everything is about to change. On the first day of school, new girl Blair arrives with her fashionable outfits, makeup, and boy-crazy attitude. Genie’s intuition is red flags despite who cool Sarah says she is. On the second day, the girl’s homeroom teacher announces that their class is going to be apart of a new class blog program hosted on the school’s website. Both Sarah and Genie’s grandmother persuade her to enter, and to her surprise she wins! The theme for all the class blogs are “Wishes, Hopes, and Dreams”, so Genie and Sarah agree that Genie’s blogger name should be “Genie Wishes”. But when Sarah starts to cling to Blair, Genie slowly starts to fade out of the picture. Genie is also confronted with the social changes going on in her classroom, as well as her peer’s and her own body image (read: puberty). Lucky for Genie, she has a gift with words and channels her confusion or thoughts into blogging, and finds a voice she never knew was there.
5th and 6th grade is a rough age. Its when the growing pains really start to kick in. Some boys start to notice girls and some girls start to notice boys. Some just aren’t there yet. Bodies start changing and confusion is rampant. With all the changes and growth, people change and as a result friendships change. Do you remember that time in your life? I sure do. It sucked. And for that reason, I was so impressed with author Elisabeth Dahl and how she handles these changes going on in Genie’s life. Genie’s experience is universal and I think it would be comforting to readers in that age group going through very similar issues in their own lives. I adored Genie and I have a feeling tweens, especially tween girls, will enjoy her story just as much as I did.
Don’t take my word for it: “If I was a fifth grader now, I know Genie would be a character I would keep close to Margaret [from Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume] in my heart. Both would teach me about growing up and comfort me when I felt lost. Genie Wishes is a beautiful book that belongs in your middle grade classroom libraries.” – review via Katherine Sokolowski featured on The Nerdy Book Club
Trailer:
Extras: Learn more about Genie Wishes and author Elizabeth Dahl, on her website.
Source of book reviewed: Review copy provided by the publisher at ALA Midwinter.
30
Apr
Review: Hold Fast
Hold Fast
by Blue Balliett
Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound
Published: Scholastic Press (March 1, 2013)
Recommended reading age: 8 & up
In a nutshell: The Pearl family may not have much, but they have their books, their stories, and they have each other. Dashel, Summer, Early, and Jubie (Jubellie) Pearl are so close knit they came up with a nickname Dashsumearlyjubie. Father Dashel, also called Dash, is a library page at the Chicago Public Library, Summer takes care of the children and the family’s tiny one room apartment in Chicago’s south side. Older sister Early is just like her father, a lover of words. And little brother Jubie is loud and full of energy like most little brothers. Dashsumearlyjubie have big dreams for the future until the unimaginable happens.
Dash disappears on one cold winter day leaving the family frantic. Their funds are drained from their bank account, and without an income, no extended family to go to, and a startling break-in while the family is home leaves the family no choice but to check into a shelter. Throughout all this commotion, still no sign of Dash. Early suspects there is something more to the project Dash was working on which involved collecting and documenting rare books for the library, so she decides to investigate. After a series of coincidences and with the help of an old friend, slowly the mystery starts to piece itself together.
When I started reading this book, I was really into it. The wordplay, the Langston Hughs references, the mysterious disappearance of Early’s father that was somehow linked to the largest diamond heist known in history – I tore through the pages. But half-way through, I slowly started to lose interest. For me, the plot moved like molasses in the later half until the last 10 pages of the book, and was then wrapped up in a clean package with a bow on it and then it was over. It left me a bit unsatisfied. I did like that the majority of the book took place at a shelter. The life of the homeless is unfathomable, and I think it is important for kids and adults alike to be reminded of those hardships. The format of the book was unique and fun to read. I also enjoyed Early’s character. The hope and strength she possesses despite their situation, especially when her mother starts to give up on Dash or finding a job, and slips into depression. Her character is strong and her voice crystal clear.
Don’t take my word for it: “Another fine offering from Balliett, get this one into the hands of her fans. It will also be great choice for reading aloud in classrooms with its wordplay and strong African-American characters and family.” – review from Waking Brain Cells
Extras: Learn more about author Blue Balliett on her website.
Source of book reviewed: Review copy provided by Scholastic Press.
6
Apr
Review: Out of the Easy
Out of the Easy
by Ruta Sepetys
Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound
Published: Philomel, imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group (February 12, 2013)
Recommended Reading Age: 15 & up
In a nutshell: It’s the 1950’s and the United States is full of ambition. Anything seems possible. Well, anything for almost anyone. Quick witted, recent high school graduate Josie Moraine wants out of the Big Easy. Ever since she arrived to New Orleans with her mother when she was 7-years-old, her mother’s irresponsibility and well-known reputation as a brusque prostitute has left her marked by locals as part of the fallen crowd. Making friends at school was never a possibility, but she does have a few people who care for her. Willie Woodley, the madam at the brothel where her mother works, is quite possibly the closet thing Josie has to a mother figure. Rough around the edges and a straight shooter, Willie is a business-woman with little sympathy or time for nonsense; but she does have a soft spot for Josie, and makes it a point to look after her. There’s also Charlie Marlowe. A few years after moving to New Orleans, Josie’s mother used to have violent fits and beat her, so Josie started hiding out in a bookshop in the Quarter after it closed for the day. The shopkeeper converted a back office into a miniature studio apartment, and in turn Josie stared working for him and became fast friends with his son, Patrick. Josie has high hopes to break free of the social stigmas her mother has cursed her with. She dreams of moving far away from New Orleans to start anew at a prominent college out East.
But it isn’t that easy.
A potential murder is committed in the city her mother is somehow caught up in it, leaving Josie with tough decisions…
Nowadays when I read a book, it’s hard for me not to read it from a parent’s perspective. I fell for this book hard. It’s quite possibly the best book I’ve read this year. I read it within a few days about a week ago, and I am still disturbed by Josie’s mother. Her behavior towards her daughter was hard for me to stomach it was so unnatural. A ball and chain wrapped around Josie’s ankle preventing any forward movement, any progress whatsoever. I couldn’t help but become fully invested in Josie, rooting for her to succeed.
Although each character was full of depth and wonderfully written, Willie Woodley, based on the famous real life madam, Norma Walllace, was by far my favorite personality. She was always a few steps ahead and she always saw people for who they really were. In one of the very first scenes the reader is introduced to Willie and her house on Conti Street; the long red carpet, the green brocades, and the lamps with black crystals dangling from the shades. It was within the very first conversation between Willie, Josie, and Josie’s mother that Willie’s character shines and also lays the precedent of the Josie’s and Willie’s relationship throughout the book.
Colorful characters, a quick paced plot, with a flair for mystery and suspense, you too will find yourself cheering (or questioning) the complex decisions Josie makes in Out of the Easy . It kept me wanting more to the very last line.
Don’t take my word for it: Review from Wrapped Up in Books
Trailer:
Extras: Learn more about the novel at the Out of the Easy website. More about Ruta Sepetys can be found on her website. Her biography alone is a must-read.
Source of book reviewed: Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher provided at ALA Midwinter.
1
Apr
April is Poetry Month!
April is National Poetry Month! Exposing children to poetry has a myriad of benefits in creativity and literacy, even at the earliest of ages. You can never start reading poetry too early! To kick things off, I’ve compiled a short list of ways kids (and adults!) can enjoy learning about and engaging in poetry throughout the month.
Tomorrow, 100 Scope Notes will reveal a gallery of Spine Poetry to celebrate the month. Want in on the fun? Email your poems to Travis at scopenotes (at) gmail (dot) com. He’ll be adding spine poems to his gallery throughout the month. Here are Travis’ tips on making your own spine poem. I made the one above on a quiet day at the library last week.
Last year I created a variety of poetry themed storytimes throughout the month of April as a way to introduce different poetry concepts to even the youngest of children. You can read about the books read and the activities created in the following posts: “Poetry is FUN!” Storytime, “Poetry as Story” Storytime, “Poetry in Nature” Storytime, “Poetry is Music” Storytime.
Also check out this fun wordplay activity with Legos and the PoeTree the library kids made last year.
Want to learn about the Children’s Poet Laureate, J. Patrick Lewis? Or enjoy children’s poetry videos and articles about children’s poetry? The Poetry Foundation has a variety of resources both kids and adults will enjoy.
Scholastic has a great poetry book list by age for kids that’s worth looking over, as well as poetry writing activities.
Choose your state on the National Poetry Map to find local poets, poems, events, literary journals, writing programs, and poetry organizations via Poets.org.
I’ll be pinning ideas ways in which kids can celebrate on my National Poetry Month board throughout April if you need further inspiration.
How are you planning to celebrate National Poetry Month?
27
Mar
Review: Windblown
Windblow
by Edouard Manceau
Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indibound
Published: Owlkids Books (April 9, 2013)
Recommended reading age: 2 & up
In a nutshell: One of my primary goals when selecting storytime books for library storytime is to find books that will inspire creativity, and which can also serve as an excuse for infusing art education into reading. Windblown by Edouard Manceau does just that by prompting shape recognition and collage work at the very basic level.
The story starts with the appearance of a single scrap of paper and a grey circle. With each turn of the page, more shapes appear. The narrator (the wind) asks, “Where did they come from? Whose are they?” Turn the page and a chicken claims them, taking form using the various shapes. Turn the page again and a fish, also illustrated with the shapes, claims they are his. And so with each page turn, different animals appear claiming the tiny scraps of paper as their own. That is until the wind quiets them by blowing the pieces as hard as it can back into a scattered array they were before leaving the reader to make of them what he or she will.
Pretty cool, right? On the back jacketflap of the book there is a web address where the reader can download the shapes featured in the book, giving the reader a chance to answer the wind’s final question, “They’re yours now too. What will you do?” Windblown works as an excellent read-aloud whether it’s with one child or fifty, in a school or library, or at home. Kids will gravitate to the simple, unique format and the way in which the wind addresses the reader, prodding them to make their own creations. It’s a book that doesn’t just end with the story. It opens the door to creativity, play, and art.
Don’t take my word for it: “On its own, Windblown is pretty good. It reaches its full potential, however, when the concept of the book is translated in real life. I hope that happens often. Get your scissors.” -Review from 100 Scope Notes
Extras: Download this free printable activity from the OwlKids website to construct your very own Windblown creatures.
Stay tuned for my next blog post– I incorporated Windblown into library storytime last Sunday and used this activity as the post-storytime craft. The kids loved it!
22
Mar
Create with Maisy: A First Arts-and-Crafts Book
Create with Maisy: A Maisy First Arts-and-Crafts Book
by Lucy Cousins
Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound
Published: Candlewick (July 10, 2012)
Recommended reading age: 2-8
In a nutshell: It’s almost the end of March, and like many other parts of the country winter is having it’s last hurrah here in northeastern Kansas. Ice and snow and cold and slush, which means lots more time spent cooped up indoors. Recently, we’ve found one way to keep occupied, and with our favorite mouse, no less!
Create with Maisy: A Maisy First Arts-and-Crafts Book is a wonderful collection of crafts for children of toddler age all the way to early elementary school. From constructing houses out of cardboard boxes to making a food garden out of seeds, beans, and uncooked pasta, Maisy takes her reader through very simple simple steps with a short supply list for each of the seventeen crafts outlined in the book. Lucy Cousin’s trademark bright, primary color illustrations and the photograph examples of each craft are friendly and inspiring. I enjoyed how Lucy Cousins opens this book with a message for the grown-ups, emphasizing the fact that “making things is fun.” That if you don’t have all the materials for a craft, just use something else! And always be sure to use safe materials like non-toxic glue and paints.
For you preschool and library-types, Create with Maisy has great ideas for storytime crafts. In fact, I used the vegetable print idea as inspiration for Food Fun Storytime and it was a huge success with the kids.
A wonderful introductory book to arts and crafts, Create with Maisy will keep a child busy for hours, and is a gentle reminder for us grown-ups that it doesn’t take much to create and have fun.
Don’t take my word for it: “This will be a favorite not only with preschoolers but also up to second grade, with children who want to do crafts all on their own. The projects are simple and easily duplicated and changed depending on the materials at hand and the child’s imagination.” -review from Little Jean Library.
Extras: Here’s one of the crafts we made one snowy day…
Source of book reviewed: My local library!
21
Mar
Author Interview: Jennifer Rush (writing as J.V. Kade)
I’m so excited to host this exclusive interview with Jennifer Rush writing as J. V. Kade, author of the action-packed middle grade novel, Bot Wars! You can read my full review of Bot Wars HERE. Jennifer Rush lives in a little town on the shoreline of Lake Michigan with her husband and two children. She spends most of her free time eating ice cream and reading books. Bot Wars is her first middle grade novel.
Bot Wars Synopsis from Goodreads: “Twelve-year-old Trout St. Kroix has been searching for his missing father for the last two years, after his dad disappeared while fighting in the Bot Wars. The Bot Wars began after robots became so advanced that they revolted and demanded more workers’ rights, causing the government to declare all robots terrorists and ban them from the Districts. Trout never questioned anything the government told him–even when his own nanny bot was banished–until a vid he posts about his missing dad goes viral and new information pops up. At first Trout is wrenched his dad might be alive, but when his brother disappears, Trout learns nothing is what it seems . . . not even his own father.”
The world that Bot Wars takes place in is very different from the world we know. Yet the characters, like the main character Trout, are relatable to today’s reader. Why did you feel it was important to keep the characters so fundamentally similar to today’s reader, yet make the dynamic of the future world so different from what we know today?
JR: I wanted readers to feel like the characters could be them! Or someone they know. To make it easier to see themselves in the story. As a kid, that’s why I read. I wanted to put myself in the shoes of the main character. The princess gets the prince, and all that! But with Bot Wars, I wanted the world around them to, at times, feel like magic. That’s what the future is to me—magic. There are so many things still yet to discover. Inventions still yet to be invented. I just wanted to have fun coming up with a world that could potentially come true, yet still feel like an adventure!
Where did the inspiration for Bot Wars come from? How did you balance between present and future when writing?
JR: Bot Wars started with Trout. His voice came to me fully formed. The first paragraph of Bot Wars is what I first wrote, and for the most part, it’s exactly the same as it was when I wrote it. I think maybe one sentence was added. The story really started with Trout and his older brother Po who lost his leg in the Robot Wars. Usually all my stories start with the characters. They are the most important part for me.
You use analogies between the Bot War and the Civil War. Why did you feel that part of our history should be included in your fictional future? And what is the message that holds within Bot Wars?
JR: I tried to insert a few things readers might recognize, like the Civil War, to keep the story relatable. But, more than that, the Civil War, like the Robot War, was a war about freedom. I don’t want to get too much further into the parallels, for fear of spoilers! I will say this: Trout begins the story with the belief that robots are bad. But are they? Did they really start the Robot Wars?
You’re first books were both published within months of each other; Altered (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, January 2013) and Bot Wars (Dial, March, 2013), one young adult fiction and one middle grade fiction. What’s is like writing two distinctly different books regarding reader maturity level?
JR: I know some people outside of the industry believe that a writer has to “dumb down” their work when they write for children. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! Kids are smart! Really, the only difference between YA and MG that I’ve found is that you just have to have a little more fun with MG. Insert a little humor! Kids love to laugh. As they should! I also tried to make the themes of Bot Wars revolve more around family. When you’re that age, your family is more important than almost anything else in the world. You haven’t gone out on your own yet. You don’t have the budding independence of a teenager, or the total freedom of a college student. It starts with family.
I’m always curious what other families are reading. What are your kids’ all-time favorite books? What are they currently reading?
JR: My son, who is nearly fourteen, loves the Dragonbreath series, and the Wolves of the Beyond series, but he also devours manga. My daughter, who is four, loves the funny picture books. Like No, David, and Dragons Love Tacos.
What books did you most enjoy reading as a child?
JR: I loved ALL vampire fiction. Like Christopher Pike’s The Last Vampire series. And L. J. Smith’s Vampire Diaries. I devoured almost all of Christopher Pike’s work, though. But more than that, I really gravitated toward strong female characters.
I understand you’re not only a writer, but quite the photographer and have your own photography company. How did you get into photography?
JR: I upgraded my camera because I wanted to take better pictures of my kids. I’d always been into photography, but never took the time to learn about it. When I got my new camera, I figured I better teach myself how to use it properly, otherwise the investment would be for nothing. So I did. I taught myself how to use my camera in manual mode, which is the only way to use it, in my opinion! You get the most out of it that way. From there, I just fell in love. It was like the world opened up around me. Pictures are powerful.
Do you have a picture or two you’d like to share with us? Where and when did you take them?
JR: The first one is of my daughter! She’s my muse. And I’m not saying this because she’s my daughter (I hope?) but the girl is photogenic. She can’t take a bad picture. It makes my job easy. This picture was taken in a tiny field off a busy street. It says so much about her. About how adventurous she is! But how bright of a personality she is, like the red of her coat against the subtle yellow/brown of the field grass.
JR: The second picture I took in Arlington Cemetery. We took a family vacation to Washington D. C. last September. The kids were with my mother-in-law at the time, so it was just my husband and I. We were on our way home when we were driving past the cemetery and I said, “Can we stop please? I don’t want to leave DC without seeing Arlington Cemetery!” So we pulled off the freeway and went in, but it was late. They were closing soon. The sun was setting! I knew I wanted the sunlight in the background. So, as soon as I entered the cemetery, I ran. I ran and ran and ran all the way back to the farthest part of the cemetery, trying to catch the light. And I did. For a short few minutes, the light blazed over the treetops and the gravestones and it was perfect.
Publishing two books in less than three months is quite an accomplishment for a first time author. What advice do you have for budding writers?
JR: Write. Read. Read some more! Know the industry before you start submitting. Knowing where to submit, and who to submit to is half the battle. And did I say read? 🙂 Reading is one of the most important things for a writer. Read your favorite authors and take notes.
To wrap things up, I thought it might be fun to share a few tibits about yourself with your readers….
Five things you didn’t know about Jennifer Rush:
1. Can’t live without: A comfy sweater
2. Favorite place to read is: in my big comfy chair!
3. Most influential person/people: I’m picking two. Cheater! Hatshepsut and Cleopatra
4. Favorite word: Champion
5. Hidden talent: I can fold fitted bed sheets like nobody’s business
A BIG THANKS to Jenn for taking time for this interview! Bot Wars is on shelves today. For more info, you can visit Jennifer Rush on her website, as J.V. Kade, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
20
Mar
Review: Bot Wars
Bot Wars
by J.V. Kade
Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indibound
Published: Dial Books for Young Readers, imprint of Penguin Young Readers (March 21, 2013)
Recommended reading age: 10 & up
In a nutshell: Action, adventure, and a new author to put on your radar. Bot Wars by J.V. Kade, pen name for Jennifer Rush, is a futuristic, dystopian read, with robots and techie gadgets that would make anyone wish for a fast forward button to the future just to experience the world created in this wild ride of a read.
Just make sure you remember to breathe. It’s a full-out action sprint.
It’s been two years since the Robot Wars, and twelve-year-old Trout St.Kroix’s dad, a solider, is still missing. His “heart thread”, a tracking device chip that everyone has implanted in their heart, has been “offline” since the war ended. Bots used to be everywhere; Trout even had one as a nanny when he was young. Now they are feared and labeled as dangerous. Trout’s teenage brother Po lost his leg to Deeta disease, a byproduct of serving in the war. Trout likes to hide Po’s prosthetic leg just for kicks until Po threatens to take away Trout’s Net-tag, a keycard that gives him access to the Network (read video games), something no preteen boy could survive without.
In an attempt to locate his dad, Trout devises the long-shot plan of sending a vid viral on the Net in the hope that someone has information. It works. When Po learns what Trout did, he is furious – but for reasons he won’t share with Trout. Po orders the vid be removed, but it is too late. Still angry with his brother for the unshared secrets, the next day Trout receives a call from Po which says only one thing, “RUN!” In a frantic escape, Trout finds himself forced to choose between two paths; surrender to government patrolmen, or take the help of a robot he was taught to distrust more than anything else.
And that’s only the first quarter of the story! Any down time for Trout is few and far between. The futuristic lingo and phrases like “All geared out” or “Totally wrenched” are quick to pick up on, as well as the techie terminology. One of the most enjoyable elements of the story was all the different gadgetry, such as cars that can auto drive, links (modern cell phones), and my personal favorite, hoverboards (think skateboards, but they can fly). I tend not to gravitate towards science fiction. Realistic fiction, historical fiction, and fantasy are my go-to reads, but this book has me reconsidering a new reading life in sci-fi. Bot Wars completely won me over. Craftily written, relatable characters, and a clever, truly original storyline; I couldn’t put it down.
Middle grade readers who enjoy a heavy dose of action in their reading will, without a doubt, find themselves absorbed in this page-turner. The only problem for readers is knowing they’ll have to wait a whole year for the second installment in the series to come out in March 2014.
Don’t take my word for it: “This is an action-packed, cleverly imagined middle grade book with strong boy appeal. Hand this off to those who want futuristic books, those who love science-fiction, and those who would like reading a book about a boy who won’t give up hope.” -review from Heise Reads & Recommends.
Extras: Bot Wars map of the United Districts of America:
Visit J.V. Kade on her website.
Source of book reviewed: Advanced reader copy provided by the author.
