SLJ Battle of the Books: Self-Reflection

It's official: Fire did not rise from the dead. The Frog Scientist edged its way in which, I have to confess, shocked the hell out of me. Nevertheless, I fight on.

Here is my Fire quote for today:

[...]even if she sensed pity in the feeling of her
watching friends. The pity only made her more stubborn.

You know those passages in books that make you smile knowingly because you identify so wholeheartedly with the emotions of a particular character? Or nod appreciatively at a situation in a book...because you've been there too? That was this one for me.

As if my Fire-related, SLJ-Battle-of-the-Books-inspired quotes for the past two weeks haven't been the ultimate testament to my stubbornness...

I guess I have to pick a favorite for the final round. Not picking one would be like watching the Super Bowl without a team. Everyone knows you have to choose a side. Therefore, I'm going....

Team Marching Freedom!

Game on!

SLJ Battle of the Books: The Myth of Safety

As expected, today's Battle of the Books was fantastic: The Storm in the Barn vs. Tales from Outer Suburbia. I didn't have a clear favorite here - I love them both - but I was really excited to hear what Shannon Hale had to say. Mostly I adore her because her enthusiasm for books always shines through and this was no exception.

Here is my Fire quote for today:

Go safely. Go safely, she thought to him as he left the building and his convoy pounded through the gates.

What a silly, empty thing it was to say to anyone, anywhere.

Ah, this one hit home for me. Each reading of this book and this line has brought a different meaning for me.

The first time I read this, it reminded me of Kate McClelland and Kathy Krasniewicz. I remember before ALA Midwinter in Denver, I signed off all my emails to fellow attendees with "Travel safe and see you there!" And, really, who ever thinks twice about signing off emails like that? I certainly didn't. And it was awful afterward to think about how flippantly I said it - it was just a way to sign off emails. After their deaths, "travel safe" did indeed feel like a silly and empty thing to ever say to friends on journeys.

This time, I thought of Bug. Oh god, how many times a day do I tell her to "be careful" or "be safe"? It still doesn't prevent her from falling off counters or tripping on the sidewalk. The sheer number of bruises on her calves are proof enough that "go safely" is a ridiculous thing to say to her, or any child.

Which all comes back to Fire (I swear, it does). Cashore regales us with tales of flying raptors, wars, political intrigue, and people with special powers. And yet fantasy can have so much to say about the real world we live in. We read these stories because there is something escapist about them. Except when there isn't. Except when they have so much to say about the here and now. About motherhood, friends gained and lost, tragedy, love

We're nearing the end, folks. Tomorrow Megan Whalen Turner (squee!) is sharing her thoughts on Charles vs. Emma and The Lost Conspiracy. This is a little nervous-making, seeing how Megan is either going to lay the hurt on A Chair, A Fireplace, & a Tea Cozy ("Team CharMa!") or on Fuse #8 ("LoCo! LoCo!"). Hearts will be broken. Dreams will be shattered. But it's Megan Whalen Turner. I'll adore her no matter what, and I have no doubt she'll rise to the occasion.

Game on!

SLJ Battle of the Books: Color

Christopher Paul Curtis is over at BotB, deciding whether Marching for Freedom or A Season of Gifts will move on. I love his justification not so much for which book goes forward but because Christopher Paul Curtis is so succinct in his writing. You might finish his passage and feel he skimmed a bit...read it again. He says so much more.

So here is my Fire quote for the day:

And then sudden pain, blinding and brilliant. Fire wrenched her head and fought against the healer, against Archer's heavy strength. Her scarf slipped off and released the shimmering prism of her hair: sunrise, poppy, copper, fuschia, flame. Red, brighter than the blood soaking the pathway.

One of the things I love best about this passage? Read it aloud. I love the way all those colors roll off your tongue and somehow dictate the pace at which you read. There are many parts of this book that I have read out loud to Adam simply because I know they're meant to be said aloud.

Color is huge part of Fire. I mean, sure, it means lots of bright language about color - nothing is ever red. It's fire and flame. There's lots of shimmering.

But don't be so quick to dismiss it (or compare Fire and her devastating beauty to a certain sparkling vampire).

I don't know if Cashore meant to do this, but I feel like she used color as a have-or-have-not in this world she created. Fire and her father Cansrel had it, and their color is a source of power, which they use in vastly different ways. Those without their monster color are weaker and can easily suffer by Fire and Cansrel. Likewise, Immiker is a Graceling. With two different colored eyes, he has a special power over others that, again, they're nearly powerless to defend against. Color becomes a metaphor for power - some have it, others do not.

Just a few more days left in BotB! Tomorrow is the day I am STOKED about (save the day when Fire comes back from the dead, of course) - Shannon Hale is judging the match of the graphic novels: A Storm in the Barn vs. Tales from Outer Suburbia! It promises to be good, good fun!

Game on!

SLJ Battle of the Books: Humor

I liked today's contest: The Last Olympian vs. The Lost Conspiracy. Angela Johnson was very...diplomatic. The Last Olympian is fun...it's riveting...it's un-put-down-able. But it's not all that challenging...at least, that's how I interpreted Ms. Johnson's analysis. Where I thought she did an exceptional job was not being judgmental about that. She still heaps praises on The Last Olympian. In the end, though, The Lost Conspiracy won out.

That said, I'm just hanging in there for the Undead round, hoping my beloved Fire stages an epic comeback. Until then, here is my quote for the day:

Fire's tears were real now, and there was no helping them, for there was no time. Everything was moving too fast. She crossed the room to him, put her arms around him, clung to him, turning her face to the side, learning all at once that it was awkward to show a person all of one's love when one's nose is broken.

Love this. Just loved this. It's this tender, intimate moment...it's pivotal...and yet we laugh. Yes, a broken nose can be a hindrance when finally letting your guard down and showing someone your love. I've soooo been there, girl.

A couple days off..where I'm hoping to actually take a break from BotB blogging...and then back on Monday for Marching for Freedom vs. A Season of Gifts. And stay tuned for the graphic novel battle on March 30th: A Storm in the Barn vs. Tales from Outer Suburbia...judged by none other than Shannon Hale!!!

Game on!

SLJ Battle of the Books: More About Personal Strength

More controversy about today's BotB match: When You Reach Me vs. Tales from Outer Suburbia! People are upset because Julius Lester appeared to dismiss both When You Reach Me and A Wrinkle in Time on the mere basis that they're "time travel books" when, indeed, they're so much more.

This has been an eventful Battle of the Books to say the least.

I know I'm harping on a theme here, but this is the Fire quote today:

Living is too hard right now, he whispered into her mind. Dying is easy. Let me die.

Certainly overcoming adversity and finding inner personal strength are themes in both Graceling and Fire. And I'm always looking for inspiration so I'm naturally drawn to these moments in the books.

I will note, too, that I'm not giving anything away with this quote. You don't know who I'm talking about (assuming you haven't read the book) or whether he lives or dies. But given that my theme today is still personal strength, you can guess...

Tomorrow it's Round Two with M.T. Anderson judging Charles and Emma versus The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.

Game on!

SLJ Battle of the Books: Personal Strength

I'm thrilled with today's results over at SLJ's BotB website: The Storm in the Barn vs. Sweethearts of Rhythm - it wasn't an easy one to judge but Silvey is always articulate and her reasoning was just.

As expected, when I give myself something to write about on a schedule, I tend to drop some days. Nevertheless, I'm back with another quote from Fire that is just the sort of thing I need to hear today:

I'm not Cansrel; at every step on this path I create myself. And maybe I'll
always find my own power horrifying, and maybe I can't ever be what I'd most
like to be.

The quote goes on and I would share more, but I'm trying not to give away any plot points here.

But I love this quote..."I create myself." The idea that there is no past, that you have the power to shape yourself, to affect the quality of each and every day. Fire has inherited such a hideous legacy and I love this moment where she frees herself from it.

Waiting with bated breath for tomorrow's vote: When You Reach Me vs. Tales from Outer Suburbia!

Game on!

SLJ Battle of the Books: Love

Ooooh, Round 1 Match 3 was announced this morning, and I have to make note of Helen Frost's review: that is how a match is judged! And I confess that I haven't read either book...but her reasoning was just, well-thought-out, and intelligent. So much fun to read.

So today is a little different. I am sharing two quotes from Kristin Cashore's Fire*, both of which say a tremendous amount about love and relationships.

The first:

We're not lovers anymore, she thought at him. This is the thing I needed to tell you. The closer you get to me the harder you pull, and your grip is too tight. You hurt me with it. You love me so much you've forgotten how to be my friend. I miss my friend, she thought at him fiercely. I love my friend. We're through as lovers. Do you understand?

And the second:

You asked me once why I trust you. This is not the entire reason, but it's part. I believe you have shouldered a great deal of pain for the sake of other people. I believe you're as strong and as brave as anyone I've met or heard of. And wise and generous in the use of your power.

I love the first because it captures that part of romantic relationships that is so important: friendship first. And the second is such an amazing letter - who doesn't want someone reassuring you how brave and strong you are? And that they love you for being that? Seeing yourself through another's eyes...

Swoon.

I'm having a blast with BotB this year and I hope you're tuning in as well.

Game on!

SLJ Battle of the Books: Universality

I'll get right to it. I love this one. Here is the quote from Fire today:

She wondered if a person could be powerful, but inside be broken into pieces, and shaking, all the time.

Oh heavens, yes.

One thing I love about this book is that, even though it seems to be about adults, there's this commonality of emotion and human experience that makes it so accessible to teens. As a 30...something...parent, wife, friend, employee, etc., I soooo understand this passage. And you don't think a young teenager feels this way? Of course they do. We all feel this way.

On that same note, I sat on a bus with Kristin Cashore at an ALA Annual event a couple years ago, and I actually asked her (as it relates to Graceling), paraphrasing: "You used the term 'lover' when describing Po and Katsa's relationship. Do you think that...um...bumps it up to an adult level? Isn't that an adult sensibility?" To be honest, I actually don't remember Kristin's answer - I was too busy being embarrassed about the question. But it was there in Graceling and again in Fire - that adult sensibility.

But here is what I love about that: as an author, Cashore does not talk down to teens. For better or for worse, even if they don't understand the adult nuances, many teens know what it feels like to have (or be) a lover. They know what it feels like to be confused about sex and all its complications and implications. They know what it feels like to be shaking and vulnerable and scared...but capable of so much strength and power. Especially young teen women. This book is for them.

Think yesterday's decision was tough? Just look at the upcoming matches at SLJ BotB! Tales of Outer Suburbia vs. When You Reach Me?! Oy.

Game on!

SLJ Battle of the Books: Family

I don't know if you're keeping up with it or not, but Nancy Farmer put the smack down on my girl Fire today.

First, and foremost, I have to remember this is all in good fun. It is. It is, it is, it is.

Second, Nancy Farmer might get some flak for this vote. Not because Fire lost but for her reasoning.

Lastly, as I mentioned, I don't envy the judge that had to make this decision. It was not going to go well either way, I think. And, for the record, I truly enjoyed Calpurnia Tate.

So I'll just hope that Fire comes alive in the Undead Poll and, if you didn't vote, shame on you. Shame, shame. Hasn't recent history shown us how important it is to VOTE?!

In honor of today's BotB smackdown, I give you this quote:

It always struck Fire, the physical affection between these siblings, who as often as not were at each other's throats over one thing or another. She liked the way the four of them shifted and changed shape, bumping and clanging against each other, sharpening each other's edges and then smoothing them down again, and somehow always finding the way to fit together.

Well, if that isn't a wonderful, loving, happy tribute to the true nature of families, I don't know what is.

I'm going to finish up some work while I remind myself that BotB is all fun and games, which is true. But make no mistake that I have some very strong thoughts on how this match was judged which I don't feel free to express. So I invite you to have at it in the comments or air your thoughts on your own blogs.

Game on!

SLJ Battle of the Books: My Favorite Passage from Fire

Go check out SLJ Battle of the Books for the first elimination: Claudette Colvin vs. Charles and Emma.

Here is your Fire (by Kristin Cashore) quote for today (my favorite one):

And now it was the speed of Fire and Small versus the swarm descending upon her from the north and from above. Under her, Small was desperate and wonderful. He had never flown so fast.

When I first read this passage, the first time I read Fire, I gasped out loud. I do not exaggerate. The characterization was just gorgeous: this beautiful woman riding this leaning, stumpy, "small-minded" horse while these vividly colored flying monsters attack them from all sides, clawing and biting them. Small is the Hobbit of horses - he's determined and gentle and protective and loving. Don't even think of underestimating him just because of his size or his perceived intelligence. He is as loyal a companion as you could ever have, and he's one of the few things on earth that asks nothing of Fire. They have a true partnership, which is a rare and precious thing for her.

All captured in this brief passage. Brilliant.

Tomorrow's the day: Fire vs. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. Make the right choice, Nancy Farmer*!

* I certainly don't envy her this decision - I loved Calpurnia Tate, I did. And these are such different books - how do you even compare them? But in the case that Fire loses, you bet your arses that I voted for Fire in the Undead Poll so I'll keep posting quotes, hoping for a resurrection!

Note: I'm also tweeting this (a little) at #sljbotb.

SLJ Battle of the Books!

Let the Battle of the Books begin!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'll be quoting all things Fire by Kristin Cashore in an effort to prove the brilliance and superiority of the writing.

And I won't hold back. So here's the first heavy-hitter:

It had been easy once, taking Archer into her bed; not so long ago it had been simple. And then, somehow, the balance had tipped between them. The marriage proposals, the lovesickness. More and more, the simplest thing was to say no.

Why this one? Because in a brief paragraph, so many themes of the book are revealed: power, sex, love, feminism. So many teen girls are confronted with this dilemma - namely, the power they hold by the giving and withholding of sexual intimacy - but how many books for them really put voice to it? It's a scary power to have at such a young age, and it's moments like this in the book where I feel glad that Fire is in the hands of teenage girls (and grown women too, for that matter).

In that way, I'm reminded of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. When that one came out, so many reviewers (myself included) heralded it as feminist literature for the modern teen set. The same could be said of Graceling and Fire.

Likewise, I'm reminded of Megan Whalen Turner's work as well. Adult characters and adult themes that somehow still reach out to the teen reader. In Turner's work, the balance of power is such a prevalent theme. It's no wonder that teens are drawn to the works of Cashore, Lockhart, and Turner: teens feel powerless to change their world - they're beholden to family, teachers, and friends. These stories, though, demonstrate ways in which the balance of power is a subtle, ever-changing idea and perhaps they have more strength than they believe. Once again, I find myself wishing that I had access to these writers when I was 14 or 15.

And that's my Fire quote of the day. All my Battle of the Books quotes won't be nearly this long, I assure you, but it's a rainy miserable Sunday...I'm still in my PJs...a steaming cup of coffee beside me...it's the perfect time to wax poetic about my favorite book of 2009!

Game on!

2010 SLJ Battle of the Books!!!

I'm STOKED. There are no words. Check out the info here from Fuse #8. Also check out SLJ's post and use @sljsBoB on Twitter.

The books on the list are:

CHARLES AND EMMA

CLAUDETTE COLVIN

THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE

FIRE

THE FROG SCIENTIST

THE LAST OLYMPIAN

LIPS TOUCH

THE LOST CONSPIRACY

MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD

MARCHING FOR FREEDOM

PEACE, LOCOMOTION

A SEASON OF GIFTS

THE STORM IN THE BARN

SWEETHEARTS OF RHYTHM

TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA

WHEN YOU REACH ME

Last year's Battle of the Books was a blast, to be sure, but this year...this year, as opposed to last, I have a clear favorite. I know I should probably say The Lost Conspiracy is my fave since it's a Harper book and all, and I may find myself in a pickle for not claiming it as such.

But I cannot lie about books, and the book I'm championing is Fire by Kristin Cashore. Let's put aside the fact that I adore Kristin as a person and look at the book itself. In my mind, it's damn near perfect storytelling. I mean, Graceling was wonderful. But then Kristin showed us all what she was really made of with Fire. The world-building is rich and lush...but what I like about it (and what kept me interested) was that characterization isn't sacrificed or put on hold to create the world (this is a real problem I have with lots of fantasy).

I'm not articulating myself well, which is usually the case with the books I truly love (don't even ask me to tell you why Anne of Green Gables is my all-time forever favorite - I'll just start slobbering and muttering).

But Fire is my book and I'm taking it all the way to the Final Battle and Katherine Paterson WILL pick it.

In the meantime, as we get closer to the beginning of the battle (SLJ isn't giving dates yet, as far as I can tell), I'll post a quote from Fire daily. Just to remind you all how bad-ass it is and why it should win.

Out.

Lori's BoB Picks

So Lori sent her Battle of the Books picks.  Yeah, I don't see any way I can win at this point, given that she didn't pick Graveyard to go all the way.  Here are her picks:

FIRST ROUND:

Octavian over Ways 
Graveyard over Trouble 
Chains over Washington 
Arthur over Tender (Um, so I don't know anything about either of these, but Arthur has a MUCH better cover.) 
Frankie over Ship 
Hunger Games over Porcupine 
Graceling over Underneath 
Lincolns over Nation

SECOND ROUND:

Graveyard over Octavian 
Chains over Arthur 
Hunger Games over Frankie (This was a tough call and I could really go either way...) 
Graceling over Lincolns

THIRD ROUND:

Chains over Graveyard (I think LSP will go with the historical fiction book.) 
Hunger Games over Graceling

WINNER:

Chains!!!!

Jon Scieszka and I are in a fight

He totally destroyed my bracket. Check out the rest of the action at SLJ's Battle of the Books blog.

So Lori - fellow Queens librarian extaordinaire - and I are officially competing for a bottle of Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc...and, thanks to Jon, it looks like I'll be paying up. For the record, here are my picks:

FIRST ROUND:

Octavian wins over Ways
Graveyard wins over Trouble
Chains wins over Valley Forge
Tender Morsels wins over Here Lies Arthur (but I really want Arthur to win!)
Frankie over Ship (tough one!)
Hunger over Porcupine
Graceling over Underneath
Nation over Lincolns

SECOND ROUND:

Graveyard wins over Octavian
Chains wins over Tender Morsels
Hunger over Frankie
Nation over Graceling

THIRD ROUND:

Graveyard wins over Chains
Hunger wins over Nation

FOURTH AND FINAL ROUND:

Graveyard Book wins over Hunger Games

See what I mean? I'm completely screwed now.

Linktasticness: The Young Readers' Edition

I'll admit it: children's literature has gotten short shrift from me lately. I know, I know. It's just that, with all the bacon and wine out there, I was momentarily distracted. But I'm about to remedy that and give kids' books their due.

• Teen blogger extraordinaire, Miss Erin, has a new look to her blog. Lovely. It inspires me to change my look at some point, as I used the generic Blogger design when I started up. Someday soon...
  
• So this is late of me to be reporting, but SLJ has kicked off their 1st Annual Battle of the Books. BOB has their own blog, and Brown Bookshelf also had a great post about it. I've filled in my picks and I'm hoping my friend/colleague Lori will compete with me: winner gets a bottle of Casa LaPostelle Sauvignon Blanc - one of our shared favorites. Like everyone, I can't believe the Frankie/We Are the Ship match-up...come ON!


• I just got the inside tip - and hopefully it's okay to share - that School Library Journal will be hosting their first-ever Day of Dialogue (but they're spelling it Day of Dialog?) at BEA this year. It will be on Thursday, May 28th. Stay tuned for more news!
  
• Books of Wonder here in NYC is having a ridiculous amount of events coming up. I would love to meet Dan Yaccarino and, while I don't feel the need to attend the event, I do have to compliment Viking for Troll's Eye View: A Book of Villainous Tales : that cover is absolutely wicked awesome! Not to mention that the book is a veritable who's-who of children's and YA authors. Well done!
  
• I was forunate enough to meet one-on-one with the Director of Children's Publicity and Marketing at Chronicle Books recently to hear about their upcoming titles. It doesn't come out until September, but I am particularly excited about Creature ABC by Andrew Zuckerman, which is a concept book version of his adult title Creature . It's stunning and will appeal to a large age range - keep an eye out for it.


• At a publisher's preview yesterday, a couple of us were bemoaning the fact that we hadn't read anything truly exciting lately. What's going on? Even if I'm hearing buzz about the book, it usually has a cover that so turns me off that opening the book becomes all but impossible. Lots of meh. Especially in the middle-grade fiction department: I keep joking with my YA compatriots that they get all the good stuff! Picture books are faring better - here are a couple of the books I'm really excited about*:

- The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (Little, Brown, 9.09)
- Tsunami by Kimiko Kajikawa, illustrated by Ed Young (Philomel, 2.09)
- Birds by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek (Greenwillow, 2.09)

- Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas (Beach Lane, 1.09)

- Dinotrux by Chris Gall (Little, Brown, 6.09)

- Wink: The Ninja Who Wanted to be Noticed by J.C. Phillipps (Viking, 3.09)

• Eli, Peyton, and Archie Manning have signed with Scholastic to publish a picture book called Family Huddle. I'll admit it: I'm totally judging this before I see it. And so are you.
  
  

* Based on what I've seen so far. For instance, I haven't seen Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Gennady Spirin or A Book by Mordecai Gerstein yet. I also really want to see Redwoods by Jason Chin.