Arcadys Goal Blog Tour & Giveaway

This week the Arcady's Goal Blog Tour kicks off right here at Kid Lit Frenzy with a review and giveaway. Check out the links for all of the stops in the blog tour and for a chance to enter to win a copy of Eugene Yelchin's newest book.

Arcardy's Goal
by Eugene Yelchin
Henry Holt and Company (October 14, 2014)
Audience: Grades 4 to 7
Historical Fiction * Soviet Union * Soccer
IndieBound | WorldCat
Reviews: Kirkus | Publisher's Weekly 
Teacher's Guide

Description from GoodReads:
From Newbery Honor–winning author Eugene Yelchin comes another glimpse into Soviet Russia. For twelve-year-old Arcady, soccer is more than just a game. Sent to live in a children’s home after his parents are declared enemies of the state, it is a means of survival, securing extra rations, respect, and protection. Ultimately, it proves to be his chance to leave. But in Soviet Russia, second chances are few and far between. Will Arcady seize his opportunity and achieve his goal? Or will he miss his shot?

Thoughts about this book:

In 2012, when Breaking Stalin's Nose won a Newbery Honor, I immediately went out and got a copy to read. It was fascinating to me to read a story set in the former Soviet Union.  There were not many novels that I knew of that seemed as accessible as Breaking Stalin's Nose and also gave readers some insight to life in the Soviet Union.

Yelchin is back with another novel, Arcady's Goal, set in the early 1940's in the Communist Russia. And as with Breaking Stalin's Nose, Yelchin finds a smaller story that will reach children while giving them some insight into what life would have been like for those living in the Soviet Union.  

For children with limited understanding of the time period and the significance of reporting others to the authorities, it is helpful to read first the author's note at the end of the book. I also find that both the length of the book and the complexity of the time period makes this book an excellent choice for a classroom read aloud. In addition to talking about the events happening in the story, and how children will relate to Arcady and his love for soccer, there are many possibilities for significant discussion.

I found as I read Arcady's Goal, I had a clear understanding of Arcady and how he took risks in an effort to protect himself and survive.  It was through his gifted nature to play soccer so well that other possibilities open up to him.  And though we often see Ivan through Arcady's eyes, we learn of the struggles and losses that Ivan has faced with the loss of his wife and more. 

If you have not read Breaking Stalin's Nose, I would certainly add it to your "to-read" list along with Arcady's Goal.  Yelchin's ability to write with emotion and  genuineness makes these must have's for the classroom.  Additionally, Yelchin's pencil illustrations add an additional layer to the story.

Eugene Yelchin talking about his 2012 Newbery Honor Book - Breaking Stalin's Nose

About the author:
Eugene Yelchin is the author and illustrator of the Newbery Honor Book Breaking Stalin's Nose. Bord and educated in Russia, he left the former Soviet Union when he was twenty-severn years old.  Mr. Yelchin has also illustrated several books for children, including Who Ate All the Cookie Dough? and Won Ton.  He lives in California with his wife and children.  
website | facebook

Check out the other stops on the blog tour:

10/6 – Kid Lit Frenzy

10/7 – Eat the Book

10/8 – Watch. Connect. Read

10/9 – Read, Write, Reflect

10/10 – Nerdy Book Club

10/13 – Librarian in Cute Shoes

10/14 – The Busy Librarian

Giveaway:
To enter to win a copy of Arcady's Goal, please complete the Rafflecopter form below. All participants must have a US Mailing address and be 13 years old or older. 

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The Top-Secret Diary of Celie Valentine: Friendship Over: Interview with Julie Sternberg - Blog Tour & Giveaway

I am very excited to welcome Julie Sternberg to Kid Lit Frenzy. I loved her Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie Series and excited about sharing Friendship Over with students once I wrestle it back from my niece who absconded with it the other day.  Thank you Julie for writing such fun books and for stopping by to answer some questions.

The Top-Secret Diary of Celie Valentine seems like the next step up in reading for your fans of Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie. Was it intentional to take this next step? And what was it like to write for a slightly older audience?

I wish I could say it was intentional. I’d feel like such a good planner! But I didn’t have a particular audience in mind when I started THE TOP-SECRET DIARY OF CELIE VALENTINE. I just wanted to create a story using the different writings in many kids’ lives: journal entries; notes passed in class; emails; notes scribbled down for family members; homework assignments; and the like. That structure is a little more complicated than the one in LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE, so it works well for slightly older readers. As much as I loved writing PICKLE JUICE and its sequels, it’s also been a lot of fun exploring a new format. I hope Celie’s diary, and the various writings she tapes into it, are as fun to read as they were to write.

Celie’s father received a punching bag when he was 10 and when Celie turned 10 her dad gave her both a punching bag and a diary. Did you keep a diary as a young girl and did anyone ever get into it and read it?

I was the kind of kid who loved the idea of keeping a diary, but never managed to actually do it. Now I wish I had! I’d love a record of my childhood thoughts and feelings.    

Friendships and sisters can seem like the most challenging thing whether you are 10 or well even as an adult. Were any of the scenarios in the story based on real experiences?

There’s a moment in the book when Celie is stuck in a long timeout after kicking her older sister, Jo. Jo did something bad, too, but Celie alone is punished. So Jo feels guilty. She writes an apologetic note to Celie and slides it under the door of the room where is Celie is having her timeout. Celie then slides an angry response back under the door. The girls continue to exchange notes this way, until the timeout is over.  

My daughters used to slide notes back and forth under their bedroom door, too, when one was in a timeout and the other felt at least a little guilty about it. I’ve always loved the idea of those notes, and the dynamic between sisters (both love and conflict) that they capture. My earliest drafts of the book started with that exchange.  

Do you have any special writing routines, and what is your writing space like (coffee shop, office, other)?  

I try to write between the time when I drop my younger daughter off at school and when I pick her up. I tend to drink a staggering amount of tea—iced tea and hot tea—as I write. I write in both coffee shops and at home, depending on my mood and the logistics of my day. Here’s a picture of my writing spot right now. Note the pot of hot tea, which I’ve already finished, and the practically empty glass that held iced tea before I finished it, too:

Are you working on any new books/projects that you can share with us? 

I just finished the latest draft of the second book in THE TOP-SECRET DIARY OF CELIE VALENTINE series, and I’m starting the third book now. I also have a picture book coming out in the spring. It’s called BEDTIME AT BESSIE AND LIL’S.  

What has been your favorite question or letter from a reader (either at a school visit or in a letter/email form)?

I once received this photograph of a big sister reading one of my books (LIKE CARROT JUICE ON A CUPCAKE) to her little sister. That moment feels magical to me. I can’t think of a better reason to write.

Photo Credit: Meredith Zinner

About the author:
Julie Sternberg is the author of the best-selling Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie and its sequels, Like Bug Juice on a Burger and Like Carrot Juice on a Cupcake. Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie is a Gryphon Award winner and a Texas Bluebonnet Award finalist; Like Bug Juice on a Burger is a Gryphon Honor Book, a Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards Nominee, and an Illinois Monarch Award Finalist. Formerly a public interest lawyer, Julie is a graduate of the New School's MFA program in Creative Writing, with a concentration in writing for children. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York. For more information about her life and work and to download free activity materials based on her books, visit her website 

Check out the other stops on Julie’s blog tour!

Mon, Sept 29     Mother Daughter Book Club    http://motherdaughterbookclub.com/

Tues, Sept 30    5 Minutes for Mom   http://www.5minutesformom.com/category/feature-columns/5-minutes-for-books/

Wed, Oct 1      Sharpread   http://mrcolbysharp.com/

Thurs, Oct 2    KidLit Frenzy    http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/

Fri, Oct 3        The Hiding Spot    http://thehidingspot.blogspot.com

Sat, Oct 4       Booking Mama   http://www.bookingmama.net/

Mon, Oct 6     Ms. Yingling Reads   http://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/

Tues, Oct 7     GreenBeanTeenQueen   http://www.greenbeanteenqueen.com/

Wed, Oct 8     Great Kid Books   http://greatkidbooks.blogspot.com/

Thurs, Oct 9   Teach Mentor Texts   http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#axzz3DP0vkvgi

Fri, Oct 10        Unleashing Readers     http://www.unleashingreaders.com/

Sat, Oct 11       Bermuda Onion       http://bermudaonion.net/  

Giveaway!

One lucky reader will receive a copy of FRIENDSHIP OVER: THE TOP-SECRET DIARY OF CELIE VALENTINE in hardcover (U.S. addresses only). Please complete the rafflecopter form to enter.

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Review and Giveaway of Rory's Promise by Michaela MacColl

Rory's Promise
by Michaela MacColl & Rosemary Nichols
Calkins Creek Books (September 1, 2014)
Audience: Ages 9 to 12
Historical Fiction * Sisters * Orphans
Educator's Discussion Guide
Indie Bound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
Twelve-year-old orphan Rory Fitzpatrick lives with her younger sister Violet at New York City's Foundling Hospital in the early 1900s. But when Rory discovers that Violet will be sent to the Arizona Territory to be adopted, her world is shattered. Although too old to be adopted herself, Rory--brave and smart--is determined to stay with her sister, even if it means hiding out on a train traveling west. When Rory and Violet arrive in Arizona, everything that could go wrong does go wrong. Will Rory give up? This uplifting novel about the power of faith and the true meaning of family launches the Hidden Histories series, spotlighting little-known tales from America's past, and the children behind those stories. Includes authors' note and further resources.

Reviews/Interviews/Giveaways: Kirkus | Kirby's Lane | Middle Grade Mafiaso | Mother/Daughter Book Club | Middle Grade Minded | Unleashing Readers

Thoughts about the book:
Historical fiction has always been my favorite way to enter into history. History can be fascinating when you study the stories behind the events. However, too often we make it about a list of events and dates. Not as fun, at least in my mind. 

Michaela MacColl has written several historical fiction novels and Rory's Promise is the first in a new series of Hidden Histories by Calkins Creek Books. In this middle grade historical fiction novel, readers learn about the Great Arizona Orphan Abduction through the eyes and lives of 12 year old Rory and her five year old sister Violet. When Rory's younger sister is going to be separated from her and sent out to Arizona to be adopted, Rory must act quickly. Though there was no known quick thinking 12 year old girls helping out the Sisters, the story still captures the emotions and general experiences that would have been part of the lives of children who had indeed been on an Orphan Train during this incident.

One of the things that I particularly found fascinating with Rory's Promise is the complexity of what was happening both from the perspective of the Orphan Trains taking children away from New York and sometimes from their families, as well as, the racial tensions and prejudice against Mexican families adopting Irish Catholic children.  As I was reading the book, I keep looking up information because I wanted to know more about this event in history that I had heard little of before reading Rory's Promise.  And any book that sparks readers to want to learn more about a topic or an event is great to include as part of the classroom curriculum.

The end of the book includes an author's note and additional resources. Though the book lends itself to further discussion on its own, there is a link above to the educator's discussion guide. 

Additional information about the Orphan Trains and New York Foundling Hospital:

National Orphan Train Complex

The Foundling/New York

Official Book Trailer:

About Michaela MacColl:
Michaela attended Vassar College and Yale University earning degrees in multi-disciplinary history. Unfortunately, it took her 20 years before she realized she was learning how to write historical fiction. Her favorite stories are the ones she finds about the childhood experiences of famous people. She has written about a teenaged Queen Victoria (Prisoners in the Palace, Chronicle 2010) and Beryl Markham’s childhood (Promise the Night, Chronicle 2011). She is writing a literary mystery series for teens featuring so far a young Emily Dickinson in Nobody’s Secret (2013) and the Bronte sisters in Always Emily (2014).  She has recently begun a new series with Boyd’s Mill/Highlights called Hidden Histories about odd events in America’s past. The first entry in the series is Rory’s Promise and will be published in September 2014. She frequently visits high schools and has taught at the Graduate Institute in Bethel, CT.   She lives in Westport CT with her husband, two teenaged daughters and three extremely large cats. 

Don't forget to enter to win a copy of Rory's Promise - Thank you Calkins Creek Books for sponsoring the giveaway. Participants must be 13 years old or older to enter and have a U.S. mailing address.

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Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - Be A Changemaker Blog Tour

I am excited to welcome Laurie Ann Thompson to Kid Lit Frenzy. Thought BE A CHANGEMAKER is not a nonfiction picture book, it is a nonfiction book for tweens and teens.  Enjoy reading Laurie's interview and also don't forget to enter the giveaway. 

What made you decide to write BE A CHANGEMAKER?

I always wanted to do something that made a positive difference in the world, but never felt empowered to do so. I thought you needed to be one of those “other” people, with the looks, the connections, the degrees, what have you. I didn’t realize until I was in my thirties that it just takes knowledge, passion, and skills… and that anyone can do it. I didn’t want anyone else to have to wait that long!

When you were a teen did you have a cause that you volunteered for or helped make a difference by participating in a group or organization? Do you have one now and have you been a mentor to any teens through this work?

As a teen, I often saved my money and donated it to various animal welfare organizations. I was also a volunteer Girl Scout leader for a Brownie troop. I’ve always had a soft spot for animals and kids!

As an adult, I still support animal and child welfare organizations, among many others, philanthropically. I occasionally donate my time to our local humane society, our school library, Eastside Baby Corner, and to the Youth Venture/Ashoka organization in Seattle, which also helped to both inspire and inform Be a Changemaker. I also participate in many other volunteer opportunities whenever they arise. I hope to continue to mentor teens through my connections with Ashoka’s Youth Venture, and I’m in the process of developing a program with the Girl Scouts of Western Washington’s awards program. I’d love to hear from other youth programs about how I can help add to their programming, as well!

BE A CHANGEMAKER is a great guide for motivated teens in thinking about and putting into action a plan to make a difference. However, I know some teens need more support or direction in order to get started and stick with it in order to be successful. What tips do you have for a teacher or an adult mentor to help build steps towards greater success for these students?

First and foremost, give them as much choice as possible! Guide teens towards identifying a problem that they will truly care about solving, such as one that affects them or someone they love directly. Then help them come up with a way to tackle that problem using their own existing passions (things they love to do) and skills (things they’re already good at). The foundation is strongest when you have all three (problem, passion, skill) coming from the teens themselves right from the beginning. This can take some time for introspection and self-reflection, but it will pay off in enthusiasm. Once you have those three key pieces in place, show them that you honestly believe they can make a difference. When they believe they can fix something they care about by doing something they love using skills they’re already good at, it will be hard for them to not want to jump in and get started.

If you could meet any person who has made a significant change in the world, who would it be and what are some things that you would like to learn from him or her?

Oh, that’s such a tough one: there are so many! Since we’re talking about the book, though, I’ll say Bill Drayton, the founder of Ashoka and Youth Venture and author of the foreword for Be a Changemaker. I think he’s really an unsung hero who is changing our world in dramatic ways every day. Through his vision of an “everyone a changemaker” world, his organizations are empowering everyone from preschool on up to embark on a lifetime of doing good, innovative, world-changing endeavors. His efforts are creating countless ripples of change worldwide, and those will continue to spread indefinitely. I’d love to learn what he feels is most needed to continue his mission and the ways we can help achieve it.

After BE A CHANGEMAKER comes out, what upcoming book projects do you have that you can tell us about?

I have a picture book biography called Emmanuel’s Dream coming out in January about Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, who changed Ghana's perception of people with disabilities. In June my first fiction picture book comes out: My Dog Is the Best is about the unconditional love that exists between a child and a family pet. And, I’m currently working on two ideas that have resulted from Be a Changemaker. Stay tuned!

About the author:
Laurie Ann Thompson comes from a family of entrepreneurs and small business owners. She has worked at IBM, Intel, and Microsoft, and she co-founded a successful internet startup. In addition, she has led a regional nonprofit professional organization and volunteered with Ashoka’s Youth Venture, which supports teens with big ideas. This is her first book. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. Visit her at LaurieThompson.com.

Check out the other stops in the blog tour:

Mon, Sept 8

Sally's Bookshelf  http://sallysbookshelf.blogspot.com/

Tues, Sept 9

Girl Scout Leader 101  http://girlscoutleader101.blogspot.com/

Wed, Sept 10

Unleashing Readers   http://www.unleashingreaders.com/

Thurs, Sept 11

Teen Librarian Toolbox   http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/

Fri, Sept 12

The Nonfiction Detectives AND Kirby's Lane  http://www.nonfictiondetectives.com/ AND http://kirbyslane.blogspot.com/

Sat, Sept 13

The Styling Librarian   http://thestylinglibrarian.com/

Mon, Sept 15

NC Teacher Stuff  http://ncteacherstuff.blogspot.com/

Tues, Sept 16

The Hiding Spot   http://thehidingspot.blogspot.com

Wed, Sept 17

Kid Lit Frenzy  http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/

Thurs, Sept 18

GreenBeanTeenQueen  http://www.greenbeanteenqueen.com/ 

Fri, Sept 19

A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust  http://www.foodiebibliophile.com/

Sat. Sept 20

Elizabeth O. Dulemba   http://dulemba.blogspot.com/ 

Teen Librarian's Toolbox is creating a free downloadable workshop guide for libraries and classrooms for the book that will be available on Laurie Thompson's website in late October.

Giveaway
Enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win a copy of BE A CHANGEMAKER by Laurie Ann Thompson.  Winner must be 13 years old or older and have a US mailing address.

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Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - Sequoia by Tony Johnston

SEQUOIA
Written by Tony Johsnton; Paintings by Wendell Minor
Roaring Brook Press (September 23, 2014)
Audience: Ages 8 and up
Trees * Poetry * 
IndieBound | WorldCat 

Description from GoodReads: 
Standing tall above the tree line, Sequoia stretches his ancient arms and gathers clouds to him. He watches as days, seasons, years pass by. His branches are home to owls and choirs of frogs. Beneath his broad canopy, a world grows.This is his story. Through controlled verse and luscious illustration, Tony Johnston and Wendell Minor do justice to the enormous figure of the sequoia tree. 

About the author: Tony Johnston has written many award-winning books for young readers, including Bone By Bone By Bone (Roaring Brook Press). Since her youth she has been devoted to nature. Mrs. Johnston has a ranch in California, where evenings she sits on the porch and gathers sunsets to her.

About the illustrator: Wendell Minor is the illustrator of over fifty children's books including The Last Train (Roaring Brook Press, 2010). His interest in nature and the environment has taken him from the east coast to the west coast and everywhere in between, most recently the majestic sequoias in this book.

An interview with author, Tony Johnston...well maybe some reflections...
In 1991, I moved to California and began teaching at a small school in Altadena. As I created my classroom library, I began with titles from various authors and illustrators, but I had multiple books from authors such as Lois Ehlert, Eric Carle, Tomie dePaola, Bill Martin, Eve Bunting, and Tony Johnston. At that time, I never imagined that I would meet one of these incredible authors let alone several of them. 

Around this same time as I was starting out teaching, Tony Johnston had written a poem about a very special tree, a sequoia, and filed it away to hopefully be pulled back out and shared with others when the timing was just right.  Twenty-three years later, this ode to one of our great trees ended up in a picture book with paintings that bring the words to life and honor and respect the beauty of this majestic tree.

Well, that picture book ended up in my hands, and I just happened to bring it one Saturday morning to a group that attend, which is comprised of librarians, teachers and some authors. One of those authors just happens to be Tony Johnston. Now how do you talk about a book when the author is two seats away from you? 

Oddly enough, at the break, Tony approached me. Someone had mentioned my blog to her and she wondered if I might mention the book on it.  I suggested not only mentioning it but also turning it into an interview.  Knowing that Tony was likely quite busy, I suggested sending her a few questions by email. Quickly, I discovered that Tony wasn't one for electronic communication, such as email. 

After working out some of the details, Tony and I decided to meet at one of her favorite restaurants for brunch.  We arrived around the same time and I discovered that this was more than Tony's favorite place. She was treated like family by the staff. Over a lemon creme brulee scone for her and waffles for me, we chatted about teaching, and children's books, and writing inspiration, and more. 

Here is where I must confess that I am terrible about in person interviews. I really despise turning on a recording device. It just seems to muck up the mood and hinders the flow of dialogue. So instead of an interview, this is more of a reflection of my time with Tony. 

During our meal, I discovered that Tony first started out as a teacher at a school about a mile from where I began teaching. I learned of her move to New York City and then Mexico as her husband's work took them to different places. As a result of her time in Mexico, Tony's quite fluent in Spanish and you can see how it has influenced many of her books. 

I was curious about what it was like to work with some of the most amazing illustrators. She has been paired with Yuyi Morales, Tomi dePaola, Raúl Colón, Ed Young, Tony Di Terlizzi and many more. However, it was the story of reaching out to Jeanette Winter to illustrate Day of the Dead that was most special.  Tony refused to take "no" because she just knew that Jeanette was the right illustrator for that book.

Some day, I want to see the place where Tony stores all of her book ideas. I can imagine that a career spanning 40 years would have resulted in twice or three times as many stories still to be told than what has made it to printed form. Though I won't reveal any of the ideas that were tossed around during our time together, I already know that I am going to be eagerly anticipating a few of them.

Of course, we had to discuss her latest books Winter is Coming illustrated by Jim Lamarche and Sequoia illustrated by Wendell Minor.  I was curious about her favorite painting from Sequoia.

I shared with her how powerful the image of the fire sweeping through the forest had been for me.

We both loved the image of the majestic sequoia in full winter coat.

However, it was the jacket cover that was one of her favorites (and mine).

I am more than thankful for the time that Tony graciously shared with me, and I hope that there may be more in the future. She is incredibly vibrant and passionate and it comes out in her work. 

If you haven't marked your calendar, by all means do so.  Sequoia comes out later this month on September 23rd. 

Note: All images used with permission by Macmillan Children's Publishing. Copyright 2014 Wendell Minor.

Giveaway:
Thank you to Macmillan, one lucky reader will win a copy of Tony Johnston's book SEQUOIA. To enter for a chance to win a copy of the book you need to be 13 years old or older and have a US mailing address. Please, complete the rafflecopter below. 

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Don't forget to link up you nonfiction reviews here:

Don't forget to link up you nonfiction reviews here: