Happy Book Birthday: How I Became a Spy by Deborah Hopkinson

How I Became a Spy: A Mystery of WWII London
by Deborah Hopkinson
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers (February 12, 2019)
Fiction * Historical * Mystery
Audience: Ages 9 to 12
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
Bertie Bradshaw never set out to become a spy. He never imagined traipsing around war-torn London, solving ciphers, practicing surveillance, and searching for a traitor to the Allied forces. He certainly never expected that a strong-willed American girl named Eleanor would play Watson to his Holmes (or Holmes to his Watson, depending on who you ask).

But when a young woman goes missing, leaving behind a coded notebook, Bertie is determined to solve the mystery. With the help of Eleanor and his friend David, a Jewish refugee--and, of course, his trusty pup, Little Roo--Bertie must decipher the notebook in time to stop a double agent from spilling the biggest secret of all to the Nazis.

From the author of The Great Trouble, this suspenseful WWII adventure reminds us that times of war call for bravery, brains and teamwork from even the most unlikely heroes.

Quick Thoughts on the book:
At the end of How I Became a Spy, Hopkinson includes a “question & answer” section. She shares her inspiration as being her love for “mysteries, spy stories, history, and anything to do with London”. Hopkinson combines all of her loves into an engaging, fast-paced novel for young readers.

Blending references from Sherlock Holmes and quotes from the Special Operations Executive (SOE) Manual (a “British Organization that recruited ordinary men and women to conduct espionage”), Hopkinson places readers into World War II London in 1944. Bertie Bradshaw is a Civil Defense Volunteer and during an air raid discovers unconscious young woman. When he returns with help, a short time later, the young woman is gone. With the discovery of a special notebook, the assistance of Eleanor, an American, and his dog Little Roo, Bertie investigates the disappearance of the young woman, deciphers several coded messages, and stops a double agent.

How I Became a Spy takes the reader on an adventure into a world of secrets and mysteries. Though at times, the adult reader in me wondered how realistic it would be for two 13 year olds to actually get caught up in the world of espionage, my inner 11 year old said to ignore it and just enjoy the journey, which was good advice. I suspect that the book will appeal to a wide range of readers. The short chapters and the action keeps the story moving and will appeal to readers who like fast-paced writing. Others will enjoy the inclusion of ciphers and the opportunity to test out their own decoding skills.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is the inclusion of Spy Practice with actual ciphers. The first cipher is a Simple Substitution Cipher.

Additional ciphers include:
Caesar (Shift) Cipher
Atbash Cipher
Cipher Wheel
Mixed Alphabet Cipher

The answers to the ciphers can be found at the end of the book with some additional back matter including an author’s note, roster of terms, events & historical figures, notes, and a short question and answer.

To read an excerpt of the book, click here.

Check out the interview with author, Deborah Hopkinson on Read & Shine here. Hopkinson talks some about her writing and research process.

Look for How I Became a Spy at your local indie bookstore or community library.

About the author: DEBORAH HOPKINSON has written more than 40 books for young readers. She is the author of the middle-grade novels The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel; A Bandit’s Tale: The Muddled Misadventures of a Pickpocket; and Into the Firestorm: A Novel of San Francisco, 1906. Her picture books include Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt; Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building, an ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book; Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek, an ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book and a Junior Library Guild Selection; A Boy Called Dickens; and the ALA Notable Book Apples to Oregon. Visit her at DeborahHopkinson.com and follow her at @deborahopkinson

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Fact or Fiction

During one of the panels at NCTE ‘18, I asked the nonfiction authors about the process they go through in fact-checking their books. Each author assured attendees that they do rigorous fact-checking and that their editors and publishers also check the facts in their books. There was a confidence, an assuredness in their responses. Knowing who the authors were and what their backgrounds consisted of, I shared their confidence.

However, what happens when you discover that the information in a book is not correct? And I don’t mean just an accidental typo where the text mentions one date and the back matter references another date. Those kind of things happen. What I worry about are the bigger things that reinforce commonly believed information that might be outdated or simply false.

For example, if I were to ask the average adult or most 4th graders if all spiders spin webs, I would guess that they would say “yes”. I know I would have. Sure, those with a background in arachology, would know that hunting spiders or spiders that are members of the wolf spider family use other methods to capture prey, but that wouldn’t be me. A book mentioning that all spiders spin webs would be accepted by many without raising any questions. And yet it should be challenged.

In a recent conversation with a friend, with a science background, I discovered that this so-called trait about spiders that I had accepted as fact was indeed false. Now, let’s take this one step further, what happens when an author writes in a book that all spiders spin webs? If I were the reader of the book, I would accept what I read about spider making webs. My students would also accept it and together we would continue to propagate a myth. Do I believe that the writer intentionally tried to disseminate false information? No. There are some things that we think we know and don’t need to research. Just as I am certain that the author was not trying to pass off false information, I believe that most editors would accept what the author wrote without giving it a second thought. And yet, a nonfiction book containing this detail would be inaccurate.

As I thought about this, I struggled with what to do. Most elementary teachers that I know are generalists. Some may have a specialty area based on their own interests but we are trained to teach mostly language arts and math and a little of everything else. How do we know that what we are reading is accurate? Teachers are busy. It is hard enough to carve out the time to read lots of books each week. To add fact-checking books to my to do list seems a bit overwhelming, especially since I want to believe that all of the authors, editors, and publishers who create nonfiction for children also recognize how critical their roles as researchers and fact-checkers are to teachers, librarians, and students.

Currently, I am working on a series of lessons on deserts and forests. I am close to pulling out my hair. I am not working in my wheelhouse. As I work on these lessons, I am double and triple checking everything because these lessons will be implemented in multiple classrooms with dozens of children. Since this isn’t an area that I am a specialist, I am not accepting anything and questioning everything. The tricky areas come with what may be seen as generally accepted or commonly accepted facts that most people believe about deserts or forests. This is the blindspot. And this is the area that all authors, illustrators, editors, and publishers will need to address before sending a nonfiction book out into the world.

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…

Happy Book Birthday! - Bearnard's Book by Deborah Underwood

Bearnard’s Book
by Deborah Underwood, Illustrated by Misa Saburi
Henry Holt and Company (February 5, 2019)
Fiction * Bears * Animals
Audience: Ages 4 to 7
IndieBound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads: A charming picture book about a bear who discovers that to shine in his own story, he just needs to be himself.

When Bearnard gets an invitation to be in a book, it's a dream come true! But as he reads up on what starring in a book might actually entail, he wonders if he's not quite the right bear for the part. With the help of his friend Gertie, Bearnard discovers that to shine in his story, he just needs to be himself. With sweet humor, charming characters, and a gentle message of self-confidence, this is the perfect story for book (and bear) lovers.

Quick Thoughts on the Book:

“Bernard!” said Gertie.

“You tried to float. You tried to make a mess. You tried to let me eat your porridge. Do you know what that makes you?”

“What?” asked Bernard.

“Brave,” said Gertie. - Bernard’s Book by Deborah Underwood

I have been a fan of Deborah Underwood’s books for awhile now. However, I think I have a new favorite from her. I read an advanced copy of Bearnard’s Book several weeks ago. And I found myself getting emotionally choked up as I read the story of Bearnard and his friend, Gertie. As I prepared to write this post, I did another read through of the book and even though I knew what was coming, I found myself getting all emotional again. To me, this is the sign of a wonderful book. A book that even upon multiple reads causes the reader to still feel the emotions of the story.

I love how Bearnard, with the support of Gertie, decides to prepare for a book that he is going to be in. He wants to do a good job and so he sets out to “study some other bear books”.

As the reader learns more about Bearnard, we discover how hard he had to work to attempt some of the things he did to prepare for the book. My teacher heart hopes that as Bearnard is shared with students and that they will be inspired by Bearnard’s willingness to try new and difficult choices.

Around this time of year, I begin thinking about books I can read for Read Across America. I have decided to add Bearnard and Gertie to my stack of books for read alouds. I am hoping students love Bearnard and Gertie as much as I do.

Look for Bearnard’s Book by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Misa Saburi at your local indie bookstore or community library.

About the author: Deborah Underwood grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. She is the author of many books for children, including the New York Times–bestselling The Quiet Book. When she’s not writing, you might find her singing in a chamber choir, playing a ukulele, walking around in Golden Gate Park, baking vegan cookies, or petting any dogs, cats, pigs, or turkeys that happen to be nearby. deborahunderwoodbooks.com

About the Illustrator: Misa Saburi was born in Sleepy Hollow, New York, and raised in Tokyo, Japan. She currently lives in Brooklyn where she illustrates children’s books, including Monster Trucks, written by Joy Keller. misasaburi.com

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Congratulations to the 2019 Sibert Winners

Since this is my first time doing a Sibert Smackdown/Mock Sibert with students, I went into the Youth Media Award announcements with my fingers and toes crossed that some of the books that my students have been reading and considering would win. When I first, heard that there would be five honor books, I felt hopeful. However, as the honor books were announced, my hope faded. I had called only one of the honor books. Now, I was on the edge of my seat. Would the winner be one of the books we had read? Alas, we were not going to have bragging rights. Though I loved so many of these books, it was sad to not see certain books get much love and recognition.

I will say I recognize the hard work that the Sibert Committee put in to select these six books. Several of the books were ones that I really enjoyed and I was especially happy for Joyce Sidman.

The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award goes to the most distinguished informational book published in the United States. Last week, I made my predictions. On Monday, at the ALA Youth Media Awards the Sibert Winners were announced. Click here to read the ALA Press release for the 2019 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winners.

Here are the winners….

The Winner:

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science, written by Joyce Sidman, and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Honor Book Winners:

Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the Wild, written by Catherine Thimmesh, and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Spooked!: How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America, written by Gail Jarrow, and published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Highlights

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees, written and Illustrated by Don Brown, and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, written by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frané Lessac, and published by Charlesbridge

When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana, written by Michael Mahin, illustrated by Jose Ramirez, and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division

Congratulations to all of the authors, illustrators, and publishers.

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: ALA Midwinter and My Mock Sibert/Sibert Smackdown Prediction

On early Friday morning, I take off for Seattle for the ALA Midwinter Meeting. I am not ready. Seriously, it has been a weird January. I know once I touch down in Seattle and get involved in discussions and seeing friends that I will be completely excited but until then I will be practicing mindful breathing. If you can’t make it to Seattle, join us on Monday for the YMA announcements via livestreaming.

Mark your calendars for the ALA Youth Media Awards (YMAs). They will begin at 8 a.m. Pacific/11 a.m. Eastern on Monday, January 28, 2019. Catch the live webcast here and follow the #alayma hashtag on twitter.

If you have been following the blog, you know that in the fall, I did several Mock Sibert blog posts. You can read them here: Getting Ready for the Mock Sibert | Mock Sibert Predictions Part I | Mock Sibert Predictions Part II

On January 7, 2019, I kicked off a Mock Sibert/Sibert Smackdown with six classes. This is my first time working with multiple classes to run Sibert Smackdowns. For the Sibert Smackdown, each class received the 10 books in the image above. I created a google folder with all of the resources that I thought they would need to learn about the books and share each book with their students. The teachers and I met back in December to talk about the Sibert Award and what was expected of them.

During the first week, I ran around to six different schools to touch-base with each teacher and her students. I loved pulling out the books and seeing the reactions of students. Most of the students participating in the Sibert Smackdown are in grades 3 to 6. Last week, I did a second visit to check in and help with any issues that had cropped up. This is our final week and I am encouraging teachers to wrap up and have their classes vote.

Here are a few photos from the past couple of weeks…

I made it in time for a read aloud of Adventures to School, in one of the classes. I loved how the students were blown away about children taking a snow mobile to school. We don’t get any snow in Southern California so this was particularly thrilling to them.

At another school, I stopped by and students were putting together google slides on each of the books.

Another school created a mountain and moved the books up as favorites rose to the top.

Another school did a quick vote to narrow the books down from 10 titles to six. Some clear favorites are emerging. I look forward to hearing who there final winners and honor book choices will be.

Now time for my picks. I decided to use the ten titles from the list that our students are considering.

My winner is a favorite of many of the students:

Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere by Barb Rosenstock, Illustrated by Katherine Roy (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

My Honor Book Winners:

Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went From the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace, Illustrated by Bryan Collier (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books)

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Tracie Sorell, Illustrated by Frané Lessac (Charlesbridge Publishers)

What Do You Do With a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan by Chris Barton, Illustrated by Ekua Holmes (Beach Lane Books)

If Polar Bears Disappeared by Lily Williams (Roaring Brook Press)

For fun, I am doing a Sibert Giveaway.  Here are the rules:

1. You must complete a Mock Sibert post or a Sibert Smackdown post with your own predictions (or the predictions of your class) by Sunday, January 27, 2019 and add the link below and a comment in the comments section.

2. A Winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday, January 29th and announced on Wednesday, January 30th here on the blog. 

3. You must be 13 years or older to enter (or have a parent enter on your behalf). 

4. You must have a US or Canadian mailing address or if the book is available through Book Depository and they deliver to your country, please feel free to enter. 

5. Winner will receive a copy of the 2019 Sibert Winner (or if you already own that book then one of the honor titles). 

6. Special prize: If more than one of my predictions are correct, then the winner will receive a complete set of the 2019 Sibert titles (winner and all honor books selected this year). 

7. Please do not add personal information like your email or mailing address in the comments. 

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews or Mock Sibert posts below.