October 2013

Princess Posey and the Christmas Magic

In Princess Posey and the Christmas Magic (Putnam, 2103), first grade protagonist Posey is beginning to mature. In this book, the seventh in the series, author Stephanie Greene and illustrator Stephanie Roth Sisson masterfully present some challenging emotional issues for Posey to ponder. Not only does she desire for Santa to bring her a highly unrealistic Christmas… Read more »

Guest Librarian Historical Fiction Picks, Part 2

Historical fiction can sometimes be a hard sell in the library when placed next to an especially popular zombie/vampire/goth novel. That’s why a historical fiction book must be able to transport the reader to another place and time while also making the actions, thoughts and desires of the characters accessible and believable to a modern child or young… Read more »

Librarians Corner: Historical Fiction Picks by Guest Librarian Melissa Buron

I’ve always loved historical fiction, even if at the moment it’s a hard sell in the library when placed next to an especially popular zombie/vampire/goth novel. That’s why a historical fiction book must be able to transport the reader to another place and time while also making the actions, thoughts and desires of the characters accessible and believable… Read more »

Prisoner 88

PRISONER 88 by Leah Pileggi (Charlesbridge, 2013) In 2007, debut novelist Leah Pileggi toured the Idaho Penitentiary in Boise, Idaho. She discovered that the youngest prisoner incarcerated had been ten years old in the 1880s. Caught in a wave of disbelief, she was inspired by the boy’s story. She knew she wanted to write about… Read more »

HOW I BECAME A GHOST

 HOW I BECAME A GHOST,  A CHOCTAW TRAIL OF TEARS STORY by  Tim Tingle From Chapter 1, “Talking Ghost” “MAYBE YOU HAVE never read a book written by a ghost before.  I am a ghost…I should tell you something else.  I see things before they happen.  You are probably thinking, ‘I wish I could see things… Read more »

Odette’s Secrets by Maryann Macdonald

Based on the true story of a young Jewish girl living in Paris during the horrific days of the Nazi invasion, Odette’s Secrets is a poignant and thoughtful depiction of one child’s life and death experience. As is stated on the flap copy, “Inspired by the life of the real Odette Meyers – and written… Read more »

Odette’s Secrets: Interview With Author Maryann MacDonald, Part 2

Earlier this week, we learned about the real Odette on whom the historical fiction Odette’s Secrets was closely based. Today, author Maryann MacDonald tells ReaderKidZ more about writing this book. How long did it take you to write Odette’s Secrets? A long time.  I discovered Odette’s book in the autumn of 2006, and met Daniel,… Read more »