At Long Last...Summer

I think we've finally begun to get a taste of summer here in Olympia for the first time this year. Two solid days of sun in a row, and the rest of the week is looking good. Except for a few days here and there, it's been nothing but cloudy and cold since last September. I'd forgotten how wonderful life looks with a sky in it.

Yesterday found me at the Mushroom Festival, where several of us were handing out free books from the South Sound Reading Foundation (fortunately, we were upwind of the farm). Poor Booker, he was drenched in sweat after just fifteen minutes (actually, they were drenched--it takes a team to be a mascot).

Shortly after this picture was taken, Booker was dragged into the pirate's tent by some kids who beat him with their swords and yelled, "The bear has to die!" Kids say the darnedest things. What SSRF volunteers won't do in the name of literacy.

Actually, we had lots of happy customers. Like this one:

I was just happy to get away from the computer and be able to bask in the unfamiliar sun, surrounded by books and gooey kids.

And, the best news of all: I'm nearing the end of a couple big projects that have rocked me out of my thesis groove. Now I can finally get back to my other kind of writing, the kind that doesn't pay the bills, but comes with the best benefit package of all—a contented creative spirit.

YEAH YEAH YA YA

I'm not a big reader of contemporary young adult fiction, and I certainly don't attempt to write it, but it's difficult to avoid stumbling across discussions of new YA releases. S'okay. For the most part, I scan and move on, but lately I'm beginning to wonder if we will ever see an end to the "sultry lip" trend on covers. Considering who's writing the majority of these books, it's feeling a little...I don't know...To Catch A Predator-ish.

It's hard for me to articulate why someone like Ellen Hopkins can capture the soul of teen life without making me wonder if Chris Hansen from Dateline is going to show up with that messed-up lemonade of his; while others (say the creator of a certain vampire series I refuse to name) feel so very skeevy.

That's why I'm delighted to see that Medallion Press is launching a new YA line for teen authors, called Ya Ya. Here's an excerpt from an article in Publisher's Weekly, announcing the move:

“Helen Rosburg [Medallion's publisher] wanted to provide young adults with a voice, with the ability to tell stories to others in their age range,” explained Paul Ohlson, Medallion director of sales and marketing. “Instead of adults writing for young adults, young adults are writing for young adults.”

Hear Hear! Ya Ya!

I'm not suggesting that adult writers don't belong in the YA market (far from it!), but you won't hear me complain if the next teen romance is written by a member of the tribe. And you sure as shootin' won't hear me whine about the demise of lip-laden covers (please let that day be close at hand).

Great American Illustrator Month at Ripple

It's Great American Illustrator Month over at Ripple, the brainchild of illustrator Kelly Light. Ripple offers a way to stop feeling helpless over the assault against wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico by making "ripples" with small donations for sketch cards created by contributing artists. The proceeds go to benefit one of two non-profit organizations working to save animal victims of the Deep Water Horizon Gulf Oil Spill.

Today, four Mo Willems' sketch cards will be up for bid (at $50 each), beginning promptly at 6:30 pm (EST) and continuing until 8:30. Instructions are explained on the Ripple's site, so be sure to read through before contacting Kelly.

See you there!

Libba Bray Has Some Serious Ovaries

After reading countless tweets from ALA-goers who could never quite capture the moment (an impossible task), here is Libba Bray's Printz Award acceptance speech for GOING BOVINE.

Monday Review: Guinea Dog

GUINEA DOG
by Patrick Jennings
EgmontUSA (April 2010)
$15.99
Ages 8-12

No point beating around the bush on this one. Patrick Jennings latest book, GUINEA DOG, is simply the most delightful, laugh-out-loud funny read I've come across this year.

The premise alone is enough to entertain: Boy (Rufus) wants dog. Dad does not want dog. Mom compromises with guinea pig (Fido) who behaves exactly like a dog. Fido whines for attention, growls, plays fetch and keeps up with the big dogs like nobody's business.

The last thing Rufus wants, however, is a rodent. He wants a real dog, one like his friends have. And there's the real issue right there—the tender little nugget tucked inside this hilarious romp—accepting who you are, even (or especially) if it's not quite up to normal standards. Jennings takes the perfect approach to dealing with a topic that can easily be ground into preachy pablum. He makes a joke of it. An expertly crafted one.

Three things that make this story work like a dog:

1. The seamless integration of fantasy into real world. Without a single explanation for Fido's existence (in fact, the pet store from which she came has mysteriously vanished), Jennings manages to make us believe the reality of a guinea dog...to the point that I've been thinking of getting one. This deft manipulation of reality is no small feat. In fact, it's the sign of a master magician/storyteller.

2. Rufus and his friends are hands down some of the most well-crafted, fully rounded characters to strut the page. With very small strokes, Jennings paints such realistic characterizations, I know that I know these kids. They're recognizable without being stereotypes. The dialog and mannerisms are spot on. He captures the essence of kids with the same care and respect he uses to depict natural life (animals are a mainstay of Jennings' work). In Jennings' world, kids and animals live in harmony. He doesn't cheat either out of their dignity, yet he always finds unique ways to draw out the humor.

3. The sound and rhythm of Jennings' words create a lyrical soundtrack that make this story sing. Jennings uses several poetic techniques to achieve this effect: the well-place repetition of words and phrases that take us directly into the mind and emotion of Rufus (who's narrating the story); listing (which also makes use of building repetitions and rhythm); short, declarative sentences that drive the beat; and unobtrusive alliteration.

Jennings hit a home run with this book. Before he came to our Imagination Celebration two weeks ago, I knew that GUINEA DOG would do well at the book signing. It did. In fact, it sold out.

I was just glad I already had my copy.

Book Source: I bought GUINEA DOG at Orca Books