THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX by Kate DiCamillo

Kate DiCamillo is another one of my favorite authors. She tells her stories in an honest and non-apologetic way through characters who are likable, hated, pathetic, etc.

I read this book then purchased the excellent production of the unabridged audio book for my daughter when she was nine. She loved it too, but was extremely disappointed (as was I) in the horrible distortion of the novel in the 2009 movie.

RULES by Cynthia Lord

This is another one of my favorite books. It won a Newbery Honor in 2007 and shows (not tells) how twelve-year-old Cathrine deals with her autistic brother and the family dynamics between herself and her parents.

THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY by Kathryn Fitzmaurice

I've met this author several times at different SCBWI So. Ca conventions and she is one of the nicest, approachable people I've ever met. This book is a quiet, but sweet novel about an eleven-year-old girl who learns to deal with the flaws and quirky behavior of her parents.

More books by Jacqueline Woodson

I've already said how much I love this author. The novel Locomotion is another reason why. This book is written in verse, the voice of the eleven-year-old Lonnie is strong and his character is endearing. This book was a National Book Award finalist in 2003.

Feathers, once again, seals this author as one of the great contemporary children's writers of my generation. This book was a Newbery Honor book in 2008.

Show Way is one of my favorite picture books and it happens to be written by one of my favorite authors. Woodson received a Newbery Honor medal for this book in 2006.

THE CAT THAT WENT TO HEAVEN by Elizabeth Coatsworth

Won the 1931 Newbery Medal. Told in third person, past tense it is a Japanese folk-tale type of story. It was interesting to read an Newbery book that was written almost 80 years ago and notice how much more demanding a fast moving plot is necessary in the publishing world of today.

SLANT by Laura E. Williams

This book was given to me during a drawing at the 2008 Editor's Day. An editor from Milkweed Press attended and gave a talk. I love this book! It is sweet and endearing had handles several different issues within one novel. The self-conscious fears of thirteen-year-old m/c Lauren experience are real and believable along with the family dynamics to which she is subject.

This is one of my favorite books because I could experience a gamut of emotions within it's 149 pages.

A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO by Richard Peck

Richard Peck gave me the most wonderful compliment during a break-out session he taught at the 2009 SCBWI Summer Conference. He had given an assignment to write a paragraph (three sentences) after he provided the first sentence for the first page of a book. His talk had been about setting the stage on your first page. His sentence went something like this: It was always there and I would see it every time I would visit... . After giving the class five minutes to scribble something down, he began to call on some incredible published writers (i.e. Linda Sue Park and Jay Asher) to share what they wrote.

I timidly raised my hand and shared my three sentences. On the way back to my seat, Richard Park actually said out loud and in front of all of these really great writers, "Someone should tell that gal she should be a writer." I almost wet my pants. Sometimes it is little things like this that can give a writer the inspiration stick to it despite any disappointment.

I read A Long way from Chicago before I attended the conference and what I enjoyed most was the way he adds humor into the everyday life and quirky personalities of his characters. This book won the 1999 Newbery Honor and I'm so honored to have him sign the copy of his award winning novel.

OLIVE'S OCEAN by Kevin Henkes

Olive's Ocean won a Newbery Honor in 2004. It is a fast easy read, but a quiet type of book. Even though it is a sweet story and I enjoyed it, the story did not leave a strong impression on my reading experience.

Karen Cushman

I had the honor of hearing this author teach a break-out session the 2009 SCBWI Conference. She spoke on how she researches for her historical novels and she took the time to sign my copy of The Midwife's Apprentice, which won the Newbery in 1996.

I had previously read The Midwife's Apprentice and listened to the excellent unabridged audio production of the same book with my daughter--she was in forth grade. As both a reader and listener the author transported me easily to Medieval England where I was engrossed in the language and superstitions of the time period. She is a brilliant writer and I can see how important her research was to the believability of this novel.


I purchased the novel The Ballad of Lucy Whipple before I started my serious reading/study of children's literature and I purchased it only because the m/c was named Lucy--my daughter is Lucy and I purchase anything with her name in it.

It sat on the bookshelf for three years until after I met the author. It was interesting how she captured the essence of a whinny teenager There were times when--maybe because I am an adult and mother--I wanted to smack the m/c Lucy and tell her to grow-up and stop feeling sorry for herself.

Isn't that what makes a good book? How realistic an author can make the characters? What child today wouldn't act the same way, if not worse, if put in the same circumstances as Lucy Whipple. I dare say all of them would.

Karen Cushman is a brilliant author and her books should be a must read for not only children, but for anyone attempting to write for children.

OUT OF THE DUST by Karen Hesse

I read this book with my daughter when she was in forth grade and we loved this endearing 1998 Newbery Medal novel. It is written in 1st person, present tense, and entirely in verse. It shares intimate details in the life of a young girl growing up in the dust bowl in 1934. It is a quick read and definitely one of my favorites.

THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kid

There are many things I enjoyed about this book. I loved the plight of the m/c Lily and her flight from her father and acceptance into the lives of some beekeeper sisters. I did feel that the rituals of the black Madonna was a bit overdone, but overall I enjoyed this story immensely.

LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I read all of the Little House books when I was ten and what young girl would not love them? I read this story to my daughter when she was third grade and she loved it as much as I did so long ago. These books are perfect for any child in 3rd - 5th grade.

SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL by Patricia MacLachlan

I read this to my daughter when she was in forth grade. We absolutely loved this charming, quiet story that won the Newbery Medal in 1986. The CIP defines the book as follows: When their father invites an mail-order bride to come and live with them in their praire home, Calob and Anna are captivated by her and hope that she will stay.

This is a great read for children in 3rd - 5th grades.

Christopher Paul Curtis

Christopher Paul Curtis's book Bud Not Buddy was one of the first books on my reading list assigned to me by a former editor who critiqued the first chapter of the first children's book I ever wrote at the first writer's conference I ever attended.

My writing was so bad, I laugh when I re-read what I submitted to her. But, instead of telling me what I had written was crap, she politely said, "If you are going to be a writer, you must be a reader. Read all the books you can by really good contemporary writers because they will teach you the art of true storytelling and voice."

She was right and Christopher Paul Curtis is one of the best teachers there is to learn from. Bud not Buddy was also Newbery Award winner.

THE WHIPPING BOY by Sid Fleischman

This book one the Newbery Medal in 1987. It is a fun and fast read for grades third through sixth. Told in third person, past tense it is a tale of a growing friendship between two boys. I also own unabridged audo, which is a delightful way to spend an drive listening to this story.

PENNY FROM HEAVEN by Jennifer L. Holm

I enjoyed this book for many of the same reason's why I enjoyed Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata. It shares a little bit of American history with the reader. I was not aware that Italian Americans were also rounded up--not to the same degree as the Japanese--and taken away from their families during WWII and many possessions, like radios, were taken away also.

It is interesting that all these years later, the California legislature has passed a resolution to finally honor the families whose children served in the war while their rights were taken away at home.

This is told in first person, present tense which brings the intimacy I enjoy when I read a family-dynamics type of novel. The emotions and actions of the characters are believable which, in my opinion, was one the reasons this book one a Newbery Honor in 2007.

MATISSE ON THE LOOSE by Georgia Bragg

I met Georgia at the '09 SCBWI Summer Conference in a late night critique group. I enjoyed her fun contemporary MG novel. It is an easy, fast read, appropriate for any thrird - fifth grader told in first person, past tense.

A SINGLE SHARD by Linda Sue Park

Linda Sue Park signed my copy of her 2002 Newbery Medal winning book at a book conference '08. I enjoyed being transported to a twelfth century Korean village. The realistic suspense the author brings to events in the Tree-ear's life had me worrying for the orphan more than once. This is a good book for MG teachers to share with their students.

A year later, I sat in a break-out session at the SCBWI Summer Conference (taught by Richard Peck) with Linda, Lisa Yee, and Jay Asher and, once again, I was honored to be near such writing talent.

THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book was a completely unique and original story and I enjoyed it immensely. It won the 2009 Newbery Award.

I will avoid making this a spoiler alert, so I'll quote the CIP data "Nobody Owens is a normal boy, except that he has been raised by ghosts and other denizens of the graveyard."

AFTER TUPAC AND D FOSTER by Jacqueline Woodsoon

Jacqueline Woodson is one of my favorite authors. I love her writing because she can make me laugh one minute while tugging at my heartstrings the next minute.

I love this 2009 Newbery Honor Medal winning book despite the fact that I have nothing in common with the m/c. I'm a middle-aged white mom who knows nothing of rap or Tupac. But it was the story of the m/c--a young, black girl and how she relates to the world around her--that drew me in.

Every character in this book has a distinct voice and personality and it is impossible not to love each one--my favorite was Tash, Neeka's brother. But what makes this novel so unique is that I was unable to find the main character's name mentioned at all. The story is told in first person, but the author in some brilliant way was able to write the whole story without stating the name of the narrator.

THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie

This book is one of my favorite books. It is contemporary Y.A. told in first person. The voice is so strong I was hooked on the first page. I love any author that can make me laugh one minute and cry the next. How could anyone not love this m/c?

This story is an honest portrayal of what life is like for many Native American children. I know this because as a girl my family fostered a Najavo girl whose life and the lives of her friends and cousins mimicked the Junior's life.

EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS by Deborah Wiles

This book (along with Love, Ruby Lavender by the same author) was recommend by a former editor on a long list of books that she suggested I read if I was serious about becoming an author.

I think she suggested I read these books because of the great examples of a strong MG voice that this author brings out in the first sentences of her books. In Each Little Bird that Sings the first sentence of the book starts out: "I come from a family with a lot of dead people." Who wouldn't want to continue reading? This book was a 2005 National Book Award Finalist.

HOW I LIVE NOW by Meg Rosoff

I read this book several years ago after it was recommended to me by a published author at a conference in March 2008. It is the first dystopian-type of novel that I've read other than Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles in high school, which I loved.

SciFi/Dystopia is a genre I am not used to or particularly found of, but it was interesting how the author wove this scary new world. The concept reminded me of 80's movie Red Dawn, although in the movie the m/c does not fall in love with her cousin--which I found a bit disturbing.

It did, however, win a Printz Award in 2005. Told in first person, past tense the voice is compelling and it hooks the reader into reading more.

THE PENDERWICKS by Jane Birdsall

This book one the National Book Award in 2005. This story reminded me of a more modern version--only a younger group of sisters--of Little Women. Both books have four sisters and a neighbor boy to whom they make friends with, only in the Penderwicks their father rented a vacation house.

When I first read this book, I thought is was a quaint, quiet story which I enjoyed, but when I began listening to it on audio I was distracted by how many times the author uses said as a dialogue tag. All-in-all, the innocent adventures the girls find themselves makes a charming read.

STORY OF A GIRL by Sara Zarr

This novel was a National Book Award Finalist and I understand why. Copyright 2008 and published by Little Brown, the book is told in first person, past tense.

It was an excellent example of contemporary realistic Y.A. fiction. The family dynamics in Deanna Lambert's home was honest and believable. This is how I want to write. The subject is serious and similiar issues like this exist for girls today: how can a girl recover from a tarnished reputation. I would recommend this book to any young girl age 14+.

HONK IF YOU HATE ME by Deborah Halverson

It is hard for me not to be biased when I discuss this author. I met her at my first writing event (La Jolla Writer's Conference) in November 2007. She reviewed the first chapter of my novel--I had no idea of the writing process which was clearly evident.

Deborah, instead of telling me that my work was crap, wrote a list of about fifty books and told me that if I want to write I must read. One-third of the books on the list were on the writing craft, while the other portion of the list included contemporary and classic MG and YA novels.

I read all the books she suggested (and haven't stopped reading these genres), than re-submitted my novel to her for a editing critique. "Better," she said, but now you need to join SCBWI and find a good critique group. Once again, I followed her direction and have learned (and continue to learn) so many important things about the writing craft. I will always be grateful for the direction she gave me.

She currently runs the website Dear-Editor.com to give advise to aspiring writers. I attended her breakout session at the 2010 SCBWI conference and she gave 10 tips for self-editing were fabulous which I will share in another blog entry.

Now, back to Honk If You Hate Me. Published by Delacorte Press and copyright 2007, I read this Y.A. book before I started on my reading frenzy. When I re-read it recently, I am able to see how the author practices everything she preaches in regards to style, setting, character, plot, and voice.

THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY by Susan Patron

Published by Atheneum Books, this novel won the 2007 Newbery Medal. It is told in third-person, past-tense and is the sweet story a ten-year-old-girl. I enjoyed this book and the many sweet and tender moments enclosed within.

THE TWO LOVES OF WILL SHAKESPEARE by Laurie Lawlor

Published by Holiday House and copyright 2006, this historical novel is told in third person based on the life of a young William Shakespeare. I read this book a few years ago. It was a fast paced read and I remember enjoying it, but main plot of the novel slips my mind. I will re-read and update another time.

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher

This was a very unique plot which I enjoyed on many levels. First, I could relate with the character Hannah Baker. Second, the idea of telling the story through the first-person, present-tense POV of the m/c, Clay Jensen while he listens to cassette tapes made by a former classmate is genius.

The emotions evoked by this book are believable and is probably one of many reasons why it was a NY Times best seller.

Stephanie Meyer Series

I read the first two books in the Y.A. series: Twilight and New Moon. I believe it is important to read/study all kinds of books and writing styles of other authors and I was able to see the romantic way the author of these books creates her world of vampires and werewolves. I understand why they are such a huge success among readers; but, for me, I felt the m/c was whiney, needy and weak.

WEDNESDAY WARS by Gary D. Schmidt

Published by Clairon Books, this novel won a Newbery Honor in 2008. Told in first person (m/c Holling Hoodhood) past tense, the backdrop is 1967 seventh-grade. I loved the humor and the realistic family dynamics.

KING DORK by Frank Portman

I purchased this book after hearing an agent at a SCBWI's Tri-Region Agent's Day. Copyright in 2007, published by Delacorte Press, the contemporary fiction novel is definitely Y.A. (cursing and other content). The self-deprecating humor was hilarious and believable. Portman's m/c refers to Catcher in the Rye throughout the book. I've never read J.D. Salinger's famous novel, but it didn't interfere with the enjoyment of the book.

I was excited to hear the author speak in a break-out secession at the 2009 SCBWI conference to which I wasn't disappointed. This is a great book for older teen boys 15+.

SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS by Lemony Snicket

My daughter, Lucy and I listed to the first three unabridged audio books in the Unfortunate Events series: The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room, and The Wide Window. The first two books are read by Tim Curry while The Wide Window was read by the author.

Lucy said that many of her friends have read and loved these books, just like she did when we listed to them. It was fun to see the surprise on her face as she would figure out clues along with the Baudelaire children. I asked Lucy if it the continual sad things that happen to the children upset her and she told me, "That's why it's called A Series of Unfortunate Events."

The stories are told in third person, past tense with narrator intrusion. These interruptions are hilarious and informative. What I like about these stories is the time the author takes to give the definition of certain words, thus building the reader (in our case listeners) vocabulary.

ALICE BOOKS by Lewis Carroll

My daughter and I listened to the unabridged audio books Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. It is quite a fun and crazy listen and we could not help but compare them to the Disney classic.

It is interesting how Disney blended events from both books for his movie. For example, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee are introduced in Alice Through the Looking Glass along with the talking garden flowers.

Another thing that is hard to get out of one's mind as we listened to the books being read by Jim Dale (Adventures in Wonderland) and Michael Page (Looking Glass) is what Lewis Carroll was thinking, or doing, while writing his literary nonsense masterpieces.

ANNIE'S WAR by Jacqueline Levering Sullivan

I purchased this book at the 2008 SCBWI's Temecula Writers Retreat and had it signed by the author Jacqueline Levering Sullivan. This middle grade historical novel is set a year after WWII.

Copyright is 2007 William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. Told in first person past tense, it is a sweet story and I enjoyed the book.

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

The Underneath was a National Book Award Finalist and a 2009 Newbery Honor. I enjoyed this book for its beautiful imagery and poetic language. However, I don't think my daughter or most of her fifth grade class would have been able to appreciate the plot and storyline they way an adult reader would.

There are multiple pov switches woven in two storylines that melt together at the end of the book to produce a satisfing ending.

IMPULSE by Ellen Hopkins

I purchased this book after hearing the author, Ellen Hopkins, speak at the SCBWI Tri-Regions 2008 Temecula Retreat. I also had the honor of having Ellen at my critique table when the conference participates shared their stories. Ellen suggested I write my novel Crazy Like Mom in first person, present tense to make it more immediate. She was right.

In Ellen's book, like my m/c, the characters in Impulse are impacted by mental illness in one way or another. Copyright 2007 published by Margaret K. McElderry Books, this Y.A. novel is written in verse with three distinct teen pov: Conner, Vanessa, and Troy.

The lives of these characters are tragic and I cried for each one of them. How their lives intertwine inside the hospital is compelling. I wanted to embrace each one of them and tell them everything will be okay, but for other teens with similar lives it's their reality.

For these reasons, this book remains one of my favorite Y.A. books.

Three books by Avi

I have read three books by this author and I've enjoyed each one. My favorite is The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle for which the book won a Newbery Honor in 1991. The story is told in first person, past tense. Maybe that is why I enjoyed it... the immediacy of this type of story telling or the fact that the main character is a thirteen-year-old girl.

I also enjoyed Avi's Chrispin: The Cross of Lead. It won a Newbery Medal in 2003. Told in third person, past tense and set in medieval England, thirteen-year-old Chrispin sets out on a journey to find his father.

The most recent book I read by this author was The Fighting Ground. Told in 3rd person, past tense and copyright 1984. The Revolutionary war is the back drop for the story of this thirteen-year-old boy's adventure. I enjoyed seeing how the author used dialogue in German for characters in the book which didn't understand nor could be understood by the m/c Jonathan, and then had a translation of the dialogue in the end of the story.

An interesting bit of trivia...

In my daughter's fifth grade Open Court language arts text book, there was a short story by Avi which was a huge disappointment. Most likely it was summarized or edited by someone not familiar with the talent and professionalism of the author's other works.

MONSTER by Walter Dean Myers

There is a reason why this book is a New York Times Bestseller... because it is deserves it. The novel was a 1999 National Book Award Finalist, won 2000 Coretta Scott King Honor Award, and the 2000 Michael L Printz Award.

It is unique because it is told by the main character (first person) explaining what he is going through as if he were filming a movie about the experiences in his trail and the events that led up it.

It is a great Y.A. novel.

A THOUSAND SPLENDED SUNS & THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini

I think Khaled Hosseini is a very talented and thought provoking author. The honesty in which these realistic fiction novels are told are compelling, yet horrifying when I think that such events and experiences occur.

I enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns better than The Kite Runner--maybe because I was able to identify with the female characters. To me, it was less disturbing than Kite Runner.

I have recommend A Thousand Splendid Suns to several of my reader friends. It is an eye-opening journey into the lives of two Muslim women living in Afghanistan.

THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX by Kate DiCamillo

Published by Candlewick Press, this book won the Newbery in 2004. It was a sweet and fun story told in third person, past tense with an occasional narrator intrusion. This middle grade novel is heartwarming with humor ringing throughout. I read the book and listened to the Unabridged Audio CD with my daughter and both experiences were enjoyable.

When the motion picture for this story came out, my daughter was excited to see it, but to her disappointment the movie didn't follow the wonderful events in the book. But, as with most movie-adapted stories, nothing beats the original novel.

THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE by Kate DiCamillo

I love this book!!! I want to write like this talented woman. She has an incredible way to make a reader laugh and cry on the same page.

Copyright 2006 and published by Candlewick Press. Told in third person, past tense the m/c, Edward, is a porcelain rabbit. In the beginning Edward is not a likable character (this is what I like best about the story). Things happen to Edward, but he can't react to his circumstances because he is a toy. The author stays true to this fact.

Edward does, however, think and feel and his character arch develops despite his inability to react physically to what happens to him.

MANIAC MAGEE by Jerry Spinelli

Published by Little Brown, Jerry Spinelli won the 1991 Newbery for this masterpiece. The book is told in third person, past tense. I loved this book. It reminded me of the movies "Big Fish" and "Forest Gump" because of the myth-like m/c.

This is a fun read and I would pass it on to any fourth through middle grade reader.

AN AMERICAN PLAGUE by Jim Murphy

The book is actually called An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. Published by Scholastic, this non-fiction book won a Newbery Honor in 2004 and deservedly so. I thought it was an interesting read, and until I read the book I was not familiar with this event in American History.

PERFECT by Natasha Friend

I purchased a copy of this book at an SCBWI Tri-Region Editor's Day at the Santa Ana Zoo in 2008. It is published by Milkweed Editions and one of the editors of Milkweed gave a speech at the conference. Copyright 2004.

The voice of the m/c Isabelle is strong with the sarcasm and humor to match any eight grade thirteen-year-old. The first two paragraphs are first person, present tense but in the third paragraph it flashes back to explain the main events of the story. The story returns to present tense for the last two pages to sum up the family's relationship. Isabelle's problem is believable and the topic of eating disorders is an important one that needs to be addressed.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

SOLD by Patricia McCormick

Published by Disney/Hyperion and copyright 2006, SOLD was a National Book Award Finalist. The book is told in first person, present tense. The main character, Lakshmi, is a thirteen-year-old girl who is sold into slavery.

The author handles the horrific topic of human trafficking in a delicate and respectful way, thus protecting the innocence of the victims--for they are indeed innocent. I would have no problem letting my eleven-year-old daughter read this book because this is a reality for victims of such crimes.

How can we change the world for the better if we pretend that children are not exploited and abused? And how can we live with ourselves if we fail to oppose such evil? McCormick was brave enough to tell this story. Likewise, reading it continues the fight.