Happy February - uh MARCH!
Never follow a story with a question ~ not immediately and remember to acknowledge
the storyteller for in some way even the messenger is affected by the story he
brings... ~~from Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
You may wonder why I'm quoting Jacqueline Winspear here since she's not a Kansas author, but I am excited about her. She's coming to a bookstore near me to sign her latest book and I am going to be able to go hear her. You see, I am a true bibliophile and that has lead me to a position as co-owner of this book business!
But back to the quote: We have so many talented authors connected to Kansas who we, because of our business, sometimes get a chance to meet and ask questions of. I do have many questions, but when I meet them, I find that I really would rather just listen to them. I'd like to know their personal stories and the stories behind their work. I'd like to know how the message has affected them. The exciting part is that when I meet an author whose work I really like, I usually really like them, too. We are both really proud of the creative, talented people who were born in, who live in, and who have lived in Kansas. We love being able to show them off, point to them and say with glee, these are Kansans and they've made our lives more interesting!
And onward: Since the very Kansas William Allen White Awards are due to be announced in the near future (April, we think), we thought you might enjoy seeing a list of the nominees for 2007-2008. We have a Kansas author included! But we can order any of the titles you might see and want to read or gift. (Again, the bibliophiles reveal their obsession with good - really good - books! Yes, we must admit, we've ordered one or two of these ourselves.)
Grades 3-5:
The Penderwicks; a Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy - Jeanne Birdsall
The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs. Betty G. Birney
The Journey That Saved Curious George; the True Wartime Escape of Margret and H. A. Rey - Louise Borden
Shanghai Messenger - Andrea Cheng
The Missing Manatee - Cynthia DeFelice
Lowji Discovers America - Candace Fleming
Moon Runner - Carolyn Marsden
A Dog’s Life; the Autobiography of a Stray - Ann M. Martin
Let Them Play - Margot Theis Raven
The Flag With Fifty-six Stars; a Gift From the Survivors of Mauthausen - Susan Goldman Rubin
Each Little Bird That Sings - Deborah Wiles
Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds; the Sammy Lee Story - Paula Yoo
Grades 6-8:
The Naked Mole Rat Letters - Mary Amato
Wing Nut - Mary Jane Auch
On Etruscan Time - Tracy Barrett
Shakespeare’s Secret - Elise Broach
The Misadventures of Maude March; or Trouble Rides a Fast Horse - Audrey Couloumbis
The Sacrifice - Kathleen Benner Duble
Princess Academy - Shannon Hale
Airball; My Life in Briefs - L. D. Harkrader - ******* Kansas Notable Book for 2006! See review below.
Out of Order - Betty Hicks
Defiance - Valerie Hobbs
Project Mulberry - Linda Sue Park
Black Storm Comin’ - Diane Lee Wilson
Adam Canfield of the Slash - Michael Winerip
Did you grow up in Kansas? Do you know what the William Allen White Awards are? Do any other states' children vote on the titles? If you can't answer any one of these questions, you might want to investigate the official William Allen White Award web site. It is
www.emporia.edu/libsv/wawbookaward/masterlists/list08-09.htm
Also, if you're curious about this son of Kansas for whom the awards are named, you will want to check out "From Emporia" by Beverley Bueller. She is a school librarian at Newton's Chisholm Middle School - yes, Newton, Kansas. Her website is: www.newton.k12.ks.us/sch/ch/From%20Emporia.htm She has many informational links with interesting facts about Mr. White that you can read while awaiting your copy of "From Emporia"!
I know we had a short synopsis of "Airball" in the December newsletter, but here is a more in-depth review. We really are proud of this author and find this book good fun. See the web site for exciting news about pre-ordering the new paperback edition!
~~Review by Su
Kirby Nickel goes out for basketball simply to prove that a famous NBA player is his Dad. An unusual coaching technique (playing in their underwear) brings the seventh graders to victory and brings Kirby to the Dad he is looking for, but not the guy playing for the NBA. This great first book is so fresh and fun that it was an easy choice as one of the Notable Books in Kansas for 2006. Written for about the 6th - 8th grade, anyone of any age who picks it up will need to finish it before putting it down!
Please check out our web site (www.chuzibooks.com). We have added new information that you might enjoy. We've added a new featured author with reviews of two of her latest works. When you do read them, remember this quote:
"Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think,
speak, and write." ~~John Adams
This is our wish for you this sometimes dreary time of year: DARE!
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