The Little Crooked Bookshelf

THE SIMPLE ART OF FLYING
by Cory Leonardo

(This week’s pick is from Cottager Jamie Michalak, who has never owned a bird nor abandoned a hedgehog, but does have a good dog named Lucy.)  

What it’s all about …
Alastair the parrot dreams of escaping the pet shop and flying off with his beloved sister, Aggie, to a palm tree. But when Aggie is purchased by 12-year-old Fritz and Alastair is adopted by elderly dance-enthusiast Bertie Plopky, Alastair must hatch a plan. He soon finds he's forced to choose between following his dream life and letting go.

Why I love it …

This novel dug its claws into me from page one and would not let go. When Alastair eats paper, he can taste the words. He becomes a fan of poetry and soon writes his own witty versions of famous works. Alastair is grumpy, eloquent, and sensitive -- and I found myself rooting for his happiness. Cory Leonardo's debut novel is a stunner.

Favorite lines ...

And if a little time and warmth and light can turn an ugly, old pit into a tree, who's to say a little time can't do the same for you? For me? I know what I'm betting on.

I'm betting on trees. 

AND 

Sometimes the palm tree's the wrong ingredient for your pie.

Why will kids love it?
A funny and moving story starring a cast of quirky animals, a 12-year-old aspiring doctor, and an elderly, hip-hop dancing pie baker -- what's not to love? Perfect for fans of The One and Only Ivan and Kate DiCamillo's books.

Where to find/buy …

Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

About the Author
Cory Leonardo grew up believing she'd replace Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune, but when that didn't pan out, she decided she'd turn letters and phrases in a different way (but minus the glittery dresses, sadly). A born-and-bred upstate New Yorker, she currently lives in the Syracuse area with her husband and three plucky children. This is her first novel.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay!

LUCKY BROKEN GIRL

by Ruth Behar

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Anika Denise.)

What it's all about...
Ruthie Mizrahi has only just begun to adjust to her life in America, so different from the one she left behind in Cuba. She's finally switching out of "the dumb class" into the smart one, now that her English is improving. Her Papi buys her first pair of go-go boots as a surprise. And she's the reigning neighborhood "Hopscotch Queen." But all that changes when a car accident leaves her in a body cast for months. With the help of family and neighbors, and by unlocking secret talents and passions within her, Ruthie slowly puts the pieces of her broken leg, and spirit, back together.

Why I love it...
While poignant and sometimes downright sad, Ruthie's story is ultimately one of hope and healing. Out of a terrible tragedy, Ruthie finds love, community, and most importantly, a deeper understand of herself. I fell in love with her character's wisdom and grit. I also love how Ruthie uses writing and painting as a means of working through her complex feelings about the accident. Art is transcendence for so many kids. (It was, and still is, for me.) Behar's exploration of fixing the broken pieces of oneself through artistic expression is both beautiful and powerful.

One of my (many) favorite passages...

      "That's good," I say to Joy. "Because I don't want them to send me back to the dumb class after missing so much school!"
      "That won't happen," Joy says. "Not if we keep your brain working. Being bedridden shouldn't hold you back."

      "Bedridden?" The word sounds to me like a witch's curse: And you, Ruth, will be BEDRIDDEN for the rest of your days. . .

What's the kid-appeal?
Kids will feel Ruthie's emotions right along with her, from her frustrations to her triumphs. Any child who has ever had to navigate a new country, city, community or school, will relate to Ruthie's situation. Those who haven't, will have their eyes (and hearts) opened. Behar's fearless writing makes it impossible not to empathize with Ruthie, and cheer for her.

What's the grownup appeal?
Parents and educators will find much to savor and appreciate in Behar's novel about overcoming challenges and adversity. It's a lovely springboard for discussions of history, immigrant experiences, inner strength, forgiveness and perseverance.

Where to find/buy Lucky Broken Girl:
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Ruth Behar (www.ruthbehar.com) is an acclaimed author of adult fiction and nonfiction, and Lucky Broken Girl is her first book for young readers.

She was born in Havana, Cuba, grew up in New York City, and has also lived and worked in Spain and Mexico. An anthropology professor at the University of Michigan, she is also co-editor of Women Writing Culture, editor of Bridges to Cuba/Puentes a Cuba, and co-editor of The Portable Island: Cubans at Home in the World. Her honors include a MacArthur "Genius" Award, a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Senior Fellowship, and a Distinguished Alumna Award from Wesleyan University. Much in demand as a public speaker, Ruth's speaking engagements have taken her to the United States, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Spain, Finland, Israel, Italy, Ireland, Poland, England, the Netherlands, Japan, and New Zealand. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

A Mr. Pig Special . . . with Kerry O'Malley Cerra

We're thrilled to have Kerry O'Malley Cerra, debut author of the highly praised middle grade novel Just a Drop of Water, with us today!

A former history teacher, Kerry describes her gripping and poignant story as a "coming-of-age tale in which 13-year-old Jake Green is forced--for the first time--to see the world for its sometimes big ugly self, in the aftermath of September 11." 

School Library Journal calls Just a Drop of Water "an excellent book sure to spur thoughtful discussion.” 

Thanks for visiting, Kerry! You've tackled a difficult topic. Was it hard writing about 9/11?
Most definitely! By far the most difficult day was when I watched YouTube video after YouTube video of the actual planes hitting the two World Trade Towers, and then tried to portray it as a 13-year-old boy—who had no clue as to what was really happening at that point—would describe it. I had to strip all of my own knowingness, emotions, and so forth to be authentic to Jake’s voice. 

When I got my writing to a fairly decent point and couldn’t stand to watch the videos again, I had to go for a walk. Two houses down, I threw up—though even that didn’t make me feel better. But then the worrying set in, too. Would readers think Jake was shallow for his thoughts? Would readers think I—as the author—was trying to capitalize on such a tragedy? So, yeah, it was hard to write, but, in a way, it’s still hard even now that it’s out there.

How much of the book is factual and how much is fictional?
I’m really glad you asked this question. I’ve include an Author’s Note on my website that touches on this, as I feel it’s important for kids to know what was real and what I added to enhance the story. The timing of the events--such as the planes hitting, the President’s speeches, and Tropical Storm Gabrielle blowing through Florida in the days following 9/11--are authentic. Likewise, our smallish town did lose six members of our community in the attacks that day. 

I find it interesting that several boys who have read the book asked me about the NFL postponing the games that weekend following September 11 — which is also true. Maybe this small fact puts the tragedy in perspective for them, I don’t know. But I did include as many smaller details as possible to preserve the mood and events for readers. 

It’s important to note that the final mosque scene is entirely fictional. Though there were mosque attacks around the country after September 11, there were no mosque attacks in Coral Springs, nor is there a mosque in town. I took some creative licensing with that, in order to tell a story about where the road of prejudice can lead. The story of the mother is fictional, and yet her backstory is based on a real American hostage incident that occurred in Sudan in 1973 and involved an Arab PLO terrorist group called Black September. The depth that the mother was able to add to this story, because of her past, is one I hope kids in classrooms all around the country will be able to learn from. We cannot let fear control us.
 

 

How much time did you spend researching the story, and did you learn anything surprising along the way?  
I think I was subconsciously taking notes beginning September 11, 2001 and on. I never planned to write a book about 9/11, but the history teacher in me processed every ounce of information that came out immediately following the attacks—and the days, weeks, months, years following. I’m intrigued by the whys and hows of the events. What did we do wrong to allow ourselves to be attacked? What can we do to avoid it in the future? I’m always thinking. Sadly, my brain rarely shuts off.  Once I knew I was going to write the book and the angle I was going to take, it took me about four years from first to final draft. 

Do you have a writing process or does it vary from book to book?
Ha! No! Out of 365 days in a year, I think I spend less than fifty writing. I have three kids and love volunteering at their schools, being team mom for sports, participating in booster clubs, and chaperoning trips. I do that pretty much full time, and the writing comes when I can squeeze it in. I know my kids won’t be around on a daily basis for much longer, so I’ve prioritized them. I certainly don’t long for the day they leave home, but I’ll definitely get a lot more writing done. 

This is your debut novel. Was the publication process what you expected? 
Everyone says publishing is a roller coaster, so I was prepared for that. Yet I’d call myself a pretty faith-filled person. My kids went to a Catholic preschool that had a turtle mascot and the motto, "In His time …" I sort of adopted it for myself when I decided to pursue publication and always had faith that I’d end up exactly where I was meant to be. Don’t get me wrong, there were days I was really down after a rejection or getting my hopes set on something that didn’t work out, but the day my future agent wrote me an email professing her love for my story and saying she “had to represent it,” and then found the most perfect editor in the whole wide world for both me and this story, I’d say I did end up exactly where I was meant to be. I wouldn’t change a single thing!

Tell us something random or fun that most people don't know about you.
I really don’t like showing my emotions—okay, this mostly applies to me being sad or upset. But . . . I literally cried when we were in California and I saw The Lone Cypress tree at Pebble Beach. There was something completely soul-stirring for me in that moment. Shhh, don’t tell anyone else.

Are you working on anything new?
Remember, working is a loose term with me, but, yes. Haha! For now, I’m super busy planning the launch and signing for Just a Drop of Water. I want to enjoy every second of this and not worry about what’s next, just yet. However, I do plan to revise my first novel, The Sacredness of Spit Swears, soon. And, I have eleven pages of a new middle-grade novel in the works that I’m crazy-excited about. It’s the first time I’m writing from a girl’s point-of-view and I’m loving her voice. Stay tuned. . . .

We'll look forward to them! Thank you for visiting, Kerry, and congratulations on the success of your debut novel!
My pleasure. Thanks for having me!

About JUST A DROP OF WATER

Sky Pony Press, September 2014

ISBN 978-1-6291-4613-3

“Historical fact and realistic fiction elements are woven together with an expert hand, making readers care about this moment in history and giving educators an excellent book sure to spur thoughtful discussion.” --School Library Journal

 “A perceptive exploration of an event its audience already sees as history … the supplemental material middle-grade history teachers are looking for.” --Kirkus

“9/11 reverberates in a middle-school boy’s life, thrusting him into a bigger and more threatening world. This is history tensely told for readers too young to remember the moment when this century truly began.” —Richard Peck, author of  On The Wings of Heroes 

“Tackling a difficult topic, Kerry O’Malley Cerra captures the mood of the country right after September 11 in a way that’s not frightening or sensationalized. This well-told, poignant novel about prejudice, school bullying, and best friends should spark discussion and capture the hearts of young readers for a very long time.” —Augusta Scattergood, author of Glory Be

About Kerry O'Malley Cerra

Kerry O'Malley Cerra is a former high school history teacher who often enhanced textbooks with historical fiction to bring time periods to life. Just a Drop of Water was inspired by a deeply personal experience following the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Though she'll always consider Philly her home, she currently lives in Florida with her husband, kids, and three poorly behaved dogs.

To learn more about Kerry and download teaching resources, visit her website, http://www.kerryomalleycerra.com.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Counting by 7s

by Holly Goldberg Sloan

What it's all about . . .
12-year-old Willow Chance is a genius. She's also socially awkward and fascinated with medical conditions, plants and counting by 7s. When her adoptive parents are killed in a car crash, Willow's protected existence is turned upside down. Forced to make her way through grief with the help of strangers who are grappling with tough issues of their own, Willow transcends the unspeakable tragedy that has befallen her--changing the lives of those around in her in the process.

Why it’s on the Crooked Bookshelf . . .


Willow's voice is fresh, quirky and endearing, and the story moves forward gracefully despite alternating narration and multiple points of view.

Our favorite lines . . .

“I'm putting my place in the universe into perspective.
I'm stardust.
I'm golden brown.
I'm just one small bit in a vast expanse.”

Why kids will love it . . .

There is an undeniable otherness in Willow--odd habits and a genius IQ--yet young readers who've ever felt different or marginalized for any reason will relate to her journey and find themselves cheering her precociousness and resilience. It does wrap up somewhat neatly in the end, but appropriately so, for a middle grade audience who will accept flaws and dysfunction--even tragedy--as long as it comes with a measure of hope.

Why grown-ups will love it . . .

The themes of loss and loneliness, tragedy and transcendence will resonate whether you're 11 or 99. Plus, it's hard not to fall in love with the feisty, idiosyncratic Willow Chance.