ARCHIVES: NOVEMBER 2009

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MESSAGE FROM JEN

Welcome to Issue Two of my author newsletter. If you missed the first issue, you can read it here and if you know anyone who would like to receive this and future issues, you can click here. Although the content of each issue will change, the goal remains the same: to stay connected to my readers, to give updates about my books and events, and to share ideas about writing.  

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"At the tip of memory’s/great funnel-cloud/is the nib of a pen."

—from Braided Creek, poems by Ted Kooser and Jim Harrison

NEWS

Back to the Sixties!
Many thanks to all of you who’ve sent emails saying how much you enjoyed the Kaleidoscope Eyes book trailer. And in case you’re reading this and haven’t yet taken the time to view it (it takes just over one minute) you can see it here. I’ve also heard from many young and older readers who have asked how they can continue to explore two of the major themes in the story: the birth of rock n’ roll in the U.S. and the history of pirates. So—for those who are interested, check out this Woodstock Museum and the Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame & Museum. Then check out this link if you have a young pirate in your family or classroom.

From Kaleidoscope Eyes, page 190:

“He walks around the hole. He pulls
on his ponytail. Then he walks around again, staring
down at the mermaid and the tangle of tree roots
that have grown around the chest
like an octopus clinging to a boat.”

Willie keeps us really, really busy ...

The great post-Caldecott Honor excitement continues for A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams. Illustrator Melissa Sweet and I have heard from readers all over the U.S., as well as from Germany, England, and Ireland, who are enjoying the book and have discovered (or re-discovered) the life and work of this hard-working and gifted poet. We’ve even gotten emails from Dr. Williams’ family members and a few of his patients! We were delighted to be nominated for the Virginia State Library Award and in the wonderful company of other nominees such as Doreen Rappaport (who won for her marvelous book Abe’s Honest Words) and Uri Shulevitz. More recently, AROW has also been nominated for the 2010 Children’s Crown Award and will be recognized this month at the annual NCTE convention as a Notable Book for 2009.

Will you be at NCTE?

Phillies baseball, cheese steaks, a world-class orchestra, the Liberty Bell, and the best soft pretzels you’ve ever had ... what’s not to like?!! From Nov 19-25th, my home city of Philadelphia welcomes educators and book lovers from across the nation for this annual convention. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at the panels, workshops, exhibits, awards ceremonies, and social gatherings (I’ve been asked not to wear my Chase Utley T-shirt, but that decision is yet to be made ...). There’s more information about everything “NCTE-PHILLY” on the searchable program pages and on the NCTE Ning, but here’s where you can find me and when:

And Speaking of Philly ...
I will be included in a photo essay/article on Philly area children’s authors in the December issue of Main Line Today magazine. My cohorts-in-crime from a recent teaching stint at Bryn Mawr College include Catherine Murdock, Libby Mosier, David Wiesner, Alexander Stadler, and Paul Acampora.  So ... if Main Line Today is available where you live, please pick up a copy and share it with your reading friends!

The Fortune of Carmen Navarro
Okay, so now you can stop asking me! This is the title of my forthcoming Y/A novel (Knopf, Fall 2010) and yes it is set near Philadelphia, more specifically in the King of Prussia/ Valley Forge area. As some of you know, I majored in French at Gettysburg College, and this novel takes one of my favorite short stories “Carmen” by French author Prosper Merimee, and re-imagines the story set in the present day. Like the original, the plot involves an obsessive romance between two individuals from very different backgrounds—and what happens to them when ... (yep, you gotta wait to read the book!)

Abe's Birthday Continues
Even though his birth date was in February, Lincoln’s 200th birthday celebration continues throughout 2009. And don’t forget that Abe’s Fish: a Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln (illustrated by Amy June Bates) comes in “mighty handy” for use in  elementary and middle school classrooms. After enjoying the story itself as a read-aloud or independent read, you can flip to the extensive back matter pages and find out  how Abe, his sister Sarah, and their step siblings went to school, entertained themselves, and worked to help their family survive the often hostile American frontier.

Georgia Rattles Her Bones
We’re thrilled to announce that Georgia’s Bones, the award-winning picture book biography of artist Georgia O’Keefe is being reprinted in hardback and in paper back. With masterful illustrations by Idaho native Bethanne Anderson, we expect this second printing to arrive early in 2010. In the meantime, Georgia loves to meet kids ages 3 to 93, and to inspire awe and wonder. The photos below, from a recent story time at the Brandwine River Museum, convey the rapt attention this artist's story engenders.

Some things to look forward to in the next issue of Flying Tidings ...

		Middle school artists connect with the Wyeths through Jen’s novel Pieces of Georgia
		Elementary school students create visual art and learn about a classical composer with Music for the End of Time.
		More on what’s ahead in books for 2010
		Looking back at NCTE Philly conference

Until then, keep in touch ...
through my website, my Facebook page, or my NCTE Ning page. I enjoy hearing from you.