Glory Be

I just finished reading Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood.

I was sad the book ended.

I was immediately captivated as I was with a book from last year, The Lions of Little Rock.

Both books speak truthfully about the challenges of integration in the south – told by a young person’s view.

Glory Be takes a seamingly ordinary element of small towns — a community pool — and builds the challenges of “northern interferrers” and the freedom speeches, marches, and work completed in the name of freedom for all.

Living in Little Rock, although admittedly a transplanted Yankee, much of the racial tensions that were and continue to be are not as deeply embedded in my personal history.

But, in our day, while signs and counters no longer relegate persons of color to separate tables, drinking fountains, universities, or events, we still face all too regularly, the challenges of creating equal opportunities for those marginalized (purposefully and inadvertantly). This is still very real and divides hearts, minds, and progress in its wake.

So, these books are relevant not just for the history they share, but paint a broad picture of the continued growth, challenges, and work we face. For we are poised to give voice to those unheard, to challege systems that minimize or simply dismiss the concern(s), and to continue to move forward with the support and protection of all citizens – young, old, of all walks of life.

This topic has no easy solution. It is soul-biting, heart-mending work to change our lens and that of those we nurture and lead.

I found myself marking two parts.
To quote the book,

Real secrets can be hurtful. Make people do bad things…

And, a statement about the liberation of books, and especially libraries,

Libraries are about books. Books have no color. And they don’t care who reads them.

Maybe the books don’t, but I do. I care because of the freedom released and revealed in books. Like almost no other forum, the written word (books and other) precisely speak to many the a precise message of the author.

And, in a day when “speaking truth to power” (R.F. Kennedy) remains a challenge for many for fear of retribuition, books and the printed word are one source of inspiration, advocacy, and enlightenment.

READ THESE BOOKS.

Glory Be.

The refuge of reading

This is one of my favorite authors, and an amazing sentiment.

A new view

My Favorite Children’s Books from 2013 – so far

This is posting I recently put on Facebook. Please indulge me as I use this as my inaugural posting for my new blog.

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I am preparing for a presentation on “What’s New In Children’s Literature.” So, i sat on my couch, covered in books, my notebook, and at least one cat for most of the evening. For about six hours, I read about 40 children’s books. For those of you doing the math, I am not a slow reader, but I was taking notes and adjusting a cat or two throughout the evening. Most of the books are from 2013. I have more to go, and am delving into the pile of chapter and longer books tonight (I have a pile on my beside table). 

 When I posted to FB earlier how I was spending my evening, I was asked about my favorites… so I’ve put together the start of my list… Please note the disclaimers at the bottom (won’t bore you with them here)…

The Best (to me) So Far

1. Locomotive (2013) by Brian Floca

Wow. This is an informational text with amazing pictures, details, and blend of a narrative process with information. I was slightly disappointed to see no Caboose Operator as this was my gramps’ job for more than 40 years, but I know he was reading along with me. BEST BOOK SO FAR (yes, Gramps, it’s partly for you).

2. On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein (2013) by Jennifer Berne (Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky)

Reminds me of the 2012 book about Jane Goodall, Me – Jane, as the biography is so well laid out for early learners. The illustrations are really great, fun and interesting; the story as well. LOVE.

3. Flora and the Flamingo (2013) by Molly Idle

Who wouldn’t love a book about a cute little girl and a flamingo? Well add in flippy pages and expressive illustrations in this wordless book and I LOVE it. Wordless, but not without a message.

4. Journey (2013) by Aaron Becker

A New York times Best Illustrated Book; Wordless book in which a girl’s imagination takes her on an amazing journey. If all red crayons were this magical.

5. The Dark (2013) by Lemony Snicket (Illustrated by Jon Klassen)

Who doesn’t love a Lemony Snicket book? It’s about a boy and the dark. You will have to read it to know more. I’m not giving away everything.

6. The Day the Crayons Quit (2013) by Drew Daywalt (Illustrate by Oliver Jeffers)

The crayons have HAD IT! They all write letters about their abuse and misuse. It is too funny.

7. Building Our House by Jonathan Bean

This is a child-narrated text about moving and building their own home. It made it on the list because of it’s simplicity. They built their new home (but the book tells it better than that).

8. Bedtime is Canceled (2013) by CeCe Meng (Illustrated by Aurelie Neyret)

I include this book because I read it to my nephew via shared video over “the cloud” and he liked it. He matters. If he likes it, so do I. But I did not include all of his favorites (i.e. ALL the Pete the Cat books).

I uncovered a few not-as-new books that I really like and want to note… 

The Problem with Chickens (2005) by Bruce McMillan (Illustrated by Gunnella)

I liked the illustrations first which is why I bought the book, but totally love the Icelandic tale of the women solving their egg problems and then their chicken problems. New to me, so it fits in just fine:)

Rain School (2010) by James Rumford

A wonderfully illustrated and narrated story of building a school in Chad, Africa. Love love love.

Extra Yarn (2012) by Mac Barnett (Illustrated by Jon Klassen

In the dismal days of winter, a girl finds a box of yarn and changes the village. Central theme: Knitting makes a difference.

One Cool Friend (2012) by Toni Buzzeo (Illustrated by David Small)

A quirky book about a boy, a penguin, and an unnoticing father. That’s all you’re getting:) Check out the book.

Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood. See post by the title name, and you will be finding a copy (and The Lions of Little Rock) soon!

DISCLAIMERS

It the spirit of full disclosure and transparency

1. I learn from others — so my initial set of books came from a long perusing of the New York Times Best Books/Book Review, recommendations from colleagues/friends and KIDS, and probably the coolest children’s bookstore Reading Reptile in KC MO, and children’s bookstore website (Hicklebee’s in San Jose, CA).

2. I acknowledge I am biased. I like books that tell a good story/info in an engaging (to me) manner. I like neat illustrations (and “neat” varies widely and means “I like it.”). I typically do not enjoy science fiction, graphic novels, or wildly outrageous books, however I do like unique books. While I certainly value their place in children’s literature, they are not my choice — and that’s all this list is — my favorites… today.