jama rattigan's alphabet soup

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30

Previous 20

Nov. 17th, 2009

soup of the day: special edition!

mood:

happy

"It takes a long time to grow young." ~ Pablo Picasso

Yes, the number on the cake is correct! Today, my dad, James, is celebrating his 95th birthday!!

Some of you may remember that I interviewed him exactly one year ago today. He's still my most faithful blog reader and a denizen on the internet. We were so happy to see him last month in Hawai'i. We spent lots of time chowing down, both at home and in restaurants. He accompanied us to the Bishop Museum, walking around with his cane, looking at exhibits for hours.

( Read more... )

Tags: soup of the day

Oct. 27th, 2009

soup of the day: the espressologist by kristina springer!

mood:

excited

photo by Zerberus.

Good morning!

Time to wake up and smell the coffee! I've poured a steamy cup just for you. Mmmmmm. Breathe in that rich, divine aroma of freshly brewed Arabica beans. Would you like it black, or with a little sugar and milk?

photo by lepiaf.geo.

Sip, sip, sip and join me in a jazzy java jive, because today, Kristina Springer's very first YA novel, The Espressologist (FSG, 2009), is officially out! Yay!!

Whether or not you worship at the altar of caffeine, The Espressologist is sure to tickle your fancy and lift your spirits. I've always believed the old adage, "you are what you eat." In this fun, breezy story, which School Library Journal has called "compulsively readable," the main character, Jane Turner (a 17-year-old barista), believes people are what they drink -- at least when it comes to a cup of Joe.

( Read more... )

Tags: fall for restaurants 2009, kristina springer, soup of the day

Oct. 19th, 2009

soup of the day: flash burnout by l.k. madigan!

mood:

excited

photo by Seven_Hundred.

Everybody: Smile and say, "Cheese!"

Oh yes, you do have a killer smile (you really should pose for pictures more often). Has anyone ever told you your face could launch a thousand ~~chips~~ ships?

*licks lips and continues to munch on extra sharp cheddar lens*

Okay, I need to focus. Today's another hugely wonderful super duper landmark day, because we're congratulating debut author L.K. Madigan on the publication of her brand spankin' new young adult novel, Flash Burnout (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009)!! Yay!

FLASH BURNOUT by L.K. Madigan,
Young Adult Fiction published by HMH, 2009, 336 pp.

*flashbulbs explode all over the world*

Yes, do continue cheering and clapping, because as I've said often enough, there is only one first book in a writer's lifetime and the occasion should be savored, shouted from the rooftops, and celebrated in every way possible.

( Read more... )

Tags: l.k. madigan, soup of the day

Sep. 15th, 2009

soup of the day: the small adventure of popeye and elvis!

mood:

happy

Yoohoo!

Calling all readers who love adventure!

We have a very good reason for Yoohooing and Woohooing and twirling ourselves silly with excitement, because it's official pub day for Barbara O'Connor's brand new middle grade novel, The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis (FSG, 2009)!!

THE SMALL ADVENTURE OF POPEYE AND ELVIS by Barbara O'Connor
(Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2009), Ages 8-12, 160 pp.

It's always such a treat whenever Barbara publishes a new book; you know you will fall in love with the characters even before you meet them. I've been following the book's progress on Barbara's blog, from the time she announced the title, which still makes me smile every time I see it, to the arrival of her author's copies.

( Read more... )

Tags: barbara o'connor, soup of the day

Sep. 8th, 2009

soup of the day: all the world!

mood:

indescribable

"To see a world in a grain of sand, And a heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour." ~ William Blake (Auguries of Innocence, 1803).

"Finding Treasure" by paigek.

It's time to grab our sand buckets and take a little stroll along the beach!

We can bask in the sun's warmth and delight in the gentle ocean breeze. Friends, breathe deeply of the salty air, and make a mental note of September 8, 2009, the official publication date for All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon and Marla Frazee -- because it's not every day we are gifted with this particular brand of picture book perfection!

ALL THE WORLD by Liz Garton Scanlon, pictures by Marla Frazee (Beach Lane Books, 2009), All ages, 40 pp.

*busting my seams, bursting with joy, drowning in my big, big love for this book*

( Read more... )

Tags: book reviews, liz garton scanlon, marla frazee, soup of the day

Sep. 1st, 2009

soup of the day: operation yes!

mood:

ecstatic

"Theatre is the art of saying yes." ~ from Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes.

Blue Angels in delta formation, MC Base, Hawai'i, 2007.

"Off we go into the wild blue yonder
Climbing high into the sun . . . "

Yes, yes, yes!!

At this very moment, we're flying high and soaring to new heights, because today is official pub day for Operation Yes, by the one and only Sara Lewis Holmes!

OPERATION YES by Sara Lewis Holmes
(Arthur A. Levine Books, 2009), Ages 9-12, 256 pp.

*adjusts goggles and does happy dance in flight suit*

Yes, that Sara -- whose first novel, Letters from Rapunzel, impressed me so much back in 2007, that I simply had to write and tell her, even though I'm usually much too shy to contact perfect strangers. That led to me reading her amazing blog, Read*Write*Believe, where she sometimes features her exquisite poetry. *swoon* Such talent! I was so inspired by what she was doing that I summoned up the courage to start my own blog. Since she encouraged and supported me from day one, you can see why I am especially thrilled to be able to celebrate her second middle grade novel right here on alphabet soup.

( Read more... )

Tags: sara lewis holmes, soup of the day

Aug. 24th, 2009

soup of the day: japan!

mood:

cheerful

       Apprentice geisha by Daniel Bachler.

Konnichiwa! Ogenki desu ka? (Hello, How are you?)

*bowing*

Are you ready to travel to the Land of the Rising Sun?  We've no better guide than the lovely and talented Debbi Michiko Florence, who just published her second Kaleidoscope Kids activity book, Japan (Williamson Books, 2009)!

Nonfiction activity book for ages 7-14, 95 pages.

This irresistible, 95-page mega-feast is overflowing with delectable facts and interactive activities for kids ages 7-14, touching on bits of history, geography, sports, wildlife, language, music, philosophy, religion, cultural celebrations and more.

( Read more... )

Tags: book reviews, debbi michiko florence, nonfiction monday, soup of the day

Aug. 11th, 2009

soup of the day: jumping off swings!

mood:

happy

Jo is beautiful inside and out.

Hip hip hooray! What a glorious day!

I'm swinging high above the trees, and the view is amazing. I plan to stay up here awhile. Want to join me? It's the perfect way to celebrate the official release today of Jo Knowles's brand new young adult novel, Jumping Off Swings (Candlewick, 2009)! WooHoo!

      JUMPING OFF SWINGS by Jo Knowles
      (Candlewick Press, 2009), 240 pp.
      Young Adult Fiction

*loving the fresh air blowing through my hair*

( Read more... )

Tags: jo knowles, soup of the day

Aug. 1st, 2009

soup of the day: chicken dance!

mood:

bouncy

Bawk-Ba-Gawk!

Eggs-tra, Eggs-tra, Feed All About It!

Curl your lips (or beaks, as the case may be), wiggle your wattles, shake your tail feathers. It's time to bawk and roll! WooHoo!

Rawkin' album covers featuring author and illustrator.

About a week ago, I announced that Elvis Poultry was in the building. Today, his creators, author Tammi Sauer (Cowboy Camp), and illustrator Dan Santat (Guild of Geniuses, Secret Life of Walter Kitty), have got plenty to crow about, because CHICKEN DANCE (Sterling, 2009) has officially hatched!

Picture Book for ages 4-8, 36 pages.

True, this heeeelarious, rollicking barnyard romp of a story snuck into a few hen houses a little early. But now, it's obvious that the world was mighty hungry for a good cluck with pluck, because the first print run has already sold out!

( Read more... )

Tags: book reviews, chicken dance, dan santat, soup of the day, tammi sauer

Jul. 1st, 2009

soup of the day: where the mountain meets the moon by grace lin!

mood:

ecstatic

Gorgeous photo of Grace by Alexandre Ferron.

Hooray hooray hooray!!

Today is official Pub Day for Grace Lin's brand new middle grade novel, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Little,Brown, 2009)!

WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON by Grace Lin,
(Little, Brown, 2009), Fiction for ages 8-12, 288 pp.

As far as I'm concerned, any time Grace publishes a new book, it is cause for big celebration. I'm a huge fan of both her gorgeous picture books and her heartwarming novels about Pacy Lin, Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat. When I interviewed Grace last year, she had recently returned from visiting China and Taiwan, and she talked about how she hoped to incorporate some of the sights and sounds of her fascinating experiences in a new book.

( Read more... )

Tags: book reviews, grace lin, soup of the day

Jun. 9th, 2009

soup of the day: mare's war!

mood:

ecstatic

These are probably not your mother's stilettos.

But they could be your grandma's!

Just ask Tali and Octavia, whose grandmother not only wears red stilettos, but drives a red sportscar, dons flippy wigs and push-up bras, has very strong opinions, and tells them about her very surprising history.

Woo Hoo! The day I've been waiting for all year long has finally arrived: official pub day for Mare's War, a young adult novel written by the one and only Tanita S. Davis!!

*stilettos all over the world clicking together in celebration*

       MARE'S WAR by Tanita S. Davis,
       (Knopf, 2009), Young Adult Historical Fiction,
       Ages 12+, 352 pp.

Tanita's first book, A La Carte (2008), was so thoroughly delicious that I can't wait to read Mare's War. Mare is the grandmother in question; Tali and Octavia's summer plans are ruined when their parents force them to accompany Mare on a l-o-n-g cross-country road trip.

( Read more... )

Tags: soup of the day, tanita s. davis

May. 14th, 2009

soup of the day: me with you!

mood:

excited

Hip hip hooray!

*cartwheels* *backflips* *high jumps*

WooHoo! Friends, we can hardly bear it, because today, Kristy Dempsey's very first book, Me with You, is officially out!

ME WITH YOU by Kristy Dempsey, pictures by Christopher Denise,
(Philomel Books, 2009). Picture Book for ages 4-8, 32 pp.

Each new book is a miracle, but a first book is a very special cause for celebration. No matter how many books an author publishes, there is, and always will be, only one first book.

( Read more... )

Tags: kristy dempsey, may days, soup of the day

May. 4th, 2009

soup of the day: mouse was mad!

mood:

crazy

Feeling a little put out?

Things just not going your way?

Then get MAD!! Really really really MAD!!

That's right, folks. It's time to scream and holler your head off, in honor of a brand new picture book that's officially out today: Mouse Was Mad, by the one and only Linda Urban!

MOUSE WAS MAD by Linda Urban, pictures by Henry Cole,
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009), Picture book for ages 4-8, 40 pp.

&!!$*#$%#*#(@!!!

The thing is, you won't stay mad for very long. You simply can't. That's because this brilliantly fine-tuned, adorable, endlessly endearing charmer of a book will steal your heart away at first reading -- and you'll find yourself madly in love with it!

Seriously. For me, this one stole the big cheese. Linda's telling demonstrates picture book writing at its finest. At the center of the storm is Mouse -- tiny in size, but experiencing a rage so huge, he's hoppin', stompin', screaming, rolling-around-on-the-ground mad. As he struggles to express his anger, Hare, Bear, Bobcat and Hedgehog come along and show him how it's really done, but poor Mouse can't get it right, flopping, splooshing and splushing into one mucky mud puddle after another.

Finally, he reaches the point of being standing-still mad. And guess what? Nobody can outdo him. Not Bobcat, whose "ears twitched." Not Hare, who "could not keep his tail from wiggling." Certainly not Bear, because "when he breathed deep, trees moved and the ground shook a little." Sigh. Not even Hedgehog -- "even he could not keep his bristles from bristling."

Hare, Bear, Bobcat and Hedgehog in awe of Mouse's singular skill.

I can't say enough about the perfect pacing of this story, or the precise comic timing of the dialogue -- spare though it may be, it's always right on target and speaks volumes.

And Henry Cole's art? Blissfully, beautifully, dynamically expressive. With ink, pencil, and watercolor, he charts every stage of Mouse's anger, in all its teeth gritting, whisker bending, eyeball squinching glory. I can say with full confidence that one would be very hard pressed to find any child, (or adult, for that matter), who, while reading this story, wouldn't be thoroughly engaged and amused by Mouse's transition from livid to laughing. A great story for little ones building social skills, with a nod to the primacy of self expression.

Mouse tries to express his anger by screaming.

Mouse Was Mad recently received a decidedly ebullient review from Kirkus, who says, "Urban unfurls the gentle 'be true to yourself' moral perfectly, with plenty of funny dialogue, overplayed reaction and the enduring appeal of the tiny hero. . . Who knew standing still could be so dramatic?" I couldn't agree more, and whole heartedly give this book my highest five spoon rating!

Speaking of spoons, grab one right now and slurp some celebration soup in honor of Linda. For today only, feel free to hop, stomp, scream, or roll yourself silly in our edible muck -- sop, sip, guzzle, and gulp with gusto till your whiskers are awash! And thank you, Linda, for writing such an awesome book!

Today's Special: Mud Puddle Soup served with cheese hearts (for best flavor, consume while sitting perfectly still).

The perfect way to top off our celebration? A piece of chocolate mud cake:

photo by food pornographer

Alrighty then, scamper over to your local indie and scoop up your very own copy of Mouse Was Mad. It'll have you jumping for joy!

(photo by jeffffd)

For more about Linda and her books, visit her official website and Live Journal blog, Crooked Perfect. Mouse Was Mad is her first published picture book, on the heels of her highly acclaimed middle grade novel, A Crooked Kind of Perfect, which came out in 2007 (I lurved that one, too)!

See all the Soup of the Day posts here.

*Mad face #1 courtesy of tylerburkphotography; mad face #2 by tassava.

**Spreads posted by permission, text copyright © 2009 Linda Urban, illustrations © 2009 Henry Cole, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Tags: book reviews, linda urban, may days, soup of the day

Apr. 28th, 2009

soup of the day: a recipe 4 robbery!

mood:

excited

photo by EssjayNZ

HONK HONK!!

Have you heard the good news?

Marybeth Kelsey's second middle grade novel, A Recipe 4 Robbery (Greenwillow, 2009), is officially out today! WooHoo!!

     A RECIPE 4 ROBBERY by Marybeth Kelsey (Greenwillow, 2009),
     Fiction for ages 8-12, 288 pp.

I don't know about you, but a book with the word, "recipe" in the title sounds awfully good to me. Actually, I just read the first eight chapters at the publisher's website, and it looks like Marybeth has cooked up a fun, fast paced mystery caper with just the right ingredients to satisfy readers 8 - 12.

        Cukes everywhere are doin' the Marybeth happy dance!
        (photo by sujuzspace)

First, there's ten-year-old Lindy Lou Phillips, who's sworn off vegetables for the annual Bloomsberry Cucumber Festival. That includes dressing up like one (her mom's a carrot, and her dad and brother are beets), as well as eating them. But alas and alack, a plate full of gross, slimy, disgusting stewed cucumbers prepared by the dotty Mrs. Unger is forced upon her, and she is obligated to try them.

Add to the mix, Lindy's best friend, Margaret; know-it-all, Gus Kinnard (who's definitely not her boyfriend!); a desire to go to band camp, and a messy run-in with snotty Cucumber Festival Princess, Angel Grimstone (strawberry shortcake is involved).

Next, slip in a key ingredient: the discovery of a valuable stolen locket in the cucumber sludge! Knowing full well there's no way Mrs. Unger, aka, Granny Goose, could be guilty, the three friends set out to find who could have framed her and why. Could it be flamboyant François, the French chef? Or Leonard, the Grimstone's sullen gardener?

A hefty reward looms on the horizon, as the trio adopts a strategy laid out by the NSCCB (Not-So-Clueless-Crimebusters). The narrative moves along at a brisk pace, and readers will be captivated by Lindy's authentic voice and humor from the outset. Sprinkle in a mischievous, shiny-object-loving goose named Pickles, a little jealousy, corn dogs, lemonade, and french fries, and you've got a delicious, suspenseful read.

A Recipe 4 Robbery has already received a glowing review from Kirkus, who called it "top-notch summer reading." Sweet words, indeed, especially on the heels of Kelsey's highly acclaimed first novel, Tracking Daddy Down (2008), which received a starred review from School Library Journal, and was named to the New York Public Library's 2008 list of Top 100 Books for Reading and Sharing.

How about a big flap of applause for Marybeth?
(photo by ruth_gord)

Now, please join me in congratulating Marybeth on another fabulous book (vegetarians will be especially pleased with today's soup). Though cucumbers are involved, they are of the coolest variety -- no sludge, slime, or goop to interfere with your celebratory slurping!

Today's Special: Goosey Gumbo (served with mini cheese breadsticks).

And, to top off the meal, have some strawberry shortcake:

photo source: Betty Crocker Recipes

A Recipe 4 Robbery can be purchased at your local indie or fave online bookseller. Click here to read some sample chapters from the book.

"Well, what are you waiting for?!"
(photo by phekda5000)

Don't forget to check out Marybeth's website or Live Journal blog for more about her and her books!

To see more Soup of the Day posts, click here.

Tags: marybeth kelsey, soup of the day

Apr. 6th, 2009

soup of the day!

mood:

excited

photo source: jumping lab

Woo Hoo! It's time to jump for joy!

Arf arf arf! Woof Woof!

There's very good reason to rustle up all this canine commotion, because today, Jill Esbaum's fabulous new picture book about a truly endearing poetry writing dog, Stanza, is officially out!

STANZA by Jill Esbaum, pictures by Jack E. Davis,
(Harcourt, 2009), ages 4-8, 32 pp.

*Roll over* *Sit* *Stay*

Yes, I said poetry writing dog. What a great premise! Stanza's a city dog, who usually prowls the streets "annoying and chasing and bullying others" with his two bad brothers, Dirge and Fresco. People in the neighborhood are fond of calling him "Scoundrel," "Bonehead," or "Slobbery lug." But under his rough, tough exterior, lives a truly sensitive soul -- who waits until after his brothers are asleep every night to pen his poetry.

He wrote of first snowfalls,
a colorful bird,
the 7th Street hydrant,
a tune that he'd heard.
He wrote tender haiku of earth, sea, and sky,
and sonnets devoted to chicken pot pie.

Now, I'd love Stanza even if he didn't sonnetize chicken pot pie, for he loves writing poetry so much that he risks his brothers' torturous teasing by writing in secret. One day he learns about a poetry contest: just by writing the winning jingle for Snappers doggie treats, he could win some serious cash. He fantasizes about all the things he could do with his prize money. He wouldn't have to chase, steal, or scavenge on the streets anymore.

So -- he writes and writes and writes, and finally sends off his poem. Does he win? And what happens when his brothers find out about the contest? I won't spoil the ending for you, but let's just say, it's doggone delicious and totally satisfying, even though Dirge and Fresco get a hold of Stanza's poems and rip some of them up (shudder)!

Jill's rhyming verse is tippy top brilliant, making this a story that begs to be read aloud again and again. The characters spring to life in all their beady eyed glory thanks to Davis' frenetic ink, watercolor and acrylic cartoony illustrations. Stanza is a character who will steal your heart; you will inevitably find yourself rooting for him throughout, and maybe even craving chicken pot pie. And did I mention the font they used for this book is called, "Chicken Soup?"

It's a sign, I tell you, a sign -- that kids will eagerly lap up this story and be inspired to write some poetry of their own. Stanza is the perfect spokesperson for National Poetry Month. He represents all those closet poets who are afraid to strut their stuff for fear of being ostracized or ridiculed. A very refreshing take on the "be true to yourself" theme, this book will make poetry très cool with young readers, and show them that yes, it takes a great deal of courage to write and share what you've written, and oftentimes, the "rewards" we seek for doing so come in different guises.

Colette totally crushing on Stanza!

So, are you ready to howl your happy wishes for Jill? No need to sit up and beg. Just slurp directly from the doggie bowl today, and take as many biscuits as you like. Thanks for writing such a chewy, fun story, Jill, and Congratulations!!

Today's Special: Poetry Potage (guaranteed to make you wax poetic).

If you write a poem today, you also get some chicken pot pie:

photo source: foodistablog

Now hightail it over to your local indie and score your copy of Stanza. Be sure to lick the sales clerk to show your appreciation.

For more about Jill's books, visit her official website or Live Journal blog, Down a Dusty Road.

Wishin' you could have some of those cool "I Love Poetry" stickers that Stanza is wearing, too? Go to the HMH Poetry Kit page, and download to your heart's content. And while you're there, check out the Stanza activity page, with full instructions on how to write your own jingle!

alphabet soup residents will be wearing their stickers all month long!

Keep on chanting: We love Stanza! We love Stanza! We love Stanza!

Edited to add: Jill's running a special contest! Try writing your own jingle about why you'd like to win a copy of Stanza. Deadline is Sunday, April 12th. Contest is open to all ages, and 3 copies of Stanza will be awarded as prizes! More info here.

See all the other Soup of the Day posts on this blog here.

*Interior spreads posted by permission, text copyright © 2009 Jill Esbaum, illustrations copyright © 2009 Jack E. Davis, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Books. All rights reserved.

Tags: book reviews, jill esbaum, poetry and cake month, soup of the day

Apr. 3rd, 2009

friday feast: soup of the day special edition

mood:

ecstatic

Look out! Take cover! Clear the decks!

A stampede is coming!!

Just two days from now, Monday, April 6th, to be exact, Stampede!: Poems to Celebrate the Wild Side of School, by the amazingly prolific author and poet, Laura Purdie Salas, will be officially released through Clarion Books! WooHoo!!

        STAMPEDE!: POEMS TO CELEBRATE THE WILD SIDE OF SCHOOL
         by Laura Purdie Salas, pictures by Steven Salerno,
         (Clarion Books, 2009), Ages 4-8, 32 pp.

That's right. One of Poetry Friday's regular participants, deemed last year an official Poetry Princess, she of the famous 15 Words or Less weekly poetry writing feature, is launching her first trade book collection of poems for kids.

( Read more... )

Tags: book reviews, laura purdie salas, poetry and cake month, poetry friday, soup of the day

Mar. 31st, 2009

soup of the day!

mood:

chipper

Clip clop, clip clop!

Whoa, steady there! It's time to tap your lucky horseshoes together in honor of uber-talented, prolific children's book author, Candice Ransom, because today, her non-fiction picture book, Pony Island, is officially out from Walker Books! WooHoo!!

PONY ISLAND by Candice F. Ransom, pictures by Wade Zahares,
(Walker Books, 2009). Picture book for ages 4-8, 32 pp.

Ever since I first read Fuse 8's detailed, glowing review of Pony Island, I've been anxious to see it. In spare verse, Ransom relates how a cargo of wild ponies were left stranded on an uninhabited island off the coast of Virginia after a shipwreck in the Atlantic. The ponies lived there peacefully without human contact for many years, until a devastating series of fires on the neighboring island of Chincoteague prompted cowboys to round up the ponies and auction some of them off to raise money for a new fire truck.

The Chincoteague Wild Pony Swim, Penning, and Carnival is an enduring tradition that is still highly anticipated today. Every July, tens of thousands of people brave long waits in the hot sun to watch these beautiful animals make the 3-minute swim between Assateague and Chincoteague. Proceeds from the auction support the fire department and help maintain the herd on Assateague, where they have supposedly lived since the 1600's.

If you've read Misty of Chincoteague, you know well the fascination with these ponies. It is said descendants of Misty still live on Assateague. Now, with Candice Ransom's new book, young readers will be able to read a story based on the theory most favored by Chincoteague residents about the origin of these ponies -- that involving a Spanish galleon wrecked at sea.

Now, please join me in congratulating Candice on what sounds like a beautiful book! Just for today, you may get into the spirit of celebrating by diving right into the bowl or slurping heartily from the trough. Exuberant whickers, whinnies, neighs, and nickers are especially encouraged.

Today's Special: Chincoteague Chowder (will bring out your wild side)

Well, what are you waiting for? Gallop on over to your local indie or click through to your fave online bookseller and pony up some cash for your copy of Pony Island!

For more about Candice and her books, visit her official website and Live Journal Blog, Under the Honeysuckle Vine, or catch up with her cohorts in adventure at Ellsworth's Journal.

To see a video of last year's Wild Pony Swim, click here.

To see the parade (you have to, the ponies are adorable), click here.

For more information about the 2009 Wild Pony Swim, Parade and Carnival, visit Assateague.com.

Tags: candice ransom, soup of the day

Mar. 19th, 2009

soup of the day!

mood:

ecstatic

graphics by goldtrout

Break out the ham, grits, and pecan pie.

Don your prettiest orange and white.

It's time to waltz around the Tennessee ballroom, because THE book I've been dying to read ever since I first heard about it back in 2007, is finally out today!! Let's hear it for Live Journal's favorite Knoxville girl, Kerry Madden, on the official release of Harper Lee (Up Close) (Viking, 2009)!!

          HARPER LEE (UP CLOSE) by Kerry Madden,
          (Viking, 2009), Ages 12+, 224 pp.

*cartwheels* *backflips* *wild cheering and moonpie munching*

I absolutely adore Kerry's writing. You probably know her Maggie Valley trilogy: Gentle's Holler, Louisiana's Song, and Jessie's Mountain -- all written in beautiful, lyrical prose that sings of family life in the hills of Appalachia with so much heart and passion. Now she's written a biography of Harper Lee, whose book, To Kill a Mockingbird, is probably my favorite novel of all time. *swoons*

As Kerry mentions in her book's Foreword, Harper Lee (who goes by her first name, "Nelle"), is a fiercely private individual, who doesn't believe in biographies of those still living. Her sometimes reply to interview requests is, "Hell no." Undaunted, Kerry respectfully undertook the challenge of unearthing details about Nelle's life by visiting Monroeville, Alabama, several times to dig through courthouse archives and interview friends, colleagues, and town residents.

Aside from its powerful and enduring message of truth, justice and tolerance, To Kill a Mockingbird has always resonated with Kerry on a very personal level. Growing up as the daughter of a football coach in the South and Midwest meant that she often moved from place to place. "Each time I reread the book or showed my own children the film, I found home all over again. I could roam the streets of Harper Lee’s 'Maycomb' and hear the voices of Jem and Scout and Dill calling to each other. I had a cousin just like sniveling cousin Francis. I beat up a boy like Cecil Jacobs."

So far, it looks like Kerry's created a real winner -- Harper Lee (Up Close) recently received a starred review from Kirkus:

A narrative both well paced and richly detailed-even reproducing two of Lee's stories for her college literary magazine and excerpting a recent letter to O magazine, not included in Charles Shields's excellent I Am Scout (2008)-this biography will appeal to fans of the novel and to newcomers. Readers will find a fascinating portrait of an independent young woman stubbornly going her own way to become the one thing she wanted to be: a writer. Extensive source notes and an excellent bibliography round out this superb biography, one of the best in the Up Close series.

To Kill a Mockingbird has sold over 30 million copies to date, and is standard reading in English classes across the country. A biography written especially for young people about the woman who wrote this beloved classic will prove invaluable in countless ways. Thank you, Kerry, for all your work in completing this book. Today, we congratulate you on a stunning accomplishment. Bravo!!

Before I run out to purchase my copy (as you should, too), let's slurp deep (with great feeling and gusto), some of this celebration soup prepared especially in Kerry's honor:

Today's Special: Nelle Harper Lee Green Pea (one bowl to last a lifetime).

And, there's nothing like a little MoonPie ala Madden:

photo by lla

For more about Kerry and her books, visit her official website and Live Journal blog, Mountain Mist.

She posted the book's Foreword on her blog recently, and it can be found here, along with this post and this one, detailing more about her research trips to Monroeville, Alabama.

Check out this review by Julie M. Prince at YA (and Kids) Book Central.

Okay now, run out to your local indie, or click through to your fave online bookseller and order Harper Lee (Up Close)!!

*Photo of Nelle Harper Lee from Johnny Quixote's photostream.

Tags: kerry madden, soup of the day

Mar. 17th, 2009

soup of the day!

mood:

excited

photo by pfaff

OMG!! Have you heard?

It's not green day, it's purple day!!

WORD flying through the grapevine is that Jeannine Garsee, known around Live Journal Land as

onegrapeshy , has a brand new young adult novel out today -- Say the Word (Bloomsbury, 2009)!

    SAY THE WORD by Jeannine Garsee,
    (Bloomsbury, 2009), Young Adult Fiction, 368 pp.

Woo Hoo!! On the heels of her very popular and successful, Before, After, and Somebody In Between (Bloomsbury, 2007), Say the Word has been generating positive buzz among loyal fans. They are anxious to read this compelling coming-of-age story about 17-year-old Shawna Gallagher, who must cope with an overwhelming array of problems during her senior year.

The world expects perfection from her, and for the most part, that's what they get. She dates the right boys, gets good grades, and follows her father’s every rule. But when her lesbian mother (who deserted her years ago) dies, it’s more than perfect Shawna can take. Suddenly, anger from being abandoned ten years ago is resurfacing along with Shawna’s embarrassment over her mother’s other family. As she confronts family secrets and questions from the past, Shawna realizes there’s a difference between doing the perfect thing and doing the right thing.

Say the Word has already garnered some glowing reviews. Kirkus notes, "Garsee manages to give every character depth and dimension without falling into the trap of making the children too perfect and angelic and the adults imperfect to the point where the reader loses sympathy for them," and Publisher's Weekly says, "Garsee's second novel hits the ground running and never lets up." Sounds like a lot of interesting storylines and plot twists to keep readers glued to the page!

photo by Fields of Cake.

I hope you're in a grapenutty mood today, because in honor of Jeannine, we've concocted a special soup that's sure to make your friends purple with envy. Please join in and stomp your feet in celebration if you like. Whether you're shy one grape or two, let's throw a big bunch of congratulations out to Jeannine for a job well done!

Today's Special: Grape Gumbo (guaranteed to make you nuts).

Say the Word can be ordered through IndieBound or your fave online bookseller. Oh, and help yourself to a cupcake to eat while you're reading:

photo by cupcakeenvy.

For more about Jeannine, visit her official website and Live Journal blog.

Tags: jeannine garsee, say the word, soup of the day

Mar. 3rd, 2009

soup of the day!

mood:

crazy

Hot diggety dog!!

Have I got a book for you.

Put on your flame retardant jumpsuit and sombrero, then let out a big OLÉ, for the master of the macabre and undisputed King of the Weenies, David Lubar, on the official release today of The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies (Starscape, 2009)!!

     THE BATTLE OF THE RED HOT PEPPER WEENIES
       by David Lubar (Starscape, 2009),
       Ages 9-12, 192 pages.

Ay Carumba!!

Si, it's time for a brand new collection of 35 short stories -- strange, weirdo, bizarre little gems that'll make you laugh and creep you out at the same time. There's the girl who doesn't have a date for the school dance, until her father makes her one in his lab. The family who's enjoying a nice Thanksgiving dinner, until a torrent of turkeys seek revenge. A princess who must face a pea-brained suitor. And, *wait for it*, a scorching battle between two red hot pepper weenies that ends in flames!

Call the fire department!

That David. He'll do anything for a good story. Yes, this man has a rare, ointment-laced, demented mind. Case in point: three previous collections of wildly popular Weenie stories -- In the Land of the Lawn Weenies, Invasion of the Road Weenies, and The Curse of the Campfire Weenies. These books were gobbled up by middle grade readers and left them begging for more. The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies, which includes a Reader's Guide and David's comments about what inspired the stories, looks like a sure-fire, made-to-order feast on a bun that will satisfy any craving.

Legions of Lubar fans waiting for him to cut the mustard.
(photo by KS Girl)

Hungry yet?

Sometimes we all need a little freaky fare, and David always delivers. So, grab your biggest spoon, slather yourself with hot sauce, and dive into this bowl of celebration soup (seasoned liberally with red pepper flakes), especially for our favorite book weenie. Come on, all together now: "Señor David, Congratulacion!!"

Today's Special: Hot Tamale Tomato with a Side of Bourbon
(don't worry about the fly -- he won't eat much).

To learn more about David and his books, including Hidden Talents (ALA Best Book for Young Adults), visit his website and Live Journal blog , Gadfly in the Ointment (bring your own swatter).

If you'd like the scoop on all the Weenies, click here for "A Guide for the Perplexed" (fully downloadable)!

The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies can be ordered through IndieBound or any of the usual suspects. Relish it!

Shame on you! Don't even go there!
(photo by grizzly_lightning)

Tags: david lubar, soup of the day

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a children's writer offers food for thought & fine whining

November 2009

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