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We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

2009 Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner

2009 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

Written and Illustrated By: Kadir Nelson

Last year you heard me wax prophetic about Nelson's illustrations for, Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom.  This year, it's all about We Are the Ship.  First of all, I didn't know anything about the Negro baseball leagues.  I did not know that there was a gentleman's agreement among white major league team owners to not recruit African American players, or that Rube Foster was the man who put African American men on their way to the major leagues, or that the members of the Negro National League would go and play in Cuba (or even Europe) in the summer to acclaim and better treatment than they would ever find in America or, or, or!  I'm telling you, this book is a history lesson, but it's fantastic! 

The story is told from the perspective of the members of the Negro League as a united voice.  The tone is such that you feel right at home and friendly with these men (and a woman!).  You really will feel what they had to go through: long, bumpy bus rides, playing up to four (yes, four!) games a day, racism (refusal to be able to eat, drink, sleep or use a restroom) and the sheer joy they had while playing a game they loved.  The narrator(s) will be the first to tell you that it was a long, difficult journey, but much better than working in a factory.

The story is also told in innings, not chapters.  I loved this touch!  Each inning also begins with a quote directly related to the content of that inning.  There are also endnotes!  Endnotes!  Nelson tells us where he got his information!  And it took him EIGHT YEARS to research, write and illustrate this book.  I'm sorry, but that is some dedicated determination on his part!

And the illustrations!  I don't even know where to begin on them!  There are illustrations on EVERY SINGLE SPREAD in this book.  One page will be text, while the other is a gorgeous piece of art!  I mean it!  There are even two-page spreads that will show teams or scenes from a game that is being talked about.  Most of the illustrations are of the players, and Nelson has their name close by so that you know who it is.  (Believe it or not, this is not always the case, and I love this feature!)  One particular spread is of a ticket from the First Colored World Series on Oct. 11^th, 1924.  When you open the ticket up from the middle you are greeted with an image of all of the players from that series lined up and with their names below their picture.  Gorgeous!

Truly, this is a work of love and dedication on the part of Nelson.  You can tell the amount of research and effort that has gone into this book.  It is lovely and a joy from start to finish.

Notes on the Cover:

That my friends, is Josh Gibson.  He was a powerful hitter and a great catcher.  When I tell you he was a powerful hitter I am not lying!  According to the book, when he hit a ball, it "would shoot straight toward the outfield and still be on its way up as it cleared the fence.  It would land about 400 or 500 feet away" (51).  He didn't start out as a great catcher, but he worked hard and could eventually "pick you off at second from a crouch" (51).  So, now I've given you a bit more trivia, plus an amazing portrait of a great player.

Recommended To:

• Baseball fans young and old. There is no age limit on this!
• History fans. Seriously, there was a lot of great information in here!
• Everyone! It didn't win more than one award for nothing!

Coming soon to our shelves!

The House in the Night

2009 Caldecott Winner

The House in the Night

By: Susan Marie Swanson

Pictures By: Beth Krommes

This link will take you to the site that explains the criteria for the Caldecott Medal:

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottterms/caldecottterms.cfm

Normally in my reviews I talk about the plot, theme or context of a book and spend a little bit on the art or cover.  In this instance I will try to do the art justice, while giving a sense of the plot. 

First of all, the art and the text of the book mesh extremely well (as I would hope!).  There are very few words in each spread; 8 is the maximum you will find.  The words flow well together, and the cumulative effect of the poem is mesmerizing when read aloud.  In the very first phrase, "Here is the key to the house," the reader will be given expectations as to what images will have the beautiful yellow-gold color in it. (Sorry, the majority of the book is in black and white - very reminiscent of Wanda Gag to me, but that's my opinion).  The key and the collar of the dog are the only colored images in this spread. 

As the book progresses, the word count remains low, while the yellow-gold is increased.  It is never over-the-top, and the light that is to shine through is always colored.  It's quite luminous! 

Another thing I find interesting is that I am guessing the child is a girl, and this is solely based on the doll in the chair in her (his?) bedroom.  The beautiful thing about this child (to me anyways) is that it could honestly be a boy or a girl.  The child wears pants and a shirt throughout the book, and the face does not have features that are strictly boy or girl (I hope you understand what I mean by that, and feel free to disagree!). 

A detail that I really love is that of the Van Gogh painting of Starry Night in the child's bedroom.  You will see it twice, the first time is sans yellow-gold, and the other time the night sky is truly radiant in all its true glory.  You will also notice that various spreads of the book (from the child's imagination) are reminiscent of that same painting.  Brilliant!

In the author's note at the end of the book, Swanson tells us that her inspiration for the cumulative pattern of this book came from a collection called The Oxford Nursery Rhyme Book by Iona and Peter Opie, particularly the rhyme that begins: "This is the key of the kingdom:/ In that kingdom is a city,/ In that city is a town,/ In that town there is a street..."  I really appreciate the fact that she puts this out there.  For people that enjoy this sort of a journey in a book, that would be a great collection to turn to in order to find more resources.

On a side note: while I find this book to be lovely, I can't help but wonder if it will really reach out to its intended audience.  Sure, the adults judging the awards loved it, but what do honest-to-goodness little kids think?  I would love to know, and don't know any that are old enough to tell me their opinions.  Although, this book does have the kind of pictures that practically beg for a child to make their own story up too...

Recommended To:

• Parents, this is a lovely bedtime story! When you read it aloud it adds so much more!
• Those interested in the Caldecott winners (and please note that: "A picture book has a collective unity of story-line, theme, orconcept, developed through the series of pictures of which the book iscomprised." -from the website above).
• Everyone!

2009 Children's/YA Award Winners

2009 Caldecott Awards:

Winner:

The House in the Night                                        Susan Marie Swanson

All in all, this was a lovely little book.  My review will be posted soon!

Honors:

How I Learned Geography                                     Uri Shulevitz

I've heard wonderful things and can't wait to see this one!

River of Words: The Story of William Carlos William Jen Bryant

Again, I've heard lovely things, but we'll have to wait until I get my hands on a copy!

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever             Marla Frazee

I heard absolutely nothing about this one in the last year.  I'm anxious to see it!

Geisel Award:  (Distinguished book for beginning readers)

Are You Ready to Play Outside?                            Mo Willems

(From the Elephant and Piggie Books)  I LOVE ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE!

Coretta Scott King:

Author Award:

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball      Kadir Nelson

My review will be up within the week.  It's a lovely book!                                                                                          

Author Honors:

Keeping the Night Watch                                      Hope Anita Smith

The Blacker the Berry                                   Joyce Carol Thomas

Becoming Billie Holiday                                Carol Boston Weatherford

Again, I haven't heard much at all about any of these. 

Illustrator Award:

The Blacker the Berry                   Auth: Joyce Carol Thomas

                                                  Illus: Floyd Cooper

Illustrator Honors:

The Moon Over the Star                Auth: Dianna Hutts Aston

                                                   Illus: Jerry Pinkney

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball       Auth/Illus: Kadir Nelson

Before John Was a Jazz Giant               Auth: Carol Boston Weatherford

                                                           Illus: Sean Qualls

Reviews should be coming on these as well! 

Newbery Medal:

Winner:

The Graveyard Book                     Neil Gaiman

What? Really?  Never in a million years did I think this lovely book would have won.  It was reviewed on November 4th, 2008 on this blog.  Go me!

Honors:

The Underneath                          Kathi Appelt

The Surrender Tree: Poem's of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom       Margarita Engle

Reviewed here on September 4, 2008.  This was truly a lovely book!

After Tupac and D Foster              Jacqueline Woodson

Savvy                                        Ingrid Law

Wilder Award:

Ashley Bryan

This is the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for an author or illustrator whose books have made a significant impact on children's literature.  We have, Let it Shine.  I may have to order some more!

Michael L. Printz:

Award:

Jellicoe Road                      Melina Marchetta

Honor:

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves

                                                        M.T. Anderson

I've been waiting for this one to get catalogued ever since I read the first one (the review is coming!).  Believe me, you'll know when I've read it! 

Tender Morsels                                   Margo Lanagan

Veeery excited to see this one!

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks   E. Lockhart

I adored this book!  I thought I had posted my review, but it seems I was mistaken, so I will right that asap!

Nation                                               Terry Pratchett

Pratchett is Pratchett.  The Wee Free Men was the only book of his that I have read, but I look forward to disappearing into this one!

William C. Morris Award:

This one is for a debut book for a first time author writing for teens.

A Curse Dark as Gold                           Elizabeth C. Bunce

YAY!  Oh YAY!  I LOVED THIS BOOK!  Review was posted on May 7, 2008

Batchelder Award:

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit             Nahoko Uehashi

Honors:

Garmann's Summer                              Stian Hole

Tiger Moon                                         Antonia Michaelis

Sibert Award:

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball      Kadir Nelson

Sibert Honor Books:

Bodies from the Ice                             James M. Deem

What to do About Alice?                       Barbara Kerley

Pure Belpre Award:

Author:

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom           Margarita Engle

Illustrator:

Just in Case                                       Yuyi Morales

Author Honors:

The Storyteller's Candle                       Lucia Gonzalez

Reaching Out                                      Francisco Jimenez

Just in Case                                       Yuyi Morales

Illustrator Honors:

Papa and Me                                       Illus: Rudy Gutierrez

                                                        By: Arthur Dorrow

The Storyteller's Candle                       Illus: Lulu Delacre

                                                        By: Lucia Gonzalez

What Can You Do with a Rebozo?          Illus: Amy Cordova

                                                        By: Carmen Tafolla

The Winter Rose

The Winter Rose

By: Jennifer Donnelly

Yet another gripping page turner!  This is the sequel to The Tea Rose that I was telling you about.  Unfortunately, there are going to be some potentially GREAT BIG SPOILERS in this review.  Why would I do this to you, you ask?  Because one of the main characters is someone who you are going to think is DEAD for quite a chunk of The Tea Rose.  I will try very hard not to give too much away though.  Really!

India Selwyn Jones is not a woman to mess with.  She has left her family home (and very large fortune, I might add) to live on her own and become a doctor.  In London.  In 1900.  Yeah, not such an easy task.  She has succeeded in passing all of her classes and exams and is graduating with lofty dreams of working with the poor and unfortunate in the Whitechapel area.  She feels that all the mothers need is an education on the benefits of eating healthy and for their husbands to not spend their money on booze.  She will be working for a local doctor who many consider to be a saint.  India soon disagrees.  Emphatically.  But she makess a new friend in Ella, the nurse/bookkeeper/cleaner of the clinic where she is working. 

India has been courting a man named Freddie Lytton since they were practically children and he is pressuring her to set a date for their wedding.  To say that Freddie himself has some lofty goals and ambitions is yet another understatement!  He wants to become Prime Minister of England, but in order for that to happen he needs to start small: by becoming a Member of Parliament.  To do that, he'll need money.  Unfortunately, he is the second son, so his brother allocates his allowance and, in typical young man/political fashion, there is just not enough to buy all the votes he needs.  Hence, he needs to speed up his wedding to India in order to get her estranged mother to give him her dowry.  How about a secret from his past?  One that is quite terrible, but perhaps forgivable, depending on how you view...murder.  Unfortunately, as the book progresses, that one secret soon leads to others.  Ones that stand in his way of marrying India and gaining her fortune, because make no mistake about it, it's the money he wants.

Enter notorious gangster Sid Malone.  India and Sid have numerous run-ins which lead to a developing business relationship and even a friendship as India tries to get Sid to tell her about himself and Sid tries to get India to stop lecturing the people who visit the clinic she works at. 

There are your three major characters.  Of course, this book would not be complete without appearances by Fiona Finnegan, Joe Bristow and Seamie Finnegan and a few of his friends.  (Believe me, I have left of A LOT in this area that I just can't in good conscience start to talk about or I'll just give the whole darn thing away!)

All in all, a romping good read that had me speeding through the book like a bullet.  I found myself going so fast I'd skip parts of paragraphs just to get to the next part, so then I'd have to go back and read what I missed, because if I learned anything from The Tea Rose, you just can't do that with Donnelly because she is setting this plot up like a very fine pyramid of cards.  If you remove one card, will the whole thing collapse, or is there still a chance of salvaging something that was important to you and is now lost, perhaps forever?

Murder, betrayal, passion and misunderstanding abound in this thrilling sequel to The Tea Rose.  Yes, I realize the size of the books is potentially daunting, but oh are they worth it!  These books have the kind of pacing that makes me want to stay up all night and read and to heck with the consequences the next day!  (And let me tell you, I need my sleep or I'm a cranky one!) 

Notes on the Cover:

Again, I have the paperback version, but the premise is very similar to that of The Tea Rose.  We see a young lady in a nice dress holding a white rose (no, I will not tell you who The Winter Rose is, you should know that already!)  My problem with the dress is that it's not the essence of this particular character, less frilly/frou-frou clothes are, but I'll let it go, since I know she has worn, and will wear again these types of gowns.  And the placement of the rose is fantastic.  Right in the middle of the cover!

Recommended To:

• Lovers of The Tea Rose
• Historical fiction fans
• Those who read a book for the a. story or b. the characters (by that I mean a: those who want a plot that picks you up and hauls you away or b. characters that become so alive in your imagination you lose track of where they end and you begin!)

Music Lab

The computers in the Music Lab are now printing again.  Please let me know if you experience any more problems!

My Cousin Rachel

My Cousin Rachel

By: Daphne Du Maurier

I totally loved Du Maurier's Rebecca and Jamaica Inn, so I thought I'd pick this one up and give it a shot.  In fact, I was so intrigued by it I bought it twice!  Alas, the things that happen when you forget which books you have!  Also, it makes me think I should read things as I purchase them instead of putting them aside to read ‘later' as I never know when that will be!

Philip Ashley is an orphan who has been raised by his cousin, Ambrose.  He helps Ambrose run their property in Cornwall, and is even left in charge when Ambrose goes away during the winters in order to help his arthritis (or was it gout?  Sorry, it's been a bit since I read this one!).  This year he makes a trip to Italy and runs into his cousin Rachel, who is a widow. 

Philip doesn't hear from Ambrose very frequently, but soon he finds out that Ambrose is in dire need of his help.  Will Philip arrive in time, or will it be too late?  Was Ambrose really going crazy, or was there something he was trying to tell Philip about Rachel?

Du Maurier keeps you interested in this tale of family relationships, love, passion, betrayal and death.  My only problem with this book is that the first 70 - 100 pages are a bit tedious.  Not that they aren't important to the story, because they most definitely are, but you really start to pick up the pace when Rachel comes into play.  Rachel is yet another charismatic, enigmatic figure who will take some of your brain power to figure out!  By the end though, you'll know!

Notes on the Cover:

Well, it's a little plain.  At the top we see a woman from the tip of her nose to her neck.  Note her neck.  It's important later in the story.  We just get a glimpse of Rachel, then it's the author's name in a burgundy-toned stripe, them the title in bright red, then black at the bottom.  For selling this as a ‘Classic 1951 Mystery' I think they could have put a little more effort into the cover.  No wonder I found it in the discount section!

Recommended To:

• Mystery lovers
• Fans of Du Maurier
• Those with a tendency to love the macabre

Inkdeath

Inkdeath

By: Cornelia Funke

Although this is the third book in a trilogy, you would be just fine reading this one on its own.  The beginning gives you a map and a summary of the previous two books so that you won't be lost, but you'll be missing out on the magnificence of the world Funke and Fegnolio have created.  (Funke is the author and Fenoglio is a character in the books that created the Inkworld).  Have I lost you yet?  I hope not because I felt like I had to wait for forever for this one to come out!

Mo, Resa and Meggie are in the Inkworld together at last.  Mo and Resa have been reunited, but Mo's days as a bookbinder have been put by the wayside.  He has become the Bluejay, a character Fenoglio created based off of Mo.  He now goes out in the night to try and stop the Adderhead and his henchmen.  One of these days it could very well get him killed.

When the Piper takes the children of the town away from their mothers in order to draw the Bluejay out, you know there's going to be trouble, and lots of it.  The Bluejay is too noble to let the mothers sacrifice their children for him, so he gives himself up knowing full well that he will not be treated well.  When a surprising ally helps him out she puts the Bluejay, her son, her illuminator and herself in grave danger.  Will Meggie, Resa and their band of friends be able to save Mo?  Will Mo be able to fulfill his mission that has been left undone?

I'm sorry this is so cryptic, but please believe me when I tell you there's a lot going on here.  Although you could read this book by itself, you really would be doing yourself a disservice in doing so.  You'll miss out on the story of Dustfinger, Farid, Roxane, Orpheus, Elinor, the Black Prince and his Bear, Capricorn, Basta, the Shadow, Mortola, Rosanna and Rosenquartz.  Just try and figure out whose good and bad from that list of names!  You just might be surprised by a few of them!

There's also love, death, bringing back to life, betrayal, sacrifice and so much more going on throughout this series.

Notes on the Cover:

I love it!  The purple background with the skull, the flowers, spiders, the Castle in the Lake, the treacherous bridge, unicorn, faeries, birds and the hidden skulls make it a simple-looking cover, but one that has more than meets the eye going on.  Take a good long gander at it after you've finished it.

Recommended To:

• Fans of Cornelia Funke (Dragon Rider, The Thief Lord - both excellent)
• Boys and girls alike. There's a lot going on here and the covers aren't girly-girly. Give the boys the first one and dollars to donuts they'll eat this series up!
• Anyone who has ever wished they could read their way into a story. With that basic premise Funke takes you for a whirlwind of a ride you won't soon forget!
• Everyone!

We have Inkspell and Inkworld in the library right now.  Inkdeath will be on the next book order I do, which will not occur until the end of January at the earliest.  If you're clamoring for this one, the public library has a copy.  Or  you can e-mail me and I'll send out a notice when it comes in.

Graceling

Graceling

By: Kristin Cashore

The premise of this one is that young people with two different colored eyes are ‘Graced' with a certain gift.  If their Grace is beneficial to the King, they will be in his employ and do as they are bid.  However, if their Grace is something like, swimming really fast, that a King may not find useful, they are sent home and basically ostracized for being different.

Katsa is a very unique female.  Her Grace is one that she is not so very fond of: she's Graced with killing.  Send 20 - 50 plus men at her and she will walk away.  Unscathed.  That is, until she meets Prince Po.  He's Graced with being able to fight, and Katsa finally has someone who is able to challenge her abilities and senses and make her work at being good at her Grace.

Katsa works for her uncle, the King of Middluns.  He sends her out to do dastardly deeds that she can hardly stomach, but a command is a command.  Too bad he doesn't know of all of Katsa's actions, or he would be quite upset with her, to say the least! 

When a rescue Katsa and her companions carries out is successful, they are all pleased, except for the fact that there was really no reason the person they rescued should be held captive in the first place.  Trying to figure out this puzzle will test all of Katsa's abilities, and even those of Po who is helping her.  The challenges that face these two friends would bring most people to their knees begging for it to be over, but they persevere and in the process, learn things about themselves that they never thought possible.

Notes on the Cover:

I love the sword, I love the how the eye towards the tip just draws you in: it's a little frightful, but then you see her cheek and mouth and notice that wicked smirk upon her lips.  Absolutely delightful!  The background has lovely colors as well, but the sword will draw you to this beauty of a tale!  Also, on the back cover you see the sword in a horizontal position with Katsa's bewitching eyes staring back at you. 

Recommended To:

• Boys - yes, I think guys will like this one. The protagonist may be a female, but she's the kind of friend guys would love to have!
• Girls who like their heroines strong and with a bit of an attitude! You won't be disappointed!
• Fans of fairy tales - the whole idea of a Grace (curse or a beneficial aspect) is very reminiscent of the fairies bestowing gifts on good little boys and girls. (Think Sleeping Beauty and how that second to last ‘gift' was to turn deadly).

The Tea Rose

The Tea Rose

By: Jennifer Donnelly

Set in the time of Jack the Ripper (who even plays a part in the novel) this tale of love, passion, betrayal, murder, jealousy and how to succeed above all else will keep you on the edge of your seats for the entire ride.

Fiona Finnegan is a scrappy young lass from the Whitechapel area of London who's saving her money along with her hopefully soon-to-be-husband Joe Bristow, a vegetable hawker who works for his father.  They both dream of opening their own shop together in order to rise above their current standard of living, which is poverty.  Despite the many financial hardships their families face, they are still happy together and love one another.

Of course, tragedy strikes on more than one front in a very short period of time.  A murder, multiple betrayals, another murder and running for one's very life soon take place.  Fiona vows revenge on the man who destroys her family and vows to forget the one man she will never be able to have.  In order to do that she and her younger brother, Seamie voyage to start a new life in America where they hope an Uncle who left long ago will be able to help them.  Surprises abound for Fiona, but her quick wits and surprising ability to work things to her advantage soon have her on her feet, but will she be able to stay there?  Will she succeed in avenging the murder that destroyed her family?  Will her patience run out?  Will she even survive long enough to do all that she longs to do?

I really can't even begin to describe all that goes on in this tale.  It's a large book - at 544 pages it's a bit of a daunting task, but I finished it in 2 days.  I could not put it down, and that is a recommendation that you can count on!

Notes on the Cover:

Lovely, just lovely.  I have a paperback version which shows a woman in a hat and dress that actually look like they came from the time period the book is set in.  It's amazing!  Plus, there's a rose on Fiona's left-hand side.  Roses do figure into the story - they pop up more than once.  Holy cow!  A cover designer who has read the book!  Color me impressed.

Recommended To:

• Historical fiction fans
• London in the late 1800s
• Those who don't mind tackling this monster! It's so worth it! Plus the sequel is already out in paperback! (Yes, I've finished it and you'll be getting that review in about 2 weeks.  I have to give you time to get through this one, you know!)

Chains

First off, welcome back to returning students and a great big "Hello" to our new students!