Chicken Killer: A Review of Bone Hollow

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91gp8+kYlxLBone Hollow
Kim Ventrella
Scholastic, January 2019
Grades: 5-8

Did you ever think you’d die trying to save a chicken? Yeah, well, neither did sixth-grader Gabe, in Kim Ventrella’s forthcoming Bone Hollow. Except Gabe is only half dead–and he discovers this when he shows up at the town candlelight service for him. Gabe is on the run from the town, when he meets Wynne, the embodiment of Death. Wynne helps people pass into the light, and she wants Gabe to take over this job. Over the course of the novel, she and Gabe become friends, and, under Wynne’s mentorship, Gabe eventually accepts the responsibility of helping people cross over. Gabe is a lonely and humorous kid, and his voice is authentic, for a sixth grader which makes his processing of dying and death compelling to the reader. The narrator describes Gabe’s new perspective on Death: “Sad, sure, but also happy and kind and vast, like the ocean he and Gramps used to imagine. A deep, endless ocean, with rushing waves and a surface that reflected back each and every star” (222). Ultimately, this book might help adolescent readers recognize that death is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be painful. Like Gabe, the readers might understand that Death is more of a transition than an ending.   

 

Carmen Agra Deedy–Save the Date!

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March 20, 2019 at 6 p.m.
Eloise Martin Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building
Reception and book signing to follow in the Slate Lobby

Carmen Agra Deedy is the author of eleven books for children including Martina the Beautiful Cockroach– winner of the Odyssey Honor Award (2009) and the Pura Belpré Honor Award (2008)–, 14 Cows for America, Library Dragon, and her newest picture book Rita and Ralph (Scholastic Press), illustrated by Pete Oswald, which will be published in 2020. Her personal stories first appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered; Deedy’s stories were inspired by her childhood as a Cuban refugee in Decatur, Georgia. She is also the host of the four-time Emmy-winning children’s program, Love That Book! In fall of 2016, Deedy opened the Art of the Book Lecture Series for the Smithsonian Libraries.

Along with being an award-winning author and storyteller, Deedy is also an accomplished lecturer, having been a guest speaker for both TED and TEDx Conferences, the Library of Congress, Coumbia University, The National Book Festival, Association of International Baccalaureate Schools of Costa Rica Conference, among several other distinguished venues.

If you are interested in learning more about Ms. Deedy and her work, follow the links provided below:

Website: carmenagradeedy.com

Twitter: @carmendeedy

TED: Carmen Agra Deedy Spins Stories

NPR: Twisting the Winds of Semantics

Diverse Summer Reading Books for Kids

National Book Festival: Book Fest 2017

Smithsonian: Author Series: Carmen Agra Deedy

Yale: Carmen Agra Deedy, Children’s Book Author

 

Maybe Today or Maybe Tomorrow: A Review of Maybe Tomorrow?

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Maybe Tomorrow?
By Charlotte Agell, illustrated by Ana Ramírez
Scholastic
March, 2019
Grades: Pre-K — 2

 

 

 

 

Elba the hippo spends her days dragging around a heavy, black box. One day Elba meets an alligator named Norris who is upbeat and surrounded by butterflies. The two become friends, and as they grow closer, Elba reveals to Norris that she is mourning the loss of her friend Little Bird. Norris tells Elba that although he did not know Little Bird, that he can help Elba mourn her. Elba and Norris then notice that her box has shrunk and become much lighter and easier for Elba to carry. Elba tells Norris that she will always have her box, to which Norris responds, “Yes, maybe you will… But I will help you carry it sometimes.”

Agell’s text is thoughtful and poignant, gently teaching children not only that it is okay to be sad, but also how to help those who are feeling sad. Agell makes a point of showing that there is no simple solution to sadness and that some people may always carry some sadness with them. The text encourages the reader, via Norris, to be empathetic and patient with those who are feeling sad. Agell shows that grieving is part of the healing process and cannot be rushed. Ramírez’s beautiful digitized watercolor drawings perfectly complement Agell’s text. The soft pastel colors convey a hopeful mood and bring gentle, understanding energy to accompany the text.

Benefits of a Bossy Butler: A Review of Pay Attention, Carter Jones

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Pay Attention, Carter Jones
Gary D. Schmidt
Clarion Books, February 2019

The Butler in Gary Schmidt’s Pay Attention, Carter Jones shows up at the perfect time. Carter’s father is deployed in Germany when Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick arrives on the Jones’s family’s front porch, his service an inheritance of sorts from their recently passed grandfather. Carter’s mother, struggling to care for four and mourning the loss of a fifth, is all too happy to accept free help, but Carter doesn’t appreciate Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick’s insistence on speaking “the Queen’s English” or his tips on gentlemanly behavior. The two bond, however, when the butler teaches Carter to drive a car that will one day be his own and introduces him to the intricacies of Cricket. When Carter finds out his father is not returning from Germany, he starts to suspects the butler knows more about his family than it seems, and that the butler’s unsolicited guidance may help him sort the fragments of his family currently spinning out of control. The Butler is appropriately irritating and loveable all at once, striking a perfect balance of affection and frustration as his central relationship with Carter blooms. Carter is both stubborn and sympathetic as a middle schooler confronting the loss of a sibling and his father’s abandonment in a touching and realistic way. A hilarious and heartfelt book that will have readers laughing between tears and “remembering who they are.”

Many thanks to local author, SCBWI-IL member, and guest reviewer, Mike Grosso. Mike is an author, musician, and middle school math teacher who always keeps a guitar in his classroom. Mike writes books and records music at his home in Oak Park, Illinois, where he lives with his son and a drum set he plays much too loud. I AM DRUMS is his first novel, and his rock album, SILENT EXPLOSION, was funded via Kickstarter in early 2018. You can find him at mikegrossoauthor.com.

 

 

 

 

Sort of Bilingual: Serving Youth and Young Adults from Spanish-speaking Homes

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Spanish/English Dictionary collectionJoin Elizabeth Lynch of Addison Public Library and Kelly MacGregor of Berwyn Public Library for an in-depth look at how they worked to improve service for the teens at their library and a discussion of how you can too.

Children and Young Adults growing up in Spanish-speaking households can encounter unique barriers to academic and social-emotional growth. Addison Public Library surveyed nearly 400 residents with the help of the ALA Diversity Research Grant to get a richer picture of the assets and needs of youth in bilingual homes. Their findings led them to develop new ways of approaching programming and services for bilingual youth. Find out more about the process for collecting useful community data and how you can replicate successful programs in your library.

When: Saturday February 9, 2019 from 11am — 1pm

Where: Butler Children’s Literature Center — Dominican University, Crown Rm 214

RSVP: to butler@dom.edu by 2/4/19 to reserve a seat

Holiday Break

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The Butler Children’s Literature Center will be closed December 21, 2018 through January 1, 2019. Appointments are available January 2nd—8th and open hours will resume on January 9th on Monday—Thursday from 1 pm — 6 pm.

We thank you for a wonderful 2018 and wish you a happy, healthy, and well-read New Year.

The Hoot: News from the Butler Children’s Literature Center, November 2018

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Book Tree

How is it we are already looking at a Christmas tree in the Crown Library? I may not be ready for the holidays just yet, but it does seem appropriate with this wintry weather. And as the year winds down, it also seems appropriate for the requisite year-end, or at least semester-end, recap. So here’s just a quick look at what the Butler Children’s Literature Center has been up to this semester and a sneak peek at what we’re planning for the Spring semester.

 

Fall Semester Happenings–

Professional Development

This semester we were thrilled to host two professional development events for librarians, teachers, teacher-librarians, and really everyone interested in great books and getting them into the hands of great kids.

Sarah AronsonIn September, we welcomed Evanston author Sarah Aronson for a chat about local authors and creative ways to incorporate their books into your programming. Her presentation, “Made in Illinois: New Books by Illinois Authors and How to Use them in the Classroom (and Library),” sparked an engaging conversation about how collaboration between authors, teachers, and librarians can make books come alive. She also shared information about READ LOCAL, a new initiative by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for connecting those who create books with those who share them. Find out more at https://illinois.scbwi.org/read-local/.

 

In October, professional reviewers Janice Del Negro (Associate Professor, Dominican University SOIS) and Hal Patnott (Library Assistant, Oak Park Public Library and former Butler Center Graduate Assistant) led a book reviewing workshop with thoughtful discussion on the history of reviewing and current trends in the field, as well as the resources and skills required for professional reviewing of youth literature.

 

Illinois Library Association Annual Conference

I was excited to spend three days at the ILA Annual Conference in Peoria this October attending programming sessions, reconnecting with former colleagues and classmates, and chatting with alumni at the DU exhibit table. The knowledge, passion, and collaborative spirit on display throughout the event were truly inspiring. And the ILA staff and conference committee did an impressive job of hosting, organizing, shepherding, and generally managing the chaos of that many librarians in one place.

What’s Up Next–

Butler Center Book Sale

Join us for the annual Butler Center Book Sale on Friday 12/7 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm* and Saturday 12/8 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Get expert book recommendations, enjoy cider and cookies, and check some gifts off your holiday shopping list. Know a teacher or librarian that could use some new books in their collection? Bring them along! Hardcover books are just $5 and paperbacks only $2. Proceeds from the sale support Butler Center programming. *Please note the change in Friday’s closing time from previous book sale announcements.

butlercenter booksale 2018 UPDATE JPEG

 

Ellin Greene Memorial Storytelling Tea

We were saddened to learn about the passing of Ellin Greene this past summer. This storyteller, author, teacher, mentor, and Butler Children’s Literature Center champion will be missed in the storytelling community and beyond. In her honor, the Butler Center will host a Storytelling Tea on Sunday, January 13th at 3:00 pm. Storytellers Janice Del Negro, Marie Ringenberg, and special guests will share tales in memory of their friend and colleague. If you’d like to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Ellin Greene, please RSVP to Jen Clemons at butler@dom.edu by January 4th.

 

Butler Lecture

carmen_agra_deedy_163x163On March 20, 2019, the Butler Children’s Literature Center welcomes award-winning children’s author, Carmen Agra Deedy for the 7th Annual Butler Lecture. Join us for The End of the Story as Deedy shares rousing tales of her own families’ life experiences and how the most unlikely of teachers coupled with a series of seemingly small events, made an enormous impact in shaping generations of lifelong learners. The lecture begins at 6:00 pm; a reception and book signing will follow the lecture. Registration opens mid-January.

 

Professional Development

Our professional development series will continue next semester. Keep your eye out for announcements on Spring events focused on self-care (for those of us that invest so much of ourselves in the kids we serve), as well as research and programs to support kids in bilingual homes. Dates and times to be announced on the Butler’s Pantry in later this year.

Open Hours

The Butler Center welcomes teachers, librarians, booksellers, parents, grandparents, caregivers and anyone interested in literature for young people. As the holiday season approaches, we will be closed following the Dominican University school closing calendar for the Christmas/New Year break, but otherwise open Monday – Thursday from noon-4 p.m., or by appointment with the curator; contact butler@dom.edu to make special arrangements or just to make sure we’re not on vacation.

The Center is a non-lending library but our staff is here to assist you in locating books that address specific themes, age groups, or reading levels.

The Butler Center is located in the Rebecca Crown Library, room 214, on Dominican’s main campus at 7900 W. Division Street in River Forest, Illinois. Directions and a campus map are available here. The Butler Center is administered by Dominican’s School of Information Studies and is generously supported by the Butler Family Foundation. We hope you’ll want to visit us, or join us for an event, and stay tuned for our news and upcoming events. Please contact me with any questions you have. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Happy Holidays,

Jen Clemons

Curator, Butler Children’s Literature Center
Dominican University SOIS
sois.dom.edu
butlerspantry.org
butler@dom.edu

Raising Readers: A Review of Mousie, I Will Read to You

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Mousie, I Will Read to You
Rachael Cole & Melissa Crowton
Schwartz & Wade Books, November 2018

Young Mousie grows up a reader in this new picture book written by Rachael Cole and illustrated by Melissa Crowton. Mama Mouse takes every opportunity to read to Mousie, from “Long before the words make sense,” to “In the middle of the night,” and “When morning comes.” In this way, Mousie goes from avid listener to a reader himself, choosing his own books and reading them by flashlight after bedtime. The cycle of reading continues as Mousie begins a family of his own.

Digital artwork in soft, primary colors centers on Mousie growing up with his mother and their life together. Small details like background art, book covers, and Mousie’s own toys add to the enjoyment of turning the page. Mousie, I Will Read to You ends with a page of tips for “Raising a Reader,” from Dr. Pamela High of the American Academy of Pediatrics, including ways to make reading together enjoyable and beneficial.