It's been a whole week since I've posted because I've been lost in some great reading the past week. This weekend I traveled to India via Mitali Perkins' book Moonsoon Summer.
Mitali Perkins is my kind of author. She's writing what she's lived and what she loves, and her characters drew me in like we were best friends. Monsoon Summer is a beautiful story filled with food, cross-culturalism, romance, travel, and a little bit of monsoon magic.Check out the first chapter of the book at Perkins' website.
Perkins' books are filled with real-life situations and issues bi-racial teens and children can relate to, as well as insight for any reader ages 10 and up looking for a glimpse inside the intricate Indian culture. The dynamic characters of Jazz and her orphaned friend Danita will grow and change with you as you read.
This is a book that will transform your worldview.
Check out Mitali Perkins' website for info on all of her books
I'd love to hear about your firsthand experiences, books you've read, or stories from India?
Showing posts with label YA fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YA fiction. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Author Spotlight: Laura Resau
Whether you're looking for a good middle-grade book for your classroom or a YA novel for your teenager, Laura Resau dishes up great stories in both age groups. What's even better, is that Resau fills her novels with culture, magic, and travel, the perfect combination for The Curious Kind and anyone wanting to open a good book and take a mental vacation away from home.
I've heard a lot of buzz about Resau's latest book Queen of the Water, a true story about a young girl taken from her family to be a servant in a Mestizo household, but I haven't yet gotten my hands on a copy. Instead, I loaded up on every other Resau novel I could find in my local library. Here are two must-read Resau books.
Star in the Forest is a middle-grade book that deals with the subject of immigration into the U.S. This award-winging book is told from the perspective of 11-year old Zitlally whose immigrated family is struggling to make a life in their new world. While this book takes place in the U.S., I still felt like it is a travel tale. Zitlally makes the point that back in their hometown her father seemed like the smartest man in the world; he was strong and confident and knew everything, or everything he needed to know. When they moved to the U.S., she realizes her father isn't that invincible man anymore. Any of us who has traveled to a country where we can't speak the language, knows that helpless feeling to some degree, and anyone who hasn't had that opportunity quite yet, gets a very real insight from Resau's story.
I especially loved the way Resau included words from both the Nahuatl and Spanish languages in her story that makes it feel like genuine cross-cultural writing. She includes a short glossary in the back of the book. By the end of the book I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. This is such a heart-warming story that I'm going to have to go out and buy myself a copy to add to my own library.
Another of Resau's novels is called The Indigo Notebook. Here is the synopsis from the Laura Resau's author website:
Check out Laura Resau's website for info on all of her books and pictures of her travels.
I've heard a lot of buzz about Resau's latest book Queen of the Water, a true story about a young girl taken from her family to be a servant in a Mestizo household, but I haven't yet gotten my hands on a copy. Instead, I loaded up on every other Resau novel I could find in my local library. Here are two must-read Resau books.
Star in the Forest is a middle-grade book that deals with the subject of immigration into the U.S. This award-winging book is told from the perspective of 11-year old Zitlally whose immigrated family is struggling to make a life in their new world. While this book takes place in the U.S., I still felt like it is a travel tale. Zitlally makes the point that back in their hometown her father seemed like the smartest man in the world; he was strong and confident and knew everything, or everything he needed to know. When they moved to the U.S., she realizes her father isn't that invincible man anymore. Any of us who has traveled to a country where we can't speak the language, knows that helpless feeling to some degree, and anyone who hasn't had that opportunity quite yet, gets a very real insight from Resau's story.
I especially loved the way Resau included words from both the Nahuatl and Spanish languages in her story that makes it feel like genuine cross-cultural writing. She includes a short glossary in the back of the book. By the end of the book I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. This is such a heart-warming story that I'm going to have to go out and buy myself a copy to add to my own library.
Another of Resau's novels is called The Indigo Notebook. Here is the synopsis from the Laura Resau's author website:
"15-year-old Zeeta and her flighty mother live in a different country every year. This year, in the Ecuadoran Andes, Zeeta helps an American boy search for his birth parents. With him, she encounters adventure, mystery, love, and ultimately, the truth about what she really wants. (Ages 10 & up)"
Where do I begin with this book? First, she states that the book is for ages 10 & up. It is a clean book, but there are many quotes from the philosophical poet Rumi that add a deep and thoughtful and sometimes comical layer to the story. It's a story that I would recommend to my teenage students and even my adult friends. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to sell everything you own and travel the world with only a suitcase to call home, this book is the perfect snapshot of that life. Again, Resau weaves other languages into her writing in such a way that the reader comes away with more than just a story, but an experience. This is one of those books that you can lose yourself in.Check out Laura Resau's website for info on all of her books and pictures of her travels.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
3 Sunday Morning Must-Read Blogs
I picked up a stack of books to read from the public library yesterday to share on my blog. I had been putting it off, knowing that I racked up a week's-worth fine last month simply because I'm forgetful, and the books sat in my car. The librarian was understandably abrupt with me, reminding me three times that my due date is April 9th...or something. Keep an eye out for the next Author Spotlight and Culture Challenge this week as both are headed to Central America; in the mean time, check out these 3 Sunday morning Must-Read Blogs by three very different writers.
1. Andy Jarosz is a freelance writer who travels and writes what he sees. His blog 501 Places is a collection of his experiences. Check out his most recent post to get a look at an afternoon in London by foot. Although there's no significance in reading this particular blog on a Sunday, I just felt like drinking a cup of tea and perusing London was a good Sunday morning activity.
2. Christine Gilbert is a corporate manager turned travel blogger and is the author of Almost Fearless, a blog that documents life around the world. She is hosting a series on her blog entitled the Sunday Travel Selection. Today's post is by a guest-blogger who gives a realistic view of the true adventure and chaos that is Indian traffic.
3. Kristi at The Story Siren blog hosts a weekly event called In My Mailbox in which she shares YA books that have come across her desk. Over 200 bloggers participate regularly to share their books as well. What I like about Kristi's IMM is that she puts together Vlogs to share the books. Who doesn't love a quick video to kick-start some blog reading?
1. Andy Jarosz is a freelance writer who travels and writes what he sees. His blog 501 Places is a collection of his experiences. Check out his most recent post to get a look at an afternoon in London by foot. Although there's no significance in reading this particular blog on a Sunday, I just felt like drinking a cup of tea and perusing London was a good Sunday morning activity.
2. Christine Gilbert is a corporate manager turned travel blogger and is the author of Almost Fearless, a blog that documents life around the world. She is hosting a series on her blog entitled the Sunday Travel Selection. Today's post is by a guest-blogger who gives a realistic view of the true adventure and chaos that is Indian traffic.
3. Kristi at The Story Siren blog hosts a weekly event called In My Mailbox in which she shares YA books that have come across her desk. Over 200 bloggers participate regularly to share their books as well. What I like about Kristi's IMM is that she puts together Vlogs to share the books. Who doesn't love a quick video to kick-start some blog reading?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Author Spotlight: Maureen Johnson
Maureen Johnson is the author of more than a handful of upbeat YA novels. I have to say, after reading Johnson's 13 Little Blue Envelopes, I knew right away she was the perfect author for the first Curious Kind Author Spotlight.
Johnson sends her teenage character, Ginny, across the world on a sort of coming of age quest to spice up Ginny's safe and unassuming life. Each chapter gives the reader the chance to drop everything and travel across Europe bohemian style. This quick read is equal parts mystery, adventure, love, and comedy, and is the perfect book for anyone needing a change of pace. But it gets better! Johnson is set to release a sequel entitled The Last Little Blue Envelope this Spring! Anyone who has traveled to Europe will appreciate the unavoidable faux pas of a first time traveler and will chuckle along with the problems Ginny stumbles into. Those who haven't yet traveled, can consider themselves prepared with some great tips for when they do get the chance and a checklist of must-see sites.
Maureen Johnson has also published several other books for teen page-travelers that are on my list of must-reads including Girl at Sea.
Check out Maureen Johnson's website for info on all of her books and the community she has created among her fans.
Johnson sends her teenage character, Ginny, across the world on a sort of coming of age quest to spice up Ginny's safe and unassuming life. Each chapter gives the reader the chance to drop everything and travel across Europe bohemian style. This quick read is equal parts mystery, adventure, love, and comedy, and is the perfect book for anyone needing a change of pace. But it gets better! Johnson is set to release a sequel entitled The Last Little Blue Envelope this Spring! Anyone who has traveled to Europe will appreciate the unavoidable faux pas of a first time traveler and will chuckle along with the problems Ginny stumbles into. Those who haven't yet traveled, can consider themselves prepared with some great tips for when they do get the chance and a checklist of must-see sites.
Maureen Johnson has also published several other books for teen page-travelers that are on my list of must-reads including Girl at Sea.
Check out Maureen Johnson's website for info on all of her books and the community she has created among her fans.
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