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Do you have a favorite children’s book? No, but I’ll tell you one I particularly love: Katie Morag Delivers the Mail by Mary Hedderwick. A new book I especially love is Extra Yarn. What is your writing process? I begin each morning with journal writing and after that my practice, unless I have an ongoing manuscript, is to get as quiet inside as I can and ask if anyone wants to speak. If someone shows up, I write down what they say, no questions asked. That’s how Holding On to Zoe began. As usual, I had no idea where it was going. I had to listen and imagine my way forward. What do you feel best prepared you for being an author? I grew up in a house full of books with parents who loved music and stories. I
also grew up in a culture where people made stories out of their lives every day. At the same time, there were stories in my family that were not told, emotions and experiences that were not acceptable to express, and this paradoxical combination, plus my inborn love of the melody of words, prepared me to be a writer. What do you love about being an author? I love the joy that writing gives me. It’s always new, not only in the things it requires me to learn for a new book, but in the ever-unfolding possibilities of language. When writing is going well, it’s a magical feeling. Besides being with family, friends, and trees, writing is where I feel most alive. Once the book is in the world, I have the added pleasure and affirmation cre-
Interview with George Ella Lyon
Upcoming McConnell Center Events
McConnell Conference
Author Spotlight
12 Days of Youth Literature Trivia
Happy Holidays
National Book Award Winner
Connecting with Characters Contest
2013 Mock ALA Youth Lit Awards
Angel Tree Donations
Big News for fans of Suzanne Collins
Student Section
On the Blog and in the Center
About Us
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ated in connecting with readers. I do a lot of work in schools, and I kids’ responses, especially their questions, give me a lot of energy and hope. Please tell us about your newest book Holding on to Zoe. As I said above, the beginning of Zoe just came to me when I was writing in my journal. This was in February 2004. I was captivated by the passion in Jules’ voice, by her love for and determination to take care of Zoe, her baby, and by her work in the Toyota factory. I didn’t know if she would be there when I came back to the page the next day but I knew that if she was, I wanted to follow her. What makes Zoe a unique voice among teen novels? Jules, the sixteen year-old mother who narrates the novel, is what makes the novel unique. Her present story is pregnant with a story from her past which isn’t delivered until near the end of the book. With it comes a revelation that she has to come to terms with. When Holding On to Zoe ends, Jules is at the beginning of that process. According to Lexgo, (http://www.kentucky.com/2012/07/26/2272141/george-ella-lyon-has-two-books.html), your new novel is set in Lexington. Is this true? Was there a reason for this? Yes, it is. She says at the very beginning that she works at Toyota, and the Georgetown plant is handy here, so it made sense to me that this is where she lives. Of course it also makes it easier for me to imagine the geography of her daily life, since I’ve lived here for thirty-six years. You publish for children, adults and teens. Do you have a favorite audience to write for? No, not really, although poems are my native language. I love the rhythm, economy, surprise, and delight of picture books; and I love the breadth and companionship of the novel. Writing songs is a joy, except for the part that drives me crazy . . .well, you could say that about all word work! I enjoy working on plays and essays, too. Are you working on any other books or projects? I’m working on a novel-in-poems, currently called Emmy/Zoe and am collaborating with J. Patrick Lewis, Children’s Poet Laureate, on a book of poems in the voices of people who were part of the 1963 March on Washington. Do you have any upcoming events or signings? I’ll be at Joseph-Beth on December 17th at 6 p.m. along with other contributors, to read and sign the paperback edition of A Kentucky Christmas. I’ll also read from the same book solo on December 13th at 6:30 at the Woodford County Public Library.
Be sure to check George Ella Lyon’s website for more information about books, events, and upcoming projects!
http://www.georgeellalyon.com/
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12 Days of Trivia Contest Be sure to check your email everyday and participate. Visit our form at http://bit.ly/McConnell12Days Or Visit our Facebook page at http://bit.ly/12daysofyouthtrivia
McConnell Conference March 1-2, 2013 Embassy Suites Hotel, Lexington, KY https://ci.uky.edu/lis/mcconnell-conference
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Every month leading up to the McConnell 2013 Conference, the McConnell newsletter will feature a new book review from one of our 2013 featured presenters. These reviews will introduce you to our authors and some of their work. If you have any books from our 2013 presenters you would like us to review, please send suggestions to: mercedes.hopewell@gmail.com
Kate and Nate are Running Late By Kate Egan Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
Kate and Nate Are Running Late, is a fantastic new children’s book by Kate Egan and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. Nate wakes his mom Kate one morning, “’It’s getting late’” announces Nate’”. What follows is scramble to get ready for the day. This is wonderful story about a single mother who races to get her children ready for school and go to work. The wording is perfect for the mad dash that follows and is completely in rhyme. The rhyming quality makes it perfect for younger children. This entertaining story is accompanied by Dan Yaccarino’s colorful artwork. The illustrations are in the same style as Yaccarino’s previous work in Boy + Bot, Every Friday, and The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau. This book is unique because it shows a family that is not idealized in many picture books. Many single parent households will relate to this ingenious picture book. Egan, K. (2012). Kate and Nate are running late!. New York: Feiwel and Friends. Read A-likes Calmenson, S. (2008). Late for school!. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books. Dyckman, A. (2012). Boy + Bot. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. Yaccarino, D. (2007). Every Friday. New York: Henry Holt and Company.
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The McConnell Center will present Twelve Days of Youth Literature Trivia again this year from December 3rd through December 14th. Questions will be posted at 10:00 am ET each morning with the link to a form for submitting answers. Each question will be open for responses until the next day's question is posted. Each correct answer will be included in the post with the following day's question. Those who submit 6 or more correct answers will be entered in a drawing for 1 of 4 seats at the "Authors' Table" (with Jack Gantos, Dan Yaccarino and Selene Castrovilla) at the 45th McConnell Conference Banquet on March 1, 2013. Winners will be notified via e-mail by December 21, 2012. Please note that registration for the McConnell Conference Banquet is not included. To claim their seat, winners will need to register and pay for the banquet by February 22, 2013. Unclaimed seats will be reassigned. Visit our form at http://bit.ly/McConnell12Days or Visit our Facebook page at http://bit.ly/12daysofyouthtrivia
Take a look at our word cloud for clues about the questions!
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The 2012 National Book Award Winner for Young People’s Literature has been announced. The winner is Goblin Secrets by William Alexander. To see all other 2012 National Book Award Winners visit http://nationalbook.org/. Alexander, W. (2012). Goblin secrets. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books. In the town of Zombay, there is a witch named Graba who has clockwork chicken legs and moves her house around—much like the fairy tale figure of Baba Yaga. Graba takes in stray children, and
Rownie is the youngest boy in her household. Rownie’s only real relative is his older brother Rowan, who is an actor. But acting is outlawed in Zombay, and Rowan has disappeared. Desperate to find him, Rownie joins up with a troupe of goblins who skirt the law to put on plays. But their plays are not only for entertainment, and the masks they use are for more than make-believe. The goblins also want to find Rowan—because Rowan might be the only person who can save the town from being flooded by a mighty river.
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We are excited to announce the 2013 Connecting with Characters Contest. All kids in preschool through 12th grade in Kentucky or a neighboring state can enter. Sponsoring libraries and schools must register to participate by January 5, 2012. Entries must be received by January 18, 2013. The Contest is in conjunction with the 2013 McConnell Conference for Youth Literature, which will feature Jack Gantos, Dan Yaccarino and Selene Castrovilla. We hope that the Contest will provide an opportunity for the youth of Kentucky and the surrounding states to connect with the works of these wonderful contributors to the world of literature for youth. Participants could win a signed copy of Jack Gantos’s Dead End in Norvelt, the 2012 Newbery Medal Winner! There are also great titles available by Dan Yaccarino and Selene Castrovilla. More information is forth coming but be sure to check out our website at https://ci.uky.edu/lis/mcconnell-contest-2013
Nominate and vote for your favorite youth lit books of the year! Nominations for the McConnell Center’s Mock ALA Youth Media Awards are now open on our wiki. You can nominate your favorite books published in 2012 for the Mock Printz, Newbery and Caldecott Awards by leaving the title and author/illustrator name in the comment sections of the appropriate posts. Voting will open on December 7, 2012 and close on January 25, 2013. Winners will be announced on January 27, 2013.
Go to http:// bit.ly/2013MockMcConnellAL AYouthMediaAwards
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Scholastic announced November 29, 2012 that Suzanne Collins is writing a new autobiographical picture book for children. The book will be coming out Fall of next year. The book chronicles the year Suzanne Collins’ father served in Vietnam during her childhood. Collins is working on this project with James Proimos. These two meet while working on the Kids WB show Generation O! Now they will be working on this children’s book together. Suzanne Collins fans and children’s literature fans will be excited to see this new title come out. For the complete article go to http://bit.ly/SuzanneCollins2013
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STUDENT SECTION Are you in LIS 614 or LIS 612 this Spring? Come use the McConnell Center! We can help you find books to use for your class. Our Spring 2013 hours Monday & Wednesday 10 am - 3 pm Tuesday & Thursday 12 pm - 5 pm
Or by appointment contact mercedes.hopewell@gmail.com
Did you know that September the 13th is Roald Dahl’s birthday? According to legend, Venice, Italy was born on March 25, 421 B.C.E. Read This is Venice by M. Sasek or The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke. The McConnell Center just received Children’s Book-A-Day Almanac. Come in and read about children’s book trivia! Maybe this book will give you ideas for book talks, story times and events. You can also check out the website at http://childrensbookalmanac.com/ Silvey, A. (2012). Children's book-a -day almanac. New York: Roaring Brook Press.
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On the Blog: ARC Read & Review 2012! We have the following titles available for anyone who wants to read and review them for the McConnell Center blog at http:// youthlitmatters.wordpress.com/
Young Adult
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
New Books in the Center:
What Can(t) Wait by Ashley Hope Pérez
The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson
Juvenile Fiction
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman Return to the Willows by Jacqueline Kelly
A vital gathering place for books and ideas, the McConnell Center is committed to identifying excellent literature for children and adolescents and to bringing this literature to the attention of those adults who have an academic, professional, career, or personal interest in connecting young readers with books. We maintain two main, non-
Everything Goes in the Air by Brian Biggs
Graphic Novels
A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel by Madeleine L’Engle
In the Center: We’re taking a break for the holidays! Happy holidays to everyone!
Picture Books
A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix
In the Land of Milk and Honey by Joyce Carol Thomas, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
circulating collections: Our Current Collection includes all books sent to us for review by publishers during the current year. The Permanent Collection is several collections of books maintained in the Center as a resource for students and librarians. It includes the Basic Collection, the Awardwinning Collection (Caldecott, Newbery, Printz, Morris, Pura Belpré, Sibert, and Orbis Pictus Awards), the Kentucky Collection (notable Kentucky authors and books about Kentucky), the Reference Collection, and the Periodical Collection. Our Spring 2013 hours are Monday & Wednesday 10 am - 3 pm and Tuesday & Thursday 12 pm - 5 pm
Please visit our website for more information: https://ci.uky.edu/lis/mcconnellcenter
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