January 2008: 79 books read

Picture Book Pick
Dog and Bear written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

For ages 8 and up
Babymouse #8: Puppy Love by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Zibby Payne and the Party Problem by Alison Bell (coming out in April)
Pippi Longstocking, newly illustrated by Lauren Child, newly translated by Tiina Nunnally, originally written by Astrid Lindgren
Just Grace by Charise Mericle Harper
Jessie's Mountain by Kerry Madden (coming out in February)
Red Dragon Codex by R.D. Henham (I was happy to write the Red Dragon Codex Teacher Guide)
Tennyson by Lesley M. M. Blume

For ages 12 and up
The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher
Wish You Were Here by Catherine Clark (coming out in April)
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (coming out in May)
The Poison Apples by Lily Archer
Poison Ink by Christopher Golden (coming out in July)
Prom Kings and Drama Queens by Dorian Cirrone (coming out in February)

For ages 14 and up
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen (coming out in April)
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley
How They Met, and Other Stories by David Levithan
Leftovers by Laura Wiess

For author Sara Lewis Holmes, sketches led to letters, which in turn led to an epistolary novel. Letters From Rapunzel should be read and shared. Learn more now about the story behind the story in this interview with the author herself.

I think that each of us has the potential to be a hero, even as we're looking for someone else to save us. Tell us about your story's journey.

I started Letters From Rapunzel on the basis of a sketch and a title ... and a whole lot of curiosity! I didn't have a clue as to where I was headed, and the length of a novel intimidated me after writing only short stories and poems. So I used the letter technique to trick myself. I would pretend that my main character was writing letters to me. Well, I never got any further than that. She had such an engaging voice, and a great story to tell, and I let her have at it.

( Read more... )

Our discussion of her book's jacket led to further discussion. Please share your thoughts!

Read my review of Letters From Rapunzel and my favorite poem from the book.

Visit Sara Lewis Holmes at her website and blog.

Please add your ideas to The Very Big, No Kidding, We're Changing the World, You Bet! Good Deed List.