Sense of Place

I haven't been blogging much, because I've been hard at work on a middle grade novel. It takes place in an alternate universe, but with a rural setting. I've had to draw a map for myself so I can figure out where everything is. But what I keep picturing in my mind is my grandparents' house, which was built in 1926. More on this later.

Picturing a familiar place while trying to describe a made-up one made me think about what I picture when I read novels.

When you're reading a book for the first time -- let's use

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins as an example --


do you picture certain scenes taking place in locales that are familiar to you? Say, your childhood home? Your backyard?

Okay. Promise not to laugh.

When I first read The Hunger Games, I couldn't help picturing the fence around Katniss's district (the one she illegally crosses to go hunting) as the fence around my elementary school playground. And yes, there was a woods (albeit a tiny one) beyond that fence. So now when I re-read the book, I automatically picture Katniss hunting in that little woods beyond that same playground. I can't help it. And that sense of place carries over to the Arena -- which, you guessed it -- looks like the larger section of the playground in my mind. Hey, it was a big playground, and not just because I was small.

With other scenes or while reading other books, I'm usually able to conjure up a setting from my imagination. But occasionally, I find myself falling back on familiarity and picturing places I've actually known. I have no clue why I do this, but I do. Perhaps a psychologist could answer that. The comfort of familiar turf? A place where I felt safe?

Who knows.

Does it mean my imagination isn't strong enough to create every scene from scratch? Or does it simply mean that I had a nurturing childhood? When I read Charlotte's Web, I picture my grandparents' house -- even though it wasn't a farm. (*Also note that I didn't read Charlotte's Web until I was in my 20s, which was when I lost my grandparents -- ooh, deep psychological stuff here*). They had three acres so since I grew up in the suburbs on a third of an acre, maybe to my mind their property was as big as a farm. And that's probably why I keep picturing it while writing a novel that takes place on a farm.

Tell me about your favorite children's books. What scenes have you pictured taking place in familiar settings?

Voice, not trends

Here's one quote that writers of children's books will want to read:

"As for fiction, we're open to anything for middle-grade readers and teens, although we're always more interested in voice than trends."

Laura Godwin, v-p and publisher, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers

It's nice to know there's at least one publisher out there who isn't looking for the latest trend. Here's the link so you can read the entire article. Michelle Kemper Brownlow posted some different (and equally helpful) quotes from the same article here.

In the words of agent John Cusick, "Write first, tweet later" OR: I'm ba-aack... but not for long

Hey all. I'm back. Having accepted Laurie Halse Anderson's "Double-dog dare," I stayed away from this blog (and unfortunately all of yours, too -- ulp, sorry). I stayed away from Facebook and Twitter... and television (well, except for some of the Olympics). And I wrote.

And wrote.

I'm happy to say that the middle grade novel I was stuck on six months ago (I stalled out at 4983 words), now has seven chapters and 11,149 words! Woo hoo! And I'm finally starting to imagine where it's heading (I've never been big on outlining).

So there is something to be said for writing first and tweeting later. Where did that great quote come from? Cynthia Leitich Smith author of Eternal and Tantalize, among other titles) has a wonderful blog called CYNSATIONS. On March 2, she posted an interview with John Cusick, an agent (and soon to-be-published young adult author) who works at Scott Treimel NY. The interview itself is interesting reading, especially for aspiring writers. But the best part for me is the paragraph in which the interviewer, Jenny Desmond Walters, asks John if an online presence is important for writers. And he says for authors of teen books, yes. Published authors. But before you rush off to develop your web presence, read on. He then says:

"However, as an unpublished author seeking representation, your time is best spent developing your craft. Write first, tweet later."

Exactly what Laurie Halse Anderson was talking about. So I may pop in from time to time with a book review, but I won't be on here very much.


And I'll leave you with a few Gems of the Week (or Month?), because, of course, I've also been reading. I can't NOT read. That would be like, well, not breathing.


A NEST FOR CELESTE A Story about Art, Inspiration and the Meaning of Home, written and illustrated by by Henry Cole (Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins, $16.99, March 2010, ages 8 to 12)

Adorable. I would have cherished this book when I was 8 years old. It's about a mouse in search of a safe home, the friends she meets, and in particular, a boy named Joseph who happens to be the assistant to the naturalist John James Audubon. You'll learn something about Audubon, and about New Orleans in 1821. Mostly you'll be charmed by this engaging tale, though it's not without its frightening moments (some grisly hunting scenes). With lots of lovely pencil drawings. This reminded me of The Rescuers by Margery Sharp, with illustrations by Garth Williams, or even The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary.

COMING SOON TO A BOOKSTORE NEAR YOU:


ALCHEMY AND MEGGY SWANN by Karen Cushman (Clarion Books, $16.00, April 2010, ages 10 to 14).

Meggy Swann has just arrived in London, having been sent away from her village by her mother. The father she never knew, an Alchemist, had asked for her. But after taking one look at her, with her sticks for walking, he ignores her, and Meggy is left to fend for herself. She has only her goose friend, Louise, for company. But Meggy is stubborn and smart and soon finds a way to make herself useful.

Set in 1573 (Elizabethan England, but before the time of Shakespeare), this is the newest novel by the author of Catherine, Called Birdy and The Midwife's Apprentice. The advanced reader's copy says the book is for ages 10 to 14, but I'd judge it fine for 8 to 12.


THE DREAMER written by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Peter Sis (Scholastic, $17.99, April 2010, ages 9 to 14).

Stunning, poetic, and extremely thought-provoking. This beautiful dream of a novel is loosely based on the childhood of Chile's most famous poet, Pablo Neruda. It's the story of Neftali Reyes, a thin, sickly child who grows up collecting things: seashells, birds' nests, keys, words. Neftali wants to write, but his strict and demanding father wants him to study law or medicine.

Includes an author's note, some information about Pablo Neruda and a sampling of his poetry, as well as numerous illustrations by the Caldecott-winning artist Peter Sis. (Final art not in advanced reader's copy).

This book will win all kinds of awards. You heard it here first.

Brain Aneurysm 102: A Valentine For All of You

Hey, it's almost Valentine's Day, so if you walk into your local bookstore, you might see this clever picture book by Michael Hall:






Or this sweet story by Joanne Ryder:



Or maybe this one by Maryann Cocca-Leffler just for fun:



But because it's nearly Valentine's Day, it's also time for...

Brain Aneurysm 102.
(In case you missed Brain Aneurysm 101, it's right here.)


INTRODUCING BRAIN ANEURYSM 102:
A CONVERSATION WITH MY BRAIN

Me: It's almost Valentine's Day, so let's tell the nice people more about brain aneurysms, shall we? After all, that's what Valentine's Day is all about.

My Brain: Hearts, you dolt. Valentine's Day is all about hearts. Not brains. Sheesh.

Me: Actually, if you think about it... (Get it? Heh heh. You're a brain)

My Brain: Oh, please.

Me: Anyway, if you think about it, a brain aneurysm is a vascular problem, a bubble or bulge in an artery. And the bubble sometimes bursts (I'm one of the lucky ones whose aneurysm sealed itself immediately after rupturing). Arteries, of course, are part of the circulatory system, the one that carries blood to and from, ahem, the heart.

My Brain: Boy, you're really reaching here. Why don't you just go ahead and show them what you want to show them (*Nudge*). You know. That x-ray you're so fond of.

Me: How do you know exactly what I'm thinking? It's uncanny. It's almost as if you're--

My Brain: Yep. I know. YOUR BRAIN, you blooming idiot.

Me: Right. I knew that. But shouldn't we tell the people more about brain aneurysms first? Otherwise it's not really Brain Aneurysm 102, is it? For instance, shouldn't we tell them that people with unruptured aneurysms may be asymptomatic? On the other hand, sometimes there ARE symptoms associated with unruptured aneurysms, including dilated pupils, headaches, double vision? And if they experience these symptoms, they should seek medical help? And while we're at it, shouldn't we explain the symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm? You know this as well as I do; you lived through it. Shouldn't we tell them that those symptoms are much more serious and may include severe headache ("the worst headache of your life"), nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, blurred vision and sensitivity to light?

My Brain: Naw. Let's just tell 'em to visit the Brain Aneurysm Foundation's website, which has a lot more information that YOU seem capable of providing. Get on with the show, already. The part where you explain to these long-suffering people just exactly what your brain aneurysm has to do with Valentine's Day.

Me: Well... if you insist.

What follows is an actual x-ray taken of an artery in my brain in 2005 (back when I had a brain and it wasn't taking on a life of its own here on this blog). This was taken after my aneurysm ruptured and sealed itself and before my coiling procedure (which was done to prevent further, potentially fatal, ruptures). This shows my basilar artery, the thick vertical one that's supposed to be completely flat on top, but instead has an odd-shaped bulge protruding from the tip. THAT is my aneurysm.

And...

TA DA! It's heart-shaped:



Happy Valentine's Day!


My Brain: Oh, that was really lame. I can't believe I have to be associated with such a ridiculous piece of pseudo-bloggerism.

Me (ignoring brain entirely): And be sure to keep both your heart and your brain healthy by getting out of your chair and EXERCISING.

This will be my last post until March. I'm accepting Laurie Halse Anderson's challenge (thanks, Jeannine Norris , for the nudge) and I'm going to stop blogging and tweeting and facebooking (not that I spend much time there anyway) for a few weeks and get some writing done.

How about you? Let's start a blogging revolution.

How Do I Pronounce Thee? Let Me Count The Ways

Jon Scieszka? Laurie Halse Anderson? Louis Sachar? How DO you pronounce their names, anyway?

For that matter, how about Rick Riordan? Is it Ree-OR-dan (as I've been saying it for years)? Or Rear-den? Or something else entirely?




I've heard respected booksellers say HAL-zee for Laurie's middle name. I've been saying Chess-ka for Jon and Satch-er for Louis. But how do you know if you're right or wrong?


While blog-hopping earlier this month, I discovered this post over at Peter Sieruta's wonderful blog, Collecting Children's Books.


First, I was thrilled to realize that I'm not the only one who mispronounces words (I grew up saying in-dicked instead of indict, DEN-ee instead of deny, etc.).

Second, in the comments on that post, Andrea (thank you, Andrea, from the bottom of my heart) posted this useful and fun website for learning how to pronounce authors' names. Go check it out.

I'll wait.

Hmm, hmm, hmm...

Back? Okay. NOW you've not only had the fun of hearing the authors' actual voices, you know how to pronounce Scieszka. It's SHESS-ka. Rhymes with Fresca. Louis Sachar. Sack-er. Rhymes with cracker. Laurie HALSE Anderson. Halse rhymes with waltz.

The logical conclusion to this: If you want to be a successful author of children's books, your name has to RHYME with something!

But then again, Rick RYE-or-den doesn't rhyme with anything, so maybe not...

Gem of the Week: Wendy Mass does it again

FINALLY by Wendy Mass (Scholastic, pub date March 1, 2010, for ages 8 to 12).

I've finally figured out the secret of Wendy Mass (author of 11 Birthdays, Every Soul a Star, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life and other novels).

It's simple. Really.

Wendy Mass is a time traveler.

See, the way I figure it, she must travel back in time to her own childhood, scribble a bunch of notes, and then whoosh back to the present and write her novels. How else would she remember in such hilarious detail what it's like to be finally turning 12?

Rory Swenson has a long list of things her overprotective parents will let her do when she turns 12. But when the big day dawns and she starts checking off goals on her list, something manages to go wrong each time, with riotously funny results. She finally gets her first cell phone -- and loses it in 15 minutes. She finally gets to wear make-up -- and has an allergic reaction. She finally gets to stay home alone -- and scary noises drive her into the bathroom, where she locks the door and takes a bath with her headphones on. When her parents return and she doesn't respond to their frantic knocking, Dad kicks a hole in the door to "rescue" her.

At school, Rory's always been forgettable, the type of mousy girl who blends right in. This actually works to her advantage when a movie crew arrives to film a teen heart-throb movie right there at Rory's school. She gets hired as an extra and tries to blend in to the background, but her "accidents" keep happening. The scene where Rory shaves her legs for the first time will have you hooting with laughter (and maybe wincing a little, too).

Keep on the lookout for this book. It's light. It's funny. It's terrific.

Winners Update

Well, I'm thrilled that THE LION AND THE MOUSE won the 2010 Caldecott. Jerry Pinkney richly deserved that gold medal.





I'm also thrilled that WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead won the Newbery. One of my favorite books from 2009.


Hey, guessing two out of three ain't bad. That's the first time I've ever done that. Of course, I'm not the only bookseller who correctly predicted these two winners.




GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray was one of my picks for Printz honor, but it actually won the Printz award itself.

I'm sad that IF I STAY didn't win an honor. I thought Gayle Forman deserved mention.


Congratulations to all the winners of the 2010 ALA Youth Media Awards.


Special note to Babs for Books: you won the contest! You correctly guessed WHEN YOU REACHED ME as Newbery winner. Please e-mail me at JoanneRFritzATgmailDOTcom to give me your address and tell me which of these three books you'd like as your prize.