Non-holiday books for the holidays...

Daphne Grab isn't Jewish, and The All of a Kind Family isn't technically a Chanukah book, and yet...

Daphne has this to say:

My favorite book for all holidays is All of a Kind Family, both the original and all the sequels. They capture the magic of each Jewish holiday with such a simple and truthful touch. I'm not Jewish but when I was a kid I wanted to be after my mom read me these books. They are about a working class family living in Manhattan around World War I (some books are before, some during, some after) and are a marvelous slice of history; the kind of novels that take you back in time with totally universal stories that resonate with readers of all ages, living in the present day. You get a feel for life on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, with the tenement houses, the polio outbreak, renting summer houses on Coney Island, etc. And you also get a feel for holidays.

Chanukah is beautiful, with the descriptions of foods, the lighting of the candles and the story behind the day. In the hands of a less capable writer it might come off as a primer for the Jewish holidays but instead you as a reader want to know the background as much as the kids in the story do. Papa is generally the one to give everyone the lowdown and the kids all have questions about their history. There's such a beauty in the love he has for each day and the pride he feels in sharing that with his kids. Which to me is what the holidays are all about!

Beyond the Grinch...

In talking about Christmas books you may not know, Jen Bradbury offers this:

Since my daughter's birth I've become increasingly convinced that picture book writers are the smartest, most talented people on earth. It takes a special gift to craft a tale that's as entertaining for a two year old as it is for a parent. And even more rare is that story that both parent and child don't mind reading over and over again. And holiday titles are even trickier. But we were lucky enough to stumble upon a winner.

Mem Fox's Wombat Divine quickly earned a spot in our rotation last year after we discovered this gem at our local library. From the first reading we all fell in love with Wombat. He hopes to participate in the nativity, but is too clumsy to be a wise man, too sleepy to play Joseph. By the end of the book, Wombat finds the perfect role to play, and readers (at least the ones in my home) are as satisfied and amused by his casting as he is. It's one of those holiday books that has humor and warmth and a lovely nod to spirit of the season, all without being saccharine. Plus, the book features a cast of Australian animals, demanding read alouds be performed with your best Aussie accent. And what's not to love about that?

Holiday Books You Must Acquire...

From Stacy Nyikos, a family favorite:

The Red Ranger Came Calling by Berkeley Breathed

A total Christmas classic at our house, this picture book is the story that Breathed's father told many years on Christmas eve about the Christmas he spent during the Depression on a Northwest island with his aunt.

His faith in Santa had sorely been tested, its being the Depression and presents being scarce. The particular year was shaping up to be no different. He'd wished for a Red Ranger bicycle but got an old pair of pajamas that his aunt has painstakingly turned into a Red Ranger outfit.

At the same time, he meets an old geezer who truly believes himself to be none other than the jolly Claus himself. And the boy finds himself trusting and believing, despite all of life's experiences that tell him otherwise.

The ending has a neat twist and a surefire conclusion that will have even the most resolute doubters questioning their steadfast views. A must read. We dive into it every year under the tree on Christmas Eve.

Holiday Books That Don't Suck...

We've spent an entire year talking about our own books on this blog, but now, as we head into the holiday season, the Class of 2k8 wants to give you some suggestions for holiday books you aren't sick to death of.

Today, Laurel Snyder's pick:

Our holiday book of the day is a classic, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins which was kindly sent to my kids by my friend Tamar, after I vented that I detest most of the holiday picture books on the market. She assured me Hershel would delight.

And he does!

The fabulous and Grinchy goblins that seek to ruin Hanukkah are outwitted by the clever Hershel. And readers barely notice that the book is actually a retelling (of sorts) of the Hanukkah/oil story . A testament to how a clever Jew, with a little faith and passion, and a sense of humor, (plus, perhaps a little help from beyond)can undo powerful enemies.

As a rule, I'm known to despise holiday books. They can be message-y and obvious. But this one is great!

Shameless Saturday...

The year may be winding down, but the Class is still on fire!

Brigham Young University Education Librarian Rachel Wadham has selected Michele Barker's book, A Difficult Boy as one of the 12 best YA books for 2007/08

Also, her work-in-progress, which is a sequel to A Difficult Boy, received a letter of merit from SCBWI's Work-in-Progress Grant competition (okay, she'd'd rather have the grant, but it's nice to be acknowledged!)

In a related story, both Michele and Jody Feldman, author of The Gollywhopper Games, were shortlisted by the Eva Perry Mock Newbery Book Club!

And the biggest news of the week is that our own Elizabeth Bunce has been nominated for the ALA's William C. Morris Award!!! For her novel, a Curse Dark as Gold.

Yip!

It's Been Fun, Barrie Summy!

It's already Friday and our last day of launch week for Barrie Summy, debut author of the humorous tween mystery I SO DON'T DO MYSTERIES.

But before we give her the big Class of 2k8 send-off into the exciting world of book signings and contracts and new books (well, yes, and kids and homework and colds and sports and piano lessons), we have a few more questions we'd like her to answer.

Question #1: So, Barrie, where do you work?


Well, this is where my family wishes I worked. It's a nice compact desk with doors. I bought the whole kit and kaboodle expressly for writing purposes.




Instead, I work here. Right in the thick of things.



When it gets too chaotic even for me, I escape to this coffee shop with a quiet back room and free wireless.



And when a deadline looms, I've been known to check into a skanky hotel.



And this is where I plotted I SO DON'T DO MYSTERIES. Seriously. I swam laps three to four times a week. And there's lots of time of time for thinking when you're swimming back and forth...and back and forth...and back and forth.


Wow. A swimming writer. Very cool. Okay, Barrie, it's the end of the week. And you know that everything you share on this blog, stays on this blog. So, how's about it? What's a question no one would know to ask you?

Well, you already know how much I love licorice, right? So, each year in my Christmas stocking, my husband puts a large package of licorice. He lets me nosh on a small amount, then hides the packages and doles out minuscule portions to me each day.

And...?

I know where he hides it.

That is so perfect. Thanks for sharing your launch week with us,Barrie Summy. Now, everyone out there in the blogosphere, don't you want to pick up a copy of I SO DON'T DO MYSTERIES and...


Meet reluctant sleuth Sherry Holmes Baldwin!

a defunct laptop + Rachel Vater

There will only be an uber mini post here today because...

Child #4 spilled an entire cup of water over the keyboard of my laptop.

Can you say fried?

Oy.

Oh? You wonder how I'm managing to post this?

Magic. Pure and simple. (Did no one tell you we hold our classes at Hogwarts?)

But would we, at the Class of 2k8, leave you postless on this glorious Thursday in December. Uh, no!

Go directly to Rachel Vater's blog. Rachel's my agent. She's a huge sweetheart, a tough negotiator and basically the type of person that makes you want to move to New York (even though they have nasty winters) so you can hang out together.

GO TO RACHEL VATER'S BLOG HERE. And, blush blush, she's blogging about me.

~Today's uber mini-post was brought to you by Barrie Summy, debut author of the humorous tween mystery I SO DON'T DO MYSTERIES. (Like you didn't know it was me!)