Ranks, Reviews and Awards

I have a confession to make: I don’t pay much attention to ranks or reviews. I’m not saying that I don’t read them but that they aren’t my means of deciding what to read.

I do, like many, watch out for the winners of prestigious awards. It’s always interesting to learn what a jury of publishing professionals garner as the cream of the crop, from the Canadian Children’s Literature Awards to the Governor General’s Literary Awards. However, even the winners of such awards don’t hold all the power.

What does, you ask? Word-of-mouth. For me, word-of-mouth is two-fold. It’s comprised of industry buzz and my own personal network. For example, I have the former to thank for The Hunger Games. Unlike industry buzz, which consists of editors and librarians, my network of seasoned readers range from friends to family to colleagues. Of course, not every recommendation turns out to be a gem, but I’m happy to report that such occurrences have been few and far between.

I say open your ears and listen to the buzz. Your next great read could be an earshot away.

Tips ‘n’ Tricks: How to Read a Book for Dummies

Do you want to read more but don’t know how? Here’s a foolproof method that will guarantee results:

1. Pick a book.

2. Find a comfy chair.

3. Sit down.

4. Open the book.

5. Turn to the first page.

6. Start reading.

7. Continue reading until satisfied.

8. Place a bookmark to hold your spot.

9. Put down the book.

Enjoy!

The Master Storyteller

It’s not everyday that you come across a book written by a master storyteller. A writer whose talent — whether innate or honed through years of dedication — captures your imagination.

A master storyteller takes you by the hand and leads you through the pages. She makes you believe her story is both possible and actual. Her words fade into the pages as the story becomes 3-dimensional.

You’ll “see” things like never before. One page can bring unspeakable horror and the next sweet laughter. You won’t see her twists and turns because she’s covered her tracks. You’re certain she’s thought of every detail.

Time away from the story is punctuated by the constant replay of its conversations and scenes. You can’t help but ponder and question what it all means.

It’s rare to find a master storyteller but when you do, it’s a thrill beyond description.

My Bookshelf

My Bookshelf will be an ongoing series in which I recommend the books — classic, inconspicuous and new — that should be adorning your bookshelf.

So let’s begin!

The Hunger Games

My first selection is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

What do I love about this book? Everything. For me, it all begins with the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, a young woman who can not only take care of herself but also her family. When Prim, Katniss’s younger sister, is chosen to be a tribute in the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to go in her place.

It is intriguing to watch the 24 tributes, 1 boy and 1 girl from each of the 12 districts, be stylized into a persona of mental and physical perfection before being sent into an arena in which they are forced to commit murder. They become their best selves before they are transformed into the worst.

The horrific scenes are truly hard to read. The thought that this is a reality for these characters makes your stomach churn. The brutality is made bearable by the humour of Effie Trinket and Haymitch, mentors of the District 12 tributes.

The world of The Hunger Games is unbelievable, but made believable because of Katniss Everdeen. Her voice brings balance to the action, brings complexity to the relationships, brings life to the world.

I haven’t fallen in love with a book like this in a long time. I think you, too, will be just as captivated.

The Ending

We read a book with the objective of reaching the end. Hours upon hours are invested to reach those precious final words. Ones that will give us a sense of fulfillment, satisfaction or closure.

But wait, I ask you this: Have you ever reached the end craving for more? The desire to go on another epic adventure. To journey alongside characters that are no longer strangers but friends. I have, on more than one occasion.

This is where sequels come into play. I think a definition of sequels is required here before I continue. Kenneth Oppel defines sequels as,

being comprised of a single narrative that must be read in order because the characters grow and the world changes.

Sequels feed our appetite. They successfully satisfy our hunger to see our favourite characters grow from children to adults. The opportunity to see them leave innocence behind in order to attain wisdom.

We want the ending but don’t at the same time because we mourn it the moment it arrives. In short, we are a paradox. The question is: Can we ever truly be fulfilled?

Happily Ever After?

Every book begins with the unknown that lies within its pages. Sure, we are given a few sentences that provide us with some direction but really that’s it. We don’t know how many battles we’ll fight or friends we’ll make along the way. What we also don’t know is how it will all come to an end.

Ah, the ending. Some of us crave it so deeply that we’ll read the last page of a book first. For some, the last page holds the answer to an age-old question: To read or not to read?

I can recall J.K. Rowling being asked, more times than I can count, is Harry Potter going to die? A question she could never answer, well, that is, until the end. No pun intended. In Harry, A History, J.K. Rowling has this to say,

In many ways it would have been a neater ending to kill him. For sure, I knew that all along. Felt that the books’ overriding message was that love is the most powerful force in this world. My model with Harry really was war veterans, who have seen horrors and are asked to go home and rebuild, and go back to ordinary life and care for a family, be a father – particularly be a father – [it is] a difficult job, in troubled times. I felt it would be a betrayal of my character if I did anything other than show him doing that. And I think it’s an absolutely heroic thing to do …

She’s right. The act of rebuilding is heroic. To pick up the pieces, put them back together and move forward takes courage. I believe it may be one of the hardest things one can do.

Kenneth Oppel, author of the Silverwing saga, has this to say about the ending,

… I think readers want simple, basic things from endings. Most readers, if they’re honest, want happy endings. They might not get them, but that doesn’t stop them wanting it.

We do, don’t we? We want the friends we’ve made along the way to not only survive but also thrive. It’s only natural. Reading an unhappy ending is never easy. Frankly, it can be downright brutal, but it’s needed because it’s honest in its realism. The unhappy ending gives the reader balance.

Some pose a single question: Can children handle the unhappy ending? I think they can. Children ask questions because they want answers. They’re smart enough to know when the truth is being withheld from them. We’re doing them a disservice if all we supply them with is a utopian view of life.

I think that both J.K. Rowling and Kenneth Oppel are right. Not every journey in life has a happy ending and, I believe, nor should every story. Sometimes good doesn’t triumph, justice isn’t served, the hero doesn’t survive. If every story ended with a happily ever after, what would we ever learn about the world or, perhaps, more importantly, about ourselves?

Silver Screen: Where The Wild Things Are

I’m always skeptical when a book is adapted for the silver screen. Maybe because I’ve been disappointed by adaptations more often than not. However, when I saw the first images from the film, Where The Wild Things Are, I was intrigued.

I think the film brings Maurice Sendak’s illustrations to life, at least from what I’ve seen. The question on my mind is: Can the film do the story justice?

Take a look and decide for yourself.

At Home

Some people feel at home when asking tough questions, others when brainstorming the next great marketing campaign and still others when embodying a character for all to view.

Me? I feel at home when in the company of words. Whether reading them or writing them.

Many people ask me why children’s publishing? Well, for starters, it is a passion that was sparked at a very young age. If you read my post, The Beginning, you’ll get an idea of just how young. For me, children’s publishing epitomizes creativity, imagination and whimsy. It dares to take you to uncharted territory beyond the constraints of reality.

The only rules that apply are the ones the author chooses to create. Each book presents a completely new set of rules or lack there of. Rules that are the foundation of this new territory and, as such, must be adhered to. You’re free to live in the bounds of the book, for however short a time, and learn a thing or two about yourself.

A book makes an impact because it speaks to you. It speaks of something that is familiar, magical or, perhaps, real. You can recall a passage with brilliant clarity. Its images instantaneously forming in your mind. All of a sudden you find yourself flipping through the pages to live those moments again.

I would like to be part of that impact. It takes mere moments to form but it lasts a lifetime.

Meet Young Amelia Bedelia

I loved reading the Amelia Bedelia books as a child. Absolutely loved it! It’s no exaggeration when I say I’ve read every single Amelia Bedelia book written by Peggy Parish. Scout’s honour. Well, I wasn’t ever a scout, but you know what I mean.

There are a number of things about Amelia Bedelia that appealed to me. Most prominently, it was her honest nature. She always did what was asked of her, even though not exactly in the way you expected. And all the while she was tons of fun.

I always wondered how Amelia Bedelia became the way she was. It’s a mystery comparable to how do they get the caramel in the Caramilk bar. Now I’ll finally find out the answer with the introduction of a completely new picture book series by Herman Parish, Peggy Parish’s nephew. It’s time to meet young Amelia Bedelia. The mystery begins to unravel with Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School and Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait.

HarperCollins Publishers says that “she’ll grow on you!” And you know what, I think they’re right.

Canadian Roots

I have come across the issue of the lack of Canadian books in bookstores and libraries on more than one occasion. This issue has been raised by a diverse group of people within the publishing industry. And it is an issue that has struck a chord with me.

I say this because I was in the dark myself, so to speak. There was a time when I couldn’t name a mere handful of Canadian authors and illustrators. Though I have seen the light, I dare say that there are many more that haven’t. This is a sad truth because the rich talent Canada has to offer is left unrecognized.

An excellent resource to uncover this richness is The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. You’ll find an answer to nearly every question you have concerning children’s literature. The CCBC also publishes the quarterly entitled Canadian Children’s Book News and Best Books for Kids & Teens which is an annual guide that is 100% Canadian. In addition, you can always visit the CCBC library.

Ray Sombach, writer, puts forth a solution to this problem:

Shelving is already dedicated to Canadian history for adults and there are special spots for Harry Potter and Dora the Explorer, so a table of “Canadian Roots” books for children of all reading ages, fiction or non-fiction, would be most helpful …”

I think that Mr. Sombach is on to something here. If visibility is the issue, then we must create a platform to be seen. A designated area that readers can go to find Canadian literature. The optimist in me believes this is an achievable feat.

The truth of the matter is, if we don’t find a home for our own literature, no one else will.