Surprise Author Visit!!

We were thrilled today to have a surprise guest visit us at the library! Author David Elliott was in the area visiting a school, and decided to drop in and say "Hello!" To say we were pleasantly surprised is an understatement!

David Elliott is the author of many great books, including In the Wild, a book of animal poems. In the Wild was listed on last year's Mock Caldecott reading list, which highlights the best picture books published each year.

Thanks for visiting, Mr. Elliott! And thanks for writing such wonderful books for children!

Happy Birthday Beverly Cleary

A belated happy birthday wish goes out to children's author Beverly Cleary, who turned 95 on April 12 this year! Her wonderful stories have stood the test of time, remaining favorites through generations. Here's an article from the New York Times, singing Ms. Cleary's well-deserved praises.













I can remember my third grade teacher reading Ramona Quimby to our class, and favorites of my own children were Ralph S. Mouse and The Mouse and the Motorcycle. What are your favorite Beverly Cleary titles?

ACPL Author Fair -- Saturday, April 23

This Saturday, the library is providing a wonderful opportunity.

It's the first annual Author's Fair! Visit the downtown library on Saturday, April 23, to chat with local authors, including children's authors
Helen Frost and Lynn Rowe Reed,
and attend presentations and author readings.

Click here for more information.

Percy Jackson Fans -- Take Note!

Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, has recently published

The Lost Hero,

the first title in his newest series,
Heroes of Olympus.

Place your copy on hold today!

Roslyn Rutabaga

We just put this darling book on our shelves! It is the latest offering from the immensely talented author and illustrator Marie-Louise Gay. Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth! is a sweet story of a little bunny who spends the day, of course, digging the biggest hole on earth. She encounters a cast of grumpy characters including a worm and a mole who do not appreciate her endeavors, but throughout it all she maintains her determination. Only after an encounter with a disgruntled dog does her enthusiasm wane. Enter her wonderful father: his interaction with Roslyn is worth the read alone.

Enjoy this new book!

Roald Dahl Month

Beloved children's author, Roald Dahl was born on September 13 in 1916. To commemorate this wonderful man's life, September is Roald Dahl Month! Visit the Roald Dahl website for fun facts, games and activities. Stop by your library and ask a librarian to help you choose one of Roald Dahl's books!

A Question for Mr. McKissack

Last week we collected an interesting question for Fredrick McKissack, Jr.

Dear Mr. McKissack: How long does it take to write a novel? - Lettie

That's a very good question, Lettie. It's hard to say because all books are different. The short--and unhelpful--answer is that the book is done when it is done. What it comes down to is the author knowing the work is ready for an editor. One of my favorite books is Frederick Forsyth's "Day of the Jackal". The actual writing took about 35 days, but he said he spent 12 years on research. Elizabeth Kostova's bestseller "The Historian" took 10 years to write. The first draft of Shooting Star was done in two months, but there were numerous drafts and rewrites before it was good to go. It was a year-and-a-half process. I worked on a comic/graphic novel a few years ago, and the time from first draft to finished manuscript was four months.

Again, great question. Thank you Lettie.

Do you have a question for Fred McKissack, Jr.? Send it to me.

Four Questions for Fred McKissack, Jr.

Over the last two weeks we collected four questions for ACPL Writer in Residence Fredrick McKissack, Jr.

1. I would like to know how you get the names for the people in your books. - Anonymous

I sometimes use first names of people I know, and I do use last names from my own family. However, what I try and do is find a name that works for the character, a name that resonates with me and, hopefully, the reader. There's a logic to it. In Shooting Star, Jomo's parents gave him that name because of the respect that have for the great Kenyan leader Jomo Kenyatta. Given his parents' political and social leanings, the name makes sense. I've changed the names of characters because the name didn't sound right. For me, it comes done to what feels and sounds right.

2. What do you do when you can't think of anything to write about? - Gabriel

Oh, that rarely happens. I have too many ideas--not all of them are good. The real problem is getting to the best idea, and even then a publisher or editor might not like the idea as much as I do.

3. What is your favorite book written by your parents? - Josie

That's a hard one, but I love Flossie and the Fox. It's a timeless story, and Flossie is a brave character that all children can identify with and root as she outwits the fox.
Thanks for the question, Josie.

4. Which of your books did you enjoy writing the most? - Kim

I really enjoyed writing Shooting Star. It was a long, but fun process of going from basic idea to a complex story with multi-dimensional characters. Black Diamond is high on the list, too. One of the great benefits about writing non-fiction is how much you as the writer learn in researching a subject. I thought I knew baseball, but working on that book really opened my eyes and mind to the past struggles of African-American baseball players.
Thanks for the question, Kim

Do you have a question for Fred McKissack, Jr.? Send it to me.

Two Questions for the Writer in Residence

Last week we had two questions for Fredrick McKissack, Jr.

Dear Mr. McKissack: I would like to know how to become an author? How do you write and make covers? - Bethany

For both fiction and non-fiction, it all begins with an idea. With "Shooting Star" I wondered what if a high school students started taking performance-enhancing drugs; with "Black Diamond" the idea originated with the book's editor, Ann Reit, who thought children and young adults would be interested in what baseball was like before Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier. After the idea, I start researching and outlining, and from there, I write a rough draft. That’s just the beginning, because what happens next is what all writers go through: rewriting. That's where the idea really blossoms, because you see plot holes and dead-ends, as well as chances to revamp scenes and either beef up or cut characters. This is where a good editor is great to have. The editor helps the writer focus the story. It's good to have another set of eyes to see and ears to hear. Even with your schoolwork, it's good to get feedback from someone else.

As for covers, the publishing house and editor works with art directors and illustrators who read the book and figure out the most creative way to get a potential reader to pick up the book. It's an art since covers are not just there to protect the pages. The cover has to catch the reader's eyes and communicate what's inside.

Thank you for the question. - Fred

Dear Mr. McKissack: How do you publish your books? - Lindsay

Lindsay,

I work with publishing houses that have editors, book designers, booksellers who help turn a story into a book. You'd be surprised at how many people work to make and sell a book. It goes beyond the writer and editor.

Thank you for the question. - Fred

If you would like to know more about how to write and publish books check out these great titles:

• Look at My Book by Loreen Leedy
• Write Now! by Joe Rhatigan
• In Print: 40 Cool Publishing Project for Kids by Joe Rhatigan
• The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published by Kathy Henderson
  

Do you have a question for Fred McKissack, Jr.? Send it to me.

Read for Life!

Way back in January the Library of Congress announced the appointment of Katherine Paterson as the second National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. During her reign, she would like to spread the message: 'Read for Life'! To support her in her mission, I suggest that you go and read some books to kids right now instead of reading this blog. If you are a kid, find a book & a comfortable chair and read, read for life.

Fredrick McKissack, Jr. Answers Your Questions

This week we had three questions for Writer in Residence Fredrick McKissack, Jr.

Dear Mr. McKissack: Do you like baseball? Sincerely, Tom

Yes! I am now and I will always be a St. Louis Cardinals fan. We--my family--also love going to Tin Caps games and the new ballpark is aces. I wasn't a very good player, but I had fun.

Dear Mr. McKissack: How old were you when you "knew" you were a writer? Sincerely, Lettie

I "knew" I wanted to be a writer in college, although I had inklings as early as grade school. Having a parent as an editor and writer had something to do with it, but I just liked the idea of creating characters, scenes, and dialogue. My son is doing this with toys now, although he says he wants to be a rock-and-roll-artist-astronaut-fireman.

Dear Mr. McKissack: What were your favorite books as a child? Sincerely, Lettie

As a kid, my favorite books were Yertle the Turtle, The Cat in the Hat, Where the Wild Things Are, and anything with the Peanuts characters. My mom and dad used to read us Aesop's fables and they'd tell us stories from Greek mythology. When I was a little older, my aunt, a social studies teacher, gave me a set of social studies and geography books. I loved those books. I read encyclopedias, too. Also, The Pushcart War remains a strong influence with me today. It's an amazing, fun, and compassionate story.

Do you have a question to ask Mr. McKissack? Email me and I will be sure that he gets it. Answers will be posted on the blog.

Happy Birthday, Rosemary Wells!

You may know Rosemary Wells as the author and illustrator of popular picture books and board books for younger children, such as the Max and Ruby series, but you may not know that she has also written...

...historical fiction for older children:

Lincoln and His Boys

...and non-fiction:

Mary on Horseback: Three Mountain Stories

Click here to find more items by Rosemary Wells in the Library Catalog.

Author Focus: Beverly Cleary

Beverly Cleary's books are favorites of many children AND adults.

Ralph S. Mouse..., Ramona Quimby..., and Henry Huggins

are just a few of her endearing characters that have stood the test of time. Find out more about this librarian-turned-author at her website: http://www.beverlycleary.com/ .


To see a list of other books and materials by or about Beverly Cleary that you can find at the Library, click here.

Conversation with Author Fredrick McKissack, Jr.

Join us on Sunday, January 17th at 1pm for a conversation with award winning author Frederick McKissack, Jr.

Since 1969, the Coretta Scott King (CSK) Book Awards have honored African American authors and illustrators for outstanding children’s literature that reflects the African American experience. Join us for a conversation about the award with author Fredrick McKissack Jr. who will share his perspective. Mr. McKissack along with his mother, Patricia McKissack, received a 1995 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award for their book, Black Diamond: Story of the Negro Baseball League. Indiana librarians can earn 1 LEU credit for attendance

Happy Birthday, Rudyard Kipling!

Today in 1865 Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India. He is the beloved author of many children's stories, such as The Jungle Book, The Elephant's Child and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.
He died in London in 1936.

A Busy Saturday at the Library!

Two big events today at the Main Library:

Meet Patricia Wrede in Young Adults' Services at 10am.

Enjoy Day of the Dead activities in Children's Services from 2pm to 4pm.

See you at the Library!

Looking for an Indiana author?

If you are looking for a list of Indiana authors and illustrators, check out this site. You can search by genre, location, name and even publication date.

Patricia Wrede This Saturday!

Patricia Wrede author of many science fiction and fantasy favorites for children and teens will be here at the Main Library on Saturday and she wants to talk to you!

Join Ms. Wrede in Young Adults' Services this Saturday at 10am for an informative and interesting presentation. For more information click here.

Jan Thomas Creates Read Aloud Magic

Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas is perfectly written to be read aloud. I used this title in a recent storytime and oh, how the kids laughed at "The tiny TICKLY bug is out of your mouth, but NOW it's in your SHIRT?" They loved the indecisive ladybug and happily did every single thing she told them to do - no matter now silly it sounded.
The timing, the illustrations, and the humor in this book work together to make read aloud magic. Share it with your favorite child today.

Don't miss Jan Thomas' other delightful books including: What will Fat Cat Sit On? and The Doghouse.

Milton Meltzer 1915-2009

Please stop by the Children's Department and check out our display highlighting
author Milton Meltzer.

In the fall of 1956 Milton published his first book, A Pictorial History of the Negro American, co-written with Langston Hughes.

Four of Milton's books went on to become National Book Award Finalists. He has written books on topics ranging from the history of the potato to a biography of George Washington.

Join us in honoring and remembering this great author.