Children's Lit Newsletter 9/11/2025
AKA Sharon's Book Rx
BOOK RX YOUTUBE CHANNEL RELAUNCHING SOON! Here's another oldie but a goodie
Hey all!!
As many of you know, my Road to Heck is VERY well paved with good intentions!!
I do have some videos taped, edited by my fabulous editor, Jordan, and reviewed by my lovely friend Bea. I just need to get my act together and start posting regularly. I''ll be updating info on book purchases (so please don't click on current link, it's no longer valid) with percentages going to designated non-profits every week. But, for the moment - I'm posting here so that I feel obligated to follow through (let's see if that works, fingers crossed)
Here is the conversation with AUTHORS ALI KAMANDA AND JORGE REDMOND IN CONVERSATION WITH DR. BARBARA STROUD ABOUT THEIR BOOK, BLACK BOY, BLACK BOY AND WHY IT BELONGS EVERYWHERE!!! (also please feel free to subscribe to the channel, that would be AWESOME!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YYl59YU3BQ
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD LONGLIST ANNOUNCED! CONGRATS TO OUR OWN MARIA VAN LIESHOUT
What an incredible list!!! I've only read two of these you all know how I feel about SONG OF A BLACKBIRD (the Kyle Lukoff book was fantastic as well).
You can find more information here: https://www.nationalbook.org/2025-national-book-awards-longlist-for-young-peoples-literature/
AND, don't forget to look further down this newsletter where there's information for booking Maria Van Lieshout for in person or Zoom presentations.
FABULOUS EVENTS AT THE PENINSULA'S NEWEST INDIE - FIRESIDE BOOKS!!
INCLUDING THE INCREDIBLE WENDELIN VAN DRAANEN SEPTEMBER 12 FROM 7-8 P.M.
Author Talk: Wendelin Van Draanen -- RSVP requested
Wendelin Van Draanen, author of beloved titles such as book-to-movie sensation FLIPPED, will chat with readers and sign copies of her new YA thriller -- a twisty page-turner described as "Karen McManus meets The Queen's Gambit" featuring a high school chess wiz who suspects her new step-family is out to kill her.
Free event. Please RSVP here to help us do a head count
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Fireside Books is also having an INDIE AUTHOR WEEK. Very cool!
09/22/2025-09/26/2025
Indie Author Week
Local indie authors will be in store the evenings of Sept. 22-26 to meet readers and sell books. More details will be posted on our website ...
KATHERINE APPLEGATE WITH GENNIFER CHOLDENKO September 17, 2025 5 - 6:00 PM
#1 New York Times bestelling author, Katherine Applegate, returns to Kepler's with Pocket Bear, her new stunning tale of kindness and second chances.
For fans of Odder, Wishtree, Willodeen, and The One and Only Ivan.
Thimble-born from tip to toe, Pocket Bear remembers every moment of his becoming: the glimmering needle, the silken thread, the tender hands as each careful stitch brought him closer to himself. Born during the throes of WWI, he was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier’s jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm.
Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend Zephyrina, known far and wide as “The Cat Burglar,” have seen it all, and then some.
An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket reminds us all that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible.
Kids and adults are encouraged to bring their stuffies!
About the Author
Katherine Applegate is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of beloved and award-winning books for young readers, including Odder, Home of the Brave, Crenshaw, Wishtree, Willodeen, and The One and Only Ivan, for which she won the Newbery Medal. She is also the author of the Animorphs series, and a beginning reader series, Doggo and Pupper, illustrated by Charlie Alder. Katherine Applegate lives in Southern California with her family.
About the Moderator
Gennifer Choldenko’s best known Tales from Alcatraz series has been called “A cornerstone series in contemporary children’s literature.” Al Capone Does My Shirts—the first book in the series—was a Newbery Honor Book and the recipient of twenty other awards. All four books in the series were Junior Library Guild selections and garnered many starred reviews. Gennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her loyal husband and naughty dog.
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OBJECTION: Shea (Gennifer's dog) is NEVER naughty. I call defamation!!
Join us for a day where the Bay Area’s most talented kid-lit authors, illustrators, publishers, sellers, and educators come together to celebrate the magic of BOOKS!
- Meet 30+ kid-lit book creators ready to inspire.
- Enjoy captivating stories read aloud by the authors themselves.
- Watch talented illustrators bring stories to life before your eyes.
- Cheer on the remarkable 8 to 12-year-olds from our Youth Writers’ Workshop, hosted by Rob Liu-Trujillo.
- Shop for books by all the participating book creators with Books on B
- Enjoy play-based and educational activities provided by our community partners.
- Check out the family literacy resource fair
- Hosted by Oakland’s beloved educator, Mr. Limata
It is SO MUCH FUN!!!!! More info here:
EDUCATORS' NIGHT AT MRS. DALLOWAY'S
Back by popular demand! Join us after your busy day for a special evening featuring some of your favorite authors! Discover the hottest Fall titles for kids. Free education materials galore!
Enjoy a light dinner of pizza, salad, and an assortment of beverages (including those just for adults!)...AND....
- Meet seven acclaimed children's literature creators who will discuss their writing and sign books (see full list below).
- Enjoy 20% off all books and merchandise for you and your classroom.
- Hear about our children's specialists' favorite fall titles
- Chat with peers from other schools and swap ideas!
- Everyone will take home FREE books and more!
Tickets are $5.00 and seats are limited, so purchase your ticket here!
Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions—we will do our best to accommodate you (Drop a note to info@mrsdalloways.com) We look forward to seeing you on September 29! Please spread the word to your colleagues!
Registration info here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mrs-dalloways-2026-educators-night-tickets-1603372382959?aff=eemailordconf&ref=eemailordconf&utm_campaign=order_confirm&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_term=viewevent
All educators are welcome but this event is especially focused on grades K-8.
Meet our special guest children's literature creators:
ANNIE BARROWS is the bestselling author of books for both children and adults, including the New York Times bestselling Ivy + Bean series, The Stella & Marigold series, The Best of Iggy series, the YA novel Nothing, and the adult bestselling novel The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She lives in Northern California.
JERROLD CONNORS has taught STEAM in elementary schools, has developed games for websites like PBSkids.org and Noggin.com and has designed interactive exhibits for museums like the Lawrence Hall of Science and the Children's Creativity Museum. His debut picture book JIM! came out this May and has received four starred reviews. Most recently he has been livestreaming on YouTube, where he connects with young creators around the world.
JOANNA HO is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of many children's books, including Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, We Who Produce Pearls, and The Silence that Binds Us, her debut young adult novel, which received the Young Adult Honor for the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. Her passion for equity in books and education is matched only by her love of homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids.
JENNIFER HOLM is the New York Times bestselling and three-time Newbery Honor-winning author of multiple novels for young readers. With her brother Matthew, Jennifer created the graphic novel series Babymouse and Squish. She lives in California.
MICHAEL LEALI is an award-winning writer and educator. He earned his MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. He is a two-time Lambda Literary Award finalist and the author of the Golden Kite Award–winning novel The Civil War of Amos Abernathy, Matteo, and The Truth About Triangles. Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, Michael currently lives in California.
NATASHA TRIPPLETT writes from a tree house perched in a sycamore tree at her home near Oakland. Born to a Jamaican immigrant and a Jewish woman, Natasha was adopted as a baby. She is the author of The Blue Pickup, Juneteenth Is, and Planted with Love.
MARIA VAN LIESHOUT was born and raised near Amsterdam, where she spent many weekends in the Museum Quarter row house where her grandparents lived with her artist aunt and metalsmith uncle. Drawing while her aunt painted, and pecking stories on a typewriter while her uncle soldered metals inspired her love for drawing, creating and writing. After high school in Leiden, Maria studied Visual Communications at GWU in DC, and worked in design and innovation at Coca-Cola. In 2000, Maria became an illustrator full-time. She has illustrated/written several picture books. Song of a Blackbird is Maria’s first graphic novel. Maria lives in the East Bay.
SIGN UP FOR JARRETT KROSOCZKA'S NEWSLETTER
If you don't already, follow Jarrett on Facebook and sign up for his newsletter!!
I just found out about it myself!! We commissioned a sketch of our much missed Grandpuppy, Gunther. He did an incredible job!!!
MARIA VAN LIESHOUT IS AVAILABLE FOR IN-PERSON OR ZOOM PRESENTATIONS!
MARIA VAN LIESHOUT IS AN EXCELLENT PRESENTER AND THIS BOOK IS PHENOMENAL. BOOK HER FOR IN PERSON OR ZOOM VISITS!
Since Song of a Blackbird was published in January, I’ve had the joy and privilege of visiting middle and high schools up and down the West Coast (as well as Sharon's very own synagogue Etz Chayim). I’ve been sharing the true story behind my graphic novel, and talking with teens about how young artists in the Amsterdam resistance (some not much older than they are!) defied the Nazis and helped keep people alive and out of Nazi hands.
If you are (or know) a middle or high school English, art, social studies/history teacher or librarian interested in having me come speak to students, check out the author visit page on my website and reach out. I’d love to hear from you🐦⬛
I LOVE WENDELIN!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO READ HER LATEST!!!
EDUCATORS' NIGHT AT HICKLEBEES
90 SECOND NEWBERY OPEN FOR ENTRIES NOW
Hicklebee's | 1378 Lincoln Ave. | San Jose, CA 95125 US
BECOME PART OF THE FUN! Make a movie for the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival!
Hi, it's James Kennedy of the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival—in which kid filmmakers worldwide create short movies that tell the stories of Newbery-winning books in just a few minutes, and adult help is okay. We are now on our 15th year!
Submissions are NOW OPEN for next year's entries! The general deadline is January 16, 2026, but don't wait until the last minute—use the next few months to make an incredible movie you can be proud of! (We have a special deadline for Texas entries of March 20, 2026.)
Big news: we now have a new “early critique” deadline! If you send in your movie by December 19, 2025 and if you specifically ask for a critique, our judges will tell you how to improve your movie so you can turn in your very best work by the deadline. Creativity is an iterative process, and it's a great idea to get notes on your masterpiece so you can tweak it before you send it in. Take advantage of this new wrinkle to the film festival!
Looking for inspiration? Check out our updated page featuring some of the best 90-Second Newbery movies over the past fourteen years. Last Stop on Market Street adapted into a spaghetti Western! Lincoln: A Photobiography retold in the musical style of Hamilton! Even Frog and Toad Together reimagined as an action movie, with Frog as a Marine, Toad as a ninja, and lots of crazy special effects!
Are you a young filmmaker? Here's your chance to create a movie that might be shown at our screenings all over the country.
Are you a homeschooler? This is a substantial project with a big payoff that will also create fantastic memories for your family. (Check out the 90-Second Newbery movies made over the years by the legendary homeschooling Zenz family.)
Are you a teacher or libarian? This is a unique learning opportunity that's already in curricula and programming at schools and libraries around the country. Make it part of your fall lesson plans!
Don't know where to start? You can find a step-by-step "How To Make A 90-Second Newbery," with hints on moviemaking and resources like free soundtrack music and special effects, on our video resources page.
By the way, in the fall I will visit schools and libraries all over the country, teaching how to make 90-Second Newbery movies and giving help, hints, and tricks in workshops and presentations. Do you want me to visit your school or library this fall? Get in touch with me at james@90secondnewbery.com!
Further details, including contest rules, are all on the 90-Second Newbery website. I'm looking forward to seeing your creativity unleashed!
Sincerely,
James Kennedy
Curator of the 90-Second Newbery
Author of The Order of Odd-Fish, Bride of the Tornado, and Dare to Know
P.S. Want to support the 90-Second Newbery? Of course you do! Please make a tax-deductible donation to the 90-Second Newbery here so we can keep bringing this program to everyone across the country. The 90-Second Newbery is under the nonprofit fiscal sponsorship of Fractured Atlas.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FAIRYLAND'S FABULOUS FESTIVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SEPTEMBER 15 (AND MORE) IS/ARE DOT DAY!!!!!!
Millions all over the world will be making their mark! Be sure your school is joining this global celebration of creativity. Get counted here and download many resources for the day. Her teacher smiled. “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.” This celebration created by teacher Terry Shay has always been a dynamic experience for schools at the beginning of the year to showcase for students the power and potential of creativity in all that they do. There are several virtual ways to connect with Peter H. Reynolds around September 15 (15th-ish means this celebration can happen whenever it works best for your community). Go here to find event details and links as they become available. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Monday, September 15 “Create Bravely” Dot Day special on YouTube. Tuesday, September 16 “Make Your Mark!” Adobe livestream event with Peter H. Reynolds on Adobe’s Education platform Tuesday, October 6 Peter H. Reynolds will be doing a live show at the Shubert Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts, with a free global webcast to 50+ countries. Register here. If your school is one that participates in International Dot Day and wants to inspire others in your community, you could be named an official AmbassaDOT! Learn more and apply here.
BOOK TALKS (for adults or kids), CURRICULUM CONSULTING (finding books that fit), etc.
Hey all!!
Recently I have given Book Talks to students and parents that can focus on Engaging Reluctant Readers, Diversify Your (home or school) Bookshelves, and Great and Engaging Books (for various ages/grades). They've been well received and participants leave with TONS of information (and quite a few win prizes). I do these in schools or libraries, but would love to be hired by companies as a 'Perk' for their employees who have children in their lives. So, using my 'Social Capital' (that's you all) to spread the word.
I also work with teachers to help find great books that fit (and expand) the curriculum (otherwise known as my idea of a good time).
Please feel free to spread the word and send people my way: sharonlevin @ mindspring.com
We now return to our regular programming.
NOTE TO AUTHORS, ILLUSTRATORS, BOOKSTORES HAVING EVENTS!!
I try (when I have time/energy/spoons) to visit store websites and pull event information. However, the best way to get your events in is to e-mail me directly with FOR THE NEWSLETTER as the subject line. There are over 2000 subscribers to this newsletter - plus it gets posted on Facebook, Twitter (I said what I said), BlueSky and my local NextDoor. I am happy to spread the word, it's just easier if 'the word' (not the religious one) comes directly to my inbox
I'm only as good as my sources, so please do feel free to share events, good news, etc.! Please e-mail me at sharonlevin at mindspring dot com and put For the Newsletter as your subject line.
I'm always happy to feature giveaways. There is NO paid advertising in this newsletter - I do not require anything to feature a giveaway. I'm just happy to do it.