Children's Lit Newsletter 8/06/2025

Yes, we're here again. Heavy Sigh.

So, for anyone who has met me IRL, you know that I hand out Book Rx forms with recommended titles (that I think of in the moment, depending on the person's interests). Hat tip to Spousal Unit for creating these many years ago.

I was chatting with a father and his teen daughter and recommended some books including the incredible DRAGON HOOPS by Gene Luen Yang. (Quick note: the person being discussed is not on my mailing list and I'm keeping identifiers out of it, so I'm comfortable sharing snippets of our correspondence.)

After the dad looked at the book, I got this message:

"My kids are actually high level readers, so those types of books are rather too simple and intellectually unsatisfying"

Setting aside that he's pushed another "Sharon's Soapbox" button (Reading Levels) let's address two assumptions. One, that all non-graphic novels are complex and intellectually stimulating. Two, that all graphic novels are simplistic and not intellectually stimulating. In case you don't see where I'm going, both assumptions are wrong, really wrong, you might even say......WRONG.

When I pointed out that not all traditional books are sophisticated, he agreed but concluded with:

"...as a family of readers, we are disinclined towards the graphic novel format"

Yes, it did take me awhile to cool down from this response. I mean, there's the implied insult that people who read graphic novels aren't readers. (I mean, I'm not sure how to not take it personally given that I recommended a few graphic novels that I had read and enjoyed).

BUT, let me try to leave the personal out of this (no guarantee that I'll do it - but I promise to try).

So, here we have part of the Sistine Chapel. It's STUNNING! There are so many details that one could look at it for ages (although, seeing it in real life guarantees a sore neck, before one can absorb everything). There are many stories being told here.

Anyone notice what is NOT here? Anyone? (Bueller?) There are NO WORDS!!! Nope, not a one, So, obviously, it can't possibly be sophisticated or tell a fabulous story.

Would anyone looking for intellectually stimulating DARE to say that art, okay, specifically Michelangelo (let's not go down the path of 'what is art' please) does not qualify?

Let's just agree that the anti-graphic novel people do not consider themselves anti-art. So, why are pictures on their own worthy, but pictures WITH words are not?

Don't look at me, I don't have an answer for that.

If they say, "Well, graphic novels are more 'cartooney'" I have multiple replies to that. One, why are cartoons bad? Two, many graphic novels have fine art illustrations. Three, if you think cartoons don't last, all I can say is "Bayeux Tapestry" (arguably the oldest comic 'book') As a side note, there are some GREAT articles about the tapestry. Go do a deep dive, you'll be glad you did.

There is so much more I could say in defense of graphic novels. Give examples like MAUS or the MARCH trilogy. How about Gareth Hinds' THE ODYSSEY (do you know how many high school students thanked me for telling me about his edition? Really helped their understanding of this complex novel.)

But, honestly, all I want is for people to quit cutting down graphic novels and to allow children and teens to read the books that they enjoy.

I'd like to close on a personal note here. I was so lucky that my father, with his Ph.D in Electrical Engineering and multiple patents, not only supported my reading comic books, he read them himself. He would ask me at breakfast if I had any new comic books he could read. There were times when he would get me two new comics, but the third one had to be a Classics Illustrated one (which is probably STILL the only way I've read some of the classics). I did not realize until I got into this field, what a gift it was that he never denigrated my reading choices. I will be forever thankful for that.

When my last novel was published exactly one year ago, I wondered if WITH TWICE THE LOVE, DESSIE MEI had missed the moment. After all, this book celebrates calling people into community instead of simply calling people out. And a year ago, hope was rising. So was community.

But then: a few weeks ago—a few weeks before today’s release of the paperback—a neighbor “ni hao-ed” me.

You know: he rolled down his car window and snickered, “Ni hao.” As if I’m not American. (I am.) As if I haven’t shared the same neighborhood with him for thirty-five years. (I have.) As if I didn’t belong. (I do—and so does my little fur baby who was with me.)

After a full week of tossing-and-turning insomnia, kicking myself because my only response in that moment was snapping, “I speak English.” That…is inadequate on so many levels, especially since language wasn’t really the issue. My personal turmoil increased because my latest protagonist—eleven-year-old Dessie Mei, eleven!— uses her words to right a wrong.

So I decided to write my neighbor.

A full three paragraphs spelled out our commonalities, his and mine: like you, my kids went to your kids’ elementary school. Like you, my kids attended your high school. Like you, we went to the same college. Like your dad, my father was a civil servant. I explained why “ni hao-ing” is an act of othering. I told him how it was disappointing that I’ve had to educate myself on white supremacist iconography—the logos, the symbols, the tattoos—yet it was a neighbor who made me feel unsafe.

Being a citizen ambassador is what Dessie learns to be in my book: it’s a scary, thankless, yet necessary self-appointed job. A citizen ambassador is what I hope to be during these turbulent times. After all, 50 years of intergroup contact theory research says that the only way to rid bigotry is through one-on-one relationship.

So we do the work of loving our neighbor. We call out bad behavior, yes. And importantly, we call each other into community. We don’t have to see eye-to-eye, but we need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder.

I invited my neighbor to coffee. I hope he says yes.

Thank you for supporting me, book after book. And thank you for championing my latest, WITH TWICE THE LOVE, DESSIE MEI. Your embrace of my story about sister-twins who find each other and stand up for one another has been nothing short of wondrous.

Second Saturday Cartoonists:
Martin Cendreda, Derek Kirk Kim, and John Pham
Saturday, August 9
1:00 pm

Join cartoonists Martin Cendreda (The Hand of Black), Derek Kirk Kim (The Last Mermaid), and John Pham (J&K) for a lively discussion about their work, moderated by Thien Pham (Family Style), followed by a reading and book signing.

Cost: Included with Museum admission. Free for Members!

https://schulzmuseum.org/martin-cendreda-derek-kirk-kim-john-pham/?utm_source=Charles+M.+Schulz+Museum+Email+Subscriptions&utm_campaign=b387c71546-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_8_23_2018_9_52_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f0823848f2-b387c71546-486091808

Enter the Tuck Everlasting Graphic Novel sweepstakes for a chance to win a free art print for your classroom!

Teacher's Guide:

https://www.mackidsschoolandlibrary.com/teachers-guide-tuck-everlasting-50th-anniversary-edition-and-graphic-novel-adaptation/?utm_campaign=MCPG%20-%20S%26L%20Emails&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9GJoDSMH_ThyVNR5b29dtbjEIY_eWmrNjoS8ReQ90zKJcA93tdSGQSV0b_lT2JngtH5K6t4_7GyDt32XlTrAK3WkD7r_I8Xm6yOTXw9aZXaUHn6rU&_hsmi=374335631&utm_content=2&utm_source=hs_email

Sweepstakes:

https://read.macmillan.com/promo/mcpgsleverlastinggnprint/?utm_campaign=MCPG%20-%20S%26L%20Emails&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8XnLr4qpxJKZUQHcLTCC2dXS62P08grZljihXSIQ1beDPFSUoH8TMV63LIft8bDCs1-7fEQJYVKMnTO0vshlGZeaKg7U93D98iYlpVv_T4VMXjXpk&_hsmi=374335631&utm_content=374335631&utm_source=hs_email

You can view the full preview here:

https://www.scholastic.com/onlinepreview/index.html#b06637caae9f44519fadff49d38958ef/1

So much great information!!! I'm so glad they recorded everything, because I wanted to hear everyone and it just wasn't possible. You can still register here: https://www.slj.com/event/slj-picture-book-palooza-2025#home in order to have access to the recordings for the next three months. I cannot recommend this highly enough!!!!

Here's a link to the program: https://www.slj.com/event/slj-picture-book-palooza-2025#program

https://vshow.on24.com/vshow/Picture_Books_2025/registration/19360

2904 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
info@mrsdalloways.com
Phone 510.704.8222

I got to know Top Shelf Productions when they published Congressman Lewis's graphic memoirs, MARCH BOOKS 1-3 and then posthumously, RUN. I love their books and their sensibilities (they just recently published IT RHYMES WITH TAKEI, which is FABULOUS!)

Here are two more upcoming books that look great!!

Check out this video about KARMOPOLIS!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQOIjsK6H6Y

Upcoming Webinar: Building Foundational Literacy Skills in Early Childhood with Contemporary Indigenous & Native American Content

https://www.leeandlow.com/blog/upcoming-webinar-building-foundational-literacy-skills-in-early-childhood-with-contemporary-indigenous-native-american-content/

https://www.leeandlow.com/blog/watch-the-recording-lee-low-books-fall-2025-seasonal-showcase/

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.

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.