Children's Lit Newsletter 1/28/26

STARTING UP BOOK CLUBS AGAIN WITH AN 8 WEEK SESSION.

How many clubs will depend on sign ups, of course. The 5th/6th grade club will be reading MAYBE HE JUST LIKES YOU by Barbara Dee with a virtual author visit at the end (I've had Barbara 'visit' before and she's AWESOME). The second book will be decided during the term, with the students.

The 3rd/4th grade group will read one of Elly Swartz's fabulous books (still deciding which one) and we are lucky enough to get an author visit with her as well. WOO HOO!

PLEASE DO SHARE THIS INFORMATION. Book Clubs have a minimum of 5 students, maximum of 12.

Feel free to reach out directly at sharonlevin at mindspring dot com Thanks!

These two were PHENOMENAL!!! I just got to sit back and listened to their brilliance as they discussed their books, their readers, the publishing industry and more. Knowing that these two are writing such incredible books does my heart good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLOMlAz1Z1g

And..... as we always say... PLEASE LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel (and spread the word!)

I'm just too lazy to highlight everything :-) so here's the link. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/2026-youth-media-award-winners/

There are so many reason to love the Children's Literature World and the people in it. One of the reasons is how they come together to offer support. There are some AMAZING items in this auction, please spread the word and support widely!! Thank you!!

https://www.32auctions.com/publishingforMN?r=1&t=all

Further information here:

We are a group of authors, illustrators, agents, and editors who believe the time is now for collective action. In response to ongoing ICE raids and federal actions causing harm to immigrant communities and our neighbors across the country, we are organizing this auction to raise funds for those most impacted. Proceeds from this auction will support organizations providing legal aid, emergency assistance, food, and community resources to those in urgent need.

Winning bids will have 48 hours to show confirmation of donation to one of the following organizations.

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: ILCM is a nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Women’s Foundation of Minnesota: IRRF is a coalition of philanthropic leaders rooted in communities most impacted by immigration-related harm. IRRF ensures that resources move quickly, responsibly, and with community accountability to trusted organizations responding to immigration-related emergencies across Minnesota.

Midwest Immigrant Bond Fund: The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund pays out bonds for residents of, and people detained in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and fights for the abolition of immigration detention.

Dios Habla Hoy Church Food Distribution (South Minneapolis): DHH Operation is a community outreach effort led by DHH Church to provide food and urgent assistance to families in need. This church is located in South Minneapolis, and they’ve been doing incredible food distribution to folks who are staying home and avoiding public spaces due to fear and uncertainty caused by immigration enforcement.

Community Aid Network MN: Community Aid Network (CANMN) is a grassroots volunteer-led organization located in the Bancroft neighborhood of Minneapolis, MN. We work to build solidarity with our neighbors, organize volunteers and redistribute resources to ensure everyone has the means for dignified survival.

Central Area Neighborhood Development:
The Central Neighborhood Care Team (Central Care Team), is one of six strategically organized groups within a larger group of Central Neighborhood residents organizing with a twofold mission: relationship building and resistance. This GoFundMe raises funds for critical rent assistance as families stay home.

For support across the country:
Immigrant Defense Project: IDP fights to end the current era of unprecedented mass criminalization, detention, and deportation through a multipronged strategy including advocacy, litigation, legal advice and training, community defense, grassroots alliances, and strategic communications.

HandsOffNYC: Provide resources for neighborhood groups as they stand against ICE kidnappings. Whether it’s training over 1000 people at once at our borough trainings, or making sure that local spotters have basic supplies like whistles and handouts, your donation will directly impact our ability to build and expand the movement.

The auction will run from Thursday, 1/29 until Friday, 1/30. After the auction ends, highest bidders will submit proof of donation, and will then be connected with the donors over email.


Any art or book shipments are coordinated by the donor. US shipments only.

I am such a huge fan of Carolina's SHUT UP THIS IS SERIOUS. This new book sounds just as AMAZING!!

More info here: https://www.lindentreebooks.com/few-blue-skies.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo7bfdcbw0lY9AyG2vG5Xl_Ay-tTaBgZsQnrDxxC8ikiizHasMb

FROM KATE:

Even if you can't pre-order right away and aren't one of the first 500 to send in your receipt to get a cap - if you order before February 3rd, you'll get a limited edition CAMP MONSTER sticker sheet, which is also pretty great. Here's all the info and a link to preorder now.

https://www.formpl.us/form/6624384280231936

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times, CHILDREN'S BOOKS MAKE ME SMARTER!! I had never heard of this woman until this book!

From Patricia:

Beatrice and the Nightingale is the true story of a famous English cellist who made history in 1924. One evening as Beatrice Harrison practiced in her garden, a nightingale began to sing with her cello. Beatrice convinced the BBC to broadcast the duet from her garden in Surrey, England, the first time birdsong had ever been broadcast over the airwaves. Millions of people around the world listened to the broadcast. And the King of England congratulated her on uniting the Empire.

Then in 2022, some people said the first broadcast was faked.

Find out the truth about this amazing true story of one woman's musical gift, her passion for uniting music and nature, and the fledging radio technology that made it all possible.

• Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

• "The captivating confluence of a gifted cello player, the brilliant songs of the nightingale, and the wonders of early radio." --Kirkus

• "...shines the spotlight on a woman whose story is not already a common fixture on library shelves." --School Library Journal

• 
  

Here is the beautiful book trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip_y6qYrSds

I can't believe this has been going on for FIFTEEN YEARS!!! It's so fun to watch!!! More information here:

https://90secondnewbery.com/?utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=January%202026%20Get%20Your%20Tickets&utm_medium=email

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.