Found When Not Reading HP

Now is a dangerous time to be a kidlit blog reader. Venturing out in the murky waters of the Internet requires a skillful avoidance of anything and everything Potter-related (particularly if you haven’t finished the book yet). In a way it’s worse for me at work, though. I’ve a page who is a fanatical fan and keeps almost letting slip info about the book. She already told me the title of the chapter that was initially leaked online (consarn it) so I’ve no choice put to stick bright pink Peeps in my ears whenever she walks by. And it’s only a matter of time before some kid comes walking up to my reference desk spilling every bean that they have about what happens.  I’m almost halfway through (just got my copy yesterday) and I appreciated the opening to last night’s Colbert Report very much indeed.  The kidlit blogs have quieted down since we all began reading.  Soon enough they’ll spark up again.  Until that time, here’s some news.

• For those of you eager to see some Best Books lists early in the 2007 season, Kirkus has released their list of new Science Fiction and Fantasy. I was pleased as punch to see the inclusion of Evil Genius, which I’d better get around to reviewing one of these days. Thanks to Kids Lit for the link.

• A member of this year’s Newbery committee considers the importance of voice in children’s literature. It’s Monica, so she’s not going to go about talking about voice in this year’s books. Simultaneously (and, it seems, independently) the Misrule blog posts a similar query. I was a big fan thus far of the "voice" used in Elijah of Buxton and, most recently, the remarkable No Castles Here by A.C.E. Bauer. Not to mention, The Baptism by Sheila P. Moses.  I’d like to hear other people talk about good uses of this style in 2007.
  

• From Kane/Miller’s useful newsletter we learn the following bit of BACA news:

"BECKHAM * JOINS THE TEAM

You can’t avoid two major names this week in the news. One is a fictional character (that doesn’t need to be named) and the other is a super-star-hunk-husband-father who just so happens to play football soccer as a new member of the L.A. Galaxy team .

We can’t help but wonder what the soccer world will be like a year from now, but we want you to be sure you have copies of Superteam and the rest of the titles in the Australian soccer series on hand for when this super-sport becomes the next new thing."

• There’s a veritable plethora of kidlit related movies out these days. The Water Horse is apparently coming out this holiday season. For those of you unfamiliar with the title, the original book was by Dick King-Smith. This will probably be a relatively small release, but I do feel more inclined to pick up the book to see how it fares. Elsewhere, the made-for-TV production of Pictures of Hollis Woods starring Sissy Spacek actually sounds like a good idea to me. Or am I just growing soft in my old age? Hard to say. Thanks to Kids Lit for the link.

• Al Roker lost my respect when he made Swordbird one of his summer reading pics. I tried to find a blog review that echoed my "meh" feelings on the title, but none were forthcoming. *sigh* However, in terms of Al he has almost regained my love by making Bud, Not Buddy his fourth summer read. Jolly good show, Al.

• And I’ve been tossing around the idea of doing a regular podcast feature on my old blog site. Not that there is any lack out there of great podcasts on the web. Childrensbooksradio.com comes to mind. And Just One More Book is a kind of standard bearer. Still, wouldn’t it be fun to have a daily children’s news update? I’d enjoy doing it. I just need to figure out the logistics. Anyone have any ideas on how to accomplish such a feat?

• Hey look! It’s The Joker! I don’t understand… Brian Selznick suddenly hits the stratosphere in terms of bookselling (i.e. Hugo Cabret) and suddenly you’re taking his illustrations OFF your covers? Are you nuts? Simon and Schuster, baby, I love you but you’re not making any sense here.

Filed under: Uncategorized