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Tag: critical reviews

March 22, 2022 by Betsy Bird

Panel Discussion: Critical Thinking – The Role of the Critic in Promoting Books

In the sole Bologna Children's Book Fair panel on literary criticism, Leonard Marcus was joined in conversation by Michele Roberts. Here's the gist of the talk.

June 22, 2015 by Betsy Bird

We Are the Book Champions, My Friends

Here’s how I blog. I sit around, twiddling my thumbs, waiting waiting waiting for someone else to write something on a topic that has been bubbling and percolating in my noggin.  Then, when they go that extra mile, I STRIKE!  Today’s example: Travis Jonker’s piece Where Do You Fall On The Book Critic/Book Champion Continuum?  […]

November 14, 2014 by Betsy Bird

Review of the Day: The Pied Piper of Hamelin by Russell Brand

Russell Brand’s Trickster Tales: The Pied Piper of Hamelin By Russell Brand Illustrated by Chris Riddell Atria Books (a division of Simon & Schuster) $19.99 ISBN: 978-1-4767-9189-0 On shelves now. If there is a trend to be spotted amongst the celebrity children’s books being released these days then I think it boils down to a […]

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Review of the Day: Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper

October 23, 2013 by Betsy Bird

Ghost Hawk By Susan Cooper McElderry Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster) $16.99 ISBN: 978-1-4424-8141-1 Ages 9-12 On shelves now How do we best honor our literary heroes? Particularly those who not only live but continue to produce works of fiction within our lifetimes. Like whole swaths of women and men my age, I […]

Fusenews: Though to be fair, who ever heard of harmFUL spitballing?

September 13, 2012 by Betsy Bird

Howdy-do, folks.  Today I am off to the Yonkers Library to participate in a Charles Dickens panel with some experts in the field.  Why me?  I don’t precisely know but I’m honored to be asked.  Plus the train ride will allow me to read my new Lemony Snicket book (this would be the children’s literature […]

Review of the Day: The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis

February 11, 2012 by Betsy Bird

The Mighty Miss Malone By Christopher Paul Curtis Wendy Lamb Books $15.99 ISBN: 978-0-385-73491-2 Ages 9-12 On shelves now. *Spoilers Included!* Fact: It is a truth universally acknowledged that a new book from Christopher Paul Curtis is a great good thing. Fact: There is a new book out there. It is by Christopher Paul Curtis. […]

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Review of the Day: The Romeo and Juliet Code by Phoebe Stone

November 8, 2011 by Betsy Bird

The Romeo and Juliet Code By Phoebe Stone Arthur A. Levine (an imprint of Scholastic) $16.99 ISBN: 978-0-545-21511-4 Ages 9-12 On shelves now It seems unfair that my attention was first drawn to The Romeo and Juliet Code because of its cover. No book deserves to be held responsible for its misleading jacket and Phoebe […]

Fusenews: Hunting the snark

March 9, 2011 by Betsy Bird

After posting a video from the episode of Community where Troy meets his hero LeVar Burton I got a penchant for a little Reading Rainbow.  The universe, it appears, was happy to oblige.  First off you have a woman that I would love to meet one day.  If the name Twila Liggett fails to ring […]

Fusenews: No More Dead Dog (Food)

January 19, 2011 by Betsy Bird

Marketing yourself.  Yeah, forget the hokey-pokey.  We know what it’s really all about in this game.  You poor authors and illustrators.  Isn’t it enough that you sweat and strain to create the highest quality literature for the generation that will inherit the earth after we are dead and gone . . . and now you’ve […]

Review of the Day: Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

October 26, 2010 by Betsy Bird

Mockingbird By Kathryn Erskine Philomel (a division of Penguin) $15.99 ISBN: 978-0-399-25264-8 Ages 9-12 On shelves now. Children’s librarians read quite a few books for kids and the result is that we tend to want to discuss them with one another. Unlucky librarians are surrounded solely by people who agree with their opinions. You’re much […]

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