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August
2001
Nepotism, Again
by
Susan Heyboer O’Keefe
Last August I recommended children’s books by the many wonderfully
talented writers that I know personally.
This year I’d like to introduce you to an equally talented
bunch, all of whom I’ve met in an online group.
Online
groups are known for their criticism or “flaming” of members, where
arguments escalate so fast they burn up the wires (now you know what
“server down” really means). But the right group can be a daily virtual hug from the
people most like you in a specific way.
Imagine having a child with an illness so rare no one has ever
heard of it. Online you may
very well find a whole group of parents facing the same crisis, ready to
share with you their encouragement and support, as well as their
accumulated knowledge and experience.
They can point the way to little-known resources, help you avoid
the pitfalls they’ve already faced, and in general just be there for
you.
I
belong to a group of children’s writers.
They commiserate with me over rejections, celebrate my
acceptances, and really understand what went into each.
We share news about editors and publishers, try to solve plot
problems, and offer relief from the loneliness inherent in the
writer’s job. Members of
the group range from brand-new writers, still unpublished, to veterans
with dozens of top-notch credits.
But
even a group like this can turn serious.
A year and a half ago, it was revealed that one of the best
loved, most creative members of the group, Linda Smith, was fatally ill
with cancer. Mother of eight natural and adopted children, she fell
between the cracks in the health insurance system and because of
inadequate care was misdiagnosed until it was too late.
Once her situation was revealed, her close online friends led
other group members in a letter-writing campaign to social and
health-care agencies to get Linda the help she needed in her last few
months and to prevent the same situation from happening to others.
The group also helped set up and contributed to a trust fund for
the Smith family’s horrendous medical bills.
And they sent press releases across the country to gather
nation-wide attention. Linda
Smith died at age 39, but not before receiving the virtual love of
thousands of people she never met.
So
here are some children’s titles from this very special group of
people. I haven’t yet
read every book by every member -- their talent would keep me busy
reading for years! -- but these are titles I highly recommend.
In
alphabetical order by author --
The Christmas Crocodile,
by Bonny Becker, illustrated by David Small.
In a laugh-out-loud picture book, a hungry crocodile shows up
unexplained as a Christmas gift and simply won’t behave (and won’t
stop eating).
On a Wintry Morning
by Dori Chaconas, illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson.
A father and daughter have old-fashioned winter-time fun in this
warm and affectionate picture book.
American Diaries
by Kathleen Duey. In this
series of meticulously researched historical fiction for middle graders,
young girls explore the issues of their specific place in time, using
the viewpoints of the day and without superimposing our modern ideas.
Individual titles are by each girl’s name, for example, Sarah Anne Hartford: Massachusetts, 1651.
Peter Claver, Patron Saint of Slaves,
by Julia Durango, illustrated by Rebecca Garcia-Franco.
This moving picture book is a biography of the
seventeenth-century Spanish-born Jesuit who devoted his life to caring
for and trying to free African slaves in South America.
English and Spanish in one edition.
Coming 2002.
Gold Rush
by Verla Kay, illustrated by S. D. Schindler.
This historical picture book for the youngest readers uses short
jaunty rhymes to tell the story of Jasper, who leaves his home and
family for the fame and wealth of the California Gold Rush, only to
return with empty pockets.
John Riley’s Daughter
by Kezi Matthews. In this
gracefully written young adult novel, a young girl comes to terms with
being abandoned by her father and left in the care of a hostile
grandmother and mentally disabled aunt.
A Single Shard
by Linda Sue Park. Tree-Ear,
a homeless orphan in twelfth-century Korea, who s cared for by
Crane-Man, the town’s cripple, becomes apprentice to one of the
country’s master potters of celadon porcelain.
A quiet middle-grade novel rich in relationships.
Millions of Snowflakes
by Mary McKenna Siddals, illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles.
Gentle rhyme counting one to five captures the wonder of those
first few flakes, which turns to pure delight as the light flurries
become millions of snowflakes.
Regeneration
by L.J. Singleton. In this
exciting action-packed young adult series, five teenagers, strangers to
each other, discover that they’re clones with super powers, products
of a secret experiment.
When Moon Fell Down
by Linda Smith, illustrated by Kathryn Brown.
Sweet, spare, and charming, this lyrical picture book celebrates Moon’s
joyous tumble to earth, where he meets a cow, has an adventure in town,
and sees the world from a whole new perspective.
A portion of the proceeds of the book goes to cancer research.
Baby Born
by Anastasia Suen, illustrated by Chih-Wei Chang.
Babies, babies, babies! All
colors, all shapes, each one a snuggle-bunny!
Rhymes, bright colors, and smiles from cover to cover!
Children's Book-of-the-Month Club author Susan Heyboer O'Keefe has two
new books this spring: Love Me.
Love You and a board-book edition of One Hungry Monster. Her
other titles include Angel
Prayers, Sleepy Angel’s
First Bedtime Story, and Good
Night, God Bless. For
fun, book info, and great parrot photos, visit http://www.susanheyboerokeefe.homestead.com
Children's Book-of-the-Month Club author Susan Heyboer O'Keefe has two
new books this spring: Love Me.
Love You and a board-book edition of One Hungry Monster. Her
other titles include Angel
Prayers, Sleepy Angel’s
First Bedtime Story, and Good
Night, God Bless. For
fun, book info, and great parrot photos, visit http://www.susanheyboerokeefe.homestead.com
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