GregLSBlog

CHRONAL ENGINE jacket and news!

2012-01-29T09:38:00.000-06:00

I received the mockup of the CHRONAL ENGINE jacket the other day. The photo doesn't quite convey its awesomeness, but it's foil. Yes, shiny. If you put it in the microwave, it'll actually sparkle. (This is a hypothesis -- I'm not going to actually test it out :-)). The great design is by Clarion's Sharismar Rodriguez, and you might recognize the author photo from here.

Also, CHRONAL ENGINE was featured last week in a Goddess of YA Literature blog post and in a post over at Turning the Pages. Thanks for the kind words!

Save the dates:

CHRONAL ENGINE Launch and Signing at BookPeople, March 24, 2012, at 2 PM, otherwise known as National Dress Up as a Dinosaur Day! (Well, not really, but it should be).

My Vicious Valentine: Spine-tingling YA Author Panel, featuring Jordan Dane, P.J. "Tricia" Hoover, Mari Mancusi, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Cynthia Leitich Smith, and L.A. Weatherly---moderated by Sean Petrie--will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at BookPeople in Austin. Join us as six top YA authors dish on the devilish, gab about ghosts, and soar with the angels in this panel celebrating spine-tingling stories, supernatural creatures, and perhaps scariest of all, true love.

I AM TAMA, LUCKY CAT: A JAPANESE LEGEND

2012-01-28T03:24:00.000-06:00

In fact, I am Mercury. [yawn].

I am, however, here to tell you about a book by that name (see cover below).

Long ago, in Japan [Did I mention that my Greg person's ancestors originated in Japan?] or so the story goes, there lived a poor but devout holy man who was barely keeping his temple together. Tama appeared, raising his paw in the traditional Japanese come-to-me greeting. [Some cats are known to do this. I do not].

The cat adopted the holy man and stayed at the temple. One day, during a thunderstorm, Tama greeted a rich samurai feudal lord who was taking refuge under a tree outside the temple grounds. [I make no comment on whether it was a good idea for Tama to have been outdoors during a thunderstorm.]

The samurai approached the cat an instant before the tree was struck by lightning. [See?] In gratitude, the samurai lord bestowed lavish gifts, became a friend to the monk, and restored the temple to prosperity.

[Is it true? I don't know, but you can buy Maneki Neko figurines just about anywhere these days.] In any case, I AM TAMA is a lovely story, freshly told, with very nice lush illustrations.

I AM TAMA, LUCKY CAT: A JAPANESE LEGEND, by Wendy Henrichs, ill. by Yoshiko Jaeggi (Peachtree 2011)(ages 5-9).

FOR THE BIRDS: THE LIFE OF ROGER TORY PETERSON

2012-01-26T17:23:00.002-06:00

FOR THE BIRDS: THE LIFE OF ROGER TORY PETERSON, by Peggy Thomas, ill. by Laura Jacques (Calkins Creek/Boyds Mills Press 2011)(ages 8+). As a child, Roger Tory Peterson (1908-1996) was considered a bit of an odd bird. He'd spend all his time exploring the woods in his small town, bringing home nests and wildflowers and butterflies and moths. Early on, though, he became enamored of birds, and studying them and drawing them became his life's work. Ultimately, he would become one of world's foremost ornithologists, and in 1934 would publish the first of the famous Peterson Field Guides.

FOR THE BIRDS provides a thoroughly fun and evocative introduction to the life and work of one of the premier naturalists of the 20th Century. The text is compelling and the art is realistic and richly detailed.

DIABOLICAL release day! [Updated]

2012-01-24T12:21:00.004-06:00

Diabolical by Cynthia Leitich Smith is now available from Candlewick Press in North America, and it will be published Feb. 1 by Walker Australia and New Zealand.

When “slipped” angel Zachary and his werewolf pal, Kieren, are summoned under suspicious circumstances to a mysterious New England boarding school, they quickly find themselves in a hellish lockdown with an intriguing assortment of secretive, hand-picked “students.”

Plagued by demon dogs, hallucinatory wall decor, a sadistic instructor, and a legendary fire-breathing monster, will they somehow manage to escape? Or will the devil have his due?

Best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith unites heroes from the previous three novels in the Tantalize series — including Zachary's girl, Miranda, and Kieren's love, Quincie — along with a fascinating cast of all-new characters for a suspenseful, action-packed clash between the forces of heaven and hell.

To celebrate the release, Cynthia is hosting a giveaway on her blog! For more information, go here.

UPDATE:

Read an interview of Cyn by me at Cynsations here.
Check out an interview of Cyn by Joy Preble here.
And one by Jen Bigheart here.

THE GREAT MOLASSES FLOOD: BOSTON 1919

2012-01-23T10:29:00.001-06:00

THE GREAT MOLASSES FLOOD; BOSTON 1919, by Deborah Kops (Charlesbridge, February 2012)(ages 8-12), offers a fascinating look at one of the weirdest incidents in Boston's history. On January 15, 1919, a two million gallon tank of molasses explodes, destroying buildings and drowning a small Boston neighborhood in sticky goo. Altogether, twenty-one people would die in this freak accident.

In compelling fashion, Kops covers the story first from the perspective of individuals affected on the day itself -- men, women, and children going about their daily business until buildings collapsed around them and they were swamped in the viscous mess -- and then the tragedy's aftermath, including the subsequent lawsuits and testimony. Sidebars provide additional period context and flavor.

ZAHRA'S PARADISE

2012-01-22T08:45:00.002-06:00

ZAHRA'S PARADISE, by Amir, ill. by Khalil (First Second Books/Roaring Brook Press 2011)(14+). This powerful graphic novel tells the story of the search for Mehdi, a nineteen year old caught up in the aftermath of Iran's Green Revolution of 2009. Last seen at the Freedom Square, his mother and his brother, a blogger, now search for him, trying to negotiate their way through the cruelty and fecklessness of the state bureaucracy...

In addition to being a fine story, well-told and richly drawn, ZAHRA'S PARADISE does an excellent job of cutting through the headlines, bringing characters to life, and illuminating Iran's recent history.

Writers and Illustrators and Dinosaurs: Sarah Blake Johnson

2012-01-16T08:40:00.000-06:00

Sarah Blake Johnson holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. A writer and photographer, she currently lives in Frankfurt, Germany, where the above picture was taken.

She has lived in Brazil, China, and in many places in the United States. Her blog, Explorations, offers glimpses into her world. Another view of the stegosaur above is shown below, along with one of the world's smallest libraries.

THE WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT

2012-01-12T08:42:00.003-06:00

THE WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT, by Allan Wolf (Candlewick Press 2011)(ages 12+), tells the story of the Titanic's fateful voyage, from the point of view of sundry passengers, crew, stowaways, and, functioning like the chorus in a Greek tragedy, the iceberg itself.

Wolf does a terrific job of weaving together the threads of the lives of the passengers, providing context to them as individuals and not merely survivors or victims. Altogether, a compelling, engrossing read.

An extensive author's note illuminates Wolff's research and provides additional information on the individuals highlighted.

ON THE BLUE COMET

2012-01-09T11:13:00.002-06:00

ON THE BLUE COMET, by Rosemary Wells, ill. by Bagram Ibatoulline (Candlewick 2010)(ages 8-12). In this young middle grade novel, eleven year old Oscar lives with his father in a small house in Cairo, Illinois. There, they've created a world of their own: ten Lionel trains, including the Blue Comet.

It all comes crashing down, though, two years into the Great Depression, when the bank takes the house and the trains, too. Now, Oscar must move in with his aunt and cousin while his father seeks work out in California.

On Christmas Eve, the trains are on display in the bank's lobby. When bank robbers appear, the mysterious night watchman urges Oscar to flee by "jumping." He does so, first into the train set and then ten years into the future...

ON THE BLUE COMET offers a fanciful and enjoyable time travel yarn featuring cameos from famous actors and politicians and bankers of the era. Full color illustrations add richness to the depiction of the times.

CHOPSTICKS

2012-01-07T06:57:00.001-06:00

CHOPSTICKS, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, ill. by Scott Magoon (Hyperion, January 24, 2012)(ages 4-8). The Chopsticks are inseparable, working together like a well (olive) oiled machine. Until, one day, Chopstick A breaks a leg and Chopstick B has to make his way on his own. But how will Chopstick B get along without his partner?

CHOPSTICKS is fun and funny and colorful, and a great exploration of standing on one's own. In sum, CHOPSTICKS is perhaps the finest coming-of-age story involving kitchen utensils yet written.

Remember that Book: MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL

2012-01-06T10:41:00.001-06:00

MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL, by Virginia Lee Burton (Houghton Mifflin 1939).

What I remember: Set in the 1930s, it involved Mike and his steam shovel, Mary Ann, who were being displaced by newer diesel models, even though they could do the job just as effectively, possibly even better. I really remember liking the drawings, feeling sad about the steam shovel graveyard, the sense of nostalgia, and enjoying the very appropriate surprise ending.

The rest of the recollection: This was one of my brother's and my favorites. We would go to the old Hild Library and check this book out as many times as we could.

I also firmly recall that sense of sadness of when new technology replaced the old.  My mother used to do the typing for one of the companies in the old Rookery Building downtown, and I would drop off the finished papers at the switchboard operator, whose name was Helen.  At first, she had an old wire and plug style board, and I used to find it fascinating to watch. But then, one day, it was gone, replaced by a sleek white plastic object with lots of flashing lights and buttons. It wasn't nearly as fun as the old board, and Helen didn't think so, either.

And now: The book still absolutely holds up. I love the drawings of the steam shovels and the sense of flying dirt as they dig the basement, as well as the fact that it's the kid who had the solution.  Further, the idea that a steam shovel -- old technology with an old aesthetic -- still has worth in a modern diesel-electric age still resonates (And I kind of want to call Virginia Lee Burton the "mother of steampunk." :-)).

I read this as an omnibus edition, which also included KATIE AND THE BIG SNOW, THE LITTLE HOUSE, and MAYBELLE THE CABLE CAR, which I also remember enjoying, although not as much as MIKE MULLIGAN.

BIRD TALK

2012-01-04T08:44:00.001-06:00

BIRD TALK: WHAT BIRDS ARE SAYING AND WHY, by Lita Judge (Flash Point/Roaring Brook, March 13, 2012)(ages 6-9). This elegant and amply illustrated forty-eight page picture book presents an introduction to the myriad ways in which birds (avian dinosaurs) communicate: vocalizing, strutting, fighting, etc. Drawings are realistic and the text spare yet informative. An afterword provides additional context on birds both familiar and unfamiliar.

A fascinating look at the natural world -- and I keep thinking it would be excellent paired with Diana Hutts Aston's AN EGG IS QUIET. Lita did a Writers and Illustrators and Dinosaurs post for me a couple months ago, and she is also the author of BORN TO BE GIANTS: HOW BABY DINOSAURS GREW TO RULE THE WORLD.

The Hammacher-Schlemmer 20 foot animatronic Triceratops

2011-12-29T07:30:00.001-06:00

Animatronic dinosaurs in museums and other places of public display go way back. I understand that the 1933-1934 Century of Progress exhibition in Chicago even had them.

Today, thanks to Hammacher-Schlemmer, you can have an animatronic Triceratops of your very own. Per the catalog copy, this "20' long animatronic triceratops...responds to onlookers with lifelike reactions and fortissimo bellowing."

I'm very glad the bellowing is "fortissimo."

It's all your for a mere $350,000. Shipping not included.

Click here to order, or just see the full description.

H/T to Erin Murphy, who sent me the link back in August.

DANGEROUS WATERS: AN ADVENTURE ON THE TITANIC

2011-12-27T14:49:00.001-06:00

DANGEROUS WATERS: AN ADVENTURE ON THE TITANIC, by Gregory Mone (Roaring Brook, March 13, 2012)(ages 9-12). Thirteen-year-old Patrick Waters has managed to secure a job as a steward aboard RMS Titanic in a highly unconventional manner. There he befriends a young book collector who carries with him a copy of Francis Bacon's Essaies that just might hold the key to alchemy.

Also aboard are a stowaway and his partner, who are trying to secure the volume and the formula for turning base metals to gold for themselves. Can Patrick uncover the plot and divine the secret of the Essaies? Or is he destined to go down with the ship?

In DANGEROUS WATERS, treachery and adventure abound as readers are offered a glimpse into a bygone era. In short, DANGEROUS WATERS provides a fascinating look at the most famous shipwreck of the 20th Century, with an appealing protagonist, a richly-drawn setting and, yes, an iceberg.

A Cretaceous Christmas Feast

2011-12-25T10:29:00.083-06:00

1/10 scale T.rex skull on antique clock

Merry Christmas, everyone, and best wishes for the New Year! This year, Cyn gave me the above-pictured T.rex skull, so displaying it on her great-grandma's antique clock seemed appropriate :-).

I thought I would make it a "Cretaceous Christmas" this year, using foodstuffs that were around during the time of CHRONAL ENGINE (Yes, Cynthia and our guests for the evening are very indulgent and forgiving).

So, here's what I'm planning:

Brunch:

Lox and bagels with cream cheese, red onions, tomatoes, and capers. Obviously, there is no such thing as Cretaceous cream cheese (no cows), and probably no recognizable red onions, tomatoes or capers, either, but their ancestors may have been present. Salmon likewise wasn't around, but salmon are teleosts, which have been found in the Mesozoic.

Dinner:

Chicken and lobster in a pot. (Lobster fossils have been found in the Cretaceous, and chickens are birds and therefore dinosaurs).

Crab and heart of palm salad with tomatoes, onions, and pine nuts (Crabs, like lobsters, go way back. Hearts of palm can come from palmettos and other palms, which apparently were around in the Late Cretaceous. Pine nuts are from pines which, like other conifers, formed a significant part of the Mesozoic ecosystem).

Roasted corn soup. (Corn probably wasn't around in the Cretaceous, but it is a grass and some grasses have been found in the Cretaceous, although there probably weren't large meadows or grass steppes :-)).

Green bean casserole with alligator jerky garnish. (Okay, I have no idea about when green beans evolved, but one of the key ingredients in green bean casserole is cream of mushroom soup. And mushrooms were extant during the Cretaceous. So were alligators.).

Cheese, apples, and grapes. Again, no cheese and probably no apples or grapes.

Sources:

Currie & Padian (ed.), Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs, Academic Press (1997), p. 426 (pines).

James O. Farlow et al., The Complete Dinosaur, Indiana University Press (1997), p. 610-11 (teleosts).

Fraiije, The Oldest In Situ Hermit Crab from the Lower Cretaceous of Speeton, UK, Paleo. 46 (1): 53-57 (2003)(crabs and lobsters).

Hibbett et al., Fossil Mushrooms from Miocene and Cretaceous Ambers and the Evolution of Homobasidiomycetes, Jour. Botany 84(78): 981-989 (1997)(mushrooms).

T.S. Kemp, The Origin and Evolution of Mammals, Oxford University Press (2005), p. 156 (tubers).

Prasad et al., Dinosaur Coprolites and the Early Evolution of Grasses and Grazers, Science, Vol. 310 (November 2005), p. 1177 (grasses).

Schwimmer, King of the Crocodylians: The Paleobiology of Deinosuchus, Indiana University Press (2002)(alligators).

Vega et al., Fossil Crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda) from the Late Cretaceous Cardena Formation, East-Central Mexico, J. Paleont. 69-2 (1995), pp. 340-350 (crabs).

David B. Weishampel et al., The Dinosauria, University of California Press (2d Ed. 2004), p. 220 (birds are dinosaurs).

Wing et al., Implications of an Exceptional Fossil Flora for Late Cretaceous Vegetation, Nature 363: 342-344 (1993)(palmetto or cabbage palm).

A Cretaceous Christmas!

2011-12-24T06:36:00.000-06:00

It won't come as a surprise to anyone that our Christmas tree has felt the impact of CHRONAL ENGINE research, although dinosaur ornaments are not the most common. (The tree itself, being a conifer, is representative of types that were extant during the Mesozoic).

Above is a Sue ornament from the Field Museum.

Above, a large, nefarious-looking T.rex looms over the Millenium Falcon.

A theropod of indeterminate species with the infamous "bunny hands."

And, finally, just to show that not all of the fauna was dinosaurs, a turtle:

Merry Christmas, everyone!

CHRONAL ENGINE and other news!

2011-12-22T09:31:00.000-06:00

Two things about CHRONAL ENGINE: First, I am delighted to announce that CHRONAL ENGINE is going to be a Junior Library Guild selection for March-September 2012!

Second, if you're going to be in Austin on March 24, 2012, stop by the official CHRONAL ENGINE launch party and signing at 2 PM at BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar.

And a bit of Austin news: On December 21, NPR did a story titled "Great Books to Give your Little Ones", highlighting books by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (THE CHRISTMAS COAT), and Austinites Cynthia Leitich Smith (TANTALIZE series), Don Tate (DUKE ELLINGTON'S NUTCRACKER SUITE), and Jennifer Ziegler (SASS & SERENDIPITY)!

Go check it out here!

Hill Country Christmas at LBJ State Park

2011-12-20T06:54:00.001-06:00

This year, Cynthia was invited to sign HOLLER LOUDLY at the Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree at LBJ Ranch State park in Stonewall, Texas. Since we were so close to Fredericksburg, we thought we'd take in the Christmas Gemutlichkeit (Being, among other things, the birthplace and hometown of Admiral Nimitz, Fredericksburg is home to the National Museum of the Pacific War):

Nimitz Hotel and museum entrance

After a nice German-Texan lunch, we headed up to the LBJ Ranch. There, we saw deer and livestock:

We also took the tour of the Texas White House, which had its own airfield:

At the signing, they seated us next to the ladies selling the Keep Texas Beautiful ornaments. The lighting itself was attended by Santa Claus and Lucy Baines Johnson:

Other activities that evening included tours of the Sauer-Backman Farmstead, decked out in early 20th century Christmas cheer; demonstrations of spinning and other crafts; a live Nativity scene; ornament making; and Christmas music by a German brass band and choir.

Frohliche Weihnachten, y'all!

Writers and Illustrators and Dinosaurs: Elizabeth Law

2011-12-16T07:34:00.000-06:00

All right, this one features neither a writer nor a dinosaur, but a children's literature professional and a prehistoric mammal. But the photo (below) was too good to pass up.

So, henceforth, I am expanding the feature to include all children's literature professionals, including teachers, librarians, editors, agents, book designers, etc., as well as authors and illustrators. But I'm still going to call it "Writers and Illustrators and Dinosaurs," because "Children's Literature Professionals and Prehistoric Beasts" is too unwieldy. Be warned :-).

So if you're in the business, drop me a pic at greg AT gregleitichsmith DOT com.

And, now, the featured guest:

Elizabeth Law began her career in children's publishing as an assistant at Viking Children's Books, leaving eighteen years later as associate publisher of both Viking and Frederick Warne imprints.

After nearly four years as vice president and associate publisher of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Elizabeth joined Egmont USA four years ago as its publisher.

Above, Elizabeth Law poses with Broadway star Anthony Rapp in front of a proboscidean at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

HAUNTED LOVE free e-book!

2011-12-15T08:07:00.000-06:00

"Haunted Love," a short story by Cynthia Leitich Smith is now available for free download from Barnes & Noble (U.S.), Books on Board, Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.com (U.K.). It will be available from additional e-retailers soon.

From the promotional copy:

Spirit, Texas, is a town of secrets, and as the new owner of the local haunted movie theater, Cody Stryker is juggling more than his fair share.

When a mysterious new girl comes to town and runs afoul of the ghost that lives in his theater, Cody’s caught in the middle and needs to figure out exactly who he can trust.

"Haunted Love" is a short story by New York Times Bestseller Cynthia Leitich Smith -- featuring new characters and set in the same Gothic universe as her novels Tantalize, Eternal, Blessed, and Tantalize: Kieren's Story, illustrated by Ming Doyle.

This story includes a sneak preview of Cynthia Leitich Smith’s upcoming novel, Diabolical (Jan. 2012), which unites heroes from the previous three novels in the Tantalize Series along with a fascinating cast of all-new characters for a suspenseful, action-packed clash between the forces of heaven and hell.

DIABOLICAL trailer!

2011-12-12T07:52:00.001-06:00

DIABOLICAL by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, 2012):

When “slipped” angel Zachary and his werewolf pal, Kieren, are summoned under suspicious circumstances to a mysterious New England boarding school, they quickly find themselves in a hellish lockdown with an intriguing assortment of secretive, hand-picked “students.”

Plagued by demon dogs, hallucinatory wall decor, a sadistic instructor, and a legendary fire-breathing monster, will they somehow manage to escape? Or will the devil have his due?

Best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith unites heroes from the previous three novels in the TANTALIZE series — including Zachary's girl, Miranda, and Kieren's love, Quincie — along with a fascinating cast of all-new characters for a suspenseful, action-packed clash between the forces of heaven and hell.

On sale Jan. 2012 | 978-0-7636-5118-3 | Candlewick Press | Hardcover | YA Novel/Fiction | Interior Design Elements | 368 Pages | Ages 14-up

Remember the Alamosaurus!

2011-12-10T14:38:00.001-06:00

Alamosaurus is one of the latest sauropods to be found in North America, coexisting with Tyrannosaurus rex. Previously it had been thought to be kind of a smallish sauropod, only 60-70 feet long. Turns out, it's probable the specimens that were used to make the size estimations were based on juvenile bones. A recent papers reveals Alamosaurus was around the size of Argentinosaurus, one of the biggest dinosaurs ever.

Here's a link to the news release, and here's one to the actual paper.

Being a Texas, I kind of like the fact that it's called Alamosaurus, especially since specimens have been found in Big Bend (Consequently, several make an appearance in CHRONAL ENGINE). Unfortunately, however, it's named after a site in New Mexico, not the mission in San Antonio.

Anyway, in other Texas dinosaur news, the Austin Children's Museum is hosting the exhibit "Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice," for a limited engagement through January 16, 2012. As part of it, they're sponsoring a "Dino Costume Contest" through January 10, 2012 (The activities and displays seem focused on ages 3-10).

Also, I seem to have just missed the 21st Annual Fossil Fest, sponsored by the Paleontological Society of Austin. Wait til next year!

Finally, I was just at the web site for the Dinosaur Park in Bastrop, just west of the town and across from the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort. We haven't been there for a while, but it seems they have added a bunch of dinosaurs, including a 45 foot tall Brachiosaurus.

And, finally (really, this time), yesterday Carmen Oliver delivered more than 1000 books for the Friends of the Bastrop Library outreach. She blogs about it here.

Writers and Illustrators and Dinosaurs: Kelly Milner Halls

2011-12-09T08:21:00.001-06:00

Kelly Milner Halls grew up in Texas, went to high school in California, and now lives in the Pacific Northwest.

She is the author of numerous nonfiction books for young readers, including the RANDOM HOUSE DINOSAUR TRAVEL GUIDE, DINOSAUR PARADE, DINOSAUR MUMMIES, and TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS. Above, she poses with Pentaceratops.

She is the editor of, and has a short story in, the forthcoming GIRL MEETS BOY (Chronicle, January 2012), a young adult anthology that features story pairs by Chris Crutcher & Kelly Milner Halls; Joseph Bruchac & Cynthia Leitich Smith; James Howe & Ellen Wittlinger; Terry Trueman & Rita Williams-Garcia; Terry Davis & Rebecca Davis; and Randy Powell & Sara Ryan.

GREGLSBLOG Picks of 2011

2011-12-05T14:26:00.005-06:00

This year Cynthia had two books out, BLESSED and TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY, which are of course my favorites. My wife, however, insists that it is dorky for me to list them as such (as I have done in the past). So, this year, here is my list of favorites books that I have recommended over the course of 2011 that were not written by someone related to me. My rules are the same as in previous years, although I suppose I should be explicit that these are stand-alone titles.

Picture Books

MINE! by Shutta Crum, ill. by Patrice Barton. Nearly wordless, yet expressive.

NOODLE AND LOU, by Liz Garton Scanlon, ill. by Arthur Howard. A sweet tale of friendship.

NAAMAH AND THE ARK AT NIGHT, by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, ill. by Holly Meade. A lyrical lullaby, and who doesn't like the story of Noah's Ark?

THE THIRD GIFT, by Linda Sue Park, ill. by Bagram Ibatoulline. A lovely Christmas story.

LITTLE OWL'S NIGHT, by Divya Srinivasan. A great bedtime read.

Middle Grade/Tween

WORDS IN THE DUST, by Trent Reedy. The dramatic and heartwarming story of a young Afghan girl.

THE GRAND PLAN TO FIX EVERYTHING, by Uma Krishnaswami. Hooray for Bollywood!

WILD LIFE, by Cynthia DeFelice. A survival story, of sorts, featuring a boy and his dog.

Young Adult

BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY, by Ruta Sepetys. A fifteen year-old and her family survive Stalin's gulag.

STRAW HOUSE, WOOD HOUSE, BRICK HOUSE, BLOW, by Daniel Nayeri. A collection of four quirky and compelling novellas. (Daniel's my editor, but I don't hold it against him :-)).

THE DRAGON'S TOOTH

2011-12-03T11:39:00.003-06:00

THE DRAGON'S TOOTH (Ashtown Burials, Book 1), by N.D. Wilson (Random House 2011)(ages 10+). Twelve year old Cyrus and his sister Antigone have been living with their older brother Dan in a decrepit motel in Wisconsin for the past two years, their father dead and their mother in a coma.

Then a strange old man shows up and gives Cyrus a mysterious artifact and set of keys, the place is burned to the ground, and Daniel goes missing. To get him back, Cyrus and his sister are drawn into the machinations of the mysterious Order of Brendan, jailers of semi-immortal villains and caretakers of powerful mystical objects...

THE DRAGON'S TOOTH offers a well-constructed and gripping fantasy with high stakes and adventure. Cyrus and Antigone are likeable and believable as siblings and as they come together to face a world in which legend has become reality.

Writers and Illustrators and Dinosaurs: Kathi Appelt

2011-12-02T09:42:00.000-06:00

Kathi Appelt is the author of more than thirty picture books and the novels THE UNDERNEATH and KEEPER. THE UNDERNEATH was a finalist for the 2008 National Book Award and a 2009 Newbery Honor Book.

Kathi was born in the front seat of her father's Ford and grew up in Houston. She currently lives in College Station, TX, with her husband Ken and four cats.

Here, she poses with a Tyrannosaurus rex figurine at the hostess's station at Threadgill's in Austin, Texas.

LITTLE OWL'S NIGHT

2011-12-01T07:01:00.000-06:00

LITTLE OWL'S NIGHT, by Divya Srinivasan (Viking 2011)(ages 3-5). Little Owl loves the night, visiting his nocturnal friends and feeling sorry for the ones who are up all day and never get to see the stars. Even as he falls asleep at dawn, though, he wants to know what the day is like...

LITTLE OWL'S NIGHT is a quiet celebration of night, the break of day, and curiosity. Illustrations are bold and expressive. Altogether, an excellent choice for bedtime reading.

BREAKING STALIN'S NOSE

2011-11-29T06:37:00.001-06:00

BREAKING STALIN'S NOSE, written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin (Henry Holt 2011)(ages 9-12). Ten-year-old Sasha idolizes his father, whom Comrade Stalin himself awarded the Red Banner, for his work with State Security. And tomorrow, when Sasha will finally be allowed to join the Young Pioneers, his father will tie his red scarf around his neck.

But that night, Sasha's father is arrested as an enemy of the people, which means Sasha is an enemy, too. He will never be allowed to become a Young Pioneer and the safe world he thought he knew is gone forever.

BREAKING STALIN'S NOSE exquisitely portrays Sasha's awakening to the corruption and oppression in Stalinist Russia while retaining a convincing child-centric point-of-view. Chilling, fascinating, and at times horrifying.

STRAW HOUSE, WOOD HOUSE, BRICK HOUSE, BLOW

2011-11-27T06:28:00.000-06:00

STRAW HOUSE, WOOD HOUSE, BRICK HOUSE, BLOW, by Daniel Nayeri (Candlewick 2011)(ages 14+), offers a quirky, compelling, and often funny quartet of novellas, across a disparate range of genres and voices.

In Toy Farm, Sunny, a young straw man, must defend his home -- a toy farm where the toys grow from the ground -- against an interloper bent on disassembling them to determine how the Farmer gave them sentience.

In Our Lady of Villains, a girl must save the world from a corporation's impending release of nanotechnology that would turn the entire world into a "nano hotspot," where everywhere is wifi. Only it all plugs into your brain.

Wish Police presents a world in which wishes manifest as reality and it is the job of the Imaginary Crimes Unit to prevent the worst from coming to fruition. Saul, his partner Ari, and their new colleague Mack must stop a spoiled boy's wish on a star for the death of his family from coming true.

Finally, Doom with a View is a dryly funny tale told from the point of view of an oddly preppy Death about his interactions with and on behalf of a pair of star-crossed lovers.

I keep thinking of this book as "Stephen King's Different Seasons meets The Three Little Pigs." :-). On the whole, it's a collection of page-turning, fascinating, finely wrought, and occasionally thought-provoking reads that will leave readers wanting more.

Go check out the videos for each of the stories.

CHRONAL ENGINE research, Paradise, Zombies, and More

2011-11-26T08:10:00.001-06:00

A post I did for the ALSC Blog on research for CHRONAL ENGINE, titled "It Started with a Picture Book," is now online!

A couple weeks ago, Publishing Perspectives had a nice article about the Austin YA scene, titled "Is Austin, Texas Paradise for YA Authors?" Check it out here.

Author K.A. Holt (BRAINS FOR LUNCH and MIKE STELLAR) has a "how to dress up as a zombie" post here.

Author Bethany Hegedus (TRUTH WITH A CAPITAL T) has a post on meeting Gandhi's grandson, and author Liz Garton Scanlon (ALL THE WORLD) has a post about being the author of a Caldecott Honor Book.

Holiday Tree Lighting and Author Signing at LBJ State Park! Join Cynthia Leitich Smith for the tree lighting ceremony at LBJ State Park from 4:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Cynthia will be signing Holler Loudly, illustrated by Barry Gott (Dutton, 2010). Lucy Johnson will be speaking briefly at the event, and Santa may make an appearance, too. See more information.

Writers and Dinosaurs: Chris Eboch

2011-11-26T02:23:00.000-06:00

Chris Eboch’s novels for ages nine and up include THE EYES OF THE PHARAOH, a mystery in ancient Egypt; THE WELL OF SACRIFICE, a Mayan adventure; and the Haunted series, which starts with THE GHOST ON THE STAIRS. She is also the author of ADVANCED PLOTTING, a guide for helping writers fine-tune their plots.

The picture above was taken while she was fossil hunting with friends in New Mexico. Embedded in the rock is what is believed to be a fossilized dinosaur bone.

Thanksgiving Dinosaurs!

2011-11-25T09:17:00.000-06:00

Turkey, from Wikipedia

Happy Day-After Thanksgiving, everyone!

This year, Cynthia and I hosted a bunch of writers and illustrators for Thanksgiving dinner.

What does that have to do with dinosaurs? Well, birds are dinosaurs (check out this nifty page at the University of California Paleo Museum), which means that our main course (Meleagris gallopavo) is, as well. In particular, it is a saurisichian, theropodan, tetanuran, maniraptoran dinosaur. Check out this graphic for even more Thanksgiving turkey paleo-geekiness.

Chris Barton (THE DAY GLO BROTHERS, SHARK VS. TRAIN, and CAN I SEE YOUR ID?) and I joined Don Tate (dinosaur post)(DUKE ELLINGTON'S NUTCRACKER SUITE, IT JES HAPPENED: WHEN BILL TRAYLOR STARTED TO DRAW, and many more) for the annual Turkey Trot. Now, I'd never done the Turkey Trot before, but I usually sneak in a three-mile run the morning of Thanksgiving, just because it makes me feel better :-).

All in all, it was an enormously fun event -- well organized and a picturesque route up and around downtown and near west Austin. I discovered, however, that I am woefully out of shape :-).

After the race, it was time to stuff the turkey!

I do a traditional giblet and bread stuffing and cook the thing in the oven. On occasion, I've been tempted to try frying it or even grilling it, but we're still under a burn ban. And, besides, this way I get stuffing, which is almost my favorite part of the meal.

The bird was from Whole Foods and the bread was from Randall's.

So here's the rest of the menu: to accompany the traditional turkey and stuffing, I made potato salad (this is my mother's recipe and I haven't made it in years), spinach dip (for pre-dinner vegetable snacking), and cheese spread (an approximation of the Win Schuler's Bar Scheeze (alas, without the stone crock)). Once the turkey came out of the oven, Cyn made green bean casserole, and I made cauliflower mashed potatoes. We also had frozen sweet corn (off the cob). Traditionally, Cyn likes shoepeg white corn, but you apparently can't get that here.

In addition, folks brought the following:

Chris Barton brought corn bread.

Author-illustrator Salima Alikham (THE PIED PIPER OF AUSTIN) and her husband Sam brought some thin sweet potatoes. We never had these when I was growing up, so I never make them, but I like them and they're a nice tradition. They also brought a decadent pumpkin cheesecake.

Author Jenny Moss (WINNIE'S WAR, TAKING OFF) brought a vegetable platter to go with my spinach dip.

Author-illustrator Divya Srinivasan (LITTLE OWL'S NIGHT) brought oatmeal cookies.

Author Anne Bustard (BUDDY: THE STORY OF BUDDY HOLLY) came with her family's traditional and also awesomely-decadent macadamia nut pie (which is like pecan pie, but with macadamia nuts). In honor of her providing the dessert, here's a link to a great article about the Great Bustard (also an avian dinosaur).

Inasmuch as birds I dinosaurs, I was going to post a few pics of our intrepid guests and our dinner. Unfortunately, those pics did not turn out. Sigh.

So here's a shot of a dromaeosaurid and some birds at the Houston Museum of Natural Science:

Remember that Book: CAPTAIN OF THE QUEENS

2011-11-22T08:55:00.001-06:00

CAPTAIN OF THE QUEENS: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF CAPTAIN HARRY GRATTIDGE, FORMER COMMODORE OF THE CUNARD LINE, AS TOLD TO RICHARD COLLIER (Dutton 1956).

What I remember: Harry Grattidge was one of the last captains of the RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth, once the premier ocean liners in the world and the pride of Britain's Cunard Line. CAPTAIN OF THE QUEENS tells Grattidge's story from his days as a lowly cabin boy aboard a sailing ship, his coming of age at sea, and his rise to the highest rank at Cunard.

The rest of the recollection: I read this in a volume of Readers' Digest Condensed Books and recall being completely captivated. I don't remember exactly when I read it, but it would probably have been around 7th or 8th grade. I was fascinated by ships and airplanes and spacecraft and really cool acts of engineering in general.

Queen Mary in 1945, in troopship livery

A couple details stood out, though, that had nothing to do with the engineering itself. The first was an anecdote about how the captain of a ship has to be on top of every detail, even those that seem the least important. To illustrate this, Grattidge related a story of how he had to change the chaplain's Sunday hymn selection when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were traveling aboard Queen Mary. The hymn that got axed? Crown Him with Many Crowns.

The other was on the order of "don't get cocky kid:" On his first voyage as captain of Queen Mary, he ran her aground in harbor...

And now: Still a fascinating and captivating read of a bygone era, telling Grattidge's life story wrapped around an account of his last voyage in 1953 as captain of Queen Elizabeth. Although written for adults, I think it would still appeal to young adults who enjoy history or historical fantasy of the steam and diesel eras.

Writers and Illustrators and Dinosaurs: K.M. Walton

2011-11-20T06:00:00.002-06:00

K.M. Walton is the author of TEACHING NUMERACY: 9 CRITICAL HABITS TO IGNITE MATHEMATICAL THINKING and her fiction debut, the forthcoming CRACKED (Simon Pulse, January 3, 2012).

An elementary and middle school teacher for more than ten years, she now writes full time, is married to her college sweetheart, and has two sons.

Below, she poses with her three year old nephew Alex, who is "crazy about dinosaurs."

Writing Community and Bastrop

2011-11-19T08:08:00.001-06:00

You'll recall the wildfires that devastated Bastrop in early September. Here are a couple pics along US 71 from when Cyn and I drove through later that month.

If anything, the photos understate the damage. That time of year, all the trees should be fairly lush and green.

It turns out that the Bastrop Public Library was hard hit: while the building itself didn't burn, many books were checked out and in children's homes which did burn down. So, the Friends of the Bastrop Public Library and the Austin Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators are planning an outreach.

During the Bastrop Public Library Open House, to be held December 10, the Friends will be giving each child who attends two books, tied with a ribbon. In addition, the FRIENDS will be accepting monetary donations in pursuit of its mission to promote and advocate for the Bastrop Public Library.

To assist, the Austin SCBWI is collecting money and book donations for the giveaway, through December 8. Books can be anything from picture books to young adult novels.

Details here.

The AIRBORN trilogy

2011-11-18T06:41:00.006-06:00

The AIRBORN trilogy, by Kenneth Oppel, comprising: AIRBORN (HarperCollins 2004); SKYBREAKER (HarperCollins 2006); STARCLIMBER (HarperCollins 2009)(ages 12+).

At fifteen, Matt Cruse is the youngest, smallest cabin boy aboard the airship Aurora. Beyond anything else, it is his dream to someday captain a vessel like the Aurora.

On one fateful trans-Pacificus crossing, the airship rescues an off-course balloonist, who babbles about seeing beautiful creatures in the sky, before he dies.

Some months later, Kate DeVries, the balloonist's beautiful and wealthy granddaughter, embarks on the Aurora, to see if she can track down the mysterious creatures and prove to the world her grandfather was not a madman.

Matt is more than willing to lend a hand, and the two begin to develop a tentative friendship, when the Aurora is attacked by a dirigible belonging to the notorious and murderous pirate Vikram Szpirglas...

AIRBORN is a rousing, swashbuckling adventure and coming-of-age story. The alternate steampunkish Earth, where dirigibles are the basis for air transportation and airplanes don't exist, is convincing and richly detailed. Matt and Kate are believable and their relationship is complex and compelling.

Their tale continues in the equally terrific SKYBREAKER and STARCLIMBER.

Chicago Dinosaurs: Field Museum of Natural History

2011-11-17T15:47:00.005-06:00

In honor of NCTE/ALAN being in Chicago this year, I thought I'd toss in a post about Chicago dinosaurs. :-). If you have the time, check out the Field Museum:

Tyrannosaurus rex (background) with (unidentified) Homo sapiens.

The Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago): My hometown museum, still one of the best in the world. The Field Museum is part of a lakefront museum campus that includes the Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium and the Adler Planetarium. Just up Lake Shore Drive is the Lincoln Park Zoo, and a short drive south is the Museum of Science and Industry.

The Field is home to Sue, one of the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever found, as well as a Daspletosaurus and a host of other, less carnivorous dinosaurs (like Parasaurolophus and Diplodocus).

Sue is prominently placed in the Stanley Field Hall (the main hall), with the elephant diorama and the big totem poles. On the balcony above the skeleton is the actual skull (the real one being too big to mount) and a mural depicting what Sue would've looked like in real life.

Sue close-up

Upstairs is the Evolving Planet exhibit, which takes you chronologically through the eras of life on earth. Dinosaurs on display include Triceratops, dromaeosaurs, stegosaurs, sauropods (including a juvenile Rapetosaurus), and hadrosaurs, such as Parasaurolophus. The classic Charles M. Knight murals still adorn the walls.

Triceratops and T.rex face off

And sometimes in Chicago, you see dinosaurs in the oddest places: be sure to check out the brachiosaur at the United Terminal at O'Hare Airport (a duplicate of the one outside the Field).

Writers and Illustrators and Dinosaurs: Lita Judge

2011-11-16T07:31:00.000-06:00

Lita at age 15 on a dig for the Royal Tyrell Museum

Lita Judge was born in Alaska, spent summers as a child in Wisconsin, and has a degree in geology. She volunteered for two summers on a dinosaur dig in Canada (above) and is the author/illustrator of, among other books, BORN TO BE GIANTS : HOW BABY DINOSAURS GREW TO RULE THE WORLD.

Lita sketches at the American Museum of Natural History

Lita's latest release is RED SLED.

Comic Con Austin recap

2011-11-15T10:09:00.000-06:00

A few months ago, Cyn received an invitation for a complimentary table at Artists' Alley at Austin Comic Con. This past weekend, Cyn and I manned the table...

Of course, we weren't the only members of Austin's youth literature community with a presence. Jeff Crosby and C.S. Jennings also had tables in Artists' Alley.

In the exhibitors area, the Writing Ninjas of Texas had a booth, did some cosplay, and sold their books through The Book Spot.

Clockwise from top right: Madeline Smoot; Jessica Lee Anderson; P.J. Hoover; Joy Preble; Cory Putnam Oates; Mari Mancusi; P.J. Hoover; K.A. Holt; Joy Preble; and Jo Whittemore.

On the whole, there seemed to be quite a bit of steampunk, as well as a lot of DC and Marvel comics, and the occasional Star Trek and Star Wars among the costumes.

And, we sat across from Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca of Star Wars)!

Check out Cyn's report here.

ONE COOL FRIEND

2011-11-13T16:33:00.000-06:00

ONE COOL FRIEND, by Toni Buzzeo, ill. by David Small (Dial, January 10, 2012). On a trip to the aquarium, Elliott, a very polite and proper young man, asks his father if he can have a penguin. His father says "yes," not realizing Elliott was talking about a real bird. So Elliott arranges for the smallest penguin at the aquarium to pop into his backpack and make it home with them...

ONE COOL FRIEND is great fun, with wry and witty dialogue, and text and illustrations that hilariously juxtapose Elliott's politeness with penguin-inspired chaos. Perhaps the most entertaining use of flightless waterfowl in a children's book since Mr. Popper's Penguins.

THE THIRD GIFT

2011-11-08T06:18:00.001-06:00

THE THIRD GIFT, by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Clarion 2011)(ages 6+). This elegant picture book tells the story of a boy learning his father's trade, of gathering an aromatic oleoresin called myrrh. On one outing, he harvests an particularly fine sample, which is then sold at market to three men from the east. They are, it seems, gathering gifts for a baby and already have gold and frankincense...

THE THIRD GIFT combines exceptional text and art to present a story of an ordinary boy's association with the third gift to the Christ child. An author's note provides additional context and background. A perfect Christmas gift and story for the ages.

2012 Books by Austinites [updated]

2011-11-07T10:21:00.017-06:00

Updated 17 November 2011.Updated 27 January 2012.

The Austin children's writing community will be having another good showing for 2012. Here are some of the highlights (and go here for my updated Austinites' Books 2011 post):

Picture Books

IT JES' HAPPENED: WHEN BILL TRAYLOR STARTED TO DRAW, by Don Tate, ill. by R. Gregory Christie (Lee & Low, Spring 2012).

I LIKE OLD CLOTHES, by Mary Ann Hoberman, ill. by Patrice Barton (Knopf, August 2012).

THINK BIG, by Liz Garton Scanlon, ill. by Vanessa Newton (Bloomsbury, June 2012).

A PIRATE'S 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, by Philip Yates, ill. by Sebastian Serra (Sterling, October 2012).

JUST AS GOOD: HOW LARRY DOBY CHANGED AMERICA'S GAME, by Chris Crowe, ill. by Mike Benny

Middle Grade/Tween

CHRONAL ENGINE, by Greg Leitich Smith, ill. by Blake Henry (Clarion/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, March 20, 2012).

WE'VE GOT A JOB: THE 1963 BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S MARCH, by Cynthia Levinson (Peachtree, February 1, 2012).

D IS FOR DRAMA, by Jo Whittemore (Aladdin MIX, August 2012).

JACOB WONDERBAR FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSE, by Nathan Bransford, ill. by C.S. Jennings (Dial 2012).

LAUGH WITH THE MOON, by Shana Burg (Delacorte 2012).

RETURN TO THE WILLOWS, by Jacqueline Kelly, ill. by Clint G. Young (Henry Holt, November 2012).

THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY, by Nikki Loftin (Razorbill 2012).

Young Adult

DIABOLICAL, by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, January 2012).

DEAR TEEN ME, ed. by Miranda Kenneally and E. Kristin Anderson (Zest Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2012).

SOUL BLOOD (BLOOD COVEN VAMPIRES #7), by Mari Mancusi (Berkley Trade, March 2012).

BLOOD FOREVER (BLOOD COVEN VAMPIRES #8), by Mari Mancusi (Berkley Trade, September 2012).

SHORT STORIES

"Mooning over Broken Stars," by Cynthia Leitich Smith, in GIRL MEETS BOY, ed. by Kelly Milner Halls (Chronicle, January 2012).

If you build it...

2011-11-05T09:39:00.001-05:00

I've mentioned before that one of the fun things about writing CHRONAL ENGINE is that it provides an excellent excuse to visit natural history museums and other places where paleo-stuff abounds.

T.rex ("Sue") and H.sapiens (unidentified)

Over the past few years, a number of the major natural history museums have revamped their dinosaur and paleontology displays. The Field Museum in Chicago did so a few years back in conjunction with the acquisition of Sue, the largest, most complete T.rex. The Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh also recently completed a remodel, changing their old dinosaur hall into an exhibit called Dinosaurs in their Time.

Exhibit in progress. Photo courtesy Carnegie Museum of Natural History

More recently, in 2009, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History opened its new building and a new display of north Texas dinosaurs, including Paluxysaurus, the state dinosaur of Texas.

Paluxysaurus. Photo courtesy Fort Worth Museum of Science & History

Just to the east, in Dallas, the Museum of Nature and Science is expanding into a new Victory Park Facility, to be named the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and scheduled to open at the end of 2012. I understand they're going to be having a fantastic display of my favorite sauropod, Alamosaurus.

Photo courtesy Dallas Museum of Nature & Science

In Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science expansion is also scheduled to open in 2012. The museum will be nearly doubling in size and a good portion of the space will be the paleo display(s), including the azhdarchid pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus.

Quetzalcoatlus skull

Over in Salt Lake City, the Utah Museum of Natural History is moving into new digs this month and will include an entirely new (naturally) paleontology exhibit. Also in Utah, at Dinosaur National Monument, the new Visitor Center is finished and the Quarry Exhibit Hall is now open again!

Quarry Exhibit Hall. Photo courtesy National Park Service

Finally, up in Waco, for the mammal aficionados, the Mammoth Site opened in 2009. It's a display of a dig site of entire herd of Columbian mammoths and a couple other Pleistocene creatures.

Photo courtesy Waco Mammoth Site

Road trip, anyone?

The LEVIATHAN trilogy: LEVIATHAN, BEHEMOTH, GOLIATH

2011-11-03T17:03:00.006-05:00

THE LEVIATHAN TRILOGY: LEVIATHAN (Simon & Schuster 2009), BEHEMOTH (Simon & Schuster 2010), and GOLIATH (Simon & Schuster 2011), by Scott Westerfeld, ill. by Keith Thompson. Fifteen year old Alek flees from his home into the night with a handful of retainers when his parents -- the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife -- are murdered in Serbia. At the same time, Deryn Sharp, disguised as a boy, enlists as a midshipman on the British airship Leviathan. Together, as Europe erupts into war, their lives intertwine in an around-the-world adventure and in ways that they couldn't possibly have imagined...

THE LEVIATHAN TRILOGY offers a fascinating alternate history and steampunk technology, along with action and adventure, and compelling and likeable co-protagonists. Three absolutely terrific, fun reads.

MANGAMAN

2011-10-30T15:40:00.003-05:00

MANGAMAN, by Barry Lyga, ill. by Colleen Doran (Houghton Mifflin 2011)(ages 12+). Teen-ager Ryoko Kiyama has entered our world through a mysterious rift and it seems that he's trapped here. But the redoubtable Dr. Capeletti is working on a Machine to return Ryoko to his world. In the meantime, it's decided that rather than cooling his heels in a government compound, he should get out and experience life as a normal high-school student. The problem? He's from a Manga universe...

MANGAMAN offers a fun story and a clever and sophisticated "meta" treatment of both American and Japanese-style comics. Both Manga insiders and those unfamiliar with its tropes will enjoy it tremendously.

MELVIN AND THE BOY

2011-10-26T09:11:00.000-05:00

MELVIN AND THE BOY, by Lauren Castillo (Henry Holt 2011)(ages 4+). The boy has always wanted a pet, but nothing was ever just right. Until one day he happens upon a turtle in the park, so he brings it home. But Melvin isn't all that active and doesn't seem to like it there. Does he miss his friends? Would he be happier back at the pond?

MELVIN AND THE BOY offers fun and humorously expressive illustrations as it provides a satisfying answer to the age-old question, "What's the best home for a turtle?"

At least, one that's smaller than this:

Tweens Read Book Festival

2011-10-25T07:52:00.005-05:00

Haven't had enough of books, authors, and celebrating reading?

Then check out the first anual Tweens Read Book Festival, Saturday October 29, at Bobby Shaw Middle School in Pasadena, Texas!

Richard Peck is the keynoter. Other participating authors include Crystal Allen, Michael Buckley, Kate Falls, Matthew Kirby, Lindsey Leavitt, Christina Mandelski, Lisa McMann, Jason Pinter, Allen Sitomer, Obert Skye, Clete Barrett Smith, and Andrea White.

Texas Book Festival recap

2011-10-24T07:55:00.121-05:00

The sixteenth edition of the Texas Book Festival has come and gone to enormous success. Congratulations and thanks to the book festival staff, organizers, participants, and volunteers!

Cyn and I started this year at the Children's and YA Authors Reception at the home of David and Amy Roberts (she's on the author's selection committee and one of the advocates for the Festival's Reading Rock Stars program). One of the nice things about the event is the chance to socialize with other authors you've seen at events and conferences but never really get a chance to talk to.
I met James Dashner for the first time, and had a chance to get caught up with Libba Bray, Barry Lyga, and Jill Alexander.

Saturday morning, I took a spin around the exhibits and the Read Me a Story tent, running into Kelly Bennett and Jeff Crosby and a fan:

Cyn did her session on graphic novels with Barry Lyga, while I introduced James Dashner, who spoke on THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy. We met up again at the signing tent:

Saturday night, we attended the cocktail party at the award-winning home of Eddie Safady on Congress Avenue (Jessica Lee Anderson and P.J. Hoover (l), and Divya Srinivasan, Jo Whittemore, Barry Lyga, and Heather Vogel Frederick (r)):

Afterward, we were whisked off to the Texas State Cemetery, for the Lit Crawl, where the librarians were in costume,

and the YA authors signed books and greeted their fans (Libba Bray, David Levithan, James Dashner, Jennifer Ziegler):

Sunday, we attended a session or two, and I introduced Kenneth Oppel, who spoke on his new novel, THIS DARK ENDEAVOR and his experiences in publishing. Afterward, Cyn and I went with Kenneth Oppel and Kate Hosford to Manuel's for some margaritas and Tex Mex, followed by a drink at the Driskill Bar.

After that, we went home and crashed. Thanks again to everyone involved in TBF!

Writers and Illustrators and Dinosaurs: Lindsey Lane

2011-10-21T15:57:00.000-05:00

Lindsey Lane models Tykeosaurs

Austin author Lindsey Lane sent me this pic of her posing with Tykeosaurs, a board book by Tom Arma, that was given to her daughter on her first birthday.

Lindsey grew up in the northeast and is a former feature writer for the Austin Chronicle and the Austin American-Statesman.

In addition to be an accomplished playwright, Lindsey is the author of the picture book SNUGGLE MOUNTAIN (Clarion 2003), illustrated by Melissa Iwai.

SNUGGLE MOUNTAIN is now available as an app. Lindsey discusses the experience of turning a traditional picture book into an app here.

Texas Book Festival: Graphic Novels and More!

2011-10-20T07:29:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder that the Texas Book Festival is this weekend!

Cynthia will be on the graphic novels panel with Barry Lyga on Saturday, from 11:30-12:30 in Capitol Extension E2.010.

I will be introducing James Dashner (Saturday, October 22, 12-12:45, Capitol Extension E2.014) and Kenneth Oppel (Sunday, October 23, 2:45-3:30, Capitol Auditorium E1.004). And a host of other Austin authors will be on panels, moderating panels, or presenting in the Children's Read Me A Story Tent.

Check out the article on children's and young adult programming in the Austin American-Statesman. For a complete list of the children's and YA panels, see my blog post here.

For the younger crowd, information on the Children's Read Me a Story tent and Children's Activities tent can be found at the book festival web site here.

WriteFest success!

2011-10-19T16:41:00.000-05:00

A number of years back, Cynthia and I ran a couple of writing workshops out of our house we called WriteFests. Basically, we anonymously brought in authors, did full manuscript critiques (also anonymously), and arranged writing exercises and activities around the manuscripts. Cyn explains it here, and did running updates for the last one here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

A number of published novels came out of the workshops, with at least one more still forthcoming.

Two of the biggest successes to come out of the workshop(s) were Kathi Appelt's THE UNDERNEATH, which won a Newbery Honor and was a National Book Award Finalist; and Libba Bray's GOING BOVINE, which won the Printz Award.

This month, we've been celebrating another WriteFest success:

Congratulations to Franny Billingsley on being named a finalist for the 2011 National Book Award and receiving a Boston Globe/Horn Book honor this year for CHIME!

BONE DOG

2011-10-15T11:59:00.002-05:00

BONE DOG, by Eric Rohmann (Roaring Brook 2011)(ages 4+). Ella, a dog, makes a promise to Gus, a boy, to be with him always. So on Halloween, when Gus finds himself attacked by a bunch of skeletons, Ella, now a skeleton dog, appears and brings with her a pack of friends...

With whimsical illustrations and tall-tale vibe, BONE DOG provides a perfect and satisfying treat for Halloween.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

2011-10-13T08:27:00.000-05:00

T.rex with excellent taste in reading

Author Jessica Lee Anderson and her husband road-tripped up to Glen Rose and Dinosaur Valley State Park last weekend, and sent me some pictures :-). I've blogged about dinosaur tracks before, and these tracks in particular, but I haven't yet been there to see them myself.

Theropod tracks

I understand that it's a particularly good time to see the tracks, since the drought means that many of the tracks which would normally be underwater aren't.

The largest of the theropod tracks are thought to be those of Acrocanthosaurus, a fin-backed carnivore related to Allosaurus.

Incidentally, Jessica will be signing her new book CALLI at The Book Spot in Round Rock this Saturday from 12 to 2 PM. P.J. Hoover will also be there, signing SOLSTICE, now available in paperback.

DIABOLICAL cover art!

2011-10-12T05:05:00.002-05:00

Check out the cover art for DIABOLICAL, by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, January 2012)!

When "slipped" angel Zachary and his werewolf pal, Kieren, are summoned under suspicious circumstances to a mysterious New England boarding school, they quickly find themselves in a hellish lockdown with an intriguing assortment of secretive, hand-picked "students."

Plagued by demon dogs, hallucinatory wall decor, a sadistic instructor, and a legendary fire-breathing monster, will they somehow manage to escape? Or will the devil have his due?

Best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith unites heroes fro the previous three novels in the Tantalize series--including Zacharys girl, Miranda, and Kieren's love, Quincie--along with a fascinating cast of all-new characters for a suspenseful, action-packed clash between the forces of heaven and hell.

Read the first 10 pages of DIABOLICAL (Candlewick, 2012) here. Note: the book is told from the alternating points of view of Zachary, Kieren, and Miranda. Quincie is not a point of view character, but she is a main character in the story.

CYNSATIONAL GIVEAWAY: Enter to win BLESSED, TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY, and/or a Sanguini's T-shirt! Author-publisher sponsored. Deadline: Oct. 17. See this post (click preceding link and scroll) for more information.

THIS DARK ENDEAVOR [updated]

2011-10-11T07:30:00.004-05:00

THIS DARK ENDEAVOR: THE APPRENTICESHIP OF VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN, by Kenneth Oppel (Simon & Schuster 2011)(Brilliance Audio)(ages 12+). At sixteen, Victor Frankenstein and his twin Konrad have lived charmed lives. Members of one of the most prominent families in late 18th century Geneva, they have had the finest educations and wanted for nothing. But when Konrad mysteriously falls ill and the doctors can do nothing, Victor embarks upon a alchemical quest of his own...

THIS DARK ENDEAVOR provides a fascinating look at the coming of age of one of the most intriguing characters in English literature. Altogether, an elegantly dark and atmospheric novel.

Update: Read an interview of Kenneth Oppel at Cynsations. Also, note that Kenneth Oppel will be appearing at the Texas Book Festival on Sunday, October 23, from 2:45-3:30, in Capitol Auditorium E1.004.

KING OF ITHAKA

2011-10-10T08:16:00.001-05:00

KING OF ITHAKA, by Tracy Barrett (Henry Holt 2010)(ages 12+). Telemachos's father Odysseus has been gone nearly his entire life - at first in answer to King Agamemnon's call to fight the Trojans, but since then, no one knows where. Still, for the most part Telemachos has had it easy.

Now, he must step up and leave Ithaka to find his father, or the kingdom (and his mother) will be lost to them. Accompanied by the centaur Brax and the young stowaway Polydora, he sets off to the mainland and on his quest...

KING OF ITHAKA offers an exceptional voice that evocatively captures Bronze Age Greece as it retells The Odyssey of Homer. The setting is richly drawn and the character of Telemachos is compelling and believable. In short, KING OF ITHAKA is a winning historical fantasy with just the right amounts of action and humor.

RAH, RAH RADISHES

2011-10-09T08:40:00.001-05:00

RAH, RAH, RADISHES! A Vegetable Chant, by April Pulley Sayre (Beach Lane 2011)(ages 4+). This whimsical picture book offers bright illustrations of vegetables at a farmers' market and accompanying cheerleader-style text.

It's terrific fun and provides a great introduction to familiar and obscure vegetables alike.

THE DEATH CURE [updated]

2011-10-08T07:10:00.002-05:00

THE DEATH CURE, by James Dashner (Delacorte 2011). In this follow-up to THE MAZE RUNNER and THE SCORCH TRIALS, Thomas and the Gladers, having survived the challenges of the Maze and the gauntlet of the Scorch Trials, are now confronted directly with those behind WICKED itself.

Although told their trials are over, Thomas doesn't know whom he can trust. When some of his memories begin to come back and when he learns that WICKED is planning another set of trials with another set of Immunes, he knows he has to do everything in his power to destroy WICKED. But what can a handful of Gladers do to take down the most powerful organization on the planet?

THE DEATH CURE offers edge-of-your-seat excitement and dystopian chills, while providing a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy and Thomas's story.

Update: James Dashner will be appearing at the Texas Book Festival on Saturday, October 22 from 12-12:45 in Capitol Extension E2.014.

STRAW HOUSE, WOOD HOUSE, BRICK HOUSE, BLOW videos!

2011-10-06T09:57:00.000-05:00

My Clarion editor Daniel Nayeri has a new book out this month from Candlewick -- a collection of four YA novellas, titled STRAW HOUSE, WOOD HOUSE, BRICK HOUSE, BLOW.

Per the catalog copy:

This bold collection of novellas by Another series author Daniel Nayeri features four riveting tales. These modern riffs on classic genres will introduce young adult readers to a broad range of writing styles that explore universally compelling themes such as identity and belonging, betrayal and friendship, love and mortality.

Straw House: A Western sizzling with suspense, set in a land where a rancher grows soulless humans and a farmer grows living toys.

Wood House: This science-fiction tale plunges the reader into a future where reality and technology blend imperceptibly, and a teenage girl must race to save the world from a nano-revolution that a corporation calls "ReCreation Day."

Brick House: This detective story set in modern NYC features a squad of "wish police" and a team of unlikely detectives.

Blow: A comedic love story told by none other than Death himself, portrayed here as a handsome and charismatic hero who may steal your heart in more ways than one. With humor, suspense, and relatable prose, this hip and cutting-edge collection dazzles.

Written entirely on an iPhone, this quartet of YA novellas by Another Pan and Another Faust author Daniel Nayeri showcases four different genres.

Check out these awesome videos:

"Toy Farm"

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow - Toy Farm Commercial from Candlewick Press on Vimeo.

"Our Lady of Villains"

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow - Our Lady of Villains Commercial from Candlewick Press on Vimeo.

"Wish Police"

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow - Wish Police Commercial from Candlewick Press on Vimeo.

"Doom with a View"

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow - Doom With a View Commercial from Candlewick Press on Vimeo.

Terra Nova

2011-10-05T08:28:00.000-05:00

Monday night was episode 2 of Terra Nova, the new Spielbergian dinosaur time-travel TV series. For those not familiar with it, the premise is that in a dystopian twenty-second century, a time portal has been discovered which allows travel to an indeterminate location some 85 million years in the past. Humanity has established an outpost there and is sending colonists back in "waves."

My only comment at the moment?

Needs more dinosaurs.

Thank you.

That is all.

ALIENS ON VACATION

2011-10-03T17:47:00.000-05:00

ALIENS ON VACATION, by Clete Barrett Smith (Disney/Hyperion 2011)(ages 8-12). First in a series. When thirteen-year-old Scrub is sent to live with his grandmother in a small town in the Pacific Northwest, he soon comes to realize there's more to her than just an aging hippie. Instead, her house is an intergalactic bed and breakfast, sort of a rustic vacation spot for advanced aliens who want to get away from it all. To his chagrin, Scrub is immediately sent to work helping the aliens blend in as humans and generally keep out of the way of the suspicious sheriff...

ALIENS ON VACATION is a light and funny romp, with quirky characters and an even quirkier situation. Scrub and his travails will engage and entertain the extraterrestrial in everyone.

Austin Teen Book Festival 2011 wrap up

2011-10-02T11:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we celebrated the 2011 Edition of the Austin Teen Book Festival. Twenty-eight authors presented on five panels: Alternaworlds, I Heart Love Stories, Pen Fatale, Supernatural Suspense, and Real Life is Messy.

Previously held at Westlake High School, the book festival moved this year to the Palmer Events Center at Auditorium Shores in the heart of downtown.

In honor of keynote speaker Scott Westerfeld, the theme of the day was "steampunk." The Austin Public Library had a steampunk photo booth and steampunk vendors showed their wares in the main hall. The steampunk decor even made it to the author's green room, which included elegant book-ish decorations:

A middle school theatre troop performed Michael Jackson's Thriller with great aplomb and enthusiasm:

Then we were led into the freight elevator for the trip to the panel site:

Attendance for panels was standing room only:

Lunch was a traditional tortilla soup, with plenty of time for mugging to the cameras:

David Levithan, John Corey Whaley, and Andrea Cremer

Jeff Herbach and Christina Mandelski

Rosemary Clement-Moore, Brian Yansky, Jonathan Maberry (seated, foreground). Heather Brewer and Greg Leitich Smith (standing). Scott Westerfeld and Jenny Han (seated, background)

There were more panels post-lunch and book sales (handled by BookPeople) and signings were massive:

The author-moderator after-party at Highball, featuring food, drink, bowling and karaoke, was also enormously fun.

Thanks to everyone who organized, planned, volunteered, and attended! Can't wait till next year!

2011 Texas Book Festival Children's and YA Programming [Updated 10-20-2011]

2011-09-29T07:44:00.007-05:00

Update: Updated to include recently-announced moderators and room numbers

Update 20 Oct.: Updated to include Sunday's To Timbuktu panel

Here's a rundown of the children's and YA sessions at Texas Book Festival this year. Most are in the Capitol Extension. Note that times are subject to change.

The event runs from October 22 through October 23. Check the official schedule for final times and room assignments.

Book signings are immediately after the sessions. Adult and Young Adult Authors sign in the Book Signing Tent on Congress between 10th and 11th Streets. Children's Authors sign in the Children's Signing Tent at 13th and Colorado.

Note also that the Children's Read Me A Story Tent has picture book presentations all day on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday

10-11: Making Art for Picture Books, mod. by Nancy Roser
with Eileen Christelow, Marla Frazee, and Paul Zelinsky
Capitol Extension E2.010

10-10:45: Jack Gantos, mod. by Susan Wofford
with Jack Gantos
Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

10:30-11:30: The Secrets Girls Keep, mod. by Margo Rabb
with Jill Alexander, Rosemary Clement-Moore, and Jennifer Ziegler
Capitol Extension E2.014

11:15-12:15: Playing with Your Fiction, mod. by Jennifer Brown,
with Louis Sachar and Meg Wolitzer
Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

11:30-12:30: More Than One Way to Read: Graphic Novels, mod. by Vicky Smith
with Barry Lyga and Cynthia Leitich Smith
Capitol Extension E2.010

11:30-12:15: Kadir Nelson, mod. by Don Tate
with Kadir Nelson
Capitol Extension E2.012

12-12:45: James Dashner, mod. by Greg Leitich Smith
with James Dashner
Capitol Extension E2.014

12-1: Books Between Us, mod. by Carmen Oliver
with Heather Vogel Frederick and Nancy Tillman
Capitol Extension E2.016

12:45-1:45: Laughing Through Your Fears, mod. by Topher Bradfield
with Adam Gidwitz, Keith Graves, Jon Scieszka, and Clete Barrett Smith
Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

1:30-2:15: Toys Come Home, mod. by Sharon O'Neal
with Emily Jenkins and Paul Zelinsky
Capitol Extension E2.016

1:30-2:15: The Tomas Rivera Award, mod. by Minda Lopez
with Alex Sanchez
Capitol Extension E2.026

1:45-2:45: To Ban or Not to Ban: What is the Question? mod. by Judith Platt
with Jessica Lee Anderson, Jay Asher, Ellen Hopkins, and David Levithan
The Sanctuary at First United Methodist Church (1201 Lavaca)

2-2:45: Rosemary Wells, mod. by Suzanne Wofford
with Rosemary Wells
Capitol Auditorium E1.004

2:00 - 3:00: Zombies, Odd Girls, and My Other Middle School Classmates, mod. by Bethany Hegedus
with Mac Barnett, K.A. Holt, René Saldaña Jr., and Jo Whittemore
Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

2:15-3:00: William Joyce, mod. by Marika Flatt
with William Joyce
Capitol Extension E2.010

3:30-4:30: Sarah Dessen and Libba Bray in Conversation, mod. by Sarah Pitre
with Sarah Dessen and Libba Bray
Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

9:00-9:45 PM: A Convergence of Souls, mod. by Kathleen Houlihan
with the Festival's YA authors.
Texas State Cemetery

Sunday

11-12: Newbery Award-Winning Authors, mod. by Jennifer Brown
with Kate DiCamillo and Rebecca Stead
Capitol Auditorium E1.004

12:45-1:30: To Timbuktu: Nine Countries, Two People, One True Story, mod. by Jennifer Ziegler
with Casey Sciezska and Steven Weinberg
Capitaol Extension 2.012

2-3 PM: Kids Read Nonfiction, Too, mod. by Anne Bustard
with Elaine Scott, Chris Barton, and Jeanette Larson
Capitol Extension E2.012

2:45-3:30: Kenneth Oppel, intro. by Greg Leitich Smith
with Kenneth Oppel
Capitol Auditorium E1.004

3:00-4:00: Don't Let the ___ Get You Down, mod. by Varian Johnson
with Joe Schreiber, Sheila P. Moses, David Rice, and Joe R. Lansdale.
Capitol Extension E2.026

ARCs!

2011-09-25T15:04:00.000-05:00

That's advanced reading copies, natch. They arrived Friday:

And, when I shelved these guys, I noticed something:

If all you had to go on was colors, which books do you think are Cyn's and which are mine? I wonder if it means anything...

Writers and Dinosaurs: Jo Whittemore, Jessica Lee Anderson & P.J. Hoover

2011-09-24T10:53:00.000-05:00

Jo, Jessica, and PJ pose predatorially

Texas Sweethearts Jo Whittemore, Jessica Lee Anderson, and P.J. Hoover recently sent me this hilarious photo.

Jo Whittemore was born in Kentucky on Halloween and moved to Texas while in sixth grade. She writes fantasy and contemporary humor for middle graders and is an Aggie. She is the author of THE SILVERSKIN LEGACY trilogy (Llewellyn); and FRONT PAGE FACE OFF and ODD GIRL IN (Aladdin MIX). Her next novel, D IN DRAMA, is forthcoming from Aladdin MIX in August 2012.

Jessica Lee Anderson was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and grew up in a lot of places (her father was in the air force), including Hawaii and Texas. She writes contemporary young adult fiction. Her novels include TRUDY (winner of the Milkweed Award) and BORDER CROSSING (Milkweed). Her latest novel is CALLI (Milkweed 2011).

P.J. Hoover grew up in Virginia, holds electrical engineering and history degrees from Virginia Tech, and can solve a Rubik's Cube in under two minutes. She writes fantasy for middle grade and teen readers. She is the author of THE FORGOTTEN WORLDS trilogy (CBAY Books) and SOLSTICE (CreateSpace 2011). P.J. was previously featured on WRITERS AND DINOSAURS here.

Paleontologist Interview: Mike Everhart

2011-09-21T07:32:00.003-05:00

Mike Everhart

One of the resources I used when I was writing CHRONAL ENGINE was Mike Everhart's Oceans of Kansas (Indiana University Press 2005), covering the flora and fauna of the Western Interior Seaway.

Michael Everhart is the Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hayes, Kansas. He also maintains the Oceans of Kansas web site. Recently, he graciously agreed to answer a few questions.

1. How did you become/what made you decide to become a paleontologist? Any words of advice to those who might want to pursue such a career?

Being a paleontologist is actually my third career. I worked in the environmental area of public health (12 years) and the aerospace industry (17 years) before becoming a paleontologist. That said, I've always been interested in paleontology and have been collecting fossils from the Smoky Hill Chalk for more than 40 years.

It is a subject that I've been fascinated with from at least the 5th grade when I read a book by Roy Chapman Andrews called "All About Dinosaurs." Actually, the book wasn't all about dinosaurs. There were two chapters describing the marine creatures from western Kansas, mosasaurs, plesiosaurs and pterosaurs. Somehow that stayed with me until I was able to make a trip "out west" during my senior year in college, and I was hooked.

Author hard at work.

The best advice I can give to anyone wanting to become a paleontologist is to study hard in school, especially in the sciences and mathematics. Do well in English because you will need to read and write scientific papers. Paleontology isn't just about going to exotic places and digging up bones. It involves knowing about what you are collecting and being able to describe it to others.

There are two general paths to becoming a paleontologist: geology and biology. You should plan to get either a geology or a biology degree as an undergraduate in college. From there, you can specialize in to different fields of paleontology in graduate school. But on either path, you need to get as much education in the sciences as you can because paleontology is becoming more and more technical as we acquire the tools to study fossils.

2. You’re adjunct curator of the Sternberg Museum, which is associated with Fort Hayes State University. Can you tell us about the museum and what you do there?

The Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays, Kansas was more or less established by George F. Sternberg in the late 1920s. He was the director of the museum for many years. After he retired, the museum was called the "Sternberg Memorial Museum." When we moved to our new building in 2000, the museum was given its current name in his honor.

Xiphactinus and prey, Sternberg Museum

While well known for the fossils that are exhibited there,including the famous "Fish-within-a-fish," the museum has an extensive natural history collection. I work in the vertebrate paleontology area, primarily with marine fossils from the Late Cretaceous seaway that once covered the state. Mostly, my job involved collecting preparing Kansas fossils, studying them, and describing them.

3. You’ve written extensively (and have a great web site) about the creatures of the Western Interior Seaway (mosasaurs, sharks, plesiosaurs). What draws you to it (them)?

I am interested in these marine fossils because they occur here (I don't have to go halfway around he world to collect them), and because they have generally been ignored for a long time. It's not likely that I can go to Montana and find a new dinosaur, but I've already named two mosasaurs from western Kansas.

Mosasaurus maximus, Texas Memorial Museum

Marine vertebrates, in spite of being the first major fossils discovered in Europe in the late 1700s, 50 or so years BEFORE the word "dinosaur" was invented, they have been largely overlooked since about the 1820s. Dinosaurs have had the better press since then.

The fact is, however, that during the Late Cretaceous, the earth was even more of a "water world" than it is today. There were no ice caps, and the oceans covered about 85% of the Earth's surface.

Marine reptiles greatly outnumbered the ground-pounding dinosaurs who were squeezed on to the remaining land surface. The Mesozoic should be called the Age of Sea Monsters, not the age of dinosaurs. Besides that, marine reptiles are very interesting creatures, evolving rapidly from small shore dwelling lizards into giant animals that were as well adapted to the ocean as are modern whales and porpoises. Fascinating creatures!

4. Recently, there has been controversy about whether to make Xiphactinus or Pteranodon the state fossil of Kansas. Without taking sides, can you make the case for both (and explain what either has to do with Kansas)?

Pteranodon, UMich. Natural History Museum

Both suggestions have a basis in the early history of paleontology in Kansas. Here is what I have told a legislator.

While I am supportive of anything that would generate interest in (and a better appreciation of) our fossil resources here in Kansas, I'm not sure that a big fish that looks like a "Tarpon on steroids" [ed. note: see photo above] is the best choice to represent Kansas as the State Fossil. Xiphactinus audax is certainly one of the best known fossil of a fish in the world, given all the attention that Sternberg's famous "Fish-within-a-fish" specimen has generated since it was discovered in 1952 (e.g. one of the most photographed fossils in the world). That said, Kansas is also the home of a number of fossils that have been collected here, and are nearly unique to the state. Both the Sternberg Museum and the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History have examples of large mosasaurs on exhibit.

Tylosaurus proriger, Sternberg Museuem

Tylosaurus proriger was first described from Kansas by E.D. Cope in 1869, based on a large skull found near Monument Rocks in western Gove County, and spirited away to the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology. But we've found lots of them since....

We also have a giant turtle (coincidentally our state reptile being the Box turtle) called Protostega gigas -- as large as a small car -- that was first found here first in 1871. (Still mostly found in Kansas.)

Hesperornis, National Mus. Nat. Hist.

The first examples of a flying reptile (Pteranodon) and a large marine bird (Hesperornis) were collected here by O.C. Marsh (Yale) in 1871. Pteranodon was initially described with teeth (it has none), and Hesperornis, being a bird, was naturally assumed not to have them.

The discovery a Hesperornis specimen near Russell Springs with a skull in 1872 showed, in fact, that it did have teeth, but another fossil bird, Ichthyornis dispar, discovered in 1872 by Professor Benjamin Mudge (1st State Geologist / professor at the Kansas Agricultural College, now K-State), is recognized as the first known bird with teeth.

Ichthyornis, Sternberg Museum

Each of these were discovered first in Kansas and are almost unique to the state, with small numbers occurring elsewhere. Personally I think Pteranodon longiceps would make the best state fossil: It's big (24 foot wingspan), it is everyone's favorite flying "dinosaur" and is nearly instantly recognized by every child (and adult) in the U.S.

Pteranodon has appeared in dozens of "adventure" movies (mostly bad likenesses), from The Lost World to King Kong, through Jurassic Park and most recently in National Geographic's IMAX movie Sea Monsters.

Almost ALL of the known specimens come from Kansas (limited numbers of poor quality material from Wyoming and South Dakota). Some of the best, most complete specimens have come from Lane County, Kansas, both of which, unfortunately, were shipped off to museums in Canada.

In any case, I would pleased to provide whatever technical support for naming a state fossil that I can.

5. On your web site, you state that you were science advisor for the National Geographic IMAX movie SEA MONSTERS. Can you tell us what that entailed?

I went to National Geographic in November of 2001 with the suggestion that a discovery by Charles Sternberg of a mosasaur that had eaten a plesiosaur would make a great documentary for TV. The specimen had been described in 1921 and acquired by the United States National Museum where it is on display today, but the stomach contents and their implications had been largely ignored by subsequent paleontologists. I came across Sternberg's note and went to Washington to see the specimens. Then I wrote a paper on it.

National Geographic thought it was an interesting idea and planned to do a magazine article, a TV documentary and later a movie version.. The magazine article came out in December 2005 and was really a disappointment, even though I had been involved as an adviser. The TV project got shelved for unknown reasons, and the first attempt at getting NSF funding for the theater version was turned down, but National Geographic went back, got funding approval and the race was on.

My Oceans of Kansas book was just out (June 2005) and doing well. NG hired a film company to do an IMAX feature film and they put together a script. I sat down with them and discussed what could and could not be done realistically with their proposed portrayals. From there, the script matured and several of us (paleontologists) were brought on board as science advisers to the film company.

The film company hired animators and started putting together the reconstructions of the animals we were going to show. We met several times a week over the Internet discussing the various reconstructions and how they would have looked, moved, acted, etc. We got to see the movie scene by scene as it was being assembled.

In June 2006, the film company came to Kansas and shot almost all of their historical scenes in the state (interesting because the movie shows discoveries in The Netherlands, Israel, Australia and Texas). Later that year, I got a contract to write the book (Sea Monsters) for the movie and everything started to come together. The movie opened worldwide in October, 2007 and I was able to attend several of the openings.

6. Thank you for taking the time and sharing your experiences!

Photos of Dr. Everhart, Xiphactinus, Ichthyornis, and Tylosaurus proriger are courtesy of the Mike Everhart, Oceans of Kansas Paleontology.

The intercostal clavicle! Or something like that...

2011-09-19T08:12:00.024-05:00

In the 1938 Howard Hawks movie, BRINGING UP BABY, Cary Grant plays a paleontologist with a number of problems: first, he's trying to get ahold of the last piece of his "Brontosaurus" -- the (fictional) "intercostal clavicle" bone. Second, he's trying to solicit a big donation from one of his museum's prime benefactors. Third, he's about to get married. Fourth, he runs across a ditzy heiress played by Katherine Hepburn and who has decided that she wants to marry him (her aunt happens to be the one considering the big donation). Throw in a leopard (actually a jaguar), a dog that runs away with the bone, another jaguar, and a trip to the suburbs, and there's considerable mayhem...

I bring this up because a story about the type specimen of T.rex that just came to light. It seems that when the skeleton (the first T.rex ever discovered) was sold by the American Museum of Natural History to the Carnegie Museum in the 1940s, it was missing a piece. This was not discovered until recently, when a rib bone bearing the identification of the Carnegie T.rex was found in storage at the American Museum. So the folks from the American Museum gave it to a guy with a back pack and sent it on its way...No word on whether any leopards were involved.

Oh, and apropos of nothing, in the movie NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, Rexy, the T.rex skeleton, plays fetch with a rib bone. Just saying.

Here's a link to the story on NPR.

Remember that book: THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON

2011-09-18T11:58:00.003-05:00

THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON, by Johann Wyss (orig. pub. 1812)(Pictured cover is from Yearling 1999 edition).

What I remember: A Swiss clergyman and his wife and four sons are stranded on a (really big) desert island when their ship crashes onto a reef in the middle of a storm. There, they survive alone for a decade, encountering an extraordinary array of flora and fauna, build a tree house, and generally bring civilization to the antipodes.

The rest of the recollection: This was one of my favorite books as a kid. I remember taking it out of the library in third or fourth grade and never wanting to return it. Just the idea of having to make do without modern conveniences was intriguing. And it actually hit fairly close to home, since many members of my family grew up without many of the basics (plumbing, electricity, cable TV) we take for granted today.

I also found interesting the details on how they went about building the tree house, installing the plumbing, etc. The animal and the botany lectures were also fun, although even than, I knew that certain, er, liberties were being taken.

And now: It's still an absolutely terrific adventure and worth the time.

Finally, I always wondered why the family's last name was "Robinson," since they were Swiss and all, and it wasn't until recently that I discovered it (probably) wasn't. The title was a reference to the fact that the book was a robinsonade, a Robinson Crusoe-type adventure (Back in the day, it was apparently the name of an entire genre, much like "science fiction," etc.).

Writers and Illustrators and Dinosaurs: Carmen Oliver

2011-09-17T09:00:00.001-05:00

Carmen Oliver is the Assistant Regional Adviser for the Austin Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Born in Manitoba, Canada, she lived for a while in Calgary before moving to Austin. She has published numerous nonfiction articles for both adults and children.

The photos were taken at the home of Stephen Mooser, president and co-founder of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

WITCHLANDERS

2011-09-16T09:25:00.000-05:00

WITCHLANDERS, by Lena Coakley (Atheneum 2011)(ages 12+). For as long as he can remember, all Ryder has wanted to do is leave his family's remote farm and go to sea. But now that his father is dead, it's up to him to keep the hicca crop and protect the family.

As for the witches in the coven on the mountain that they -- and everyone else in the village -- have to tithe to each year? They're worthless. And he should know, because his mother left the coven many years ago and that's what she says.

When his home is attacked, Ryder knows who's to blame -- the magic wielding Baen across the border. The ones who started the last war. Ignoring the witches' warnings, he sets off on a quest for vengeance, and perhaps something more.

In WITCHLANDERS Coakley offers a well-wrought world, engaging characters, occasional bits of humor, and plenty of action. Ryder and his family and enemies are believable and sympathetic. The plot twists and intrigue are compelling, ultimately satisfying and, in some ways, thought-provoking.

MOONSHADOW: RISE OF THE NINJA

2011-09-10T03:52:00.002-05:00

MOONSHADOW: RISE OF THE NINJA, by Simon Higgins (Little Brown 2010)(10+). In this historical fantasy based on medieval Japan, the orphan Moonshadow has been raised as a ninja warrior spy by the members of the Grey Light Order to serve the shogun and preserve the peace against fractious warlords.

In addition to being a master of stealth and swordsmanship, Moonshadow possesses the "eye of the beast," the ability to see through the eyes of animals. Now, on his first mission, he must put all his skills to the test as he goes in alone to the the castle of a rebel warlord who wants to overthrow the shogunate...

MOONSHADOW: RISE OF THE NINJA is a thoroughly fun, action-packed yarn. Altogether, an engaging story of friendship, honor, and belonging.

First in a series, originally published in Australia as MOONSHADOW: EYE OF THE BEAST.

Book events September-October

2011-09-08T08:04:00.000-05:00

TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY

Please join Cynthia Leitich Smith for a discussion and signing of Tantalize: Kieren's Story (Candlewick, 2011) at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston.

Note: "This event is free and open to the public. In order to go through the signing line and meet Cynthia Leitich Smith for book personalization, you must purchase Tantalize: Kieren’s Story from Blue Willow Bookshop. A limited number of autographed copies of Cynthia’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call Blue Willow before the event at 281.497.8675."

Also, illustrator Ming Doyle will be signing Tantalize: Kieren's Story at 2 p.m. Oct. 2 at Brookline Booksmith (279 Harvard Street) in Brookline, Massachusetts. Guests are invited to participate in a vampire/werewolf costume contest. See another interior illustration from the graphic novel from her blog.

AUSTIN TEEN BOOK FESTIVAL

The Austin Teen Book Festival is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Palmer Events Center in Austin. The event is free! No need to register, just show up! Students do not need to be accompanied by an adult.

Cynthia will be on the panel Supernatural Suspense. Go check out the entire slate of authors!

TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL. The 2011 edition of the Texas Book Festival will be held October 22-23 at the Texas State Capitol (Cynthia will be on a panel about graphic novels with Barry Lyga! And I will be introducing James Dashner.).

The complete list of 2011 authors is here.

CHRONAL ENGINE cover art!

2011-09-06T13:36:00.002-05:00

I am delighted to present the cover art for CHRONAL ENGINE. The cover, like the (equally awesome) interior illustrations, was done by Blake Henry. Higher resolution pics and more information about the book can be found at the CHRONAL ENGINE page at the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt web site.

A weekend at the lake and fire and brimstone...

2011-09-05T18:22:00.003-05:00

Cynthia and I just got back from a weekend in Kingsland, on Lake LBJ (We celebrated our anniversary and did our own personal writing retreat at the lake house of writer Donna Bratton -- she rents the place for writing retreats, so check it out).

How can you not relax with a view of a private cove:

We had a nice romantic time and got some good writing done and had dinner at the Junction House Restaurant,which is where a certain slasher movie was filmed:

(Food Friday was absolutely terrific -- we went back for brunch on Sunday, which was also terrific.).

We had a burger one day at the Sonic, where they have dinosaurs on the menu. Or something:

We were pretty much off the Internet and made sure not to catch the TV news until this morning. When we were scheduled to come home. And our route home along Highway 71 was blocked due to wildfires...

This is just stunning, and not in a good way...The pic comes from the Texas Interagency Coordination Center (if you click the link, you can see the whole state). The angry red flame at the lower left is Bastrop, about twenty miles or so east of here, where ~~around 476~~ more than 500 homes have been destroyed (including the home of a friend of ours :-(), and half of Bastrop State Park is, well, charred. It's a beautiful area and where I set the contemporary scenes in CHRONAL ENGINE.

The American-Statesman has some pretty good up-to-the-minute coverage on its blog here. The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management has a Facebook page here. KXAN covers it here.

Fortunately, no one seems to have been hurt yet. But our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.

MASON DIXON: PET DISASTERS

2011-09-02T05:27:00.000-05:00

MASON DIXON: PET DISASTERS, by Claudia Mills (Knopf 2011)(ages 7-10). In this first of a new chapter book series, nine-year-old Mason Dixon likes his belongings ordered, his food simple, and his socks brown. He does not want a pet, but his parents insist he needs one. But fish, hamsters, and cats just aren't his thing. When he and his best friend Brody adopt a dog, though, he discovers that, just possibly, having a pet companion isn't so bad after all.

MASON DIXON: PET DISASTERS is a winning tale of friendship, pets, and summer art camp. Full of heart and humor, PET DISASTERS will have readers eagerly awaiting the next installment. Illustrations by Guy Francis are equally fun and expressive.

DARTH PAPER STRIKES BACK

2011-09-01T02:21:00.000-05:00

DARTH PAPER STRIKES BACK, by Tom Angleberger (Amulet 2011)(ages 8-12). In this this sequel to THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA, a darkness has descended upon Tommy's middle school. Harvey, determined to prove that Origami Yoda is merely a hoax, brings his own Origami creation: Darth Paper, who is strong with the Dark Side.

It's not long before Dwight gets suspended and all the good Origami Yoda did last year appears to be unraveling. Can Tommy and friends save Dwight and Origami Yoda? Or will Harvey and the Sith prevail?

DARTH PAPER is a fun and satisfying follow-up to Origami Yoda, poking gentle fun at middle school angst, school bureaucracy, and the magic of finger puppets.

Note: Cyn and I had the chance to see Tom Angleberger speak at BookPeople last week. Here are a couple pictures:

Tom poses in front of store display

Tom unpacks the paraphernalia

THEODOSIA AND THE LAST PHARAOH

2011-08-31T07:50:00.003-05:00

THEODOSIA AND THE LAST PHARAOH, by R.L. Lafevers (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2011)(ages 8-12). In the fourth Theodosia book, Theodosia is off to Egypt (with her smuggled cat) to return the Emerald Tablet and assist her mother on an archaeological dig. But when the Serpents of Chaos appear, Theodosia finds she might have more than she can handle. Between known enemies and unexpected allies, can she accomplish her mission and (more important) continue to keep her parents blissfully unaware of her secret life?

THEODOSIA AND THE LAST PHARAOH is another thrilling adventure in a world filled with magic and danger. Theodosia is as sharp as ever as she navigates the mysteries of Egypt in the Edwardian era...

THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF JACK

2011-08-29T14:26:00.003-05:00

THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF JACK, by Kelly Barnhill (Little Brown 2011)(ages 8 - 12). Jack has always been overlooked by both his parents and his brother and, well, pretty much everyone else, too. But when he's sent to live with his aunt and uncle in rural Iowa, he finds, to his surprise, that they actually see him. And not just them: it's the strange kids in the neighborhood (who seem to want to be his friends (!)) and the police, who work for the wealthiest man in town (who wants Jack dead). And then there are the eruptions of magic...

THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF JACK is an atmospheric story of family and belonging and good and evil. Jack is engaging and believable, and the mystery of the dark magic unfolds to a compelling and satisfying conclusion.

Writers and Illustrators and Dinosaurs: Nikki Loftin

2011-08-26T09:33:00.001-05:00

Nikki Loftin and Coelophysis

Nikki Loftin lives just outside Austin, Texas, and writes middle grade novels. Her first novel, THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY, which she describes as "CORALINE meets HANSEL AND GRETEL," will be published in Summer 2012 by Razorbill/Penguin.

She recently took a trip to New Mexico and took a couple photos of the Ghost Ranch Coelophysis.

Coelophysis, a small Triassic theropod, is the state dinosaur of New Mexico and appears to have been a cannibal.

Dinosaurs on the menu

2011-08-25T07:50:00.000-05:00

At Magnolia Cafe, on Lake Austin Boulevard.

(More) Dinosaurs on screen

2011-08-24T09:29:00.000-05:00

We're fast approaching the premiere of the Discovery Channel's DINOSAUR REVOLUTION, a four hour extravaganza with episodes airing September 4 and September 11. Formerly called REIGN OF THE DINOSAURS, the show is said to feature the most cutting-edge animation and research.

Check out the trailer here.

And on the big screen, PIXAR just announced a dinosaur-themed movie for Christmas 2013! The official plot synopsis:

What if that life-changing asteroid missed Earth? Director Bob Peterson’s hilarious tale depicts a world where dinosaurs never went extinct

TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY releases today!

2011-08-23T09:30:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to my wife, Cynthia Leitich Smith, on the release today of her first graphic novel (illustrated by Ming Doyle), TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY! Go check out an interview with Cyn and Ming here, and a brief article called Going Graphic at Hunger Mountain on turning TANTALIZE into a graphic novel!

Braving the heat at BookPeople!

2011-08-21T14:18:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, Cyn and I braved the 105-degree heat to head to BookPeople, where Jill Alexander was debuting her latest novel, PARADISE, a companion to the TLA Lone Star List book, THE SWEETHEART OF PROSPER COUNTY. Both are set in small-town Texas away north and east of here (Jill lives in Tyler).

Jill provided ice-cold, refreshing Dr. Pepper (in glass bottles!) and thematic cookies; embarrassed her son; and introduced us to the book and characters via a game of "Paradise Bingo." It was lots of fun and y'all should go pick up a signed copy or two.

While at BookPeople, we happened on a display of a giant-sized Origami Yoda:

Tom Angleberger will be presenting his new novel, DARTH PAPER STRIKES BACK, at 7 PM on Wednesday, August 24. DARTH PAPER is a sequel to the terrific THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA (And, in the category of "it's cooler on Tatooine," if things hold up, it will mark the 70th day of 100+ degree heat this year here in Austin, breaking a record that's stood since 1925.).

So, anyway, BookPeople is having a contest and had folks take pictures of Origami Yoda around town. The winner gets the first spot in the signing line. Check out (and vote for) the finalists here.

Personally, I like the one with the dinosaur. But I bet you knew that already...

P.S. The day we tie the record is the release date of the sizzling graphic novel, TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY.

Purchase multiple copies, you must...

Book news!

2011-08-16T18:22:00.000-05:00

This has been (and still is) one of the more purgatorial summers on record here in the heart of Texas. But the writing and the business of writing go on...

Last week, I received cover art for CHRONAL ENGINE (I'll post when it's made public) and this week, got first pass pages (above), including thirteen amazing interior illustrations by Blake Henry! I couldn't be more thrilled. He absolutely nailed the characters and the paleo-critters, as well. (No, I can't show you these. You'll just have to wait and see. Yes, I'm a tease. The pub date is March 20, 2012. :-)).

In other news, Cyn likewise received first pass pages for her novel DIABOLICAL, which has a pub date of January 24, 2012.

Also, TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY comes out next week! Go here for an interview with Cyn and illustrator Ming Doyle!

In other news, the Austin Teen Book Festival announced its lineup. Cyn will be moderating Fantasy Panel 1, with Heather Brewer (VLADIMIR TOD), Jackson Pearce (SWEETLY), Tera Lynn Childs (SWEET VENOM), Sophie Jordan (VANISH) and Andrea Cremer (WOLFSBANE). It's October 1, 2011, at the Palmer Events Center.

Next, congratulations to Cyn and the other finalists for the Writers League of Texas Children's Book Award! In addition to HOLLER LOUDLY, finalists are SHARK VS. TRAIN, by Chris Barton, A MILLION SHADES OF GRAY, by Cynthia Kadohata, POP! THE INVENTION OF BUBBLE GUM, by Meghan McCarthy, BETTI ON THE HIGH WIRE, by Lisa Railsback, and CROSSING THE TRACKS, by Barbara Stuber.

Finally, BLESSED is a finalist for the ALA Teens' Top Ten List for 2011! If you're a teen, go and vote for it here! The winners will be announced during Teen Read Week (October 16-22).

LEVI STRAUSS GETS A BRIGHT IDEA: A FAIRLY FABRICATED STORY OF A PAIR OF PANTS

2011-08-13T05:52:00.000-05:00

LEVI STRAUSS GETS A BRIGHT IDEA: A FAIRLY FABRICATED STORY OF A PAIR OF PANTS, by Tony Johnston, ill. by Stacy Innerst (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Sept. 2011)(ages 5-8). The story of Levi Strauss and the creation of blue jeans gets a tall tale treatment in this hilarious picture book. The text is funny and full of whimsy, while the illustrations are bright and equally amusing. (An author's note tells the true story...).

Series books...with dinosaurs, of course.

2011-08-10T20:48:00.000-05:00

This month ccbc-net (the listserv of the Cooperative Children's Book Center) is discussing series books, from the point of view of which ones are popular now, which ones were popular when the list members were young readers, and whether a "stigma" attaches to paperback series books.

When I was a kid, I read THE THREE INVESTIGATORS, DANNY DUNN, and THE HARDY BOYS. Unfortunately, none of them ever encountered dinosaurs...

So here are a couple of books from paperback series in which the heroes do encounter dinosaurs:

THE DINOSAUR THAT FOLLOWED ME HOME, by Bruce Coville (Aladdin 1990)(ages 8-12). Book 3 of the Camp Haunted Hills series. Strange things happen at Camp Haunted Hills. Of course, some of this is to be expected, since it's a camp run by movie professionals. But the place really is haunted and, this summer in the middle of preparations for a prehistoric-themed movie, a friendly ghost accidentally sends Stuart and friends to the Cretaceous. When they return, they discover that T.rex, a Maiasaura, and a Triceratops have accompanied them. Can they return them to the past before the present is irrevocably altered?

THE DINOSAURS THAT FOLLOWED ME HOME is light fun with just the right amounts of humor and suspense. The 1990 era illustrations add period flavor, although the novel doesn't feel dated.

IN THE TIME OF THE DINOSAURS, by K.A. Applegate (Scholastic 1998)(ages 10-14). The second book of the ANIMORPHS: MEGAMORPHS companion series. Five teens and their alien friend have the ability to change into any animal of their choosing, provided they come into close enough contact with the creature to "acquire" its DNA. But they're not using their powers for fun and games -- they're out to save the world from a clandestine takeover by the Yeerks, sluglike parasitic creatures who mentally control their unwilling human "hosts."

In IN THE TIME OF THE DINOSAURS, the group is investigating a sunken nuclear submarine when one of its missiles blows, creating a spacetime rift that sends the Animorphs back to the Cretaceous. There, they encounter, among other things, T.rex, Deinonychus, Spinosaurus, Triceratops, and a hadrosaur or two. And they discover that the earth of the Late Cretaceous is occupied by a pair of alien races, both of whom claim it as their own...

IN THE TIME OF THE DINOSAURS offers a fun, Animorphs-flavored take on dinosaur time travel paired it with alien invasions. An afterward by Tobias -- the only one of the Animorphs who seems to know anything at all about dinosaurs (much to his consternation) -- explains certain, err, inconsistencies with the fossil record :-).

TUNNEL THROUGH TIME

2011-08-04T15:12:00.001-05:00

In my quest to find dinosaur-related children's and young adult fiction, I was pleased to come across this one by Lester Del Rey, who founded the Del Rey imprint at Ballantine Books, many of which I read throughout the 80s:

TUNNEL THROUGH TIME, by Lester Del Rey (Westminster 1966)(ages 10+). Bob Miller’s father has invented a “time tunnel” but when he sends paleontologist "Doc" Tom through, he vanishes. So Bob and Tom’s son Pete try to find him.

At first, they’re sent to the Cretaceous, where they encounter T.rex, Triceratops, Allosaurus, Brontosaurus, and “sea serpents.” (The existence of Allosaurus and "Brontosaurus" at the same time as T.rex is explained away as "our knowing less than we think," which may be the definition of "hand wave." :-)).

As they incrementally jump forward through time, they encounter woolly mammoths, the saber-toothed Smilodon, Megatherium, and primitive humans.

TUNNEL THROUGH TIME is a sort of fun romp. It feels a bit old-fashioned, in large part because of the terrific old-school cover, reminiscent of Charles Knight's paintings. Also, the teen protagonists (17 and 18) could have used a bit more autonomy at times. Still, they're likeable and develop a good rapport with each other and with Doc.

NAAMAH AND THE ARK AT NIGHT

2011-07-27T19:05:00.001-05:00

NAAMAH AND THE ARK AT NIGHT, by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, ill. by Holly Meade (Candlewick 2011)(ages 4+). This sublime picture book presents the wife of Noah, whose lullaby sings the ark to sleep at night.

Inspired by the poetic structure of the ghazal, readers are treated to a tour of the ark in an elegant, soothing, and peacefully melodic text. The collages of Holly Meade are wonderfully detailed and a perfect accompaniment, showing Naamah moving throughout the ship to bring peace to its passengers and crew during the forty days and nights of the tempest. Altogether wonderful.

DINOSAUR SUMMER

2011-07-25T15:10:00.000-05:00

DINOSAUR SUMMER, by Greg Bear (Warner, 1998)(ages 12+) is an intriguing sequel to Conan Doyle's THE LOST WORLD and a nice coming-of-age story as well. It's 1947 and fifteen-year-old Peter Belzoni lives with his father Anthony, a wildlife photographer, in a tenement (his mother left them for Chicago). There's never enough money and Peter often feels like the grown-up and sometimes out of place with his adventure-loving father.

Peter's not sure how to take it when his father gets an assignment from National Geographic: covering the last performance of the last dinosaur circus in North America. It's some decades after Professor Challenger et al. came back from the lost world, launching the "Dinosaur Rush," and dinosaurs are kind of passe.

What Anthony didn't tell Peter is that there's more to the assignment than watching performing animals: the dinosaurs remaining in Otto Gluck's circus are to be returned to Venezuela, and Anthony and Peter will be going along on the expedition to document the event. Along the way, they encounter dangers from humans and wild creatures alike, and Peter comes to terms with his parents' divorce and where he is and wants to be in the world.

DINOSAUR SUMMER offers a likeable protagonist and a great premise, with a creative admixture of fictional and nonfictional dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures.

Oh, and did I mention, the cover and interior illustrations are by Tony DiTerlizzi?

Jurassic Park IV!

2011-07-23T08:52:00.004-05:00

At last week's Comic Con in San Diego, Steven Spielberg announced that JURASSIC PARK IV is in the works! They have a story and a screenwriter and are hoping to make it "within two or three years."

In the meantime, go check out Jurassic Park Legacy, a resource on all things Jurassic Park, and an interview at Love in the Time of Chasmosaurs with its founder, Terry Alan Davis, Jr.

Also, Spielberg is producing TERRA NOVA, which premieres Monday, September 26, 2011, at 8/7c. It's the story of a family who are sent back 85 million years from a future where humanity is faced with extinction and, apparently, features all kinds of Cretaceous (and other) critters.

As producer Brannon Braga (of Star Trek: Voyager fame) put it, "we have dinosaurs we know from the fossil record but you get to make up your own dinosaurs as well." (I think the "slasher" falls into the latter category :-)).

Paleontologist John ("Jack") Horner from the Museum of the Rockies is a consultant on the show (he also did Jurassic Park).

WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS AND DINOSAURS: DON TATE

2011-07-22T07:40:00.002-05:00


Don Tate and Allosaurus

Don Tate is the illustrator of more than forty books for children. His two most recent books are SHE LOVED BASEBALL: THE EFFA MANLEY STORY, written by Audrey Vernick (HarperCollins 2010), and RON'S BIG MISSION, written by Rose Blue and Corinne Naden (Penguin 2009). Both were Junior Library Guild Selections, and SHE LOVED BASEBALL made the Bank Street College Best Children's Books of the Year List for 2011.

Don's next book is DUKE ELLINGTON'S NUTCRACKER SUITE, written by Anna Harwell Celenza (Charlesbridge, November 2011). In addition, Don is the author of the forthcoming IT JES' HAPPENED: WHEN BILL TRAYLOR STARTED TO DRAW, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (Lee & Low, Spring 2012).

Above, Don poses with the Allosaurus in the rotunda of the American Museum of Natural History, New York.

Who is buried in Grant's Tomb?

2011-07-21T12:02:00.000-05:00

Ulysses S. Grant IV (1893-1977)

This year marks the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. I've always been fascinated by it and, particularly, by the personalities of the folks who shaped it.

I was reading about General of the Army (and, later, President) Ulysses S. Grant the other day when I came across the fact that his grandson, Ulysses S. Grant IV (pictured to the left in 1918), was a paleontologist who specialized in molluscs.

This brought to mind two things: (i) Elizabeth Law's pronouncement at the Austin SCBWI conference last February to the effect that "molluscs were the next big thing" in YA literature and that she was awaiting "bivalve love" manuscripts; and (ii) more seriously, my favorite extinct molluscs, the ammonites:

Ammonite, HMNS


Ammonite artist's conception, courtesy Wikipedia

Cephalopods, and therefore related to the octopus and squid, ammonites of the Late Cretaceous variety grew to as much as six feet in diameter. They hung around the middle of the Western Interior Seaway and were preyed upon by mosasaurs.

At one point, Grant was curator of invertebrate paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and also taught paleontology at UCLA. Alas, rather than ammonites (which went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous), Grant appears to have specialized in California molluscs of the Cenozoic. He also apparently appeared on "You Bet Your Life," the show where Groucho Marx always used to ask the question in the title to this post.

I kind of wonder how much grief he got -- both as a kid and later as a professional -- because of his name...

Robinson Crusoe and Sam Magruder and all that...

2011-07-19T12:19:00.002-05:00

When you’re writing a novel in which dinosaurs and humans interact, you’ve really got only two choices: bring them to you or go to them. The classic novels THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT and THE LOST WORLD are examples of the former. There don’t seem to be as many of the latter, but one I just came across is George Gaylord Simpson’s terrific THE DECHRONIZATION OF SAM MAGRUDER (St. Martin's Press 1997). Simpson was one of the more renowned paleontologists of the 20th Century and the manuscript was found after his death in the 1980s by his daughter. It has a forward by Arthur C. Clarke and an afterward by Stephen Jay Gould.

The novel is set in a framework similar to that of H.G. Wells' THE TIME MACHINE: several individuals discuss the implications of “tablets” they found, written by a human, and dated from the Cretaceous. The tablets tell the story of the time-traveling scientist Sam Magruder and his accidental transport back into time and his survival in the Mesozoic.

He encounters T.rex, sauropods, hadrosaurs, and various nasty theropods in somewhat dated representations (apparently Simpson did not take to the newfangled notion that dinosaur were active, warm-blooded, or could have feathers) and discusses his other attempts to survive -- incluidng trying to find shelter, hunt, and start a fire...

But the really intriguing thing is one of the questions posed at the beginning of the novel: one character -- the Universal Historian -- opines that, by virtue of being lost in time, Sam Magruder is more lost, more alone than any human ever has been. He argues that folks lost on desert islands or in outer space (the novel takes place a hundred years in the future) are not as lost as Sam Magruder, because they have at least the hope of rescue. And that how he reacts to it is a sign of character.

I had a few reactions to this: First, I think that in many recent robinsonnades (lost-on-a-desert-island stories) this despair over aloneness is absent. I can't actually think of one off the top of my head in which this is addressed, other than ROBINSON CRUSOE itself. Robinsonnades seem to have come to be more about physical survival than psychological.

But (second) I’m not entirely sure that Sam Magruder has absolutely no hope of rescue. Admittedly, the novel sets it up so that, according to his theory of time travel, it would be impossible for anyone to duplicate Magruder's feat, and thus reach his precise point in time and space (apparently, you cannot control the time, date, or location of "landing.").

But, of course, that’s only in his time…and in the future, presumably, there’s an infinite amount of it, so surely there is the possibility that someone a thousand years from when he left and a more developed scientific and engineering background might be able to find him. Also, it's just possible that Magruder's theory might be incorrect (oddly enough, he never does contemplate this possibility).

In any case, I think SAM MAGRUDER does portray that despair of (almost) absolute aloneness in a compelling manner. Really, probably better than any robinsonnade I've read other than ROBINSON CRUSOE itself (Of course, in CRUSOE, overlaid was the despair of having been abandoned by God).

Another thing that came to mind, though, is that this concept of absolute aloneness and the enormity thereof is a great literary vehicle for introducing the idea of the immensity of time and just how "far away" 65 million years ago really is. That is, in addition to the philosophical question(s) posed, it presents a handle for grasping time as "distance" so that the modern reader can appreciate being lost in time in much the same way that early eighteenth century readers would have understood being lost at sea.

WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS AND DINOSAURS: DAVID OSTOW

2011-07-15T07:56:00.000-05:00

David and wax T.rex

David Ostow is the illustrator of SO PUNK ROCK (and other ways to disappoint your mother) (FLUX 2009), a combo graphic-text novel co-written by his sister Micol.

It was a Booklist Top Ten Arts Books for Youth and a Top Ten Religious Books for Youth.

Check out an interview with David and Micol here.

In the picture, David poses in the lobby of the wax museum in San Antonio.

MISSING ON SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN

2011-07-11T14:25:00.000-05:00

MISSING ON SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN, by Elise Broach (Henry Holt 2011)(ages 8-12)(first in a series). Eleven-year-old Simon, ten-year-old Henry, and six-year-old Jack have been moved by their parents to a small Arizona town, over which looms the forbidding Superstition Mountain. They've been warned not to go there, but when Josie, their cat disappears, what choice do they have?

Once there, they find three skulls and decide that the many rumors about the mysterious place just might be true. Why have people been disappearing for the past sixty years? Is there really a mother lode of gold there? Together with their next-door neighbor, ten-year-old Delilah, the Parker siblings embark to solve the mystery...

MISSING ON SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN offers a thrilling and chilling mystery-adventure with an engaging cast and otherworldly setting. With various threads left dangling, readers will be eagerly awaiting the next installment.

MINE!

2011-07-10T06:13:00.003-05:00

MINE! by Shutta Crum, ill. by Patrice Barton (Knopf 2011). Two young children and a dog sort out what's MINE in this delightful, hilarious, and elegant picture book. The text is brilliantly sparse but sufficient and the illustrations are expressive and funny.

A fine read for anyone who's ever had to share ~~their toys~~.

Cryptids!

2011-07-07T19:25:00.004-05:00

I was contemplating cryptids this week after having picked up the first two books is Roland Smith's terrific Cryptid Hunters series published by Hyperion and Scholastic: The series features the adventures of thirteen-year-old twins Marty and Grace and their cryptid-hunting uncle. In the first book, they're off to Africa to save the sauropod-shaped mokele-mbembe from facing a new extinction. In the second, they're on a ship off the coast of New Zealand to find a giant squid. Two more books are forthcoming...

Anyway, it got me thinking. As a young reader, in addition to dinosaurs, one of the things that I was absolutely fascinated by was crytpids (although the word didn't actually exist back then): Bigfoot, Yeti, the Loch Ness Monster, mokele-mbembe, and the like. Just the idea that there were these creatures that could exist below the radar in our (apparently) very advanced world fascinated me. And how cool would it have been to have come face to face with one or any of these? Of course, in 1938, that very thing happened with the discovery of live coelacanths, thought to have gone extinct at the time of the dinosaurs...

The difference, of course, between dinosaurs and (most) cryptids is that the former were real, but they still tap into that same craving to see them live and that same wonder about what would happen if we encountered them today. In the flesh. And this fascination has been ongoing since very nearly the dawn of the dinosaurs themselves.

The earliest life-sized sculptures were the "Crystal Palace dinosaurs" of Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, built in the early 1850's, not long after Richard Owen coined the term "dinosaur." Nowadays, of course, just about every natural history museum has skeletal and/or static or animatronic recreations.

Incidentally, for a great picture book treatment of Hawkins, check out the Caldecott Honor book, THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS,by Barbara Kerley, ill. by Brian Selznick (Scholastic 2001).

It took a little longer for Mesozoic creatures to appear in the literature, but ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs appeared in Jules Verne's 1864 novel, A JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH. Dinosaurs featured prominently in 1912's THE LOST WORLD, by Arthur Conan Doyle and 1918's THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT, by Edgar Rice Burroughs. All three books relate to modern humans stumbling across remote and isolated ecosystems in which dinosaurs or other ancient beasts never went extinct. And what would happen if we had to interact with them today...

Of course, back then, they didn't have time travel.

WIENER WOLF

2011-07-05T09:01:00.003-05:00

WIENER WOLF, by Jeff Crosby (Hyperion 2011). Wiener dog is bored with life with grandma. What he craves is excitement!

But when he answers the call of the wild, he finds out the rebuttal is a little more than he bargained for...

With expressive illustrations and a timeless story, WIENER WOLF brings to life one dachshund's quest for self-actualization in this thoroughly fun, hilarious, and engaging picture book.

Jeff read from WIENER WOLF at BookPeople

THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS

2011-07-04T05:44:00.001-05:00

THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS, by Carole Estby Dagg (Clarion/HMH 2011)(12+). It's 1896, and seventeen-year-old Clara Estby and her mother Helga need to raise a lot of money fast -- to prevent foreclosure on the family farm. Inspired by the intrepid Nellie Bly, they hatch a scheme to walk across the United States, from Spokane to New York City. If they make it by the seven month deadline, a mysterious benefactor will pay them $10,000 and publish the account of their journey as a book.

En route, the mother-daughter pair encounters hardships and dangers and finds out more than a little bit about themselves and each other.

Based on the true story of the author's great-aunt and great-grandmother, THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS is a satisfying and thoroughly fascinating adventure road-trip. Dagg offers a likeable protagonist and relationships that feel real in their complexity, while compellingly evoking the atmosphere of the era of William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley.

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-04T05:04:00.001-05:00

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.