The main characters of Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor & Park meet on the bus at the start of sophomore year. Eleanor is the new girl in town, an ostracized, bullied “big girl”; Park is a skinny half-Korean townie who tries to stay out of the spotlight. Their slowly evolving but intense relationship is authentic in its awkwardness — and life-changing for them both. Rowell imbues the novel with rich character development, a spot-on depiction of the 1986 Omaha setting, and powerful descriptive passages. It’s an honest, heart-wrenching portrayal of imperfect but unforgettable love. (14–17 years, St. Martin’s Griffin)

At the start of This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith, sixteen-year-old Ellie strikes up a snappy, flirty email friendship with someone who turns out to be teen movie star Graham Larkin. As a result, Graham decides to spend the summer filming his next movie in Ellie’s small town. In person, they feel an instant attraction; however, their relationship faces challenges and disapproval from both sides. This wish-fulfillment fantasy features likable protagonists with undeniable chemistry. The thoughtful narration, from both Ellie and Graham’s perspectives, is slow and unhurried, just like its sleepy small-town setting. (14–17 years, Little Brown/Poppy)

Sixteen-year-old Mallory, star of Lindsey Leavitt’s Going Vintage, is shocked to learn that her boyfriend is emotionally cheating on her with a “cyber wife.” As a result, Mallory decides to go on a technology fast. A to-do list her grandmother made at age sixteen, in 1962, provides the perfect inspiration for a simpler life — with surprising and often hilarious results. Mallory’s experiences will help readers cope with their own breakups and undoubtedly make them think about their tethers to smartphones and social media. (14–17 years, Bloomsbury)

In Sophia Bennett’s The Look, fifteen-year-old Londoner Ted (short for Edwina) is tall, awkward, and clueless about clothes, but has nevertheless been scouted by a top modeling agency. Meanwhile, her vivacious older sister, Ava, is diagnosed with lymphoma. Readers get an inside look at the modeling industry through Ted’s earnest, naive eyes, including some tricky romantic entanglements. Equally compelling is Bennett’s sympathetic portrait of a family coping with a serious illness and getting through it with love and humor. (14–17 years, Scholastic/Chicken House)

From the April 2013 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.

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Roger Sutton
Editor in Chief

From the April 2013 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.

The post From the editor – April 2013 appeared first on The Horn Book.

“Because poetry and hums aren’t things which you get, they’re things which get you”
Lullaby (For a Black Mother) written by Langston Hughes, illus. by Sean Qualls, Harcourt, 2–5 years.
Leave Your Sleep written by Natalie Merchant, illus. by Barbara McClintock, Farrar/Foster, 2–5 years.
World Rat Day: Poems About Real Holidays You’ve Never Heard Of written by J. Patrick Lewis, illus. by Anna Raff, Candlewick, 4–7 years.
Stardines Swim Across the Sky and Other Poems written by Jack Prelutsky, illus. by Carin Berger, Greenwillow, 4–7 years.
Pug and Other Animal Poems by Valerie Worth, illus. by Steve Jenkins, Farrar/Ferguson, 4–7 years.

Weevils and worms and snakes, oh my!
Nic Bishop Snakes written by Nic Bishop, photos by the author, Scholastic Nonfiction, 5–8 years.
Unusual Creatures: A Mostly Accurate Account of Some of Earth’s Strangest Animals written by Michael Hearst, illus. by Arjen Noordeman, Christie Wright, and Jelmer Noordeman, Chronicle, 7–10 years.
Deadly! The Truth About the Most Dangerous Creatures on Earth written by Nicola Davies, illus. by Neal Layton, Candlewick, 7–10 years.
The Story of Silk: From Worm Spit to Woven Scarves [Traveling Photographer] written by Richard Sobol, photos by the author, Candlewick, 7–10 years.

The hero’s journey
The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle written by Christopher Healy, illus. by Todd Harris, Walden Pond/HarperCollins, 8–12 years.
Jinx by Sage Blackwood, Harper/HarperCollins, 8–12 years.
A Box of Gargoyles by Anne Nesbet, Harper/HarperCollins, 8–12 years.
Poison by Bridget Zinn, Hyperion, 11–14 years.

Love, exciting and new
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, St. Martin’s Griffin, 14–17 years.
This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith, Little, Brown/Poppy, 14–17 years.
Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt, Bloomsbury, 14–17 years.
The Look by Sophia Bennett, Scholastic/Chicken House, 14–17 years.

These titles were featured in the April 2013 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.

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Photo: Laurie Gaboard, The Litchfield County Times

Marilyn Singer had already demonstrated considerable versatility of poetic talents when in 2010 she debuted a new verse form in Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse (6–10 years, Dutton). This year she is back with a companion, Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems (6–10 years, Dial; both books illustrated by Josée Masse), in which another cast of folkloric characters get the “reverso” treatment.

1. You invented this verse form and named it. How did you come up with the name?

MS: A reverso is made up of two poems. You read the first down and it says one thing. When you reverse the order of the lines for the second poem, changing only punctuation and capitalization, it says something else. It has to say something different; otherwise it’s what one kid called a “same-o.” When I first started writing these poems, my friend Amy called them “up-and-down poems.” I liked that, but it was a bit of a mouthful. I wanted to use the word reverse, and my husband Steve Aronson, who is one smart cookie, said, “You need something Italianate. How about ‘reverso’?” He gets credit for the name.

2. Do you think folk literature has a particular susceptibility to this poetic form?

MS: At first I didn’t stick exclusively to folk literature. But many of the poems were based on fairy tales, so when I showed that initial batch to an esteemed editor, she suggested I base the entire collection on fairy tales. That struck me as a great idea because fairy tales have strong narratives, and I felt that I could find two sides to one character, or two points in time for that character (such as Cinderella before and at the ball), or two different characters, perhaps with opposing points of view. So far, I’ve written two books of fairy-tale reversos — Mirror Mirror and Follow Follow — and I’m planning to do a third volume based on Greek myths.

However, I don’t think that folk literature is the only possible genre that translates well into reversos. The main thing, really, is to be able to present two sides of someone or something. My forthcoming book, Rutherford B., Who Was He?: Poems About Our Presidents (Disney-Hyperion; illus. by John Hendrix), includes a reverso about a man who viewed himself quite differently from the way the press and public did: Richard Nixon.

3. What was the most difficult poem to write in Follow Follow? And what folktale left you defeated?

MS: Oy, a number of them were difficult. I recall several failed attempts at the title poem, “Follow Follow,” about the Pied Piper. The one about the goose that laid the golden eggs was also tricky. One tale I could not turn into a reverso was “The Fisherman and His Wife.” I couldn’t flip either the husband’s or the wife’s voice into that of the fish.

4. What is the most challenging verse form you’ve attempted to write?

MS: Villanelles are tough, but I was able to write one about flamingos in A Strange Place to Call Home: The World’s Most Dangerous Habitats & the Animals That Call Them Home (Chronicle). Sonnets are also challenging, but I’ve done a few of those as well, including one about mountain goats (in the same book). I have never attempted a sestina — and I may never attempt a sestina. And then there are those darn reversos…

5. Do I sing the book’s title to the tune of “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” or “Try to Remember”?

MS: Well, would you rather sound like a Munchkin or El Gallo? I don’t suggest trying it to Crispian St. Peters’s “The Pied Piper.”

Actually, it took longer to come up with the book’s title than to write the actual poems. The Pied Piper poem originally had a different name, but when we (my editor, the publisher, the marketing department, etc.) all agreed on Follow Follow as the title of the book, it also became the name of the poem. And since it’s a “follow-up” to Mirror Mirror, I think it works, don’t you?

From the April 2013 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.

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Nic Bishop returns with his always-amazing photographs in Nic Bishop Snakes. The text describes snake behavior, physiology, and eating habits. Seemingly impossible-to-get shots of the sinuous, scaly animals feature gorgeous colors and a clarity that allows details such as the edges of scales and the flexing of musculature to be examined. In a riveting note at the end of the book, Bishop reveals the lengths he went to to get his perfect shots (including a bite from a brown tree snake that left some of the snake’s teeth buried in his hand). (5–8 years, Scholastic Nonfiction)

With field guide–like pages, informational sidebars, and clear illustrations highlighting physiological features, Unusual Creatures: A Mostly Accurate Account of Some of Earth’s Strangest Animals has all the trappings of a conventional science text. But in these fifty profiles of fascinating animals (alphabetical from axolotl to yeti crab), author Michael Hearst playfully tweaks the style, adding humorous quizzes, witty asides, and even the occasional verse; his appreciation for the quirkiness of nature shines through. (7–10 years, Chronicle)

Deadly!: The Truth About the Most Dangerous Creatures on Earth pulls no punches — this is gory-but-fascinating information about the ways in which animals cause lasting harm or death to other animals, including humans. Author Nicola Davies balances spectacle and science, providing accounts rich with factual detail and admiration for the diversity and realities of life. Neal Layton’s cartoon illustrations skillfully lighten the tone, as animals in the throes of death or dismemberment provide humorous asides and jokes. (7–10 years, Candlewick)

In The Story of Silk: From Worm Spit to Woven Scarves, part of the Traveling Photographer series, photojournalist Richard Sobol follows the creation of silk from start to finish in the Thai village of Huai Thalaeng. From the arrival of tiny silkworm eggs to the growth of silkworms in baskets full of mulberry leaves, the cooking of cocoons, and the weaving and dyeing of cloth, Sobol captures the process in lively writing and abundant color photographs. (7–10 years, Candlewick)

For even more animal nonfiction, see our recent review of the Bats! Furry Fliers of the Night app (7–10 years, Bookerella/Story Worldwide).

From the April 2013 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.

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They vanquished a nasty witch and saved their various realms in The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. Now princes Liam, Frederic, Duncan, and Gustav are preoccupied with family and fame when a new adventure beckons. Christopher Healy’s The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle, with illustrations by Todd Harris, finds Briar Rose blackmailing the League of Princes into setting off with her, Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, and Liam’s sister Lila to steal a mystical object from the diminutive Bandit King. Add in an evil warlord with nefarious plans, loads of witty banter, plenty of action, and a cliffhanger ending to ratchet up the entertainment level. (8–12 years, HarperCollins/Walden Pond)

In Sage Blackwood’s Jinx, a cranky wizard named Simon adopts the title character and grudgingly teaches him a little magic. All is well until Simon performs a spell on Jinx that makes the boy’s ability (to see people’s emotions in colorful clouds around their heads) disappear. Jinx, aided by two new friends, seeks out Simon’s rival, an evil wizard called the Bonemaster, to regain his power. Flowing dialogue, easy character interaction, and a familiar yet original vibe and setting make the novel inviting, compelling, and ripe for future installments. (8–12 years, HarperCollins/Harper)

Maya thought she had vanquished her immortality-hungry nemesis Henri de Fourcroy in The Cabinet of Earths, but in A Box of Gargoyles, he casts a spell to force her to restore his vitality. Maya and her friend Valko must outwit the spell while contending with powerful forces, gargoyles…and a very bad violinist. There’s plenty of strength and charm in Anne Nesbet’s follow-up — especially in the animated, personal voice of the narrator, who seems to speak out of Maya’s own head but, at the same time, offers its own sympathetic interpretation of events. (8–12 years, HarperCollins/Harper)

Sixteen-year-old potions master Kyra, the star of Bridget Zinn’s Poison, is reluctant to trust anyone, even her best friend, the future queen, Ariana. The well-crafted tale slowly reveals why Kyra shot a deadly potion at Ariana, and why, when Kyra has never missed a target, she missed that one. The author’s use of modern language in a magical setting adds to the charm; the complicated/flawed characters are realistic, and the plot twists and turns, including dramatic cliffhanger chapter endings, quick getaways, and disguises, make this a fine rollicking adventure from start to finish. (11–14 years, Hyperion)

From the April 2013 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.

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Poetry can be used to examine and celebrate the world we live in and the worlds we invent. A great way to observe National Poetry Month is to share the following exemplary poetry books for young children featuring the calming rhythms of lullaby, the humorous juxtaposition of portmanteaux, the silliness of made-up holidays, and elegant observations on animal behavior.

Two recent books feature soothing poems that double as lullabies. Lullaby (For a Black Mother), first published by Langston Hughes in 1932, has just the right smooth cadence for a picture book text. Sean Qualls’s superb accompanying collages, showing a mother and child at bedtime, display a dreamlike quality that suggests a transition from wakefulness to sleep. (2–5 years, Harcourt) Leave Your Sleep: A Collection of Classic Children’s Poetry selected by singer Natalie Merchant showcases nineteen of the twenty-six poems that provided lyrics for her 2010 album of the same name. The book works just as well on its own, with Barbara McClintock’s comfortably old-fashioned-looking illustrations offering added humor and details. (2–5 years, Farrar/ Foster)

In J. Patrick Lewis’s World Rat Day: Poems About Real Holidays You’ve Never Heard Of, obscure but entertaining holidays get their own poems, each one funny and playful. Anna Raff’s illustrations feature animals with lots of personality, like the worms who appear worried while a couple of realistically enormous robins dig their bills into the ground overhead. The poems vary in length and style. Children may find themselves inspired to discover (or invent) their own quirky holidays and poems, too. (4–7 years, Candlewick)

Ingenious book design pairs with inventive poetry in Jack Prelutsky’s Stardines Swim High Across the Sky and Other Poems to create this museum-in-a-book of animal verse, featuring an array of unusual critters. The concept itself is simple: combine a real animal with a quality that fits into the name (Bobcat + Sob = Sobcat, “sad / As a feline can be).” Carin Berger’s illustrations incorporate found objects and aged paper to tag and label the various beasts. The total effect is both whimsical and fascinating. (4–7 years, Greenwillow)

Valerie Worth is fondly remembered for her small books of “small poems” — delicate epiphanies springing from thoughts on ordinary things with elegant illustrations by Natalie Babbitt. Pug and Other Animal Poems has a radically different design from those earlier quiet books. Steve Jenkins’s collages of precisely observed creatures in bold tones on contrasting grounds effectively dramatize these eighteen welcome additions to Worth’s oeuvre. Her poems remain a marvel and a joy. (4–7 years, Farrar/Ferguson)

From the April 2013 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.

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