Pirate Tree Round-up
I've been extremely derelict in posting links here when I post over at The Pirate Tree. Here's a round-up of some recent posts:
In May, I posted a review of the amazing forth-coming middle grade novel George by Alex Gino.
“…To everyone around her, George is a boy. But George knows that she is a girl, a girl who would like to wear girl’s clothes and play with the girls, and be called Melissa. And it is becoming increasingly painful to keep that knowledge to herself, especially in the very gendered environment of grade school…When George’s fourth-grade class is to put on a play version of Charlotte’s Web, she is desperate to play Charlotte – not just because of her adoration for the wise and compassionate spider, but because if George could play Charlotte, maybe everyone, and most especially her mother, would see who she really is. But when her teacher refuses to let her audition for the part, all looks lost. Until her best friend Kelly gets the part, and hatches a plan…”
In June, I posted an interview with Ann Bausum about her new non-fiction book for adolescent readers Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights.
“…With Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights(Viking, May 2015), Bausum explores the causes and lasting effects of the Stonewall riots, and she does so with heart, a compelling narrative voice, and her characteristic attention to the details that help young readers relate to and engage with historical events. It is a watershed book for adolescent readers about perhaps the watershed moment in the fight for lgbtq+ social justice…”
And last week, I posted a review of Roller Girl, a wonderful new graphic novel by Victoria Jamieson.
“…I can think of no better time to review a book about girls striving to be strong, intimidating athletes. Even better that it is a funny and honest graphic novel for adolescent readers starring a blue-haired twelve-year-old who makes up for her lack of natural athletic talent with determination, passion, and an impressive competitive nature.
K.T. Horning recently commented on Twitter that if Alison Bechdel created books for children, she might create a book like Roller Girl. I couldn’t agree more, but I’m glad that Roller Girl (Dial Books for Young Readers, the Penguin Group, 2015) was created by Victoria Jamieson, who infused it with her love for the sport of roller derby and her respect for its athletes. Jamieson is on a roller derby team (check out her bio for her derby name), and shares with young readers a rare insider’s view of the sport, clearly and smoothly explaining its mechanics and exploring its subculture…”
I'll try to do a better job of cross-posting Pirate Tree posts here, but you can also always subscribe to The Pirate Tree by entering your email in the subscription box on the right side of the main page, and then you'll never miss a post by me, or by any of my fellow Pirate Tree bloggers.
Finally, after nearly four years of hard work, my next novel is heading to copy edits! I hope to post soon-ish with more about the book.
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