An the Nominees Are… (Drum roll please!)

Well, the World Cup it is not, but to my mind, it should be at least as important (and include face painting, screaming, and a requisite three day party in the streets of an Italian city. Oh, okay. Maybe not the screaming. But definitely Italy should figure in somehow…). Creating a piece of children’s literature worth reading is a major accomplishment, and we want to honor the accomplishment of the people who gave kids and young adults their best this year.

I’m jazzed to be on the Cybils YA Nominating Committee, and we need you to step up and start nominating what you’ve loved in this year’s YA novel crop. We don’t all read or love the same thing, by any means, and you may have gotten tired of hearing the same novels talked up in the blogosphere, so speak up — we want to hear what struck you as wonderful, funny, quirky, and worth passing on. Just remember – only one nomination per category, por favor, so make it count!

Non-fiction books for all ages, graphic novels, picture books and poetry is also going to get this treatment, so don’t be shy – visit the Cybils website and tell us where your kid-lit explorations have led you this year. You’re an opinionated person — admit it. So nominate your favorite!

Tru… Romance?
Publishers Weekly reports that Harlequin is introducing a YA line for African American girls. Kimani TRU is the first romance genre dedicated to what Kimani Press feels is an underserved target market… er, audience. “African-American teens are underserved in today’s literary climate with stories that solely dwell on the negative influences of the streets,” states Linda Gill, general manager of Kimani Press. “Our goal is to reach out and embrace young adult readers with stories that are true to their life experiences, but that also encourage growth, and empowerment. At times, teens feel alone with the issues they are facing … and in KIMANI TRU novels they will meet characters they can ultimately learn from,” Gill concludes.

The novels will debut in 2007, and promise to present “characters that navigate this
crucial period and triumph through these hardships.” The line is especially proud to debut the line with the work of 17-year-old Cassandra Carter, and another under-30 author, Cecil Cross II, who they hope will be able to catch the true voice of African American young adults.
Hm.

A new to-be-read recently reviewed by ChildLit Book Club (the blogger responsible for the fabulous Cybils icon design) is going on my booklist – it’s Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce. This novel takes place in a tiny Welsh town, and sounds like it’s a good one for boy readers. Especially since someone I know loves all things Wales (ahem, A.F.), it’s worth checking out!

ust say …Happy Bunny?
Oh, WOW. PW also reports that the Texas Alliance of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America is going to be using HAPPY BUNNY, the über-snarky, plastered everywhere white rabbit for it’s campaign ads. Good grief.

Via Ursula LeGuin’s blog I found Fairytales for Cynics, wherein LeGuin reviews The Ladies of Grace Adieu And Other Stories, by Susanna Clarke. Clarke has written some fabulous fantasy novels that depict another England in which magic wakes up again. Definitely going on my to-be-read book list.

A sad truth of my life is that I’ve never even considered who wrote the six volume series of Mary Poppins adventures, and saw it only as one of the most aggravating Disney movies ever (although there are many more recent ones in the running, sans the winsome Julie Andrews). However, here’s a great piece on the P.L. Travers, who was the genius behind the original STORY, not the horrifying musical. I take quite a savage joy in the fact that she couldn’t stand Walt Disney either. Hee!