THE BOOKANEER
November 2007
REMEMBER TO INCLUDE “THE CALL TO SHAKABAZ” ON YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT LIST FOR JUST THE RIGHT YOUNG PERSON!
LATE BREAKING NEWS! JUST ANNOUNCED TONIGHT: “THE CALL TO SHAKABAZ” IS AN AWARD-WINNING FINALIST IN THE CHILDREN’S FICTION CATEGORY OF THE NATIONAL BEST BOOKS 2007 AWARDS SPONSORED BY USA BOOK NEWS! THIS IS THE THIRD NATIONAL AWARD FOR THIS TITLE. MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW IN THE DECEMBER BOOKANEER.
ABOUT “THE GOLDEN COMPASS”
OK, I confess. I read a lot of children’s books (probably more than grown-up books). I can’t help myself. They’re so much fun. When I saw that they had made a movie of Philip Pullman’s “The Golden Compass,” I decided it was time for me to read this one. I was in for a terrific ride. It’s the first of a trilogy and I stampeded through all three books in short order because the first one was so good.
“The Golden Compass” had me at page one with its strong female protagonist, Lyra Belacqua. It also has armored bears, transformational talking animals, beautiful witches, hot air balloons, gypsy ships, a mysterious prophecy, a really scary beautiful villainess and her evil golden monkey, hair-raising escapes, and a long lost father who is either really good or really evil but we don’t know which. Does it get any better than this? The trilogy is the best children’s fantasy I have read since I was a little girl (and that means that for me it surpasses that giant of all giants, Harry Potter). They are more than just children’s fantasy, they explore deep ideas about cosmology, god, and religion.
You will be seeing more and more in the news about this controversial book (and the film). Although the trilogy, particularly the third book, refutes Christian theology and organized religion of any ilk (Pullman is an aggressive atheist), the film claims to steer clear of these ideas. Opponents say that the movie will inspire young readers to read the books, which will expose them to dangerous “anti-Christian” ideas. I think Pullman would say the ideas aren’t necessarily anti-Christian but rather non-Christian, or perhaps beyond Christian. As far as imaginative, edge-of-your-seat, thought-provoking adventure goes. This is the real deal. Check it out. I can’t wait for the movie on December 9th!
NEW VENUES FOR “THE CALL TO SHAKABAZ”
I’m looking for opportunities to visit schools and libraries in Northern California in 2008 to read from “The Call to Shakabaz” and talk with youngsters about books, writing, and things we can each do to make the world a better place. Please contact me to set up an event. Email at amy@wozabooks.com.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS TO GET PUBLISHED
ChixLIT, the literary magazine by and for girls, is seeking submissions from girls ages 7-17. For guidelines, visit http://chixlit.com/_wsn/page2.html ChixLit is also sponsoring a writing contest for girls. For more details, visit http://chixlit.com/_wsn/page3.html
And for more about how young people can have their work published, check out A Teen's Guide to Getting Published: Publishing for Profit, Recognition and Academic Success by Jessica Dunn at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1593631820/ref=nosim/childrensbookinsA
CONTEST FOR YOUNGSTERS WITH DOWN SYNDROME
On her blog, “Where There’s a Will,” Kelly Anderson (mother of Will, who has Down syndrome) writes: “I am having a blog-giveaway! In an effort to familiarize you with your local independent bookstore and show people that an extra chromosome is not a barrier to reading, I am asking for pictures of your favorite person ~with a little extra~, reading. The prize is a $25 gift card that is redeemable at any participating independent bookstore across the US. Here is the link to the BookSense website, it can tell you where your local independent bookstore is, if you haven't already discovered it. So, email me your photo submissions of a reader (or readers) with Down syndrome, and I will post them on my blog. The drawing is going to be on my birthday, Nov. 19th -- isn't it nicer to give than to receive? Remember to include some favorite book titles too! Here is my address: mojwmom@yahoo.com. I look forward to seeing lots of reading soon!”
To see a lovely picture of Kelly’s son Will reading, go to her blog at:
http://willswebplace.blogspot.com/2007/10/get-caught-reading-blog-giveaway.html
The Bookaneer is produced by Amy Wachspress (© 2007). Feel free to reuse any part of this e-zine, but give credit either to Amy or to the original source for all material used. Visit www.wozabooks.com for more information.
