Book review: The Adventures of Joy Sun Bear: The Blue Amber of Sumatra

I am honored once again to review a kidlit book for Multicultural Children’s Book Day. This year, I received a charming, early-middle-grade book from Joy Sun Bear, an organization that provides “global education for kids and classrooms.” Co-written by Blanca Carranza and John Lee, with illustrations by John Lee, The Adventures of Joy Sun Bear: The Blue Amber…Continue reading Book review: The Adventures of Joy Sun Bear: The Blue Amber of Sumatra

Book review: Martin Luther King, The Peaceful Warrior

I am excited to once again participate in Multicultural Children’s Book Day! This year, I was delighted to receive Ed Clayton’s classic Martin Luther King, The Peaceful Warrior, updated with new illustrations by Donald Bermudez and a foreword by Xernona Clayton, published by Candlewick Press. See below for more info about tonight’s Twitter party; FREE BOOKS for teachers; FREE…Continue reading Book review: Martin Luther King, The Peaceful Warrior

Kidlit writers: Review of Chapter Book Blueprint by Children’s Insider

Writing Blueprints are created by the folks behind Children’s Book Insider, which just celebrated its 27th anniversary! As of today, these are the Blueprints available through WritingBlueprints.com: Picture Book Blueprint  Easy Reader Upgrade Picture Book Blueprint / Easy Reader Upgrade Bundle Chapter Book Blueprint   Self-Publishing Blueprint   I tried the Chapter Book Blueprint, and I loved…Continue reading Kidlit writers: Review of Chapter Book Blueprint by Children’s Insider

Book review: The books of Marti Dumas

I recently had the pleasure of meeting author Marti Dumas in an SCBWI monthly meetup. She passed around a few of her books, and I was so besotted, I asked if I could borrow them to write up reviews–and she said yes! My kids and I particularly enjoyed the series Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest (ooo, and…Continue reading Book review: The books of Marti Dumas

Book review: The books of Crystal Allen

If you like character-driven, middle-grade fiction about realistic kids of color doing real things–with a lot of humor and learning-from-mistakes–check out Crystal Allen’s wonderful books. When I attended the SCBWI Houston conference, I had the pleasure of meeting Crystal and having her review my manuscript. Her advice has been incredibly helpful, and I’m hoping it’s…Continue reading Book review: The books of Crystal Allen