Laurie Halse Anderson has won the 2009 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction for her novel Chains (Simon & Schuster). Set in New York City at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the novel follows a young house slave, Isabel, who is caught between the Rebels and the Loyalists. Chains was a finalist for last year's National Book Award for Young People's Literature, as was Anderson's first novel, Speak, back in 1999. The O'Dell Award comes with a $5,000 prize.
And I thought I should really point out that the Darwin biographical comic is coming out very soon because it sounds interesting, its a project with some educational as well as entertaiment value (a good way for those who might not pick up a science book to still fill in some gaps in their knowledge of one of the key theories underpinning modern biological sciences) http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/?p=11193
You might think you're eating healthy. You might want to think again.
by Michelle Brunner
We all love to eat, but the ugly reality is that some foods can make you sick. We're not talking about salmonella here; none of what's listed below should send you directly to the hospital with a debilitating illness ... , certain foods, when eaten too frequently, can pose a very real health risk over time
Between 2005 and 2007, author James Patterson gave away more than $600,000 to promote literacy through his annual PageTurner Awards. But when he noticed that his own elementary school-age son had become a reluctant reader, he decided that there had to be another way to get children excited about reading.
October marked the soft launch of his newest PageTurner project, ReadKiddoRead.com, which replaces the awards. By December, with almost no fanfare except for a mention in an interview with Al Roker and an ad in People magazine, the site attracted 20,000 visitors. It brings together reviews for books for newborns to teens, interviews with bestselling children’s authors like Jeff Kinney and Rick Riordan, and a book blog with reading lists by children’s literature consultant Judy Freeman, author of Books Kids Will Sit Still For.
"You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence is not an event - it is a habit."
Aristotle
Over seven days the writers at the Guardian have recommended the best books to read about crime, war, fantasy, travel, science fiction, family and love. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/series/1000novels
Buzz Words (All the Buzz about Children’s Books), is targeted at children’s writers, illustrators, librarians, teachers and editors. On the 1st and 15th of every month the e-zine features a free-entry writing contest – with prizes – as well as interviews with editors, authors, illustrators, agents, booksellers and publicists as well as writing markets, opportunities, competitions, courses, conferences, book reviews and valuable industry information all related to the children’s book industry. If you wish to download a sample issue, go to www.buzzwordsmagazine.com Compiler/editor Dianne (Di) Bates pays for articles and interviews. The magazine was begun in July 2006 and to date it have published over 700 reviews of children’s books. An online review magazine, Books Buzz, is also sent to subscribers bimonthly. Check out Di’s books on her website www.enterprisingwords.com
PRAISE FOR BUZZ WORDS...
Buzz Words is brilliant! I'm learning a lot, and finding heaps more markets and comps than I dreamed of!! ... Michelle Meaby
I really like Buzz Words. I browse it while eating my sanga and want something fulfilling and I can skim parts and read the rest tomorrow. I’m so sick of lightweight fluff, but BUZZ WORDS has lots of real info... Cathie Tasker, Children’s Editor, Koala Books
I love reading Buzz Words. It is not only interesting and informative, but it inspires me to actually sit down and write, rather than just think about it (After I've finished reading it, of course!) ... Jenny Heslop
I absolutely love receiving Buzz Words. I find the information helpful and interesting. It also helps me feel connected to the writing community in what can otherwise often be a lonely occupation...Amanda Holohan
You wouldn't think a diet would be a cause of marital discord. But it often is — at least when couples try to shed pounds together and, as often happens, the husband drops the weight a lot faster than the wife does. Well, guess what, guys? It's not your steely resolve or your trips to the gym or your superior genes that are entirely behind it. It might just be your brain.
Read Bert Decker's succinct review here ...
http://www.bertdecker.com/experience/2009/01/the-inauguration-speech-pro-and-yes-con.html
Ian Griffin looks at it from a rhetorical standpoint. http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/01/20/obama-the-lion-in-winter/
Read the speech here http://www.pivotalpublicpeaking.com/obama_inauguration.htm
Watch it here http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=PFU2opNwgZU&annotation_id=annotation_760255&feature=iv
and check out this fascinating tool Obama Inauguration Speech Word Tree http://adjix.com/kr43
"Enthusiasm finds the opportunities, and energy makes the most of them."
-- Henry Hoskins
