The Weekly 411 (4/19/24)
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| © Joana Félix |
April 19, 2024 vol. 16
The Weekly 411 gathers all the links added to Kidlit411 each week. To receive this post by email, sign up for our email updates. Are you on Facebook? Join our Kidlit411 group for conversations and camaraderie. This week's illustration is by Joana Félix.
We are pleased tohost a giveaway of the middle grade novel, Summer at Squee, by Andrea Wang (Kokila), out now. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.
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| art by Karyn Lee, design by Kristie Radwilowicz |
About the Book: Phoenny Fang plans to have the best summer ever. She’s returning to Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience (SCCWEE for short and “Squee” to campers in the know), and this year she’s a senior camper. That means she; her best friend, Lyrica Chu; and her whole Squad will have the most influence. Time spent at Squee is sacred, glorious, and free.
On the day Phoenny arrives, though, she learns that the Squad has been split up, and there’s an influx of new campers this year. Phoenny is determined to be welcoming and to share all the things she loves about camp—but she quickly learns how out of touch she is with others’ experiences, particularly of the campers who are adoptees. The same things that make her feel connected to her culture and community make some of the other campers feel excluded. Summer at Squee turns out to be even more transformative than Phoenny could’ve imagined, with new friendships, her first crush, an epic show, and a bigger love for and understanding of her community.
About the Author: Andrea Wang is the award-winning author of the picture books The Nian Monster (Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor), Magic Ramen (Freeman Book Award Honor), and Watercress (Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor). Her debut middle grade novel is The Many Meanings of Meilan, which was featured on a recommended reading list from TODAY Show: Read with Jenna Authors' Favorite Books list. Andrea likes to write about family, food, and culture. She spent her childhood in Ohio and Boston and now lives in Colorado with her family.
About the Book: A child and her family take in refugees during the Korean War in this poignant picture book about courage and what it really means to care for your neighbors.
Every day, more and more people fleeing war in the north show up at Kyung Tak and her family’s house on the southeastern shore of Korea. With nowhere else to go, the Taks' home is these migrants' last chance of refuge “before falling into the sea,” and the household quickly becomes crowded, hot, and noisy. Then war sirens cry out over Kyung's city too, and her family and their guests take shelter underground. When the sirens stop, Kyung is upset—she wishes everything could go back to the way it was before: before the sirens, before strangers started coming into their home. But after an important talk with her parents, her new friend Sunhee, and Sunhee’s father, Kyung realizes something important: We’re stronger when we have each other, and the kindness we show one another in the darkest of times is a gift we’ll never regret.
About the Author: Ann Suk Wang was born in Seoul Korea, is a graduate of UCLA (BS) and Boston University (MS) in mass communication. She's a former college professor of communications, founder/director of Bridges (an after school program) and journalist. She’s an advocate for adopting children (and dogs) and mentors teen girls. When Ann’s not writing, reading or listening to podcasts, she’s most likely dancing (jazz/hip hop), roller skating, praying with moms, tending her butterfly garden or eating doughnuts in California with a husband, two sons and a canine son. Annsukwang.com @annsukwang
About the Illustrator: Hanna Cha is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. She is the author-illustrator of Tiny Feet Between the Mountains, and has illustrated Circle Round by Anne Sibley O' Brien and The Truth About Dragons (which won a Caldecott Honor in 2024) by Julie Leung. Hanna spent her childhood in Korea and America, and currently lives in Boston. Hannacha.com @hannayoonicha
April 26, 2:00-3:30 p.m. EST New Horizons in Publishing: Finding a Path Unique to You! A virtual children's book panel and Q&A with picture book authors who’ve broken the rules to find routes for stories that matter to them featuring Leila Boukarim, Robert Liu-Trujillo, and Navjot Kaur of Saffron Press, moderated by Danielle Davis.
Hear from PB authors who've found creative solutions to get their stories to readers—even when it means traveling unconventional paths, breaking "rules," or figuring it out on their own. We'll explore common obstacles for creators, especially those with marginalized identities as well as how to create new horizons and opportunities that feel in line with your stories and what matters to YOU. (A recording will be provided for folks who can't be there live.)
Tips for Building Confidence as a Writer
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Both of these books look excellent!! Can't wait to read them.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these books sound fantastic and full of emotion.
ReplyDeleteBeen hearing Andrea Wang's interviews about "Summer at Squee." Looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteNever heard the story portrayed in "The House Before Falling Into the Sea." Definitely on my list!
ReplyDeleteThe books look great. Thanks for all the wonderful links.
ReplyDeleteThe illustrations in The House Before Falling Into the Sea look gorgeous. I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI am curious to see how Andrea Wang's MG book compares with Watercress. It will go on my must-read list!
ReplyDeleteAs always, the illustrations capture the story. Nice collaboration. Beautiful books.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading both of these books. Such important topics and ones not often dealt with! Thanks for bringing them to our attention, Sylvia.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for this picture book! I love that more picture book stories about refugees are being created!
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