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Vol. 2, Iss. 5. George Ella Lyon, Upcoming McConnell Center Events, McConnell Conference, Author Spotlight, 12 Days of Youth Literature Trivia, Happy Holidays, National Book Award Winner, Connecting with Characters Contest, 2013 Mock ALA Youth Lit Awards, Angel Tree Donations, Big News for Fans of Suzanne Collins, Student Section, On the Blog and in the Center
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Interview with
George Ella Lyon
Upcoming
McConnell Center
Events
McConnell
Conference
Author Spotlight
12 Days of Youth
Literature Trivia
Happy Holidays
National Book
Award Winner
Connecting with
Characters Contest
2013 Mock ALA
Youth Lit Awards
Angel Tree
Donations
Big News for fans
of Suzanne Collins
Student Section
On the Blog and in
the Center
About Us
Do you have a favorite children’s
book?
No, but I’ll tell you one I particularly
love: Katie Morag Delivers the Mail
by Mary Hedderwick. A new book I
especially love is Extra Yarn.
What is your writing process?
I begin each morning with journal writ-
ing and after that my practice, unless I
have an ongoing manuscript, is to get
as quiet inside as I can and ask if any-
one wants to speak. If someone shows
up, I write down what they say, no
questions asked. That’s how Holding
On to Zoe began. As usual, I had no
idea where it was going. I had to listen
and imagine my way forward.
What do you feel best prepared you for
being an author? I grew up in a house full of books with
parents who loved music and stories. I
also grew up in a culture where people
made stories out of their lives every
day. At the same time, there were sto-
ries in my family that were not told,
emotions and experiences that were not
acceptable to express, and this paradox-
ical combination, plus my inborn love
of the melody of words, prepared me to
be a writer.
What do you love about being an
author?
I love the joy that writing gives me.
It’s always new, not only in the things
it requires me to learn for a new book,
but in the ever-unfolding possibilities
of language. When writing is going
well, it’s a magical feeling. Besides
being with family, friends, and trees,
writing is where I feel most alive.
Once the book is in the world, I have
the added pleasure and affirmation cre-
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ated in connecting with readers. I do a lot of work in schools, and I kids’ responses, especially their questions,
give me a lot of energy and hope.
Please tell us about your newest book Holding on to Zoe.
As I said above, the beginning of Zoe just came to me when I was writing in my journal. This was in Febru-
ary 2004. I was captivated by the passion in Jules’ voice, by her love for and determination to take care of
Zoe, her baby, and by her work in the Toyota factory. I didn’t know if she would be there when I came back
to the page the next day but I knew that if she was, I wanted to follow her.
What makes Zoe a unique voice among teen novels?
Jules, the sixteen year-old mother who narrates the novel, is what makes the novel unique. Her present story is
pregnant with a story from her past which isn’t delivered until near the end of the book. With it comes a reve-
lation that she has to come to terms with. When Holding On to Zoe ends, Jules is at the beginning of that pro-
cess.
According to Lexgo, (http://www.kentucky.com/2012/07/26/2272141/george-ella-lyon-has-two-books.html),
your new novel is set in Lexington. Is this true? Was there a reason for this?
Yes, it is. She says at the very beginning that she works at Toyota, and the Georgetown plant is handy here, so
it made sense to me that this is where she lives. Of course it also makes it easier for me to imagine the geogra-
phy of her daily life, since I’ve lived here for thirty-six years.
You publish for children, adults and teens. Do you have a favorite audience to write for?
No, not really, although poems are my native language. I love the rhythm, economy, surprise, and delight of
picture books; and I love the breadth and companionship of the novel. Writing songs is a joy, except for the
part that drives me crazy . . .well, you could say that about all word work! I enjoy working on plays and es-
says, too.
Are you working on any other books or projects?
I’m working on a novel-in-poems, currently called Emmy/Zoe and am collaborating with J. Patrick Lewis,
Children’s Poet Laureate, on a book of poems in the voices of people who were part of the 1963 March on
Washington.
Do you have any upcoming events or signings?
I’ll be at Joseph-Beth on December 17th at 6 p.m. along with other contributors, to read and sign the paperback
edition of A Kentucky Christmas. I’ll also read from the same book solo on December 13th at 6:30 at the
Woodford County Public Library.
Be sure to check George Ella Lyon’s website for more information about books,
events, and upcoming projects!
http://www.georgeellalyon.com/
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12 Days of Trivia Contest
Be sure to check your email
everyday and participate.
Visit our form at
http://bit.ly/McConnell12Days
Or
Visit our Facebook page at
http://bit.ly/12daysofyouthtrivia
McConnell Conference
March 1-2, 2013
Embassy Suites Hotel, Lexington, KY
https://ci.uky.edu/lis/mcconnell-conference
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Kate and Nate Are Running Late, is a fantastic new children’s book by Kate Egan and illustrated by
Dan Yaccarino. Nate wakes his mom Kate one morning, “’It’s getting late’” announces Nate’”. What follows
is scramble to get ready for the day. This is wonderful story about a single mother who races to get her
children ready for school and go to work. The wording is perfect for the mad dash that follows and is
completely in rhyme. The rhyming quality makes it perfect for younger children. This entertaining story is
accompanied by Dan Yaccarino’s colorful artwork. The illustrations are in the same style as Yaccarino’s
previous work in Boy + Bot, Every Friday, and The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau. This book
is unique because it shows a family that is not idealized in many picture books. Many single parent households
will relate to this ingenious picture book.
Egan, K. (2012). Kate and Nate are running late!. New York: Feiwel and Friends.
Read A-likes
Calmenson, S. (2008). Late for school!. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.
Dyckman, A. (2012). Boy + Bot. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Yaccarino, D. (2007). Every Friday. New York: Henry Holt and Company.
Every month leading up to the
McConnell 2013 Conference, the
McConnell newsletter will feature a
new book review from one of our
2013 featured presenters. These
reviews will introduce you to our
authors and some of their work. If
you have any books from our 2013
presenters you would like us to
review, please send suggestions to:
mercedes.hopewell@gmail.com
Kate and Nate are Running
Late
By Kate Egan
Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
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The McConnell Center will present Twelve Days of Youth Literature Trivia again this year from December
3rd through December 14th. Questions will be posted at 10:00 am ET each morning with the link to a form
for submitting answers. Each question will be open for responses until the next day's question is posted. Each
correct answer will be included in the post with the following day's question. Those who submit 6 or more
correct answers will be entered in a drawing for 1 of 4 seats at the "Authors' Table" (with Jack Gantos, Dan
Yaccarino and Selene Castrovilla) at the 45th McConnell Conference Banquet on March 1, 2013.
Winners will be notified via e-mail by December 21, 2012. Please note that registration for the McConnell
Conference Banquet is not included. To claim their seat, winners will need to register and pay for the banquet
by February 22, 2013. Unclaimed seats will be reassigned.
Visit our form at http://bit.ly/McConnell12Days
or
Visit our Facebook page at http://bit.ly/12daysofyouthtrivia
Take a look at our word cloud for clues about the questions!
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The 2012 National Book Award
Winner for Young People’s
Literature has been announced. The
winner is Goblin Secrets by William
Alexander. To see all other 2012
National Book Award Winners visit
http://nationalbook.org/.
Alexander, W. (2012). Goblin
secrets. New York: Margaret K.
McElderry Books.
In the town of Zombay, there is a
witch named Graba who has
clockwork chicken legs and moves
her house around—much like the
fairy tale figure of Baba Yaga.
Graba takes in stray children, and
Rownie is the youngest boy in her
household. Rownie’s only real
relative is his older brother Rowan,
who is an actor. But acting is
outlawed in Zombay, and Rowan
has disappeared.
Desperate to find him, Rownie joins
up with a troupe of goblins who skirt
the law to put on plays. But their
plays are not only for entertainment,
and the masks they use are for more
than make-believe. The goblins also
want to find Rowan—because
Rowan might be the only person
who can save the town from being
flooded by a mighty river.
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Nominate and vote for your
favorite youth lit books of the
year! Nominations for the
McConnell Center’s Mock ALA
Youth Media Awards are now
open on our wiki. You can
nominate your favorite books
published in 2012 for the Mock
Printz, Newbery and Caldecott
Awards by leaving the title and
author/illustrator name in the
comment sections of the
appropriate posts. Voting will
open on December 7, 2012 and
close on January 25, 2013.
Winners will be announced on
January 27, 2013.
We are excited to announce the 2013 Connecting with
Characters Contest. All kids in preschool through
12th grade in Kentucky or a neighboring state can
enter. Sponsoring libraries and schools must register to
participate by January 5, 2012. Entries must be
received by January 18, 2013. The Contest is in
conjunction with the 2013 McConnell Conference for
Youth Literature, which will feature Jack Gantos, Dan
Yaccarino and Selene Castrovilla. We hope that the
Contest will provide an opportunity for the youth of
Kentucky and the surrounding states to connect with
the works of these wonderful contributors to the world
of literature for youth.
Participants could win a signed copy of Jack
Gantos’s Dead End in Norvelt, the 2012 Newbery
Medal Winner! There are also great titles available by
Dan Yaccarino and Selene Castrovilla. More
information is forth coming but be sure to check out
our website at https://ci.uky.edu/lis/mcconnell-contest-2013
Go to
http://
bit.ly/2013MockMcConnellAL
AYouthMediaAwards
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Scholastic announced November 29, 2012
that Suzanne Collins is writing a new
autobiographical picture book for children.
The book will be coming out Fall of next
year. The book chronicles the year Suzanne
Collins’ father served in Vietnam during her
childhood. Collins is working on this
project with James Proimos. These two
meet while working on the Kids WB show
Generation O! Now they will be working on
this children’s book together. Suzanne
Collins fans and children’s literature fans
will be excited to see this new title come
out. For the complete article go to
http://bit.ly/SuzanneCollins2013
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Are you in LIS 614 or LIS 612 this
Spring? Come use the McConnell
Center! We can help you find books
to use for your class.
Our Spring 2013 hours
Monday & Wednesday 10 am - 3 pm
Tuesday & Thursday 12 pm - 5 pm
Or by appointment contact
mercedes.hopewell@gmail.com
Did you know that September the
13th is Roald Dahl’s birthday?
According to legend, Venice, Italy
was born on March 25, 421 B.C.E.
Read This is Venice by M. Sasek or
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke.
The McConnell Center just received
Children’s Book-A-Day Almanac.
Come in and read about children’s
book trivia! Maybe this book will
give you ideas for book talks, story
times and events. You can also
check out the website at
http://childrensbookalmanac.com/
Silvey, A. (2012). Children's book-a
-day almanac. New York: Roaring
Brook Press.
STUDENT SECTION
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On the Blog:
ARC Read & Review 2012! We
have the following titles available
for anyone who wants to read and
review them for the McConnell
Center blog at http://
youthlitmatters.wordpress.com/
New Books in the Center:
Juvenile Fiction
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The
Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Return to the Willows by
Jacqueline Kelly
A vital gathering place for books
and ideas, the McConnell Center
is committed to identifying
excellent literature for children
and adolescents and to bringing
this literature to the attention of
those adults who have an
academic, professional, career, or
personal interest in connecting
young readers with books.
We maintain two main, non-
circulating collections:
Our Current Collection includes all
books sent to us for review by
publishers during the current year.
The Permanent Collection is
several collections of books
maintained in the Center as a resource
for students and librarians. It includes
the Basic Collection, the Award-
winning Collection (Caldecott,
Newbery, Printz, Morris, Pura Belpré,
Sibert, and Orbis Pictus Awards), the
Kentucky Collection (notable
Kentucky authors and books about
Kentucky), the Reference Collection,
and the Periodical Collection.
Our Spring 2013 hours are Monday &
Wednesday 10 am - 3 pm and Tuesday
& Thursday 12 pm - 5 pm
Please visit our website for more
information:
https://ci.uky.edu/lis/mcconnellcenter
Young Adult
The Crown of Embers by Rae
Carson
Under the Never Sky by
Veronica Rossi
What Can(t) Wait by Ashley
Hope Pérez
A Confusion of Princes by
Garth Nix
Picture Books
In the Land of Milk and Honey
by Joyce Carol Thomas,
illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Everything Goes in the Air by
Brian Biggs
Graphic Novels
A Wrinkle in Time: The
Graphic Novel by Madeleine
L’Engle
In the Center:
We’re taking a break for the
holidays! Happy holidays to
everyone!
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