I am so happy to celebrate Adam and Thomas (Triangle Square Books), this year’s winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award for older readers. Originally published in French, author Aharon Appelfeld tells the story of two nine-year-old boys whose parents…
I am delighted to welcome Cynthia Levinson to chat about her newest book, Watch Out For Flying Kids! (Peachtree Publishing Company) After teaching at all grade levels, from pre-K through grad students, and working in education policy, Cynthia turned to…
Avi’s Choice is a picture book about Bikur Cholim, visiting the sick. Avi has a big baseball game and his friends are waiting. But his grandpa is sick and a visit from Avi would really cheer him up! Avi’s Choice is…
Susan Lynn Meyer is the author of two picture books, New Shoes and Matthew and Tall Rabbit Go Camping. She is also the author of two middle-reader historical novels, Black Radishes (winner of the Sydney Taylor silver medal) and Skating…
Janet Ruth Heller is a poet, literary critic, college professor, essayist, playwright, and fiction writer. She is a past president of the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature, currently president of the Michigan College English Association. Janet has been…
Laura Gehl is a very busy author. She has just released two picture books (Kar-Ben) and I’m so excited to chat with her about both of them. In addition to her books, Laura has four kids ages 4, 6, 8,…
I am so pleased to welcome Donna Jo Napoli, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award in the Teen category for in her book, STORM. Donna Jo’s contributions to children’s literature are numerous and highly celebrated. This is not her…
As a longtime fan of Carol Matas, I’m so pleased to share our interview on my blog. I loved her new book, Tucson Jo, a middle-grade novel about a young Jewish girl growing up in Tucson, Arizona in 1882. The setting is near…
Suri Rosen is the author of Playing with Matches, a charming young adult novel about Raina Resnick, a 16-year-old matchmaker. Raina’s story is heartwarming and compelling – a wonderful debut novel. In addition to writing, Suri has worked as a professional…
2015 SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARDS ANNOUNCED BY AJL Jim Aylesworth and Barbara McClintock, author and illustrator of My Grandfather’s Coat, Loic Dauvillier, Marc Lizano and Greg Salsedo, authors and illustrators of Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust, and Donna…