Children's Book Academy

by Bryan Patrick Avery

Inevitably, after I perform a magic trick for someone, the age-old question comes up: “How did you do that?” I usually just smile and fall back on my time-tested answer: “Magic.” This might sound strange, but there’s something about that particular answer that actually pulls people in closer. The fact that I have a secret makes me just a little bit more interesting. The same principle can work in our stories as well. This month, let’s look at two books with main characters who have a secret and see how it helps the reader relate, and even sympathize with them.
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“The Season of Styx Malone”, a middle grade novel by Kekla Magoon, tells the story of two brothers living in rural Indiana. Caleb and Bobby Gene spend the summer playing in the woods behind their house. When an ill-advised trade for a sack of fireworks goes horribly wrong, the brothers flee into the woods behind their home to hide the evidence. There, they literally run into Styx Malone. Bobby Gene is wary, but Caleb is instantly enamored with Styx’s charm and style. When Styx helps them out of their fireworks jam, and then ups the ante with a promise of something even greater, Caleb jumps at the chance to break out of his ordinary life.

The “something greater” becomes known as the Great Escalator Trade, where the three boys plan to trade a list of items that increase in value until they reach their ultimate goal, a green moped. The catch, of course, is that their plan must stay secret. We of course, are let in the secret, and the ever-growing list of risks they take and lies they tell to get to their goal. As Caleb’s confidantes (the book is told in first person from his point of view), we are taken along on the roller coaster of emotions that accompany keeping the secret, and the dread that comes once it all starts to fall apart.

If you’re looking for a middle grade example with great voice and emotional tension, check out “The Season of Styx Malone”. You won’t regret it.
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Xiomara Batista, heroine of the National Book Award winner “The Poet X”, has two secrets. The first is the poetry hidden inside her leather journal. The second is a boy, Aman, who she’s begun to fall for. In Elizabeth Acevedo’s incredible book in verse, it’s these two secrets that pull us into Xiomara’s life and make us want to fight alongside her.

​As Xiomara begins to understand what, and who, she wants, she is confronted with the harsh reality that her dreams are far from what her mother wants for her. As a result, her secrets become more important to keep, even through the fights and punishments that come. Once her secrets are laid bare (first Aman, then the journal) Xiomara pushed to the breaking point and we stand by her side. Acevedo’s poetry, honed by years of poetry performance experience, is nothing short of breathtaking. Xiomara’s journey is a tale not to be missed. By the way, I also recommend checking out the audiobook as well, read by Acevedo herself. Hearing her poems, coming from heart, gave me chills.

​That’s all for this month. Take my advice, try giving your character a secret and see where it takes your story. Have a magical month.

by Melissa Stoller


​I work with many writing groups that perform varied functions. I’m part of several outstanding critique groups and I value my critique partners tremendously. I’m also a member of a few marketing groups that offer invaluable assistance surrounding a book’s debut year promotion and beyond. 
 
This weekend, at the SCBWI Annual Winter Conference in New York City, I met in person for the first time many of my critique partners and marketing group pals. I had met other writing friends previously at book events, and some I haven’t connected with live yet. I look forward to continuing the strong relationships I have created with my writing groups - I know they will continue to be sources of support and encouragement during our book writing journeys! 
 
Here’s some insight into my writing groups:
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Some members of the #BOOKBLASTERS marketing group at the SCBWI NY Conference 


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CRITIQUE GROUPS:
 
Critique partners fulfill many important roles. They are the other talented writers who can help you make your stories shine. CPs provide excellent feedback on manuscripts.They offer constructive comments on what’s working, and they provide suggestions about the challenges that need further exploration and revising. And critique partners can help with brainstorming ideas and discussing the marketability of a story. Excellent critique partners can cheer each other on, offer inspiration, and help set and achieve writing goals. Above all, who else will read your draft and make helpful comments multiple times besides your trusted critique partners?



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​Some member of the #EPIC18 marketing group at lunch during the SCBWI NY Conference
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MARKETING GROUPS:
 
I enjoy being part of several vibrant marketing groups that provide support as we navigate through our publishing journeys. These groups offer guidance related to marketing and promotion, book launches, school visits, and so much more. #Epic18 is a group of incredible debut picture book authors and illustrators who banded together for support during 2018, our debut year. I’m also working with #BookMeshuggenahs, a wonderful group of Jewish women authors publishing Jewish-themed children’s books; #BookBlasters, an amazing new group of children’s book authors connected to The Children’s Book Academy and Clear Fork Publishing; and #SeenIn19, a talented group of non-debut authors with picture books releasing in 2019. I’m so happy to be part of these groups as we travel similar publishing paths. I look forward to being a cheerleader for all my marketing group friends as our new books burst into the world!
 
 
Stay tuned next month for part two of this post, examining how to organize, conduct, and maintain a thriving critique group. In the meantime, happy creating!

MELISSA'S BIO:
 
Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Book One: Return to Coney Island and Book Two: The Liberty Bell Train Ride (Clear Fork Publishing, 2017 and 2019); and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla! (Clear Fork, 2018), and Return of the Magic Paintbrush and Sadie’s Shabbat Stories (Clear Fork, 2019). She is also the co-author of The Parent-Child Book Club: Connecting With Your Kids Through Reading (HorizonLine Publishing, 2009). Melissa is an Assistant and Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Regional Ambassador for The Chapter Book Challenge, a Moderator for The Debut Picture Book Study Group, and a volunteer with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators/MetroNY. Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, and early childhood educator. Additionally, she is a member of the Board of Trustees at The Hewitt School and at Temple Shaaray Tefila. Melissa lives in New York City with her husband, three daughters, and one puppy. 

 
CONNECT:  
 
www.MelissaStoller.com
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller
http://www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
http://www.pinterest.com/Melissa_Stoller
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by: Sarah Momo Romero

It’s the new year and for many of us, it’s the start of new projects or adventures! This time around, it was a bit of a struggle for me to return to the swing of things after the holidays. It was so nice and comforting to settle into spending time with family and friends, it’s taken a bit of a push to get myself back into creativity. And this post was a great start! This month, I’m highlighting books that sparked a new excitement for me, with words, poetry and illustrations that are completely different from ones I’ve written about before. Here I have The Stuff of Stars and Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets, both coincidentally illustrated by the amazing Ekua Holmes.

As a long-time lover of handmade paper, the cover for this picture book mesmerized me and drew me right in with its swirls of color and bursts of energy. Holmes created the illustrations with hand-marbled paper and collage and assembled it digitally, crafting images to compliment Bauer’s vivid words perfectly. The textural quality of the artwork across each page captures movement in an abstract way that invites the reader to look closer and really take in each moment on every page. ​

by Bryan Patrick Avery

I’m posting this on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here in the United States. The past few years have been a fairly turbulent time in the U.S. and around. As we take to the streets to celebrate the life of Dr. King, and his impact on peace and freedom in our world, I wanted to look at three books which explore his life and legacy, all in very different, but engaging ways.

“As Good As Anybody”, written by Richard Michelson and illustrated by Raul Colón, tells the story of two civil rights leaders: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel. The story is told in two parts. The first part follows King from the time he is a young boy in Georgia, angry over the mistreatment of Blacks due to Jim Crow laws. As he grows older, he begins to take an active role in fighting discrimination. This leads to him leading a march from Selma to Montgomery. Along the way, the march is nearly stopped by authorities who assault the marchers. Unwilling to give up, King puts out a call for people to join the march. This is the start of the second part of the book: the story of Abraham Joshua Heschel.

Heschel’s story begins in Poland. The son of a rabbi, Heschel learned at a young age to treat everyone fairly, especially those most in need of help. He followed in his father’s footsteps and became a rabbi and moved to Germany. When Hitler came to power, Heschel was forced to leave Germany and returned to Poland. Even in Poland, he found that Jews were treated unfairly. Before long, he decided to travel to America in search of freedom. Once there, Heschel spoke out against discrimination and prejudice and, eventually, found himself marching shoulder to shoulder with Martin Luther King, Jr. through Selma, Alabama. Together, they worked tirelessly to bring down the walls of oppression.

“As Good As Anybody” tells a wonderful story of two civil rights heroes. The language makes it accessible for both older and younger readers. Colón’s illustrations are captivating and evoke emotions with every page turn. If you’re looking for a good example of a creative way to tell a biography, check this one out.
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It’s no secret that editors are looking for stories that go beyond the traditional biography. If you’re looking for a book that just does that, check out Eve Bunting’s “The Cart that Carried Martin”. Wonderfully illustrated by Don Tate, this book tells the story of the cart that mourners used to carry the body Martin Luther King, Jr. on the day of his funeral. But it doesn’t stop there.

The story begins with “borrowing” the cart from in front of Cook’s Antiques and Stuff. Next, the reader is taken inside Ebenezer Baptist Church to experience the emotion of his funeral service. Then, the cart is hitched to a pair a mules for the journey across Atlanta and we are invited to join in the solemn march. Finally, after the service at Morehouse College ends, we return the cart to Cook’s. This journey helps give meaning to Kings life and work and “The Cart That Carried Martin” should be a treasured item on any bookshelf.
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Another creative approach to biography is using a special or unique connection to the subject. This allows an author to create a book that provides special or otherwise unknown information. “My Brother Martin” was written by Christine King Farris, the sister of Martin Luther King, Jr., and illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. “My Brother Martin” won the NAACP Image Award and was named a Best Book of the Year by A Child Magazine. What is so special about this book is the closeness we feel with Dr. King through the words of his sister. From pranks they pulled as young kids to difficult discussions they had with their parents about bigotry and hatred. This book gives us a glimpse inside life with the King family, and a hint of the experiences, and teachings which helped King become the man who helped lead a nation forward in civility. You may not personally know someone as famed as Martin Luther King, Jr. but there are still many stories that only you can tell.

​Well, that’s all for this month. Have a magical, and peaceful, month.

by Melissa Stoller


​CHEERS TO 2019!
 
In my December 2018 Blogfish post, I suggested 5 tips for staying motivated during the busy holiday season: picking one project to work on, setting up an accountability check in, carrying a journal, continuing to read, and mapping out a calendar. Click here for that post.
 
Now in January, it’s a new year.  I recommend focusing on the following 5 strategies to jump-start your 2019 writing life:

1) Think – Focus on ideas. Observe the world around you. Listen to conversations kids have at the park, the library, and on the playground. Watch animal antics. Pay attention to nature. Scroll through online videos. Revisit the photos on your phone or in old photo albums. Read the newspaper for noteworthy stories. Ideas and inspiration are everywhere, so stop, grab them, and make them your own.

​2) Read – Focus on reading widely, and also specifically in your genre. Read magazines, newspapers, novels, comic books, fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and anything else that interests you. And also read in the area that you write in, so perhaps decide to read as many new picture book releases as you can. Study these books, write out the text, think about what makes them special and unique. Determine how you can apply what you study to help inform your own writing. 
 
3) Write – Focus on getting words down on the page. Write those first drafts. Try not to edit yourself too much as you write. Just let the ideas and the words flow without judgement. Then put the draft away for some period of time until you are ready to revise. 
 
4) Revise – Focus on next steps in the writing process. Most authors will tell you that the magic happens in the revision stage. Take those first drafts and pull them apart. Perhaps change the main character, the point of view, or the setting of the story. Maybe the main character is really an animal, not a child. Try first person point of view. Maybe the story should take place in outer space, not in school. Play with your story to make it the best it can be. Focus on big picture and small picture revisions. Work with trusted critique partners. Polish your manuscript until it shines. 
 
5) Connect – Focus on connecting to the KidLit community. Join SCBWI and volunteer with your local chapter. Attend online or in-person courses, workshops, and conferences. Join a critique group. Participate in writing challenges. Become active in the social media forum that you feel comfortable with. Find and cultivate your tribe. Connecting with other writers and illustrators will enable you to be an engaged part of the wonderful children’s literature community. 
 
Wishing you all the best for a creative 2019 as you jump into the New Year!


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MELISSA'S BIO:
 
Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Book One: Return to Coney Island and Book Two: The Liberty Bell Train Ride (Clear Fork Publishing, 2017 and 2019); and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla! (Clear Fork, 2018), and Return of the Magic Paintbrush and Sadie’s Shabbat Stories (Clear Fork, 2019). She is also the co-author of The Parent-Child Book Club: Connecting With Your Kids Through Reading (HorizonLine Publishing, 2009). Melissa is an Assistant and Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Regional Ambassador for The Chapter Book Challenge, a Moderator for The Debut Picture Book Study Group, and a volunteer with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators/MetroNY. Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, and early childhood educator. Additionally, she is a member of the Board of Trustees at The Hewitt School and at Temple Shaaray Tefila. Melissa lives in New York City with her husband, three daughters, and one puppy. 
 
CONNECT:  
 
www.MelissaStoller.com
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller
http://www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
http://www.pinterest.com/Melissa_Stoller


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