As you can probably tell by my review of Jumpstart the World, Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my absolute favorite authors. Her writing is incredibly emotional and inspiring. So, when I had the opportunity to have her guest post about her favorite childhood book I jumped at the chance. Take a look at her selection, I think you’ll most likely remember it from your own childhood and learn something new about it in the process.

Maybe it’s because Jumpstart the World is one of my Young Adult titles. But I initially found myself wanting to approach this blog post through the books I read as a teen, rather than as a child. That seemed to be where all the “influence” was hiding.

Then I thought carefully about the influence I was referring to, and the books I felt provided it. These include such YA classics as Flowers for Algernon, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Bless the Beasts and Children. Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon. Of Mice and Men. What they all have in common is the outcast character (or characters). The “loser,” cast out of the mainstream, shunned, misunderstood, unwanted.

That’s what got me writing the kind of novels I write today.

Then I stopped to think about my very favorite kid’s book. The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss. Hmm. Let’s see…

It’s a story about a whole subset of Sneetches who are not allowed to attend frankfurter roasts, whose children can’t join in ball games. Because they’re different. They don’t have stars on their bellies. And of course everybody who’s anybody among Sneetches has a star. Those who don’t are a lesser class, deserving of no consideration. Shunned for what we can all see is a ridiculously arbitrary reason.

But maybe we see it so clearly because we’re not Sneetches. The LGBT community feels our rights are denied for arbitrary reasons as well. But that’s harder for some people in this country…world…to see. I wonder if Sneetches would consider such prejudice pointless and silly.

In any case, it’s quite clear to me that my favorite childhood book set me off on a path toward acceptance and equality. Did I opt for that path because I loved the book so much? Or did I love the book because my feet were already planted on a path to equality? Hard to say. A sort of chicken-or-egg question. And maybe it’s not important to say, anyway.

What matters is this: The Sneetches and I found each other.

I read it as a child. And read it. And read it.

In high school, when we were given an assignment to memorize a work of poetry and recite it to the class, I memorized The Sneetches. Hey, that’s a poem! It rhymes and everything. And guess what? Everybody enjoyed hearing my poem the most.

And I can still recite it. All the way through.

About three years ago, at an evening talent show at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, I had a friend announce that I would be doing a costumed recital of “a literary classic that informed and influenced my subsequent work” (or words to that effect). Then the lights went down, I entered the auditorium in a Sneetch suit (yes, you read that correctly—a Sneetch suit) and recited The Sneetches by heart.

I guess that’s enough to make a case for the influence the piece had on me. And I’m guessing that anyone who’s read my work will see the point I’m trying to make.

It’s simply this: We’re all just people. That’s really the most important thing I’m trying to say in every novel I write. Scratch the surface of the person you find so inferior, so threatening, so different. You’ll find a person who wants what you want, feels what you feel. We all want to be safe and happy, and we want our families and loved ones to be safe and happy. And we all want to be accepted for who and what we are. And I really think that’s fair enough.

We just have to be willing to return the favor for others. Whether or not they have stars.

“Thank you so much Catherine! I loved the story and especially the costume! It’s amazing to me, the power of a single book, especially when we discover it in our youth and it’s apparent that The Sneetches was that for you.”

As part of the Jumpstart the World book tour I have 2 Signed copies up for giveaway! Take a look at my review for more details and to enter to win your very own copy.

Please stop by The Teen {Book} Scene for more details and other tour stop locations!

Thank you so much to the author, Catherine Ryan Hyde, for providing a copy of her book for review and giveaway!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

Today, I’m fortunate to bring to you the author of one of the most delightful books (Thomas and the Dragon Queen) I’ve read recently, Shutta Crum. Her new book was recently released and I am so excited to have had the opportunity to read it. Make sure to stick around for the end of the post for an opportunity to win a copy of Thomas and the Dragon Queen! Without further hesitation on my part, Shutta:

First, I have to say that my dad had the gift of a silver tongue as many Kentuckians’ do. Growing up, my siblings and I heard wild stories of the rough and tumble life in the hollers. In addition, my relatives often vied to see who could tell the most hair-raising tale. I loved it! I always looked forward to going “down home” to Kentucky from Michigan in the summertime. There, in the warmth of my large extended family, I could hear more stories. And as I got older I contributed some of my own. I couldn’t wait to learn to read, because then I would have access to even more stories.

It wasn’t easy, at first. There were not many books in our house. My father had only a spotty education and was essentially illiterate. He was the youngest of twelve and he was often pulled out of school to work the farm. My mother loved to read. But times were tight, especially when Dad was laid-off or the auto factory was closed for changeover. Yet, perhaps, it was just because of these very things that books—though scarce—were highly prized by my family.

One of the most important books in my life I rescued from an incinerator.

We lived next door to the elementary school. Every summer, when our school was cleaned out, trash was carried to a cinderblock incinerator. My friends and I would wait in the small field nearby for the custodian to return to the building to get another load. Then we’d dart through the one open side and root around for treasure—before he returned to set it ablaze.

One summer I dug down into the pile and came up with a battered copy of a Webster’s dictionary. Its cover was gone, as well as part of the “A” section. I didn’t care; it had hundreds of gossamer-thin pages with the finest black lettering. It was perfect for playing school or library. The dictionary came in handy for all of us—unless we needed to look up “aberrant,” or “afflatus.” That book occupied a place of honor in our family for many many years.

“Aardvark,” though not in the dictionary, I could find in our set of the Golden Book Encyclopedias. My mom bought one a week as volumes became available at the grocery store. That set boasted of “Sixteen Accurate Fact-filled Volumes; Dramatically Illustrated with more than 6000 Color Pictures. The Only Encyclopedia for Young

Grade School Children ~ Accurate and Authoritative ~ Entertainingly Written and Illustrated to Make Learning an Adventure.”

I couldn’t wait to read each accurate fact-filled volume cover to cover—even wishing there was more to the alphabet so they would not end. But still, those dramatically illustrated articles could not compete with the lure of the dictionary. After all, there are a lot of entertaining words in the dictionary that also make learning an adventure—starting with “aphrodisiac.”

Years later, I discovered the thrill of thesauri. To this day I travel with a gentlemanly companion, my aged Soule’s Dictionary of English Synonyms which was “Designed as a Guide to Apt and Varied Diction” by Richard Soule in 1871. Mine was published in 1961. It comforts me when I fly, and keeps me company in hotel rooms. My husband completely understands; for I am head-over-heels love-addled by Soule my bosom companion, my compeer, my champion . . . It never fails to serve up the apt word.

Thus began my love of stories, and words on paper.*

###

*Note: Some of this information will also appear in the winter issue of Language Arts Magazine, 2010, in an article titled: “Lexical Lust.”

“I love that so much of her reading and writing were influenced by the words that fill the pages. It’s incredible how powerful they can be, even to the point of rescuing them from a fiery fate!

“Thank you so much, Shutta, for stopping by There’s A Book and sharing your incredible story. You can truly understand that words have influenced your life for good and it’s evident in your book as well.”

Read my review of Thomas and the Dragon Queen

Giveaway!

As I mentioned earlier, I have the wonderful opportunity of giving away a SIGNED copy of Thomas and the Dragon Queen thanks to Shutta Crum! In addition to that I have some fantastic swag to give to the runner up in the contest. Two winners total!

Details: Two winners will be chosen at random after the contest closes. One winner will win one Signed copy of Thomas and the Dragon Queen and the second place winner will win book swag. You MUST fill out the form below, comments will not count as entries. Only one entry per household. Giveaway is open Worldwide. The giveaway will run from September 23, 2010 until October 15, 2010 midnight EST.

This book was provided for review and giveaway by the author, Shutta Crum. Thank you!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered! Please check back often for more opportunities to win!

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

WELCOME To BLOGMANIA !

Now, for the Giveaway here at There’s A Book!!

One lucky winner will receive a Gift Certificate in the amount of $15 to the online bookseller of their choice!

Please use the form below to enter the giveaway! Comment entries will not be accepted.

All I ask is that you either be a follower in the Google Friend Connect (Over there, in the side bar—>) or subscribe via RSS. The Giveaway in this post is open to everyone (even Internationally!)!! You have until midnight tonight (April 30, 2010) to enter and this weekend I will be announcing the winner!

In addition to this giveaway I also have the following giveaways currently running that both end tonight! Make sure to stop by and enter these as well to add to your chances of winning!

A signed copy of The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams by Rhonda Hayter and a copy of Eat, Nap, Play by Robyn Spizman and Evelyn Sacks. Each giveaway is listed separately and you have the opportunity to win each of them equally, just make sure to fill out the form on each post to enter for your chance to win!

Also, make sure to take a look around, if you see something you like make sure to come back later after you’ve had a chance to at some other great Blogmania blogs. (I may just be announcing another Giveaway today…so make sure to check back!)

Fantastic Blogs to Check Out on the Blogmania Tour:

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

Reviewed:
I Love My New Toy! by Mo Willems (Review by The Turkeybird)

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi (Review by The1stdaughter)

Interviewed:
Pam from Bookalicious for When I Was Young

Celebrated Littlebug’s Birthday:
Birthday Bash!
Surprise Party!

Winners will be announced later today!

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing:
Winter’s Awakening by Shelly Shepherd Gray for TLC Tours

Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

The Nightmare Navigator by Billy Bonsangue

Reading:
Living It Up To Live It Down by Ronica Stromberg
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading:
Baby Animals by Green Start
Kiss Kiss by Selma Mandine
Colors Illustrated by Emily Bolam

So…What are you reading this week? I’d love to hear about! Have any suggestions for future reading?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with Amazon.com.

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

The fabulous J.Kaye hosts a weekly reading Monday post that I thought would be fun to get involved with. So every Monday you can come visit for a recap and a chance to see what’s coming up. Make sure to check back at J.Kaye’s Book Blog to see all the other great blogs participating and get involved yourself!

Last Week We Read:

The Turkeybird Reviewed: Little Pea, Little Hoot, Little Oink By Amy Krouse Rosenthal

The1stdaughter Reviewed: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Littlebug, well, she just ate a few books.

We got to know Kara from Not Just for Kids and some of her favorites from her childhood.

What’s Up for This Week:

The1stdaughter is busy reading and writing for her upcoming participation in the TLC Book Tour for Winter’s Awakening by Shelley Shepard Gray.

Other titles in the reading pile for The1stdaughter are:

Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

and

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

The Turkeybird is looking forward to reviewing:

I Love My New Toy! (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems

and

I Love You All Year Long (Padded Board Books) by Steve Metzger (Review Copy from Tiger Tales)

Littlebug will be busy celebrating her 1st birthday! So, we’re letting her by with one book:

Monster Faces (A Chunky Book(R)) by Tom Brannon

So, what are you reading this week? We can’t wait to hear all about it!

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.