The Past, The People, and Politics

I remember when I believed the world would be divided into the countries behind the Iron Curtain - under the influence of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - and the Western World forever. Then journalists coined the terms "Third World" and "Developing World" for those countries not caught up in the Cold War. Many of these had been subjected to European and U.S. colonialism and had yet to gain their independence.

I remember when the map of Africa included French West Africa which was a vast expanse on that map, the Belgian Congo, German East Africa, and the United Kingdom held colonies of Rhodesia, South Africa, Kenya etc. As children, we not only learned the names of these countries but who "owned" them.  Education like that effects children's view of the world. We were taught to own countries, to divide the world, and, in fact, that some people were more deserving of freedom and independence than others. Our text books supported this.

But literature did not. Read Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton, as I did in ninth grade and your view shifts. Read The Family Romanov, a nonfiction narrative by Candice Fleming and you will understand more of how the Soviet Union came into being. Read The Soong Dynasty by Sterling Seagrave and you'll get a peek at modern Chinese history and the government it led to. Literature takes up topics that text books do not. Which is our mandate as authors: to write the stories that are buried or forgotten - sometimes for specific political or national reasons.

Today, with education standards being focused on skills - reading, math, technology, and perhaps science - the past is often left out of curriculum. So is foreign language. Cultural information may be limited to celebrations of food or certain days. Authors, artists, dancers, and musicians are more important than ever. Our work shines a light on our commonality as people. It exposes the human spirit. It can speak truth in the guise of art. This is why art is  often discouraged in totalitarian regimes. It's why street art may upset the mainstream culture. It's why I continue to write.

Because people create change. The Iron Curtain fell. Africa now has fifty-four independent nations. China is one of the most powerful countries in the world. Look to art and literature for the changes that are coming. Politicians and autocrats may hold power, but artists create the culture. We see the future and it always belongs to the people.

I am optomistic. I've been blessed to meet, laugh with and learn from people from around the world. I have traveled across the U.S. and Canada speaking at schools and conferences. There are so many stories to be told - and they aren't the "official" ones. They are the ones with heart, the stories of freedom and hard decisions and small daily  heroic acts. We owe it to our children to write, read, and study Middle Grade History.

Sara K Joiner: Review of "The Warden's Daughter"

The Warden's Daughter by Jerry Spinelli tells the story of Cammie O'Reilly, the titular daughter of the warden. She lives in an apartment above a prison in Pennsylvania in 1959. While she has a good life and enjoys a certain notoriety as the warden's daughter, she has one goal for the summer--to find a new mother.

Her own mother died in an act of sacrifice that saved Cammie when she was only a baby but resulted in her mother being struck and killed by a truck. Cammie knows the story, but she is haunted by it. She refuses to ride her bike near the intersection where the accident happened, which she dubs The Corner.

To find a new mother, Cammie focuses on some of the women in the prison--in particular their trustee housekeeper Eloda, and Boo Boo, a shoplifter. Ultimately, Cammie wants someone to mother her; she's not truly looking for her father to marry this person. She wants to feel the unconditional love from someone that she knows her real mother felt for her. But she doesn't remember what that feeling is like.

Now that Cammie is twelve going on thirteen, life is becoming increasingly difficult. Her best friend is trying out lipstick and hoping to be on American Bandstand. Other girls in the neighborhood want to hang out in the prison yard (without the prisoners) and exploit their relationship with Cammie. The boys she plays pick-up baseball games with have found her ruthless way of playing too much to handle and kick her off the field.

Cammie is an angry child, and she's not always pleasant to be around. Even she knows she's unhappy. Losing a parent is never easy, and Cammie's loss is amplified by losing hers in such a manner. How can you ever come to terms with the death of someone who is, by her last act, a hero?

She turns that anger outward and tries to generate feelings from Eloda by picking fights with her. She smokes a cigarette in front of her. She calls her the maid. Nothing seems to work.

It's not until Cammie reaches her own psychological breaking point and begins to heal that she fully understands her relationship with Eloda.

While I found the ending a bit rushed, everything up to that point was a delight. Cammie is an angry girl, but books with characters like her--simmering with barely controlled hostility to anyone--is such a rarity in books for young readers that she was a breath of fresh air. Especially since she was a girl.

Having lost a parent when I was a child (not as young as Cammie), I understood that hurt and that anger and that desire to lash out at anyone who seemed like their life was so much better than yours. Hindsight gives us all regrets, and Cammie has her own by the end of the book. She grows and matures and finds a well of strength inside herself that helps her come to terms with her mother's death.

The ending only feels a bit rushed because we've spent so much time with Cammie in her everyday life in the summer of 1959 that jumping forward a couple years is a bit disconcerting.

So much rage is in a story that seems almost old-fashioned. Cammie rides her bike around a picturesque American town. She befriends a number of interesting and quirky characters. But underneath all that old-fashioned charm is a deeply unhappy female protagonist who is utterly real and human.

I highly recommend The Warden's Daughter.

Sara K Joiner is the author of After the Ashes. She is also a public librarian.

Indonesia: Researching Elusive Subjects

When researching, my first stop is the local library, my second is WorldCat, and my third is the Internet. For this blog, I wanted to gather a list of middle-grade Indonesian historical fiction, but discovered right away that the topic is thin at best. Fortunately, I didn't have to look far to find my first book. 

Check Your Backyard

I already knew of After the Ashes by our own Sara K. Joiner on this blog--which just goes to show that sometimes you don’t need to go over the rainbow to find what you are looking for. After the Ashes is set on Java during the eruption of Krakatau in 1883. 

Next Stop? The library, of course!

My library turned up a handful of educational nonfiction on Indonesia and one middle-grade historical fiction: Judy: Prisoner of War by Laurie Calkhoven, which is set in Southeast Asia prior to and during WWII. This is part of the G.I. Dogs series--history through the eyes of a canine protagonist seems to be a trend. I found this under "Indonesia-History" in the subject search. And that was it. Although there were young adult, middle-grade, and elementary titles in the subject area, there were no more middle-grade historical fiction.

WorldCat

It was time to turn to the world's largest catalog of holdings Worldcat lists over 2 billion items from thousands of libraries around the world. You can narrow your search by language and type: fiction/nonfiction, juvenile, etc. The items are not directly available from WorldCat, but there is a list of where to obtain them. I'm a huge fan of inter-library loan. You can also buy some items from listed vendors.  

One problem with WorldCat is that it lists items but does not vet them. Some titles looked intriguing, but when I searched for reviews, I discovered that they might not be well written or not appropriate for middle-grade. A couple looked intriguing, but reviews noted that they were extremely sad or violent. I don't shy away from such books, but I want to leave that to your discretion. Checking Goodreads for reviews may help you decide. Goodreads, by the way, is another resource for finding books by subject and age.

Another problem with Worldcat is that items published in other countries might be hard to obtain. Here are two that looked good, but you probably need to buy them used:  A Garland of Emeralds, by Laverne Boulgne Van Ryk is a WWII Dutch family experience, which might also be for older teens.Tiger Stone: by Deryn Mansell had good reviews, but was criticized for book-ending the ancient story with modern scenes. 

The Internet

The Internet is a vast and often confusing ocean, but I found some book lists that were helpful such as Children's Books from Southeast Asia

The outstanding title I found here ( and then located in my local library as an e-book--but which was not listed under the subject Indonesia!)  is My Night in the Museum, written and illustrated by Innosanto Nagara. Nagara relates a memoir through the eyes of his 7-year-old self. 

"A beautiful introduction to the history and culture of Indonesia, . . . an engaging, thought-provoking starting point for a discussion of colonialism, political corruption, and artistic resistance."

A Few MoreTips

I found that "Indonesia" as a search subject was far too broad. Indonesia is the 4th most populated country in the world, with over 700 living languages, and is composed of 17,500 islands (although not all of these are inhabited). To narrow the search, I used specific islands, such as Java, Sumatra, and Bali.

Another tip is to search by specific event: volcanic eruption, Krakatau (or Krakatoa), Tsunami--Indonesia or Tsunami--Indian Ocean.

Serendipity

Research is a skill to hone, but sometimes serendipity turns up a jewel. I came across The Bee Tree while researching Cinco Puntos Press. It isn't strictly a historical fiction, but I think it will be. It certainly offers a lovely glimpse into a slice of Indonesia.

Not about Indonesia, but a fun high-
 seas adventure set in the time of
Dutch colonialism.

I first began to research Indonesia for an educational nonfiction I wrote. I was woefully ignorant about this part of the world, but in some ways, I can see why. There just isn't a good body of work available for English speaking children--or perhaps I need to keep looking for it. I'm sure there must be books that can be translated. Perhaps publishers need to acquire foreign rights to books already published to make them more accessible. In the meantime. I hope this list will aid you in opening this part of the world to your middle-grade readers.





This looks lovely. I'm going to put in an

 inter-library loan!



Michele Hathaway is an author and freelance editor. She has an M. A. in Social Anthropology and has worked in libraries in California, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. She writes middle-grade nonfiction and stories set in culturally diverse, historical periods.

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FAMILIES IN STORIES: by Mary Louise Sanchez

My soon to debut book, The Wind Called My Name,

is based on my mother's life growing up in a small southern Wyoming town during the Great Depression. Her Hispanic family plays a big part in the story.  Below is a picture of the real Margarita Sandoval with her brother, Ernesto.

When I was writing the Author's Note, I often thought I should include a genealogy chart because my two maternal great-grandmothers are in the story, as well as my maternal grandparents, and some of my mother's siblings.

The family in my story is intact, but that was the case for many families during the Great Depression era, even though the fathers were sometimes away working.  In my story, the father and eldest son are working for the Union Pacific Railroad in Wyoming, while the remainder of the family is in New Mexico.

After a year, they are reunited in Wyoming, but do not have their large extended family nearby, and now they must rely only on each other to be strong in the face of adversity.

So many children's books today show a picture where children deal with divorce and even abandonment, but I want readers to see a strong family unit and how it deals with injustices of the time. Hopefully readers will come away with a sense of what family meant to the Sandovals.

Here are some middle grade historical fiction books that exemplify the kind of family unit you will read about in my novel, The Wind Called My Name. The release date is September 18, 2018 which happens to be the birthday of my maternal grandmother, Josefita (Maes) Sandoval. 

AUTHORS ABROAD

(Before the post...Today is my father’s birthday. Dan Unger was a remarkable man and always a champion of his children. He was a lover of traveling and inspired us all to seek new horizons and expand our worlds. I miss him so. Cheers on your birthday, Dad!)

Goosebumps about going out on book events in your neighbourhood? What about traveling across the globe? While planning any book tour can be daunting, the idea of planning to travel abroad to support your books might seem over the top. And it is. Especially if you are doing it all yourself. But, believe me, it is something you can do and it can be a wonderful adventure!

Here are some helpful ideas I can share. Hopefully, this will inspire you to travel, see the world, and get to talk about your books in strange and wonderful lands.

1.    DON’T GO ABROAD IN THE SUMMER

Traveling abroad for MG book events is best done during the school year. I have had the reverse problem. Having lived in Egypt for eleven year, I never was able to visit classes in the US during the school year. This was a bummer because book events in the summer might be nice (bookshops and libraries and book fairs) but school visits are really important. SKYPE visits are fine, but do not offer the same thing as being up close and in person. Summers are when kids are away. Bookshops and libraries have events, but they are not as successful as events planned during the school year.

2.    WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?

There are international schools all over the world. My kids went to Cairo American College (CAC), which is a fabulous school with a visiting author budget. And Egypt is a great place to visit!  I was invited to speak at several other international schools in Cairo and had a blast! Egypt not on your list? How about Jarkarta? Bangladesh? New Delhi? All have great international schools! And even places like Borneo have schools that welcome visiting authors! One of my favorite a wonderful trips was a visit to BRG XIV in Vienna! Look at a globe or read some travel magazines and consider a few places you'd like to visit. Then look at the schools.

3.    RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND VISITING AUTHOR POLICIES

Most of the larger international schools have significant budgets for visiting authors and book events. Once you have decided on a few places that would be fun to visit, look at the international schools. Many will have information about visiting authors on their websites. If you cannot find this information, look up librarians and events directors. These are usually the people who will invite authors and have the budgets. Sometimes you will find that there are more than one international school not far from one another. Sometimes, these schools will pool resources.  You may find that you can get more than one visit out of the journey. Be sure to ask about travel expenses, accommodations, and per diem. Some places offer to house authors with host families. Some offer hotel rooms. Be sure everything is set to get you to the school. Also, ask to see the schedule! I once agreed to do a visit that included NO BREAKS, from 8am-4pm! Make sure you get lunch and offer to eat with the book club or enthusiastic readers.

4.    MAKE TIME TO LOOK INTO LOCAL CULTURE

Once you have secured your visit, be sure to investigate local sites and places to visit while you are there. As noted above, visiting author packages should include airfare and accommodations, as well as per diem, but every school is different. You can ask to have a free day after or during the visit. Often, a tour of the city is included by schools who know how to be good hosts! It is absolutely OK to ask about getting a tour or having students show you around.

5.    KEEP CONTACT INFO  AND STAY IN TOUCH!

This is a great way to get invitations to other schools! A great visit gets noted and shared among librarians and teachers. Often, over the years, staff and administrators will stay in the international circuit, from school to school, country to country. Kids, too! Be sure to give your contact information to the kids at the schools you visit. You may find book reports from strange countries by kids who have moved! Building contacts is a very good thing!

 All good wishes,

Eden Unger Bowditch

Independence Month

Independence Month? There is no such month; however, July might very well qualify if one were to be designated. Two of the world’s greatest democracies celebrate their independence in July. Citizens of the United States of America celebrate their freedom from the then tyrannical British Crown on July 4—Independence Day. The people of the French Republic celebrate their freedom from their own abusive monarchy on July 14—Bastille Day.

An understanding of the many events leading up to and occurring during the American Revolution is essential for the middle grade student. Dozens of histories have been written on the subject. As I have mentioned in previous blogs on other subjects, I favor the DK Eyewitness Books as the most engaging way to learn about a particular subject. Their book American Revolution accomplishes the requirement admirably. Not only is it well written, it is beautifully illustrated with contemporary artwork and maps, as well as photographs of pertinent artifacts. Stuart Murray, the author, has reworked the text recently to make it more readable by younger persons. 

Reading history might be considered boring to some middle-grade students, so a more thrilling read is a perfectly acceptable way to introduce young people to the importance of the American Revolution. In my opinion, the best novel ever written on this subject is Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. Her historical novel won the 1944 Newbery Medal. I read the book when I was a middle-grade student shortly after it was first published. I have read it several times since. The fourteen-year-old protagonist is a messenger for the Sons of Liberty. As such, he meets John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Dr. Joseph Warren, and many other historical personages who helped shape the events of the American Revolution. If you read only one book out of my recommendations in this blog, make it this one.

In my review of middle-grade literature pertinent to the American Revolution, I came across a fascinating book that makes a usually dull subject more enjoyable. We all know the Declaration of Independence proclaimed the reasons for the colonists’ revolt, but the original document presented on a slab of parchment paper makes for some tough reading. Sam Fink has written and illustrated a delightful book entitled, of all things, The Declaration of Independence. He includes the complete text of the Declaration and cleverly illustrates the meaning of the clauses with wonderful drawings. This visual presentation will make for a better understanding of the sometimes-archaic terminology.

The task of identifying books to recommend for Bastille Day was a little more formidable than for the Fourth of July. The details of the French Revolution are not studied in depth in American schools, but I discovered one volume that particularly appealed to me. The French Revolution: The Fall of the Monarchy by John M. Dunn is one of a series of books about History’s Greatest Defeats. The book is concisely written, acquainting the reader with the key facts and the principal participants. The illustrations and the maps make for a comprehensive, yet compact, presentation.

Middle-grade readers may be more interested in learning about the French Revolution by picking up a good piece of fiction. Although it is usually rated for high school readers, I believe the best historical novel on this subject is Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. The brutality of the revolt will appeal to middle-graders who are enamored with the current dystopian literature. Since it might be difficult for younger readers, there are several abridged versions of the novel. One that should satisfy the curious is A Tale of Two Cities: Dimension Classics Abridged Edition (Illustrated), edited by D W Schlueter and illustrated by Liubou Soltan. It has been abridged to read like a novel rather than a study-guide.

I hope everyone in the United States and France in 2018 have had a great Fourth of July and a grand Bastille Day.

Sara K Joiner: Undocumented Immigrants

With the news about families being separated at the border, I thought it might be a good time to read some books about the lives of undocumented people trying to live in the United States. The history of the US is filled with stories of immigrants and refugees finding a new home in this country and making a better life for themselves and their families. The following books are fictional stories about more recent arrivals and the hardships they endure.

Picture Books
Two White Rabbits - Jairo Buitrago
A young girl and her father travel north to the United States for her father to find work.

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale - Duncan Tonatiuh
Pancho, guided by a coyote, heads to El Norte to find Papa Rabbit, who has not returned home in some time.

Middle Grade
Journey of the Sparrows - Fran Leeper Buss
Maria and her siblings are refugees from El Salvador. After being smuggled into the United States, they try to survive in their new lives in Chicago.

Until I Find Julian - Patricia Reilly Giff
Mateo's brother Julian is living and working in the United States. When the family doesn't hear from him, Mateo decides to journey north to find his brother.

Growing Up Rita - Michael de Guzman
Rita is a natural-born American citizen, but her mother is undocumented from Mexico. When they are separated after an immigration raid, Rita needs to find the courage to reunite with her mother.

Star In the Forest - Laura Resau
Zitlally's father has been deported back to Mexico, and Zitlally is heartbroken. After a finding a stray dog, she believes the only way her father will return is by keeping the dog safe.

The Sky At Our Feet - Nadia Hashimi
Jason's mother is from Afghanistan, but Jason was born in the United States. After he learns she is undocumented, he worries about the threat of deportation his mother faces. When the worst happens, he heads to New York City alone to find his aunt.

Teens
Illegal - Bettina Restrepo
Nora is fifteen years old and makes a harrowing cross of the border with her mother to search for her father who has gone missing in Houston.

The Border - Steve Schafer
When their families are murdered in Mexico, four teens flee across the Sonoran Desert into Arizona while being pursued by the gang that killed their loved ones.

Something in Between - Melissa de la Cruz
Filipino immigrant Jasmine expects to get a full scholarship to her dream college. But when her parents tell her that the entire family is in the country illegally, Jasmine's dreams collapse.

Crossing the Wire - Will Hobbs
Victor is a fifteen-year-old boy in central Mexico who is desperate to help his family. He decides to cross the border into Arizona to find work.