Sometimes, it seems, books of the same topic group together. Often one person writes a book on the topic that does well commercially (Twilight and Harry Potter are good examples) and others try to capitalize on original book’s success by writing very similar stories. When I heard that Margaret McMullan’s new book, Sources of Light, was set in Jackson in the 1960s, I was worried that this phenomenon was happening again. (Anyone remember a little book called The Help by Kathryn Stockett?) However, as I started reading Margaret’s book, I realized I had judged too quickly. Sources of Light may be set in the ’60s in Jackson, but this telling of life stands on its own.

Margaret’s honest writing gives a complete idea of what it would have felt like to be a teenager in Jackson during this tumultuous time. For fourteen year old Sam, monumental events such as the Birmingham church bombing aren’t textbook stories, they are just worrisome events in her life. While she notices the injustices around her, she doesn’t question them to begin with and her new friends are worried more about communists than race relations. Sam and her mother have just moved to Jackson from Pittsburgh after Sam’s father was killed in the Vietnam war. All Sam wants to do is blend in, make friends and get through school; but Sam’ mother is a teacher at a Jackson college, and really doesn’t fit in to the mold of a perfect Missississippi woman. When Sam’s mother goes to speak at Tougaloo college, the all black college in Jackson, her picture ends up on the cover of the Clarion-Ledger and the threats and vandalism begin. Sam knows she can’t do much to help, but she can capture the insanity surrounding her with her camera. With those images, she can shine a light on the injustice that has become law in Jackson.

Sam’s voice is so clear and her observations are given without prejudice. I loved seeing these event through her eyes, understanding that although these events may be my past, they were someone’s present, much like they are Sam’s. I highly recommend Sources of Light. It has a beautiful story and message to share with you. You will not regret reading this book.

Margaret will be here tonight at 5:00 to sign and read Sources of Light. She was also featured in last Sunday’s Clarion Ledger. It’s going to be a fun night!

You know those books that just stick with you and for some reason, you find yourself happily remembering snippets of them long after the last page has been read? Well, The Cardturner by Louis Sachar , author of Holes and the Wayside School Trilogy, was and is one of those books for me. I am still pondering it and I finished it at least three weeks ago. And the weirdest part–it’s a book about bridge!

At 17, Alton is sure that his life can’t get any worse. His girlfriend broke up with him for his best friend and he feels like he has lost everything. As summer draws near, he knows that he is going to have to get a job, but also know he is too lazy to even look for one. When his mother volunteers his driving services and time to his blind (and rich) Uncle Lester, he really knows he has no choice. So Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoons, Alton drives his uncle to the club to play bridge, a card game he considers out-dated and obsolete. He is to tell his uncle, whom everyone calls Trapp at the club, his cards in suit and number order. (So all the Spades from highest to lowest, all the Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs in the same manner. Always in that order.) He soon learns that whereas football is a physical sport with obviously viewed results, Bridge is just as challenging mentally, and when you finally sort of understand it, can be just as thrilling.

As his family pushes him to ask Trapp about his will, Alton realizes that he is actually beginning to care for this uncle he has never really known. Alton and Trapp talk about everything from old age, to religion, to love. Trapp has always seemed like a miser to Alton, someone whose heart is made of stone, but Alton slowly begins to discover that Trapp has a past and a secret that may be the cause of his callous nature.

And we can’t forget Trapp’s protege, the pretty, shy, and possibly crazy Toni Castenada who Alton is falling for faster than he is comfortable with.

This book is so well written and perfectly put together. I found myself having to stop and say to myself “Why didn’t I ever think about that that way before? That makes perfect sense!” I have a new-found love for Louis Sachar and his writing, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this book in the awards list next year. But don’t take my word for it; come fall in love with it for yourself!

Sachar also just did an interview with Publisher’s Weekly here and it is really interesting to see how this book came about.

It’s been a good week in the land of Oz. Lots of kids coming in for summer reading (the non-required kind!), mother’s day gifts, birthdays, you name it! There are so many good books out right now that it seems like everyday a new book comes in that I am jumping up and down about, running around the store with to make sure that EVERYONE knows how amazing it is. How about Mark Teague’s new book Firehouse, about a city of dogs and the firefighters that help save the day, or Neil Gaiman’s new children’s picture book, illustrated by Charles Vess, entitled Instructions. I am in love with these two picture books!

There are also some great YA and teen books out this week . If you are a Sister’s Grimm fan, then you are in luck, because the next installment of that series is out, Inside Story (#8). Also, fans of Frindle will be excited to know that Andrew Clements has a new book out called Keepers of the School #1 We the Children.

And for those teens, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, author of the adult books The Shadow of the Wind and Angel’s Game, has a new teen book out called The Prince of Mist and we have signed copies! Maggie just finished it and she says that it is scary! I cannot wait to get my hands on it! Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski is finally out, the book that has been causing a lot of twitter buzz. Sarah wrote a really cool article about this novel for The Huffington Post that is work checking out.

I love my white shoes,

We also read/sang one of my favorite children’s books at Storytime this week, Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin. Pete the Cat has white shoes that he is very proud of. But what happens when he steps in a large pile of strawberries? They turn RED! If you were not here on Saturday, then come in and I will thoroughly embarrass myself by singing this song for you! I love it!

Don’t forget, Margaret McMullan will be here on Tuesday, May 18th to sign her new book, Sources of Light, set in Jackson in the ’60’s!

Until next time,

Emily

This is the story of Anastasia Romanov, a member of Russia’s last imperial family about to be torn apart by the violence of revolution. When the Bolsheviks take control, Anastasia and her family are exiled to Siberia while their future is being decided by rebels. Through the introduction of Sasha, a young guard, Anastasia quickly falls in love and the story becomes historical fiction. Sasha makes a very interesting version of what might have been.

Interesting historical facts:
1. Young Alexis (the brother) suffered from the hereditary debilitating bleeding disorder known as hemophilia. Alexis is one of the best known cases of this rare blood disorder marked by the lack of blood clotting factors in boys.
2. Even though the royal family had a number of pets, Joy, a spaniel, was the only pet known to survive the tragedy and be taken to England to live out her life.

(Teen, ages 12 and up)

Yes, I know that today is April 24th and that April is almost over, but I still think that it is worth noting that April is poetry month. One book that has come out in this auspicious poetry month of April is The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan and illustrated by Peter Sís. This book is so perfectly done that I am not sure how to write this review. Do I focus on how completely Pam Muñoz Ryan captured the life of Neftalí Reyes, the small child who was in love with words and changed his name to Pablo Neruda so as not to shame his father, or Peter Sís’s appropriate illustrations, how they encompass the very ideas of Pam Muñoz Ryan’s poetic language? This is such a wonderful book that the only thing that would give it its due would be to tell you to go read it for yourself, read it to your kids, students, friends, everyone!! Absolutely stunning.