Read, Write, Repeat.

Editor’s note: Please welcome Vince, who periodically blogs about cat-related books, back to the site.

So, I’m back. I certainly wasn’t planning on it.

After all, I try not to make a habit of writing book reviews because then the people who feed me come to expect it. And goodness knows part of the mystique of being a cat is never, ever, relinquishing the upper hand.

Nevertheless, it’s a cold, Wisconsin winter. And after I’ve eaten, asked for treats, yowled to have the water turned on in the sink so I can drink that instead of what’s in my dish, taken a nap, raced randomly from room to room and then asked for more food, there isn’t much left to do.

So while I was racing from room to room, I knocked over a stack of books that was too high to begin with and discovered one called Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku (Henry Holt and Company, 2011) written by Lee Wardlaw and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin.

It caught my eye immediately because the cat was the only thing shown on the cover. Which is as it should be. Too many books about cats put children on the cover. This one was smart enough to put its star front and center. And look below … he’s nearly as handsome as I am.

This cat lives in a shelter. He has the basic necessities — food and a place to sleep. But he’s missing that certain extra something. You know. Someone to care when he yowls. Someone to cater to his cat-specific demands.

So people come to choose a pet. This cat knows the dogs are no competition. Because, really, a dog? Let’s be serious. He acts like he doesn’t care, but he’s hoping he’ll be chosen. And then … he is.

I don’t talk about it much, but I’ve been in this cat’s collar. I was in a shelter for three whole months before someone picked me. A few well-timed nose nudges from me to the woman who was obviously in charge of the decision sealed the deal. I consider it my best work yet.

This cat does a nice job of not letting his new family think he’s too grateful. He hides under the bed, turns up his nose at the food, scratches their sofa and leaves a present in one of their shoes. But he also puts up with being dressed up for tea, scares off a neighboring cat who surely had ill intentions and quite likes the little boy who chose him.

This book is written in haiku — and very nicely I might add. Here are two of my favorites:

Hel-l000. I’m waiting.
Put down that pesky pencil
and fetch the catnip.

I explained it loud
and clear. What part of “meow”
don’t you understand?

So if you’re looking for a good book about cats to educate yourself or others in you life, I’d give this one my pawprint of approval. The author has three cats she chose from a shelter, so she knows whereof she writes.

To learn more about Lee Wardlaw, the author, visit her website or watch this video interview.

To learn more about Eugene Yelchin, the illustrator, who definitely knows how to draw a cat, visit his website or read this interview.

Well, the gifts are open, and the wrapping paper has been mostly cleared away. So here are the books that found their way under several trees this year.

- One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street by Joanne Rocklin.
- Nowhere Girl by A.J. Paquette.
- Spaceheadz (the first two books in the series) by Jon Scieszka.
- Beryl: A Pig’s Tale by Jane Simmons.
- Mental Floss The Book: The Greatest Lists in the History of Listory.
- Sheepish: Two Women, Fifty Sheep and Enough Wool to Save the Planet by Catherine Friend.
- The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food and Love by Kristin Kimball.
- Twelve Days of Christmas in Wisconsin by Erin Eitter Kono.

What books did you give or receive this year?

I hope you have a happy, peaceful holiday season, no matter how you choose to celebrate.

Here is my contribution to the holiday cheer. This is my daughter, Sonia, playing piano at her school concert.

This was her first-ever “public” performance. Her piece? “Jolly Old St. Nicholas.”

I read a lot of children’s books.

And thanks to Twitter, my writing friends and the Internet, I have a pretty lengthy list of books that I’ve heard a good buzz about requested through interlibrary loan. And, I’m always happy when I sit down to read one of them.

But, I still love browsing through the children’s section of my local library and discovering a gem of a book I haven’t heard of before.

That’s what happened a few weeks ago when I found Earth to Clunk (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011) a picture book written by Pam Smallcomb and illustrated by Joe Berger.

It shares the story of a boy whose teacher tells him to write a letter to a pen pal named Clunk who lives on another planet. The boy doesn’t want a pen pal, so along with his letters he sends odd items from Earth that he hopes will scare Clunk away. But Clunk counters with some unlikely objects of his own, and an unusual friendship is formed.

Allow me to gush for just a moment. This book is hilarious. Hil-ar-i-ous. In a very dry, deadpan way. Pam Smallcomb’s text is funny by itself. My favorite line is, “I’m sending Clunk an electric toothbrush, a toilet plunger, and a string of Christmas lights. He will be so confused he’ll never send me another thing.”

But when illustrator Joe Berger adds in a lot of clever details in the artwork, the story just takes off. This is a picture book that merits multiple readings just to pick up on everything that’s going on.

But enough from me. Now, let’s hear from today’s guest reviewer.

——————–

Our reviewer: Sonia

Age: 9.

I like: Snuggling with my cat, playing with my gerbil and making art.

This book was about: Having a pen pal from another planet.

The best part was when: He sent his big sister to Quazar.

I smiled when: The zoid fell in love with his big sister.

I was worried when: He didn’t get a package from Clunk for a while.

I was surprised when: He didn’t want a pen pal at first and was mean to him.

This book taught me: If you ever send your big sister away, she’ll always come back.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “I’m sending Clunk my big sister. THAT will teach him to have a pen pal from Earth.”

My favorite picture was: When his sister comes back to earth with a disgusting glob of something on her head.

Three words that describe this book: “Clunk.” “Zoid.” “Forps.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: All the packages that go back and forth between Quazar and Earth.

You should read this book because: It’s really funny.

——————–

Sonia has a pen pal in London, England whom she just started writing. She says if she had a pen pal on another planet, she’d send these items:

• An apple. “Because I like them.”
• A cat. “But not my cat — another cat — so my pen pal could see how affectionate kitties can be.”
• My big sister. (I guess no explanation is needed here.)

Thanks, Sonia!

If you’d like to learn more about Pam, you can visit her website or read this blog interview.

If you’d like to learn more about Joe, you can visit his website or watch this television interview he did for another book he illustrated.

There are all kinds of families. 

But no matter who they’re made up of or where they’re located, most families have at least one adult who periodically has to go to work and be away from loved ones.

Monday is One Day (Scholastic Press, 2011) by Arthur Levine is a warm, lovely picture book that celebrates a wide variety of family situations.

It walks young readers through a week, counting down the days till mom or dad or grandma or grandpa will be home from work and ready for dedicated family time.

As part of the journey, children see how different families designate various days of the week. (“Wednesday is halfway day.” Or, “Friday is last-tie day.”)

They also see the similarities of all families whether they’re led by one parent or two, are located in a rural or urban setting or consist of grandparents or same-sex parents.

When my daughters were younger, they used to ask me, “How many days until a mommy-daddy day?” Having a book like this would have helped us track the time until we were all together again.

Today’s guest reviewer, Bryanna, has a big family. There’s her mom and dad, her older brother, her younger sister and her younger brother.

Bryanna’s favorite thing to do with her family is go on a picnic. And, her favorite day of the week is Friday, because she likes attending church and having spelling tests.

She was happy to share her take on this book.

——————–

Today’s reviewer: Bryanna.

Age: 8.

I like: To draw, color and paint.

This book was about: The weekends.

The best part was: When it was blue day, and they splashed in the puddles.

I smiled when: I saw how much everyone loved each other.

Three words that describe this book are: “Loving.” “Kind.” “Sweet.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Each day I count the ways I love to be with you.”

This book taught me: Every day, you should love your family.

My favorite picture was: The one that showed all the families together on the weekend.

——————–

Thanks, Bryanna!

If this book sounds at all intriguing, you absolutely must watch this video of Arthur Levine discussing how his son, Max, inspired the story.

And then, if you’d like to learn more about Arthur, read this interview.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Julian Hector, visit his website and then read this interview he did about the book.

So, what’s your favorite day of the week?

Any way you look at it, it’s been a rough senior year for Glee’s Mike Chang so far.

He got yelled at by Sue Sylvester on the third day of school. He had to convince some reluctant football players that dancing would help their sports skills. He watched several New Directions members leave the group and start a competing club. And then, just as he was helping whip the remaining glee clubbers into tip-top dancing shape, he received an A- on a chemistry test.

Brittany would have been thrilled, but Mike was devastated.

Turns out an A- is considered an “Asian F” in Mike’s family. In fact, the grade was low enough for his dad to call an emergency meeting with Principal Figgins to discuss Mike’s future.

It also turns out Mike’s parents want him to go to an Ivy League college and become a doctor or a lawyer. Mike, who’s played by Harry Shum Jr., wants to dance, but is afraid to tell his parents. He tries to improve his chemistry grade and secretly try out for the school musical, but there are too many schedule conflicts. His mother finds out he’s been cast as Riff and is supportive, but his father confronts Mike and ultimately disowns him when Mike admits he wants to perform.

And you thought your life was complicated.

Mike’s girlfriend, Tina, tries to help by visiting Mike’s father at work and sharing a DVD of his performance in “West Side Story.” But Mr. Chang is unmoved and accuses Tina of having unrealistic expectations and fostering the same in his son.

This is the point in the story where, if I were a librarian at William McKinley High School, I would have given Mike a copy of Good Enough (Harper Teen, 2008) by Paula Yoo.

Because it’s not an assigned English literature text and wouldn’t appear on a recommended reading list for the SATs, Mike probably would have had to read it on the sly, but I think the benefits would have been worth the risk.

It’s the story of Patti Yoon.

And her story is not unlike young Mr. Chang’s. Patti’s parents expect nothing but the best from her. But only if the best will look good on her applications to Harvard, Princeton or Yale. Straight As are an expectation and extracurricular activities are carefully chosen.

In fact, Patti was introduced to the violin as a young child so it could be her “hook.” Something that would help her stand out from the many other talented, college applicants with 4.0 GPAs and high standardized test scores.

But for that to happen, Patti has to be a good violinist.

Fortunately, Patti has a natural aptitude for the instrument. That coupled with private lessons and a rigorous practice schedule have turned her into one of the best high school players in the state. But her practice SAT scores aren’t as high as her parents would like them to be, so Patti finds herself on a strict schedule of studying, test-taking and violin playing.

There are breaks for her to attend church, where Patti’s youth group is made up of other Korean teens whose parents expect similar success. But there aren’t any breaks when a cute trumpet/guitar player invites Patti to jam with his band or attend a rock concert. And when she tries to juggle her schedule and secretly do a few fun activities, her parents find out and react pretty much like Mike’s dad.

Meanwhile, Patti is enjoying music more and more, and her private instructor is encouraging her to apply to Julliard. But that involves finding the time to master new music, send in an audition tape and then audition in person. This leads to more secret activities for Patti.

Things reach the tipping point when Patti gets accepted to Princeton, Yale and Julliard. (She’s wait-listed at Harvard.) She thinks her parents will be happy, but they’re more upset that she applied to Julliard without telling them.

Parents of struggling students everywhere are rolling their eyes right now.

But Patti’s parents want the best for her and are truly upset. And despite their high expectations, Patti loves her parents. But, like Mike, she gathers the courage to share her true feelings. Her exact words are, “Stop giving me such a hard time.” And, frankly, I wanted to put the book down and applaud when she said them.

Patti ends up deciding to go to Princeton, not Julliard. Some people might be frustrated by this ending, but it’s a choice she makes based weighing all the things that make her happy (violin, English lit, her church group friends) and choosing the school that gives her the most options. She does enroll in a special program there for musicians.

Ultimately, Patti’s biggest revelation in the book isn’t which college she’ll attend, but learning that success and happiness aren’t the same thing. And by choosing Princeton and its music program, she’s taking steps to a future that she thinks has the best chance of making her happy.

And that’s what Mike Chang needs to do, too. He took the first step when he talked with his parents and persisted in his goals even after his father stopped speaking to him. In “Hold on to Sixteen,” Mike’s father watches Mike perform at Sectionals and says he’ll support Mike if he decides to study dance in college.

So things seem to be looking up for Mike Chang now. But it’s a long season. And as we know with Glee, almost anything can happen.

But knowing that they’re good enough, just the way they are, is a good starting point for all the kids at William McKinley.

Here’s the list of books I’ve recommended to Glee characters so far:

• Mike Chang – Good Enough by Paula Yoo.
• Artie Abrams – Accidents of Nature by Harriet McBryde Johnson.
• Noah Puckerman - So Punk Rock (And Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother) by Micol Ostow.
• Brittany Pierce – Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John.
• Mercedes Jones – Dramarama by E. Lockhart.
• Tina Cohen-Chang – My Not-So-Still Life by Liz Gallagher.
• Santana Lopez – Sister Mischief by Laura Goode.
• Blaine Anderson – Pitch Perfect by Mickey Rapkin.
• Finn Hudson – Struts & Frets by Jon Skovron.
• Sam Evans – Guitar Boy by MJ Auch.
• Quinn Fabray – Beauty Queens by Libba Bray.
• David Karofsky – Dairy Queen and The Off Season both by Catherine Gilbert Murdock.
• Rachel Berry – Theater Geek by Mickey Rapkin.
• Kurt Hummel – Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan.

Friendship, secrets and hope.

Those are three main elements in Bluefish (Candlewick, 2011), a new young adult novel by Wisconsin author Pat Schmatz.

Friendship appears when Velveeta, a free-spirited girl, decides to befriend Travis, a quiet boy.

Travis really doesn’t have much choice in the matter. Once Velveeta makes up her mind to be Travis’s friend, she is dogged in achieving her goal. And, ultimately, Travis realizes how good a friend Velveeta is.

Travis and Velveeta both have secrets. And because they find their secrets embarrassing, they’re both committed to hanging on to them at almost any cost. But that becomes harder to do as their friendship grows.

Once their secrets are discovered, things look bleak for the pair. But, ultimately, hope prevails.

Want more details? Let’s turn this review over to today’s guest reviewer, Sophie.

Our reviewer: Sophie.

Age: 11

Things I like to do: Play just about any sport, hang out with my friends, go to my cabin, ski, tube and read.

This book was about: A boy who moves to a new school. He thinks he is stupid, angry and alone. Then, he meets Velveeta, who changes his world. These unlikely friends are totally opposite. No matter how quiet or to himself he was, she wouldn’t back down. But he liked her. Also, she knows his secret. She also has a secret, but she is determined not to let anyone know it. This story is about Travis, whose life totally changes for the better, and Velveeta, who learns to look on the brighter side of her situation.

The best part was when: Travis and Velveeta go to the anti-dance at Bradley’s house.

I smiled when: I met/read about the girl, Velveeta. She cracks me up. In some ways, I think I am like her.

I was worried when: Velveeta told Travis to try, just try, and he left.

I was surprised when: Mr. McQueen knew Travis couldn’t read.

This book taught me: If you have a true friend and she/he turns their back on you, stand by them no matter what.

Three words that best describe this book: “Unique.” “Interesting.” “Inspiring.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “So, what’s your story?” she asked. “What story?” “Yours. Everybody’s got one. You’re next. What’s yours?”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The complicated relationship between Travis and his grandpa. Also, what happens to the dog.

You should read this book because: It has a very unique storyline. But if you read very closely and think about it, it has a great point and could teach you a lot.

Thanks, Sophie!

And, Sophie isn’t the only one reviewing Bluefish. The book received starred reviews from The Horn Book, School Library Journal and The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. It also was featured in this 60-Second Recap on YouTube.

If you’d like to learn more about Pat Schmatz, you can:

• Visit her website.

• Read this interview with Pat from The School Library Journal.

• Read this post on my blog, which I wrote after I heard Pat speak at a Wisconsin SCBWI meeting. (You’ll have to scroll down a bit to get to Pat’s part.)

This just in! Bluefish was named to Horn Book Fanfare, a list of the best books of 2011. The Horn Book said, “Schmatz has crafted a story of friendship that is subtle and poignant, believable and rewarding.”