Their protest efforts succeeded where adults had failed, and they helped desegregate one of the most racially violent cities in America. Focusing on four of the original participants, who participated in extensive interviews, this book recounts the amazing events before, during and after the Children’s March.

There was such a lovely interview with Cynthia on Audrey Vernick’s Literary Friendships blog about how she got the idea to write this book, that I couldn’t possibly compete with it.

So, I decided to ask Cynthia about a topic that always fascinates me – the writing process.

Once you decided this was a story you had to tell, how did you start?

I read. This may sound obvious or old-fashioned because, these days, there are many sources of information. But, I made a concerted effort to read just about every nonfiction book I could find—for both adults and children—on civil rights and on the history of the South. Several of the books for adults had won Pulitzer Prizes and were, literally, voluminous. Periodically, I interspersed my fact-finding with wonderfully evocative historical fiction.

After a couple of months, when I started seeing the same information in multiple sources, I realized that I had covered the terrain as best I could. Still, I kept reading for another month. When I began to detect inconsistencies and contradictions in what I was reading, I knew that I had finally learned enough about both civil rights and its coverage to be able to evaluate the sources.

Without this depth of book-learning and, finally, analysis, I wouldn’t have known what questions to ask when I ventured from the library to the site of the events.

How did you find the children – now all grown up – that you interviewed for your book? And were they eager to participate, or did you have to convince them?

Fortunately, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute has been conducting video interviews with civil rights activists for the past 15 years. Portions of the recordings are posted on the BCRI’s website. And, many complete transcripts of these interviews are available for purchase. So, I contacted the interviewer, Dr. Horace Huntley, and the archivist, Laura Anderson, and asked for guidance on which transcripts to read. In addition, I contacted many of the people who were quoted or discussed in all those books I had read! Ultimately, it was a matter of making cold calls, just like a pre-Internet Encyclopedia salesman.

Most people I contacted—I considered dozens of people before settling on the final four—were very generous with their time and information. Audrey, for instance, invited me to her home where I got to see where Dr. King discussed strategy with her mother and the piano where her father’s choir leader practiced the song “We’ve Got a Job.” Another person offered to participate but, then, stopped responding to my inquiries; after many months of futile effort, I honored her ambivalence and stopped stalking her. A third person interviewed me—for good reason!—before agreeing to participate.

I knew it was important to show the events from various perspectives because history is not a single story. The second to last paragraph of the book summarizes the role that each of the four children played during the March. Finding the right mix of people who were willing to spend hours and hours being interviewed and then vetting what I wrote was a major undertaking.

What was the hardest part about researching this book? Did you ever despair that you wouldn’t be able to find all the information you needed?

The research was intense and prolonged but I despaired more about the writing than about the research. (Maybe this just says more about me than about the general process of writing nonfiction.) The reason for this gets back to the inconsistencies and contradictions I mentioned before. I also discuss this issue in my Author’s Note at the end of the book.

As we know from recent research on court trials, witnesses’ and participants’ perceptions of events differ, not only from each others’ but also over time. Some of the memories my interviewees shared with me did not accord with the written record or with other people’s memories. Sorting through these multiple perspectives required very fine-grain and sensitive probing and cautious writing.

An area that confounded me for months was the relationship between the civil rights protests and Birmingham’s mayoral election, which was going on at exactly the same time. As with the rest of the research, though, I found an amazing book on internal politics in three Alabama cities, including Birmingham, which sorted out for me how the election and the civil rights movement were integrally related.

Then, I certainly despaired about being able to write about municipal politics in an engaging way for ten-year-olds. As with the rest of the writing, my indefatigable editor helped me explain the issues clearly and succinctly.

What was the most interesting thing you learned while gathering your information?

Everything was fascinating! But, the areas that, perhaps, interested me the most were the ones where I—and many other people—wanted to resist the truth.

The first of these was the fundamental discovery that it was children, not grown-ups, who were jailed, attacked by dogs, and hosed. The second, related to this, was that extremely few white people in Birmingham knew about the marches, attacks, hosing, and jailings, even while they were going on. How could they not know what was happening in their downtown every day for almost two weeks? The answer, I discovered, is that the newspapers buried the information, and the city was so segregated, their lives did not intersect.

These were hard-to-accept but riveting truths.

How was fact-checking done? By you? By the publisher? By outside experts? All of the above?

Yes! I sent the manuscript to the people I interviewed, for vetting, as well as to several scholars. Peachtree’s editors also probed the “facts” in detail, to be sure they were actually facts, and also sent the draft to an outside reviewer.

We discovered several errors, which was both relieving and dismaying. I also revised some statements to make them less assertive and more nuanced. I’m immensely grateful to everyone who read the drafts, though I fear that errors may remain.

I am especially grateful to Jane Ann Baggett, a 10-year-old reader and writer who told me exactly what she thought of the manuscript from a reader’s perspective!

How long did it take you from your first forays into research and interviewing until you finished your final, submission-ready draft?

I never had a “final, submission-ready draft.” What my agent, Erin Murphy, submitted to publishers was a very extensive proposal.

Getting from the initial idea to the point of sending out the proposal took about eight months. Then, everything lay fallow for about a year while the proposal was rejected by 18 or 20 publishers. From the point that Peachtree bought the proposal to the time that the final manuscript, complete with photos and source notes and index, etc., was sent to the printer took another two years. During some of that time, I researched and wrote intensively; for many months in between, I had to allow my editor to work on other people’s books!

Did researching and writing this book change how you will approach future books? Do you have a more refined, clearer writing process now?

Although I thought I kept scrupulous source notes, fact-checking took an inordinate amount of time because I had to re-trace several research routes. So, I’m trying in my next projects to be more careful about foot-noting.

The writing process, however, has not, yet, become more streamlined. The reasons are that I’m trying my hand at picture book manuscripts, which require an entirely different style from long-form narrative, one that I need to learn. Also, each subject and its intended audience requires its own approach, its own format and voice. Perhaps if I muster the energy for another middle-grade or YA book, I’ll be able to apply the lessons I learned from We’ve Got a Job. Meanwhile, the lesson I learned is to take a break!

What advice would you give to writers who want to create in-depth nonfiction books? What should they keep in mind?

Love your subject. Love it so much that you have to pull yourself away from the research and writing to feed your family and see your friends. Keep loving it so that, when you get to the copy-editing stage, you’ll actually care whether or not the commas are consistent. Love it so that when it sees the light of day, you’ll be proud to share the story only you could tell.

Thanks for visiting us, Cynthia!

You can learn more about Cynthia and her book by visiting her website. The book is officially released on Feb. 1. And, if you visit the EMU’s Debuts blog that week, you’ll learn even more.

True, the picture book nods at the classic children’s tale, but then it merrily skips off in another direction entirely.

Let’s start with the similarities. Betsy Red Hoodie sets off to deliver cupcakes to her grandmother. Through the forest. By herself. Wearing, well … you know what.

But this Betsy is a shepherd, so she takes her sheep with her. And the village’s other shepherd comes along too. A wolf named Zimmo.

Betsy is warned by others that Zimmo might not be trustworthy around grandmothers because, “Long ago, a wolf had eaten a grandma.” But Betsy believes in her friend.

However, the journey through the forest is far from easy. And halfway through it, Zimmo abandons Betsy and the flock. Did he race off ahead to eat her grandmother?

Like a good shepherd, Betsy stays with her flock and helps them find a lost sheep, survive a sudden rainstorm and a slog up a very muddy hill. (My favorite line? “Wool should be dry cleaned.”)

When a tired, worried Betsy finally arrives, her grandmother’s cottage is very dark. She fears the worst. But instead, she finds something very affirming and unexpected inside.

To hear more, let’s turn things over to today’s guest reviewer.

Today’s reviewer: Jaiden.

Age: 7

Things I like to do: Play “olden days” and chase.

This book was about: Betsy going to deliver cupcakes to her grandma.

The best part was when: Betsy found out what the wolf was doing.

I was worried when: The wolf ran ahead and didn’t tell Betsy what he was doing.

This book taught me: To trust your friends.

Three words that best describe this book: “Cool.” “Interesting.” “Fun.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Surprise!”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The funny hats the sheep wear.

You should read this book because: It’s not anything like the real story of “Little Red Riding Hood.”

Thanks, Jaiden!

Gail Carson Levine is the author of the Newbery Honor Book Ella Enchanted along with Ever, Fairest, Dave at Night, The Wish, The Two Princesses of Bamarre and Betsy Who Cried Wolf. You can learn more about her by visiting her website.

Scott Nash has illustrated many books for children, including Betsy Who Cried Wolf. You can visit him online at this website.

The book is a follow up to Sue and Mike’s first collaboration, and features an adorable hippo’s search for the perfect dress. There are so many to admire and try on. Which is the perfect one? And will her mother be patient enough to let her find it?

Today’s reviewer likes books and dresses and was eager to share her thoughts. So, take it away, Sienna!

Today’s reviewer: Sienna

Age: 4.5

I like to: Eat ice cream. Play with Abby.

This book was about: A girl who was trying on dresses.

The best part was when: She finds the dress.

I smiled when: I saw she was growing, like me. And,I liked the ball gown.

I was worried when: Mom said it was time to go.

I was surprised when: She found the perfect dress.

This book taught me: To look at every dress before I choose.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Awesome and fun!”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “This dress looks like grandma’s rug.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Pretty dresses, especially the ball gown.

You should read this book because: You’ll learn how to pick a dress out when you grow up.

Thanks, Sienna!

If you’d like to learn more about Sue Fliess and future books she has coming out, visit her website or read her blog.

If you’d like to learn more about Mike Laughead and his work, you can visit his website.

You’ll notice that Sienna is wearing her favorite dress in the photo to the left. A year or so ago, Sienna shared her favorite shoes when she reviewed Shoes for Me!, also by Sue and Mike.

If you’re lucky, you get Jonathan Emmett and Poly Bernatene’s new picture book The Princess and the Pig (Walker Books, 2011). It’s an extremely well-done homage to traditional fairy tales with a few fresh and very unexpected twists.

Today’s guest reviewer has already shown she has an affinity for pigs, so she seemed to be the perfect person to review this book.

—————–

Today’s reviewer: Sonia.

Age: 9.

I like: Pigs, horses, sleeping and using the computer.

This book was about: A princess and a pig. The pig and the princess accidentally switch spots when the queen drops the princess. The princess falls over the edge of the tower into a haycart. When the princess lands in the cart, the pig flies up and lands in the princess’s cradle. The king thinks a bad witch has turned the princess into a pig just like happens all the time in stories. And the farmer thinks a good witch has turned the piglet into a baby.

The best part of the book was when: The farmer first got the pig. I love pigs.

I smiled when: The pig and the princess switched places.

I was worried when: The pig didn’t like being a princess, but the princess liked being a farmer’s daughter. I felt bad for the piggy. She seemed depressed that she was now a princess.

I was suprised when: The farmer returned the princess when she was all grown up and the queen thought the farmer was lying so the girl could get married to a fancy prince. But he wasn’t.

My favorite line or phrase was: “And so, without a second thought, the baby became Pigmella, the farmer’s daughter, and the piglet became Priscilla, the royal princess.

My favorite picture was when: The pig was running away because she didn’t want to wear her fancy dress.

Other people reading this book should watch for: The difference between the princess and the farmer’s daughter. As Pigmella grew older, she was smarter and beautiful and was admired by everyone she met. As Priscilla grew older, she grew not-so smart and not-so beautiful and was avoided by everyone she met.

Three words that describe this book are: “Princess.” “Pig.” “Stories.”

You should read this book because: It’s like five different stories in one. It has a little part of “Sleeping Beauty,” a little part of “Thumbelina,” a little of “The Prince and the Pauper,” a little bit of “Puss and Boots” and a little bit of “The Frog Prince.”

—————–

Thanks, Sonia!

This book is getting some love over at the Cybils. It was one of seven books chosen as a finalist for the 2011 best fiction picture book award. The winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day.

And, it got a positively gushing review from the School Library Journal, which declared, in part:

“My first instinct was to just throw it on the pile with the rest of the princessey fare. Fortunately, I heard some low-key buzz about the book, making it clear that there might be something worthwhile going on here. Thank goodness I did, too. Ladies and gentlemen, two men have come together and somehow produced a book that thumbs its nose at the notion of a little girl wanting to be a princess. In fact, when it comes right down to it, this is a tale about how sometimes it’s difficult to tell the royalty from the swine. Now that’s a lesson I can get behind!”

If you’d like to learn more about author Jonathan Emmett, check out his funny responses to these serious questions.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Poly Bernatene, visit his website. He lives in Argentina, so it’s in Spanish, but you can use Google Translate to get a passable English version. And, of course, his artwork is beautiful in any language.

And, happily, the story inside Nowhere Girl (Walker Books, 2011) by A.J. Paquette is just as lovely.

It tells the story of 13-year-old Luchi Ann, who knows nothing of her American heritage and has spent her entire life in a Thai women’s prison with her mother. But, after her mother’s death, Luchi Ann must set off on an uncertain journey to find her place in the outside world.

Publishers Weekly said, “The highly atmospheric setting and thoughtful, determined narrator create a memorable thriller about identity and belonging.”

But don’t take our word for it.

Listen to today’s guest reviewer.

————————————-

Our reviewer: Rebekah

Age: 12.5

Things I like to do: Read just about anything. I can only think of two books that I have ever read that I didn’t like.

What I thought of this book: Nowhere Girl is about Luchi Ann Finn, an American born in a woman’s prison in Thailand. Her mother was secretive, and so Luchi Ann only knew a few things about her life: her name, which she wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, and that her mother, Helena Finn, was the only family that she had.

But when Luchi’s mother dies, the warden of the prison decides it’s not healthy for a girl to grow up in a cell and sends her away to learn about the world that, so far, she had only read about. The only item that she keeps is a strange letter that she is given by one of the women that she grew up with. It’s addressed to Helena Finn and from someone called Regina Finn — Luchi’s grandmother who lives in America.

Suddenly, Luchi’s journey has a purpose — to find the grandmother that she never knew, and also find the monster of a man who made her mother so afraid and secretive. It will be a hard journey, but Luchi is determined to unravel the tangled web of secrets that make up her life.

I got this book on Christmas Eve from my aunt. I started reading it that evening and had finished it by Christmas morning (probably staying up too late in the process.) From the very beginning, this book had me hooked. Luchi Ann’s story is a mystery that wraps you up in it and isn’t solved until the very end, so I found Nowhere Girl impossible to put down.

I would recommend this book to: Everyone, including adults, because it is such a real and touching story. I felt as if I’d known Luchi forever by the end of the book because of how much personality and life she had. Nowhere Girl is an amazingly powerful book, and I think anyone wanting to curl up with a good book should read it.

————————————-

Thanks, Rebekah!

If you’d like to learn more about the author, you can:

• Visit her website.
• Read this interview on Kissing the Earth.
• Read this interview on Cynsations.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.”