Happy ALA Youth Media Awards Day! I can't wait to find out who wins! I will definitely be glued to my computer watching the webcast that's for sure.
I was an extremely productive blogger last week. I posted six out of the seven days. That hasn't happened in a long time.
Here's what I posted:


Review of Uptown by Bryan Collier
Review of Michel Symon's 5 in 5
Recap of Ruta Sepetys's visit to Ann Arbor
Thinking about the Newbery, Caldecott, et al.
Author guest post: Rebecca Behrens
Last week I finished listening to:


In the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Interrupted Tale by Maryrose Wood
Some picture books I enjoyed last week:

Henny by Elizabeth Rose Stanton
I was worried that arms on a chicken would freak me out, but Henny was surprisingly endearing.

The Monstore by Tara Lazar, illustrated by James Burks
Cute story of a big brother trying to scare his little sister, only to discover that the monsters he buys would rather hang with her. Loved the illustrations.

Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit by Kadir Nelson
I wish Nelson had created this book in his signature style of painting, but I understand why he did it in sketches instead: coming off the high of the historic 2008 election, Simon & Schuster wanted to take advantage of that excitement and put out a book quickly. The book is still a powerful testament to that historic moment in our country's history, but I think it would have been even more powerful if Nelson had created paintings for these images instead.

Find Momo by Andrew Knapp
More a photography book than a traditional picture book, Find Momo appeals to kids and adults alike. It's like Where's Waldo but better - because it's real photographs and the subject is a dog. What's not to love? If you love Find Momo, then follow Andrew Knapp on Instagram, which is where Find Momo actually originated as a hashtag.
Currently (still) reading:

Endangered by Eliot Schrefer
Currently listening:

Dark Life by Kat Falls
Wow! Kat Falls is sure a master of world-building! So far I'm loving this one.