The Weekly 411 (11/15/24)

Nov. 15, 2024, vol. 46

The Weekly 411 gathers all the links added to Kidlit411 each week. To receive this post by email, sign up for our email updates. Are you on Facebook? Join our Kidlit411 group for conversations and camaraderie. This week's illustration is by Agathe Denis.

Middle Grade Giveaway

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the middle grade novel, All Mixed Up, by Raj Tawney (Paw Prints Publishing/Baker & Taylor) out now. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.

cover design by Daniela Alarcon

About the Book: New York Times essayist, Raj Tawney, delivers a gripping story of a multi-ethnic American boy who forges a complex friendship with a Pakistani immigrant in the wake of 9/11. It's 2002--less than one year after the September 11th attacks-- and sixth-grader Kamal Rao is tackling a brave new world of challenges, including figuring out who he really is and how he fits in. Even with New York City in its backyard, the suburban town where he lives is anything but open-minded. That means Kamal - frequently picked on and feeling ostracized -- usually spends his time alone, making mud pies in the backyard or cooking recipes with his mom and grandma from his family's three cultures. Then, one day, a Pakistani immigrant named Jaz arrives at school, entering Kamal's life and challenging his sluggish movement through the world. As the two boys forge a friendship over their love of exploring the outdoors and eating good food, the newcomer begins to show Kamal how being "different" isn't a bad thing at all. For the first time, a fire is lit within Kamal - but what will happen when questions of Jaz's origins and his intentions begin to come into question at school and in their town? Will Kamal-- now on the cusp of discovering who he really is and who he wants to be -- risk his own safety and his family's trust help his new friend, someone he barely knows at all? Based on the author's personal life experiences, an insightful middle-grade novel from a fresh voice in children's fiction that will be felt long after the last page.

About the Author: Raj Tawney is a writer and journalist whose work largely reflects his multiracial American upbringing. Born to an Indian, Puerto Rican, and Italian American family, Tawney has explored his identity and family history through personal essays published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, and other outlets throughout the country. His debut memoir Colorful Palate: A Flavorful Journey Through a Mixed American Experience (Empire State Editions/Fordham University Press) has received critical acclaim and was recently awarded the Bronze Medal at the 2024 Living Now Book Award for Inspirational Memoir. His middle grade novel All Mixed Up (Paw Prints Publishing/Baker & Taylor) already received praise before its pub date on October 28, 2024, National Immigrants Day.

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Picture Book Giveaway

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, Cows Can't Be Clowns, by Debra Daugherty, illustrated by 1000 Storybooks (Harbor Lane Books, LLC), out now. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.

About the Book: Bella wants to be a clown, but she's a cow! Rooster, Pig, and Horse laugh when Bella tells them her dream, so she sneaks away to join the circus. Bella proves to the clowns she is moo-larious, and they welcome her into their act. As the star of the show, Bella should be happy, but she misses her friends on the farm. Will she choose circus stardom, or her farm-animal friends?

About the Author: Central Illinois author Debra Daugherty is a member of SCBWI, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Her publishing credits include Cows Can’t Be Clowns (Harbor Lane Books/EverImagine Books, 2024), The Memory Jar (Roan & Weatherford/Young Dragons, 2023), Calamity Cat (MeeGenius/HMH, 2013), The Dragon’s Ring (Astra Press/Clean Reads, 2015), and two short stories in Guardian Angel Kids’ e-zine. When a child, Debra had a pet cow named Tammy.

About the Illustrator: 1000 Storybooks provided the illustrations.

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Picture Books

Read-Aloudability: Ensuring Your Picture Book Sings When Read

Critique Groups

Beta Readers: How to Find Them and How to Get the Most From Them

Contests & Awards

Nov. 18- Dec. 8 1st Annual Rhyming Poetry Contest, Theme: Winter Wanderings: Nature Poems

What: submit a poem no longer than 16 lines that rhymes suitable for children or teens with the theme "Winter Wanderings: Nature Poems"
Award: Cash prizes (1st place: $300; 2nd place: $200; 3rd place: $100; $10 entry fee). Longlist Dec 13; shortlist Dec 15; winner Dec 17.

Writing Courses

Nov. 19 8 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. PST Cooking Up Funny Picture Books: 4 Key Ingredients with award-winning picture book author Julie Hedlund. If you want kids to get the giggles when reading your funny picture book, you need a unique stew of surprise, subtext, timing, and illustrations (even if you're not an illustrator). With ample examples from recently published picture books, we will both analyze humor AND keep the frog alive. Attendees will also receive a handout with an overview of 7 types of funny picture books and a 90-day replay period!

Marketing & Creating a Platform

Nov. 19 5p.m. PST/ 8 p.m EST Establish Yourself as an Author in 30 Days Calling all children's writers and authors! Jennifer Swanson sharing her 30-day plan to expand your audience, network within the kidlit world, and create your platform in this Children's Book Insider Course.