Recently
Alyson Beecher asked if I’d like to participate in a blog tour. She was
creating a tour to honor the tenth anniversary of the Schneider Family Book
Award. I have to say, it wasn’t until four or five years ago that I was even
aware of the Schneider award. If you are as in the dark as I was, Alyson did a
great summary of what this award stands for:
This award honors an author or illustrator for a book that
embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and
adolescent audiences.
With that
in mind, Alyson mentioned that I could pick a favorite book from the winners
and talk about it on my blog. Hmm, I scanned over the list of books that have
been honored at ALA.
How to
pick? This year my students went crazy over Splash of Red, I should go
with that one. Wait, but last year had the amazing book A Dog Called
Homeless. I can talk about that. Yet, Wonderstruck and the unusual
format would be a good discussion. It always helps my students understand dual
plot lines. But, Anything But Typical….no, Waiting for Normal…no,
Rules… so many good books.
I finally had to settle, I do need to pick one. The first year a special book won the award – Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements. I was in my third year of teaching in Monticello when this book came out. I book talked it then as I do now…
Imagine, you wake up in the morning,
stumble into the bathroom and jump into the shower. You’re tired, why does
school start so darn early? You quickly rinse off and step out, towel drying
yourself as you walk over to the mirror. Glancing up, you do a double take.
You’re looking into the mirror, but you aren’t there. Where you’re reflection
should be is nothing. Nothing. And you have no idea what has happened.
Usually the
book talk enough creates a waiting list for the book. When I explain that Bobby
– the boy that is suddenly invisible – runs to the library naked so no one will notice him, they giggle. When I share how he
befriends a blind girl, questions begin immediately.
I love this story. Bobby immediately drew me in. He has such a string of bad luck in the beginning of the book that I just wanted to be able to take care of him. My students adore this book as do I. What an amazing and unforgettable tale.
For more information about the Schneider Family Book Award: webpage | list of winners
Check out all of the links of the Schneider Family Book Award 10th Anniversary Blog Tour & Giveaway:
July 6, 2014 Nerdy Book Club
July 6, 2014 Kid Lit Frenzy
July 7, 2014 Nonfiction Detectives
July 9, 2014 Teach Mentor Texts
July 10, 2014 There’s a Book For That
July 11, 2014 Kathie Comments
July 12, 2014 Disability in Kidlit
July 14, 2014 Librarian in Cute Shoes
July 16, 2014 Read, Write, and Reflect
July 17, 2014 Read Now Sleep Later
July 18, 2014 Unleashing Readers
July 19, 2014 Great Kid Books
July 20, 2014 Maria’s Mélange
To
celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Schneider Family Book Award, we are
providing readers with an opportunity to win a set of all three 2014 Schneider
Family Book Award Winners. Participants must be 13 years or older and have
a US or Canadian mailing address.
Click HERE to be taken to the giveaway!
