Mitali Perkins's Blog, page 42

Amazon as Publisher (Part Two)? An Insider's View From YA Author Andrew Fukuda (CROSSING)

Last week we spoke with Zetta Elliott (A Wish After Midnight) about her experience working with AmazonEncore, a new venture from Amazon with this motto: "Unearthing Exceptional Books and Emerging Authors for More Readers to Enjoy."



Zetta self-published her book before AmazonEncore released it, but that isn't always how the program works. Today we welcome YA author Andrew Fukuda, author of Crossing, an original novel published first by AmazonEncore. Here's his bio:

Born in Manhattan and...

KidsBuzz and BAMBOO PEOPLE Giveaway

Looking for a great way to share a book for children or teens with booksellers, librarians, and parents? Why not try KidsBuzz, the brainchild of Deborah Sloan (formerly director of marketing, promotion, advertising and publicity for Candlewick Press, Abbeville Press and Trafalgar Square)? Here's what KidsBuzz can do for you and your book:

KidsBuzz partners with successful online publications that target readers, bookclubs, booksellers and librarians: Shelf Awareness, DearReader.com and a

RICKSHAW GIRL and a Mother's Day Tribute

I recently received a poem from a reader of my book Rickshaw Girl who said that the main character in the story, Naima, reminded her of her mother. I asked for permission to post it on my blog in honor of Mother's Day, and here it is:





Naima

by Katherine Nguyen

With your long black hairFingers like a brushYou draw an alpinaThe work of an artist

Young and freeIn a world so narrow            You fly like the windPave the way to a new tomorrow

Your hopes and dreamsAre like blue skies and...

5 Children's Books About Microfinance

Microfinance is the provision of financial services to low-income clients who traditionally lack access to banking. Organizations like Kiva and the Grameen Bank believe it's a vital weapon in the war against poverty. But how do we help kids grasp the concept? Here are five books that introduce children to the impact of microfinance (full disclosure: one is mine).



Beatrice's Goat | Page McBrier | Atheneum | 2001



A young girl's dream of attending school in her small Ugandan village is fulfil...

Amazon as Publisher? An Insider's View From YA Author Zetta Elliott

I admire certain publishing houses because of their history of championing voices from the margins. Recently I was surprised to discover that Amazon Encore (yes, that Amazon) makes a similar claim as a publisher. Here's the program's mission statement:

Even great books can be overlooked. And authors with great potential often struggle to connect with the larger audience they deserve to reach ... AmazonEncore is a new program whereby Amazon will use information such as customer reviews on...

I'm Over The Rainbow ...

...where dreams really do come true:





Emily of Deep Valley releases 10/12/10 from HarperPerennial, along with this gorgeous re-issue of Carney's House Party and Winona's Pony Cart, with foreword by Melissa Wiley:

Come visit me on the Fire Escape!

2010 Jane Addams Book Awards

The Jane Addams Peace Association announced the winners of the 2010 Jane Addams Children's Book Awards today, and I'm delighted to introduce them on the Fire Escape:



Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan , written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter, Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, is the winner in the Books for Younger Children Category.



Nasreen's parents are gone, her father taken one night by soldiers, her mother lost on her sea...

Celebrating Girl Power on SECRET KEEPER's Paperback Release Day

Kirkus reviews captured my hope for my novel SECRET KEEPER (Random House): "Asha's struggles will enlighten and inspire young women, and encourage them to value their own freedom."



In honor of SECRET KEEPER's paperback release, I'm turning over today's twitter stream to feature tweets from charities that empower girls. Track the tweets via hashtag #StrongGirls.



NEW! Book Club Discussion Guide andTeacher Discussion Guide (.doc file). 

Paperback classroom copy sets available from Random...

My Bollywoodish Book Cover

HarperCollins India is releasing my First Daughter books next month, beginning with the first, and editor Pradipta Sarkar sent me the new cover. Here's the India version, followed by the American original. What do you guys think?

Come visit me on the Fire Escape!

What's Your Vision Statement?

Last weekend at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference in Seattle, I tried to show how a vision statement can sustain us through turbulent times in the industry. Here's mine, created five years ago:

To create and celebrate good stories,

especially about children and teens in the margins of life.

I also created a visual picture by brainstorming words with a wordle:





If you don't have a vision statement yet for your vocation, here are some prompts to get you star...