This spring saw many strong children’s book debuts, but for our semiannual Flying Starts, which highlight standout first books, we narrowed the field to four. The novels we selected feature a girl who embraces science one stifling summer in 1899 Texas; a boy coming of age in rural Oregon against the backdrop of war; a group of delinquent teenage boys investigating the disappearance of a friend; and a family quietly suffering an abusive father.
Spring 2009 Flying Starts: Jacqueline KellySpring 2009 Flying Starts: Rosanne ParrySpring 2009 Flying Starts: Michael NorthropSpring 2009 Flying Starts: Thalia ChaltasADVERTISEMENT
Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat spoke with PW KidsCast about delving into the past for his first graphic memoir for middle graders, 'A First Time for Everything,' inspired by his life-changing class trip to Europe.