New book for Anjali Banerjee

Anjali Banerjee's new middle grade novel, SEAGLASS SUMMER, is available today from Wendy Lamb Books/Random House! In SEAGLASS SUMMER, 11-year-old Poppy Ray, an aspiring veterinarian, spends the summer with her Indian uncle at his animal clinic on a Pacific Northwest island.

Here's the description:

Poppy is in for big surprises. She loves tending to the dogs, cats, and even a bird, and she discovers the fun of newborn puppies and the satisfaction of doing a good job. But she learns that there's more to caring for animals than the stethoscope and cotton swabs in her Deluxe Veterinarian First-Aid Kit. She's not prepared for quirky pet owners, gross stuff, or scary emergencies. With help from a boy named Hawk, a chunk of seaglass, and a touch of intuition, Poppy gains a deeper understanding of the pain and joy of working with animals.

Congratulations, Anjali!

COLUMBIAKids turns two with “The Story Behind the Story”

On May 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., you can celebrate COLUMBIAKids e-zine at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. (1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma WA 98402.)

Here's the official invite from editor Stephanie Lile:

Join us as COLUMBIAKids e-zine turns two! This year we’re exploring “the story behind the story” with amazing PNW authors Kirby Larson (Hattie Big sky, Nubs, COLUMBIAKids “Sayonara”), Randall Platt (Hellie Jondoe), Anjali Banerjee (Looking for Bapu, Seaglass Summer), Mindy Hardwick (COLUMBIAKids “Pigs Go To Market” and “Tales of the Lighthouse Keeper”), and the editors of COLUMBIAKids.

If you’re curious about researching and writing history for kids, don’t miss this program. If you’re intrigued with homesteading, ghosts, orphan trains, internment, animals, or mummies, this night is for you. It’s a fun and enlightening evening for readers and writers of all ages. The program is FREE and the museum is open to the public until 8pm. Book signing to follow the program.

Good news for Anjali Banerjee

We can all give a shout to acknowledge the release of Anjali Banerjee's third children's novel with Wendy Lamb Books/Random House, SEAGLASS SUMMER (middle grade). It's due out May 11 and she already has a great Booklist Review (see below). The book was chosen as one of six Random House Children's Books titles to be included in the May/June issue of Scholastic's Instructor Magazine (circulation 143,542).

Stay tuned for her events. And check out her website here.


From ALA Booklist, March 1, 2010

Seaglass Summer.
Banerjee, Anjali (Author)
May 2010. 176 p. Random/Wendy Lamb, hardcover, $15.99. (9780385735674).
Random/Wendy Lamb,
library edition, $18.99. (9780385905558).

Eleven-year-old Poppy wants to be a veterinarian like her uncle Sanjay. So while her parents are in India visiting relatives, she spends several weeks with him on Nisqually Island, Washington, helping out at his Furry Friends Animal Clinic. Episodic chapters focus on the people and animals that Poppy meets, her efforts to do a good job, no matter what’s thrown at her, and the difficulty she encounters in balancing dreams against some harsh realities. One terrific thing about this book is that there’s no talking down, either to Poppy or the reader. Everything’s on the table, from Sanjay’s father’s negative reaction to his son’s career choice to the limits of care a vet can provide when a pet is terminal. There are many moving events here, and only the hardest of hearts won’t soften when Poppy tries to comfort an elderly man whose beloved cat is being put down. Sometimes amusing, sometimes gross, and always true to itself, this should find a wide readership. Pencil illustrations enliven the chapter headings.
— Ilene Cooper

5th Annual Field’s End Writers’ Conference

Lots of familiar face presenting at this conference--it sounds great!

Registration is open for the 5th Annual Field’s End Writers’ Conference to be held Saturday, April 17 at Kiana Lodge, on the shores of Agate Passage just north of Bainbridge Island. Enjoy a day of camaraderie, inspiration, and learning about the art and craft of writing.

This year’s keynote speaker is environmental journalist Bruce Barcott, 2009 Guggenheim Nonfiction Fellow and author of The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw, named one of the best books of 2008 by Library Journal. Award-winning poet and performance artist Dr. Gloria Burgess will be opening speaker, discussing “Creative Perseverance: For Such a Time as This.” Founder and Principal of Jazz, Inc., her books include Legacy Living and Dare to Wear Your Soul on the Outside.

Several authors for children and young adults will offer presentations: Anjali Banerjee on “Knowing When to Stop Revising”; David Patneaude on “What If? What Then?”; Alma Alexander on “It’s Not Just Harry’s World”; Carmen T. Bernier-Grand on “Writing Vivid Biographies for Children”; and Joni Sensel on “Green and Growing: Ecology Topics for Children’s Fiction.” Children’s book author George Shannon serves as Master of Ceremonies.

Publicist Alice B. Acheson will present a workshop, “A Dozen Steps to Find a Literary Agent or Publisher.”

Other features this year include a professional panel of three industry experts examining the topic “Writing Outside the Lines: State of the Industry,” a “Writing Aerobics” hands-on workshop with Kathryn Galbraith that will jump-start your writing by using all of your senses, and an open reading session. The event also includes a continental breakfast, delicious salmon or vegetarian lunch, and a cheese and wine book signing reception.

Please visit www.fieldsend.org to register.