The Reading Nook Reviews

What was it like last night for my husband, Kevin Lewis, when he heard Chelsea Clinton say those words about his book, CHUGGA CHUGGA CHOO CHOO…

“Those of you who know me know that I’m not particularly savvy when it comes to social media, but I’ll risk it because having a book I wrote mentioned during such a historic event in such a touching way is…

Well, I can’t quite find the word for it.

I can say that it totally represents what I value in books for the very young – and that’s their ability to help parents (and grandparents) create special moments they can share with their children (and grandchildren) over and over again. The very idea that a grandmother uses a book about trains to create that bond with her granddaughter is exhilarating. It makes me feel like I’ve helped create something pure, and it says a lot about how far we’ve come in creating a world with more opportunities than obstacles.

The fact that this particular grandmother is the first woman to receive a nomination from a major party is, frankly, humbling.

So if this was all there was to say, it would be enough. It would be more than enough. But the fact that this first female nominee from a major political party uses my words – words written by the grandson of sharecroppers and the product of head start and need-based college grants. Words written by a survivor of some of the worst that systemic racism has to offer. Words written by a man who was only able to marry the love of his life five years ago. She uses my words to bond with her granddaughter… well, what’s the word for that?

The only one I can think of is American. I had forgotten how powerful and wonderful that word can be.

I have been a fan of Simon & Schuster’s teen books since I bought Tithe by Holly Black in 2004. My shelves are full with many of your authors, and when Salaam Reads was announced, I thought “Look at that! A Big 5 publisher doing right.” I’m writing to you because you are VP & Publisher. I would email, but I don’t have it and feel uncomfortable asking around for it. 

Today I discovered AMERICAN TERRORIST by Todd Strasser. We all did. “We” being the YA community. These are the things you need to know. 

1. I witnessed many Muslim voices feel like they could not publicly react to this title. They were afraid to speak up about this book. They were afraid they would be targeted for calling out how problematic this book could be for our community. And why should they be alone in this?

2. They, thankfully, are not alone. There is a chorus of people right now wondering how this book made it through editorial, through the people who champion Salaam Reads, through a house that is thought of as an ally of diverse voices. 

3. Here are some of the reactions that the team should be aware of. These were the ones I was able to get permission to use. There are many, many more. 

*****

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I mean, there’s plenty more, but you get it. At least, I hope you get it. I *know* you get us. So why this book? Are we missing something? Are we not in on the plot twist? 

Here are some other things we would benefit from knowing:  

1. Why? I don’t mean this in a sarcastic or flippant way at all. This letter comes from a place of dialogue. I really mean why this book? I am not Muslim, but I know when something sounds wrong and this book looks irresponsible. 

2. Why whitewash the cover on top of it? Is the ending a plot twist where Khalil is a white boy named Dylan Roof? 

3. Or, if the character is a white Muslim and the author is “trying” to subvert the stereotype with the reader’s own prejudice, did anyone consider how this is profiting off of the current violence towards not just dark skinned Muslims, but also Sikhs and anyone who might “look” the part? 

4. If this is a giant promotional click-bait to make the American Terrorist be a white boy in a Muslim country, then the copy is deceptive. It isn’t even unreliable-narrator-deceptive, it’s just deceptive. You can’t joke with the lives of real people suffering in this country. 

5. How can you uplift the voices from Salaam Reads when there are so many people hurt today? 

I know how publishing works. I get it. But in a time when D*nald Tr*mp and his anti-Muslim rhetoric has secured his GOP nomination, how can you in good conscience go through with this book? 

That’s all. 

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For everyone else, hey Ramadan is coming up! There’s a hashtag going on right now called #RamadanReads started by Aisha Saeed. 

There’s a great group dedicated to the uplifting of Muslim voices in the publishing and media narrative. They are the Muslim Squad. Check out their links and book recommendations. 

Best, 

Contributed by Kate Sullivan, Senior Editor at Delacorte Press 

These days, many working in the industry have heard the news and are on board with the mission: it’s time to diversify the book market. Publishing is an ecosystem, and every level needs to be committed to making changes if this mission is to succeed.

As an editor, I think a lot about my piece in this effort, and I’m avidly watching what other editors are doing to make it happen. Recently, some conversations I had on Twitter surrounding #ownvoices and #Dvpit made me reflect about blind spots that even the best intentioned ally or advocate editors have—including myself—and I want to share those revelations so that we can keep pushing the efforts forward.

I know many editors who are ready for change, and are embracing it. They’re calling to the heavens, to Twitter, lunching agents, asking and begging for more diverse submissions. And… honestly, we haven’t been super successful yet. At least, I know I’m not the only one discouraged by the limited progress. Some authors of color or marginalized voices are getting bigger and better book deals but not enough. I’m seeing more books that feature characters of different ethnicities or backgrounds and sexualities, and fantasies inspired by different cultures, but most of them aren’t written by diverse authors. It’s progress of a sort, but we need to push further and do better.

Reading A. Hope Jahren’s great piece in the NYT and her subsequent tweets on the subject and remembering something that happened in high school.

I was a sophomore. My friend was a senior. She was an aide in the counselor’s office one period. 

“Come with me,” she asked. “One of the counselors there is a skeev.”

She felt unsafe. She felt uncomfortable. He hadn’t done anything TOO drastic. It was just the way he looked at her. Talked to her. Sometimes touched her. A brush here, a hand there. 

I skipped class two days in a row to go be with her. Back her up. Help her feel safe. It never occurred to me to doubt her. I trusted her instinct. It also never occurred to me to tell another adult about it. Who would we have told? What would we have said? What would they have done in 1989 anyway?

My friend ended up dropping out of high school. He wasn’t the only reason, but he didn’t help. She eventually got her GED.

15 years later, that same counselor is in jail for raping a 14-year-old girl. 

Or what about that other time I never told any adults about, when I was 13 years old, and my friend and I sat on Santa’s lap at a Christmas tree festival, knowing we were too old and feeling silly and fun. And the man being Santa grabbed my butt and told me that he wanted me. And I didn’t tell anyone, because I was already learning, at age 13, that this is how men treated girls. Who would we have told anyway? And what would they have done about it in 1987? 

How many other girls did that Santa grab after me? What else did he do because no one made him stop? Because no one helped me to know that if stuff like that happens it is WRONG, not my fault, and that someone would hear me, believe me, and make it stop?

Whimsical 3D Book Sculptures by Jodi Harvey-Brown

Pennsylvania-based artist, Jodi Harvey-Brown (previously featured here) has achieved the ultimate union between literature and sculpture. Conceptually and structurally intelligent, Brown revives vintage books in the hopes of constructing a unique and vivid sculpture reflective of each piece of literature. She has delved her hands into the classic world of literature, touching base on unforgettable stories, such as Alice in Wonderland, Moby Dick, The Little Mermaid and more. She says on her website:

“The books that we love to read should be made to come to life.  Characters, that we care so much for, should come out of the pages to show us their stories.  What we see in our imaginations as we read should be there for the world to see.”

Innovative and extremely imaginative, Brown’s sculpture bring to life some of the most beloved characters and passages in literature. You can find her book sculptures in her Etsy shop.