Happy Book Birthday
EFRÉN DIVIDED
(Quill Tree Books/Harper Collins)
Cover art by Jay Bendt
Also available as an Audio CD
(HC B and Blackstone Publishing)
Harper360 UK license
Audible Audio Book forthcoming in April
An #ownvoices #MG novel for anyone working toward a more loving world–about family, friendship, and tearing down the walls being built between us.
by debut author
Ernesto Cisneros
Join Ernesto online
for his official book launch!
March 31st, 3pm PST @YouTubeLIVE
 Click on image to join the party.
An Indie Next Top Ten Selection
“Efrén Divided by debut writer Ernesto Cisneros is a heartfelt tribute to all the children who fear that their parents will be deported – and the story of one boy whose mother is sent back to Mexico. I love Ernesto’s clear-eyed sympathy for his characters. He knows deeply what he is writing about, and his connection to his subject shines through brilliantly.”
–Rosemary Brosnan;
v-p, editorial director; Quill Tree Books–
excerpted from PW article about Wi15 (WinterInstitute)
Four starred reviews!
“Affecting as it is timely… Cisneros tells this urgent story with focus and heart-wrenching realism, especially concerning the ripple effects of family separation, not just at the border but also among those in the U.S. Cisneros layers in stories of other deportees, underlining the importance of taking part in change as he portrays a community rallying around its most vulnerable members…”
–PW
“Cisneros provides a heart-wrenching and evocative glimpse of what one family’s life might look like on both sides of the border. Using down-to-earth characters and authentic scenarios, he tells a story of resilience, strength, and love. VERDICT: In a time full of divisiveness and unknowns, this resonant title will inspire young readers to make a difference, no matter the hardships they face.“
–SLJ
“Cisneros’ debut offers a vivid glimpse into the difficult, tenuous lives of immigrant families, succinctly communicates the heartbreaking impact of deportations, and demonstrates the resiliency of those affected, all grounded in the perspective of a relatable protagonist. This timely middle-grade novel will not only open dialogue with children on the issue of immigration but also encourage conversations on the subjects of kindness, empathy, and activism. A moving novel perfectly pitched to its audience.”
–Booklist
“Debut author Cisneros paints a vivid and palpable #ownvoices picture of the lost childhoods as children and parents are separated due to immigration issues. But even as Efrén’s world seems to be crashing around him, Cisneros celebrates the kindness of the Mexican American community and its richness of food, culture, and resilient spirit…
Honest and tender: a must read.”
–Kirkus
Ernesto stopped by
Mr. Schu Reads’ blog…
Cisneros: I hope Efrén Divided strikes a chord with any Latinx child who yearns to see themselves represented in books. In addition, I hope it helps break down the walls currently being built by hatred and intolerance, and that it provides support and an understanding of the realities immigrating families experience.
“People have asked me how I created such a memorable character in Efrén. Easy… he’s based on my son.”
–Ernesto Cisneros
and
ErinDealey.com…
Ernesto Cisneros’ MG Debut
Cisneros: I’ve grown up in the world depicted in the book. I have family on both sides of the border and like Efrén, I struggle to accept why I—and not other family members—was blessed with the fortune (and obvious benefits) of being born a US citizen. Everything in the book comes
from either my experiences
or those very close to me…
“My Mom is the very heart of my novel. She’s the real soperwoman.”
–Ernesto Cisneros
And more…
Cisneros: The story was born after three of my students experienced ICE raids at their home. Each one of them lost someone that year. I could see the fear and hurt in their eyes. There was so much uncertainty going around, that I knew I needed to do something. That’s how Efrén was born—a friend to help my students navigate through the nightmare they were living.
Click here to read Cisneros’ full interview with Naomi Kinsman Downing.
“We need books to break open our hearts, so that we might feel more deeply, so that we might be more human in these unkind times. This is a book doing work of the spirit in a time of darkness.”
—Sandra Cisneros,
author of The House on Mango Street
More about Ernesto…
“Three years ago, my middle-school aged daughter asked why America was so angry at families like ours. “Because they do not know us” was the best response I could give her. Not only is Efrén Divided an attempt to have Americans experience America through an entirely different lens, it is also an attempt to let Latino children know that they are worthy of being included on the pages of American literature.
This book was not an easy story for me to tell; however, my twenty-plus years of teaching in a low-socioeconomic neighborhood has helped supply the backdrop. This story is not mine alone. It is a story of many young students who I have had the honor of teaching (and learning from) throughout my career. I feel privileged to share this world with you.”
–Ernesto Cisneros
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TWO titles on the
NYT Bestseller List
Marking East/West’s
252nd week:
Congrats!
James Dean‘s
PETE THE CAT:
THE GREAT LEPRECHAUN CHASE
#1 on the
NYT Bestseller List
(3 weeks)
 
Also a PW and
a USA Today bestseller!
(March)
Kimberly and James Dean‘s
PETE THE CAT:
BIG EASTER ADVENTURE
#4 on the
NYT Bestseller List
(18 weeks)
Also an Amazon, PW
and USA Today bestseller!
(March)
Happy Book Birthdays
PETE THE CAT’S
GROOVY GUIDE TO KINDNESS
by Kimberly and James Dean
(Harper Collins)
A companion volume to the
NYT bestsellers:
In hardcover and paperback
PETE THE CAT’S
FAMILY ROAD TRIP
by Kimberly and James Dean
An I-Can-Read, Level 1
(Harper Collins)
PETE THE CAT’S
5 MINUTE BEDTIME STORIES
by Kimberly and James Dean
(Harper Collins)
Check out these Pete the Cat
FREE ACTIVITIES!
Over 50 downloadable, printable activities here.
In addition, click here for songs and videos.
And if you have an Apple device, download the Pete the Cat app right here, for even more activities!
Llama-licious!
Anna Dewdney‘s
LLAMA LLAMA EASTER EGG
is also on the USA Today bestseller list.
(week of 03/22)
Check out these Llama Llama
FREE ACTIVITIES…
Downloadable, printable, and available here – from coloring sheets, to games, to curriculum connections…
You can even sing-along with Llama Llama!
Happy Book Birthday
NINJA, NINJA, NEVER STOP!
by Todd Tuell
Illustrated by Tad Carpenter
(Abrams Appleseed)
A playful adventure full of action, humor,
and sneak attacks
—now in board book!
Connecting while
social-distancing…
Illustrated by Luciana Navarro Powell
from GRANDMA’S FAVORITE
(Erin Dealey/ Kane MIller)
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Happy Book Birthdays
LLAMA LLAMA
GRAM AND GRANDPA
by Anna Dewdney
A New York Times Bestseller
A BOMC Main Selection
Licensed in
Germany, Russia, Romania
Now available as a board book!
(Viking/ PRH)
Click above to hear excerpt.
“… a charming success.”
–SLJ
LLAMA LLAMA
MOTHER’S DAY PRESENT
(Penguin Young Readers Licenses/PRH)
The eighth NETFLIX media tie-in
8×8 based on Anna Dewdney‘s bestselling
pre-school brand.
Have you been following
Llama Llama on Instagram?
Click on the image to follow @LlamaLlamaOfficial
Happy Book Birthday
JACOB’S NEW DRESS
by Sarah & Ian Hoffman
A heartwarming story that speaks to the unique challenges faced by boys who don’t identify with traditional gender roles –
Illustrated by Chris Case
(Albert Whitman)
Now available in paperback!
The anti-bullying, banned book…
“Three cheers for Jacob’s New Dress! Like Marcus Ewert’s 10,000 Dresses, this book has the ability to save lives and change the world. Everyone should read it.”
–Leslea Newman,
author of The Boy Who Cried Fabulous and Heather Has Two Mommies
“Hopeful and affirming…”
– Kirkus
“The Hoffmans, whose experience as parents inspired the story—have created an ideal companion for families and educators: upbeat yet realistic, astute about peer dynamics, and blessedly lacking in a sermonizing Big Moment.”
—PW
“An author’s note explains how parents, educators, and counselors can make a difference in the lives of gender-nonconforming children. Purchase this one to encourage discussions of gender, identity, and self-confidence.”
–SLJ
Click on the image to watch the authors speak at the Gender and Children’s Books Panel at the San Francisco PL.
Happy Book Birthday
A GOOD TRADE
by award-winning Alma Fullerton
Illustrated by Karen Patkau
(Pajama Press)
Now available in paperback!
Alma is well known for taking young readers to parts of the world to appreciate different ways of life. Most recently, she transported young readers to the Philippines in Hand Over Hand (a 2018 Bank Street Best Book and a Top 10 title on the Amelia Bloomer List), and to Sri Lanka in the critically acclaimed When the Rain Comes.
A Good Trade, set in Uganda – speaking to the “preciousness of peace and goodwill” (Canadian Children’s Book News) – is her debut picture book.
“A pleasure to read aloud…Expertly crafted, Fullerton’s first picture book reminds readers of the pleasure of small things.”
―Kirkus
“The double gesture of kindness – the good trade – projects a strong spirit of generosity and gratitude, traits as universal as the appeal of a gift of cool new sneakers.”
―PW
“The text is spare and poetic… Young readers will enjoy this sweet day-in-the-life snapshot.”
―SLJ
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2013 OLA Best Bets selection
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2013 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens selection
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2014 OLA Blue Spruce Award finalist
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2014 White Ravens selection
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2014 Bank Street Best Books of the Year for Children and Young Adults selection
Acquisitions and Licensing
Joey Spiotto‘s humorous graphic novel,
GRUMPY UNICORN HITS THE ROAD,
in which the titular character treks across the U.S. to make friends and be a little less grumpy–the follow-up to GRUMPY UNICORN: WHY ME?–acquired by Debra Dorfman, with Michael Petranek editing, at Scholastic.
Macmillan/Century has licensed Chinese Simplified character rights to Karen Kilpatrick and Luis O. Ramos Jr.’s WHEN PENCIL MET ERASER (illustrated by Germán Blanco; Imprint/Macmillan), a Parent’s Best Children’s Book for 2019. Stay tuned for the companion volume, WHEN PENCIL MET THE MARKERS, coming out soon!
Prooni Books has licensed Korean rights to Chelsea Clinton’s DON’T LET THEM DISAPPEAR (illustrated by Gianna Marino; Philomel/PRH), a NYT-bestselling title featured on “The View” and “GMA”:
 Click on the image to watch the feature.
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PW Deal Announcement
A Very Special Message from Mama Llama Jennifer Garner
#LlamaLlama #Coronavirus #WashYourHands #PSA
 
Click on the image above to watch the video.
Click on any of the images to check out this month’s
E/W Illustrator Highlight featuring debut illustrator
Z. B. Asterplume
 
March BOOK BONANZA
Shipping now:
From Antoinette Portis,
the author/illustrator of the Sibert Honor-winning title HEY, WATER!
comes a book of poetic riddles that encourage young readers to explore the natural world.
If you listen, nature speaks.
 
“The riddles vary from easy to challenging, but they all evoke their subjects
with sensory lyricism…a graceful lyrical read-aloud.”
–BCCB
“Engaging … (a) sweet celebration of summertime, nature, and youthful curiosity.
Simple, poetic, and fun.”
–Kirkus
All you need is…
LOVE
BY SOPHIA
by Jim Averbeck
Illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail
(McElderry/Simon & Schuster)
“Sophia’s impressive vocabulary strikes again… Readers might never have encountered the words “ossicones,” “curator,” or “censorship” before, but they will have a good idea of what each word means after reading this story, especially with the help of the robust glossary. Ismail’s whimsical watercolor-and–colored-pencil illustrations of this interracial family will entertain and delight while they inform. She captures Sophia’s shifting attitudes particularly well as the determined protagonist pleads her case for abstract art. An art-positive story rich in love, determination, and delightfully big words for brains of all sizes.”
–Kirkus
Download the CURRICULUM GUIDE for Sophia’s first title – ONE WORD FROM SOPHIA – here.
Additional Reviews
Sarah Lynn Scheerger’s upcoming YA
HOW TO LIVE ON THE EDGE
(Carolrhoda Lab/Lerner; August)
“This novel deals with some important issues such as body image and the definition of femininity…
Readers will root for Cayenne despite the many mistakes she makes.
VERDICT: This book has a strong character arc and can be used as a starting point to talk to teenagers about life choices,
identity, and the inescapable reality of life-ending diseases.”
―SLJ
“From jumping off cliffs to leaping into the uncertainty of life and the possibility she may have the BRCA gene that killed her mother, Cayenne is a perfectly flawed and fearless heroine who we want to defy the odds. As Cayenne and her sister work through a series of video images their mother left to them before succumbing to cancer and their own conflicted relationship, her ideas about family, romance, womanhood, and the future are unraveled, torn, and reknit.
Burgeoning with questions like Can we love after we’ve lost? and Can we fight fate?, this powerful story answers yes!“
―NoNieqa Ramos,
author of The Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary and The Truth Is
Scheerger‘s middle grade
OPERATION FROG EFFECT
– now in paperback – has been nominated for a Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award.
More state awards…
 
PICTURE THIS; Wisconsin State Reading Association 2020
 
JUST ONE MORE PAGE; Wisconsin State Reading Association 2020
Superlative!
Eileen R. Meyer
Not only is THE SUPERLATIVE A. LINCOLN (illustrated by Dave Szalay; Charlesbridge) an Illinois Reads Selection,
it has also won the Silver Medal in the 2019 Florida Book Awards (Older Children’s category).
FREE, downloadable, printable activities for THE SUPERLATIVE A. LINCOLN available here.
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Speaking of poetry — and specific to Mariko Nagai’s Notable UNDER THE BROKEN SKY (Christy Ottaviano/Henry Holt) –
thank you, MacKids, for your National Poetry Month highlight in SLJ!
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
A shout out to the Sourcebooks Library team for their spotlight on NYT-bestselling Jennifer Fosberry’s 6-book ISABELLA series launched by MY NAME IS NOT ISABELLA (illustrated by Mike Litwin; Sourcebooks).
Stay tuned for the paperback edition
to be published in May!
Visit Isabella’s website for free downloadable
ACTIVITY KITS and EDUCATOR’S GUIDES!
  
 
Also available:
STORY TIME
Moonbeam award-winning title LITTLE CHICK AND MOMMY CAT (Marta Zafrila/ Cuento de Luz), illustrated by Hans Christian Andersen Nominee Nora Hilb, is featured on Michele Lepe’s Story Time. (1.74 million subscribers)
Click image above to view.
 
“An excellent piece of bibliotherapy for adopted children.
The bright, colored-pencil illustrations of pudgy chicks and cats add exuberance to the simply and wryly told tale.”
–Kirkus
CONGRATS
 
For the second time, D.J. Butler is a finalist for the AML (Association for Mormon Letters) awards…
this time for THE CUNNING MAN, his adult paranormal mystery.
“An attempt at charity during the Great Depression turns into a protracted fight against supernatural forces
in this admirable paranormal mystery… the richly imagined magic system and glimpses of Mormon culture
create a fully realized world. Historical fantasy fans will delight in the zigzagging plot of this mystery.”
—PW
Where’s East/West?
 
Working from HOME
with a little help…
 
Erin Dealey is practicing Social Distancing, #SnowGlobeWishes style…
 
Photo created by Illustrator Luciana Navarro Powell using
Erin Dealey’s book, SNOW GLOBE WISHES (illustrated by Claire Shorrock; Sleeping Bear)
“Overheard” at @EastWestLit on Twitter:
 
 
  
*CONGRATULATIONS ONE AND ALL*
We are thrilled and thankful to represent such amazing talent.
Artwork by Danielle Arbour
Thanks for following us on Twitter.
Tweet your good news our way and we’ll retweet. @EastWestLit .
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Stay safe and be well.
