POC Reading Challenge

2011 POC Challenge Wrap-up Posts!

2011-12-02T08:44:00.000-08:00

Although the goal of this challenge is to get people reading more books by and about persons of color for life, it's nice to be able to post a summary of your reading to celebrate that you met your challenge goal (or even if you didn't meet your goal, just to acknowledge that you tried)!

Your wrap-up post serves as a way to link your completed list of books read for this reading challenge. When you have completed your reading list, create a blog post and link that post below. Here are some suggestions of things you could include in your wrap-up post (you don't have to answer these, they are just suggestions):

What were your favorite (and least favorite) books read for the challenge?
Favorite author(s) from the challenge?
Has the challenge helped to change your reading habits? Will you continue to read books by and about persons of color?
Are there genres, authors, or specific books that you still want to read or that you plan to read in the future?
What did you learn through this challenge?

December Review Link-up!

2011-12-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

It's December! How are you doing on the challenge? Did you meet your goal already or are you racing to the finish line? I'll be posting an end-of-the-challenge link-up shortly so you can link up your wrap-up posts.

Please enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

September, October Winners

2011-11-11T23:17:00.000-08:00

Should I just stop apologizing? I can't... I am very very sorry that it has taken me so long to post winners. Also if you won a book and haven't received an email from me, please go ahead and email me yourself! I check my email everyday so I will follow up. It's just increasingly difficult for me to remember to email the winners first.

September: BURIED IN PRINT!

Akoss @ Fantasy Pen!

October: April from Good Books & Good Wine!

Shannon from Reading Has a Purpose!

Congratulations winners! If you do not hear from me within 48 hours feel free to email me. I look forward to the holidays when I can take the time to not only read but COMMENT on many of the great reviews I've seen and read.

November Review Link-Up!

2011-11-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

Is it really November ALREADY??? Sorry I'm late getting this up again.

Please enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

October Review Link-up!

2011-10-05T15:31:00.000-07:00

Source

Happy October! Please leave a comment you have any suggestions for spooky POC reads this month!

Please enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

August 2011 Winners!

2011-09-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

*Ducks head in shame* I can't even find the words to apologize for how long this took me to post :0 But more importantly, here are ze winners!

A.J! from Collections, the random review was Invisible Touch by Kelly Parra. I've read the book too and I agree 100% with her thoughts about the ending and the blog entries

Sidne! from Reading Rendezvous Reviews and the highlighted review from her blog is Leading Lady of Rap by Torri L. Holmes, I like the tagline of the novel "Not a video vixen" story

Winners email me with your addresses and which book you've chosen from the prize list

Keep on keeping on!

September Review Link-up!

2011-09-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Keep linking up your POC Challenge reviews! You guys are doing great! Just a few months left until the end of the year!

Enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

Shelf Awareness for Readers: Books About China

2011-08-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

Today's Shelf Awareness for Readers newsletter included a Further Reading section that focuses on books about China. Click here to see the suggestions!

And if you haven't signed up for Shelf Awareness for Readers (which is a free e-mail newsletter that arrives Tuesdays and Fridays), click here to do so!

July Winners

2011-08-03T22:55:00.000-07:00

Brandy from Books, Books 'N More Books who reviewed the second book in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (which is one of my personal favorite series'), Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith

and

Tea from Book Page! Tea reviewed If Sons Then Heirs by Lorene Cary

Congratulations winners (email me if you don't hear from me in 48 hours) and I'm enjoying reading through as many reviews as I can :) And past winners be sure you let me know when your books have arrived

August Review Link-Up

2011-08-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Whooo's Reading a Good Book? by Enokson

School will be starting back up soon; we hope you're able to squeeze in some more POC books before the end of summer!

Enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

Dystopia and Diversity?!

2011-07-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

Lee and Low, a fabulous diversity rich publishing house, has put the first four chapters of their dystopian Tankborn online for your reading pleasure! Check it out and let us know what you think!

(edited to add: Click here to learn more about Tankborn at Lee and Low's website.)

Sync into summer!

2011-07-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

The Audio Book Community is having two free downloads a week for kids audio. This week they are featuring a free download that all of you PoC challgengers may be interested in! It counts towards the challenge. If you download and listen let us know!

WHERE THE STREETS HAD A NAME by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Read by Kellie Jones
Published by Bolinda Audio

Thanks to April at Good Books and Good Wine for letting us know!

July Review Link-Up

2011-07-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

"Tome Reader" by Ozyman

The library is a nice cool place to be in the summer! What's on your summer reading list? Here's the review link-up for the month of July. Happy reading!

Enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

May Winners & A Giveaway for Diversifying Your Reading

2011-06-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

Extra late as always, I just ask for your continued patience. I'm going to try and be on top of things during the summer to regain my good habits :)

Our May winners....

Sylvia from What If Books Etc reviewed White Cat by Holly Black

Chelle from The Prairie Library who reviewed The History of Mary Prince: A West Indian Slave, related by Herself, edited by Moira Ferguson

Congratulations winners, I will email you shortly (promise :D) Happy summer reading everyone!!

Remember the Diversity in YA tours? Hopefully you were able to attend. The founders of Diversity in YA, Malinda Lo and Cindy Pon have created a challenge for the summer to encourage people to read more diverse YA/MG. You can read as many books as you want, all you have to do as a book blogger or reader is list the books you read and write a 500-word essay (at least) on your experience. But wait there's more! If you spread the word on the challenge you will be entered into the ARC giveaway. The Spread the Word giveaway ends July 31, the actual challenge ends September 1. Go here for more info

Libraries: We invite librarians to incorporate diverse middle grade and young adult novels into your summer reading programs, whether it’s as a book display, a book club event, or a book list you’ve created to share with your patrons. Please take photos or shoot video of your display or event and share them with us!

Readers and Book Bloggers: We invite readers and book bloggers to read diverse MG and YA books throughout the summer (you choose the books!) and write an essay (at least 500 words) about your experience. You can post it on your website, Blogger, LiveJournal, Tumblr, or on Facebook; we only ask that your post be publicly readable

June Review Link-Up!

2011-06-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy June! School is out (or will be very soon), the weather is hot, and I'm guessing many of us plan to spend some time cooling off with a good book this month. I know I've really been looking forward to diving into the pile of books I've been saving up for the summer. I hope you've got some great POC books planned for your summer reading too!

Enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

April Winners (Lateness is the Norm)

2011-05-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

Yeah so this winners post is also ridiculously late. But I'm trying to be proactive and mail everyone's prizes out by June 4th at the very latest (because yes I still haven't mailed the March winners books. I am really sorry!).

The winners.....

Charlotte! of Charlotte's Library fame, her chosen (by Random.org) review was Freedom Stone

Myra! well known for her being part of the group that runs the blog Gathering Books, the review chosen was for three animal themed picture-books, translated from French and written by Suzy Lee

Congratulations winners and everyone please keep those reviews coming! Winners you can mail me right away or wait until I email you (in about a day or so).

Happy reading :D

May Review Link-Up!

2011-05-04T20:04:00.000-07:00

Sorry for being a few days late on this one everyone! I've been swamped at work and at home lately.

Enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

The Diversity in YA Tour is coming to a city near you!

2011-04-25T09:40:00.001-07:00

You can go to the tour page and see if the tour is coming near you. You guys from the PoC Challenge should definitely check it out and I will see you at the San Francisco date if you are local!

March Winners! (Super Ridiculously Late)

2011-04-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

On a Pale Star (Jessica) For her review of The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemison The Book Memoirs (Elle) ! For her review of What Can't Wait by Ashley Hope Perez

I am so sorry that this got posted ridiculously late. Junior year, second semester is a crazy year. Anyway I also wanted to check in and make sure everyone has received their prizes so far. If not please email me and I will do my best to track it down.

Winners will be emailed within 48 hours.

New multi cultural picture book!

2011-04-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

The Greedy Sparrow by Lucine Kasbarian

From Kirkus: “In Zaikina's bold, folk-style illustrations, both characters and landscape are heavily outlined in black, and the characters' dialogue is in speech balloons. Pictures are lightened with bright, textured colors (they were made with oil paint and layers of wax) and have an appealing, vigorous heft. Armenian folk attire and references to places in Armenia authenticate the tale. It's a rhythmic read-aloud beginning readers can share.”—Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2011

From the Press Release:

An Armenian folktale retold by Armenian-American
writer Lucine Kasbarian and illustrated by Moscow-based artist Maria Zaikina debuts with
Marshall Cavendish Children’s Publishers in April 2011.
The Greedy Sparrow: An Armenian Tale is from the ancient Armenian oral tradition and
culture, which was nearly obliterated during the Turkish genocide of the Armenians, Assyrians
and Greeks in 1915. The author learned the tale from her father, editor and columnist C.K.
Garabed, who would recite it to her at bedtime. He had learned it from his own
grandmother, a celebrated storyteller from the Old Country. The tale was first put to paper
by Armenian poet Hovhannes Toumanian at the turn of the 20th
century.
The Greedy Sparrow is the first time this tale has been presented in the English language as a
children’s picture book. The story begins in old Armenia with a sparrow who catches a thorn
in his foot. As he asks for help, he sets off an intriguing cycle of action that transports him
through the Armenian countryside, encountering people engaged in traditional folkways.
The Greedy Sparrow ends with a surprising twist and conveys moral messages about greed,
selfishness and using one’s judgment. To address the ethical and human components of the
tale, a discussion and activity guide is available on the author’s website,
LucineKasbarian.com.

This sounds like a fabulous book and I love folklore! This book counts for the challenge. Let me know if you read it!

April Review Link-Up!

2011-04-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

photo credit: vanberto (Flickr)

Happy Spring! It's the start of another month, so here is the link-up page for April 2011.

Enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

New UK cover for Demon's Lexicon Series

2011-03-18T08:40:00.001-07:00

I love this cover so much! I wish I was in the UK!

Here is the US version.

Feb. winners!

2011-03-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

Keyona from Only Sexy Books Allowed! Her chosen (by Random.org) review was of Hidden by Tomas Mourian (and wow that book sounds majorly intense)

and....

Emily from The Book Eater! Her chosen review was Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid (I read Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid and I wasn't a big fan but I think that's because I didn't savor the book as I should have. Regardless, Jamaica Kincaid does have in the truest sense of the word 'lyrical' prose).

Congratulations winners (I'll be emailing you shortly) and take heart if you didn't win, we've got 10 more months to go =D

March Review Link-Up!

2011-03-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's the start of another month, so here's the link-up page for March 2011. Have you been enjoying your POC reads so far?

Enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

Recent Links of Interest

2011-02-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have come across some fabulous links in my Google Reader recently and I wanted to share them with you.

First, our very own Ari at Reading In Color has organized C.O.L.O.R. (Coalition Of Librarians and Online Readers), a program to donate books to libraries.

The end goal being to donate at least 25 books in two months to a library that could use a little extra TLC. I have four libraries as of right now and depending on the success of the project, more librarians and libraries will be added. . . . The ideal scenario is to send books about Asians/Black people/Latinos and Native Americans to the library, but to have the majority of the books match the ethnicity of the students.

So click here to check out her post and to help out this special project.

Author Zetta Elliott put together a fantastic list of 32 Speculative Fiction titles by US-based authors of African descent. Click here to take a look at the list, which is located at her blog, Fledgling.

Author Neesha Meminger guest posted at The YA YA YAs about the need for fun books that feature people of color, not just books featuring "marginalized people suffering nobly or weathering hardship, to the exclusion of other types of stories." Click here to read the post, called "An Equal Place at the Table."

And Kirkus Reviews featured an article by Amy Pattee of YA or STFU on February 7 called "It's time for more YA for people of color," and provided a list of YA books featuring teens of color. Click here to read the article, and click here to see the book list.

Did you recently come across any interesting links you'd like to share? Leave them in the comments! :)

January 2011 Winners

2011-02-11T17:36:00.001-08:00

This year we have so many fabulous books to offer, we (Pam, Katy and I) decided to to have two winners, every month (which makes your chances for winning a prize pretty good). I am seriously jealous over all the books you guys get to chose from (but I don't envy your having to choose, I could never pick just one ;)

The winners are....

Dusky Literati for her review of Zora and Me
Shan from Curled Up With a Good Book and a Cup of Tea for After Tehran: A Life Remained
Congratulations winners! I will try my hardest to email you within 48 hours, but feel free to email me first.

First Annual African American Lit Festival

2011-02-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

Click here to read about the first annual African American Lit Festival in NYC!

African American Read-in!

2011-02-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

As part of this year's Black History Month celebration, Ari at Reading in Color, Doret at The Happy Nappy Bookseller, and Edi at Crazy Quilts are hosting an African American Read-In!

The voting already took place, and the book that will be read and discussed is Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves.

All readers are welcome so if you're interested in participating the discussion will be held on Sunday February 20th at 7 PM CT. Ari doesn't expect it to run longer than 2 hours.

Right now they're trying to decide how to facilitate the discussion, so if you've decided to participate, make sure you go over to Ari's blog and vote (click here to go there).

Are you planning to participate in the Read-in?

February 2011 Review Link-up!

2011-02-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

It's the start of another month, so here's the link-up page for February 2011. I hope your reads so far have been fabulous!

Enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

Across the Universe

2011-01-23T11:27:00.000-08:00

Apparently traveling 300 years in a ship still does nothing for racial tolerance. As The Interrobangs Blog has pointed out. Elder has been photo-shopped very badly in an attempt to make him seem less ethnic. You can see pictures and everything by clicking on over.

THE Winners!

2011-01-18T06:14:00.000-08:00

We have four winners, each one gets a $25 book giftcard. I'm jealous :D

Christina

Muse

The Dirigible Plum

Katy

Again, my heartfelt thanks to all those who participated and wrote wrap-up posts. I had a great time reading them all (and even got a little choked up, no lie) and I highly encourage everyone to read them. It's amazing to read about people who went from only reading 1-3 books about poc to 15!

Happy, happy Martin Luther King Day!

My favorite quote of his that ends up applying quite well to this challenge: "Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

Winners you can email me or wait till I contact you (which should be in about 36 hours). Congratulations!!

2011 Prize List

2011-01-15T10:24:00.000-08:00

Everybody loves prizes and just like last year, this year we have some fabulous ones. I'm still working on the grand prize.

If you're new to the challenge, how it works is that each month I draw a winner using Random.org and then that winner picks one book from the prize list. To be in the drawing you must remember to link up your reviews. If the book you pick is not able to be shipped to you because of it being international, we will try and work something else out.

*Note: Some of these books star main characters who are not poc BUT there is a secondary character of color who plays a huge role in the book.

Latte Rebellion swag

A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee (UK edition, open to U.S. & Canda only)

~~The Iron Witch~~ by Karen Mahoney (signed!)

~~Bleeding Violet~~ by Dia Reeves

~~Slice of Cherry~~ by Dia Reeves

The Trouble With Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante (signed!)

~~Silver Phoenix~~ (paperback) by Cindy Pon

Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon

The Latte Rebellion by Sarah Stevenson (thank you so much Debbie!)

Half World by Hiromi Goto (signed!)

The Water of Possibility by Hiromi Goto (signed!)

Jazz in Love by Neesha Meminger (ebook)

Orange Mint and Honey by Carleen Brice

~~Children of the Waters~~ by Carleen Brice

~~Substitue Me~~ by Lori Tharps (Thank you Melissa!)

Lightborn: Seeing is Believing by Tricia Sullivan

The Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda (signed!)

~~Teenie~~ by Christopher Grant

Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins

~~Ninth Ward~~ by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Douglass' Women by Jewell Parker Rhodes

~~Magic City~~ by Jewell Parker Rhodes

~~A Wish After Midnight~~ by Zetta Elliott (signed!)

Citizens of Nowhere: From Refugee Camp to Canadian Campus by Debi Goodwin (thank you so much for the donation Brandy!)

The following were donated by Tricia, thank you so much!

~~The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (The Inheritance Trilogy, #1)~~ by N. K. Jemisin

T~~he Broken Kingdoms (The Inheritange Trilogy #2)~~ by N. K. Jemisin

~~We Were Here~~ by Matt De La Pena

~~Who Fears Death~~ by Nnedi Okorafor

Thank you so much everyone for your generosity! Your support means more than I could ever say.

Diversity in YA Fiction Tour has some news for you!

2011-01-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

Head on over to the Diversity in YA blog and find out who they are taking on tour with them! Dates for this tour will be coming soon and I for one being local to Cindy Pon and Malinda Lo hope to get to a few of the signings. I just looked at their list and seriously guys I am fangirling over here. If you care about diversity then please visit this blog and support the authors on tour. Here is some info from the Diversity website:

Diversity in YA Fiction is a website and book tour founded by two young adult authors, Malinda Lo and Cindy Pon, to celebrate diverse stories in YA.

DIYA is a positive, friendly gathering of readers and writers who want to see diversity in their fiction. We come from all walks of life and backgrounds, and we hope that you do, too. We encourage an attitude of openness and curiosity, and we welcome questions and discussion. Most of all, we can’t wait to have fun sharing some great books with you!

Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow, 2009), which was named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by the American Library Association’s Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. The sequel to Silver Phoenix, titled Fury of the Phoenix, will be published in April 2011. Visit her website at CindyPon.com.

Malinda Lo is the author of Ash (Little, Brown, 2009), which was a finalist for the William C. Morris YA Debut Award, and named one of the Kirkus Best Young Adult Novels of 2009. A companion novel to Ash, titled Huntress, will be published in April 2011. Visit her website at MalindaLo.com.

Elle Whitewashes beautiful Bollywood Actress

2011-01-11T12:32:00.000-08:00

It's not just book publishers who sometimes get it wrong. Elle recently white washed the beautiful Bollywood Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who is best known for being Miss World.

What can we do? Visit Change.Org and signe the petition. Thanks to April at Good Books and Wine for tweeting this.

Here is some info from Change:

It looks like Elle had quite the white Christmas.

Bollywood actor and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is featured on the cover of Elle Magazine looking far paler than she is in real life. Most fans are up in arms and an appalled Ms. Bachchan is considering a lawsuit against the magazine.

Consumers have long been inundated with ads that use prominent Bollywood actors to promote skin-lightening products. In a country that produces gorgeous women of color, it is sad that Ms. Rai-Bachchan, who is relatively light-skinned, is one of the very few with some cross-over appeal. To see magazines like Elle further enforce the color hierarchy of crossover appeal by making Aishwarya appear lighter-skinned is a slap in the face.

This is the second racial debacle surrounding Elle. The American version was criticized for its October 2010 issue, which featured actress Gabourey Sidibeon on one of its four celebrity covers with noticeably lighter skin than her natural complexion.

Lets tell Elle Magazine to make a commitment to moving away from using white as a standard for beauty, and demand a public statement and apology.

Diversify Your Reading blog

2011-01-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

Just a quick blog note to bring some attention to a great site called Diversify Your Reading. It is a place to find "blog reviews of books by authors underrepresented in English-language publishing today." The site has a list of categories on the right side that includes "Indigenous Authors," "African Authors," "Asian Authors," and more.

I bring up this site because it is not only a great resource for participants in this challenge who are looking for some book recommendations, but also because it is another place where you can link up your reviews of books by authors of color that you have read for this challenge.

Happy reading!

(And another quick reminder: if you participated in the 2010 POC Reading Challenge, you must write up a wrap-up post and link it up here by January 14th 11:59 PM CT to be eligible for the grand prize gift cards!).

Spotlight: Illegal by Bettina Restrepo

2011-01-06T09:00:00.001-08:00

A promise.
Quinceañera.
A promise that we would be together on my fifteenth birthday . . .

Instead, Nora is on a desperate journey far away from home. When her father leaves their beloved Mexico in search of work, Nora stays behind. She fights to make sense of her loss while living in poverty—waiting for her father's return and a better day. When the letters and money stop coming, Nora decides that she and her mother must look for him in Texas. After a frightening experience crossing the border, the two are all alone in a strange place. Now, Nora must find the strength to survive while aching for small comforts: friends, a new school, and her precious quinceañera.

Bettina Restrepo's gripping, deeply hopeful debut novel captures the challenges of one girl's unique yet universal immigrant experience.

I am so excited for this book. As far as my limited knowledge goes there are no books for young people that detail or explain the crossing over from Mexico into America. This is a subject that I am dying to know more about and I think this book will be fabulous. It comes out in March and I hope to see it on the review link ups in March and April.

Bettina Restrepo received a BS from the University of Texas at Austin and is the author of a picture book, Moose and Magpie. She worked as an internal auditor in the Hispanic supermarket Fiesta Mart, which is portrayed in this book. There she examined firsthand the challenges in the nuances of life for illegal immigrants. Bettina lives with her family in Frisco, Texas, and is the daughter of Colombian and German immigrants.
Author Website

December winner + Grand Prize Giftcards

2011-01-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

Our December and last (but surely not least) winner for December is

Tarie!!

The review chosen was Tarie's Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Gopal Mukerjii. I detest pigeons but Tarie claims the author makes birds fascinating....

Tarie, feel free to email me or you can wait for me to email you in about 48 hours. Everyone else, thank you so much for entering the poc reading challenge! It means a lot to me personally that so many people supported this challenge and I'm honored (and ecstatic) to be a part of it.

If you didn't win in 2010, cheer up not only could you win in 2011 by signing up to do the challenge again but you could 1 of our 4 grand prizes! Thanks to the amazing Carol at RiF (Reading is Fundamental) we have four giftcards. 2 for Borders and 2 for Barnes & Noble, each one is worth $25. I don't know how we are going to top that in 2011, but ah well :)

To win all you have to do is WRITE YOUR WRAP UP POST. And don't forget to link it up here. I really want to see if people met their goal, exceeded it or maybe need to do a bit better. So help me out. I'm giving everyone about a week (because I'm nice and I have finals next week haha) so please, please have your post written and linked up by January 14th 11:59 PM CT.

Oh and I love getting emails letting me know you received your prize (if you haven't emailed me already). Just sayin ;)

January 2011 Review Link-Ups!

2011-01-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it's already 2011?? Where has the time gone?

This is the POC Reading Challenge Review Link-Up for January. Enter the direct link to your reviews, not to the main page of your blog. We'd like to be able to find your review directly through the link and not have to look for it. Thanks for participating!

Happy New Year, and happy reading!

1. Healing Rage by Ruth King

2. Little Bee (Helen's Book Blog)

3. Cupid by Julius Lester (The Englishist)

4. Mama Stalks the Past by Nora DeLoach

5. Hard Times Require Furious Dancing by alice Walker

6. Persepolis 1 & 2 by Marjane Satrapi

7. Unsympathetic Magic (What If Books Etc)

8. The Latte Rebellion - Sarah Jamila Stevenson

9. How To Read The Air - Dinaw Mengistu (Shan)

10. Murder on the Down Low (Helen's Book Blog)

11. Muslim Women Reformers (Helen's Book Blog)

12. Shooting Kabul (Helen's Book Blog)

13. Girl in Translation

14. Take the Risk by Ben Carson

15. The Latte Rebellion

16. Lola: A Ghost Story by J. Torres

17. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (booksandwine)

18. Long Walk to Water (Linda Sue Park)

19. Palestine by Joe Sacco

20. Drinking Coffee Elsewhere (Tia's Book Musings)

21. Bitter Melon by Cara Chow

22. Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet (Maggie's Bookshelf)

23. John Henry by Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney

24. Rhythms of Grace by Marilynn Griffith (Shan)

25. The Princess of Las Pulgas (lucy was robbed)

26. Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler

27. Mardel read Moxyland

28. Zoo City (Mardel) by Lauren Beukes

29. Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler (Dusky Literati)

30. Zora and Me by Bond and Simon (Dusky Literati)

31. The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (Tia's Book Musings)

32. Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

33. Yong Chen's A Gift by GatheringBooks

34. Yasunari Kawabata The Old Capital

35. The Nature of Blood by Caryl Phillips (muse)

36. Ash by Malinda Lo (What If Books Etc)

37. After Tehran by Marina Nemat (Shan)

38. Melissa @ Book Nut (Same Kind of Different as Me)

39. Melissa @ Book Nut (Forge)

40. Melissa @ Book Nut (Street Magic)

41. Shadow Blade (Reading Challenged)

42. Life Beyond Measure

43. Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

44. Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood story from China

45. Before You Suffocate-Danielle Evans -DuskyLiterati

46. Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China (GB)

47. Basically Amazing Books- Slice of Cherry

This linky list is now closed.

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November Winner! (Did YOU get your prize?)

2010-12-08T19:37:00.000-08:00

Niranjana you won for the month of November!! Congratulations :)

If you can, please email me within the next 48 hours with your address and book of choice from the prize list

Niranjana's chosen review was of Writing the New Toronto, a collection of short, diverse stories by some great authors.

In addition, as you know, the year is almost over and so is this challenge. I will NOT be tracking down prizes from 2010 in 2011. So if you still haven't received your prize, PLEASE let me know ASAP. I want everyone who won to get a prize, but I also don't have time to keep searching for prizes well into the new year. Email me or leave a comment if you didn't receive your prize.

And if you haven't won yet, start brainstorming your wrap-up posts. Those are the posts the grand winners will be chosen from.

I will see ya'll in 2011 to announce December and grand prize winners! Have a happy holidays and fabulous new year =D

2011 Sign up

2010-12-05T12:08:00.000-08:00

I am so overwhelmed and so happy with all the support that you readers have given us with the PoC reading challenge this year. I never thought that it would take off the way that it did and I couldn't have done it without you the readers and the other two Ari, and Katy who take care of all the prizes and linking up and all the generally cool stuff that has been going on here.

I would like to invite you all to join in the fun again. I know it is challenge sign up time and everyone is scrambling to join everything and you are probably thinking seriously about which challenges are right for you. Please remember that this challenge is about diversifying your reading and showing the publishers we do care about PoC literature and we want to see more of it on the shelves of bookshelves. That we do not want to see the white washing of covers and we will not stand for it.

We had 83 participants last year and I would love more than anything to reach 100 this year. Please do not forget about what an important issue this is and even though things have been going well for quite a while these issues are never going to be over and we have to be proactive. So please join our challenge and tell others it is open again.

Level 1: Read 1-3 POC books
Level 2. Read 4-6 POC books
Level 3. Read 7-9 POC books
Level 4. Read 10-15 POC books
Level 5. Read 16-25 POC books

Sign up by filling in your info below:

December Review Link-Up!

2010-12-01T11:44:00.000-08:00

It's December and for many of us that means we're trying to finish up the year's reading challenges! I know many of us joined the POC Reading Challenge as an ongoing challenge, but some of you are aiming for a certain number of books by the end of the year. If that is you, and you'd like to write up an end-of-the-year/end-of-the-challenge post, you can link up here: Challenge Wrap-up Posts.

As always, we would love to spotlight some of your reviews! Please email Pam if you'd be willing to have one of your POC Challenge reviews highlighted here. Her email is pam@eurobands.us and if you include a picture of yourself (if you have one) and a short bio it will make the spotlight that much better!

How to enter your links: Scroll down to the bottom of the thumbnails and click on the blue "Add Your Link" button. Put the title of the book you have reviewed in the "Name" box. You can include your name or blog name in parenthesis if it will fit. Please be sure that you link to the specific URL address of your review, not the URL address of your main/home blog page. Then follow the directions to add a thumbnail image.

October Winnah! + Holiday Book Buying

2010-11-13T10:35:00.000-08:00

The October winner is the Englishist!

Her chosen review was in honor of Banned Books Week. Life is Funny by E.R. Frank. Let's just say it doesn't sound funny, but Akilah assures us that it does have its funny moments. Read her review here

Congratulations Akilah, I will be emailing you shortly :)

Also, as the holidays are fast approaching, I would love to read lots of 'best of' book lists and holiday book buying guides with a poc theme. So if you create one, please leave a link here (I'm thinking I'm going to buy a book for everyone in my family even if that's not what they want, haha).

Guest Blog from Dori Jones Yang

2010-11-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

Dori Jones Yang, Guest blogger
http://www.dorijonesyang.com

Greetings, all you great readers and bloggers! I salute your challenge to read lots of books by and about persons of color. I have several authors to add to your list, below – some of my favorites.

I’m a white-bread American myself – but I’m married to an immigrant from China, and our daughter is biracial. I consider myself cross-cultural because I speak Mandarin Chinese and I spent ten years of my adult life living in Asia, first in Singapore and later in Hong Kong. In fact, I believe that a cross-cultural romance works best if both sides go more than halfway to understanding the loved one’s culture and language. And it takes respect - lots of respect on both sides.

Cross-cultural romance is at the heart of my new book, Daughter of Xanadu, to be published in Random House in January 2011. The main character, Emmajin, is a 16-year-old fictional granddaughter of Khubilai Khan, at the height of the Mongol Empire. She wants badly to become the first woman to join the Mongol army – until she meets Marco Polo, a man from a distant, backward land who challenges her core values. It’s that challenging of core values that gets us, isn’t it?

Here’s why I think you’d like Daughter of Xanadu, which is classified as young adult but should appeal to adults of all ages.

First, it’s herstory. That is, it turns history on its head and tells it not just from the perspective of a woman/girl – but from the perspective of an Asian girl. Marco Polo went to China and returned home to tell Europeans about China. But what did Marco Polo, the man, look like to the Mongols, who had the largest land empire the world has ever known?

Second, Daughter of Xanadu takes place at a time in history when Asia was far more powerful than Europe. The Mongols ruled all the land from Russia to Korea, and they could easily have conquered all of Europe. Imagine!

Daughter of Xanadu is full of action and adventure, including a battle and a 'dragon' hunt, as well as an unconventional romance. But it also will make you think. I hope.

More about the book and me is at DoriJonesYang.com.

Now: my suggestions to add to your PoC list.

Lensey Namioka. Just about all of her books are great. Most are YA or middle grade fiction. She comes from China and is married to a Japanese. Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear first captured my imagination, as well as the three sequels about his older brothers and sisters. Her most popular book is Ties That Bind, Ties That Break. She also writes about biracial children in Half and Half.

Mary Matsuda Gruenewald, my friend, wrote a wonderful and inspiring book about her childhood, which was disrupted by her internment as a Japanese American. Her book, Looking Like the Enemy, is now available in a Young Readers version.

Lawrence Yep, prolific writer about Chinese American kids, definitely deserves a prominent spot on your list.

My children’s book, The Secret Voice of Gina Zhang, is about an immigrant girl from China who loses her voice when her family moves to Seattle. (ages 10 and up)

Adeline Yen Mah, Chinese Cinderella and its sequel, Along the River.

Justina Chen Headley wrote about “hapas” like my daughter in Nothing But the Truth (and A Few White Lies). I’d add North of Beautiful, which features a blonde girl who befriends an adopted Chinese guy and visits China.

Grace Lin is on your list with her picture books, but please add my favorite, Dim Sum for Everyone.

Linda Sue Park’s When My Name was Keoko takes place in Korea during the Japanese occupation. (I haven’t read her newest book, A Long Walk to Water, which takes place in Sudan.)

Sundee T. Frazier deserves a prominent spot on your list, too, as a biracial (black/white) author of Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It, as well as The Other Half of My Heart, about biracial twins, one of which looks white and the other looks black.

Jamie Ford’s Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, about a tender childhood friendship between a Chinese American boy and a Japanese American girl, was written for adults but deserves a spot on your list, too.

I love this topic, as you can tell!

November Review Link-Up!

2010-11-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

We would love to spotlight some of your reviews! Please email Pam if you'd be willing to have one of your POC Challenge reviews highlighted here. Her email is pam@eurobands.us and if you include a picture of yourself (if you have one) and a short bio it will make the spotlight that much better!

Scroll down to the bottom of the links and click on the blue "Add Your Link" button. Put the title of the book you have reviewed in the "Name" box. You can include your name or blog name in parenthesis if it will fit. Please be sure that you link to the specific URL address of your review, not the URL address of your main/home blog page. Then follow the directions to add a thumbnail image.

September Winner!

2010-10-17T14:59:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is enjoying fall (I think I'm with the majority here in saying that it's my favorite season). It's the perfect time to curl up with a new book. And who is winning a free book to curl up with this month?....

Melissa at Book Nut!

Melissa's lucky review was of Mare's War by Tanita Davis

Congratulations Melissa :) I will be emailing you shortly.

Everyone else, keep linking up those reviews! As we near the end of the year, get ready for the chance to win our 'big' prizes =D

Till next month

October Review Link-Up!

2010-10-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

Scroll down to the bottom of the links and click on the blue "Add Your Link" button. Put the title of the book you have reviewed in the "Name" box. You can include your name or blog name in parenthesis if it will fit. Please be sure that you link to the specific URL address of your review, not the URL address of your main/home blog page. Then follow the directions to add a thumbnail image.

August Winner! (Much Belated, Sorry)

2010-10-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

Whoa guys we need to do better with posting our reviews! There was only 18 in August :(

Now that the lecture is over, I'm pleased to announce the winner for the month of August is....

Feminist Texican! From Feminist Texican [Reads]

The review selected was Feminist Texican's review of Malinche by Laura Esquivel. Congratulations on winning and everyone else, keep posting those reviews!

My apologies x1000000 for taking so long to post the winner!

And I'm presuming everyone who has won a prize has received it by now.

September Review Link-up!

2010-09-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry I'm late again you guys! Keep on submitting those reviews! We only had 17 submitted for the month of August!

We would love to spotlight some of your reviews! Please email Pam if you'd be willing to have one of your POC Challenge reviews highlighted here. Her email is pam@eurobands.us and if you include a picture of yourself (if you have one) and a short bio it will make the spotlight that much better!

Scroll down to the bottom of the links and click on the blue "Add Your Link" button. Put the title of the book you have reviewed in the "Name" box. You can include your name or blog name in parenthesis if it will fit. Please be sure that you link to the specific URL address of your review, not the URL address of your main/home blog page. Then follow the directions to add a thumbnail image.

July ganador (I think that means winner?)!

2010-08-16T12:16:00.000-07:00

I know, I know this post is super-late. I apologize. Anyway the July monthly winner is...

Lawral at Lucy Was Robbed!

Congrats Lawral :) Please email me within 48 hours with your mailing address and what you want from the Prize List

Random.org picked Lawral's review of Gringolandia. That book is stunning and I highly recommend that everyone read it. Very nice review.

I'm loving all the reviews that are being linked to and I've discovered some new books to add to my TBR list. Which is both good and bad.

Have a great August!

PS Does ganador mean winner? I suppose I could just Google it...

August Review Link-Up!

2010-08-02T12:51:00.000-07:00

Scroll down to the bottom of the links and click on the blue "Add Your Link" button. Put the title of the book you have reviewed in the "Name" box. You can include your name or blog name in parenthesis if it will fit. Please be sure that you link to the specific URL address of your review, not the URL address of your main/home blog page. Then follow the directions to add a thumbnail image.

Link up your August POC Reading Challenge book reviews here:

June Winner + Prize Check In

2010-07-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

The June monthly winner is...

Helen from Helen's Book Blog!

The review picked by Random.org was Helen's review of Between Two Worlds: Escape From Tyranny, Growing Up in the Shadow of Saddam by Zainab Salbi. It sounds like a fascinating read, be sure you check out the review.

I'll be emailing you shortly Helen (or if you see this before I email, you can email me) and you'll have 48 hours to get back to me :)

If you've won a prize in the past six months and haven't received it yet please let me know! You can leave a comment or email me. I want to be sure everyone has gotten their prize before the summer is over.

Also the Bottom of Heaven Roundtable Discussion of The Bluest Eye is almost over but you can read all the posts here

Happy reading!

July Book Review Links

2010-07-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

Scroll down to the bottom of the links and click on the blue "Add Your Link" button. Put the title of the book you have reviewed in the "Name" box. You can include your name or blog name in parenthesis if it will fit. Please be sure that you link to the specific URL address of your review, not the URL address of your main/home blog page. Then follow the directions to add a thumbnail image.

Link up your June POC Reading Challenge book reviews here:

Sigh More Whitewashing At Work

2010-07-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

You're probably all surprised by the volume of posts coming out of this blog lately, but it's summertime so I've had more time to post here. Unfortunately, today's post is in response to the trend that originally inspired this reading challenge: Cover Whitewashing. Here's the newest case of it, which is crazily going in the opposite direction of what we'd prefer to see:

I think what burns me the most about this is that the original (hardcover) cover is so pretty and unique. It's not like every other YA fantasy on the shelves. The new paperback cover is too much like other books in the genre, and it obscures the fact that this is a historical fantasy, based in China, with Chinese characters. The change is in conjunction with a re-styling for the second book in the series:

The author has posted about this on her blog, and said that the publisher was reacting to the poor reception they got from booksellers with the first cover (Borders wouldn't pick it up for their stores and Barnes & Noble only in small numbers). It seems like the move is an attempt to gain a wider readership (and wider acceptance by booksellers) by making the cover more generic. *sigh* I can't even begin to be as eloquent as others on this topic, so I'll provide some links to reaction around the blogosphere.

The first place I'd point you to is author Cindy Pon's blog, where she discusses the cover change and her reactions to it.

Here's Ari's post at Reading in Color: "Guess What This Post is About?" in which she discusses the author's stance as well as discussing the covers.

Here's a post by bookshop on LiveJournal: "i don't want to be this person. Dear Publishing Industry, stop FORCING me to be this person." Great follow-up discussion going on in the comments, too.

Inkstone has a great post on it called "I guess I still have a post in me", which talks about the publishing industry and book sales in conjunction with this debacle. Inkstone is also gathering a master list of links here: Link Collection: Silver Phoenix

And here are just a few more links:

One thing that is for certain is that if you haven't gotten a copy of this book with the awesome and beautiful hardcover art, you should go do it now before they're all gone.

What do you think? Do you agree with the publisher that a more generic cover (that looks more like urban fantasy than historical fantasy set in China) will get the book to sell better? What is your reaction to this?

Looking for more challenge books?

2010-06-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

There is a new book tour site starting up that I thought I'd mention because I noticed they have several books available that you could use for this reading challenge.

Crazy Book Tours is a one-book tour site, in which one book is mailed around through the reviewer list, with each recipient reading the book within a given number of days and then mailing it to the next reviewer on the list. Here are several books currently available that would apply to this reading challenge:

If you want to participate in a tour there, you have to fill out a participating blogger sign-up form first. The POC Reading Challenge blog isn't associated with this book tour site (and neither are Pam, Ari, or myself), but I just wanted to provide the information in case anyone is interested or looking for some new books to read. :-)

The Bluest Eye Roundtable at The Bottom of Heaven

2010-06-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

The Bottom of Heaven is hosting a Roundtable event in honor of the 40th anniversary of Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye from June 28 through July 9. There will be discussion and posts from some wonderful bloggers and commentators. Here's a quote from the announcement post:

Is The Bluest Eye still relevant after four decades, does it still have something left to teach us in the Obama era? What moments in the story continue to touch and trouble you as you read? What scenes, characters, and passages have the most lasting impact? How would a little girl like Pecola fare in today’s society? We’d love to heard your thoughts on our posts and if you haven’t read the novel, perhaps now is a good time to start.

If you've read the book or are interested in learning more about it, go on over to The Bottom of Heaven to learn about who will be posting, and subscribe there so you can keep updated on each day's posts.

May Monthly Review Winner!

2010-06-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

The winner is...

Libby from After Library School!

Congrats Libby :) I can't find your email address so if you could email me (willbprez at aol dot com) with your mailing address and what book you would like from our prize list that would be great. You have 48 hours to get back to me.

The review picked by Random.org was Libby's review of Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson.

So what we've decided to do about the Grand prize of a $25 giftcard for four winners is give them out based on your wrap-up post. We would count up each review and that would be one entry and then use Random.org to pick a winner. How does that sound? Obviously we would do this based on what category you are in. The only problem is we have four giftcards but there's five categories. So we will have to combine the Level 1 and Level 2 entries. I hope that's ok with everyone, let me know if you have issues with this idea or suggestions to improve it.

Multicultural Book Awards

2010-06-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to put this post together for a few months (and now that so much time has passed, I can't remember who gave me the idea), but I thought I'd list some of the multicultural book awards out there as a resource for finding some more great POC books for children and adults.

Coretta Scott King Awards - Given to African American children's book authors and illustrators for "outstanding inspirational and educational contributions, the Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society" (from the website). Click here for past winners.

Children's Africana Book Awards - Presented to the authors and illustrators of the best children's books on Africa published or republished in the U.S. Created by the African Studies Association (ASA) to "encourage the publication and use of accurate, balanced children's materials about Africa" (from the website). Click here for past winners for older readers. Click here for past winners for young children.

Carter G. Woodson Book Awards - Awards the "most distinguished social science books appropriate for young readers that depict ethnicity in the United States. The purpose of this award is to encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social science books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and relations sensitively and accurately" (from the website). Click here for past winners.

Pura Belpre Award - "Presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA), an ALA affiliate" (from the website). Click here for past winners.

American Indian Youth Services Literature Award - Created by the American Indian Library Association, the award seeks to "identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians." Click here for past winners.

New Voices Award - Sponsored by Lee and Low Books, the award is open to writers of color whose manuscript addresses "the needs of children of color by providing stories with which they can identify and relate, and which promote a greater understanding of one another." Winners win a cash award and a publication contract with Lee and Low. Click here for past winners.

Américas Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature - "Given in recognition of U.S. works of fiction, poetry, folklore, or selected non-fiction (from picture books to works for young adults) published in the previous year in English or Spanish that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States" (from the website). Click here for past winners.

Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award - Honors authors and illustrators who create literature that depicts the Mexican American experience. Click here for past winners.

Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature - "The awards promote Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage, based on literary and artistic merit. The books were chosen from titles by or about Asian Pacific Americans" (from the website). Click here for past winners.

Arab American Book Award - "Encourages the publication and excellence of books that preserve and advance the understanding, knowledge, and resources of the Arab American community by celebrating the thoughts and lives of Arab Americans. The purpose of the Award is to inspire authors, educate readers and foster a respect and understanding of the Arab American culture" (from the website). Click here for past winners.

BCALA Literary Awards - "First presented at the Second National Conference of African American Librarians in 1994, the BCALA Literary Awards acknowledge outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction for adult audiences by African American authors. Recipients of this award offer outstanding depictions of the cultural, historical or sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora and embody the highest quality of writing style and research methodology, if applicable" (from the website). Click here for past winners.

I tried to bring together as comprehensive a list as I could, but if you know of any that I missed, please feel free to let me know in the comments and I'll add them to this list.

POC Reading Challenge Wrap-up Posts

2010-06-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

Although the goal of this challenge is to get people reading more books by and about persons of color for life, it's nice to be able to post a summary of your reading to celebrate that you met your challenge goal. And since we've already had at least one person meet their reading goal, I thought I'd put up a Linky for your challenge wrap-up posts (if you feel like writing a wrap-up post). You're also welcome to continue reading and posting your reviews of POC books here, even after you meet your goal (or even extend your participation by taking on a higher participation level).

Your wrap-up post serves as a way to link your completed list of books read for this reading challenge. When you have completed your reading list, create a blog post and link that post below. Here are some suggestions of things we'd love to see you consider in your post (you don't have to answer these, they are just suggestions):

What were your favorite (and least favorite) books read for the challenge?
Favorite author(s) from the challenge?
Has the challenge helped to change your reading habits? Will you continue to read books by and about persons of color?
Are there genres, authors, or specific books that you still want to read or that you plan to read in the future?
What did you learn through this challenge?

Your wrap-up post also counts as your entry for the 2010 grand prize gift card! What we've decided to do about the Grand prize of a $25 giftcard for four winners is give them out based on your wrap-up post. We are going to count up each review and that would be one entry and then use Random.org to pick a winner. So be sure to leave a wrap-up post! You have until January 14th 11:59 PM CT to link-up your wrap-up post and be eligible for the grand prize!

Wrap-Up/Completed List Post

1.	Tia's Book Musings	6.	Muse
2.	The Dirigible Plum	7.	Melissa@Book Nut
3.	lawral (lucy was robbed)	8.	The Englishist
4.	The Feminist Texican [Reads]	9.	Christina (Reading Extensively)
5.	Katy @ A Few More Pages	10.	Kelly (The Cazzy Files)

(Collection closed)

Link tool by inlinkz.com

June Book Review Links

2010-06-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

We're doing great on the challenge so far! Keep reading and posting those reviews!

We would love to spotlight some of your reviews! Please email Pam if you'd be willing to have one of your POC Challenge reviews highlighted here. Her email is pam@eurobands.us and if you include a picture of yourself (if you have one) and a short bio it will make the spotlight that much better!

Link up your June POC Reading Challenge book reviews here:

Click on the blue "Add Your Link" button and put the name and author of the book you have reviewed in the "Name" box. You can include your name or blog name in parenthesis if you wish. Please be sure that you link to the specific URL address of your review, not the URL address of your main/home blog page. Then follow the directions to add a thumbnail image.

Guest Review: Try to Remember from Melissa at The Feminist Texan

2010-05-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Melissa is a twenty-something (read: almost 30) Chicana vegetarian feminist. She is currently trying to find a job as a high school English teacher, but in the meantime she is a tutor. If she could live anywhere in the world she would live in Paris, even though she took four years of French and still cannot speak a lick of it. For now, she resides in south Texas with her two cats and one dog, all of whom were adopted from a shelter. Her favorite authors are Junot Diaz, Toni Morrison, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Leo Tolstoy. She is very lucky to have met all of them (except Tolstoy, for obvious reasons).

Iris Gomez’s Try to Remember is a beautifully written coming of age story that follows Gabi, a teenage Colombian immigrant living in Miami with her family.

Gabi is caught between two worlds. On one hand, she tries to be the best daughter she can be and help her parents as much as she can, especially since her mother is struggling to make ends meet each month while her father slowly descends into mental illness. On the other hand, though she was born in Colombia and remembers her childhood with nostalgia, she is coming of age in America and finds herself questioning her place within both cultures.

One of the things I loved most about this book was its timelessness. Though it’s set in the 1970s, I would forget about the era until things like spirit duplicators, women’s lib, and Vietnam were mentioned. Although the events of the era undoubtedly shaped Gabi’s views, the majority of her thoughts were focused on her family and on her experiences as an immigrant (such as worrying about her family losing their green cards and getting deported). A lot of the themes that were relevant to her then are still relevant now.

This is an excellent book for anyone wanting to catch a glimpse of an immigrant experience.

You can win a copy of this book as part of my Latino Books Month giveaway! Click here to enter.

April Review Monthly Winner!

2010-05-07T18:50:00.000-07:00

The April monthly reviews were excellent, a wide varity of books. I love visitng new blogs and reading their reviews, I've discovered some great new blogs :) Remember, if you visit the reviews and comment on them, you could win a prize at the end of the challenge.

Whaddya think of my new winner picture? I got bored with the last one so I decided to switch it up.

Anyhoo, the winner is....

Tea from I Love To Read

Yay! The review picked by random.org was Tea's review of Stigmata by Phyllis Perry Stop by Tea's blog and check out her other reviews.

Tea you have 48 hours to email me before I pick another winner. Please email me your mailing address and your choice of a book from the Prize List.

Also, I was thinking that it may be hard at the end of the year to pick one winner for commenting on the most reviews (thougthful comments not just 'good review'). So I'm looking for your thoughts on this, after all one of you could win the prize. The prize is a $25 bookstore of your choice giftcard. Should we have nominations, people could leave the names of people who have visited their reviews the most? Or something similar that rewards frequent commentors. OR should I (we) think of a different way to win at the end of the challenge?

Leave a comment with suggestions.

National Poetry Month Mini-Challenge Winners

2010-05-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

So, I threw down the gauntlet in the last two weeks of April and challenged POC Reading Challenge participants to celebrate National Poetry Month by posting about poets of color. I know, it was last minute, but we got several really interesting posts out of it! Click here to check out the participating posts.

I also decided to award two participants with a book written by a poet of color. Here are my randomly-chosen winners and the posts that earned them a book of poetry:

Entry #2 - Jess at Stone-Bow wrote up a list of some of her favorite poets of color and provided links for more information on their work. Jess chose The Book of Light by Lucille Clifton as her prize.

Entry #6 - Karen at GHHS Library wrote up a post about Marilyn Nelson's verse biographies, which sound like really interesting books. Karen chose Burnt Sugar: Contemporary Cuban Poetry in English and Spanish as her prize.

Thanks so much to everyone who participated! I really enjoyed learning more about the fantastic poetry written by persons of color.

May Book Review Links

2010-05-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

Aack! Sorry everyone, I fell behind and forgot to post this at the beginning of the month.

We would love to spotlight some of your reviews! Please email Pam if you'd be willing to have one of your POC Challenge reviews highlighted here. Her email is pam@eurobands.us and if you include a picture of yourself (if you have one) and a short bio it will make the spotlight that much better!

Link up your May POC Reading Challenge book reviews here:

May POC Reading Challenge Links

1.	Monkfish Moon (Karen GHHS)	22.	Notorious Spinks Talks- Im Still Standing
2.	Mardel - Rally Fever	23.	The Art of Choosing (Brown Paper)
3.	When She Flew (Helen's Book blog)	24.	Krik? Krak! (Karen GHHS)
4.	The World Unseen by Shamim Sarif (Brown Paper)	25.	Marcelo In The Real World (StoneBow)
5.	Response (Helen's Book Blog)	26.	Crossing by Andrew Fukuda (Reading Tub)
6.	Bleeding Violet (Karen GHHS)	27.	Leola(Like No One Else)
7.	Giveaway: Try to Remember (Feminist Texican)	28.	Norwegian Wood (The Reading Life)
8.	Perfect Chemistry (Helen's Book Blog)	29.	Dead Gorgeous by Malorie Blackman (I Was A Teenage Book Geek)
9.	Bluford High: Lost and Found by Anne Schraff (Daphne)	30.	Tea
10.	Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go (Tea)	31.	Tea
11.	The Boy Next Door by Irene Sabatini	32.	A Thousand Splendid Suns (Karen GHHS)
12.	Girl In Translation (BrownGirl BookSpeak)	33.	Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore (Karen GHHS)
13.	Notorious Spinks (Killing Willis)	34.	Sold (Helen's Book Blog)
14.	The Wind Up Bird Chronicles (The Reading Life-Mel u)	35.	Leaving Gee's Bend (Only Sexy Books Allowed)
15.	Sputnik Sweetheart (The Reading Life-Mel u)	36.	Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (After Library School)
16.	Serving Crazy with Curry (Brown Paper)	37.	The Housekeeper and the Professor (The Reading Life-Mel u)
17.	Amiri & Odette (lawral @ lucy was robbed)	38.	The Harp of Burma (The Reading Life-Mel u)
18.	Stones into Schools (Helen's Book Blog)	39.	Five Modern No Plays (The Reading life-Mel u)
19.	The Forbidden Daughter (Zee @ Notes from the North)	40.	The Cage (The Reading Life-Mel u)
20.	Somersault by Kenzaburo Oe (The Reading Life)	41.	Fledgling by Octavia Butler (Marieke - Athyrium filix-femina)
21.	Metropolis by Crystal Koo (The Reading Life)

(Collection closed)

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Let's Celebrate National Poetry Month with a Mini-Challenge!

2010-04-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

I came across a list at Goodreads called "Favorite Poets of Color" and it gave me an idea for a mini-challenge here at the POC Reading Challenge blog. I wish I would have thought of it earlier in the month, but we've still got 2 weeks left. Through the end of April, write up a blog post about a poet of color. It can be a review of a poetry book, it can be a spotlight on a poet of color, it can be a list of some of your favorite poets of color, it can be a poem written by one of your favorite poets of color. I'm opening it up to any kind of post as long as it focuses on poets of color. Let's limit entries to one a day per person. :-)

I have a couple of poetry books here that I will offer up as prizes to participants and I'll pick two winners randomly out of all of the entries. I'm happy to send to international participants as well.

What can you win?
I'm offering The Book of Light by Lucille Clifton (gently used), Burnt Sugar: Contemporary Cuban Poetry in English and Spanish, and She Had Some Horses by Joy Harjo (gently used)**. The winners will get to choose one of these books. :)

**Note for the FTC: I bought these books with my own money.

Poets of Color Mini-Challenge Posts

1.	I Love to Read: Miss Rosie by Lucille Clifton	6.	Karen @ GHHS Library
2.	Stone-Bow: Favorite Poets of Color	7.	Audre Lorde @ Kinna Reads
3.	Zee @ Notes from the North	8.	Tupac Shakur @ The Englishist
4.	Karen @ GHHS Library	9.	Vasilly
5.	National Poetry Month Spotlight on Lucille Clifton

(Collection closed)

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March Winner!

2010-04-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

Some great reviews throughout March. Remember, if you visit the reviews and comment on them, you could win a prize at the end of the challenge.

The monthly March winner as chosen by random.org is....

Jessica at the Stone-Bow!

Her chosen review was of Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger

Do check out her blog, the Stone-Bow. She reviews a lot of books, and she's very thorough. She's added many books to my tbr pile.

I will be emailing you shortly. Jessica, you have 48 hours to reply back to my email. Choose what book you want from the Prize List

Congrats Jessica and to all past winners! Keep reading and reviewing (and link them up for a chance to win!)

April Book Review Links

2010-04-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

Would you like your review to be highlighted on this blog? If you have a review that you want featured on the site email it to pam@eurobands.us with your link, a picture of yourself if you have one, and a short bio.

Link up your April POC Reading Challenge book reviews here:

April POC Review Links

1.	Tan to Tamarind (Vasilly)
2.	Ash by Malinda Lo (Amanda)
3.	Abdullah and His Grandfather by Andy McNab
4.	Yago Ogawa -The Pregnancy Diary -The Reading Life)
5.	Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri (Tia's Book Musings)
6.	Reading Lolita in Tehran (Nymeth)
7.	Glorious by Bernice McFadden (A Few More Pages)
8.	Liar by Justine Larbalestier (audio) BookLove: Teen
9.	The Bum Magnet (The Englishist)
10.	Heaven and Hell by Jhumpa Lahiri
11.	The Writing on my Forehead by Nafisa Haji (Helen's Book Blog)
12.	The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
13.	Embroideries (The Englishist)
14.	Crossing by Andrew Xia Fukuda (lawral @ lucy was robbed)
15.	Stigmata: A Novel by Phyllis Alesia Perry
16.	Shine, Coconut Moon (Helen's Book Blog)
17.	A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar (Tia's Book Musings)
18.	Rain Is Not My Indian Name (The Cazzy Files)
19.	Beloved by Toni Morrison (Athyrium filix-femina)
20.	Mardel - The Help
21.	Dead Above Ground by Jervey Tervalon
22.	Kitty Kitty (The Englishist)
23.	Walker Stories Set in Africa
24.	Walker Stories from the UK
25.	Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi (Athyrium filix-femina)
26.	Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins (Brown Paper)
27.	Life of Pi (Karen GHHS)
28.	Devil\'s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda (Brown Paper)
29.	Notorious Spinks - Li'l Mama's Rules
30.	Train Man by Hitori Nakano (The Reading Life)
31.	The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (Reading Extensively)
32.	Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (Reading Extensively)
33.	The Surrender Tree by Margarita Engle (Karen)
34.	The Help (Helen's Book Blog)
35.	Libyrinth (lawral @ lucy was robbed)
36.	The Rose That Grew from Concrete (The Englishist)
37.	The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (The Reading Life)
38.	Brownsville by Oscar Casares (Feminist Texican)
39.	Persepolis 1 by Marjane Satrapi (Books&Wine)
40.	What is the What: An Autobiography of Valentino Aschak Deng by Dave Eggers
41.	Ruby Lu, Brave and True by Lenore Look
42.	The Vast Fields of Ordinary (Stone-Bow)
43.	Black, White and Jewish (Stone-Bow)
44.	The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian (Vasilly)
45.	Wench (Vasilly)
46.	Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran (A Few More Pages)
47.	Nikki & Deja (Thehappynappybookseller)
48.	Keena Ford (Thehappynappybookseller)
49.	My Shoes and I (thehappynappybookseller)
50.	Out of my Mind (Thehappynappybookseller)
51.	Orange Peel\'s Pocket (Thehappynappybookseller)
52.	Chavel and the Magic Bubble (Thehappynappybookseller)
53.	The Last Summer of the Death Warriors (Thehappynappybookseller)
54.	Crossing Bok Chitto (Thehappynappybookseller)
55.	My Friend Maya Loves to Dance (Thehappynappybookseller)
56.	Guardian of the Dead (Thehappybookseller)
57.	Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah (Muse)
58.	The Opposite House by Helen Oyeyemi. (Muse)
59.	The Skin I'm In by Sharon G Flake (I Was A Teenage Book Geek)
60.	Crossing by Andrew Xia Fukuda
61.	Red Glass by Laura Resau (Karen GHHS)
62.	The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (Beach Reading)
63.	The Translator (Beach Reading)
64.	The Shadow Speaker (Beach Reading)
65.	Girl Overboard (Beach Reading)
66.	Whale Rider (Beach Reading

(Collection closed)

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Spotlight Review: Sweet Hereafter by Angela Johnson

2010-03-23T08:16:00.000-07:00

This review is a guest post by the awesome LaTonya at Black Eyed Susans

LaTonya is closer to fifty than not and happy about it. She has two daughters, one kitty and one great guy. In her former life she worked in reference publishing and had a successful run as a small press publisher, book charity administrator and currently her friends call her a literacy advocate. Favorite genres: YA, women's and multicultural literature. Favorite food is Indian. She's like young crooners like Jaime Cullen and mature singers like Cassandra Wilson and Dianne Reeves. She will not name a favorite author or book. :-)

Having read the other titles in the trilogy, I think sweet, hereafter is a deft closing. This final installment is about Sweet, a young girl we meet through Marley in Heaven. Sweet is odd; she wears knee high rain boots, isn’t obsessed with ipods or Facebook, drives a truck dubbed Alice and likes feeding ground hogs apple peels. She doesn’t fit in with her perfect, beautiful family. In this closing book, it’s a few years later and Sweet, a senior, is still odd but popular. When her relationship with her family reaches her breaking point, she moves in with Curtis, another quiet but friendly young man enlisted in the Reserves home after one tour in Iraq. Their connection is both tender and tenuous.

The story unfolds slowly. The commentary is sparse and even the most dramatic scenes are subdued. This is however a poignant read. Johnson renders a short, but memorable story about how we find meaning and make connections in the lives we lead. There’s no happy ending but there is resolution. There is some peace. To paraphrase one of the characters, there is enough. We don’t get a lot of time with the characters, we don’t get lengthy histories or long passages of dialogue but we do get enough. We get a mother connecting with a daughter in a way I think the daughter understands. We get a young girl and young man loving for a time. We see friends doing what they can. We get enough.

In a culture where communication is a juxtaposition of multi-tasking and texting, I think this kind of brevity matches teens' modern sensibility without compromising the art. This is life distilled in a meaningful way.

The length of the book works. This book is small but powerful. Yes, it is a good for a reluctant reader and a broader audience as well. My experience is that most teens want everything from food to entertainment to get to the point and get there fast. No, we don’t get 400 pages of pining or violence. It’s not an epic tale of adventure. It is what I think the author intended: an intimate close to a series that has looked at relationships the way they really happen.

For me the read is seamless; elegant in sparse prose lines that feel like poetry. The depth of the work is understated but potent.

Have you read any Johnson? How do you feel about slim volume YA titles? What elements do you need in a work to keep you interested: dialogue, action, fantasy, humor?

March reviews

2010-03-12T07:59:00.000-08:00

Hey guys and gals. Just a quick note to let you know that I want to highlight some of your PoC reviews this month! If you have one that you want on the site email it to pam@eurobands.us with your link a picture of yourself if you have one and a short bio.

Lee & Low Books Acquires Tu Publishing, Brings Diversity to Fantasy and Science Fiction

2010-03-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

LEE & LOW BOOKS, the respected independent children's book publisher specializing in diversity, has acquired Tu Publishing, an independent press focusing on multicultural fantasy and science fiction for middle grade and young adult readers.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 9, 2010 -- LEE & LOW BOOKS, the respected independent children's book publisher specializing in diversity, has acquired Tu Publishing, an independent press focusing on multicultural fantasy and science fiction for middle grade and young adult readers.

“This is a natural fit for us,” says LEE & LOW publisher Jason Low. “Our customers have been asking us for years to publish stories for older readers. Tu represents an excellent way for us to bring diversity to a whole new audience.”

Recent controversies over whitewashing have brought widespread attention to the dearth of people of color in fantasy and science fiction stories, although avid fans of these genres have long acknowledged the problem.

Tu Publishing founder Stacy Whitman began the press in 2009 to address the need for more books featuring diverse characters and inspired by non-Western cultures, a need that she had seen as both a reader and an editor of fantasy and science fiction.

Supporters met Whitman’s project with great enthusiasm and donated funds via the online organization Kickstarter to help launch the company. Through many small donations, Tu Publishing surpassed its $10,000 goal, catching the attention of LEE & LOW.

“The fact that Tu was able to raise so much money indicates that there is a real need for this,” says Low. Since Tu will now become an imprint of LEE & LOW, all money will be refunded to donors.

“The outpouring of support on the Kickstarter project and from children’s book professionals validates my mission, and the opportunity to join forces with LEE & LOW, with its vast experience publishing diverse children’s books, will allow me to accomplish my goals even beyond what I could have expected,” Whitman explains.

Whitman will join LEE & LOW as editorial director of the new imprint, which will undergo a slight name change to Tu Books. Several manuscripts are already under consideration for possible acquisition, with hopes of releasing the first books under the new imprint in 2011.

**Press release courtesy of PRWeb. Thank you to Miriam for bringing it to my attention!

February Winner + A Link of Interest

2010-03-08T17:14:00.000-08:00

Time to announce the February winner who is *DRUMROLL*

The Cazzy Librarian!

Cazzy reviewed Pemba's Song which was the review picked by random.org

Congrats Cazzy :) You have 48 hours to email me with your mailing address and your book choice from the prize list.

And for everyone else, we have a lot of prizes so even if you don't when one during the monthly giveaway, you could win one at the end.

Also do check out this post by author Justin Allen. it's funny, informative and it talks about books and their covers (specifically, whitewashing).

Here's an excerpt.

The New York Times Book Review Hates YOU, but I Don’t;
Or… Why Where Your Book Gets Shelved Determines Your Intelligence,
Work-Ethic and Value to Society

That’s a longish title I’ll admit, and while I generally don’t go in for
such larded vessels, in this case I’m willing to make an exception.
Monstrous though it may seem (and most assuredly is), the above title
sums up pretty much everything I have to say on the subjects of writing
and publishing. The first line ought to be read as a word of warning to
struggling writers. The second explains - in as much as an explanation of
the unintelligible is even possible - why the publishing industry behaves
as it does. And the third highlights our common enemy, which turns out to
be ourselves.
Really - if I must say so myself - that title is a wonder of economy,
precision and restraint. But maybe you’d like me to elaborate? Normally
I’d refuse - principally on the grounds that my arguments tend to be
weakened by exploration - but as I have been contracted to provide a
minimum of fifteen minutes of reading diversion, I will betray myself and
attempt to explain…

Why Where Your Book Gets Shelved Determines Your Intelligence, Work-Ethic
and Value to Society.

March Book Review Links

2010-03-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

I am so impressed with the level of participation we had last month! It was the shortest month of the year and yet as of this morning we had 93 reviews linked up for February! I don't know about you, but I've been really enjoying reading everyone's reviews.

Here we are, at the start of a new month, so here's the link-up for March:

March POC Book Review Links

1.	Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (Once Upon a Bookcase)	41.	The Joys of Motherhood (BrownGirl BookSpeak)
2.	The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon (Stone-Bow)	42.	Peace Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson (Books&Wine)
3.	Becoming Billie Holiday by Carole Boston Weatherford (Stone-Bow)	43.	Mardel - Church Folk by Michele Andrea Bowen
4.	Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston	44.	Notorious Spinks Talks- One Man's Treasure
5.	Face by Sherman Alexie (Marieke - Athyrium filix-femina)	45.	A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts, by Ying Chang Compestine (Charlotte's Library)
6.	Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (Mel u-The Reading Life)	46.	Haunting Bombay, by Shilpa Agarwal (Charlotte's Library)
7.	Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Bloggin' 'bout Books)	47.	Zorro by Isabel Allende (After Library School)
8.	The Conch Bearer by Divakaruni (Karen)	48.	Scars by Cheryl Rainfield and Dancing Through the Snow by Jean Little (Terry Doherty)
9.	Tiger Moon, by A. Michaelis (Charlotte's Library)	49.	Peony In Love by Lisa See (The Reading Life)
10.	The Key by Junichiro Tanizaki (Mel u-The Reading Life)	50.	Notorious Spinks Talks- big book of SOUL
11.	Year of the Horse (lucy was robbed)	51.	Shifty by Lynn E. Hazen (Into the Wardrobe)
12.	Shine, Coconut Moon (Melissa @Book Nut)	52.	City of Ghosts (I Was A Teenage Book Geek)
13.	Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson (I Was A Teenage Book Geek)	53.	Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon (Reading Extensively)
14.	Paper Daughter by Jeanette Ingold (Books&Wine)	54.	Sugar by Bernice McFadden (A Few More Pages)
15.	A Personal Matter by Kenzaburo Oe (Mel u-The Reading Life)	55.	The Surrendered by Chang Rae Lee (Karen GHHS Library)
16.	Sugar by Bernice L McFadden (Melissa @ Book Nut)	56.	The Death March: A Documentary Novel by Jiro Nitta
17.	Libyrinth by Pearl North (Tia\'s Book Musings)	57.	The Diving Pool by Yoko Ogawa (The Reading Life)
18.	The Complete Persepolis (The Englishist)	58.	Melissa@Book Nut (Marching for Freedom)
19.	The Eternal Smile (The Englishist)	59.	Bleeding Violet (Voracious YAppetite)
20.	Sugar by Bernice L McFadden (April Books & Wine)	60.	The Good Girl\'s Guide to Getting Kidnapped (Voracious YAppetite)
21.	Heaven by Angela Johnson (Bloggin' 'bout Books)	61.	The Iron King (Voracious YAppetite)
22.	Sweet, Hereafter by Angela Johnson (Black-Eyed Susan's)	62.	Feminista (Thehappynappybookseller)
23.	Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway (Tia's Book Musings)	63.	An Ocean Apart a World Away (Thehappynappybookseller)
24.	The Skin I'm In (The Englishist)	64.	Most Loved in All the World (Thehappynappybookseller)
25.	Backtracked by Pedro de Alcantara	65.	Fortune\'s Bones (Thehappynappybookseller@gmail.com)
26.	The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama (The Reaing Life-Mel u)	66.	Sweet, Hereafter (Thehappynappybookseller)
27.	Broken Memory (Helen\'s Book Blog)	67.	Ruby Booker Trivia Queen (Thehappynappybookseller)
28.	One Amazing Thing by Divakaruni (Karen GHHS Library)	68.	Dear Primo (Thehappynappybookseller)
29.	My Life as a Rhombus (The Englishist)	69.	Good Fortune (Thehappynappybookseller)
30.	Shine, Coconut Moon (Stone-Bow)	70.	Blue Mountain Trouble (Thehappynappybookseller)
31.	Amanda (Mornings in Jenin)	71.	Purple Hibiscus (GAL Novelty)
32.	Bloodchild by Octavia Butler (Tia's Book Musings)	72.	A Spy in the House (GAL Novelty)
33.	Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century American Girl (Stone-Bow)	73.	Escaping the Tiger (Beach Rading)
34.	Keeping Corner (Helen's Book Blog)	74.	Ash (Beach Reading)
35.	Push by Sapphire (Books&Wine)	75.	From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun (Beach Reading)
36.	Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman (The Reading Life-Mel u)	76.	Anahita's Woven Riddle (Beach Reading)
37.	A Million Shades of Grey by Cynthia Kadohata (GAL Novelty)	77.	The Best Kept Secret by Kimberla Lawson Roby (Tea/Leola)
38.	Tracks by Louise Erdrich (Zee @ Notes from the North)	78.	Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons by Ann Rinaldi (Tea/Leola)
39.	Shine Coconut Moon (BrownGirl BookSpeak)	79.	The Freedom Writers Diary (Tia\'s Book Musings)
40.	Me Dying Trial (BrownGirl BookSpeak)

(Collection closed)

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Big Giveaway at Lee and Low Books

2010-02-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

Lee and Low Books is an independent children's book publishing company that focuses on diversity. The books they have in their lineup are wonderfully multicultural and fun.

In celebration of Black History Month, Lee and Low Books is giving away a bunch of books! On their main site, you can enter to win one of three copies of Janna and the Kings by Patricia Smith (ends on Feb. 28). And on their blog, The Open Book, they are giving away three sets of six books (also ends on Feb. 28). Such great giveaways, and great ways to read and celebrate black history all year long!

Just thought you might like to know! :-)

New Cover For Magic Under Glass!

2010-02-22T19:55:00.000-08:00

If you've been here for a while, you're aware that the controversy over the cover of Jaclyn Dolamore's book Magic Under Glass was one of the reasons why Pam decided to spearhead this challenge and this site. Today, it appears that Bloomsbury has released the new cover art:

Sorry for the small image size, but I haven't been able to find anything bigger yet (I've only found the new cover on Amazon--it's not even up at the Bloomsbury site yet). You can look at a bigger version of the cover at the Amazon site--they'll let you click on it and blow it up. Just to refresh your memory, this is what the original cover looked like:

Personally, I think it's a great improvement. What do you think?

(Wanted to give a quick shout-out to Kelsey at The Book Scout and Christina at Reading Extensively for breaking the news!)

March

2010-02-17T12:25:00.001-08:00

We have had such an awesome month in February so far! 55 PoC books read and blogged and linked. I am so proud of the progress we are making.

For March, I want to reach over 100 books read and linked. I think I have forgotten to link mine up (I am like that) so let's all read and blog PoC!

We are still open to suggestions for books, authors, PoC related blogs. We want to know what you want to see on this blog.

I would also like to feature some reviews here. So if you have written a review starting in March for March email me (info@bookalicio.us) with your reviews and your URL and a 2 line summary about yourself and or your blog and your review may go up here!

January Prize Winner!

2010-02-08T15:04:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay guys. Generally, I will give everyone one week after the month ends to put
up their links for the month and then announce the winner.

So without further ado the January winner as picked by random.org is....

Karen at GHHS!

Congrats! I'll leave you a comment on your blog (or you can comment here with your email) and you will have 48 hours to get back to me.

You can choose any book from our prizes list

Everyone else remember to link your reviews and you can't win more than once so everyone has a fair chance!

POC Challenge Non-Review Links of Interest (2010)

2010-02-06T14:41:00.000-08:00

Color Online had a really good suggestion that we have a dedicated post where we could link-up non-review items of interest, like book discussions, articles, and essays. So, here we have one!

POC Reading Challenge Items of Interest

1.	Color Online Group Read Discussion: Children of the Waters by Carleen Brice
2.	Second Post: The POC Challenge (by Debbie Reese @ American Indians in Children\'s Literature)
3.	Bookslut: Kids of Color and the New American Whitewashing
4.	Chasing Ray: What I Learned While Researching Diversity
5.	Reading In Color: February=Time to Show We Love and Understand Black People.
6.	Zetta Elliott and Francine Thomas Howard: Black History and Historical Fiction (@ Omnivoracious)
7.	A Reader\'s Response: Black History Month (@ Black Eyed Susan\'s)
8.	Writers Against Racism: Revisiting A \"Slippery Slope\"
9.	Whiteness is Not the Default Experience: Why White Readers and Publishers Have Got to Think in Color
10.	Guest Post at Justine Larbalestier\'s blog: Ah Yuan on the Importance of Diversity
11.	Whitewashing: Where Are The Minority Authors?
12.	Elizabeth Bird\'s survey of Top 100 Children\'s Novels (@ American Indians in Children\'s Literature)
13.	Should Publishers Get Rid of African-American Imprints? by Cecelia Dowdy
14.	A Letter... @ The Story Siren
15.	mitali\'s fire escape - Faces and YA Book Covers: A Proposal
16.	\"Seg-Book-Gation\" - Discussion with Bernice McFadden (@ Drumtide)
17.	Writing White? Crossing Over--Mirror vs. Window (@ TwoMindsFull)
18.	On Reading: Whitewashed - guest post by Zetta Elliott @ 5 Minutes for Books
19.	Demanding Diversity in Publishing by Zetta Elliott (@ Huffington Post)
20.	Cover Matters: On Whitewashing (@ The Book Smugglers)
21.	Creative Freedoms and the Not Now Book @ The Bottom of Heaven
22.	Why Book Industry Sees the World Split by Race (Pittsburg Post-Gazette)
23.	Zetta Elliott on Race & Reviews (@ Justine Larbalastier\'s blog)
24.	Hood Passes and Home Invasions by Neesha Meminger
25.	A Manifesto of Imaginative Literature by Justin Allen
26.	Black Writers Ponder Role and Seek Wider Attention (NY Times)
27.	Black Eyed Susans Girl Power List: Celebrating Women\'s History Month
28.	Fairy Tales: Zero Tolerance? @ American Indians in Children\'s Literature
29.	Alisa Vades-Rodriguez diary: Bridges burned, crossed and built
30.	Guest Post From Author Tinisha Nicole Johnson: White-Washing Book Covers (@ Cajun Book Lady)
31.	James Welch on the Native American Renaissance (@ Ken Lopez Bookseller)
32.	Skinwhite Lotion-Incredible Prime Time Commercial Now Being show in Manila
33.	Shelf Talker (Publishers Weekly): The Elephant in the Room
34.	Ask Racialicious: How to Read and Respond to Literature of Colour
35.	Teens Do Judge a Book by the Cover by Mitali Perkins (@ HungerMountain)
36.	Reflected Faces by Tanita Davis (@ HungerMountain)
37.	Black Writers in a Ghetto of the Publishing Industry\'s Making by Bernice McFadden (@The Washington P
38.	Color Online: Inside the Story Circle by Linda Boyden
39.	Black Literature: Dead or Alive by Roy L. Pickering
40.	Hunger Mountain: Color Me Perplexed by Nikki Grimes
41.	PW Shelftalker: Selling Color to Customers: A Bookseller\'s Guide

(Collection closed)

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The Prizes :)

2010-02-01T17:43:00.000-08:00

This post will be constantly updated.

Monthly Prizes (these are the prizes one winner each month can choose from, unless noted we only have 1 copy of the book). You can request swag along with your book. Also, I'm sorry but not all books can be sent internationally :( If you are international and you win, we'll work something out (probably Amazon or Book Depository).

~~Perfect Chemistry~~ swag (bookmarks, pens)
A Wish After Midnight bookmarks

~~1. Bleeding Violet~~ by Dia Reeves (YA)

~~2. Silver Phoenix~~ by Cindy Pon (YA) -Us & Canada Only

3. ~~Any book by Mitali Perkins (YA/MG)~~

4. Chameleon by Charles R. Smith (YA) -Donated by BookGazing, thank you Jodie!

5. ~~One book from the prize bucket~~ (3 2 winners)-Donated by Color Online, thank you susan!

6. ~~A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott~~
~~7. 8th Grade Superzero~~ ~~by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich (MG)International!~~

~~8. That's What's Up~~ by Paula Chase Hyman-YA U.S. only
Who You Wit by Paula Chase-YA U.S.
Flipping the Script by Paula Chase-YA U.S.

9. Perfect Shot by Debbie Riguad (YA)

10. ~~Good Fortune~~ by Noni Carter (YA)-Thank you Nathalie!

11. ~~Dark Child: The Autobiography of an African Boy~~ by Camara Laye -Donated by Nathalie at Multiculturalism Rocks! Thanks so much Nathalie :)

Grand Prize: 4 $25 bookstore giftcards (bookstore to be determined)

Please email me or leave a comment if you are interested in donating a prize. Thank you in advance :)

February Review Link-Up

2010-02-01T14:29:00.000-08:00

Click on the blue "Add Your Link" button and put the name and author of the book you have reviewed in the "Name" box. You can include your name or blog name in parenthesis if you wish. Please be sure that you link to the specific URL address of your review, not the URL address of your main/home blog page.

February POC Reading Challenge Review Links

1.	BrownGirl BookSpeak (Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez)	48.	Amanda (Monique & the Mango Rains)
2.	Shanghai Girls by Lisa See (Mel u-The Reading Life)	49.	Liar by Justine Larbalestier (Tia\'s Book Musings)
3.	Akilah (The Englishist) Angela Davis: An Autobiography	50.	The Promise by Chandra Sparks Taylor (Reaing Extensively)
4.	Devil\'s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda (Reading Extensively)	51.	The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois (Zee @ Notes from the North)
5.	Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (Book Nut)	52.	c.c. (Say You\'re One of Them-Uwem Akpan)
6.	The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (Karen)	53.	Captain Shigemoto\'s Mother by Junichiro Tanizaki (Mel u-The Reading Life)
7.	Mel u-The Reading Life (Autobiographical Narratives of Philippino Women	54.	Split Image by Mel Glenn (The Cazzy Files)
8.	The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N K Jemisin (Ana - The Book Smugglers)	55.	Notorious Spinks (Gay Rebel of the Harlem Renaissance by Richard Bruce Nugent)
9.	Climbing the Stairs by Venkatraman (Mama C)	56.	Amanda (Bayou)
10.	Amanda (Apologies to an Apple by Maya Ganesan)	57.	Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama (Marieke at Athyrium filix-femina)
11.	Push by Sapphire (The Kool-Aid Mom)	58.	Perfect Chemistry ( Trini @ A Book-Lovers\' Review)
12.	Tell Me How Long the Train\'s Been Gone - Baldwin (c.c.)	59.	Letter to My Daughter by Angelou (Helen\'s Book Blog)
13.	Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama (Zee @ Notes from the North)	60.	I Dream A World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America (Black-Eyed Susan\'s)
14.	The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi Durrow (Tia\'s Book Musings)	61.	Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore (Reading Extensively)
15.	Everlost by Neal Shusterman (Once Upon a Bookcase)	62.	The Shadow Speaker by Okorafor-Mbachu(Rachael at BookLove:Teen)
16.	Everwild by Neal Shusterman (Once Upon a Bookcase)	63.	Jan@Eating YA Books (Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper)
17.	Magic Under Glass by Joclyn Dolamore (Once Upon a Bookcase)	64.	Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan (GAL Novelty)
18.	Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves (Once Upon a Bookcase)	65.	Testing the Ice and We Troubled the Waters (Reading Tub)
19.	Monique and the Mango Rains - Kris Holloway (Helen\'s Book Blog)	66.	The House of Dies Drear, by Virginia Hamilton (Jess @ garish & tweed)
20.	Children of the Waters - Carleen Brice (Black-Eyed Susan\'s)	67.	Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan (story on a page)
21.	Chenxi and the Foreigner (CrazyQuilts)	68.	The Heaven Trilogy by Angela Johnson (Thehappynappybookseller)
22.	Aths @ Reading on a Rainy Day (Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi)	69.	Children of the Waters (Reading With Momma)
23.	Aths @ Reading on a Rainy Day (Say you\'re one of them by Uwem Akpan)	70.	Those Shoes and The Rain Stomper
24.	Notorious Spinks (The Calligrapher\'s Daughter by Eugenia Kim)	71.	Does My Head Look Big In This? (I Was A Teenage Book Geek)
25.	Silver Phoenix, by Cindy Pon (Daniella)	72.	Mel u-The Reading Life (Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro)
26.	Kindred by Octavia Butler (Tia\'s Book Musings)	73.	Bleedig Violet (Trini@ A Book-Lovers\' Review)
27.	Amanda (Jonah\'s Gourd Vine by Zora Neale Hurston)	74.	The Dark Child, by Camara Laye (Multiculturalism Rocks!)
28.	Leyla: The Black Tulip - Croutier (Eating YA Books)	75.	The Apex Book of World SF (Multiculturalism Rocks!)
29.	Lockdown - Walter Dean Myers (Eating YA Books)	76.	Over a Thousand Hills, I Will Walk with You, by Hanna Jansen (Multiculturalism Rocks!)
30.	Black No More by George Schuyler (BrownGirl BookSpeak)	77.	Amanda (Liar)
31.	Ash by Malinda Lo (Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind)	78.	Aya: Secrets Come Out (Helen\'s Book Blog)
32.	The Reed Cutter by Junichiro Tanizaki (Mel u-The Reading Life)	79.	Copper Sun By Susan Draper (Books & Wine)
33.	Amanda (Native Son by Richard Wright)	80.	The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon
34.	Archer\'s Quest, by Linda Sue Park (Charlotte\'s Library)	81.	Songs of Ourselves:Writings by Filipino Women (Mel u-The Reading Life)
35.	The Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi (The Cazzy Files)	82.	Peace, Locomotion (Book Nut)
36.	The God Box by Alex Sanchez (Helen\'s Book Blog)	83.	NYX: Wannabe (ninefly)
37.	Daughters of the Stone - Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa (Stone-Bow)	84.	Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork (Tia\'s Book Musings)
38.	The Dew Breaker - Danticat (Cynical Optimism)	85.	One Day the Soldiers Came by Charles London (Libby at After Library School)
39.	Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China by Ai-Ling Louie and Ed Young (Color Online)	86.	Notorious Spinks (Uptown by DeBerry and Grant)
40.	Rabbi\'s Cat by Joann Sfar (Helen\'s Book Blog)	87.	He Forgot To Say Goodbye - Benjamin Alire Saenz (Crazy Quilts)
41.	Just Another Hero by Sharon Draper	88.	Michelle (su[shu]) - February List
42.	Pemba\'s Song by Marilyn Nelson (The Cazzy Files)	89.	Heather (Book Addiction) - Wounded
43.	14 Cows for America, Violet\'s Music, A Chair for Always	90.	Deogratias: Tale of Rwanda (Helen\'s Book Blog)
44.	Wandering Girl--Glenyse Ward (Helen\'s Book Blog)	91.	Funny Boy by Shyam Selvadurai
45.	Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind)	92.	8th Grade Superzero (GAL Novelty)
46.	Leavin Gee\'s Bend (Edi)	93.	Notorious Spinks (KIM: TheStory of John)
47.	Saving Maddie (Crazy Quilts)

(Collection closed)

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Everything is controversial?

2010-01-28T20:33:00.001-08:00

I read a blog tonight about the PoC challenge and I wanted to address the issues brought up. To see the post I read head on over to http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2010/01/about-poc-challenge.html and read the blog. There is a lot of great information there check it out!

I think it has been mentioned here that this is a work in progress. I know it has been mentioned loads of times that we want you to suggest books, and authors, and relevant blogs for us to link to. When that happens we here always put up the links.

I wanted to celebrate and highlight PoC literature, just so that publishers would see that we are willing to read books with covers that feature people who are not Caucasian. This includes authors who are black, Asian, Native American, of any culture. This includes Caucasian authors who write their protagonists with color. This is to celebrate harmony and culture not to offend.

The word 'challenge' is used for these types of activities. No it is a not a challenge to read PoC books, but its fun to all do it together and show people that we are willing to do so. Prizes are always available during these events.

Your blog was not on the list because I didn't know it existed. Why not reach out to us here and ask to be added and provide some titles of the books you want us to read?

This is to raise awareness. Not cause more controversy. I am really sorry you feel that way but I would like to see you read more of what goes on here before posting. There are several things wrong in the post. The use of the word challenge, the prizes, no one said read brown, it's not even all about brown. It's about every culture, it is about celebration and hope that by buying these books and reading them we can glean some understanding and have the publisher glean some information.

I hope this clears up the problems you had with this blog. In the future I would love for you to come to us here with your issues and I promise we will try our best to accommodate anything. It is a work in progress and I would kindly add blogs and books and authors you suggest, I just wish you could have given us here the chance to do that to begin with.

I also cannot say I speak for the other two who are involved with this event.

Thank you,
Pam

We Have Prizes!

2010-01-24T14:31:00.000-08:00

Hello all! My name is Ari and my blog is Reading in Color. I'm really excited to be helping Pam and Katy with this challenge. Good news, we have prizes! Prizes will be awarded monthly and at the end of the challenge. Prizes will consist of books, bookstore giftcards and swag! Thank you to everyone who is donating prizes, you guys rock!

1. Each month a reviewer will randomly be picked from the list of POC reviews that have been linked to.

2. A prize to anyone who reviews more than the challenge level they signed up for.

3. An prize to anyone who overall reviews the most books in their category and in the challenge.

4. A prize to someone who comments the most on other POC reviews in this challenge, once a month and overall.

I'll be doing a post of all the prizes soon and this post may be edited. Thank you all for doing this challenge! I ask that if you are participating in this challenge, you follow the blog and leave a link at the sign-up post. There are a lot more comments than sign-ups and followers and that makes things a bit confusing.

January Review Link-Up

2010-01-22T15:47:00.000-08:00

Hi! This is Katy (I blog at A Few More Pages) - I'm helping Pam with the POC Challenge site. We needed a Review Link-up post for all of the great books you are reading in this challenge, so here it is! We are so looking forward to reading your reviews!

(Edited to add: With Ari's awesomeness in organizing the monthly contests for the challenge, we're changing this to be the link-up for January reviews, and we'll be posting a new link-up every month.)

Click on the blue "Add Your Link" button and put the name and author of the book in the "Name" box. You can include your name or blog name in parenthesis if you wish. Please be sure that you link to the specific URL address of your review, not the URL address of your main/home blog page.

January POC Reading Challenge Review Links

1.	Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (A Few More Pages)	23.	American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
2.	Shanghai Girls--See (Helen\'s Book Blog)	24.	BrownGirl BookSpeak (Up From Slavery)
3.	Invisible Lives--Banerjee (Helen\'s Book Blog)	25.	Touching Snow by F. Sindy Felin (GHHS)
4.	Aya--Abouet (Helen\'s Book Blog)	26.	The Eternal Smile -Yang(GHHS)
5.	Pride of Baghdad--Vaughan (Helen\'s Book Blog)	27.	Naomi by Junichiro Tanizaki (Mel u-The Reading Life)
6.	Pedro and Me--Winick (Helen\'s Book Blog)	28.	Sea of Poppies by Amitar Ghosh (Mel u-The Reading Life)
7.	American Born Chinese--Yang (Helen\'s Book Blog)	29.	One Night at the Call Center by Chetan Bhagat (Mel u-The Reading Life)
8.	American Born Chineses - Yang (Good Books and Wine)	30.	The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie (Mel u-The Reading Life)
9.	White Teeth (Book Addiction)	31.	The Blue Notebook by James A. Levine (In the Shadow of Mt. TBR)
10.	Ash by Lo (GAL Novelty)	32.	On Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (Good Books & Good Wine)
11.	Asleep - Mcnair (Reading with Momma)	33.	Gringolandia--Miller-Lachmann (Helen\'s Book Blog)
12.	My Life as a Rhombus (Reading with Momma)	34.	Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves (The Book Smugglers)
13.	Amiri and Odett - Myers (proseandkahn)	35.	Native by Mona Kuhn (The Zen Leaf)
14.	Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan (In the Shadow of Mt. TBR)	36.	A Million Shades of Grey - Cynthia Kadohata (I Was A Teenage Book Geek)
15.	Fruits Basket vol. 5 by Natsuki Takaya	37.	Picking Cotton@From My Brown Eyed View
16.	Stormy Bamboo by Tamara Sheehan (Genre Reviews)	38.	\"Windfollower\" by Carole McDonnell
17.	Ash by Malinda Lo (Tia\'s Book Musings)	39.	Michelle (su[shu]) - January list
18.	Deadly Intent - Camy Tang (A Few More Pages)	40.	Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves - Ana (The Book Smugglers)
19.	Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji (Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind)	41.	Archangel\'s Kiss by Nalini Singh - Thea & Ana (The Book Smugglers)
20.	The White Tiger - Adiga (Jillian of murahta)	42.	The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight In Heaven By Sherman Alexie (Good Books & Good Wine)
21.	American Born Chinese - Yang (Jillian of murahta)	43.	A Girl Made of Dust by Nathalie Abi-Ezzi (GAL Novelty)
22.	Apex Magazine International Issue (BookLove)	44.	Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves (GAL Novelty)

(Collection closed)

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Interview with Claudia Mair Burney

2010-01-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much for doing this. I know it's a new blog but it was
needed. We are gaining momentum for this cause and I appreciate your
willingness to answer some of the hard questions.

I'm grateful to be here. Thank you for having me, Pam.

Why do you think the major publishers white wash the covers?

White wash is a strong term, Pam. LOL.

I can't speak for all of publishing, but I will tell you about some of the experiences I've had: books are a team effort, with writers, editors, copy editors, sales teams, marketing teams, and a whole bunch of other folks. And every publishing house I've worked with had a bottom line: they wanted to sell books, the more, the better. A few companies I wrote for had very few African American authors, and didn't particularly cater to a demographic that looks like me. When I signed on, these companies had to ask themselves how they could best serve me and the consumers who keep their lights on, who in many cases, may not have been people of color at all. Everybody says they want diversity, but frankly, nobody wants to invest in producing a great book, putting it on the bookstore shelves, and having White readers take one look at it--if it has an African American on the cover--and assume the book isn't for them. I've had people say that to me. "Oh, I didn't think that book was for me." Others said they didn't get the cultural references I wrote about, as if African Americans are foreigners! I mean, I've read French novels, Scottish ones. Those aren't my culture, but they were good stories. I learned from them about those cultures, and I found the universal in the specific. One woman told me that reading a sample chapter of one of my novels "wore her out." It would have been comical if it wasn't so sad. But I keep trying to make my writing as diverse as my life is. I've got a real multiculti tribe, and I like it that way. I also want to keep it that way, so I refuse to write just a "Black" book. But I am a Black woman, so I'll never deny that. It's all about being who I am, and saying, "Hey, let me tell you a story." And I don't care who's listening, especially if they're aching, hurting souls.

I've said before that Christian publishing seemed to be like a social system that still had a White's only and colored drinking fountain. Yet, we drink of the same, soul-quenching waters. But it isn't just Christian publishing that so divided. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said that he was appalled that the most segregated hour in Christian America is Sunday morning at 11 a.m. So African Americans tend to go to church with other African Americans, and Whites with other Whites, and African American Christians tend to read African American books, and White Christians read books by White Christians. There are exceptions to this, thank God! And I'm one of them.

The reasons I have heard are so archaic, what do you think it is going to
take to change their way of thinking?

Money makes the publishing world go 'round. When books with Black faces on the cover sell very well to the White majority, you'll see more of them. But that may be a long time coming. I mean, there's an African American section in the bookstore! Even bookstores are segregating us, but some people like it that way. And honestly, as opposed to not having any books written by people of color in the stores at all, I'll take it. But it's complicated. Oversimplifying this matter doesn't serve anyone.

Your covers are so beautiful and feature PoC images. Do you demand this
from your publisher or do they just get it?

My publishers have been very thoughtful, and brave. I don't think they'd have taken a chance on a hard to market writer like myself if they weren't. And they made difficult decisions. One company's marketing and sales team said, after going around and around on the matter, "If a person won't buy this book because an African American is on the cover, we don't want their business." But they didn't sell a lot of my books. And now they don't want my business. LOL. Publishing isn't black and white so much. It's green, and I don't mean earth friendly.

Boycotting publishers who white wash, helpful?

You'd be very limited in the books you buy! I think what is more helpful is buying books that tell stories that really are universal, even though they have people of color on the covers. Telling publishers you appreciate their choices is great, too. You can tell me you like the cover and, yeah, that's great, but when you tell my publisher, they pay attention, and doing that just may keep me working.

Can you tell us more about your books and characters?

I write Christian fiction mostly, and I've been fortunate enough to write stories featuring characters that are diverse. I was a bit of a surprise to some of my publisher's readers, and sometimes; I got in trouble about the honesty in my books. A lot! But I've been mostly well received, and was nominated for the top awards in Christian fiction my first big year out there. What you'll find in my books are people who struggle, and who possess tenuous, yet resilient faith. The common ground in my books are the wounds we bear, that are no respecter of skin color, or even religion.

As a writer how do you feel about when other authors fight for their
covers they are considered 'hard to handle, unpublish-able" and lose the
houses support for their book?

I believe in choosing your battles wisely, and knowing what field you'd be willing to die on. I'm too new in my career to be that difficult. If I'm not in the game at all, I'm not changing the face of it. Fortunately, some of the companies I worked for did that whole cover thing right! I never had to fight too hard. Almost all my covers have people of color on them. Again, I was fortunate. People fought those battles for me, and spared me the pain of having to deal with those matters directly.

Any other words of encouragement or advice?

Things really are changing. Stay the course, be who you are, and be that perfectly well, and be willing to love beyond your boundaries. That isn't easy, but you'll make the world a better place that way. If you are a writer, write big love, with people who are truly living Dr. King's dream: Black and White together. Everybody together, but be honest. You must be true to what your real story is. I don't put token characters in just to be multicultural. Stories must be truthful. Fiction is the lie that tells the truth. I believe that.

Thanks for having me, Pam. Your website rawks. Hard!

You can find Claudia Mair Burney's books here!

Interviews, posts, and more.

2010-01-21T10:16:00.000-08:00

Just a few updates to keep the ball rolling here.

I interviewed Claudia Mair Burney on her publisher, covers, and what she thinks can be done. Hopefully that interview will be back here soon. I ordered her book Wounded yesterday.

The Color Online Blog has set up a Facebook page for those who wish to join in the boycott on Bloomsbury.

Black Teens Read Too have a wonderful post on their feelings behind the white washed covers and provide ideas on what you can do.

You can sign the I'll Buy the Book petition.

If I am missing anything please let me know. I will be updating the book list this weekend. If anyone wants to help maintain the blog please let me know!

Let the reading commence

2010-01-19T11:34:00.000-08:00

Come one come all to the POC Reading Challenge. This challenge was put in place to have myself and others read POC authors and books. There will be a master list to choose from, I am researching now and asking the experts for help in this. I would love for everyone who is participating to suggest a book or two in the comments for the master list if possible.

For this challenge all you need to do is grab the button from the side bar and add it to a post saying you are committed to reading POC authors and characters in this coming year. You do not have to pick your books now but you have to sign up to a level of how many you will read. Leave a comment to your post stating how many books you will read this year and tada automagically you are done.

Level 1: Read 1-3 POC books
Level 2. Read 4-6 POC books
Level 3. Read 7-9 POC books
Level 4. Read 10-15 POC books
Level 5. Read 16-25 POC books

Comments, suggestions, ways of making this better are greatly appreciated. Contributing posters for reviews, news, and book ideas are greatly appreciated.

**If you have a blog, you can sign up below, preferably including a link to your post about joining the challenge (and your book list if you put one together)! Don't forget to grab our button for your post!**

POC Challenge Sign-Ups

1.	Katy (A Few More Pages)	44.	Stephanie (Confessions of a Book-a-Holic)
2.	Michelle (su[shu])	45.	Paige Y.
3.	Pam	46.	Thea & Ana (The Book Smugglers)
4.	Mardel S	47.	Christina T (Reading Extensively)
5.	The Story Siren	48.	Katie (Read What You Know)
6.	kim in ohio	49.	MissCorene
7.	Helen (Helen\'s Book Blog)	50.	c.c.
8.	April (Good Books & Good Wine)	51.	Susan (Bloggin\' \'bout Books)
9.	ninefly (story on a page)	52.	Jo (Once Upon a Bookcase)
10.	J.S. Peyton	53.	Daniella
11.	Heather (Book Addiction)	54.	Marieke (Athyrium filix-femina, The Lady Fern)
12.	Tia (Tia\'s Book Musings)	55.	Bookslingers
13.	Ah Yuan (GAL Novelty)	56.	Notorious Spinks
14.	[Shades of] Lizzy	57.	Liviania (In Bed With Books)
15.	MotherReader	58.	Catherine (On The Nightstand)
16.	The Kool-Aid Mom (In the Shadow of Mt. TBR)	59.	Melanie (Cynical Optimism)
17.	msladydeborah (From My Brown Eyed View)	60.	kishasknowledge
18.	The Cazzy Files	61.	Marie (All the parts of my life)
19.	Carrie K. (Books & Movies)	62.	Bianca (Wicked Good Books)
20.	Aths @ Reading on a Rainy Day	63.	Keyona (Only Sexy Books Allowed)
21.	Melody	64.	Trini ( A Book-Lovers\' Review)
22.	Melissa (Book Nut)	65.	Nadege
23.	Amanda (The Zen Leaf)	66.	Jessica
24.	Jess	67.	Jeannine M.
25.	Tarie	68.	Kris (Voracious YAppetite)
26.	Kristilyn	69.	Mary (Beach Reading)
27.	Karen Mahoney	70.	Just One More Paragraph
28.	Sara (The Leprechaun Reads)	71.	Kristen (BookNAround)
29.	Charlotte	72.	The Feminist Texican
30.	Lawral @ lucy was robbed	73.	Tea (I Love To Read)
31.	Terry (The Reading Tub)	74.	Chioma (Black and Blue Ink)
32.	Jillian	75.	Niranjana (Brown Paper)
33.	Jan@Eating YA Books	76.	Julianne (this fleeting dream)
34.	Ellen - Word Thief	77.	Muse\'s Books
35.	Karen (GHHS Library)	78.	Lisa (Bibliophiliac)
36.	Robin	79.	Daphne at Reading the Rainbow
37.	Lauren (I Was A Teenage Book Geek)	80.	Dirigible Plum
38.	Mel u (The Reading Life)	81.	Alyson Greene
39.	Kristi @ A Hundred Revisions	82.	Donna (A Novel Review)
40.	K L Richardsson (Sailing the Writing Seas - Just me and my lightsaber)	83.	Trina (An Old Flame)
41.	Megan (Posey Sessions)	84.	Lovely Reads
42.	Sara Leslie (Dragonfly Reviews)	85.	Emma (Booking Through 365)
43.	Akilah (The Englishist)

(Collection closed)

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POC Reading Challenge

2011 POC Challenge Wrap-up Posts!

December Review Link-up!

September, October Winners

November Review Link-Up!

October Review Link-up!

August 2011 Winners!

September Review Link-up!

Shelf Awareness for Readers: Books About China

July Winners

August Review Link-Up

Dystopia and Diversity?!

Sync into summer!

July Review Link-Up

May Winners & A Giveaway for Diversifying Your Reading

June Review Link-Up!

April Winners (Lateness is the Norm)

May Review Link-Up!

The Diversity in YA Tour is coming to a city near you!

March Winners! (Super Ridiculously Late)

New multi cultural picture book!

The Greedy Sparrow by Lucine Kasbarian

From the Press Release:

April Review Link-Up!

New UK cover for Demon's Lexicon Series

Feb. winners!

March Review Link-Up!

Recent Links of Interest

January 2011 Winners

First Annual African American Lit Festival

African American Read-in!

February 2011 Review Link-up!

Across the Universe

THE Winners!

2011 Prize List

Diversity in YA Fiction Tour has some news for you!

Elle Whitewashes beautiful Bollywood Actress

Diversify Your Reading blog

Spotlight: Illegal by Bettina Restrepo

December winner + Grand Prize Giftcards

January 2011 Review Link-Ups!

November Winner! (Did YOU get your prize?)

2011 Sign up

December Review Link-Up!

October Winnah! + Holiday Book Buying

Guest Blog from Dori Jones Yang

November Review Link-Up!

September Winner!

October Review Link-Up!

August Winner! (Much Belated, Sorry)

September Review Link-up!

July ganador (I think that means winner?)!

August Review Link-Up!

June Winner + Prize Check In

July Book Review Links

*Sigh* More Whitewashing At Work

Looking for more challenge books?

The Bluest Eye Roundtable at The Bottom of Heaven

May Monthly Review Winner!

Multicultural Book Awards

POC Reading Challenge Wrap-up Posts

June Book Review Links

Guest Review: Try to Remember from Melissa at The Feminist Texan

April Review Monthly Winner!

National Poetry Month Mini-Challenge Winners

May Book Review Links

Let's Celebrate National Poetry Month with a Mini-Challenge!

March Winner!

April Book Review Links

Spotlight Review: Sweet Hereafter by Angela Johnson

March reviews

Lee & Low Books Acquires Tu Publishing, Brings Diversity to Fantasy and Science Fiction

February Winner + A Link of Interest

March Book Review Links

Big Giveaway at Lee and Low Books

New Cover For Magic Under Glass!

March

January Prize Winner!

POC Challenge Non-Review Links of Interest (2010)

The Prizes :)

Sigh More Whitewashing At Work