Richie’s Picks!
People who subscribe to YALSA-BK and certain other mail groups are likely familiar with Richie Partington. He regularly posts a review of a new children’s or young adult book on the mail group and always has an in-depth look at the title. His posts are titled “Richie’s Picks” and his reviews are definitely worth reading. If you prefer, you can visit his website and read the reviews when convenient for you. His site is
here, and if you scroll down you can take a look at his list: “The Best of 2010.” See if you agree with him. He also has an extensive list of stand-alone reviews on his web page, these are the ones he has posted to the mail groups.
Recently I finished
Yummy: the Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri, illustrated by Randy DuBurke. This graphic novel with black-and-white art is a blending of fiction and non-fiction, and is based on a Chicago event from 1994. The author noted several sources he used, after telling the story of an eleven-year-old boy who became both a perpetrator and a victim of violence as a member of a gang. Told through the eyes of a fictional school mate, Roger, the author presents several questions, and quotes John D. Hull from Time Magazine (September 1994) who stated, “I still couldn’t decide which was more appalling: the child’s life or the child’s death.” A powerful story.
(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers. After review, the books are distributed free to Nebraska school and public libraries.)
