Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

 Jacqueline Woodson has a new book out about a child who sees first hand the devastating effects 

Mock Caldecott 2021

 Hello everyone... we are about to embark on reviewing books for the upcoming Caldecott awards season..... the first book we are gong to look at is Nesting by Henry Cole.  

Artistic technique: Excellent

Use of visual elements : Excellent

Creative use of physical object ( endpapers, gutters, orientation, ) 

Artist used micron pens and acrylic paints 

Henry Cole, author and illustratr uses black and white illustrations to draw the next but uses baby blue colors to highlight the nest egg.  A gorgeous work!

Fighting Words

 

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley continues to tackle sensitive issues with the publication of her latest middle grade book, Fighting Words. Like her previous novels, we meet a strong character in ten- year old protagonist, Della who along with her sixteen year old sister, Sukki, has recently been placed in a foster home. Their mother is incarcerated having nearly killed them by blowing up their hotel room while cooking meth. The girls initially were left with their mother’s boyfriend, Clifton but they fled after he tried to continue his abusive patterns towards Della. They end up being placed with Francine who seems to care about them but the girls don’t know for sure who they can trust.  They carry with them the scars of their trauma. It comes to a head and the girls must face their abuse in order to move on. The author does a terrific job of making the reader hope that Sukki and Della overcome their terrible childhood and achieve full lives. This is an honest novel that stay will readers long after they have finished it.

Renee Watson: Ways to Make Sunshire

Caldecott 2021

 We will be featuring some of the new books that will be contenders for the 2021 Caldecott medal.

Racial Inequlity: Start with Books

Here are a few books to get the conversation flowing about racial inequality:

Cook and Share Some More

Our chefs keep creating each week and make delicious meals and desserts:

Cole made Peanut butter blossom

cookies

Thank you to Heatlhcare Workers

The Young Writers met last night to make thank you notes and signs for our healthcare. Ayla, Jeremy, Luke , Henry, Molly & Juliet all signed on to our Zoom meet up to draw thank you cards.

Here are Jeremy’s and Ayla’s:

Young Writers describe their favorite places to live

Our young writers met on Wednesday share their creative thoughts about their favorite places to live:

Jeremy, Ayla, Luke, Henry and Molly all loved the idea of moving to a mountain or a beach, The consenus was that both places would be fun to navigate and live.

Graphic Novels available on Libby

Did you know that the best teen graphic novels are available to download now on your Libby app?

Young Writers club thanks our healthcare workers

Join us on Wednesday, May 13 at 7pm as our Creative Writing club as we write thank you note to our healthcare workers:

Cook and Share

Jeremy loves cooking dinner for his family and this week was no exception. He made Shepherd Pie which looked outstanding! Jeremy said he started the process the day before by pealing the potatoes the day before...  Ayla outdid herself this week also by making a spinach and cheese quiche.

Cook and Share Program

We had a fun time last night, sharing recipes and laughs at our Cook and Share program:

Luke made homemade pizza: Using dough from Parmigianni in RVC, tomato sauce that was homemade and mozzarella and parmigiana cheese, Luke rolled everything together on a pizza stone and baked it on 450 degrees. It looked so delicious

Molly made Oreo fluff cake that was made with Cool Whip, chocolate chips and crushed Oreo cookies. Molly said she mixed all the ingredients together and froze them for about 15 minutes. It looked so yummy.

Jeremy loves making dinner for his family and this week made Shepherd’s Pie.

Read Aloud with a librarian

This Saturday we read aloud from the book, The Boy, The Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. It’s a beautifully written story with gorgeous illustrations. The author said in an interview with The NY Times that this book is for anyone from age 8 to 80! Here’s a link from YouTube:

The One and Only Ivan sequel

Did you love reading The One and Only Ivan by Katharine Applegate? It was such a beautifully written novel and won the Newbery prize!
We are returning to world of Ivan on May 5th as the sequel is published! Reserve your copy today on Overdrive.

Cook and share recipes

Here are some more recipes from our Cook and Share program:

Banana blueberry muffins from Ayla:

Easy Blueberry muffins • 3 ripe bananas (about 1 cup mashed) • 1 1/2 cups oat flour (rolled oats finely ground in a food processor) • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/4 cup peanut butter, applesauce, or yogurt • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or raw honey • 1/4 teaspoon salt • ¼ cup blueberries, you can also use chocolate or nuts • top with brown sugar or oats if desired • Stir all of the ingredients together in a bowl until it looks uniform, then divide it among the 8-10 muffin cups and bake for 25 minutes at 350F.

Chicken Cacciotore from Jeremy

Quick Boneless Chicken Cacciatore 

• 6 chicken breast cutlets or boneless thighs 
• Salt and pepper to season
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (more if needed )
• 1 medium onion diced
• half cup fresh peas
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic (or 8 cloves)
• 2 red bell pepper sliced
• 1 large carrot peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup pitted black olives
• sprigs of fresh rosemary and thyme
• 2 tablespoons each freshly chopped parsley and basil plus more to garnish
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• cup of red red wine
• can of crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 small tomatoes halved

INSTRUCTIONS

• Season chicken with salt and pepper. 
  
• Heat oil in a pan fry the chicken in olive oil with fresh rosemary and thyme and garlic 
• Take chicken out of pan when cooked and set aside
  
• Add the onion, peppers, carrot, chopped tomatoes and chopped garlic to the pan; sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are beginning to soften.
  
• Add the chicken 
• Pour in the wine; allow to simmer and reduce down (about 5-6 minutes).
  
  
• Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and peas
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and dried oregano. Continue to cook over stove top 
• cover with lid, reduce heat to low and allow to simmer (while stirring occasionally) for 25-30 minutes (depending on the kind of chicken you use). Add in the olives, allow to simmer for a further 10 minutes. Garnish with parsley.

Roasted sweet potatoes

Cube sweet potatoes as evenly as possible, toss with salt, pepper, minced garlic and dried oregano and olive oil. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 30 minutes. 

Sweet Potato Pie from Jeremy

Are you ready for a little Thanksgiving in April? This delicious recipe can be enjoyed any time and was presented tonight at the Cook and Share program.

Easy Sweet Potato Pie 

1 1/2 cups canned sweet potatoes or 2 to 3 roasted, peeled and pureed sweet potatoes

3/4 cup sugar 

2 large eggs 

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, softened 

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

Pinch salt 

1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell, homemade or store-bought 

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the sweet potatoes and 1/2 cup of the sugar, as well as the eggs, butter, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Beat until thoroughly blended and smooth. Pour the mixture into the pie shell and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Allow the pie to stand for 15 minutes before baking to allow the sugar to melt.
3. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour to an hour 20 mi. Cool before serving.

Cook and Share from Ayla

I can’t wait to try these scones that Ayla made tonight!

Mixed berry Scones 

1. 2 cups of all-purpose flour 
2. 1/2 cup of sugar 
3. ½ baking powder 
4. 1 pinch of of Salt, ½ teaspoon of Cinnamon, & Vanilla Extract
5. 1 stick of Cold Butter
6. 2/3 cup Heavy Cream
7. 2 eggs 
8. ½ cup Blueberries and raspberries 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees, on a non stick cookie sheet spoon equal parts of the scone mix (about 10-12) 2 inches apart. Bake 14-16 minutes until cooked through. 

Harry Potter and the Socerer’s Stonoe

Did you know that the first book of the Harry Potter series is available on Overdrive? Because of the pandemic, author JK Rowling has made the first book available for download, All you need is a library card. JK Rowling wrote the series in 1990’s and it has been wildly popular ever since! Download the first book today and take off to the wonderful world of Harry Potter!

Two great books which will help get you through a pandemic

Hello, the RVC Library Chapter Club just read 2 books by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley that are perfect family reads that are comforting during this time. The novel is set in England during the Second World War. Ava has had a traumatic childhood; not only does she have a club foot but she and her brother are being raised by an abusive mother. When they are sent to the countryside to escape the bombing, their lives take a dramatic turn. This novel is one that demonstrates resilience and courage!! Check them out on Overdrive today! 

Kate DiCamillo Writing Lessons

During the pandemic, beloved author, Kate DiCamillo has been posting writing lessons for kids to try out at home. They’re really a terrific way for kids and their parents to learn different techniques from a master novelist.

Cook and Share

During this unprecedented time, the kids of RVC have been meeting every Monday over Zoom to share meals they have made: here are just a few.. thank you to Jeremy, Ayla, Natalie, Juliet, Luke, Maeve, Noah, Henry and Hannah for sharing your recipes:

Belgium Waffles made by Natalie:

Makes approx. 8-10 waffles

1 1/2 cups water, divided
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
3 large eggs, separated + 1 egg white
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups whole milk
8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 tsp vegetable oil
2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions:
Heat 1/2 the water to luke warm, 105°F-110°F. Dissolve yeast in the water with a pinch of sugar; let stand 5-10 minutes, until the mixture begins to foam.

Blend the sifted flour and salt in a large bowl and set aside.
Add 3 egg yolks, 1 egg white, and sugar to the yeast mixture. Stir to blend.
Add the remaining water, milk, melted butter, oil and vanilla; stir until mixture is smooth.
Stir the liquid mixture into the flour mixture and beat until the mixture is smooth.
Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites gently into the batter. Let the batter stand for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
Preheat waffle iron to preferred setting (we use setting #4 on Cuisinart Double Belgium Waffle Maker)
When waffle grids are preheated, pour approx 3/4 cup batter evenly over the grid, use a heatproof spatula to spread batter evenly or follow your waffle maker’s instructions for cooking.
Waffles may be kept warm in a low (200°F) oven. Arrange on a cookie sheet.
Serve with whipped cream, fruit, powdered sugar, syrup or anything you would like.

Jason Reynolds

Did you know that Jason Reynolds is the National Ambassador for Children’s Literature for 2020. It really could not have come at a better time. For the month of April, Jason has been encouraging young people to write a poem a day.

Pam Munoz Ryan

Our author study focuses on Pam Muñoz Ryan who writes glorious books for children and they are all available on the Libby app through Overdrive. One my favorites is Esperanza Rising which tells the story of a young Mexican girl, Esperanza and her mom have to leave their privileged life and fleet to California to become migrant workers. Esperanza is used to having beautiful clothes and living a life of  luxury. She is in shock when their lives suddenly change. Her mother is a very strong woman and demonstrates how resilience is a quality that is needed in order to survive. This book is available on Overdrive and the Libby app.

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Jude and her mother ave to abandon their home in war torn Syria in this 2020 Newbery honor award winning book called Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga. Jude does not want to come to American and leave behind her father and brother. We follow Jude as she tries to fit in at school, adjust to her new life and try to make peace with the life she has left behind.

Comfort Reads for your children

During this very trying time, there is nothing more relaxing than reading to your child. Why not download the Libby app to your smartphone and read aloud one the following books:

The Dog Who Lost His Bark by Eoin Coler

Eoin Colfer who wrote the Artemis Fowl Series returns to children's literature with a chapter book that will appeal to emerging reader and parents who love to read to their children!
Although the book does tackle sensitive issues, the illustrations by P.J. Lynch are terrific.

We meet our first hero, a nameless puppy who has had his share of cruel owners. He is looking for a boy to love him!
Patrick Coin is a little boy who has always wanted a puppy but his dad is very allergic. When Patrick's mom suddenly tell him he can now get one, he becomes suspicious. He's especially nervous because his dad has not been home. What Patrick realizes is that his parents have separated and his mom is hoping his new dog will ease the transition. Patrick and his mom go to the pound and pick the nameless puppy as their new pet. What they don't realize is that the new puppy who they name Oz has been so traumatized by his experiences that he won't bark.