Synopses & Reviews
Newsy news is not just regular news. It's news that's interesting and exciting. Nikki and Deja know that there's plenty of newsy news happening on their block andand#160;at Carver Elementary, just waiting to be reported. Luckily, Nikki has herand#160;special pen and notepad, Deja has the use ofand#160;Auntie Dee's computer, andand#160;they both have lots of ideas. Before long, the
Fulton Street Newsy News Newsletter is born. At first, everyone wants to read what the girls have written. But after justand#160;one issue, some unexpected problems arise. Will Nikki and Deja's plans to become celebrated journalists succeed?
Like the first two Nikki and Deja stories, this accessible chapter book shines with emotional depth and humor, perfectly capturing the complexities and joys of elementary school girls' friendships.
Review
and#160; Nikki and Deja: Birthday Blues by Karen English, illustrated by Laura Freeman Clarion, Winter 2009and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; ISBN-13: 978-0-618-97787-1 and#160; Junior Library Guild Premier Selection and#160; "Early chapter-book readers will relate to the protagonist's authentic emotions as English acknowledges the chellenges and complexities of classroom life." --School Library Journal and#160; "Likable and independent African-American girls are a rare find in early chapter books--let's hope these two can start a trend." --Kirkus Reviews and#160; "An accessible story of recognizably real grade-school politicking and enduring friendship that's suitable for reading aloud or alone. Fans of the duo will rejoice at their return." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books and#160; and#160; Nikki and Deja by Karen English, illustrated by Laura Freeman Clarion, Fall 2007and#160;and#160;and#160; and#160;ISBN-13: 978-0-618-75238-6 and#160; Junior Library Guild Premier Selection Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year Kansas State Reading Circle Recommendation Best Children's Book of the Year/Child Study Association Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books recommended title and#160; "Accessible writing, authentic characters, an easy-to-identify-with plot and Freeman's appealing black-and-white illustrations come together smoothly in this straightforward friendship tale. English nicely fills an underdeveloped area--this is a first-chapter book featuring African-American girls, and race is presented as an attribute of the characters rather than as an issue." --Kirkus Reviews and#160; "More probing than many chapter books, this title delivers the satisfaction of a full-length novel." --Publishers Weekly and#160; "Children will quickly connect with the distinctive characters and authentically drawn situations and emotions. . . . A strong start to what will hopefully become a series." --ALA Booklist and#160; "English, who has been an elementary school teacher, clearly knows her audience and understands the intricacies of their relationship dynamics. . . . Kids negotiating the sometimes treacherous waters of middle-grade friendship will find Nikki and Deja's story both truthful and comforting." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books and#160; "The book is a welcome rarity--a contemporary story about middle class black children." --Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) and#160; "English captures a strong sense of both girls, their enduring relationship, and the uncomfortable struggles that friends weather when changes erupt." --The News and Observer (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) and#160; "Nikki and Deja is the kind of early chapter book that African-American girls and their parents have been seeking for a long time." --The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin) and#160; and#160; Hot Day on Abbott Avenue by Karen English, illlustrated by Javaka Steptoe Clarion, 2004and#160;and#160;and#160; and#160;ISBN-13: 978-0-395-98527-4 and#160; Jane Addams Honor Award Charlote Zolotow Award--Highly Commended Title NAPPA Parenting Publications Award ALSC Notable Children's Book ALA Notable Book CCBC Choices Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year School Library Journal Best Book of the Year NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing and#160; "English has childhood spats down pat. . . . Both original and emotionally effective. . . . Full of movement and energy and joy. . . . 'So good!'" --Kirkus Reviews and#160; and#160; The Baby on the Way by Karen English, illustrated by Sean Qualls FSG, 2005and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; ISBN-13: 9780374373610 and#160; "A solemn spiritual, whose resolution lies less in the possibility of joy than in the quieter peace of enduring." --New York Times Book Review and#160; and#160; Speak to Me (And I Will Listen Between the Lines) by Karen English, illustrated by Amy Bates FSG, 2004and#160;and#160;and#160; and#160;ISBN-13: 9780374371562 and#160; School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and#160; "English employs the simplest of language in perfect evocation of the children's thoughts, confusions, small hopes, and large dreams. . . . Just wonderful." --Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewand#160; and#160; "English's rich descriptions and insights bring readers into the world of six inner-city third -grade students." --School Library Journal, starred review and#160; and#160; Francie by Karen English FSG, 1999and#160;and#160;and#160; and#160;ISBN-13: 9780312373832 and#160; Coretta Scott King Honor Award Parents' Choice Recommendation and#160; "Francie's smooth-flowing, well-paced narration is gently assisted by just the right touch of the vernacular. Characterization is evenhanded and believable, while place and time envelop readers." --School Library Journal
Synopsis
Will Nikki and Deja's plans to become celebrated journalists succeed?
Nikki and Deja know that there's plenty of newsy news--news that's interesting and exciting--happening on their block and at Carver Elementary, just waiting to be reported.
Luckily, Nikki has her special pen and notepad, Deja has the use of Auntie Dee's computer, and they both have lots of ideas. Before long, the Fulton Street Newsy News Newsletter is born. At first, everyone wants to read what the girls have written. But after just one issue, some unexpected problems arise.
This accessible chapter book series shines with emotional depth and humor, perfectly capturing the complexities and joys of elementary school girls' friendships.
Synopsis
Newsy news is not just regular news. It's news that's interesting and exciting. Nikki and Deja know that there's plenty of newsy news happening on their block and at Carver Elementary. Before long, the Fulton Street Newsy News Newsletter is born. Illustrations.
Synopsis
There'sand#160;so much happening on Fulton Street, you'd need a newsletter to keep on top of all the action . . . and Nikki and Deja are just the girls to write it!
About the Author
Karen English is a Coretta Scott King Honor Award-winning author whose books have been praised for their nuanced and accessibleand#160;portrayal ofand#160;girls' friendships. She is also an elementary school teacher, and lives in Los Angeles.
Laura Freeman has illustrated many books for children, including twoand#160;additional Nikki and Deja stories. She lives in New York City.