Waiting on Wednesday: What Momma Left Me + Celebrating June Jordan, Award

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This is another you-should-be-waiting on post (again I haven't read this one yet but I plan on reading it this weekend).

What Momma Left Me by Renee Watson

Release Date: July 6, 2010

How is it that unsavory raw ingredients come together to form a delicious cake? What is it about life that when you take all the hard stuff and rough stuff and add in a lot of love, you still just might have a wonderful life? For Serenity,

these questions rise up early when her father kills her mother, and leaves her and her brother Danny to live with their kind but strict grandparents. Despite the difficulties of a new school, a new church, and a new neighborhood, Serenity gains strength from the family around her, the new friends she finds, and her own careful optimism. Debut author Renée Watson's talent shines in this powerful and ultimately uplifting novel.

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Why I want to read it

Reading in Color News

This week I am teaming up with Neesha Meminger and the Rejectionist to celebrate June Jordan (June in June, heehee). Neesha talks about the life of June Jordan and shares some wonderful quotes. The Rejectionist reviews His Own Where, Junde Jordan's young adult book. I will also be reviewing His Own Where tomorrow and I will talk about being a newcomer to the awesomeness that is June Jordan. Just to let you know, my review will not be nearly as good or thourgh as Neesha's or the Rejectionist's. So stop by their blogs to read and learn about June Jordan.

I received the Trendy Blog Award (I know I'm just as shocked as you are :D) Thank you so much Jeanette!

The Rules

1. Post the award

2. Pass it on to 10 other bloggers

Oh goodness, there are so many trendy blogs out there. I basically picked blogs that have inspired me in the past to write about certain topics. I love their honesty and how they keep me in the loop about what's going on in the YA world (both books and movies). Ok here goes

1. April at Good Books & Good Wine

2. Maggie at Bibliophilia-Maggie's Bookshelf

3. Ah Yuan at Gal Novelty

4. Adele at Persnickety Snark

5. Steph at Steph Su Reads

6. Leila at Bookshelves of Doom

7. Doret at theHappyNappyBookseller

8. Tarie at Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind

9. Nathalie at Multiculturalism Rocks!

10. Kris at Voracious YAppetite

What are you waiting on this week? Any POC releases? I'm doing pretty good finding upcoming YA/MG POC releases, I've found enough to last me till October.

New Crayons, Awards, Summer Reading Lists

I received the Sunshine Award from Donna at Bites, Helen at Helen's Book Blog and Katy at A Few More Pages. Thank you so much! This award is given to bloggers who inspire others and show creativity. You must pass it on to 12 bloggers.

I pass this award to... (random order)

1. Christina at Reading Extensively
2. Pam at Bookalicio.us
3. Steph at Steph Su Reads
4. Steph at Hey! Teenager of the Year
5. Kristi at the Story Siren
6. Terri at Brown Girl Book Speak
7. Akilah at The Englishist
8. Monica at the Bibliophilic Book Blog
9. Laura at Bib-Laura-Graphy
10. Maggie at Bilbiophilia-Maggie's Bookshelf
11. April at Good Books and Good Wine
12. Heather at the Secret Adventures of WriterGirl

Thank you bloggers for continuing to inspire and amaze us!

New Crayons was created and is hosted by Color Online. In this meme I share what new books I got this week.

I also want to share my summer reading lists. I'm not including any YA/MG POC because you can just find those titles in my TBR list on Goodreads. I want to share my reading lists of the classics I want to read, some off color books (to catch up on titles that I won't review on my blog but that I want to read) and the adult fiction POC titles that I may or may not do mini reviews of. These are not complete lists, I just picked my top 10 in a random order. I'm also going to be reading books about current events and politics but I don't feel like listing those.

Classics Reading List

1. Middlemarch by George Eliot

2. Kindred by Octavia Butler

3. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

4. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

5. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

6. Persuasion by Jane Austen

7. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

8. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

9. Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

10. The Living is Easy by Dorthoy West

Adult Fiction

1. Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya

2. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende

3. Children of the Waters by Carleen Brice

4. Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead

5. Sleeping in the Bed You Made by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant

6. Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley (Book 1 in Easy Rawllins series)

7. White Teeth by Zadie Smith

8. Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan

9. Feminista by Erica Kennedy

10. Bloody Waters by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera (Book 1 in Lupe Solano Mystery series)

Off Color (To reiterate: These books will not be reviwed here. I may review them on Goodreads)

1. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

2. Graceling by Kirsten Cashore

3. Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

4. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

5. The Deathday Letter by Shaun Hutchinson

6. The Daykeeper's Grimoire (Prophecy of Days #1) by Christy Raedeke

7. Violet on the Runway by Melissa Walker

8. The Eternal Kiss: Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire (anthology), edited by Trisha Telep

9. White Cat by Holly Black

10. Levithian by Scott Westerfield

Received for Review

Middleworld: The Jaguar Stones Book 1 by J&P Voelkel

Fourteen-year-old Max Murphy is looking forward to a family vacation. But his parents, both archaeologists and Maya experts, announce a change in plan. They must leave immediately for a dig in the tiny Central American country of San Xavier. Max will go to summer camp. Max is furious. When he's mysteriously summoned to San Xavier, he thinks they've had a change of heart.

Upon his arrival, Max's wild adventure in the tropical rainforests of San Xavier begins. During his journey, he will unlock ancient secrets and meet strangers who are connected to him in ways he could never have imagined. For fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to this pampered teenager. Can Max rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save the world from the Lords of Death, who now control the power of the Jaguar Stones in their villainous hands? The scene is set for a roller-coaster ride of suspense and terror, as the good guys and the bad guys face off against a background of haunted temples, zombie armies, and even human sacrifice!

-This sounds like an adventurous and fun read. I'm curious to learn more about Mayan culture. Received from the publicist. Thank you! Summary from Amazon.com

Nice and Mean by Jessica Leader

Marina is mean. Sachi is nice. Marina is Barney's. Sachi is Burlington Coat Factory. It's bad enough that they have to coexist in video class—but now they're being forced to work together on the big semester project. Marina's goal? Expose her wanna-be BFF as a fashion wanna-be to the entire middle school. Sachi's goal? Prove that she's not just another honor-roll Indian student and get people talking. Work together in harmony? Yeah, that would be no. How can Sachi film something meaningful, and Marina, something fabulous, if they're yoked to each other?

Summary from the author's website I WoWd this. I'm also participating in a blog tour celebrating the release of the book =) Thank you Jessica!

From Doret (we traded)

Efrain's Secret by Sofia Quintero

Ambitious high school senior Efrain Rodriguez dreams of escaping the South Bronx for an Ivy League college like Harvard or Yale. But how is his family going to afford to pay for a prestigious university when Moms has to work insane hours to put food on the table as it is? And Efrain wouldn’t dare ask that good-for-nothing father of his who has traded his family in for younger models. Left with few options, Efrain chooses to do something he never thought he would. He embarks on a double life—honor student by day, drug peddler at night—convinced that by temporarily capitulating to society’s negative expectations of a boy like him, he can eventually defy them.

-I finished this book last night. I'm exhausted not only from a long day but from this book. It was awesome, it had a little bit of everything. Review tomorrow :) Summary from Amazon.com

So what POC books did you get this week?

New Crayons, This Week in Reviews, Awards and More Challenges (Historical Fiction, Global Reading)

New Crayons is brought to you by Color Online.

I'm pretty much the only book blogger who got no books for Christmas. Haha. But it's ok because I got some money that I can use for books.

From the Library

Child of Dandelions by Sheenaz Nanji

In Uganda in 1972, President Idi Amin, also known as the Last King of Scotland, announces that foreign Indians must be “weeded" out of Uganda in ninety days. Fifteen-year-old Sabine’s life is changed forever. The president’s message, broadcast on the radio every day, becomes Sabine’s “countdown monster," and it follows her through days of terror. Sabine’s father is convinced that, as Ugandan citizens, their family will be unaffected, but her mother insists it’s too dangerous to stay. When her beloved uncle disappears and her best friend abandons her, Sabine begins to understand her mother’s fears. She becomes desperate to leave, but Bapa, her grandfather, refuses to accompany her. How can she leave him, and where will her family go to begin a new life?

-I'm super excited to read this book since I love historical fiction and it's about a poc! It's part of the South Asian Author Challenge along with the Royal Reviews: Historical Fiction Reading Challenge. The challenge starts Jan. 1, 2010 and I'm reading it on that very day :)

Reading in Color Reviews Week of 12/20-12/27 (Remember you may get 2 additional entries in my giveaway if you comment on reviews)

Male Monday: So Punk Rock by Micol Ostow (Off-Color)

Tuesday: Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia

Wednesday: The Ring by Bobbie Pyron (Off-Color)
Thrusday: I Wanna Be Your Shoebox by Cristina Garcia (MG)

Friday: Ash by Malinda Lo
Saturday: Perfect Shot by Debbie Rigaud
Sunday: Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim (Coming soon).

It's been a whirlwind of a week, but I want to review a book everyday until December 31st. I'm trying to get all the books that have been recommended to me reviewed before 2010!

More Challenges (I swear I'm done after this!)

Royal Reviews: Historical Fiction Reading Challenge -Why am I doing this challenge? Because I LOVE historical fiction and I want to spread awareness of historical fiction about poc. I know it exists and I'm eager to find all I can. I always have to shoot for the highest level in a challenge so I'm going for obsessed which means I read 20 books. Starts Jan. 1, 2010-Dec. 31, 2010

Here's my list-All YA and all about people of color. In no particular order.

1. Child of Dandelions by Sheenaz Nanji

2. Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
3. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation Vol. 1: Pox Party by M.T. Anderson

4. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation Vol. 2: Kingdom on the Waves by M.T. Anderson

5. Harlem Summer by Walter Dean Myers

6. This Strange New Feeling: Three Love Stories from Black History by Julius Lester

7. Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman

8. Anahita's Woven Riddle by Meghan Nuttal Sayres

9. Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins

10. Samurai Shortstop by Alan Gratz

11. Thin Wood Walls by David Patneaude

12. An Ocean Apart, a World Away by Lensey Namioka

13. Ties That Bind, Ties that Break by Lensey Namioka

14. The Stone Goddess by Minfong Ho

15. Zazoo by Richard Mosher

16. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

17. Sammy and Julianna in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz
18. Secrets in the House of Delgado by Gloria Miklowitz

19. All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg

20. The Rock and The River by Kekla Magoon

I'm also participating in the Challenge That Dare Not Speak It's Name: GLBT Challenge 2010. I'm going for Rainbow Level which means read 12 books. See my sidebar for my list of titles and other details.

My last challenge is the 2010 Global Challenge

This one is probably my hardest challenge so I'm going to start with easy and hopefully I'll be able to upgrade! The Easy challenge involves reading a book from Africa, Asia, Australiasia, Europe, North America, and South America. From your own continent find a country, state or author that is new to you. I'll have to do some more research for titles, preferably YA.

I got a blog award! Like a really long time ago and I'm awful for delaying so long in putting up this post. Thanks so much Ah Yuan at Gal Novelty!

Here are the rules for this award:
1.) Thank and post URL to the blog that gave the award.
2.) Pass the award along to 6 brilliantly over the top blogs (blogs you love!) Alert them so they know to receive the award.
3.) Copy and paste this quiz... Change the answers, ONE word only. (2 are acceptable.

I'm giving this award to...

1. Helen at Helen's Book Blog

2. Nathalie at Multiculturalism Rocks!

3. Sheila at One Person's Journey Through Books

4. Robby at Once Upon a Book Blog

5. Zetta at Fledgling

6. Jodie at BookGazing

The Q&A

1. Where is your cell phone? bed
2. Your hair? Straight

3. Your mother? Working out

4. Your father? Basketball
5. Your favorite food? Pizza
6. Your dream last night? None
7. Your favorite drink? Water
8. Your dream/goal? Wealthy, Happy
9. What room are you in? Bedroom
10. Your hobby? reading

11. Your fear? death
2. Where do you want to be in 6 years? College
13. Where were you last night? babysitting
14. Something that you aren't? math skills
15. Muffins? Yes!
16. Wish list item? Books!
17. Where did you grow up? Chicago
18. Last thing you did? Sleep

19. What are you wearing? Jeans

20. Your TV? Awesome
21. Your pets? None

22. Friends? Amazing

23. Your life? Decent

24. Your mood? Pensive

25. Missing someone? Nah

26. Vehicle? public transportation
27. Something you're not wearing? hat
28. Your favorite store? bookstore

29. Your favorite color? purple
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? Don't know
32. Your best friend? hilarious
33. One place that I go to over and over? school :(
34. One person who emails me regularly? mom
35. Favorite place to eat? Benihana's

Whew sorry for such a long post, but I had a lot of catching up to do! Happy Holidays :)

An Award & Waiting on Wednesday: Blessing's Bead

This week I'm Waiting On

Blessing's Bead by Debby Dahl Edwardson

Released: Nov. 10, 2009

Nutaaq and her older sister, Aaluk, are on a great journey, sailing from a small island off the coast of Alaska to the annual trade fair. There, a handsome young Siberian wearing a string of cobalt blue beads watches Aaluk “the way a wolf watches a caribou, never resting.” Soon his actions—and other events more horrible than Nutaaq could ever imagine—threaten to shatter her I~nupiaq world. Seventy years later, Nutaaq’s greatgranddaughter, Blessing, is on her own journey, running from the wreckage of her life in Anchorage to live in a remote Arctic village with a grandmother she barely remembers. In her new home, unfriendly girls whisper in a language she can’t understand, and Blessing feels like an outsider among her own people. Until she finds a cobalt blue bead—Nutaaq’s bead—in her grandmother’s sewing tin. The events this discovery triggers reveal the power of family and heritage to heal, despite seemingly insurmountable odds.

-Amazon describes this as 9-12, but I think it may also be early YA (the main characters are teenagers). We need more books about the natives in Alaska!

And I received an award from the awesome Donna Bites Thanks so much Donna!

The Honest Scrap award is given to 7 bloggers. List 10 honest things about yourself. This award is given to bloggers who blog from the heart. I'm so honored to get this because I always strive to be honest! And if you're not mentioned, I still love you but I could only nominate 7! I also tried to give the award to new people :)

I nominate (random order)

1. Justine at Justine Larbalestier

2. Lee Wind at I'm Here. I'm Queer, what the Hell do I Read?

3. Briana, Arielle & Marissa at B.A.M. Book Reviews

4. Celi.a at adventures of cecelia bedalia

5. Michelle at A Reader's Respite

6. Steph at Steph Su Reads

7. Reggie at the Undercover Book Lover (Not Really)

10 Honest Things

1. I really dislike school (I'd rather read all day and hang out with friends)

2. I LOVE politics (just not all politicians!)

3. I love chocolate. If I could, I would eat a piece everyday :D

4. I'm a Chicago fan (Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, everyone except the White Sox, bleh).

5. I want the Yankees to win the 2009 World Series. And I want the Cubs to win the 2010

6. I'm really not all that into Halloween (never have been). All the other book blogs helped get me in the spirit.

7. I love musicals and dance movies (original Fame, Mamma Mia!, Wicked, Carmen Jones, Chicago)

8. I have no idea as to what I really want to do once I graduate college

9. I don't have the patience or talent to write a book (but thank you to all who think I could!)

10. I've always wanted to go sky-diving!

Another Award, Attention Authors & Teaser Tuesday!

Thanks to MizB!

"She felt an irresistible draw toward her hooked target, followed by a strange snap sensation. She was within Chen Yong's being."
pg. 49 Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon

Also authors if you are sending me books for the September giveaway extravaganza, would you please contact me (so that I know it's to giveaway not keep!)?

And I got another award :D

It's from Linday at Just Another Book Addict Thanks so much!
The Lemonade Award is a feel good award that shows great attitude or gratitude. Nominate this award to 10 blogs. In random order....



1. Wdebo from the Electrical Book Cafe

2. Susan at Color Online

3. Prodhi at Between the Lines

4. Kelsey at the Book Scout

5. All the Ya Ya YAs

6. Evelyn at Evelyn N. Alfred

7. Cheryl & Amber at Just Your Typical Book Blog

8. Diana at Diana Rodriguez Wallach Blog (I love her blog, she's so funny! Help her get on the Colbert Report :)

9. Tarie at Into the Wardrobe

10. Liz B. at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

Love all your blogs, keep up the great work!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday was thought up by MizB at should be reading

"Joyce studied Uhmma's eyebrows, which had begun to look slightly off center and crooked now that the swelling had receded. Joyce didn't want to say anything to make Uhmma more upset." The Fold by An Na pg. 149

Oh and I got my first award! How cool :) It's from Jessica at Eat Sleep Dance Read (the title of her blog pretty much sums up my life as well!) Thanks so much! This is probably the first time I've ever been called creative!
I'm supposed to list 7 of my fav things and nominate 7 bloggers.

These are a few of my favorite things
1. Reading
2. Hanging out with my friends (and laughing with them)
3. Dancing
4. Sleeping in
5. Watching my fav TV shows (So You Think You Can Dance, Gilmore Girls, Greek, Bones, The Closer & Lincoln Heights)
6. Not having to drive
7. Playing field hockey, soccer or basketball.

And the nominees are (*Oscar presenter voice* in random order)...
1. Taste Life Twice
2. The epic rat
3. The HappyNappy Bookseller
4. The Dreamer Reader
5. Steph Su Reads
6. The Shady Glade
7. Stop, Drop and Read!
Yay nominees! Yay Jessica! Yay Creativity! :D

Oh and I got to be a guest blogger at authorslatino.com for author Jo Ann Hernandez!. Check out my post!

Also storycasting.com is a lot of fun to play with! It's a website where you pick a book and then select various celebrities to play various characters in the book. A Wish After Midnight is there as well as Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith and So Not the Drama by Paula Chase (I recommended Flygirl & SNTD, they are really good about finding the books/actors you request!). I highly encourage everyone to check out the site!

*Update on Black weblog Awards: I am not a finalist. I'll take down the image in the sidebar so as not to cause any conufsion. So that's why no one could vote, I didn't make it to the finals. No worries, there's always next year!