From the Dakota people who first inhabited the state to its generations of immigrants and today s residents, Minnesota has long had a vibrant and unique storytelling tradition. A rich and often under appreciated part of this tradition is youth storytelling a movement of which Minnesota is a national forerunner. Here, for the first time, two of the state s beloved independent booksellers collect a wide array of short stories for young readers that pay homage to Minnesota's diverse cultures and stunning landscapes."Sky Blue Water" celebrates young adult and intermediate fiction from some of Minnesota s most beloved and award-winning authors to emerging talents and many more.With each turn of the page, every young reader will find a poignant and relatable story: tales of discovering hidden truths about one s family, dealing with a difficult bully, and falling for the new kid who dresses like a cowboy, as well as settings from Rainy Lake to Lake Calhoun and time periods from Prohibition to the present day. Featuring primarily never-published stories, this anthology beautifullycaptures the essence of a Minnesota adolescence in twenty short stories and poems. "Sky Blue Water" features a Q&A between Minnesota classrooms and the contributing authors as well as curriculum materials for families, teachers, and students.This collection embodies passion for fostering literacy in young readers. A portion of the proceeds from "Sky Blue Water" will go to the Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute, a Twin Cities organization offering free tutoring and writing assistance for students ages six to eighteen.Contributors: William Alexander; Swati Avasthi; Kelly Barnhill; Mary Casanova; John Coy; Kirstin Cronn-Mills; Anika Fajardo; Shannon Gibney; Pete Hautman; Lynne Jonell; Kevin Kling; Margi Preus; Marcie Rendon; Kurtis Scaletta; Julie Schumacher; Joyce Sidman; Phuoc Thi Minh Tran; Anne Ursu; Sarah Warren; Stephanie Watson; Kao Kalia Yang."
Table of Contents:
Contents
Foreword
Kevin Kling
Introduction
Jay D. Peterson and Collette A. Morgan
The War between the Water and the Road
William Alexander
Dee Dee
Kurtis Scaletta
Kings and Queens
John Coy
Max Swings for the Fences
Anne Ursu
The Creature under the Bush
Lynne Jonell
The Blue between Us
Joyce Sidman
Fishing
Anika Fajardo
Strange Island
Julie Schumacher
Ozymandias
Kelly Barnhill
Worry and Wonder
Marcie Rendon
Mourning Dove
Joyce Sidman
My Icy Valentine
Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Poetry Themes from Creative Writing Class
Joyce Sidman
The Silver Box (An Excerpt)
Margi Preus
Pressure
Swati Avasthi
Opposite Land
Pete Hautman
Chant for a Winter Dawn
Joyce Sidman
Lone Star
Shannon Gibney
The Ocean Where the Dreams Go
Trần Thị Minh Phước / Phuoc Thi Minh Tran
Adrift
Mary Casanova
We Were Boys Together
Kao Kalia Yang
Why Does Dr. Seuss Rhyme All the Time? Questions for the Authors
Prompts for Classroom Discussions and Creative Writing Activities
Stephanie Watson and Sarah Warren
Contributors
About the Author :
Jay D. Peterson spent twelve years as the store manager of Magers and Quinn Booksellers of Minneapolis. He is an active and dedicated member of the Twin Cities literary community and served as founding board chair of the Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute.
Collette A. Morgan believes that sharing stories changes lives. In 1992, she and Tom Braun opened Wild Rumpus Books in Minneapolis. She has served on the board of directors of the American Bookseller's Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, among others.
Kevin Kling is a well-known playwright and storyteller, and his commentaries can be heard on NPR's All Things Considered. He lives in Minneapolis.
Review :
"The Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute is a place where the pure, unadulterated weirdness of kids is honored and amplified."-Dave Eggers
"This mother lode of short stories by talented Minnesota writers offers vivid glimpses into the cultural life of the state through the eyes of its youth. The authors get into the heads of their young characters through their spot-on use of dialogue and genuine senses of innocence and wonder."-Kirkus Reviews
"A high-quality anthology full of classroom potential, sure to inspire budding writers and hook casual readers, too."-School Library Journal
"One of the pleasures of this anthology is the chance to see several well-known YA novelists working in shorter forms. Another is the range of voices - and themes - in the collection, all linked loosely through the metaphor of water."-Star Tribune
"None of the stories or poems are long, and the excellent writing should keep young readers riveted. (There’s no reason adults can’t enjoy these award-winning writers, too, and the collection would make a dandy teaching tool for writing classes.)"-Pioneer Press
"The subtitle touts this as “Great Stories for Young Readers” and although all of the protagonists in these compelling, witty and wise short stories are teens or pre-teens, they are “great” for any reader."-Lake Superior Magazine
"Themes reflecting the lives of young adults are as diverse as the contributors, including family secrets, bullying, accepting newcomers, family relationships, friendship, fear, loss, and hope."-Oneota Reading Journal
