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IBPA Member Highlights & Happenings
Film rights to Third and Long by Bob Katz, winner of the 2011 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award™ for Popular Fiction, have been sold to producers Robert Papazian and James Hirsch. The deal was negotiated by Amy Schiffman of IPG. Published by Trolley Car Press, the book tells of a dying midwest factory town that finds new life when a former Notre Dame football star is hired as the local plant manager. "Think: Friday Night Lights meets It's a Wonderful Life," wrote Sports Illustrated. Maybe (A Little Zen for Little Ones) (Umiya Publishing), by Sanjay Nambiar, is a new children's book that espouses mindfulness and Zen concepts. The award-winning title recently was picked up by the L.A. County Library system and will be available at all 85 libraries throughout the county, while over 100 copies will be available for various Library programs. ForeWord Magazine has named How to Talk to an Autistic Kid the top award in the Juvenile Nonfiction category. The book was written by Daniel Stefanski (an autistic kid) at the age of 14. In the book, he provides personal stories, clear explanations, and supportive advice about how to get along with kids with autism. Autism National Committee called the title "one of the best children's books on autism." The book was also the recipient of a Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice Award for the Family, named to the "Best of the Best 2012" list by the Chicago Public Library, and was a finalist in the Books for a Better Life Awards. In April 2013, Free Spirit will publish a book by Daniel's older brother, Matthew Stefanski, on how to live with an autistic kid. Epicenter Press is creating a stir in baseball circles with Shipwrecked: A Peoples' History of the Seattle Mariners, by veteran baseball writer Jon Wells. The author accuses the team of serial mismanagement leaving Seattle the only team in the American League never to have been to the World Series. "Moneyball meets the Tea Party" is how Epicenter publisher Kent Sturgis describes the controversial title. Cartoonist and author, Jerry Craft let us know that his title Mama's Boyz: The Big Picture; What You Need To Succeed! was featured in School Library Journal as chosen by Martha Cornog, a longtime reviewer for Library Journal and co-editor of Graphic Novels Beyond the Basics: Insights and Issues for Libraries, as one of her Top Picks for Summer Reading: Graphic Novels with African American Characters. We've received a lot of news and great pictures recently. Stay tuned this month for more August news! | 
