In Brief: August 5

Roker Picks 'Ninth Ward'

Al Roker has chosen Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Little, Brown, Aug.) as the latest pick in his Book Club for Kids on the Today Show. Set in New Orleans before and during Hurricane Katrina, the middle-grade novel tells the story of 12-year-old Lanesha, who lives in the city's Ninth Ward with the elderly midwife who delivered her; Lanesha is able to see ghosts, including that of her mother. Click here to read PW's starred review.

Last Friday author James Patterson spoke at the Boy Scouts’ annual National Scout Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Va. This year’s Jamboree, which drew more than 43,000 attendees, celebrated the Scouts’ 100th anniversary. In his presentation, Patterson discussed his bestselling Daniel X series for Little, Brown, before he was attacked by aliens on stage. Luckily, Daniel X (seen here with Patterson and a pair of aliens) was there to defend Patterson, battling the aliens (actually a choreographed fight scene), as he does in the series.

Macmillan authors Nick Bruel and Rachel Vail, seen here, were both in attendance at Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Staten Island last Thursday, as the Staten Island Yankees defeated the Connecticut Tigers 6-3. Vail signed copies of Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters (Feiwel and Friends, Apr.), illustrated by Matthew Cordell, and Bruel autographed Bad Kitty Gets a Bath (Roaring Brook/Porter, 2008); Bruel’s next Bad Kitty book, Bad Kitty vs Uncle Murray, comes out at the end of this month. Macmillan, which was a sponsor of the game, sent authors Jordan Sonnenblick and John Coy to a game last year.

Author Deborah Blumenthal—and her dog, Sophie—made an appearance at Water Street Bookstore in Exeter, N.H., last Saturday, reading from and signing copies of her latest picture book, The Blue House Dog (Peachtree, Aug.), illustrated by Adam Gustavson. The book follows the growing, tentative relationship between a boy and a dog whose owner has died. PW’s review said, “The emotions are raw and authentic, while the way in which they’re delivered is elegant—a potent combination.”