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sophieebdaily · 4 years

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Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Spiller: how we made Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)

The dance classic was the first song ever to be played on an iPod. But, as its creators reveal, the demo was left in a car – then tossed on to a floor and forgotten

Cristiano Spiller, DJ, producer and songwriter:

“This was one of the fastest tracks I ever produced. It was 1999, the night before I was due to fly to Miami for the Winter Music Conference, where all aspiring DJs and producers went. I was trying to stay awake for my early-morning flight and put on an unreleased version of Carol Williams’ Love Is You. I ended up sampling it and, in a couple of hours, I had Groovejet more or less written.

I was picked up at Miami by my friend Boris Dlugosch, who was always looking for the next smash. I put the track on, but we started talking and didn’t pay much attention to it. He dropped me at my hotel, but I forgot about the CD – my only copy – and left it in his car. That night, he was DJ-ing at a club called Groovejet. When I arrived, he had just played it and the place had gone crazy. Everyone wanted to hear it again – and again. Based on the incredible reaction, it felt natural to name the track after the club.

I knew it had to have lyrics, though. I had no money to get the sample cleared and the labels didn’t want to risk paying the advance because they didn’t think it would recoup the cost. So I sent promotional copies to the best record shops in Europe, and soon all the tastemaker DJs were playing it. Suddenly, all the labels wanted to pay the advance.

I signed to EMI’s Positiva Records and we started talking vocals. I wanted an original, charismatic voice, not the classic disco-diva singer, which was so over-done. From a pile of demos, Sophie’s beautiful voice immediately stood out.

I was really into house and underground clubbing. I had no idea how the pop world worked. I didn’t understand how important the charts were or what Top of the Pops was. It was a completely crazy time but also a dream come true: I ended up DJing at the best clubs and parties around the world.

Groovejet gave me so much freedom – it meant I never had to do another pop hit. I could just keep on making music for clubs.”

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, singer and songwriter

“When I first listened to the instrumental track, I stopped it halfway through and thought: “Why have they sent me dance music? I don’t like dance music!” A couple of weeks later, I was tidying my flat and found the CD on the floor. I played it again and this time I thought it really had something.

I’d just come out of my band, theaudience. We’d been part of the whole NME/Melody Maker indie scene, but elements of that world were tough, especially the press. I was only 19 but they were always quite nasty and never particularly supportive. Groovejet was a breath of fresh air, a brilliant way of turning the page. The dance world didn’t intimidate me – it was welcoming and I felt at home.

I agreed to sing on the track and went into the studio with my own ideas and wrote the verses quickly. Eventually, they spliced my verses with a brilliant chorus by Rob Davis. Mine was rubbish in comparison! The track’s magic is in his chorus and Spiller’s instrumental. I was so happy to be the voice on it.

The song was everywhere. It was on heavy rotation on Radio 1 months before release. Things really blew up when it got the same release date as Victoria Beckham and Dane Bowers’ Out of Your Mind – Victoria’s first release post-Spice Girls. Suddenly we were on the front pages and even the Six O’Clock News. Everyone was talking about who would be No 1.

The day before the result came in, I was waiting for a bus and thinking about rushing into Woolworths to buy a copy because I’d heard there were only 500 copies in it. In the end, Groovejet reached No 1, outselling Out of Your Mind by 20,000. I never did make that trip to Woolworths!

Having a song that people are really fond of is a gift. I’m still really happy to sing it. It gave me the confidence to genre-hop. When my son discovered it was the first song ever to be played on an iPod, he finally looked impressed by something his mum had done.”

Source: The Guardian

#interview #groovejet #spiller

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terriblelifechoices · 7 years

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The fantastic @dailandin mentioned that Credence seemed up to the task of continuing the Graves nameline, and also that Graves would be such a Dad(TM). She’s right on both counts, so obviously comment fic needed to happen.

The original fic/thread can be found on AO3 here. Encountering the Graves brood definitely gets its own bingo square.

The Woolworth Building, 1934

It took Merry a few minutes to notice the children. In her defense, they were quiet, which was odd, because children were almost never quiet. There were three of them, all too young for Ilvermorny. The oldest boy was about eight, carefully shepherding his siblings - a little girl of five and a toddler of indeterminate gender - through the office. They all had dark hair and eyes, and they looked like they knew exactly where they was going.

That was odd, too.

"Huh," Auror Keily said. "Where's the Mister?"

A second later, a teenage boy burst through the door, obviously frantic. "Damnit, you were supposed to stay with me," he said, swooping down on the kids. He had an infant in his arms, a spectacular black eye and a split lip.

A babysitter, rather than an older sibling, Merry thought. His skin was much darker than the children's.

"Ooh," said the little girl. "You said a bad word."

The teenager - who was probably sixteen or seventeen - winced. "You shouldn't have left me," he said. "I was worried! So was Ellie. Weren’t you, Ellie?" he asked, clearly addressing the baby.

The boy gave him a skeptical look. It was strangely familiar, but Merry couldn't place where she'd seen it before. "Elaine's too little to worry about anything," he said.

"Fine," said the teenager. "I was worried enough for both of us."

"We were just going to Dad's office," the boy protested. "It's not that big a deal."

"Uh huh," the teenager said. "We'll just see what your dad has to say about that." He winced again. "Once he gets done with me."

"AUNTIE WIN!" the little girl shrieked, catching sight of Senior Auror Hughes.

"Olwen!" said her older brother. "Inside voice!"

The little girl - Olwen, apparently - huffed in disgust at being told what to do, but stopped yelling.

"Oh, no," said the teenager, because Hughes looked him up and down and then went to go bang on the director's office door. Director Graves stuck his head out, scowling.

All three of the children lit up. "Dad!" said the boy.

"Dad," Merry mouthed, giving Keily an incredulous look.

The director sauntered over to the children. "What are you lot doing here?" he inquired. "Where's your papa?"

"Trying to convince Mamá not to kill me," the teenager said.

"Dad, can Auntie Win show me how to braid Olwen's hair while you're yelling at Lance?" the boy asked.

"Why am I yelling at Lance?" Director Graves asked. "Also, why do you want Win to teach you how to braid? What's wrong with the way I braid Olwen's hair?"

Director Graves knew how to braid his daughter's hair. It shouldn't have been a shock, and yet it was.

Olwen looked at her older brother, big eyes pleading.

"You don't do it right," said the boy. "S'not pretty enough. And Papa says you have to yell at Lance."

"It's not pretty enough," said the director, wounded. "Oh, fine. It's not like she's doing her paperwork anyway. I suppose I'd best do what your papa says." He scooped up the toddler and braced it on one hip while his older children made a beeline for Hughes. He looked Lance up and down. "Lancelot Ernesto Graves-Flores, why the hell aren't you at Ilvermorny right now?"

"Nephew," Kiely said, at Merry's confused look.

"I'm kinda ... suspended?" Lance said.

"My office," the director said, looking angrier than Merry had ever seen him. "Now."

"Um," said Merry. "That was weird."

"No," said Keily. "Weird is getting your dueling stance corrected by an eight year old clone of the director."

Merry stared. She wasn't the only one.

"I know," said Keily. "I'd say you get used to it, but you don't."

"My head hurts," Merry said.

"That you get used to," said Keily.

Olwen is the name of a minor heroine in the Arthurian legends. She’s the daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden, who is fated to die if she ever marries. Her father’s workaround was to set a series of immensely difficult tasks for her suitors, in order to make sure that they were worthy of her hand in marriage. Great plan, if not for the appearance of Culhwch and his cousin King Arthur.

Setting immensely difficult tasks for his daughter’s suitors is obviously something that resonates with Graves. The part where the original Olwen’s father dies, not so much. But he has plans for anyone who wants to date his little girl.

#my fic #comment fic #fbawtft #Possible 'verse #percival graves #Lancelot Graves-Flores #The Graves Brood

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canaryrecords · 7 years

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In celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the first recordings by Zabelle Panosian this month.

Zabelle (sometimes Zabella) Panosian was born in Bardizag (present-day Bahçecik, Turkey) on June 7, 1891. She emigrated to the U.S. in April 1896 and married the photo-engraver Aram Sarkis Panosian, 12 years her senior. She lived in Brookline, Mass., from 1908 until at least 1920. During that time, she sang with the Boston Opera Company. (In 1918, she recorded "Charmant Oiseux" - "Charming Birds" - from Felicien David's La Perle du Bresil, the only song she recorded in any language other than Armenian and which had been recorded by, among others, Luisa Tetrazzini in 1911, who had also sung with the short-lived Boston Opera Company.)

In April, 1917, she recorded five songs in Columbia’s studios in the Woolworth building on Broadway and was given the exceptional luxury of recording as many as seven takes during her recording sessions. It was common practice to record no more than three takes of any given performance by immigrant musicians, and the vast majority of recordings for Columbia's E (ethnic) series were made in one or two takes.

We do not know whether she had any relationship with her peer Torcom Bezazian, who began recording for Columbia with success in February, 1915 and released nearly 80 performances on Columbia, Victor, and Edison labels before his recording career ended in 1921. We do know that she was close to the great singer Amenag Chah-Mouradian, having toured with him in the late 10s in benefit of the Near East Relief Campaign. (There is photographic evidence of an appearance by the two of them in Syracuse, NY in 1917.) Chah-Mouradian himself made a string of iconic discs at Columbia’s studios starting in May, 1917.

In 1870, there were fewer than 70 Armenians in the United States. About 100,000 arrived in the U.S. following the Hamidean massacres between 1894 and 1914. Between the onset on WWI and the passing of the Johnson-Reed act (which restricted immigration, allowing only 100 Armenian a year to enter the U.S. until 1952), another 30,000 Armenians arrived. Of those in the U.S., in the mid-10s, most came to the shattering realization that not only was there no longer any home to go to, but that everyone they had left behind was likely dead, as a million Armenians had been slaughtered. Meanwhile, the U.S. formally declared war with Germany on April 6, 1917, and the Ottoman Empire, having sided with Germany, formally severed diplomatic ties with the U.S. on April, 20th.

It was that same month that Zabelle Panosian recorded her first sides, including her masterpiece, Groung. I first heard it about a decade ago on a broken copy of the disc and worked for days, obsessively, to restore it, ultimately publishing it on my compilation To What Strange Place in 2011. Tens of thousands of people have heard it since then, and, as a direct result, it was arranged for strings and played by the Kronos Quartet in both New York and Yerevan a couple of years ago. Even so, little of Zabelle has been paid attention to.

“Groung” was the first of her recordings to be released and far and away her best-seller. Columbia kept it in print through numerous pressings until 1931 when they stopped selling Armenian-language material. It spoke directly to the dilemma of Armenians in the U.S., stranded by the chaos back home. The words are: “Crane, where are you coming from? I am servant of your voice. Crane, have you not news from our country? Hasten not to your flock, you will arrive soon enough! ”

Presented here are five of the six songs she recorded in April, 1917. (The remaining title “Kilikia,” was apparently issued as the B-side of some, but not all, copies of her performance of “Mi Lar Pibool,” the following year.) Also presented are alternate takes of “Groung” and its flip side, which were apparently scheduled for release as relatively expensive 12” discs. 12” copies have not surfaced, if they were ever issued. Instead, we find the performance was issued on 10” discs, nearly identical in appearance to the other take, at a faster speed in order to cram the longer duration on to the sides. (This is the only instance of the practice that I have ever encountered in my 20 years of collecting and studying 78rpm discs; I would be interested to hear of any other examples of this practice.) We have presented these amazing performances at their correct speed. All were given only light restoration and are presented from very good copies of the original discs, recorded almost a decade before the invention of microphones for the benefit of those interested.

She returned to the studio, probably just a few weeks after her April session and recorded one more piece – “Tzain Dour Ov Dzovag,” also presented here – to round out her releases. She recorded only four more sides in June the following year. They did not sell as well.

In 1920, Zabelle Panosian applied for a passport to visit France to study (likely with the great patriarch of Armenian music, Komitas Vadarpet, who composed or arranged at least four of the songs presented here; Harout Arakelian has found a Variety notice stating that she organized a concert at Salle Pleyel in Paris in June, 1922), to Italy to see her brother, and to England and Egypt to “locate lost relatives.” Robert Karayan has noticed that she was profiled, in photo only, in an edition of “Hai Guine” (Armenian Woman), the first feminist bi-monthly journal of Istanbul, founded, published, and edited by Hayganouche Mark from 1919-33. Panosian and her daughter returned through Ellis Island two and a half years later on Jan. 23, 1924, from the port of Cherbourg, France, to her husband at 520 E. 183rd St. in Manhattan. A few years later, she made another trip with her daughter Adiena (or Adrina).

She and her husband had three children. None of them had children themselves, and all of them are dead. Zabelle Panosian died in 1986. Her career was long forgotten. We have, at this point, five photographs of her.

In memory and admiration, 100 years later.

ADDENDUM: Harry Kezelian has just turned up a huge amount of material on Zabelle Panosian (including two new photos - one here: http://ovenk.com/zabel-aram/), starting with his having noticed a bio for her in a 1940 issue of the Armenian language Daroni Ardziv magazine, in which it is made clear that she used the stage name Zabel Aram. From that, he found a bunch of stuff, including her teacher's name (we still need to get the spelling right), and a mind-blowing reference in Marian Mesrobian MacCurdy's book Sacred Justice: The Voices and Legacy of the Armenian Operation Nemesis, stating that Zabelle performed at a 1919 banquet at the Copley Hotel in Boston in honor of a delegation from then-independent Armenia including its Prime Minister Kachaznouni, Calvin Coolidge, Alice Stone Blackwell, and General Antranik. Holding the flag of the Armenian Republic, Zabelle sang "Groong" "to thunderous applause." Photo-documentation apparently exists.

We also now know from Alice Navsargian's Book Armenian Women of the Stage that Zabelle was a huge star in Europe, having toured from London, Manchester, Paris, Greece, Egypt, Geneva, Rome, and Milan, where she received the "Serata in Honore" award at Opera La Scala, among others, and that she had a repertoire that included Schubert, Monteverdi, Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, and Rossini. And we know for sure that she met Komitas in Paris in 1920 and wrote about the experience in an article in Veradznoud. So! There must be a lot of documentation about her life and work scattered around archives in Europe as well as in Boston. And! the question is now open - did she record more while she was there under her stage name? Are there more Zabelle Aram/Panosian records? We shall see.

I am humbled and excited.

#Armenian #immigrant #78rpm #78 rpm

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janeaddamspeace · 6 years

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Black History Celebrated Through Biographies and Much More #JACBA Newsletter 9Feb2018

Children's Books About Black History, Heavy on Biographies

Among that genre's newest arrivals are names familiar to adults, as in THE UNITED STATES V. JACKIE ROBINSON (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, ages 4 to 8), written by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. This picture book is more interested in young Robinson's less-known act of resistance during his Army days than in his later, trailblazing career as a baseball player. It's nice to have an athlete celebrated for personal integrity over physical prowess, and R. Gregory Christie's pictures bolster this, evoking a Robinson who is strong and sure, but also smiling, warm, and ultimately, triumphant.

Sandra Neil Wallace's BETWEEN THE LINES: How Ernie Barnes Went From the Football Field to the Art Gallery (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman, ages 4 to 8), illustrated by Bryan Collier, is a beautiful testament to a quintessentially American life. Wallace and Collier celebrate both Barnes's success on the gridiron and his subsequent reinvention as an artist. As in "The United States v. Jackie Robinson," athleticism is a secondary concern; early on, we see the young Barnes in a museum, wondering where the black painters are, and the story ends with contemporary young museumgoers being shown Barnes's art. This choice makes the story so satisfying, and just what you want at bedtime.

MARTIN RISING: Requiem for a King (Scholastic, ages 9 to 12) is a collaboration by two of children's literature's most well-known names, Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney (who happen to be married). It's a work of verse, with some prose end matter to help elucidate the poems, and it will reward a reader sophisticated enough to grapple with language and metaphor. Andrea Davis Pinkney frames her poem cycle about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s last months with the figure of Henny Penny, the bird who either worried or prophesied, and she makes King's death feel as significant as the falling of the sky above. It is, of course, a terrible and sad story, but one in which Brian Pinkney's illustrations manage to find beauty.

The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie 2016 Awardee

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. written by Doreen Rappaport with artwork by Bryan Collier 2002 Awardee

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney 2011 Awardee

Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride, by Andrea Davis Pinkney & Brian Pinkney 2010 Awardee

Coretta Scott King Left Behind An Unshakeable Legacy That Every American Should Celebrate by Andrea Davis Pinkey

On today's anniversary of Coretta Scott King's passing, bestselling author Andrea Davis Pinkney pays tribute to the wife of Martin Luther King, Jr., known as the "First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement." Coretta's role as a social justice influencer is chronicled in Pinkney's new book, Martin Rising.

Allen County Public Library's Pontiac branch opens Black History Month events by remembering the Greensboro Four sit-in

At the Pontiac branch library, 2215 S. Hanna St., visitors could sit from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at stools set up along a bookcase to simulate sitting at the Woolworth's lunch counter. While seated, they could watch a brief documentary on the Greensboro sit-in and and learn more about the event.

An information board also contained historical information and photos about the Greensboro Four and their sit-in.

The event was organized by Pontiac branch Assistant Manager Benita Browning, who said she was inspired to do it after reading a children's book about the event, "Sit-in: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down," by Andrea Davis Pinkney.

Black History Month events for 2018

Feb. 24 Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia City Institute Branch

- Based on the book by Christopher Paul Curtis, "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" is the film adaptation of the story of an African-American family's road trip from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 - and the tragic events that take place. For children ages 12 and under and their families.

- "The Art of Jean-Michel Basquiat: Share Your Creativity" invites visitors to enjoy a reading of "Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat" by Javaka Steptoe and "Life Doesn't Frighten" Me by Maya Angelou, illustrated by Jean-Michel Basquiat. Inspired participants can add their creations to the Young Artists' Wall. For ages 12 and under. Feb. 28.

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis 2008 Awardee

The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis 1996 Awardee

Hot Day on Abbott Avenue by Karen English, with collage art of Javaka Steptoe 2005 Awardee

KMS kicks off Black History Month

Black History Month was off to an inspiring start Wednesday at Kennett Middle School as Library Media Specialist Kim Johnson read the heroic story of Henry "Box" Brown to students during an afternoon assembly.

The highlight of the assembly was Johnson's reading of the acclaimed children's picture book "Henry's Freedom Box" written by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson.

Johnson actually had a box built to the same dimensions as the one traveled in by Brown next to her during the entire reading and at the conclusion KMS student Jamarkas Marsh opened the lid and exited the box.

He had been inside the whole time to illustrate the journey of Henry "Box" Brown and the discomfort he experienced.

The event made quite an impact on the students and they were able to step inside the box as well, if they wished to identify with the amazing heroic journey of Brown.

Darkness over Denmark: The Danish Resistance and the Rescue of the Jews by Ellen Levine 2001 Awardee

Freedom's Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Stories by Ellen Levine 1994 Awardee

Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson 2012 Awardee

The Village That Vanished written by Ann Grifalconi and illustrated by Kadir Nelson 2003 Awardee

Three books that rock Black History

Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, R. Gregory Christie (Illustrator)

This children's book tells the story of Lone Ranger inspiration Bass Reeves, who was born in slavery and captured 3000 felons in his career-including his own son-in eye-catching color.

The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie 2016 Awardee

'It takes a community to raise a library'

Acclaimed Simcoe author Deborah Ellis, best known for The Breadwinner that has been published in 25 languages and has raised more than $1 million for the Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan and Street Kids International, was guest speaker at the library opening.

She talked about the importance of libraries in the wake of Nazi book burnings and Afghanistan's war on books.

"Libraries are places that respect people who came before us, and our words could be read by people thousands of years from now."

The Heaven Shop by Deborah Ellis 2005 Awardee

The Breadwinner Trilogy, three books by Deborah Ellis 2004 Awardee

Parvana's Journey by Deborah Ellis 2003 Awardee

Sneak Peak at 'Green Book' Film-in-Progress

The Freedom Center hosts the creator of an upcoming documentary, and shows a segment of it, about the "Green Book" tourist guides that helped African-Americans travel the country and find accommodations during the heyday of segregation

New York-based playwright and author Calvin Alexander Ramsey, together with Becky Wible Searles - an animation professor at Savannah College of Art and Design - are hoping to recognize the historic importance of the Green Book series. They are working on The Green Book Chronicles, an hour-long film combining animation and interviews with people who had connections with Green and/or the travel guides. They are hoping for completion this year, and a 12-minute edit will preview 6:30 p.m. Thursday at downtown's National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (50 E. Freedom Way), with Ramsey present to discuss the project and its history. The event is free; reservations are available through freedomcenter.org.

Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Bettye Stroud, illustrated by John Holyfield 2012 Awardee

Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey with Gwen Strauss and illustrated by Floyd Cooper 2011 Awardee

Books in Brief: The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis

The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis; Scholastic, Ages 9 to 13.

The latest marvelous novel of the African-American experience from acclaimed author Christopher Paul Curtis (winner of Newbery Honors for "The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963" and the Newbery Medal for "Bud, Not Buddy") takes place just before the Civil War when the Fugitive Slave Act allowed slave catchers to travel anywhere in the country in pursuit of their prey.

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis 2008 Awardee

The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis 1996 Awardee

Louise Erdrich: Tribal writer, Catholic writer

Louise Erdrich writes from one of those liminal places between identities that authorities tell us aren't supposed to exist.

If Erdrich succeeds in blending and overlapping these influences, it's not because they go nicely together... but because she's truthful about the unique position in which her characters are located, poised between these two experiences. To those who would say you can't be both, her answer is: But there they are, being both.

The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich 2000 Awardee

'Girl Rising' author shares work to improve lives of girls

Award-winning author and Champlain College faculty member Tanya Lee Stone visits Bristol on Feb.7 to discuss and answer questions about her latest book, "Girl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time," which examines global barriers to girls' education.

For her book, Stone gathered new research to illuminate the facts behind the film, focusing both on the girls captured on camera and many others. She examines barriers to education in depth-early child marriage and childbearing, slavery, sexual trafficking, gender discrimination, and poverty-and shows how removing these barriers means not only a better life for girls, but safer, healthier, and more prosperous communities.

This is Stone's 100th published book, many of which are written for children, middle schoolers and young adults.

Girl Rising, a global campaign for girls' education, was initiated by a team of journalists "to change the way the world values girls and to ensure girls everywhere can be full and equal participants in society." In 2013, Girl Rising created a film which chronicled the stories of nine girls in the developing world, allowing viewers the opportunity to witness how education can break the cycle of poverty and to celebrate these girls' resilience against all odds.

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone 2010 Awardee

Noted activist and artist Faith Ringgold to be honored as Chubb Fellow

Ringgold will give the Chubb Fellowship Lecture titled "Anyone Can Fly" [on Thursday, Feb. 15] at 4:30 p.m. in the Robert L. McNeil Jr. Lecture Hall, Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St. Seating is limited; doors will open at 3:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. It will be livestreamed on Yale's YouTube channel.

Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky by Faith Ringgold 1993 Awardee

Nonfiction Is the Focus of New Scholastic Imprint

Scholastic has announced the fall launch of Scholastic Focus, an imprint dedicated to middle grade and young adult narrative nonfiction that is both timely and timeless, and encourages readers to draw connections between historical events and contemporary issues. The imprint's publishing philosophy underscores the relevance of values that have long guided humanity; the profound effects of invention, inspiration, and revolution; and the importance of introducing a diversity of perspectives and identities.

Due in September is Deborah Hopkinson's D-Day: The World War II Invasion That Changed History, a middle-grade book that weaves together official documents, personal accounts, and archival photos to chronicle this pivotal invasion of Allied troops into German-occupied Europe.

Steamboat School, written by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Ron Husband, 2017 Awardee

Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Terry Wideners, 2004 Awardee

Shutting Out the Sky: Life in the Tenements of New York 1880-1924 by Deborah Hopkinson 2004 Awardee

A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired written by the Jubilee Singers by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Raúl Colón, 2000 Awardee

2018 Children's and Teen Choice Book Awards Finalists Announced

The Third to Fourth Grade finalists [include] Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote History by Walter Dean Myers, illus. by Floyd Cooper (HarperCollins); [and more.]

Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey with Gwen Strauss and illustrated by Floyd Cooper 2011 Awardee

Now Is Your Time! The African-American Struggle for Freedom by Walter Dean Myers 1992 Awardee

Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam by Walter Dean Myers 2003 Awardee

10 Inspiring Children's Books for Budding Little Artists

"Henri's Scissors" written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter.

Based on the life of Henri Matisse, the Henri's Scissors picture book tells the story of the great artist's life. From childhood, to his illness, and his journey to creating his colorful paper cutouts, the inspiring book by Jeanette Winter includes famous quotes from the artist, and insights into his creative process.

Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan by Jeanette Winter 2010 Awardee

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The Jane Addams Children's Book Award annually recognizes children's books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people.

Read more about the 2017 Awards.

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ailendolin · 2 years

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Whump Wednesday - 22 - Yonderland

Title: Haunted [AO3]

Fandom: Yonderland

Characters: Billy (Mat's page), Charles (Larry's Chamberlain), Ellis of Woolworth, Debbie

Prompt: “Billy runs into Ellis of Woolworth and they have a chat about how awful Philip was.“ - Prompt by this lovely anon.

Warnings: Panic attacks, reference to canon non-con (as in pages doing sexual favours for knights)

A/N: This is a sequel to Ready which told the story of how Billy and Charles became friends. I don't think it's necessary to have read that fic to understand this one but it provides a little more context. That being said, I've been feeling a bit under the weather lately so I'd like to apologise in advance if this fic isn't as well edited as the others. I still hope you enjoy your WW prompt fill, though, anon!

Prompts are open, so if you want me to write a story for you as well just send me an ask with the fandom, characters and your prompt. I’m writing for Ghosts, Yonderland, Horrible Histories and Bill at the moment.

Six Idiots Whump Wednesday fics so far:

Comfort - “I brought you a blanket.“ (Gabriel & Ian)

Sharing - “How long has it been since you slept?” (Vex/Ho-Tan)

Cold Touch Part 1 - Nigel finds out Thomas’s wound pains him.

Cold Touch Part 2 - Nigel finds a way to help Thomas.

Just you wait - Mike’s running himself into the ground. Sam & Bob find out why.

Constant - Bill and Gabriel talk out their feelings post kidnapping.

Tea - Ho-Tan helps Voltari feel a little more at home among the Elders.

Time - After their second kiss, Jay reconsiders some things (Kissing Cousins)

Ready - Charles notices Billy’s nervousness & helps (Mat’s page & Chamberlain)

Old Habits - Gabriel sees Ian’s scars for the first time.

More than enough - Mike comes home to Milton after almost dying in the Arctic.

Worlds Away - Ho-Tan is homesick in Debbie’s world and Vex tries to help.

Contentment - The first time Voltari feels safe to relax and be held by Dissectus.

Compromise Part 1 - Julian and Thomas struggle with their relationship.

Not so different - Mary and Fanny make sure Thomas is not alone after 2x04.

————

Haunted

Billy was nervous.

That in itself was nothing new. He’d always been a skittish lad – at least his grandma always said so. But he wasn’t a lad anymore. He was a knight now – an actual knight! Complete with title and everything! It still felt like a dream to him, especially on days like this when King Bernard was throwing a party in his honour to celebrate the success of his first quest. Billy wasn’t sure his deeds warranted that – he would be the first to admit the quest had been a simple one; an easy grab and go mission on behalf of the Elders – but apparently King Bernard loved having an excuse to open his doors to all the eligible young ladies of the realm and Billy’s successful quest was as good as any other.

“Just go with it,” Charles had said to him a few days ago after seeing Billy’s dismayed look at the news. “This won’t be the last party he’ll host in your name.”

The words, well meant for sure, hadn’t been exactly reassuring.

Billy did not like parties. He liked them even less when he was the reason for one. The festivities had only been going on for about an hour and he already felt like he’d shaken more hands than he had in his whole life before and been introduced to more people than he could possibly hope to remember. And more guests kept arriving: knights, noblefolk, scientists; everyone who had a name – or happened to be female, pretty and single. The last one was optional.

Billy’s only consolation were the few familiar faces in the crowd. The Elders were there, and so were Debbie, Elf and Nick.

“Need another kiss for good luck?” Debbie had asked with a wink when she arrived.

Billy had blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Thank you but I think I’m good.”

Debbie had simply smiled and pulled him into a hug that left him breathless. The last person who’d hugged him was his grandma. It had been over a year since Billy had last seen her, and he’d probably held onto Debbie a little longer than was strictly necessary.

Charles was also attending the party. As the king’s chamberlain, he had been tasked with organising the festivities and was currently dividing his time between overseeing the proceedings and waiting on the king. Every once in a while his eyes caught Billy’s from across the room, making Charles pause for a moment to give him an encouraging nod over everyone’s heads as if to say, Don’t worry, lad. You’re doing great.

It didn’t feel that way but Billy still found himself smiling back every time. Over the last few weeks, Charles had become something of a safe haven to him, a confidant he could turn to when he had questions or worried about something – and Billy worried a lot, so much so that he feared of becoming a nuisance to Charles. Charles vehemently denied that, of course. He always seemed to know just what to say to put Billy’s mind at ease, and even though his faith in Billy could be a little overwhelming at times, his unwavering support meant more to Billy than he could ever put into words. He had no idea what he would have done if Charles hadn’t sat down and talked to him before his first audience with King Bernard, or continued to be there for him afterwards. There were not many people in Billy’s life he could rely on. He had his grandma, of course, and Debbie but Charles was the one he could always turn to no matter what time of day it was. He was there when the others were not.

Billy tried to repay him for his kindness as best as he could, mostly by fetching bottles and other items from the cellar whenever he wasn’t gone on a quest. He could tell the many stairs were giving Charles trouble. They left his bones aching for hours and even though Charles would never say anything, let alone outright ask for his help Billy knew he was grateful for it all the same.

He just wished he could do more.

“Ah, Sir William! The man of the evening!” a voice behind him suddenly boomed and Billy froze. He knew that voice, knew it intimately. Too intimately.

It can’t be, he thought in horror as every cell in his body screamed for him to wake up, to remember, to lower his head and drop to his knees and beg for forgiveness. Except Billy couldn’t – he couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t do so much as tremble where he stood, frozen in shock. His eyes desperately searched the crowd for the familiar faces of Charles, Debbie, Elf, Chief Elder Choop – by the gods, even King Bernard’s presence would be a comfort right now – but none of the faces staring back at him were familiar. He was alone, just like before.

A large hand suddenly landed on his shoulder and Billy flinched.

“Sir William!” Philip of Woolworth said, turning him around against his will. When Billy dared to look up Sir Philip’s eyes twinkled with amusement. Billy felt sick. “It’s a bit rude not to greet your guests, wouldn’t you agree?”

Billy’s heart leapt into his throat. He tried telling himself that Philip of Woolworth was dead – he’d seen him die, after all, had been with him when he’d taken his last breath – but that didn’t change the fact that Sir Philip was standing right in front of him, smiling at him as if nothing had happened, touching him like–

Before Billy could finish the thought, someone pushed himself in front of him and roughly shoved Sir Philip’s hand off his shoulder.

“Get away from him!” Charles hissed, sounding angrier than Billy has ever heard him before. There was no sarcasm lacing his words, no smile to mask his thoughts – he was furious and the rush of relief Billy experienced in that moment was so strong he actually started feeling lightheaded. Charles was standing up to Philip of Woolworth for him. No one had ever done that before.

“Now, now,” Sir Philip said with a chuckle. “We’re all friends here, aren’t we?”

The words made Billy’s blood freeze. He’d heard Sir Philip say that before, more often than he could count and always in connection with his special duties. Any moment now, Sir Philip would make demands, would tell him to get down on his knees and –

Panic seized Billy.

“I’m sorry,” was all he managed to choke out before he ran. Blood was rushing through his ears as he pushed his way through the crowd. He barely heard Charles call his name, or Debbie’s plea for him to stop and wait as he blindly fled from a past that by all rights should have never come back to haunt him.

Why did it have to be him? Why did Philip of Woolworth have to show up here, today of all days, and make Billy make a fool of himself in front of all of Yonderland and, even worse, the king who had so graciously granted him his knighthood? Why couldn’t Sir Philip have come to him at night while everyone was asleep like he always had before? Behind closed doors where no one could see?

Now everyone had seen, Billy thought mortified. They were probably laughing at him right now, and saying things like, “Oh look at that poor little boy. Spooked by a real knight.”

Tears of shame burned his eyes but Billy didn’t stop running. He hurried across the courtyard, his feet catching twice on the cobblestones until he finally stumbled through a large wooden door. The familiar smells and sounds of the stables enveloped him and Billy staggered towards his faithful donkey. He collapsed into the straw next to door, desperately trying to catch his breath, and she brayed at him – a soft, almost inquisitive sound.

Billy sniffed and reached for her.

“I screwed up,” he whispered into her fur. He wouldn’t be surprised if King Bernard ordered him in front of the throne tomorrow to unknight him, not after the spectacle he’d made of them both today. Losing his knighthood would be no less than he deserved.

Then a thought struck him: if he became a page again, would that mean he’d have to go back to Philip of Woolworth and resume his former duties?

No, Billy thought, feeling a new kind of terror take hold of him. Please not that. Anything but that.

He dug his fingers deeper into his donkey’s fur and was so distracted by the panic rising inside of him that he didn’t even notice he was no longer alone until someone called his name from the stable door. Instinctively, Billy flinched and curled in on himself.

“Oh Billy,” the person said. His voice was soft and quiet; gentle in a way Philip of Woolworth had never been. Slowly, Billy lifted his head.

“Charles,” he choked out in relief.

“That’s right,” Charles said. He crossed the stables and lowered himself next to Billy onto the straw before Billy had the chance to stop him.

“Don’t,” Billy protested weakly. “Your hip.”

Charles just shook his head and gave him a look that broke Billy’s heart. “It’s not my hip I’m worried about right now, Billy.”

Billy’s eyes dropped to his lap at the reminder that King Bernard wasn’t the only one he’d ruined this evening for.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“I know, lad,” Charles said softly. “But if anyone’s got a reason to be sorry here it’s me. I knew there was a small chance Ellis of Woolworth might show up and –“

Billy’s head snapped up at the name. “Ellis? Ellis of Woolworth?”

Charles nodded. “Last I heard he was in Afarland so I didn’t think he’d make it in time. I meant to keep an eye on the door anyway, just in case, but I must have been with the king when he arrived. I’m really sorry, Billy. If I’d known he’d be there I’d have warned you.”

Billy could hardly hear him over the blood rushing in his ears. He knew Philip of Woolworth had had a younger brother – he’d talked about him often enough over the years, and never too kindly. But Billy hadn’t known Ellis was his twin brother.

His eyes widened in horror. “Oh gods, I’ve made a fool out of myself over nothing!”

The panic he’d been feeling since he’d heard that awfully familiar voice behind him changed into something else, something that left him utterly mortified, and he suddenly couldn’t breathe. His chest felt too tight and no matter what he did no air seemed to reach his screaming lungs. He looked at Charles, eyes wide with fear as he clawed at his throat, utterly helpless.

“Hey,” Charles said calmly and gently took Billy’s hands in his. “Everything’s alright. You just have to take a deep breath, Billy. See? Like me. Can you do that?”

Billy didn’t blink, didn’t dare to move at all except to breathe in, just like Charles said. In, and out. And then again and again until that terrible weight on his chest finally started to ease and the tension drained from his body.

“That’s it. Well done, lad,” Charles smiled, sounding proud. Billy had no idea why he would, though. All he’d done today was ruin a perfectly good party for no reason at all and proved he wasn’t cut out to be a knight. Yet here Charles was, making it sound like Billy had just climbed the highest mountain in the realm and made it safely back down with the Eye of the Gods in his hands – a feat not even Philip of Woolworth had managed to achieve – just because he was doing something as ordinary as breathing.

It was both baffling and embarrassing and Billy felt the need to apologise again. He wished he could just disappear into the earth and forget this day had ever happened. “I’m such an idiot.”

Charles sighed and put an arm around him. “No, you’re not. Coming face to face with one’s personal nightmare would send anyone running.”

“Still,” Billy sniffed. “How could I not have known Sir Philip had a twin?”

Someone softly cleared their throat behind them. Both Billy and Charles turned to the door where Ellis of Woolworth was standing. He gave them a small, sheepish wave. “Hi. May I come in?”

For a moment, all Billy could do was stare at him.

“What happened to your hair?” he blurted out before he could stop himself. “Sir.”

A little self-consciously, Ellis reached up to touch the bun at the back of his head. “Debbie did. She told me who you are – or who you used to be, rather – and thought it might be best if I looked a little less like my brother.”

He tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear and offered Billy an uncertain smile. He looked so unlike Philip of Woolworth as he stood there in the doorway that Billy needed a moment to reconcile the person in front of him with the one he’d thought he’d seen at the party. It wasn’t just the different hairdo that set Sir Ellis apart from his brother, he realised – though it certainly helped. Philip of Woolworth, for as long as Billy had known him, had always been confident and sure of himself. He’d held his head up high in every situation, no matter how uncomfortable or embarrassing it had been, and if there had ever been a time when he’d felt nervous, he had never shown it.

Sir Ellis was nothing like that. Not only did he allow Billy to see his nervousness, he also kept his distance and gave Billy control over the situation, letting him decide what was going to happen or not. In only five minutes, he had shown Billy more respect and kindness than Philip of Woolworth had in five years, and that meant the world to Billy.

“I think it suits you,” he said, a little tentatively. “The hair.”

Sir Ellis’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? Mhm, I might keep it that way, then. Does it make me look more handsome?”

He made a face Billy had a feeling was meant to look sexy but managed to achieve the exact opposite. Trying not to be rude, he bit his lip and said nothing.

Charles had no such reservations. “Handsome’s not the word I would choose.”

To Billy’s amazement, Sir Ellis laughed. It was such a strange, unfamiliar sound and sight that he blinked in wonder. He didn’t think he’d heard Philip of Woolworth laugh even once in all the years he’d been in his service – and if he had, then certainly not like this: carefree and joyful, and at his own expense. How could Billy have ever thought Sir Ellis was anyone but himself? Philip of Woolworth would have never plopped himself down onto the straw like this – or in fact entered the stables at all if he could help it. And not in a quillenium would he have let Billy’s donkey sniff his hand before reaching out to her and gently petting her head with a soft smile tugging at his lips.

The differences between the two brothers were so glaringly obvious now that Billy was actually looking for them. It made him desperately, foolishly wish he’d become Sir Ellis’s page back then and the feeling only grew stronger when Sir Ellis met his eyes and solemnly said, “I came here to apologise to you, Sir William. Before today, I was not aware you knew my brother, or that he’d treated you so … unkindly. Had I known, I would have never approached you the way I did. I hope in time you can forgive me for my ignorance.”

Billy didn’t know what he’d expected him to say but it certainly hadn’t been an apology. Not knowing how to respond, he stammered out the first thing that came to his mind. “Billy. Please, it’s … it’s Billy.”

Sir Ellis nodded in acknowledgment. “Billy. Of course.” He swallowed audibly. “I know you have no reason to trust me, Billy. No matter what I do or say, my brother will inevitably overshadow my actions, even in death. But I promise you I am not like him. I tried to be, for many, many years, but not anymore, not since Debbie opened my eyes and made me realise there are other ways to be a knight – ones that don’t require a weapon.”

He glanced down at his side. It was only then that Billy noticed his sword was missing.

“So the rumours are true,” Charles said, his voice carefully neutral. “You have sworn not to harm another living creature ever again.”

“Yes,” Sir Ellis said with a smile that told Billy more than words could how at peace he was with that decision. “I am not my brother and I never will be. For the longest time I thought that made me less … worthy, and brave. Now, though – now I know out of the two of us, I’m the better person. Always have been.”

He gave Billy’s donkey another gentle pet that she clearly enjoyed, proving his words true through his actions.

“I feel like I owe you an apology as well, Sir Ellis,” Billy said. When the other knight gave him a quizzical look, he explained, “For my behaviour earlier.”

“Oh no,” Sir Ellis said at once. “There’s no need for that, really. I understand. My brother has left quite an, ah … impression on a lot of people. You are not the first person I’ve met who’s reacted badly to seeing my face.”

He glanced down at his lap and his brows furrowed as his eyes grew distant with memories – unpleasant ones, Billy had no doubt. He suddenly felt sorry for him. Philip of Woolworth might have never hurt Sir Ellis the way he had other people, the way he had hurt Billy, but he’d burdened his brother with his actions nonetheless and forced him to make amends for things he hadn’t done, things that obviously made him feel sick just thinking about them.

For all of Sir Ellis’s general joviality at the party earlier, Billy had a feeling his life was sadder and a lot lonelier than he liked to let on. It must be hard, he thought, to encounter suspicion or outright fear wherever he went just because his brother had been there before him.

“You shouldn’t have to pay for Sir Philip’s mistakes,” Billy said quietly. “It’s not fair.”

To his surprise, Sir Ellis chuckled. “I think we all know life is rarely fair.”

His eyes lingered on Charles for a moment, and Billy had a feeling there was more to his words than he understood. Something quiet passed between the two men, an understanding of something Billy wasn’t privy to and didn’t think he had the right to ask about.

“Sir Ellis is right,” Charles said at last, still holding Sir Ellis’s gaze. “Most things in life are out of our control but it is what we do in the face of those challenges that defines us, not the challenge itself.”

Sir Ellis bowed his head in silent agreement.

“Well,” Billy said, “your actions today certainly speak for themselves, Sir Ellis. You didn’t have to go and seek me out to apologise for what your brother did but it means a lot to me that you have. I will not forget that kindness.”

“Thank you, Billy,” Sir Ellis said softly. “I hope one day you will not see his face when you look at me. Who knows, we might even become friends, then.”

Billy exchanged a look with Charles before he smiled at Sir Ellis and offered him his hand. “I think we already are.”

#that moment between Ellis and Charles at the end?#those two have history #who knows perhaps one day I'll write a little fic about that #ellis of woolworth #mat's page #chamberlain #yonderland #whump wednesday #WWFF challenge #my fic

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