For some wintry tales for younger readers, check out the latest picks from the editors at Junior Library Guild.
About Deborah B. Ford
Deborah, an award-winning library media specialist, brings more than 25 years of experience as a classroom teacher and librarian in K–12 schools to JLG. She previously worked as the District Resource Librarian for San Diego Unified School District, responsible for 180 K–12 schools.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Snow and Ice: Books for the Elementary Reader
By on February 11, 2013 1 Comment
On the Radar Teen: 2013 Award Winners for Teen Readers
By on February 6, 2013 Leave a Comment
A week after the “big reveal” at the American Library Association’s midwinter meeting, everyone is still talking about the latest award-winning titles. Young Adult Library Services Association committees select books for teens from 12 to 18 years of age, with a broad range of reading abilities and maturity levels. Whether they are edgy or informative, these buzz-worthy books will circulate among your students for years to come.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: K-8 Books on African Americans Who Inspire
By on February 4, 2013 Leave a Comment
Since 1976, every U.S. president has designated February as Black History Month. From slavery to civil rights, and science to music, the following books for young readers honor the accomplishments of African Americans.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: New Releases for Your Nonfiction Shelves
By on January 28, 2013 1 Comment
Good nonfiction titles rise to the top as librarians focus their content needs to meet the Common Core State Standards. New releases by our favorite authors and illustrators include an environmental bilingual poem, a picture-book biography, a fact-filled science title, and a narrative account of a bird’s 7,200 mile migration.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Caldecott Contenders: Star-Studded Choices
By on January 21, 2013 Leave a Comment
With the announcement of the Caldecott winners less than a week away, Junior Library Guild examines some of 2012′s front-runner picture books.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Star-Worthy Choices for Possible Award Contenders
By on January 14, 2013 Leave a Comment
With the ALA Youth Media Awards just around the corner, Junior Library Guild takes a look at some star-studded titles.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: More Outstanding Science Books for Elementary Readers
By on January 7, 2013 Leave a Comment
For outstanding science books that bring the subject to life in fun and fresh new ways, check out the latest On the Radar picks.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Award-Winning Science Books for Elementary Readers
By on December 18, 2012 1 Comment
Looking for great, original science books? Check out the following award-winners for thorough nonfiction that also incorporates art, poetry, and ideas for hands-on experiments.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Books for a Winter’s Night
By on December 10, 2012 Leave a Comment
As winter approaches, students will enjoy fun wintry tales that include historical fiction, nonfiction, and picture books.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Great Graphic Novels to Use in Your Common Core Classroom
By on December 3, 2012 1 Comment
These graphic novels that include tales of space travel, American history, and more, will entertain middle grade readers while also satisfying Common Core standards.
On the Radar: Top Teen Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Two Parts Make a Whole: Using Graphic Novels in Your Common Core Classroom
By on November 30, 2012 Leave a Comment
If you’re looking for official justification for the purchase of graphic novels, look no further than the Common Core State Standards. In grades 6-12, students will be required to apply the Reading standards to a variety of text types, including graphic novels. For mature readers, this fall’s releases offer stories of war, madness, gangs, and failed dreams. Young adult patrons will have much to think and talk about after reading these selections.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Mysteries for Elementary Sleuths
By on November 26, 2012 Leave a Comment
Start with a missing object, ask a few questions, throw in some red herrings and what do you have? An unputdownable mystery! This fall’s releases offer openers and new entries in fun whodunit series, and standalones that will keep your patrons sleuthing for clues.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Graphic Novels and the Common Core
By on November 12, 2012 Leave a Comment
If you’re looking for official justification for the purchase of graphic novels, look no further than the Common Core State Standards. In grades 6 to 12, students will be required to apply the Reading standards to a variety of text types and formats, including graphic novels. Today’s graphic artists and writers provide a plethora of titles for beginning readers to adults. Check out these new titles that will strengthen your collection and thrill your readers.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Cast Your Vote for These Presidential Titles
By on November 7, 2012 Leave a Comment
Though Election Day is behind us, it’s never too late for a president-related story, whether it’s a light graphic novel or enlightening poems.
On the Radar Teen: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Ghost Stories for Teenage Readers
By on November 7, 2012 Leave a Comment
Some genres have year-round appeal. Enter the ghost story. This fall’s ghost stories combine other elements our students enjoy reading. A girl dies too soon. A crime needs to be solved. The Titanic. These books have short, cliff-hanging chapters with no good stopping place. You can almost read them in one sitting―unless your fear factor is released. Like me, you may have to do Pinterest between chapters, and refrain from reading them before bed! Happy haunting!
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Scary Stories for Elementary Souls
By on October 26, 2012 1 Comment
It’s the day before Halloween and things that go bump in the night are high on everyone’s reading list. Even at the age of five kids ask, “Where are the scary books?” Of course, their definition of scary differs widely from our fifth graders. So for those kids whose idea of frightening fare is a talking pumpkin, haunted cupcake, or plotting carrots, these books are perfect.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Creepy Crawly Nonfiction
By on October 19, 2012 Leave a Comment
In October eyes are usually drawn to ghosts, goblins, and things that go bump in the night, but reality can be just as scary. Wasps sting the brain of a cockroach, paralyzing it so that the predator can lay its eggs in the zombified body. Tarantulas liquefy their prey in order to suck up dinner with their stomach muscles. Crocodiles can grow 3000 teeth in their lifetime, but they can’t chew their food. Detection rats use their sense of smell to sniff out explosive land mines. Forest fire beetles can discover a conflagration more than 20 miles away. And there’s nothing more unique than the distinct about the shape of wombat poop.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Sequels, Prequels, and Companions: Oh My!
By on October 15, 2012 2 Comments
As trends and genres continue to evolve, one thing remains consistent: the return of beloved characters and stories. Whether it’s a sequel, a prequel, or a companion novel that walks alongside the original, books that connect to each other continue to be fan favorites.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Picture Book Biographies for Older Readers
By on October 8, 2012 1 Comment
Sometimes ordinary people are able to do extraordinary things. Annie Sullivan thought of a way to teach a deaf and blind student to communicate. Charles Ives listened to the sounds of everyday life and created a new kind of music. Henri Rousseau became one of the most gifted self-taught painters in history. Sarah Winnemucca stood up against injustices and wrote the first autobiography by a Native American woman.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: New Books to Make You L-O-L
By on October 1, 2012 1 Comment
Amidst all the stories filled with angst, broken hearts, and vampires, books that make you laugh-out-loud are a welcome respite. This fall offers many selections for young readers that will tickle their funny bone. Be sure to read these aloud. We could all use a good laugh from time to time.
