The fall publishing season is in full swing and with it comes a selection of stellar nonfiction to add to library and classroom collections.
About Daryl Grabarek
Daryl Grabarek dgrabarek@mediasourceinc.com is the editor of School Library Journal's monthly enewsletter, Curriculum Connections, and its online column Touch and Go. Before coming to SLJ, she held librarian positions in private, school, public, and college libraries. Her dream is to manage a collection on a remote island in South Pacific.
From the Notorious to the Notable | Nonfiction Notes, September 2013
By on September 10, 2013 Leave a Comment
Full Steam Ahead with Brian Floca | Interview
By on September 6, 2013 Leave a Comment
With a rattle and a roll, award-winning author and artist Brian Floca takes readers on a ride across the country on the Transcontinental Railroad in ‘Locomotive,’ a September publication from Simon & Schuster.
Inquiry and Integration Across the Curriculum | On Common Core
By on September 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
Authentic learning can only take place in the context of rich curriculum; it’s about encountering big ideas, raising and answering questions, and making sense of evidence. Join Mary Ann Cappiello and Myra Zarnowski as they launch their 2013-14 “On Common Core” column focusing on strategies for integrating content, standards, and children’s and young adult literature into an inquiry-based curriculum.
Cells and Matter, A Digital Look | Touch and Go
By on September 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
Along with the Common Core, many state standards ask that educators incorporate multimodal resources into their lesson plans. As time goes on, more and more quality apps are available to meet that requirement. Here are a few digital resources to consider for your nonfiction science collection.
Best of Apps & Enhanced Books | September 2013
By on September 2, 2013 Leave a Comment
Poetry and nature feature strongly in our selections this month, perhaps because we’ve been spending more time outdoors of late?
A Summer App Recap | Touch and Go
By on August 29, 2013 Leave a Comment
For those of you who have been sitting under a shady tree or on a beach these past two months—and we hope that’s most of you—we’re offering a summary of the app reviews published over the summer. The list includes picture books, poetry, music, a reference guide or two, and some beloved characters and timeless stories. These are titles you want to load onto your school devices ASAP.
‘War Horse’: Novel, Play, Film, and App | Touch and Go
By on August 22, 2013 Leave a Comment
Michael Morpurgo’s poignant ‘War Horse,’ first published as a novel for children, has seen many incarnations. It’s now an interactive, enhanced book for IOS devices. Watercolor illustrations, archival photos, and videos make this a production for both fiction lovers and history buffs.
The Pigeon Is Back! | Touch and Go
By on August 12, 2013 Leave a Comment
Featuring beloved Mo Willems characters, this impressive production offers several entertaining game options as well as cameo appearances by the author.
Tracking Tapirs with Sy Montgomery | Interview
By on August 6, 2013 Leave a Comment
Why are scientists interested in this elusive creature that looks like a cross between a hippo and an elephant? Sy Montgomery explains.
From Diversity to Civil Rights | Nonfiction Notes, August 2013
By on August 6, 2013 1 Comment
The diversity of our nation and our struggle for civil rights are clear themes in this month’s new titles. Among our selections are two books that address the historic 1963 March on Washington, celebrating its 50th anniversary this month: one in graphic format for older students written by John Lewis, and the other, a picture book by Andrea Davis Pinkney.
A Brace of Apps | Touch and Go
By on August 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
What child can resist a book or app about animals? Incorporating vocabulary-rich texts and gentle environmental lessons, these apps will also find favor with teachers and parents.
Science Learning | A Medley of Resources
By on August 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
As the authors of new title on inquiry and literacy note, “simply reading about science” cannot replace the “actual doing of science.” Here are a few new titles that offer guidance and suggestions on incorporating hands-on and project-based learning in science and other classrooms.
A Starter Collection of Apps for the PreSchool Set | Touch and Go
By on July 30, 2013 1 Comment
Looking for quality apps for young children can be hit and miss. We’ve taken the work out of it for you and the parents who visit your library.
Tweets, Drums, and Warbles: A Digital Field Guide to North American Birds | Touch and Go
By on July 23, 2013 Leave a Comment
The perfect companion on a summer hike? National Geographic’s digital guide to North American birds allows nature lovers to identify winged creatures, learn about their habits, and record sightings, all before they can say Ladder-backed Woodpecker.
Reveling in Rhyme | Touch and Go
By on July 17, 2013 Leave a Comment
Two delightful new apps that introduce the joys of poetry will have listeners of all ages reciting odes to the seasons and some well-known verses.
A Fiske College Sampler | Touch and Go
By on July 11, 2013 Leave a Comment
For the college bound, “Fiske Guides” have always been go-to resources. Two years ago they launched an interactive app with information on more than 300 colleges with options to add notes, email admissions offices, and more. The latest addition to their list is an ebook sampler to some of the “best buys” in higher education.
Possibilities and Potential Disasters | Nonfiction Notes July 2013
By on July 2, 2013 Leave a Comment
In this month’s column, the lives and work of scientists both past and present feature prominently.
Dust Off Your Headphones: It’s ‘Beethoven’s 9th’ for the iPad | Touch and Go
By on June 27, 2013 1 Comment
Touch Press has followed their rich ‘Orchestra’ app with a superb tribute to Ludwig Van ‘Beethoven’s 9th Symphony,’ considered by many to be one of the composer’s greatest works.
A Little Sparkle, Some Sputter | Touch and Go
By on June 20, 2013 Leave a Comment
Two new apps feature terrific artwork and engaging characters, but will viewers be inclined to return for repeat visits? Our reviewers weigh in.
Nosy Crow’s ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ | Touch and Go
By on June 13, 2013 Leave a Comment
Little Red Riding Hood receives a thoroughly charming update in Nosy Crow’s latest production.
