February 16, 2013

Fresh Approaches—Noteworthy New Editions and Reissues: Celebrating 70 Years with ‘The Boxcar Children’

Boxcar Children Prequel

Gertrude Chandler Warner’s novel about four orphaned siblings who run away and take up residence in an abandoned boxcar in the woods was first published in 1942, launching a series that would remain popular with young readers for decades and become a staple in library, classroom, and home collections. The “Boxcar Children Mysteries” oeuvre (Albert Whitman) now encompasses 130 titles, and the concept has been expanded into other formats, including an easy reader series and graphic novels. To mark the 70th anniversary, Albert Whitman is re-launching the series with a fresh new book design and is also publishing a prequel written by Newbery-Medalist Patricia MacLachlan.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Other Tales of Teen Angst and Alienation

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Since its publication in 1999, Stephen Chbosky’s epistolary novel (Pocket Books) has become a much passed around favorite among teens and a hot item for discussion groups (it has also appeared on ALA’s top 10 challenged books list five times in the last 10 years. Now, Charlie’s compelling account of his coming-of-age trials and tribulations has been re-envisioned for the big screen. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (PG-13), adapted into screenplay format and directed by Chbosky himself, will be released by Summit Entertainment on September 21.

Watch and Read—Spotlight on Media Tie-ins: Jake and the Never Land Pirates

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With an “Ahoy, mateys!” and a warm smile, the leader of a crew of pint-size pirates welcomes viewers to each episode of Jake and the Never Land Pirates (TV Y). Airing mornings on Disney Junior, this popular animated TV series for preschoolers is now in its second season (a third debuts in 2013) and continues to rack up the ratings.

Fresh Approaches: Noteworthy New Editions and Reissues—Picture Book Plums: Anniversary Titles and Compilations

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Ideal for helping youngsters wind down from a busy day, The Family Bedtime Treasury: Tales for Sleepy Times and Sweet Dreams (HMH, 2012; PreS-Gr 3) presents a cozy collection of eight beautifully reproduced slumber-themed picture books and eight illustrated poems. The offerings represent an enticing variety of storytelling moods and artistic styles guaranteed to hold the eye and ear of young listeners.

Watch and Read: Spotlight on Media Tie-ins— Finding Nemo…in Spectacular 3-D

Book cover: Finding Nemo Golden book

The charismatic clown fish swims back into theaters—and the hearts of youngsters—on September 14 with the re-release of the animated classic newly converted to Disney Digital 3D. First presented by Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures in 2003, Finding Nemo (G) garnered acclaim from critics and audiences alike, earned status as the second-highest grossing movie of the year, and sailed away with numerous awards including the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

Vote for Me! | Prelude to the Presidential Election

Vote for Me

Election Day is just around the corner, providing bountiful opportunities for exploration and discussion in the classroom. Add a little pizzazz to your investigations of past and present office holders and the election process with books that blend a bit of fun with the facts. Ranging from poetry to graphic novels to biography, the titles featured here utilize eye-catching formats and winsome artwork to bring their topics to life and entertain while they educate.

Watch and Read—Spotlight on Media Tie-ins: TV’s Voltron Force and Avatar: Graphic Novel Grabbers

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The ultimate blend of high-tech machinery and good old-fashioned teamwork, Voltron—a flying robot formed by the linking together of five lion-styled vehicles and their pilots—is a formidable force for good. Sound familiar?

Watch and Read-Spotlight on Media Tie-ins: Batman: Movie Reads for Teens

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Despite the awful tragedy that occurred in Aurora, CO on the movie’s opening night, fans continue to flock to theaters to see The Dark Knight Rises. Suggest these tantalizing titles to YA lovers of Christopher Nolan’s groundbreaking film trilogy.

Watch and Read—Spotlight on Media Tie-ins: Weird and Wonderful ‘ParaNorman’

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Directed by Chris Butler and Sam Fell, ParaNorman (PG) combines quirky humor, spine-tingling adventure, and delightfully creepy supernatural elements. This stop-motion animated 3-D feature film from LAIKA, the studio that produced the critically acclaimed Coraline (2009), premieres in theaters on August 17.

Watch and Read—Spotlight on Media Tie-ins: Those Wimpy Days of Summer

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Greg Heffley, the socially beleaguered but much-beloved star of Jeff Kinney’s reader-favorite book series (Amulet), returns to the big screen in a third live-action motion picture from 20th Century Fox. Perfectly timed to stave off those summer time doldrums, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (PG) premieres in theaters on August 3.

Gearing Up for Batman: Graphic Novel Grabbers for Movie Fans

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Christian Bale once again dons the legendary cape and cowl for the lead role in The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13), scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 20 in traditional and IMAX theaters. Following on the heels of Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight (2008), the movie marks the much-anticipated conclusion to director Christopher Nolan’s renowned film trilogy, which features a darkly realistic and emotionally nuanced incarnation of the iconic DC Comics character originally created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1939. When Gotham is terrorized by a new menace, a formidable villain named Bane (Tom Hardy), Batman must return to protect the city he loves.

Watch & Read: Spotlight on Media Tie-ins: LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu

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Featuring four young ninja warriors engaged in a classic good-versus-evil battle, this popular LEGO franchise includes building sets and toys, an animated TV show, a video game, accessories and apparel, and more.

Watch and Read Spotlight on Media Tie-ins: Batman Returns

Comic book cover of I am Bane

Fans of the Caped Crusader are breathlessly awaiting the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13), scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 20, in traditional and IMAX formats. A sequel to the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight(2008), the movie is the final installment in director Christopher Nolan’s masterfully envisioned film trilogy based on the iconic DC Comics character.

Folk and Fairy Tales Retold: Spin-offs | Focus On

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Fresh, funny, and boundary-breaking, these fractured fairy tales encourage children to revisit old friends, rethink familiar settings and scenarios, and let their imaginations soar.

Watch and Read: Chilling Out with the Ice Age Gang

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Manny the woolly mammoth (voiced by Ray Romano), Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo), and Diego the saber-toothed tiger (Denis Leary) return in the fourth installment of a series of computer-animated comedies from Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox. Ice Age: Continental Drift(PG) premieres in theaters on July 13, in 3D, 2D, and IMAX 3D formats. Scrat (Chris Wedge), that ever-determined but hapless prehistoric squirrel, is still in hot pursuit of the tantalizing acorn that continues to remain beyond his reach, but this time his seemingly small actions have cataclysmic results, causing continents to crack apart and shift.

The Webslinger Returns

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Is your spider-sense tingling? The Amazing Spider-Man (PG-13) blasts back onto the big screen on July 3, in a new 3D adventure from Marvel Entertainment and Columbia Pictures. This latest release isn’t a continuation of Sam Raimi’s blockbuster trilogy starring Tobey Maguire, but a reboot of the film franchise that presents a new installment in the Spider-Man cinematic opus. Andrew Garfield assumes the red-and-blue, be-webbed mantel in the new motion picture, which is directed by Marc Webb with a screenplay based on Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s classic Marvel comic book.

Watch and Read: Re-Imagining Snow White

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Snow White and the Huntsman (PG-13), starring The Twilight Saga’s Kristen Stewart, was released earlier this month by Universal Pictures. Not for the faint of heart, this visually stunning re-invention of the traditional Brothers Grimm fairy tale emphasizes the story’s darker themes, glories in good-versus-evil conflicts and epic-scale battles, and portrays a Snow White who is transformed from a naïve victim to a stouthearted sword-wielding hero.

Watch and Read | Spider-Man: Amazing Again

A fan favorite for 50 years, this friendly neighborhood crime-fighting phenom swings back into action—and into theaters—on July 3. The Amazing Spider-Man(PG-13), a new 3D adventure from Marvel Entertainment and Columbia Pictures, provides a fresh big-screen take on the character by spotlighting his early days. High-school student Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is an outcast who grapples with issues of insecurity and identity, as well as his all-consuming crush on the beautiful and bright Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone).

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Some True Tales for the Curious | Watch and Read

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Combining history with horror, this creature-slashing thriller casts the 16th president of the United States as supreme vanquisher of the undead. Produced by Tim Burton and directed by Timur Bekmambetov, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (not yet rated) premieres in theaters on June 22, 2012, in traditional and 3D formats. The film is based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s bestselling mashup novel of the same title (Grand Central Publishing, 2010), and the author also penned the screenplay. Benjamin Walker stars as Lincoln, a [...]

Princess Power | Get Your Glimmer On

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“Do you have any books about princesses?” It’s a request often heard in school and public libraries and a topic that continues to captivate the imaginations of children. Take advantage of this never-waning enthusiasm and use the opportunity to deliver some quality books to eager young readers and listeners. The offerings featured here will enchant their audiences with satisfying storytelling, effervescent artwork, and winsome characters who take on challenges large and small. Whether actual royalty or a princess self-proclaimed, these protagonists use their special status to supercharge their imaginations, shore up their self-confidence, and spread their sparkle to everyone around them. They demonstrate that true princess power is not about pink dresses and shiny tiaras, but more about what’s inside. Share a tale and help your students get their glimmer on.