The world's largest reviewer of books, multimedia, and technology for children and teens
Toni Morrison’s acclaimed novel The Bluest Eye—which tackles such difficult subjects as racism, incest, and child abuse—could become the latest in a wide range of books that have been officially challenged in Alabama’s 132 school districts in recent years, if State Senator Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, has his way. The legislator is calling for its removal from school libraries in the state, a position that has so far resonated with at least one local school board member.
Children’s book classics such as Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat and the Hat will be available in ebook format for the first time beginning on September 24. Fifteen of author/illustrator Dr. Seuss’s (aka Theodor Geisel) beloved titles will make their digital debut on that date, keeping the original layouts and iconic illustrations from their print editions, says publisher Random House Children’s. By November 2013, a total of 41 ebooks will be available for children, parents, and educators.
Hero on a Bicycle is set in Italy in 1944 presents the story of a 13-year-old boy and his encounters with the Partisans in Nazi occupied Florence during World War II. Narrator Simon Vance’s incomparable vocal style is a perfect fit for this intense and suspenseful work of historical fiction. Check out the starred review of this audiobook.
Beloit (WI) Public Library is celebrating September’s Library Card Sign-Up Month with a campaign that showcases staff members and patrons. Head of Adult Services Tina Kakuske helmed the project, which features eight downloadable posters and bookmarks that highlight the community’s needs and interests.
Combining an industry and educational standard in the field of aerospace with a recognized leader in the world of science and arts, the Air & Space and Smithsonian Magazine Archive Database is seamless in action and an excellent source for both papers and projects.
A good library orientation can make the rest of the year easier for students and teachers, as well as for you and your staff. Make it fun and the facts will be more memorable. This year, the Guybrarian is using the scavenger hunt method, with a few tech twists.
Sierra did the right thing, and finds herself about to be expelled from school, all because of a zero tolerance no-weapons policy. But are the rules really that black and white? Five lucky winners will have the chance to explore Claudia Mills’s take on this with their own copy of Zero Tolerance.
Using a question/answer format, Goldstone explains the concepts of possibility, impossibility, probability, improbability, and certainty.
Superheros, extraordinary science, and unexpected twists keep readers on their toes in Jessica Freely’s debut novel All the Colors of Love. Thirty lucky SLJTeen readers will get a copy for their library, adding to the LGBT collection.
Tech maven Joyce Valenza and longtime SLJ contributor Joy Fleishhacker share the latest tools and book picks for the back-to-school season. From curated reading lists to useful tech trends and tips, School Library Journalhas gathered the following resources to help your students, patrons, parents (and you) get back in the swing of things.
Labor Day has come and gone, and this week marks the start of a new school year and the return of millions of students. Here at School Library Journal, we’re also celebrating two triumphant returns this week: those of our popular blogs Heavy Medal and Someday My Printz Will Come.
It’s called “school reform” with a focus on “student achievement,” but I shudder to think where we have come as a nation that many public schools don’t have a library, and won’t ever get one unless someone can beg a grant from a foundation or corporation.
Both Luke Bryan and The Civil Wars are award-winning country western artists. After all, what’s not to like about an album titled Crash My Party? But a mid-tour breakup has fans wondering if The Civil Wars will ever make another album. SLJ’s teen reviewers weigh in.
The September Multimedia Review section features nearly70 reviews of DVDs, audiobooks, and children’s music CDs. Among the eight starred reviews are Constitution USA with Peter Sagal, a DVD that examines the document’s historical and contemporary contexts, and Nelson Mandela, Kadir Nelson’s evocative biography for elementary grade students.
Constitution USA with Peter Sagal broadly examines our Constitution in both historical and contemporary contexts in a manner that will transfix viewers. Check out the starred review.
Gina Damico wraps up her Croak series in “cracktastic” style with the fall release of Rogue. If you loved Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, it’s a good bet you’ll be smitten with Fangirl, “written by a writer writing about a writer writing.” The question posed in After Eden, from Helen Douglas, circles around when it is or isn’t right to keep a secret, especially when a loyal friend and a whole planet depend on it.
Some spooky tales and a story about seafaring cats
In a new series, sleuthing by teen heroines related to Sherlock Holmes and Bram Stoker (Gleason).
Check out John Lewis and Andrew Aydin’s March
An Islamic Snow White.
