As we mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens’s birth, there can be no doubt that the celebrated author is alive and well in the hearts and minds of readers. Never, it seems, has the timelessness of his work been more apparent. In honor of his bicentennial, websites, celebrations, essay contests, exhibitions, and, of course, a rash of new books exploring the man and his work have emerged in recent months.

Born to an upper-middle-class family [...]

Terrifying monsters and fearsome beasts? Courageous and quick-witted heroes? Thrilling adventures and dangerous quests? These tales have it all, plus the unforgettable characters, timeless themes, and range of human emotion that have drawn people to Greek myths for eons. Included here is a spectacular array of offerings guaranteed to tempt myriad tastes and reading abilities. Spanning in age range from elementary level through young adult, the titles are presented in user-friendly sections: picture books, inviting collections of tales each [...]

July 2010, I attended “Empires of the Wind: Exploration of the United States Pacific West Coast,” one of the National Endowment for the Humanities Landmarks of American History and Culture workshops for teachers. During my week in San Diego, I learned much about this often overlooked part of American history and am pleased to be able to share what I learned with other school librarians across the country.

From a European perspective, North America’s Western coast was one of [...]