September 18, 2013

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Sharon Creech and other Fan-Favorite Authors | JLG’s On the Radar

Boy on the Porch

From Kate DiCamillo to David Lubar, the editors at Junior Library Guild have selected new titles by beloved authors that readers will be hankering for this fall.

Decisions Determine Your Destiny: New Mysteries for Teens | On the Radar

Out of the Easy

Do we control our own path or does fate determine our destiny? From Ruta Sepetys’s Out of the Easy to Bridget Zinn’s Poison, the following new mysteries selected by Junior Library Guild editors will give teen readers something to think about.

Pick of the Day: LMNO Peas (DVD)

lmno peas

Never has the alphabet been more entertaining than in the animated DVD version of Keith Baker’s picture book, LMNO Peas. Be sure to check out the starred review.

Tamora Pierce’s Fantasy Novel Picks | SLJ SummerTeen

curse dark as gold

Acclaimed young adult fantasy author Tamora Pierce headlined SLJ’s SummerTeen online event on July 24, and shared her love for libraries and books during the conference’s opening keynote. The 2013 Margaret A. Edwards Award-winner regaled the virtual audience of librarians and teens via webcam with a presentation about her writing process, her inspirations, and other fantasy novels and writers that readers should be adding to their to-be-read piles. The following is a list of the titles that were cited in Pierce’s talk.

Friendship-Making 101: Picture Books for Elementary Students | JLG’s On the Radar

Penguin on vacation

Making friends can be difficult for everyone. The following picture book selections by Junior Library Guild editors offer characters who find kindred spirits where they least expect them.

Pitch-Perfect Middle Grade Novels | JLG’s On the Radar

Zero Tolerance

From Rita Willams-Garcia’s P.S. Be Eleven to Cynthia Kadohata’s The Thing About Luck, these middle grade novels selected by Junior Library Guild editors showcase plucky protagonists who learn to forge their own paths despite the circumstances that come their way.

Exploring the Universe | Focus On

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An assortment of recent books that examine both historical milestones and current research in exploring our solar system and beyond.

Must-have Board Books for Early Childhood Collections

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A selection of tried-and-true titles that babies and toddlers adore.

Bilingual Storytime Selections | Libro por libro

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Surefire Spanish-language and bilingual books and programming suggestions to share with toddlers and their caregivers for a multilingual storytime. From nursery rhymes to board books, these titles will delight children and adults alike.

Community Angered by Tossed Black History Collection

booksindumpster

Highland Park, MI, residents are still enraged that a selection of books and other materials from the local high school’s collection devoted to global black history was thrown away recently. The revelation that many hundreds of titles had been found in a dumpster has spurred one community protest, accusations of neglect and mismanagement, and the resignation of an appointed school board member.

Possibilities and Potential Disasters | Nonfiction Notes July 2013

Eruption

In this month’s column, the lives and work of scientists both past and present feature prominently.

Marching to Freedom | New Titles on India’s Struggle for Independence

gandhi

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, two noteworthy titles focus on another nation and its struggle for freedom from British rule: India. Whether drawing comparisons to our country’s fight for independence, learning about Mohandas Gandhi or India for the first time, these books will open readers’ eyes to an important period in this nation’s history.

JLG’s On the Radar: Stars to Chocolate Bars—New Science Nonfiction for Elementary Students

Pluto's Secret

These new nonfiction titles can inform and inspire young readers as they learn about their world―from roots to stars. Junior Library Guild editors select the latest informational books for budding scientists.

Read A Picture…Book | Bold New Titles for Bolstering Visual Literacy and Discussing Design

a long way away

Packed with child appeal, these tantalizingly creative titles will fortify reading skills and engender enthusiasm for literature, as they challenge readers’ imaginations.

Books About Ocean Life and Undersea Exploration | Focus On

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A survey of outstanding nonfiction titles about ocean life and food chains and the challenging science of marine exploration.

JLG’s On the Radar: Summer Reading for Middle School Students

Parched

From solving the mystery of a sister’s untimely death to stepping into the shoes of a female journalist from the Roaring Twenties, young teens will want to dive into these new fiction titles selected by Junior Library Guild editors.

Dog Day Delights: Great Books for Summertime

its a firefly night

Help youngsters celebrate summer with a selection of alluring books bursting with vacation-time fun. From picture books to graphic novels, there’s something here for every reader.

A Classic Summer: Pair Audiobooks and Films to Spark Discussion and Writing | Listen In

Audio/Theatre

These audiobook versions of time-honored classics shine a spotlight on language, lyrical expression, and character development. Try pairing them with their film adaptations for excellent compare and contrast opportunities.

Int’l Latino Book Awards Recognize Top Children’s Titles

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Nearly 200 authors were recognized on May 30, 2013, at the 15th International Latino Book Awards ceremony, which was held at the Instituto Cervantes in New York City during BookExpo America. The largest awards in the US celebrating achievements in Latino literature, the event is presented by Latino Literacy Now in partnership with Las Comadres para las Americas and the Instituto Cervantes. See which titles were honored in the Children, Youth, and Young Adult categories.

Teens Review ‘Charm & Strange’, ‘Since You Asked’, ‘The Beginning of Everything’ | Books

Since You Asked

Bookmarked, SLJ’s teen review group, comes up with three terrific titles to recommend, each completely different from each other, but all compelling stories. Get Stephanie Kuehn’s Charm & Strange, Maurene Goo’s Since You Asked, and Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything on your library shelves-your teens will thank you for it.