Oblivion, the final book in Anthony Horowitz’s “The Gatekeepers” series, is read by Simon Prebbles who masterfully conveys the terror of a dangerous dystopian world. Read the starred review of this suspense-filled audiobook.
Beyond Basic Concepts: Seeking Colors, Shapes, and Patterns in Our World
By on September 9, 2013 Leave a Comment
In addition to reinforcing some of the basics, the concept books highlighted here encourage kids to explore their familiar milieu with a fresh eye, hone observation skills and learn to note details, and begin to organize and categorize information. The stunning visuals and clever use of language exhibited in these offerings will also rouse imaginations and fortify vocabularies.
People Who Left Their Mark: Picture Book Biographies | JLG’s On the Radar
By on September 9, 2013 Leave a Comment
From breaking gender barriers to being the forerunner in children’s books illustrating, the subjects in the following titles selected by the editors at Junior Library Guild were ordinary people who did extraordinary things.
Speculative Fiction
By on September 9, 2013
Baba Yaga is a witch of Russian folklore, and Toby Barlow bewitches with his new novel — our starred reviewof the day. His first, Sharp Teeth, was a 2009 Alex Award winner, a story of werewolves in L.A. told entirely in verse. Babayaga is (mostly) straight prose, and offers quite a combination of genres–spy thriller, [...]
Pick of the Day: Living with Jackie Chan
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In this companion to Jumping Off Swings (Candlewick, 2009), Knowles provides an intimate look at Josh a year after the events of the first book and an honest look at teen pregnancy from the male’s perspective.
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.
Kid Lit Cartoonists Plan September Fundraisers for Moore, OK, School Libraries
By on September 6, 2013 3 Comments
Later this month, cartoonists Jeff Kinney, Dav Pilkey, Lincoln Peirce, and Stephan Pastis will present “Drawn Together: Cartoonists Benefit Moore, Oklahoma School Libraries,” two fundraising events for the city of Moore, OK, in which the kid lit stars will discuss their inspiration and creative processes and answer questions from the audience.
Pick of the Day: Nelson Mandela | DVD
By on September 6, 2013 Leave a Comment
Kadir Nelson’s evocative biography of Nelson Mandela receives stellar treatment in this exceptional DVD presentation from Weston Woods. Forest Whitaker’s rich voice reads the story with background music and crowd sound effects that draw viewers in. Be sure to read the starred review.
Morrison’s ‘Bluest Eye’ Joins Wide Range of Books Challenged in Alabama Schools
By on September 5, 2013 1 Comment
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.
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.
Dr. Seuss Ebooks Finally Available on September 24
By on September 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
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.
Pick of the Day: Hero on a Bicycle | Audio
By on September 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
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.
Experimental Fiction
By on September 4, 2013
Last week I asked how explicit is too sexually explicit for teens. This week I want to ask a similar question about form rather than content: how experimental is too experimental? This question, like last week’s, was keyed to a book I was reading, Book III, edited by Joshua S. Raab, and published by theNewerYork [...]
SLJ Reviews Air & Space Smithsonian Magazine Archive Database
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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.
New Titles for Fans of Holly Black, Chris Crutcher, and More | JLG’s Teen On the Radar
By on September 4, 2013 Leave a Comment
Four favorite YA authors―Holly Black, Chris Crutcher, Nancy Farmer, and Neal Shusterman―have new titles out, and fans will be clamoring for them. From a study room that’s run like Las Vegas to the cruise of a lifetime gone bad, you’ll find suspense, humor, horror, and thrills in this selection from the editors at Junior Library Guild.
Pick of the Day: That’s a Possibility! A Book About What Might Happen
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Using a question/answer format, Goldstone explains the concepts of possibility, impossibility, probability, improbability, and certainty.
NYC’s Bank Street Center to Host Free Kid Lit Panels Ahead of 4th Annual BookFest
By on September 3, 2013 Leave a Comment
Later this month, the Bank Street College of Education’s Center for Children’s Literature (CCL) will begin a series of three free panel discussions moderated by Leonard Marcus, curator of “The ABC of It: Why Children’s Books Matter,” the critically acclaimed exhibition currently on view at the New York Public Library. The series will be followed by CCL’s 4th annual BookFest @ Bank Street on October 19, featuring the award-winning Kate DiCamillo as keynote speaker.
Welcome Back to Heavy Medal, Someday My Printz Will Come Blogs
By on September 3, 2013 Leave a Comment
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.
A Minecraft Library Scores Big: Mattituck, NY, Branch Is a Hit with Kids
By on September 3, 2013
Inspired by the experiences of Connecticut librarian Sarah Ludwig’s Minecraft library club, Elizabeth Grohoski and Karen Letteriello of the Mattituck-Laurel Library (NY) are now using a virtual Minecraft library to attract young patrons. The game allows users to build in a 3-D virtual world with cubes similar to Legos—but without any proscriptive kits and manuals.
Gaiman’s ‘Fortunately, the Milk’ and Other Fun Fiction | JLG’s On the Radar
By on September 3, 2013 1 Comment
New baby sisters, substitute teachers, and friends (even if it’s a bowling ball) are frequent themes in short novels for young readers. Favorite authors such as Karen English and Andrea Cheng deliver new titles in popular series, while Neil Gaiman and Mal Peet (who usually write for older readers) provide humor and thought-provoking storytelling for kids who are getting comfortable reading on their own. The following titles selected by the editors of Junior Library Guild are just the ticket.
