Books about foreign languages, genre writing, research, and grammar make up this eclectic group of literacy and language books. There are some strong collections in the bunch that combine snappy writing with fresh perspectives on old subjects.
Writing, Words, and Wondering: Language and Literacy | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
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From Sea to Shining Sea: American History | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
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America can be described in one word: diverse. The nation’s history, though short as far as other national histories go, is complex. From its conception as a refuge for religious dissidents to its 21st-century manifestation as a major world power, America has undergone breath-taking changes.
Make It, Do It, and Read All About It: Arts and Activities | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
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Crafts, activities, and performance. These are tried-and-true techniques for engaging kids in a topic while encouraging their creative juices to flow. But there’s nothing more frustrating than a cookbook with beautiful pictures and cryptic instructions, or a craft book in which the projects are so difficult that Martha Stewart and her whole staff would have trouble achieving successful results. Books like these have to be field tested before suggesting that kids try them out. Luckily for you, this [...]
All the World’s a Stage: World History | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
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The emotional and intellectual capacitiesof humans make for some engaging drama, and what an extraordinary backdrop is ours for playing out our triumphs and tragedies. These series below explore humanity through the ages: in competition and cooperation, destruction and creation, division and unity.
For the Fun of It: Mixed Categories | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
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Whether intended to fill young readers in on a broad range of scientific or historical topics or simply to inspire delighted disgust, the titles below all feature mixes of bright color photos or images, easily absorbed passages of expository narrative (with some wordless exceptions), closer looks at selected incidents or facts in side boxes, and enrichment material that ranges from rudimentary lists of print and web resources to closing quizzes and corny jokes.
Occupational Success: Careers | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
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Students, whether they are just learning about different jobs within a community or older readers exploring a variety of interests, think about the careers they might choose as adults.
Exploration and Recreation: Sports | Series Made Simple Fall 2012
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Reading about recreational activities (not to be confused with “recreational reading,” though there can be overlap) is no substitute for actually getting outdoors or onto the field or court.
Programs with Pizzazz | Libro por libro
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THIS MONTH WE’LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT materials that can be used in a number of ways, but primarily in toddler and preschool storytimes: collections of rhymes, counting books, jokes and riddles, poetry, stories for infants and toddlers, and a couple of classic picture books. Planning storytimes requires a constant search for material, not just for books to share, but for bits and pieces to use between the stories. Librarians need to be armed with poems, fingerplays, songs, [...]
Middle–Grade Fantasy: Believe It! | Focus On
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In this Article
On the Web
A visit to the children’s section of any large bookstore might leave the impression that current fantasy consists almost entirely of lengthy Harry Potter or Percy Jackson clones, entries in a trilogy or longer series. Happily, some deeper digging uncovers a wonderful variety of middle grade, stand-alone fantasy novels which exemplify some of the best qualities and possibilities of the genre. While all fiction faces the challenge of making the reader believe in [...]
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Scary Stories for Elementary Souls
By on October 26, 2012 1 Comment
It’s the day before Halloween and things that go bump in the night are high on everyone’s reading list. Even at the age of five kids ask, “Where are the scary books?” Of course, their definition of scary differs widely from our fifth graders. So for those kids whose idea of frightening fare is a talking pumpkin, haunted cupcake, or plotting carrots, these books are perfect.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Creepy Crawly Nonfiction
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In October eyes are usually drawn to ghosts, goblins, and things that go bump in the night, but reality can be just as scary. Wasps sting the brain of a cockroach, paralyzing it so that the predator can lay its eggs in the zombified body. Tarantulas liquefy their prey in order to suck up dinner with their stomach muscles. Crocodiles can grow 3000 teeth in their lifetime, but they can’t chew their food. Detection rats use their sense of smell to sniff out explosive land mines. Forest fire beetles can discover a conflagration more than 20 miles away. And there’s nothing more unique than the distinct about the shape of wombat poop.
Watch and Read—Spotlight on Media Tie-ins: Fairy Fanfare: TV’s Winx Club
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Fans of all things fey will enjoy Winx Club, a TV series about a flight of stylish teenage fairies with an updated look and an array of magical abilities. In addition to dolls, dress-up accessories, and video games, the franchise also includes fun, fast-moving chapter books and graphic novels based on the TV show.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Sequels, Prequels, and Companions: Oh My!
By on October 15, 2012 2 Comments
As trends and genres continue to evolve, one thing remains consistent: the return of beloved characters and stories. Whether it’s a sequel, a prequel, or a companion novel that walks alongside the original, books that connect to each other continue to be fan favorites.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: New Books to Make You L-O-L
By on October 1, 2012 1 Comment
Amidst all the stories filled with angst, broken hearts, and vampires, books that make you laugh-out-loud are a welcome respite. This fall offers many selections for young readers that will tickle their funny bone. Be sure to read these aloud. We could all use a good laugh from time to time.
Fiction Series Update: October 2012
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The books listed below are the latest installments in ongoing fiction series that are well-known to most of our readers. We assume that purchase will be based on popularity of previous titles. Among these titles are books aimed at elementary, middle-, and high-school-aged students.–Mahnaz Dar
Elementary and Middle School
ALTBACKER, EJ. Kingdom of the Deep. Bk. 4. 256p. (Shark Wars Series). Penguin/Razorbill. 2012. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-1-59514-509-3. Gr 4-8
ANGLEBERGER, Tom. The Secret [...]
Gangs, Drugs, and Renewal: Self-published Memoirs Offer Hope to Troubled Teens
By on October 1, 2012 5 Comments
Ten teens, ages 16 to 17, dressed in tan pull-on pants and dark blue sweatshirts with “Alameda County Juvenile Hall” stamped across their chests, are in my library, crowding around me and talking all at once.
“He said he was hit with an electrical cord, but in the book he says it was a snakeskin belt,” says one boy, pouncing on a disparity between what an author told us when he recently visited and what he wrote in his memoir.
Watch and Read—Spotlight on Media Tie-ins: Go, Go Power Rangers: Refreshed Books and a New Graphic Novel Series
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First introduced in 1993 with Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, this iconic live-action TV series starring a group of teens able to transform into a team of color-coded costumed superheroes is still going strong. Power Rangers: Samurai, the show’s l8th iteration, premiered in 2011 on Nickelodeon, followed by 2012’s Power Rangers: Super Samurai (TVY7), a second set of episodes featuring the same characters.
On the Radar—Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: New Science Nonfiction Supports Common Core
By on September 21, 2012 Leave a Comment
During the last ten years, researchers have learned that elementary students are more likely to read and hear fiction in their classrooms more than informational text. However, if you ever visited an elementary school library, you’d see that far more nonfiction is circulated on average than fiction. Kids love to see the photographs and learn more about their world. Consequently, those books have the commonly known disease of the banana-peel spine. They’ve been read so much their spines are literally peeling off the book. With an increase in emphasis on informational text due to adoption of Common Core State Standards, nonfiction circulation is bound to increase. These new nonfiction releases will satisfy the standards while feeding your starved-for-information students and patrons.
Watch and Read: Spotlight on Media Tie-ins: Monster Movie Mash: Frankenweenie and Hotel Transylvania
By on September 19, 2012 Leave a Comment
Two new animated offerings—Frankenweenie and Hotel Transylvania—pay homage to classic Hollywood monsters with fresh interpretations and plenty of panache—just in time for Halloween.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Sports Books Score Touchdowns
By on September 17, 2012 Leave a Comment
With the onset of September comes the roar of the crowd—the football crowd. From Pop Warner leagues to professional sports, there are plenty of games to attend or watch. Whether on the bleachers, in the field, or cheering from the living room couch, here are some new titles to fill in the gap during half-time.
