Combining excellent texts and outstanding visuals, this month’s group of new titles are must-have purchases for libraries and classrooms looking to expand their nonfiction collections.
The “Radioactive Energy” of Bullies | An Interview with Meg Medina
By on May 7, 2013 Leave a Comment
Meg Medina knows firsthand about bullying—the topic of her young adult novel. In ‘Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass,’ the author explores its consequences when 15-year-old Piddy Sanchez becomes victimized at her new school.
This Boy’s Life | Recent Young Adult Fiction
By on May 6, 2013 3 Comments
This trio of poignant young adult titles will resonate with teen boys not only because they feature male protagonists, but also due to their strong themes of identity and self-discovery.
Nurturing Learners | School Gardens and Other Growing Things
By on May 6, 2013 Leave a Comment
Perfect for use in the classroom, these lively looks at school and community gardens deliver a bouquet of titles about growing things. They’ll also be useful for public libraries and other organizations that support green-thumb projects for kids.
Nonfiction as Mentor Text: Style | On Common Core
By on May 2, 2013 2 Comments
Authors of nonfiction for young readers model specific writing styles and techniques that demonstrate a command of the written word, engage and hook readers, and help to explain and contextualize important concepts.
SLJ Resources for National Poetry Month
By on April 22, 2013 Leave a Comment
April is National Poetry Month, and SLJ has compiled a list of tools and creative ideas for celebrating. From poetry slam best practices to Common Core curriculum connections, this roundup is chock-full of ways to approach the poetic form with kids all year long.
JLG’s On the Radar: Poetry Picks for Elementary Readers
By on April 15, 2013 1 Comment
Whether it’s a class assignment or a novel in verse, poetry expresses our deepest desires and fondest memories. It’s National Poetry Month, and the editors at the Junior Library Guild have selected the following new titles to motivate students to voice their own poetic thoughts.
Confrontations & Queries | Nonfiction Notes, April 2013
By on April 2, 2013 Leave a Comment
From a teen eyewitness account of the Battle of Gettysburg to an investigation of those pointy-nose Darwin frogs (with some very unusual brooding habits) to an examination of science myths, we’ve selected a few nonfiction books publishing this month that you’ll want to display, booktalk, and put in the hands of your patrons.
Same But Different | Children Around the World
By on April 2, 2013 Leave a Comment
Introduce children to the day-to-day lives of kids around the globe with a group of handsome photo essays and picture books that celebrate our differences and commonalities. These titles will encourage students to explore a tapestry of world cultures as they foster understanding and steer children toward becoming responsible and informed citizens of a global community.
Poetry: It’s in the Details
By on April 1, 2013 1 Comment
From haiku to animal poems to riffs on classic tales, this season’s new poetry titles open readers to the world around them—and some exquisite wordplay.
Birds of a Feather | New Titles to Welcome Those Harbingers of Spring
By on April 1, 2013 Leave a Comment
The arrival of migrant birds is a welcome harbinger of spring. Share these new titles with your patrons as we celebrate the homecoming of our feathered friends.
On Common Core | Nonfiction as Mentor Text
By on March 30, 2013 Leave a Comment
Many people hold on to the belief that nonfiction writing is “just the facts,” often synonymous with formulaic, dull writing. Nothing could be further from the truth. Writers for young people model both substance and style, and can serve as mentors to their readers.
The World of Barbara Kerley | Interview
By on March 27, 2013 Leave a Comment
When asked for quality nonfiction titles, Barbara Kerley’s name comes immediately to mind. Recently the author updated her website with references to the Common Core State Standards. We had a chance to talk about those changes and her work.
Meeting the CCSS Through Poetry | Professional Shelf
By on March 27, 2013 Leave a Comment
Can kids garner a passion for literature without Shakespeare, Silverstein, Salinger, or Sendak? Not in the opinion of the “lead architect of the Common Core Standards Initiative.” In celebration of National Poetry Month, we offer three titles that illuminate the intersection between the study of poetry and the goals of the CCSS.
From Civil War Nurses to Young Filmmakers | Nonfiction Notes, March 2013
By on March 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
What’s publishing this month? Biographies, poetry, and more!
“I’m Nobody! Who Are You?” | Emily Dickinson Plays Sleuth
By on March 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
Michaela MacColl is a history scholar drawn to strong female characters, both historical and literary. Her latest novel, Nobody’s Secret, features the poet Emily Dickinson, on the trail of a murderer.
Kick-Starting a New Life | Recent YA Titles
By on March 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
Tackling the subject of refugees from war-ravaged nations who find an outlet in playing soccer, Maria Padian’s Out of Nowhere and Warren St. John’s Outcasts United: The Story of a Refugee Soccer Team That Changed a Town explore the devastating pasts and impoverished situations of these athletes, as well as the bigotry they encounter in their new homes.
The Autism Spectrum | Books for Kids, Parents, and Teachers
By on February 25, 2013 Leave a Comment
Recent statistics from the CDC reveal that 1 in 88 children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent titles for students, teachers, and families, broaden our understanding of individual needs, and highlight the enormous potential for achievement for children and teens on the spectrum.
From the Ground Up | Jonathan Bean and the Art of the Story
By on February 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
Author and illustrator Jonathan Bean takes readers through his creative process behind his latest title, “Building Our House.”
Nonfiction Notes | Inching Toward Women’s History Month
By on February 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
This month, Curriculum Connections’ newest column “Nonfiction Notes” highlights the latest quality nonfiction titles, with a special emphasis on books about women.
