Photo credit: John Bramley

Since there are already disparaging online reactions regarding the hair color of the actresses in the film version of the paranormal romance Beautiful Creatures (Little, Brown, 2009), eyebrows are bound to be raised over many of the other changes in this tale of dark desires under the elms.

Readers should expect that extraneous characters or subplots will face the chopping block, especially when the source material—the first in the four-book “Caster Chronicles”—is more than 500 pages long. But in terms of the story, a lot has been transformed here, with the blessing of authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. The numerous nips and tucks are a departure from the recent efforts by filmmakers to ingratiate loyal readers, sometimes following a book too literally (like a few of the “Harry Potter” films) or faithfully going by a lean-and-mean road map (The Hunger Games). The result here is a draw.

Photo credit: John Bramley

The series, although very popular, doesn’t have the broader readership of Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” saga or Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games Trilogy,” which hooked a larger, more adult readership. This film really needs the solid support of its fan base, the narrower young adult demo, if it wants to launch a franchise.

Director/adaptor Richard LaGravenese’s retelling remains true to the spirits (no pun intends) here and there of this first book, especially in capturing the Southern setting of faded Greek Revival mansions, drooping Spanish moss, Bible thumpers, and where everyone is “surgah.” Gatlin, South Carolina, is a town with no Starbucks (if only, some may wish), 12 churches, and one library (which gets a big wet kiss in the film; the local branch is praised as “holy,” a bastion of ideas). Popular guy-next-door Ethan Wate plans to get the heck out of his hick hamlet as soon as he graduates high school. In the meantime, Ethan armchair travels through the books of Kurt Vonnegut, Henry Miller, and Jack Kerouac.

Photo credit: John Bramley

For months, he has dreamed of a dark-haired girl in a flowing dress wandering on a Civil War battlefield—but he’s killed by a bolt of lightning before he embraces her. Lo and behold, her doppelganger arrives as the new student in his English class: Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert), the niece of the wealthy recluse Macon Ravenwood (Jeremy Irons). Rumor has it he’s a devil worshipper.

Fully aware of all the whispering behind her back, she’s aloof at Ethan’s courtin’ attempts, not believing he really wants to know her, but he stands up for her against the hostile cliques, and eventually makes her smile. However, she really doesn’t fit in—she’s a Caster (technically not a witch) with supernatural powers, and on her 16^th birthday, she will endure the Claiming, when her true nature will emerge, either for the light or (gulp) dark, and murky forces are at work to turn her to the dark side, by using Ethan as a heartthrob pawn.

Some of the book’s, ahem, magic is lost: Ethan also has powers to overcome curses, and the teen lovers are telepathic, reading each other’s thoughts whether they are near or far. On screen, Ethan’s purely mortal. The various special abilities of Lena’s family are not very well explained, leading to a few confusing moments.

In one of the book’s best (though not very original) subplots, Lena and Ethan have to reign in their hormones. Otherwise when they kiss, an electric charge zaps the boy. If they go all the way, the kid will fry—nature’s chastity belt. And the script thwarts suspense by revealing early on what mischief Emma Thompson’s Christian crusader is really up to—though by showing her character’s dementedly demonic side early on, Thompson has more opportunities to chow down on the scenery, leaving Jeremy Irons in the dust. Packed with a lot of plot and action, the series would have been a sure thing as a TV series for the YA friendly CW network, like a teen Walking Dead or True Blood.

If the film survives the poxes and put-downs from fans, it will be due, in no small part, to the breezy charms of actor Alden Ehrenreich as Ethan. He has the looks of mid-1950s Tony Curtis and a goofy affability. Ethan likes a good laugh, but the easy-going Ehrenreich never winks to the camera. Leave that to Thompson, who seems as though she could break out in a giggle fit at any moment.

Photo credit: John Bramley

The biggest departure is that the baddies upstage the cursed couple. The bad girls have all the fun—and the best wardrobe, compared to Lena’s baggy long-sleeve blouses. Their glee is infectious, and that’s especially true for Lena’s wayward and vampy cousin Ridley (Emmy Rossum), a Southern belle Siren, who can make others think and do anything, especially inexperienced teenage boys. She first appears speeding through the countryside in her red BMW convertible, with her hennaed hair slicked back and Ray Bans on. She later morphs into Rita Hayworth from Gilda. She’s not only Old Hollywood ultra-glam, she makes evil joyous.

Directed by Richard LaGravenese
Rated PG-13
123 min.

Milo and Jazz Mysteries: The Case of the Stinky Socks
© 2009 by Amy Wummer.

Mysteries provide a perfect entree for exploring a wide variety of critical thinking skills. With their emphasis on clear observation, logical thinking, and well-drawn conclusions, mysteries support many Common Core State Standards (CCSS). They also lend themselves to an array of interesting writing assignments, an important component of the CCSS and one on which many states are placing particular emphasis.

This month’s column features some of our favorite mysteries, along with ideas for expanding the learning possibilities presented by each title and/or series. Employing the Common Core State Standards doesn’t mean that learning can’t be fun. Kids love mysteries, so why not use them to teach new skills in thinking, researching, and writing? We guarantee that these titles will spark student interest.

Elementary School

A to Z Mysteries, Books D-G (The Deadly Dungeon, The Empty Envelope, The Falcon’s Feathers, The Goose’s Gold). Written by Ron Roy. Narrated by David Pittu. 3 CDs. 3:25 hrs. Listening Library. 2005. ISBN 978-0-3072-0735-7. $30. K-Gr 3
From A to Z, these beginning chapter book mysteries maintain a comfortable format with each audiobook combining three or four stories from the series. Each “case” title is a letter of the alphabet and continuity is nicely incorporated with Pittu narrating them all. His conversational and friendly voice fits the pacing as Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose band together to solve each case. Listeners will be asking for all the letters of the alphabet.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.2 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

Instructional Extension: Connecting the theme or subject of a story to research can strengthen both the listening experience and learning. For example, to discover more about the birds in The Falcon’s Feathers, use the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All about Birds website (www.allaboutbirds.org). Enter the search term “falcon” to find information about the peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, and prairie falcon.

Encyclopedia Brown Finds the Clues. Written by Donald Sobol. Narrated by Greg Steinbruner. 2 CDs. 1:18 hrs. Recorded Books. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4281-7221-0. $25.75. Gr 3-5

This title, one in the classic series about 10-year-old detective Leroy “Encyclopedia” Brown, features ten new cases for the Idaville mystery solver. Encyclopedia, his police chief dad, and his group of friends follow the trail of each case to its satisfying end. The familiar format of presenting clues for listeners to put together gives opportunities for thinking and problem solving. Steinbruner’s pacing is comfortable, highlighting the simple sentences and pausing before each solution to build suspense,

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.9 Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters.

Instructional Extension: The University of North Carolina’s excellent Learn NC website (www.learningnc.org/lp/pages/3031) offers several activities to enliven lesson plans for the first book in this series, Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective. The rubric for a good mystery story and the Mystery Worksheet are adaptable to any book in the series and provide a jumping-off point for writing projects.

The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe’s Very First Case: A Number 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Book for Young Readers. Written by Alexander McCall Smith. Narrated by Adjoa Andoh. CD. 1 hr. Listening Library. 2012. ISBN 978-0-4490-1142-3. $15. K-Gr 3

Intrepid female detective, Precious Ramotswe, is introduced here as a child, solving her first case. Andoh’s excellent narration presents the lilt, cadence, and authenticity of Botswana culture. Adult fans of the well-known #1 Ladies Detective Agency will be listening along to find out how Precious came to become a world-famous detective. Sure to provide fun for family and classroom audiences.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.2 Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths, from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.

Instructional Extension: Classroom discussion and research about Botswana could follow listening to this mystery. Facts and information about the country can be found in many online encyclopedias, books, and the Botswana embassy website (www.botswanaembassy.org) where the country’s history, a video gallery, and visitor attractions are included. Students may choose one topic to share with the class to highlight any study about Africa.

Milo and Jazz Mysteries: The Case of the Stinky Socks. Written by Lewis B. Montgomery. Narrated by Chantale Hosein and Vinnie Penna. CD. 48 min. Live Oak Media. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4301-1199-3. $15.95. K-Gr 3

Milo has just received his Dash Marlow Super Sleuth kit when he discovers his first mystery. Working, somewhat reluctantly, with new neighbor Jazz, these two young detectives set out to determine who stole Jazz’s brother’s lucky socks from his high school locker. The pair use their critical thinking skills to find the socks before the big baseball game. Penna and Hosein’s performances are appropriately young and their pacing heightens the tension and excitement of this first mystery in Montgomery’s series.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy. RL.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

Instructional Extension: Dash Marlow instructs his followers to use these “Super Sleuthing Skills: Observe, Think Logically, Draw Conclusions.” A fun writing project can be built around any one of the “Milo and Jazz Mysteries” by using flow maps to organize the sequence of events with the goal of producing a summary of the story that includes at least three details from the book to answer the questions posed in the standard.

Middle/High School

The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity. Written by Mac Barnett. Narrated by Arte Johnson. 3 CDs. 2:55 hrs. Listening Library. 2010. ISBN 978-0-3077-1042-0. $30. Gr 4-6

When 12-year-old Steve Brixton, a fan of Bailey Brothers detective novels, is mistaken for a real detective, he must elude librarians, police, and the mysterious Mr. E as he seeks a missing quilt containing coded information. Arte Johnson gives Steve’s predicament a matter-of-fact, almost sardonic tone, with methodical pacing and understatement that provides listeners with laugh-out-loud enjoyment of this wholly improbable story. Fans will also enjoy the other titles in this series, The Ghostwriter Secret and It Happened on a Train, also available from Listening Library.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.7 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.

Instructional Extension: Visit this go-to website that provides thorough information and multiple ideas for classroom extensions as well as descriptions of mystery series, novels, and picture books: Carol Hurst Children’s Literature—Mysteries in the Classroom Fiction, Non-Fiction and Activities for Pre-School through Ninth Grade (www.carolhurst.com/subjects/mysteries.html).

Pair the following two titles for an interesting comparison of Victorian and contemporary girl sleuths:

The Case of the Missing Marquess, an Enola Holms Mystery. Written by Nancy Springer. Narrated by Katherine Kellgren. 4 CDs. 4:31 hrs. Recorded Books. 2006. ISBN 978-1-4193-8985-6. $51.75. Gr 5-8

Smart and resourceful, 14-year-old Enola is determined to avoid the finishing school her older brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock, have selected for her when her mother suddenly vanishes. Setting off for London on a bicycle, Enola stumbles upon another missing person’s case—a young marquess who seems to have been kidnapped. Kellgren delves into this adventure with her customary gusto and superb pacing, providing a host of excellent 19th-century character voices. Lucky for listeners, this is just the beginning of a long series, all narrated by the incomparable Kellgren.

The London Eye Mystery. Written by Siobhan Dowd. Narrated by Paul Checquer. AudioGo. 2010. ISBN 978-1-4056-5462-3. $25. Gr 6-10

Ted’s cousin Salim comes to visit from Manchester before moving to New York with his mother, and Salim’s only wish is to ride the London Eye, the massive wheel erected to mark the new millennium. Ted (whose brain is “wired differently”) and his older sister Kat watch Salim board the Eye and are stunned when he doesn’t get off. What follows is an intricate, intriguing, and thrilling race against time as Ted uses his keen observation skills to find his cousin. Checquer’s measured pacing accurately portrays Ted’s personality and reinforces the family conflicts, and his variety of British accents provides context for American listeners.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact.

Instructional Extension: After listening to this mystery, students may be interested to learn more about “Interesting Things You Never Knew about The London Eye” by visiting http://ow.ly/gHXMI. The LondonNet site (http://ow.ly/GHXEM) not only includes facts, but also provides links to other London attractions such as the Tower of London. This is a good place to start a class project investigating London’s most important historical places.

The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour. Written by Michael D. Beil. Narrated by Tai Alexandra Ricci. 6 CDs. 7 hrs. Listening Library. 2009. ISBN 978-0-7393-7960-8. $50. Gr 4-6

Three friends attending the all-girls Catholic school, St. Veronica’s, become embroiled in a mystery of major proportions when they try to help a strange older woman who lives next to the church. A precious artifact has gone missing and the girls must use their best math and language skills to discover its whereabouts and expose the villain. Ricci personifies the voices of the young sleuths and creates believable voices for the supporting characters. Listeners may want to follow along with or refer to the print edition to see the graphs, charts, and other puzzles that serve as clues. Three more mysteries featuring these girl detectives provide additional fun.

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

Instructional Extension: Girl detectives are an interesting group, from the classic Nancy Drew to Harriet the Spy to the young women in the previous two examples. Students can prepare a chart to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between girl and boy detectives in their methods of solving cases, leading to an interesting writing project.

Sharon Grover is Head of Youth Services at the Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI. Lizette (Liz) Hannegan was a school librarian and the district library supervisor for the Arlington (VA) Public Schools before her retirement. They are co-authors of Listening to Learn (ALA Editions, 2011).

Photo by Hemera

Being out in the field, talking to teachers and librarians about the Common Core (CC), I’ve learned as much as I’ve taught. My world is often centered in my study (where I research and write), or in the graduate classes that I teach, or in the K–12 classrooms that I visit. In those spaces, I’ve learned, secondhand, about students being told they can only read an “L” or an “R” book—and how parents have demanded that libraries rearrange their collections from A to Z, according to carefully determined reading levels, so their kids can read totally non-frustrating texts. But it took being at a workshop out on Long Island, NY, for me to really understand the fundamental clash between guided reading and Common Core—something that many of you doubtless experience daily.

At the workshop, librarians spoke of their schools being, in effect, taken over by guided reading crews with their alphabet soup of labels and rigid instructions. That type of approach made absolutely no sense to me, so I did my homework. I learned that guided reading began as a good idea: breaking classrooms into groups by reading levels didn’t work since poor readers didn’t improve when they were clumped together, so teachers needed a new way to match individual readers, reading levels, and texts. So far, so good. Indeed, as one reading expert told me, providing a space, say 20 to 30 minutes daily, where, as part of the reading diet, a learner experiences clear sailing seems at worst harmless and at best a step toward success.

But this relatively benign approach has turned into an expensive program complete with minatory reading coaches who run around mandating to librarians what kids should be allowed to read. The second problem is that the steroidal guided reading monster is directly at odds with the Common Core.

As literacy expert Timothy Shanahan pointed out in “The Common Core Ate My Baby and Other Urban Legends,” a recent article in Educational Leadership, limiting students to below-frustration texts doesn’t necessarily help them (see, especially, “Legend 4: Teachers Must Teach Students at Frustration Levels”) nor does CC require all kids to tackle weighty tomes far beyond their previous reading ranges. In the early grades, where students are working to become fluent readers, CC doesn’t demand that they read more complex texts. And it’s precisely in that preK-to-2 band that learners may need some reading time where they don’t have to struggle. And that brings us to content.

The key clash between guided reading and CC is that those A-to-Z labels have nothing to do with content—they are about the ease of decoding. Starting in earnest in second grade, CC stresses that knowledge is a key part of literacy. This cuts two ways. Every elementary school librarian knows that a student who’s passionate about a subject isn’t daunted by the text’s difficulty—the multi-syllabic names of dinosaurs being a prime example. Curiosity drives readers on from one record, one wacky fact, one sports stat, one set of rules on how to care for pets, to another—and the text’s length or structure isn’t a formidable barrier. In turn, the Common Core standards emphasize that in order to read a student must identify details that add up to evidence and tap into modes of thinking that add up to argument and point of view. You can’t build those muscles without what librarians used to call “stretch,” or challenging, books.

Whether young people are on a sports team or practice an instrument, whether they play Minecraft or chess, they realize that to be good at something you have to work at it; you have to test your limits. Reading works the same way: you build muscles through confronting and overcoming a challenge, and you’re drawn to that challenge because you have a specific goal. We in library land know of many reading goals that appeal to students—books they want to tackle because they find them engaging, interesting, and exciting. Common Core adds the goal of preparing students for a successful life after school. That is the sort of guided reading that makes sense to me.

The event, which was delayed by a day after 30 inches of snow fell in the area, was selected “because we wanted to focus on teaching and learning,” Principal Donna Page tells School Library Journal.

Kid lit authors/illustrators at Sandy Hook Elementary School pose for a quick photo after a day spent interacting with the kids. Back Row: Alan Katz, Bruce Degen, Tad Hills, Katie Davis, Vincent Kirsch, Bob Shea, Meghan McCarthy. Front Row: Susan Hood, Mike Rex, Tracy Dockray, Marc Tyler Nobleman, Daniel Kirk.

Fairfield-based Susan Hood and Newtown resident Bruce Degan, creator of The Magic School Bus (Scholastic) series, filled in for author/illustrators who had conflicts with the rescheduling.

Planning for the event took shape immediately following the tragedy, when Marc Tyler Nobleman reached out to Isabel Almeida at the United Way of Western Connecticut and offered to organize the group visit as part of the process of returning to normalcy. Nobleman is author of more than 70 books, including Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman (Charlesbridge, 2012).

Normalcy was evident when Tad Hills, Bob Shea, Katie Davis, and Mike Rex visited kindergarteners who welcomed the visitors with smiling faces and the enthusiasm of any 5 year old. “You are a good drawer,” exclaimed one kindergartner, as Bob Shea created various animals from jellybean-shaped figures. “I have a book of yours at home,” said another, when Tad Hills shared the trick of drawing his famous duck from his Duck and Goose (Schwartz & Wade) books.

The only reminders of the December tragedy noticeable by visitors are the many snowflakes sent to the school from around the country, and hand prints on the wall of the lecture center from places like Winchell Elementary School in Kalamazoo, MI, and the Queen Anne’s County HS in Sudlersville, MD.

The class visits were followed by two assemblies to grades 1-3 where the group presented an author/illustrator variety show complete with a guitar and song solo from Daniel Kirk, the creator of the Library Mouse (Abrams) series. Silly poems and songs followed from Alan Katz, author of Take Me Out of the Bathtub (S&S, 2001). Vincent Kirsch brought a toy theater to retell the story of his book The Chandeliers (FSG, 2012).  And Tracy Dockray did a hip-hop reading of Fran Manuskin’s The Tushy Book (Feiwel, 2008), which Dockray illustrated.

Non-fiction then took center stage when Meghan McCarthy demonstrated how she uses You Tube to help with her research on topics such as bubble gum, aliens, and astronauts.

“Anytime we can have authors and illustrators in front of kids is a good thing,” says Yvonne Cech, the school librarian who helped coordinate the day.  “So many of our students are writing and drawing their own stories and it’s inspiring to have these people here.”

The group also visited the other elementary schools in the district and met with teachers.

Together with DreamWorks Pictures and Fox/Newscorp, Participant Media will be funding the efforts with Disney In-Home to create special packaging for the DVDs, which will include an Educator’s Guide for teachers as well as complete lesson plans relating to the significance of Abraham Lincoln’s leadership and the importance of that period in our nation’s history. Disney Educational Productions will handle distribution.

The timing of the announcement coincides with Lincoln’s birthday and the launch of Participant’s new “Stand Tall: Live Like Lincoln” campaign, which will bring the film to eight U.S. towns all named Lincoln, followed in mid-March with screenings at 15 Lincoln high schools across the country in largely underserved communities, according to the company.

Each school hosting a screening will receive new audio-visual equipment to best experience Lincoln and any future films screened at the school, including a 120-inch portable screen, Blu-ray and DVD player, a projector, and new speakers. The screenings will be followed by moderated conversations and distribution of Disney’s educational curricula.

“As more and more people began to see the film, we received letters from teachers asking if it could be available in their classrooms,” director Steven Spielberg says. “We realized that the educational value that Lincoln could have was not only for the adult audiences—who have studied his life in history books—but for the young students in the classroom as well.”

Adds Participant Media CEO  Jim Berk, “Before the film was released, we engaged Penn Schoen Berland to conduct a research study to help inform the focus of our Social Action campaign…Among the findings of the study was that more than half of Americans think it’s important to learn about Lincoln, but two thirds say they know little to nothing about him. While I’m sure that’s changed thanks to the tremendous popularity of the film and all the surrounding attention, it still clearly indicated the need to better educate our students about the 16th President’s accomplishments.”

To further explore the relationships depicted in Lincoln and learn about the film’s production, you can download the free app Lincoln: Discover the Story (David Rubel and Disney Editions, iBooks, Free, Gr 6 Up), which was reviewed in this week’s Touch and Go column.

Back in the classroom, there will be much to discuss, including why the amendment was necessary on the heels of the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), the political maneuvering necessary to secure the amendment’s passage, and the medium’s depiction of the event and the historical figures. To further explore the relationships depicted in Lincoln and learn about the film’s production, download the free app Lincoln: Discover the Story (David Rubel and Disney Editions, iBooks, Free, Gr 6 Up). Your students will be intrigued.

Six chapters delve into topics such as the “Players on the Stage of History,” “The Conflict,” and “The President” discussing the Civil War, those who fought for and against the amendment, Lincoln’s presidency, and more. Incorporated into the text are quotes by Lincoln and his contemporaries, archival images, and other primary source material.Throughout the text are black-and-white period photos, sometimes juxtaposed against shots of similar scenes re-created for the film (in color), and embedded videos offering commentary by Spielberg, the actors, and others who worked on the film.

In the videos, Spielberg speaks to Lincoln’s relevancy today as a “most vivid model of a leader, of leadership,” who advocated for “things that we hold dear today.” Daniel Day-Lewis, who plays the president in the movie, comments on Lincoln’s accessibility—the “ever-open door of the White House.” Other actors discuss their research in preparation for their roles—and their challenges—including  Sally Field who plays Mary Todd Lincoln, Gloria Reuben as Elizabeth Keckley, the “personal modiste” of the First Lady, and  David Strathairn as William H. Seward, Lincoln’s the Secretary of State.

Much notice has been paid to the film’s authenticity. In the chapter, “Bringing History to Life” viewers hear from Rick Carter, the production designer, on scouting sets and props, and Joanna Johnston, the costume designer, who dressed the 140-member cast. Johnston mentions Mary Todd Lincoln’s outfits, many of which were “exact replicas” of those she wore in life….”  (“For the president, clothing was purely a way of keeping out the weather.”) Ben Burtt’s narrative addresses his quest to “research and record historic sounds” and to re-create those he could from the ticking of the portico clock to the off-screen bombardment of a cannonade. Museum officials allowed Burtt to record the sound of Lincoln’s actual watch, heard in the film.

Page turns and video runs are fluid and readers will be guided through this production by a table of contents and discreetly placed icons. The app ends with a film clip and link to the iTunes page to purchase tracks from the motion picture. In all, a production for fans of the president and the film, and, to be sure, something for visual learners.-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal.

For some recently published books for students on Lincoln, see Vicki Reutter’s Whiskers, Dreams, and Grave-Robbing Schemes.

In recognition of the Caldecott Medal’s 75th anniversary, librarians at School Library Journal‘s Leadership Summit shared their favorite winners and discuss beloved picture books that were overlooked for this honor but still stand the test of time.

Fans of Captain Underpants—and of rude, over-the-top humor—are in for a field day: The Adventures of Captain Underpants: The First Epic App (Scholastic; $4.99; Gr 2-6) offers awesome animation and engaging activities. First is the complete Book-O-Rama, here in high resolution and full color. Viewers can read the story or listen to Mike West’s spirited narration with added sound effects and musical accompaniment. Pages aren’t turned per se; a swipe of the screen slides the characters to the next page, or morphs the background into the next setting.

Games, manipulable message boards, and even those flip-o-rama pages found in the books are embedded in appropriate spots. (Readers can choose to engage in these activities or not.) A jump from one page to any other in the text is via a collapsible bar at the bottom of the screen, while a bar at the top allows children to return to the main menu, to select chapters, or to exit to a game. Avatars to help track game progress are easy to create, but with a tap of a button one will be created (and named) for viewers.

Screen shot from The Adventures of Captain Underpants (Pilkey)
©2013 by Dav Pilkey

Activities include hypnotizing Mr. Krupp with the 3-D Hypno-Ring, catching Captain Underpants in the Skate-o-Rama, or slinging underwear at robots and the diabolical Dr. Diaper in an attempt to annihilate them in the Stretch-O-Rama. Beat Box 2000 is a music-making machine; as Captain Underpants flies across the sky, he triggers ka-booms and other, (often uncouth), noises to one of three catchy beats. Users can record their own sounds if they prefer. The games take full advantage of the iPad’s capabilities, requiring the players to tilt and tap their way through various levels using different strategies; plenty of options keep the play fresh.

The app contains “no ads, no social media sharing, no in-app purchasing, no links to outside websites, [and] no location-tracking features.” With access to a full-length story, terrific animation, challenging activities, and loads of irreverent fun, this app will have fans cheering for the 16-year-old “Captain Underpants.”— MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, New York 

Some of these kids have the weight of the world on their shoulders: Rochelle could be the first African-American female master in the history of chess; Alexis could be the first member of his family to go to college; and, at 11 years old, Justus is already a chess wunderkind—and that’s just a few of the remarkable players featured in the film.

School Library Journal caught up with first-time director Katie Dellamaggiore—who lives with her husband in Williamsburg, Brooklyn—for an illuminating chat about her directorial debut, chess, education, filmmaking, and making a difference.

Where did you get the idea to make Brooklyn Castle?
I found the story through an article I read in the New York Times in the spring of 2007. This article was about Shawn Martinez at Edward R. Murrow High School and the article was all about him and how they had the best chess team in the nation.

I also read The Kings of New York by Michael Weinreb. The hook for me was that I was from Brooklyn and I had no idea that we were known for public school chess teams. It didn’t seem like a likely situation. I was wrong of course. [laughs] One small chapter was about I.S. 318. So I talked to Michael and he was the one who suggested that it would be a good documentary: “You should check it out.” And so I did.

As soon as I met these kids, I knew that they would make for amazing characters in a documentary. The chess team was treated almost as athletes. It broke a lot of stereotypes. I was like, “Wow. This story is unexpected in so many ways.” I thought that if I found it unexpected and moving—and I’m from this neighborhood—others would, too.

When did you begin filming Brooklyn Castle? When did you wrap up?
We started shooting officially in April 2009. Then from there, we decided we would shoot for an entire school year, wrapping in June 2010. We spent two years editing on and off until it premiered in 2012.

Chess Champion Alexis Paredes at Home Photo Courtesy of PDA

Given how much time you were able to observe these kids, why do you think the chess players of I.S. 318 are so successful?
I think it’s a couple of things that make them so successful. A combination of really dedicated staff. [Assistant Principal] John [Galvin] and [chess teacher] Elizabeth [Spiegel] are really committed. Elizabeth gets them excited and John figures out ways to make it possible. The culture of the school in general is a really big part of it. The principal [Fred Rubino], who sadly passed away, really built a culture of activity.

I think kids at that age really respond to that. It gets them excited to go to school. And the kids themselves they work really hard. I mean, chess is not one of those skills you’re just born with. You have to put a lot of time and effort into it. These kids are motivated to do well. The parents in the film were so supportive of the kids and I think that is a big part of the equation. There really is no secret.  Elizabeth just has an unparalleled enthusiasm for chess and kids just really respond to teachers like that.

Do you have a favorite memory from filming?
There’s a lot of stuff that didn’t make the film. We traveled with the team a lot and so the kids are on field trips and there’s really funny shots with them doing silly stuff in the hallways, eating cereal from the box. And I remember being like, “Wow, I forgot that this was what it was like in junior high school.” These milestones, like we all had when we were younger.

What was your hardest or most difficult moment?
The most difficult part was editing the movie; we had so much footage. Like 400 hours of footage. It’s hard figuring out how to cut it down. It’s our first film and we thought it was ready much sooner than it actually was. We eventually found the movie, but that was the hardest part: figuring out a way to interweave it all so it’s cohesive.

Chess comes to signify something so much larger than a game in these kids’ lives. What do you think that is?
I think you can replace chess with any kind of positive enriching activity with any kid at that age. It’s an opportunity for these kids. For Patrick to over come his ADHD, for Rochelle to get a scholarship, for Alexis to go to college…it’s about opening up a kid’s world and that’s what chess did. But it doesn’t have to be chess as long as our public schools are giving kids opportunities like that where they can dream beyond their immediate world.

Do you keep in touch with the kids?
Certainly—especially in the last few months because of screenings. We’ve been seeing a lot of one another lately and will continue to. We’re in one another’s’ lives for the long run.

What kind of feedback have you received?
The immediate community here has really embraced the film. The school really embraced the film. We had some fundraisers for them; I think we’ve raised $35,000. That’s direct donations as a result of the film. Nationally, in terms of critical review, it’s crazy. On Rotten Tomatoes, it’s one of the top films in terms of critics; so that’s awesome. It’s not just a Brooklyn story. It’s just nice to know that the film is a universal story. That makes me really happy.

Reacting to the drastic budget cuts his school faces, Galvin says, “If you believe in public education, if you believe in kids, you’ve got to fight for it.” What can people who want to make sure that programs like the chess club at I.S. 318 continue do to help?
On a national level, there’s an organization like the Afterschool Alliance, they’re a partner of ours, and they’re fighting every day. On our website, we have action fights that they’ve shared with us. You can go to take action and see what the latest push is.

In your own community you can get involved as a parent in PTA and local councils.

It’s also about finding resources in other ways. If you’re an adult that has a skill, like chess, you can donate your time. You need to light the fire sometimes.

If people want to donate to the I.S. 318 chess team, you can do that through our website. Pobo has a petition that people can sign. The more we can get the word out about the film, I think the more it energizes people to see the value of programs like this. I think the movie is a great way for schools to be reminded of what their schools are really good at. It’s also nice for people to be reminded that there are really good things happening at public schools.

On February 5, Brooklyn Castle will be available on digital platforms such as iTunes and on-demand video. Communities can request screenings at their local theaters through Tugg.com. Libraries, nonprofits, and schools that are interested in showing the film can find more information on the website or by emailing info@brooklyncastle.com.

Tales of the Heart

BURKS, James. Bird & Squirrel on the Run! illus. by author. Scholastic/Graphix. 2012. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-545-31283-7.
Gr 2-6–Stalked by a ferocious feline, two critters with polar-opposite personalities–carefree Bird and scared-of-everything Squirrel–flee together south toward safety, and their hair-raising, humor-filled, save-each-other’s-skin adventures gradually transform an uneasy alliance into deep-felt friendship. Burks’s graphic novel sparkles with crisp color artwork, quip-cracking dialogue, and plenty of heart.

BUZZEO, Toni. One Cool Friend. illus. by David Small. Dial. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3413-5.
PreS-Gr 3–A “very proper” tuxedo-wearing boy discovers a kindred spirit at the penguin display at the aquarium, pops the critter into his backpack, and goes about making Magellan feel at home, all under the large-size nose of his seemingly oblivious father. A hoot, with perfect comic interplay between the wryly straight-faced storytelling and supple-lined artwork.

CRUMMEL, Susan Stevens & Dorothy Donohue. City Dog, Country Dog. illus. by Dorothy Donohue. Marshall Cavendish. 2004. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-2-223-42222-7; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5538-7.
K-Gr 4–After meeting at art school in France, best pals Henri T. Lapooch and Vincent van Dog must surmount discordant personalities and preferences to find common ground. Filled with clever references to the canine characters’ true-life inspirations (Toulouse-Lautrec and van Gogh), this Aesop-based story blithely blends upbeat text, vibrant collage artwork, and a resounding moral (“Vive la difference!”). Audio version available from Spoken Arts Media.

DICAMILLO, Kate & Alison McGhee. Bink & Gollie. illus. by Tony Fucile. Candlewick. 2010. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3266-3; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5954-7.
Gr 1-3–Two girls–one tiny, tousled, and puckish; the other tall, tidy, and coolly self-possessed; both delightfully quirky and headstrong–embark on three hilarious adventures that showcase their differences while celebrating the special bond they share. Droll dialogue, splattered-with-color cartoons, and perfect comic timing add up to a whole lot of fun. The zany escapades continue in Bink & Gollie, Two for One (Candlewick, 2012). DVD and audio version available from Weston Woods.

ESBAUM, Jill. Tom’s Tweet. illus. by Dan Santat. Knopf. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85171-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-95171-8; ebook $8.99. ISBN 978-0-375-98472-3.
K-Gr 2–Coming across a fallen-out-of-the-nest baby bird, a scruffy stray cat exclaims, “Hello, breakfast,” but “Dadburn it!,” the quivering tot is just too skinny to consume, and “Consarn it!,” too helpless to leave on its own. In this riotous read-aloud, rousing rhymes and rambunctious caricature-style cartoons describe how Tom goes from chompers-ready predator to tweety-cuddling chum.

GORBACHEV, Valeri. How to Be Friends with a Dragon. illus. by author. Albert Whitman. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-3432-8.
PreS-Gr 2–Simon loves everything about dragons, and while listening to his older sister expound upon the basics of befriending these beasts (from “be nice” to wear your seatbelt if he takes you flying), the boy envisions imagination-soaring interactions with a smiling green-scaled companion. Engaging narrative and airy artwork gracefully balance realism with fantasy, humor with gentle affection.

GREY, Mini. The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon. illus. by author. Knopf. 2006. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-375-83691-6.
Gr 1-4–The nursery-rhyme twosome runs away to 1920s New York City, where they find fame as vaudeville stars, turn to crime after going broke, and are tragically separated after an unsuccessful heist. However, true love withstands the vagaries of fate, resulting in a joyful reunion years later. Colorful collages and snappy narrative shine with playful details and invigorating élan.

HOWE, James. Otter and Odder: A Love Story. illus. by Chris Raschka. Candlewick. 2012. RTE $14. ISBN 978-0-7636-4174-0.
Gr 1-3–Gazing into the “round, sweet, glistening eyes” of his soon-to-be dinner, Otter finds himself falling for his food source, Myrtle the fish. Can this star-crossed, cross-species couple overcome wagging tongues and innate predator-prey instincts to find their happy-ever-after ending? The lyrical narrative and childlike artwork convey wise truths about following one’s heart and cherishing love.

KOSTECKI-SHAW, Jenny Sue. Same, Same but Different. illus. by author. Holt/Christy Ottaviano. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8050-8946-2; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4668-1116-4.
K-Gr 2–When pen pals Elliot and Kailash begin to exchange drawings and letters, they discover that even though they live in two different countries–America and India–they have much in common. Jewel-toned mixed-media illustrations dynamically depict details of both worlds, encouraging readers to identify aspects unique to each culture while appreciating the universality of shared interests and affection.

LANGSTAFF, John, retel. Frog Went A-Courtin’. illus by Feodor Rojankovsky. Harcourt. 1955. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-15-230214-6; pap. $7. ISBN 978-0-15-633900-1.
PreS-Gr 4–An amphibian dandy gallantly woos the lovely Mistress Mouse, wedding preparations are made, and the couple celebrates with animal and insect guests until a pouncing cat brings an end to the festivities and prompts an early honeymoon departure. This sprightly retelling of a folk song harmonizes toe-tapping couplets with spellbinding homespun artwork. Audio version available from Weston Woods.

LEAR, Edward. The Owl and the Pussycat. illus. by Jan Brett. Putnam. 1991. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-21925-2; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-698-11367-1.
PreS-Gr 4–Lear’s whimsical poem about two seemingly mismatched lovers unfurls against a lush-hued, lavishly imagined Caribbean setting. Mingling detailed realism with fanciful charm, the sun-shimmering paintings depict the tender courtship between dashing fowl and dainty feline aboard their “pea-green boat,” while another romance–a tale of two tropical fish separated and reunited–plays out beneath the ocean’s surface.

MILLER, Bobbi, retel. Miss Sally Ann and the Panther. illus. by Megan Lloyd. Holiday House. 2012. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-1833-6.
K-Gr 3–When the feted American folk heroine meets a mean-as-tarnation varmint in the woods, a tree-felling, gorge-clawing, Milky Way-curdling brawl ensues, a “conbobberation” that lasts until both combatants prove their mettle, smile at one another, and become “great and glorious friends.” A rip-roaring tall tale with tongue-tingling language and bold-as-brass artwork.

PINKWATER, Daniel. Bear in Love. illus. by Will Hillenbrand. Candlewick. 2012. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-4569-4.
PreS–Someone has been leaving tasty treats for Bear, causing him to sing jubilant songs and to leave his own sweet offerings. Kindness adds to kindness until the two finally meet–it’s a shy bunny–to share their mutual enthusiasm for food, music, and one another. This charmer soars with scrumptious storytelling and sweet-as-pie paintings.

RICHARDSON, Justin & Peter Parnell. And Tango Makes Three. illus. by Henry Cole. S & S. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-6898-7845-9; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-2410-4.
PreS-Gr 3–Two male penguins forge an enduring bond, construct a nest, and start a family by caring for an abandoned egg. Set in New York City’s Central Park Zoo and based on a true story, this tale pairs enchanting sherbet-hued watercolors and fine-tuned text to speak volumes about the importance of tolerance and the power of love.

RUNTON, Andy. Bright Lights and Starry Nights. illus. by author. (Owly & Wormy Series). S & S/Atheneum. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-5775-1; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-5439-2.
K-Gr 3–Two unlikely besties embark on a star-gazing camping trip marked by mishaps that test their verve and their nerve before finally catching sight of an awe-inspiring vista and winning a few new pals. Starring an amiable round-eyed owl and a spunky comma-shaped worm, this wordless sequel to Friends All Aflutter! (Atheneum, 2011) conveys events and emotions with ebullient drenched-in-dusky-hues cartoons and pictograph thought bubbles.

SAUER, Tammi. Nugget & Fang: Friends Forever or Snack Time? illus. by Michael Slack. Houghton Harcourt. Apr. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-85285-0.
PreS-Gr 2–Nugget and Fang are boon companions until Nugget swims off to school and is taught that minnows can’t be buddies with sharks (as per the food chain). They part ways, but when Nugget’s life is endangered, faithful Fang gets the chance to prove his affection. Tongue-in-gill text and buoyant deep-water-hued cartoons send a heartfelt message about friendship.

STEAD, Philip C. A Home for Bird. illus. by author. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-711-1.
PreS-Gr 4–While out foraging for “interesting things,” a toad instead finds a friend (an illustration shows the wooden-looking bird falling off a cuckoo clock on a passing-by pickup). Worried that his pal’s stony silence is symptomatic of homesickness, Vernon takes Bird on a daring quest to locate his abode. Deadpan text and effervescent artwork relate a smile-inducing tale of altruism and empathy. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

STEIG, William. Amos & Boris. illus. by author. Farrar. 1971. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-374-30227-6; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-312-53566-7.
K-Gr 5–While sailing the high seas, a venturesome mouse falls overboard and is rescued by an affable whale. Despite vast disparities in size and stomping grounds, the two mammals forge a friendship that resurfaces years later when Boris ends up in dire need of Amos’s assistance. Lighthearted watercolors and an eloquent narrative create a wise, witty, and wonder-filled tale.

WEEKS, Sarah. Woof: A Love Story. illus. by Holly Berry. HarperCollins/Laura Geringer. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-025007-2.
K-Gr 2–Smitten by a pretty white cat with sparkling green eyes, a dog tries to articulate his feelings to her, but his “woofs” and “grrrs” only send her scampering up a tree…until he digs up a “shiny brass [trom]bone,” trumpets his emotions with passionate gusto, and wins her heart. A read-aloud romp with breezy rhymes and exuberant collage artwork.

WILLEMS, Mo. City Dog, Country Frog. illus. by Jon J. Muth. Hyperion/Disney. 2010. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0300-4.
PreS-Gr 2–On a glorious spring day, a tail-wagging pooch meets a smiling amphibian and amity blossoms. Through the seasons, City Dog returns to frolic and reminisce with his pal. When winter’s visit finds Country Frog no longer there, spring’s return brings the comfort of remembrance and a new companion. Spare text and touched-with-light watercolors create an uplifting ode to friendship.

Easy Readers, Endearing Friendships

BELL, Cece. Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover. illus. by author. Candlewick. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5475-7.
K-Gr 2–When the evening doesn’t go as planned, single-minded Rabbit overreacts, but logical Robot remains unruffled and demonstrates how to roll with the punches, until he runs out of steam and Rabbit comes to the rescue. Funny situations, nuts-and-bolts visual high jinx, and a satisfying meeting-of-minds resolution leave readers rolling with laughter.

HOWE, James. Houndsley and Catina: Plink and Plunk. illus. by Marie-Louise Gay. Candlewick. 2009. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3385-1; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6640-8.
K-Gr 2–Though best friends, a floppy-eared dog and snowy-furred cat have dissimilar interests–he likes canoeing while she likes bicycling. After a few frustrating outings, they discover that they must help one another overcome fears in order to share these favorite pastimes. Part of a charmingly illustrated and invitingly told series featuring two winsome characters.

LOBEL, Arnold. Frog and Toad Are Friends. illus. by author. HarperCollins. 1970. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-023957-2; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-444020-2; ebook $4.99. ISBN 978-0-06-197410-6.
K-Gr 3–Frog is outgoing and spontaneous while Toad is more staid and set in his ways, but these companions share a tried-and-true friendship filled with heartwarming empathy and a genuine appreciation for one another’s foibles and fortitudes. The first in a series of grin-making adventures, told with accessible language, packed-with-personality artwork, and everlasting child appeal. Audio version available from HarperFestival.

WEEKS, Sarah. Mac and Cheese and the Perfect Plan. illus. by Jane Manning. HarperCollins. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-117082-9; pap. $3.99. ISBN 987-0-06-117084-3.
K-Gr 2–In this second adventure about two feline friends, happy-go-lucky Mac is determined to get curmudgeonly Cheese out of the alley and off to the seashore, but when Cheese’s hemming and hawing causes them to miss the bus, he grudgingly finds a way to placate Mac and make some fun. Rhyme-filled text and comical artwork shine with humor and affection.

WILLEMS, Mo. Let’s Go for a Drive! illus. by author. (Elephant and Piggie Series). Hyperion. 2012. RTE $8.99. ISBN 978-142316482-1.
K-Gr 2–Meticulous-minded Gerald the elephant formulates a plan for the perfect road trip, sending ever-peppy Piggie scrambling to gather supplies. When one small detail (they don’t have a car) derails the undertaking—as well as Gerald–Piggie cheerfully comes up with a new plan. Kinetic cartoons, zesty text, and an unforgettable friendship combine in this laugh-out-loud addition to a never-miss series.

True Tales

BUCKLEY, Carol. Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends. photos by author. Putnam. 2009. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25443-7.
K-Gr 5–After years in the entertainment industry, Tarra retired to Tennessee’s Elephant Sanctuary but never paired off with a pachyderm pal like the other inhabitants. Surprisingly, the role of BFF was filled by a feisty stray dog. Crystal-clear photos and straightforward text describe how the two unlikely but devoted companions romp and play, communicate, and look after one another.

HATKOFF, Isabella, Craig Hatkoff, & Paula Kahumbu. Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship. photos by Peter Greste. Scholastic. 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-82973-1.
K-Gr 5–Stranded on a coral reef by a 2004 tsunami, a baby hippopotamus was rescued, transported to an animal sanctuary in Kenya, and placed in an enclosure occupied by a 130-year-old tortoise. The long-lasting bond that ensued has amazed scientists and inspired many. Engaging close-up images and compelling text relate events with clarity and an emphasis on hope. The story continues in Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship (Scholastic, 2007).

JURMAIN, Susan Tripp. Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the True Story of an American Feud. illus. by Larry Day. Dutton. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-47903-1.
Gr 2-5–As different as “pickles and ice cream,” tall, shy Thomas and short, loquacious John were the best of friends, working together to shape their newly born nation, until a passionate disagreement about presidential powers caused a political and personal rift that only time–and true affection–could overcome. Vivacious text and witty pencil-and-watercolor artwork blend historical detail with winning humor. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

LARSON, Kirby & Mary Nethery. Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival. illus. by Jean Cassels. Walker. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-9754-4; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-9755-1.
K-Gr 3–Left homeless by the devastating storm, a dog and a cat–dubbed Bobbi and Bob Cat for their bobbed tails–wandered the streets of New Orleans for months, surviving only by sticking together, until they were finally rescued by animal shelter volunteers. Simple narrative and soft-toned realistic paintings tell a stirring tale of companionship. DVD available from Nutmeg Media.

THIMMESH, Catherine. Friends. Houghton Harcourt. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-39010-9; ebook $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-76921-9.
K-Gr 2–Strikingly photographed instances of remarkable animal amity–an elderly orangutan cuddling with a cat, a lion cub and piglet snuggled up and snoozing, a polar bear romping with a sled dog–are paired with simple rhyming verses that elucidate the wonders of friendship (prose paragraphs provide background information). This audience-grabber will inspire discussion along with “oohs” and “awws.”

It might be a shove in the hallway, a verbal taunt during lunch, an individual being cruelly excluded or ignored, or an offensive text message. Bullying continues to be an emotionally, physically, and psychologically devastating problem for children and teens, and an important issue for parents and school staff, particularly at the middle school level.

The Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2011, a report published by the National Center for Education Statistics, states that in 2009, 39 percent of sixth graders reported being bullied at school, with the number dropping only slightly for seventh and eighth graders.  A survey from the Cyberbullying Resarch Center done in 2007 shows that 43 percent of middle-school students polled indicated that they had experienced cyberbullying (an upsetting email, IM, or MySpace posting). Geared toward this age group and including both fiction and nonfiction, these books address the issue of bullying in a variety of ways, providing information, offering the comfort of knowing that others are facing similar challenges, and presenting strategies for surviving. Booktalk them and recommend them to teachers to share with their students to increase awareness and empathy, initiate discussion, and begin to bring about change.

Fiction

Bully. By Patricia Polacco. illus. by author. Putnam. 2012. Trade $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25704-9.

Gr 4-6–Two sixth-graders, both new to their school, become best buddies, but when Lyla is invited into the popular clique, the three girls pressure her to end her friendship with Jamie (“OMG, he is such a blimp”). After they post a spiteful photo on the boy’s Facebook page, Lyla finally has enough and cuts ties, but queen bee Gage has a plan for revenge, and only Jamie can save the day. Polacco pairs an accessible narrative with dynamic illustrations to depict a realistic middle-school milieu. Read this picture book aloud to launch conversation about the harmful effects of cyberbullying.

The Bully Book. By Eric Kahn Gale. HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Trade $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-22511-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-212515-6.

Gr 5-7–Average-guy Eric Haskins suddenly finds himself the target of an elaborate bullying scheme that eventually encompasses his entire sixth-grade class and turns even long-time friends against him. Desperate to discover why he has been singled out as “the Grunt,” he becomes obsessed with tracking down a book rumored to have the answers. Eric’s journal entries candidly reveal the emotional fall-out of being victimized while his efforts to solve the mystery propel the action forward. Pages from “The Bully Book,” a ruthless kid-written manual on how to rule the school, add a chilling glimpse into a bully’s mindset and methods. Eric will win over readers with his resiliency, and what he ultimately learns–about himself and others–is empowering. Harrowing, riveting, and compellingly discussable.

Bystander. By James Preller. Feiwel and Friends. 2009. Trade $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-37906-3; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-312-54796-7; eBook $7.99. ISBN 9781429954969.

Gr 6-9–The new kid in school, seventh-grader Eric Hayes is relieved when a popular and charismatic classmate strikes up a friendship, and at first looks the other way when Griffin bullies another boy. Gradually realizing that his silence makes him an accomplice, Eric summons the courage to take a stand, only to become the next victim. Combining well-developed characters with a keen understanding of the middle-school social strata, Preller makes Eric’s experiences painfully real and thoroughly believable.

Hokey Pokey. By Jerry Spinelli. Knopf. 2013. Trade $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-83198-0; Library Edition $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-93198-7; eBook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97570-6.

Gr 5-7–This mesmerizing coming-of-age tale is set in a daydreamy world in which kids do as they please and adults are nowhere to be found. Jack, looked up to by all from the tiniest Snotsippers to the top-of-the-heap Big Kids, awakens one morning and just knows that something’s different. He spends one last epic day revisiting his favorite places and pastimes, redefining relationships, putting a bully in his place, and preparing to bid farewell to Hokey Pokey. Inventive, insightful, and bedazzling, this novel presents a potent look at how kids interact with one another, mature, and change.

Slob. By Ellen Potter. Philomel. 2009. Trade $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24705-7; ebook $13.99. ISBN 9781101050811.

Gr 6-8–Overweight and genius-smart, seventh-grader Owen is the bully magnet at his progressive New York City school, taunted by classmates, persecuted by a sadistic P.E. teacher, and now the victim of a lunch-sack Oreo thief. Not only is he determined to catch the cookie snatcher, but he’s also hard at work inventing a TV time-machine that will re-play the details of the tragic day his parents were murdered two years earlier. As events unfold and mysteries are slowly solved, Owen learns things about himself–and the bully he most fears–that will change his life forever. Wise and witty, Owen’s first-person narrative is packed with heartache and humor.

The Truth about Truman School. By Dori Hillestad Bulter. Albert Whitman. 2008. Trade $15.99.  ISBN 978-0-8075-8095-0; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-8096-7.

Gr 5-8–Feeling that the content of the school newspaper is being censored by the faculty advisor, eighth-grader Zebby Bower and her friend Amr Nasir launch an underground website and invite submissions, hoping to provide a forum where students can discuss the truth about their school. However, when a popular girl becomes the target of malicious anonymous posts, things escalate out of control. Accessibly told in the alternating voices of the parties involved, this fast-paced expose takes a timely look at the insidious nature of cyberbullying.

Warp Speed. By Lisa Yee. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. 2011. Trade $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-12276-4.

Gr 5-9–Self-admitted sci-fi nerd and AV Club “geekazoid” Marley Sandelski spends much of seventh grade either ignored by the popular group or dogged by punch-throwing homework-grabbing goons. However, when his ability to outrun bullies catches the eye of the track coach, and he actually wins a race, his new and unexpected position at the top of the social heap leads to revelations about himself and his number-one tormentor. Told with plenty of humor (and entertaining Star Trek references), this fast-moving tale features true-life situations and characters and sends a powerful message about empathy.

Nonfiction

Girls against Girls: Why We Are Mean to Each Other and How We Can Change. By Bonnie Burton.  Zest. 2011. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-970173-6-0.

Gr 6-10—Fast-reading chapters outline the reasons behind mean-girl behaviors, describe different types of “relational aggression” (malicious gossiping, social shunning, verbal abuse, etc.), provide easy-to-implement strategies for coping, and offer empowering methods to break the cycle of meanness and bring about change. Written in a chatty and encouraging tone, the well-researched text addresses readers directly and presents a plethora of useful tips, important resources, and positive solutions.

Teen Cyberbullying Investigated: Where Do Your Rights End and Consequences Begin? By Tom Jacobs. Free Spirit. 2010. pap. $15.99. ISBN 978-1-57542-339-5.

Gr 7 Up—From creating a website containing personal attacks on school faculty, to posting fake profiles online, to using a cell phone to send nude photos, Judge Jacobs introduces landmark court cases involving tweens and teens engaged in cyberbullying. Accessibly written chapters present the facts, provide perspective on both victims and perpetrators, and prompt kids to think about how they would decide the case. Real-world experiences and consequences are clearly delineated, making readers aware of their rights and ascertaining why it’s never been more important “to think before you click.”

We Want You to Know: Kids Talk about Bullying. By Deborah Ellis. Coteau. 2010. Trade $21.95. ISBN 978-1-55050-417-0; pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-15-5050-4637.

Gr 5-9—Ellis presents interviews with young people between the ages of 9 and 19 who talk candidly about their experiences as victims, perpetrators, and bystanders. The straightforward first-person narratives tell it like it is, often shockingly, and the accounts are intimate, eye-opening, and surprisingly hope-filled. Black-and-white photos put faces to names, and “What Do You Think?” questions follow each piece. Additional quotes from kids around the world demonstrate the global nature of this issue. An excellent choice for group discussion.

Drawing from Mei Li.

Of course, this year is even more special. As the Caldecott Medal turns 75, the party is even bigger, and it will keep going until the awards celebration at ALA annual in Chicago in late June. It’s wonderful, and, because of the enduring value of the Caldecott award, it’s not just recreational. This award matters, bringing a broad readership to the winning books and keeping them in print for years to come. It’s also not just recreational because evaluations like these are at the heart of what librarians do every day as they choose materials for their collections.

Of course, this award is not without controversy—what award is? Among the issues is that the Caldecott is decided by committee, leading some to think the best books get left aside in the search for the ones everyone will agree on, and some of the choices don’t hold up over time. But the highly controlled judging process itself is key, and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) continues to protect the integrity of the librarian judges and the privacy of the proceedings. (For the rules, see the Caldecott Medal Manual.) Getting to a decision requires artful mastery.

There will always be books that didn’t win the Caldecott that many argue should have. That is part of the fun. SLJ contributing editor Rocco Staino is collecting librarians’ picks of what’s gotten missed over the years in a series of video interviews we’ll post on SLJ.com in the months to come. There are also deeper reflections on the early award winners in a series of articles from
The Horn Book, rich discussion coming from bloggers, and much more in the pipeline.

I look forward to more conversation on where picture books fit into the lives of our kids. SLJ’s Trevelyn Jones, for one, hopes they’ll be better used to help kids appreciate and talk about art, even long past what’s considered to be the standard picture-book audience ages and on into the seventh and eighth grades. As a parent, I keep tapping the Caldecott winners and honor books as I read to my children, reaching for works that will enrich their language and their sense of what the world looks like and those that will spark their imaginations or transport them. I am delighted, for instance, by the pull of 1988 winner Owl Moon (illustrated by John Schoenherr, text by Jane Yolen) in the heat of the summer.

I had a special encounter with one Caldecott winner, Thomas Handforth’s Mei Li, when I visited Lisa Von Drasek, formerly at Bank Street, now the curator of the University of Minnesota’s Children’s Literature Research Collections in Minneapolis. Von Drasek showed me just a few of the choice pieces of art in the collection, including draft drawings of Caldecott-free Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, and one from Mei Li (pictured). Mei Li, the winner of the second Caldecott Medal in 1939, was in the process of being digitized so it can be accessed more often for research.

It’s delightful that librarians made Mei Li a winner and now a librarian is preserving the art for the future. That’s the kind of difference librarians can make.

Rebecca T. Miller
Editor-in-Chief
rmiller@mediasourceinc.com

Illustration by Aurélia Fronty from
I Have the Right to Be a Child (Serres), Groundwood.

Stories connect people who live in different places, during different times, or who have different interests. Books tell stories in words, pictures, or both all the world over.

The titles on the 2013 Outstanding International Books List will remind readers that heroism can look different in different places, but that its essence is the same regardless of where you live. These stories show us that being different is sometimes painful but may be a cause for celebration; that looking closely at the past helps children understand their current lives a bit better. These books also remind us that laughter is potent around the world. Readers will find books from France, India, Norway, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia, and more.

All of the titles originated or were first published in a country other than the United States and were subsequently published or distributed in the U.S. These books not only represent the best in children’s literature from around the globe, but also introduce American readers to other perspectives. Their originality and appeal, and the quality of the presentations make them outstanding choices for most collections.

Kindergarten–Grade 2

COAT, Janik. Hippopposites. illus. by author. Abrams/Appleseed. BD $14.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0151-1. France.
Each spread introduces both predictable and surprising contrasting concepts with a hint of humor as a hippo is the focus; an unexpected tactile experience is also added. Bold colors and shapes bring fresh thinking about the world of opposites.

DALY, Niki. The Herd Boy. illus. by author. Eerdmans. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-8028-5417-9. UK.
Muted shades of green and brown with occasional oranges and reds reflect the South African world of young Malusi, the good shepherd who takes his grandfather’s herd of goats from the kraal to pasture, protecting them while dreaming of one day becoming president of his country.

DAVIES, Nicola. Just Ducks! illus. by Salvatore Rubbino. Candlewick. RTE $15.95 ISBN 978-0-7636-5936-3. UK.
“Quack-quuuack” begins this story of a young girl’s daylong observations of mallard ducks–with information points about them juxtaposed throughout fluid mixed-media illustrations–until she imagines the next morning’s cacophony of quacking.

DUBUC, Marianne. Animal Masquerade. illus. by author. Kids Can. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-782-2. Canada.
More than three dozen animals accept an invitation to a masquerade party. As each guest arrives, they are portrayed individually in their cleverly designed costumes, which suggest the next arrival. Childlike illustrations will have readers guessing who will show up next.

GRAHAM, Bob. A Bus Called Heaven. illus. by author. Candlewick. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5893-9. Australia.
Young Stella discovers an abandoned bus with a sign that says “Heaven” and with the help of neighbors transforms it into a vibrant community center. Droll watercolor and ink illustrations enlarge the celebration of diversity and neighborliness.

HOVLAND, Henrik. John Jensen Feels Different. tr. from Norwegian by Don Dartlett. illus. by Torill Kove. Eerdmans. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-8028-5399-8. Norway.
John Jensen is not sure why he feels out of place, perhaps because he is an alligator in a world of humans, but his elephant doctor helps him celebrate his differences. Told with a light touch and expressive illustrations, this book might help readers rethink dissimilarities.

KRISHNASWAMI, Uma. Out of the Way! Out of the Way! illus. by Uma Krishnaswamy. Groundwood. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-130-4. India.
The lively text chronicles the changes over the years as a village path becomes a busy city road. In the middle of the path a tiny sapling grows into a giant tree that nurtures the people who gather under it. The colorful folk art captures the diversity of life in India.

MACLEAR, Kyo. Virginia Wolf. illus. by Isabelle Arsenault. Kids Can. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-649-8. Canada.
When Virginia is feeling particularly glum and wolfish, her sister Vanessa resorts to painting the imaginative garden Virginia describes as Bloomsberry. Digitally assembled art conveys the emotional swings and love the girls feel toward each other; loosely inspired by the lives of writer Virginia Woolf and her sister, Vanessa Bell.

MACKINTOSH, David. The Frank Show. illus. by author. Abrams. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0393-5. UK.
Grandpa Frank is uninteresting to his grandson, until Frank becomes the center of attention at a school show-and-tell telling tales of leading an army and his tattoo. Frank and his grandson are alternately depicted in gray and colorful images, to signal distance and acceptance.

MILLARD, Glenda. Isabella’s Garden. illus. by Rebecca Cool. Candlewick. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6016-1. Australia.
Explore the seasonal growth cycle of a garden with lyrical language, rhythm, and rhyme in a cadence reminiscent of “This Is the House That Jack Built.” Each page is energized with mixed-media folk art in bright colors and a touch of Picasso-like children’s faces.

ROGERS, Gregory. The Hero of Little Street. illus. by author. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-59643-729-6. Australia.
A young boy dodges some bullies by entering the National Art Gallery. When a dog escapes from inside a van Eyck painting, the boy follows the pup into the 17th century through another canvas. Their adventure is told in lively, wordless cartoon style.

SCOTT, Nathan Kumar, retel. The Great Race. illus. by Jagdish Chitara. Tara Books. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-9-3803-4015-9. India.
This Indonesian trickster tale of an overly confident mouse deer who challenges fellow jungle creatures to a race has highly stylized illustrations and a surprise but satisfying ending. The back matter provides information and photographs explaining the traditional art from the state of Gujarat in India.

SERRES, Alain. I Have the Right to Be a Child. tr. from French by Helen Mixter. illus. by Aurélia Fronty. Groundwood. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-5549-8149-6. France.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child’s code of rights for children is explored in stunning naïf acrylic illustrations and easy-to-read text. The child narrator’s voice, clear and straightforward, brings this important document to life for the youngest reader.

SIF, Birgitta. Oliver. illus. by author. Candlewick. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7636-6247-9. UK.
Oliver, a bespectacled loner, is happy playing alone or with his puppets. Quirky illustrations in muted browns and greens, with a mouse and future buddy, Olivia, hidden in most spreads, invite multiple readings.

TOLMAN, Marije & Ronald Tolman. The Island. illus. by authors. Lemniscaat. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-9359-5419-4. Netherlands.
Luminescent wordless spreads depict a questing bear setting out, swimming from one extravagant island to another, meeting and traveling with a variety of animal friends until finally finding a violin-playing soul mate.

Grades 3–5

HARTNETT, Sonya. Sadie and Ratz. illus. by Ann James. Candlewick. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5315-6. Australia.
Young Hannah calls one of her hands Sadie and the other Ratz. Brief chapters and black line drawings reveal Hannah and her hands’ mischief, especially when they behave badly with her brother. The unexpected conclusion is humorous and satisfying.

I SAW A PEACOCK WITH A FIERY TALE. illus. by Ramsingh Urveti. Tara Books. Tr $18.50. ISBN 978-9-38034-014-2. India.
A 17th-century English poem is given new life with multiple meanings through brilliant illustrations and graphic design. Die cuts on each page carry viewers forward and encourage predictions as black-and-white textured drawings offer different perspectives that engage readers.

IBBOTSON, Eva. One Dog and His Boy. Scholastic. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-35196-6. UK.
In this riveting survival adventure, a boy, his beloved dog, and an endearing cast of homeless animals journey across England to find safe homes. The exciting tale is full of slapstick humor, hair-raising chases, and a satisfying conclusion.

LAIRD, Elizabeth, retel. Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings. illus. by Shirin Adl. Frances Lincoln. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-1-84780-253-8. UK.
A retelling of the classic 10th-century epic poem written over a period of 30 years by the poet Ferdowsi, with its legendary heroes, kings, warriors, demons, and princesses, is made accessible to children in this beautifully designed and illustrated book.

LANTHIER, Jennifer. The Stamp Collector. illus. by François Thisdale. Fitzhenry & Whiteside. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-55455-218-4. Canada.
Inspired by two Chinese writers, a young prisoner and a guard transcend their circumstances and form a friendship. Inspired by foreign stamps on letters received by the prisoner, they hope for freedom and discover the strength of their stories.

MCKAY, Hilary. Lulu and the Duck in the Park. illus. by Priscilla Lamont. Albert Whitman. Tr $13.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-4808-0. UK.
Lulu sneaks an abandoned duck egg into class knowing her teacher has a strict rule against animals. When the egg begins to hatch, Lulu worries about the consequences. This is a gentle school story generously illustrated, adding to the drama and humor.

MORPURGO, Michael. Shadow. Feiwel & Friends. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-60659-6. UK.
A man and his mother escape the Taliban in Afghanistan and seek asylum in England but are arrested. While awaiting deportation, Aman’s friend Matt, Matt’s grandfather, and a courageous spaniel, Shadow, work together to rescue them. This story provides hope for civilians entangled in the complexities and horrors of war.

ROSEN, Michael. Bananas in My Ears: A Collection of Nonsense Stories, Poems, Riddles, and Rhymes. illus. by Quentin Blake. Candlewick. RTE $15.95. ISBN 978-0-7636-6248-6. UK.
Hilarious bits of nonsense about siblings Nat and Anna are divided into sections: Breakfast, Seaside, Doctor, and Bedtime and enhanced by comical illustrations. Children will enjoy getting to know the author and illustrator, both former British Children’s Laureates.

THEMERSON, Stefan. The Table that Ran Away to the Woods. tr. from Polish. illus. by Franciszka Themerson. Tate. Tr $10.95. ISBN 978-1-84976-057-7. Poland.
Textured images complement the rhymed and fluidly placed verse about a writing table that escapes and returns to the woods where it takes root. A note explains the historical background of the fable, originally written in Polish and published in Paris.

VAN LEEUWEN, Joke. Eep! tr. from Dutch by Bill Nagelkerke. illus. by author. Gecko. pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-877579-07-3. Netherlands.
A birdwatcher and his wife raise an abandoned child who has wings instead of arms. When the bird-child flies off without saying good-bye, the couple search for her and meet other people who have been touched by this unusual creature. Black-and-white drawings add to the book’s charm.

VOAKE, Steve. Hooey Higgins and the Shark. illus. by Emma Dodson. Candlewick. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5782-6. UK.
What better way to earn money than to capture a shark using ketchup. Or display the world’s biggest sea urchin masquerading as a World War II mine. Hilarious happenings augmented with exaggerated drawings seem to be the realm of Hooey and his best friend, Twig.

Grades 6–8

ABIRACHED, Zeina. A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return. tr. from French by Edward Gauvin. illus. by author. Lerner/Graphic Universe. PLB $29.27. ISBN 978-0-7613-8568-4. France.
Set in an apartment foyer during the civil war in Lebanon, this story follows Zeini and her brother, who are supported by their neighbors, while they wait for their parents to return home. The black-and-white graphic setting subtly explores the universal effect of conflict, especially on children.

CHADDA, Sarwat. Savage Fortress. Scholastic/Arthur Levine. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-38516-9. UK.
When Londoner Ash and his younger sister vacation in India, a powerful, magical gold arrowhead causes them to become involved with demons battling to take over the world. This action-packed adventure novel is woven together with rich Hindu mythology and ancient history.

DE GRAAF, Anne. Son of a Gun. tr from Dutch. Eerdmans. pap. $8. ISBN 978-0-8028-5406-3. Netherlands.
In alternating voices, siblings Nopi and Lucky tell their harrowing stories of abduction and enslavement as child soldiers in Liberia’s civil war. Supported by back matter including artwork and writings of former child soldiers, this fast-paced novel holds fast to children’s point of view.

DOYLE, Roddy. Greyhound of a Girl. Abrams/Amulet. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4197-0168-9. UK.
This unusual ghost story involves four generations of women in one family who come together to take a dramatic midnight journey into their past. The distinctive writing with its lilt of Irish dialogue lends authenticity to this haunting family story.

ELLIS, Deborah. My Name Is Parvana. Groundwood. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-297-4. Canada.
In the last book from “The Breadwinner” series, Parvana, now 15, is helping in a school for girls in Afghanistan. Her fate is revealed as she is imprisoned and interrogated at a Coalition military base. This compelling story provides insight into personal loss during conflicts.

GLEITZMAN, Morris. Now. Holt. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-9378-0. Australia.
Felix, now 80, is caring for his granddaughter Zelda. She, coping with abandonment and bullying, and he, trying to come to terms with his past, must together face a modern holocaust. A satisfying conclusion to Felix’s story started in Once and continued in Then (though this title stands alone).

SERRANO, Francisco. La Malinche: The Princess Who Helped Cortés Conquer the Aztec Empire. tr. from Spanish by Susan Ouriou. illus. by Pablo Serrano. Groundwood. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-111-3. Canada.
Hernán Cortés gained an advantage during his conquest of the Aztecs when an indigenous slave woman became his translator and ally. What is known of this controversial woman who played a pivotal role is presented in brief chapters with culturally reflective illustrations.

TANAKA, Shelley. Nobody Knows. photos by Hirokazu Kore-eda & Kawauchi Rinko. Groundwood. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-140-3. Canada.
Twelve-year-old Akira must care for his three siblings after they are abandoned by their mother. Invisible to the people around them, forced to exist on the edge of society, they have only one another to turn to for support and hope when tragedy strikes. Illustrated with stills from the film.

Grades 9–12

ELLIS, Deborah. Kids of Kabul: Living Bravely Through a Never-Ending War., Groundwood. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-55498-181-6. Canada.
This informational book includes interviews and photos of Afghan youth since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, a country continually at war. The stories told to the author show how these people have survived with courage and hope even when living with violence and oppression.

MASTER, Irfan. A Beautiful Lie. Albert Whitman. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-0597-7. UK.
Set against the backdrop of the partition of India in 1947, 13-year-old Bilal lies to his dying father, an ardent supporter of a united India, about the impending separation. In spite of the time’s violence, Bilal’s affection for his father and his supportive community are uplifting.

WEIN, Elizabeth. Code Name Verity. Hyperion/Disney. RTE $ 16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-5219-4. UK.
War and espionage, friendship and loyalty are explored in this story of Julie, fighting for her life after being captured by the Nazis, and Maddie, trying to find and save her. Their final meeting tests the verisimilitude and depth of trust and loyalty and love.

Members of the 2013 USBBY Outstanding International Books Committee: Maria Salvadore (Chair), Washington, DC; Marilyn Carpenter, Spokane, WA; Peg Ciszek, Northbrook, IL; Brenda L. Dales, Oxford, OH: Margaret Pyterek, Glenview, IL; Robin L. Smith, Nashville, TN; Martha Walke, South Strafford, VT; Caroline Ward, Cos Cob, CT; Deborah Wooten, Knoxville.

Acclaimed storyteller, folklorist and author Diane Wolkstein died on January 31 following emergency heart surgery while traveling in Taiwan. She was 70.

Both Wolkstein’s storytelling and printed works delved into the culture and mythology of many countries, and she often traveled to a country and spent time there when conducting her research. She was in Taiwan last month working on her most recent project, the epic Chinese story of the Monkey King.

Wolkstein wrote more than 20 books, including The Magic Orange Tree and Other Haitian Folktales (Random House, 1978), Oom Razoon (HarperCollins, 1991), and The Red Lion (Crowell, 1977), all of which were named ALA Notable Books.

Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth (HarperCollins, 1983), which she co-authored with Samuel Noah Kramer, is considered a classic retelling of the great Sumerian epic.

However, though praised as an author, it was Wolkstein’s talent as a storyteller that won her international fame, and many credit her for reviving interest in the art of storytelling fairly early in her career. “The meaning of life is in stories,” she once said. “It is the way I understand life and it is the way I often connect to people.”

In 1967, she was named the New York City Storyteller in recognition of the storytelling events she staged in the parks around the city. In 1972, she began the first graduate storytelling program in the country at Bank Street College.  She was also instrumental in establishing a summer Saturday morning tradition where stories are told at the base of the Hans Christian Andersen statue in Central Park.  Well versed in the Danish storyteller, she authored an article for School Library Journal, “The Finest Quality Dirt,” in 2005 in honor of Andersen’s 200th birthday. During the 2012 season, she performed at the park four times.

A founding member of both America’s National Storytelling Conference and the Storytelling Center of New York City, she was recognized in 2007 when New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg named June 22 of that year “Diane Wolkstein Day” in honor of her 40 years of storytelling for the people of NYC.

Wolkstein also taught mythology at New York University for 18 years, hosted the Stories from Many Lands program on NYC public radio for 13 years, and taught the art of storytelling through her many classes, workshops, and conferences.

“She has been a storytelling idol to me and was an inspiration to become one myself as a children’s librarian,” Gretchen Casseroti, assistant director for public services at Darien Library, CT, tells SLJ. “Her gift of bringing the world’s stories to children will be missed.”

Wolkstein was born on November 11, 1942, in New Jersey. She received degrees from Smith College and Bank Street College. She is survived by her daughter, Rachel Zucker, three grandsons, and her mother Ruth, a librarian. A memorial celebrating her life will be planned for later this year.

BiblioBoard. BiblioLabs LLC. Version 2.0.1. 2012. iOS, requires 5.0 or later. Free. $9.99 to $15.99 for individual anthologies. 

Gr 10 Up–As first glance, the Biblioboard app is equal parts inspiring and overwhelming. It offers more than 100 anthologies, and, within each curation, access to free content.

The 60-plus volumes in Brontë Sisters: A Historical Collection provides selections under “Novels,” “Poetry,” “Biographical Works,” “Critical Essays,” and “Images.” It affords a rare glimpse into the sisters’ lives through traditional biographies as well as a series of well-organized letters to and from Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, their father, and friends. Readers can also examine portraits of the women, their home, and a reproduction of each sister’s pen name signature, all of which are likely to ignite a discussion of a woman’s place in the literary world of the 19th century. It would be difficult to find a more complete anthology of the Brontës’s work in one place with such a small footprint.

John Keats: A Historical Collection presents such telling works as A Day with Keats, by his contemporary May Clarissa Gillington Byron. There are also romantic gems such as Keats’s Letters to Fanny Brawne, written to his fiancée from Rome before the English poet succumbed to tuberculosis at age 25.

Keats’s poems are represented as is his correspondence. Completing the anthology, which totals more than 70 volumes, are “Memoirs,” “Critical Essays,” “Souvenirs,” and “Images.” Viewing pages of the original editions of the poet’s work evokes the romanticism these verses warrant, while the color illustrations add a dimension and context not often found in other resources.

On the topic of Socrates: Father of Western Philosophy, there are a number of biographical and contextual essays that offer a look at the philosopher’s daily interactions and the era in which he lived. Scholarly revelations about Socrates’s influence on the writings of Plato, Xenophon, and Aristophanes are also presented. The depth and language of these works makes them most suited for advanced placement or college students, but items such as the reproduction of a papyrus Fragment of a Third Century Copy of Plato’s ‘Republic’ provides relevance for any reader.

While some may value these collections as primary source material or historical artifacts, there is much here for students of literature and philosophy to peruse. They’re sure to find something that speaks to them.—Danielle Farinacci, Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, San Francisco, CA

Pyramids 3D: Wonders of the Old Kingdom. Zahi Hawass and Sandro Vannini. Touch Press/ Heritage World Press/ Laboratoriorosso; 2012; Version 1.0.1, iOS, requires 5.1 or later. $13.99.
Gr 6 Up–On opening this app, viewers soar over the Giza Plateau under the bright desert sun while the sounds of birds and the wind are heard in the background. In all, there are nine “Places” to visit at this ancient necropolis from King Khafre’s Tomb to The Great Pyramid. Tapping on the entrance to a monument will bring viewers inside. Once there, they can take a virtual tour of the pyramid or tomb, methodically following arrows and using the floor plan as a guide, or touching the floors and walls to move about independently within the labyrinths. The “Expert Intros” for each location, the only audio provided within this app, are informative, yet all too brief.

A menu at the top of each screen provides an index of sites to explore and “Quick tips” explains how to navigate within the monuments. Illuminated areas signal statues, wall carvings, and drawings that offer additional information. A tap on a picture label provides a description of the work. Throughout the app, scenes offer a “Then and Now” feature allowing users to toggle between the clean lines, vibrant colors, and smooth surfaces that artists imagine these walls and items had millennia ago, and the fading colors and damage wrought by time, and in some cases, vandalism.

An “Objects” option presents viewers with a collection of 40 artifacts, each of which can be enlarged and rotated 360 degrees. The clarity of detail is noteworthy. Particularly stunning is the “Golden Mask of Tutankhamun,” which shines as users tip their iPads to fully appreciate the pairing of ancient artistry and modern technology. Other artifacts include statues and statuettes, a gold-handled knife, and a piece of jewelry. For each item, details (size, material, etc.) and notes are provided.

The accompanying text offers chapters on topics ranging from “A Brief History of Ancient Egypt” to “The Discovery of the Solar Boats.” Fascinating details along with a timeline and numerous images of the site and artifacts are included. A postscript by the author and noted Egyptian archeologist Hawass discusses recent political developments in Egypt, the plans for the Giza Plateau, its protection, and continued excavation.

Both the spectacular photography by Sandro Vannini and superb 3-D imaging will impress viewers, who will undoubtedly wish the app contained a larger collection of images and locations to explore. A splendid production.–Deirdre Reddington, Uniondale High School, Uniondale, NY

Celebrated author Benjamin Alire Sáenz swept the Youth Media Awards on Monday with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (S & S, 2012). The young adult novel about two Mexican-American teen boys whose friendship deepens into romance in 1987 El Paso, Texas, won the Pura Belpré Author Medal, the Stonewall Medal, and a Michael L. Printz Honor. Yet Saénz is just one of the many talented writers of children’s literature with Latino characters and themes. Below is a compilation of tools for locating books and program ideas for not only Spanish-speaking patrons, but for all of those interested in reading more diverse titles. Please list any resources we might have missed in the comments section below.

Book Award Lists

The Pura Belpré Awards are presented to “a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.”

The Tomás Rivera Book Award, established in 1985 by the Texas State University College of Education, honors authors and illustrators who create literature that best depicts the Mexican-American experience.

The Américas Awards Book Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature recognizes works of fiction, poetry, folklore, or non-fiction published in the previous year in English or Spanish in the United States that “authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the U.S.”

Websites

REFORMA is the American Library Association’s affiliate association dedicated to promoting library and information services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking community.

Día de los niños/Día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) is usually celebrated on April 30. Now approaching its 17^th year, it emphasizes the importance of reading and literacy for children of all backgrounds. The website contains reading guides (updated yearly) and resources for creating a “Día” program in your library.

SLJ’s “Libro por Libro” column is written by Tim Wadham, the director of the City of Puyallup Public Library in Washington State, and longtime advocate for awareness of Latino-themed kid lit.

¡Imagínense Libros! Founded by Dr. Jamie C. Naidoo, past chair of the Pura Belpré award, is designed to help librarians, educators, and parents choose high-quality books authentically representing Latino cultures.

¡Colorín Colorado! is a bilingual site for families and educators of English language learners.

CBC Diversity is a Children’s Book Council committee dedicated to “increasing the diversity of voices and experiences contributing to children’s and young adult literature.”

Mamiverse Books is the book division of the website for “Empowering Latina Moms and Families.” It publishes online reviews, author interviews, and timely articles on kid’s literature.

The Latin Baby Book Club was created for families looking for bilingual children’s literature that celebrates Latino culture.

La Bloga is written by Latino(a) authors, novelists, essayists and poets. It concentrates primarily on Hispanic literature of all kinds, and many times features children’s authors.

Publishers That Specialize in Latino-themed Kid Lit

North America:

Groundwood Books is a Canadian publisher of Canadian and American children’s fiction for all ages. Its Tigrillo imprint focuses on Latin American authors.

Lectorum, formerly an imprint of Scholastic, is an online book distributor that has launched a new Spanish-language website for consumers, offering thousands of adult and children’s Spanish-language titles.

Lee & Low Books is an independent children’s book publisher focusing on diversity. Imprints include Bebop Books (for the classroom), Arcoíris (Spanish-language), Children’s Book Press (bilingual), and Tu Books (fantasy, sci-fi, & mystery).

Piñata Books is the children’s imprint of Arte Público Press, the nation’s largest publisher of contemporary literature by U.S. Hispanics.

Cinco Puntos Press is a small, independent publishing company rooted in El Paso, Texas.

Latin America/Spain:

Alfaguara Infantil (Spain) publishes Latin American authors and translations of popular U.S. titles.

Ediciones Ekaré (Venezuela) offers bilingual and Spanish-language titles.

Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico publishes primarily Puerto Rican authors.

Editorial Hotel Papel (Spain) has the Libros para crecer en igualdad series, among others.

Fondo de Cultura Económica (México) produces books for young readers by authors/illustrators from around the world.

Grupo Edebé (Spain) offers books for children and teens in Spanish.

Popular and Award-winning Latino Author/Illustrators
Alma Flor Ada (Dancing Home; Love, Amalia)
Malin Alegría (Estrella’s Quinceañera, “Bordertown” series)

Julia Alvarez (Before We Were Free; Return to Sender; “Tia Lola” series)

Rudolfo Anaya (Bless Me, Ultima)

Jorge Argueta (“Cooking Poem” series)
Monica Brown (Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match; Waiting for the Biblioburro)

Viola Canales (The Tequila Worm)

Veronica Chambers (“Marisol & Magdalena” series; Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa)

Judith Ortiz Cofer (The Meaning of Consuelo; Call Me, Maria)
Raul Cólon (Tómas and the Library Lady; My Name is Gabito)

David Díaz (Martín de Porres; Smoky Night)

Margarita Engle (The Surrender Tree; The Poet Slave of Cuba)

Caridad Ferrer (When Stars Go Blue; Adíos to My Old Life)

Oscar Hijuelos (Dark Dudes)

Guadalupe Garcia McCall (Under the Mesquite; Summer of the Mariposas)

Sonia Manzano (The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano)

Nicholasa Mohr (Nilda; El Bronx Remembered)
Pat Mora (“Día del libro” founder; Doña Flor)

Yuyi Morales (Little Night; Los Gatos Black on Halloween)

Pam Muñoz Ryan (Esperanza Rising; The Dreamer)

Nancy Osa (Cuba 15)

Gary Soto (“Chato” picture book series; Baseball in April)

Matt de la Peña (Ball Don’t Lie; Mexican Whiteboy)

Ashley Hope Perez (What Can’t Wait; The Knife and the Butterfly)

Benjamin Alire Sáenz (Aristotle & Dante; Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood)
René Saldaña Jr. (The Jumping Tree; “Mickey Rangel” mysteries)

Eric Velasquez (Grandma’s Gift, The Skirt)

Professional Development

Serving Latino Communities: A How-to-do-it Manual for Librarians. Carmila Alire & Jacqueline Ayala. 2^nd ed. Neal Schuman.

Serving Latino Teens. Salvador Avila. (Libraries Unlimited).

El Día de Los Niños/El Día de Los Libros: Building Culture of Literacy in Your Community Through Día. Jeanette Larson. ALA.

Celebrating Cuentos: Promoting Latino Children’s Literature and Literacy in Classrooms and Libraries. Jaime Naidoo, ed. Libraries Unlimited.

Early Literacy Programming en Español: Mother Goose on the Loose Programs for Bilingual Learners. Betsy Diamant-Cohen. Neal Schuman.

National Latinos Children’s Literature Conference