February 16, 2013

‘Beautiful Creatures’ Film Conjures the Spirit of Book But Purists Beware | Movie Review

Photo credit: John Bramley

Girls with supernatural powers, rumors of demon-worshiping, and of course, romance, are all to be found in “Beautiful Creatures,” the film adaptation of the popular YA paranormal series.

Samsung Sponsors Educational Grant & Scholarship Programs | News Bites

Samsung Scholarship program logo

This week’s News Bites include info on Samsung’s competitions for teachers and students, 2 new picture book imprints, a new conference about kidlit in the digital age.

(Mis)Guided Reading | Consider the Source

Teacher reading at desk with children

Marc Aronson explores the fundamental clash between guided reading and Common Core.

‘Can You Canoe?’ Wins Grammy for Best Children’s Album of the Year | News Bites

Album cover with men in canoe

Move over Carrie Underwood, the Foo Fighters, Kanye West, and make way for the Okee Dokee Brothers—Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing. The group’s latest album, Can You Canoe?, nabbed the coveted 2013 Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album on February 10 at the star-studded awards ceremony held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Snow and Ice: Books for the Elementary Reader

Charley's

For some wintry tales for younger readers, check out the latest picks from the editors at Junior Library Guild.

Serving Truth, Justice, and Tighty Whities | The Captain Goes Digital

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Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants bursts onto the digital scene with full-color illustrations, nifty animation, and activities galore.

New Bites: American Indian Youth Lit, Gryphon, & CBC Awards Announced

Picture book of Native American girl and Christmas Tree

Following 2013 ALA Midwinter, many awards for children’s literature were announced, including the American Indian Youth Lit, Gryphon, and the Children’s Book Committee Awards.

Consider the Source: Why Do We Bother?

Sheet Music

In his latest Consider the Source column, Marc Aronson talks about whether grades really matter, or if classical music is the key to a fulfilling education.

On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: K-8 Books on African Americans Who Inspire

book cover of African American slaves

Since 1976, every U.S. president has designated February as Black History Month. From slavery to civil rights, and science to music, the following books for young readers honor the accomplishments of African Americans.

Consider the Source: Changing on the Fly

Skaters playing hockey

In his latest “Consider the Source” column, Marc Aronson compares recent developments in digital publishing to hockey’s “change on the fly” technique.

New Bites: Cast Your Vote for Free Expression in NCAC’s Teen Film Contest

Youth Free Expression Project

Check out the latest News Bites for information on the National Coalition Against Censorship’s FIlm Contest, books for GLBTQ Youth, and the latest ebook news.

On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: New Releases for Your Nonfiction Shelves

Book cover of girl and boy w/ clothing for diff temperatures

Good nonfiction titles rise to the top as librarians focus their content needs to meet the Common Core State Standards. New releases by our favorite authors and illustrators include an environmental bilingual poem, a picture-book biography, a fact-filled science title, and a narrative account of a bird’s 7,200 mile migration.

SLJ Staff Picks Contenders for “Other” Youth Media Awards

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With the Youth Media Awards just a few days away, School Library Journal editors and contributors took a stab at naming some possible contenders.

News Bites: Take Part in the “Grow Your Own Business Challenge”

secretmill

Check out this week’s News Bites for information on a business-related competition for students and teachers, minigrants offered to teachers and librarians by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, and the latest publishing news.

Librarians Sound Off: Not a Lack of Latino Lit for Kids, but a Lack of Awareness

Spanish-language books by Latin American publishers

Librarians who serve children in predominantly Latino communities were shocked this past December to read a New York Times article claiming that there is a dearth of Latino characters in books written for young readers—a notion that is at odds with their own experiences. In fact, they tell School Library Journal, there is actually a wealth of resources currently available to these kids, and librarians have the power (and the responsibility) to make those meaningful connections.

On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Caldecott Contenders: Star-Studded Choices

chloe

With the announcement of the Caldecott winners less than a week away, Junior Library Guild examines some of 2012′s front-runner picture books.

News Bites: Apply for ALSC Día Mini-Grants by February 1

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Check out this week’s News Bites for the latest information on library grants, writing contest for young adults, and more.

On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Star-Worthy Choices for Possible Award Contenders

seraphina

With the ALA Youth Media Awards just around the corner, Junior Library Guild takes a look at some star-studded titles.

Great Books for Celebrating Martin Luther King Day

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Looking for a way to bring Martin Luther King Day to life? These resources are the perfect way to shed light on King, as well as the Civil Rights Movement as a whole.

News Bites: Apply for Hurricane Sandy Recovery Grants

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This week’s round up of news bites includes recovery grants for libraries in Hurricane Sandy’s aftermath, information on free audiobooks for schools, and more.