Classroom

Amanda Ripley set off on a year-long “field trip to the smart-kid countries” to see if she could account for the success of the high achieving students around the world. What made these kids smarter than their American peers? The writer reports in 'The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got that Way' (S&S, 2013).

The fall publishing season is in full swing and with it comes a selection of stellar nonfiction to add to library and classroom collections.

Making the reading-writing connection for students in the Common Core era requires models of good literature, a keen understanding of the text craft and structure, and solid skills in writing conventions. This season's crop of writing guides provides students with all of the above.

In addition to reinforcing some of the basics, the concept books highlighted here encourage kids to explore their familiar milieu with a fresh eye, hone observation skills and learn to note details, and begin to organize and categorize information. The stunning visuals and clever use of language exhibited in these offerings will also rouse imaginations and fortify vocabularies.

With a rattle and a roll, award-winning author and artist Brian Floca takes readers on a ride across the country on the Transcontinental Railroad in 'Locomotive,' a September publication from Simon & Schuster.

Authentic learning can only take place in the context of rich curriculum; it's about encountering big ideas, raising and answering questions, and making sense of evidence. Join Mary Ann Cappiello and Myra Zarnowski as they launch their 2013-14 "On Common Core" column focusing on strategies for integrating content, standards, and children's and young adult literature into an inquiry-based curriculum.

As educators, it's essential that we teach our students how to become informed citizens–to examine evidence and argument related to the issues that shape political opinion and decisions. It's as Common Core as it gets.

Tech maven Joyce Valenza and longtime SLJ contributor Joy Fleishhacker share the latest tools and book picks for the back-to-school season. From curated reading lists to useful tech trends and tips, School Library Journalhas gathered the following resources to help your students, patrons, parents (and you) get back in the swing of things.

New baby sisters, substitute teachers, and friends (even if it’s a bowling ball) are frequent themes in short novels for young readers. Favorite authors such as Karen English and Andrea Cheng deliver new titles in popular series, while Neil Gaiman and Mal Peet (who usually write for older readers) provide humor and thought-provoking storytelling for kids who are getting comfortable reading on their own. The following titles selected by the editors of Junior Library Guild are just the ticket.