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Trilogies. How many of us shudder at the thought? How many of us miss those great standalone novels? A whole story arc in one book – imagine! On the other hand, many readers enjoy knowing that there is more to come. In a student bookgroup meeting last week, as we discussed what to read next, [...]

Looking for fun, creative ways to introduce history to older readers? These picture books for older readers tackle subjects from the American Revolution to immigration.

I don’t know about other librarians, but when it comes to book reviews, I find it easy to get bogged down in the world of the library journals and book blogs by fellow librarians.  So today I decided I wanted to take a look at what the rest of the world is saying about some [...]

Today we look at two examples of the postmodern novel. Postmodernism has gotten a bad rap–almost from the beginning–for being purposefully obscure, denying the existence of meaning, and encouraging moral relativism.  But, while I concede that many postmodern works of art can be infuriatingly vague, for me at least the best postmodern novels (like the [...]

This grand-slam lineup of titles about baseball illustrate why the sport is still America's pastime.

The leader of our Bookmarked review group, Elizabeth Kahn, is always looking for new ways to keep her students engaged and entertained. Elsewhere in this issue of SLJTeen you can read about a recent visit to her library by Ruta Sepetys, author of the award-winning Between Shades of Gray (Philomel, 2011). She also recently wrangled a stop from Cory Doctorow, who is on the road promoting his latest title, Pirate Cinema (Tor Teen, 2012). Her advice on getting authors to visit your school or library? Just ask—the worse they can so is "No," and odds are, eventually you are going to hear "Yes."

We have all fantasized about being transported to magical locations, and on March 8, Disney is giving everyone an excuse to revisit the 1900 novel and 1939 movie The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Oz the Great and Powerful (PG) tornadoes into theaters in traditional, 3D and IMAX 3D formats. Oscar Diggs (James Franco), an unscrupulous two-bit circus magician, is swept away via hot-air balloon to the Land of Oz. Teens can visit the movie website to browse videos and photos, play games, and access downloads. Then hook them in with a display of portal fiction that will not disappoint.

Tackling the subject of refugees from war-ravaged nations who find an outlet in playing soccer, Maria Padian's Out of Nowhere and Warren St. John's Outcasts United: The Story of a Refugee Soccer Team That Changed a Town explore the devastating pasts and impoverished situations of these athletes, as well as the bigotry they encounter in their new homes.

Sometimes a book resonates so strongly with its reviewer that the 250-work limit placed on an official review is simply too constricting. Thank you to AB4T reviewer Carla Riemer for her in-depth look at Tara Conklin’s debut novel, The House Girl. The House Girl is a story of deceptions and the people who benefit from [...]