Industry News

Last month, the Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy's juniors were treated to a talk by Ruta Sepetys, the author of the New York Times bestseller Between Shades of Gray (Philomel, 2011)—and it was engrossing from beginning to end. In fact, we didn't even want to return to class because we were so enthralled by her.

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.

How should librarians, publishers, and authors approach diversity in children’s books? Authors Sofia Quintero and Zetta Elliott and editor Connie Hsu joined a recent panel at the NYPL, moderated by Betsy Bird, to discuss these issues and more.

The Elyria (OH) City School District is losing all of its media specialists for the coming 2013-2014 school year, with school libraries to be run by principals, teachers, and some media techs due to budget cuts totaling $3 million.

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has launched its 2013 Teen Summer Reading Teens ReadingPrograms website, featuring lots of great resources that will make your teen programming a raging success. Funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the site also has information on grants that can help support your summer reading programs. Join now and you’ll get complete access to all the online resources, which will continue to be updated as the summer reading season approaches.

A lucky kindergarten class in midtown Manhattan's PS/IS 111 received a real treat on March 2, otherwise known as Read Across America Day, when Fátima Ptacek, voice of Dora the Explorer, served as a storytime special guest.

Vibrant illustrations, illuminating representations of basic math concepts, and dynamic storytelling add up to offerings that entertain as they educate.

Students are invited to enter the annual National STEM Video Game Challenge, and organizers are hoping school librarians will help mentor and support kids throughout the process.

For many teens, prom night is the biggest night of their high school lives. There are so many things to think about—what to wear, who to ask, and how it’s all going to fit on a budget. Some things (like who’ll make their entrance in a pink Hummer limo or who’ll be elected prom queen andThe Prom Book king) can’t be planned for, but for everything else, there’s The Prom Book: The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need (Zest Books, distributed by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $16.99 paperback; 9781936976287).