Reviews+

The brown bear’s hat is missing, and he almost gives up all hope of ever finding it in the DVD version of I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen.

Nick Podehl masterfully narrates the audio version of Leslie Stella’s Permanent Record, a realistic novel about the effects of bullying on an Iranian-American teenager in Chicago.

Defiant Requiem is a powerful film that presents first-hand accounts by survivors who sang in the Thereseinstadt concentration camp and highlights the efforts of conductor Murry Sidlin to bring the Requiem back to Terezin six decades later with a full orchestra and his chorus. Check out the starred review of this moving DVD.

Ancient civilizations are topics where school studies and kids' interests meet. Two new apps by Kids Discover explore the worlds of Egypt and Greece highlighting stories of mummies and pharaohs, gods and goddesses, and a legendary horse hiding warriors at the gates of Troy.

Set in dystopian Chicago, Veronica Roth’s novel, Divergent, is read in a youthful voice by Emma Galvin. Be sure to check out the starred review of the audiobook.

The annual Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is accepting original works in 28 categories. Terri Soutor, former vice president at Lerner Publishing Group, a sister company to Brain Hive and a key player in the formation of the company, has been named Brain Hive’s president. Storybots founders Gregg and Evan Spiridellis launch Educade, a portal of free, ready to use lesson plans paired with learning tools. The International Reading Association has announced some of the renowned authors speaking at its 59th Annual Conference in May. Krup has announced a teacher's lounge makeover contest.

This month's featured apps include some familiar characters, a story that has seen a number of awe-inspiring incarnations, and a nonfiction title that illuminates science concepts.

Web excerpt On Randolph Caldecott, the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program, and the work of paleoartists

School Library Journal's October issue features a whopping 14 starred DVD and audio reviews ranging from the DVD version of John Rocco's Caldecott Honor picture book, Blackout, to Rita Williams-Garcia's audiobook, P.S. Be Eleven, to the music CD, Bunny on the Moon. Be sure to check out all the starred reviews as well as all the DVD and audio reviews via Book Verdict.