Sharon Creech has a vibrant website filled with photos, biographical information, her books, and a special section on using her work in a classroom. Creech also has a new book out, Replay, which is on my to-read list.
Month: October 2005
National Book Award Finalists
The National Book Foundation has announced the finalists for the 2005 National Book Awards. The following are the finalists for Young People’s Literature:
Jeanne Birdsall, The Penderwicks (Alfred A. Knopf)
Adele Griffin, Where I Want to Be (Putnam)
Chris Lynch, <em Inexcusable (Atheneum)
Walter Dean Myers, Autobiography of My Dead Brother (HarperTempest)
Deborah Wiles, Each Little Bird That Sings (Harcourt)
Magic School Bus Sleep for the Winter
Magic School Bus Sleeps for the Winter by Eva Moore continues the tradition of the Magic School Bus stories by Joanna Cole. Magic School Bus remains popular with the books at our library continuing to fly off the shelves, the videos continuing to circulate and the PC games staying some of our top titles. I like seeing some easy readers being written, because that is exactly the age of child most into Magic School Bus. This book looks at hibernation with all of the favorite characters returning, Ms. Frizzle, Liz, and all the children. The information conveyed through the story is clear and well presented as always. Though the illustrations lack the punch of the older books, this is still a worthwhile addition to a library collection.
Hi, Fly Guy
Hi, Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold is funny sweet book about what makes a pet and what makes a friend. Done with trademark Tedd Arnold style and warmth, Fly Guy will swoop into your heart. The icky humor in the story will draw boys learning to read, as will the flasy cover. This is a great easy reader to offer to kids, because it manages to flow and avoid the sometimes stilted vocabulary and story of easy readers. Highly recommended.
Embracing the Child
Embracing the Child is a beautiful children’s book site. It has a book of the week, author of the month, book categories, listings of authors and illustrators, award books, lists of books by subject, and much more.
Toni Buzzeo
Toni Buzzeo, author of Dawdle Duckling, has a site with biographical information, curriculum guides, and information on visits.
Holly Black
Holly Black, author of the Spiderwick Chronicles, Tithe, and Valiant, has a very nice website where she has sections on her books and resources to read. She also has an online journal that you can subscribe to via RSS.
Magination Press
The American Psychological Association has Magination Press, where they publish children’s books on special issues like adoption, ADD, depression, disability, divorce, death, emotions, and fears. You can browse by subject, new releases, title, author, and illustrator.
Web English Teacher
Web English Teacher is filled with all sorts of information for English teachers and those of us interested in reading. It has sections on book reports, children’s literature, critical thinking, drama, ESL, grammar, journalism, media, folklore, poetry, literacy, debate, vocabulary, writing, and YA fiction. It also offers a lounge with discussion forums and a free newsletter.
Waking Brain Cells 