The New York Public Library presents their favorite Children’s Books 2005. I always love the multicultural aspect of this list. And the fact that it includes books that I have never read and now must try.

VOYA has an article on Islam: A World Religions Resource List for Teens which provides a collection of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that offers insight into Islam.

Wired 13.12: The Neopets Addiction speaks about the craze that is Neopets. Neopets are little computer pets that you raise and care for. The site has 25 million users around the world, so it is definitely something that you want to be aware of. Even better, it is a nonviolent craze!

SLJ has a short article:Gaming, Learning, and Libraries on efforts to get gaming used in libraries.
In a recent library system meeting on Summer Reading programs, I was shocked to be the only one in the room who had even heard of gaming programs in libraries, much less the only one actually doing them. I am now considering installing Civilization and other strategy games on some of our computers, maybe the laptops.
Are you gaming in your library? How do you do it? What games do you play?

NPR : Children’s Fantasy Lit in the Modern World is a full-length program of Talk of the Nation dedicated to discussing children’s fantasy. Neil Gaiman, Christopher Paolini and Tamora Pierce are guests.

The Online Independent has the story that “Snowman” is named top story for Christmas. A survey shows that English children’s favorite Christmas tale is Raymond Briggs’ Snowman. I must say, they have great taste!

VOYA is offering an article, Clueless 2005: Adult Mysteries with Young Adult Appeal, free online. It offers great ideas for school librarians in high schools as well as recommendations for public librarians serving older teens.

Guardian newspaper from the UK reports Poorer children ‘less likely’ to read for pleasure. The study results are fascinating, especially with the report sayiing that researches believe that the enjoyment of reading is central to learning. Yes! You must enjoy reading in order to perfect it and to understand its power. If it is just drudgery, you will never understand the joy and insight that reading offers.

YALSA has created a great list of Narnia Read-A-Likes for teens and tweens. I see so many of my favorite fantasy novels, that this is a wonderful list to share with fantasy lovers in general.