The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E. L. Konigsburg (0689866364)
I listened to this one on tape read by Molly Ringwald, who did a great job. I had heard that this will be a likely nominee for the Newbery and I completely agree.
This book has such depth, the characters are three-dimensional filled with fascinating quirks, and the story is filled with twists and turns that while unexpected make perfect sense once they occur. It is a great book.
Recommend this one to most people. But especially to those kids who are “outcasts.” They will see themselves here as teens and as adults.

Downhomebooks.Com — Lois Lowry interview
A wonderful lengthy interview with Lois Lowry on all of her books, not just the recent Messenger.

A collection of publishers of graphic novels.
CrossGen
Dark Horse Comics
DC Comics
Marvel
TOKYOPOP

Recommended Anime, Manga and Books
Another site from the graphic novel workshop. This site offers two collections. One list of recommended anime and one list of recommended manga, Japanese graphic novels.

Graphic Novels for Public Libraries
I just got back from a workshop on graphic novels and have to post some of the great sites that were recommended, mostly so that I don’t lose the piece of paper they are written on. 🙂
This site offers an extensive list of graphic novels that are perfect for public library collections. It is a great place to start in building a collection.

ThisisLondon
An Australian lecturer says that the Harry Potter books are “Prozac for children” because they show children how to overcome their demons.
Interesting, I think that many books do that. And even more importantly, they get depressed kids out of their own heads and thinking as another person, both echoing their own feelings and demonstrating that their are other ways of approaching and dealing with challenges.
Via Maud Newton: Blog.

Young genius exposes folly of test scores
A nice article on Andrew Clement’s new book The Report Card.
“And it’s refreshing to find a book for young readers that features kids who operate not out of selfishness or rage or despair. Nora is concerned about her friend, she does her best to avoid breaking rules, and she’s respectful of authority.”

DenverPost.com – BOOKS
This article is on new books for teens that push the envelope, but the writer misses the ones that are really getting the buzz going on being controversial. Nonetheless, I think that librarians need to be aware that even the ones that are not being described as controversial can make parents nervous.

SouthBendTribune.com: To be an author… be a reader
A great article about an author visit at a school, mostly great because of the following quote:
“Emily Loucks loves to read and is always on the lookout for new books at the Niles District Library.
Not only did the 8-year-old discover a new book, “Barnyard Song,” but she met the author Wednesday afternoon.
“I’ve never met an author before,” Emily said. “She looks like an ordinary person.””