Kids from TV-Watching Families May have Reading Trouble
LISNews reports on an article from the Star-Tribune that states that families that have the TV on most of the time may be increasing the chances that their children will have trouble learning to read.

Lurlene McDaniel
Homepage for this author of teen angst novels. She offers a book list, letter to readers, teacher information and a message board.

Garth Nix Homesite
This site is dedicated to the author of Sabriel and a new seven book series called The Keys to the Kingdom.

Top Books Capture Children’s Hearts
This article presents a vivid look into award winning children’s books by Chinese authors. Some of the top winners are listed along with a synopsis of the storyline. Definitely a look at how different yet similar the youth of different cultures are.

Welcome to Avi’s web site!
Great inspiration for aspiring writers and a glimpse into Avi’s writing techniques and approach.

Eddie Dickens
Site for the Eddie Dickens Trilogy by Philip Ardagh.

Kidsreads
A great site filled with kids lit. It offers sections on children’s series, book reviews, authors, and games.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (076361722-9)
This is a magical story that will catch readers up and send them on an adventure that all takes place within one castle. It is the story of a tiny young mouse who falls in love with a princess named Pea. It is the story of a rat who falls in love with light but lives in darkness. It is the story of Miggery Sow who is never asked what she wants. And it is also the story of soup and thread.
From the opening section of the book, I was caught up in the story, wondering what twist was coming next and what fascinating character would be revealed. This book is completely charming. From its lengthy subtitle to its old-fashioned phrasing, it evokes books of fairy tales. This effect is even taken down to its very binding with a book jacket that looks like leather to rough edged pages.
Definitely worth reading, and one that will sing when read aloud. I would recommend this for reading aloud in elementary school, sharing before bedtime, and of course curling up with the magic alone on your lap. Both boys and girls will enjoy this. A definite gem.

Jim Arnosky’s Wildlife Journal is the official site for this author of the Crinkleroot series. For those familiar with Crinkleroot, it is worth clicking the link just to see the resemblence between the author and the character.