Publisher’s Weekly has this article on book sale figures in August.
“Hardcover children’s books were the one bright spot during a month in which other major trade categories faltered.” “Also showing gains were university press hardcover books (up 12.5%) and paperbacks (up 4.3%), religious books (up 25.7%) and professional books (up 7.5%).”

Fall Books for Kids
This article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a list of new books, primarily picture books that are coming out this fall.

The SurLaLune Fairy Tales Site
This site features annotated fairy tales, with histories, similar tales from other cultures and illustrations.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini (0-375-82668-8)
I just finished this and wowza what a book! The first in a trilogy, this epic tale is filled with elves, dwarves, dragons, an evil ruler, people who are not what they seem, and peril at every turn. Though it represents a return to classic fantasy, there is something wonderfully clean about the writing that draws the reader in immediately. The 500 pages melted away and I was saddened when I turned the last page and had to leave the detailed world behind.
Recommend this to any older child or teen who can handle the length and the vivid battle scenes. Boys will enjoy this book, and girls will be impressed by the handful of strong female characters who are pivotal to the plot.
A winner the whole way through! Now just to wait for the next book in the trilogy to be released.

Finding a Middle Earth in Montana
A New York Times article on the teen author of Eragon. I almost to the end of this incredible book. I plan to write a glowing endorsement of it tomorrow or the next day. Incredible writing from a unique kid.

William Steig, Cartoonist And Author, Dies at 95 (washingtonpost.com)
Author of more than 25 books for children, Steig received the Caldecott for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.

Booktrust
This leads to the shortlist for the UK’s version of the Printz Award. And I must say that it includes most of the hottest YA fiction this year.

Guardian Award Article

LISNews.com — Harry Potter goes ‘green’ for next instalment
J. K. Rowling has announced that the next Harry Potter book will be printed on environmentally friendly paper. She is part of a group of authors pledging to use environmentally friendly printing practices for their works.