East by Edith Pattou (0-15-204563-5)
This book is a retelling of the tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon. It is the story of Rose who agrees to go with a white bear so that her sister can be healed and her family can prosper. The bear has been under an enchantment for 150 years that turned him from a boy into a bear. Rose lives with the bear in a palace that she is not allowed to leave. She is given no information on why she is there. The story is a detailed one that has aspects that entrance the reader. I don’t want to go into too many details here, because the story should be discovered as it progresses in the book.
If anyone is looking for books with strong female protagonists, this would be one to recommend. Rose is strong, faithful and brave. She is a fully formed character that comes alive in the story. The story is told from a variety of points of view, including Rose, the bear, the Troll Queen and Rose’s brother Neddy. This allows the reader to know more than Rose does about her situation, so the reader is not frustrated like Rose about not knowing about the cause and reason of her plight.
I strongly recommend this book for kids willing to tackle the nearly 500 pages. Though it is listed as a young adult book, there is nothing to stop a younger reader from reading it. It is pure adventure that will often have you reading faster and faster to see what happens.
Margie Palatini
Margie Palatini
Website for this author of humorous picture books. She has 4 new ones out now.
Canadian Picture Books
Macleans.ca –Sweet Reads
17 new picture books by Canadian authors selected by boksellers in Canada.
Via [places for writers].
Nancy Werlin
Nancy Werlin
Website for this author of Black Mirror and other suspense novels for teens. Her new book Double Helix has a lot of positive buzz.
Joliet Public Library's New Unattended Child Policy
The Shifted Librarian has a posting on Joliet Public Library’s new strict policy on unattended children.
“Under the policy, teens and pre-teens unaccompanied by a parent must sign in and show their library card or student ID before being allowed into the library.” Those without identification will be allowed to wait in a room with tables and chairs until a parent is contacted and says that they have a reason to be at the library.
I’m sure not sure that that makes much sense. Seems to me that all a kid needs to enter the library then is ID and an excuse. Will that really stop the rowdy kids from coming in? I also know from experience that even the kids there for a reason can be loud. That is part of serving children and teens.
I understand the need to address noise problems, but shouldn’t that be done with policies on noise in the library that are strongly enforced for all ages? It bothers me that this policy targets only specific ages of patrons.
SLJ Best Books of 2003
School Library Journal’s Best Books 2003
As a public librarian in a small library, I don’t get to read the reviews in SLJ the way I used to when I worked in a larger library. So I look forward to lists like this, because SLJ picks different books to highlight than Booklist and other resources. I love to compare the overlap and to discover the new titles.
CCBC 40 Books for November
40 Books about the Seasons
In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the CCBC, these forty recommended titles are listed. There are quite a few on the list that I have never seen, and will have to take a look at.
Get on Board
Get On Board 2003
This is the website for the new Get on Board program where teens can enter an essay contest after reading a book from the library. The grand prize winner will get to meet Tony Hawk!
BWI's Cool Site
Book Wholesalers, Inc.
As well as being one of the top children’s book vendors, BWI’s site offers much more free information than any other vendor in the business. With no registration or any hoops to jump through, you can access their list of monthly top picks, new titles available in paperback, additions to hot series, and staff picks. Have your finger poised on the bookmark button!
Waking Brain Cells 