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The 2009-2010 school year is in full swing, so it’s time to break out the smelling salts and revive a feature that has laid dormant for a few months: On Hold @ the Library. For this month’s list, I looked at holds for the 5th and 6th grade building where I work. Usually I like to take a picture of the actual holds shelf, but since so many of the books hadn’t come back yet, I’ll just run things down list style. What appears below has not been modified or tampered with in any way.
The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn Iggulden.
I was slightly surprised to see that this was still and in-demand book, I thought it was experiencing a bit of “novelty wear-off” syndrome. Now I understand why The Dangerous Book spawned every imaginable spinoff and sequel – kids really dig it.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney.
The least surprising title on the list. Actually, it will be surprising when there isn’t a Diary of a Wimpy Kid title on hold. We have three copies circulating and a growing list of holds.
Do the Math: Secrets, Lies, and Algebra by Wendy Lichtman.
I hadn’t thought too much about this one until I saw it on the list. The story of an 8th grade girl who applies math concepts to her real-life problems has been a winner.
Fire and Ice by Erin Hunter.
The trio of writers that are Erin Hunter have been pretty popular. The Warriors series has been steadily growing in favor with the 5th and 6th grade students I work with.
Ripley’s Believe it or Not! The Remarkable Revealed.
Not a whole lot to say about this. It’s fairly common knowledge that the average library life cycle of the Ripley’s titles follows the same arc: purchase, put on shelf, circulate until destroyed, repeat.
The Sword Thief by Peter Lerangis.
This is the third book in the 39 Clues series, which has officially become huge at my schools. I’ve read the first two installments and I understand the appeal. A fast-paced mystery involving wildest-dreams-caliber riches can draw a crowd.
Wanted! By Caroline B. Cooney.
This one was unexpected, but understandable. Cooney’s books deliver the plot-driven thrills that so many young readers love. Wow – that really just sounded like some blurb on the back of a book. A line has formed for this murder/thriller.
Look for more On Hold @ the Library next month.
Scene: A doctor’s office, early in the morning.
Doctor: Good to see you! How have you been feeling?
Cover Designer: I’ve been a bit stressed lately, Doc. I want to put some foliage on this cover, but it seems kinda played. You know, leaves, flowers – I don’t know if they’re going to stand out. I’ve been wracking my brain about it.
Doctor: Let me give you some advice. Whenever I can’t figure out a diagnosis, you know what I do?
Cover Designer: What?
Doctor: I x-ray it.
Cover Designer: Doc, I think you’ve solved my problem.
The Everafter by Amy Huntley.
If I Love You, Am I Trapped Forever? by M. E. Kerr
Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner.
Side by side by side:
Okay, so maybe they didn’t x-ray the plants on these covers (although I do think that the flowers on the Everafter cover saw the inside of a radiologists office), but they certainly give off a similar vibe.
Do I see a negative-image cover trend taking hold?
(Top Image: ‘Roentgen IV control panel‘
www.flickr.com/photos/16339684@N00/2361897135)
Online School just posted a list of what they feel to be the 100 Best Book Blogs for Kids, Tweens, and Teens. 100 Scope Notes made the list, making me instantly skeptical of the whole operation.
But I was pleasantly surprised. A few notable omissions to be sure (Bookends and Collecting Children’s Books to name a couple), but overall a pretty nice roundup of children’s lit blogs. Do you agree? Click here to read.
Images:
‘one is the loneliest number‘ www.flickr.com/photos/97831130@N00/2179047732
‘paint 0‘ www.flickr.com/photos/81335564@N00/2193391884
‘zero‘ www.flickr.com/photos/71477195@N00/56424649
The concept of the blog Covered is wonderfully simple. Classic comic book covers are given the redo treatment by current artists. Some produce a painstakingly faithful recreation of the classic cover, while some put their own unique and/or grotesque spin on things. The results are (at least by this comic advocate’s estimation) almost uniformly interesting. Click here to take a look.
(Thanks to BoingBoing for the link)
Today is a big day for me. I have the distinct honor of presenting at the Michigan Association for Media in Education (MAME) Annual Conference with Bookends bloggers Cindy Dobrez and Lynn Rutan. I have a prepared statement that I would now like to read:
Welcome MAME conference-goers! If you are looking for children’s lit news and reviews hidden under the guise of cartoons and sweater jokes, you’re among friends. The question is, how do you like you children’s lit information served? If you’re looking for respectability (kidlit sunny side up), I suggest heading to the *Best New Books* and *Recommended* sections. If you’re looking for the opposite of respectability (kidlit Croissan’wich®), I offer you the Toon Reviews and Controversy Report categories.
Thanks for visiting.
Every now and then, NPR covers children’s books. This is part of the reason why NPR is universally loved by librarians. You see CNN covering kids books? Anyway, it’s especially interesting when they interview an author about his/her book. Today is just such a day, as All Things Considered host Melissa Block talks with Newbery-winning author Kate DiCamillo about her latest, “The Magician’s Elephant”. Click the play button below to listen.
[8 min 20 sec]
Ever wondered what would happen if Max was really, really into Mexican wrestling? If you’d prefer not to answer, you may say “pass”. Anyway, in Kid Salvaje by Duncan Tonatiuh, we get our answer. For the record, as far as books inspired by Where the Wild Things Are go, I’m much more of a Kid Salvaje fan than a Where the Mild Things Are supporter.
How can you be against a wild rumpus that begins with the main character rolling in on a motorcycle? Click here to head over to Mr. Tonatiuh’s blog and have a look.
Four score and seven zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
As much as this amateur Abe Lincoln impersonator hates to say it, history often has the unfortunate reputation of being boring. Unfairly pigeonholed, I say! While there are plenty of picture books featuring historical settings, there aren’t many that deal with the importance of preserving the past. Allow Imogene’s Last Stand to help fill the void. Credit is due to Candace Fleming (The Lincolns) and illustrator Nancy Carpenter (17 Things I’m Not Allowed to do Anymore), who have created a story about the importance of history that is a delight to read.
Ever since she was very young, Imogene Tripp has been an historical enthusiast. When she sees an opportunity to revive the long ignored Liddleville Historical Society, Imogene seizes it with enthusiasm. After putting her all into cleaning and organizing the old house, she discovers that it is to be torn down, by order of the mayor, to make way for a shoelace factory. Imogene tries to save the Society, but her attempts fail until she makes a discovery that changes minds and just might put Liddleville on the historical map.
Sharp and resourceful, Imogene is the quintessential spunky protagonist. She infuses history into everything she does, often quoting the words of famous Americans. Extra credit points are earned as an explanation of each quote is provided on the book’s endpapers.
It’s difficult to deny the “after-school special” vibe going on. When a feisty youngster fights back against an unsavory developer, the comparison is an easy one to make. However, through humor and appealing characters, the story doesn’t give an ounce of tiresome familiarity.
Carpenter uses pen, ink and digital media to create images that wonderfully match the text. Liberal use of two-page spreads make this book well suited for read-aloud settings. The soft, inviting tones and a drawing style that blurs the line between detailed and doodled will subtly engage young readers.
In the words of 100 Scope Notes,
“An entertaining and undeniably charming read, Imogene’s Last Stand has my endorsement!”
Review copy borrowed.
Also reviewed by Bri Meets Books.
Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.
This has to be the longest setup for a link ever.
Earlier this week, the 2009 National Book Award finalists were announced. In case you haven’t seen the Young People’s Literature finalists, here they are:
The shocker of the group was the inclusion of the seemingly adult graphic novel Stitches by David Small. The debate has been fun to follow:
Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
A Chair, A Fireplace & a Tea Cozy
I read Stitches, loved it, reviewed it, called it a *Best New Book*, and think that it’s certainly a title for older teens and adults. I hope it gets the attention it deserves, but “Young People’s Literature” is pushing it. The hullabaloo reminded me that Small lives just south of Kalamazoo, Michigan – a mere jaunt from where I call home – and was recently featured in my (almost) local newspaper, the Grand Rapids Press. It’s a profile that is absolutely worth your time. Some revealing stuff, to be sure. Click the image below to read.
