Category Archives: Youth Services

Jumpstart’s “Read for the Record” will be held on October 4, 2012.   Beginning in 2006 Jumpstart has promoted reading aloud each year by encouraging everyone to read aloud a particular book on a designated day.  The first book they promoted was The Little Engine that Could.  Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad by David Soman and Jacky Davis is their selected book for this year.  See their web page for more information on the organization and for a number of activity guides you are welcome to use.

A recent favorite title of mine is Charles Dickens and the Street Children of London by Andrea Warren.  This double-purpose biography tells of Charles Dickens upbringing and adult years while also describing the horrible conditions experienced by the most poverty-stricken people in London at that time.  Dickens was particularly interested in helping poor children (having been one himself) and he was a main force in changing the opinion of the time that the poor deserved their place.  Well researched and well-written, the book uses reproductions of illustrations from his books, paintings of other members of the elite who cared about the poor, photographs, and line drawings to add to the text.  An excellent choice for middle school age readers.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

NPR’s List of “Best Ever Teen Novels”

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I sent an email to the CHILDLIB-L group giving you a link to National Public Radio’s list of 235 finalists and asking you to vote for ten of them as your choices?  Well, the list has now been set at 100.  Visit their web page  to see the list and decide how much you agree with the voters and the panel of judges.  Looking at the list it is clear their definition of “Teen Books” differs from YALSA, they are using an “appeals to teens” approach.  It’s an interesting list that would be fun to discuss with others and to contemplate what is missing and what is there that you feel should not be.  And, maybe, you will find a title or two that you really must read.  I know I did.

Rosemary Wells has a new series for young readers called “Kindergators.”  The first book in the series is Hands Off, Harry and it addresses personal space.  Harry is usually bothering the other students: poking one and shouting “surprise” from behind another.  Babette brings the bumper tube (inner tube type item) back from the gym.  Harry cannot touch anyone while wearing it and he finally spends some time thinking about personal space.  Cute and clever, even with this didactic message kids will enjoy the story.  Just so you know: Book #2 in this series is Miracle Melts Down, however, I haven’t yet seen a copy of it.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Ideas from Story Time Titles!

I was looking back over my notes I used to put together the Basic Skills, Library Services to Children and Youth class and noticed, again, how many books of story time ideas we have in our collection.  I ended up using one example out of Storytimes for Children edited by Stephanie G. Bauman (2011).

I pulled a few other titles off the shelf to look over again and share with you:

Storytimes for Two-Year Olds by Judy Nichols  (2007)

Baby Rhyming Time by Linda L. Ernst  (2008)

52 Programs for Preschoolers: The Librarian’s Year-Round Planner by Diane Briggs  (1997)

They are all full of great ideas, activities, and information.

My favorite (so far) is: Early Literacy Storytimes @ your library by Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting (who gave two excellent workshops in Nebraska last spring on “Every Child Ready to Read”) and Pamela Martin-Díaz (2006).  It has good information on the development of the brain in young children, and plenty of ideas.  I can barely wait until their newest book, Storytimes for Everyone!, is released on Oct. 31.  We will be purchasing a copy for the Library Commission collection so mark your calendar to request it from us in November.

I recently finished Plunked by Michael Northrup and it made my head ache, just for a minute.  Jack (6th grade) is hoping to get the starting position in left field with his Little League team, he has a chance.  But after getting clobbered in the head by a wild pitch, he’s not sure he can stand at the plate, especially during an inside pitch.  If he can’t find a way to overcome his hesitation, he may have to give up the game he loves.  Jack tries hard to stand steady at the plate and I admired his determination, even while in the back of his mind he thinks about how giving up the game would spare him this anxiety.  An excellent choice for upper elementary and early middle school readers.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Recently someone posted to YALSA-BK asking for people to suggest good books for guys.  The recommendations began immediately, and one of the best I encountered was Robin Brenner’s suggestion to look at the Guys Lit Wire blog.  So I did.  It has been around since at least 2008, they have more than 25 regular contributors and generally have a new post Monday-Friday of each week.  That’s a lot of books and topics.  There is a “search this blog” button on the left column if you scroll down a bit.  I searched for several books and found entries for all but one.  Take a look and find some new and new-to-you titles to share with teen boys in your library.

Bink and Gollie, Two for One by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee, and illustrated by Tony Fucile is another winner (the first book about Bink & Gollie received the Theodore Seuss Geisel Medal  for beginning readers in 2011; see this site).  This second book about the two best friends also contains three stories – all set at the state fair.  The first story shows Bink trying to win a prize at the Whack-a-Duck stand – it is quite painful.  The second is Gollie participating in the Amateur Talent Show.  The third is a visit to find out what Madame Prunely sees in her crystal ball.  Another great look at friendship and the ups and downs of going to the fair.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Jim Aylesworth and Lisa Campbell Ernst at Oct. 17 Pre-Conference!

“Run, Run to Reading Aloud!” on Wednesday, October 17 is an opportunity to hear authors at the Read Aloud Nebraska preconference for the 2012 NLA/NSLA/MPLA conference in La Vista this fall!  Jim Aylesworth and Lisa Campbell Ernst will speak.  There will also be a panel discussion by four Nebraska authors for children, as well as time set aside for book signing.  Information is available on the Read Aloud Nebraska web site.   Support for this preconference is provided by Read Aloud Nebraska, the Nebraska Regional Library Systems, and the School, Children’s and Young People’s Section (SCYP) of the Nebraska Library Association.  I hope to see you there!

Ghost Knight by Cornelia Funke (pronounced FOON-ka according to her audio section here.) was full of great fun and adventure.  Jon (11) is sent to his late father’s boarding school in Salisbury, England, only to encounter a vengeful ghost and his minions who are out to get him.  The granddaughter of the local ghost expert has befriended him and together they wake the ghost of a knight who has pledged to help those in trouble.  The 330 pages move quickly thanks to lots of action, occasional illustrations, and larger type.  Another winner from a popular author.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Recognition and praise from Debbie Reese, a Nambe Pueblo Indian woman, for Lincoln Public Schools project to help classroom teachers select books that do not perpetuate stereotypes of cultures.  See her blog posting of Betsy McEntarffer’s article here.   Debbie Reese’s blog is a good place to visit to find out more about what is, and is not, acceptable to her culture.  I especially appreciated her side panel that told me to refer to her as “a Nambe Pueblo Indian woman” instead of some other terms I was considering.  Debbie posted this link to her blog on the YALSA-BK mail group (Young Adult Library Services Association), which you could also join if you don’t mind a lot of email.  She alerts members to concerns or praise in new books as they are published.

The Beetle Book by Steve Jenkins has incredible illustrations (of course!) and basic information about the huge order of creatures called beetles.  Jenkins first introduces the basic physical design of beetles after which each two-page spread discusses activities of beetles such as different ways they communicate, what they eat, ways they protect themselves, and how they move.  Jenkins notes at the beginning of the book, “Line up every kind of plant and animal on earth and one of every four will be a beetle.”  Each two-page spread has two to twelve illustrations all on a white background.   Many of the pages have silhouettes showing the beetles’ actual size.  Aimed at upper elementary and early middle school readers it is great for bug fans and browsers – just open the book to any page and begin reading.  Reluctant readers will likely do just that.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

“Library Links”

Every day I am in the office I read the emails from YALSA-BK, a mail group sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association of ALA.   Last month the Batavia Public Library of Illinois shared a terrific family program with us.  Last year they held a miniature golf tournament inside the library!  Visit their web page to see photos of their event and it can get you started on ideas for your own family golf program.  Theirs is obviously a Halloween event, but you could hold it anytime that works for you.  Another library shared their Flickr account photos of their event, too.  They used some different objects to guide the players through the course.  Maybe your local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and/or 4-H Clubs can come up with some good ideas for you.  Looks like fun!

More by I. C. Springman is a picture book that has a few words on each page combined with the extraordinary illustrations by Brian Lies to give readers the concepts of “more” and “less,” and maybe a bit of a lesson about greed.  The magpie continues to gather more and more shiny things until it is too much.  Then the mice step in to help him out of his mess.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

I Love Libraries – A new website from ALA!

Here is something to share with your patrons.  The American Library Association (ALA) has launched a new website “for the public, designed to keep America informed about what’s happening in today’s libraries” as stated under “About Us” on the new page.  Visit here and explore the various sections.  My favorite section so far is “Library Quotes” which you can find on the list going down the left side of the page.  You can explore it to find new quotes to share and you also can submit one you love if your favorite quote is missing.

The nonfiction book for teens titled Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery is amazing, because Temple is amazing!  This well-written biography of Temple Grandin will give readers insight into how at least some people with autism see the world, and why we should learn about and value their perspectives.  It is also the story of how one girl became the leading authority on feed lots and slaughterhouses.  Temple shares her understanding of cattle, and other animals, and how their lives can be much better with a few changes. Inspirational.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

A Comparison of Teen Book Covers of 2011

Visit this site to see one author’s compilation of book covers.  As stated at the beginning of the post, the complier notes this is not a scientific study, just a look by an individual at the titles published as “young adult” in 2011.  It is frustrating to see such a discrepancy between the book covers and the ethnicity of the United States.  Clearly we have a very long way to go to represent all teens in the books they read, and on the covers of those books.

She examines several topics in her post, starting with the colors on the cover, then moving to minority representation on the covers. Beyond that she notes that 20% of “YA covers featured a model whose head was mostly/completely missing.” (Personally, I hope this trend is about over.)  And maybe the most alarming: “6.6% of 2011 YA covers featured characters who appeared to be dead or dying.”  Book covers have always been interesting to me and it was enlightening to visit this web site for the compilations of cover types.

I recently finished Dumpling Days by Grace Lin (and it made me hungry).  Pacy Lin, the middle child, dreads the idea of spending a month visiting relatives she doesn’t know in Taiwan for her grandma’s birthday.  But she and her sisters, Lissy and Ki-Ki, are soon on the plane with their parents.  Culture shock slowly gives way to enjoyment of her relatives and the many different things to do in this new place, and a love of dumplings.  A celebration of family, customs, home, and acceptance.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

IBBY Books Awards Announced May 1!

The 2012 Independent Publisher Book awards have been announced.  There are 72 categories, mostly for adults, still there are several for children and teen titles: Children’s Picture Books (7 & under), Children’s Picture Books (all ages), Juvenile Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Juvenile-Teen-Y/A Non-Fiction, Multicultural N-F Juv-Teen-YA, Multicultural Fiction – Children’s.  Take a look at the variety of categories and titles that won a gold, silver or bronze award here.  You may find some titles to add to your collection. I need to borrow some copies from the library, since there are titles here I haven’t seen.

I recently read Ghosts in the Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska’s WWII Invasion by Samantha Seiple.  This was something I did not know happened until I read this book.  With more than 12 pages of source notes, this is a well-researched account of the well-kept secret of Japan’s invasion of the Aleutian Islands during WWII.  Illustrated with maps and photos from the time, teen readers will learn about the suffering of the Aleuts, both from the Japanese and from the American forces.  The American efforts to force the Japanese out were heroic, in light of the fact that the almost constant bombing of the Japanese was made through continuous fog and bad weather.  Adult readers interested in titles about WWII may also want to take a look at this book.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

We have lost another giant in the children’s literature field.  Jean Craighead George, author of more than 100 books, had passed away.  She died  at age 92 on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 from complications due to a stroke.

Her writing reflected her love and concern for wildlife and the environment.  My Side of the Mountain (1959) was named a Newbery Honor book.  She received the Newbery Medal in 1973 for Julie of the Wolves.  Her last book created with illustrator Wendell Minor, The Eagles Are Back is due for release in March 2013.

Her books connected with young readers, as evidenced by the Letters About Literature written to her.  To quote one such reader, “My Side of the Mountain literally changed my life.  Ever since I first read the book in fourth grade I’ve loved the outdoors. I used to sit inside, play video games, and watch television. But, now I love going outside and stay out there for hours and hours, especially in the summer.”  I’m sure Ms. George was pleased to know another child had discovered her beautiful outdoors.

Pottermore Now Open for All!

If you have Harry Potter fans, or are one yourself (like me) you are now able to sign up and explore J. K. Rowling’s site: Pottermore.  I have only just begun to look through the site.  It says there are new writings by J.K. Rowling that can only be found on the site, so I definitely want to take a look at those.  You are also supposed to look for hidden items that will be useful as you go along.  This looks like a fun way to revisit the books and learn more about how Rowling set up Harry’s world and events.

Not too long ago I read Toys Come Home by Emily Jenkins.  A prequel to the first book, Toys Go Out, this title tells how StingRay first came to the house, and her efforts to fit in.  Readers will also learn, among other things, how Lumphy joined the family and how Sheep lost her ear.  Endearing tale of toys learning to care for each other.  The wonderful illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky add life to the characters.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Maurice Sendak died Tuesday, May 08, 2012, of complications from a stroke.  His accomplishments in children’s literature are numerous.  As the article in the May 8, 2012 New York Times  noted, he “wrenched the picture book out of the safe, sanitized world of the nursery and plunged it into the dark, terrifying and hauntingly beautiful recesses of the human psyche,” changing the world of the picture book forever.

He received the Caldecott Medal in 1964 for Where the Wild Things Are.  The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) presented him with the 1970 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration.  The ALSC division of ALA presented him with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award in 1983.  As noted on the web page “The Wilder Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.”

He has one more book to be published; it will come out next February, titled My Brother’s Book.

Teen Novel Readers Belong to AARP?

I recently read a brief article in the February/March issue of AARP: The Magazine.  The “What’s New” section had a piece called “50 Going on 15” and the author talks about how young adult titles are being read by people from “ages 17 to 70.”  (And younger than that, too.)  My own observation is that movies also are more and more often being made from young adult titles.  Maybe the next display in your adult fiction area should highlight some teen books.  Your adult readers may be surprised at how good they are!

The picture book Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Little Dog Named Baltic by Mônica Carnesi is described by Booklist as a “dramatized version of a true story.”  Children will certainly be worried about the dog and what may happen to him.  Off the coast of Poland, in the Baltic Sea, people noticed a little dog trapped on the broken ice.  He had traveled 75 miles down the river on the ice and people tried to reach him, but couldn’t.  A ship came to the rescue and soon adopted him.  A good lesson about the dangers of ice gently told in with a happy ending.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

The Evolve Project…

Well, this isn’t exactly reading, but I am amazed at what Brian Pichman and Dave Hesse of the Digital Innovation Department at the Mokena (IL) Community Public Library District have been doing with their Evolve Project.  I encourage you to take about an hour and see for yourself.  You may not have the resources they do but you might come up with some new approaches to draw children and families into your libraries.

Go here and click on “Archived NCompass Live Sessions” and then click on: “NCompass Live: Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: The Evolve Project” which aired on April 25, 2012.

Visit their web page, too, to find out how they went about putting this project together.  Who knows what kind of ideas will pop up in Nebraska!

I recently checked Carl Hiaasen’s new book, Chomp, out of the library.  Fans of Hiaasen’s humor and environmental viewpoint will enjoy this one, which is aimed at the middle school age crowd.  Wahoo and his dad, Mickey, are hired to provide animals for the reality TV show “Expedition Survival!” and it is soon clear how fake this particular reality show is.  The star, Derek, is a clueless ham forever getting himself into danger.  When he decides things should go from controlled (on Wahoo and Mickey’s property) to the real, wild Everglades, and then disappears in the middle of the shoot, it is clear Derek could end up really dead.  Loyalty, family love, and courage are spotlighted, along with another look at the Everglades and how fragile it is.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

YALSA’s 2012 Teens’ Top Ten Nominations   

YALSA (the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of ALA) recently announced the 2012 nominations list for the Teens’ Top Ten.  As stated on their web site, “The Teens’ Top Ten is a ‘teen choice’ list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year! Nominators are members of teen book groups in sixteen school and public libraries around the country.”  Teens ages twelve to eighteen are encouraged to read titles from the nomination list this summer and vote online for their favorite in August and September.  The winners will be announced during Teen Read Week, Oct. 14 – 20.

There are ideas on the website for promoting the Teens’ Top Ten (TTT), a PDF of a toolkit for it, or you can download the toolkit in Word.   To find out more about Teen Read Week, or to register to participate, visit this site.  The theme for 2012 is “It Came from the Library!”

I have been reading a lot of teen titles lately, in preparation for the YART Spring Meeting on April 14.  A slightly older title (c2011) made its way onto my list because I thought it was really great.  Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach …Felton Reinstein (15), who is usually called “Squirrel Nut” (as an insult) then later “Rein-stone” (respectfully), recounts his life so far.  When he was 5 he found his father, dead in the garage.  Last November he began growing hair, height and muscles like crazy.  His voice has dropped and now the jocks are talking him into working out over the summer to get ready for fall football.  This summer has turned crazy, he is getting huge; his mother has shut herself in the bedroom and now ignores Felton and his younger brother, Andrew.  Felton is befuddled by his rapid growth and bodily changes, his mother’s retreat, his best friend gone for the summer, a new girl in town, and the jocks’ interest in him.  Told with humor and pathos, we find Felton struggling, with little help, to learn who he has become and find a way to deal with his mother.

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)