The night of the buring : Devorah's story

Yesterday I had fun speaking with Linda Braun via Skype.  I had never used Skype before so it was a new experience.  Linda is teaching a class for Simmons College and we were speaking about the use of technology in school libraries.  Really fun.  At one point during the conversation, my 3 year old grandson came into the room to try to figure out who I was talking to.  He was a bit confused because no one else was in the room and I wasn't on the telephone.  Really funny expression on his face before he walked out.

I am on April vacation this week and had planned to just sit around and read.  I just haven't been doing too much reading lately.  Unfortunately, it hasn't turned out that way yet.  I have a few more days but lots of projects with deadlines.  The classes I'm teaching at Plymouth State and NH Technical Institute both end next week so maybe I'll have time then.  Although I'll have all those final projects to grade!!

I did get to this book last week.

Wulf, Linda Press.

THE NIGHT OF THE BURNING : DEVORAH'S STORY
New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006
IL 5-8, RL 5.7
ISBN 0374364192
It's 1921 and Devorah has lost just about everything that mattered to her.  Her parents have died.  Many other people from the town have died during the war.  And now Poland is not a safe place to be if you are Jewish.  When a gentle man arrives from South Africa, Devorah and her younger sister may just have a way out.  The man has raised funds to transport 200 Jewish orphans to South Africa where they will be safe.  Where they will have enough to eat.  Where they will have a chance to go to school.  And where they just might find a new family to love.

technorati tags:skype, wulf

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Tamora Pierce

I was sitting comfortably at home this afternoon catching up on my email when I learned that Tamora Pierce was in town! She was speaking at the Audi at 2:00. Well, it was 1:50 at that time so I threw on some clothes, jumped in the car and drove through a spring Nor'easter to see her. I was not disappointed. The first thing I noticed was how many teens were in the audience without their parents. The teens had also braved the nasty weather to see this icon of fantasy literature.

Ms. Pierce spoke about fantasy literature being about kids and their problems. Many stories begin with bullying. Just like many of our teens experience. She spoke of her books addressing real issues of today but placed in a fantasy world. Stories about drug abuse and terrorism and even guerrilla warfare. Emotional issues tackled include honor, religion, violence, justice and making choices

Ms. Pierce also mentioned many other authors whose works she has read. When I spoke with some of the teens after, this really made a point with them. They realized that even famous authors continue to read and learn from others. A couple of the teens thought it was cool that she mentioned so many other authors. I just thought the whole afternoon was cool!!

technorati tags:Tamora, Pierce, fantasy, author

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Janet McDonald

I was looking at the Farrar, Straus and Giroux fall catalog yesterday and was happy to see a new book by Janet McDonald coming out.  I love her books and am looking forward to getting a copy of Off-Color due out in October.  Then I read today that she has passed away.  I am very sad to hear this.  We have lost a unique voice in YA literature.

The first book of her's that I read was Twists and Turns.

Teesha and Keeba have finally graduated from high school.  Well, it took them a few extra years to do it but they did it.  Now what? A few of their friends from the projects have gone on to college. One even hit it big doing television commercials.  But the Washington sisters have no direction.  No idea what will happen to them. But when the local librarian gives them an idea, things begin to change. At first, the girls just laugh at the idea.  When they really think about it, hope sets in.  Can they really pull it off?  Can two teens from the projects open their own business?

OK, so I am a sucker for any book that has a wise librarian in it but I liked this book because I liked the pluck of the girls. 

In Brother Hood, the setting is Harlem and we have another teen trying to beat the odds but stay true to himself.

It's hard enough being from the hood but when you are leading a double life,things get really crazy.  Nate is an academically gifted 16-year-old who lives in Harlem but attends school at an exclusive private boarding school.  When he is at school, the girls think he is cute and the boys want to shoot hoops with him.  But when he comes home for visits, he stops into the boys' room at Grand Central Station to change out ofhis school clothes and steps into his low-riding jeans, do-rag and his shades.  Now he fits into his neighborhood and can hang with his friends and his girlfriend.  But it isn't a smooth transition.  Different places require different personas.  And what will happen when his two separate worlds collide?

I am looking forward to Janet McDonalds's new book and sad that it is her last.  Rest well, Janet.

technorati tags:McDonald, author, death

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Tyrell by Coe Booth

Fifteen-year-old Tyrell doesn't have much in this life but it doesn't stop him for wanting more.  His spaced out mother has gotten them kicked out of the projects.  OK, life in the projects isn't great but it's what Tyrell knows.  And its what he wants for his younger brother.  Living in some awful homeless hotel is not what he wants.  He doesn't want his brother falling in with he kind of people that frequent the shelter.  But his mother isn't interested in what Tyrell wants.  As a matter of fact, she is trying to get Tyrell to start selling drugs so she'll have some money.  Tyrell just has to find a way back to the projects to keep himself and his brother safe.  But how?

technorati tags:homeless, Bronx, poor

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Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Three teens with one thing in common.  They have each entered Aspen Springs Center after an
unsuccessful suicide attempt.  Tony has taken an overdose.  Vanessa has slit her wrist.  And Conner shot himself in the chest.  And now they are beginning their journey to understanding.  Told in alternating chapters we learn about the events in their lives that led them to this place.  Tony's  mother who cares little for him and would rather see him locked up in juvie than lose a boyfriend.  Vanessa who is a secret cutter.  She believes that she has the same bipolar order as her mother.  And Conner who has it all.  Good looks, money, brains but also an emotionally distant mother.  Will they all come to terms with what life offers?

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yalsa celebrates teen literature day

This is cool.  April 19th has been designated as Support Teen Literature Day by YALSA.  This is duing National Library Week but is geared specifically to teen literature.

"Librarians all across the country are encouraged to participate in Support Teen Literature Day by hosting events in their library. The purpose of this new celebration is to raise awareness among the general public that young adult literature is a vibrant, growing genre with much to offer today’s teens. Support Teen Literature Day also seeks to showcase some award-winning authors and books in the genre as well as highlight librarians’ expertise in connecting teens with books and other reading materials. Many of these activities can be featured throughout National Library Week or simply featured on Support Teen Literature Day."

For a list of recommended activities, visit YALSA's web site:

http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/supportyalit.htm

technorati tags:YA, literature, YALSA

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Fun day with great English teachers

So today I spent the day at the New Hampshire Council of Teachers of
English conference. What a great group of people. My program was
the first in the day so I got to spend the rest of the day going to
other workshops and discussion groups. At one point I wandered into
a book discussion centered around "adult" books. I so very rarely
read anything other than children's and YA literature that this was
fascinating to me. I learned about a lot of books I had never heard
of but now want to read. Gibson Books from Concord, my favorite
independent bookstore, was selling books at the conference so,
needless to say, I left with a bag full of new books. When I'll have
time to read them, I don't know but I couldn't resist them.

I got to meet a NH author I hadn't met before. Joe Monninger is a
professor at Plymouth State and has written a YA book. He's sending
me a copy. I can't wait to get it. Not only does it take place in
New Hampshire, but it's about a girl who learns about dog sled
racing. Since I know absolutely nothing about dog sled racing (other
than that one time when I lived in Vermont that I tried it -- don't
ask), I'm looking forward to learning more about the dogs and the racing.

Another NH author, Ernest Herbert, was the keynote. Again, adult
author so I haven't read any of his books. But, they sounded good so
I picked up his latest from Gibson's and have put it near the top of
my pile (mountain) of reading to do.

April update

The April update of Booktalks Quick and Simple has been
uploaded. There are many guest booktalkers this month which is
really exciting to me. Many students have sent in their
booktalks! Nice to get a student perspective. There were a couple
that I didn't use because they were the "I like this book" variety.

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks

I'm speaking at the New Hampshire Council of Teachers of English
conference on Friday. I always look forward to this conference since
I'm talking with ELA teachers. And I get to go to some cool workshops.

Private by Kate Brian

Reed Brennan is living her dream. She is leaving her home in Pennsylvania and is entering an exclusive private boarding school. She was so lucky to win the scholarship. Now she is living and going to school with the rich and famous. And she doesn't have to put up with her mother's constant complaining. But it is not what she expected. And she finds that she struggles with the academics. And she is determined to make friends with the Billiings girls -- an elite dorm full of the best of the best.

Echo by Kate Morgenroth

Morgenroth, Kate.
ECHO
New York : Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2007
IL YA
ISBN 1416914382
It started out as just a typical afternoon as Justin and his brother
Mark are home alone after school. Their mom has locked down the
television set in the living room so they can't spend their time just
watching tv. But Mark has an idea. He breaks into his parents room
and the two boys turn on the tv and settle in. As the two wrestle
for control for the remote control, things get out of hand. And Mark
accidently shoots himself with the gun he finds in the
nightstand. Now, a year later, Justin is trying to cope with the
loss of his brother and the loss of everything that used to define
his life. His parents are distant, the kids at school don't know how
to act around him, and his girlfriend has dropped him. But this day
will be different. Justin will relive this day over and over. Just
what is going on here? And what about the voice that Justin keeps hearing?

The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians

OK, I just had surgery this morning and have the luxury of just staying in bed, being waited on and reading all day. Gotta love it!

I really like this picture book about a boy who spends lots of time in the library. I love the librarians too!! They just make me smile!!

Melvin just loves the library. And he practically lives there. Everyday after school, Melvin stops by the library, The librarians love to see him. He always stops to talk with them and asks them questions. Like how many fish are in the whole world. Or what kind of bugs has he found. And the librarians always help him find the answers. Because that's the way librarians are.

The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians by Carla Morris. Peachtree Press, 2007

Life as we knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Every once in awhile, there is a book that I like so much that I have trouble putting it down. Even when I finish it. Life As We Knew It certainly fits that description. I just can't stop thinking about it. And I was so happy to learn today that Pfeffer has a companion novel coming out. Unfortunately it won't be out until next year. The Dead And The Gone is about a boy going through the same event but he is living in New York City. Now I assumed NY was wiped out by the tidal waves. I'll have to wait and see. I hope I can get an advance copy of this when they are ready. I don't want to wait until next Spring to read it! And Pfeffer says that if that book does well, there may even be a third book!!! What can I say??? WooHoo!!!!!

LibraryThing and booktalks

Thanks to Davinna for sharing this great idea!

"Hi everyone. I'm excited to share that LibraryThing

http://www.librarything.com/ has become a useful tool for me to
catalog my book talks. I type the book talk in the comments
field. I'm also able to
tag a book according to the grade levels I would talk to about
it. So, for example, if a teacher asks me to do book talks for her
6th grade classes, I can click on the tag cloud for 6th grade and see
only those books.
LibraryThing, which is free, provides many ways to customize and
organize your collection (or book talks).

"If you'd like to get an idea of how this works, here is the link to
the book talks I have cataloged so far. I'm still in the process of
entering them.
http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php?view=Davinna

"(Click on Display Style 'D' if you aren't seeing the Comments/book talks)"

Davinna Artibey

Author pronunciations

When I'm doing my daily podcasts, I just sort of wing it when it
comes to how to say the author's name. I am sure I don't always get
it right. I apologize for this! But there are times that I just
don't even podcast a perfectly wonderful book because I can't figure
out how to say the author's name and don't want to embarrass myself
too much by butchering it. Now I find that there is a wonderful site
where the authors pronounce their names for you!

http://www.teachingbooks.net/pronunciations.cgi

I love teachingbooks.net anyway and mention it as often as I can in
workshops but I hadn't seen this feature before. No longer will I be
afraid to say Lara Zeises- or Ron Koertge or even Ji-Li Jiang. Now
if someone can tell me how to pronounce Caroline Desnoettes, I'd be a
happy woman. I love her book and would like to podcast about it!

myspace account

I was intrigued by readergirlz myspace account and learned that I
only could comment on their site if I had a myspace account. So, I
broke down and created one. Sure, at first myspace turned me
down. Don't know why but it is sort of the story of my life. I
can't even join a friendship site that anybody can join. So, I'm
finally there. If you are interested in visiting my myspace account,
it's www.myspace.com/booktalker

I have only one friend now. Do I feel pathetic! But, I hope to add
more. If you'd like to be my friend, simply ask. I really need friends!!

Booktalks March update loaded

I finished up the March update for Booktalks quick and
simple.

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks

My Internet problems seem to have been resolved. It is so nice to
have reliable connections again. But I think I could have been happy
to do without the phone for a few more days. It seems that every
charity and every candidate has called in the past day. But I really
need to use my last two days of winter break to get things done!!

Booktalkers list being closed

For several years, I've maintained a list called
Booktalkers.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/booktalkers/

When we
first started out, it was used a lot. We had some great discussions
and sharing of information about booktalking.

But like a lot of specialized lists, traffic has declined in the past
year. The only traffic lately has been spam. Last month I put out a
message to the membership asking if the list should go on or was it
time to call it a day. Since I only got one response out of 307
members, I've made the decision to drop the list. I hope that
discussions on booktalking will continue but in a
different venue. I have invited the list members to use this blog
for their discussions. I hope that this does happen. I had great
ideas for the list when I started it 7 years ago but it has outlived
it usefulness.

So goodbye booktalkers list and all the members.

Nancy

Back online

Comcast has finally gotten be back online. It took two trips and
three different cable guys but they got it figured out. It's amazing
how we come to rely on technology and how lost we are without
it. Years ago I would have probably been most upset by not having a
telephone but this week I was definitely missing the Internet. We
did get the tv back a couple of days ago but the phone and Internet
are a different story. Yesterday we even lost the electricity for 2
1/2 hours. I felt like I was back in the woods of Vermont. At least
we still had indoor plumbing!!

So, I've uploaded the podcasts for this week. I hope my connection
to the outside world stays intact so I can get back to uploading
daily podcasts! We are due to have a big storm tonight, so we'll see :-)

Podcasts coming late

I have been without Internet (and phone and tv) and trying to get Comcast to come out to take care of it. At this point, I don't have an appointment until Thursday afternoon. I'm hoping I can get them to come out sooner but ...

I will upload the missing podcasts as soon as I am connected to the world again!

Podcast # 200

Hard to believe that I have added podcast number 200 to the net
today. Have I really been doing the podcasts long enough to get to
number 200?? I talked about one of my new favorite books, Pull of
the Ocean, for this podcast.

I just finished the book Life as we knew it by Susan Beth
Pfeffer. Wow! It was one of those books that I wanted to not read
too fast so that I could have it longer but at the same time, I
couldn't wait to see what happened. I haven't written a booktalk for
it yet. I am still savoring it.

Readergirlz

I just read on the Kids lit blog that Dia Calhoun, Janet Lee Carey,
Lorie Ann Grover, and Justina Chen Headley have a wonderful website
call Readergirlz. I went and took a look and sure enough, it is
wonderful. Then I read that starting in March, they will be
featuring a book a month with a strong female character. I wish this
site had an RSS feed so I could subscribe but I put it in my
del.icio.us bookmarks and hope to remember to check it. So they are
also giving away free frippery to the first 50 people to comment in
their myspace site each month. I can't resist that!!

So, I am not a member of myspace so can't comment. I break down and
decide to register. And you know what message I get?
"We're sorry. Based on the information you have submitted to us, you
are ineligible to register on MySpace.com. "

WHAT??? This can't be right so I try again. Still not eligible. Not
to be outdone, I try again. Same result. So, why am I
ineligible? Am I too old??? What could be the reason? I've emailed
customer support and I'll see what they say. I have never heard of
anyone being turned down for a myspace account!!

Anyway, be sure to visit
<http://www.readergirlz.com/>readergirlz. Visit their
<http://www.myspace.com/readergirlz>MySpace page and leave comments
if you are a myspace member. Maybe someday I'll be able to do it too!

Higher Power of Lucky

Well it is finally snowing here in New Hampshire. We were beginning
to think that we wouldn't see any this winter at all. It was 70
degrees in January so it has been a very strange winter so far. But
I'm home enjoying the snow day. We're expecting up to 2 feet of
snow!!! Nothing compared to upstate New York but we'll take it!!

I've had a chance to read the Newbery winner for this year. I really
enjoyed the story and the word usage. It is so fun when a book out
of the blue wins. I will say that my guesses this year were way
off. The only correct guess I made was Pull of the Ocean. I loved that book.

Patron, Susan.
THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY
New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006.
IL 3-6, RL 5.8
ISBN 1416901949
Life is not easy in Hard Pan, population 43. Lucky is 10 years old
and is living with a guardian. Her mom has died and her dad doesn't
want to take care of her. So she is living with her dad's first wife
who has come from France to take care of Lucky. But it is a
temporary arrangement. Every day Lucky sees how much Brigitte misses
her life in France. Lucky has a part-time job to help pay the
bills. She cleans up after an assortment of "Anonymous"
meetings. You know, Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous,
Overeaters Anonymous. Through eavesdropping on the meetings, she
becomes convinced that she must find her own higher power in order to
find true happiness. Be sure not to miss this 2007 Newbery Award winner.

New Hampshire Ladybug Picture Book Award nominees

The Ladybug Picture Book Award committee has once again provided us with a great list of books from which New Hampshire children will select the Ladybug Picture Book Award winner in November 2007.

Red Fox at McCloskey's Farm, Brian Heinz and Chris Seban, Creative
Editions, 2006.

Duck & Goose, Tad Hills, Schwartz & Wade Books, 2006.

Library Lion, Michelle Knudsen and Kevin Hawkes, Candlewick Press, 2006.

Not Afraid of Dogs, Susanna Pitzer and Larry Day, Walker & Co, 2006.

I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track, Joshua Prince and Macky Pamintuan, Sterling Publishing Co., 2006.

Pip & Squeak, Ian Schoenherr, Greenwillow, 2007.

The Secret Science Project that Almost Ate the School, Judy Sierra and
Stephen Gammell, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2006.

The Trouble with Califlower, Jane Sutton and Jim Harris, Dial Books for Young Readers, 2006.

The Remarkable Friendship of Mr. Cat and Mr. Rat, Rick Walton and Lisa McCue, Putnam, 2006.

Moose Tracks! Karma Wilson and Jack E. Davis, Margaret McElderry Books, 2006.

Voting materials will be posted on the Ladybug web page in June.

February Update

The February update to Booktalks Quick and Simple has been
loaded. The Georgia Peach award nominees are included in the list as
well as several booktalks contributed from librarians around the country.

I'm approaching my 200th podcast within the next few weeks! I can't
believe I've done so many.

I've been reading the Newbery winners that I hadn't read before. I
really like Hattie Big Sky. Of course, I love historical fiction and
this one takes place during World War I. But there is the westward
expansion touch to it as well as Hattie inherits a homestead in
Montana. Now I'm reading Lucky. More to go!!

In memory of Carol Otis Hurst

I was saddened this morning to hear of the passing of Carol Otis Hurst. I only had the pleasure of meeting her one time but I used her web pages so often that I felt I knew her. I met her in upstate New York when both of us were giving presentations at the same conference. We stayed at the same hotel and I got to talk with her over breakfast. I felt I was speaking with a rock star since I had been using her web page and her books for so long. We had a great chat and I was so impressed with her.

At the conference, Carol spoke of her writing and read her first book to us. It was the story of her father and it was wonderful. Then she delighted us with her storytelling. We were all mesmerized. Such a talent.

So Carol, sleep well and I know Heaven is enjoying the stories as much as we all did!

The Mystery Writers of America has announced the 2007 Edgar Allan Poe
Award nominees, "honoring the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction,
television and film published or produced in 2006." The Edgar Awards
will be presented at a banquet on April 26 in New York City.

Nominees in the best juvenile category are:
Gilda Joyce: The Ladies of the Lake by Jennifer Allison
(Penguin-Sleuth/Dutton)
The Stolen Sapphire: A Samantha Mystery by Sarah Masters Buckey
(American Girl)
Room One: A Mystery or Two by Andrew Clements (Simon & Schuster)
The Bloodwater Mysteries: Snatched by Pete Hautman & Mary Logue
(Penguin-Sleuth/Putnam)
The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery by Nancy
Springer (Penguin-Philomel/Sleuth).

Nominees in the best young adult category are:
The Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks (Scholastic-The Chicken House
The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson (Penguin YR-Sleuth/Viking)
Crunch Time by Mariah Fredericks (Simon & Schuster-Richard Jackson
Books/Atheneum)
Buried by Robin Merrow MacCready (Penguin YR-Dutton Children's Books)
The Night My Sister Went Missing by Carol Plum-Ucci (Harcourt).

Charlotte Zolotow Awards for picture book writing

2007 Winner
McCarty, Peter.Moon Plane Henry Holt, 2006. 32 pages. Ages 3-6

2007 Honor Books
Look, Lenore. Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding. Illustrated by
Yumi Heo. Anne Schwartz / Atheneum, 2006. 32 pages. Ages 3-7
Smith, Linda. Mrs. Crump's Cat. Illustrated by David Roberts.
HarperCollins, 2006. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

2007 Highly Commended Titles
Balouch, Kristen. Mystery Bottle. Hyperion, 2006. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

Becker, Shari. Maxwell's Mountain. Illustrated by Nicole Wong.
Charlesbridge, 2006. 32 pages. Ages 4-7
Bunting, Eve. One Green Apple. Illustrated by Ted Lewin. Clarion,
2006. 32 pages. Ages 5-8

Chodos-Irvine, Margaret. Best Best Friends. Harcourt, 2006. 32 pages. Ages 3-6
Cruise, Robin. Little Mama Forgets. Illustrated by Stacey
Dressen-McQueen. Melanie Kroupa Books / Farrar, Straus and Giroux,
2006. 32 pages. Ages 3-6

Henkes, Kevin. Lilly's Big day. Greenwillow / HarperCollins, 2006. 32
pages. Ages 5-8

Schaefer, Lola M. . An Island Grows. Illustrated by Cathie Felstead.
Greenwillow / HarperCollins, 2006. 32 pages. Ages 4-7
Weeks, Sarah. Overboard.Illustrated by Sam Williams. Harcourt, 2006.
32 pages. Ages 1-3
Willis, Jeanne. Gorilla! Gorilla. Illustrated by Tony Ross. U.S.
edition: Athenuem, 2006. 32 pages. Ages 5-8

The Pull of the Ocean

Mourlevat, Jean-Claude.
THE PULL OF THE OCEAN
New York : Delacorte, 2006
IL YA
ISBN 9780385903646
"My name is Yann Doutreleau. I am ten years old. On a very rainy November night, I convinced my brothers to flee our parents' farm. We went west." Yann and his six brothers, three sets of twins, set out in search of the ocean. Yann was the youngest brother but he was definitely the leader. What a site it must have been. Three sets of identical twins being led through the countryside by a ten year old the size of a two year old.


A very quick read but a powerful story.

My Book Box

Hillenbrand, Will.
MY BOOK BOX
Orlando : Harcourt, 2006
IL K-3, RL 1.7
ISBN 9780152020293
Ooh. An empty cardboard box. Such possibilities. You can make so
many things with a cardboard box. Can you think of some? There are
lots of ideas. But our young friend in this book decides to make a
book box. See how he does it. Do you think that sounds like a good idea?

I read this book to my 3-year-old grandson Aiden and he loved it. I
had to read it four times. And then we had to go find a box so Aiden
could make his own book box. He colored it and put his favorite
books in it -- this one included. When he went to bed tonight, he
had to have his book box right next to his bed. I think we have a
winner, folks. Aiden tested and Aiden approved.

Cybils Short List: Non-fiction (Middle Grade and YA)

I love this time of year when the award lists are coming out. The
Cybils short lists have been announced and I am seeing titles that I
haven't read yet. I have read three of these but now have to get the
others out of my pile of to-be-read.

Escape! by Sid Fleischman, Greenwillow

Freedom Walkers by Russell Freedman, Holiday House

Immersed in Verse by Alan Wolf, Lark Books

Isaac Newton by Kathleen Krull; illustrated by Boris Kulikov, Viking Juvenile

Team Moon by Catherine Thimmesh, Houghton Mifflin

Googleearthmeme

Lucy Gray has started a new meme that is really interesting. The meme uses GoogleEarth and participants placemark their home or school and include 1) What has been your most memorable learning experience?
2) Who is the teacher that has influenced you the most?

You don't need to be tagged to participate. For more info, check out Lucy's blog http://elemenous.typepad.com/weblog/

This is a great way of showing how technology can add to understanding. I'm thinking of doing something like this for Read Across America and having the kids read books that take place in different states and add the locations and a book review to the site.

I've sent my info to Lucy and I hope to see more participation.

Hard to believe that this is the last day of 2006. I've spent the
morning loading booktalks to my site. I had such good intentions of
doing more reading during my week off. But I have a miserable cold.
As much as I tried to do more reading, I kept falling asleep. I did
get through a few very good books though. Now if only my voice would
come back so I could record some podcasts!

I wish one and all a very peaceful and prosperous new year.

Booktalks : http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/new0701

Poet Slave of Cuba

Christmas morning was a haze of ribbons and wrapping paper. The grandsons had to be awakened at 7:30 so we could get on with it! I have been up since 6:00 reading the paper and getting things ready. The three year old was really into the presents this year. The 22 month old was happy just to sit on his new bicycle and didn't really care about the rest of the presents. If only they could stay like that!! In the afternoon, children and grandchildren left to visit family and friends leaving me to get the dinner ready. I really didn't mind. After the turkey was in the oven, I put on the fireplace, made a cup of tea and had the rest of the afternoon just to sit and read. It was the best Christmas present I got!!

One book that I had been wanting to read but wanted a quiet chunk of time was Poet Slave of Cuba. I am so glad that I found the right time to read it. It will definitely be going on my best of 2006 list. And now the kids are all out at the after Christmas sales so I again have some quiet time to do more reading. I should be doing so many other things but I am treating myself now. So, off to make a cup of tea, start the fire and curl up with a good book. Ah, life is good!

Engle, Margarita.
THE POET SLAVE OF CUBA : A BIOGRAPHY OF JUAN FRANCISCO MANZANO
New York : Henry Holt, 2006.
IL 5-8, RL 4.8
ISBN 0805077065
Juan Francisco Manzano was a rather remarkable child by any standards. The fact that he was a slave in Cuba during the nineteenth-century adds to the incredible story. Told in verse, this is the story of Juan's life as he lives as a slave to several owners in Cuba. His first mistress treats him as a pet and enjoys showing him off. Juan can memorize poetry and opera and even the works of Homer and recite for the amuzment of those around him. Although his mistress treats him well, he is still a slave. His mistress frees Juan's parents and promises Juan's freedom when she dies. But this does not happen and Juan is taken by a cruel mistress who both loves and despises Juan. Through it all, Juan composes poetry that reflect both the beauty he sees and the horror he endures.

SUBJECTS: Manzano, Juan Francisco, 1797-1854 -- Poetry.
American poetry.
Slaves -- Poetry.
Poets -- Poetry.
Cuba -- Poetry.

The Braid by Helen Frost

This one will definitely be making my best of 2006 list. I love
Helen Frost's work and this is certainly no exception. Having family
in Ireland, I have read much and heard much about the Irish Famine in
the 1850s. I haven't heard as much about the Scottish resettlements
of those days though. After reading this book, I now have to do a
bit of research on that situation. I loved this book!

Frost, Helen.
THE BRAID
New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006
IL YA
ISBN 0374309620
We often hear of the potato famine in Ireland and how the people were
forced off their land.
We don't often hear about what was happening in Scotland during the
same time period.
Families were being forced off their land so that wealthy land barons
could use the land for
grazing sheep. Families were often forced onto boats to Canada and
left their homes with little
more than the clothes on their backs. Jeannie and Sarah find
themselves in this situation. Their
family is leaving for Canada and have sold everything in order to
have money for the trip. But
Sarah runs away and hides so she doesn't have to go. Instead she and
her grandmother head out
to a tiny island that was home to her grandparents many years
before. Although life is hard in
Scotland, Jeannie and the rest of the family are in must dire
straights in Cape Breton. Father
and two of the daughters die on the voyage. This leave Jeannie, her
mother and her baby
brother trying to find a home in Canada. They face starvation,
homelessness and scorn from
locals on the way. Through it all, the sisters never stop thinking
about each other.

SUBJECTS: Sisters -- Fiction.
Family life -- Fiction.
Islands -- Fiction.
Mingulay (Scotland) -- History -- 19th
century -- Fiction.
Emigration and immigration -- Fiction.
Cape Breton Island (N.S.) -- History -- 19th
century -- Fiction.
Scotland -- History -- 19th century -- Fiction.
Canada -- History -- 1841-1867 -- Fiction.
Historical fiction.

Happy Holidays to All

Even though it is warm outside and we have absolutely no chance for
snow before Christmas, I am trying to keep the Christmas spirit! So
to one and all, I wish you the very merriest holiday. And I wish you
time to curl up by the fire and read a really good book!!

Gail Giles does it again!

Giles, Gail.
WHAT HAPPENED TO CASS MCBRIDE? : A NOVEL
Boston : Little, Brown, 2006
IL YA
ISBN 0316166383
Keep calm. Take slow breaths. Keep him talking. I need to do
everything I can to get out of this. Use all my skills. My father
taught me well. He could talk people into anything. And I
need to do some serious talking now. Don't panic. Say the right
things. Focus. Block it out. Stop thinking about where I
am. Stop remembering that I am buried underground with only
Kyle knowing where I am. Stop remembering that Kyle wants me to
suffer. Stop remembering that Kyle wants me to die.

Pick this book up and recommend it to every teen you know. This one
is a sure winner!!

New Hampshire Ladybug Award Announced

The winner of the 2006 New Hampshire Ladybug Picture Book Award is I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by David Catrow. What a great choice the kids made!

My new comic hero is George, the star of Being Five. Picture a five-year-old blogger. Give it a look. http://beingfive.blogspot.com/

Congratulations to Casey Bisson

"Casey Bisson, information architect for Plymouth State University’s Lamson
Library, has received the prestigious Mellon Award for Technology
Collaboration for his ground-breaking software application known as WPopac.
The WPopac software will revolutionize the online search process by
allowing titles and descriptions of library holdings to be found on the
Internet."

This is so exciting. If you haven't checked out Casey's WPopac, take a
look. http://www.plymouth.edu/library/opac/ I've been putting my personal
library on LibraryThing which has a similar philosophy as Casey. OPACs
don't have to be boring! I am now trying to find a way to put my school
library opac on LibraryThing as well. The times they are achangin'.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
mail2web - Check your email from the web at
http://mail2web.com/ .

Website updated

I have uploaded the December update to my website. In this month's
updates, you'll find the Pennsylvania award nominees. I love seeing
what other states are nominating for their children's choice
awards. There are some awesome books on the list.

I've also included Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smth's new book. Santa
Knows is a cute book about believing in Santa. I am going to love
sharing this one with kids (and adults).

Michael Sullivan's new book, Escapade Johnson and Mayhem at Mount
Moosilauke, is included this month as well. I've known Michael for
years and it is great to see him publishing his books. This is the
first in a new series geared to upper elementary boys. I'm looking
forward to the next book. Congratulations, Michael!

Horn Book Fanfare List

Horn Book Fanfare list has been posted. Get it at
http://www.hbook.com/booklists/fanfare07.asp

I was happy to see some of my favorites make the list. I'm making my
list and love seeing what others are thinking. Horn Book picks that
I have on my list (so far). I'm sure more will appear as my list
gets finalized.

Marvelous Mattie by Emily Arnold
Mama by Jeanette Winter
John, Paul, George, and Ben by Lane Smith
Ballet of the Elephants by Leda Schubert
Freedom Walkers by Russell Freedman
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Clay by David Almond
Flotsam by David Wiesner

Best Books Lists

This is the time of year that many of us start
thinking about our favorite books of the
year. As I put together my list, I like to look
at what others have chosen for the best book
lists. SLJ has a very long list but I can't say
I see one that I didn't like. Kirkus' list is
shorter and must be harder to prepare! And I
like looking at the Shortbread list from the UK
to see what teens are enjoying overseas.

SLJ Best Books of
2006 http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6392368.html

ANDERSON, M. T. The Astonishing Life of Octavian
Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: Volume I: The Pox
Party. Candlewick. Tr $17.99. ISBN 0-7636-2402-0.
BANKS, Kate. Max’s Words. illus. by Boris
Kulikov. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks.Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-39949-2.
BEST, Cari. Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen. illus.
by Christine Davenier. Farrar/Melanie Kroupa Bks. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-35386-2.
BOYCE, Frank Cottrell. Framed. HarperCollins. Tr
$16.99. ISBN 0-06-073402-7; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-073403-5.
BROOKS, Kevin. The Road of the Dead.
Scholastic/The Chicken House. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-439-78623-1.
BRUCHAC, Joseph. Wabi: A Hero’s Tale. Dial. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-8037-3098-5.
CARBONE, Elisa. Blood on the River: James Town
1607. Viking. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-670-06060-7.
CHILD, Lauren. But Excuse Me That Is My Book.
illus. by author. Dial. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-8037-3096-9.
CHILD, Lauren, adapt. The Princess and the Pea.
photos. by Polly Borland. illus. by adapter.
Hyperion. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-7868-3886-8.
DICAMILLO, Kate. The Miraculous Journey of Edward
Tulane. illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. Candlewick.
Tr $18.99. ISBN 0-7636-2589-2.
DRAPER, Sharon M. Copper Sun. S & S/Atheneum. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-689-82181-6.
EILENBERG, Max, retel. Beauty and the Beast.
illus. by Angela Barrett. Candlewick. RTE $17.99. ISBN 0-7636-3160-4.
FISHER, Valorie. How High Can a Dinosaur Count?:
And Other Math Mysteries. illus. by author.
Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks. Tr $16.95. ISBN
0-375-83608-X; PLB $18.99. ISBN 0-375-93608-4.
FLEISCHMAN, Sid. Escape!: The Story of the Great
Houdini. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Tr $18.99.
ISBN 0-06-085694-9; PLB $19.89. ISBN 0-06-085095-7.
FRADIN, Judith Bloom & Dennis Brindell Fradin.
5,000 Miles to Freedom: Ellen and William Craft’s
Flight from Slavery. National Geographic. Tr
$19.95.ISBN 0-7922-7885-2; PLB $29.90. ISBN 0-7922-7886-0.
FREEDMAN, Russell. The Adventures of Marco Polo.
illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. Scholastic/Arthur
A. Levine Bks. RTE $17.99. ISBN 0-439-52394-X.
FREEDMAN, Russell. Freedom Walkers: The Story of
the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Holiday House. Tr $18.95. ISBN 0-8234-2031-0.
FROST, Helen. The Braid. Farrar/Frances Foster
Bks. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-30962-0.
GARDEN, Nancy. Endgame. Harcourt. Tr $16. ISBN 0-15-205416-2.
GOING, K. L. Saint Iggy. Harcourt. Tr $17. ISBN 0-15-205795-1.
HARDINGE, Frances. Fly by Night. HarperCollins.
Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-087627-1; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-087629-8.
HENKES, Kevin. Lilly’s Big Day. illus. by author.
HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Tr $15.99. ISBN
0-06-074236-4; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-074237-2.
HIMMELMAN, John. Chickens to the Rescue. illus.
by author. Holt. RTE $16.95. ISBN 0-8050-7951-3.
HOPKINSON, Deborah. Up before Daybreak: Cotton
and People in America. Scholastic Nonfiction. Tr
$18.99. ISBN 0-439-63901-8. (June)
JENKINS, Emily. Toys Go Out: Being the Adventures
of a Knowledgeable Stingray, a Toughy Little
Buffalo, and Someone Called Plastic. illus. by
Paul O. Zelinsky. Random/Schwartz & Wade Bks. Tr
$16.95. ISBN 0-375-83604-7; PLB $18.99. ISBN 0-375-93604-1.
JOHNSON, Harriet McBryde. Accidents of Nature.
Holt. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-8050-7634-4.
KLASS, David. Firestorm. Farrar/Frances Foster
Bks. Tr $17. ISBN 0-374-32307-0.
KNUDSEN, Michelle. Library Lion. illus. by Kevin
Hawkes. Candlewick. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-7636-2262-1.
KRULL, Kathleen. Isaac Newton. illus. by Boris
Kulikov. Viking. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-670-05921-8.
LARSON, Kirby. Hattie Big Sky. Delacorte. Tr
$15.95. ISBN 0-385-73313-5; PLB $17.99. ISBN 0-375-90332-4.
LEVINE, Gail Carson. Fairest. HarperCollins. Tr
$16.99. ISBN 0-06-073408-6; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-073409-4.
LEWIS, J. Patrick. Black Cat Bone: The Life of
Blues Legend Robert Johnson. illus. by Gary
Kelley. Creative Editions. Tr $19.95. ISBN 1-56846-194-1.
LOOK, Lenore. Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything.
illus. by Anne Wilsdorf. S & S/Atheneum/Anne
Schwartz Bks. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-689-86460-4.
LUPTON, Hugh & Daniel Morden. The Adventures of
Odysseus. illus. by Christina Balit. Barefoot. Tr $19.99. ISBN 1-84148-800-3.
LYGA, Barry. The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy
and Goth Girl. Houghton. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-618-72392-7.
MCCARTHY, Meghan. Aliens Are Coming!: The True
Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio
Broadcast. illus. by author. Knopf. Tr $16.95.
ISBN 0-375-83518-0; PLB $18.99. ISBN 0-375-93518-5.
MCLEOD, Bob. SuperHero ABC. illus. by author.
HarperCollins. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-074514-2; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-074515-0.
MARCUS, Leonard S., ed. & comp. The Wand in the
Word: Conversations with Writers of Fantasy.
Candlewick. RTE $19.99. ISBN 0-7636-2625-2.
MONTGOMERY, Sy. Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An
Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea.
photos. by Nic Bishop. Houghton. Tr $18. ISBN 0-618-49641-6.
MORRISON, Taylor. Wildfire. illus. by author.
Houghton/Walter Lorraine Bks. Tr $17. ISBN 0-618-50900-3.
MURDOCK, Catherine Gilbert. Dairy Queen. Houghton. Tr $16. ISBN 0-618-68307-0.
PATENT, Dorothy Hinshaw. The Buffalo and the
Indians: A Shared Destiny. illus. by William
Muñoz. Clarion. Tr $18. ISBN 0-618-48570-8.
PENNYPACKER, Sara. Clementine. illus. by Marla
Frazee. Hyperion. RTE $14.99. ISBN 0-7868-3882-5.
PINKNEY, Jerry. The Little Red Hen. illus. by
author. Dial. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-8037-2935-9.
PITZER, Susanna. Not Afraid of Dogs. illus. by
Larry Day. Walker. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-8027-8067-9;
RTE $17.85. ISBN 0-8027-8068-7. LC 2005027500.
RAMPERSAD, Arnold & David Roessel, eds. Langston
Hughes. illus. by Benny Andrews. Sterling. PLB $14.95. ISBN 1-4027-1845-4.
REEVE, Philip. Larklight: A Rousing Tale of
Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space.
illus. by David Wyatt. Bloomsbury. Tr $16.95. ISBN 1-59990-020-3.
ROY, Jennifer. Yellow Star. Marshall Cavendish. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-7614-5277-X.
SHUSTERMAN, Neal. Everlost. S & S. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-689-87237-2.
SIEGEL, Siena Cherson. To Dance: A Ballerina’s
Graphic Novel. illus. by Mark Siegel. S &
S/Atheneum/Richard Jackson Bks. RTE $17.95. ISBN
0-689-86747-6; pap. $9.99. ISBN 1-4169-2687-9.
SÍS, Peter. Play, Mozart, Play! illus. by author.
HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Tr $16.99. ISBN
0-06-112181-9; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-112182-7.
SMEE, Nicola. Clip-Clop. illus. by author. Boxer
Bks., dist. by Sterling. Tr $18.95. ISBN 1-905417-09-8.
SMITH, Lane. John, Paul, George & Ben. illus. by
author. Hyperion. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-7868-4893-6.
STANLEY, Diane. Bella at Midnight. illus. by
Bagram Ibatoulline. HarperCollins. Tr $15.99.
ISBN 0-06-077573-4; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-077574-2.
STEVENSON, Robert Louis. The Moon. illus. by
Tracey Campbell Pearson. Farrar. Tr $16. ISBN 0-374-35046-9.
STURTEVANT, Katherine. A True and Faithful
Narrative. Farrar. Tr $17. ISBN 0-374-37809-6.
TODD, Mark & Esther Pearl Watson. Whatcha Mean,
What’s a Zine?: The Art of Making Zines and
Mini-Comics. illus. by authors. Houghton/Graphia.
pap. $12.99. ISBN 0-618-56315-6.
TURNER, Megan Whalen. The King of Attolia.
HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Tr $16.99. ISBN
0-06-083577-X; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-083578-8.
VAN LEEUWEN, Jean. Benny & Beautiful Baby
Delilah. illus. by LeUyen Pham. Dial. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-8037-2891-3.
WALKER, Paul Robert. Remember Little Bighorn:
Indians, Soldiers, and Scouts Tell Their Stories.
National Geographic. Tr $17.95. ISBN
0-7922-5521-6; PLB $27.90. ISBN 0-7922-5522-4.
WEATHERFORD, Carole Boston. Moses: When Harriet
Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. illus. by Kadir
Nelson. Hyperion/Jump at the Sun. RTE $15.99. ISBN 0-7868-5175-9.
WERLIN, Nancy. The Rules of Survival. Dial. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-8037-3001-2.
WIESNER, David. Flotsam. illus. by author.
Clarion. RTE $17. ISBN 0-618-19457-6.
WINTER, Jonah. Dizzy. illus. by Sean Qualls.
Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-439-50737-5.
WOLF, Allan. Immersed in Verse: An Informative,
Slightly Irreverent & Totally Tremendous Guide to
Living the Poet’s Life. illus. by Tuesday
Mourning. Sterling/Lark. PLB $14.95. ISBN 1-57990-628-1.
YANG, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. illus. by
author. Roaring Brook/First Second. pap. $18.95.
ISBN 1-59643-152-0. LC number unavailable.
YORINKS, Arthur. Mommy? paper engineering by
Matthew Reinhart. illus. by Maurice Sendak.
Scholastic/Michael di Capua Bks. Tr $24.95. ISBN 0-439-88050-5.
ZUSAK, Markus. The Book Thief. Knopf. Tr $16.95.
ISBN 0-375-83100-2; PLB $18.99. ISBN 0-375-93100-7.

PW List of Best Books Kirkus Best Books of
2006 http://www.kirkusreviews.com/kirkusreviews/images/pdf/BestChildrens.pdf

Fiction

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing M.T. Anderson (Candlewick)
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Kate
DiCamillo, illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline(Candlewick)
Saint Iggy K.L. Going (Harcourt)
Fly by Night Frances Hardinge (HarperCollins)
Incantation Alice Hoffman (Little, Brown)
Firestorm David Klass (FSG/Foster)
Keturah and Lord Death Martine Leavitt (Front Street)
Fairest Gail Carson Levine (HarperCollins)
Sold Patricia McCormick (Hyperion)
Clementine Sara Pennypacker, illus. by Marla Frazee (Hyperion)
The Book Thief Markus Zusak (Knopf)

Nonfiction

Pick Me Up (DK)
Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini. Sid
Fleischman (HarperCollins/Greenwillow)
To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel. Siena
Cherson Siegel, illus. by Mark Siegel (Atheneum/Jackson)

Kirkus has released their
<http://www.kirkusreviews.com/kirkusreviews/images/pdf/BestChildrens.pdf>Best
Children's Books of 2006 list.

The Costa Shortlist (formerly
Whitebread)
<http://www.costabook.banjobray.com/awards/shortlist.aspx>http://www.costabook.banjobray.com/awards/shortlist.aspx

* Clay by David Almond (groan)
* The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding
* Set in Stone by Linda Newbery
* Just in Case by Meg Rosoff

Let the award speculation begin!

Thanksgiving

Well, the turkey is just leftovers now and the early morning rush of black Friday sales is behind me now. It never ceases to amaze how many people are out in the wee hours of the morning the day after Thanksgiving. Of course I wouldn't know that unless I was one of them. I got in line for a big screen tv at 2:30 this morning. We were told the store had 10 units and I was number 10 in line!! They didn't go on sale until 5:00 but it would be worth it. Until I found out at 4:30 that they had miscounted and really only had 9 units. Arrgghh. Well, more time for me to read!

I started Anderson's Octavian Nothing last week after it won the National Book Award. And somehow, half way through the book, it disappeared! I hope it shows up soon. I was having a book fair at school and I'm so afraid it got mixed up with the books. I called the book salesman to be on the look out for it. It is a signed advance copy so they shouldn't try to sell it.

So in the meantime, I picked up Michael Sullivan's Escapade Johnson and Mayhem at Mount Moosilauke. What a hoot! I'm so glad to find books that boys will enjoy and Michael certainly does understand the humor of tween boys. Way to go Michael. I'm looking forward to more!

Back on line

My ISP has fixed whatever the problem was and I am back online. I have uploaded the podcasts for the last few days. I've also updated the booktalks with the November update.

Between having ISP problems and migrating to a new laptop, it has made me ultra-aware of my dependency on technology and connectivity. With the use of web 2.0 applications comes the dependence on reliable connectivity. On the positive side, the migration to the new laptop was easier this time since a lot of my materials were on line anyway. I have my books cataloged in LibraryThing. My bookmarks are managed through del.icio.us. My home page is managed by pageflakes. I have several of my current documents in google.doc. One of my webpages is now a wiki. Wow, how web 2.0 applications have saved me a lot of work. On the other hand, not being able to upload files into my website had me in a tizzy. And when I lost my network connection and couldn't get into the Internet, I was stranded. I am becoming more and more dependent on being able to access the Internet, it is a bit worrisome when I can't get into it. I now have backups for my web materials because I know I don't want to be totally dependent on having my data managed by others.

Even so, I have added my new books to Librarything. Edited my book in google.doc. And added to my wiki. I guess I'm just hooked on the ease of using web 2.0 applications!

My its been a long time...

Since I last updated the blog, several things have happened on the web front for the Booktalker. In addition to keeping up with the additions to Booktalks Quick and Simple, there is now a podcast going on. That's right!

Booktalks is now a daily podcast. Actually, it started back in May and has been going on for six months now. My service provider is having a problem with the server so I haven't been able to upload for a couple of days but there will be more podcasts coming!

I have also transitioned the ATN Reading lists to a wiki site. I have been agonizing over how to keep the lists up to date. With well over 1,000 lists now, it is taking more and more of my time. And I have so much else going on that I just don't have the time to keep ATN up and running. Now as a wiki, it is much easier. And I have had lots of help. I have left the wiki open for editing and many people have been taking advantage of that and adding new books to the lists (and fixing my typos). I have had two pages blown away but I am resisting closing the wiki at this point. I am assuming that both instances were accidental and not malicious. I have been able to restore both pages. Check out the wiki when you get a chance http://atn-reading-lists.wikispaces.com/ Drop me a note and let me know what you think.

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan

Whelan, Gloria.
LISTENING FOR LIONS
New York : HarperCollins, 2005.
IL 5-8, RL 6.0
ISBN 0060581743
Rachel loves her life in Africa but that is all about to change. Her missionary parents die in the 1919 influenza epidemic and leave Rachel with no family and no prospects. Befriended by neighbors, Rachel is tricked into impersonating their daughter and traveling to England where she will meet "Grandfather" and try to pursuade him to reinstate the neighbors in his will. But Rachel hates the idea of tricking the old man and she misses Africa terribly. What can she do to make things right?

Sing, Nightengale, Sing!

De Guibert, Francoise.
SING, NIGHTENGALE, SING!
La Jolla, CA : Kane/Miller, 2006.
IL 3-6, RL 6.1
ISBN 1929132980
Do you know what my favorite thing about spring is? It's hearing the birds singing in the morning. After a long winter of silence, it is so wonderful to hear early morning wake up calls from the returning birds. But I admit I don't know too much about birds. I really couldn't tell one from the other. Either by listening to them or by seeing them. But this book is surely helping to change that. The book has pictures and descriptions of dozens of birds. And the CD that comes with it has the bird songs that help you identify the sounds. Be warned though. Don't play this CD around your cat. It will drive it crazy!!!

The Room of Wonders by Sergio Ruzzier

Ruzzier, Sergio.
THE ROOM OF WONDERS
New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.
IL K-3
ISBN 0374363439
Do you know what a pack rat is? Well, he is a little rodent that picks up things and keeps them. Maybe it is a feather. Or a shiny piece of glass. Or a sea shell. Some may think that these things are just junk, but the pack rat collects these things. Pius, our little pack rat in this book, stores all his treasures in a room he called the Room of Wonders. Visitors from all over come and marvel at his wonders. One day, one of the visitors asks Pius about an ugly stone that is in the collection. It ruins the whole thing. Can Pius throw away any of his collection?

Revenge of the witch by Joseph Delaney

Delaney, Joseph.
REVENGE OF THE WITCH
New York : Greenwillow, 2005.
IL 5-8, RL 4.7
ISBN 0060766190
Young Tom is the seventh son of the seventh son. There is no inheritance for the seventh son. There is just one thing that a seventh son can do and that is to be apprenticed to a tradesman. And Tom is following that route. His mother has chosen a very unusual apprenticeship for him. He is to work or the village spook. Now the
spook is not the most popular man in town. As a matter of fact, he has no friends. It is a very lonely life. The spook is in charge of protecting the villagers against ghouls, boggarts, and all manner of wicked beasties. Tom is not sure that he is cut out for this life. But it his duty to learn what he can. He very quickly finds himself disobeying the Spook's warnings and gets himself into trouble by mistakenly
freeing the witch Mother Malkin. Can he right this wrong? Or will atastrophe ensue?

I've been lax on posting.

Can't believe how long it has been since I posted. All the best intentions but none of the follow through. Well, I hope to get back into the habit of posting. I did get really bogged down in writing and started to neglect other things.

I've been working on podcasting as well. I have set up a podcast for Booktalks Quick and Simple. I only have one test podcast done now but as soon as I feel more comfortable with the whole thing, I will put a link on the website for the podcast.

Waiting for Harry

Decided not to go to one of the parties last night. After all, I pre-ordered from Amazon so the book should be delivered today. But when? According to the UPS tracker, my book is sitting in a room about 20 minutes from me. It is scheduled to be shipped today so I will get all my chores finished and hope the UPS truck comes sooner rather than later.

I've been reading different articles about the book but haven't found any real spoilers yet. I guess people are still reading the book. I'll keep watching for the UPS truck and clearing my calendar for the next day or so!

Back from Chicago

Wow, I just got back from ALA in Chicago and have so many new books to read. I haven't caught up on my stacks from before I left but I couldn't resist picking up some really interesting ARCs. And I also got to meet many authors and bought copies of their books to have autographed. I think there were more children's authors and illustrators at ALA than usual. I had a great time!

So, now I have lots of summer reading to do. I would love to just spend every day reading. But, I have two manuscripts due at the end of the summer so I guess I should be working on those! Plus I'm teaching a couple of classes this summer and giving a workshop on new children's lit. That is such a fun day.

Now, off to do some more reading.

I am the messenger

Zusak, Markus.
I AM THE MESSENGER
New York : Knopf, 2005
IL YA
ISBN 037593099X
Meet Ed Kennedy. He's an ordinary kind of guy. He drives a taxi and has no particular goals in life. Neither does his friends. Their lives revolve around mediocre work, playing cards, and soccer. But this is all about to change. Ed is at the bank when an armed gunman comes in to rob it. Now, Ed is not a particularly heroic type of guy but the circumstances of the robbery turn him into one. So, for a few days, his mother is proud of him. But then things go back to normal. At least for awhile. Then the card arrives. It's a playing card. The Ace of Diamonds. Written on the card are addresses and times. What could this possibly mean? As much as he wants to ignore the card, he knows he can't. And now his life is about to take a dramatic turn. As Ed begins to follow the information on the card and change other lives for the better. Some speculate that he is a saint. Or maybe even a fool. All he knows is that he must follow the information on the card. And then more follow.

The Perfect Wizard

Yolen, Jane.
THE PERFECT WIZARD : HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON
New York : Dutton Children's Books, 2004.
IL K-3, RL 4.3
ISBN 0525469559
I just love fairy tales. Some of my favorites are The Princess and the Pea,
the Ugly Duckling and Thumbelina. Do you know who wrote these fairy
tales? None other than Hans Christian Andersen. Do you ever wonder
where authors get their ideas? Are their stories based on things in their
real lives? Author Jane Yolen tells us about Andersen's life and shows us
how his work reflects the things that happened to him.

Runny Babbit

Silverstein, Shel.
RUNNY BABBIT
New York : HarperCollins, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 2.8
ISBN 0060284048
Meet Runny Babbit. He has lots of friends like Toe Jurtle, Skertie Gunk,
Rirty Dat, Dungry Hog, Snerry Jake, and many othersd who speak a
topsy-turvy language all their own.

"Runny got the picken chox
And had to bay in sted,
With sped rots on his belly
And sped rots on his head.

His friends all gave him sicken choup,
Bumgalls and bicorice lends,
And guess what little Runny Babbitt
Fave to all his griends!"

Eyes of the Emperor

Salisbury, Graham.
EYES OF THE EMPEROR
New York : Wendy Lamb Books, 2005.
IL YA
ISBN 0385908741
Eddy felt duty-bound. His friends had already enlisted in the army and it
was just a matter of time before he was drafted. Sure, he was only 16 but
with a little careful alterations, his birth certificate now proclaimed he was
18 and old enough to enlist. Army life started out as drills and orders but
that was all about to change. When the bombs started falling around his
island, he just couldn't believe that it was the Japanese who were bombing
Pearl Harbor. His dad was from Japan and always wanted to send Eddy
back to attend college. But in a few short hours, lives and dreams were
shattered. How could Japan attack their new country? And now Eddie,
along with the other Japanese American soldiers, were the enemy too. Sent
to an island off the coast of Mississippi, Eddy and his friends were now
being used in a top secret training mission. Even though this is a work of
fiction, it is based on real events that happened during World War II. You
may be very surprised to find out what Eddy's mission was.

The Boyfriend List

Lockhart, E.
THE BOYFRIEND LIST : (15 GUYS, 11 SHRINK APPOINTMENTS, 4
CERAMIC FROGS AND ME, RUBY OLIVER)
New York : Delecorte, 2005.
IL YA
ISBN 0385902387
1. Adam (but he doesn't count.)
2. Finn (but people just thought so.)
3. Hutch (but I'd rather not think about it.)
4. Gideon (but it was just from afar.)
5. Ben (but he doesn't know.)
6. Tommy (but it was impossible.)
7. Chase (but it was all in his mind.)
8. Sky (but he had someone else.)
9. Michael (but I so didn't want to.)
10. Angelo (but it was just one date.)
11. Shiv (but it was just one kiss.)
12. Billy (but he didn't call.)
13. Jackson (yes, okay, he was my boyfriend. Don't ask me any more about
it.)
14. Noel (but it was all a mistake.)
15. Cabbie (but I'm undecided.)

As Ruby Oliver goes through her list with her shrink, can she really come to
understand what has gone wrong with her life? And why she is having panic
attacks?

Who Am I Without HIm

Flake, Sharon.
WHO AM I WITHOUT HIM? : SHORT STORIES ABOUT GIRLS AND THE
BOYS IN THEIR LIVES
New York : Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, 2004.
IL YA
ISBN 0786806931
Who am I without him? Growing up black and poor and trying to figure it all out isn't easy. This collection of short stories is funny and anguished at the same time. Meet Erika who likes only white boys. And E who is too poor to have nice clothes and tries to find a way to impress the rich girl in his class. And Raheem who knows he can treat his girlfriend badly but she will always be there for him. And Cheryl who wants to date her best friend's guy. They are all here. And they all have a powerful story to tell.

Grandma's General Store

Carter, Dorothy.
GRANDMA'S GENERAL STORE : THE ARK
New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 3.6
ISBN 0374327661
Life in the 1930s is not easy. Work is scarce and money even scarcer.
After he loses his job at the sawmill, Daddy sees no future for the family in
the small Florida home. He must go elsewher to find a way to support his
family. When he and mama set off for Philadelphia to find work, five year
old Pearl and seven year old Prince are left in the care of Grandma. She
owns a small store that serves as a community meeting place for the black
inhabitants of this small town. We learn of the segregation of the town and
even meet a few of the Klansmen. But through it all, Grandma's store serves
as a safe harbor for Pearl and Prince.

Last Universe by William Sleator

Sleator, William. THE LAST UNIVERSE
New York : Amulet Books, 2005.
IL YA
ISBN 0810958589
Susan was beginning to feel a bit hesitant about going out into the garden.
Something was happening that wasn't quite right. But her desperately ill
older brother took comfort in the garden and it was Susan's job to take him
for walks in the sun. But this garden was changing. There were flowers
growing that should never grow in this part of the world. And the paths
seem to shift from where they normally went. Susan and Gary came to
realize that this had something to do with their great uncle who was a
quantum physicist. And this was a quantum garden. Don't know what that
is? Come on in to find out. Things are just not what they seem to be.

April update loaded

The April update to Booktalks -- Quick and Simple has been loaded. I don't have it indexed yet but I will get to it soon. I'm giving a workshop next week so need to get that ready first! This is the time of year that I'm getting lots of review copies that I can't wait to read but I also have several workshops to prepare for. Ah, life. Don't you just love Spring??

Click Here (To Find Out How I Survived the Seventh Grade

Vega, Denise.
CLICK HERE (TO FIND OUT HOW I SURVIVED THE SEVENTH GRADE)
Meet Erin. Going into 7th grade and finding out her best friend will not be in the same classes. Erin and Jilly have been best friends since Kindergarten and Erin has never really had to faced any situation without Jilly's input. Erin begins to keep an electronic blog to write down her feelings. Of course, she will not publish it. She just keeps it on disk and shares her most secret thoughts. But 7th grade doesn't turn out so bad after a rough start. Erin makes new friends and gets involved in the school's new Intranet Club. She finds that people even come to her with problems when it comes to computer code. But the boy she likes choses Jilly over her and things start going wrong. Through a series of errors, Erin's life is about to get a whole lot worse.

The Shadows of Ghadames

Stolz, Joelle. THE SHADOWS OF GHADAMES

Life at the end of the nineteenth century Libya is one of separation of the sexes. Malika is on the verge of adolescence and she begins to see how things are changing for her and her brother. While she is restricted more and more to the home, her brother is now banned from sharing the women's space and must now work with his uncle.
The childhood play is over. This is a world that may seem very strange to us in the 21st century but it is a world that makes sense to Malika's mother. But the arrival of a wounded young man makes Malika begin to question her limited opportunities.

B for Buster

Lawrence, Iain. B FOR BUSTER
For 16 year old Kak, joining the air force was a good way to escape his abusive father. He had dreams of flying and being a hero in the war. Stationed in England in 1943, Kak soon found himself flying ops over enemy territory. But it was not as exciting as he had believed. It was down right terrifying. He didn't know how he could go on flying. Surely no one else was as frightened as he was. But then he met an unusual man. Bert was the keeper of the
homing pigeons that were used to send messages back to base from the airplanes that went on the missions. Bert seemed to understand what Kak was feeling and was a source of strength for him. Join Kak as he learns that war is not all he had imagined it to be.

Bollywood Babes

Dhami, Narinder.
BOLLYWOOD BABES
The Dhillon sisters are back with a new adventure. Forced to participate in endless school fundraisers due to the alleged indescretion of the principal, the girls are excited to help with the latest idea. The school is hosting a Bollywood party. Both Auntie and Mr. Arora are working on the planning. But the girls get a great idea. They have found out that Molly Mahal is living nearby. She was big in the 1980s but hasn't done any Bollywood films in a long time. But the girls can't help but think what a big draw a real Bollywood start would be. So off they go in search of Molly Mahal. What they find is not at all what they expected. Actually, nothing goes as expected.

I'm a grandmother again!

My daughter just had her second baby. I am so thrilled! It's another boy -- and another red head. Now she has two little red headed boys! His name is Jordan Everett and his big brother Aiden is not too sure about it but he'll adjust.

New book is out!

My newest book has just been published! Using literature in the middle school classroom is published by Linworth and came out this past week. I hope you will check it out and let me know what you think!

March update uploaded

I have uploaded the March update to Booktalks. I haven't indexed it yet but that is coming. I've been working on the manuscript for my new book and that has taken most of my extra time. Now the manuscript is just about finished so I should have time to do other things -- like read!! I have hundreds of books waiting for me to read and it has been hard letting them lie there are I spent hours on the new book. But with the help of a few snow days, I've done what needed to be done and have time to get to those new books!

Tiger by Jeff Stone

Stone, Jeffrey S.
TIGER
New York : Random, 2005.
IL 5-8
ISBN 0375830715
Set in 17th century China, the first of the Five Ancestors series follows five young monks who are schooled in various forms of kung fu. The young monks live at the Cangzhen Temple with thier revered Grandmaster who has taught them the animal kung fu. But a former student has left the temple and vowed to kill the Grandmaster. When Ying returns, the Grandmaster successfully protects the brothers but the temple is destroyed and valuable scrolls are stolen. Young Fu, a twelve year old monk who has mastered tiger kung fu is separated from his brothers but will do anything to retrieve the scrolls and extract revenge on Ying.

Girls in pants

Brashares, Ann.
GIRLS IN PANTS : THE THIRD SUMMER OF THE SISTERHOOD
New York : Delacorte, 2005.
IL YA
ISBN 0385909195
This is the last summer before the Septembers are off to college. And they want to make it a great one. In the Fall, they will be heading off to Brown, NYU, RISD and Williams. They'll be close but not close enough to see each other a lot. So for the summer, Bridget is off to be a counselor at soccer camp. Tibby is working in a movie theatre. Of course, Lena will do anything rather than work in the restaurant. And Carmen has taken the unlikely job of taking care of Lena's Greek grandmother. But they make a plan to have one weekend at the beach at the end of the summer just for the girls. The summer brings change to each of the girls but what this means for each of the girls is very different.

Tumble Books

This past month I have been working with Tumble Readables to create quizzes for many of the Orca Soundings books. This has been a double treat for me. First, I read many of the Orca Soundings books. If you haven't read of these, I would recommend them. They are geared to reluctant high school readers. They each have a powerful story but told in a quick read. I will be posting booktalks for many of them on the site this month. Some are already on the site as I have already posted in the past. And, I would recommend you check out Tumble Books on the web. The URL for the Orca books (and more) is http://www.tumblereadables.com. These are full text ebooks that allow the reader to control the size of the type. Great for those kids who have trouble with small type. Check it out.

A Negro League Scrapbook

Weatherford, Carole Boston.
A NEGRO LEAGUE SCRAPBOOK
Honesdale, PA : Boyds Mills, 2005
IL 3-6
ISBN 1590780914
Can you imagine what it would be like if you were a fantastic baseball player but weren't allowed to play because of the color of your skin? You'd start your own baseball league, wouldn't you? That's just what the African American players did. In the early 1900s, some of the best players in the game were in the Negro League. Some of the names you may have heard of are Satchel Paige, Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson. They all got their start in the Negro League. Come along and look through this scrapbook of this incredible league.

Molly McGinty has a really good day

Paulsen, Gary.
MOLLY MCGINTY HAS A REALLY GOOD DAY
Molly McGinty is a very organized young lady. Her notebook is the center of her world. She has everything she needs right inside of it. Her homework assignments of course. Her address book. Pertinent information about her friends - phone numbers, email addresses, birthdays, pets, siblings. She had her lunch tickets in a special compartment. Emergency money. To-do reminders. You name it, she probably had it in her notebook. But now something is terribly wrong. Her notebook is missing! How will she get through the day? And what a day it is going to be. It is Senior Citizens Day at school and Molly's eccentric grandmother is coming to spend the day. Wow, little does Molly know what an unusual day it will be.

Legend of Buddy Bush

Moses, Shelia P.
LEGEND OF BUDDY BUSH
New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2004.
IL YA
ISBN 0689858396
In 1947 North Carolina, the rules are very different depending on the color of your skin. Twelve-year-old Pattie Mae understands this and longs to move north to Harlem with her brother and sister. She can't wait until she is old enough to leave. She loves her mother and her grandparents but the pull of the north is strong. Uncle Buddy has told her lots about life in Harlem. He spent many years there. So many that he sometimes forgets the rules in the south.

Sad week here

I've been trying to do some reading this week but it's been really hard. I found out on Tuesday that my adorable 16 year old cock-a-poo was going to die. Her kidneys had shut down and her cancer had spread. The vet suggested I put her down but I just couldn't make that decision. So I brought her home to die with us nearby. She passed away peacefully on Thursday night so it wasn't a long drawn out death. I am absolutely heartbroken and I've been trying to lose myself in books. But it seems every book I pick up either has a dog who dies or a dog being mistreated or at least a dog in it. Funny how we don't notice those things unless it is really on your mind.

I have been doing some reading though and will be posting some booktalks soon. I just have to get the booktalks written up and posted. I have so many new books to read thanks to ALA in Boston and the publishers sending me their new titles. Everytime I get my "to read" list manageable, it gets added to. Not that I'm complaining!

It's Super Bowl Sunday and everyone around here is going nuts over the Patriots. I'm just counting the days until the Red Sox spring training starts up (11 days!). I just don't get football but I'm a Red Sox fan from way back. Oh well, GO PATS!

February update is here

Wow, what a busy month. I went to ALA in Boston and I picked up lots of new ARCs. I have so much reading to do. What a chore :-) If only I didn't have to work, I'd have more time to read!!

I have uploaded the February update. Lots of books this month. Some of them are 2005 imprints!

I also posted the Pennsylvania children's choice nominees for 2005. Lots of great books there.

Back to the books -- later.

Tsunami tragedy

I've been glued to the news for the past couple of days watching the horror play out in Asia. It is too hard to even imagine the scope of this tragedy. To see the children swept away is more than my heart can bear. Stories of mothers having to choose which child to save -- strangers risking their lives to help others -- the wail of a parent watching a child being buried in a mass grave. These are images I will never forget. There is very little I can do to help other than donate money to organizations who can help. I did donate and I urge everyone who reads this to donate as well. There is so much help needed and needed quickly.

Tofu and T. Rex by Greg Leitich Smith

Smith, Greg Leitich. TOFU AND T. REX New York : Little, Brown, 2005 IL 5-8 ISBN 0316777226

They're back. Those wonderful kids from Peshtigo School who we first met in Ninjas, Piranhas and Galileo. This time we meet militant vegan Frederika Murchison-Kowalski who has just been kicked out of another school. It has to do with setting the football field on fire but I won't go into that just yet. So her short-lived stint in Texas ends and she is sent back to Chicago and Pestigo. Her cousin, Hans-Peter, is applying to the school and really wants to make a good impression on the selection committee. His life at home has become more complicated now that Freddie has moved in but he really hopes that she can help him get into the school. I won't tell you too much about what goes on but let me just say it involves a life-size papier-mache tyrannosaurus rex head, some bull frogs and some sushi kielbasa!

The Salem Witch Trials by Jane Yolen

Yolen, Jane. THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS New York : Simon & Schuster, 2004. IL 3-6 RL 6.4 ISBN 0689846207
Have you ever heard of witches? Sure you have. They are mentioned in fantasy stories all the time. Even the Harry Potter books have witches in them. But do witches really exist? Back hundreds of years ago, little girls in Salem, Massachusetts became ill. When no one could figure out what was wrong with them, it was decided that witches had cast spells on them. That started a witch hunt that resulted in many deaths. What really happened? It is a mystery to this day about what really went on in Salem. But here are all the clues you will need to decide for yourself what happened.

Predator's Gold by Phillip Reeve

Reeve, Philip. PREDATOR'S GOLD New York : Eos, 2003 IL YA ISBN 0060721944

Tom and Hester have escaped about their airship but now find themselves pursued. When they manage to avoid capture they turn their ship north and come across the city of Anchorage. One of the earliest traction city, Anchorage is one of the few non-predator cities. But the city is in bad shape. Most of the inhabitants have been killed and the few that remain are being led by a young girl who has been thrust into the role of leader with the death of her parents. Unsure of how to rule the city and knowing that they are being hunting by the fierce predator city Arkangel, Freya makes a bold decision. Anchorage will navigate towards the Dead Continent. Freya has read Professor Pennyroyal's books about America and she believes that there is hope there. When Tom, Hester and Professor Pennyroyal arrive on Anchorage, she is convinced that this is the correct course for her beloved city. Little does she know that it will not be as easy as she thinks. They still have to outrun Arkangle and actually find America. Non-stop action and the introduction of some new and interesting characters will delight fans of the Hungry City Chronicles.

More Christmas books

Here are more Christmas books for the season. Enjoy your holidays!

Numeroff, Laura Joffe. IF YOU TAKE A MOUSE TO THE MOVIES New York : Laura Geringer, 2000. IL K-3, RL 1.5 ISBN 0060278684
"If you take a mouse to the movies, he'll ask you for some popcorn. When you give him the popcorn, he'll want to string it all together." And so it goes. The little mouse is back making his demands. And we just know that one thing will lead to another. Join the mouse in this Christmas tale.

Palatini, Margie. MOOSELTOE New York : Hyperion Books for Children, 2000 .IL K-3, RL 3.2 ISBN 0786805676
Moose is getting ready for Christmas. And he wants everything perfectly perfect. He makes lists and has everything down that needs to be done. And then he starts doing everything on his list. Check, check, check. Everything is done. Or is it? Has Moose forgotten anything? Will it be a perfectly perfect Christmas in the Moose household?

Tafuri, Nancy. COUNTING TO CHRISTMAS New York : Scholastic, 1998. IL K-3, RL 1.3 ISBN 0590271431
When December comes, we know it is just a few days before Christmas. Do you do anything special on the days leading up to the big day? Do you bake cookies? Or wrap presents? Or write to Santa? This counting book tells the story of a little girl who is counting the days until Christmas.

Walsh, Vivian. OLIVE, THE OTHER REINDEER New York : Chronicle Books, 1997. IL K-3, RL 3.5 ISBN 0811818071
Olive the dog was listening to the radio. It was almost Christmas so there was lots of Christmas music playing. Olive heard on the radio "All of the other reindeer" but she misunderstood and thought they said "Olive the other reindeer". Oh no. Now she is on her way to the North Pole to join Santa and his reindeer. What will happen to Olive?

Christmas books

Last week, I had the pleasure of participating in Midnight Madness festivities. I spent time at a local bank reading to children. While preparing, I read a lot of Christmas books before I decided on which to use. Of course, I also wanted to read them to my grandson so it certainly was fun. And, I can't read a book without writing a booktalk so there are going to be many on this month's update. Here are several that will be appearing on my page.

Brett, Jan.
WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON CHRISTMAS EVE?
New York : G.P. Putman, 2002.
IL K-3, RL 5.3
ISBN 0399238735
Kyri is not looking forward to that knock on the door on Christmas eve. You see, each year, just as she finishes all the baking, a band of hungry trolls come crashing in and eat all the food. And they break things in the house. This year, Kyri's father has gone to the hilltop to chase the trolls away. But then Kyri hears a knock on the door. It's a very polite knock so Kyri doesn't believe it is the horrible trolls. But, who can it be?

Greene, Rhonda Gowler.
THE STABLE WHERE JESUS WAS BORN
New York : Atneneum Books for Young Readers, 1999.
IL K-3, RL 5.0
ISBN 0689812582
This is the story of the little stable where Jesus was born on that magical day thousands of years ago. This is the story of the animals. And the shepherds. And the angels. And mostly, this is the story of Jesus.

Hooks, William H.
THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS ROSE
New York : HarperCollins, 1999.
IL K-3, RL 5.0
ISBN 0060271035
A long, long time ago, a little girl named Dorothy lived with her parents and brothers. Her brother were much older than she and spent most of their time with the flock of sheep that the family owned. Dorothy loved bringing her brothers food and water while they were out in the fields. When she noticed a group of strangers passing by, she was afraid that they were robbers. But, she learned that a law was passed that all citizens must return to their place of birth to be taxed. So the road was now filled with people heading out. Then one night, her brothers saw an angel and were told of the birth of a king. They set out to see him. Dorothy wanted to go along but knew her brothers would say no. So she secretly followed them. But she had no gift for the newborn king. Do you have any idea of who Dorothy would see when she arrived?

Krensky, Stephen.
HOW SANTA GOT HIS JOB
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1998.
IL K-3, RL 4.5
ISBN 0689806973
Have you ever wondered how Santa became Santa? I mean, was he always Santa or did he have other jobs before becoming Santa? What made him want to become Santa? How did he find out about the job? There are so many questions. This is one explanation that might be How Santa Got His Job.

Mangan, Anne.
THE CHRISTMAS BEAR
New York : Troll, 2003.
IL K-3
ISBN 0816774587
The little white bear waited in the toy shop window for someone to notice him and take him home with them. But no one did. And then the owner of the shop took him out of the window and put him on a tall, tall shelf. Now no one could see him. He became very sad. He really wanted to belong to someone but day after day he sat in the toy shop and no one wanted him. One lady even said he looked like a mistake! Will he ever find a home?

More to come later.

Knuffle Bunny

Willems, Mo.
KNUFFLE BUNNY : A CAUTIONARY TALE
New York : Hyperion Books for Children, 2004.
IL K-3, RL 3.1
ISBN 0786818700
Do you have a favorite stuffed animal? One that you hate to be without? I know my daughter did. She never went anywhere without her BoBo Bear. This is the story of a little girl who has a favorite stuffed bunny -- Knuffle Bunny. She's just a little girl who can't talk yet. When Knuffle Bunny gets left behind during an errand, she does all she can to get her father to understand what is happening. Will she ever see Knuffle Bunny again?

Whispering to Witches

Dale, Anna.
WHISPERING TO WITCHES
New York : Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2004.
IL 3-6, RL 5.8
ISBN 1582348901
Joe had really been looking forward to spending Christmas at home with his dad. But now his life has taken a whole new turn. When his dad is called out of town, Joe is put on the train to spend the holidays with his mother in Canterbury. When he gets off the train at the wrong stop, he "borrows" a bike that seems to have a life of it's own. And Joe ends up in the company of witches. As a matter of fact, he finds himself joing the Dead-nettle Coven who are involved in a in a mystery involving a lost spell. How does this all come out? Well, you'll just have to take a trip to Canterbury with Joe to figure it all out.

The Librarian of Basra

Winter, Jeanette.
THE LIBRARIAN OF BASRA -- A TRUE STORY FROM IRAQ
New York : Harcourt, 2005.
IL 3-6
ISBN 0152054456
This is the story of an amazing woman. Her name is Alia Baker and she lives in Basra, Iraq. During the spring of 2003, she became concerned about the rumors of war coming to Basra. She was the head of the Central Library in Basra and she was concerned that the war would destroy the library. Some of the books in the collection were over 700 years old and priceless. So, Alia came up with a way to save the library. This is a true story of the librarian of Basra.

December update loaded

I was able to load the December update already. The indexes have been updated as well. And now it is time to go shopping!

Updating the page today

I am a bit late getting my webpage updated this month. I attended a really great conference last week so got a bit behind. The conference was the Christa McAullife Technology Conference. Lots of great ideas being shared. I presented two workshops on reading and technology and got to attend several others. I am now starting to use a Palm handheld. I have resisted up to this point, but I broke down and bought one and got great ideas for using it at the conference.

My Saturday class ended today. I love the last day of class but at the same time get sad because of the students I won't see again. But anyway, I'm taking time this afternoon to update my webpage. It should be loaded by tonight. I might not get to indexing it until later but my goal is to have the December update done.