National Book Award Long List: The ten finalists for the 2020 National Book Award, Young People’s Literature category, were announced on Sept. 16. All ten authors are first-time nominees. The winners will be announced on [continue reading]
Hike Review
Oswald, Pete. Hike. Pete Oswald, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 03/2020. [38]pp. $17.99. 978-1-5362-0157-4. OUTSTANDING. GRADES K-3. Hike is a beautiful wordless picture book that chronicles a day spent between a father and his child as [continue reading]
The Bad Guys Read-Alikes
“The Bad Guys” Series by Aaron Blabey Anderson, Laura Ellen. Evil Emperor Penguin. Baldwin, Christopher. Little Penguin and Dee. Bird, Pip. Dave the Unicorn: Welcome to Unicorn School. Clanton, Ben. “Narwhal and Jelly” series. Cronin, [continue reading]
Kwame Alexander Creates Digital Video Series
Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander has created a new video series on writing for children called WordPlay: www.slj.com/?detailStory=Kwame-Alexander-creates-WordPlay-digital-video-series-on-writing. The ten-episode series engages tweens to show them how cool writing can be.
Mañanaland Review
Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Mañanaland. Fiction. Scholastic, 03/2020. 256pp. $18.99. 978-1-338-15786-4. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 3-7. Living with his stonemason bridge-building Papá and Buelo, Latinx Maximiliano Córdoba’s only worries are whether he will be able to try out [continue reading]
ACL Meeting to be held Friday, Sept. 11th
ACL Meeting Friday, September 11, 2020: Just a quick reminder for our Bay Area members! Please join us for our ACL Meeting on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, from 10am-Noon over Zoom. We will have our [continue reading]
Desert Diary Review
Tunnell, Michael O. Desert Diary: Japanese American Kids Behind Barbed Wire. Non-fiction. Charlesbridge, 08/2020. 147pp. $19.99. 978-1-58089-789-1. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 4-8. Mae Yanagi was just 7 years of age when her family was forcibly removed [continue reading]
Kindness Storytime
Kindness Storytime Ideas Social and emotional learning can begin early, even in preschool, and is an essential part of preparing for Kindergarten. For a storytime focusing on Kindness, make a friendship bracelet: https://teachpreschool.org/2012/09/16/making-friendship-bracelets-in-preschool/ . Berger, [continue reading]