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The Imperative for Change: Pam Moran and Ira Socol lay it on the line for librarians at SLJ’s Summit
When it comes to libraries, educators Ira Socol and Pam Moran are very clear—it’s imperative that these institutions evolve in today’s technologically-driven world or risk fading into irrelevancy. Socol and Moran are set to deliver the “unkeynote” at School Library Journal’s Leadership Summit, October 26-27, in Philadelphia.
International Games Day @ your library
The American Library Association (ALA) is coordinating the annual International Games Day @ your library (IGD12) for Saturday, November 3, 2012. It is estimated that more than one thousand libraries around the world will showcase gaming programs and services in support of IGD12. This year marks the 5th annual event. In 2011, over 27,700 people played games at more than 1,400 libraries across the U.S. and in other countries.
Inspirational Programs at Your High School? Reap the Awards
If your secondary school is in the U.S., has a minimum of 40 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced lunches, and has at least five senior classes, you could be eligible to apply for the annual College Board Gaston Caperton Inspiration Award. This is no small prize—three winning schools each receive $25,000, and an additional five could receive $1,000 honorable mention awards.
News Bites: Involve Your Students in the Election Process with ePals World Election Center
Involve your students in the election process in the United States and globally with ePals World Election Center. The site includes projects and activities to reinforce K–12 students’ critical thinking skills and cultural awareness by having them become involved in the election process. Students have the opportunity to voice their opinions about issues affecting them at home and learn about the elections abroad.
Latest Reviews
Pictures of the Week
Pictures of the Week: Book Launch Party for Margaret Willey
Author Margaret Willey at the Bookman bookstore in Grand Haven, MI at a Book Launch Party for her recent novel Four Secrets, on September 27.
Upcoming Webcasts
Lois Lowry LIVE!
The two-time Newbery Medalist discusses Son, the sequel to The Giver. Broadcasting LIVE from The Maurice J. Tobin K-8 School SPONSORED BY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and School Library Journal SCHEDULED EVENT DATE: Wednesday, November 7, 2012– 1:00 PM ET – 60 minutes Register now! Lois Lowry’s breakthrough dystopian novel, The Giver has been read by millions of people around the world. It left many with lingering questions: What happened to Jonas and Gabriel? Is a perfect society … [Read More...]
Fall Books for Kids
SPONSORED BY: Annick Press, Charlesbridge, Tuttle Publishing, and School Library Journal EVENT DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET/12:00 - 1:00 PM PT Register now! Learn about fall’s collection of new books for your young readers during this School Library Journal webcast event. From illustrated books to chapter books, topics range from superheroes to farmers, and then some! Discover what it means to be a samurai in Benjamin Martin’s Samurai Awakening, … [Read More...]
All Latest Posts
Inspirational Programs at Your High School? Reap the Awards
If your secondary school is in the U.S., has a minimum of 40 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced lunches, and has at least five senior classes, you could be eligible to apply for the annual College Board Gaston Caperton Inspiration Award. This is no small prize—three winning schools each receive $25,000, and an additional five could receive $1,000 honorable mention awards.
The Imperative for Change: Pam Moran and Ira Socol lay it on the line for librarians at SLJ’s Summit
When it comes to libraries, educators Ira Socol and Pam Moran are very clear—it’s imperative that these institutions evolve in today’s technologically-driven world or risk fading into irrelevancy. Socol and Moran are set to deliver the “unkeynote” at School Library Journal’s Leadership Summit, October 26-27, in Philadelphia.
News Bites: Involve Your Students in the Election Process with ePals World Election Center
Involve your students in the election process in the United States and globally with ePals World Election Center. The site includes projects and activities to reinforce K–12 students’ critical thinking skills and cultural awareness by having them become involved in the election process. Students have the opportunity to voice their opinions about issues affecting them at home and learn about the elections abroad.
Book Reviews from Young Adults
When YA author Gina Damico set out on her Slapdash Road Trip Book Tour, she set aside time to visit our teen reviewers, Bookmarked, at Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy in Jefferson, Louisiana. What a thrill it was for Fred, pictured here with Damico, to meet a new favorite author face to face! You can read his review of her latest title, Scorch, right here.
‘The Future of Us’ Out in Paperback
The Future of Us (Razorbill, 2012), co-written by Carolyn Mackler and Jay Asher, comes out in paperback today. Find out how to win two autographed copies, one hardcover and one paperback.
Pick of the Day: Recovering: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa (DVD)
Recovering: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. DVD. 27 min. with worksheets online. Learning ZoneXpress. 2012. ISBN unavail. $79.95.
Gr 7 Up–Two serious and potentially deadly eating disorders that affect a rising number of teens and young adults—anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa—are frankly explored. Stories of recovering young adults are interwoven with facts and statistics presented by psychiatrists and nutritionists. Five main topics are covered: risk factors for eating disorders, what triggers them, why eating disorders are dangerous, treatment, and things to [...]
DC Parents Demand School Librarians Be Restored
Parents in Washington, DC, are taking to the streets, advocating for more funding for their school libraries and librarians. The Capitol Hill Public Schools Parent Organization (CHPSPO) has spent the past seven months pushing for Washington, DC, to open its coffers to school libraries to replenish shelves, upgrade library spaces and hire more librarians for K–12 students.
On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: Sequels, Prequels, and Companions: Oh My!
As trends and genres continue to evolve, one thing remains consistent: the return of beloved characters and stories. Whether it’s a sequel, a prequel, or a companion novel that walks alongside the original, books that connect to each other continue to be fan favorites.
Librarians Flock to New York Comic Con
Digital comics, gaming, and, of course, costumes were among the draws for teachers and librarians who attended New York Comic Con’s (NYCC) Professional Day on Thursday, October 11, featuring panels by the American Library Association, among other organizations. Once again, as in past years, New Jersey librarians dominated as presenters at Professional Day, covering collection development, library programming, and the history of the science fiction and fantasy genres.
Taking it to Twitter: Librarians Debate the Demise of Dewey
Is the Dewey Decimal System making it too difficult for young users to find what they’re looking for? At a virtual Twitter gathering Thursday October 11, librarians from the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, who have re-organized their library with a new system that they call Metis, responded to questions about Dewey’s flaws, its relevance in today’s world, and the best ways to encourage library usage among patrons.
Fresh Paint: The Trouble with Being the New Kid in Town
Part of the fun of opening a new library is getting to tell people about it, and seeing their reactions. Myself and some coworkers have recently attended farmer’s markets and back-to-school nights in the Gum Sping area, talking to residents about the new library and answering their questions about resources and programs. We have encountered excited citizens whose enthusiasm is palpable. But we have also met hesitant residents who have never experienced a public library who are unsure of its purpose, and fearful of its unfamiliarity. While we appreciate the former group, the latter group is what drives me to outreach events, in hopes of educating them on the benefits of the library so that when we open they are educated as to our mission and seek to learn more about us.
Pick of the Day: Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature’s Undead
JOHNSON, Rebecca L. Zombie Makers: . 48p. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. notes. photos. websites. CIP. Millbrook. Oct. 2012. RTE $30.60. ISBN 978-0-7613-8633-9; ebook $22.95. ISBN 978-1-4677-0125-9. LC 2011046181.
Gr 5-8–Ratchet up your ick-factor and practice your eeyuw’s because Johnson’s researched text will reveal enough details to cause squeamish (or highly imaginative) readers to quail. Hairworms that cause crickets to commit suicide; jewel wasps that turn cockroaches into walking pantries for their larvae; and a fungus that drives its ant host [...]
