author of more than a dozen books for kids & teens
04 Oct 2011 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, News Tags: Canadian Library Month, Your Library: A Place Unbound
You and I know how important libraries are to our communities, so don’t forget that October is Canadian Library Month. We’re already four days into October, but there’s plenty of time to drop into your local library to explore a world unbound.
Your Library: A Place Unbound
03 Oct 2011 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents Tags: Boys Read, Boys Rock Boys Read, Boys Rule Boys Read, Jon Scieszka
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but a really helpful site on boys and reading is Guys Read which was started by the Jon Scieszka. Two more sites that I’ve just discovered through a list-serve I belong to are: http://jaja-cas.blogspot.com, a blog for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg library system called Boys Rule Boys Read and an independent blog called Boys Rock Boys Read thttp://boysrockbr.blogspot.com The second blog has a column of Most Popular Posts and the first one is Books Every Guy Should Read. Both have numerous recommendations and links to boy book sites.
02 Oct 2011 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents Tags: a, Cornelia Funke, Gary Paulsen, Great books for 1 0-12 year old boys, Kenneth Oppel, Michael Morpurgo, Morris Gleitzman, Philip Pullman, Rhcard Scrimger
One of the kid’s lit groups I belong to was asking about books for 10-12 year old boys. There are so many wonderful books for this age group. If you know a young boy in this age group, here are a few new and old but good titles to consider.
Here are a few of my recommendations:
Morris Gleitzman
Toad Rage
Toad Away
Gary Paulsen
Hachet
Dog Song
Escape From Fire Mountain
Michael Morpurgo
An Elephant in the Garden
Dear Ollie
Philip Pullman
I was a Rat,
The Homework Machine,
The Golden Compass and The Amber Spyglass (for sophisticated readers, but the 3rd book is rather dark)
Richard Scrimger
The Nose From Jupiter
A Nose for Adventure
From Charlie’s Point of View
Cornelia Funke
Inkheart
Inkspell (the last in the series was quite dark)
she also has some books for younger readers but can’t recall names off hand
Kenneth Oppel
Silver Wing
Sun Wing (2 more in the series. all are good)
Airborn (the first in a series but also works as a stand alone)
Arthur Slade
The Hunchback Assignments
Monsterology: Fabulous Lives of the Creepy, the Revolting, and the Undead (quite tongue and cheek)
Invasion of the IQ Snatchers
Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events
(series plus the unauthorized autobiography which is very funny)
Do you have any must read titles to suggest? If so, please post them in the comments.
01 Oct 2011 Leave a comment
in Events, For Educators, For Kids, For Parents Tags: book bloggers awards, children's lit, The Cybils
Yep. It’s that time of the year again. You have just two weeks to nominate your favorite kids’ books. TWO WEEKS folks! Nominations close October 15 @ midnight, so get on over to the Cybils site and get nominating! There are categories to cover all of your reading interests:
Just in case you haven’t heard of the Cybils, here’s the low down. A few years back, six I think, a group of kids’ book bloggers got together to give out awards for the books they thought were the cream of the crop; the Cybils awards. It started out small, but it’s grows exponentially. Bloggers from near and far wade through piles of books for no other reason than interest. Although there is zero monetary value associated with the awards for either authors or publishers, the winners garner huge prestige and of course bragging rights as well as a fountain pen in an engraved box.
Finalists will be posted January 1st, 2012. Winners will be announced February 14th, 2012.
Even if you aren’t interested in nominating, the Cybils site is the place to be as the judges will be randomly posting excepts from their reviews throughout the judging period. Personally, I can’t wait to find out what’s hot and what I’ve missed.
30 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, News Tags: "I Am" video, A life affirming video, Sheree Fitch
This video, which came by way of the wonderful lip-slippery Sheree Fitch. It’s made for you and me and everyone.
24 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
in For Kids, News Tags: Jim Henson, The Muppets
Today, the legendary Jim Henson would have been 75. It’s almost hard to imagine a time without his wonderful muppets…Big Bird, Bert, Earnie and the Cookie Monster. If you’re a big fan too, you can vote for your favorite character at this link. I’m a little partial to Miss Piggy because she’s just so out there. Who is your favourite Jim Henson character? – Your Community.
21 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
in For Kids, Publishing News Tags: Philippa Gregory, Simon & Schuster UK, young adult books
Great news for historical fiction fans. Philippa Gregory will be releasing her first book for young adults next summer with Simon & Schuster UK Children’s. I’m so excited as I totally loved The Boleyn Girl (FYI, the book was so much better than the movie). And I devoured her other books including: The Queen’s Fool, The Constant Princess and The Virgin’s Lover. With a PhD in 18th Century Literature, it’s no surprise that Ms. Gregory is a master at creating richly layered stories with authentic historical backgrounds while maintaining tension and intrigue. I can hardly wait to see what she produces for the young adult market.
16 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
in For Kids, Helping Hands, News, Worthy Causes Tags: Canuck Place, Erika Quiroz, Hannah Christensen, literacy, Make A Wish Foundation, Raise a Reader, Sock Wars
The loss of a child is a difficult thing for any family, but the Christensen family of British Columbia have chosen to remember their son and brother, Jonah by raising funds for children’s charities. The Make-A-Wish-Foundation and Canuck Place (a pediatric hospice that provides palliative care children and support for their families) are two charities that have benefited from this family’s admirable efforts to cope with their grief by supporting others in need. Since Jonah’s dad was a magician, it was a natural to raise funds through magic shows. This year, the family has expanded their fundraising efforts to include a children’s book inspired by Jonah’s playfulness. Sock Wars is the story of a sister and brother who have fun even before the chores are done. Written by Jonah’s twelve year old sister, Hannah Christensen and illustrated by Erika Quiroz, this charming picture book is as joyful as it is heartfelt. This year, the proceeds from book sales will be donated to the Raise-A-Reader, a children’s literacy program that has raised millions in a little over ten years.
You can read an on-line version of Sock Wars but don’t forget to boost literacy in BC with a generous donation.
09 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
in Award News, For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, News Tags: Boo Hoo Bird, books for kids, books for teens, Jeremy Tankard, Oprah, Oprah's Kid's Reading Lists
I have to admit that I’ve never been a big Oprah follower, possibly because daytime television has never been my thing. I know, I know, she’s got her own magazine and now her own network, but I suspect that much of her popularity developed as a result of her talk show with her fans following her into various other media. Of course I took note of the books on her Book Club list but I had no idea she had an interest in books for kids and teens. But, when I heard that one of my favorite author/illustrators, Jeremy Tankard’s Boo Hoo Bird landed on one of Oprah’s recommended reading lists for kids, I knew I had to check it out. So, if like me, you haven’t been an Oprah follower, take a boo at Oprah’s kids’ reading lists. You won’t see all of your favorites there, but I promise you, you’ll be impressed. Oprah’s pages include: lists of new and classics books for various ages, lists of books for boys, a list of historical books for kids, a list with the 2010 Caldecott and Newbery Award winners, a list of what First Lady Michelle Obama has been reading to children, and even a list of books you may want to steel from your teens.
08 Sep 2011 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, Helping Hands, News, Worthy Causes Tags: ABC Life Literacy Canada, CODE, International Literacy Day, literacy, Literacy USA, Raise a Reader, UNESCO
Happy International Literacy Day! Today is a great day to celebrate literacy, but also to reflect on the riches that being literate has brought to each of us, our families and our communities. Of course it’s a great day for those of us who want to celebrate, but what about the one in five adults who aren’t literate? And what about the 67.4 million children who don’t have the chance to attend school? There are so many ways to support literacy in your community with programs like “Raise a Reader”, nationally through organizations like ABC Life Literacy Canada, Literacy USA and internationally via UNESCO and CODE. If we all do a small part to give others a chance to celebrate life with literacy, we’ll make our world a better place.
Sheryl McFarlane 