In this article, the author describes her new approach to collection development. To fulfill her dream of each kid walking out of the library with the book they asked for, she enlisted the help of her students. Once they realized that their suggestions were taken seriously, the more they were willing to take the time to tell her about the great…

In this article, the author, chair of the 2009 Caldecott committee, revealed some very interesting insights into what goes on behind closed doors when she recently spoke to this year's incoming band of judges. This article presents what the author told to members of the 2011 Caldecott committee. The author suggests the 2011 Caldecott committee…

With so many choices and so many terrific nonfiction titles in the pipeline, picking the "right" read can be daunting. This year, the author offers a variety of choices: the future of books, the life of a great American photographer, jigsaw puzzles as a metaphor for life, the negative legacy of America's positive thinking, a history of American…

Mere days before the announcement of the new children's book ambassador, speculation was still running wild. However, when the Library of Congress introduced Katherine Paterson as the new kids' book ambassador on January 5, the choice was greeted with unrivaled enthusiasm. A two-time winner of the Newbery Medal (for "Bridge to…

No one believes that bullying is a problem isolated to teens and tweens. Children tease one another from a very young age; they discover power by rejecting someone or by taking another's toys. Adults are hardly immune. By addressing bullying behavior early on, at every grade level, and in a variety of ways, educators have a better chance of…

This article offers a savvy guide to the best graphic nonfiction books for teens. Many of these titles work well with teens, offering them quick access to facts and an enjoyable encounter with books and information literacy. In putting together this list of essential titles for high schoolers, the author searched for graphic nonfiction that is…

Street lit is controversial stuff. Even though street lit is a huge hit with today's teens, one will not find the semiautobiographical novels of Vickie Stringer and Nikki Turner, the grandes dames of urban fiction, on many (if any) high school reading lists or, for that matter, on some public libraries' shelves. That's because street lit (aka…

In this article, the author presents a list of her favorite romantic young adult novels to tempt the hearts of the tweens and teens. They are arranged in their appropriate Cupid-inspired categories.

Readers' advisory with middle schoolers does not come easily. In an effort to expand students' reading horizons, the author describes how to teach students to speak intelligently and thoughtfully about their book preferences. She cites Joyce Saricks's "Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library" (ALA, 2005), a book that gave her the clarity…

Discusses key points for children's librarians to consider in selecting books, preparing questions, and facilitating communication for book discussions. Highlights include choosing discussable books; ambiguous endings; factual, interpretive, and evaluative questions; helping readers talk; and benefits. Sidebars include a book discussion sampler,…

Efforts of the Constitutional Heritage Club (CHC) and several supportive groups to censor the book and magazine collections of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County are discussed. (NH)

The reevaluation syndrome'' currently sweeping children's Librarianship is evaluated. (NH)

A library hooks onto junior teens' interest in horror films and expands it to their favorite film personalities, the history of horror film, and film techniques and criticism. (28 references) (Author)

It is suggested that, in order to be prepared for efforts at censorship, private school libraries should establish a written selection policy, prepare a request for reconsideration of library materials form, set up a materials review committee, and keep up to date on intellectual freedom issues. (CHC)

Recommends bibliotherapy as a way in which school media specialists can help children become more independent and more socially and emotionally mature. Situations for which bibliotherapy is appropriate and the importance of discussions and other follow-up activities are covered. (8 references) (MES)