Morning Notes: Cat People Edition

SPEAK SPEAKS

There are always going to be people (see: fools) who are going to reject honesty in books. Such was the case this week with a controversy surrounding Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak. An associate professor of management at Missouri State University made some unbelievable comments regarding the Printz honor book, and the response has been swift and strong. None better, in my humble opinion, than Philip Nel’s articulate smackdown. Click here to read.

JUDGIN’ AIN’T EASY

The Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Book Awards (Cybils) have been letting loose with the names of judges and panelists for the 2010 committees. I’m mighty pleased to be bringin’ the machismo as the lone male on the Fiction Picture Book crew:

Panel Organizer: Pam Coughlan, MotherReader

Panelists (Round I Judges):

Emily Beeson, Homespun Light
Pam Coughlan (see category organizer)
Me, 100 Scope Notes
Natasha Maw, Maw Books
Dawn Mooney, 5 Minutes for Books
Kiera Parrott, Library Voice
Jennifer Wharton, Jean Little Library

Judges (Round II):

Becky Bilby, In the Pages
Katie Davis, Brain Burps About Books
Tess Goldwasser, Kid’s Book Blog
Melanie Hope Greenberg, Mermaids on Parade
Danielle Smith, There’s a Book

Can’t wait to get started. Click here to visit the Cybils site.

NOW THIS? THIS IS A BAD COVER

Like any self-respecting bad cover enjoyer, I have my ugly cover sources. Namely, Awful Library Books and Good Show Sir. The latter recently highlighted a cover so awesomely bad that it deserves to be shared:

That is indeed a dinosaur with a baby head. Click here to see the entire post at Good Show Sir.

LET THE NEWBERY PREDICTING COMMENCIFY

Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog is back to discuss the contenders for this year’s Newbery award. I especially like the photo of books that may (or may not) be in the discussion. Click here to read.

THIS JUST IN: MAJORITY OF LIBRARIANS ARE CAT PEOPLE

Fact: A majority of librarians are cat people.

Fact: Only a librarian would conduct a survey on librarian pets.

A preview:

Click here to see the beautifully extensive results.

(Thanks to Stephen’s Lighthouse for the link)

A full 40% of this week’s picture book bestsellers are completely new to the list. Hmm, and 50% of those are celebrity books – always troubling. Let’s investigate:

J.L.C. continues her picture book success with this latest offering.

From the team that brought us The Phantom Tollbooth. Looking forward to reading this.

Steve Martin wrote a picture book, eh? Against my better judgment I am slightly curious.

The students I work with will be happy to see this one.

Click here to see the entire list.

(Thanks to Reading Radar for the images)

School librarian folks take note! The Blue Skunk blog has laid down 10 tips for school library success. Click here (or the image above) to read.

Dang, this is well done. Make time to watch Minnesota Public Television’s recent piece on author Kate DiCamillo. Excellent.

(Thanks to @YABookShelf and @MrSchuReads for the link)

Filed under: Morning Notes, News