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Audio Clip: Hip Hop Speaks to Children on NPR

Travis Jonker, October 14, 2008 | News



Hip hop is one of my favorite types of music (proud watcher of VH1’s 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs last weekend). Children’s books are my favorite kind of books. An intermingling of the two? Sounds to good to me. NPR recently interviewed Nikki Giovanni, author of “Hip Hop Speaks to Children“. You may have some […]

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Nonfiction Monday: When I Grow Up

Travis Jonker, October 13, 2008 | Reviews



When I Grow Up: A young person’s guide to interesting & unusual occupations By Jessica Loy Henry Holt and Company ISBN: 9780805077179 $16.95 Grades 3-6 In Stores When I was in elementary school I wanted to be a Karate Guy when I got older. Apparently, I wasn’t aware of the whole “you have to make […]

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School Library Journalist

Travis Jonker, October 13, 2008 | Articles



The latest edition of School Library Journal is notable for two reasons. First off, the cover story, “Has the Newbery Lost Its Way?” is causing a stir among bookish types all over the internet. Click the links below to read more about it: Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog Read Roger Educating Alice A Chair, […]

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Movie Review: City of Ember

Travis Jonker, October 12, 2008 | Reviews



City of Ember Directed by GIl Kenan Starring: Harry Treadaway, Saoirse Ronan, Bill Murray, Tim Robbins Rated PG In Theaters This is a children’s literature blog, so it’s hard for me to watch a movie based on a kid’s book and not compare the two. Actually, this review (and I use that term loosely) won’t make much sense unless […]

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Award Tour

Travis Jonker, October 11, 2008 | News



The outstanding children’s lit blog Literate Lives awarded me with a “I ? Your Blog” award. Not since I was given the “sunburned tongue” award in youth soccer have I been as happy to receive recognition. There are some rules that go along with this award. Here they are: 1) Add the logo of the […]

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Critics Weigh In: ‘City of Ember’ Movie

Travis Jonker, October 11, 2008 | Reviews



Did you know “City of Ember” opened this weekend? It kinda snuck up on me too. I’m surprised I haven’t seen more hype. I mean, I watch TV, I’m not living under a rock, yet I haven’t seen nor heard anything about the release. Strange… I’m excited to see it, however, and I’ll be posting […]

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Retro Review: The SOS File

Travis Jonker, October 8, 2008 | Reviews



The SOS File By Betsy Byars, Betsy Duffey, and Laurie Myers Illustrated by Arthur Howard Henry Holt & Company ISBN: 9780805068887 $16.95 Grades 3-5 In Stores When a book can grab students from page one and hold their interest throughout, it’s a keeper. When said book can accomplish these feats in a read-aloud setting, well, it’s a book that you need […]

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September ’08 Books: Given Away

Travis Jonker, October 8, 2008 | News



Here’s to the big winners of the most recent 100 Scope Notes book giveaway: Doris F. will be receiving “The One, The Only, Magnificent Me!” Judy M. is gonna find “Scary Places: Spooky Cemeteries” on her doorstep in the very near future. Thanks to everyone who put their name in the hat.

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Video: Neil Gaiman Reads ‘The Graveyard Book’

Travis Jonker, October 7, 2008 | News



Author Neil Gaiman is doing something cool during his tour for “The Graveyard Book” (which was recently given a “starred” review by the Horn Book). At each stop he reads a different chapter, someone takes video, and then it gets posted online. When it’s all said and done, the whole book will be there for the watchin’. […]

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Nonfiction Monday: Cosmic!

Travis Jonker, October 6, 2008 | Reviews



Cosmic! By Giles Sparrow DK Publishing ISBN: 9780756640217 $24.99 Grades 4-8 In Stores Being a school librarian, I tend to view books through a “how will it play in my elementary school” lens. This is usually a good thing that, you know, helps me do my job. It is a disadvantage, however, when I run into […]

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