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Book Review: Comic Guy – Kooks in the Cafeteria

Travis Jonker, June 10, 2008 | Reviews



Comic Guy (#3): Kooks in the Cafeteria By Timothy Roland Scholastic ISBN 9780545003995 $4.99 Grades 2-4 Available in Scholastic Book Order Is there room in the world for derivative works of children’s lit? I encourage you to read “Comic Guy” and find out what camp you reside in. Are you a “life’s too short to […]

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Audio Clip: A Visitor for Bear on NPR

Travis Jonker, June 8, 2008 | Link Du Jour



“A Visitor for Bear” by Bonny Becker and Kady MacDonald Denton has been getting a lot of much-deserved attention lately. The story gets some radio play in this clip from NPR. If you haven’t yet read the story, you’re in luck – it’s read here in its entirety. Click the play button to head over […]

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Children’s Lit Commish: ‘No More Adaptations’

Travis Jonker, June 6, 2008 | Reviews



In a stunning move, the International Children’s Literature Commissioner announced this morning that there will henceforth be no more television and movie adaptations of beloved kids books. Citing oversaturation, the Commissioner explained that the ban would last one year, or until “People have a chance to write more stuff.” In front of a packed audience, […]

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Book Review: I Will Surprise My Friend!

Travis Jonker, June 5, 2008 | *Best New Books*, Reviews



I Will Surprise My Friend! By Mo Willems Hyperion ISBN: 9781423109624 $8.99 Grades K-2 In Stores *Recommended* Scaring people is fun. There is really no getting around this fact. Kids know this better than anyone. Mo Willems knows that kids know this better than anyone. And now he’s gone and written a book about it. […]

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Unfortunate Covers (#2)

Travis Jonker, June 5, 2008 | Unfortunate Covers



Flashback to ’05. It’s my first year as an elementary school librarian and I’m eager to share my personal favorite books to students. I love Roald Dahl and I especially loved his funny, exciting, and poignant “Boy: Tales of Childhood“. Our library didn’t own a copy, so I fired off an order and waited with […]

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7 Questions Answered!

Travis Jonker, June 2, 2008 | Articles



Time to answer some questions. Literate Lives blog has tagged me for the 7 Questions meme. Here’s the lowdown: 1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. 2. Each player answers the questions about themselves. 3. At the end of the post, the player then tags people and posts their names, then […]

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Book Giveaway Winner!

Travis Jonker, June 2, 2008 | News



Congrats to Karin A., a fine Minnesotan, who will soon be the proud enjoyer of “Chasing Tail Lights”. Thanks to all who entered but did not have lady luck on their side.

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100 Scope Notes Book Giveaway, May ’08

Travis Jonker, May 30, 2008 | News



In the market for a new book? Like any of the titles below? Send me an email at scopenotes@gmail.com before midnight on Saturday and your name will be written on a vintage fedora and tossed into a large ring. I will then blindfold myself and pick up a hat at random. If your name is […]

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What’s Sellin’? New York Times

Travis Jonker, May 27, 2008 | News



Time again to look at the literary popularity contest also known as the New York Times bestseller list. Click here to view the complete lists. PICTURE BOOKS This Week Weeks On List 1 READ ALL ABOUT IT!, by Laura Bush and Jenna Bush. Illustrated by Denise Brunkus. (HarperCollins, $17.99.) A boy is surprised to discover […]

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Unfortunate Covers (#1)

Travis Jonker, May 25, 2008 | Unfortunate Covers



In my job as a school librarian, I occasionally run into books with unfortunate covers. By “unfortunate” I mean this: an otherwise solid book is saddled with cover art that does nothing for its kid appeal. You just know that no matter how hard you try to recommend it to a student, they’re gonna take […]

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