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Sunday Link Du Jour: January 27, 2008

Travis Jonker, January 26, 2008 | Link Du Jour



If you’re a school librarian like I am, and work with students to help them find information, the following link might make you say “A-hah! I knew it.” If you’re not a school librarian, well, you might say the same thing, but without the exclamation point. It turns out that the youngsters, occasionally called “the […]

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Book Review: Trout Are Made of Trees

Travis Jonker, January 24, 2008 | *Best New Books*, Reviews



Trout Are Made of Trees By April Pulley Sayre Illustrated By Kate Endle Charlesbridge ISBN 9781580891370 $15.95 Grades K-2 In Stores *Recommended* “Trout are made of trees.” “Wait, trout are made of trees?” That was my approximate reaction to reading the title of this book for the first time. Then I considered the statement. Hmm, […]

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Book Review: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

Travis Jonker, January 22, 2008 | *Best New Books*, Reviews



Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules By Jeff Kinney HNA Books ISBN 9780810994737 $12.95 Grades 4-7 In Stores *Best New Books* One situation in the original “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” really hit home with me. It’s when our hero Greg, ready to pull the prank of a lifetime on his substitute teacher, comes […]

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New York Times: What’s Sellin’?

Travis Jonker, January 22, 2008 | News



I recently posted about what books were selling at the nations independent bookstores. Now for the other side of the coin. The New York Times Bestseller list gives another perspective on what books are inspiring people to say “I would like to own that”.  Excerpts from the most recent list appear below. (click on the […]

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Book Review: Oggie Cooder

Travis Jonker, January 21, 2008 | Reviews



Oggie Cooder By Sarah Weeks Scholastic Press ISBN 9780545078382 $16.99 Grades 3-5 In Stores February 1st, 2008 I have not always been a huge fan of the word “silly”. I guess it makes me feel kind of silly to say it. Until I started working in elementary schools a few years back, I tried not […]

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Independent Bookstores: What’s Sellin’?

Travis Jonker, January 21, 2008 | Articles



I’ve mentioned before that I work in a school library, not a bookstore. I know what students are checking out, but I’m not so sure about the books folks are actually buying these days. Sure, I have my opinions about what these books should be, but I always want to know what’s really moving units. […]

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5 Questions With Leslie Helakoski

Travis Jonker, January 20, 2008 | Authors



I’m thrilled to have the first 100 Scope Notes author interview with Leslie Helakoski, author of “Big Chickens” and “The Smushy Bus”. It’s been a busy January for Ms. Helakoski, as she will have two new books published this month, “Big Chickens Fly the Coop” and “Woolbur”. I caught up with Ms. Helakoski (before her […]

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Children’s Lit Free of Charge

Travis Jonker, January 20, 2008 | News



Looking for some good kidlit info, but don’t have a lot of scratch? The January Carnival of Children’s Literature is open for business, offering up knowledge for the low low price of free. This month, Wizards Wireless is hosting the festivities, which are all based on the theme of “award winners”. Click here to have […]

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Visit the Edge

Travis Jonker, January 20, 2008 | News



Don’t be shy about visiting The Edge of the Forest, the outstanding monthly online journal devoted to children’s lit. The January edition has just been posted, with articles, insights, and reviews. I even make an appearance, reviewing the picture book “Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly”. Click the banner below to take a look.

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Sunday Link Du Jour: January 20, 2008

Travis Jonker, January 19, 2008 | Link Du Jour



This week our Link Du Jour comes from overseas. Telegraph – “Britain’s no. 1 quality newspaper website” – published their list of 100 books every child should read. Split into three age groups, the list starts hitting the fundamentals early: your Sendak, your Seuss, your White. Yes, the classics are encouraged, with an expected slant […]

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