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Tamora Pierce has a large following of teen and adult readers, who savor her fantasy novels with strong female characters. This volume provides her readers and fans with additional insights into her life and work. The first section provides a biographical chapter and literary heritage. The second and third sections analyze the Tales of Tortall and the Magic Circle Sagas as a whole, providing details into the characters and settings of each. The final section of the book, Perspectives, includes both a section on literary techniques along with an interview of Tamora Pierce herself. Appendices include a section on Power Female Heroes, and Fantasy Adventures.

Novels include: *The Song of the Lioness Quartet *The Immortals Quartet *The Protector of the Small Quartet *The Trickster Duology *The Magic Circle Quartet *The Circle Opens Quartet *The Will of the Empress

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The latest addition to the Best Books family, this all-new guide updates the popular and critically acclaimed Best Books for Children, Seventh Edition. This thematic work is a state-of-the-art reading guide and selection tool for children's literature, enabling you to thoroughly evaluate your children's literature collection and create theme-based and genre-oriented reading lists for curriculum-related and recreational reading. The entries cover more than 6,000 titles published from 2001 to 2003. ... Read more

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Finally, there's a guide to children's books by Native American writers. This unique source book covers titles in print for fiction, folklore, drama, poetry, and nonfiction, complete with ISBNs, subject headings, reviews, awards, authors, and illustrators. A handy resources section steers readers to useful websites and organizations, while a chapter on publishers lists contact information. A thorough index includes tribes and translators.

· Enrich the learning process with multicultural literature

· Identify and locate hard-to-find resources by Native American authors

· An invaluable selection aid for public and K-12 librarians

Customer Reviews (1)

A handy index rounds out this useful guide
Compiled and arranged by Sherry York, Children's And Young Adult Literature By Native Americans is a resource guide developed especially for children's librarians, and lists quality books recommended for young readers which are by and about Native Americans. Each individual entry is mentioned with information concerning the title, author, publisher, a brief summary, general subjects covered, recommended interest and reading levels, a list of places in which reviews about this book are to be found, and more. A handy index rounds out this useful guide. Children's And Young Adult Literature By Native Americans is a highly recommended addition to both Library Science and Native American Studies reference collections. ... Read more

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Two of the most trusted reviewers in the field join with top authors, illustrators, and critics in a definitive guide to choosing books for children—and nurturing their love of reading.

A FAMILY OF READERS is the definitive resource for parents interested in enriching the reading lives of their children. It’s divided into four sections:

1. Reading to Them:
Choosing and sharing board books and picture books with babies and very young children.
2. Reading with Them:
Launching the new reader with easy readers and chapter books.
3. Reading on Their Own:
Exploring what children read—and how they read—by genre and gender.
4. Leaving Them Alone:
Respecting the reading privacy of the young adult.

Roger Sutton knows how and why children read. He must, as the editor in chief of THE HORN BOOK, which since 1924 has been America’s best source for reviews of books for young readers. But for many parents, selecting books for their children can make them feel lost. Now, in this essential resource, Roger Sutton and Martha V. Parravano, executive editor at the magazine, offer thoughtful essays that consider how books are read to (and then by) young people. They invite such leading authors and artists as Maurice Sendak, Katherine Paterson, Margaret Mahy, and Jon Scieszka, as well as a selection of top critics, to add their voices about the genres they know best. The result is an indispensable readers’ companion to everything from wordless board books to the most complex and daring young adult novels. ... Read more

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This indispensable selection guide brings together information on nearly 25,000 of the best fiction and nonfiction for children in grades K-6. Fully updated, including thousands of new entries published since the previous edition, it is an invaluable resource for making sure your children's collection is one your young patrons—and their parents and teachers—will enjoy.

As always in the Best Books series, the authors have carefully culled the most trusted professional review sources to identify the most highly recommended new books for children. Brief annotations, bibliographic data, grade level appropriateness, and review citations help you identify books of high quality, while the book's topical arrangement makes it easy to create theme- and genre-based reading lists. New features include indication of titles available in audio and, where available, lexiles.

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One of the nation's most famous writers of novels for young people, Richard Peck has earned a Newbery Medal, the Margaret A. Edwards Award, the National Humanities Medal, the National Endowment for the Humanities Medallion, and the ALAN Award. Richard Peck: The Past Is Paramount is the most authoritative resource about the life and work of this beloved author. ... Read more

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Covering everything from the American Revolution, slavery and abolition, and World War II to women's rights and the history of Coca-Cola, Literature Links to American History, 7-12: Resources to Enhance and Entice connects a broad range of genres and formats—including fiction, biography, graphic novels, CDs, and DVDs—to American history. Books are arranged chronologically according to the time period they cover, beginning with North America before 1600 and ending with a chapter entitled "Since 1975."

Listed titles are in print and were positively reviewed by major journals or are widely held in library collections. They were chosen because they each offer a different perspective or overview of historical events or personages in American history that will enrich readers and entice them to explore additional sources.

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Sharon Creech is a best-selling author for young adult readers, and her books are enjoyed in both classroom settings and for leisure reading for three important reasons:-She shows great respect for teens through giving attention to the voices of teen protagonists, creating adventures in which teens grown socially and emotionally as a result of a journey.She captures the language of her characters, including dialects from the hollers of West Virginia and the mountains of Switzerland, and introduces figurative language and vocabulary to enrich her readers' experience during and after their time with her books.With humor and gentleness, she provides readers with a sense of hope. After an introductory chapter and biographical sketch, there is one chapter per volume that examines the characters, plot, setting, and themes in each work. This volume will be useful to young adults wanting to delve deeper into the worlds of Creech's characters, or literature professionals studying Creech's works.

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Joan Bauer is one of the most popular young adult novelists today. She is well-respected not only by her readers, but also by librarians and critics, having won a Newbery Honor for Hope Was Here (2001), among other awards. Drawing on personal experiences with divorce and family alcoholism, Bauer has her seemingly ordinary teenage characters face situations that test, and prove, their maturity and confidence. Following an introduction to Bauer's work, and a biographical chapter, this volume examines each novel by breaking it down into sections on plot, characterization, setting, and themes. Readers consulting this book for research, or for deeper analysis of a favorite novel, will find this a complete resource.

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In Laurie Halse Anderson: Speaking in Tongues, Wendy J. Glenn examines the life and works of one of the most popular authors for teens. Drawing from both primary sources (Anderson's writings, published interviews and speeches, the author's blog and other online sources, as well as a live interview with the author) and secondary sources (reviews of and scholarly articles on her work), Glenn explores the themes and impact of Anderson's novels. This richly researched work includes in-depth analyses of each of Anderson's young adult titles, chapters on Anderson's lesser-known writings for children, short stories, and poems, and a synthesis of reviews for each title Anderson has published. ... Read more

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Presents a photo essay about murals, a form of art the photographer, George Ancona, regards as authentically for the people or "para el pueblo." ... Read more

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Who wrote the Disney Fairies books? Which series appeal to boys? In what genre would you classify A Series of Unfortunate Events? These are just some of the questions that challenge K-6 librarians as the popularity of series fiction continues to grow. Series are not always easy to manage. Many do not have a series title and the component volumes can be hard to identify. This updated and expanded edition gives librarians and their patrons a handy guide to the best and most popular series, making it easier to satisfy young readers' desire to read all the books in a given series and then to find similar series to enjoy.

For each of the 1,200 series included, the authors provide an annotation that describes the series' appeal and key characteristics. Also included are the publisher, grade level, genre, and a numbered list of the titles in the series with publication dates. This reading guide and selection tool is an invaluable resource for anyone working with preschool and elementary school children.

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This supplement to the first edition covers more than 2,600 titles published from June 2004 to June 2006, most of which have been recommended in at least two sources. This thematic work offers a state-of-the-art reading guide and selection tool for teen reading material, both fiction and nonfiction.It provides annotations with succinct plot summaries, ISBNs, book length, price, reading level, and review citations. Award-winning and series titles are also noted. The guide is an invaluable resource for anyone.

This supplement to the first edition covers more than 2,600 titles published from June 2004 to June 2006, most of which have been recommended in at least two sources. This thematic work offers a state-of-the-art reading guide and selection tool for teen reading material, both fiction and nonfiction. It provides annotations with succinct plot summaries, ISBNs, book length, price, reading level, and review citations. Award-winning and series titles are also noted. The guide is an invaluable resource for anyone working with teens or teen literature.

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Looking for books guaranteed to grab the attention and interest of boys? Dip into this guide for a wealth of ideas. This book is designed to help librarians, teachers, and parents find fiction and nonfiction titles that will be both interesting and motivating for young male readers. The 500 entries are organized by genre, each with a brief plot summary, indication of reading level, and complete bibliographic information. This volume will help adults sift through the plethora of titles published for children each year and identify suitable titles for individual boys.Grades 3-10.

Looking for books guaranteed to grab the attention and interest of boys? Books that will keep them reading to the end? Books that will turn them onto reading, or turn them from reluctant readers into lifelong readers? Dip into this guide for a wealth of ideas, all carefully chosen to help librarians, teachers, and parents.

The approximately 500 entries have been selected for the general appeal and for their ability to engage and involve readers. Covering a broad span of literature, the book focuses on titles published within the last decade. Genres covered include humor, realistic fiction, adventure, sports, fantasy, historical fiction, graphic novels, nonfiction, and even poetry.

Entries are organized by genre and each includes a brief plot summary that highlights the appeal to boys, an indication of reading level, and complete bibliographic information.

In recent years, educators and librarians have become increasingly aware of their failings with young male readers, and eager to enlist boys in books and reading. If you are among those educators hoping to more successfully reach out to boys and promote reading, this book is for you. A wonderful tool for collection development, book lists, and displays, this volume will help adults sift through the plethora of titles published for children each year and identify suitable titles for individual boys in grades 3-10.

Customer Reviews (1)

Perfect for Parents
A wonderful book for parents of boys who are looking for age-appropriate books for their sons. ... Read more

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Enhance your historical fiction collection - and its popularity with readers and value in the classroom- with this wide-ranging guide. After discussion of various aspects of the genre (its importance, history, criteria for evaluation, and methods of presentation), the author takes an in-depth look at 80 of the best historical fiction novels published for this age group in the last 10 to 15 years. For each title there is a brief introduction discussing setting, historical background, and point of view; a list of characters; a detailed plot summary; and ways to introduce the book to students, including important passages for reading or retelling. This versatile tool, written by a recognized expert in children's literature, can be used for readers' advisory, curricular support, title selection, and collection development. Grades 4-8.

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Sharon Creech: The Words We Choose to Say is an analysis and evaluation of the young adult novels of Sharon Creech. The six chapters provide an overview of her life, education, and careers, a thorough review of her young adult novels, a commentary on her writings for young readers and adults, and a summary of her skill as a storyteller and author. ... Read more

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Books written for children or teens can serve as a valuable teaching tool for language _ attractive illustrations and easy vocabulary deal with familiar situations, so that language is acquired easily and the students maintain a high degree of interest. Book Bridges is a complete teaching resource, replete with activities, suggested materials for classroom use, and lesson plans. Reid has carefully reviewed and recommended dozens of audience-appropriate books, for which she provides practice exercises and thought-provoking assignments. Lesson plans address the needs of an entire class or can be tailored for the small group or individual tutoring session. Every teacher needs this guide in his or her teacher's toolbox! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A good resources for ESL teachers
This book contained information I already knew, but I wanted a copy of the concepts written in this book for my own professional library. ... Read more

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This indispensable reading guide and selection tool, updated to include titles published from 2004 through 2008, covers the best fiction and nonfiction for children in grades 9-12. The approximately 15,000 entries include brief but lively annotations, ISBNs, book length and price, grade-level appropriateness, and review citations. New features include indication of titles available in audio format and Lexiles where available. Award-winning and series titles are noted. Use this must-purchase volume to bolster your collection for high school readers and to create thematic and curriculum-oriented reading lists.

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent resource for librarians/teachers/parents
I actually have an older edition of this title, but it is still quite current and was indispensable during my teaching years [I taught both middle school and high school]. This is a great resource not just for librarians, but also for teachers and parents. Teachers can use this reference tool to create reading lists based on curricular needs and also arrange the lists thematically. Parents will find this a handy guide to recommended titles by subject matter.

This reference guide is arranged thematically, i.e.
Literary Forms [fiction, plays, poetry, folklore and fairy tales, mythology, humor and satire, speeches, essays and general literary works]
Literary History and Criticism
Language and Communication
Biography, Memoirs, Etc.
The Arts and Entertainment
History and Geography
Philosophy and Religion
Society and the Individual
Guidance and Personal Development
Physical and Applied Sciences
Recreation and Sports

There is also an author index, title index, and subject/grade level index at the end of the book. Highly recommended reference guide for Grades 9-12.
... Read more

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Looking for a book on conservation for your storytime read-aloud? A title on recycling projects for your 5th graders? What about information sources on pollution to add to your collection? This guide can help you with challenges like these—and many others. It organizes and describes some 450 current fiction and nonfiction titles about the environment, with some alternative media (DVDs and musical CDs) included, as well.

Green Reads: Best Environmental Resources for Youth, K-12is divided into five chapters, each dedicated to a broad environmental subject. Annotations are arranged first by whether they are nonfiction or fiction and then by age ranges and authors. For each title, you'll find complete bibliographic information, a list of subjects, and codes that denote whether the book is "heart-filled, fun, and lively in tone"; contains substantive factual information; or features hands-on, "what-you-can-do-about-it" information. This is a thorough and versatile source—a must-purchase for school and public libraries.

Customer Reviews (1)

Wesson is AMAZING!
This is an amazing resource.It is very clearly written, and unbelievably entertaining. Wesson's sense of humor shines throughout. I highly recommend it! ... Read more

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Contemporary young adult literature is a relatively new genre. This guide provides an overview of the burgeoning field, focusing primarily on fiction. Each of the 32 chapters is devoted to a theme of special significance to young adults, and provides brief critical discussions of several related literary works. Chapters close with lists of fiction for further reading. An appendix groups works according to additional themes, and a selected bibliography cites relevant critical studies.

Customer Reviews (1)

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Abuse, sexual violence, and healing 1
Accepting difference 9
Accidents and adjustments 17
Addressing addiction 23
Animals and the environment 29
Beauty's meaning 37
Breaking silence, speaking out 43
Crime, suicide, and their aftermath 51
Dating's challenges 59
Disease and disability 67
Emotional problems confronted 75
Families, traditional and redefined 83
Friends forever? 91
Guilty or innocent? 99
Heroism : what does it mean to be a hero? 107
History is about young adults, too 115
Imagined futures 125
Imagined places 133
Insiders and outsiders 139
Jobs : assuming adult responsibility 147
Old tales retold : fairy tales, legends, myths 155
Older people's impact on our lives 163
Parents' absence, parents' presence 169
Poverty's challenges 177
Pregnancy, parenthood, abortion 183
Religion and spiritual life 189
School days 197
Sexual identity, sexual desire 203
Supernatural and alien beings : confronting the other 211
Survival 217
Teammates 223
War's impact 231
App Additional themes and topics 243 ... Read more