Publications about books for children and young adults
Who needs candy? These four new treats will satisfy picture book fans hungry for Halloween fun. While delivering invitations to his Halloween party, ghost Oliver, star of Leo Landry’s Trick or Treat, doesn’t notice when one slips away and floats down to two boys. When “a little cow and a little jack-o’-lantern” unexpectedly arrive at [...]
As the school year begins, young American history students will find themselves drawn to the times, places, and people that shaped our nation. The following titles — a picture book biography for intermediate-level readers, two engaging nonfiction narratives, and a biography in cartoon-panel format — will be appreciated by middle graders looking for American heroes. [...]
Being a big Disney/Pixar fan, I went to see the new movie Brave on opening weekend. Brave is the story of Merida, an independent, archery-loving young Scottish princess who longs to control her own destiny despite her mother’s wish to marry her off. When a magic spell Merida buys from a witch turns her mother [...]
Taking a trip to the beach this summer? These poetry and nonfiction picture books work swimmingly to teach children about ocean life. David Elliott and Holly Meade’s In the Sea combines poetry and art to create memorable portraits of twenty different ocean creatures, including an octopus, golden starfish, moray eel, and blue whale. The tone [...]
Two weeks ago Peter and the Starcatcher won five Tony Awards, including best performance by an actor in a featured role. The play, which is based on Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s Peter Pan prequel series, received nine total nominations. This children’s literature/theater connection sparked my curiosity, so I did a little research on the [...]
From the May/June 2012 issue of The Horn Book Magazine: Cynthia Ritter asks A Bus Called Heaven author/illustrator Bob Graham about the idea behind his new picture book. Read the full review of A Bus Called Heaven here. Cynthia Ritter: Was your inspiration for the book a real bus? Bob Graham: I did see such [...]
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness; inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd; illus. by Jim Kay Middle School Candlewick 206 pp. 9/11 978-0-7636-5559-4 $16.99 g e-book ed. 978-0-7636-5633-1 $16.99 Conor’s mum has cancer; his father lives in America with his new family and rarely visits; he doesn’t get along with his grandma who helps [...]
Sci-fi and fantasy fans will thrill to these engrossing sequels. The books are sure to satisfy readers’ expectations and leave them eager for more. In A Million Suns, the sequel to Beth Revis’s Across the Universe, Sol-Earth–born Amy is struggling with the claustrophobic life aboard the Godspeed after being prematurely awakened from her frozen sleep. [...]
As a big fan of Kristin Cashore’s Graceling and Fire, I was excited to review Bitterblue (Dial), the third book in her Graceling Realm, for the May/June issue of The Horn Book Magazine. I had to work from the galley, but on Monday the hardcover finally arrived in the office. With elaborate maps and illustrations [...]
Adding to the media (and merchandising) madness of the new Hunger Games movie, fans in New York, Boston, Washington DC, and Philadelphia can work out like Katniss and Peeta at the “Train Like a Tribute” class offered at participating Sports Clubs (NYSC, BSC, WSC, PSC). The classes, free and open to nonmembers, are starting now at [...]
