Recommended nonfiction books about explorers and exploration. From the April 2013 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.
Remembering the Holocaust
April 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Recommended nonfiction books about the Holocaust. From the April 2013 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.
“Different Drums” roundup
April 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
In our March/April “Different Drummers” issue, we asked authors, publishers, and critics to name the strangest children’s books they’ve ever enjoyed. Here’s what they had to say: Elizabeth Bird – “Seven Little Ones Instead” Luann Toth – “Word Girl” Deborah Stevenson – “Horrible and Beautiful” Kristin Cashore – “Embracing the Strange” Susan Marston – “New [...]
From the Guide: Novels in Verse
April 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
To honor National Poetry Month in April, we’re spotlighting notable novels in verse from the past year. From illustrated lighthearted verse to historical fiction to contemporary realism, this eclectic potpourri of Horn Book Guide–recommended novels showcases the form and gives readers — from primary-age kids to older teens — good reasons to celebrate poetry. —Katrina [...]
Different Drums: How Can a Fire Be Naughty?
April 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Horn Book Magazine asked Elizabeth Law, “What’s the strangest children’s book you’ve ever enjoyed?” When I was in nursery school, my favorite bedtime books were two my mother stole from the Unitarian Sunday School library, Martin and Judy, volumes II and III, by Verna Hills Bayley. I loved these books, about two friends who [...]
Review of Eleanor & Park
April 17, 2013 By 4 Comments
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell High School St. Martin’s Griffin 328 pp. 2/13 978-1-250-01257-9 $18.99 e-book ed. 978-1-250-03121-1 $9.99 It’s the start of a new school year in 1986 Omaha when sophomores Eleanor and Park meet for the first time on the bus. They are an unusual pair: she’s the new girl in town, [...]
Different Drums: Something Wicked
April 16, 2013 By 1 Comment
The Horn Book Magazine asked Christine Taylor-Butler, “What’s the strangest children’s book you’ve ever enjoyed?” A freak tent, a dust witch, a quote from Macbeth, and a villain named Mr. Dark. Such was the stuff of Something Wicked This Way Comes. I’d always been fascinated by carnivals. They seemed to spring out of vacant parking [...]
Recommended poetry
April 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The books recommended below were all published within the last several years and reviewed by The Horn Book Magazine. Grade levels are only suggestions; the individual child is the real criterion. Preschool Suggested grade level for each entry: PS Lots of Spots by Lois Ehlert (Simon/Beach Lane) Frequently funny poems, rhymes, and the occasional [...]
Different Drums: New and Strange, Once
April 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Horn Book Magazine asked Susan Marston, “What’s the strangest children’s book you’ve ever enjoyed?” In a field that celebrates the works of Maurice Sendak, William Steig, and Jon Scieszka, and in which anthropomorphic animals are regularly clothed only from the waist up, “weird” is difficult to define. In 1994, I had worked at Junior [...]
Different Drums: Horrible and Beautiful
April 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Horn Book Magazine asked Deborah Stevenson, “What’s the strangest children’s book you’ve ever enjoyed?” This ended up being a challenging assignment, because much literature for youth is pretty weird when coldly explained (kids travel through space and time to duel a giant brain!), and we don’t think twice about it. Saying that I adore [...]
