This week on hbook.com… From the May/June 2014 Harriet at 50 issue of The Horn Book Magazine: “I Spy: Harriet and I” by Newbery medalist Jack Gantos “Writer, Wrestler, Stutterer, Spy” by author/illustrator Megan McDonald “Becoming a Book Detective” by Simmons Center for the Study of Children’s Literature director Cathie Mercier “Fifty Years of Novel Exploits” […]
Archives for April 2014
#outfitoftheday
You never know what you’ll find when opening boxes at the Horn Book. You might come across the perfect accessory to complete your ensemble.
Historical fiction — why didn’t I use it more?
A librarian friend of mine* recently asked me why historical fiction doesn’t make its way into social studies and language arts classrooms more often. The thought keeps rattling around in my brain. First, I should say that I don’t know for sure that there aren’t tons of classrooms where historical fiction is a great pillar […]
52 Fun Things to Do on the Plane app review
It’s school vacation week here in Boston — which always makes me think about taking trips. The app 52 Fun Things to Do on the Plane (Oceanhouse Media and Chronicle Books, 2013), created by Lynn Gordon with illustrations by Susan Synarski and Karen Johnson, will come in handy for parents looking for activities to occupy […]
Core values
Narrative nonfiction is on the lesson plan in Lolly’s Classroom today. Is anyone else worried that the CCSS demand for more nonfiction reading does not seem to be translating into more nonfiction publishing? I have the feeling that publishers are mostly sitting this one out. (As well they might, now that no one seems to […]
Anybody want a peanut?
We recently received the (adult) graphic novel biography Andre the Giant: Life and Legend by Box Brown (May 2014, First Second). As any Princess Bride fan will know, Andre the Giant is the professional-wrestler-turned-actor who played Fezzik in the movie. Born Andre Rene Roussimoff, he grew up in rural Molien, France, where he was too large […]
Review of Half a Chance
Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord Intermediate Scholastic 218 pp. 3/14 978-0-545-03533-0 $16.99 e-book ed. 978-0-545-62083-3 $16.99 When twelve-year-old Lucy enters a photography contest, she must decide whether or not to send in her very best photo — a picture of her new friend Nate’s grandmother, whose life has become punctuated with moments of dementia […]