Carol Littlejohn

Oprah and J.K. Rowling

admin — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:52:27 +0000

Harry Potter fans, listen up! Hear Oprah’s interview on October 1, 2010 with J.K. Rowling, the writer of the “Harry Potter” series.

“The Kids’ Books are All Right”

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:31:02 +0000

Adults, try this article from the NY Times by Pamela Paul and see how young adult books can inspire adults as well as teens.

“The Kids’ Books are All Right”

Francisco X. Stork

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:34:59 +0000

I’ve just finished reading “Marcelo in the Real World” by Francisco X. Stork. I plan to review this book later. Right now I’m curious about his new book “The Last Summer of the Death Warriors.” It’s a Latino coming-of-age story that has received excellent reviews. Read the New York Times Book Review article on Stork’s latest book.

For those readers that loved “Marcelo in the Real World,” the author submitted a playlist of music that Marcelo mentions in the book. Most of the music is unknown to me, but the “Marcelo in the Real World” music playlist did list Eva Cassidy, one of my favorite singers.

“Going Bovine” by Libba Bray (Michael L. Printz winner)

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:37:45 +0000

I am now reading “Going Bovine” by Libba Bray, this year’s winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature. The summary? “Cameron Smith, a disaffected 16-year-old who, after being diagnosed with Creutfeldt-Jacob’s disease (mad cow disease), sets off on a road trip with a death-obsessed video gaming dwarf he meets in the hospital in an attempt to find a cure.” Wow. I’m expecting “On the Road” meets Terry Pratchett. The book trailer has definitely caught my attention. I just can’t decide if I like it or not. See what you think. As for the book itself, it has the makings of a cult classic.

Carol

“Miss Smith and the Haunted Library” by Michael Garland

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:10:27 +0000

Miss Smith and the Haunted Library written and illustrated by Michael Garland. New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 2009.
Ages 4-8.
Read-aloud picture book.
Booktalk: Zach goes on a field trip to a haunted library. When the librarian, Ms. Creeper, reads from her favorite scary stories, the characters come to life and join in the fun!
Note: This read-aloud picture book is great during Halloween and all seasons that demand a simple mystery. The librarian introduces the children to many classics, such as “The Headless Horsemen” by Washington Irving and “Peter Pan” by J.M. Barrie. The authors and titles are listed on the back pages. If you like this book, try the series by Michael Garland.

Newbery & Caldecott Awards

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:40:58 +0000

On January 18, 2010 the ALA announced the winners of the Newbery and Caldecott Awards. I have not read these books and have them on reserve in my local library. The New York Times article gives more information on the winners.

Carol

J.D. Salinger’s obituary

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:12:26 +0000

J.D. Salinger died recently. For those people that would like to know more about the author of “Catcher in the Rye” and “The Zooey Stories,” check out his obituary.

Carol

Sylvia Louise Engdahl and Sci Fi

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:54:44 +0000

Many of Sylvia Louise Engdahl’s science fiction books are now available through the author’s website. As a special treat, she will send signed copies. Sylvia Louise Engdahl is my favorite science fiction author of the 1970’s. My favorite series begins with Enchantress from the Stars and end with The Far Side of Evil. As a matter of fact, I wrote an article in The ALAN Review that gives a detailed look at each book written by Sylvia Louise Engdahl.

Carol

“The Plot Chickens” by Mary Jane Auch

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:48:00 +0000

The Plot Chickens by Mary Jane Auch and Herm Auch. New York, NY: Holiday House, 2009.
Ages 5-8.
Read-aloud.
Related books: Author: A True Story by Helen Lester; What do Authors Do? By Ellen Christelow; Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One by Kate Duke.
Henrietta the chicken loves to read so she decides to write a book. First, she reads a book Writing Rules! by Reed Moore. Once she learns all the rules, she starts to write her book, The Perils of Maxine. It’s an eggstraodinary book!
Note: Author provides the rules of writing a book: invent a main character; “hatch” a plot; develop the plot; give your character a problem; write what you know; build suspense; make your story come alive by using all five senses; main character must solve problem. Adult can help children write a story together, using the rules Later, the book can be illustrated with clip art and put together as a book.

“American Bloomsbury” by Susan Cheever

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:17:07 +0000

American Bloomsbury: Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau: Their Lives, Their Loves, Their Work by Susan Cheever. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2006.
Adult nonfiction.
Booktalk: Who are the Transcendentalists? In the 1850s, a group of intellectuals challenged the norms of American society. They debated education, ecology, feminism and marriage. Their questions are still being asked today. Find out whyLittle Women’s author, Louisa May Alcott, was the sole support of her family. Was Louisa May Alcott in love with Henry Thoreau, the writer of Walden? Why was Ralph Waldo Emerson the benefactor of this strange group?
Note: Author Susan Cheever has written a fascinating collective biography that reads like fiction. She calls the group the “American Bloomsbury, ”an appropriate appellation. Some are geniuses (like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Thoreau), but all are revolutionary in their religion, sexual politics and point of view. The unknown Margaret Fuller has the most interesting (and tragic) life; Cheever calls her “the sexy muse.”