Home » Posts tagged "book lists" (Page 7)

Mid-October update is here!

It seems kinda silly to do it this way, but to avoid repeating work that’s already been done, here’s a link to the post detailing our new update, which just went up tonight.

Part of the update is a printable list of some of my favorite picture book titles for this time of year, titled What Will You Read This Halloween? The titles from the list were also added to the top of our Halloween Book List for Kids page. The list is by no means comprehensive, and if you scroll down to the bottom of that page you’ll find another, longer list that includes additional titles. Note that with a few exceptions, the books on these lists have not actually been reviewed here. Writing the reviews takes a lot longer than reading the books.

At any rate, check out the new Halloween Horrors! update and see what’s new here at MonsterLibrarian.com

Posted on October 18, 2011 by , Reply

Pumpkins and Skeletons: Booklist’s Suggestions and Classroom Connections

A fresh look at Halloween is always intriguing, and Booklist’s October 15 suggestions are really kind of fun. A librarian who emailed us recently told us a children’s librarian who used our Halloween List for Kids found many books to promote for Halloween that were already in her collection, that she hadn’t even thought of. And Booklist made some suggestions here that really extend the connections Halloween has to nonfiction topics outside the picture books and the 398’s (that’s folklore and fairy tales, for those not intimately familiar with the Dewey Decimal System). Joke books, poetry, and intermediate level spooky mysteries pepper their list of suggested titles published in the current year. What’s most interesting, though, that if you scroll down past that list, you’ll find their suggestion that a time of year that traditionally includes skeletons and blood could be extended into displays, programs, or lessons about, well, skeletons and blood (as well as other parts of the human body). I love this idea! And it’s even linked to lesson plans.

I’m sad to report that my son’s elementary school will not have a Halloween party or Halloween parade… no mention of Halloween at all, as far as I can tell. It’s a first for me. as I’ve never actually not experienced this, as either a kid, school librarian, or parent. Just look at all the ways to incorporate the trappings of the holiday into engaged learning experiences! Please, don’t be afraid to invite the holiday in. Your kids will love you for it, and learn from it as well.

Posted on October 16, 2011 by , Reply

Summer Reading Recommendations: Staff Picks

As promised, here are some recreational reading titles recommended by our staff reviewers. As always, make sure you know what you’re getting into. Not every book is a good fit for every reader. Just a note- Wrath James White is not for the weak of stomach.

Kirsten’s recommendations: Allison Hewitt Is Trapped by Madeleine Roux and Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore (YA), and the very funny Bad Kitty books by Nick Bruel (children’s)

Michele’s recommendations: The Snow Queen’s Shadow (Princess Novels, #4) by Jim Hines and Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5) by Ilona Andrews

Colleen’s recommendations: Blood & Gristle by Michael Louis Calvillo, Bone Marrow Stew by Tim Curran, and Skulls by Tim Marquitz (YA)

Brandi’s recommendations:  The Seance by John Harwood and The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein (children’s)

Erik’s recommendations: The Templar Chronicles by Joseph Nassise, Wolf Hunt by Jeff Strand, and Resurrection by Tim Curran

Sheila’s recommendations: The Brain Eater’s Bible by J.D. McGhoul and Pat Kilbane (this has an iPad app as well), and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies– Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith

David’s recommendations: Population Zero by Wrath James White and Fathers and Sons (Blackguard, #1) by Edward R. Morris (David also mentioned his own book, Hunting the Moon Tribe, which came out in April, but I’m sure there’s no self-interest there).

As always, not every book is appropriate for every reader.  We’ve reviewed some of these books here at MonsterLibrarian.com, but not all of them, so make sure you check to see that the book you are thinking of reading is really your cup of tea. Have a great summer reading, and check back later for more!

Posted on June 8, 2011 by , Reply
First « 34567