School Library Journal articles from January 2010

School Library Journal archives from January 2010

Future shock: it takes five magazines to figure out tomorrow.(expectations in publishing)(Editorial)
January 1, 2010... About a year ago, when I was at the American Library Association's midwinter meeting in Denver, I joined the editors of some of the other school librarian magazines for drinks (I only had a diet Coke!) and dinner. Around the table were gathered...

Gamers in training: Global Kids hosts games-based training for educators, librarians.(Tech Knowledge)(www.globalkids.org)
January 1, 2010... Give a kid a joystick, and she's occupied for a day. Teach her how to create her own video game, and she's a learner for life. That's the goal of Global Kids (www.globalkids. org) and its games-based educational training sessions, which the New...

AVerPen starter pack: collaborative classroom tool.(Test Drive)(interactive school tool)
January 1, 2010... AVerPen systems aspire to combine the functionality of an interactive whiteboard with the mobility of wireless tablets and the real-time, formative assessment capabilities of classroom response (dicker) systems. The expandable starter pack...

The thin line on digital abuse.(Tech Knowledge)(A Thin Line)(Brief article)
January 1, 2010... Most teens get it--emailing a nude image of a friend is a no-no. But spreading rumors via text message may be another story and could actually constitute a more widespread, form of abuse. With the launch of its newest initiative, A Thin Line...

Choose privacy: it's time to take charge of our digital identity.(The NEXT BIG Thing)
January 1, 2010... It's 2010. Do you know where your personal information is? Unless you rang in the New Year from some off-the-grid cave, much of your digital identity is out there floating freely around the Net. Going online requires a careful balancing act, in...

Props for Twitter.(Tech Knowledge)(Carol L. Tilley on microblogging in schools)(Brief article)
January 1, 2010... Educators looking to integrate Twitter into their classrooms (bit.ly/7JmQRI) have support from Carol L. Tilley, a professor of library and information science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who believes the character...

Let it snow: create your own snowflakes and other cool, seasonal things to do online.(The Librarian's Internet)
January 1, 2010... Bentley Snow Crystal Collection www.bentley.sciencebuff.org Born in 1985, Wilson Bentley grew up in a small town in Vermont, where as a teenager he became fascinated with snowflakes. Not only did he photograph them using a camera mounted...

View clips with FlipShare TV.(The Buzz: Tools, trends, and gizmos)(Brief article)
January 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fans of the Flip Video mini camcorder have a new gizmo for sharing clips: the FlipShare TV. A USB dongle loaded with FlipShare software attaches to your computer, while the set-top box connects to your TV. View Flip...

Robots that inspire.(The Buzz: Tools, trends, and gizmos)(iRobot, SPARK)(Brief article)
January 1, 2010... The 'bots are coming--not to take over the world perhaps just yet, but to inspire kids' interest in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math). Sponsored by iRobot, SPARK is a new Web clearinghouse for robotics resources. Here,...

Toronto school switches to etextbooks.(The Buzz: Tools, trends, and gizmos)(Blyth Academy)(Brief article)
January 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A Canadian private high school, Blyth Academy, is ditching print textbooks for electronic versions loaded onto the Sony Reader digital book. "There may be one or two [books] that we still find are better in the printed...

Head game.(The Buzz: Tools, trends, and gizmos)(David Rock's Your Brain at Work)(Interview)(Brief article)
January 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Technology fascinates, but the inner workings of my noggin? Now there's a puzzle. As sketchy a performer as it is, I rather like my brain, and through a recent GoogleTalk, "Optimizing Your Brain at Work" by David...

Slavery database.(The Buzz: Tools, trends, and gizmos)(Digital Library on American Slavery)(Brief article)
January 1, 2010... The Digital Library on American Slavery offers detailed personal information on 150,000 individuals, from slaves and slaveholders to free people of color. A unique aspect of the Library--a cooperative venture between the Race and Slavery...

USGS rocks social media.(The Buzz: Tools, trends, and gizmos)(U.S. Geological Survey)(Brief article)
January 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The U.S. Geological Survey is one federal agency that's walking the walk of Government 2.0. The science arm of the Department of the Interior has just launched a social media page aggregating its efforts: no fewer than...

The blame game: if a parent files a complaint, who's responsible?(Scales on Censorship)(libraries and their policies)
January 1, 2010... I was surprised to discover that my new school district doesn't have a library policy, especially since we're considering unblocking some social networking sites. I'm especially troubled that there's no Internet-use policy. After meeting with...

Humor us: fun and laughter are essential to children's lives.(First Steps)
January 1, 2010... The desire to be with people who laugh or make us laugh must be universal. In our office, we're fortunate to have our own resident giggle bug. At 16 months old, our colleague Martha's little guy laughs at the drop of a hat. It's such fun to hear...

Art in theory and practice: if a picture is worth a thousand words, what's a picture book museum worth?(Up for Discussion)(The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art workshops)
January 1, 2010... This is the first of two columns devoted to helping children think and talk about what they observe. You don't have to be an expert in art to lead this process that begins with conversation and has the potential to improve standardized test...

A date with destiny: first-time author Rachel Ward talks about 'Numbers,' her new thriller.(Under Cover)(Interview)
January 1, 2010... Jem has a disturbing secret: whenever she looks into people's eyes, she sees the exact date of their death. Moments before a terrorist attack, she realizes that many of the bystanders are about to die. But when she and her classmate Spider flee...

Gaming advocacy: when the shine wears off, the results are still golden.(The Gaming Life)(motivating teens using video games)
January 1, 2010... Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) in Ohio will celebrate our third anniversary since the introduction of gaming in all our branches during Teen Tech Week 2010. When I attended the first Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium in 2005 with a...

The future of reading: don't worry. It might be better than you think.(Cover story)
January 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EARLIER THIS YEAR, SEVERAL NERDFIGHTERS (1) SENT ME A LINK TO THE WEB SITE ThisIsNotTom.com, which features a picture of a man, seated, wearing only a bathrobe. At the bottom of the page is written, "The quck brown fox...

The greatest story never told: before Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin. But who had heard of her? Thanks to author Phillip Hoose, that's changing.(Interview)
January 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TALK ABOUT CHUTZPAH. It took Phillip Hoose four years to track down Claudette Colvin, but it was worth the wait. Last November, Hoose's Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, the true story of a teen who refused to...

The Savvy Librarian's night table: ten amazing titles guaranteed to bring you peace, prosperity, and happiness.(List)
January 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With so many choices and so many terrific nonfiction titles in the pipeline, picking the "right" read can be daunting. This year we offer a variety of choices: the future of books, the life of a great American...

Putting your best foot forward: looking to ramp up your library Web site? Try a blog.
January 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DOES YOUR LIBRARY WEB SITE feel a bit flat or just plain boring? Do you wish you could interact with students on your site and share more of your passion for learning? Then consider turning your site into a blog. ...

On top of their games.(focus on Winter Olympics)(Recommended readings)
January 1, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE FIRST SEPARATE WINTER OLYMPICS WERE held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. Four years later, they were held in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and in 1932, the third Winter Olympics were held in Lake Placid, New York, the...

The Art of Crochet 4 Kids.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... The Art of Crochet 4 Kids. DVD. 1:30 hrs. Prod. by Leisure Arts. Dist. by AV Cafe. 2009. $19.95. K-Gr 4--This Wild West-themed program inspires young children to learn to crochet. The first two segments teach crochet basics, and feature two...

Everythng You Need to Know about Alcohol in 22 Minutes.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... * Everythng You Need to Know about Alcohol in 22 Minutes. DVD. 22 min. with tchr's, guide. Human Relations Media. 2009. ISBN 978-1-55548-808-6. $139.95. Gr 7 Up--It is difficult to walk the line between social drinking as a rite of passage...

Straight Talk: The Truth about Alcohol and Sex.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Straight Talk: The Truth about Alcohol and Sex. DVD. 18 min. with tchr's, guide. Human Relations Media. 2009. ISBN 978-1-55548-803-1. $139.95. Gr 7 Up--Viewers will immediately be drawn into the experiences of the teens portrayed in this...

Tales from the Prom: The Good the Bad and the Ugly.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Tales from the Prom: The Good the Bad and the Ugly. DVD. 23 min. with tchr's, guide. Human Relations Media. 2009. ISBN 978-1-55548-814-7. $139.95. Gr 7 Up--A wide range of teens and their prom experiences are covered in this honest look at...

Thomas and Friends: Team Up with Thomas.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Thomas and Friends: Team Up with Thomas. DVD. 46 min. Prod. by HIT Entertainment. Dist. by Lionsgate. 2009. $14.98. PreS-K--The series' new live-action host, Mr. Arkwright (Robert Slade), brings warmth and personality to the engine driver's...

Young Minds: Numbers and Counting.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Young Minds: Numbers and Counting. DVD. 35 min. MathTutorDVD.com. 2009. $19.99. PreS--This production is designed to teach numbers and counting to young children up to age three. Set to classical music from composers such as Johann Sebastian...

Character: Communication Basics.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Character: Communication Basics. DVD. 16 min. with tchr's, guide online. LearningZoneXpress. 2009. ISBN 1-57175-752-X. $49.95. Gr 5-8--Effective verbal, non-verbal, and online communication is explained in this exceptionally well-produced...

Cliques: Where Do You Fit In?(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Cliques: Where Do You Fit In? DVD. 15 min. with tchr's guide. Human Relations Media. 2009. ISBN 978-1-55548-800-0. $129.95. Gr 5-9--Hosted by two middle grade students, this brief production features interviews with students and a guidance...

Anatomy of a Puff.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Anatomy of a Puff. DVD. 15 min. with tchr's, guide. Human Relations Media. 2009. ISBN 978-1-55548-809-3. $139.95. Gr 7 Up--Describing a cigarette as a "dirty delivery system" for nicotine, a 20-something host focuses on the harmful chemicals...

Fast Food Nutrition.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Fast Food Nutrition. DVD. 16 min. with tchr's, guide. LearningZoneXpress. 2009. ISBN 1-57175-833-X. $79.95. Gr 6 Up--Two smiling, upbeat teens offer facts about good nutrition and tips for eating healthy in our fast food world. The typical...

Barkus, Sly and the Gold Egg.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Barkus, Sly and the Gold Egg. DVD. 10 min. with tchr's, guide. Nutmeg Media. 2009. ISBN 1-933938-66-8. $49.95. PreS-Gr 3--Barkus and Sly, two tricky foxes, think they're pretty clever. But when they sneak into the hen house and swipe three...

Bats at the Library.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... * Bats at the Library. DVD. 11 min. with tchr's, guide. Nutmeg Media. 2009. ISBN 1-933938-62-5. $49.95. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] K-Gr-3--"Word spread quickly from afar... a window had been left ajar. Can it be tree? Can it be? Yes, bat...

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Fletcher and the Falling Leaves. DVD. 10 min. (closed captioned), with tchr's. guide. Weston Woods. 2009. ISBN 978-0-545-19658-1. $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-19689-5: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-19701-4: $29.95. PreS-Gr...

Little Miss Sunshine Presents: Fun in the Sun.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Little Miss Sunshine Presents: Fun in the Sun. DVD. approx. 69 min. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. 2009. ISBN 1-4359-8504-4. $16.97. PreS-Gr 1--Fans of Roger Hargreaves's Mr. Men & Little Miss series will recognize familiar characters...

Los Gatos Black on Halloween.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... * Los Gatos Black on Halloween. DVD. 8 min. (closed captioned), with tchr's, guide. Weston Woods. 2009. ISBN 978-0-545-19658-1. $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-19689-5: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-19701-4: $29.95. [ILLUSTRATION...

Field Trips with Recess Monkey.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Field Trips with Recess Monkey. DVD. 1:30 hrs. Big Kids Video. 2009. $14.95. PreS-Gr 3--Inspired by field trips taken with their classes at school, popular children's band Recess Monkey (Jack Forman, Daron Henry, and Drew Holloway) have...

The Perpetua Story (The Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith Series).(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... The Perpetua Story (The Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith Series). DVD. 37 min. with tchr's, guide, student workbook. Prod. by Christian History lust. and the Voice of the Martyrs. Dist. by Vision Video. 2009. #501301D. $14.99. Gr 3-8--A...

Animal Rock with Lucas Miller!, Vol. 1: Monarchs, Metamorphosis and More!(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Animal Rock with Lucas Miller!, Vol. 1: Monarchs, Metamorphosis and More! DVD. 43 min. Victory Multimedia. 2009. $18.95. PreS-Gr 4--Austin, TX, treasure Lucas Miller (the Singing Zoologist) presents his first video featuring songs (from his...

Coal Country.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Coal Country. DVD. 1:25 hrs. Prod. by Evening Star Prods. Dist. by Liaison Distribution. 2009. $24.98. Gr 7 Up--Soft music, including songs by Crammy-winning singer Kathy Mattea, blended with scenes of bucolic West Virginia are a razor-sharp...

Exploring Forest Biomes.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Exploring Forest Biomes. video or DVD. 14 min. with tchr's, guide. Visual Learning Co. 2009. video: ISBN 978-1-5923-4430-7, DVD, ISBN 978-1-5923-4429-1. $79.95. Gr 3-5--Filmed on location around North America, this film presents three types...

Inquisitive Minds: Energy and Power.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... * Inquisitive Minds: Energy and Power. DVD. 26 min. Prod. by Power to Create. Dist. by Landmark Media. 2009. $195. Gr 6-9--This fast-paced program investigates energy and power, focusing on electricity and the sources used to generate it. A...

Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial (NOVA Series).(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial (NOVA Series). DVD. 1:52 hrs. Prod. by Vulcan Prods. and WGBH. Dist by PBS Home Video. 2008, 2009 release. ISBN 978-1-59375-719-9. $19.95. Gr 9 Up--The ongoing debate between the supporters and...

Ocean Animal Emergency: Troubled Waters for Marine Mammals?(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Ocean Animal Emergency: Troubled Waters for Marine Mammals? (NOVA Series). DVD. approx. 56 min. with tchr's. guide. PBS Home Video. 2008, 2009 release. ISBN 978-1-59375-872-1. $24.95. Gr 9 Up--This informative film documents marine animal...

PetroApocalypse Now?(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... PetroApocalypse Now? DVD. 48 min. Video Project (videoproject.com). 2009. #PET-980-P. $109. Gr 9 Up--As we have witnessed frequently since the energy crisis of the late 1970s, the world's economy--and consequentially, our standard of...

Short Attention Span Science Videos, Vol. 1 & 2: Sustainability--The Coral Reef Notebook.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... * Short Attention Span Science Videos, Vol. 1 & 2: Sustainability--The Coral Reef Notebook. 2 DVDs. range: 45:42-48:02 min. GG Films (stanford.edu/group/microdocs/DVD.html). 2009. ISBN 0-0822269-4-2. $39.95. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gr 6...

Billy Blue Hair: Why Are Fire Trucks Red?(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Billy Blue Hair: Why Are Fire Trucks Red? DVD. approx. 30 min. Prod. by Kayo Media. Dist. by billybluehair.com. 2009. $14.95. PreS-Gr 1--Animated characters Billy Blue Hair and his dog Doogie are back for another adventure in this follow-up...

George Washington Carver: His Life and His Work.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... George Washington Carver: His Life and His Work. DVD. 30 min. Prod. by Kaw Valley Films. Dist. by Marshall Pub. 2009. $19.95. Gr 6 Up--Few individuals in our history personify the value of education and dedication more than George Washington...

Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents: Thomas Jefferson.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... * Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents: Thomas Jefferson. DVD. approx. 22 rain. (closed captioned). Getting to Know. 2009. $39.95. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gr 1-6--Another one of Mike Venezia's biographies, with its humorous cartoon...

Study Skills for People Who Hate to Study.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2010... Study Skills for People Who Hate to Study. DVD. 18 min. with tchr's, guide. Human Relations Media. 2009. ISBN 978-1-55548-796-6. $139.95. Gr 7 Up--Six teenagers address the three main areas that can sabotage effective studying: organization,...

Adam Canfield: The Last Reporter.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Adam Canfield: The Last Reporter (unabr.). 7 CDs. 7:54 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-50737-108-7. $74.96 Gr 6-9--Adam Canfield is back and so is the staff of his school newspaper, The Slash, previously eliminated by the school board...

After.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... After (unabr.). 9 CDs. 10 hrs. Penguin Audio. ISBN 978-0-14-314505-9. $34.95. Gr 8 Up--Through flashbacks, listeners learn that 15-year-old Devon has been a good student and an outstanding soccer player, and her life is all about control and...

Al Capone Shines My Shoes.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... * Al Capone Shines My Shoes (unabr.). 7 CDs. 7:52 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2009. ISBN 978-0-7393-8006-2. $55. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gr 5-8--In Gennifer Choldenko's sequel (Dial, 2009) to...

Black Box.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... * Black Box (unabr.). 4 CDs. 3:54 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2009. ISBN 978-0-7393-8595-1. $38. Gr 7 Up--Elena, a high school freshman, has always looked up to her older sister, Dora, and the...

Branded Outlaw.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Book review)
January 1, 2010... Branded Outlaw (unabr.). 2 CDs. approx. 2 hrs. Galaxy Press. 2009. ISBN 978-1-59212-349-0. $9.95. Gr 10 Up--L. Ron Hubbard's pulp fiction Western from the 1930s is a story about young Lee Weston who comes back home to Wyoming to find his...

A Chair for My Mother and Other Stories.(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... A Chair for My Mother and Other Stories (unabr.). CD. 1 hr. HarperChildren's Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-0-06-176121-8. $13.99. PreS-Gr 3--This collection includes stories by Vera B. Williams about Rosa and her family--A Chair for My Mother (1982),...

Change-Up: Mystery at the World Series.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Change-Up: Mystery at the World Series (unabr.). 6 CDs. 6:33 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2009. ISBN 978--0-7393-8101-4. $55. Gr 5-7--In John Feinstein's mystery (Knopf, 2009), the news media hits...

City of the Dead: The Haunting of Derek Stone, Book 1.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... City of the Dead: The Haunting of Derek Stone, Book 1 (unabr.). 3 CDs. 3:12 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4233-9476-1. $39.97. Gr 5-8--Fourteen-year-old Derek survives a horrific train wreck, but Iris father and older brother Ronny...

Crashed.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Crashed (unabr.). 9 CDs. 10:49 min. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4233-7495-4. $72.97. Gr 9 Up--In Robin Wasserman's sequel (2009) to Skinned (2008, both Simon Pulse; Brilliance, 2008), Lia Kahn has been forced to make the adjustment...

The Day of the Pelican.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... The Day of the Pelican (unabr.). 4 CDs. 4:23 hrs. Brilliance Andio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4418-0207-1. $69.97. Gr 5-8--The war in Kosovo in the 1990s is brought to life in Katherine Paterson's novel (Clarion, 2009). The story follows Meli Lleshi,...

Devil's Kiss.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Devil's Kiss (unabr.). 7 CDs. 8:29 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4418-0165-4. $54.97. Gr 9 Up--Sarwat Chadda's fast-paced novel (Hyperion, 2009) combines modern London with a fantasy world of ghuls (vampire/ ghoul), weres, the...

Emperor Mage: The Immortals, Book 3.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Emperor Mage: The Immortals, Book 3 (unabr.). 8 CDs. 7:45 hrs. Full Cast Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-1-934180-20-4. $55. Gr 6-10--Tamora Pierce's third title (Atheneum, 2003) in the series continues the riveting story of Daine, a Tortallan girl...

Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them All.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them All (unrabr.) cassette or CD. 1:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2009. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4407-2154-0, CD: ISBN 978-1-4407-51584. $25.75. Gr 3-5--Leroy Brown, 10-year-old son of Idaville's Chief of Police, will solve...

The Entertainer and the Dybbuk.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... * The Entertainer and the Dybbuk. 2 CDs. approx. 1:45 hrs. Full Cast Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-934180-38-9. $29. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gr 6-10--Sid Fleischman's compelling story (Greenwillow, 2007) begins in 1948, three years after the end...

Everything for a Dog.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Everything for a Dog (unabr.). 5 CDs. 5:10 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4233-9236-1. $59.97. Gr 4-6--Ann Martin's moving story (S & S/ Feiwel & Friends, 2009) shifts between three main characters' points of view: a dog...

Glass Houses: The Morganville Vampires, Book 1.(The Dead Girls' Dance: The Morganville Vampires, vol. 2)(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Glass Houses: The Morganville Vampires, Book 1. 7 CDs. 8:30 hrs. Tantor Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4001-4190-6. $59.99. The Dead Girls' Dance: The Morganville Vampires, Book 2. 7 CDs. 9 hrs. Tantor Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4001-4191-3. $69.99. ...

Jumping to Conclusions: Rachel Yoder--Always Trouble Somewhere, Book 7.(Brief article)(Audiobook review)(Children's review)
January 1, 2010... Jumping to Conclusions: Rachel Yoder--Always Trouble Somewhere, Book 7 (unabr.). 3 CDs. 3:25 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4418-0683-3. $44.97. Gr 2-5--In this volume (Barbour Pub., 2009) by Wanda Brunstetter, 11-year-old Rachel is...

Lawn Boy.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Lawn Boy (unabr.). 2 CDs. 1:24 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4233-9589-8. $39.97. Gr 4-7--At the beginning of summer vacation, the 12-year-old narrator wonders how he is going to get enough money to buy a new inner tube for his...

Need.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Need (unabr.). 7 CDs. 8 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4233-9926-1. $87.97. Gr 7 Up--Move over Edward Cullen (Twilight)--there's a new boy in town. Carrie Jones's terrific fantasy/romance/thriller (Bloomsbury, 2008) is sure to be a...

The Nine Pound Hammer: The Clockwork Dark, Book 1.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... The Nine Pound Hammer: The Clockwork Dark, Book 1 (unabr.). 8 CDs. 10:22 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2009. ISBN 978-0-7393-8078-9. $55. Gr 4-7--John Claude Bemis's debut novel (Random, 2009)...

Piper Reed Gets a Job.(Brief article)(Audiobook review)(Children's review)
January 1, 2010... Piper Reed Gets a Job (unabr.). 2 CDs. 1:52 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2009. ISBN 978-0-7393-6191-7. $24. Gr 3-5--Piper Reed and her Gypsy Club compatriots need a place where they can hold their...

The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano (unabr.). 2 CDs. 2:05 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2009. ISBN 978-0-3075-8307-9. $24. Gr 7 Up--Margarita Engle's biography (Holt,...

Ryan & Robbie's Bike Ride Adventure and Lao Lao's Chinese Secrets.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)(Book review)
January 1, 2010... Ryan & Robbie's Bike Ride Adventure and Lao Lao's Chinese Secrets. CD. 18:25 rain. with hardcover book. ryanandrobbie. com. 2009. ISBN 978-0-9820254-6-8. $15.95. K-Gr 2--Roger Hackett's passion for Chinese culture, language, and food, as...

The Spectacular Now.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... * The Spectacular Now (unabr.). 7 CDs. 8:19 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4233-9963-6. $87.97. Gr 9 Up--Filtered through the whiskey-soaked perceptions of high school senior Sutter Keely, Tim Tharp's quirky novel (Knopf, 2008)...

Spy Killer.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Spy Killer (Stories from the Golden Age Series). 2 CDs. 2 hrs. Galaxy Audio. 2008, 2009 release. ISBN 978-1-59212-166-3. $9.95. Gr 9 Up--"Kurt went to the back of the room and found the round-faced, slit-eyed proprietor." So goes the story of...

Strawberry Hill.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Strawberry Hill (unabr.). 4 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2009. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4407-4721-2:$33.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4407-4725-0: $46.75. Gr 3-5--During the Great Depression, Allie Sherman's father loses his job and finds a...

Winnie Dancing on Her Own.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2010... Winnie Dancing on Her Own (unabr.). CD. 63 min. Live Oaks Media. 2009. ISBN 978-1-43010-752-1. $18.95; with paperback book, ISBN 978-1-43010-753-8: $20.95. Gr 2-5--Winnie lives with her father (her mother is deceased) and has two best...

America.(Sound recording review)(Brief article)(Children's review)
January 1, 2010... America. CD. 37:35 min. with lyrics. New Hope Records. 2009. $14.99. Gr all levels--Bobby Susser's latest album features 12 simple original songs. He opens with "America," an upbeat, catchy pop tune celebrating our country. Among the other...

Cows and Horses.(Sound recording review)(Brief article)(Children's review)
January 1, 2010... Cows and Horses. CD. 44:18 min. School House Songs. 2009. $9.95. PreS-Gr 3-Lee and Sandy Paley sing 19 original, bouncy, energetic songs in a variety of musical styles such as rock, soft rock, jazz, march, and bluegrass. Sound effects, speaking,...

If the World Was Upside Down.(Sound recording review)(Brief article)(Children's review)
January 1, 2010... If the World Was Upside Down. CD. approx. 39 min. AV Cafe. 2008, 2009 release. $16. PreS- Gr 3--Joe West is a seasoned musician from the southwest, and this is his first attempt at a children's recording. The line-up is all original songs,...

My Trampoline.(Sound recording review)(Brief article)(Children's review)
January 1, 2010... * My Trampoline. CD. 42 min. Prod. by Minivan Prods. Dist. by Allegro Media Group. 2009. $14.95. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] K-Gr 5--Grammy-nominated recording artists Peter Himmelman bounces to new heights on his fifth album for school-aged...

The Time Machine.(Sound recording review)(Brief article)(Children's review)
January 1, 2010... The Time Machine. CD. 44 min. AV Cafe. 2009. $15. K-Gr 4--San Francisco-based kiddie rock band The Sippy Cups offer some thoughts about growing up, inspired by the performers' children. The presentation of their 11 musically sophisticated...