As we write this newsletter the wind is whipping around and it is freezing cold in New York. Too cold to sled. Too cold to skate. Too cold to do much of anything --- except read.
Sooooooooooo...we are here to give you some good ideas of new books to read and explore! And a new poll and question to answer. And a BIG update to our Series feature.
Whew. Just thinking about all of this warmed me up. So read on, then grab a book and get reading!
Booker T. Worm and the Staff at Kidsreads.com
Cool New Books for January
One of the major highlights in this month's roundup of cool new books is THE BOY ON FAIRFIELD STREET, a picture book biography of Ted Geisel --- creator of the legendary feline Dr. Seuss and bestselling author of such classics as THE CAT IN THE HAT and GREEN EGGS AND HAM. 2004 marks the 100th anniversary of Dr. Seuss's birth, and reading about Geisel's life is a great way to celebrate this memorable occasion.
We also have some marvelous works of fiction, including the story of a young boy who learns all about the importance of freedom from the writer of the Declaration of Independence himself.
Feature and Contest - LIONBOY by Zizou Corder --- Win One of 25 Books!
There is a new book that we are just crazy about ---LIONBOY by Zizou Corder. Here's the plot:
Charlie Ashanti is determined to locate his parents, who have just been kidnapped. Fortunately he knows how to speak Cat, so his feline friends do everything they can to help him. But little does Charlie know that in this search of his, the fate of the world is at stake. Read more about this book and the authors (psssst...Zizou Corder is the pen name of a mother/daughter writing team).
Next month we will review this book and interview the authors!
To celebrate the publication of LIONBOY by Zizou Corder, Kidsreads.com is running a contest where 25 readers each will have a chance to win a copy of the book! For details and rules check out http://www.kidsreads.com/funstuff/contests/0401-lionboy-contest.asp
The American Library Association (otherwise known as the ALA) has announced its 2004 awards --- the Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King and Robert F. Sibert --- honoring the best children's books published in 2003. And we've got them all for you right here!
In this informative and entertaining book, four-time Edgar Award winner Joan Lowery Nixon shares the incidents from her childhood that helped her to grow and develop as a writer. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon and excerpted.
We've updated our Series feature listings with new as well as soon-to-be-published books. Whether you want to see what is going on with your favorite series, or find a new series to explore, this is the link you don't want to bookmark!
Calling All Sports Fans! Author Matt Christopher's New Website is LIVE!
Readers who are sports fans will want to explore MattChristopher.com, the new official website for bestselling author Matt Christopher. Christopher's recent books include Body Check and On The Court With...Shaquille O'Neal. MattChristopher.com offers information about his work --- including a bibliography broken down by the type of sport. The site also has an "All-Star Trivia Game," tour/appearance information, and a special section for teachers and librarians.
LILY B. ON THE BRINK OF COOL by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Thirteen-year-old Lily Blennerhassett, who hopes to be a great novelist some day, spends the summer missing her best friend and keeping a journal of her boring life at home and her encounters with the glamorous LeBlanc family. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon and excerpted.
DONUTHEAD by Sue Stauffacher
Can a kid who fears everything survive being paired with one who fears nothing? This hilarious and touching novel features a neurotic, scared boy and a tougher-than-nails girl who help each other in more ways than they can imagine. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon and excerpted.
BLACKWATER BEN by William Durbin
Thirteen-year-old Ben works at Blackwater Logging Camp as a cook's helper to his Pa, but Ben longs to be out in the woods with the lumberjacks. When an orphan boy arrives in camp and signs on to work with Pa, Ben makes both a friend and a rival. Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber and excerpted.
ELISA MICHAELS, BIGGER & BETTER by Johanna Hurwitz
Second-grader Elisa Michaels misses her grandmother, helps take care of her little brother, and enjoys other quiet adventures in this heartwarming chapter book about family. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon and excerpted.
THE MAKING OF A WRITER by Joan Lowery Nixon
In this informative and entertaining book, four-time Edgar Award winner Joan Lowery Nixon shares the incidents from her childhood that helped her to grow and develop as a writer. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon and excerpted.
UTTERLY ME, CLARICE BEAN by Lauren Child
In this entertaining chapter book, Clarice Bean becomes a detective like her favorite mystery series hero, Ruby Redfort. The question is, can she solve the mysteries in her own life without Ruby's high-tech gadgets? Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.
Want to know my favorite part about this newsletter? You can forward it to a friend by clicking the button on the bottom of the page. What could be easier? Now it's really easy to share your favorite book newsletter with friends, teachers and librarians! Can you tell I am excited? I hope you are too.
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