We need spring to get sprung around here. In New York today we had SIX inches of snow. This is just NOT RIGHT. We want to see blue skies and sun and smell spring in the air. NO MORE WHITE STUFF! Okay, now I feel better.
The one thing good about snowy days like this? There's more time to read. And this month Kidsreads.com has a great lineup that you will not want to miss. Read on...and we hope you find a book you love!
Booker T. Worm for Kidsreads.com
Cool New Books for March
Simon & Schuster has released four books in a brand-new series featuring America's #1 female sleuth, Nancy Drew, with two more scheduled for publication this summer. Nancy's appearance may have changed, but her crime fighting skills remain top-notch. A number of other brave female characters, determined to succeed and make a difference, can be found in this month's roundup of cool new books. They include Katherine Williams, a hard worker who dreams of becoming an artist; eleven-year-old Noi, who has a gift for painting; and Violet, a princess who sets out to prove her strength and courage to the world.
Series Feature Update: Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective
Seventy-four years after solving her first mystery, Nancy Drew is back in an all-new series from Simon & Schuster. To celebrate her triumphant return, America's most popular female detective has been given a complete makeover --- with a new look, new car, some new friends and, of course, brand-new cases to solve. Longtime fans and newcomers alike will be on the edge of their seats, as Nancy, Bess, George and the rest of the gang join forces once again to fight crime and rid the world of evil.
This month we look at the first four books in the series.
A New Series: SHREDDERMAN --- Here's the FIRST Book!
Here's the first book in a new series by Wendelin van Draanen, which many of you know as the author of the Sammy Keyes books.
SHREDDERMAN: Secret Identity by Wendelin Van Draanen Nolan "Nerd" Byrd creates a secret identity for himself on the Internet when he launches Shredderman.com, a place where truth and justice prevail --- and bullies get what they deserve. Reviewed by Sarah A. Wood and excerpted.
For more about Wendelin Van Draanen, go to WendelinVanDraanen.com
Give me the facts --- just the facts. Sometimes we want facts and not fiction. One of our favorite places to get facts is the Don't Know Much series of books by Ken Davis.
These books make learning facts fun! Each book in the series covers a different topic and they include the 50 States, Presidents, Pioneers, Pilgrims, the Solar System, Space, Kings and Queens, Abraham Lincoln (new) and American History. The Dinosaurs book will be out in April!
Curious as to what you might find in these books? Then click on the link below.
By the way, the website has some great trivia games and fast facts. It's a good one to share with your friends --- and your teachers!
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!
Like Reading Books? Love People? Want to Talk About the Last Book You Read?
If you love to read we have the skinny on a new program you won't want to miss!
New Moon Publishing and HarperCollins Children's Books join forces this month in an effort to encourage girls to continue reading. Through December 2004, the two publishing companies are collaborating on a number of projects featuring the Newbery Medal-winning and best-selling author Sharon Creech, including exclusive book excerpts published in New Moon Magazine and on the "For Girls and Their Dreams" Website (www.forgirlsandtheirdreams.org), a Book Club on the website featuring Creech's books and sponsorship of contests that encourage reading, and a Writing Club that encourages girls to express themselves through words.
This collaboration will allow those readers to become part of the world of Sharon Creech-a world where smart, strong, spunky female characters reign.
Check out Sharon Creech's website --- SharonCreech.com.
MABLE RILEY: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance by Marthe Jocelyn In 1901 fourteen-year-old Mable Riley and her sister Viola move to a faraway town in Ontario, where Viola will teach at a local school. Mable tells of her adventures through lively journal entries in this appealing and funny novel. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon and excerpted.
ON HER WAY: Stories and Poems About Growing Up Girl, edited by Sandy Asher Sandy Asher has compiled and edited twenty-one stories written by a diverse group of female authors, including Donna Jo Napoli and Linda Sue Park, about how it feels to be a girl. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner.
GRASS ANGEL by Julie Schumacher Eleven-year-old Frances Cressen decides to spend the summer at Camp Whitman with her best friend rather than with her mom and brother at Mountain Ash, a spiritual retreat in the middle of nowhere. Frances has made the right choice --- or has she? Reviewed by Kristi Olson.
WHEN MY NAME WAS KEOKO by Linda Sue Park Sun-hee and her older brother Tae-yul live in Korea, which is under Japanese occupation. When World War II comes to Korea, Sun-hee is shocked when Tae-yul enlists in the Japanese army in an attempt to protect their uncle, who is suspected of aiding the Korean resistance. Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub and excerpted.
DOG by Daniel Pennac Dog has had a rough life. Nearly drowned when he was only a puppy, abandoned and alone, he now faces the difficult task of finding an owner. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner and excerpted.
There are very few places where you can see authors interviewed, either on television or in person. If you could view author interviews on the web on demand, instead of at a set time, would you?
Yes No Not sure
Do you belong to a book club where you discuss books?
Yes, I do. Not, but this is interesting to me. No, I am not interested in this.
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.
Remember to be safe online. NEVER tell anyone personal information --- which includes your real name, age, address, phone number or school. Hey, pretend you are undercover when you go online and protect yourself at all times!
Keep reading! Until next week...
Booker T. Worm and Friends Kidsreads.com The Book Report Network 250 W. 57th Street - Suite 1228 New York, New York 10107
