Professional Reading
-- School Library Journal, 1/1/2006
BAXTER, Kathleen A. & Michael Dahl. Gotcha Covered!: More Nonfiction Booktalks to Get Kids Excited about Reading. 219p. reprods. bibliog. index. Libraries Unlimited. 2005. pap. $32.50. ISBN 1-59158-225-3. LC 2005927741.
Similar in scope to Gotcha! (1999) and Gotcha Again! (2002, both Libraries Unlimited), this title presents more than 300 titles published since 2001. Titles range in interest and reading ability from third grade through middle school. Each thematically organized chapter concludes with a bibliography. Missing is the useful introduction that appeared in Gotcha! on how to booktalk. In addition to offering great books culled from the Horn Book Guide, School Library Journal, and by word-of-mouth, the authors suggest booktalk themes, key passages to read aloud, exciting and intriguing images to share from the books, and background information about the subjects. Occasionally the writing seems an awkward mix of two voices–one that speaks directly to a youthful audience, and the other that addresses librarians or teachers. Useful for professionals new to collection development, as well as support for nonfiction booktalks.–Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA
BLASS, Rosanne J. Celebrate with Books: Booktalks for Holidays and Other Occasions. 226p. index. CIP. Libraries Unlimited. 2005. pap. $35. ISBN 1-59158-076-5. LC 2005018015.
This collection of booktalks for children in kindergarten through sixth grade emphasizes picture books, chapter books, and poetry published from 2000 to 2004. The volume begins with general holidays celebrated by cultures around the world (African American, Asian, Indian, Islamic, Jewish, Spanish, North American), and then takes a month-by-month approach. Additional year-round celebrations (birthdays, visits from the tooth fairy, new siblings) are appended. For each observation, at least two selections are suggested and include a complete citation, genre, age level, culture (where appropriate), summary, the booktalk itself, and a learning extension, which appeals to Gardner's multiple intelligences. The short booktalks, often five to seven sentences in length, frequently use the plot summary or mood-creation style. Some read like promotional flap copy, others include lesson plan information, and many end with a question. Each section concludes with citations for additional titles for the particular celebration. A great aid for collection development and for thematic planning.–Julie R. Ranelli, Episcopal Center for Children, Washington, DC
BROMANN, Jennifer. More Booktalking That Works. 145p. (Teens @ the Library Series). bibliog. index. CIP. Neal-Schuman. 2005. pap. $49.95. ISBN 1-55570-525-1. LC 2005002326.
Booktalking That Works (Neal-Schuman, 2001) focuses on the culture, interest, and reading habits of teens. This companion is a straightforward, practical guide on how to execute a successful booktalk. The author readily admits that the methods discussed are those that have worked for her, and she encourages librarians to find what they are comfortable with–and then to stick with it. That being the case, the advice is simple but effective. The first part of the book consists of questions such as "Should I Use a Theme?" or "I Am a School Librarian. How Do I Get into Classrooms?" followed by answers. The tone is conversational, making this section an easy, enjoyable read. The second part contains 200 booktalks. A genre/subject and a title index are included. This is a good purchase for any new practitioners. Even experienced media specialists might pick up a tip or two.–Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA
CULLINAN, Bernice E., Bonnie L. Kunzel, & Deborah A. Wooten, eds. The Continuum Encyclopedia of Young Adult Literature. 885p. chart. photos. bibliog. index. Web sites. CIP. Continuum. 2005. Tr $195. ISBN 0-8264-1710-8. LC 2005018693.
The remarkable growth of YA literature in recent years is evident in this massive one-volume encyclopedia. The 800 signed entries, written by 200 contributors, include author profiles, trends, and topical articles covering the usual genre designations and a few newer ones, such as "Chick Lit" and "Urban Legends." Michael Cart's overview of YA literature affords a fine historical perspective of the field; Will Eisner's cogent piece on graphic novels is followed by an article on graphic novels in libraries chronicling the recent trend for acceptance. Other pieces seem oddly out-of-place. An article entitled "A Meditation of Writing Landscape," excerpted from a forthcoming book by Jane Yolen, is directed toward writers rather than critical readers, and has no corresponding discussion of plot, character, or theme. An article entitled "Beyond Harry Potter" seems to have been lifted out of context from a listserv discussion. A booklist entitled rather grandly "The Top Dozen Favorite YA Books" turns out to be an eclectic list of 12 favorite titles compiled by one student. The wide variety of authors covered includes luminaries such as Cormier, Hinton, and Blume as well as relative newcomers to the field, but there is no standardization of bibliographic references, and there are many inconsistencies and errors. The varying length of the articles is often puzzling: a piece on Daniel Pinkwater is given twice the space as one on Philip Pullman. The list of contributors contains many professors, librarians, and experts in the field, but also a large number of students whose grasp of the subjects assigned to them often seems tenuous. The appendix contains highly useful lists of book awards with Web sites for further research. However, a final list of "Best of the Best YA Books–By Preconference" doesn't explain which preconference or when it took place. Given the sheer volume of material covered, a stronger editorial hand was needed for overall clarity and accuracy. Still, nothing else of this scope is currently available, and the book could be a useful tool if the information is checked against other sources.–Connie Rockman, Stratford (CT) Library Association
NIKOLAJEVA, Maria. Aesthetic Approaches to Children's Literature. 313p. charts. diags. illus. bibliog. further reading. index. CIP. Scarecrow. 2005. pap. $45. ISBN 0-8108-5426-0. LC 2004024130.
Nikolajeva's latest critical offering is less scholarly in voice than her previous writings, a fact that makes Aesthetic Approaches more accessible and usable. Every chapter discusses a single element of the literary text–authorship, composition, and character are three examples–and provides an overview of theoretical and critical issues related to each one in children's literature, while each topic includes discussion questions and suggestions for critical exercises withwell-known children's titles. These inclusions make it clear that this book can be well used in a children's literature course. Chapter-specific bibliographies (divided by source type and subject) at the end of each chapter as well as a grand bibliography at the back of the book are helpful. This resource would be a remarkable addition to children's literature research collections.–Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston
YORK, Sherry. Ethnic Book Awards: A Directory of Multicultural Literature for Young Readers. 157p. index. Web sites. CIP. Linworth. 2005. pap. $36.95. ISBN 1-58683-187-9. LC 2005004332.
While much of the information in this book is available on the Internet, it is sometimes helpful and less time consuming to have it all in one place. Part one provides basic background information and Web sites for the Sydney Taylor Book Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, the Carter G. Woodson Award, the Américas Award, the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Literature Award, the Pura Belpré Award, and the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature. Part two, the bulk of the book, lists the books alphabetically by title, along with a one- or two-sentence annotation and the honor citation(s). An extensive subject index is included, as is an index of authors, editors, illustrators, and translators. However, anyone trying to find a specific winner of a specific award will have to search through all of the titles as there are no separate listings for them.–Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA
