INTERVIEW

• Terry Pratchett: State of the Nation
  Most followers of the fantasy genre know Terry Pratchett’s beloved "Discworld" series. But Nation, (Doubleday, 2008), Pratchett’s recent coming-of-age tale, steers readers into the adventure realm. We caught up with the award-winning British author to ask why he often features children as his main characters and how his work has changed since his diagnosis with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
  
  Did you expect this kind of response to Nation?
  Let me put it like this: I knew I had written a good book. I knew it was good, mostly because I almost appeared to be channeling it rather than writing it. Nevertheless, in reality, I am surprised at the awards the book is picking up in the U.S., especially since my career in America was more or less a flat line until 1990. Then, oh glorious day! I suddenly ended up with two fine editors, for both children's and adult books, and even a publicist who knew how to spell my name, for all of which I am really thankful. It was a huge second chance and awards like this are a tribute to their help and encouragement. more » » » 

Blogs

• ShelfTalker: A Children's Bookseller's Blog
  Josie Leavitt, Co-owner, Flying Pig Bookstore, Shelburne, Vt.
  Family Dynamics at the Bookstore
  Family dynamics can be seen every day at the bookstore. Some of it is downright scary, but more often than not, it's charming. Summer tends to bring the *entire* family, not just one parent and a chil...
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• Bowllan's Blog
  Amy Bowllan, The Hewitt School, New York
  Writers Against Racism: Jesse Joshua Watson
  His illustrations have been featured in magazines, journals, art publications, CD covers and children's books, including the NY Times Bestselling Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, ...
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• Nonfiction Matters
  Marc Aronson, AUTHOR, EDITOR, PACKAGER, SPEAKER,
  The Snake Is Chasing Its Tail
  So We Live In the World of User-Created Content, Right, With Books Fading as a Relic of the Past? NO! Did you all see this article about Wikipedia in the New York Times: "Wikipedia to Add Laye...
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• Good Comics for Kids
  Eva Volin, ,
  Interview: VIZ Kids editor Traci Todd, part 2
  While at the American Library Association conference in Chicago, Snow Wildsmith and I had the opportunity to talk with VIZ Kids editor Traci Todd. We asked her about the origins of the imprint, ...
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NEWS

• Author Claims Stephenie Meyer Ripped Her Off
  Musician and little-known author Jordan Scott is suing Stephenie Meyer, creator of the popular “Twilight” vampire series, claiming striking similarities between Scott’s book, The Nocturne (Yorkshire, 2009) and Breaking Dawn (Little Brown, 2008), the fourth book in Meyer’s series. more » » » 

WATCH AND READ

• Cartoon Network’s Secrets Revealed
  The Secret Saturdays, an animated television series with a retro Jonny Quest-inspired look, debuted in October, 2008, and is still running strong as part of Cartoon Network’s Saturday morning lineup. Several recently published books with covers featuring dynamic images of Zak and his cohorts are sure to reel in kids who are hooked on the TV show. more » » » 

REMARKABLE READS

• Mermaids and Other Denizens of the Deep
  The legend of the mermaid includes everything from folk tales to the myths and poetry of modern times. Traditionally taking a human form above the waist and that of a fish below, mermaids and mermen have inspired songs, art, and many stories. Introduce readers to these fascinating creatures that exist in two worlds, land and sea. more » » » 

LIBRARIAN'S INTERNET

• Be Flu-Ready This Fall
  www.flu.gov
  
  This timely and frequently updated site, created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, contains information that administrators, staff, and parents will need in order to prepare for a possible flu outbreak and to deal with one if it occurs. more » » » 

JOB OF THE WEEK