School Library Journal News

Hoose’s ‘Claudette Colvin’ Wins National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
Author and historian Phillip Hoose’s true story about a brave African-American teen who defied Jim Crow laws in March 1955 by refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white woman in Montgomery, AL, is the recipient of the 2009 National Book Award in the category for Young People’s Literature.

Teens Hobnob with National Book Award Finalists
Students from New York City area schools were treated to a surprise guest at this year’s National Book Award’s Teen Press conference with award finalists—Claudette Colvin, the little known civil rights activist and subject of a book by Phillip Hoose showed up at the event.

 A Conversation with Mo Willems
Award-winning author and illustrator Mo Willems talks about his third and final Knuffle Bunny book, a musical based on the lovable stuffed animal, and what to expect in 2010.

Effie Lee Morris, Advocate of Library Services to Children, Dies at 88
Effie Lee Morris, a leading advocate of library services for children, minorities, and the visual impaired, and the first African-American president of the Public Library Association (PLA), died of cancer on November 10 at her home in San Francisco, CA. She was 88.

High School Library Books Returned 51 Years Late with $1,000 Check
The phrase “the check is in the mail” took on a whole new meaning for Phoenix, AZ, high school librarian Georgette Bordine, who recently received a surprise package in the mail containing two books belonging to the Camelback High School library—which were 51 years overdue.

Libraries Gear Up for ‘New Moon’ Release
School and public librarians are getting ready for the November 20 release of New Moon (Little, Brown, 2006), the second movie installment based on the popular Stephenie Meyer "Twilight" series about Bella and her vampire boyfriend, Edward.

Watch and Read: Spotlight on Media Tie-ins
The Princess and the Frog, an animated musical comedy from Walt Disney Animation Studios, opens in theaters nationwide on December 11, 2009.

Libraries Rock National Gaming Day
Libraries were buzzing this weekend over National Gaming Day (NGD), the annual event sponsored by the American Library Association, which took place Saturday, November 14.

Roanoke Public Schools Restricts “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” to Juniors, Seniors
Only juniors and seniors at Virginia’s Roanoke County Public Schools can check out Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower (MTV, 1999), but freshman and sophomores will need parental permission to take out the often-challenged book, ruled a review committee comprised of three librarians.

Former AASL President Winona Jones Dies at 81
Winona Jones, former president of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) from 1990 to 1991, died November 6 of an immune deficiency. She was 81.

Pinkney, Tan, Cousins Make the NYT Best Illustrated Books of 2009
Rabbits, penguins, an astronaut, and a witch are some of the characters depicted in the 10 books listed by the  New York Times' Best Illustrated Books of 2009.

Fantastic Mr. Fox
Director/cowriter Wes Anderson adds existential heft to Fantastic Mr. Fox, his nimble-footed adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic showdown between nature and man (Knopf, 1970). Anderson asks how a fox can attain happiness without killing and devouring its prey, toning down the book’s central question: Why wouldn’t a father steal a few chickens to save his starving children?

Neil Gaiman and ‘Odd and the Frost Giants’
Neil Gaiman's latest story, Odd and the Frost Giants (HarperCollins, 2009), weaves a tale about a young boy and his quest to save his village in Norway from a possible everlasting winter. We asked Gaiman what drew him to Odd and why we may be hearing more about this unlikely hero in the future.

Calgary Board of Ed to Unveil First Learning Commons
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) in Canada is revamping the role school libraries play in the lives of students by unveiling a learning commons, where books and other resources are combined with the latest technology and highly trained staff to create a virtual and physical space for teaching and learning.

Conservative Group Calls for Boycott of Scholastic
The Illinois Family Institute (IFI), a conservative organization dedicated to upholding and reaffirming marriage and family life, has called for a boycott of Scholastic.

P21 Unveils New Guide to Help Districts Gauge Success
Just how well is your district or school integrating 21st century skills into current and future policies and practices? The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) has a new tool designed to help answer that question.

Illustrator Hilary Knight Donates Eloise, Other Works to NYPL
Eloise has found another home—the New York Public Library (NYPL). Hilary Knight, the artist best-known for creating the classic character Eloise with Kay Thompson, has donated to the NYPL the papers documenting his more than 50-year career as an illustrator and author.

School Librarians Lead the Social Networking Pack Among Educators
Media specialists are more likely to join social networking sites than teachers and principals—and they’re more likely to adopt a variety of content-sharing tools for personal, professional, and classroom use, says a new report.

AASL National Conference Focuses on 21st Century Learning
A record-breaking 2,280 school librarians and educators attended the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) 14th National Conference in Charlotte, NC, from November 5 to 8 to discuss new technologies, gaming, and 21st century learning skills.

Watch and Read: Spotlight on Media Tie-ins
Planet 51 (PG), an animated adventure comedy from Sony Pictures, blasts into theaters on November 20, 2009. This turn-the-tables take-off on sci fi movies of the past is directed by Jorge Blanco with a screenplay by Joe Stillman.