# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Diverse BookFinder | Identify & Explore Multicultural Picture Books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Are you looking for multicultural children’s books? We’ve got you covered! You can search our circulating collection of picture books (2002-present), explore our quick lists, then borrow our books from your own library through interlibrary loan. We believe that too many children are left out of main…

# data[].attributes.headline
These are sites I often refer to when selecting books for our school library, or to see what's trending in children's literature.  When you click on a site, you will want to click on the words, View Original, in the upper right hand corner.  I know my current fave is Watch.Connect.Read. :-) I also include here blogs about literacy and reading that I find very insightful, or inspirational in the field.

# data[].attributes.subject
These are sites I often refer to when selecting books for our school library, or to see what's trending in children's literature.  When you click on a site, you will want to click on the words, View Original, in the upper right hand corner.  I know my current fave is Watch.Connect.Read. :-) I also include here blogs about literacy and reading that I find very insightful, or inspirational in the field.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Today marks the birthday of both Russell Freedman and Eleanor Roosevelt. Originally a West Coaster, Russell was born in San Francisco and studied at the University of California at Berkeley. Russell's long-time editor Dorothy Briley once said that he made the most perfect dinner guest she had ever encountered. He could make intelligent conversation about any topic with anyone she brought to the table. Indeed, he has often been called a Renaissance man, because of the range and depth of his knowledge in a variety of topics.

Russell began writing books for young readers in the science and social studies area-books like How Animals Learn and Sharks. But when his editor Ann Troy asked him to write a biography, something he had never done, he turned to his childhood hero Abraham Lincoln and wrote Lincoln: A Photobiography. He won the Newbery Award for this book and found a new direction and purpose: writing quality, narrative nonfiction for young readers.

As Russell wrote in The Essential Guide to Children's Books and Their Creators: "Nonfiction is supposed to be utilitarian. It's expected to do its duty-to inform, instruct, enlighten. And yet a hard-working, nose-to-the grindstone nonfiction book should be just as absorbing as any imaginary story, because it is, in fact, a story, too."

Of all of Russell's biographies, I have always loved his Eleanor Roosevelt the best. Perfect for ten- to fourteen-year-olds-I needed this book as a child myself. I once made a fool of myself in class because I thought that "FDR" was a swear word-so vehemently was it used at home. Imagine my surprise to find out these initials acknowledged a president of the United States. Russell has always admitted that he loved FDR's wife a bit more than he loved the president, and the resulting tribute to her certainly shows his enthusiasm.

A shy child, with absent parents, Eleanor only began to bloom when she was sent away to London for schooling. She married her distant cousin and was given away as a bride by her uncle Theodore, the president of the United States. "Well, Franklin, there's nothing like keeping the name in the family," the president quipped.

But as Eleanor Roosevelt began to find the causes of her life-the plight of minorities, the poverty of the disadvantaged-she turned from a shy person into a firebrand, the conscience of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Russell captures this complex marriage-its betrayals and its strength. He shows the final years of Eleanor Roosevelt as she worked in the United Nations and became, as President Harry Truman called her, "the First Lady of the World."

Happy birthday, Russell. You have been just as much a crusader as Eleanor Roosevelt. You have believed in the intelligence of young readers, their ability to handle complex issues, and, like Eleanor, you have not shied away from controversy. Wherever you are going to celebrate, you will be the best conversationalist at the table-just as Dorothy always said.
Here's a page from Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery:

Also recommended: All of the books of Russell Freedman

Originally posted October 11, 2011. Updated for .

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Today marks the birthday of both Russell Freedman and Eleanor Roosevelt. Originally a West Coaster, Russell was born in San Francisco and studied at the University of California at Berkeley. Russell's long-time editor Dorothy Briley once said that he made the most perfect dinner guest she had ever encountered.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A recent minor eye surgery waylaid my reading for a while. Thank goodness for my audio book addiction. Here are just a few of my favorite audio books and narrators. AF-adult fic AF*-adult fic suitable for teens YA-Young Adult MG-middle grade

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters read by Barbara Rosenblat *AF Mys

Award winning Barbara Rosenblat IS the voice of Amelia Peabody, the young headstrong archaeologist and feminist who is off to Egypt in the early nineteen hundreds. Barbara Mertz had a Phd in Egyptology and used the names of her children as her pen name. Not only are her books accurate and well written, they are hilarious mysteries. Rosenblat is just delightful!

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith *AF Mys

Lisette Lecat's lovely lilting voice mesmerized me with her Botswana accent describing the beauty and gentle way of life in South Africa in McCall Smith's wonderful mystery series.

Pride and Prejudice-Jane Austen Classic

I loved every movie based on Austen's books, but reading them was daunting. Just in the ten minute drive to work, my brain was connecting with the audio book. I could finally HEAR the cadence and the rhythm, and it MADE SENSE! If you have any reluctant, dyslexic, or struggling readers, get them audio books!

by Vince Vawter: 2014 Newbery Honor Book read by Lincoln Hoppe MG Realistic Fic

I wondered how in the world the narrator, Lincoln Hoppe, was going to handle the fact that the main character has a horrible stutter. But he is perfect, in every way. It's a hot July in 1959 Memphis. A friend asks Victor to take over his paper route for the summer. Being the best eleven year old pitcher in town, he gladly accepts, and is as much of a ringer with his deliveries as he is on the ball field. But it's the weekly collection from his customers that makes him sweat. Because he stutters so badly that he can't even say his own name.

Harry Potter books by JK Rowling and read by Jim Dale Fantasy

If you haven't read them by now, or even if you have, Jim Dale is one of the best narrators EVER!

Hard Magic - The Grimnoir Chronicles by Larry Correia read by Bronson Pinchot (Balki from Perfect Strangers 80's sitcom) Fantasy-Altered History

Altered history, 1930's, fantasy, noir. The people with magic are asked by the government to help them defeat the ultimate evil. Pinchot is an award winning narrator and this is one of his best!

Steelheart-First in the Rekoners trilogy by Brandon Sanderson and read by MacLeod Andrews YA Fantasy

Epics used to be good...not anymore, and Steelheart is the worst. Epics want to take over the world. They have scary super powers. The Rekoners do not. David wants to join the Rekoners because Steelheart killed his father.

Bossy Pants written and narrated byTina Fey Bio

Hilarious! I used to listen to this book while on my walks and I laughed frequently and loudly. After a particularly funny part I noticed a couple on their porch smiling at me. I pointed to my earbuds and said, "Funny audio book," and just kept on walkin'.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline read by Wil Wheaton YA Fantasy

2044 and the world has gone to crap. People are crazy for anything from the 1980's. A billionaire video game maker has died leaving his fortune to the person who beats the last game he made. This is the winner's story.

We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor read by Ray Porter Sci-fi/Fantasy AF* Available on Amazon

Bob was cryogenically frozen after his untimely death. One hundred years later, unfortunately for Bob, corpsicles have no rights. He's now working for the government looking for viable planets for humans to live on since most of Earth is toast. Unique, futuristic hilarity. Ray Porter makes this a must read...he will win awards for this if he hasn't already.

More great titles from my Audible books:

The Martian- Andy Weir read by R.C. Bray Realistic Sci-Fi

Beartown by Fredrik Backman read by Marin Ireland Realistic Fic

Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear read by Orlagh Cassidy Realistic Fic Mys

Winger by Andrew Smith read by Mark Boyett sequel Stand-Off by Andrew Smith read by Kirby Heyborne Realistic Fic

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman read by Mandy Williams & Justine Eyre Fantasy

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green read by MacLeod Andrews and Nick Podehl Realistic Fic

The Stoneheart Trilogy by Charlie Fletcher narrated by Jim Dale Fantasy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A recent minor eye surgery waylaid my reading for a while. Thank goodness for my audio book addiction. Here are just a few of my favorite audio books and narrators.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Donalyn Miller is an award-winning teacher, author, and staff development leader who has taught fourth, fifth, and sixth grade language arts and social studies in the Fort Worth, Texas area. Her teaching awards include TCTELA's Elementary Language Arts Teacher of the Year (2011), Keller ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year (2010), ESC Region XI Teacher of the Year (2010), TEA State Finalist Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year (2010), Trinity Meadows Intermediate School Teacher of the Year (2010), and Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented Region XI Rising Star Teacher (2008). In 2018, Donalyn was awarded TCTELA's Edmund J. Farrell Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the language arts teaching profession.

Donalyn is the author or co-author of several books about creating engaging and inclusive reading communities for all children. In her first book, The Book Whisperer (Jossey-Bass, 2009), Donalyn reflects on her journey to become a reading teacher and describes how she inspires and motivates her middle school students to read 40 or more books a year. In a starred review, Library Journal said, "Her approach is simple yet provocative: affirm the reader in every student, allow students to choose their own books, carve out extra reading time, model authentic reading behaviors, discard timeworn reading assignments such as book reports and comprehension worksheets, and develop a classroom library filled with high-interest books." The Book Whisperer has been translated into several languages including French and Chinese.

In her second book, Reading in the Wild (Jossey-Bass, 2013), Donalyn collected survey responses from over 900 adult readers about their reading habits and used this information to explicitly model and teach lifelong reading habits to her students. Donalyn's articles about teaching and reading have appeared in publications such as Gifted Child International, Education Week Teacher, The Reading Teacher, Voices From the Middle, Educational Leadership, Horn Book, and The Washington Post. Donalyn is currently working on a new book with Dr. Teri Lesesne, and has several solo and collaborative writing projects planned for 2018 and 2019.

With her friend and collaborator Colby Sharp, Donalyn co-founded The Nerdy Book Club blog, which provides daily inspiration, book recommendations, resources, and advice about raising and teaching young readers. Since the blog began in 2011, Nerdy Book Club has grown into a podcast, numerous state and national conference presentations, and several Ed Camp-style professional development events including Nerd Camp Michigan and Nerd Camp, Jr. held annually in Parma, Michigan.

Donalyn is the founder of the annual summer #bookaday challenge and co-hosts (along with Colby Sharp) the monthly Twitter chat #titletalk, a monthly chat about reading and books.

From 2014 to 2019, Donalyn served as Scholastic Book Fairs' Ambassador of Independent Reading Advocacy. In this role, Donalyn traveled to conferences and schools as a reading ambassador, sat on several Scholastic advisory boards, and hosted the web-based teaching tips and book talk show- The Book Whisperer: Back to the Books. With her colleague and friend, John Schumacher, Donalyn co-edited the Reader Leader blog and co-hosted Scholastic Book Fairs' annual Reading Summits.

Through her international conference presentations, workshops, school visits, published works, and online collaborations with colleagues, Donalyn shares the importance of self-selected independent reading and provides suggestions and resources that foster children's love of reading and the development of positive reading identities. Presentations include current and timeless research, classroom rituals and routines that support engaging reading communities, classroom and home library development, book recommendations, practical reading and writing workshop strategies and instructional moves, and personal stories about the power of independent reading and student choice.

Donalyn and her husband, Don, have two grown daughters and three grandchildren. They live in Colleyville, Texas in a house full of bookcases.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Donalyn Miller is an award-winning teacher, author, and staff development leader who has taught fourth, fifth, and sixth grade language arts and social studies in the Fort Worth, Texas area. Her teaching awards include TCTELA's Elementary Language Arts Teacher of the Year (2011), Keller ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year (2010), ESC Region XI Teacher...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is my book blog! I am an elementary school librarian. Of course, I love libraries, picture books, meeting authors and illustrators, and sharing books with others. I am a children's literature enthusiast!!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This is my book blog! I am an elementary school librarian. Of course, I love libraries, picture books, meeting authors and illustrators, and sharing books with others. I am a children's literature enthusiast!!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Travis: It was a pleasure to sit down with Minh Lê and talk about how his book with Dan Santat, Drawn Together, came to be. In this episode Minh talks about how the story was born in a 3:00 am brainstorming session with a fussy baby, and how the language barrier between the main characters [...]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Yarn - the inside story of children's books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Travis: It was a pleasure to sit down with Minh Lê and talk about how his book with Dan Santat, Drawn Together, came to be. In this episode Minh talks about how the story was born in a 3:00 am brainstorming session with a fussy baby, and how the language barrier between the main characters [...]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A site to help parents learn about great books for their kids ages 4 - 14.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Shea Ernshaw is the author of The Wicked Deep. She lives and writes in a small mountain town in Oregon. She works as a producer for a film production company and

Kids Books About Kindness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Children's Book Review, Book and Ebook Reviews of the Best Kids' Books

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Shea Ernshaw is the author of The Wicked Deep. She lives and writes in a small mountain town in Oregon. She works as a producer for a film production company and Kids Books About Kindness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Disclaimer: All blog posts, opinions, grammatical errors, and spelling mistakes are our own.

Franki and Mary Lee are both teachers, and have been for more than 20 years.

Franki is a fifth grade teacher. She is the author of Beyond Leveled Books (Stenhouse), Still Learning to Read (Stenhouse), and Day-to-Day Assessment in the Reading Workshop (Scholastic).

Mary Lee is a fifth grade teacher. She is the author of Reconsidering Read-Aloud (Stenhouse) and has poems in the Poetry Friday Anthology, the Poetry Friday Anthology for Middle School, the Poetry Friday Anthology for Science, the Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations ( Pomelo Books), Dear Tomato: An International Crop of Food and Agriculture Poems, National Geographic Books of Nature Poems, The Best of Today's Little Ditty (2014-15 and 2016), Amy Ludwig VanDerwater's Poems are Teachers, National Geographic's The Poetry of US, and IMPERFECT: Poems About Mistakes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Disclaimer: All blog posts, opinions, grammatical errors, and spelling mistakes are our own. Franki and Mary Lee are both teachers, and have been for more than 20 years. Franki is a fifth grade teacher. She is the author of Beyond Leveled Books (Stenhouse), Still Learning to Read (Stenhouse), and Day-to-Day Assessment in the Reading Workshop (Scholastic).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ms. de León takes a learning opportunity for kids and couches it in enough chase sequences and fistfights to almost make you forget how much information is crammed into this little package. Prepare for exciting nuance!!
READ FULL POST "

Recent Posts

Your average celebrity doesn't write a children's book and then almost immediately win a Stonewall Award. Not unless your name is Maulik Pancholy, that is. Today I talk with him about his latest MG title and a lot more.
READ FULL POST "

What does it take to rig up a home school bus and visit one Title 1-eligible school in every state so that you can give away 25,000 books in total? I talk with the folks behind The Busload of Books Tour.
READ FULL POST "

Related Articles on SLJ

Book Reviews

Ms. de León takes a learning opportunity for kids and couches it in enough chase sequences and fistfights to almost make you forget how much information is crammed into this little package. Prepare for exciting nuance!!

Sergio Ruzzier returns with a story about an adamant squirrel and the rodent just cannot leave anything alone.

By taking three photographers that shot the incarceration camps of WWII in three different ways, in today's book we get a well-rounded portrait of a government desperate to sell a bad idea to the American public under the guise of openness.

More Recent Posts

Read More Posts "

From the Archives (2019)

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.
FOLLOW

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Fuse #8 Production - A School Library Journal Blog

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ms. de León takes a learning opportunity for kids and couches it in enough chase sequences and fistfights to almost make you forget how much information is crammed into this little package. Prepare for exciting nuance!! READ FULL POST " Your average celebrity doesn't write a children's book and then almost immediately win a Stonewall Award.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Picture Books

Middle Grade

YA

Graphic Novels

Nonfiction

Montgomery, Sy. The Great White Shark Scientist. photos by Keith Ellenbogen. HMH. Jun. 2016. p. 131. POP

Adult Books 4 Teens

DVD

Becoming Bulletproof. Dist. by Tugg Educational. 2014. p. 53.

Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. Dist. by Dreamscape. 2016. p. 54.

Jackie Robinson. 240 min. Dist. by PBS. 2016. p. 56.

Audio

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Picture Books Middle Grade YA Graphic Novels Nonfiction Montgomery, Sy. The Great White Shark Scientist. photos by Keith Ellenbogen. HMH. Jun. 2016. p. 131. POP Adult Books 4 Teens DVD Becoming Bulletproof. Dist. by Tugg Educational. 2014. p. 53. Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. Dist.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Growing Book by Book - Nurturing Our Youngest Readers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Jodie Rodriguez provides a guide of book lists, reading tips, writing ideas and other great literacy ideas for nurturing our youngest readers. You will also find family literacy projects!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Happy Monday! Just One Flake , written and illustrated by Travis Jonker, releases tomorrow. I'm grateful Travis stopped by to finish my sentences. We discussed Just One Flake 's book trailer, Liam, Pete's a Pizza , and more. I wrote the words in purple, and Travis wrote the words in black . Thank you, Travis ! Just One Flake' s book trailer fulfills my life goal of using the 2001: A Space Odyssey music for a completely silly purpose. Design Credit: Heather Kelly Just One Flake tells the story of a boy named Liam who has one goal: to catch a snowflake on his tongue. His attempts get increasingly ridiculous, with no success. In the end, Liam doesn't get exactly what he wants - he gets something even better. The whole story came out of a spontaneous drawing I made on February 6, 2021: Just One Flake's illustrations were made with a brush pen on watercolor paper, scanned, and then painted digitally. This is my author/illustrator debut, and before I began, I made a list of

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Exploring Children's Literature through Interviews and Book Trailers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
100 Scope Notes - @100scopenotes Children's Literature News and Reviews