Here at Tandem, we are lucky enough to see publishers’ preview copies. We evaluate yet-to-be-released titles and make educated guesses about which ones will garner good reviews and popularity among librarians and teachers. Today we’re highlighting some of the books we liked early on that got reviewed in the first two issues of School Library Journal in 2008.

David Elliott and Holly Meade teamed up to create a terrific book about farm animals that will make a great read-aloud for group storytimes. On the Farm pairs lively, humorous

poetry with energetic woodblock and watercolor prints. 

It’s always nice to find high-quality titles with math themes. Math concepts can be taught not only with expository text but also through fun narratives. A Very Improbable Story is an example of a great math-themed picture book.

Graphic novels continue to earn respect as publishers created more and more titles for the school and library market. For young readers, Fang Fairy and Detective Files are high-interest, “safe” graphic novels. Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow is a biography of the legendary baseball pitcher that will be enjoyed by middle grade and young adult readers.

Something Rotten is a fantastic contemporary version of Hamlet. Pair this with your Shakespeare unit to get students talking about how Shakespearean themes translate to modern times.

These are just a few of the recent releases that are getting attention. Each month you can find all the SLJ reviewed titles at our website. The January 2008 lists are here; February 2008 lists are here.

Politics as usual? We think not. If you followed the Super Tuesday coverage on TV or the Internet last night, you know that today’s voters have rapid access to more information than ever before. This phenomenon is changing the way campaigns are run and how candidates are perceived.

Super Tuesday may be behind us, but the party nominees are far from decided. As we move closer to electing our 44th president, here are some books to help your students understand and get involved in the political process.

And for those fiction lovers, check out these picture books and novels with political themes.

November 13, 2007 marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sweden’s best-loved children’s author, Astrid Lindgren. Lindgren is best known for creating Pippi Longstocking, the spunky heroine whose adventures are chronicled in three bestselling books. The original English translations have remained in print since the 1950s, but for a new generation Penguin is now offering a brand-new translation. Fans of Pippi will be pleased to know that the new translation is not drastically different from the versions they remember. Scandinavian scholar Tiina Nunnally stays true to the original text and retains Pippi’s hilarious phrasing. Lauren Child’s witty illustrations also convey the essential “Pippi-ness” from the original versions: giant shoes, patchwork dress, and all. Extra attention should be paid to Child’s depiction of my personal favorite character, the monkey called Mr. Nilsson. His big eyes and jaunty cap express his mischievous nature. A large trim size makes this version great for reading aloud to groups or one-on-one.

View this book in the Tandem Library Books online bookstore.

What’s the deal with the groundhog and its shadow again?  February 2nd, a.k.a Groundhog Day, is the day we dread or adore, depending on our love of snow and cold.  If the groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, watch out! – more winter is on the way. But if it doesn’t see its shadow, spring is coming soon.  These delightful books feature our furry friend, the groundhog, and its special day.

We all have at least one thing in common on the Tandem Library Books Collection Development Team:  we love books. We couldn’t help but be charmed by some of these books about books (and libraries!).

Library Lion is an office favorite. The soft illustrations make the lion look like a gentle cat. And strange as the sight of a lion in a library might be, as long as he doesn’t break the rules, he can stay and enjoy the books and the storytimes to his heart’s content. Only he finds that sometimes breaking the rules is necessary. But will our Library Lion be banned from the library? 

We all love the zany librarian who went to the zoo in Judy Sierra’s Wild About Books, but do you know Library Lil, who becomes a hero when the power goes out in Chesterville? Or Ms. Chinca, the really nice librarian who helps out Carlo in Carlo and the Really Nice Librarian? Or the three librarians who help Melvin explore his world in The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians? Now those are some librarians worth knowing!

Being the book lovers that we are, we know that books are for reading. Not for eating. Henry learns that lesson in The Incredible Book-Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers. Another book eater finds that books are better when “eaten” with your eyes in Winston the Book Wolf by Marni McGee.

I think we’ll keep eating the books with our eyes as it makes it so much easier to write reviews of them later….

Imagine swimming in the ocean at the break of dawn. Marine life swirls around you as the salty water keeps you floating near the surface. Sounds are amplified while your vision is clouded by goggles and dark water. Now imagine that you realize you’re swimming side-by-side with a baby gray whale...

This is the true account of distance swimmer Lynne Cox’s encounter with the whale she named Grayson when she was seventeen years old. Cox was training at her hometown beach in southern California and was just getting ready to swim to shore when she saw the whale. Knowing it had been separated from its mother and needed to be reunited in order to survive, Cox decided to keep swimming with it until the mother could be found. Spoiler alert: the book does have a happy ending, and in addition to the amazing true story, it is also a fascinating look at ocean life and a testament to the power of human-animal connections.

Grayson is a quick, engaging read and will make a great read-aloud for classrooms and libraries. Readers of all ages will enjoy this remarkable story. Pair it with a unit of study on oceans or marine animals, and be sure to read the epilogue for ideas on how teachers and librarians have integrated it with curriculum.

View this book in the Tandem Library Books online bookstore.

Library displays are a great way to do silent reader’s advisory.  But they won’t do any good if they don’t get attention.  Here are some quick tips for creating attention getting displays for your teens:

• Get teens involved.  Have them create the display or display reviews they’ve written.
• Don’t get cluttered.  Keep it neat and organized while using your space effectively.  Too many (or too few) books for a space will look messy.
• Notice traffic patterns.  Watch the way teens use your library and put displays where the traffic is.
• Use props.  Add objects to your display that relate to the theme or make it interactive with a puzzle or game.
• Think about the covers.  Use your book covers to really get attention.  Group books by color or other common element for a dramatic display.

• Variety is good.  Mix fiction, nonfiction, audiovisual, magazines, etc.
• Refresh your display regularly.  A picked-over display will likely be passed by. 
• Keep your eyes open for great themes.  Turn the Insightful Lists or the Book Round-Ups into great attention-getting displays for your library or media center.

Losing a loved one is a painful experience for both young and old.  Finding quality books to share with your students may help them through this tumultuous experience.  Titles in this week’s featured list highlight beautiful picture books and stories of strong characters persevering through one of the toughest times in their lives.

Ben Wolf, star cross country runner, had plans for his senior year until the day he went to the doctor’s office for a routine physical.  That summer day Ben finds out that he has leukemia and, at most, only a year to live.  Not wanting to be sick and weak for the rest of his remaining days, Ben decides to forgo his treatments and keep his illness a secret from everyone--including his star quarterback, twin brother Cody.  To make the most of his time on Earth--without any long term consequences--Ben decides to ask out his long-legged crush, Dallas Suzuki; try out for the football team; learn as much as he can; and help out the town drunk.  Ben's year is going great until his illness catches up to him, and he realizes the effects of keeping secrets.

Chris Crutcher carefully weaves many themes such as death, racism, abuse, and sports into this wonderfully touching story.  You may think that a book about these heavy themes may be pretty depressing, but it is the exact opposite.  I found myself laughing more that I did crying.  Despite the one mild sex scene and one account of sexual abuse, this fast-paced humorous book is one that most high school students and adults will thoroughly enjoy.

January is a big month for medical history milestones.  This month marks 158 years since Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to receive her medical degree and 40 years since the first heart transplant.  In those years, many, many important medical advances and discoveries have been made. 

Stephanie True Peters takes us back to 1918 while keeping one foot firmly planted in the latest research in 1918 Influenza Pandemic.  This exceptional work of nonfiction for middle and high school students is a must-have for collections looking for history and science.  Dr. Jenner and the Speckled Monster is another fascinating look at the history of science and medicine for this grade range. 

High schoolers interested in the history of small pox and vaccinations may be interested in Julia Alvarez’ historical fiction novel Saving the World, which fictionalizes a journey to the New World with the vaccine.  And the Alex Award winning Year of Wonders chronicles the Black Plague as it broke out in England from the perspective of a woman in a village that chose to quarantine itself to keep the sickness within its borders. 

These are just a few books that bring history and science together in ways that will fascinate your students.

I have loved historical fiction since I was a teen.  In particular, I read everything I could find that was based on a real historical figure.  The idea that this was something that might have really happened was so romantic to the teenage me, and I ate it up.  In that way Angelmonster by Veronica Bennett was almost nostalgic for me when I read it last year because it reminded me so much of what I actually read as a teen.  Plus, I happen to be a bit of a poetry geek as I’ve mentioned before, so the story of Mary Shelley’s life with her poet husband Percy was fascinating to me.

Fans of this week’s Book of the Week, No Shame No Fear, might be interested in Alice Hoffman’s book for teens, Incantation, in which a young girl in Spain learns that her family are secretly still practicing the Jewish faith despite the fact that it was highly dangerous to do so at the time.  She is forced to make a choice about what she will do: uphold her family’s religious traditions or give in to pressure from the Inquisition.

But historical fiction isn’t just for girls.  The Strongbow Saga is Judson Roberts’ new series that begins with Viking Warrior in which Halfdan, who has been a slave his entire life, is given his rightful place as the son of the chieftain.  He begins his training as a warrior, and soon he finds a need to use his newly acquired skills.  This action-packed book is full of details about life in a Viking village, and the story is engaging from the very beginning.  Dragons From the Sea continues Halfdan’s story, and fans will want to know what happens in this saga.

There are many more options in this growing genre.  Here are a few more that might be of interest to your teens.

Can you imagine living at a time when it was dangerous to believe certain things?  Or to practice a particular religion?  That may seem strange to us in this country, where we have always had the right to worship as we chose.  But many people have had to struggle for their faith.

In England in 1662, it was dangerous to be a Quaker. Parliament has passed laws making it illegal not to take the oath of allegiance and to hold religious meetings. Quakers who broke these laws were beaten or imprisoned. This is the backdrop against which Will and Susanna fall in love.

The narrative in No Shame, No Fear goes back and forth between the two teens as they meet and become intrigued with one another—and as Will becomes intrigued by Susanna’s religion.  He attends a few Quaker meetings out of curiosity, and soon he feels compelled to make huge changes in his life in accord with the religion.  But his father does not approve of his newfound faith or of Will’s interest in Susanna.

This is a compelling story of love against the odds that fans of historical fiction will devour.  Be sure to have the sequel on hand for those who want to know more about what happens with Will and Susanna.

View this book in the Tandem Library Books Online Bookstore.

Many of you can identify with our giddy sense of anticipation as we awaited the award announcements from ALA Midwinter. Here at Tandem we gathered in the office at 6:30 a.m. to watch the live webcast from Philadelphia. All the lists of winners and honor books can be found at our website.

Some of our predictions came true; other winners were total surprises. We felt certain that an Elephant & Piggie book would get a Geisel, since these are a pretty unanimous choice for the best early reader books of all time. The Newbery winner is a nice surprise from an author who is a school librarian: Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices From a Medieval Village is a series of monologues that depict village life, along with some well-researched nonfiction narrative. We were shocked but pleased that The Invention of Hugo Cabret won the Caldecott this year. It's a major departure from the traditional picture book format winner, and we think Brian Selznick is utterly deserving for his imaginitive, compelling illustrated novel.

Did one of your favorite books from 2007 get honored? Click here to see all the 2008 ALA award lists.

Besides being a great read-a-loud or book to read independently our Book of the Week, The Year of the Rat, can be used as a teaching tool in the classroom.  Ideas are not limited to:

Introducing a unit on parables- Throughout The Year of the Rat, Pacy’s mom and dad share meaningful anecdotes which connect Pacy to her Taiwanese heritage and serve as lessons.  An example to discuss as a class or small groups is her mom’s school lunch story from chapter 27.  There are many wonderful picture books which would work as well in a lesson on proverbs and parables for an elementary-aged audience.  Three titles that come to mind are all by Jon J. Muth.   

Teaching the popular origin myth about the Chinese New Year-  Pacy’s dad tell the Nian Monster story in chapter 34 which explains the reason Chinese New Year is celebrated.  There are many fantastic children’s websites to get students excited about the New Year, one such link is a Countdown to New Years from PBS Kids.

Explaining similes and how the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac are used as symbols- Students can research their own animal sign along the other zodiac animal signs to see which best represents them. A challenge would be to write a persuasive essay describing why that sign fits them best.  Students should avoid using physical characteristics alone to describe themselves (ie. eye color or height) while striving to include qualities (ie. a people person, trustworthy, or adventurous) to describe themselves.  Here’s a list of picture books which outline the Chinese zodiac.

Reviewing student’s resolutions made for the new year-- Using Pacy’s experience in the book, can students communicate which resolutions may really be wishes or which of their resolutions rely more fate or destiny?

The Chinese New Year starts February 7, 2008 and goes through January 25, 2009.  First in the cycle of twelve animal signs, the Year of the Rat will be a time of hard work, activity, and renewal.  Some may find it a good year to begin a new job, get married or make a fresh start.

The Year of the Rat by Grace Lin is the sequel to The Year of the Dog and Pacy is not happy about the big changes the Rat Year has in store.  Students in Grades 3-5 will find it easy to relate to Pacy as throughout the year she finds the courage to face up to one change after another.  Near the end of the book Pacy’s attitude towards the Rat Year improves after she chooses to be ‘brave like a tiger’.  By reflecting on the changes through the year that had made her uncomfortable or nervous Pacy finds how much she's grown up during the Rat Year.  What's more, she finds she has the power to shape her own future and appreciate the differences between fate and destiny as well as wishes and resolutions.

What will the Year of the Rat bring for you?

One great book recommendation deserves another and another.  Check out these titles:
Great Picture Book Titles with Asian-American characters 
Great Elementary School Titles with Asian-American characters 
Great Middle School Titles with Asian-American characters 
Great High School Titles with Asian-American characters 

As promised in our Book of the Week post from November 20, 2007 we’ve prepared a movie review for The Golden Compass which is still in theaters.

Our group left the theater happy and has had time mull over how well the movie compared to the book.  Many had recently read / re-read all or some of the trilogy before seeing Philip Pullman’s fantastical parallel universe brought so beautifully to the big screen and overall were very satisfied.  As is so often is that case with books made into movies, there are deviations from the book.  This includes a happy ending where there wasn’t one, but overall New Line's production kept with the integrity of the classic novel’s plot and characters.  Even Mrs. Coulter’s character with her dark hair, eyes and personality, whose impression has stayed with so many readers young and old through the years, came through equally as wicked as Nicole Kidman’s fair completed characterization in the movie.

We drew a stalemate concerning what age movie goers would appreciate the fantasy epic’s adaptation. We agreed the movie may not show as well to a person under the age of 10 and it could enchant viewers up into adulthood with its complex characters and a fascinating, and at times all too familiar, plot.  References to philosophy and literature are abundant which count as a draw for many, while perceived anti-Catholic and atheistic themes may have kept some away hurting the chances for cinematic adaptations of Subtle Knife or Amber Spyglass. 

We hope, as did other younger movie goers in nearby seats, we’ll have the pleasure of seeing more of Lyra’s world on the silver screen and that Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials will continue to enchant an ever growing audience of readers.

Sports stories, real or imagined, often feature several of the qualities that make great narrative: teamwork, competition, heartbreak, reward, heroism, to name a few. Good sportswriters are particularly adept in the use of synonyms, action words, and metaphor. From daily papers, popular magazines, and the Internet, some sportswriters have branched out to offer action-packed and thought-provoking titles for younger readers. Check out these great books by authors who make a living writing sports commentary.

Lots of little girls have ballerina dreams. But what if you have a physical disability that makes it difficult to dance? One physical therapist decided to help these dreams come true, despite the obstacles. This is the true story of five little girls who realized their ballerina dreams.

The students in this special ballet class have cerebral palsy or some other muscle deficiency. A photo-essay format introduces each girl and helps the story come to life as they rehearse for their performance. Each girl has a helper to assist them with movements, but the dancers have learned the steps on their own and will complete them to the best of their abilities. Photos from backstage and of the performance itself, including the audience’s reaction, capture the spirit and determination of these girls, who prove that dreams really do come true.

View this book in the Tandem Library Books online bookstore.

If you’re looking for a few last minute Christmas ideas, or even some holiday stories to check out from your local library, here are some of our favorites!

Russell is back again in Rob Scotton’s third book, Russell’s Christmas Magic.  Santa  declares that “Christmas is cancelled” when his sleigh crashes in Firefly Wood.  Russell the Sheep comes to his aid equipped with a welder, hammer, and circular saw-labeled “ask parent before using this tool”!  Will Russell’s efforts be enough to save Christmas?

Told in a silly Christmas rhyme, A Christmas Stocking Story, by Hilary Knight, is a book that all will enjoy.  Stork, Hippo, Lion, Fish, Elephant, Snake, Fox and Bug’s stockings were mixed up while being washed on Christmas Eve.  Will the animals ever figure out how to get the right presents from Santa Claus?

A hockey outfit, makeup kit, and a chemistry set – are all great Christmas gifts according to Morris.  Unfortunately Morris is told that he cannot play with them because he is “too young.”  Unsatisfied with his new teddy bear, Morris finds an unwrapped present under the tree – a disappearing bag!  Find out about the mysterious disappearing bag in Rosemary Wells’ Christmas classic, Morris’s Disappearing Bag.

Plan ahead for the summer!  The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) has selected “Catch the Reading Bug” for its 2008 children’s summer reading theme.  If you go to CSLP website, you’ll quickly recognize that the watercolor artwork was fittingly illustrated by the well known Harry Bliss.  Bliss creatively illustrated the witty books Diary of a Worm and Diary of a Spider, both written by Doreen Cronin.

Have you ever wondered what a fly does all day?  Find out in the newest book written and illustrated by the Cronin-Bliss team, Diary of a Fly.  Young readers will giggle and learn fascinating fly facts as they read about Fly and how she dreams of being a super hero.

Not buggy about fiction?  Try Nic Bishop’s Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close.  Bug enthusiasts will be  engrossed in this book filled with over 125 different critters.  You’ll think twice about stepping into your own backyard after seeing the amazing life-sized photos of bugs set in their natural habitat.

For more books about bugs, click here!

Fly Guy fans will not be disappointed when they read the newest book of the Fly Guy series, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy.  The early chapter book begins with Buzz and his pet, Fly Guy, on their way to visit Grandma—the old lady.  When Grandma sees Buzz arrive on his bike she runs to greet her grandson with open arms…and mouth.  Before Buzz gets a chance to introduce his amazing pet, Fly Guy is accidentally swallowed by Grandma in their embrace.  In the attempt to save Fly Guy, Grandma swallows a spider, a bird, a cat…and so on.  Being overwhelmed by all of the animals in Grandma’s stomach, Fly Guy shouts, “Buzz!”  After hearing Buzz call back to him, Fly Guy flies his way out of Grandma’s stomach followed by the spider, bird, cat, dog, goat, and cow.

Tedd Arnold’s take on this classic tale is humorous and delightful.  Early chapter readers will enjoy the expressive illustrations and clean text as they cheer on Fly Guy to safety.  In 2006, Hi! Fly Guy, the first  title of this series, received the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award for literary and artistic creativity in a beginning reader book.

Freedom to speech.  Freedom to assemble.  Right to bear arms.  We know these freedoms from discussions in classrooms or in the media, but what do we really know about the Bill of Rights?

This December 15th take your students deeper into the freedoms we are granted with Russell Freedman’s In Defense of Liberty.  This Orbis Pictus Honor book breaks the Bill of Rights down chapter by chapter talking about the history, the controversy, and the ordinary citizens who have stood up for each amendment.  Compare this title to Milton Meltzer’s now of of print The Bill of Rights: How We Got it and What it Means to talk about how the Bill of Rights has changed even since 1990 as new issues arise, like electronic privacy and homeland security, which were barely on the radar in 1990 when Meltzer’s book was published.  Add in Kathleen Krull’s Kid’s Guide to America’s Bill of Rights for a look at how freedom affects even young people’s lives. 

Inspire your students with examples of those who have stood up for their freedom with Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott starts with Rosa Parks’ famous refusal to move to the back of the bus in 1955.  But you can go back even further in time with We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin to read about how this little-known civil rights activist staged his own bus protest some thirteen years before Rosa Parks.  Women, too, have changed the shape of freedom in this country, and Ann Bausum’s With Courage and Cloth explores the women’s suffrage movement from 1848 to the adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920.

Get to know your rights and be inspired to change the shape of your world this Bill of Rights Day!

Sometimes you just want both sides of the story.  Or all sides. 

One of the most popular novels from 2006 was a fast paced, two-sided look at one night.  Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist took two major talents in teen fiction and put them side-by-side in a novel that made high scores in both quality and popularity.  Cohn and Levithan are back together with 2007’s Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List, which has even more perspectives on a story of two friends when friendship gets complicated.

Levithan is no stranger to alternating narrators.  In Are We There Yet? We get both points of view as two brothers, as different as can be, are tricked by their well-meaning parents into taking a vacation together. At first, they get on each other’s every last nerve. 17 year old Elijah’s serendipity clashes with 23 year old Danny’s organized business like manner. A girl comes between them and changes things, as girls always do. Levithan’s insightful prose makes it possible to experience Venice, Florence, and Rome along with Elijah and Danny, each in their own way.

Middle school readers might not be ready for Cohn and Levithan’s books, but they will not want to miss another great collaborative novel: Never Mind: A Twin Novel.  Rachel Vail and Avi put their talents together in this novel that alternates between two siblings. 

Don’t be limited to just one point of view.  Check out this list of great multi-voiced fiction for middle and high schoolers.

“It’s amazing how much dying can do for a girl’s popularity.”

Raquel Falcone was not the most popular girl in her high school.  She was quiet and overweight.  She had a few friends, but her death affects more than just the few who knew her well. 

Now there’s a collection going to get a memorial park bench in her name and a letter-writing campaign to lower the speed limit on the road where her fatal accident occurred.  Amidst the crusading of some of Raquel’s classmates though, there are questions.  No one is 100% sure what happened.  Did she fall in front of the car?  Was she pushed?  Or did she step in front of the car?

Despite a premise that seems heavy and full of tragedy, Remembering Raquel is actually a fairly light and fast read.  At only 160 pages, this slim book will appeal to readers who don’t want a huge time commitment.  And the alternating perspectives keep the book moving at a quick pace while keeping it interesting.

All the while, you’re left wondering how you might be remembered.

View this book in the Tandem Library Books Online Bookstore.

There are some pretty amazing friendships out there.  We’ve managed to round up six tremendous examples of unlikely friendships that have left a lasting mark on readers this year.

Although Cowboy and Octopus have different opinions about beans and knock-knock jokes, their friendship grows in these seven humorous mini-stories.

Owen & Mzee bonded with one another despite some pretty unimaginable differences. Owen, a baby hippo was separated from his mother during the devastating 2004 tsunami, and Mzee, a 130-year-old giant tortoise invited the inspiring, inseparable friendship.

After conquering the unknown beyond his nut tree in 2006, Scaredy Squirrel is ready to socialize in Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend.  Once he's spotted a perfectly safe candidate (with no teeth), will he be able to make the Perfect Friend?

                                                    The moment they saw each other, Ivy & Bean knew they wouldn't be friends. But when Bean pulls a trick that goes wrong, Ivy comes to the rescue, proving that sometimes the best of friends are people who never meant to like each other.

Graystripe and Millie are from two different worlds, but that doesn’t stop the feisty kittypet Millie and second-in-command of ThunderClan Graystripe from becoming the best of friends.  Lost Warrior is the first of a new graphic novel series based on the incredibly popular Warrior series.

Lincoln and Keckley star in An Unlikely Friendship, a fictionalized dual biography by one of the premier writers of historical fiction for young readers. Find out how two women--one who grew up in a wealthy Southern home and became the wife of the president of the United States, the other who was born a slave and eventually purchased her own freedom--come to be such close companions.

*Keep your eyes peeled for Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach April 2008.
*That goes double for Warrior's Refuge at the end of December 2007 and Warrior’s Return in April 2008.
*We can’t forget about Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter in April 2008.