DOCSLIB.ORG

Table Contents

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Table Contents Table Contents● ofVolume 3, Number 2 Summer/Fall 2005 Cover photo by Paper and Paperless, Chicago Notes and Letters 36 Wonders and Miracles An Editor’s, Author’s, and Designer’s Publishing Odyssey 2 Editor’s Note Dianne Hess Sharon Korbeck Verbeten 41 Best of Beginning Readers 2 Executive Director’s Note ALSC Launches the Malore I. Brown Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Caroline Ward 3 Outgoing ALSC President’s Message Gretchen Wronka 42 Jack Gantos on Writing Digging Up Creative Juices from Restaurants to 4 Incoming ALSC President’s Message Graveyards Ellen Fader Alison Follos Features 45 What Olivia Knows How a Pig Can Teach Librarians Advocacy ALSC Managing Children’s Services Committee 5 Award Acceptance Speeches Newbery Medal 49 A Travel Package for Book Lovers Cynthia Kadohata Luxury Library Vacations Megan Lynn Isaac Caldecott Medal Kevin Henkes 52 A Storied Career Wilder Medal At 70, Uri Shulevitz Isn’t Slowing Down Laurence Yep Sharon Korbeck Verbeten 14 Only the Rarest Kind of Best One View of Literary Criticism Departments Susan Cooper 47 Call for Referees 18 Book Award Patron Tells Her Compelling Story 54 Book Reviews Sharon Korbeck Verbeten Tools for Librarians: Books that Help Us Do Our Jobs Junko Yokota, book review editor; and Kathryn Miller 20 Information Needs: Learning More about What Kids Want, Need, 57 ALSC News and Expect from Research 59 Index to Advertisers Andrew Kenneth Shenton and Pat Dixon 60 Officers and Board of Directors 29 “Forty Hundred Books” 62 Author Guidelines A Single Mother’s Year with the Newbery 64 The Last Word Heather McNeil Angela Reynolds Editor’s Note Favorite Things Sharon Korbeck Verbeten emember the song “My Favorite Things” Editor Rfrom The Sound of Music? I love that film and Sharon Korbeck Verbeten, De Pere, Wisc. find the song positively joyous . although I’m not really that big Editorial Advisory Committee on “whiskers on kittens” or “crisp apple strudel.” I thought I would Jeri S. Kladder, Chair, Columbus, Ohio share with you some of my favorite things, at least as far as being Rosanne Cerny, Jamaica, N.Y. Patrick Jones, Richfield, Minn. editor of CAL goes. Jill S. Ratzan, Highland Park, N.J. Ellen Fader, ALSC President, Ex Officio, Portland, Ore. ■ ALA Conferences. From what I’ve witnessed, most librarians Sharon Korbeck Verbeten, Editor, Ex Officio, De Pere, Wisc. who go to the conferences feel it is a privilege, never drudgery. Interim Executive Director That’s a refreshing attitude; I’ve been to some shows and con- Aimee Strittmatter ferences where the feeling is opposite. I’m especially excited Division Coordinator about next year’s destinations. Laura Schulte-Cooper ■ Award speeches. I think I may have written last year about Web Site how thrilling it is to read the Caldecott and Newbery speeches www.ala.org/alsc before they are delivered at Annual Conference. I always think Circulation the written versions are extremely thoughtful, but hearing Children and Libraries (ISSN 1542-9806) is published three times per year by the American them delivered is even better. Library Association (ALA), 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. It is the official publication of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of ALA. Subscription price: members of ALSC, $20 per year, included in membership dues; nonmembers, $40 per year in ■ Author interviews. In almost every issue of CAL, we try to bring the U.S.; $50 in Canada, Mexico, and other countries. Back issues within one year of current you an interview with an insightful author. It’s a treat to speak issue, $12 each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Children and Libraries, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Members send mailing labels or facsimile to Member Services, 50 E. Huron with them and share the stories of their beginnings and their St., Chicago, IL 60611. Nonmember subscribers: Subscriptions, orders, changes of address, and inquiries should be sent to Children and Libraries, Customer Service—Subscriptions, methods with you. 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; 1-800-545-2433, press 5; fax: (312) 944-2641; e-mail: [email protected]. Thanks for letting me share a few of my favorite things. Summer is almost over, so enjoy the “raindrops on roses” and the last lazy Statement of Purpose Children and Libraries is the official journal of ALSC, a division of the American Library days . those are favorite things, too. & Association. The journal primarily serves as a vehicle for continuing education of librarians working with children, which showcases current scholarly research and practice in library ser- vice to children and spotlights significant activities and programs of the Association. (From the Executive Director’s Note journal’s draft “Policies and Procedures” document to be adopted by the ALSC board.) Malore I. Brown Production ALA Production Services—Troy D. Linker and Angela Hanshaw; Stephanie Kuenn, Kristen McKulski, Karen Sheets, and Christine Velez, Production Editors. t is with heavy heart that I write this farewell Advertising note. Effective July 15, I resigned my position Benson, Coffee and Associates,1411 Peterson Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068; (847) 692-4695; fax: as ALSC Executive Director. After four years of (847) 692-3877; e-mail: [email protected]. The journal accepts advertising for goods or services I of interest to the library profession and librarians in service to youth in particular. It encourages service, I decided to pursue other opportunities. advertising that informs readers and provides clear communication between vendor and buyer. The journal adheres to ethical and commonly accepted advertising practices and reserves the right to reject any advertisement not suited to the above purposes or not consistent with the aims and policies of ALA. Acceptance of advertising in the journal does not imply official It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with dedicated endorsement by ALA of the products or services advertised. ALSC members and staff. I believe I have accomplished a great many things. My first years in ALSC were during a time of great Manuscripts Manuscripts and letters pertaining to editorial content should be sent to Sharon Korbeck change, as the division transitioned to a new journal and a fresh Verbeten, editor, 820 Spooner Ct., De Pere, WI 54115; (920) 339-2740; e-mail: toylady@ athenet.net. Manuscripts will be sent out for review according to the journal’s established logo and identity and implemented a new communications plan. referee procedures. See the author guidelines in each issue for further information. Over the past four years, ALSC has received numerous grants that have allowed us to develop and provide valuable resources and Indexing, Abstracting, and Microfilm Children and Libraries is indexed in Library and Information Science Abstracts and in Library opportunities to our members. The division has strengthened Literature and Information Science. preexisting relationships with like-minded organizations and has Children and Libraries is indexed, abstracted, and available in full text through EBSCOhost. For fostered exciting, new partnerships and collaborations as well. My more information, contact EBSCO at 1-800-653-2726. Children and Libraries is also available from ProQuest Information and Learning in one or more experiences have been challenging, rewarding, and enriching. of the following ways: online, via the ProQuest information service; microform; CD-ROM; and via database licensing. For more information, call 1-800-521-0600, ext. 2888 or online at www. il.proquest.com. I thank you all for your support of ALSC and wish you the best The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI as you continue your work with children in libraries. I leave the Z39.48-1992. office in the capable hands of Interim Executive Director Aimee Copyright ©2005 American Library Association Strittmatter and the ALSC staff; I have no doubt that they will con- All materials in this journal subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be photocopied for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement granted tinue to work hard to serve you and the association well. & by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. For other photocopying, reprint- ing, or translating, address requests to the ALA Office of Rights and Permissions. 2 Summer/Fall 2005 • Children and Libraries ALSC members’ responses indicate that we need to do a better job of recruit- ing new members. But I am not sur- prised that access to group rates on auto, life, and health insurance are not ALSC member priorities. The board will continue to inform our strategic plan- ning with the rich information gathered from the survey. We will be giving you a more detailed analysis soon. Finally, John emphasized, “Survey results indi- cate that ALSC has a very involved and engaged membership.” But of course! How does the board incorporate this Outgoing data into its routine and decision- making? One effective way is to culti- President’s vate our working relationship during the board orientation at Midwinter Meeting as new and experienced board mem- Message bers coalesce to begin the year’s work. Gretchen Wronka Last January, pens and minds racing, ALSC ALSC President, 2004–05 the board absorbed a dynamic message from Susan Fox, executive director of the American Association of Law Librarians. She urged the board to do many things: ALSC Ahead to 2010 ■ Practice improvisational leadership. ■ Be agile and responsive to members. ccording to John Chrastka, ALA’s membership marketing man- ■ Be nimble and transparent. ager, more than 850 ALSC mem- A ■ bers responded to ALA Ahead to 2010, Dream big. the all-member online survey conducted from May 15 to July 5, 2004.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2007 Awards Issue Newbery and Caldecott Speeches
    Childrenthe journal of the Association for Library Service to Children &LibrariesVolume 5 Number 2 Summer/Fall 2007 ISSN 1542-9806 2007 Awards Issue Newbery and Caldecott Speeches 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611 Book Clubs for Teens • Tips for First-Year Managers NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BIRMINGHAM, AL PERMIT NO. 3020 “A story to love.”* Ruth White Author of BELLE PRATER’S BOY, a Newbery Honor Book �“At the heart of the story are profound questions that readers will enjoy puzzling out.” —Starred, Booklist �“A tale of magical beginnings and the everyday magic of an ordinary place populated by a colorful cast of characters worthy of Dickens.” —*Starred, Kirkus Reviews “Captivating and thoughtful on many levels.” —School Library Journal “Has its own memorable charm.” —The Horn Book $16.00 / 978-0-374-38251-3 / Ages 10 up FARRAR•STRAUS•GIROUX www.fsgkidsbooks.com Table Contents● ofVolume 5, Number 2 Summer/Fall 2007 Notes 43 Making Storytime Available to Children of Working Parents 2 Editor’s Note Public Libraries and the Scheduling of Children’s Literacy Programs Sharon Verbeten Sandra Hughes-Hassell, Denise Agosto, and Xiaoning Sun 2 Executive Director’s Note Diane Foote 49 Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Sets a World Record in 2006 3 Outgoing President’s Message Jumpstart Launches 2007 Campaign Kathleen T. Horning 4 Incoming President’s Message Departments Jane B. Marino 50 Research and Development Column Features Sex and Violence: Is Exposure to Media Content Harmful to Children? Bowie Kotrla 6 Award Acceptance
    [Show full text]
  • Remembering Gregory Rogers Born 19 June 1957
    Remembering Gregory Rogers Born 19 June 1957. Died 1 May 2013. In recognition of Greg Roger’s contribution to children’s literature, the CBCA Queensland Branch (http://www.cbcaqld.org) aims to raise $5000 so that his name can be listed in memoriam as a Major Donor to the CBCA Awards Foundation. Gregory Rogers was born in Brisbane and grew up in Coorparoo. He studied at the Queensland College of Art and worked as a graphic designer before taking up freelance illustration in1987. He illustrated many books, including Margaret Card’s Aunty Mary’s Dead Goat, Ian Trevaskis’s The Postman Race, Gary Crew’s Tracks and Lucy’s Bay, Libby Hathorn’s Way Home, and Nigel Gray’s Running Away From Benefactors Home. As well as being the first Australian illustrator to win the Kate Scholastic Australia, Allen & Unwin, Greenaway Medal for Way Home Greg also won a Parents’ Choice Laurie Copping OAM (in memoriam), Award in the U.S. and was shortlisted for the ABPA book design awards. Thyne Reid Trust No. 1. The first book he both wrote and illustrated was The Boy, the Bear, the Major Donors Baron, and the Bard published by Allen & Unwin in 2004. It features a timeslip to Shakespeare’s London by a boy who follows a soccer ball Australia Post, Jill Bruce, Sandy Campbell, Jean Chapman (in memoriam), Era Publications from Shakespeare’s Globe, the modern reconstruction, to the original Max Fatchen (in memoriam), Five Mile Press Globe Theatre. With Midsummer Knight (2006) and The Hero of Little Libby Gleeson AM, Bob Graham Street (2009) it constitutes a ‘wordless picture book series’.
    [Show full text]
  • By Jack Gantos
    A truly killer comedy filled with history and mystery! The hilarious sequel to the Newbery Medal–winning novel DEAD END IN NORVELT. A TEAcher’s Guide TO FOR USE WITH COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS By Jack Gantos Farrar Straus Giroux Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group mackids.com Grades 4–8 HC: 978-0-374-37994-0 eBOOK: 978-0-374-32474-2 Farrar Straus Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group Digital Audio: 978-1-4272-3314-1 CD: 978-1-4272-3313-4 Macmillan Audio SetA B inOUT 1962 THat theE timeBOOK of the Cuban Missile Crisis, this new adventure about the fictionalized young Jack Gantos returns to the author’s western Pennsylvania hometown, a few months after the close of the first book. Twelve-year-old Jack is busy with the dirty job of digging a fallout shelter in his backyard. He is also once again entangled with a local murder mystery. On Halloween night, poor Mrs. Custard, an old lady who has just moved back to Norvelt, dies after eating a poisoned Girl Scout cookie, just as Jack is trick-or-treating on her doorstep. Jack and Miss Volker—his elderly friend, mentor, and neighbor—are convinced that Mr. Spizz, the lead suspect in the seven old-lady murders from the previous summer, is the old crook behind the new crime. When Jack sees a light on in Spizz’s former office, he is convinced that the alleged murderer is back in town. Then the Grim Reaper strikes again, as news arrives that Eleanor Roosevelt has died.
    [Show full text]
  • Jack Henry Guide 6P.Indd
    a teacheR’s guide FoR THE JACK HENRY SERIES In five books of fierce and funny interconnected stories, the Jack Henry series follows the highs and lows of the author’s semiautobiographical everyboy as he makes a bumpy journey through grade school and into middle school. The fact that his mom and dad keep moving Jack’s family from one town (and country) to the next only makes the ride that much more challenging, with hilarious predicaments around every turn. Buckle up for a wild ride! pRe-Reading actiVitY Jack Gantos kept a journal throughout his childhood. His Jack Henry stories grew out of actual events that he recorded in his journals. Ask students to begin their study of the Jack Henry books by keeping a daily journal. Instruct them to focus on themselves and their interaction with family and friends. Those who wish to may illustrate their journal entries. Remind students that their journal entries should remain private unless they want to share them. Jack adRiFt: FouRth gRade without a clue Fourth grade becomes by turns hilarious and painful for Jack when his father joins the Seabees and moves the family to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Their house, a trailer in the middle of a swamp, is cramped quarters for a family of five and gives Jack no escape from his judgmental older sister or from his parents’ disagreements, which, while amusing, leave Jack utterly confused. For example, his parents’ contradictory advice on making friends and influencing people: Dad says to tell people what they want to hear, while Mom cautions him to just tell the truth.
    [Show full text]
  • American Library Association Announces 2014 Youth Media Aw
    American Library Association announces 2014 youth media aw... http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/01/american-librar... You are at: ALA.org » News » American Library Association announces 2014 youth media award winners American Library Association announces 2014 youth media award winners For Immediate Release RSS Feed Subscribe Mon, 01/27/2014 Contact: Macey Morales ALA Media Relations Public Information Office (PIO) 312-280-4393 [email protected] PHILADELPHIA — The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, video and audio books for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia. A list of all the 2014 award winners follows: ** John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature: “Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures,” written by Kate DiCamillo, is the 2014 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press. Four Newbery Honor Books also were named: “Doll Bones,” written by Holly Black and published by Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division; “The Year of Billy Miller,” written by Kevin Henkes 1 of 10 1/27/14 9:41 AM American Library Association announces 2014 youth media aw... http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/01/american-librar... and published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; “One Came Home,” written by Amy Timberlake and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.; and “Paperboy,” written by Vince Vawter and published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • LIBBY HATHORN (A.K.A.Elizabeth Hathorn) PAPERS
    A Guide to the LIBBY HATHORN (a.k.a.Elizabeth Hathorn) PAPERS © Rachel Bailey National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc. April 2019 Page 1 of 61 A Guide to the papers of Libby Hathorn (a.k.a. Elizabeth Hathorn) © National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc. LIBBY HATHORN PAPERS SCOPE AND CONTENT Libby Hathorn donated papers relating to many of her works to the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc in September 2017. The collection spans the years from 1979 to 2017. The size of the collection is 15 standard archival boxes and 3 oversize flat archival boxes. The 3 oversize boxes (numbered 16 – 18) include primarily posters, storyboards, mock-ups, photocopies of artwork proofs, page proofs and cover proofs. The collection includes young adult novels, junior novels, picture books, short stories, poetry, radio programmes, movies, documentaries, operas, plays, CD ROMs and other general papers. This collection also includes papers relating to both published and unpublished works. There are numerous manuscripts, including drafts and rewrites. The papers also include correspondence with publishers, artists, editors, publicists, literary agents, government agencies, festival organisers and many other people and organisations. There are numerous newspaper articles and reviews as well as promotional materials and festival programmes. Some books, eg Georgina, woman of flowers, required extensive research by the author. Much of the research is included in this collection. The enormity of this collection gives an insight into the writing process and the challenges of creating and publishing for young people in various formats. Libby did not restrict herself to publishing in Australia.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hero of Little Street by Gregory Rogers
    BOOK PUBLISHERS Teachers’ Notes by Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright The Hero of Little Street Gregory Rogers ISBN 978-1-74114-524-3 Recommended for ages 4-8+ These notes may be reproduced free of charge for use and study within schools but they may not be reproduced (either in whole or in part) and offered for commercial sale. Introduction ............................................. 2 Themes .................................................. 2 Curriculum topics ...................................... 3 Study of history, society & environment . 3 English language & literacy .................. 4 Visual literacy ..................................... 5 Creative arts ...................................... 7 Learning technologies .......................... 8 Maths ................................................ 8 Conclusion ............................................... 8 Blackline masters ...................................... 9 About the author/illustrator ...................... 14 Bibliography of related texts and resources 14 About the writer of these notes ................. 17 83 Alexander Street PO Box 8500 Crows Nest, Sydney St Leonards NSW 2065 NSW 1590 ph: (61 2) 8425 0100 [email protected] Allen & Unwin PTY LTD Australia Australia fax: (61 2) 9906 2218 www.allenandunwin.com ABN 79 003 994 278 INTRODUCTION In this, the third in his ‘Boy Bear’ series of wordless picture books, Gregory Rogers creates another rollicking adventure for ‘the boy’, having him once again stumble back in time, although here he visits the world of the Dutch Masters
    [Show full text]
  • The Boy, the Bear, the Baron, the Bard Gregory Rogers ISBN 9781865087221 Recommended for Age 6 and Over
    BOOK PUBLISHERS Teachers Notes (Primary) by Robyn Sheahan-Bright The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, The Bard Gregory Rogers ISBN 9781865087221 Recommended for age 6 and over These notes may be reproduced free of charge for use and study within schools but they may not be reproduced (either in whole or in part) and offered for commercial sale. Introduction ............................................ 2 Plot summary .......................................... 2 Themes ................................................. 2 Curriculum topics ..................................... 3 Studies of Society and Environment 3 English Language and Literacy ....... 8 Visual Literacy ............................. 11 Drama and Film ........................... 14 Music.......................................... 16 Learning Technologies................... 17 Maths – Time............................... 17 Science....................................... 17 Conclusion .............................................. 18 Bibliography ............................................ 18 About the writers ..................................... 22 83 Alexander Street PO Box 8500 Crows Nest, Sydney St Leonards NSW 2065 NSW 1590 ph: (61 2) 8425 0100 [email protected] Allen & Unwin PTY LTD Australia Australia fax: (61 2) 9906 2218 www.allenandunwin.com ABN 79 003 994 278 INTRODUCTION This is a joyously expressive, wordless picture book which takes the reader on a free-wheeling chase through the streets of Elizabethan London. Told in filmic frames of cartoon-like illustrations which offer glorious aerial views of some of the action, this book will appeal not only to the younger reader, but also to the reader of any age who appreciates visual narratives. STORY SUMMARY When a small boy kicks his soccer ball into the area of an old theatre, he stumbles inside, dons a cloak, and is transported (at exactly 4.00pm!) back in time to the stage of the famous Globe Theatre where Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is being played out.
    [Show full text]
  • A Teacher's Guide To
    2012 Newbery Medal Winner 2012 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction An ALA Notable Children’s Book An ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book A TEACHER’S GUIDE TO by Jack Gantos Farrar Straus Giroux Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group mackids.com Grades 4–8 HC: 978-0-374-37993-3 eBOOK: 978-1-4299-6250-6 Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group CD: 978-1-4272-1356-3 Macmillan Audio ABOUT THE BOOK During the summer of his thirteenth year, Jack Gantos is “grounded for life” by his quarreling parents until his mom loans him to an elderly neighbor for a very odd chore. Miss Volker, the arthritic town medical examiner and obituary writer, needs a typist.The last of the original town residents are dying, and the Volker and Gantos team work overtime to meet the newspaper deadlines. What once seemed like a summer of doom for Jack turns into an adventure involving dead bodies, cooked hands, poisoned rats, a homemade airplane, Hells Angels, a man on a tricycle . and possibly murder. Jack, a nosebleeder, spews blood with each anxious moment, but through it all he learns what it takes to be a man. PRE-READING ACTIVITY Ask students to brainstorm the kind of information normally featured in an obituary. Read aloud the obituary of a house that Miss Volker writes for the Norvelt News (pp. 194–97). Have students write an obituary of an old toy. Encourage them to include personal information. They may also wish to make it humorous.
    [Show full text]
  • Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
    Curriculum Guide 2010-2011 Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse By Kevin Henkes Adapted by Kevin Kling Table of Contents A Letter from the Director of Education page 3 Pre- Show Preparation – Educate! Synopsis of the Play page 4 About the Author & Playwright page 5 Related Reading page 6 Performance – Excite! Theater is a Team Sport page 7 Discussion and Activities page 8 Post performance – Empower! Post performance questions page 9 Sunshine State Standards page 10 Lilly’s Link to Science page 11 Lilly’s Link to Reading & Language Arts page 14 Lilly’s Link to Health page 20 Lilly’s Link to Social Studies page 21 Lilly’s Link to Theater page 25 2 A Letter from the Director of Education “ All the world’s a stage,” William Shakespeare tells us ”and all the men and women merely players.” I invite you and your class to join us on the world of our stage, where we not only rehearse and perform, but research, learn, teach, compare, contrast, analyze, critique, experiment, solve problems and work as a team to expand our horizons. We’re “Shakin’ It Up” at Orlando Shakes, with new Lesson Plans designed to assist teachers with curriculum needs while sharing what is unique and magical about the Theater Arts. We’ve designed our Study Guides with Sunshine State Standards in mind. You’ll find a first section which will help you prepare your students for the theatrical experience, a second section suggesting what to watch and listen for during the performance, and lastly, discussion questions and lesson plans to use when you are back in your classroom, to help your students connect what they’ve learned to their lives and your diverse and demanding curriculum.
    [Show full text]
  • The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes Book Summary
    The Year of Billy Miller By Kevin Henkes Book Summary: Billy’s mum is a teacher and his dad works at home as an artist, spending his day’s finding objects he can use for his found-art sculptures. When Billy begins second grade, he is scared and unsure of how he will perform in school. To make matters worse, there is a new girl who sits at his table, and she constantly criticizes him. As the school year progresses, Billy Miller does well and overcomes his insecurities. The Year of Billy Miller proves to be the best year Billy could have hoped for. Newbery Honour author and Caldecott Medallist Kevin Henkes delivers a short, satisfying, laugh- out-loud-funny school and family story that features a diorama homework assignment, a school poetry slam, cancelled sleepovers, and epic sibling temper tantrums. This is a perfect short novel for early readers. The Year of Billy Miller includes black-and-white art by Kevin Henkes Themes: Friendship, Family, Social Issues ISBN: 9780062268143 E-ISBN: 9780062268150 (ebook) Appropriate Ages: 6+ Notes by: Kevin Henkes Updated Jacqui Barton These notes may be reproduced free of charge for use and study within schools but they may not be reproduced (either in whole or in part) and offered for commercial sale. Page 1 Discussion Questions 1. How does Billy’s father support and encourage him when he is fearful or troubled? 2. What are some of the situations Billy worries about? How does Billy’s worrying affect his actions? 3. How does Billy feel when Ms.
    [Show full text]
  • The World of Kevin Henkes
    The World of Kevin Henkes URE BOO ICT K GUIDE P A Old Bear “It doesn’t matter if you’re the most popular kid in class when you’re lost Tr 978-0-06-155205-2 • $17.99 Lb 978-0-06-155206-9 • $18.89 in a book. Or if you’re the smartest. Or the best basketball player. Board 978-0-06-208963-2 • $7.99 What matters is the book and the world it brings you.” ALA Notable Children’s Book —Kevin Henkes Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice Capitol Choices (Washington, DC) Wisconsin Library Association’s Children’s Book Award KevinHenkes_Cover.qxd5 10/9/11 10:32 PM Page 2 KevinHenkesInterior 10/9/11 10:40 PM Page 16 Q: Children adore Kitten’s First Full Moon, but they do wonder why there’s no color in it. Can you give them some insight into how you Q&A with Kevin Henkes came up with the story and developed the illustrations? Kevin Henkes A:The story began as part of a failed attempt at creating a young Q: How did you come to use mice as the characters in so many of concept book about circles. There was one line from the manu- your books? Did you consider other animals as well? script I liked:“The cat thought the moon was a bowl of milk.” This A: My early books have realistically rendered humans as the protag- line stuck in the back of my mind. I expanded upon it to write onists. As my stories became more humorous, I thought that I Kitten’s First Full Moon.
    [Show full text]